Insecurity ” Nigerians urged to support Women , children to drive peace process,
As the nation continue to battle with all kinds of insecurity across the states, a broadcaster , Ms Eugenia Abu has called on the government at all levels and well meaning Nigerians to support women and children to take the drivers’ seat in peace building process that will return the country to sustainable peace and security.
Ms Eugenia Abu , former Executive Director with Nigeria Television Authority NTA and founder, CEO Eugenia Abu Media Center (EAMC) gave the charge Thursday at a one day seminar for Non State Actors in North Central zone organised by Savannah Center for Diplomacy , Democracy and Development SCDDD in conjunction with Mercy Corps, PARE: ARDA and USAID held in Lokoja, on Thursday in kogi state.
In a paper titled ; “Citizens participation in Sensitive policy making for promoting sustainable peace and security,” she postulated that being the major victims in times of crisis, women and youth should be made to be on the driver’s seat of peace processes.
She stated that women who are naturally peace builders and who would rather satisfy the other members of the family before herself ought to be given ccritical roles in peace building and management, if the country must enjoy peace and security.
The Media guru, explained that in order to influence policies of government that affect women , youth and development, Non State Actors should participate actively in policy formulation and implementation, adding that citizens can participate through contributions at the public hearings on critical legislations by way of motions and bills by both the States and National Assemblies.
She noted that although, Non state actors would not be able to serve in government, they can be part of it by lending their voices against gender based violence for policy makers to act on it.
The Executive Director , EAMC said in order to make their voices to be heard by policy makers, members of the Non governmental organisations, civil society organisations, religious bodies, students bodies and other pressure groups could come together to influence decision making process, by effective use of mass media .
She encouraged traditional institutions, religious bodies, leaders of thoughts to stand up against those actors perpetuating violence in their communities, stressing that their voices can be heard through the use of right relevant platforms .
She explained that for peaceful coexistence, understanding the culture, tradition and values of ones communities will reduce incidence of crisis , adding that an individual is largely a function of his communities hence, keeping pace with its development will make the society a better place for all.
According to her , the United Nations resolution 1325 recognises the Security of women in conflicts, hence women and youths should be mainstreamed and allowed to participate actively in peace building and conflicts management, for the nation to achieve sustainable peace and security.
Abu disclosed that for citizenship participation in policy formulation and implementation, they should constantly monitor those involved in drafting policies, , identify policy priority and also evaluate effectiveness of the policy, saying it could be achieved through feedback mechanism.
While accusing social media for featuring conflicts by the messages they portray on their platforms, she however, identified peace as presence of love, tolerance and respect for one another , urging government to strengthen relationship with citizens by building public trust in their policies.
She called on the government to overhaul their Security architecture to be mobile and proactive capable of dealing with emerging security threats across the communities adding that the country’s diversity should be harnessed to build a just and egalitarian society.
Earlier , Chairman board of Directors Abidu Yazid and the Executive Director of SCDDD Ambassador Sani Bala in their separate remarks hinted that unless the non state actors who are the majority of the mass of the society get their acts right , society would be doomed urging them to be up and doing in their engagement with State Actors to make the nation safe and secured.
