The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Akwa Ibom State Directorate, has partnered with the Forum for Peace and Progress to promote and sustain the existing peace in the state as the world marks the International Day of Peace.
Speaking during activities to commemorate the day, the State Director of NOA, Mr. Mkpoutom Mkpoutom called on residents of Akwa Ibom to continue to value peace, unity and peaceful coexistence, noting that the development and progress of the state depend largely on the peaceful relationship among its people.
Mkpoutom urged citizens to be mindful of their use of social media, particularly by avoiding abusive comments, hate speech, false information and messages capable of creating tension or dividing communities. He stressed that social media should be used responsibly to promote understanding and peaceful relationships.
The State Director also appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to make the forthcoming political campaigns issue-based and focused on policies and programmes that can improve the lives of the people. He advised politicians to avoid personal attacks, name-calling and inflammatory statements that could heat up the political environment.
The partnership between NOA and the Forum for Peace and Progress he said, reflects a shared commitment to strengthening peacebuilding efforts and encouraging citizens to take responsibility for maintaining a peaceful society.
Mkpoutom reaffirmed NOA’s commitment to continuous public enlightenment and orientation programmes that promote patriotism, peaceful coexistence, responsible citizenship and national unity across Akwa Ibom State.
The National Coordinator, Forum for Peace and Progress, Mr David Moses urged Akwa Ibom residence to reject violence, hate speech and divisive tendencies and that they should rather promote tolerance, unity, dialogue and citizenship to sustain the already existing peace and hormone.
The head of Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution Mr Peter Adolphus Effiom stated that citizens to tolerate one another despite differences in political views, stressing that political disagreements should not be allowed to destroy the peace and unity that Akwa Ibom is known for.