IPC Marks International Day of Peace with Peace Education, Debate and Launch of Shalom Peace Club
The Initiative for Peace and Comfort (IPC) has commemorated the 2026 International Day of Peace with a peace education programme at Shalom Model College, where students were encouraged to embrace tolerance, dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution.
The programme, held on Monday, 21 September 2026, under the theme “Promoting Peace Among Young People,” brought together students, teachers, school management and members of the IPC team for an interactive session focused on the role of young people in building peaceful schools and communities.
The International Day of Peace is observed annually to promote the ideals of peace and encourage efforts towards ending conflict and violence. In line with its peacebuilding mandate, IPC used the occasion to engage young people on practical ways they can contribute to peaceful coexistence.
The IPC team arrived at the school at about 12:00 p.m. and was received by the school principal, teachers and students who had gathered at the school hall.
The programme opened with the singing of the National Anthem, State Anthem and School Anthem.
Esther Ita, the Administrative Assistant introduced IPC to the students and highlighted the organisation’s commitment to peacebuilding, development, empowerment and positive social change.
The Director of the Shalom school, Pastor Matthew, delivered the opening remarks. He emphasised the importance of peace and encouraged the students to recognise their individual responsibilities in creating a peaceful environment.
Speaking on the importance of peace, IPC Project Manager, Michael Babatunde urged the students to embrace peaceful coexistence and resolve disagreements through communication and dialogue rather than violence.
The session was further made interactive by the Project Assistant Feyi Amao, who engaged the students with questions about their understanding and experiences of peace.
The students actively participated, sharing their definitions of peace and identifying symbols associated with peace. Among the responses, a handkerchief and the colour white were identified as symbols of peace.
The students also presented a special performance on peace, demonstrating their understanding of peaceful relationships and coexistence.
Prof. Comfort Onifade Encourages Students to Become Peace Ambassadors
The President of IPC, Prof. Comfort Onifade, also addressed the students and encouraged them to become agents of peace in their school, homes and communities.
She emphasised the importance of peaceful communication, tolerance and respect for others, urging the students to practise these values in their daily interactions.
Prof. Onifade appreciated the school management and teachers for supporting the programme and prayed for the teachers and the school.
One of the engaging highlights of the programme was a debate session that allowed the students to examine different perspectives on peace and conflict resolution.
Students argued for and against the motion “There can be no peace without war.”
The session provided the students with an opportunity to express their opinions, think critically and listen respectfully to views different from their own.
At the conclusion of the debate, Michael commended the students for their active participation, while Prof. Comfort Onifade also praised the participants.
As encouragement, IPC presented exercise books, novels and pens to students who participated in the debate.
A major highlight of the celebration was the official inauguration of the Shalom Peace Club, established to provide students with a platform to promote peace and peaceful relationships within the school.
Selected students were inaugurated as members of the club by Prof. Onifade.
While inaugurating the students, Prof. Onifade encouraged them to take their responsibilities seriously and become positive examples to their peers by promoting tolerance, respect, dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution.
The inauguration marked an important step in extending peace education beyond a single event, providing students with an avenue to continue learning and practising peacebuilding principles.
IPC also expressed its commitment to supporting the Peace Club and participating in its future meetings and activities.
The programme also featured an interactive question-and-answer session during which students had the opportunity to ask questions and share their thoughts on peace and related issues.
Students who demonstrated active participation were rewarded with notebooks and pens as a way of encouraging their engagement and interest in peace education.
The programme ended with a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Michael, who appreciated the school management, teachers, students and IPC team for their contributions to the success of the celebration.
The National Anthem was subsequently sung to formally bring the programme to a close.
The International Day of Peace celebration at Shalom Model College provided students with an opportunity to learn, express their views and reflect on their responsibilities as young people in promoting peaceful coexistence.
The inauguration of the Shalom Peace Club further strengthened the initiative by establishing a continuing platform for peace education and student-led peacebuilding within the school.
IPC appreciates the management and staff of Shalom Model College for the warm reception and support, as well as the students for their enthusiasm and active participation.
The organisation looks forward to strengthening its collaboration with the school and supporting initiatives that promote peace education, youth development, tolerance and peaceful conflict resolution.
