By Chinedum Treasure
The Peace and Positive Living Awareness Centre (PEPOLAC) has identified rising unemployment, poverty, illiteracy and social exclusion, particularly among young people, as major drivers of insecurity in Nigeria.
In a communiqué issued after its 2026 World Peace Day event, PEPOLAC International President, Bishop Dr. Festus Ozoemena, also blamed ethnic, religious and political divisions, the proliferation of illicit arms, misinformation, weak institutions and poor governance for worsening insecurity across the country.
The organisation expressed concern over the continued loss of lives and property, displacement of communities, psychological trauma suffered by victims and the recruitment of youths by criminal and extremist groups. It also noted that women, children, widows, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups bear the greatest burden of insecurity.
PEPOLAC stressed that lasting peace can only be achieved through justice, equity, accountability, good governance and inclusive participation, while urging stronger partnerships among government, civil society, traditional institutions and the private sector.
The group called on federal, state and local governments to strengthen intelligence gathering, institutionalise community-based conflict prevention, create jobs, invest in youth empowerment and vocational training, reduce poverty and improve collaboration among security agencies.
It also urged traditional and religious leaders to promote dialogue and tolerance, educational institutions to integrate peace education into school curricula, and the media to uphold ethical journalism by discouraging fake news and hate speech.
Reaffirming its commitment to peacebuilding, PEPOLAC called on Nigerians, regardless of ethnic, religious or political differences, to become ambassadors of peace.
According to the organisation, sustainable peace requires collective responsibility, responsible leadership and active citizen participation to transform insecurity into stability and national unity.
Tags: Nigeria, PEPOLAC, Insecurity, Peacebuilding, Unemployment
