By Genesis Ogiri
Lagos, September 21, 2025 — The United Nations International Day of Peace was marked in Lagos with renewed urgency as Engr. (Amb.) Dr. Chinedu Ogwus, President of the Ogwus Youth Empowerment and Community Development Organization (OYECDO), delivered a rallying message that placed young people firmly at the center of global peacebuilding.
Speaking before a distinguished audience of diplomats, civil society leaders, scholars, and youth activists at the event organized by the Institute of Global Peace and Conflict Management, Dr. Ogwus declared that the future of peace lies in the hands of the young.
“Peace is not a gift handed to us, it is a legacy we must create,” he said, urging governments, civil society, and international partners to channel greater investment into youth-driven initiatives that address both conflict and development.
With passion, he issued a dual appeal: first, to leaders across all sectors to prioritize youth inclusion in policymaking, and second, to young people themselves to rise above fear and apathy. “Peace is possible, and it is young people who will make it happen. We must build bridges where others build walls, and plant seeds of hope where others sow fear,” he affirmed, drawing applause from the audience.
Dr. Ogwus maintained that peace is not just a moral imperative but the very bedrock of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Without peace, there can be no quality education, no gender equality, no decent work, no climate action,” he emphasized, warning that the SDGs would remain elusive unless governments and institutions embed peacebuilding at the center of policy and action.
He urged leaders at all levels to match words with action. “Our ambition must be bold. We must integrate peacebuilding into every development initiative. We must ensure that our policies are inclusive, our institutions are transparent, and our communities are resilient.”
His words carried special weight because of OYECDO’s proven record. In recent years, the organization has emerged as one of Nigeria’s most influential youth-led movements, blending empowerment with peacebuilding in ways that are visibly transforming communities. From the restive creeks of the Niger Delta to the bustling streets of Lagos, OYECDO’s footprint has been unmistakable.
The organization has trained more than 1,210 young people in leadership and conflict resolution, many of whom now serve as mediators and peace advocates. It has supported over 40 youth-run enterprises, demonstrating that peace and prosperity are inseparable. Its distribution of 270 solar-powered lights to underserved areas has improved both safety and educational opportunities.
Sports have also become a tool for unity under OYECDO’s watch. The Upata Unity Cup, one of its flagship “Sports for Peace” programs, has not only eased long-standing communal tensions but also unearthed new talent, with four players scouted into the De Cardinal Football Academy. In schools, OYECDO has engaged more than 5,000 students through peace education programs that instill empathy, tolerance, and conflict resolution skills.
Equally striking are the organization’s interventions with vulnerable groups. Rehabilitation programs for youth offenders have reduced illegal oil activities in the Niger Delta, boosting regional stability. Relief efforts for widows and displaced persons have provided much-needed lifelines, while the EKO SAFE PROJECT in Lagos, launched in partnership with the Coalition of Nigerian Youths on Security and Safety Affairs, has introduced a state-wide road safety campaign to promote responsible citizenship.
Together, these milestones underscore OYECDO’s evolution from a grassroots initiative into a continental voice for peace and youth empowerment. The presence of its official delegation comprising Ekanem Ekanem, Oyinkansola Daramola, Jessica Eke, Chinwe Ezenwa, and Hadji Kwame, reinforced its ethos of inclusive leadership and collective responsibility in shaping a peaceful world.
For many at the Lagos gathering, the event did more than mark Peace Day — it cemented OYECDO’s reputation as a beacon of youth innovation and peace leadership. Its trajectory demonstrates how local action, driven by empowered young people, can contribute not just to national stability but also to global peace.
As Nigeria joined the rest of the world in commemorating Peace Day 2025, one truth rang loudest: with OYECDO’s vision and its young ambassadors of peace, the dream of a peaceful world is no longer distant , it is already unfolding.