The Peace Initiative Committee (PIC) on Saturday, February 14, 2025, held the grand finale of its one-year anniversary at the June 12 Cultural Centre, drawing prominent dignitaries, security chiefs, youth leaders, and community stakeholders from across Ogun Central.
The colourful event featured drama presentations, goodwill messages, and the presentation of awards to distinguished personalities who have supported the committee’s peace-building efforts.
In his address, the Chairman of PIC, Comrade Akeem Abioro, expressed pride in the progress made within one year of the committee’s formation.
“Today, we are proud that through dedication, courage, cooperation, and commitment, we have made meaningful progress.
This journey has not been without challenges. However, in the face of heavy obstacles, we chose dialogue over division, understanding over conflict, and unity over violence. These choices have strengthened the foundation of this initiative in Ogun Central and reinforced our belief in peaceful coexistence,” he said.
Abioro urged members and stakeholders to see the anniversary not just as a celebration of achievements but as a renewal of commitment to promoting peace, discouraging violence, empowering youths, and fostering harmony in homes, communities, and institutions.
He appreciated members, partners, and supporters for their sacrifices and dedication, noting that their collective efforts have made the initiative successful.
“Together we stand for peace, and together we will continue to build a stronger Ogun Central,” he added.
The Public Relations Officer of the committee, Comrade Ifebola Togunwa, recounted that the initiative was born out of rising cult-related killings in Ogun Central about two years ago.
He explained that concerned youths came together to seek solutions, writing letters to traditional rulers in Egbaland, the state government, and security agencies to intervene.
“We asked ourselves what we could do to support the government. At first, we were even afraid of ourselves because there was no trust. We wondered if a group of young people could handle security issues. But we committed everything into God’s hands and pressed forward,” he said.
Togunwa disclosed that the committee started with 10 members in January 2023, using WhatsApp as a communication platform. Today, the group has grown to 47 members, including supporters in Nigeria and the diaspora.
He added that the committee has visited schools, universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and communities to sensitise youths against cultism and violence. According to him, they also engaged the state government and the police command for collaboration.
The Commander of SWAT in Ogun State, Murphy, praised the courage of PIC members, describing them as “officers without weapons.”
He noted that cultism, hard drugs, and violence remain persistent social vices despite various efforts, stressing that there is no positive end to cultism.
“I joined the police because I knew I would earn a salary and build a future. But there is no good end in cultism. It only leads to destruction and death,” he warned, urging youths to reject false promises of protection from cult groups.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Oluseyi Babaseyi, linked cultism to low self-esteem and peer pressure.
“People with low self-esteem are easily influenced. You must build your self-esteem by knowing the difference between right and wrong.
When you choose dialogue over violence and handle criticism calmly, it shows strength of character,” he advised.
He encouraged youths to believe in themselves and resist negative peer influence.
The State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ogun State,Commander, CN Tijjani Rabe., represented by one of his officers ,described drug abuse as a major driver of violence in the community.
He explained that hard drugs alter brain function, behaviour, and mood, often leading to desperation and aggression.
“When a substance is not medically prescribed, is prohibited by law, or is used excessively, it becomes drug abuse. Drug abuse fuels violence and destroys bright futures,” he warned.
The Ogun State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) ,Chief Akolawole Soremi described PIC members as protectors of society and relevant youth stakeholders.
According to him, within just one year, the initiative has grown significantly and contributed to the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Ogun Central.
“The peace we are experiencing today is not only the effort of security agencies but also of groups like the Peace Initiative Committee, who understand the root causes of violence and actively sensitise youths,” he said.
He commended the committee’s efforts in sensitisation campaigns and youth empowerment programmes, urging the group to expand its activities across the entire state.
The event ended with renewed pledges from members and stakeholders to sustain collaboration in the fight against cultism, drug abuse, and youth violence in Ogun Central
