Rotary, Presidency Unite To Champion Nationwide Peace Movement

According to Ireporter Online, the Rotary Action Group for Peace (RAGFP) has announced a strategic partnership with the Federal Government, through the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), to advance peace and stability across communities in Nigeria. The collaboration will drive the implementation of the National Community Violence Reduction Programme (NCVRP), a comprehensive initiative aimed at curbing violence and strengthening grassroots peacebuilding mechanisms nationwide.

RAGFP, the civil society arm of Rotary International, has long championed initiatives that promote behavior, structures, and institutions supporting peacebuilding, peacemaking, and peacekeeping. Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, the District Governor of Rotary District 9112, Lanre Adedoyin, emphasized that peace remains the foundation for human progress and societal development, stressing that no nation can thrive in the absence of peace.

“Peace begins with a smile,” Adedoyin said, reiterating Rotary’s global commitment to fostering harmony. “Wherever we are, we give peace a chance because peace is the foundation of man’s activity. Across the world, Rotary promotes peace through its peace centers in countries such as Uganda and India, and by supporting various community peace initiatives.”

He revealed that Rotary has sponsored several capacity-building programs for police officers, customs personnel, and public servants to enhance their skills in conflict prevention and resolution.

Also speaking, RAGFP Lagos State Coordinator, Adebukunola Soile-Balogun, highlighted that peacebuilding and conflict prevention remain central to Rotary’s mission. She reaffirmed the group’s commitment to collaborating with both state governments and the Presidency to sustain peace and mutual understanding across the country.

Soile-Balogun noted that the Lagos branch has already implemented several impactful interventions, including a Peace Walk in Isheri North, a community peace accord signing, and the establishment of the Isheri Community Peace and Security Council. She further disclosed that RAGFP has organized youth engagement seminars in collaboration with key agencies such as the NDLEA, EFCC, and ICPC, while also initiating vocational training programs for inmates at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.