NGOs advocate peace in South-East, urge FG to embrace dialogue 

By  Peter Nwachi

ENUGU- NON-Governmental Organizations, under the South East Human Rights Situation Room on Saturday marched round Enugu metropolis calling for calm and peace in the South East region. 

The leader of the group, Prof. Joy Ezeilo who addressed pressmen briefly after the rally, pointed out that the rally was part of the campaign to educate the civilian populace and residents of the South East Zone and to reinforce the need for everyone to embrace peace and shun all forms of violence.

Ezeilo who said that the military performs an important and critical role in ensuring Nigerians collective security, urged everyone to support and cooperate with them throughout the exercise (Operation Python Dance II) and beyond.

“We are carrying out this rally in commemoration of 2017 World Peace Day; and to reinforce the need for everyone to embrace peace and shun violence”.

“we are educating the people to improve military and civilian relationship in the region to ensure that the execution of Operation Python Dance II is in full compliance with international human right law and global best practice”, she stated.

She disclosed that the group is monitoring the Operation Python Dance II, to prevent the escalation of war and violence in the South East and to help foster fairness and justice during the exercise.

The participants who were matching and chanting peace song carried placards with description such as: Youths shun violence, embrace peace; I am for Peace what of you?; Say Yes to Peace and no to Violence.

Other placards read: One Nigeria One Love; Lets March for Peace in South East, Peace in Nigeria; Fight for Peace, Dialogue Is the Way Not Violence.

One of the participants,  Mr Igwe Simon stated that the only way to achieve peace and development is for the federal government to embrace dialogue and stop using force.

The organization urged the public to go about their daily activities and work in accordance with the law, and to also direct any infraction to the South East Human Rights Situation Room.