Minna: The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria has called on Nigerians to embrace unity, tolerance, and dialogue to address insecurity and deepen social cohesion across the country. Rev. John Joseph-Hayab, Country Director of GPF, made this appeal during the commemoration of the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, organized by GPF in Minna on Wednesday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event, themed ‘Promoting Tolerance, Inclusion, Understanding and Solidarity,’ gathered faith leaders, traditional rulers, government officials, security agencies, women and youth leaders, civil society organizations, and members of the media in a shared commitment to peace. Joseph-Hayab emphasized that the presence of these participants was a powerful statement that, despite insecurity, mistrust, and division, Nigerians still believed in dialogue, unity, and shared humanity.
He elaborated that the vision of GPF affirms that all people, regardless of religious, ethnic, or cultural differences, belong to one shared human family with a common origin. Peaceful coexistence, he noted, is deeply rooted in Nigeria’s cultural values, faith, traditions, and collective history. Across diverse identities, people share common aspirations to live in safety, raise children with dignity, and build communities where diversity is respected.
The country director stressed that the theme of the event highlighted the need to counter narratives of fear, suspicion, and exclusion that have weakened trust and social cohesion. Peaceful coexistence, he explained, requires courage to listen, understand, and work together for the common good, demanding deliberate efforts from faith leaders, traditional rulers, women, youths, and government institutions.
Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger, represented by Mr. Maurice Magaji, Commissioner of Homeland Security, reiterated his administration’s commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence through both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to security and conflict resolution. He emphasized the importance of dialogue, advocacy, and community engagement to strengthen peaceful coexistence, underscoring the need for continuous engagement with religious and opinion leaders to foster mutual understanding and respect.
In her keynote address, Hajiya Hadiza Kuta, Commissioner for Women Affairs, described peace as an integral part of human life, urging Nigerians to embrace peaceful coexistence as a pathway to happiness and social stability. She stressed that peace remains the most critical need of society, and people must learn to live together irrespective of religious or cultural differences.
In their goodwill messages, Rev. Bulus Yohanna, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger, and Alhaji Yakubu Bosso, Chairman of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in the state, highlighted the foundational role of peace in meaningful development and urged Nigerians to preach peace wherever they found themselves.