The Federal Government has called for collective efforts to prevent violence and extremist attacks in the country.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, who spoke at the National Stakeholders Forum on Parenting for Peace in Abuja on Tuesday, decried the loss of lives and properties to insecurity in the country, adding that this could have a multiplier effect on the nation’s economy.
Tallen, who was represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Idris Mohammed, said all hands must be on deck to tackle violence and extremism in all ramifications threatening the peaceful existence of the country.
She said, ” It is disheartening to note that we keep losing lives and properties. Many people are being taken as hostages for ransom, and there was a displacement of millions of people all over Nigeria.
These result in loss of livelihood and consequently billions of naira; resources continuously wasted leading to depletion of national resources which ultimately may contribute to the nation’s depleting economy.
“All hands must be on deck to prevent violence and extremism in all ramifications to bring peace to our people, which is the essence of our gathering today to discuss the way forward.”
The Country Director of Mercy Corps, Mr Ndubisi Anyanwu, said that the corps had advanced peace and stability by addressing and mitigating gender dynamics that perpetuate and exacerbate conflict in the country.
Anyanwu, represented by Adesola Asogi, Acting Country Director, said that the Corps had worked with women government officials to improve their ability to peacefully manage disputes