By Emmanuel Egbujuo
International Day of Conscience was designated to underscore the role that conscience plays in achieving global peace to promote the power of ethical reflection and compassionate action in addressing today’s global challenges.
A clergy, Pastor Chinedu Nwogu, decried the dearth of charity in the community and called on Christians to emulate Jesus Christ by becoming compassionate to all, irrespective of their faith.
I am telling you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be the children of your father.
We can show love to our enemies if we forgive them even before they come to us to ask for forgiveness.
A true child of God should do service, do mission, always feed people, support people, pay off people’s medical bills, and give people free education”, he emphasized.
In his response, a public affairs analyst, Mr. Andrew Ajayi, enumerated the factors militating against peaceful coexistence and development in the nation. “Tribalism, ethnicity, insecurity is all over the place two communities fighting themselves where a few persons in leadership in the nation, state, and local government even in serious governmental agencies swallow all monies in corruption to share among themselves to buy big houses and what have you.
This is actually the problem that is preventing peaceful co-existence”, he highlighted. The Rivers State commandant of the Nigeria Peace Corps, Doctor Michael Obiora, urged stakeholders to enlighten the people on the benefits of living in harmony and pursuing a common course for the development of mankind.
“It is by educating oneself and others. Our ethical decision-making is important to the growth of the society, and as such, we should help in promoting education and awareness. Fostering inclusive dialogue, supporting community led initiatives, advocating for policy change and leading by examples”, he stated.
Conscience is the compass guiding us toward a world of justice, equality, and peace.
