West African Action on Small Arms, WAANSA, has called for international recognition for Sheik Abdullahi Bala Lau, for his impactful intervention in Niger Republic following the takeover of power by the country’s military.
WAANSA in a letter to President Bola Tinubu, who is also the chairman of the Economic Community of West African Countries, ECOWAS, called for an international award to Sheik Lau, as part of events to mark the 2024 United Nations Peace Day in honour of his contributions to engender peace between the regional bloc and the Nigerien junta.
In the letter signed by the Regional 1st Vice President, Igwe Martin Nnamdi, the sub-regional organisation noted that the call was in line with the theme of this year’s celebration “which emphasises ‘Action for Peace Our Ambition for Global Goals’ which involves the recognition of how individuals and collective actions can affect and foster regional and global peace.”
According to the letter, “As a regional organisation spearheading this year’s International Peace Day Conference, we see it as a worthy honour for Your Excellency who is also the chairman, ECOWAS Heads of Government to honour Sheik Abdullahi Bala Lau with a prestigious ECOWAS International Peace Award, going by the impact of his intervention in Niger Republic at the time of military takeover in that country.”
WAANSA was of the view that recognising Sheik Lau could motivate other individuals who spend their time on mostly personal endeavours to rise up for national and regional peace.
“The consequences of Military action could have worsened insecurity in Nigeria, increased illegal proliferation of small arms and light weapons and above all taken, our developmental clock anti-dockwise. Nigeria and Niger remain brothers, hence the Sheik’s action was one positive action too many.
“Democracy is a journey and not a destination, hence the world must be made safe for democratic process to be strengthened and those who play critical roles towards safeguarding of the process must not only be rewarded but acknowledged with international recognition their sacrifices deserve.
“While waiting for the answer to our request, we thank you most sincerely for signing the bill establishing the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, which we are optimistic that the legislative backing will strengthen the centre’s mandate and improved on our commitment for peace and security of our their country and the West African as a region,” WAANSA said.
It further reassured the president of its commitment to complimenting his desire for national and regional peace always.
