The National Alliance for Peace has intensified its’ campaign against tribalism, ethnic profiling and insecurity with a press conference in Lagos, setting the tone for a forthcoming national town hall meeting aimed at strengthening social cohesion.
Held at Planet Hotel, Ajangbadi, the event convened stakeholders from the media and traditional institutions, groups seen as pivotal to national integration and conflict prevention. The gathering emphasized bridge-building across communities, encouraging goodwill between host populations and resident ethnic groups to curb ethnic hostility.
In his opening remarks, the National President, Nze Dr. Okolie Amaechi Sadiq, called for a minute’s silence in honor of victims of insecurity nationwide. He underscored tolerance by host communities and reciprocal respect for local customs by migrant populations as foundations for peaceful coexistence, noting that such balance aligns with constitutional guarantees of personal rights.
Dr. Sadiq said the Alliance is engaging traditional leaders and ethnic representatives across the country to promote dialogue and defuse tensions. Peace, he argued, is a prerequisite for politics, commerce and everyday life and community leaders should work closely with security agencies as first responders by sharing timely intelligence.
From its’ Abuja headquarters, the Alliance has consulted with Lagos leaders, including the Oba of Isheri and the Sarkin Hausawa of Alimosho, to align strategies among major ethnic groups. The consultations are designed to build consensus for a broad town hall that will address root causes of conflict and establish a durable peace framework.
The event was attended by members of the Lagos chapter of the Alliance, led by State Coordinator Prince Rotimi Shogunle, and prominent Igbo leaders, including Eze Tochukwu Anosike, the Eze Ndigbo of Ojo, who facilitated the session.
