By Margaret Tyam
The Justice, Peace and Development Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Church, said it had intervened in over 200 cases of human rights violations since inception in 2014.
Mr Josephat Abaagu, Vice Chairman of the Commission made this known on Wednesday in Abuja when the JDPC marked the World Peace Day,with theme “End Racism. Build Peace”.
He said the commission also intervened in cases of unlawful dismissal from office, unlawful detention, domestic violence against women and children, and protection of orphans and vulnerable children.
“We acknowledge that government alone cannot bring about peace without the cooperation and support of the people.
“The Justice, Development and Peace Commission, is an institution of the Catholic Church, and amongst its mandate is the promotion of peace through advocacy, peace building.
“Also conflict resolution, using the Catholic Social Teachings as its guiding principles,” Abaagu said.
According to him, the JDPC has been a strong player in the areas of human rights protection and promotion of peace through enlightenment seminars on the fundamental rights of citizens.
“The over 130 JDPC committees across the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja have been busy implementing numerous peace projects in their local communities since inception”, he said.
Abaagu believed that with love, Nigeria would overcome all its existential challenges.
“Racism is not only defined in colour but includes discrimination on the basis of ethnicity and religion amongst others. If Nigeria is to be a nation state, policy makers must be intentional in this regard.
“To end racism in our country, structures that tend to promote discrimination must be pulled down.
“Fields like ‘State of Origin’, ‘Religion’, ‘Ethnic group’ in forms used by both government and non-governmental institutions must give way to ‘State of Residence’, ‘Competence’ amongst others.
“Performance must replace catchment area in the quest for admission into institutions of learning,” he added.
He commended the National Population Commission for not including religion and ethnicity in the list of questions on the national population and housing census scheduled for 2023.
The vice chairman said, in building peace, structures of injustice in the country, must be demolished.
“Injustice to victims of violence must be addressed,” he added.
He urged government at all levels to rise up to their constitutional responsibility of protecting the lives of citizens.
On the forthcoming general election, Abaagu appealed for peaceful electoral process.
“Politicians must play the serious game of politics according to the rules and campaign based on issues.
“The Independent Electoral Commission must be fair to all and ensure that votes count.
“The youths must not allow themselves to be used as political thugs. There must be justice for all”, he advised.
He encouraged Nigerians to be vigilant, interrogate every manifesto or developmental programmes of candidates in the course of campaigns.
“Eligible Nigerians should view the 2023 elections as an opportunity to choose leaders that will move the country towards nationhood and peace.
“We must view voting at elections not just as a civic responsibility, but also as a sacred duty”, he added.
In an opening remark, Chairman, Human Rights Committee of the Commission, Chizoba Okafor, said peace was all a nation needed to develop.
“More than ever before, it is crucial of Nigeria to engender and imbibe all tenets of peace to come out victorious in our quest for nationhood,” he added.
In a goodwill message, the Imam of National Mosque, Prof. Muhammad Kabir-Adam, who was represented by his Secretary, Habeeb Ibrahim said “Islam is peace and never fails to practice peace”.
He described the theme as apt, saying, “if we are to end racism, we should have peace and righteousness in our lives, work for social justice, fight for the truth; without peace there can be no development and growth in any society.”
Rev Fr Solomon Uko,Executive Director, JDPC said from the beginning of the world the message of peace has been dominant,as in the scriptures.
He stressed that peace was essential in all we embarked on.
” Without peace we cannot grow and develop.
” We pray for peace in our lives, communities, families and country; in the World”,he said.