‘Use religious activities to promote peace, stem insecurity – Justice Ahiakwo

Owo Ette, CALABAR

A legal luminary based in Calabar, Justice Osai Ahiakwo has charged religious organisations and opinion moulders in Nigeria to use their activities to enhance peace and understanding amongst the people.

Ahiakwo presented a lecture at Nasarawa State University as a keynote speaker during an event put together by Association of Brotherhood Academic Scholars, ABAS, an arm of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, in collaboration with Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies of the University, on the topic Promoting Absolute Peace and the Pathway to Restoring Hope to Humanity.

He noted that when religious leaders deviate and dabble into politics and sociopolitical activities, discontents and strife usually set in.

This, according to him, leads crimes including banditry in parts of the country.

He said, “Religious activities can be a source of promoting peace, providing relief, and even creating a friendly environment for companionship, consolation, and comfort; serving as both spiritual and moral guidance for the people. But, when religion becomes entangled with political, social, and economic maneuvering, it leads to rising tensions and conflicts.

“This symposium should rather be seen as a call extended to all people of goodwill to uphold the virtue of peace against crisis and conflicts.

“Within Nigeria, the rise in insurgency, banditry, and kidnappings has led to a climate of fear and uncertainty, making it difficult for people to work freely. Individuals, now pursue their source of livelihoods thinking of their safety.

“Our religious lifestyle plays a crucial role in shaping the societal dynamics.”

He said, to achieve absolute peace is a complex and long-standing challenge, adding that it may be difficult to attain complete and permanent peace globally.

He advised on the need for continuous efforts towards promoting understanding, cooperation, and peaceful resolutions to conflicts.

He said this will certainly help in fostering a more harmonious world, emphasizing that small steps taken by individuals, communities, and nations can contribute to creating a more peaceful environment for all.

Ahiakwo stressed that the prevalent insecurity across the world has hampered peace which almost has given up hope on most attempts made by individuals, governments, and the international community.

The legal expert stressed on importance of peace, saying Nigeria is in dire need of peace to restore hope.

He emphasized that it has become crucial to find a common ground where peace can take its firm root in the lives of inhabitants of the world.