The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, says forgiveness, justice and reconciliation are necessary in forging an enduring peaceful society.
Egbetokun said this on Monday in Abuja at the opening of a course on Forgiveness, Justice and Reconciliation.
The course was put together by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution in collaboration with Peace Building Development Consult.
The I-G was represented by the Commissioner of Police, Directorate of Training and Development, Force Headquarters, Mr Abiodo Ashabi.
He said the Police Force would support any initiative aimed at promoting peace and conflict resolution in the country.
According to him, the course will help to achieve complete reconciliation and address crisis in all ramifications.
“We are to begin from somewhere and by the grace of God, we are going to end on a very positive note in this country.
“That is why the Police is pleased to identify with the objectives of forgiveness, reconciliation and justice which this programme is set to achieve.”
He urged the resource persons to touch all the necessary subjects that need to be discussed for the benefit of the participants.
In his remarks, the Director General of IPCR, Dr Joseph Ochogwu, said the course, which was the first of its kind across all institutions of learning in the country.
Ochogwu said there had been a proliferation and liberalisation of violence, distrust, and lack of confidence between citizens and government, as well as among ethnic groups.
The D-G added that the society had become fractured and fragile, and require concerted efforts to change at individual, group and intergroup levels.
According to him, there is also mutual suspicion among security agencies.
“So we need to change these narratives to build a viral, stable and a prosperous Nigeria.
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