The Place of Patriotism in Peace Building (II) — Our Security, Our Peace by Dr. O.E Bassey

“Listen with the intent to understand  One of the sparks of chaos, discords and animosity is always the gap of understanding. A lot of us listen with a prepared response, preconceived notion, and prejudices such that it does not matter what the other person is saying, your mind is closed-up with judgement that serves your bias. When that happens, you fail to understand the person, see things from where they are coming from, and as such, you both run at cross-purposes which never breeds unity. In the new year, if you are going to be peaceful with the next person, seek to being a deliberate listener who is quick to listen and slow to speaking. That will go a long way! “

No nation would ever experience peace without a deliberate practice of patriotism from her citizens to the land. It takes a higher level of loyalty, love and commitment, which is patriotism, to see humans in their numbers pursue peace for a common good.

And the interesting fact about peace when it comes to society, and organization, is that where we have a collective wrapped around the idea of peace and willing to do anything to see it achieved, there is no stopping to the pervasion of peace in such environment.

The year is still young and we can still pick up and choose to be committed to being patriotic in seeing that the country transitions from its current place of struggles to sailing in possibly all sectors that drive the land.

With that said, knowing what to do is different from knowing how to do it. In fact, vision is easy to conceive but carrying it out is where many fall short. We can all talk about how we want peace here, and peace there, but when we lack the know-how to go about it, then we would realize our only movement has been that in a round-shape.

To ensure that is not the narrative we end the year with, we could consider these five steps to building peace as a patriotic Nigerian.

Write about peace in newspapers/newsletters/social media

The idea is to get the message of peace to everyone out there. You would not deny that reading my article on a weekly basis has not imbued you with a consciousness of peace, and armed you with how to go about being a peace agent. From the knowledge you have been able to gather from me and from other reputable sources, hoarding it only limits the cloud of peace your environment will luxuriate in, when instead; sharing what you know depletes the amount of ignorance found in the land when it comes to peace waging. So, share the knowledge, share it abroad, that way, you are contributing your lot to national peace building.

Sponsor, support and attend a peace event

Look out for peace event in your community, your state or your region, and try as much as possible to either support or sponsor them with what you can afford, or better, show up at the event to learn and support the peace movement being promoted in such gathering.

Invite a peace expert to your event, workplace or community to come give a lecture on peace building

It’s high time gatherings, organizations and community started appreciating the existence of peace that ensures their entity is compact and thriving at the level they are. You don’t seek peace when there is chaos alone. As a matter of fact, the critical moment you should seek peace is where there is peace, because the sustenance of peace is more demanding that the creation of it. So, whenever you are hosting an event, in your workplace, at least every quarter; in your community gathering, at least, twice a year, consider inviting a peace expert to speak on peace building and sustenance. It will go a long way in boosting productivity not only on a collective front, but individually; because most times, when we gather in public, we tend to mask the chaos ripping us on the inside. So to speak to issues collectively and individually, and give your friends, members and workers a sense of care and importance, consider the option of inviting a peace expert to speak on peace.

Listen with the intent to understand

One of the sparks of chaos, discords and animosity is always the gap of understanding. A lot of us listen with a prepared response, preconceived notion, and prejudices such that it does not matter what the other person is saying, your mind is closed-up with judgement that serves your bias. When that happens, you fail to understand the person, see things from where they are coming from, and as such, you both run at cross-purposes which never breeds unity. In the new year, if you are going to be peaceful with the next person, seek to being a deliberate listener who is quick to listen and slow to speaking. That will go a long way!

Study Non-Violent Communication, Conflict Management and Conflict Resolutions

Knowledge is never ending, and where yours stop is where another man own begins. So, in the pursuance of peace, knowledge is endless, and the more you know, the more you produce. There are different courses in peace leadership and building you could take up. At NISSI Institute for Peace Leadership where I head, we have a number of courses on peace leadership at affordable rates and flexible time for lectures — both physically and virtually — plus a globally recognized certificate at the end of the completion of your chosen course. You can reach out to me via the details at the footend of this article for enrolment or enquiry.

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge — Proverbs 1:7

Other steps you could take to promote peace this year are but not limited to:

Be helpful to others when you can

Learn another language to feel more connection to other tribes

Volunteer with Peace Organizations like NISSI Institute for Peace Leadership

Volunteer at homeless shelters, elderly homes

Take interests in your city, attend council meetings

Organize a community project, e.g Clean Up, Plant a Tree, Health Seminar, Football Competition, etc.

Buy, read, donate and support books about peace.

Let your heart be always guided by the peace of the Anointed One, who called you to peace as part of his one body. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Professor Ofonime Emmanuel Bassey is a Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution coach with decades of experience in the practice and promotion of Law Enforcement, Peace and Security through the Nigeria Police and the United Nations.

He is a professor in Leadership, Peace and Conflict Resolution, a certified United Nation’s Trainer, and currently the Director of ICOF Institute of Leadership, Peace and Conflict Resolution in Africa.

Prof. Bassey has served and interacted at the top-level management of the Nigeria Police as well as internationally as a United Nation’s Monitor/Mentor in Kosovo, Europe.

With his marks well-established in Peace Leadership both in Nigeria and Africa, he is currently the President, NISSI Safety Management Institute: An Institute of Peace Leadership.

To his many humanitarian acts, he currently spearheads a campaign tagged “The Next Peace Leaders” billed to run from 2022-2023 with a target of training 37,000 young peace leaders.

For peace and security tips, consultations and trainings, reach him via:

Facebook: Dr. O.E Bassey

LinkedIn: Dr. O.E Bassey

Twitter: Dr. O.E Bassey

WhatsApp: +2347065828892

Mail: EmmanuelBassey@gmail.com