Source: Independent NG
Dr Charles Chimezie, the President of NBM of Africa Worldwide, has called on African governments and relevant institutions to intensify early intervention in vulnerable communities to prevent social frustrations from degenerating into violence and insecurity.
Chimezie made the call in Abuja while delivering the organisation’s World Peace Day address at the ECOWAS Secretariat, Asokoro, stressing that addressing the social and humanitarian conditions that breed desperation was essential to lasting peace.
He said communities should not be allowed to reach the point where frustration, poverty, exclusion and hopelessness become catalysts for violence, adding that humanitarian organisations could play a significant role by identifying emerging challenges and directing them to appropriate authorities.
According to him, NBM’s approach to peacebuilding was anchored on service, compassion and community engagement, with the organisation using humanitarian interventions to support vulnerable families and communities across the country.
He said the organisation had, over the years, undertaken healthcare outreaches, scholarships, educational support, disaster relief, welfare assistance, environmental sanitation and other community development initiatives aimed at improving living conditions.
Chimezie disclosed that NBM members had, in September, donated blood to hospitals in Benin City, Abuja, Kuje, Lafia, Delta and Jos, saying the exercise was undertaken to support patients whose survival depended on access to blood.
He also disclosed that the organisation had provided food, financial assistance and relief materials to displaced persons and disaster victims, including recent support for affected communities in Borno State in partnership with the state government.
The NBM president said the organisation was also using public education and community engagement to discourage young people from crime and violence, while promoting responsible citizenship, peaceful coexistence, social justice, equality and respect for human rights.
He urged stakeholders to pay greater attention to children and young people, saying early intervention could help prevent vulnerable youths from being recruited into criminal activities and other social vices.
Chimezie clarified that NBM was not a security agency and would not investigate crimes, arrest suspects or take the law into its own hands, but could educate communities, observe developments, responsibly report concerns and refer credible information to relevant authorities.
He called for a structured partnership involving ECOWAS, governments, security agencies, traditional institutions, religious bodies, humanitarian organisations and civil society groups to strengthen peace education, youth engagement, community dialogue, child protection and humanitarian response.
Chimezie said peace could not be sustained by security measures alone, stressing that institutions must build trust with communities and respond to humanitarian needs before they become security challenges.
He said NBM was ready to contribute to such efforts in line with its philosophy of “One Africa, One Humanity, One Peace.”