By Chikaodi Chukwuleta
Governors and lawmakers from the South East States, comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States have been advised to make policies and legislations towards reviving some dying Igbo cultural values to help combat crime and insecurity in the area.
This was part of the outcome of a two-day Concord Initiative Southeast Zonal Technical Workshop on Sustainable Peace, Inclusive Recovery and Durable Security for stakeholders drawn from the five South East states, held at Awka, Anambra State, recently .
The stakeholders at the workshop, organised by the Office for Strategic Preparedness & Resilience (National Early Warning Centre of Nigeria), OSPRE and partners identified apprenticeship modal and skills acquisition, sacredness of marriages, community parenting, respect to elders and environments as dying cultural values that need to be revived.
Speaking at the event, the traditional ruler of Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area, Igwe Sunday Okafor, argued that crimes would be reduced to the barest minimum or be totally eradicated when the Igbo nation upholds her core values which discourages crimes but encourages industriousness and love for humanity.
Executive Director, West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Dr Chukwuemeka Eze, Deputy National President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Afam Okeke-Ogene and Mrs Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri of Spaces for Change argued that dialogue, jobs creation and economic empowerment are necessary in driving development while addressing insecurity.
Chairman, Anambra State Truth, Justice and Peace Commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, in a goodwill message, underscored the importance of peace in nation building and development.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo, represented by his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim maintained that the gtate government was not relenting in nipping insecurity in the bud.
Director General, Office for Strategic Preparedness & Resilience (National Early Warning Centre of Nigeria), Mr Chris Ngwodo explained that the retreat brought together key leadership actors from the region to deliberate on interventions designed to promote sustainable peace, inclusive recovery and durable security, among others.
