….As Peace Corps Boss distributes writing material to over 200 Ekiti students
- By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
The Commandant of Peace Corps of Nigeria, Ekiti State Command, Patriot Mathew Blessing Okotie has urged Nigerians to make peace a priority in whatever they do in order to ensure a secure and safety society.
Okotie gave the charge in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital in an exclusive interview with journalists at a program where officers of the Command on Monday joined the global community in commemorating the 2026 International Day of Peace with a renewed call for peace, unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
Okotie who emphasized the collective responsibility of individuals, communities and institutions to make deliberate efforts towards building and sustaining a peaceful society, said there is nothing to compare to peace in any sane society, adding that jaw, jaw is far better than war, war.
According to him, “As part of the activities marking the day, the Command organized a Road Walk and a Peace Lecture for students of St. Michael’s Secondary School, Ajilosun area of Ado-Ekiti. The road walk was commenced shortly after Ijigbo roundabout and proceeded down to St. Michael Secondary School and terminated where the peace lecture was held with over 200 beneficiaries students were in attendance to receive writing material.
The event brought together members of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, other uniformed organisations including representative of the Ekiti State Government, in a collective demonstration of commitment to peace and national unity with the singing of moral boost songs that rented the crowd along the road.
The PCN boss further explained that, “Ekiti Command is using the occasion to encourage Nigerians, particularly young people, to embrace dialogue, tolerance, respect one another and responsible citizenship while rejecting violence, hatred, corruption, indiscipline and other social vices capable of threatening peaceful coexistence especially in Ekiti State”.
“Also, citizens are urged to regard one another as brothers and sisters, respect constituted authority, obey the law, protect the unity and integrity of Nigeria, and use their words, actions and influence to promote harmony in their communities, schools and workplaces”.
Okotie who maintained that the Command also emphasizes that peace begins with every individual and that meaningful development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and adequate security of lives and properties.
His words: “The Peace Corps of Nigeria, Ekiti State Command therefore called on all members, stakeholders and peace loving citizens to participate actively in the commemoration and support the message of peace beyond the celebration”.
He reaffirmed the commitment of Ekiti Command in promoting discipline, patriotism, peace, unity and national cohesion, urged everyone to become an ambassador of peace so as to live in an atmosphere and environment free of rancours and crisis.
In her remarks, the principal of St. Michael who was ably represented by Mrs Omole Bola commended the leadership of the Corps in Ekiti State for chosen their school out of many and for the distribution of free books to the students.
She therefore used the opportunity to called on other sister para-militaries, agencies, parastatals, companies, security outfits, higher institutions, corporate bodies and individuals to emulate what the Peace Corps has done so as to better the lives of Nigeria citizenry and thereby relief parents of some burdens.
Speaking with Topnews, two of the students who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries who could not hide their joy; Adigbe George and Onyewusi Miracle thanked the PCN and also promised to make judicious use of the writing material.
