The Flame of Peace, a subsidiary of Women Centre for Self Empowerment and Development (WOCSED), has called on Nigerians to make peace a daily responsibility. Ambassador Onyeka Obi, President of WOCSED, made the appeal in Awka to mark the 2026 International Day of Peace. The Day's theme, “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday”, emphasizes the importance of peace in national development. Obi stressed that peace is essential for education, businesses, and development to thrive.
Obi noted that violence and insecurity undermine the country's progress, making it difficult for children to learn and businesses to grow. She urged citizens to reject violence and hatred, promote dialogue during disagreements, and support vulnerable community members. According to Obi, peacebuilding should not be left to government and security agencies alone; every citizen has a role to play in creating peaceful communities. She also advocated for greater opportunities for women and youths in peacebuilding, leadership, and community development.
The WOCSED President emphasized the need for early peace education, including establishing peace clubs in schools, to equip young people with values of dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful conflict resolution. She said WOCSED and Flame of Peace are committed to promoting peace, empowering women, and supporting communities. Dr Laz Okafor, a WOCSED Consultant, also urged Nigerians to choose dialogue over violence and forgiveness over hatred.
The International Day of Peace, observed annually on September 21, aims to promote peace and non-violence among people and nations. To mark the occasion, a procession was held in Awka, featuring participants carrying placards with peace messages. The placards read: “Peace is My Responsibility,” “Peace is Our Common Language,” and “No Peace, No Development,” among others.
Obi stressed that investing in peace means investing in families, communities, young people, economy, and future. She encouraged citizens to take ownership of peacebuilding, saying it is a collective responsibility. The WOCSED President also called for unity and love, saying these values are essential for achieving peace.
The event had Dr Laz Okafor, Consultant, WOCSED, who called on Nigerians to become messengers of peace. She emphasized that peace does not mean people will never disagree, but they must learn to disagree without destroying one another. Okafor urged Nigerians to promote peace in their daily lives.
The WOCSED initiative aligns with the global effort to promote peace and non-violence. Key points from the initiative include:
Key points
- Investing in peace is crucial for national development.
- Peacebuilding is a collective responsibility that requires the involvement of all citizens.
- Early peace education is essential for equipping young people with values of dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution.
