By Sani Idris Abdulrahman
An NGO, One Tribe Initiative, has mobilised youths, media representatives, and civil society organisations to promote peace and inclusivity through collective action.
The event, in commemoration of the 2025 International Day of Peace, was in partnership with WINBECK’S Global Initiative, Inclusive and Sustainable Human Development and Transformation Initiative for Societal Development (TISD).
The theme for the years' celebration of peace is "Act Now, For a Peaceful World".
The Executive Director of One Tribe Initiative, Magdaline Musa, said peace is not just the absence of war, but the presence of justice, inclusion, and opportunities for all, noting that conflicts fueled by inequality, insecurity, climate change, and social divisions challenge stability.
She added that young people, making up over 70 percent of Nigeria's population under 30, are essential to shaping a more peaceful and inclusive society with their creativity, resilience, and innovation.
Musa emphasized that when youth are excluded from peace processes, fresh perspectives, bold ideas, and energy needed to drive real change are lost.
She however, noted that when the youth are included, peace agreements become stronger and communities become more resilient.
She explained that the theme "Act Now for a Peaceful World", is both a call and a challenge, reminding us that peace cannot wait for tomorrow, but requires everybody's actions today.
The Executive Director noted that young people can act through grassroots mediation, digital campaigns, entrepreneurship, or advocacy, and must be recognized and supported as agents of peace.
She encouraged each participant to listen deeply, share openly, and leave with renewed commitment to build a world where justice, dignity, and harmony thrive.
One of the partner, Rebecca Bilai, the Founder/Executive Director of WINBECK’S Global Initiative, said the event aimed to equip the participants with skills to become peace ambassadors in their communities.
By engaging diverse groups, Bilai said, the initiative fosteref a culture of peace, tolerance, and understanding, which was crucial for sustainable development in Kaduna state.
Bilai added that the event aimed to equip the participants to be peace ambassadors in their communities, engaging in activities to discuss what peace meant to them.
This, she said, would help shape their thoughts on peace and encourage them to sustain it.
Bilai emphasised the importance of inclusivity, ensuring that all voices were heard and valued in the pursuit of peace.
By engaging diverse participants, she believed that a more comprehensive understanding of peace could be achieved.
One of the panelists , Richard Dambo of Peace Institute for Research and Development,
emphasised the need for conflicts sensitivity in media reportage.
Dambo said journalists should report in a way that doesn’t exacerbate conflicts but finds solutions, being solution-driven and avoiding profiling certain groups as attackers or victims.
He added that journalists have a critical role in shaping public perceptions and should strive to promote understanding and empathy.
By adopting a solution-focused approach, Dambo said, the media could contribute to building a more peaceful society.
Dambo encouraged journalists to be mindful of the language and images they use, emphasising that it could significantly impact conflict dynamics.
He emphasised conflict sensitivity in media reportage and the importance of inclusivity, particularly for people with disabilities and women.
Another panelist, Sulaiman Abdulaziz, the Kaduna State chapter Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), stressed that peace cannot be talked about without people with disability, saying that accessibility was key to participation in peace processes.
He highlighted the importance of technology in the disability community, promoting inclusivity.
Abdulaziz emphasised that persons with disabilities must be included in peace-building efforts to ensure their needs and perspectives are considered.
By doing so, he believed more effective and sustainable peace initiatives could be developed.
Mrs Olanike Olugboji-Daramola, the Executive Director of the Women Initiative for Sustainable Environment (WISE), discussed the impact of climate change on access to natural resources, which could lead to conflicts.
She encouraged young people to become eco-positive and eco-creative, exploring opportunities in recycling and agriculture.
The director stated that intergenerational collaboration was necessary to address climate change and promote inclusive peace building.
Olugboji-Daramola said diverse perspectives and experiences could be leveraged to develop innovative solutions to the challenges posed by climate change.
She added that empowering young people with knowledge and skills would enable them to contribute meaningfully to peace-building efforts.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highpoint of the event was a live music performance by an artist aimed at promoting peace, through the universal language of music, fostering unity and understanding.
The International Day of Peace, also officially known as World Peace Day, is a United Nations-sanctioned holiday observed annually on 21 September.(NAN)
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