The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, IPCR, says Nigeria must move beyond celebrating its resilience and translate lessons from decades of political, economic and security challenges into stronger institutions and greater national cohesion.
Director General of the Institute, Joseph Ochogwu, says the country’s survival through periods of conflict and instability provides important lessons for addressing its present challenges.
Tracing Nigeria’s journey from colonial rule through independence, the Civil War, successive military governments and democratic transitions, Ochogwu said the country has repeatedly demonstrated its capacity to survive difficult periods.
He also referred to past predictions that Nigeria would disintegrate, including those surrounding the 2015 general elections, saying the country’s continued existence demonstrates the resilience of its people.
But the IPCR Director General said the more important task is to draw lessons from those experiences and apply them to present challenges.
Ochogwu acknowledged the economic difficulties facing Nigerians and called for practical and sustainable solutions.
He identified stronger institutions, shared national values and greater cohesion as essential to building a more peaceful and prosperous country.
The Institute says Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary should therefore serve not only as a celebration of survival, but also as an opportunity to strengthen dialogue, peace, unity and collective responsibility.
It maintains that transforming the country’s resilience into sustainable development and national cohesion requires the participation of government, institutions and citizens.
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Editor: Ada Ononye
