By Abioye Ayomide (SIWES student, West Land Poly)
The Vice-Chancellor of McPherson University, Ajebo, Ogun State, Francis Igbasan, called upon the Federal Government to maintain a neutral stance in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict due to the diverse nature of Nigeria.
Igbasan made this appeal during a conference organized by the National Association for Christian Studies at the university’s auditorium.
He emphasized that the Israel-Hamas conflict, often misunderstood as a religious war, primarily revolves around a historical land dispute. Igbasan highlighted that the international community is feeling the repercussions of this prolonged conflict as peace eludes both nations.
For seven decades, Israel and Palestine have engaged in a struggle for dominance, with the involvement of neighboring countries like Iran, Lebanon, and Syria. Various nations have taken sides, with the United States and some Western countries supporting Israel and others siding with Palestine.
President Bola Tinubu was advised not to succumb to pressure and take a position in this complex conflict.
Igbasan urged him to exercise caution and avoid being swayed by religious sentiments, emphasizing that the conflict is fundamentally geographical rather than religious.
President of NACS, Afolorunsho Dairo, stressed that sustainable development cannot be achieved in a conflict-ridden atmosphere.
He called on stakeholders to collaborate in pursuit of global peace, as peace-building initiatives require collective efforts to bring about meaningful change, especially in the context of Nigeria, where peace-building organizations play a crucial role in resolving conflicts and promoting peace.
