By Francis Sadhere
As the world celebrates World Peace Day, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Delta Broadcasting Services (DBS), Warri Chapter, Comrade Daniel Orji has called on citizens in the state to work for peace.
He vowed to continue to use the television station to promote peace among the ethnic groups in the State.
The chairman made this vow today during the World Peace Day celebration the union organized at the DBS premises, Edjaba, Warri.
Comrade Orji called on the people of Delta State in particular and the world in general to embrace peace, noting that peace is a noble thing to pursue.
He added that without peace no meaningful development can take place in any society, just as he added that preaching peace is the responsibility of every individual in the world.
The NUJ Chairman who also emphasized on the role of the media in peace building, called on the media to be responsible while carrying out its duty of informing the public. He noted that the media has the power to ensure that peace is maintained in the society.
Also speaking at the occasion, the General Manager of DBS, Mr. Tunde Omonode enjoined all Nigerians to work for peace, saying it is only peace that can bring the needed development everybody has been clamouring for.
Mr. Omonode who was represented by the Assistant General Manager, Mrs Evelyn Otounye, commended the DBS NUJ chairman, Comrade Orji for organizing the peace programme.
The GM also commended all the security agencies for wonderful role they are playing in maintaining peace in the community, adding that without the presence of security agents the world would have been a chaotic place to live in.
On his part, the Chairman, NUJ, Delta State Chapter, Comrade Nobert Chiazor, also commended the efforts of the television station for continuing to promote peace in Warri and its environs.
Comrade Chiazor who emphasized that the media has a very important role to play in peace building, called on media practitioners in the state to be mindful of how they report issues so as to avoid crisis.
He urged other NUJ chapels in the state to emulate what the Chairman of NUJ, DBS chapel has done.
The Commanding Officer, 3 Battalion Army Barrack, Effurun, Lt. Col. Okon Bassey in his remark appealed to all to join hands with them (security agents) in their efforts to maintain peace in the state.
Lt. Col. Okon said that it is easier to achieve peace when you preach peace, stressing that no amount of war can bring peace to any nation until they sit on a round table to talk.
The Delta state Coordinator, Partners for Peace, (P4P) Barr. Ken Atsenuwa who also doubles as the chairman of the occasion, blamed leaders for the lack of peace in the society. He said leaders have continued to pursue their selfish interest to the detriment of the people.
Barr. Atsenuwa also blamed the lost of family values in the society as one of the reasons why there is so much violence in the world. He noted that parents no longer take good care of their children because their quest to get rich by all means.
He therefore reiterated that unless the value system in the society is restored, the needed peace we clamour for will continue to continue to elude use.
Barr. Atsenuwa stressed that the media must be at the forefront of peace promotion by reducing its negative portrayal of violence, calling on leaders to put more efforts in their fight against reducing poverty.
The Chairman of Udu Local Government Area of the state, Hon. Solomon Kpoma in his address, harped on the importance of forgiveness in peace building.
The ceremony was attended by dignitaries from all works of life in the state.
