BY SUNNY DAVID
The Nigeria Red Cross Society, Anambra State Chapter has called on bandits, kidnappers and unknown gunmen to stop all forms of killings and abductions in Nigeria.
Anambra State Chairman of the Red Cross Society, Professor Peter Emeka Katchy made the call on the occasion to celebrate the 158th birthday of founder of Red Cross International, Sir. Jean Henry Dunant and the 2021 World Red Cross Day on the theme, “Stop The Killings, Stop The Kidnappings, Humanity Is Unstoppable” at the Society’s State Headquarters, Amawbia.
Professor Katchy, who is a Gold Medalist while advocating for peace, begged all stakeholders to work towards an end in the spate of violent attacks and killings in the country.
He pointed out that the society is neutral in hostilities, stating that the body has done its bit in the context of advocacy and implications of failure to embrace conflict resolution.
According to Professor Katchy: “The miserable loud wailings all over the nation sequel to wanton killings and kidnappings of people all over Nigeria is a terrible concern and extremely worrisome.
“This particular situation has drastically reduced human value and has decimated humanity. We, therefore, fevently and passionately beg every Nigerian to be involved in this campaign banner: “Stop the Killings, Stop the kidnappings, Humanity is Unstoppable.”
Accompanied by his predecessor and Emeritus Chief Judge of the state, Justice P.A.C. Obidigwe and his Vice, Magistrate, Rita Ngozi Nzekwu, Professor Katchy observed the disregard life in the country.
He said: “It is crystal clear that the street value of every Nigerian for now could be a coffin. Nigerians can die at anytime in a situation of maximum violence. People are meeting their untimely and sudden deaths in unforeseen circumstances.”
The state chairman continued: “The present security situation is a clear threat to national peace as conflicts and violence are forcing millions to leave their homes and seek for safety elsewhere as Internally- Displaced Persons (IDPs) in very difficult situations.
“To achieve peace in the present time, he advocated for equity, stressing that “total conflict resolution contributes decisively to the dissipation and elimination of human needs and provide the foundation for lasting peace which reinforces viable and sustainable development that liberates the resources needed for national development, peace and progress.”
The quintessential red crosser noted that the monster called violence is on the loose and is caused mainly by hatred and fear, stressing that “if it must be caged, we must understand the origins of such hateful violence.
“The most common causes of violence are hatred, jealousy, greed, selfishness rooted and fueled by ignorance. “Impressionable youths and able-bodied adults are often the target of those groups for recruitment in violent clashes.
“Hatred and animosity are consequences of violence throughout the world between various ethnics, communities and national groups which refused to die despite the best efforts of national leaders. The cycle of violence progresses even more quickly sequel to ignorance, bigotry and propaganda,” Prof. Katchy stressed.
He called for putting aside even long standing animosities and generational dispute that involves violence through dialogue, treaties and negotiations (DTN). It is very pertinent now to promote and propagate peace in a special campaign under the code name: People on War with the slogan “Even Wars Have Limits.”
