Peace Through Creativity: The Plateau State Peace Building Agency Celebrates Month of Peace with Art Exhibition for Peace

In commemoration of the Month of Peace, the Plateau State Peace Building Agency brought together artists, performers, and peace advocates for a captivating Art Exhibition for Peace. The event transformed creativity into a bridge for healing, unity, and dialogue, proving once again that art remains one of the most powerful languages of peace.

In her remarks, Dr. Julie Sanda, Director General of the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, expressed deep appreciation to the Plateau State Government under the leadership of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, as well as GIZ, for their continued partnership in sustaining peace. She emphasized that such collaborations continue to nurture initiatives that empower communities to heal from conflict while envisioning a peaceful future.

The session featured an inspiring talk by a  peace advocate, Tim Kunat, on the theme “Art as a Voice for Peace and Healing.” He urged youths to channel their creative talents into promoting peace and unity, stressing that art transcends cultural, ethnic, and religious divides. According to him, when young people collaborate across boundaries and share positive stories about Plateau State through their creativity, they not only preserve history but also shape a future anchored on hope and reconciliation. He challenged the audience to begin to see art not merely as expression but as a vital tool for social cohesion and change.

Participants were also taken on a guided tour led by Chohu E. Joshua (Artraktion), whose paintings drew strong emotions and reflection. Coming from Irigwe land, a community scarred by repeated attacks, Joshua explained that his art is born out of pain but directed toward peace. Each painting portrayed a journey-moments of crisis, the devastation left behind, the resilience of survivors, and the beauty of cultural identity. His works stood as silent but powerful witnesses of the past, urging everyone present to choose peace over conflict and to see art as a mirror of both struggle and hope.

The program further came alive with powerful creative performances. Glisten James Creative Media thrilled the audience with a moving narration titled “Tales of Blood.” The story revolved around crisis and loss, yet ended with a character’s courageous choice of peace over vengeance, reflecting the possibility of reconciliation even in the face of grief. Eric Dakwa Creative Outlet delivered stirring spoken word poetry, while a drama titled “Are You Mad?” captivated the audience with its satirical but thought-provoking message. A musical performance on “Peace/One Plateau” added rhythm and melody to the call for harmony, leaving the hall charged with hope.

The exhibition also embraced advocacy on Environmental Justice and Climate Change, particularly through a session titled “Recycling for Art” facilitated by the Centre for Earth Work (CFEW). The group highlighted how recycling waste materials into art not only preserves the environment but also creates meaningful opportunities for youth empowerment and employment. Their presentation emphasized that sustainable peace is tied to sustainable development, and that protecting the environment is as important as protecting human lives.

In her closing remarks, Dr. Julie Sanda commended all the groups and individuals for their inspiring contributions. She noted that the performances and artworks did more than entertain, they gave voice to the silenced, honored those lost to conflict, and reminded everyone of the urgent need for peaceful coexistence.

The event ended with a resounding message: peace is not an abstract ideal but a choice that must be nurtured every day. Through art, music, drama, and environmental responsibility, Plateau’s youths and communities are showing that they can transform pain into purpose, division into unity, and brokenness into beauty.