Northern Women Peace Forum, a Non-Governmental Organisation, has called on Nigerians to live in peace and allow unity to reign in their hearts so that the country would be a better place for everyone.
Hajiya Binta Kuraye, National Coordinator of the group, made the call at a press conference on Thursday in Abuja.
Kuraye said that women were the backbone of the family and should be listened to.
“We appeal to all Nigerians to allow peace to reign in the country; no one should allow anybody to push him into acts of violence or other unpatriotic ventures.
“It is very obvious that some agents of disunity and instability want to destroy this country by pushing the youths into unpatriotic activities.
“Nigeria is a sweet country; we have everything to make us great and attract the entire world to us.
“Any woman you abuse or hurt, know that you are indirectly doing it to your mother, sister, wife, daughter or grand mother. Respect women.
“Please Nigerians, we are over 5,000 spread across all states of the federation. We are your wives, daughters, aunts, sisters, mothers and grand mothers.
“We beg you, in the name of God, listen to our call for peace,” Kuraye pleaded.
Speaking in the same vein, Miss Amina Goya, the National Secretary of the group, said that the rate of insecurity and conflict in the country was a source of concern for all.
According to her, the various crises have impoverished Nigerians with thousands of women and children currently in Internally Displaced Persons’ camp with no hope for a better future.
“We have lost lives to violent conflicts, especially the Boko Haram insurgency; women have become widows and hundreds of children have turned orphans.
“We have lost friends and family members. We have lost people we don’t know but we still feel their pains
“In spite of all these, we will not lose hope . Our Forum will continue to do all it can to enhance peace in the country.
“Everyone has a woman he listened to, that is why it is very important to involve women in peaceful negotiation .
“We want to express our displeasure on the rising insecurity in the North-East, especially banditry, kidnapping.
“Bad people are killing many without respect to human lives.
“We want to bring back peace into our society. We want Nigeria to be great again. I want you all to support this movement toward making Nigeria great again,” Goya said.
National officers of the group – Hajiya Iyabode Oyetumde, Rabi Hussaini, Mrs Chinyere Duruha, Fatima Kabir, Binta Oniya, Zainab Lawal all spoke in the same vein.