The Aviary Association Worldwide, in collaboration with the United Nations, recently organized a peace walk in Lagos to mark the International Day of Peace. The event, themed "invest in peace for everyone, everywhere, everyday," aimed to raise awareness about the importance of peace, dialogue, justice, and peaceful coexistence. The walk was organized by the Akete Aviary in Lagos.
The President of the Lagos State branch of the Aviary Association, Jonathan Eyitemi, emphasized the association's commitment to promoting peace across the country and beyond through advocacy and public awareness. He described peace as more than the absence of war, noting that it also involved justice and the ability of people to live without fear. Eyitemi urged pupils, teachers, and the public to embrace peaceful coexistence.
Eyitemi called on political parties and their supporters to embrace peace ahead of the forthcoming elections, urging stakeholders to avoid violence and allow democratic processes to thrive. He stressed that peace required collective responsibility and investment. The association has extended its peace advocacy to various states, promoting peace and encouraging people to invest in creating a peaceful society.
Chief Odukoya Akinola, Treasurer of the Oodua Aviary Association Worldwide, highlighted the importance of promoting peace among elders, youths, children, and business owners. He emphasized that the responsibility for peace belonged to everyone and should not be left to individuals or governments alone. Akinola advocated dialogue as a means of resolving conflicts and identified education as a crucial tool for promoting peace.
Akinola urged Nigerians to love their neighbors as themselves and called on youths to embrace one another, emphasizing that mutual love and understanding would contribute to peaceful coexistence. He noted that peace and justice are interconnected, saying that if there's peace, justice will be activated. The organizers called on Nigerians and people worldwide to build trust, invest in people, and create an environment where peace, dignity, and understanding can thrive.
Oseghale Chris, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Lagos chapter, described the peace walk as a yearly global event aimed at creating awareness about the importance of peaceful coexistence. He emphasized that the association was using the occasion to remind the public that peace was essential to making the world a better and more enjoyable place.
The organizers and participants of the peace walk emphasized that achieving lasting peace required the collective efforts of individuals, communities, institutions, and governments. They encouraged people to practise the values they preach and promote peace within their schools and communities. The event aimed to inspire investment in peace and human development, promoting a culture of peace and understanding.
Key points
- The Aviary Association Worldwide and the UN organized a peace walk in Lagos to mark the International Day of Peace.
- The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of peace, dialogue, justice, and peaceful coexistence.
- The organizers called for collective efforts to achieve lasting peace and promote a culture of peace and understanding.
