​…. Urges Nigerians to Reject Violence and “Invest in Peace
​By Babagana Bukar Wakil, Maiduguri
The Peace Ambassadors Centre for Humanitarian Aid and Empowerment has called on Nigerians across all sectors of society to renew their commitment to peacebuilding, dialogue, tolerance, justice, and peaceful coexistence as the nation prepares for the 2027 general elections.
​The call was contained in a press statement issued by the organization to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Peace, observed annually on September 21.
This year’s global observance was held under the theme, “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
​Signed by Amb. Ahmed Shehu, President and Founder of the Centre, the statement noted that the theme offers Nigerians an opportunity to move beyond the annual ritual of commemoration and take concrete, practical steps toward building safer, more inclusive, just, and resilient communities.
​Amb. Shehu emphasized that investing in peace transcends financial commitments. He explained that it equally demands an investment of time, knowledge, integrity, relationships, strong institutions, and responsible daily actions from every citizen.
​Responsibilities Across Key Sectors
​Government and Religious Leaders.
The Centre urged government officials and political leaders to promote accountable and inclusive leadership, equitable service delivery, justice, and the protection of citizens’ rights describing these principles as the bedrock of a stable society.
​Simultaneously, traditional and religious leaders were called upon to leverage their significant influence to promote dialogue, mediate disputes, encourage reconciliation, and strengthen peaceful coexistence. The Centre specifically urged religious leaders to reject hate speech, intolerance, and the manipulation of faith to justify violence.
​The Media
Highlighting the critical role of the press in peacebuilding, the Centre appealed to journalists and media organizations to uphold accurate, ethical, and conflict-sensitive reporting. Media houses were urged to verify information before publication, avoid incendiary language capable of deepening divisions, and devote greater attention to stories of reconciliation, community resilience, and peaceful solutions.
​Civil Society and Youth
The organization called on civil society organizations and development partners to strengthen community dialogue, social accountability, human rights advocacy, civic education, early warning mechanisms, and locally driven peacebuilding initiatives. It further advocated for increased investment in resilient community livelihoods, inclusive development, youth and women’s leadership, and institutional strengthening.
​The Centre particularly highlighted women as vital peacebuilders, leaders, mediators, educators, and agents of social change, advocating for their meaningful participation in governance and community decision-making. Young Nigerians were also advised to reject violence, hate speech, misinformation, and political manipulation, and instead use social media responsibly to participate constructively in democratic processes.
​A Call for Issue-Based Political Campaigns
​The Centre observed that the 2026 International Day of Peace comes at a critical juncture as Nigeria steadies itself for the 2027 electoral cycle making the message of peace all the more urgent. Consequently, it called on political leaders, candidates, political parties, and their supporters to ensure political competition does not degenerate into hatred,
violence, or division.
​Political actors were urged to embrace issue-based campaigns, responsible communication, peaceful participation, and lawful mechanisms for resolving political disagreements.
​Reminding citizens that elections are transient while the nation remains a shared home for all, the statement declared:
​”No political disagreement should be greater than our common humanity, and no election is worth the destruction of a life, community, or country.”
​A Renewed Call to Action
​Reflecting on nearly two decades of commemorating the International Day of Peace, the organisation noted that its experience reinforces the imperative to move beyond annual observances toward sustained, everyday action.
​The Centre stressed that peace cannot be achieved by any single stakeholder group acting in isolation, emphasizing that it demands a collective national effort.
​It concluded with a call for daily reflection and responsible citizenship:
​”As Nigeria moves toward another important electoral cycle, let us remember that peace is not something we need only after elections. We need peace before, during, and after elections.”
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