Earlier today, in Geneva, Switzerland, the senator representing Cross River South Senatorial district, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong Jnr, addressed the 148th Inter-parliamentary union assembly on the theme “building bridges for peace and development.”
In his remarks, he expressed the determination of young parliamentarian across the globe to play a role in bringing peace to a world that is beset with pockets of conflict, not being unmindful, however, of the historical factors that may have led to them.
He stressed the opinion that for these obstacles to be overcome, dialogue, empathy, and respect for each others history and cultures was key to building bridges.
Speaking further, the lawmaker shared his experiences as Chairman of the Nigerian Senate Committee on NDDC, where himself and other members continue to work tirelessly with the board and management to achieve a lasting peace and surmount the environmental & developmental challenges in the Niger Delta region.
In conclusion, he urged the assembly to enact resolutions that would protect women and children, non combatants that bear the major brunt of the needless violence associated with war and conflict. He challenged the assembly not to relent in its effort to bring a lasting peace to the world by invoking the words of the late Kofi Annan who said that “Peace is never a perfect achievement”.
He closed by reminding the assembly that peace is not just a destination but a manner of traveling.
