Global Peace Development Launches Five-Year Strategic Plan, Targets Peacebuilding, Governance, and Social Justice

By: Michael Mike

Global Peace Development (GPD) has unveiled its Five-Year Strategic Plan (2026–2030), outlining an expanded vision to strengthen peacebuilding, inclusive governance, and sustainable development across Nigeria and beyond.

The plan was officially launched in Abuja on Tuesday at a well-attended event that brought together civil society leaders, development partners, and government representatives, including the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR).

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Director-General of IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, the institute commended GPD for its long-standing contributions to peacebuilding, gender equality, child protection, and inclusive governance.

Ochogwu, who was represented by Dr. Mang Chaimang, a director in the Institute, described the strategic plan as a timely and well-articulated roadmap that reflects over two decades of practical experience in addressing peace and development challenges in Nigeria.

Ochogwu noted that civil society organisations such as GPD play a critical role in complementing government efforts, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected regions. He added that the new strategic plan provides a strong framework for collaboration among government institutions, development partners, and civil society actors working towards sustainable peace.

Speaking in an interview after the launch, the Board Chairman of GPD, Chief Ejiro Oghenebrume, said the five-year plan represents more than a policy document, describing it as a renewed commitment to justice, good governance, and sustainable peace.

According to him, the organisation is repositioning itself to expand its scope from local interventions to a broader global outlook. He emphasized that peacebuilding is a continuous process and urged stakeholders not to relent in their efforts, warning that unresolved ethnic, religious, and political tensions could undermine national stability if not properly addressed.

Oghenebrume also advised that ethnicity and religion should not be allowed to define access to opportunities, calling for policy reforms that promote inclusion based on residency rather than origin. He stressed that peace cannot be sustained without constant engagement, education, and vigilance.

On the organisation’s priorities, the GPD chairman disclosed that women and young people remain central to the strategic plan, noting that peace at the community level begins with stable families and empowered children. He revealed that the organisation anticipates a budget of about ₦1.8 billion for 2026 to support phased implementation of the plan.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of GPD, Mr. Ebruke Esike, explained that the new strategic plan expands the organisation’s focus from five to eight thematic pillars. These include peace and conflict resolution, gender justice, democracy and governance, environment and climate change, water, sanitation and hygiene, livelihood development, education, and the protection of women and children from gender-based violence.

Esike said the plan is designed to improve security and social cohesion through non-kinetic approaches such as community dialogue, education, economic empowerment, and legal advocacy. He disclosed that the organisation projects a ₦1.2 billion operational budget for 2026, which will be sourced largely through competitive grants and partnerships.

According to him, GPD currently operates across several states in the South-South, South-East, North-Central, and North-West regions, with plans to expand to the North-East and South-West. He noted that the organisation has been involved in conflict mediation between farmers and herders, women-led peace platforms, environmental sustainability initiatives, and civic education programmes.

Esike acknowledged challenges such as insecurity, poverty, and low literacy levels but said GPD continues to work closely with government authorities, security agencies, and local peace institutions to ensure effective and safe programme delivery.

The launch ended with renewed commitments from stakeholders to strengthen partnerships aimed at promoting peace, social justice, and sustainable development in Nigeria.

Global Peace Development Launches Five-Year Strategic Plan, Targets Peacebuilding, Governance, and Social Justice

AFRICOM Delegation Reaffirms Support for NDLEA in Fight Against Drug Trafficking

By: Michael Mike

A high-level delegation from the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of stronger cooperation and continued technical support as efforts intensify to curb illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria and the wider region.

The delegation met on Tuesday with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd), where both sides discussed the progress of existing partnerships and future areas of collaboration.

Leading the delegation, Philip Esch, who serves as the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) liaison to AFRICOM, described the working relationship with NDLEA as critical to international security.

He commended the agency’s leadership and professionalism, noting that NDLEA’s operations in Nigeria have far-reaching implications beyond the country’s borders.

Members of the delegation also praised NDLEA for the effective use and maintenance of equipment previously supplied by the United States government, a development they said demonstrates accountability and commitment to the shared anti-drug agenda. They disclosed that additional projects and training programmes are being planned to further strengthen the agency’s capacity.

In his remarks, Marwa expressed gratitude for the visit and acknowledged AFRICOM’s sustained support, which he said has contributed significantly to recent successes recorded by the agency.

He stressed that drug trafficking remains closely linked to other security challenges, including terrorism and organized crime.

The NDLEA boss called for expanded assistance in key operational areas such as airport screening technology, forensic laboratories, digital investigation tools, portable drug detection devices and the deployment of trained sniffer dogs.

The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to deepen cooperation aimed at disrupting drug networks, enhancing law enforcement capacity and promoting regional and global security.

AFRICOM Delegation Reaffirms Support for NDLEA in Fight Against Drug Trafficking

Bego shares Buni’s achievements as journalists take a tour in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

Yobe State in Northeastern Nigeria is one of the states that suffered from the Boko Haram insurgency, but with the support and effort of the security agencies, things are improving a lot.

However, one of the effects of the insurgency was to destroy the local community; the people have suffered, their lives and their livelihoods were destroyed, and many have lost their loved ones.

The State Commissioner of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Information, and Culture, Hon. Abdullahi Bego, disclosed this to a team of journalists who embarked on a media tour organized by the Yobe State government across the state. The tour started with the Kannama modern market, the headquarters of the Yunusari local government area.0

Bego further said that. His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni thought that there is a need to rebuild communities to reinvigorate economic activities to ensure that people can go back to their farms and their markets to ensure that they can rebuild their lives.

“Governor Buni is providing a lot of support in terms of agriculture inputs, equipment, and fertilizer, among others, adding that when people finish from their farms, they will come to their market. That is why Governor Buni decided to establish such markets so that we have control where people can transact business.” He said.

Also briefing the journalists, the commissioner of Housing and Rural Development, Architect Ahmed Buba, said since the coming of Governor Buni on board, he has constructed 9 markets and completed five ultramodern markets across the state; these include 4 modern markets that were also constructed in Yunusari, Ngalda, Machina, and Buni Yadi.

He said Yunusari, a befitting market, comprises 96 shops, 146 open stalls, and 46 stalls, where there are houses, meat shops, an administration block, a police station, a fire service station, and a banking hall, and it will boost cross-border regional trade.

The team of journalists also visited the Machina modern market, the Gashu’a-Masaba road, and the 30-kilometer Bulanguwa-Kummagana road, and the Director of Civil Engineering, Alhaji Garba Umar, said the 30-kilometer Bulanguwa-Kummagana road will be completed in the next 10 days, inshallah.

Alhaji Garba Umar revealed that a contractor has completed clearance of one hundred percent of the space and literate base, and now the execution of asphalt for about 20 kilometers is only remaining 10 kilometers.

Malam Madu Ibrahim Yunusari has commended Governor Mai Mala Buni for constructing them a befitting modern market; these, he said, will boost their businesses as well as cross-border regional trade markets with their neighboring countries.

Bego shares Buni’s achievements as journalists take a tour in Yobe