IPCR Collaborates on Peace-building Game for Children, Young People

By: Michael Mike

A game for children and young people to learn, engage, and apply peace-building tools such as dialogue, mediation, tolerance, and inclusion has commenced.

The game, Peace Creatives Competition Nigeria 2025 commenced in Abuja on Thursday as part of activities to mark the International Day of Peace and was a collaboration of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) and Idimuwem Peace and Governance Initiative (IPGI).

The competition themed “Unity and Prosperity in Diversity.” was organized in Abuja in collaboration with Gender Mobile, NGYouthSDGs, BUPRI, Youth Alive Foundation, and Girls Get Equal.

Convener of the competition, Uduak-Abasi Akpabio, said the initiative provides a platform for children and young people to learn, engage, and apply peacebuilding tools such as dialogue, mediation, tolerance, and inclusion.

She said: “Peace cannot simply be wished into existence. Like swimming, reading, or any life skill, peace must be taught, nurtured, and practiced,” adding that the competition is designed to build capacity through information, skills, and practice.

She further explained that entries will not be limited by language, with participants free to express themselves in English, Pidgin, local dialects, dance, or performance. Online submissions via WhatsApp and email have also been introduced to remove barriers to access.

Now in its fourth edition, the competition has been expanded to include two categories—ages 16–20 and 21–25—and will run nationwide through IPCR’s six regional offices.

“Our first competition targeted children, where art proved the most effective medium for expression. With the help of education specialists and psychologists, we ensured materials were child-friendly and tailored to their level.

“By the second competition, we saw the importance of partnerships, moving beyond Abuja into classrooms across the states, reaching more children through collaboration with organizations at the grassroots.

“The third competition reinforced the need for diversity and inclusion, we ensured gender sensitivity and access for children with special needs.

“This year marks the fourth competition. We have refined our structure, dividing participants into two categories: ages 16–20 and 21–25.

“We are also expanding reach by partnering formally with IPCR and its six regional offices. This ensures that from local communities to state levels, young people across Nigeria can participate meaningfully,” Akpabio said.

In his welcome address, Director General of IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, represented by Dr. Caleb Ayuba, Head of Democracy and Development Studies, said the competition underscores a commitment to young people and to the future of peace and governance in Nigeria.

He noted that violent conflicts across the country have disproportionately affected young people, both as victims and perpetrators, while unemployment, poverty, and exclusion continue to limit their opportunities.

Ochogwu said the initiative aligns with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security, and supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for a peaceful, secure, and inclusive Nigeria.

He urged stakeholders to support the project, saying: “Let us encourage our youth to use their creativity, their voices, and their talent, not to fuel conflict, but to transform it; not to break down, but to build up.”

The initiative also drew commendations from international partners. Iiris Aliska of the Embassy of Finland praised the competition for promoting a culture of peace, emphasizing the principle of “relationality,” which she described as respect and kindness toward all people and communities.

The Director General of the Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE), Chris Ngwodo noted that while young people are often central to conflict, they are equally central to peacebuilding, describing them as “the most creative elements in any society.”

“Young people represent the reservoir of a society’s potential for transformation, innovation, peaceful revolution. All the things and all the ways in which a society can reach the fullness of its potential are involving young people.

“They are the ones that will bring things of a better present as well as a better tomorrow, and they are the ones that will chart a path to go in there. And this is why initiatives like this are hugely important. Initiatives that tap into, harness and celebrate the creative power of young people.

“Young people are the most creative elements in any society, and they are certainly the most creative elements in our own society. When you look at the size of people in our informal sector, when you look at the size of informal enterprise, and when you look at our creative sectors in this country, you will find that it is predominantly driven by young people. So I say all that to say that this initiative is a most worthy initiative,”he said.

He urged the youth to embrace their role as future heroes of the nation, saying:

“This is the moment of your heroism. This is the season of your heroism.”

Also speaking, Iiris Aliska of the Embassy of Finland lauded the initiative as a step toward nurturing a culture of peace. She emphasized the principle of “relationality,” which she defined as respect and kindness toward all people and communities.

Similarly, Hairo Dong, Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy, reaffirmed China’s commitment to working with Nigeria to advance peace and development through “pragmatic operations” and “real results.”

IPCR Collaborates on Peace-building Game for Children, Young People

Outrage in Maiduguri as children of Gov. Zulum supporter killed after criticizing cabals, Politicians

By: Zagazola Makama

Borno awoke on Thursday to one of the darkest mornings in recent memory. The bodies of innocent children, two belonging to Zannah Jaridama Bornoye, a die-hard supporter of Gov. Babagana Zulum, and that of his neighbour barely days after he openly criticised alleged cabals and Politicians in the state.

Jaridama, who had accused some top figures of hypocrisy and sabotage, lamented in a viral video that certain individuals around the governor pretend to be loyal while enriching themselves with contracts, positions, and government resources, without showing true commitment to the people or the governor’s vision.

He lamented that while Prof. Zulum carried the burdens of governance and projects, many of those who claim to be his die-hard loyalists were only interested in contracts, big houses, and fat pockets.

“They wear big clothes to follow him everywhere, but when it is time to defend him, they disappear. They are hypocrites. When it is wedding, it is Zulum. When it is school fees, it is Zulum. When it is house, it is Zulum. What value do you bring? You are destroying the governor while claiming to support him,” Jaridama said.

“Some of them came into the Administration with only one vehicle and have now made fortunes, but they cannot spend one million on behalf of the governor.” On their faces, they pretend they are Zulum’s men, but underground they are fighting him. They are declaring that they are Zulum’s die-hard, yet they do not love the people.”

“When it is the wedding of their children, it is Zulum. To buy a house, Zulum. School fees, Zulum. Painting of their house or Naming ceremony, it is Zulum that will pay.”

“You are building big houses and going about denigrating the government while you are funding youths to be attacking the personality of the governor, while you are still in the governor’s party, APC.” Those that surround the governor are hypocrites.”Zannah wrote on Facebook.

He dared anyone who felt guilty to drag him to court, insisting he would name them publicly.

However, nearly 24 hours after his comments, tragedy struck. His two children Mama, a 14-year-old girl dressed in pink, and Anwar, a 28-month-old boy in green shadda were no where to be found, alleging that they were abducted while playing in front of their house.

In a desperate Facebook post, Jaridama raised a missing-children alert, pleading for prayers and help but nothing was heard. Days later, he made another emotional plea, offering to surrender himself in exchange for the lives of his children.

“It is me they are after, not my children. Please, for God’s sake, spare their lives. I am ready to give myself up, even to death, so that these innocent children can continue to live,” he wrote.

But his prayers were not answered. The three children were found dead in the early hours of Thursday morning in the Boot of his vehicle.

The Commissioner of Police Borno State Command, Nazir Abdulmajid, who confirmed the incident, said that the lifeless bodies were found in the boot of one of his old car locked in the compound.

Abdulmajid stated that police operatives from the command were deployed to the scene and photographs were taken.

He said that the bodies have been taken to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for autopsy to determine if they were kidnapped and killed or they entered the boot and locked themselves leading to their death.

“For now, we cannot really say this was what really transpired. And we have not established that it was linked to any political killing. But the autopsy will give the proofs.

The incident has however, sparked widespread anger across Maiduguri despite not understanding the clarity of the story.

Aliyu Haidar Zaifada wrote on his Facebook page, “I am deeply saddened by the inhuman treatment meted out to these innocent children, whose only “Crime” was being born to an outspoken father who speaks truth to power without mindingwho’s ox is gored. It is now evident that some people will go to any length to satisfy their greed, even if it means inflicting eternal pains on others.

This is not a case of kidnapping, there were no calls, no ransom demands, and no conditions given to the father. It is purely politics. But God remains sufficient for the innocent souls of these little children.

Hajiya Falmata, a resident of Gwange, wept bitterly as she spoke: “This is not just cruelty; this is evil. What did these little children do?

Malam Usman, a trader in Monday Market, said: “This is no kidnapping. There was no ransom, no demand. This is politics, and it is dirty. They wanted to silence the father, and they chose to kill children. This is beyond wickedness.”

Fatima, a University Student, added: “We are living in fear. Today it is Zannah’s children. Tomorrow, it may be someone else’s. If children can be murdered to settle political scores, then no family is safe.” she said.

The sorrow has deepened calls for justice, with many demanding that those behind the killings be exposed and punished.

As Maiduguri mourns, prayers rise for the young souls. The story is not clear whether the children die by suffocation or they were assassinated by the alleged cabals following his facebook comment or it is just a coincidence.

Outrage in Maiduguri as children of Gov. Zulum supporter killed after criticizing cabals, Politicians

NOA Campus Debate: Yobe State University emerges winner in North-East

Yobe State University has won the North-East Campus Debate competition organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

The competition themed: “Unity in Diversity: Defining National Identity in Nigeria’s Multicultural Society,” attracted participants from six government-owned universities in the region.

Shehu Abdullahi, Gombe Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Reintegration, said this at the end of the competition, on Thursday in Gombe.

He said Yobe State University beat five others to emerge the winner.

Abdullahi said that Modibbo Adama University, Yola came second, and Gombe State University placed third.

While Federal University, Wukari in Taraba clinched fourth position, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi came fifth and University of Maiduguri sixth position.

Abdullahi commended NOA for organising the competition aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s unity and reawaken national consciousness on the responsibility of citizens to peace and nation building.

Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director-General, NOA, said that the 2025 National Campus Debate was not only about competition but values.

According to Issa-Onilu, the exercise is not merely a competition but a civic engagement platform for grooming young minds intellectually, morally and patriotically.

Represented by Ali Audu, NOA Zonal Director, North-East zone, Issa-Onilu said the debate competition served as a national space for intellectual contest, civic dialogue, and youth expression.

The competition, he said, provided a space where the next generation of Nigerian leaders were called not only to speak but to think, research, reflect and take ownership of the values that will shape Nigeria’s future.

“This year’s edition of the debate has taken on a structured and inclusive three-tier format.

“At the first level, institutions from across all thirty-six states and the FCT submitted video entries that were screened based on strict evaluative criteria.

“From there, winning institutions advanced to this current zonal stage, the face-to-face debate, where they now compete for a place at the national grand finale. That final event, by the grace of God, will take place in Abuja during Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

“It will be hosted at the Presidential Villa, with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria himself expected to unveil the National Values Charter, at the occasion,” he said.

He said the competition also served as a call to stakeholders, especially yout6h, to think critically about what it means to be a Nigerian.

“And to explore how our differences can become our strength, and to offer solutions that move us closer to a united and just society.”

Also, Adaline Patari, NOA Director in Gombe State, reiterated commitment towards promoting patriotism, national values and social cohesion.

Ms Maryam Isyaku, a 100 level Law student and Zainab Alkali, a 500 level medicine student, represented Yobe State University in the competition.

They expressed joy over their victory, and urged Nigerians to embrace peace.

Isyaku said Nigeria would benefit everyone more if we stand in unity and harness our differences to build a better nation.

Ibrahim, who dedicated the victory to every girl-child in Yobe, added that, “something good is coming out of Yobe, and the girl-child is at the centre of it all.”

NOA Campus Debate: Yobe State University emerges winner in North-East