Peace stakeholders in Plateau State have called for sustained investment in peacebuilding, with a strong emphasis on taking peace education and awareness campaigns to every community, village, town and internally displaced persons (IDP) camp across the state. The call was made on Monday, September 21, 2026, during the Plateau Peace Architecture Forum organised to commemorate the International Day of Peace at Odilins Event Centre, Jos.
The programme, organised by the Plateau State Peace Building Agency (PSPBA) in collaboration with the Plateau Peace Practitioners Network (PPPN), with support from GIZ and PeaceCore, was held under the theme, “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everyday, Everywhere.” The gathering brought together government representatives, security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, women and youth groups, peace practitioners and other stakeholders committed to building a more peaceful Plateau.
Speaking at the forum, the Director-General of the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, Dr. Mrs. Julie Sanda, reminded participants that peace should not be measured simply by the absence of conflict. She noted that where justice is lacking, peaceful coexistence can also be threatened. She therefore called for stronger cooperation among government, communities, security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, religious leaders, women and youths, stressing that sustainable peace can only be achieved when everyone has a role to play.
Sanda encouraged citizens to make peace part of their everyday lives rather than treating it as something to be remembered only during international or national commemorative events. She stressed the need for people to genuinely care for one another, regardless of tribe or religion, and to consciously make choices that promote understanding and peaceful coexistence. She also appealed to the media to be more responsible in reporting conflicts, warning against stereotyping and negative framing that could deepen existing divisions. The PSPBA Director-General further urged youths not to allow themselves to be used as agents of violence and encouraged women and other groups to remain actively involved in peacebuilding efforts across the state.
Delivering the keynote presentation, Mrs. Helen Haggai, Conflict Transformer, Peace Builder and Special Adviser to Governor Caleb Mutfwang on NGO Matters, reflected on Plateau State’s history of conflict and the long journey towards peace. She observed that although Plateau is popularly known as the “Home of Peace and Tourism,” the state has experienced recurring conflicts, particularly since the Jos crisis of 2001. According to her, peace is not merely the absence of conflict but also involves justice, dialogue, reconciliation and a deliberate change in behaviour.
Haggai noted that government, civil society organisations and other institutions have continued to invest in dialogue and peace education over the years in an effort to change mindsets and strengthen peaceful coexistence. She highlighted some interventions of the Caleb Mutfwang administration, including the establishment of a Peace Centre, provision of surveillance drones to vulnerable communities, an emergency toll-free line for reporting incidents and peace education initiatives such as the annual Peace Youth Camp.
She stressed the important role of women in healing and reconciliation and called for the involvement of political actors, youths, women, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other groups in the state’s peace architecture. Haggai urged citizens to choose forgiveness and reconciliation over hatred and conflict, while calling on leaders to put the interests of the people first and religious leaders to continue preaching love, unity and peaceful coexistence.
She also emphasised the need to sustain peace education as a tool for behavioural change, noting that investment in peace must be reflected in the daily actions of individuals and institutions. She called for peacebuilding efforts to go beyond the state capital and reach villages, towns and IDP camps across Plateau, urging stakeholders not to relent until peace becomes a reality in communities across the state.
The forum also provided an opportunity to document and promote the state’s peacebuilding journey. One of the highlights was the unveiling of the third edition of the Plateau Peace Practitioners Network Journal by Dr. Prince Charles Dickson. The publication contains 13 papers on peace narratives and is designed to document peace efforts while encouraging younger generations to embrace peaceful coexistence.
A panel session reflecting on 25 years since the September 7, 2001 Jos crisis also featured Judith Ramson, Dr. Gad Shamaki, Miss Longdi Alexander, Ambassador Umar Yusuf, Mrs. Patricia Pam and Alhaji Suraj Sa’eed. The panellists shared experiences, challenges and perspectives on the journey towards peace in Plateau State.
Participants also witnessed a preview and demonstration of the Plateau Watch EWER App, an initiative of the PPPN designed to support real-time reporting and monitoring of peace-related developments and peacebuilding efforts across the state. The event further featured the unveiling of a peace advocacy jingle by Nyango Davou, aimed at using music to promote messages of peace, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Speaking on behalf of GIZ, Dr. Geraldine Aku, Technical Advisor, Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation, commended the resilience of organisations and individuals who have continued to work for peace in Plateau State. She urged participants to take the message of peace beyond the forum and into their communities by continuing to promote dialogue, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The President of the Plateau Peace Practitioners Network, Nanmak Bali, appreciated donors and partners for their support, as well as the Plateau State Peace Building Agency for its collaboration. He urged participants to remain committed to the peacebuilding process and to continue supporting initiatives that strengthen peaceful coexistence.
The State Director of the National Orientation Agency, Mrs. Kaneng Tabitha Pam Hworo, also called on youths to reject political thuggery during campaigns and elections. She encouraged citizens to participate peacefully in the democratic process and exercise their right to vote for candidates of their choice.
The event was attended by the representative of the Plateau State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Yilji David Nenfwang, Esq., Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions; Global President of the University of Jos Alumni, Dr. Gad Shamaki; representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, NSCDC, NDLEA and Operation Rainbow; civil society organisations, members of the PPPN and Plateau Youth Council, youth and women groups, religious leaders and other peace actors.
The forum ended with a shared understanding that peace cannot be achieved by government or peace practitioners alone. It requires the daily commitment of individuals, communities and institutions. As Plateau continues its journey of healing, dialogue and reconciliation, participants were reminded that investing in peace means taking the message beyond conference halls and into the communities where people live.
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