The International Peace Commission in Nigeria (IPC), has commissioned its National Secretariat in Abuja, with a plan to establish six branches across geopolitical zones in the country.
Recalled that the IPC-Nigeria was recently constituted by international body of the organisation, with four cardinal objectives to promote peace, conflict resolution, human rights watch and socio-economic development in Nigeria, and with the aim to save present and succeeding generations from the scourge of war that has brought untold sorrow to mankind.
At the commissioning of the Nigerian Secretariat on Thursday, 25th of May 2023, notable Nigerians and members of the diplomatic corp present expressed confidence the bathing of the global body in the African largest nation is indeed a welcome development, and not just for Nigeria, but for the peaceful coexistence among the people of the continent given Nigeria’s big brother disposition.
In his keynote address, the country’s Head of Mission, Amb Hussaini Haruna Coomassie, who was recently unveiled to pilot the affairs of Nigeria’s Mission, was apt while highlight the agenda of the mission in Nigeria.
“I welcome you all to this memorable occasion of the commissioning of the Secretariat of the International Peace Commission in Nigeria.
“It is a milestone event because diplomacy is enhanced at both the infrastructural level and the operational pivot.
“The preamble which is sacrosanct to the spirit and guiding principles of the United Nations Charter is worthy of quotation here, in escalating the establishment of this Secretariat in Nigeria at this moment. I quote.
“We the peoples of the United Nations, determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small.
“And to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom”. Coomassie reveals.
“The Peace Building Commission (PBC) is an inter-governmental advisory body that supports peace efforts in conflicts affected countries and is an apt addition to the international community in the broad peace agenda.
“The Commission aims to reduce the risk of lapsing into conflict by strengthening national capacities at all levels, for conflict management, and to lay the foundation for sustainable peace and development.
“IPC is an International Organization that aims at building bridges of peace among nations and communities. having more than 19500 individual members and partner organizations around 1the globe. IPC was formed to uphold the Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations, on December 10, 1948.
“Nigeria is a member State of the United Nations while the search for and the promotion of peace can not be fractured in any way. “Partial peace is an anomalous situation since a threat to peace anywhere is contagious to the generality of mankind.
“A threat to peace anywhere in our world, therefore, is a threat to global peace. This Secretariat answers to the social insecurity gap that Nigeria’s peacebuilding on the platform or sequence that global peacebuilding deserves.
“I understand both theoretically and operationally, that the search for peace takes many dimensions, such as arbitration, advocacy, negotiation, enforcement, building, concession and enthronement etc.
“We also understand that no price, either psychologically or materially is too weighty, to pay for peace. We shall explore all of these theoretical paradigms in our hallowed search for peace and security, in the course of our diplomatic suavity.”
“I avow to be truly observant of the sacrosanct tenets of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963), and the extant Conventions and regulations in place, as I conduct my person and duties. So help me God. Amen”.
Coomassie expatriate plans to further inaugurate zonal branches of the commission across geopolitical zones of the country.
“As part of our strategy, IPC is establishing six Zonal Offices in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
“These Offices will liaise with all relevant stakeholders in various States in the area to report on situations that affect the peace and peaceful coexistence between people, Communities, the environment and local authorities.
“This is to identify potentialities for conflicts and find adequate solutions to them through dialogue with relevant actors”. He revealed.
“On behalf of my family and the illustrious staff members, I appreciate you for attending this ceremony, may ALMIGHTY GOD return you safely to your various destinations”. Coomassie added.
Meanwhile, performing the commissioning ceremony was the royal father of the day, HRH, Abubakar Sadiq Ahmed, Ejeh (Emir) of Ank, Kogi state.
Notable Nigerians represented at the occasion are the Hon Minister of Foreign Affairs, H. E Geoffrey Onyeama; the Hon. Minister of State, Foreign Affairs.
Others are members of the Diplomatic Community, the Grand Patron, HIM the Ooni of Ife, among other royal fathers at the occasion.