The Wide Gate Initiative for Peace and Dispute Resolution (WGIPDR) has demonstrated commitment to fostering peace and combating violence in Nigeria through a series of programmes focusing on conflict prevention against community violence, gang violence, cultism and cybercrime.
Through the programme, held in many states, including Oyo, Osun and Cross River, the initiative continued to empower communities with the tools needed to build a foundation for sustainable peace.
The programme, with the theme, ‘Building foundations for sustainable peace,’ emphasised practical peacebuilding strategies, equipping participants with conflict prevention skills and fostering a culture of dialogue and collaboration.
In states like Oyo and Osun, the initiative has played pivotal roles in reducing gang violence over the years and the efforts have created safer neighbourhoods and inspired youths to choose constructive paths away from violence and crime.
Similarly, the initiative has made significant strides in addressing community-based violence in Cross River State. By working closely with local leaders, youth groups and stakeholders, Wide Gate has fostered mutual understanding and helped mend fractured relationships, transforming the area’s social fabric.
The success of the programmes can be attributed to the organisation’s expertise in conflict resolution, driven by its Executive Director, Adebobola Omowon.
Widely regarded as a master of conflict prevention, Omowon’s ability to identify root causes of violence and implement sustainable solutions has earned the initiative widespread acclaim, while his leadership has consistently ensured that the programmes are both impactful and adaptive to the unique challenges faced by each community.
Speaking at the closing event in Ibadan, the project director, Augustine Aboh, a security expert, emphasised the importance of collaboration in peacebuilding efforts, saying: “We cannot achieve sustainable peace without involving the people directly affected. Our approach has always been to work hand-in-hand with the community, creating solutions that are both practical and inclusive.”
Nigerian Tribune gathered that the Wide Gate Initiative’s sustained commitment to reducing violence and fostering harmony has been a beacon of hope for many communities.
With its programmes already yielding results, the organisation’s impact will continue to resonate across Nigeria, offering a roadmap for conflict prevention and peacebuilding in the years to come.
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