Peace Advocates Holds Road Walk in Yenagoa
As part of activities to celebrate the 2025 International Day of Peace, stakeholders and peace advocates in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, came together in a series of peace-building events organized by the Bayelsa State Peace Architecture, in collaboration with Search for Common Ground and the European Union.
The theme of the day, Act Now for a Peaceful World focused on fostering sustainable peace and community development in the state and beyond.
The International Peace Day began with a Road Walk that saw many youths, women, civil society organizations, NGOs and peace advocates march through the streets of Yenagoa to raise awareness on the need for more peaceful coexistence, unity and tolerance in communities and the state.
Team Lead, Bayelsa State Peace Architecture, Comrade Inebaraton Preye commended the state government for the peaceful disposition in the state.
However, Comrade Inebaraton Preye noted that the group is calling on the government to establish the Bayelsa State Community Peace Commission.
Speaking on behalf of the Bayelsa state government, Deputy Chief of Staff in the office of the Deputy Governor, Mr Gowon Toruyoighe noted that the government is prepared to work with all organizations that promote peace which enables development.
“The government is happy that the state is peaceful and this cannot be possible except through the efforts of all, peace is the only panacea for development’
Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical Issues, Chief Oyeinfie Jonjon who spoke on the role of the community in peace building in the Niger Delta region emphasized that the principal agent of conflicts is injustice in families and communities.
“We should learn to treat each other right, peace building process is a collective responsibility, communities should embrace peace and work together as a team”
Chief Jonjon also pointed out that peace is not just the absence of violence, but the presence of justice, development, and inclusive dialogue.
He encouraged leaders at all levels to embrace participatory governance and invest in youth empowerment, conflict mediation, and education.
On her part,vExecutive Director, Women Organized for Mentorship and Advocacy Network, WOMAN, Lady Eunice Nnachi commended the organizers for ensuring women were not only present but actively engaged in the peace process.
Lady Nnachi noted that there is a need for parental control through discipline particularly for mothers to teach their children morals and values.
The day ended on a lighter note with a friendly football match between members of the Bayelsa State Peace Architecture and Search for Common Ground.
