By Michael Ovat-Awka
The Anambra State branch of the Peace and Positive Living Awareness Centre (UN-PEPOLAC), on Monday, staged a peace walk to commemorate this year, 2026 International Day of Peace.
The peace walk with the theme; “Invest in Peace for Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday,” that commences from aroma junction off Enugu-Onitsha expressway and terminated at the popular Eke-Awka market in Awka, has in attendance Peace Ambassadors, including: Prof. Echezona Ifejilika, Prof. Barr. Kenneth Nwuba, Bishop Prof. Chris Madu, High Chief Vincent Mgbike, Rev. Dr. Anthony Onuko, the State Coordinator, Pst. Anthony Uzor, among others.
Addressing Journalists shortly after the exercise, the International President of UN-PEPOLAC, Bishop Dr. Festus Ozioma Ozoemena, urged Nigerians irrespective of tribe, ethnic and religion affiliations to make peace their major priorities, noting that Nigerians urgently need peace to curb the ongoing socio-economic challenges bedevilishing the country.
Ozoemena, stressed that peace must be treated as a national infrastructure requiring deliberate funding, institutional commitment and collective action in Nigeria.
He described the theme as both a powerful call to action and a reminder of the group’s shared responsibility to build a world where peace is not merely desired, but deliberately cultivated, protected and sustained.
He called on Nigeria governments, international organizations, civil society groups, faith-based organizations, traditional institutions, educational institutions, private-sector organizations, young people, women and communities to renew their commitment to peace.
According to him, “As an organization committed to peacebuilding, peaceful coexistence, positive living and sustainable development, UN-PEPOLAC remains dedicated to strengthening the culture of peace through advocacy, peace education, community engagement, capacity building, mediation, partnerships and positive living awareness.
“Our message is simple: Peace must be kept alive. It must be protected in our homes, strengthened in our communities, promoted by our institutions and advanced through responsible leadership.
“The future of peace depends not only on what leaders decide in conference rooms, but also on what ordinary people choose to do every day.
“On this International Day of Peace, let us remember that every peaceful word matters, every act of reconciliation matters, every bridge built between divided people matters, and every community effort that strengthens trust matters.
“If we invest in peace today, we invest in a safer, more united, more prosperous and more sustainable world tomorrow. Therefore, let us make peace inclusive, continuous, local and global as well as daily responsibility.
The Bishop added, “At UN-PEPOLAC, we believe that peace is much more than the absence of war. Peace is a culture, a value, a choice and a way of life.
“A peaceful society is one where people can live with dignity; where differences are managed through dialogue rather than violence; where justice and human rights are respected; where communities cooperate for development; and where every person has the opportunity to participate meaningfully in shaping a better future.
“Peace therefore cannot be left entirely to governments, security institutions or international organizations. Every one of us is a stakeholder in peace.
“The parent who teaches tolerance, the teacher who promotes understanding, the religious leader who encourages reconciliation, the traditional ruler who mediates a dispute, the young person who rejects violence, the woman who strengthens community dialogue, the community volunteer who reaches across social divides—all are peacebuilders.
“These everyday actions may appear small, but together they create the foundation for lasting peace.
“The word “invest” challenges us to move from merely talking about peace to deliberately supporting the conditions that make peace possible.
“We must invest in Peace education that equips children and young people with the values and skills of dialogue, tolerance and non-violence.
“Community engagement that brings people together to address grievances before they become conflicts. Youth and women participation because sustainable peace cannot be achieved while significant sections of society remain excluded.
“Mediation and reconciliation to transform disputes into opportunities for understanding and cooperation. Human dignity and justice because peace cannot flourish where people experience persistent injustice, discrimination or exclusion.
“Sustainable development because poverty, unemployment, inequality and insecurity can undermine social stability and peaceful coexistence.
“UN-PEPOLAC particularly honours the countless local peacebuilders and everyday peace advocates whose contributions often receive little public recognition. Our coming events in Lagos, Awka and other places serve this purpose.
“They are working in neighbourhoods, villages, schools, churches, mosques, workplaces, markets, communities and institutions to restore relationships, build trust and prevent violence.
“They remind us of an important truth: Peace is built from the grassroots upward. The world needs more people who will choose to become builders of bridges rather than walls; voices of dialogue rather than division; agents of reconciliation rather than resentment.
Bishop Ozoemena, commended Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, for establishing a state-owned security outfit “Udo-Ga-Chi ‘ (meaning peace must prevail) to compliment UN-PEPOLAC’s advocacy efforts for a peaceful Anambra State, Nigeria, Africa and the World at large.
The walk accompany with placards with various inscription such as; Let’s invest in peace and not violence, fight don’t sustain development, peace-markers are children of God, forgiveness is the key to peaceful co-existence, among others.
International Day Of Peace is commemorated annually on September 21 in accordance with a United Nations General Assembly.
