 In Memory of Vincent Makanju
It is with great sadness that we mourn the death of Vincent Makanju. Vincent was an International Steering Committee member of Global Action to Prevent War. He was also an extraordinary leader in conflict resolution and peace education activities in Nigeria. And, he had a kind, committed soul. Vincent was murdered by armed gunmen in his apartment in the early morning hours of October 11, 2006; his legacy and tragic loss of life was highlighted during a speech given at the UN First Committee by Rebecca Peters (IANSA) a week later as an example of the devastating consequences brought about by the illegal use of arms. A news article which describes the circumstances of his death is available here.
 Vincent was an avid advocate of our Global Action to Prevent War program and both organized and hosted a number of joint GAPW and Peace Education Center events. Vincent initiated and directed the Peace Education Center in Ile-Ife Nigeria. A major activity of the Center was the involvement of more than a thousand young people in a Peace Volunteer program in which they were trained in conflict resolution skills that they were then able to make use of in their neighborhoods and communities. A description of the work he has done in Nigeria is available here:
"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 International Steering Committee member of Global Action to Prevent War.
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Vincent also worked against the illegal posession, transfer and use of small arms and light weapons. Below are his words and his photographs, as sent to us via e-mail:
| "The amount of Small Arms in Nigeria is capable of shaking the nation to her foundation. If this is the case in Nigeria, which is considered relatively stable, we can juxtapose what the situation is in other war-torn nations in Africa.
 Do you know that Mr. Dokubo, the leader of one of the militia groups in Niger Delta region of Nigeria, after persuasion submitted over 1,000 rifles to the Federal Government early this year – Where do they get them????
All hands must be on deck to impress on the PrepCom Meeting to prepare a positive ground for the Review Conference coming up in June for concrete and concerted efforts to be taken against Small Arms and Light Weapons proliferation. We have the evidences and we shall present them as GAPW members for all to see.
When the small arms and light weapons are out of the way, bows and arrows can do just a little in wars! Then we are getting closer to war prevention!!" Vincent Makanju, December 2005 |
Compiled below are additional highlights of Vincent's life and work:
---A paper by Vincent Makanju entitled "How UNEPS can relate most constructively to regional organizations and their security forces in Africa and the roles of regional organisations in the authorization of UNEPS deployment and in backing up UNEPS in the field," presented during the conference on the creation of a UN Emergency Peace Service, June 23 and 24, 2006 in Vancouver, Canada.
---Article on Small Arms and Light Weapons in the First Committee Monitor, which talks about Vincent's untimely death
---International Action Network on Small Arms web page honoring Vincent's life.
---Additional photos:
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge -- myth is more potent than history -- dreams are more powerful than facts -- hope always triumphs over experience -- laughter is the cure for grief -- love is stronger than death"
- Robert Fulghum
Vincent, you will be greatly missed.
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