Bayelsa Marks 2025 International Day of Peace with Road Walk, Dialogue, and Calls for a Community Peace Commission
Rhoda Godwin, writes from Yenagoa Bayelsa Marks 2025 International Day of Peace with Road Walk, Dialogue, and Calls for a Community Peace Commission
On Monday, September 22, 2025, stakeholders, peace advocates, and community leaders converged in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, to mark the 2025 International Day of Peace with a colorful lineup of activities aimed at strengthening sustainable peace in the state and across the Niger Delta.
The event, held at the Ministry of Community Development Conference Hall, was organized by the Bayelsa State Peace Architecture (SPA) in collaboration with Search for Common Ground and the European Union, under the global theme, “Act Now for a Peaceful World.”
From a lively road walk through the streets of Yenagoa to a robust dialogue session with policymakers, the day reflected the collective commitment of citizens, civil society, and government to promote tolerance, justice, and unity.
A Road Walk for Peace
The day began with a peace road walk that drew enthusiastic participation from youths, women’s groups, civil society organizations, and non-governmental organizations. Participants carried placards with inscriptions such as “Peace is Development,” “Say No to Violence,” and “Justice Brings Lasting Peace.”
The walk symbolized the need for collective action in addressing the root causes of conflict, intolerance, and injustice in communities. Along the way, participants engaged passersby and residents, urging them to embrace nonviolence, resolve disputes amicably, and contribute to peaceful coexistence.
Formal Opening and Golden Rules
The conference hall hosted the main dialogue session, where attendees were welcomed with safety protocols and the “golden rules” for the meeting.
The Executive Chairman of Bayelsa SPA, Comrade Inebaraton Preye, in his opening remarks, commended the state government for its role in maintaining relative peace across the state. He, however, emphasized that peace is a fragile asset that requires constant nurturing.
“Our gathering here today is not just to celebrate peace but to chart new strategies for sustaining it. We must all see ourselves as peace ambassadors,” he said.
Lecture by Chief Alaowei Oyienfie Jonjon
The highlight of the event was a keynote lecture delivered by Chief Alaowei Oyienfie Jonjon, PhD, former President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and Technical Adviser to the Governor on Ijaw National Affairs.
In his presentation, Chief Jonjon underscored the central role of justice in peace-building, warning that conflicts often emerge from inequalities and unresolved grievances within families and communities.
“Peace is not merely the absence of violence,” he noted. “It is the presence of justice, inclusive dialogue, development, and respect for human dignity. When families and communities practice fairness, tolerance, and equity, wider society benefits.”
Jonjon urged leaders at all levels to adopt participatory governance and ensure inclusive decision-making, particularly in conflict-prone areas. He further called for investment in youth empowerment, education, and conflict mediation skills to reduce the vulnerability of young people to violence and crime.
Government’s Position on Peace
Speaking on behalf of the Bayelsa State Government, the Deputy Chief of Staff in the office of the Deputy Governor, Mr. Gowon Toruyoighe, reaffirmed government’s readiness to collaborate with organizations that promote peace and development.
“The government is happy that the state is relatively peaceful. This stability cannot be possible without the combined efforts of citizens, communities, and partners. Peace remains the only panacea for development,” Toruyoighe declared.
He promised that the administration would give attention to calls for a Bayelsa State Community Peace Commission, which, according to the SPA, would institutionalize conflict resolution mechanisms, establish early warning and early response platforms, and coordinate peace-building initiatives across the state.
Women’s Voices in the Peace Process
A major highlight of the celebration was the active involvement of women in shaping the peace agenda. Lady Eunice Nnachi, Executive Director of Women Organized for Mentorship and Advocacy Network (WOMAN), commended the organizers for ensuring women were not just present but also given a strong voice in the dialogue.
“Peace cannot be achieved without the involvement of women,” she said. “Mothers, in particular, play a crucial role in teaching morals, discipline, and values that guide children away from violence. Families must become the first school of peace.”
Lady Nnachi emphasized the need for parental control, especially in instilling discipline and responsibility among children, to reduce the risk of crime, cultism, and drug abuse.
Breakout Sessions and Resolutions
Following the lecture, participants broke into smaller sessions to deliberate on sub-themes, including:
- Protecting children from abuse, exploitation, and violence
- Promoting peaceful societies and reducing violence everywhere
- Advocating for human rights and sustainable development
- Strengthening institutions to prevent terrorism and crime
Each group returned with recommendations that were later harmonized into a communiqué, which was presented at the plenary.
Key resolutions included:
Establishing the Bayelsa State Community Peace Commission to institutionalize peace-building.
Strengthening traditional and community structures to support conflict mediation.
Expanding youth empowerment programs to tackle unemployment, a driver of restiveness.
Promoting women’s leadership and participation in peace processes at all levels.
Ensuring public access to information and protecting human rights as pillars of peace.
The resolutions were symbolically reinforced when attendees signed a peace commitment charter, pledging to uphold nonviolence, justice, and harmony in their daily interactions.
Communal Reflections and Guest Remarks
Several invited guests shared reflections on the importance of peace in Bayelsa and the Niger Delta. They emphasized that peace was a collective responsibility that required communities to embrace dialogue and inclusivity.
“Peace is like a seed,” one participant remarked. “If nurtured, it grows into development, but if ignored, it withers into conflict.”
A Call to Action
In a joint statement, the SPA and partners issued a call to action urging Bayelsans to begin peace-building from within.
“The time to act is now. Let us start by making peace with ourselves, our families, our communities, and our clans before extending it to the larger society. By doing so, we contribute to a peaceful Niger Delta and ultimately, a peaceful world,” the communiqué read.
The statement highlighted the importance of protecting children from exploitation, advocating for environmental protection, and fostering a culture of nonviolence and inclusivity.
A Day that Ended in Unity
The 2025 Peace Day celebration ended on a lively note with a friendly football match between members of the Bayelsa SPA and representatives of Search for Common Ground. The match, played in a spirit of camaraderie, symbolized how sports can unite communities beyond divisions.
Spectators cheered as both sides demonstrated teamwork and friendship, reinforcing the day’s message that peace thrives when people work together.
Looking Ahead
As Bayelsa joins the world in commemorating the International Day of Peace, stakeholders are hopeful that the event will not be a mere annual ritual but a catalyst for policy change and community action.
With a proposed Peace Commission on the horizon, peace advocates believe the state has an opportunity to institutionalize sustainable mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution.
“Peace is not built in a day,” Comrade Preye concluded. “It requires deliberate choices, consistent efforts, and the will to put justice and fairness at the center of governance and community life. Today, we have taken another step towards that goal.”
For updates and highlights, follow Reflector Television on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Don’t forget to like, comment, and share!
