By Palma Ileye
Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, has restated the commitment of the Corps, in promoting peace in the country saying that the NSCDC plays a pivotal role in creating an environment where development can thrive.
Odumosu stated this yesterday during a Peace Symposium held at the University of Abuja, Main Campus, as part of efforts on peace-building and sustainable development.
The Peace Symposium was held in collaboration with Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria, SPRiNG.
Speaking on the theme: “Advancing Peace Through the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs,” he said it was not only timely but very apt, because Nigeria and the entire world, faces threats ranging from violent extremism, communal conflicts, cybercrime, and environmental degradation, to poverty, inequality, and youth unemployment.
He said, “All of these issues possess security concern and a development challenge. Yet, in the face of these challenges, we are reminded of a timeless truth that: Peace is not the absence of conflict—it is the presence of justice, opportunity, and hope. It remains the cornerstone of human progress. Without Peace, development becomes elusive; without development, Peace becomes fragile.”
The FCT boss said that as a security agency with the core mandate to safeguard critical national assets and infrastructure, protection of lives and property, it was important to collaborate with other stakeholders in conflict prevention and resolution.
On peace and the SDGs, he said that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States, offers a transformative blueprint for global progress explaining that, “Among its 17 goals, SDG 16—Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions—is foundational and central to the success of all others. We cannot eradicate poverty, SDG 1, achieve quality education, SDG 4, ensure gender equality, SDG 5, or foster economic growth, SDG 8, without peace.
“Conversely, without progress in these goals, peace itself cannot be sustained. In essence, Peace is both the driver and the outcome of sustainable development.”
Highlighting the roles of NSCDC in advancing the SDGs he said, “As a security agency with the core mandate to safeguard critical national assets and infrastructure, protection of lives and property, and collaborate with other stakeholders in conflict prevention and resolution, the NSCDC plays a pivotal role in creating an environment where development can thrive.”
He also explained the place of academia in Peace-Building saying that the Universities were not just centers of learning but hubs of innovation and leadership training and by integrating Peace education, sustainable development studies, and civic responsibility into curriculum, a new generation of Nigerians who will not only dream of a better society but actively build it could be nurtured.
He encouraged the students saying that, “Over 60% of Nigeria’s population is under 30. This demographic is both a challenge and an opportunity therefore if Peace is to be sustainable, it must be youth-led; Digital misinformation fuels 40% of communal conflicts in Nigeria. Your voice online and offline can either build bridges or burn them.
“Climate change displaces over 1 million Nigerians annually. Your advocacy can protect both people and planet and that Nigeria ranks 118 out of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index. We can do better. And we will—through education, inclusion, and civic engagement.”
“Peace is not a luxury—it is a necessity. It is the foundation upon which education, health, innovation, and prosperity are built,” he said urging, “You are not just the leaders of tomorrow—you are the architects of today.”
The Commandant expressed gratitude to the leadership of the University of Abuja for their unwavering commitment to peace education and civic engagements also to its partner, SPRiNG, for their timely and strategic support.
He stated that this collaboration between NSCDC and the University of Abuja exemplifies the synergy needed between security institutions and academic communities to achieve peace and the SDGs.
In his call to action, he said, “Let this symposium be more than just a gathering, let it be a movement. Join the Student Peace Ambassador Network; Launch a campus-based SDG advocacy project; Use your platforms to promote peace journalism; Collaborate with NSCDC on community outreach; Hold your leaders accountable to the University Peace and SDG Charter.
Meanwhile, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Matthew Adamu who spoke on the importance of peace in nation building said that for Nigeria and the global community to achieve peace, justice and fairness must prevail.
He pointed out in the past 15 years, peace has eluded Nigeria as a nation, because one can hardly travel freely across the length and breadth of the nation without praying on the road to get to your destination safely.
Adamu said, “Yes, we have relative peace in this country, but we all know that in the past 15 years or so, peace is one thing that has eluded us as a nation. You can hardly travel freely across the length and breadth of this country, without praying on the road so that you can get to your destination safely.
“For you to have peace, whether in your home or in your community, you must first look at the issue of justice and fairness. You cannot hijack my resources, and you are asking me that we should discuss peace.
“The first thing to do is to give me what belongs to me, and let justice prevail, then peace can naturally come up. And once there is peace, we can then begin to discuss the issue of development.”
The VC stated that to realise the 17-point agenda of the United Nations, UN, Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, the world must ensure that first, there is peace adding that, “The SDGs agenda, from point one to 17, such as zero hunger, lack of poverty, accessible healthcare, and education, including other lofty ideas, are something that will elude us as people and as the world, without peace.
“So, what we are advocating today is that everywhere on the surface of the earth, where wars are ongoing, the gladiators should please, on this day that we are celebrating peace, everybody should allow peace to reign, even if for 24 hours. Let have peace, because without it we cannot move forward as a people.”
Also, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Science, University of Abuja, Mutiullah Olasupo stressed on the need for peace-building, adding that justice was also needed for peaceful coexistence and development.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ukoha Ukiwo, Team Leader of Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria, SPRiNG, in his goodwill message, appreciated the collaboration which was aimed at peace-building and commemorating the World Peace Day which is celebrated on 21st September, annually.
