Sustained Grassroots Dialogue Key To Peace, National Unity, Says GPFN

The Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN) has reiterated the importance of continuous community-based engagement as a catalyst for lasting peace and national unity in Nigeria.

At a high-level roundtable on Wednesday in Kaduna, stakeholders, including religious leaders, youth advocates, women’s groups, and civil society actors, convened to explore the power of grassroots dialogue in fostering cohesion in a country marked by ethnic and religious diversity.

Delivering the keynote address, the country director, GPFN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, emphasised that dialogue must transcend conflict resolution and become a lifestyle in communities long fractured by identity politics and socio-cultural fault lines.

According to Hayab, Dialogue is the bridge that connects people, dispels fear, and builds trust.
He said, “In a state like Kaduna, where divisions are often politicised, we need consistent platforms for grassroots conversations. Peace cannot be legislated; it must be cultivated from the bottom.”
He urged Nigerians to reflect on how inclusive dialogue can strengthen democracy and national cohesion.

“It is time to go beyond crisis-driven responses and embrace proactive dialogue that unites us as one people. The future of our democracy depends on it.”

Also speaking, the village head of Hayin Bankin, Alhaji Mahmud Shehu Galadima, lauded the use of dialogue in building consensus and resolving disputes, urging other communities to adopt the same approach.

“What you cannot achieve through force, you can achieve through dialogue.”

One of the participants, Adama Ibrahim, described the transformation in Hayin Bankin as remarkable, attributing it to GPFN’s sustained peacebuilding initiatives.

“We’ve witnessed real change here. I hope other communities follow this example by promoting peaceful coexistence.”

Goodwill messages poured in from top religious and community leaders. Rev. Caleb Ma’aji, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State chapter, and Ibrahim Kufena, secretary general of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), both commended GPFN’s ongoing peace efforts in areas like Hayin Bankin.

They noted that the foundation had invested substantial time and compassion in building inter-community trust and urged residents to consolidate the progress by embracing shared values.

The event, “One Family Under God: Advancing Peace through Dialogue in Local Communities,” featured panel discussions on interfaith mediation, youth engagement, and intercultural respect. Participants shared experiences from various local peacebuilding initiatives, with Hayab highlighting the need for structured, proactive dialogue mechanisms that elevate the voices of faith leaders, women, and youth.