Stakeholders from Ifon-Orolu, Ilobu and Erin-Osun communities converged in Osogbo, Osun State on Thursday for a Multi-Stakeholder Peace Summit aimed at strengthening dialogue, accountability and collaboration towards sustainable peace among the neighbouring communities.
The summit, themed “Building a Shared Future: Dialogue, Accountability and Real Partnership for Youth-Led Sustainable Peace in Ilobu, Erin-Osun and Ifon-Orolu Communities,” brought together traditional rulers’ representatives, market leaders, religious leaders, youth ambassadors, lawmakers, civil society organisations, security agencies, media practitioners and government representatives.
The event was organised under the Preach for Peace Project by Future Builders Initiative in partnership with Peace, Education, Advocacy and Climate Action for Development (PEACAD) Network and with support from the German Federal Foreign Office.
Speaking at the summit, the Executive Director of PEACAD Network, Akinremi Olawale, said the initiative was designed to create a platform for meaningful engagement among the affected communities.
“We have previously reached out to them individually through community engagement, palace visitations and meetings with progressive unions. Today, we are bringing the three communities together to have dialogue and mediation on the way forward,” he said.
Olawale noted that one of the project’s biggest achievements was the willingness of community members to embrace peace.
“I can say categorically that one of the positive results we have achieved is that individuals have assured us they are ready to make peace. Members of the communities are expressing readiness for a government resolution and are willing to abide by whatever decision the government makes,” he added.
Programme Officer of Future Builders Initiative, Faridah Igbayilola, described the summit as a major milestone in the peace-building process.
“We recognised that there is no way we can engage youths from the three communities without involving the media. That is why we engaged more than 20 media practitioners on solution reporting, fact-checking and conflict-sensitive journalism,” she said.
She added that bringing leaders and stakeholders from the three communities into one room was itself a significant achievement.
“Having all the three communities and their leaders sitting together in the same room is a very good step in the right direction,” she said.
One of the youth ambassadors, Hamzat Gafar, said the project had empowered participants with practical peace-building skills.
“Part of our assignment was to visit schools, artisans, women leaders and key stakeholders to preach peace and teach conflict resolution, mediation and non-violent communication. Honestly speaking, this programme has taught us a lot and has been impactful,” he said.
Another ambassador and team lead from Ilobu, Toheeb Opeyemi Pariola, said the project had created opportunities for youths to become peace advocates in their communities.
“We gained a lot from the training and were able to return to our communities to implement what we learned. All we want is to preach peace among the three communities,” he said.
Representing Irepodun/Orolu State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adekunle Oladimeji, commended the organisers for their intervention.
“When civil society organisations and stakeholders who are non-partisan come up with such an initiative, you have to appreciate them for a very good job,” he said.
He urged young people to reject violence and embrace peace.
“Don’t be tools of destruction. Most of the atrocities committed during communal crises are perpetrated by youths. Peace is non-negotiable. For development to thrive in any community, there must be peace and it must be sustained,” he stated.
Peace and conflict expert, Oluwatoyin Joel, a Rotary Peace Fellow and PhD student at Osun State University, said the initiative focused not only on resolving conflict but also on building long-term peace capacities.
“The organisers did not just organise a programme to resolve conflict; they organised a programme to inculcate leadership values, mediation skills and conflict resolution skills in the youths and community stakeholders,” she said.
She urged residents to become active promoters of peace.
“If there is no peace in our immediate environment, there is no peace for us as individuals. We should do whatever we can to promote peace in our communities,” he added.
Also speaking, Adetunji Ajala described the summit as timely and necessary.
“Peace is sacrosanct in all aspects of life. Where there is no peace, everybody suffers. This initiative should not be a one-time event; the conversations and dialogue should continue,” he said.
He also warned youths against spreading misinformation and participating in violence.
“We should not allow ourselves to be used as instruments of division and insecurity. The aftermath of violence affects our future,” he said.
The Iyaloja of Ilobu, Idiatu Yusuf, praised the initiative and called for its continuity.
“This programme has really pleased us. The advice and lessons shared here can be taken home and taught to our children. We have seen the benefits of this peace initiative and we want it to continue,” she said.
Similarly, the iyaloja of Erin Osun , Kọlawole Rafatu, urged residents of the three communities to reject violence and embrace peaceful coexistence.
“The people of the three communities should live together in peace and unity. We should celebrate together and coexist harmoniously. Those who spread rumours and inflammatory statements should stop doing so,” she said.
The summit ended with participants reaffirming their commitment to dialogue, accountability and collective action as pathways to sustainable peace among Ifon-Orolu, Ilobu and Erin-Osun communities.