Ajunwa calls for more investment in peace education

The Co-Founder & Project Lead of Galaxy4Peace, Precious Ajunwa has called on the federal government and other stakeholders to invest more in Peace Education as that remain a major panacea for preventing and reducing violence conflict among youths in Nigeria.

Ajunwa said this at the 5th edition of the annual Sweat4Peace organized in commemoration of the International Day of Peace held in Lagos, with over 500 participants from Lagos, Abuja, Portharcourt, and Ibadan.

Over 300 children reached, aged between 8 and 17 years old, were also taught about Sustainable Development Goal No. 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

Ajunwa said that in these times when hate crimes are on the increase, we must more than ever continuously invest and teach children the values of love, peace, forgiveness, empathy, tolerance and non-violence not only on this global day but at all times.

“It is such ideals that Galaxy4Peace represent, hence our resolve to follow the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and build a world where peace, unity and love prevails”, she said.

“with Peace Education as the most paramount tool to bringing positive change, we set out to make a case for investment in education that builds peace through the TeachPeaceEarly program. The Peace Day School Tour with our message focused on three core pillars namely dismantling all forms of violence, creating a just and sustainable culture of peace, and telling the peace day story”.

Ajunwa further added that the primary aim of the Peace Day activities was to spread the message of peace, provide an opportunity for young people in Nigeria to uphold the ideals of peace within their environment.

“We want to have them commit to peace despite their inherent differences, while highlighting their roles in achieving SDGs No. 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Sweat4Peace has always served to highlight the need for a coordinated and integrated effort at ensuring efficient delivery of critical peacebuilding goals, and this by a cohesive private and public partnership”.

Also speaking at the event, Sweat4Peace Team Lead, Abuja, Adebote Oluwaseyifunmi challenged youths to become ambassador of peace within their community said. “I strongly believe that this is the most important time for young people to extremely uphold peace, with the 2019 general election around the corner. I’m even more delighted about the consistency over the years and how this program is helping to shape young Nigerians to become global peace ambassadors.”

Addressing Portharcourt participants, Maureen Aliko said “as humans divided by a thousand and one thing, achieving inner peace is crucial in reaching an outward peace. As we mark World Peace Day, it is important that everyone is involved in not only putting an end to any challenges that threatens our world peace, but to take crucial steps to guarantee peace is served in any conflicting situation”.