Int’l Day For Dialogue: Sustained Community-Based Engagement Key to National Unity – Global Peace
By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna
Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN) has emphasised the need for sustained community-based dialogue as a cornerstone for fostering national unity, especially in a country as diverse as Nigeria.
This call was made in Kaduna on Wednesday during a high-level roundtable convened to commemorate the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations.
The event brought together religious leaders, women advocates, youth groups, and civil society actors to deliberate on the role of grassroots engagement in promoting peace and mutual understanding.
In his opening remarks, the Country Director of GPFN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, described dialogue as more than just a tool for resolving conflict, stressing that it must become a way of life in communities historically divided along religious, ethnic, and political lines.
“Dialogue is the bridge that connects people, dispels fear, and builds trust,” he said. “In places like Kaduna, where identity is often politicised, we must intentionally create platforms for ongoing conversation at the grassroots. Peace cannot be imposed; it must be nurtured from the community level upward.”
Themed “One Family Under God: Advancing Peace through Dialogue in Local Communities,” the roundtable featured presentations and experience-sharing sessions on faith-based mediation, youth engagement, and intercultural understanding.
Speaking on “Fostering Mutual Respect Through Dialogue and Shared Values“, Hayab reiterated the foundation’s vision of building a united society through the principle of shared humanity.
He urged Nigerians to shift from reactive peace talks to proactive, structured dialogue that empowers faith leaders, amplifies women’s voices, and channels youthful energy towards national cohesion.
“As we mark another Democracy Day season in 2025, it is time to reflect on how inclusive dialogue can deepen our democratic culture and strengthen national unity,” he added.
Commending local peace actors across Kaduna and beyond, Hayab acknowledged their tireless efforts despite limited resources and called for increased support for community dialogue structures.
The programme also featured goodwill messages from key stakeholders. Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna State, Rev. Caleb Ma’aji, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) Secretary General, Ibrahim Kufena, who lauded GPFN’s interventions in communities such as Hayin Bankin.
They noted that the foundation had invested significant time, resources, and compassion in building peace, urging residents of the area to sustain the gains by living peacefully and embracing shared values that promote unity. “You have the responsibility to drive development by living as one family under one God,” the clerics stated.
On his part, the Village Head of Hayin Banki, Alhaji Mahmud Shehu Galadima, emphasised the power of dialogue in building consensus. “What you cannot achieve through force, you can achieve through dialogue. I call on other communities to adopt this approach,” he said.
One the participants, Adama Ibrahim, praised the transformation in Hayin Bankin, describing it as a model for other communities. “We have seen positive change here because of GPFN’s efforts. I encourage others to replicate this example by fostering mutual respect and peaceful coexistence,” she said.
The International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations is observed globally to promote peaceful resolution of conflicts and deepen understanding across social, cultural, and religious divides.
Rev. Hayab closed the session with a charge: “Let us take the message of dialogue into our homes, markets, schools, and places of worship. When dialogue thrives, peace follows.”
GNN24 News 