The Third Model Solution Initiative for Peace (TMSIP), a non-profit organisation, says behavioural change remains a panacea to terrorism and violence in the country.
Mr Peter Okorugbo-Goodnews, its Founder, said this at a peace and security meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.
The meeting with the theme, “Beyond Counter Terrorism”, was organised in collaboration with the National Community Ethics and Values Environmental Compliance Corps (NCEVECC).
He added that for meaningful development to take place, there was a necessity for a lasting solution to insecurity in the world.
According to him, when values and ethics are inculcated in the behaviours of citizens, violence will be drastically minimised.
“There is no doubt that the world is facing a gruesome security challenge that has constituted a puzzle to security and peace in the country.
“The subject of security challenge of terrorism is a very wide one; it is a phenomenon motivated by various factors such as politics, ethnic, social injustices, economic, religion, among others.
“We are advocating for behavioural change among Nigerians so that peace will reign in our country,” he said.
Mrs Sarah Jibril, Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Ethics and Values, in a remark, said that for peace to reign in the country, every issue must be treated as a family affair.
“For us to be able to defeat terrorism and violence in the country, we all must see ourselves as one big family, and we all know that in each family, everyone has a need to be met.
“So, if we give each person a listening ear, and try to respond to their demands, we will find out that there will be no need for violence,” she said.
Jibril called on religious leaders to always preach peace to their followers and teach moral values by being their role models.
Mr Gana Yusuf, Commandant-General, National Community Ethics and Values Environmental Compliance Corps (NCEVECC), called on community leaders to use their positions to preach moral values to their subjects.
“We need to revive the issue of morals and ethics to have lasting solution to violence in the world; our young ones need to be reminded of what is right and what is wrong at all time,” he said.
Mr Istifanus Shegaje, a community leader in Chika village, urged parents to always watch their wards and endeavour to correct bad behaviour early in their lives.