By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Peace Network and Culture Initiative (PENACIN) has called on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of tolerance for an enduring peaceful co-existence throughout the country.

The Executive Director of PENACIN, Mrs Onyeka Obi, made the call after the NGO mounted a Peace Pole at the OSISATECH Roundabout within Enugu metropolis as well as commenced May Peace Prevail on Earth Movement on Saturday.

Obi said that the need for peace in every human inhabitant cannot be over emphasised as “it is the bedrock of societal advancement, progress and development.”

She said that PENACIN, a member of PEACE Pal United States of America, was an initiative to create awareness for value re-orientation and the use of peaceful methods as the most desirable forms of conflict resolution.

According to her, dialogue and amicable settlement were the best ways since they creates a win-win situation between parties or people in a disagreement or conflict situation.

“PENACIN is on a mission to conquer violence through our SAAID programme, which stands for: Sensitization exercise, Awareness campaigns, Advocacy, Interventions and Dialogues in communities in the country, especially the South-East.

“We are desirous and ready to take the pain and drive to see enduring peace return to every part of the country, starting with states in the South-East,” the executive director said.

She said that the mounting a Peace Pole was a way of bringing people together to inspire, awaken and uplift the human consciousness for peace, adding that Peace Poles are now recognised as a prominent international symbol and monument for peace.

Obi noted that the Peace Pole reminds one “to think, speak and act in the spirit of peace and harmony” and it also “stands as a silent visual for peace to prevail on earth.”

“The power of the message - May Peace Prevail in Enugu State - lies in its capacity to bring the indigenes, residents, visitors, faith, traditions and political ideals together as one united global heart and mind.

“The message – May Peace Prevail in Enugu State – also allows us to sincerely focus on our mutual desire to serve, create and manifest true peace on earth while transcending our differences and celebrating our common humanity,” she said.

It would be recalled that the PENACIN initiative, which is an arm of Women Centre for Self Empowerment and Development (WOCSED), an NGO, came into existence in the 2006.

The initiative formed peace clubs in secondary schools in Anambra, while currently PENACIN is in 17 states in Nigeria and still expanding.

In 2012, one of the peace clubs of the initiative won an Africa prize award of $2000 in a competition organised by “Teach a man to Fish,” United Kingdom.

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