This year’s Theme: Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.
Let Peace Reign — In Our Minds, Our Communities and Our World
By Nura Bello Suleiman
In Sokoto
Ensuring Peace and stability in the society has been described as collective responsibility aimed at having sustaining progress and Development at any nation.
United for global peace cluster Coordinator Sokoto state Nigeria Dr Hassan Ibin Attahir disclosed during an event to celebrate International Day of Peace and participate in this Peace Walk in Sokoto state in collaborations with Integrated Life support for women and children Imitative ILSWACI,
The convener of the road walk said ensuring of peace is not only government responsivity but all segment of the society and the need for advocating and promoting of peace and tolerance through compassion and peaceful coexistence, dialogue, and avoid spread hate and misinformation,
We are not merely gathered for a walk; we are gathered to make a statement—that peace matters, our communities matter, and the lives and dignity of our people matter. Despite the challenges confronting our communities, we will not surrender our hope for a peaceful future.
Every year on 21 September, the world commemorates the International Day of Peace. It reminds humanity of the importance of peace among nations and peoples. But peace must not remain an idea discussed once a year. It must become part of our everyday lives.
It must begin in our homes, schools, markets and communities—and, most importantly, in our minds. Before violence reaches our streets, it often begins with hatred, intolerance, suspicion, dehumanisation and a refusal to understand one another. If we want peaceful communities, we must cultivate peaceful
The convener further said we cannot ignore the security challenges affecting communities in Sokoto State. Insecurity goes beyond physical safety. When people are afraid to travel, livelihoods are affected. When farmers cannot safely reach their farms, food production and family incomes suffer. When parents fear for their children, family security is weakened. Violence can disrupt education, commerce and development.
This is why today’s gathering matters. We are not walking because we fail to recognize these challenges; we are walking because we refuse to allow them to destroy our hope. We believe peace remains possible, every community deserves safety and dignity, and every citizen has a role in building peaceful communities.
Peace is not the responsibility of government alone. Government must protect citizens, and security agencies must protect lives and property. Traditional and religious leaders also have important roles. But citizens have responsibilities too. Peace is everybody’s business.
Parents promote peace by teaching children tolerance. Teachers promote it by encouraging respect for differences. Religious leaders promote it through compassion and peaceful coexistence. Traditional leaders encourage dialogue. Students can refuse to spread hate and misinformation. Traders can resolve disagreements without violence. Young people can reject violent activities and choose constructive engagement. Every citizen promotes peace by choosing dialogue instead of confrontation.
We must move away from the mentality of “us and them” and recognise that we are part of one community. We may have different backgrounds, opinions and social or economic circumstances, but we share the same communities, roads, markets, schools and, most importantly, a common future. When insecurity affects one community, it concerns all of us. When a farmer suffers, a child cannot attend school safely, or a family is displaced, it concerns all of us. Our humanity connects us.
Dr Hasaan Ibin Attahir advised participants to use what they have learnt to spread the message of peace at our homes, schools, workplaces, markets and communities. Let peace guide our conversations, decisions and relationships.
Also in his remarks Ambassador Nasiru Lawal Maimagani said they organized the campaign based on the importance of peace at all levels and interact with representative of community leaders, youths and Students discourage spread hate resolve disagreements without violence among people and promotes peace by choosing dialogue instead of confrontation.
Nasir Lawal Maimagani challenged youths especially students not allow themselves to be use as agent criminal activities and embraced dialog as solutions in whatever situation to serve as examples as leaders of tomorrow,
Some of the participants who attended the road walk expressed happiness with the organizers and assured to spread the message of peace in the society through whatever means as to have decent and respected society,
The road walk which starts at Maryam Abacha Women children Multi Purpose along Ibrahim Dasuki road go through Ahmadu Bello up to Emir Yahaya road with participants from representatives of civil society organizations, teachers, students, market men and women,
volunteers, youths, women, members of the media, and all peace-loving people of Sokoto State.
