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Onyeama urges IPCR to devise new strategies to end violent conflicts

Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama has urged the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) to devise new strategies that would provide solutions to violent conflicts in the country.

The minister, who gave the charge on Tuesday in Abuja during a working visit to the institute, stressed that “for IPCR to achieve its core mandate, it must think outside the box.”

Onyeama said that IPCR was established in February, 2000 as an apex thin-thank and research agency of government to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for the promotion of peace and conflict resolution.

He however, noted that since the return to democratic governance in 1999, Nigeria had continued to experience various violent conflicts connected with ethnic, religious and sectional nationalities.

“The recurring high level of insecurity has continued unabated. There is the need to further deliberate and recommend appropriate actions towards achieving sustainable peace in the country.

“We cannot leave peace and conflict resolution to theory. It is a real challenge for you to live up to your mandate.

“You have to be imaginative. Your job is to find solutions to these conflicts. You have to be passionate and devise strategies for achieving your mandate,” Onyeama said.

He also assured the institute of the support of the ministry in its engagement in dealing with the security challenges caused by the Boko Haram insurgents and many more.

According to him, the ministry will continue to support and collaborate with the Institute to forge a transformative partnership for peaceful co-existence in the country.

“We are optimistic that through this partnership, immense efforts would be made to provide policies that will support the Federal Government in combating terrorism in the country,” he added.

Earlier, the Director-General of IPCR, Dr Bakut O. Bakut, thanked the minister for the visit and stated that the Institute had continued to enjoy unparalleled support from the ministry under Onyeama.

He said the minister had continued to demonstrate an uncommon commitment and attention to the programmes and activities of the organisation, which clearly demonstrated the depth of his intellect and patriotism.

This, according to him, is in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s Agenda on sustainable peace, security and development.

“As the premier think-tank on peace, security and development, the Institute has been working to deliver on its mandate through strategic research, policy adviser, capacity building, advocacy/sensitisation and direct intervention.

“The state of insecurity and dysfunctional conflict in the country and indeed across Africa has made the Institute to conduct research.

“Also, develop policies, undertake sensitisation and advocacy, and directly intervene to reduce human sufferings, enhance the freedom from fear, want and indignity in the country.

“It is in this light that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) conferred on the Institute the award of the Best Public Institution that promotes Human Rights in Nigeria in 2019,” he said.

Bakut also disclosed that the Institute had learnt from global best practices in peace promotion and conflict management owing to the huge state and personal investment in capacity building.

He stressed that the Institute paraded some of the best thinkers in the field of peace, security and development.

Bakut said IPCR would leverage on its huge human capital to build a solid National Peace Infrastructure that would guarantee durable and sustainable peace, security and development.

 

 

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