From Charity Ogechi Ugwu, Enugu
A group known as the South East Human
Rights Situation Room has called on the federal government to embrace dialogue
with agitators in the South East in order to ensure peace and development in
the country.
The group made this known while holding
a public rally in Enugu State to commemorate the World Peace Day.
The rally which kicked off at Okpara
Square Enugu, and extended to Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium Ogui road, Enugu, was
aimed at educating residents of the south East zone, on how to embrace peace
and shun all forms of violence with respect to the Operation Python Dance II
(Egwu Eke II) exercise embarked upon by the military in the South East.
Professor Joy Ngozi Ezeilo who is the
convener of the campaign said: “We want an affable military and civilian relationship
in Nigeria and will therefore be cooperating with the military to ensure that
the execution of Operation Python Dance II is in full compliance with the
International Human Rights law and global best practices.”
The group also stated that their aim is
to enlighten the general public on safety tips, shunning violence in every aspect
and ensuring that the youth are law abiding for enabling peace and development
in the country.
“We are here because of the escalating
violence and agitation that has led to the operation tagged: Egwu Eke II where
many people have lost their lives,” she said.
She went further to say, “The
organization is monitoring the Operation Python Dance II, to prevent the
escalation of war and violence in the South East as war does not give room for
peace rather, we should resort to dialogue which will help to foster fairness
and justice.”
According to one of the members of the
group, Igwe Simon, “There will not be development in the country without
dialogue, fair justice and peace.”
He stated that the only way to achieve
progress in this country is for the government to embrace dialogue for peace
and the youth to shun violence.
Further, Professor Felicia Aniogo, who
is also a lawyer said: "no peace, no development.”
However, she said, “Whatever you want,
you must embark on dialogue. We don't want backwardness, rather we want
forwardness.”
The group urged the public to continue
with their daily activities, work in accordance with the law, and direct any
infraction to the South East Human Rights Situation Room.
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