Red Cross Boss Advocates Ministry Of Reconciliation

The Chairman of Red Cross Society of Nigeria, Anambra State, Prof. Peter Kathy, has called for the establishment of Ministry of Reconciliation at the State and Federal levels of governance in Nigeria.
The Ministry, according to Prof. Kathy, will be mandated to ensure peace and national cohesion in the country.
Prof. Kathy, a humanitarian, made the call recently while speaking with news men in Enugu on the importance of International Day of Charity.
According to him, when established, the Ministry “is expected to cause peace and national cohesion to be enshrined in the Nigerian psychy.
This, he said, is better than tough talks and military deployments in situations, which, he explained, exacerbate the militating situations.
“Sequel to internal conflicts/restiveness that have bedeviled Nigeria recently, including political bitterness, Boko Haram insurgency, agitations for different republics, herdsmen and farmers conflicts, youth restiveness, religious intolerance, wanton exhibition of hatred, hateful songs, speeches, acerbic insinuations and glaring marginalisation, it has become very pertinent to call on Federal and State Governments to embark on the Reconciliation of the entire Nigeria.
“This is the first step to keep Nigeria one and secure the future of the nation,” he said.
Prof. Kachy stated that deeper approaches that give special attention and protection to the most vulnerable via reconciliation moves that would sustain peace and progress in all parts of the country need to be taken.
He said this required the participation of governments by creating enabling environment, embarking on advocacy, motivation, and partnership with donors, international agencies, civil societies, volunteers and the mass media to bring succor to all.
“Especially in this militating period of Boko Haram terrorism, herdsmen-farmers conflicts, self-determination agitations which results in extreme difficult situations of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who are in great need of food, water, shelter, healthcare and security to survive”, he said.
He, however, lauded international and local humanitarian charity organisations as well as philanthropists for their contributions to sustain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of poverty reduction, which is central to world economic and social order.
“I must commend International Committee of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Rotary International, Medicine San Frontier, Bill Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation, Rocky Fella Foundation, MTN, Globalcom, Dangote Foundation, Nestle, Guinness and lots of individual foundations/charities working in Nigeria.
“They are the lifelines of mankind with enormous power of charity which is the unflagging symbol of hope, vigour and amelioration in vulnerabilities.
“Most of the groups mentioned earlier have provided immediate interventions to create enabling situations towards massive push which is needed to boost access to essential services for most vulnerable children and families.

”All these charity works and activities have provided a vital kick-start to human development and poverty reduction, long term initiative that are rooted in human rights based approach to development”, he said.

It would be recalled that the  International Day of Charity, celebrated globally on September 5, is meant to herald activities of charities all over the world that helped to save and improve people’s lives, fighting diseases, protecting children, and giving hope to millions of people.

The day is also celebrated to honour the important work that these charities do, that in 2012 the United Nations decided to nominate an annual International Day of Charity, as an official day of recognition and celebration.

It was further gathered that the reason the date was chosen is because it is the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

By: Canice Amadi, Enugu