The Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on North Central Community Engagement, Dr. Abiodun Essiet, has reiterated that a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria is achievable through unity and strengthened social cohesion among the nation’s diverse ethnic, cultural, and religious groups.
Dr. Essiet made this assertion during a Community Workshop and Inauguration of Community-Based Peace Structures held in Benue State. The event was organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), in collaboration with the International Communities Organisation (ICO) and the North Central Development Commission.
In her address, Dr. Essiet described the initiative as a milestone in advancing peace, fostering inclusive development, and deepening social cohesion across the North Central region and Nigeria at large.
“A peaceful and prosperous Nigeria is achievable in unity. This event marks a significant step toward strengthening collaboration among communities, promoting understanding, and sustaining peace through inclusive engagement,” she stated.
Dr. Essiet noted that her office had earlier launched the Presidential Community Engagement Peace Initiative (PCEPI) — a demonstration of President Tinubu’s commitment to building safer communities and embedding citizens at the heart of peacebuilding efforts.
She explained that the ongoing project, “Promoting Community Peace and Strengthening Social Cohesion in North Central Nigeria,” is part of Nigeria’s broader commitment to implementing the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations, in partnership with the ICO.
According to her, the project’s first phase — a stakeholders’ capacity-building training held in Abuja on September 9 — brought together participants from across the North Central region. The session enabled stakeholders to analyse security challenges, conduct SWOT analyses, and identify sustainable peace interventions, the outcomes of which informed the newly inaugurated community-based peace structures in Benue.
The presidential aide added that community leaders, traditional rulers, farmers’ associations, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), women’s and youth groups from all 23 local government areas of Benue State were invited to take active roles in shaping these peace structures.
“The core purpose of this initiative is to complement the work of security agencies and support the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation through its community peace committees.
“We are working collaboratively to expand these structures into areas yet to be covered, strengthening intelligence gathering, early warning systems, and community dialogue,” Dr. Essiet explained.
She emphasised that the new peace structures will also serve as grassroots communication channels for federal government initiatives, ensuring communities remain informed, engaged, and connected to national development policies.
Dr. Essiet further revealed that her office is collaborating closely with the North Central Development Commission to sustain dialogue, empower local voices, and translate peacebuilding into tangible improvements in security, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
“Building social cohesion is not a one-off event; it is a continuous journey requiring patience, inclusiveness, and collective commitment,” she said. “When no one is left behind, development becomes sustainable and peace becomes enduring.”
Concluding her address, Dr. Essiet called on all Nigerians to embrace unity and shared purpose in building a peaceful and prosperous nation.
“Let us seize this moment to work together — not as separate communities, but as one united people — determined to build a peaceful and prosperous Benue State, and by extension, a stronger Nigeria,” she urged.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, who was represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, expressed appreciation for the peacebuilding efforts, saying that it is a step in the right direction.
The Governor stated that, the state’s goal is to ensure a peaceful Benue in line with the president’s initiative, adding that the state has been making several collaborative efforts, in its unwavering commitment to ensuring peace, security, and stability in Benue State, to foster good governance and development.
Mr Vitalis Neji, Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Benue Chapter, said peace is key to achieving sustainable development.
Neji commended the SSA on North Central Community Engagement on the initiative, which he described as timely.
The ALGON boss pledged the support and cooperation of local government chairmen for the sustenance of the initiative.
The Chairman of All Farmers Association (AFAN), Pastor Ernest Atoji, said that farmers in the state craved enduring peace to enable them to continue with their farming activities.
Atoji, who lauded the organisers of the event, pleaded with stakeholders to give peace a chance.
Traditional rulers, and other participants at the event assure their commitment to working together to improve the lives of everyone and promote cohesive development, especially during challenging times.
