The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Peace

  • Scholars address global peace

    In continuation of its serialized annual public seminars aimed at advancing the course of peace and human progress, the Lagos Zone of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, an international, cultural, educational and philosophical organization will today hold symposium on national integration for global peace.

    The event will feature eminent scholars such as Dr. Douglas Anele, Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos among  others.

    The programme is scheduled to kick off at Ilupeju Lagos at 9am.

    The Special  Guest of Honour is Dr. Kenneth U. Idiodi, Grand Administrator and Director, Supreme Board of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC.

  • Peace training for students’ leaders

    LEAD initiative in collaboration with Human Capital Partners have organised a three-day leadership tournament called Student’s Leadership Development Tournament (SLEDT) for Students’ Union (SU) leaders of higher institutions in Nigeria, with a mission to expose them to international best practices.

    The programme also featured training in Agri-business.

    At the event, which was hosted by the University of Ibadan, the SU leaders showcased their stewardship using the criteria called VCAPPS, which stands for Vision, Continuity, Accountability, Productivity, Peace and Sustainability and Agri-business.

    Titilayo Femi Kings, an internationally certified student’s affairs professional and project director of SLEDT said Students’ Unionism should be encouraged because it helps groom future leaders.

    “Existence of Students’ Union government enhances the process of school administration and it usually facilitates effective communication between authorities and the students. Indeed, Students’ Unionism provides opportunities for leadership training for the youths,” he said.

    Kings, who is also the Face of Agriculture, Africa,  said the event came out of a vow he made in 1998 during a violent protest by students following the death of M.K.O. Abiola, in which some students died or got injured without achieving meaningful progress.

    He said many students are misled to participate in protests that end up being violent.

    “Many of those protests could have been resolved without resorting to violence and a lot of lives would have been saved.  Today Students’ leaders are characterized by thuggery, cultism and antisocial behavior which are against the tenets of the founding fathers of Students’ Unionism. This is why we are coming up with a programme that focuses on the Partners In Progress (PIP) strategy, which is the hallmark of the 21st century student leader,” he said.

    The tournament has been attended by representatives from schools such as Federal University, Dutse, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO); Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA); University of Calabar (UNICAL); University of Agriculture, Makurdi (UAM); Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST); Ibrahim Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai; Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma; University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID); University of Ilorin (UNILORIN); Uthman Dan Fodio University and Imo State University, Owerri (IMSU).

    Kings noted that the schools that attended last year, now called SLEDT certified schools, have remain peaceful for the past one year.

    Based on what they learnt, the various SU leaders committed N500,000 from their union account to start farming yam, vegetables, fish and poultry.

    They asked for government’s help and support in making their vision a reality.

    At the conclusion of the competition, Imo State University, Owerri emerged tops, while FUTO and IBBU were the first and second runners up.

  • Cultists shatter Kwara peace

    Cultists shatter Kwara peace

    Cult groups, once restricted to campuses and other states, are now clashing on the streets of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, with chilling results, reports KUNLE JIMOH

    Cult-related clashes have claimed no fewer than 10 lives in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital since January. This is a chilling development in a state with a reputation for peace. At the height of the Boko Haram insurgency, Kwara residents enjoyed enviable peace. Cultists also kept their distance.

    Now, the picture is changing. Cult clashes have spread to the streets of Ilorin. Mid January, suspected cultists hacked to death a car wash operator, Bayo Ajia, though he was the alleged to be a notorious cultist.

    The police and state government said they were doing everything to crush crime and sustain peace in the peace.

    Penultimate weekend, a cult  clash reportedly claimed four lives in the state capital, though the police command said three persons died.

    Late last month, suspected cultists struck at Ikoko-Sakamo area of Ilorin, killing a man simply identified as Wasiu. Wasiu, in his 30s, it was gathered, who had reportedly fled the area to avoid being attacked, returned only to face those he dreaded, it was learnt. Like Ajia, he was also said to belong to a cult group. The gunmen reportedly numbering four were said to have arrived in the area in commando style, shooting the victim in the face, an eyewitness said.

    There was anxiety at the scene of the incident as residents and passersby scampered for safety.

    “It was like a theatre scene when the gunmen arrived,” the eyewitness said. “They started shooting and everybody around had to run away.  We didn’t know what happened, we only discovered that the style of operation of the gunmen appeared like they are cultists.

    “Before now, we had been observing Wasiu because his action too was suspicious. He might be a cult member; that is why he was away for some time now before yesterday’s incident.”

    The latest cult clash occurred at Babako, Ita-Amodu and Agbo-Oba areas of Ilorin metropolis between penultimate Saturday night and 4 o’clock on Sunday morning.

    Another person was said to have been hacked to death by suspected cultists in the Olunlade area, along Ilorin-Ajase-Ipo Road.

    The development, it was gathered, created tension in the affected areas while residents scampered for safety.

    Eyewitness account had it that one of the victims of the incident was a- 20-year-old boy allegedly  shot by the cultists.

    It was also gathered that members of the “Aiye” fraternity first struck at Baboko area of Ilorin around 9.30 pm on Saturday night allegedly killing two persons.

    In a reprisal attack, it was gathered that after that operation at Baboko the suspected cultists headed for  Ita-Amodu and Agbo-Oba in Ilorin on a revenge mission. This group also allegedly killed two persons in that reprisal attack.

    The state government and police command said they were would stem the tide of this unsavoury development. The state Commissioner of Police Sam Okaula recently paraded 13 suspected cultists. Items recovered from them included one cut-to-size gun, one locally made pistol and five cartridges.

    Mr. Okaula added that the state police had earlier declared two of the arrested suspects wanted.

    He said, “There were rival cult clashes here and there between Saturday and Sunday and some people lost their lives. But like I told you last time we will always be on top of the situation; we have effected the arrest of 13 of these notorious cultists. We shall go all out to arrest more of these suspects so that we can have peace in the state.”

    “We have directed District Police Officers (DPOs) and Area Commanders to be on top of the situation. We are going to carry out effective checks on motorcycles, as most of them are being used to commit crimes.

    “I use this medium to appeal to members of the public to continue to give us information especially with regard to these cultists…Enough is enough for these boys.”

    Also talking tough, the state governor Abdulfatah Ahmed warned cultists and law breakers that tough time awaited them, adding that there would be no hiding place for them

    Ahmed  said everything necessary would be done to ensure that peace in the state is not truncated by hoodlums. He also urged parents and guardians to take proper care of their wards.

    He said, “The law is very clear on crime. Anybody who is caught under any guise will face the wrath of the law as cultism is unacceptable in Kwara State.”

  • Emir of Keffi urges peace

    The Emir of Keffi in Nasarawa State, Dr. Usman Shehu-Yamusa 11, has urged people to be tolerant and live peacefully with one another, irrespective of religious, cultural and ethnic differences.

    The monarch, who paid a thank you visit to the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, in his Wadata Palace in Bida, Niger State, said for the country to move forward, Nigerians must ensure peace and unity.

    He said: “Peace and unity are tools for national development. So, Nigerians must strive to maintain them to enable the nation move forward.”

    Dr. Shehu-Yamusa vowed to consolidate on the achievements of his late father, Muhammadu Chindo-Yamusa, by collaborating with stakeholders and authorities to bring development to his emirate in particular, Nasarawa State and the country in general.

    He said he would carry on with the good attributes of his late father, aimed at moving Keffi kingdom forward.

    The Etsu Nupe told the Emir that his doors would be open for counselling and guidance that would enable the Emir pilot the affairs of his kingdom.

  • A sure antidote to peace

    A sure antidote to peace

    Those who accuse the police of being rude and crude should now be swimming in their senseless obstinacy. Why can’t we, for once, give them the credit they deserve?

    Consider their recent breakthrough which nobody, including the authorities and those fastidious fellows who hide under all manner of nomenclatures, such as social critic, columnist and activist, to scold and scorn the police, noticed. It is yet to be acknowledged, let alone commended. Even the media have failed to herald it with the publicity blitz accorded such revolution in better climes.

    The police have eventually found an answer to the disruption of public peace which plagues our polity, rendering all efforts at good governance a futility and giving our patriotic public officials nightmares.

    Abusing a public official – name calling, sneering, mocking and disparaging – by making remarks the police believe to be uncomplimentary about him or her can cause a breach of the peace, the police have just discovered. Stop such abuses and what do you have? Peace. Peace and peace.

    To test the efficacy of this landmark theory, which has been hailed for its profundity in intellectual circles, the police have bundled Citizen Deji Babington-Ashaye, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporter, before a magistrate in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, charging him with intent to disrupt public order by calling the distinguished Senator Kashamu Buruji “a drug baron and jail breaker”.

    Babington-Ashaye, the police said, conducted himself in a manner that could lead to a breach of peace by using offensive words on Kashamu on a PDP WhatsApp group called “PDP match to victory”. He reportedly committed the said offence between March 13 and 14 at a location opposite the Community High School, Ogere Remo, according to the prosecuting officer, Sunday Eigbejiale, who claimed that the accused also challenged Kashamu to travel to the United States. Babington-Ashaye pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was granted bail and the matter was adjourned till March 30.

    Ever since this matter went to court, there has been peace not only in Ogun East, the constituency of the distinguished senator, but all over the state. Now, people are aware of the grave legal and security implications of “using offensive words” on a public official.

    Apparently confused about the workings of the new formula, which a police source told me would be deployed in all the other 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a student was asking me the other day to explain the connection between the senator’s private and personal peace and that of the state. He asked: “Couldn’t the senator have sued for libel? Is defamation an offence against the state? Is it criminal? How can abusing a senator or any public official spark a breach of peace?”

    Not being a law enforcement officer or a legal expert, I could only try to explain to the fellow how it all began. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) actually attempted to seize Kashamu and repatriate him to the United States to, according to the agency, answer for alleged drug offences. Kashamu locked himself in, defended his innocence and screamed that he would rather commit suicide than allow himself to be bundled onto a plane and freighted to the United States.

    The matter went to court and the NDLEA was asked to follow the due process, after it pleaded that it had the right to seize Kashamu and repatriate him to the United States where it said some unnamed accomplices of his had been jailed. The senator said in actual fact there was a case, but it had been tried in Britain and he had been exonerated. I am not the “Alhaji” they are looking for, he told the world. If there was such a person, he was quoted as saying, it was his brother who died and was buried a long time ago.

    Now imagine what havoc would have been caused if the police had allowed Babington-Ashaye’s defamation to stick. Will Kashamu’s constituents allow their distinguished senator’s character to be so hacked in such a merciless manner without rising up in arms? Wouldn’t a war have broken out if the police had not moved that fast?

    Why should Babington- Ashaye call Kashamu a drug baron and expect the police to stay calm, knowing that this could be a serious indictment on the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria if it was allowed to fester?

    Does a citizen’s right to free speech include the right to heap insults on a senator, knowing that such insults could breach the peace? Is it not taking free speech to a ridiculous level when a constituent or any person for that matter, no matter how important, tells a senator where he should travel to?”

    All those senators who have been unjustly maligned can now rejoice. The police, I am told, will soon press this innovation to their service so as to convince those who may think the action against Babington-Ashaye is a flash in the pan.

    To be counted among such lucky lawmakers is distinguished Senator Dino Melaye, who has been lampooned as a spendthrift and an irresponsible man on account of what they call his “inability to keep a decent matrimonial home”. The police, I am sure, know the implication of allowing such a character assassination to go unchallenged.

    What was Melaye’s offence? He expounded a powerful theory that only years of research by social science giants working under the best of conditions could have produced. He said he had discovered that to save the naira, the symbol of our economy, we should not just embrace local goods and services, we should marry “made in Nigeria” women.

    The innuendo, said his critics, was unambiguous. He was accused of disdaining the respected Edo State Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole whose charming wife Iara is from Cape Verde.

    Melaye was savaged from all sides. He was reminded of his crashed marriage and what they called his champagne life of wine and women. Peter Okhiria, the governor’s spokesman, hacked him down. He said: “The liberty of free speech guaranteed in the hallowed chambers does not impose lunacy on anyone to disparage other Nigerians. He is a man known for his vainglorious rodomontade and the childish display of his ostentatious lifestyle, which complement his love for foreign items.”

    Okhiria called Melaye “a court jester” who is “tactless”. “We advise that Melaye should mend his ways with his ex-wife and concubines,” he admonished  the senator.

    Now, let’s imagine the police not acting on these scurrilously seditious comments. Won’t the good people of Kogi West, whom the senator represents, rise in defence of their beloved one? Won’t there be a breakdown of law and order?

    A source has just told me of plans to deploy the new formula against those who still deride the distinguished Senator Sani Ahmed Yerima, the former Zamfara State governor, for his conjugal adventure with a girl they still describe as a 13-year-old minor, several years after the ceremony.

    Why refer to a matter that could not be prosecuted even when it was very hot? The other day when the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) brought the former governor to court for allegedly diverting N1 billion meant for the repair of a broken dam, there were suggestions that he should be tried under the Sharia law, which he introduced as governor. The insinuation was not lost. Should Yerima be convicted, he would have his arm chopped off. Yerima’s supporters were enraged. The ICPC officials had to be hustled out of the area by heavily armed security men.

    With the new formula, such an uprising of an otherwise good people provoked by a verbal assault on their dearest one will be prevented and public peace and order will be assured. Not so?

    Just before the Rivers State rerun, Governor Nyesom Wike was being disparaged as one who rode to power on broken limbs, his election a blot on the political landscape. He swam onto the seat in the blood of innocent people, some said. Others, who obviously are His Excellency’s bitter political opponents, were just short of describing him in such sacrilegious terms as “a cultist” and “father of militants”, particularly when a man was beaten up and burnt alive.

    Sending some of those suspected to have launched such verbal assaults  before a magistrate will surely ensure that the peace so much desired by all is installed.

    Nor should Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose bother any more about those who describe him as a “former bus conductor”,  “stunts man” and “failed chicken farmer”, and his popular “stomach infrastructure” policy  a mere deceit. The law will now take care of such felonies.

    For two weeks, the social media have been awash with the news that Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai slapped his deputy, Mr Bala Bantek. His Excellency said yesterday that it was all lies.

    The aim of this “wicked’ rumour”, obviously, was to disrupt the state’s peace, which the law on illegal preaching is supposed to keep and distract His Excellency from his interesting spar with Senator Shehu Sani. Has any governor ever slapped his deputy? The purveyors of this seditious rumour, I am told, will soon be taken before a magistrate.

    Now watch out, all those whose pastime is to ridicule our public officials in the social media – Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, BlackBerry and others – there will be no hiding place any more. The police will be busy combing such sites for deriding comments on public officials which can cause a breach of peace.

    Ever seen a more revolutionary crime prevention device?

  • APC to Nigerians: pray for peace, tolerance

    APC to Nigerians: pray for peace, tolerance

    •Party canvasses global unity against terrorism 

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Nigerians to pray for peace, development and prosperity at Easter.

    Its National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, in a message, canvassed the need for Nigerians to imbibe humility, tolerance, selflessness and sacrifice exhibited by Jesus Christ.

    He asked Christians, especially religious leaders, to always promote religious harmony between and among religious affiliation.

    The APC national chairman assured Nigerians that the 10-month old APC-led administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to delivering on the Change Agenda promised them.

    He said: “The 2016 National Budget passed by the National Assembly provides ample framework to deliver on these promises.”

    Oyegun, who called for global collaboration in the fight against terrorism, said the best chance of defeating terrorism was to come together as a united front to defeat the global threat.

    He urged Nigerians, irrespective of religious, ethnic and political affiliation, to support government in the fight against violent extremism, abductions, mass killings, politically-motivated killings and other criminal activities.

    The APC national chairman said: “In the wake of the gruesome March 22 Zaventem Airport and Maalbeek Metro Station terror attacks in the Belgian capital, Brussels and the March 25 stadium suicide attack in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, the need for greater international cooperation in the fight against global terrorism is reinforced.

    “No country is insulated from the global terrorism threat. Our best chance is to come together as a unified front to defeat this global threat.

    “I call on Nigerians irrespective of religious, ethnic and political affiliation to support government in the fight against violent extremism, abductions, mass killings, politically-motivated killings and other criminal activities. Also, the public should remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies in the fight against criminal activities.

    “While we salute and pray for our  armed forces, police and other security agencies fighting to restore peace and normalcy in the Northeast, rest assured that the end to the Boko Haram-led insurgency and other forms of terrorism by the extremist sect is near.”

  • Muslims, Christians walk for peace

    Muslims, Christians walk for peace

    Adebule, Adeboye hail NASFAT’s initiative

    To promote religion harmony, Muslims and Christians held a walk in Lagos on Saturday.

    With the theme: Walk for religion harmony, it was staged to mark the 21st anniversary of Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fathi Society (NASFAT).

    The walk began at Mobolaji Bank–Anthony Way and ended at the Lagos State Secretariat Mosque Extension in Alausa, Ikeja.

    Among the participants were the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Foursquare Gospel Church and Newborn Apostolic Church. They wore NASFAT outfit, with inscriptions of message of peace.

    NASFAT President Alhaji Kamil Bolarinwa said there was need for religious tolerance, stating the importance of physical and emotional health to such peace.

    Bolarinwa said: “We must take care of our spiritual, emotional and physical self as our body is the most complex of machines given to us by Allah.

    “Our body should not be abused or neglected but maintained in good order; diet and nutrition are critical in maintaining the best possible health including lifestyle and physical exercise.”

    Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Adebule hailed NASFAT for organising a walk with Christians to promote peace.

    Mrs. Adebule said: “I commend NASFAT for this laudable initiative, and on behalf of the governor, the government and people of Lagos, I say thank you to all of you that have participated.

    “For the churches that have participated, this is also highly commendable as this aims at promoting peaceful coexistence in our state.

    “This is the way it should be, government cannot do it alone; we need the support and partnership of the people to be successful, therefore, our people must be in tandem with our programmes.’’

    RCCG General Overseer Pastor Enoch Adeboye hailed NASFAT for inviting the churches, noting that the group‘s preaching of love and tolerance have continued to strengthen religious harmony and peaceful coexistence among Christians and Muslims.

    Adeboye described the walk as beneficial to health, stating: “we have shed some salt from the system and going by the stress level in the country, it is worthwhile.’’

    Adeboye, represented by a senior pastor, Michael Lawson said Islam and Christianity preach love, kindness, justice, tolerance, unity and good behaviour.

    He said the Quran and the bible do not support violence, calling on leaders of both faiths to continue to preach peace and educate their followers about religious tolerance.

    Commissioner for Home Affairs Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef described peaceful coexistence and religious harmony as the bedrock of good governance.

    AbdulLateef said: “Section 38 of the Constitution guarantees peaceful coexistence and Section 42 also says that no one shall suffer any form of discrimination on account of practising his religion.

    “Religious leaders, as development partners, must come together and show the public that we can walk together and do feats in harmony.”

    Mr Godwin Elabor of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Ketu said it was time for Christians and Muslims to “walk” together to achieve common goals, adding: “The word “harmony” is meant for us to come together; Christians and Muslims must come together for a common goal. The common goal is meeting God; let us stop segregating because we are serving one Creator who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. This walk should not stop here.

    “Most of the violence you find in the country is because we do not understand ourselves; this sort of gathering can make us understand ourselves better.”

    National Amir (President) of The Muslim Congress (TMC) Dr Luqman AbdurRaheem said the gathering showed understanding and mutual relationship between Muslims and Christians despite the security situation in the country.

    AbdurRaheem said the best of mankind is the one that tolerates his fellow human being, swallows his anger when provoked and preaches peace and love at all times.

  • Ooni wants Nigerians to work for peace, unity

    Ooni wants Nigerians to work for peace, unity

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi yesterday asked Nigerians, irrespective of religious, ethnic and political differences to work diligently towards sustaining the country’s hard-won unity.

    ‘’It is one Nigeria and forever it will be one Nigeria, with all of us the citizens as one,” Oba Ogunwusi told newsmen in Sokoto.

    Nigerians, according to him, should set aside their diverse backgrounds to ensure that the country remains indivisible.

    ‘’ I am an advocate of peace and we as traditional rulers from across the country would sustain the royal fraternities,” he said, stressing the need for traditional rulers to encourage routine visits to their counterparts from other parts of the country.

    Doing so, the royal father said, would foster more harmonious relationship, peace, unity and socio-economic prosperity of the country.

    He also stressed that the amalgamation of the country in 1914 was never a mistake.

    The Ooni further urged traditional rulers in the country as those closer to the people to always work together in the interest of their people and the nation.

  • Peace and cessation of war proclaimed

    Peace and cessation of war proclaimed

    The formal Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War in the world has been proclaimed for the attainment of humanity’s goal and peace.
    The proclamation was made on March 14 in Seoul, Republic of Korea with over 1,000 internationally-renowned figures including ministers, legal representatives, and media in attendance.

    Since its official inauguration in September 2015, the HWPL International Law Peace Committee has contributed their expertise to develop the draft of the Declaration through in-depth discussions and conferences.

    The committee consists of highly respected international law experts including Dr. Kamal Hossain, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, Dr. Fathi Kemicha, member of the ICCA Governing Board, Mr. Narinder Singh, member of the UN International Law Commission, Mr. Gustaf Moller, Chairman of Finnish Chamber of Commerce, Said El Dakkak, professor of International Law at Alexandria University and others.

    Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL said, “In order to accomplish the collective wishes of all humanity, we have gathered here today. This very moment at this very place will never be forgotten in the history of mankind because the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War will be publicly proclaimed. All citizens of this globe will have to gather their hearts to acknowledge and urge this Declaration to embrace the new era and new life full of peace.”

    IWPG Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim gave a keynote speech by saying, “Once the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War is proclaimed today, youth and women all around the world will quickly rise to urge the international community to support the Declaration…As stated in the Declaration, removing all potentials that cause conflicts is the most valuable work which will become the eternal legacy for the future generations.”

    Chairman Lee presented the articles of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War. The core elements include prohibition of: the threat or use of force; obtaining war potential; and dispute settlement; freedom of religion; spreading a culture of peace. The Declaration is a powerful and ground-breaking tool to dispose of all means that initiate war and armed conflicts, thus further attaining humanity’s fundamental goal, peace.

    In the Preamble, it says, the Declaration aims to ‘maintain international peace and security and (is) determined to pass on to successive generations an invaluable inheritance of a world free of wars’ and to ‘bear in mind the universal commitment of the world’s religions to the promotion of peaceful coexistence, tolerance and mutual respect, and the common spirit that permeates all religious scriptures and holy texts.’

    H.E. Ali Abu Diak, Minister of Justice of State of Palestine, gave a congratulatory speech and said, “This Ceremony and Declaration of the start for drafting an International Agreement intended to renounce armed conflicts and to stop wars is an important turning point for the protection of Human Rights regardless of nationality, residence, gender, race, color, religion or language.”

    H.E. Lex Mpati, President of Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa, said, “I think I can see that it is no longer lip service that we need but rather an action to make this (the Declaration) a reality for all people in this generation and generations to follow. I urge all people in influence to use their influence for the improvement of the humanity rather than its destruction.”

    Undertaken by representatives of various legal and cultural backgrounds from around the world, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has had a profound influence on the international community as the standard for human rights since its proclamation on December 10, 1948.

    Likewise, representatives of diverse legal and cultural backgrounds worked together to create the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War which signifies that peace is possible yet urgent. The declaration will continue to develop as the most widely accepted and cited document to ensure international security and worldwide enjoyment of peace.

  • Mushin NURTW sues for peace

    Mushin NURTW sues for peace

    We are peace loving and law-abiding citizens. We are not criminally- minded or impediments to progress.’’

    These were the words of Alhaji Suleiman Adio, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mushin Main Garage Chairman while reacting to the protest by female traders at Ago Ishaga Market in Mushin, last Thursday.

    Adio said the park had been in existence for over 40 years, adding that NURTW members and the traders are partners in business.

    He dissociated NURTW from the market’s rehabilitation, claiming that the union only resisted attempt to encroach on its park.

    “The market women had reported the case to the Lagos State Chairman of NURTW, Tajudeen Agbede, who invited the parties for amicable settlement last week. It was their dissatisfaction with the outcome of the meeting that led to the protest,” he said.

    He said it was wrong for the market women to portray him or his members as clogs in the wheel of progress, adding: “We are peace loving indigenes of Mushin. They should not exploit the advantage of their numerical strength to deny us our rights. We have even resisted the temptation of millions of naira from developers to make the area better. All we want is for all to co-exist for progress but not to give bad names to one another for selfish reasons.”