By Hassan Hussain
The National Unity and Peace Corps (NUPEC) has called on Nigerians to make peace a daily commitment, stressing the need for greater investment in justice, education, economic opportunities and dialogue to promote national stability.
The Commandant General of the National Unity and Peace Corps and the Nigerian Mines Rangers Service, Dr. Chinedu Neji, made the call in Abuja at a media briefing to commemorate the 2026 United Nations International Day of Peace.
The event, held under the theme “Invest in Peace for Everyone, Everywhere and Every Day,” focused on the need for collective efforts to address insecurity, illegal mining and other factors capable of undermining peace and development.
Dr. Neji said peace goes beyond the absence of violence, noting that it requires justice, respect for human dignity, tolerance, cooperation, security and hope.
“Peace is not something we should remember only when there is war. Peace is not merely the absence of violence. Peace is the presence of justice, respect for human life, understanding, cooperation, tolerance, dignity, security and hope. If we truly desire lasting peace, then we must be prepared to invest in it,” he said.
The Commandant-General identified illegal mining, competition over land and natural resources, environmental degradation and unemployment as some of the factors capable of fuelling tensions and insecurity in affected communities.
He advocated the establishment of a properly regulated Nigerian Mines Rangers Service through legislation, saying this would strengthen the protection of the country’s mineral resources and complement the efforts of existing security agencies.
Dr. Neji noted that the Nigerian Mines Rangers Establishment Bill, including Senate Bill 523, had been passed by the Senate and transmitted to the House of Representatives for concurrence.
He also called for a comprehensive approach to farmer-herder conflicts and other security challenges through sustained dialogue, effective law enforcement, responsible management of land and natural resources, protection of livelihoods and community-based peacebuilding.
On the 2027 general elections, Dr. Neji urged politicians and their supporters to embrace tolerance and peaceful participation.
“Election is a period where we choose our leaders. Our advice simply is that we should tolerate one another. We should invest in dialogue instead of confrontation, unity instead of division, and hope instead of despair,” he said.
He appealed to Nigerians to reject hatred, discrimination, violence and criminality, stressing that peace must be deliberately built, protected and sustained by individuals, communities and institutions.
Dr. Neji also called on relevant stakeholders in the executive and legislative arms of government to support measures aimed at strengthening the responsible management and protection of Nigeria’s mineral resources.
He urged Nigerians to invest in peace every day, saying a peaceful society would enable citizens to live in safety, dignity and hope.
