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Tag: Peace

  • Christmas: Governors, senators, others preach peace, unity

    Christmas: Governors, senators, others preach peace, unity

    Sule preaches peace, unity    

    Nasarawa  Governor  Sule enjoined Christians to imbibe the virtues and teachings of Jesus Christ by showing love to one another at all times, as enshrined in the Bible.

    He added that it was important for them to use the season for “sober reflection and reaffirmation of moral rectitude as exemplified by Christ.’’

    Sule said: “My dear brethren, you are aware that the birth of Jesus Christ symbolises love, peace, humility and, indeed, dignity for humankind.  It is for this reason that Jesus Christ epitomises self-sacrifice, good neighbourliness, charity and reconciliation among the human race.

    “This festive season, therefore, calls for sober reflection and reaffirmation of moral rectitude as exemplified by Jesus Christ.

    “I, therefore, use the opportunity of this Christmas celebration to call on all Christians in the State and in diaspora to imbibe the virtues and teachings of Jesus Christ by showing love and affection, sharing of alms with one another at all times as enshrined in the Holy Book.

    “I should remind all Christians of the significance of this sacred period to continue to pray for the sustainable peace, health wellbeing and prosperity of our State and the nation at large. 

    “It is pertinent to note that this period symbolises immense blessings and sacrifice.  I, therefore, call on you all to take advantage of this period to pray for peace, security and harmonious co-existence of the people of our dear State and the country at large.’’

     The governor also called on residents of the state to exhibit brotherliness in all their conduct.

    ‘’We must continue to be our brother’s keepers in our collective commitment to the development of our dear State in line with the dreams of our founding fathers, ’’ he advised.

    Bago asks Christians to renew  trust in God

      In his message, Governor  Bago called on Christians in Niger State to renew their trust in God and be more positive about Nigeria, themselves and the state.

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    Pointing  out  that  Christmas  calls for deeper reflection on love, humility and  goodwill, the governor enjoined them  to use the period to strengthen their faith in God and continue to pray for the peace and prosperity of the state and Nigeria 

    He also urged all residents of the state to be security-conscious and to provide intelligence on any suspicious individuals or activities to security agencies.

    Senators Abiru, Adeola, Akpoti-Uduaghan, Musa, Katung rejoice with Christians

    Like the governors, Senators Abiru,   Adeola, Akpoti-Uduaghan, Katung and Musa felicitated Christians and enjoined them to imbibe the qualities of Jesus Christ.

     Abiru, who is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, called for unity, tolerance and peaceful co-existence during the festive season.

    He also urged  Christians to live peacefully in love, sacrifice, compassion and tolerance, describing Christmas as a solemn reminder of the power of shared values in strengthening national cohesion and harmony.

     The  Senator, who represents  Lagos East Senatorial District,  noted that the season presents a renewed opportunity for Nigerians to rise above ethnic, religious and political differences.

    He stressed that peaceful co-existence remains fundamental to nation-building and sustainable national development.

    On the state of the economy, the lawmaker said the economy has turned the corner, highlighting clear signs of recovery and stabilisation under the leadership of  President   Tinubu.

    Abiru explained further that the Tinubu administration’s bold economic reforms, particularly the  

      On his part, Adeola called for prayers for sustained economic recovery and national prosperity and to use the Christmas season to reaffirm their faith and offer prayers for a more peaceful and prosperous nation.

     He described Christmas as a celebration that signifies hope and salvation, noting that the birth of Christ assures humanity of a better future.

     Musa , who is   Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance,   emphasised the importance of unity and religious tolerance.

    Musa urged Christians to reflect on Jesus Christ’s teachings of love, sacrifice, peace, and compassion, and to renew their commitment to values that promote peaceful coexistence and national unity.

    He stressed that unity among Nigerians, regardless of religious or ethnic differences, was critical to building a safer and more prosperous Nigeria.

    In Kogi State, Akpoti-Uduaghan described    “Christmas is a season of love, sacrifice and shared joy.

    She distributed over 2,000 bags of 25-kilogramme rice to constituents across Kogi Central Senatorial District’s five local government areas as part of her Christmas outreach.

      The Senator said: “At a time when many households are under pressure from the high cost of living, it is important to stand with our people in practical ways. This distribution is to ensure that families across Kogi Central can celebrate without undue hardship.”

     Like Akpoti-Uduaghan, Katung distributed 4,000 bags of rice to his constituents to support families in celebrating  Christmas.  

     Yohanna Allahmagani, a former Kaduna State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, who handled the distribution on behalf of the Senator,   urged the constituents to continue to support and pray for the Senator, particularly during the festive season.

     Allahmagani assured the people that  Katung would continue to attract democratic dividends and provide effective and impactful representation to the people of the district.

    Lagos Speaker preaches love, forgiveness

      Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Obasa urged Christians to imbibe the virtues of love, tolerance and sacrifice.

    He said Christmas is all about peace and forgiveness, urging residents to always be their brothers’ keepers.

    “Jesus Christ lived a life of love, tolerance and engaging in personal sacrifice for others to thrive.

    “If we can take after him in these three special attributes, this country will continue to witness development, growth and economic revival,” he said.

    Obasa commended Nigerians for their perseverance and support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration at both the federal and state levels.

  • Celebrating peace amidst threatening war

    Celebrating peace amidst threatening war

    Trying times are moments for a nation’s intellectuals to show their mettle. Nigeria is in one of those times now with respect to insecurity, and our intellectuals are proving their worth. For example, from 24 to 28 November, 2025, the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) held its 19th International Annual Conference at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State. The conference theme was “Economic Challenges and the Tasks of Building Sustainable Peace in a Globalised World,” and the conference consisted of the society’s General Assembly and the Investiture of Fellows.

    Mr. Nathaniel M. Awuapila is the President of the society and Dr.  Olanrewaju L. Yusuf is the Secretary-General.  Professor Suleiman Elias Bogoro, the former Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), is the Chair of the Board of Trustees, whilst Ambassador Fatima Sa’ad Abubakar is the Acting Chair of the Board of Fellows. Moreover, Professor Isaac Albert was the Host of the conference, and Professor K.O. Adebowale, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, was the Chief Host. Dr. Ozonnia Ojielo (United Nations Resident Coordinator in Rwanda) and General Christopher G. Musa, Rtd. (Former Chief of Defence Staff) were the Keynote Speakers.

    SPSP, which has as its motto “Peace to Humanity,” is a renowned professional body committed to advancing peace, conflict resolution, and security studies in Nigeria and far beyond. The society was born out of the increasing occurrence of violent conflicts, ethnic tensions, and security challenges in Nigeria and the need for research-driven interventions by and collaboration among stakeholders. Since its inception in the Peace and Conflict Studies Programme at the University of Ibadan around 2000, the society has played a pivotal role in advancing peace research, fostering academic and practical interventions, and building capacity among scholars, practitioners, and policymakers in and outside Nigeria.

    In celebration of the remarkable contributions of a selection of distinguished personalities to peace studies and practice, SPSP has awarded them the 2025 fellowships of the society. They include Chief Bisi Akande, former Governor of Osun State and former interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and current Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Ibadan; CG Kemi Nanna Nnadap, the Controller-General of Nigerian Immigration Services; General Christopher G. Musa, Rtd.; Dr. Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement; Professor Olayinka Ramota Karim, Vice-Chancellor, Fountain University, Osogbo; and Professor Akinkunmi Adegbola Alao, former Director of the Institute of Cultural Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; among other personages.

    With respect to the absence of peace in some parts of Nigeria at the moment, language has played a crucial role. Some Nigerians had invited the United States to intervene in the country to stop ‘genocide’ against Christians. To this request, United States President Donald Trump had condemned Nigeria and pledged to invade the country in an operation that would be “vicious, fast and sweet” to save “our cherished Christians.”

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    This raised the question, “What is genocide?” Answers to this question are as varied as the different interest groups in the country. A related question is “Is there genocide against Christians in Nigeria?” The answers to this question are as varied as the ones to the preceding question. One person who has been most viciously attacked on the basis of his perspective on the ‘Christian Genocide’ question is Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State who is a Catholic priest.

    In a 19 November, 2025 Punch newspapers video, in response to those questioning his credentials as a priest for saying that there was no genocide in Benue State, Governor Alia said: “I am a Reverend Father. So, being in government does not take that away from me. I am still a Reverend Father. I came in as a governor as a Reverend Father, I am working with the fear of God and the compassion of Christianity and humanity, and at the end of the day, I am still going back to the Church as a Reverend Father and a good Christian.”

    Governor Alia then elucidated: “In my state of Benue, we don’t have any religious, any ethnic, any racial, any national or state genocide. We don’t have that. Do we have a number of insecurities in the state? Yes, we do. But it is not a genocide. Someone would need to … check the United Nations definitions for this. Have we lost a number of people? Yes. We have, at different stages. I am giving you a background of the challenges we’ve had many years ago; talking about the agro-pastoralists, the herders, and then we’re talking about the agro-farmers, typical farmers. … But that does not fit into the parameters of a genocide. So, for those who seek to politicise everything, there is no genocide in Benue State.”

    Moreover, in a 19 November, 2025 report by Falmata Daniel in Premium Times, titled “No religious genocide in Benue – Governor Alia,” the Governor was reported to have said: “So, it’s on the record that I had an interface with the American ambassador to let him know that … in Nigeria, particularly in Benue State, there is no genocide, unless it’s my description, and the United Nations description of a genocide [that] does not fit within the parameters.”

    One of the most acerbic attacks on Governor Alia is in a 20 November, 2025 report by Agbemu James, in Idoma Voice newspaper, titled “Genocide: ‘shut up’ – Fr Kelvin Ugwu tears Gov Alia apart for betraying Benue people.” In it, Fr Kelvin Ugwu was reported to have said, to his audience: “Benue’s governor, and all the politicians for that matter, can speak all the grammar they want, call it genocide or ungenocide… At the end of the day, it is still you who will be left to bury your dead. The government and politicians will always try to water everything down so that this initial garagara around insecurity will fade and the international community will become confused on what really is the issue. It is every man to himself. Nobody is coming to help you. Don’t ‘let bygones be bygones’ when you can simply buygun before you get gunned.”

    According to a 23 November, 2025 Punch report, the governor made the following clarification: “The situation is multi-sectoral. Don’t reduce it to religion. Both Muslims and Christians have been killed. Benue is the most populous Christian state in the North. So, naturally, there are unspoken expectations, but let us not politicise people’s pain.” He further noted: “The crisis began as farmer–herder conflicts before escalating into full-blown banditry and terrorism. Several people from different faith backgrounds have suffered losses. So, attempts to frame the killings as religiously motivated are misleading and harmful.”

    Explaining the way in which such wrongful framing could be harmful, Governor Alia was reported in the 21 November, 2025 issue of Idoma Voice to have said about the insecurity which really arose from criminality, land-use disputes, and targeted attacks: “It is important to emphasize that the killings should not be defined or framed purely along religious lines. Misdiagnosing the nature of the crisis may hinder the multi-sectoral solutions already being implemented.”

    One of the problems that have often been seen as bedeviling Nigeria is lack of elite consensus. Amazingly, President Trump’s threat to levy religious war on Nigeria seems to have resulted in a measure of elite consensus with respect to vehemently opposing an American invasion of the country. The disparate range of Nigerians who have opposed such an action include Femi Falana (SAN), Omoyele Sowore (the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress), Seun Okinbaloye of Channels Television, Dele Farotimi (a regular critic of President Tinubu), Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Shehu Sani, and Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka. 

    Some Nigerians in the Diaspora have also been remarkable in their explanation of the true situation in Nigeria and their recommendation of caution by concerned foreign entities.  One such patriotic Nigerian is Ms. Oge Onubogu, Director & Senior Fellow, Africa Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies. She submitted as follows at the 28 September, 2022 US Commission on International Religious Freedom  hearing on Nigeria: “Nigeria’s overlapping conflicts, including the insurgencies from the north, secessionist agitations in the south, and inter-communal violence, have killed thousands of people and displaced hundreds of thousands. … In Nigeria, religion intersects and interacts with ethnic identity, region, social class, and profession. Nigeria’s protracted violent conflicts between farmers and herders is an example of this complex intersection.”

    Moreover, at the 20 November, 2025 US congressional hearing on the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), she submitted: “It is important to understand the nature of the violence in Nigeria – and its causes, which extend beyond the religious or ethnic overtones that appear to motivate that animosity. … [A] narrow narrative that reduces Nigeria’s current security situation to a single story of widespread persecution and mass slaughter of Christians, misses other important considerations and oversimplifies the complexity of violence and inter-faith relations in the country.”

    Ms. Onubogu further notes with respect to Nigeria’s CPC redesignation: “On one hand, Nigerians, Christian groups in particular, welcome the current international spotlight, viewing it as an overdue opportunity to pressure the Nigerian government into taking decisive action against violence. At the same time, many Nigerians of all faiths, including Christians, worry that President Trump’s rhetoric – especially the threat of unilateral military action against the country – will be counterproductive and draw attention away from the specific problem of pervasive insecurity across the country, by inflaming existing political tensions and divisions.”

    Mr. J. Japheth Omojuwa also stood up for the country at the 2025 Halifax International Security Forum, held from 21 to 23 November in Nova Scotia, Canada. There, United States Senator Kevin Kramer of North Dakota said: “I think the Christians in Nigeria today are probably feeling pretty good about Donald Trump’s position.” To this cheeky remark, Mr. Omojuwa responded: “Senator, … I’m a Christian from Nigeria. … I do not feel good about Donald Trump. … Is there a way that powerful countries can help less powerful countries … without [leaving] them worse off? … [T]here’s a correlation between the point Donald Trump spoke about Nigeria’s challenges and the escalation of terrorism. … Is there a way to decently help Nigeria without making things worse and without disrespecting Nigerian Christians and Muslims?”  

    Reflecting on the whole debate about war and peace in Nigeria today, one cannot but remember the propaganda slogans in George Orwell’s novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. The manipulative, contradictory slogans are “War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength.” It is noteworthy that, as our people say, “Ogun ò dà bí iyán; ogun ò dà bí èko” (‘War is not as delicious as pounded yam; war is not as delicious as cornmeal.’)

  • UN still vital for maintaining global peace, says ex-UNGA President

    UN still vital for maintaining global peace, says ex-UNGA President

    Former President of the United Nations General Assembly, Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, has said that the United Nations (UN) remains a vital institution for maintaining global peace, promoting justice and fostering cooperation among nations.

    He stated this yesterday at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos, while delivering a Foreign Policy Lecture titled: “Relevance of the United Nations in World Order.”

    Muhammad-Bande, who is also Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, described the global body as “the epicentre of international diplomacy,” noting that it has continued to evolve with changing global realities since its establishment in 1945.

    “At this juncture in human history, avoidance of war among major powers is a must.

     “Predictability and the certainty of rules and norms are crucial to sustaining a just world order,” he said.

    He highlighted the UN’s achievements in peacekeeping, decolonisation, humanitarian assistance, and sustainable development, but also acknowledged challenges, particularly the veto power of the five permanent members of the Security Council, which he said often limits the organisation’s effectiveness.

    “When powerful nations violate the UN Charter and no action is taken, the credibility of the organisation is questioned,” he said, citing the ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine and some African regions.

    Muhammad-Bande urged African countries to take a more active role in global governance by strengthening democratic institutions, regional cooperation, and diplomacy.

    He also called on Nigeria to maintain a consistent foreign policy and to properly fund its missions abroad.

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    “Nigeria must stand for justice and fairness for all, especially those who are marginalised,” he said. “Africa’s future depends on its ability to silence the guns and speak with one voice in global affairs.”

    Muhammad-Bande concluded by stressing the importance of multilateralism in solving global problems, saying, “Nigeria and Africa must contribute positively to the evolution of a fairer and more just world order.”

    In his remarks, the Director-General of the NIIA, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, described the lecture as timely, adding that it offered deep insights into the current challenges facing the international system.

    The DG, who was represented by Associate Professor Chinasa Ohiri, lauded Muhammad-Bande for his contributions to global diplomacy and restated the NIIA’s commitment to promoting informed discussions on Nigeria’s foreign policy direction.

    “At a time when the world faces multiple crises, including conflicts, climate change, and technological disruptions, Nigeria must continue to play a leading role in advocating peace and cooperation,” Osaghae said.

    He explained that the Foreign Policy Lecture Series are part of the Institute’s efforts to provide a platform for dialogue on international affairs and Nigeria’s role in promoting global stability.

  • Presidential aide calls for stronger social cohesion to sustain peace, development

    Presidential aide calls for stronger social cohesion to sustain peace, development

    The Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on North Central Community Engagement, Dr Abiodun Essiet, has called for urgent action to strengthen social cohesion among Nigeria’s ethnic, cultural, and religious groups, noting that unity remains crucial to lasting peace and national prosperity.

    She said the intervention has become necessary in view of persistent communal tensions and security challenges, especially in parts of the North Central, which continue to impede development and social stability.

    Dr Essiet made the remarks in Benue State at a Community Workshop and the inauguration of Community-Based Peace Structures, organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central) in partnership with the International Communities Organisation (ICO) and the North Central Development Commission.

    The event brought together community leaders, traditional rulers, farmers’ groups, representatives of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), and women and youth groups from all 23 local government areas of Benue State.

    She described the initiative as a major step in advancing peacebuilding, fostering inclusiveness, and strengthening mutual understanding among Nigeria’s diverse communities.

    “A peaceful and prosperous Nigeria is achievable in unity. This event represents a key step toward strengthening collaboration among communities, deepening social cohesion, and sustaining peace through inclusive engagement,” she said.

    Recalling that her office had earlier launched the Presidential Community Engagement Peace Initiative (PCEPI), she stressed that it demonstrates President Tinubu’s commitment to building safer communities and ensuring citizens play central roles in peacebuilding.

    She explained that the ongoing project, Promoting Community Peace and Strengthening Social Cohesion in North Central Nigeria, is part of Nigeria’s broader efforts to implement the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations in partnership with the International Communities Organisation (ICO).

    The first phase, held in Abuja on September 9, brought together stakeholders from across the North Central region to analyse security challenges, conduct SWOT analyses, and identify community-driven solutions. 

    The outcome, she said informed the creation of new community-based peace structures inaugurated in Benue State, adding that the structures will complement security agencies and support the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation through intelligence gathering, early warning systems, and dialogue mechanisms.

    Urging all Nigerians to unite behind the goal of national peace and shared progress, she said, “Building social cohesion is not a one-off event; it demands patience, inclusiveness, and collective commitment. 

    “Let us seize this moment to work together, not as separate communities, but as one united people determined to build a peaceful and prosperous Benue State, and by extension, a stronger Nigeria,” she said.

    Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, commended the initiative as a timely step toward consolidating peace and security in the state.

    He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting the president’s peace agenda through collaboration and community participation, noting that peace remains central to good governance and development.

    Similarly, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Benue Chapter, Mr. Vitalis Neji, described peace as key to achieving sustainable development and pledged the support of local government chairmen to ensure the success of the programme.

    The Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Pastor Ernest Atoji, also lauded the organisers, saying that enduring peace is crucial for farmers to return safely to their fields and sustain food production.

    Traditional rulers and other stakeholders at the event pledged their commitment to work together in promoting harmony and inclusive development across communities in Benue and beyond.

  • C’mon Lets Talk Peace

    C’mon Lets Talk Peace

    Yes, peace as the ultimate desire of engaging with issues of conflict. 

    Nigerians may afford to be ignorant of certain current concerns of national importance but certainly not such involving the Uromi killings and the protracted Plateau pogrom on account of their deadliness and possible boundlessness. Yet, they broke out too too soon after the unsettling Ifon-Ilobu-Erin-Osun conflagration for which alarmists canvassed for emergency rule in Osun State. 

    Accusations and counter accusations are flying in different directions but these won’t solve the problems. Tragically, the incidents seem ordinary to the El-Rufais, Atikus and Obis neck deep into politicking which some also argued had been triggered by the Seyi Tinubu’s exhibitionist spectacles in different northern states. The unnerving disturbances wont stop President Tinubu either from vacationing in France. Yet, the price we are all paying in emotion as well as with resources being plundered are hardly quantifiable.

    The people, particularly, the grassroots encircled by the chains of the crises see no respite coming soon. What with the hope shattering signal touted by the daring stealing of no other car than that of the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, at the National Mosque, Abuja? Worse, personnel of the legacy media with little or no knowledge of conflict sensitive reporting, together with the ubiquitous bloggers including mindless content creators have been feasting on related spectacles of violence bourgeoning by the day, around the country.  

    But for how long shall we resign to fate? The answer to this question was the goal of a self-motivated collective called Society for Peace Studies and Practice, SPSP. It has endured years subsisting on the sweat of members only. It has leaned on the sterling leadership provided by the founder who has also refused to be daunted by the overwhelming weight of the multiplying conflicts. This is Professor Isaac Olawale Albert

    Unless you’re ready to be conscripted into working for peace, you may not bother initiating any relationship with Prof Isaac Olawale Albert of the prestigious University of Ibadan. He talks and acts peace. He markets peace ceaselessly and enjoins everyone around him to do peace. From 2007 to till date, this is what Nigeria’s, perhaps, Africa’s pillar of peace scholarship has done not only with his students in Nigeria, across different African countries as well as UK, but even outside of formal settings.

    Unlike my favourite teacher in my undergraduate years at Ilorin, Prof Olu Obafemi, my leader in this specialised development realm of Conflict Resolution, Prof Isaac Olawale Albert isn’t known to be an ideologue. Rather he is a generalist in welfarism. Most fundamentally, he is a most persistent force for peace. This spirit of perseverance with distinction, Professor Albert has passed on to the current leaders of SPSP and the rest of us.

    For two days, SPSP took advantage of technology to democratize quality knowledge of conflict management. The organisation ran an online induction training programme for new members spread around the country. Among them are traditional rulers, army generals, top media men, business leaders and upcoming scholars. The assembly of the resource persons for the two-day programme was as inspiring as diverse.  

    As if to demonstrate that there was no way conflict could be sufficiently discussed without the victims, especially scholar victims, Professor Chris Kwaja and Dr Lydia Umar from Plateau and Kaduna States respectively were made to do justice to two indispensable subjects. Has it not been repeatedly argued that whoever gets pinched by some shoes feels it the most? On Friday April 11, Dr Umar spoke on Community Engagement: Gender Considerations and Standard Operating Procedures while Dr Kwaja focused on Track one Diplomacy: Government Policies and Community Engagement.

    If the focus of the presentations of the duo of Prof Kwaja and Dr Umar effectively covered two distinct tracks of diplomacy, the central track of the entire nine that make up Multi-track Diplomacy was assigned to yours sincerely. It was a most treasured opportunity to share correct understanding of the concept of communication in this context as well as applicable strategies susceptible to varying forms of domestication. For the professionally adventurous participants and others too, samples of previously published conflict mitigation supportive media articles authored by yours sincerely were also shared out through responsive links.

    But the engagement on the core subject of communication fashioned by the organisers was even well sequenced starting off from conceptual clarification demonstrated even with the reworking of the original topic. The presentation on Grassroots Efficient Communication therefore sought to make participants appreciate the need for better reckoning with the basic exercise of communication at the grassroots level.  

    In clear terms, the participants were reminded that such was the extent of the importance that African societies attach to communications that mere greetings are deliberately protracted to demonstrate appreciation for concerned persons’ values and to also reassure each other of peace

    The session thus proceeded on to highlight certain principles germane to communications at the grassroots level to guarantee peace. Key among these is inclusivity which is no less prized by Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs. This is to ensure that no matter the composition of the community concerned or focused by any communication, every segment must feel ‘carried along’ with the messages as well as its presentation in both form and content.  

    In addition to using the legacy media of the print and the broadcast genres, trendy digitech driven media platforms should also be deployed to make for ease of access, virality and even at good speed in an age in which assorted information keeps competing for attention from numerous platforms.

    With the liberalization of the broadcast media therefore comes the caution that communities interested in setting up community broadcasters must endeavour to expose their dedicated team of volunteers to relevant training modules to avert possible unpleasant repercussion.

    The timeliness of SPSP’s initiative one must note is its coincidence with what I reckon with as the golden age of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, anchored by Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu. Onilu has revived an otherwise dead wood ensuring that the agency is unprecedentedly activated to give widest reach to select information on government activities. Not only does it now serve such regularly, it engages all viable channels.  

    Indeed, it recently proved to the world that it equally has reliable capacity for research findings of which could be fed into the legacy media as much as the numerous blogs as may be convenient for them. Who is in doubt that the alleged mishandling of the loans from NELFUND to students may be combustible and ignite nationwide disturbance? But for NOA, all the dirty linings exposed may just keep thickening till they become too bad to manage. Yet this is an intervention that the self-acclaimed government of competence fashioned to stem part of the heightening tension in the tertiary education sector. 

    NOA can get to accomplish far much more than intermittent success in research with a focused collaboration with SPSP so well populated with skilled researchers available in all parts of the country with uncommon commitment to the peace of their respective communities and the nation as a whole. Yet, they keep undertaking training such as was concluded on Friday April 11, 2025.     

    Professor Tunde Akanni is a media and conflict expert based at the Lagos State University, LASU. Follow him on X:@AkintundeAkanni

  • ‘Restructuring will bring about peace, progress’

    ‘Restructuring will bring about peace, progress’

    The Rebirth Group has re-echoed calls for restructuring and accountability, saying the people would benefit if Nigeria returned to ideals of founders, with autonomous regions.

    In a statement signed by Board of Trustees Chair, Yemi Farounbi; and Convener, Owolabi Oladejo, it said the present quasi-unitary system was unsustainable.

    It noted Nigeria requires a political governance structure with equitable and inclusive power structure, hybrid home-grown democratic governance structures with elements of parliamentarianism.

    The group said it acknowledges that the process of restructuring may exacerbate inter-regional and inter-ethnic tensions and conflicts at the initial stage as power dynamics and resource control shift.

    But it noted “it will bring peace and progress” and that it was inspired by other heterogeneous countries that developed suitable structures and systems leading to peaceful, stable, and prosperity.

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     “It is time we returned to the original regional autonomous structure, establish a country where equity and trust reign. We believe the administration should restructure the country.

    “We should set up modalities for re-establishing autonomous regional structure similar to what obtained in 1959 Independence Constitution, but increasing the  regions,” Farounbi said.

    He said the Federal Government should convene intrastate conferences by organising ethnic nationality discussions in each state. Results of discussions, he said, should be subjected to a referendum to determine the system of government favoured by  people, which state each ethnic nationality preferred and which region each state want to join.

  • We’ll resist plot to undermine peace in N’Delta — Youths

    We’ll resist plot to undermine peace in N’Delta — Youths

    The Central Zone of the Ijaw Youth Council (Worldwide) has warned any person or group of persons plotting to sabotage the peace and development of the Niger Delta region.

    The Chairman, Central Zone, Perekosufa Ineife, in a statement on Friday, also condemned the recent unpatriotic statement made by an alleged faceless group, Project Niger Delta (PND), against the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, saying such defamatory remarks could hinder the development of the region

    He reiterated the IYC’s unwavering support and confidence in the PAP boss.

    Ineife called on the relevant security agencies to thoroughly investigate the activities of the faceless group and hold them accountable for their attempts to sow seed of discord and instability in the region.

    He said: “The IYC Central Zone will not tolerate any actions that undermine the peace and development of our beloved region.

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    “We are deeply concerned about the attempt by PND to bring into disrepute the commendable efforts of Otuaro in implementing the amnesty programme. It is unacceptable for the group to use derogatory language and cast doubt on the credibility and effectiveness of the amnesty programme.

    “Otuaro has shown immense dedication and commitment to the cause of the Niger Delta region and its youth. Under his leadership, PAP has achieved significant milestones in ensuring the reintegration and empowerment of ex-agitators.

    “Otuaro’s inclusive and consultative approach with various stakeholders have garnered a broad consensus within the Niger Delta community, fostering greater peace and stability in the region.”

    The zonal IYC boss urged all stakeholders, especially the youth of the Niger Delta, to disregard the unfounded and baseless claims made by the PND. It is essential to focus on the continued progress and success of PAP under the competent leadership of Dr. Otuaro.

    “The IYC Central Zone stands in solidarity with Dr Dennis Otuaro and reaffirms its total support for the PAP. We urge all Niger Delta youths to rally round this programme, which has brought immense benefits to our communities and empowered our future generations.”

  • Brazil-based Nigerian artiste hailed for commitment to peace

    Brazil-based Nigerian artiste hailed for commitment to peace

    A Nigerian recording artiste based in Brazil Ajakaiye Sunday David popularly called Kaiye has been hailed for using his talent to promote peace and stability in the country.

     Kaiye received the commendation during a meeting the former President Muhammadu Buhari in Katsina State.

    The artiste visited Buhari to discuss pressing national issues and promote peace ahead of the forthcoming elections in Edo State.

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    Kaiye expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage in dialogue with the former president and emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in Nigeria. Their conversation focused on the need for a peaceful electoral process in Edo State, with Buhari urging citizens to prioritize unity and avoid violence.

    The former president commended Kaiye’s commitment to using his musical influence for the greater good and encouraged Nigerians to vote peacefully and listen to Kaiye’s latest single, “Bonjou,” which promotes a positive message of hope and harmony.

  • To the coy lady, go forth in peace

    To the coy lady, go forth in peace

    We take leave of the toxic and abrasive world of politics this morning to pay some unusual compliments. Constantly subjecting its customers to heavy-duty artillery bombardments, the column has little time left for niceties and polite anodyne.

      But the world is not about big issues alone. There are many “small” issues that are far more important than the “big” issues, particularly where a civilized and orderly society is concerned. And there are times when the small issue is actually the big issue. This is the whole point about The God of Small Things, Arundhati Roy’s prize-winning novel.

      But then how do you begin to write a personal obituary about a stranger—in the fullest grammatical import of that word—and someone you never met? But we live in interesting and exciting times, a world in which only the thinnest strand separates living and dying. One moment someone is here and the next moment you hear they are gone, forever, never to be seen again on this side of the grim borderless continuum.

    The Yoruba put it with memorable urgency. The leg of the spectator is entangled with the masquerade’s limb and it is no longer possible to separate the residents of the earth from the denizens of the other world. How many times has one glimpsed in the crowd what looked like an old friend only to remember as one was about to shout the name that the person had long joined their ancestors?

     There is a cousin of this writer who joined the army at the onset of the civil war. He was known to have fallen during one of the early skirmishes around Obolo Eke. His bosom friend came home to report about his passing with unassailable evidence of his demise. He was deeply mourned while traditional rites to ease his passage were performed.

       A few days after the termination of the war, our man showed up one morning grinning with trademark mischief to the consternation of everybody who almost took to their heels. He had spent the entire war in Biafran captivity. Today, he lives in London and approaching eighty still retains the swag and gait of a field captain of the old Nigerian Army.

       Arguably the most surreal of these tales involved a cherished friend and a most accomplished Nigerian. Almost twenty years ago while the two of us where lounging and casually loitering about in a vast Houston supermall, my friend drew one’s attention to the fleeting image of a woman who just passed and wondered whether she didn’t look like his wife.

     One was absolutely nonplussed by this development. If they were living together, why was he asking the question? It turned out that as part of pre-divorce proceedings the house had been effectively partitioned and walled in. Our friend kept to his side of the Berlin Wall for fear of the law and had not sighted his wife in five years. Such is the surreal nature of the world we live in.

       The column takes it back that this obituary is about a complete stranger, or that the columnist never met the tragically departed, Mrs Yetunde Oladeinde, an accomplished journalist, senior staffer of this newspaper and mentor to many of the younger journalists who joined the Triumphant Procession in the early hours of Monday, 19th February.

      To exaggerate in order to clarify or simplify is a familiar literary stratagem. Our “unofficial” path must have crossed a few times in the hustle and bustle of the ever busy newspaper corridor. We would have bumped into each other in the busy hall or newsroom. But she was never formally introduced. One can faintly recall her at an expanded board meeting with the staff, sitting quietly at the back: demure, dignified and matronly with a hint of upper middle class background.

      One was shocked and devastated when news of her death filtered through late afternoon penultimate Monday. But due to the mad and manic pressures of the time, the news had found its way into the abyss of memory where active information burrow until they are reactivated. It was not until the early hours of last Monday after losing a deadly duel to insomnia that one finally got to the last two pages of The Nation on Sunday and Joke Kujenya’s moving tribute to her fallen friend that remembrance returned.

     It was a tragedy of cumulative errors. The particular series of events that took the late journalist’s life could have been avoided entirely or medically mitigated in a society with a functioning medical system or a minimally proactive health facility. We may think that all this do not matter and that in the long run, one death is just a mere statistic. But in all likelihood the accumulated trauma, the symptoms of collective barbarism, will return to demand their dues.

      From her friend’s record, it could be gleaned that the late journalist was a victim of a medical condition known as Hypoglycemia or Low Blood Glucose. Unlike its Siamese twin, which is the more common High Blood Sugar, Low Blood Glucose is more radically dangerous and life-threatening, leading swiftly to slurred speech, terminal disorientation and general organ collapse.

    Both conditions are not summary death sentences if well-managed through both medication and an amenable life-style. In this columnist’s life time, one has known of two famous professors of medicine who have succumbed to the dreadful ailment, the one a globally recognized medical genius who plied his trade at the old UCH and the other an accomplished and high-flying immensely personable physician at the old OAU, Ife. If our memory serves us well, both left before they turned fifty. What an epic waste!!

      But this was in the late seventies and early eighties. The ailment appears to be better managed nowadays. Nigerians are more health conscious. In this particular instance, adversity appears to be a better teacher than modern medical developments. There are well-known survivors. Many famous Nigerians have lived to tell the story. There is a former Nigerian ruler who has openly and a tad gleefully insisted that he has lived with the condition for almost fifty years.

    Unfortunately, Yetunde Oladeinde has now been added to the sinister statistics, leaving her immediate family of four children, including a medical doctor, and several adopted youngsters to carry on. Everything that could go wrong went wrong that night. She was already feeling unwell when she left for work that Sunday. The glucagon kit for measuring blood glucose packed up the previous Thursday.

      That alone ought to have triggered the alarm bell. By the time Mme Oladeinde returned from work, her condition had considerably deteriorated. Apparently, her sense of dignified suffering and stoic forbearance forbade any self-pitying drama or emotional incontinence. Instead of heading for the nearest health facility, she headed for her bedroom where her son later met her in a pitiable state with blood dripping from the corner of her mouth.

     By the time she was rushed to the nearest hospital in the early hours of the following morning, it was already too late and a bridge too far. Medical staff at the Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital noted that her eyes had already dilated which suggested complete organ shutdown and clinical death. Valiant attempts at resuscitation came to naught. The woman known to everybody as grandma due to her well-travelled column under the same moniker but also because of her doting matriarchal nature was gone forever.

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      Yetunde left for posterity one enduring and touching irony. The woman everybody called grandma never lived to see any of her own biological grandchild. But through her love, kindness and exemplary sense of duty, she has bequeathed a lasting legacy of affection and devotion to everything that is noble. By dint of heroic perseverance in the face of persistent and unrelenting adversity, she has fired the imagination of many and lit the torch of charity for unborn generations.

      It needs to be added that the deceased was not a school drop-out come to journalism. Impeccably credentialed, she was given the best of education by her middle class parents in the best tradition of the old Nigerian middle class that came into its own at the tail end of colonial rule: elite primary school, famous secondary schools and the University of Lagos from where she graduated in 1989 in English and Literature.

       With this kind of elite background, it was clear from where Yetunde got her poise and matronly presence from. Her father, Cyprian Akinola Francis, was the first African Director of Elder Dempsters Shipping Agency while her mother, Esther Folashade, was a star retailer with the UTC departmental store who was Miss UTC for three consecutive years.

    In ending this tribute, perhaps it needs to be stressed that before our very eyes, the old Nigerian middle class is being decimated by a combination of medical adversities, societal atrocities against excellence and sheer fiscal brutalization in the hands of the Nigerian postcolonial state. Yet no nation or democracy can survive without a solid middle class that acts as a buffer between the filthy rich and the filthy poor. May Yetunde’s soul rest in peace.

  • How Peace in the Caucasus could mitigate Israel-Hamas economic spillover in Nigeria

    How Peace in the Caucasus could mitigate Israel-Hamas economic spillover in Nigeria

    With civil war in Sudan and coups spreading across the Sahel, it may seem of little relevance that the South Caucasus is on the precipice of peace. But whilst geographically remote, developments in the region that sits between Russia, Turkey and Iran could have widespread ramifications for global trade – which could directly impact Nigeria.

      The war in Ukraine hit Nigeria hard. Energy and food prices spiralled out of control. Any benefit for the country from increased crude export prices was wiped out by the jump in imported refined fuel – putting severe pressure on the then fuel subsidy. International investor risk appetite collapsed. Capital flight spread across the continent. As inflationary pressures mounted, the American Federal Reserve hitched interest rates, taking the dollar to new heights as global capital sought safe havens. Given much of Nigeria’s debt is denominated in the greenback, repayments ballooned: according to the World Bank, as a proportion of government income they increased to 96% in 2022 from 83% a year earlier.

    Just when pressures appeared to be easing, with interest rates falling and the risk appetite for developing markets growing, war between Israel and Hamas threatens another choke point of global trade. The Houthis, in solidarity with the Palestinians, have been attacking Western commercial ships traveling through the Red Sea on their way to the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. The waterway is critical for global trade: one-third of all container traffic passes through it. It is also an energy artery for Europe (and of heightened importance since the Ukraine war): 12% of seaborne oil and 8% of LNG also flow through it. Whilst Nigeria is still reeling from the fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war, contagion from the Israel-Hamas war threatens more of the same.

    The two conflicts show the pressures that chokepoints in the global trading architecture can exert on the developing world. Alternatives are needed to prevent geopolitical instability cascading across the globe.

    The South Caucasus is one of those alternatives. Azerbaijan, with large oil and gas reserves in the Caspian Sea, already supplies energy to Europe and has agreed to double capacity in the wake of the Ukraine war, easing pressures on international markets. But there is also the potential to bring the vast energy reserves of Central Asia across the Caspian Sea and through the South Caucasus infrastructure to Europe. The region could also become vital for other trade. The only feasible overland freight lines from Asia to Europe runs through here (the other ones travel through either Russia or Iran, making them a dead-end for Europe).

    But its full potential as a conduit for global trade has been hindered by the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the province of Karabakh – a region internationally recognised as Azerbaijan, but which had been occupied by Armenia for the past thirty years. However, after a war in 2021 which saw Azerbaijan regain its lands, the two are on the brink of signing a peace deal.

    It has taken the two countries a long time to get to this point. But an election in Azerbaijan could potentially derail talks if the electorate do not vote for another term for current President Ilham Aliyev. Yet this seems unlikely. Regaining Karabakh from Armenian occupation has been a national cause since its loss in the 1990s. Having delivered it, the President is riding a wave of popular support going into the election. But he has also put the peace deal at the centre of his campaign. The vote is essentially a referendum on it.

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    But for the peace agreement to go through, it is also essential his Armenian counterpart stays in power. When Azerbaijan reversed the occupation, he became the first Armenian leader since independence to state he will recognise, as every other country in the world does, that Karabakh is Azerbaijan’s sovereign territory. However, he faces pressure from a nationalist opposition bent on toppling him and scuppering the peace deal. 

    This would be a disaster for Armenia. The country has been regionally isolated due to its occupation of its neighbour’s territory. Its economy has suffered as a consequence. Yet a peace deal would see borders reopen and reintegration begin.

    Failure to do so would also prevent the region reaching its full potential as a trading hub connecting the Eurasian landmass. At the moment, energy infrastructure and freight lines navigate a narrow path from Azerbaijan, around Armenia, through Georgia, passing into Turkey then onto Europe. Peace could offer the prospect of connective infrastructure passing more logically through Armenia, reintegrating the country back into the region, whilst vastly expanding the capacity of energy, commodities and goods that can move through the region.

    The ripple effects of this development could help Nigeria better weather the effects of geopolitical turbulence. With more options for global trade, the risk of explosive and destabilising commodity hikes and inflationary spirals off the back of conflict would be mitigated. For these reasons, we should all be hoping the leaders of both Azerbaijan and Armenia stay in power to ink the peace deal.

    • Garba is a journalist and former presidential spokesperson.