A symposium held to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the United Nations (UN) urged member states to enhance multilateral cooperation and invest in vital areas such as education, youth empowerment, good governance, justice, and equal opportunity to foster enduring peace.
Hosted by Premiere Academy in Abuja, the event, themed ‘Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday’, highlighted that promoting a peaceful world necessitates more than governmental policies and security measures. It called on individuals, institutions, and communities to actively pursue peaceful coexistence.
The Principal of Premiere Academy, Chris Akinsowon, stated that the anniversary served as a crucial moment for the global community to reflect on multilateral cooperation amidst escalating insecurity and humanitarian crises worldwide. He pointed out that many UN member states, particularly in Africa, continue to face challenges such as terrorism, kidnapping, and various communal conflicts.
Akinsowon noted that these issues, along with armed conflicts and poverty, underscore the necessity for nations to renew their collective commitment to attaining global peace. He emphasized that peace should not merely be an aspiration but a daily responsibility for everyone.
“Let our homes become centres of love and understanding, our schools centres of tolerance and respect,” he said. Akinsowon urged the audience to focus on individual actions that contribute to understanding and humanity.
The symposium recognized the UN’s foundation in 1945 as a beacon of hope for international cooperation, and Akinsowon praised the UN Office in Nigeria for its collaboration with the academy in fostering students’ understanding of the UN’s workings through the annual Premiere Academy International United Nations (PAIMUM) session. This initiative aims to equip students with skills to resolve conflicts through dialogue and respect diversity.
Meanwhile, Dr. Oluseyi Soremekun, National Information Officer of the UN Information Centre in Nigeria, highlighted the significance of including youth in celebrating the UN’s milestone. He reiterated the importance of engaging young people with the UN’s objectives so they can view themselves as part of the organization’s mission.
