Embrace Wisdom That Is Better Than Weapons Of War

– Make the 2023 election a stepping stone to building the nation

Mary Nnah

A Nigerian organisation, Obey The Macedonia Call (OTMC), has called on Nigerians to prayerfully embrace the wisdom that is better than weapons of war to turn this election into a stepping stone towards building the nation into the greatest country of the world.

The organisation said many fathers and patriots of old knew that this sensitive moment in Nigeria’s history would finally come when one generation would have to make that decision on behalf of the future. The decision is whether to embrace peace, bond in love or surrender to the inherited forces of disintegration at a terrible cost.

In a press release signed by Pastor Ladi Thompson and endorsed by Pastors Tunde Bakare, Alfred Ohiani, Sam and Nike Adeyemi, John Joseph Hayab and others like Gboyega Omoba (MBE), Taiwo Odukoya, Wale Adefarasin, and Ayo Ogunyemi, the organisation said it is not unaware of the crippling pains that the orchestrated fuel scarcity and shortage of currency has brought upon the nation.

“The good news we bring in this hour is that we have examined all the contributing factors and can announce a simple solution that will be a game-changer. Opinions will always differ on how things should be done in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-generational country like ours. More so when the trauma of our violent past and painful experiences has never been healed.

“Yet the truth is that the average Nigerian citizen, north, south, east and west are, peace-loving, trusting and patient African at heart. So why can’t we rise beyond the engineered divisions and stress to deploy the creative African advantage that defines our heritage?
“’It is a known fact worldwide that it takes an entire community to bring up a child in Africa because we (left to ourselves) are our brothers’ keepers and God-fearing people, not to mention our natural tribal masteries of non-violent communication and the use of proverbs in settling all disputes.
“To de-escalate the present tensions’, the organisation said, ‘we need to consider that most of us mean well. In a sense, we are all victims of history, from the president to the peasant! Our most significant problems are systemic, and we must not allow anyone to lead us on a self-destructive path.
“We ask all Nigerians to please listen to the following instructions and embrace their God-given African heritage to become an agent of peace. Nigerians should cool down, lower their voices and embrace non-violent communication with proverbs since it is better to jaw-jaw than war-war.
“Also, let all God-fearing people meet with others in the neighbourhoods and resident associations to agree on strategies to keep their streets peaceful and safe for children. Let each household store essential food to last a few days and encourage the rationing and sharing of all resources within neighbourhood clusters.”
OTMC advised that Nigerians should deliberately isolate the mischief makers in any community by using the tokens of peace to mark all households of peace while appealing to matriarchs and parents who can speak directly into the hearts of the wayward ones.
“It is imperative that we make and keep the peace throughout Nigeria next week while we work in cooperation with the Nigerians and well-wishers in the diaspora who are praying and offering their support for the peaceful conduct of elections.
“More counsels will be announced in the days ahead, so please stay vigilant. Nigerians in the Diaspora can contact the following for more information on how to build peace and the future of Nigeria”, it noted further.