WRITTEN BY DR MOHAMED ABUBAKAR.
Besides life in itself, good health, shelter, and safety, a key phenomenon of a developed society is the presence of peace and tranquility. In view of the above, modern societies spare no expense in maintaining peace. Unfortunately, despite the huge expense to maintain peace, it is sometimes taken for granted by those who have not witnessed unrest and rancour. In Nigeria, one of the major break to peace was during the 1967 civil war seven years after it’s independence.
Over the years, the war has often been a reference to Nigerians of all strata and demographics on the unquantifiable value of peace, kindness to fellow humans, devoid of ethnic, religious, racial or social considerations. To further drive home the message of peace, the 8th National Assembly established the Nigeria Peace Corps, a non-security, uniformed peace advocacy outfit. The Corps as part of it’s activities to propagate peaceful coexistence over the years, the Corps has established close ties with global bodies such as the United Nations, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF and a myriad of international and local Non- governmental organizations. With over 40,000 officers and corpers spread across the country and intervening in disputes among 550 ethnic communities, the Corps engages in civic activities such peace mediation and de-escalation of crisis situations, prevention of child labour, examination malpractice and environmental hygiene under the godly principle of loving one’s neighbour as one’s self, forgiveness, kindness, patience, restraint in the midst of provocation and patriotism. These ideals have been promoted based on the distinct leaning of the leadership of the corps under the leadership of its National Commandant, Dr Mustapha Mohammed Abubakar, FICMC
the Commandant General
Nigerian Peace Corps.
Dr Mustapha Mohammed, a Chartered Mediator, Conciliator and Security Intelligence professional as well as a Peace Advocate for Good Governance, has continued to record remarkable achievements in youth development, peace building and community service across the country. Since assuming office, Dr Abubakar has repositioned and reinvigorated the Corps as a veritable platform for instilling discipline, patriotism and leadership skills among Nigerian youths. Through structured training programmes which Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution and Intelligence Information Gathering is critical, the organisation has empowered thousands of young people with values of national unity, civic responsibility and respect for constituted authority.
A major milestone under the leadership of Dr Mohammed is the expansion of the Corps’ peace and security sensitisation initiatives, which have helped promote peaceful coexistence in communities, especially in conflict-prone areas. The Nigerian Peace Corps has also partnered with security agencies, schools and community leaders to curb social vices and encourage constructive youth engagement. Dr Abubakar has equally championed humanitarian and social intervention programmes, with Corps members actively involved in community sanitation, disaster response, public enlightenment campaigns and support for vulnerable groups. These efforts have earned the organisation commendations from traditional rulers, civil society groups and stakeholders nationwide.
Under Dr Mustapha Mohammed, the corps in the area of institutional development, has strengthened administrative structures, improved training standards and expanded the Corps’ presence across 37 states and all Local Government Areas in the country, enhancing coordination and grassroots impact. The corps’ efforts has attracted accolades from observers who say the strides recorded by the Nigerian Peace Corps under Dr. Mustapha Muhammed Abubakar underscore his commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda on youth empowerment, peace building, togetherness and national development, positioning the organisation as a key contributor to Nigeria’s quest for unity, security and sustainable progress. Indeed the Dr Mustapha Mohammed led Nigerian Peace Corps cannot be mistaken for other organizations as it stands unique in it’s approach and contribution to national growth, progress and development in peace and prosperity.
Africa Security Investigation News 