…as Aviary Association, UN mark International Peace Day in Ibadan
The Special Adviser on Interfaith to the Oyo State Governor, Reverend Femi Ibikunle, has called on Nigerians to deliberately invest in peace in their homes, communities, and public life, saying peace does not happen by accident.
Ibikunle, who was the Special Guest of Honor at the 2026 International Peace Day celebration held on Monday in Ibadan, said peace goes beyond the absence of war.
According to him, “peace is not just the absence of war. It is the presence of justice, security, dignity, and opportunity. It is not something that happens by accident. It must be built, funded, taught, and defended every day.”
The event, organized by the Aviary Association Worldwide in collaboration with the United Nations, was themed “Invest in Peace for Everyone, Everywhere, and Everyday.”
Ibikunle said Nigerians must learn to invest in peace in the same way they invest in roads, technology, and businesses.
He explained that investing in peace for everyone means promoting equity, listening, and humanity, while investing in peace everywhere means ensuring peace in homes, schools, communities, and the nation.
He added that peace should not be celebrated only on September 21 each year but should become a daily lifestyle through actions such as forgiveness, refusing to spread fake news, controlling anger, and praying for peace.
He urged citizens to invest in peace with their time, money, words, and actions, while refusing to be used for thuggery or tribal and religious crises.
“Peace cannot stay in the conference hall in New York while our streets are unsafe. If peace is not everywhere, it is nowhere.
“War is expensive. Violence is expensive. Insecurity is expensive. We are already paying the price for lack of peace in Nigeria and around the world. Peace is cheaper, but it requires intentional investment,” Ibikunle stated.
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In his keynote address, the Executive Director of Goodworker Ministry International, Pastor Tunji Agboola, said true peace requires investment in social trust, stronger institutions, and conditions that promote justice.
Agboola said peace begins with how people treat one another, particularly during disagreements over religion, politics and race.
He said peacebuilding draws heavily from faith traditions, citing biblical teachings on reconciliation and tolerance, and stressed the need to equip children and young people with education, vocational skills, and opportunities.
He also warned that social media could fuel violence through misinformation.
Agboola listed five practical commitments to peace, including managing anger, raising children with dialogue and non-violent conflict resolution, investing in education and jobs, strengthening fair mediation systems, and treating peacebuilding as a daily responsibility.
“Prolonged unemployment and social exclusion weaken social cohesion. We must invest in youth before they become vulnerable.”
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Global President of the Aviary Association Worldwide, Prince Oluwaseyi Olusa, said the theme focused on peace as an active, daily investment built on justice, tolerance, and respect.
Olusa, who was represented by the president of the Oluyole Aviary Association, Femi Josiah, said the organization, in partnership with the United Nations, was committed to promoting peace and social development, particularly as Nigeria grapples with economic hardship, insecurity, and weakened social cohesion.
He described the 2027 general election as a critical democratic milestone and called on political actors to embrace issue-based campaigns and peaceful conduct.
The NGO’s president urged Nigerians to choose dialogue before conflict and build trust before suspicion becomes hostile.
“We call on our members to demonstrate leadership beyond our immediate fraternity to foster dialogue, strengthen communities, and promote civic responsibility in their families, aviaries, and provinces,” he said.
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