By joshua 
*Calls on FG, Labour, NARD to resolve grievances peacefully
*Condemns coup in Niger, advises ECOWAS to adopt diplomacy
*Calls for collaborative strategic efforts to address insecurity, corruption, economic challenges in Nigeria
Ayo Ola
Chairman, Committee on Human Rights And Social Justice, International Peace and Governance Council of African Continental Chapter of the United International Peace and Governance Council of Africa (UNIPGC) Africa, Barrister Muritala Sambo, on Sunday, called on the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and Civil Society Organisation (CSO) and the National Association of Resident Doctors to avoid further strikes and protests.
He said protests and strikes are economically unproductive and are inimical to Nigeria’s development.
According to him, they also distort industrial harmony, socio-economic growth and national development.
The Peace Ambassador appealed that they should resolve their grievances peacefully with the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu.
He also advised the government to prevent future grievances before they escalate to agitations.
He spoke with journalists on Sunday on his confirmation as Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights And Social Justice, IPGC by the United Nations International Peace and Governance Council of Africa during the International Peace & Security Summit in Morocco.
He stated that it is imperative for the government to put formidable strategies in place to deliver government measures to cushion the harsh impact of the removal of subsidies on fuel and other pro-people policies and progammes of government.
Sambo said “It is divined that there should be some people among you who will be encouraging others to do good and forbid them from doing bad. This is also the rationale behind opposition to the government. Incessant strikes and colourless demonstrations to check the government in Nigeria are becoming familiar jokes to the government, undue vacation to workers and it irritates masses as it had no effect on the cause of the agitation. These I have checked over a period and I see no cause for such steps.
“Since the pandemic, I have not actually heard of palliatives that reach the target audience. Several billions of naira were used as palliative with the calculation that it will reach the masses but unfortunately, it didn’t reach the target audience as expected. It wasn’t because the government doesn’t want to reach out to the target audience but there is no system to ensure that.
“Take, for example, the palliatives to cushion the effect of the hardship of subsidy removal is what Labor are charging the government to do instead of insisting on a working system. It is only in Nigeria government employed twenty persons to do the work of a single person and all of them are clamoring for an increase in salary. Is it not funny when labour called for a strike against the two-month-old president.”
Sambo also condemned the recent coup in the Niger Republic by the military junta led by the Presidential Guard commander, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, which toppled the democratically elected government of the President of Niger Republic, Mohamed Bazoum.
He condemned the military takeover of civilian administration and lamented that military rule and colonialism have retarded growth in Africa.
He, thereforeappealed tothe Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to resolve the political impasse in the Niger Republic through diplomacy.
He said it is imperative for civilian administration to be restored in the country.
ECOWAS had ordered for restoration of Bazoum as the President of Niger and imposed sanctions on the country.
Sambo said, “I am abreast of the diplomatic moves taken by ECOWAS which Nigeria happened to be among the signatory country. You may not be right in calling such a diplomatic move a threat. Every measure soft or hard taken by Peace Ambassadors (diplomats) which includes ECOWAS, UN, AU and others towards actualizing peace and decorum in Africa or the wilder world is referred to as diplomacy.
“I am so sure that there is no threat to peace that diplomacy of the peace ambassadors can not tame. Ambassadors of Peace have approaches to any threat to peace. Any measure put in place by Diplomats because we are professionals to rescue the people of the democratic republic of Niger from military intervention is fair enough considering the menace of Military Rule which has long been defeated but rear its ugly face in our nascent democracy in Africa.”
He added, “Diplomats are sacrificing a lot to enhance peace in the global world in general and Africa in particular. Ninety-nine per cent of factors militating against peace in Africa is traceable to military rule. Incessant destabilization of governance, undermining democratic processes, prolonging conflicts, Interference in international affairs, human rights abuses, economic deterioration, and insecurity are vices littered by military intervention in politics.”
He added, “I am a Nigerian and I will not forget in a hurry how both colonialism and military intervention spread in Africa. Coupled with this, when you see a Nigerian or any African citizen raising their voice against military intervention in Niger, it was an experience no one should fold hands and watch with no reaction. Injustice to someone somewhere is a threat to justice to everyone everywhere.”
The Peace Ambassador also decried that Insecurity, corruption, and economic problems have retarded growth in Nigeria.
He urged the federal, state and local governments as well all relevant agencies, organisations and individuals to collaborate to address insecurity in Nigeria.
He stated that the menace should be advised and warned that insecurity is detrimental to national, organisation and individual well-being and growth.
Sambo also called for the eradication of corruption, economic depreciation, political rigmarole, unhealthy rivalry, and other vices in Nigeria.
According to him, the vices have inhibited Nigeria from advancement and playing a strategic role in regional, continental and global communities.
He called on all Nigerians to be patriotic and alleged that many Nigerians are not patriotic.
Sambo said, “Unlike several other countries in the world that are not self-reliant, Nigeria is blessed with everything to survive without support from any country but nothing works for her. Actualization of peace in Nigeria is not complex, though multifaceted but achievable with the determination of the government to take the lead by firstly institutionalizing an automated system which is free from human manipulations regardless of class or status. The next is that the love of the nation should be prioritized, and most importantly to every citizen. A higher percentage of Nigerians do not love this nation.
“The atrocities some Nigerians have committed against this nation to bring us to this derogatory position have no better explanation than the lack of love for the country. The caption: GOD BLESS AMERICA is the talesman that has floated USA up and above others. Next is Dialogue and reconciliation: In the game of corruption and system circumvention several peoples, states, communities, tribes, groups, institutions, and others have been wronged and cheated and there is a need to reconcile through dialogue if we must forge ahead as a nation.
“These three pillars will create a wonderful magic and every other thing will fall in place. With a good system, corruption, insecurity, economic depreciation, political rigmarole, unhealthy rivalry, and other vices will be synchronized by a good system in place and everything will align.”