Peace accord, conflict resolution, non-violence, Nigeria at 55

1. NON VIOLENT PEACEFUL ADVOCACY
ROHEF
Volume 1 Issue 3
Ghandi’s Non-violent Philosophy
Mohandas Gandhi’s reputation as the Indian spiritual and political leader who coordinated and led a successful
national struggle for independence against British imperial rule on the strength of a non-violent movement
survives largely intact. The legend of Mahatma Gandhi has it that he returned to India from South Africa in 1915,
took control of and radically transformed the Indian nationalist movement, and led three great popular
movements that eventually wore down the British government and led to Indian independence.
The Salt March was not only the most widely-celebrated moment in Gandhi’s career as a freedom fighter, but it is
paradigmatic of his approach: it is a highly-symbolic and dramatic exercise in civil resistance, contextualized among
a variety of other nonviolent actions (boycotts, civil disobedience, picketing) strategically focused on a relatively
narrow goal. It mobilized mass participation, included widespread civil disobedience, had a profound cultural
resonance, and attracted worldwide attention through the media. The people were united, the British Empire’s
façade of civility exposed, and pillars of its vast power shaken.
Following Gandhi’s arrest and imprisonment just after midnight on 5 May 1930, the famous woman poet Sarojini
Naidu took over leadership of the nonviolent invasion of the Dharasana Salt Works in Gujarat. Naidu sent wave
after wave of satyagrahis toward the plant, where they were met by soldiers who clubbed them with steel-tipped
poles (lathis), an event that was recorded by journalists and that moved many around the world to sympathize
with the Indian cause. Gandhi was finally released from prison and the Salt Satyagraha ended on March 4, 1931,
with the signing of the Gandhi-Irwin pact and the invitation for Gandhi to attend Round Table talks in London to
discuss the possibility of Indian independence.
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In 2014, sixty nine (69) countries recorded deaths
from terrorism, up from sixty (60) the prior year,
highlighting the increasing use of terror tactics.
Growth in terrorist activity expanded from Middle
East and North Africa (MENA) to Sub-Saharan
Africa with the largest increases recorded in
Nigeria, Cameroon and Niger. Nigeria is now the
second most deadly country for terrorism after
Iraq, experiencing 140% increase in deaths to
4,392. Its neighbour Cameroon recorded 191
deaths in 2014 compared to none the previous
year. Fewer than 1% of terrorist fatalities in 2014
occurred in The Organization for Economic Co-
operation and Development (OECD). Boko Haram's
massacre of over two thousand (2000) civilians in
Baga, Nigeria in January 2015 was the most deadly
terrorist incident since 9/11, an event
overshadowed by the murder of 11 journalists at
French newspaper Charlie Hebdo the following
month. The level of insecurity in the country is still
high, and a confirmation of this is the low ranking
of Nigeria in the Global Peace Index.
KUKAH ON REBUILDING NIGERIA.
Kukah told journalists that from the encounter of the committee members
with Jonathan and others, it was clear that no Nigerian is in support of
corruption.
He said the concern was, however, that since the country was no longer
under military rule, every accused person should be presumed innocent until
found guilty by competent courts.
The clergyman said, “It (the way corruption war is being fought) is not
heating up the polity.
Nigeria’s Peace Ratings
Mahatma Ghandi
NIGERIA @
55
NEED FOR A NATIONAL PEACE CONCERT
ROHEF is calling upon people everywhere to work towards peace. On
September 21 - the International Day of Peace, stages all over the world.
Most of the concerts will be presented live showcasing Nigeria’s creativity
in entertainment, arts, culture etc.
Massive Enlightenment
To maintain peace and unity in Nigeria, massive enlightenment must
ensued. The Federal Government must step-in to enlighten the general
public, especially the ignorant and illiterate population about unity and
peaceful co-existence among the citizenry, with the central theme of
equality and oneness. This can be relayed through the channels of media
so as to reach the massive population.
Nigeria was built on the foundations of tolerance and solidarity. As
Nigerians, we should uphold the Nigerian dream of unity in diversity and
stay strong, peaceful, and united despite the bitter challenges that are
facing us today.
Love
This is the bedrock of peace and oneness in a multi-cultural nation like
Nigeria. Nigerians of every race, gender, and religion should love and
respect each other as one family. We should learn to love our fellow
countrymen. If we're challenged by a problem, we should round ourselves
on a negotiating table and not to dwell in finger-pointing and wicked
sentiments. If we love and adore ourselves as Nigerians, peace and unity
will forever thrive in our country.
“In our conversation with President Jonathan and members of the parties, I
don’t think any Nigerian is in favour of corruption or is against the
President’s commitment to ensuring that we turn a new leaf.
Kukah said committee members at the meeting with Buhari gave update
about the relevance of the committee itself and how members could help
to nurture the peace God has given to the country.