Stakeholders at the International Peace Conference organised by Christian Youths in Politics (CYP) have declared that good governance is the only antidote to peaceful co-existence in the country.
The stakeholders who spoke during the conference held in Lagos on Saturday with the theme “Interfaith Peaceful Co-existence” agreed that good governance at all levels is the major criterion to have peaceful co-existence in Nigeria.
Our correspondent reports that the conference was attended by religious leaders among whom are Christians, Muslims, Traditionalists and politicians from various political parties.
Some of the personalities at the event included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who was represented by the Onifeguwa of Ifeguwa, Oba Solomon Adedire and representatives of Lagos and Oyo state governments.
One of the speakers at the conference who is a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, called on governments at all levels to provide good governance to the people.
Oguntoyinbo, who is the Chairman of the organising committee of the conference, said good governance is the only way to foster peaceful co-existence among the various adherents of religion and ethnic groups in the country.
He said for Nigerians to enjoy peaceful co-existence, the government must promote equity and fairness in the allocation of resources.
He said, “God has provided this country with all it needs to take care of its citizens. It is now left for the government to utilise such resources to promote peaceful co-existence in the country. To do that, there must be good leadership and good leadership can only come from politicians who have genuine interest of the people at heart. Whenever we have the opportunity, let’s support only those office seekers who have the interest of the people at heart.
“Look at what is happening in different parts of Nigeria, disagreements and conflicts here and there. Rather than peace and harmony, what we are seeing is bitterness, acrimony, distrust, fighting, destruction of lives and property and total disunity. With all these, you will agree with me that the organisers of their conference deserve a commendation”.
CYP President, Kolawole Princess in her remarks, said the conference was aimed at ensuring that there is peaceful co-existence among adherents of the three religions in the country.
She said CYP is not a partisan organization but encourages Christians to take an active interest in politics by participating in elections as a means of choosing the right leadership for the country.
She said Nigeria should remain peaceful despite its multi-religious and multi-ethnic status as a secular state.
“The adherents of the three religions in the country should live in peace and harmony. There is no family in the country especially in Yoruba land where you will not find adherents of the three religions. Why then are we fighting ourselves in the name of religion. We must stop fighting, unite and work for peaceful co-existence”.
Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Inter Faith Affairs, Rev.Olufemi Ibikunle while speaking, called on the politicians to stop dividing the people along religious lines.
He said, “You can peacefully seek to vote during the election but please don’t divide us, let us live in peace, we are one people irrespective of our religious differences. All the religions are from the same source. They all preach peace and if we are truly religious, then we should be peaceful. The country can only grow in time of peace and we deserve peace to ensure socio-economic growth in the country”.
