Former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan has called for deliberate, collective investment in peace as a foundation for development in Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta. She made this call during the 2026 International Day of Peace celebration organised by the Bayelsa State Peace Architecture (SPA) in Yenagoa. The event featured a peace symposium, panel discussion, cultural presentations, a peace walk, and the unveiling of a book titled A Piece of Peace.
The 2026 International Day of Peace celebration, held at the Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa, had the global theme "Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day," with Bayelsa adopting the sub-theme, "Peace in Bayelsa Before, During and After the 2027 Polls." Dame Jonathan stressed the need for tolerance, dialogue, and shared responsibility to sustain stability. She noted that peace is action and that there can be no meaningful development except they invest in peace deliberately.
Dame Jonathan recounted her experiences from the period her husband served as Deputy Governor of Bayelsa to President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, noting that sustainable peace requires the active participation of individuals, community leaders, youths, women, government institutions, and other stakeholders, not just security agencies. The event also featured the unveiling of A Piece of Peace: The Bayelsa State Peace Architecture Nuggets, authored by Dr Inebaraton Preye, Secretary of the Bayelsa State Peace Architecture.
According to Dr. Preye, the book documents reflections, traditional wisdom, proverbs, and peacebuilding lessons drawn from Bayelsa and the wider Niger Delta to promote a culture of dialogue, tolerance, and reconciliation. The SPA also conferred its Peace Icon Award on Dame Jonathan in recognition of her contributions to peacebuilding and humanitarian causes in the region. The symposium featured a keynote address by former Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tonye Emmanuel Isenah, PhD.
The keynote address by Rt. Hon. Tonye Emmanuel Isenah, PhD, narrated the Odi peace story and emphasised the role of leadership in securing lives and property. He said, "Life is peace. We must make every day count by making peace our lifestyle." A panel session, moderated by veteran musician Asu Ekiye, brought together representatives of the military, paramilitary agencies, and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).
The panel session examined community policing, youth inclusion, violence prevention, early warning and response mechanisms, peaceful political participation, and inter-agency collaboration ahead of the 2027 general elections. Chairman of the occasion, High Chief Collins Cocodia, said the broad participation at the event demonstrated solidarity for sustainable peace. He urged Bayelsans to work round the clock to promote a culture of peace in Bayelsa.
The event drew members of Rotary International, officials from the Bayelsa State Ministry of Community Development, the Civil Society Coalition for Peace, youth groups, and community stakeholders. Participants noted that peace goes beyond the absence of conflict and encompasses safety, dignity, opportunity, and cooperation. They urged Bayelsans to protect the prevailing peace as the state prepares for the 2027 polls.
Key points
- Dame Jonathan calls for collective investment in peace for development in Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta.
- The Bayelsa State Peace Architecture (SPA) organised the 2026 International Day of Peace celebration in Yenagoa.
- The event featured a peace symposium, panel discussion, cultural presentations, a peace walk, and the unveiling of a book titled A Piece of Peace.
