The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution launched an initiative on Wednesday to promote peace education and conflict resolution among children and young people.

The project, titled Peace Creatives Competition Nigeria 2025, was launched on Wednesday in Abuja, in collaboration with the Idimuwem Peace and Governance Initiative.

The project aims to help young Nigerians learn and apply peace-building tools, including dialogue, mediation, tolerance, and inclusion.

Convener of the competition, Uduak-Abasi Akpabio, said the initiative provided a platform for young people to acquire and practise peace-building skills.

According to her, peace must be taught, nurtured, and practised like any other life skill, adding that the competition builds capacity through information sharing, skills development, and participation.

Ms Akpabio explained that entries were not restricted by language, as participants could express themselves in English, Pidgin, local dialects, dance, or performance.

“To enhance inclusivity, online submissions via WhatsApp and email have also been introduced. Now in its fourth edition, the competition has been expanded to include two categories — ages 16 to 20, and 21 to 25 — and will run nationwide through IPCR’s six regional offices,” she said.

Director-general of IPCR Joseph Ochogwu, represented by Caleb Ayuba, said the competition reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to youth development and to building a peaceful and inclusive Nigeria.

He noted that violent conflicts had disproportionately affected young people, while unemployment and exclusion continued to hinder their potential.

Mr Ochogwu said the initiative aligns with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security, and supports President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He urged stakeholders to support the project.

“Let us encourage our youth to use their creativity, their voices, and their talents — not to fuel conflict, but to transform it; not to break down, but to build up,” he said.

(NAN)