Global Action in Nigeria

In Nigeria, Global Action to Prevent War is synonymous with Peace Volunteering. The Peace Education Centre, serving as the anchor of the GAPW National Steering Committee in Nigeria, conceived of the idea of Peace Volunteering as a feasible method of preventing violence and war in our society, which is the primary focus of the Global Action to Prevent War.

Peace Volunteers are commissioned Peace Advocates whose primary responsibilities are to carry out activities towards prevention of violence in their localities. We are currently focusing on students in tertiary institutions who are leaders of tomorrow. The Volunteers meet periodically and carry out programmes geared towards empowerment of fellow students including seminars and workshops as well as discuss issues that could lead to breach of peace on their campuses in particular and in the larger society in general with the aim of preventing them before they occur.

Our most recent event was the Achiever's Lecture of the Peace Education Centre done in collaboration with GAPW which took place on the 9th of February 2006 at Oduduwa Hall of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. The Lecture titled YOUTH AS THE CORNERSTONE FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT was delivered by His Excellency, Ambassador John Campbell of the United States Embassy. The Programme chaired by His Excellency, Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the Governor of Osun State in South Western Nigeria was attended by His Imperial Majesty Oba Okunade Sijuwade the Ooni of Ife (Traditional Ruler of over 30 million Yoruba Race).

A few years ago we had a powerful programme on 22 September 2004 where GAP-War "Achiever" and "Peace Advocate Awards" were first given to notable Nigerians. It was attended by more than 4,000 students. The occasion was used to launch the Nationwide Campus for Peace Project. His Excellency, Mr. David Angell, Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria delivered the keynote achiever lecture.

We are currently operating in 65 percent of the institutions. With the tremendous support from Government, such as a free promotion on the National Television station, support form Nigerian Police, Federal Ministry of Education, diplomat communities in Nigeria etc., we hope to cover all the institutions in the next academic session.

At the last count, we have 1,550 Peace Volunteers on our campuses.

~Information and photographs provided by Vincent Makanju, Director of The Peace Education Centre in Nigeria and National Steering Committee member of Global Action to Prevent War.