By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Peace advocates, diplomats, youth leaders and civil society representatives from at least 20 countries have called for daily efforts to promote peace in homes, communities and institutions.
They made the call at a virtual summit organised by Target Peace, in partnership with Mankis Digital Hub and the Peace Bus Association, to mark the 2026 International Day of Peace.
The event was monitored virtually by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.
The summit was held under the United Nations theme for 2026: “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day”.
NAN reports that the summit, moderated by Target Peace founder, Amy Banda, attracted peace ambassadors, community leaders and officials from Africa, Europe and beyond.
Banda said 45 peace ambassadors participated in the summit.
In a keynote address, H.E. Marquis Coleiro, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire to Malta, said peace was local before becoming global.
Coleiro said national peace depended on investment in education, opportunities, social inclusion, good governance and institutional trust.
He said peace and development should be treated as mutually reinforcing goals, while diplomacy should focus on communication rather than confrontation.
Coleiro also urged stakeholders to regard young people as active participants in peace-building and encouraged individuals and communities to practise peace daily rather than commemorate it once a year.
Also speaking, Mr Anthony Nwana, a Communications and Peacebuilding Advocate with the Youth Empowerment Foundation in Cameroon’s North-West Region, called for stronger youth resilience and greater opportunities for young people.
Nwana said insecurity in the region had disrupted education, livelihoods and the aspirations of young people.
“Peace is not only the absence of violence; peace is also the presence of opportunity,” he said.
He called for greater investment in education, skills training, entrepreneurship and youth leadership.
Nwana also urged young people to communicate responsibly online, warning that social media could facilitate the spread of misinformation.
Mr Lassane Oulare, Vice-President of the TAKAD International Organising Committee and Chief Executive Officer of CMEDIA Holdings, said peace “is not just an ideal – it is a behaviour”.
He said peace was reflected in people’s speech, conduct, work and thoughts, urging Africans to promote unity from the household to the workplace.
Oulare also announced the African Start-Up Challenge, a pan-African competition for entrepreneurs and content creators.
He said the competition would culminate in a final in Libreville, Gabon, on Dec. 19, with a top prize of 20 million CFA francs.
In her closing remarks, Mrs Esther Njomo, President of Outreach Cameroon and global peace ambassador, said peace “is a daily choice, made in our homes, our communities, our places of work”.
She urged participants to take the conversation beyond the virtual platform and translate it into practical action.
Earlier, Banda thanked participants and speakers and announced that Target Peace’s next online conversation would hold in 20 days to mark the International Day of the Girl Child on Oct. 11.
She said the theme would be “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights”, with discussions focusing on action against child marriage and greater investment in girls’ education and protection. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Tosin Kolade