On behalf of the Founder, Alh. Chief (Dr.) AbdulRaheem Oladimeji, OFR, FNAEAP, CganfSPSP, Chancellor, Alh. Sayyu Dantata, Pro-Chancellor & Chairman of Council, Alhaja Sekinat Yusuf, Vice Chancellor, Professor Noah Yusuf and Management of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, the Centre for Peace and Security Studies (CPSS) celebrates Nigeria, our beloved country and the global community on 2023 International Peace Day, today, Thursday, 21st of September, 2023. As the whole World celebrate the International Peace Day, the Centre for Peace and Security Studies of Al-Hikmah University also joins and commemorates the World Day of Peace with the entire humanity.
Historically, International Day for peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. In 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire. Hence, United Nations General Assembly declared 21st of September of every year as International Peace Day – a day devoted to strengthening the idea of peace. Since then, the World has been celebrating the event on that day. The Theme of this year (2023)’s celebration which is Actions for Peace: Our ambition for the #GlobalGoal is a call to action that recognizes individual and collective responsibility to foster peace as part of mechanism to realize sustainable development.
On this note, the Centre for Peace and Security Studies, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, uses this occasion to enjoin all Nigerians to embrace peace. In particular, the youths are admonished to shun all acts that can jeorpadize peace in their environment. All Nigerians are implored to cooperate with the government at Local, State and Federal levels.
As part of the programmes of the Centre, Community Field Work as practical course of study in the Centre’s curriculum is where our students usually spend some weeks in some communities, educate members of the communities on the importance of peace to humanity and the process of peace building within and outside their communities. This is part of the efforts of the Centre in promoting peace in the community. The Centre promises to expand its efforts in promoting peace beyond the classroom.
As a way of further promoting peace, the Centre has concluded arrangement to establish Students’ Association of Peace and Security Studies and Peace Clubs in the University and secondary schools covered by the University’s Mentoring Programme. Part of the objectives of the Association is to provide a forum where members and other students across the country come together to interact and exchange ideas on issues of peace and a way of achieving the goal of the Centre. It also aims to train these students on the process of peace building and as well encourage them to work towards promoting peace in our communities.
The Centre calls on the government at Federal, State and Local levels to improve on their efforts in promoting peace through the involvement of youths and women in governance.
Undoubtedly, the main objective of government is to protect lives and property of citizens through the exercise of power. Human being realizes that he has peace when he is free from physical attack and have access to basic needs like water, good road, uninterupted power, affordable school and health care, etc. On the aspect of conflict among members of the society and communities, government intervention is imperative to allow peace reign. In this regards, the Centre uses this medium and today’s celebration to appeal to various levels of government in Nigeria to exercise their power judiciously to promote peace in our society.
The Centre appeals to all individuals, especially the youths to shun cultism, hooliganism, drug abuse and other anti-social acts and embrace peace.
and key into the idea and realization of Sustainable Development Goal as part of what this year International Peace Day intends to achieve.
The Centre, once again, wishes Nigeria and the Global community, Happy and memorable International Peace Day celebrations!
Thank you all.
Dr. A. A. Adekola
Ag. Director,
Centre for Peace and Security Studies (CPSS)
Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin
Thursday, 21st September, 2023.