NCAC boss Calls For Culture of Peace During 2019 Elections
by Oru Leonard & Sarah Domozu
The Director General National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC, Hon. Otumba Runsewe, has once again called on Nigerians to build the culture of peace towards the forth coming Elections.
The NCAC boss in his opening remark at the event organised by his organization towards peaceful elections in 2019, said that peace is very important in a society or country without which there will not be progress.
He urged Nigerians to go back to their culture which is filled with peaceful process.
The chairman of the Occasion, Maj. General I. B M. Haruna (Rtd), in his remark appreciated the DG Otumba for his good works toward uniting Nigerians and Nigeria with other countries like the just concluded INAC Expo, urges other Government officials to walk in the pattern of Otumba so as to make Nigeria a better place to be and live in.
He maintained that Democracy has remain the best way of getting a legitimate, free and fair enthronement of the Government at all levels. He said, power is from God therefore both the contestants and the voters should respect the will of God just as He (God) commends peace in His Holy Books (Bible/ Koran).
He advised the youths to stay away from violence as that is not the only way of expressing their minds, “patience should be exercised in the forth coming election, let no one deceive you for any reason, no penny is worth destroying your life for any reason, therefore exhibit the culture of peace so as to have a free and fair election.
“let there be :- peace, Human Development and good Health, Industrial Progress, Social Security, Economic Expansion and Innovation, security of life and property (food and Shelter), unity, justice and Equity, Assured Employment , freedom of Religion, Expression of Arts, Culture and Education -enlightenments and diversity in Arts and Culture including common values” General Haruna said.
In his speech, the Director General NTA, Alhaji Baba Barau, said that culture for National Unity is what Nigeria needs now especially as elections are around the corner,”peace is part of the Nigerian culture and so it should not be taken away from us rather we should continue to exhibit it wherever we go, therefore I urge every one present to take the message of peace back home to our families and our various groups”, he said.
Mr. Victor Adungo, a representative of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, appreciated the effort of the DG and wish that other bodies will assist in spreading the message of peace to enable the country have a free and fair election come 2019.
“Therefore we (INEC) promise a free and fair election and so Nigerians should pray towards that, please preach peace in your homes and other places, peace is what unites a country even homes. I urge you all to continue to preach peace until Nigeria becomes peaceful for all” Mr. Adungo concluded.
The event attracted dignitaries like Maj. Gen. I. B. M. Haruna, (Rtd) OFR. Alhaji Baba Barau, Director General NTA News, Abubakar Suleiman, Chenyere Opkara, Mr Victor Adungo INEC representative, Eze Dr. Uche Egenti, Oba of Yoruba FCT, Chief Olusegun Salau and others.
Recall that the International Cultural Diplomacy for Peace (ICDP), was initiated by Otunba Runsewe and launched on November 24, 2018 at the closing ceremony of the 11th International Arts and Craft Expo which was attended by more than 26 countries.
