Peace and Positive Living Awareness Centre (UN-PEPOLAC) has reaffirmed its commitment to peacebuilding, peaceful coexistence, positive living and sustainable development.
Its International President, Bishop Festus Ozoemena, stated this on Monday in Awka during a peace walk to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Peace.
The exercise, with the theme, “Invest in Peace for Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday,” attracted peace ambassadors and other stakeholders.
Ozoemena said the theme was a call to action for individuals and institutions to deliberately cultivate and sustain peace.
He urged governments, civil society groups, religious and traditional institutions, schools, youths, women and communities to strengthen their commitment to peacebuilding.
According to him, peace is not merely the absence of war but a culture and way of life built on dialogue, tolerance, justice, dignity and cooperation.
He said UN-PEPOLAC promoted peace through advocacy, peace education, community engagement, mediation, capacity building and partnerships.
“Peace must be kept alive. It must be protected in our homes, strengthened in our communities, promoted by our institutions and advanced through responsible leadership,” he said.
Ozoemena said sustainable peace required investment in education, youth and women’s participation, mediation, justice and sustainable development.
He also acknowledged grassroots peacebuilders working in communities, schools, religious institutions, markets and workplaces to build trust and prevent conflicts.
He urged Nigerians to become “builders of bridges rather than walls” and make peace a daily responsibility.
