Port Harcourt, Nigeria — In a poignant call for stability, the Rivers State chapter of the Rotary Action Group for Peace (RAGFP), collaborating with 29 Rotary Clubs in the state, inaugurated a Peace Monument on Saturday at the UTC Junction along Azikiwe Road, Port Harcourt. The event, held to commemorate the International Day of Peace, served as a public demand for collective action against rising insecurity and political tensions.
Inaugurating the monument, His Majesty, Eze Leslie Eke (Eze Gbakagbaka), the King of Woji and Evo Kingdom, praised the RAGFP for its timely initiative. The King described the monument as deeply symbolic, noting that it coincided with the return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State Assembly to office following the expiration of the six-month emergency rule declared after the political crisis.
Urgent Call to Address Insecurity
The Coordinator of RAGFP in Rivers State, Past Assistant Governor Ibimina Daminabo Amachree, delivered a sharp address, emphasizing that the theme, “Act Now for a Peaceful World,” resonated acutely with the current realities in the Niger Delta. Amachree reaffirmed Rotary’s commitment to peacebuilding but stressed the need for stakeholders to take immediate action against pressing social and economic crimes.
She highlighted specific threats eroding the state’s foundation: “Our state, once celebrated as the Treasure Base of the Nation, is facing increasing pressures… Political tensions have deepened, with rivalries sometimes spilling into the streets. Cultism, gang-related violence, oil theft, and illegal bunkering not only damage our economy but also fuel criminality and environmental devastation.”
Amachree warned that the proliferation of small arms, rising youth unemployment, drug abuse, and insecurity along waterways all contribute to a volatile environment.
Peace is Everyone’s Responsibility
The Rotarians’ central message was that peace is a shared duty. “These realities remind us of one truth: peace cannot be left to government or security agencies alone. Peace is everyone’s responsibility,” Amachree asserted, appealing to government, civil society, traditional institutions, and the media to partner with them. “The cost of inaction is too high. Peace delayed is peace denied,” she added, urging leaders to “replace violence with dialogue, fear with trust, and division with unity.”
Mrs. Ijeoma Okoro, a Trustee member of Rotary Foundation, echoed the sentiment, describing peace as the central pillar of Rotary International’s work. She also stressed the importance of individual contribution, stating: “You cannot have peace in your community if you’re not a peaceful person. It’s when our homes are peaceful that we can preach peace outside.” Okoro also extended thanks to President Bola Tinubu for restoring democratic governance and congratulated Governor Fubara on his return to office.
