TheCable

Rotary international district 9110 has asked Nigerians to maintain peace and harmony as they prepare to participate in the general election.

Speaking on Thursday at an event to mark the 2019 world peace and understanding day in Lagos, Ehi Braimah, president of the Rotary Club of Lagos, said the organisation has a duty to address the underlying cause of conflict around the world.

He lamented recent media reports that have shown a series of crisis and civil disobedience around the world which pose a major threat to lasting peace.

“Specifically, we are witnesses to the menace of Boko Haram, the terrorist group in Nigeria, and the great harm the insurgents have inflicted on innocent people living in north eastern Nigeria — men, women and children who are now sheltered as internally displaced persons in different camps all over Nigeria are victims of the insurgents’ mindless bloodletting,” Braimah said.

“We also recall the abduction of 276 school girls on the night of April 14, 2014 by Boko Haram in Chibok, Borno state with no clue on how the remaining 112 missing girls will be found. The fate of 16-year-old Miss Leah Sharibu is still unknown after over 110 girls were also abducted by Boko Haram from their school in Dapchi, Yobe state on February 19, 2018.

“As Rotarians, we have a duty to address underlying causes of conflicts which, according to RI, include poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education and unequal distribution of resources. Rotarians are also expected to rally round victims of any form of violence including domestic violence.”

The organisation honoured Joy Ugwu, former foreign affairs minister and former permanent representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, with the world peace ambassador award.