2019: Group Rallies For Peace Nationwide
The Goodwill Ambassadors of Nigeria, GAN, is set to commence a nationwide rally for peace and tolerance ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The rally billed for five cities; Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Abuja and Lagos beginning from September 22 through October 19.
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National coordinator GAN, Amb. Daniel Soetan, in a press statement in Abuja on Thursday, said with the threat of violence and bloodshed in next year’s poll as well as incidences in past elections, there was the need to rally Nigerians to sign on to peace and shun any politician or groups that could threaten the peace of the country.
He noted that with the growing number of internally displaced persons who are presently living in precarious conditions in several camps, the country can ill afford anything that could further displace people.
Soetan explained that the rally tagged #PeaceNOW is to sensitize Nigerians against any form of abuse and violent conduct, stressing that “our country is presently faced with avoidable humanitarian crisis with scaring rate of poverty and fragile relationship between ethnics groups. There is a very high chance that this situation will be worsened as we go into elections.
“Sentiments and fear are usually heightened during our elections. Previous elections had left us with bitter memories of violence and turbulence. We cannot afford to just sit back, pray and do nothing to attempt to forestall what evidently looks like an ugly situation ahead.”
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He said the national walk for #PeaceNOW is slated to hold in five states. Abuja and Kano is to hold 22nd and 29th of September, respectively, while Enugu and Port Harcourt holds 6th and 19th of October and grand finale holds 20th of Ocotber in Lagos.
The peace sensitization rally is organized in partnership with other NGOs and humanitarian groups such as the Belle Sisters Foundation, Yali Network, Centre for Sustainable Peace Foundation, Heart and Hope we Care Foundation, Strong Women Code Foundation, Davies Heart and Hope for Girl Child Foundation, Abuja Volunteers Hub.
