A Non-Governmental Organization , NGO, Oneworld Initiative for Sustainable Devolpomet (OISD), in partnership with the Department of Arts and Culture of the FCT Social Development Secretariat, have inaugurated a committee geared towards promoting peaceful coexistence in Abuja the Nations Capital.

Speaking at the formal launching and inauguration of the steering committee on the ‘Culture for Peace Project’, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Social Development Secretariat, Mrs Justina Pawa said the event was timely.

Mrs Pawa also added that the committee is charged with the responsibility of identifying, listing and studying the various groups within the FCT with a view to finding common grounds for social interaction, economic development, peaceful coexistence and general well-being of all.

“The well-being of the residents of the FCT, will translate into less work for the FCT Administration and a model city for us to live in and others to visit. One of the expected outcomes from this committee is a Cultural Policy for the FCT that will identify and promote the cultural activities in the FCT.”

“Your recommendations policy draft will go a long way to provide the needed direction towards achieving the much needed peaceful coexistence that FCT and indeed the entire country deserve.” Paws added.

Mrs Pawa thanked all the stakeholders who have agreed to be part of the drive especially the traditional institutions and the area councils, the NGOs.

She urged the committees to go into serious business research and consultation to harness all relevant information needed to accomplish the task within record time.

On his part, the President, OISD, Timothy Achanya, said the project was conceptualized to galvanize stakeholder efforts towards promoting the culture of peace through dynamic conflict resolution and transformation strategies with a view to achieving sustainable development in Nigeria .

Mr Achanya also said that the project was concepualized in response
to Nigeria’s fragile State and conflict infested social space.

“This ugly trend is further fuelled by religious, ethnic and tribal bigotry which result in distrust among the citizens, lack of patriotism, disunity and huge craving to harm one another at the slightest provocation. Abuja being the capital of Nigeria and adjudged one of the safest cities in the country is beginning to witness this ugly trend. Achanya added
“The daily influx of victims and other citizens running away from insurgency and crime from the affected states calls for serious concern. The situation has resulted in astronomic increase in Abuja population. This again impacts negatively on the social, economic, human and physical infrastructure of Abuja. If not checked, this could make Abuja worse than most of other cities in Nigeria.” She said.

She noted that the initiation of the the project using culture as a unifying factor was apt. Mr. Achanya summon all hands to be on deck in the efforts.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed reason he ordered traditional rulers in Oyo to stand during the inauguration of two projects in Iseyin area of the State, last Friday.

Obasanjo in a now-viral video had condemned the monarchs for failing to rise to greet the State Governor, Seyi Makinde.

On reason for his outburst, Obasanjo in an interview with Premium Times said; “I arrived at the event venue with the governor,” the former president said from South Africa where he was attending the burial of politician Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who died on 9 September at 95.

“As we arrived, every other person at the venue rose, but they (the monarchs) remained seated. I was surprised because I considered that a breach of protocol and disrespect for the governor.

“It later became the turn of the governor to speak. As he rose, every other person at the venue, including me, stood up as demanded by protocol and in respect for the governor and his office. Again, the Obas refused to rise. They all remained seated.

“I then asked people around whether that was the practice in Oyo State. I was told the Obas have always displayed disrespect for their governor. I wondered where they got that from and then decided to speak to them about it.

“As far as I am concerned, there is constitution and there is culture. By our constitution, the governor is the leader of a State. Everyone must respect him no matter his or her status or age. He deserves respect no matter how young he is and protocols must be observed.

“That was why I spoke to them the way I did. I wanted them to realise that it is not part of Yoruba culture to disrespect authorities. Respect begets respect and they must learn to deal with their governor with respect if they want to be respected in return.

“I respect traditional rulers and even when I was President and till today, I treat them with reverence. I prostrate, bow and knee before them as necessary.

“I respect our culture. But let us also know that there is a Constitution which puts a chairman as head of a local government, a governor as head of a state and a president as head of our country. Whatever we do must be in respect for that arrangement. I am saying there is culture and there is constitution. One must not disturb the other.”

The Oyo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism under the able leadership of the Honourable Commissioner Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, , paid a courtesy call today to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Coordinating Officer Mr Odoba Abel Oche at the State Secretariat Ibadan Oyo State.

Olatubosun who led the Management Team of the Ministry, aimed a proposition to partner the State’s NYSC leadership in the robust build up of the Oyo State’s Performing Troupe, through selection of the potential youth corps, hence the need to catch them young during the three week orientation program.

In his response, the State’s NYSC Coordinator, Mr Odoba Abel Oche described the leap as a symbiotic synergy and encouragement, which will be projected nationally, thus promised to give unalloyed support to the Ministry, by extension the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration.

The meeting has strengthened the bilateral tie of relationship and bond between the Ministry and the NYSC body.