From the Streets of Jos: A Walk for Peacebuilding and Unity as PSPBA Marks the 2026 International Day of Peace
As the world prepares to mark the 2026 International Day of Peace, the Plateau State Peace Building Agency (PSPBA) has taken the message of peace to the streets of Jos, bringing together government representatives, civil society organisations, development partners, youths and peace advocates in a symbolic walk for unity and peaceful coexistence. The Peace Walk, held in line with the theme, “Invest in Peace for Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” provided a platform for stakeholders to reaffirm that peace is not merely an aspiration but a shared responsibility that requires daily commitment and collective action.
Setting the tone for the engagement, Mr. Kenneth Dakop, Team Lead, Strategic Communication, PSPBA, described the Peace Walk as more than a commemorative activity, but a deliberate platform for taking the message of peace beyond conference rooms and into communities. He noted that the International Day of Peace offers an opportunity to reflect on the importance of peaceful coexistence while encouraging citizens to become active participants in building resilient and harmonious communities. He stressed that sustainable peace requires everyone to play a part by promoting dialogue, rejecting violence and strengthening relationships across communities.
Speaking at the Peace Walk, the Director-General of the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, Dr. Julie Sanda, called on everyone to embrace peace and make it a shared responsibility. With this year’s theme, “Invest in Peace for Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” she stressed that building a peaceful society requires collective commitment, resilience and action. She urged individuals, communities and organisations to take responsibility for promoting peace, one community at a time, towards achieving a peaceful Plateau State.
Building on this, Dr. Sanda highlighted the Plateau State Government’s sustained commitment to peacebuilding, noting that the establishment of the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, which marks its 10th anniversary this year, demonstrates a decade of institutional commitment. She explained that peace goes beyond security, as investments in education, healthcare and infrastructure that connect communities are equally investments in peace. She reaffirmed the Agency’s presence across Plateau with a consistent message: “Let us build a peaceful Plateau together.”
Similarly, Mrs. Lantana Bako Abdullahi, Executive Director of Women for Positive Peacebuilding Initiative (WOBI), emphasised that peacebuilding is a responsibility shared by all. She encouraged citizens to report information responsibly, maintain peaceful relationships and support initiatives that strengthen their communities. Reflecting on the devastating impact of violence, she stressed the need for individuals and communities to work together to prevent further loss of lives. She also noted that despite negative perceptions, Plateau State remains a place where people live, work and thrive, describing the Peace Walk as an opportunity to demonstrate the state’s commitment to sustainable peace. She added that WOBI focuses on empowering women, youths and traditional leaders to participate in mediation, conflict resolution and community peacebuilding.
Adding his voice to the call, Hon. Afwangs OJ, Special Adviser to the Plateau State Governor on Budget, described peace as a vital asset and an essential foundation for development. Representing the Governor, he reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to working with civil society organisations and peace practitioners to sustain peace and security in Plateau State. He urged citizens to emulate the Governor’s passion for peace by promoting, practising and living peacefully, stressing that a peaceful environment is indispensable to the development and prosperity of the state.
The goodwill messages further reflected the collective nature of the peacebuilding agenda. Mr. Bali Nanman, President of the Plateau Peace Practitioners Network (PPPN), reaffirmed the importance of collaboration among peace actors, communities and institutions in strengthening peace efforts across the state. Hon. Afwangs OJ reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote peaceful coexistence, while GIZ representive underscored the importance of sustained partnerships, community engagement and inclusive approaches to peacebuilding, particularly in strengthening local capacity to prevent and manage conflicts.
Against this backdrop, the Peace Walk became a powerful public expression of solidarity for peace. Commencing from the Old Airport Junction Roundabout in Jos, participants walked together with a shared message of unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, demonstrating that peacebuilding is not the responsibility of government or peace agencies alone, but a collective duty of citizens, communities, development partners, youths, traditional institutions and civil society.
Ultimately, the 2026 International Day of Peace activities in Plateau State offered more than a moment of celebration; they provided a renewed call to action. As stakeholders walked side by side through Jos, the message was clear: peace must be invested in, nurtured and practised every day. From one community to another, the collective responsibility remains to build a Plateau where dialogue replaces violence, unity overcomes division, and every citizen has a role in sustaining lasting peace.
