The African Youth Peace Corps (AYPC) on Monday, September 21st, joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2026 United Nations International Day of Peace with an International Press Conference in Abuja and courtesy visits to the traditional ruler of Dutse in Bwari Area Council.
The activities to mark the day, began at the AYPC Abuja office, at Suite 13, Candullux Plaza, Dutse Junction, Kubwa Expressway, Abuja, with this year’s themed *”Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”*
Addressing journalists at the press conference, the Continental President of AYPC, Amb. Dr Abdulwaheed Odewale, said peace remains the foundation for national development and continental integration.
According to him, Nigeria and Africa cannot achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Agenda 2063 if peace is taken for granted.
“For too long, we have invested billions in responding to violence after it happens, but little in preventing it before it happens. You cannot shoot your way to peace. You must educate your way to peace,” he said.
He noted that the 2026 theme was a call to action for government, traditional institutions, private sector and youths to invest time, dialogue, justice and opportunity in peace.
“The youth bulge in Africa is either a peace dividend or a conflict time bomb. What it becomes depends on the investment we make today,” he added.
Odewale stressed that AYPC’s core objective remains Peace Education and Community Transformation, adding that the Corps seeks to establish its influence across Africa and down to the local government and communities, even in schools, facilitating interfaith dialogues and leading deradicalization campaigns in communities affected by violent extremism.
He called on the Federal and state governments to collaborate with the Corps to change the narrative for mass of youths in the country, from conflict actors to peace actors, enhancing the quest for peace and stability across the country, even acting as early warning systems.
Immediately after the press conference, which was covered by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the AYPC leadership and members proceeded on courtesy visit to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Dutse, in Bwari Government Area.
At his palace, the monarch commended AYPC for its youth-driven peacebuilding model and pledged the support of the traditional council for community-based peace advocacy.
The monarch, further noted that traditional institutions remain the custodians of grassroots harmony and assured the Corps of collaboration in fostering unity in the district.
The World Peace Day celebration, which attracted AYPC coordinators and members from across the FCT, ended with a renewed commitment to promote inclusiveness, tolerance and non-violence.
The International Day of Peace is observed globally on September 21 every year as declared by the United Nations General Assembly.