2025 International Day Of Peace: Bayelsa SPA to organise a Walk and Talk workshop on Community Peace Building
Preparations are in top gear for the Bayelsa State Peace Architecture SPA, and her partners, Search for Common Ground, SDN, PIND, with support from the European Union to celebrate the 2025 International Peace Day in grand style in Bayelsa State on Monday 22nd September 2025 to mark the Day of Peace with the theme: “Act Now for a Peaceful World.”
Although the global peace day is celebrated on 21st September annually,The Bayelsa SPA decided to mark the day on Monday 22nd, September,2025 in consideration for religious inclusivity which remains a key driver of conflict across the country.
According to the Secretary of the Bayelsa State Peace Architecture- Dr Inebaraton Preye and the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Sir Johnny Jonathan, the week long event which kick started on Monday 15th September, 2025 with a tour to media organisations to advocate for peace messages in broadcasting also featured visit to Mosques on Friday 19th September,2025 to preach the message of religious tolerance and expected for another turn around visits to churches across multi- blocs in the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN on Sunday 21st September,2025 and conclude with a mega peace rally from Ekeki Motor park to the Office of the Governor of Bayelsa State were a position paper on sustainable peace will be delivered to the State Executive Council before a final point for a workshop by participants at the Ministry of Community Development Conference Hall, Secretariat complex Annex 3 road safety road, Yenagoa Bayelsa State.
This year’s theme encourages people and communities to take action now to build a more peaceful, inclusive, and united society, Professor Chris Onyema, the Deputy Vice Chancellor,(Academics) Federal University Otuoke is expected as a guest speaker to discuss on the theme Action for Peace: The goal for global Peace with a breakout session by participants to highlight the sub-themes on: sustainable peace building:the community approach, drivers to community conflicts and transformative steps to resolutions, why the Bayelsa State Community Peace Commission amongst other topics.
The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Community Development and Chairman of the State Peace Architecture, Hon Alfred Watson Belemote is billed to be the Co- Chairman of the event alongside the Member Representing Epie and Atissa clans in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and Chairman, Committee on Gender and Social Development, Hon Ayibanegiyefa Egba with Chief Oyienfie Jonjon, PhD, Technical Adviser to the Governor of Bayelsa State on Ijaw Cultural Affairs as Special Guest of Honour.
A major part of the celebration will be a Peace Walk/Rally to take off at the Ekeki Motor park by 8:am with participants expected to share peace messages and publicly declare their support for peace and nonviolence as participants are drawn from youth and women’s groups, traditional rulers, religious leaders, NGOs, civil society organisations, security agencies, and government officials, showing a united front for peace and development.
Immediately after the walk, the peace agents will retire to the Community Development Ministry’s conference hall by 10:30am for lectures on peacebuilding, followed by the signing of a Peace Pledge.
Dr Inebaraton Preye, Secretary, Bayelsa State Peace Architecture,noted that “This year’s celebration is a reminder that peace starts from within and the bottom top strategy of involving the communities remain key as we must all say no to violence,support dialogue,and help build stronger institutions, as the United Nations says, ‘Peace is not just a vision, it is an action, Bayelsa State is ready to take that action”.
This celebration also supports the peace efforts of Governor Douye Diri who is driving development through his ASSURED Prosperity Agenda with key focus on security and community development as his approach supports the United Nations’ message that peace and development must go hand in hand.
The events will wind down on Sunday 28th September, 2025 with a Thanksgiving service at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa by 10: 30am.
As preparations for Monday’s event continue, chairman of the 2025 International Peace Day Sir Johnny Jonathan says the line up of events for 7 days is hoped not only to raise awareness, but also lead to long-term efforts to build peace across Bayelsa State, the Niger Delta region and Nigeria.
