By Newspot Nigeria News Desk
Umuahia, Abia State — September 22, 2025: The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Southeast Regional Office, has joined the global community to commemorate the 2025 International Day of Peace under the theme “SDGs: Beacon of Hope for Global Peace.”
The commemoration highlighted the interconnection between the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and long-lasting peace, with WANEP Southeast stressing that peace should be seen not just as the absence of conflict, but as the presence of justice, fairness, environmental balance, and inclusive development.
Speaking in Umuahia, the Regional Coordinator, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, emphasized the need to eradicate structural violence such as poverty, hunger, gender discrimination, and environmental degradation, which are directly targeted by the SDGs.
“In the Southeast region of Nigeria, our communities are vibrant and resilient, but they continue to face numerous challenges — from economic inequality and youth unemployment, to climate threats and marginalization. As WANEP, we believe that implementing the SDGs is one of the most strategic tools for addressing these root causes of conflict and ensuring long-term peace,” he said.
SDGs as Drivers of Peace
WANEP highlighted several SDGs as critical in preventing conflict and strengthening peace in Nigeria and globally. These include:
- Poverty eradication (SDG 1) to address desperation and exploitation.
- Zero hunger (SDG 2) to secure human dignity.
- Good health and well-being (SDG 3) to reduce vulnerability to extremism.
- Quality education (SDG 4) to foster tolerance and civic responsibility.
- Gender equality (SDG 5) to empower all citizens regardless of gender.
- Climate action (SDG 13) to reduce climate-driven displacement and conflict.
- Life below water and life on land (SDGs 14 & 15) to ensure ecosystem resilience for future generations.
WANEP’s Ongoing Role
The organization reiterated its commitment to early warning and response mechanisms, peace education, community dialogue, and youth and women empowerment initiatives across the Southeast. WANEP Southeast continues to collaborate with civil society, government agencies, traditional institutions, and international partners to promote a lasting culture of peace.
A Call to Action
WANEP Southeast urged:
- Government to align policies with the SDGs.
- Youth and community leaders to embrace civic responsibility.
- Civil society and media to push peace education and counter harmful narratives.
- Citizens to take personal responsibility by contributing to peace in daily actions.
In closing, Comrade Nwafor declared:
“Peace is not a dream. It is a decision, a process, and a shared responsibility. Let us walk this path together, using the SDGs as our guiding light.”
WANEP’s commemoration reinforces the Southeast region’s voice in the global pursuit of peace through sustainable development.
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This report is published by Newspot Nigeria as part of its continued commitment to highlighting peacebuilding efforts across Nigeria and beyond.
FULL ORIGINAL STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
22nd September 2025
WANEP SOUTHEAST REGION JOINS GLOBAL COMMUNITY TO COMMEMORATE 2025 WORLD PEACE DAY
Theme: “SDGs: Beacon of Hope for Global Peace”
Umuahia, Abia State | September 22, 2025
The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Southeast Regional Office, proudly joins the global community in commemorating the 2025 International Day of Peace, under the globally resonant theme:
“SDGs: Beacon of Hope for Global Peace.”
This year’s theme underscores the critical link between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the pursuit of lasting peace and security in communities, nations, and the world at large.
Speaking from Umuahia, the Southeast Regional Coordinator, comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor emphasized the urgent need to view peace not merely as the absence of war, but as the presence of justice, equity, environmental balance, and inclusive development. He noted that peacebuilding must be anchored in eradicating structural violence, such as poverty, hunger, gender discrimination, and environmental degradation — all of which are directly addressed by the SDGs.
“In the Southeast region of Nigeria, our communities are vibrant and resilient, but they continue to face numerous challenges — from economic inequality and youth unemployment, to climate threats and marginalization. As WANEP, we believe that implementing the SDGs is one of the most strategic tools for addressing these root causes of conflict and ensuring long-term peace,” he stated.
The SDGs as Pillars of Peace
WANEP Southeast highlights the following SDGs as key drivers for sustainable peace in the region and beyond:
Eradicating Poverty (SDG 1): Poverty fuels desperation, violence, and exploitation. Tackling poverty is foundational to building peaceful communities.
Zero Hunger (SDG 2): Food security is a peace imperative. Hunger undermines human dignity and stability.
Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3): Healthy citizens are productive and less vulnerable to extremist manipulation.
Quality Education (SDG 4): Education fosters critical thinking, tolerance, and civic responsibility.
Gender Equality (SDG 5): A peaceful society is one that protects and empowers all, regardless of gender.
Climate Action (SDG 13): Environmental degradation and climate-induced displacement are emerging drivers of conflict.
Life Below Water & Life on Land (SDGs 14 & 15): Ecosystem protection is essential for community resilience and intergenerational peace.
Promoting Prosperity & Protecting the Planet (Cross-cutting goals): Economic opportunity and environmental justice go hand in hand in peacebuilding.
WANEP’s Role in Peacebuilding
Over the years, WANEP Southeast has been at the forefront of early warning and early response mechanisms, peace education, community dialogue facilitation, and youth and women empowerment initiatives. The organization works closely with civil society, traditional institutions, government agencies, and international partners to deepen the culture of peace in the Southeast geopolitical zone.
Call to Action
As the world reflects on this year’s Peace Day, WANEP Southeast calls on:
- Government actors to prioritize SDG-aligned policies and programs;
- Youth and community leaders to engage in peaceful advocacy and civic responsibility;
- Civil society and media to promote peace education and counter harmful narratives;
- Citizens to act locally and think globally, contributing to peace through daily actions.
“Peace is not a dream. It is a decision, a process, and a shared responsibility. Let us walk this path together, using the SDGs as our guiding light,” the Coordinator concluded.
For Media Inquiries, Contact:
Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor
Regional Coordinator – WANEP Southeast
📞 +2348033383708 | +2347062949232
✉️ [email protected]
#InternationalPeaceDay #WANEP #SDGsForPeace #PeaceInSoutheast #NigeriaPeacebuilding
