Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Bakut Bakut, says civil society organisations (CSOs) occupy a critical position in conflict resolution in Nigeria.
‘The role of civil society in Nigeria’s core conflict is very apt as a theme, and we acknowledge the fact that CSOs remain critical stakeholders in peace and conflict resolution as well as in nation-building’, he said at a symposium organised by IPCR in partnership with Friedrich Ebert Stiffung Nigeria.
Bakut also said, ‘Civil society influences critical policies that promote unity and national cohesion, provides humanitarian support to vulnerable groups in conflict and emergencies.
‘CSOs have access to parties involved in conflicts and have the ability to bring the parties to dialogue. They can as well induce the local population to get involved in long-term reconciliation efforts’.
He urged stakeholders to always employ dialogue as a potent tool for achieving sustainable peace, development, stability, and national cohesion.
‘I want to seize this opportunity to plead that dialogue remains the only potent tool for achieving peace’, he added.
‘We do not have any other nation except Nigeria so we are enjoined to contribute meaningfully towards its growth, development and stability’.
For his part, the Resident Representative, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Daniel Mann, represented by Programme Manager Chidiebere Ugwu, applauded IPCR for organising the event.
Source: PR Nigeria
Photo source: FMIC