… Commends Ongoing Peaceful Electioneering campaigns
Paschal Emeka, Abuja | Posted October 17, 2023
Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Committee on Good Governance in Bayelsa State, Apostle (Dr) Timiebi Kiyaramo has reiterated his call for peaceful gubernatorial electioneering campaigns leading to November 11 elections in the state, stressing that peace is a fundamental precondition for social and economic development.
Addressing pastors at Ogbia Town in Ogbia Local Government Area on Sunday, Apostle Kiyaramo noted that without peace, societies are often plagued by conflict, violence, and instability, which could hinder their progress and result in the loss of lives and resources. He said development is a process that creates growth, progress, and positive change, coming with the addition of physical, economic, environmental, social, and demographic components to society.
While commending the various political parties for the peaceful way they have so far conducted themselves in the ongoing electioneering campaigns in the state, the clergyman pointed out that the link between peace and sustainable development cannot be overstated, adding that the both concepts, peace and sustainable development were interconnected and mutually reinforcing, with sustainable development being a key foundation for building peaceful societies.
According to the chairman of the PFN Committee on Good Governance, “Governments, civil society and communities need to work together to find lasting solutions to conflict and insecurity in a bid to strengthen the rule of law and promote human rights which is key to this process that eventually leads to reducing the inflow of illicit arms, combating corruption, and ensuring inclusive participation in the democratic process at all times.
“The Sustainable Development Goal 16 is about promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. People everywhere should be free of fear from all forms of violence and feel safe as they go about their lives, whatever their ethnicity, faith, or orientation. New violent conflicts around the world are actually derailing the global path to peace and achievement of SDG Goal 16.
Apostle Kiyaramo noted that phrase “peace and security” which has been often-used as one common parlance implies synergy and a complementary state that is not present when violence and conflict pervade a society or country, informing that both peace and security are means to other ends as well as means in themselves.
He stated that the relation between security and development work both ways as there is no development without security and there is no security without development, adding that the notion of no security without development is closely recognised as ‘securitization of development’, whereby development is recognised for its impact on security.