OPINION: Making The BOK Friends Initiative A True Flag-Bearer Of Peace In S/East - By Mike Ukoha

On Saturday, June 15, 2024, the Benjamin Okezie Kalu Friends (BOK) Initiative was officially inaugurated in Umuahia with a charge to the members to be flag bearers of peace, social justice and good governance particularly in the South Eastern part of the country. This is, indeed, another laudable initiative aimed at fostering peace and unity among humanity. The BOK Friends Initiative is a voluntary and non-political support group which its main objective is to act as a booster in support of all activities, policies, and programs of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu who is had been championing various activities geared towards restoring peace and unity in the Southeast geopolitical zone and beyond.

I am particularly impressed by this important initiative and therefore, urge well-meaning individuals and groups to support this great move to achieve its objectives.

Meanwhile, apart from the fanfare that followed the inauguration of this wonderful initiative, it is important for its members and of course, the intending ones to always follow the path of peace and preach it wherever they go in inline with the character of the Deputy Speaker.

Members should, as a matter of urgency, start thinking outside the box by formulating programs that stand as true reflections of peace.

Let the members strive to commit themselves to the pursuit of peace and social justice through a well detailed advocacy and outreach programme.

As canvassed by the Deputy Speaker who through his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Toby Okechukwu in Umuahia congratulated the members on the milestone of their formal inauguration, all efforts should be made towards rebuilding the South East as a paradise of peace and economic prosperity which is in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of the Federal Government

BOK Friends Initiative members should present themselves at all times as a cynosure of positive thinkers and never to deviate from the purpose for which it was launched. As expected, members should also reach out to the Peace Marshals of the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P) across the various wards and local governments, to forge a synergy to help in restoring peace and unity in the South East and beyond.

Ukoha, former Minority Whip, Abia State House of Assembly