IPCR Calls on Stakeholders to Promote Peace

By: Michael Mike

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has urged government, private sector, security agencies, the media, as well as religious and traditional leaders to work together to strengthen peace in Nigeria.

The call was made at a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Institute, celebrated alongside the 2025 International Day of Peace.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the Director-General of IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, said the theme of this year’s International Day of Peace, “Act Now for a Peaceful World”, underscores the urgency for collective action.

“The imperative to act now reflects the reality that peace cannot be deferred, delegated, or delayed. It requires immediate, sustained, and coordinated action from individuals, institutions, and nations,” Ochogwu stressed.

Reflecting on the institute’s achievements over the last 25 years, the DG highlighted IPCR’s role in training thousands of peace practitioners, mediators, and community leaders, as well as its interventions in communal disputes, electoral violence prevention, and religious reconciliation efforts.

“Our early warning systems and rapid response mechanisms have helped prevent the escalation of numerous potential conflicts, saving countless lives and preserving community harmony,” he noted.

Ochogwu also emphasized the importance of collaboration between government and civil society in tackling insecurity, banditry, and communal clashes across Nigeria.

“Government must prioritize conflict prevention, invest in peacebuilding infrastructure, and ensure that development policies are conflict-sensitive and inclusive,” he said.

The DG further called on the media to adopt conflict-sensitive reporting and use their platforms to amplify voices of peace and reconciliation, while urging religious and traditional leaders to leverage their influence to promote tolerance and understanding.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, IPCR outlined a series of activities, including interfaith prayer sessions, a “Sports for Peace and Mental Health Clinic,” and a peace walk followed by a commemorative lecture.

He emphasized that sustainable peace is deeply connected to individual wellbeing. To promote this, the organization is launching a “Sport for Peace and Mental Health” clinic a creative initiative combining physical activity with mental health support.

This approach not only helps address trauma and the physiological impacts of conflict but also fosters community healing through active engagement.

“Recognizing that peace begins with individual wellbeing, we are hosting a Sport for Peace and Mental Health Clinic that integrates physical activity with mental health support. This innovative approach acknowledges that sustainable peace requires addressing the physiological dimensions of conflict and trauma while promoting healthy community engagement through sport.”

Ochogwu concluded with a reminder of the institute’s long-term mission.

“Peace is both a destination and a journey. The past 25 years have shown that sustainable peace is possible when we act with determination and unity. The time for peace is always now.”

IPCR Calls on Stakeholders to Promote Peace

NESREA, WJC Sign MOU on Wildlife Protection

By: Michael Mike

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening wildlife protection in the country.

The MoU, signed on Tuesday at NESREA’s headquarters in Abuja by the Director General/CEO of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor, and Chief of Investigations at the WJC, Stephen Carmody, represented by the Regional Manager for West and Central Africa, Abim Isafiade, establishes a framework for cooperation to combat transnational organised criminal networks trafficking in wildlife, fish, and timber.

The MoU is aimed at strengthening intelligence-sharing, enhance forensic and legal collaboration, and support future programmes under the Nigerian Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Force.

“This MoU aligns perfectly with Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and demonstrates our government’s determination to protect biodiversity, conserve threatened species, and ensure sustainable managed wildlife resources for future generations.”, stated Barikor.

Barikor added that, “NESREA is committed to working hand-in-hand with the WJC to ensure that Nigeria does not serve as a safe haven or transit hub for wildlife traffickers. Together, we will make it increasingly difficult for those who profit from the destruction of our natural heritage.”

Executive Director of the Wildlife Justice Commission, Olivia Swaak-Goldman in a statement said the collaboration with NESREA would bring in fresh vigour into wildlife enforcement activities in the country.

He said: “By expanding our partnerships to include NESREA and the Nigerian Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Force, we can sustain and deepen this transformation — ensuring that Nigeria continues to set the benchmark for intelligence-led enforcement.

The MoU reflects a shared commitment by NESREA and the WJC to disrupt wildlife crime, dismantle transnational criminal networks, and ensure that organised crime is no longer driving species to extinction.

NESREA, WJC Sign MOU on Wildlife Protection

Otuaro Plans Quality Furniture, Woodwork Training For PAP Beneficiaries

•••Visits Julius Berger, PrimeTech Showrooms in Abuja

By: Michael Mike

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, on Monday, visited the Julius Berger Nigeria Plc Associated Furniture Producers (AFP) Showroom and its industrial factory in Abuja as part of his deliberate effort to deepen implementation of the programme’s objectives.

Otuaro also visited PrimeTech, an international firm with a primary focus on sustainable design and construction of buildings, industries, civil structures, roads and infrastructure.

He was conducted round the facilities by the General Manager of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc AFP, Oliver Cohnen, and Julius Berger’s Head of Corporate Security and Compliance, Poul Nielsen, during the visit.

Otuaro was accompanied by his Technical Assistant, Edgar Daniel; Special Assistant, and the PAP’s Head of Vocational Training Unit, Lambert Daunemighan and Head, Special Projects, Victor Ebikonte.

He said the move was aimed at exploring avenues for the PAP to carry out high-quality training of ex-agitators and beneficiaries in furniture and woodwork, and sustainable architectural design and engineering solutions with global standards and taste.

The PAP helmsman stressed that his goal was to ensure that beneficiaries of such huge industrial-scale training would use the vocational skills and knowledge they would gain to add real value to the socio-economic development of the Niger Delta and indeed Nigeria.

He noted that when the ex-agitators and beneficiaries are equipped with the right expertise in a structured environment, they will produce products that meet international standards with high marketability.

He expressed satisfaction at the incredible finishing and creativity, exquisite outlook and texture of the furniture and their high potential for durability.

He reiterated that President Bola Tinubu had given him a mandate to take the programme to the people of the region.

According to him, seeking the appropriate facilities to get many youths trained and re-trained in critical vocational trade areas was one of the ways of realizing the president’s desire.

Otuaro said, “My interest is that our youths have to add value to the social-economic growth of the Niger Delta and that of the country. They can do this effectively when they acquire high-quality training that will make them to be useful to themselves, the region and the nation.

“I decided to undertake the visits to these facilities to enable me to see things for myself to be able to take the right decision on the vocational initiative I have for ex-agitators and beneficiaries of the PAP in the areas of furniture and woodwork, and designs.

“I am pleased with the top-class industrial equipment, high-quality furniture and the huge factory I have seen here and the fact that they have international appeal. This means that if our people are able to acquire the right vocational skills here, they will be able to produce furniture of international standards.

“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, gave me a mandate to take the programme to the people, and that is what I am doing. This initiative is part of the deliberate plans to achieve that mandate.”

Otuaro Plans Quality Furniture, Woodwork Training For PAP Beneficiaries