The federal government has joined other Member States to call on all young people to raise a “Flag of Peace” as a demonstration of their commitment to inculcate values that would engender national unity and a sustainable peaceful future for all.
The minister of education, Malam Adamu Adamu who stated this on Tuesday during a briefing said: “Member states promote commonwealth shared values every year during the commemoration and in view of the conflict situation in some of the Commonwealth countries and globally, this year’s celebration is calling on all young people to raise a “Flag of Peace” as a demonstration of their commitment to inculcate those values that would engender national unity and a sustainable peaceful future for all.”
“You would all agree that this call cannot come at a more auspicious time than now as our young people begin to progressively shun violence and adapt dialogue as a means of redress,” he said.
Adamu who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, David Adejo requested the management of respective State Ministries of Education nationwide to put in place programmes in all their educational institutions to commemorate the 2023 Commonwealth Day.
He said Nigeria will always continue to maximize the dividends of being part of the supportive community of 56 member nations across Africa, Asia, America, the Caribbean, Europe and the Pacific.
While noting that this year’s theme is, “Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future,” he said this association of nations with diverse culture, varied gross national income per capita, different levels of industrialization and technological infrastructure always tolerate, respect and mutually work together for the promotion of peace, democracy and prosperity.
As part of activities leading up to the Commonwealth Day, he said some private and public Schools including Federal Unity Colleges within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs participated in the commemoration quiz competition, which took place in Abuja on Thursday, 16th February, 2023
“Each of the selected Schools nominated two students to participate in the written test on English language, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Current Affairs and Commonwealth Questions. The highest 10 scorers regardless of the school competed in the oral quiz and the best three winners would be rewarded handsomely,” he said.
He added that on the D-Day, aside from rendition of the commonwealth theme song, poetry recitation, drama and cultural dance, the Commonwealth flag alongside the peace flag would be displayed by students from selected schools clad in national attires of member nations being represented.