LAGOS, Nigeria — Former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has called on Nigerians to choose peace over conflict, support refugees, and take proactive steps to prevent displacement in the face of growing security challenges and environmental crises across the country.
Fashola made the appeal on Saturday during a public lecture in Lagos, where he addressed the rising incidents of communal clashes, banditry, and environmental degradation that have forced thousands of Nigerians to flee their homes. He urged citizens to embrace dialogue and tolerance as tools for resolving differences, rather than resorting to violence, which he said often leads to loss of lives and displacement of communities.
The former Lagos State governor emphasized that peace is a collective responsibility that requires the active participation of all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation. He called on community leaders, traditional rulers, and religious institutions to play a more prominent role in conflict prevention and mediation.
Fashola also highlighted the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, noting that many Nigerians have been uprooted from their homes due to insurgency, banditry, and flooding. He urged Nigerians to show compassion and support to displaced persons, stressing that no one chooses to become a refugee and that displacement often comes with severe psychological and economic consequences.
The former minister further called on the federal and state governments to intensify efforts to address the root causes of displacement, including insecurity, poverty, and environmental degradation. He advocated for sustainable development policies that would create economic opportunities, improve access to education and healthcare, and promote social cohesion.
Fashola also stressed the importance of environmental sustainability in preventing displacement, noting that climate change-induced flooding and desertification have contributed to the displacement of communities in various parts of the country. He called for increased investment in climate-resilient infrastructure and the implementation of policies that would mitigate the effects of environmental degradation on vulnerable communities.
The former minister’s remarks come amid growing concerns over the rising number of internally displaced persons in Nigeria, with the National Emergency Management Agency reporting that over three million Nigerians are currently displaced due to conflict and natural disasters. The situation has been exacerbated by the ongoing insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and communal clashes in the North-Central and South-South regions.
As the country continues to grapple with these challenges, Fashola’s call for peace, refugee support, and proactive measures to prevent displacement serves as a timely reminder of the need for collective action. For now, the message is clear: Nigerians must choose peace over conflict and work together to build a more inclusive and resilient society.
