A peace advocate, Nneoma Ejiofor, has urged Nigerians to invest daily in community-level peacebuilding to address violence, mistrust and insecurity.

Ms Ejiofor made the call on Monday at a virtual event organised by Mankis Services, Peace Bus Association in Cameroon and Target Peace Association Cameroon to mark the 2026 International Day of Peace.

The International Day of Peace is observed annually on September 21, with this year’s theme: “Act Now for a More Peaceful World: Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day”.

Speaking on “Building Peace at Community Level”, Ms Ejiofor said peace is not passive but requires deliberate investment of time, resources, character, and voice.

Quoting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, she said, “Peace is not a passive achievement. Peace is hard work. Peace is action.”

According to her, violence is tearing communities apart, adding that no business or development can thrive in an atmosphere of crisis.

Ms Ejiofor said peace went beyond the absence of war to include safety, dignity, opportunities and cooperation.

She noted that peace was built not only in conference rooms in New York but also in neighbourhoods, classrooms and communities.

She identified land and boundary disputes, farmer-herder conflicts, chieftaincy and leadership tussles, and political and election-related conflicts as triggers of community crises.

She also cited ethnic and religious mistrust, fake news, youth unemployment, drug abuse, poverty and perceived injustice as other factors.

She also cited weak justice systems and disputes at the household and compound levels.

Ms Ejiofor said most community crises did not start in one day but developed from unresolved grievances.

“The solution is clear: dialogue, justice, fair sharing, youth engagement and quick response to rumours before they spread,” she said.

She said investing in peace required three key actions at the community level.

“First, invest in everyone: community leaders, women leaders, school proprietors, youth leaders, imams and pastors. Lasting peace comes when we include everyone: women, youth, persons with disabilities, and even children.

“Second, invest everywhere: in our homes where domestic violence happens, in schools, on our streets where fake news spreads, and in our markets and motor parks.

“Third, invest every day. Take one small step for peace every day, not only on September 21,” she said.

Ms Ejiofor cited some peacebuilding initiatives in the FCT, including the Aguma of Gwagwalada’s efforts to promote peaceful coexistence among ethnic groups.

She also cited her school, Goldspring International School, where pupils observe a minute’s silence for war victims and recite a peace pledge.

She advocated teaching children conflict-resolution methods, including the “5 Fingers of Peace” and “STOP Method”, to discourage retaliation, lying, bullying and tribal language.

For the FCT, Ms Ejiofor recommended monthly Peace Circles in all area councils, investment in health, education, and social protection, and stronger, trusted institutions, including vigilante groups and traditional councils.

She urged residents not to wait for the UN or government to build peace.

“Don’t wait for the UN or the government. You are an everyday architect of peace. Invest your own small coin of peace today,” she said. 

(NAN)