There is need in ensuring that peace is maintained in a nation that is made up of many ethnic groups and multi-religion like Nigeria. Research has proven that, Nigeria, as a nation has over 250 ethnic tribes with different religious beliefs.
Lately, the nation’s peace has been woefully threatened by religious radicalism, causing more harm than good. Nevertheless, in this article, I am going explain some of the ways I believe if followed peace can be maintained in Nigeria. Before, we continue, I will love us to look at the meaning of the word ‘peace’.
What Is Peace?
Peace can be defined or referred to as a particular quality of existence that has been over the years sought after, but not often found, since the time, when Nigeria, as a nation gained independent from the Britain, though some have argued that peace has been found, but it has not been maintained in a long enduring form.
That is why, in this article, we will be discussing on various ways by which peace can be maintained in Nigeria.
Some Ways by Which Peace Can Be Maintained
Below are some of the ways I think can ensure peace maintenance in Nigeria as a nation made up of multi-ethnic groups with diverse religious beliefs.
1. There Must Be Sense Of Brotherhood
Every Nigerian is one, tribe, religion notwithstanding. Having this sense of brotherhood is very necessary in Nigeria’s quest to maintain peace in this country. It is about time every Nigerian see each other in the lens of oneness, we are talking about brotherhood here if peace must be maintained in Nigeria.
From our individual families to schools, and in churches, in our mosques, in social gathering, we must preach the gospel of oneness, parents should council their children at home why they should regard someone from different tribe as God’s creation, as a brother or a sister, important of equality should be taught in schools, churches and mosques should orient their faithful with the fact that, every Nigerian is and was created by one God, call Him Allah, and you are not wrong. We must learn to appreciate every Nigerian dispite religion, tribe and political divides.
2. Nigerians Must Desist From Political Sentiments and Hate Speeches
Political sentiments and hate speeches have been identified as some of the major causes of problem in the country thus, threatening the peace and harmony among Nigerians.
The war of words, sponsored political blackmails against members of opposition government or party, tribal and political feuds have been the order of the day in Nigeria’s political sphere.
Nigeria’s political actors must desist from making hate speeches or sponsoring blackmails against a fellow politician because of political ambitions, whether he belonged to those set of politicians holding power or those set of politicians who are in opposition party, or who play opposition.
Nigeria’s political actors must reserve emotions toward important issues that will help sustained and maintained peace in Nigeria.
3. Nigerians Should Love One Another And Respect Each Others’ Beliefs
There are three qualities that struggled for relevance and recognition as some of the qualities Nigerians need for the sustenance and maintenance of a long enduring from of peace in this country.
These qualities include, the love of my country, having faith in my country, and the hope for a new Nigeria, and among these three qualities the love of my country is the greatest, and is the bedrock for peace in this country.
Take love out of this and I will tell you that, it is next to impossible to maintain peace in a multicultural nation like Nigeria. Every Nigerians, irrespective of race, irrespective of gender, and irrespective of religion, apart from loving your fellow countryman and your country, Nigerians should endeavour to respect each other’s beliefs.
Every Nigerian is talking about restructuring, yes fine, this is a welcome development. It is about time that Nigerians gather themselves round a negotiating table. Individual’s ideology, views, opinion, and ideas should be respected if Nigerians must sustained and maintained peace in this country.
Once these things are in place, I tell you, that envisioned peace will thrive in this country.and shall be maintained.
4. Need for Massive Enlightenment, the Gospel Of Peace Should Be Preached
No country can thrive developmentally, in an atmosphere where there is peace, therefore, peace is very necessary and important to any nation that wants to be advanced, that is why in Nigeria, the gospel of peace must be preached in every nooks and cranis.
It therefore, call for massive enlightenment program, members of the public or Nigerians should be kept abreast on why Nigeria need peace. The governments of this country, from the federal government, the state government and the local government must draw their plans, and strategize their program on how to reach out to every Nigerian with the message of peace.
The general public need be enlightened on this important subject. Some Non governmental organizations NGOs in the country can volunteer and take up this responsibility upon themselves, Nigeria needs peace to thrive, it needs peace to grow and develop, indeed Nigeria needs peace to advanced and take its place among the league of advanced states.
Every youth, every woman, and every man, young and old, all Nigerians must learn how to co-exist peacefully with our fellow countrymen. This message should be relayed through mass media, every Nigerians must hear this gospel of peaceful coexistence.
The Nigerian nation was founded on love, oneness, tolerance, as well as, solidarity, let us return to embrace the dream of our forebears. Nigerians should uphold the principle of unity in diversity and pledge to sustain and maintain the peace that has bound us together.
Conclusion
From our individual families to schools, and in churches, in our mosques, in social gathering, we must preach the gospel of oneness, parents should council their children at home why they should regard someone from different tribe as God’s creation, as a brother or a sister, important of equality should be taught in schools, churches and mosques should orient their faithful with the fact that, every Nigerian is and was created by one God, call Him Allah, and you are not wrong. We must learn to appreciate every Nigerian despite religion, tribe and political divides. By so doing, Nigerians would be able to sustain peace in this country.