By Ruth Dabo
As the world marked the International Day of Peace with renewed calls for dialogue, tolerance, and collective action, the Nigeria’s Armed Forces have joined the global community in reaffirming their commitment to peacebuilding and humanitarian support.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations, Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole, emphasized that peace remains the bedrock of unity and development in Nigeria.
He noted that the Armed Forces are not only committed to defending the nation against external and internal threats but are also focused on strengthening trust with communities through humanitarian interventions such as the outreach at the Durumi IDP Camp in Abuja.
According to General Musa, the outreach went beyond distributing food and relief materials, as it also aimed to educate displaced persons on the importance of maintaining peace and safety in their communities. He underscored the role of women in peacebuilding, stressing that they were prioritized in the distribution because of their influence in families and their capacity to instill values of tolerance and morality in children.
He further urged parents to raise their children with strong moral and religious guidance, warning against drug abuse, violence, and crime, which undermine national security and development. General Musa also reiterated the Armed Forces’ appeal for Nigerians to embrace peace and unity, noting that without them, no society can achieve meaningful progress.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Managing Director of Rapid TV, Faith Dafe, the Acting General Manager, North Central, Mr. Godwin Amunde, praised the Defence Headquarters for the initiative and pledged the station’s continued support in amplifying the voices of IDPs and promoting peace advocacy nationwide.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Durumi IDP Camp, Ibrahim Ahmadu, expressed gratitude to the Defence Headquarters and Rapid TV for their intervention, saying the support rekindled hope and gave displaced families a sense of belonging.
In his remarks, the Coordinator and Spokesman of IDP camps across the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Idris Halilu, aged 71, highlighted the broader challenges faced by displaced persons in Abuja’s 18 camps scattered across the six Area Councils. He commended the Armed Forces for their consistent engagement, describing General Musa and Rear Admiral Bankole as dependable allies of displaced families.
“I used to wonder why it was always the military reaching out to us, until I realized that they are not only defenders of the nation but also witnesses to our suffering. The Nigerian Armed Forces have stood by us as victims of insurgency, and today they have once again proven their humanity,” Halilu said.
He appealed to both the Nigerian government and the international community to intensify their support for IDPs, stressing that Nigeria has long played active roles in global peace missions. “Since my youth, Nigeria has helped other countries during wars and crises. It is now time for the world to help Nigeria. We call on the international community to fulfill promises made at global forums, such as the climate summit in Dubai earlier this year, to support peace and humanitarian interventions in Nigeria. The best solution for IDPs is to end the war and restore peace,” he added.
The International Day of Peace, established by the United Nations in 1981, is devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among nations. It serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to end conflict, promote reconciliation, and create conditions where communities can thrive without fear.
Highlights of the outreach included the distribution of food items, household provisions, and educational materials to women and children, as well as peace education talks delivered by military officers, including Flight Lieutenant Ayaka David Kotso.
The event ended with prayers for peace and unity in Nigeria, as the Defence Headquarters reiterated its readiness to continue strengthening civil-military relations while advancing initiatives that foster peace, security, and development.
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