As the world commemorates International Day of Peace, the Pioneer Director of the Delta State Chapter of the International Forum of Women in Energy, Oil, and Gas, Mrs Ogochukwu Okekpolo, has urged Nigerian Youths to shun violence and embrace peace.
Mrs Ogochwukwu made this call at the 6th Annual Peace Conference championed by the Advanced Peace and Reconciliation Centre of Nigeria (APRCN) in partnership with Security and Forensic Studies Nigeria.
The International Day of Peace, celebrated globally on September 21, seeks to foster a culture of harmony, acceptance, and cooperation across nations.
In line with this year’s theme: “Cultivating a Culture of Peace,” Mrs Ogochukwu, who was conferred with the UN Eminent Ambassador award at the conference, charged youths to shun violence and embrace peace and tolerance as suitable weapons to fight Nigeria’s war.
She stressed that fostering peace and tolerance will drive the nation’s progress.
She said, “Peace is the foundation of prosperity, peace is the foundation of growth.
“The Youths should be dedicated and dogged. They are fighting a lot of things that the generations before fought. But there are weapons that are silent, the weapon of education is a weapon of peace. It is a weapon of love, tolerance, and advocacy.
“We must not go the way of arms. We must think back and strategise. I know that the battle is stiff; the Battle of relevance, the battle to make a name and make a living, but we can tackle it using weapons of justice, of peace, tolerance, education, value creation and equitable redistribution of resources.”
Reacting to her Ambassadorial award, Mrs.Ogochukwu who is an advocate for women and youths, said it was humbling, adding that it is a platform to amplify her voice and do more.
