In an attempt to expound harmony and peaceful alternative to the inflammable attitudes and utterances engulfing the nation, a group of Nigerians under
In an attempt to expound harmony and peaceful alternative to the inflammable attitudes and utterances engulfing the nation, a group of Nigerians under the banner of Burdened Elders of Nigeria, the conveners of the Re-Think Nigeria Platform and Project YIGBA, and a string of other concerned organisations are set to launch Project YIGBA, on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at MUSON Center, Lagos Nigeria.
Speaking to E-life, Yemi Akisanya, a lawyer and coordinator of Project YIGBA said this initiative is to provide Nigerians with a Non-Violent alternative to the incendiary narratives bedeviling the nation.
* Yemi Akisanya
This first Non-Violent line of defense against needless bloodshed across Nigeria is an expression of love unfeigned as it also works as a retardant to the hate, animosity, and fear that is facilitating the spread of terrorism.
THE NIGERIAN KEY OF NON-VIOLENT COMMUNICATION – by Yemi Akisanya
‘It is founded on the conviction that, without changing the core identity of any of Nigeria’s component tribal groups, effective socio-political engineering can strengthen their common ideals and project their common interests in such a way as to foster the peace and progress of the Nigerian nation.
‘Project YIGBA will present a step-by-step national peace-building strategy whereby, if properly executed, the YIGBA umbrella should become an equitable structural cover for all the ethnic groups of Nigeria.
‘This event,’ Akisanya added, ‘was initially planned for a much later date. However, alarmed by the gongs of strife, drumbeats of war, and the gathering of dark clouds over the horizon, we have been constrained by these circumstances to accelerate our scheduling in response to this emergency.
‘We are in no doubt that all Nigerians are similarly concerned by this upsurge of violence and bloodletting across the length and breadth of Nigeria.’
The Birth of a New Nation by Ladi Thompson
Expected at the forum are some of the Nigerian elders across the six geo-political zones, some of whom are Dr. Christopher Kolade, former Nigerian High Commission to the UK, Prof Anya O. Anya, Elder Shingle Wigwe, Prof. Obiozor, Elder (Pastor) Wale Adefarasin, and Elder Joe Irokwu. Others are some of the permanent secretaries in Nigeria, Alhaji Ahmed Joda and Philip Asiodu.
The forum plans to recognise the contributions of Oscar Onwudiwe who passed on in January 2021. Onwudiwe was the president of Aka Ikenga, an influential think tank of Igbo professionals and scholars in Lagos. He was also a foundation member of Project YIGBA and a great driving force in making it the reality it has become.
The Project Yigba launch will also showcase the love story of Bridget and Tunde Elesin, two Nigerians from different geo-political zones who got married about 20 years ago.
Product of love By Bridget and Tunde Elesin
The narrative is purported to exemplify the essence of Nigeria as a nation, to encourage families and organisations about teamwork and progress despite the fact that we come from different backgrounds.
According to the couple, ‘’our marriage is an affirmation of Nigeria we all desire, where everyone is a product of love as the love that binds us is greater than the differences we see. We see differently but love deeply; we look out for each other, and we maximise our differences to stay in love, enjoying peace and unity always.
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