On September 21, 2026, the world commemorated the International Day of Peace, an occasion marked by Amb. Quincy Odafe O., President and Founder of Quincy Odafe Humanitarian Foundation (QOHF), to call for sustained global and national peace. In a message released in Abuja, Amb. Odafe emphasized that peace is a prerequisite for development. He urged world leaders, national stakeholders, and community leaders to adopt dialogue, unity, and compassion as tools for conflict resolution.
The 2026 theme, “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” resonates with QOHF’s mandate of promoting human dignity through food security, clean energy, and cultural cohesion. According to Amb. Odafe, peace extends beyond the absence of war to encompass the presence of justice, food security, opportunities for women and youth, and respect for human dignity. QOHF promotes these values through initiatives like World Akara Day.
Amb. Odafe paid tribute to the Nigerian military and other security agencies for their efforts in restoring and maintaining peace across the country. He expressed deep appreciation for their sacrifices, particularly in the North-East, North-West, and other troubled areas. The humanitarian leader acknowledged the importance of their role in peacekeeping, humanitarian interventions, and protection of civilians.
Amb. Odafe emphasized that humanitarian work is crucial to achieving global, regional, and national peace. He identified hunger, poverty, gender exclusion, and environmental degradation as root causes of unrest. According to him, addressing these issues is essential to building and sustaining peace. QOHF’s initiatives, such as empowering Akara women vendors and promoting clean cooking energy, aim to tackle these root causes.
Through World Akara Day, QOHF promotes cultural cohesion and uses indigenous food culture to unite people. Amb. Odafe called on governments, the private sector, international development partners, and young Nigerians to collaborate with QOHF in using food security, clean energy, and cultural diplomacy as instruments for peace. He stressed that collective action is necessary to achieve lasting peace.
The International Day of Peace is observed globally every September 21, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly. The day aims to strengthen the ideals of peace. Amb. Odafe’s message aligns with the day’s theme, emphasizing the need for sustained efforts to promote peace and address its root causes.
In conclusion, Amb. Odafe’s call for global and national peace resonates with the International Day of Peace theme. His emphasis on addressing root causes of unrest and promoting humanitarian work as a means to achieve peace underscores the importance of collective action. QOHF’s initiatives, such as World Akara Day, demonstrate the potential for grassroots efforts to contribute to lasting peace.
Key points
- Amb. Quincy Odafe O. calls for sustained global and national peace as a prerequisite for development.
- The 2026 International Day of Peace theme is “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
- QOHF promotes human dignity through food security, clean energy, and cultural cohesion to achieve peace.
