UN group stages peace walk for Nigeria’s peaceful co-existence - Punch Newspapers

Members of UN-PEPOLAC during the peace walk.

The United Nations advocacy group, Peace and Positive Living Awareness Centre (UN-PEPOLAC), has staged a peace walk round major streets of Awka, the Anambra State capital, to intensify advocacy for peaceful co-existence across the country. The peace walk with the theme, ‘Invest in peace for everyone, everywhere, everyday’, commenced from the popular Aroma Junction, off Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, and terminated at the popular Eke-Awka Market, on Monday to commemorate the 2026 ‘International Day of Peace’. The International President of UN-PEPOLAC, Bishop Festus Ozoemena, urged Nigerians irrespective of tribe, ethnic and religious affiliations to make peace their major priorities. Ozoemena noted that Nigerians urgently need peace to curb the ongoing socio-economic challenges bedevilling the country. He said, “Peace must be treated as a national infrastructure requiring deliberate funding, institutional commitment and collective action in Nigeria.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google “The theme for this year’s International Day of Peace is both a powerful call to action and a reminder of the group’s shared responsibility to build a world where peace is not merely desired, but deliberately cultivated, protected and sustained. “We call on Nigeria governments, international organisations, civil society groups, faith-based organisations, traditional institutions, educational institutions, private-sector organisations, young people, women and communities to renew their commitment to peace. “As an organisation committed to peace building, peaceful coexistence, positive living and sustainable development, UN-PEPOLAC remains dedicated to strengthening the culture of peace through advocacy, peace education, community engagement, capacity building, mediation, partnerships and positive living awareness.” Body of missing Anambra schoolboy recovered First Niger Bridge won’t reopen until rehabilitation is completed – Umahi Flood: Remain vigilant, take precautionary measures, Soludo’s wife urges Anambra residents He urged the people to invest in peace, adding that if the people invest in peace today, they will invest in a safer, more united, more prosperous and more sustainable world tomorrow. “Therefore, let us make peace inclusive, continuous, local and global as well as daily responsibility. At UN-PEPOLAC, we believe that peace is much more than the absence of war. Peace is a culture, a value, a choice and a way of life. “A peaceful society is one where people can live with dignity; where differences are managed through dialogue rather than violence; where justice and human rights are respected; where communities cooperate for development; and where every person has the opportunity to participate meaningfully in shaping a better future.” Ozoemena commended Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for establishing a state-owned security outfit ‘Udo-Ga-Chi’ to complement UN-PEPOLAC’s advocacy efforts for a peaceful Anambra State, Nigeria, Africa and the World at large. The members on the peace walk displayed placards with various inscriptions such as, ‘Let’s invest in peace and not violence’, ‘Fight don’t sustain development’, ‘Peace-markers are children of God’, ‘Forgiveness is the key to peaceful co-existence’, among others. The ‘International Day of Peace’ is commemorated annually on September 21 in accordance with a United Nations General Assembly. It had in attendance some peace ambassadors, including Prof. Echezona Ifejilika, Prof. Kenneth Nwuba, Prof. Chris Madu, Vincent Mgbike, Dr. Anthony Onuko, the State Coordinator, Pastor Anthony Uzor, among others. Ikenna Obianeri Ikenna Obianeri is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over 10 years of experience in reporting and storytelling. He conducts incisive interviews, covers crime and environmental issues, and produces engaging feature stories tailored for digital audiences. Ikenna’s work reflects strong newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a commitment to impactful, audience-focused journalism

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