It was a cream of dignitaries from both town and gown as stakeholders gathered together at The Polytechnic, Ibadan on Tuesday 26 September, 2023 in commemoration of the 2023 International Day of Peace. The event tagged “Peace Day Summit” with the theme “Sustaining Bridged Gaps Across the Divides towards Gainful Implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria” was honoured by dignitaries across all walks of life. Leading the academia is Professor Kazeem Adebiyi, The Rector, The Polytechnic Ibadan, Mrs Abiodun Olubamiwa, The Deputy Rector of the same institution while Keynote address was presented by Dr Babatunde Oyekanmi of the Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan. Also in attendance were the Dean, Faculty of Business and Communication Studies, Dr. Oladunni Akinola who was ably represented by Dr. A. Oladokun, Head of Marketing Department, the Head of Department, Local Government and Development Studies who was the host, the Public Relations Officer of the Institution Alhaji Soladoye Adewole, the former Director of VIESEC, Dr. Yusuf, representative of the school Bursar Mr. Hamzat, the Dean Students Affairs, Mr. Akin Makinde, the Director, Continue Education Centre, Dr. Bukola Akinola, and the Deputy Director, Dr. Oluseye Oyewo, the Director, FUOYE Programmes, Dr. Ayobami Adesiyan, Head of Department of Public Administration, Barr. Oluseyi Diekola as well as Mr. Okunlola Akinloye who represented the institution’s Chief Security Officer. Lecturers from Departments of Local and Development Studies, Public Administration and Faculty of Social Management and Humanities were also in attendance.
It is worthy of mention that the core stakeholders in the issue of Peace and Security were not left out as the Honourable Commissioner of Police in the State CP Adebola Hamzat was ably represented by CSP Femi Okunowo, the State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Dr. Michael Adaralewa was also represented by Supol O. T. Oyewo and also in attendance in person were the Commandant of the AMOTEKUN Corps in Oyo State, Colonel Olayinka Olayanju and the Zonal Coordinator SW, National Emergency Management Agency Mr. Saheed Akiode represented by his Deputy, Mr. Kazeem Akinade.
The Summit also witnessed the active participation of Civil Society Organizations as many of them make presentations on the need for peaceful coexistence that will deliver the dividends inherent in successful implementation of the SDGs. In attendance were Dr. Bolanle Omidiji, Zonal Coordinator SW, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, Ambassador Romoke Ayinde of Kayromlee Ventures, the Chairman, Society for Peace Studies and Practice, Mr Jamaldeen Akanbi, Mrs Adebukola Adekola, Executive Director, Whole Planet Initiative, Reverend Olugbemiga Akande of Goshen Ministry, Vice President JCI, The Polytechnic, Ibadan Master Awolumate Babatunde and the President Sustainable Development , The Polytechnic Ibadan Miss Amuda Fatimo.
The Summit featured critical stakeholders making presentations on the activities of the Security Agencies on Sustainable Peace, contributions of CSOs to Peaceful Coexistence, role of Religious Bodies towards Peaceful Living as well as the efforts of the Nigerian Youths towards Peaceful Coexistence. The Summit enjoyed healthy brainstorming sessions with logical comments, constructive questions and answers sessions as well as implementable recommendations that can foster peaceful coexistence and gainful implementation of the sustainable development goals in Nigeria.
Reacting to a question on the essence of the summit, the convener Mr Kolawole Amusat -Gbenla noted that the summit was put together to cross fertilize ideas between the town and gown so as to come up with implementable solutions that will strengthen peaceful coexistence among Nigerians and enhance the country’s achievement of sustainable development goals.
The one day Peace Day Summit was put together by the Department of Local Government and Development Studies, Kazeem Olubunmi Isolagbenla Foundation, Department of Crime Management and Security Studies, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding and Ibadan Development Centre.