The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, Relief International Africa, security agencies, and members of civil society organizations have restated their commitment to building and sustaining a peaceful society.
They made the pledge on Saturday, September 20, in Port Harcourt during the commemoration of the 2025 International Peace Day themed “Act Now for a Peaceful World’.
Represented by CSP Henry King Ogbuefi, Divisional Police Officer of Nkpolu Division, CP Adepoju assured residents of the command’s determination to maintain peace.
“When there is peace, we have a lot of time to rest and do other things. We will continue to do our best to give you a peaceful environment. When crime is less, the environment will be calm,” he said.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Green Isaac, Executive Director of Relief International Africa, stressed that peace requires deliberate effort.
“Peace will never be handed over to us on a silver platter. It is built brick by brick, action by action, choice by choice. Only a peace built on truth, justice, and equality will last,” he stated.
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Delivering his lecture, Prof. Etim Frank of the University of Uyo emphasized the need for global ceasefire and community involvement in peacebuilding initiatives.
Similarly, Prof. Mbalisi Onyeka Festus of the University of Port Harcourt, speaking on “Words Over Weapons: Literacy as a Tool for Conflict Resolution,” said literacy empowers individuals to communicate, negotiate, and understand diverse perspectives to resolve conflicts peacefully.
Also, Dr. Sophia Sonime Daniels, in her lecture “Empowering Minds, Ending Conflicts,” highlighted the role of education in promoting tolerance, critical thinking, and respect for diversity as a pathway to peace and sustainable development.
The event featured a panel discussion on human rights, the launch of weekly human rights discussions, tech startups, and storytelling platforms by Relief International Africa. Awards were also presented to individuals for their contributions to peacebuilding.
International Peace Day is celebrated globally every September 21 to promote peaceful coexistence and justice.
