Coasting down the year peacefully [I] – Our Security, Our Peace By Prof O.E Bassey

“It is not impossible to see many, with the year coming to an end, caving in to unnecessary pressure and avoidable desperation to end the year on a high, as such, take to unhealthy means to pull off their goals. These unhealthy means could look easy on the outside, promising an enticing end, but as every subterfuge, its end is never palatable. To personally end the year on a peaceful note, it is advised you do away with every form of unhealthy pressure to win. Unhealthy pressure involves unrealistic goals, peer comparison and deceits. These never end well, and only have regrets at the end of its tunnel waiting for you.”

For Nigerians and Nigeria, the year has indeed been a long one, that with barely eight weeks to its end, ending the year peacefully is a goal. Away from the national events that have characterized the year, personal wise, closing the year peacefully is also worth chasing, most especially knowing that it gives a significant head-start to the coming year.

For some people, it has been a winning year with lots to point to as triumphs the year 2023 brought to them; while for some, it’s not yet the end as they could realistically smash some goals before the year runs out to ensure they end it successfully.

For Nigeria, as a country, it can be said to be mixed with highs and lows; but when compared against the disasters that have taken place in other countries, we can gratefully celebrate a considerably peaceful year while not losing sights of the many works that still need to be done.

It is not impossible to see many, with the year coming to an end, caving in to unnecessary pressure and avoidable desperation to end the year on a high, as such, take to unhealthy means to pull off their goals. These unhealthy means could look easy on the outside, promising an enticing end, but as every subterfuge, its end is never palatable. To personally end the year on a peaceful note, it is advised you do away with every form of unhealthy pressure to win. Unhealthy pressure involves unrealistic goals, peer comparison and deceits. These never end well, and only have regrets at the end of its tunnel waiting for you.

It is also very important that on a security note, you don’t become victims of people who unhealthy pressure to make it ‘big’ before this year runs out has gotten the better of. Hence, being extra-security conscious with your movement physically and your digital engagements is very necessary at this time of the year. Make sure that for every destination you are headed, there is someone who knows of it. If it is a new destination, make sure to find out about the local security there and work around the data you obtain. In your digital engagement, most apps these days have keyed into cybersecurity, do check in with your app and software security details to ensure there is no leakage for an unauthorized break-in into your device and digital space. It is also important that you continue as always to avoid dishing out important information about yourself to unknown individuals who might call and pose as a familiar authority to avoid being scammed. Ponzi schemes are also still out there, and on the lookout for gullible and unsuspecting individuals to make their next victims. Please ask valid questions and make proper findings before investing in any scheme or paying anyone for a promised ‘ROI’.

For the government, they contribute massively to how peacefully everyone ends the year, which in turn represents how peacefully the country ends the year. A chunk of the buck of security stops at their table and they must ensure that at this crucial time of the year, with the context of desperation as peculiar to this time, they step up security operations and see to it that every security apparatus in the country is on alert to avert danger wherever it may lurk.

Again, the chances of having a better next year are dependent on the manner at which the current year ends. If we are able to successfully, both individually and collectively, end the year with peace prevalent, it sets us up a favourable climate with unnecessary distractions to hit the ground running, with new energy to see that every goal we were not able to achieve this year, we chase after them next year, if necessary and even better.

In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more. Psalm 72:7

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 an advocate of Peace Leadership and Child Protection.

He 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.

A professor of Peace Advocacy and Conflict Resolution, Dr. O.E Bassey is a certified United Nation’s Trainer, and currently the Director of ICOF Institute of Leadership, Peace and Conflict Resolution in Africa.

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

Presently, he is spearheading a campaign tagged “The Next Peace Leaders”, a campaign that is 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:

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WhatsApp: +2347065828892

Mail: EmmanuelBassey@gmail.com