Peace Initiative by Human Light Humanitarian Foundation Kicks Off in Kwara State
In a press conference held on Monday, the Human Light Humanitarian Foundation, supported by Leap Africa and the Nigeria Youth Future Funds, officially launched the “Advancing Peace, Unity, Empathy, and Inclusion” project in Ilorin.
The foundation’s program lead, Afolabi Waliu Olanrewaju, detailed the initiative’s objectives and strategies aimed at fostering a harmonious future for all residents of Kwara State.
“Only societies that exhibit tolerance, mutual respect, and a culture of understanding can secure a prosperous future,” stated Olanrewaju.
The project emerges in response to increasing societal tensions that threaten the state’s peace, demanding a robust and comprehensive strategy to address these challenges before they escalate.
Olanrewaju emphasized that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a dynamic state of harmony that fosters communal growth and prosperity. “Based on this realization, we find it urgent to prepare and execute this robust peace plan to address areas of disunity, marginalization, religious intolerance, and discrimination,” he explained.
The initiative, set to be implemented over ten months, will roll out in phases, focusing on three main objectives:
1. Youth Peace and Civic Enlightenment Campaign: This cornerstone of the project will mobilize youth from all local governments to lead peace-building efforts within their communities. By equipping them with necessary skills, the foundation aims to empower young people as drivers of change, ensuring deep penetration of peace-building messages throughout the state.
2. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership: The project plans strategic engagement with influential community members from the start to the end, including government bodies and local leaders, to ensure the initiative’s goals are deeply integrated into the societal fabric.
3. Promoting Open Dialogue and Community Engagement: The project will facilitate dialogue sessions across Kwara State, involving various community members to address and neutralize ongoing misunderstandings and tensions. These sessions will include activities in public tertiary institutions and senatorial retreats aimed at fostering direct participation in peace-building conversations.
“We are determined to facilitate a collaborative effort with the youth to ensure that the peace-building effort is sustained even after the completion of the project cycle,” said Olanrewaju.
He highlighted the importance of continuous dialogue and engagement, not only to address immediate concerns but also to build a lasting foundation for civic participation and peace.
The project’s success, Olanrewaju notes, would make Kwara State a model of peaceful coexistence and civic enlightenment, echoing the foundation’s commitment to creating a more inclusive society.
He urged the people of Kwara State to embrace the initiative, contributing actively to its success.
“We remain confident that by the end of this project cycle, we will have set in motion the process of transforming Kwara State into a beacon of peace and inclusivity,” concluded Olanrewaju, expressing gratitude towards the foundation’s partners for recognizing the urgency and importance of the project.
