Stakeholders, community leaders and youths from three communities Ifon, Ilobu and Erin in Osun State have called for sustained dialogue and grassroots engagement as a pathway to lasting peace following the conclusion of a three-day training programme under the “Preach for Peace” project held in Ilobu.
The programme, which began on Thursday and ended on Saturday, focused on equipping participants with skills in conflict resolution, community engagement and peacebuilding.
Speaking at the closing session, the Executive Director of the Peace Education Advocacy and Climate Action for Development Network (PEACAD Network), Akinremi Bunmi Olawale, said the final day of the training centred on strategies for community engagement and strengthening harmony among the communities involved.
“The day three training of the ‘Preach for Peace’ project is centred on community engagement,” Olawale said. “Participants were trained on how to identify key actors and stakeholders in their communities and how to engage them to strengthen peace and harmony.”
He explained that the training sessions over the past three days had been interactive, with participants demonstrating commitment to promoting peace in their communities.
“Since the training started two days ago, the participants have been very cooperative and attentive. They are ready to implement what they have learned,” he said.
According to him, the project will continue beyond the training phase, with participants expected to implement community-based initiatives over the next six months.
“The training does not end here. The project continues for the next six months,” Olawale added. “Participants have been given an action plan and the freedom to design peacebuilding projects that suit their communities because they know their people and the realities on ground.”
He noted that the programme also included sessions on conflict sensitivity and the “do no harm” approach to ensure that community interventions do not escalate tensions.
“We trained them on how actions and words can sometimes escalate conflict, and how they can remain conscious of their role as peace ambassadors in their communities,” he said.
Participants at the training expressed optimism that the initiative would help reduce conflicts and strengthen unity among neighbouring communities.
One of the participants, Nafisat Olarenwaju from Erin-Osun in Irepodun Local Government Area, said the programme had equipped her with practical skills for resolving disputes.
“I learnt a lot from the training, especially the step-by-step process of resolving conflicts in our communities,” she said. “If we youths can use this opportunity to engage our elders and community leaders, I believe peace and harmony will return.”
Another participant, Hon. Kosim Lukman Olatunji, popularly known as Asimbo from Ifon-Osun in Orolu Local Government Area, also praised the organisers for the initiative.
“I have learned more than I expected from this programme,” he said. “It has taught us how to settle disputes within the community, among friends, families and organisations.”
He urged residents to prioritise peace in their communities.
“Without peace, nothing good can come to any community. Everyone must try as much as possible to allow peace to reign,” he said.
Similarly, Toheeb Opeyemi Dudu Pariola from Ilobu described the training as impactful, noting that many young people need such exposure to better manage conflicts.
“Almost every youth needs this kind of training to understand how to manage conflicts and mediate disputes in their communities,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the initiative could help resolve long-standing tensions.
“Most of the younger generation in these communities are not interested in continuing conflicts, so initiatives like this can help build lasting peace,” Pariola added.
Organisers said participants have already formed groups and selected leaders to coordinate peacebuilding activities as part of the next phase of the project
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