Stakeholders, yesterday, said that cooperative networking is pivotal for sustaining peace in the Southwest and the country as a whole.The scholars and stakeholders included a renowned scholar, Prof. Olawale Albert; Director of the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies (IPSS), University of Ibadan, Dr Ruth Adio-Moses; immediate past Director of IPSS, Prof. Dominic Danjibo; Oyo State Commandant of Amotekun Corps, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (rtd); Dr Olanrewaju A. Oladejo of IPSS, Community Engagement Officer of United States Institute of Peace, Nigeria (USIP), Tarfa Henry and others.
They spoke during a capacity-building programme held at the Oyebamiji Hall of the Department of Peace, Security and Humanitarian Studies Hall of UI, Ibadan.
The event, which had the theme: “Enhancing Community Peace-building Network for Sustainable Approaches to Threats in Southwest Nigeria,” was organised by UI IPSS, in collaboration with USIP, Nigeria.
General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Maj.-Gen. Obinna Onugbogu, was represented by Col. M.S. Mukhtar. Albert, who spoke virtually on the “Core Roles of Community Peace-building Actors,” said important stakeholders in community peace-building need to work together in harmony.
Adio-Moses said the programme was organised to strategise and bring all efforts together to build peace within communities. He also stressed the need to consciously make conscious efforts to bring strong points together and use them to build peace in the communities.
On his part, Danjibo said that society must create structures and opportunities for sustaining peace, adding that building blocks must be put in place for peaceful coexistence.
Also, Oladejo said sustainable peace could not be achieved in the absence of coordination. He said: “The purpose of the workshop is to bring peace-building actors together for them to be able to create a platform of networking, which will assist in carrying out the assignment. Sustainable peace cannot be achieved in the absence of coordination. We are expected to be well coordinated in carrying out the mandate. That is the essence of this workshop. Core stakeholders in peace-keeping were invited. So, they are expected to go back to their respective localities and be able to impart what they have learned here.
“To sustain peace, everybody must consider peace as a corporate assignment that must be worked for. If you see it, sustain it. All stakeholders must work together.” The Oyo State Amotekun Commandant said dialogue and network are critical elements of peace-building.