Commonwealth Day: National Assembly calls on member countries to embrace peace

The Clerk of the National Assembly in Nigeria, Mr Magaji Tambuwal, has called on Commonwealth member countries to embrace peace and be more intentional in dealing with each other.

He was speaking at an enemy organised by the National Assembly to commemorate the 2023 Commonwealth Day at the National Assembly in Abuja.

The Clerk said that members of the Commonwealth countries made up half of the world’s population and should be able to make positive impact in the world.

“The day also marks the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Commonwealth Charter, which outlines the unifying principles of the fifty six Commonwealth countries that represent one third of the entire world population. To this end, I urge all members of the Commonwealth you collectively act and make a difference in the lives of the two point six billion people of the association. Our collective desire as members of the Commonwealth should be to give the promotion of peace, love, unity, security and transparency a chance. Let us be more intentional in our dealings both at the individual and corporate level to demonstrate our collective resolve to forging a sustainable and peaceful common culture”. Mr Tambuwal said.

He also said that the recently established National Climate Change Innovation Hub in Nigeria will help harness the potentials of youths towards addressing climate challenges in the country.

Mr Tambuwal observed that the ongoing Russia-Ukrain war and other climate issues in the world if not properly managed, posed great danger to world peace and sustainable future.

The clerk also pointed out that the federal government had put measures in place to address some issues on climate change, which includes the establishment of youths climate change hub to harness their ideas and include them in the decision-making process as well as develop a long-term vision for zero gas emissions.

The guest speaker Mrs Rabi Audu while speaking on the theme of the celebration, stressed the need for concerted efforts from all stakeholders towards forming a sustainable and peaceful environment.

She urged the youths to engage in activities and programmes that promote innovations and inclusivity for all

Mrs Audu also advised the youths to seek ways of making the future better than it is now adding that the youths deserve a better future void of violence or hatred.

“The issue of Climate change, sustainable and peaceful development can be very abstract. As young people, know that you are the future and then understand what you can do to make this future a better place for all of us. We must work towards a future that is sustainable, where we use resources reasonably, protect our environment and ensure that future generation can thrive. We must also thrive for a future that is peaceful, where we respect value, diversity, promote dialogue and corporation and reject violence and hatred”. Mrs Audu said.

The event featured presentations from selected schools in the FCT on how the Commonwealth can involve the youths in the development of the future.

Some of the students who participated in the programme called for a platform and enabling environment to enable them to contribute effectively towards a peaceful and sustainable future.

The event’s theme was “Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future.”

PIAK