Nigeria Leaders Urge Dialogue, Trust at International Peace Conference

By Oluwakemi Kindness

Senior security officials, faith leaders, women’s advocates, and civic organizations on Thursday urged Nigerians to embrace dialogue, empathy, and trust as tools to address rising insecurity, polarization, and social divisions.

Their calls came during the 9th International Conference on Love and Tolerance, themed “Bridging Divides, Building Trust in a Polarised World.”

The conference highlighted that sustainable peace requires inclusive, community-driven approaches, not just force.

Security Leaders Emphasize Dialogue Over Force

The National Coordinator of the National Centre for Counter-Terrorism, speaking on behalf of the Centre, Major General Adamu Garba-Laka, emphasized that extremist groups exploit social, economic, and psychological vulnerabilities.

“No country can rely solely on force to achieve lasting peace. Addressing the underlying causes of radicalization is essential,” he said.

Representing the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetoknu, ACP Fatima Gimba reaffirmed the police’s commitment to peaceful coexistence, urging active listening, empathy, and respectful engagement across communities.

Major General M.T. Ousmane, Coordinator of Peace Support Operations at the Ministry of Defence, noted:

“Societies grounded in love, tolerance, and dialogue rarely face internal conflict. Families, communities, and religious institutions must model these values.”

Faith Leaders Sound the Alarm

Cardinal John Onaiyekan delivered a passionate address, warning that while global religious leaders unite, Nigeria is increasingly divided.

“The world is coming together… Nigeria is tearing itself apart. If your politics is based on lies, you will reap the fruit of lies.”

Representatives of the Sultan of Sokoto and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) echoed this call for unity.

The Sultan’s representative highlighted Islam’s foundation of peace, urging mosques to serve as centres of justice and compassion, while CAN stressed that trust, love, and tolerance are essential for peaceful coexistence.

The President, National Council for Women’s Societies (NCWS), Edna D. D. Azura, warned that violence against women and girls, including cyber abuse, is on the rise, calling for gender justice to be central to peacebuilding efforts.

Ufuk Dialogue: Building Bridges Across Communities

The President of Ufuk Dialogue, Emrah Ilgen, urged Nigerians to reject division and embrace dialogue, empathy, and trust.

“Humanity is strongest when it chooses dialogue over suspicion, comprehension over conflict, and understanding over prejudice.”

He highlighted the organization’s decade-long work connecting faiths, cultures, and communities through interfaith programs, youth dialogues, academic engagement, and humanitarian initiatives.

He called on leaders to prioritize unity over division, wisdom over anger, and hope over fear, while empowering youth and supporting vulnerable populations.

“Let us become ambassadors of trust, soldiers of peace, and champions of dialogue. May love guide our work, may tolerance shape our actions, and may peace bless our world.”

Shared Priorities Across Sectors

All speakers agreed on three key points:

1. Rebuild trust deliberately – through honesty, truth-telling, and civic courage.
2. Celebrate diversity – religious and ethnic differences are opportunities for harmony, not conflict.
3. Focus on the real enemy – insecurity, extremism, and misinformation threaten national cohesion.

Conclusion: Peace Requires Collective Action

The conference concluded with a unified call for empathy, honest dialogue, and shared values as essential tools to overcome divisions. Cardinal Onaiyekan summarized the message:

“God did not make a mistake when He created us differently. If we welcome one another, we will build the Nigeria we all desire.”

The gathering underscored that lasting peace in Nigeria is not automatic, it requires coordinated action by security institutions, religious leaders, civil society, and communities, with youth and women as key partners.