NOA, Peace Advocates Rally Ondo Residents Ahead of Elections
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and peace advocates on Friday took their campaign for peaceful coexistence to the streets of Akure, Ondo State, urging residents to embrace tolerance, dialogue and unity as the country approaches another electoral season.
The call was made during the Akure Peace Walk 2026, organised by the JY Oluseye Community Peace Cluster under the Global Advocates of Peace Flag Initiative, in collaboration with the NOA, to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Peace.
Leading the campaign, the Director of NOA in Ondo State, Mrs. Bolanle Oguntuase, urged residents to deliberately choose peace over conflict and avoid actions and utterances capable of creating division and tension in their communities.
Themed “Cultivating a Culture of Peace for a Better Future,” the walk attracted security personnel, journalists, students, women, youths, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), volunteers, peace advocates and other stakeholders.
Participants commenced the walk from the Adegbemile Cultural Centre and proceeded through the Deji’s Palace axis and Arakale before ending at the NEPA area, displaying messages promoting peace, unity, tolerance and harmony.
Speaking during the exercise, Oguntuase stressed the importance of peaceful relationships among citizens irrespective of ethnic, tribal, religious or other differences.
She also urged political actors, their supporters and members of the public to maintain peaceful relationships as Nigeria moves towards another electoral period, advocating dialogue instead of confrontation.
According to her, peaceful coexistence remains critical to the development of any society and should not be seen solely as the responsibility of government.
She said individuals, families, schools, community organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders all have roles to play in promoting peace and responsible citizenship.
Oguntuase added that the NOA would continue to support initiatives aimed at strengthening national unity, peaceful coexistence and responsible citizenship across the country.
The coordinator of the JY Oluseye Community Peace Cluster, Mrs. Yetunde Ojo, said the organisation was committed to peace advocacy, conflict prevention and resolution, women empowerment and inclusive learning.
Ojo disclosed that the group had established peace clubs in schools and communities, including one inaugurated at Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure, in June 2026.
She said plans were underway to extend the initiative to other secondary schools across Ondo State to expose young people to the principles and practice of peacebuilding.
The coordinator also disclosed that members of the peace cluster could access online courses on peace and conflict resolution, while additional programmes had been scheduled for residents before the end of the year.
She added that an event to recognise young peace ambassadors was also being planned.
At the conclusion of the walk at the NEPA Bus Stop, Ojo thanked participants and organisers for the successful exercise, noting that no accident or untoward incident was recorded throughout the movement.
She encouraged more residents to join peace clusters and participate in peacebuilding activities, saying membership provides opportunities for learning, networking and exposure to peace-related initiatives within Nigeria and beyond.
The organisers said the peace walk was aimed at reinforcing the message that sustainable development requires peaceful communities and citizens committed to dialogue, tolerance and mutual respect.
