Representing the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. (Mrs.) Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Community Engagement (North Central), has reaffirmed the administration’s strong commitment to sustaining peace and building social cohesion across the country.

Dr. Essiet gave the assurance on on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at the opening ceremony of the 19th International Conference of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP), held at the Abiola Ajimobi Resource Centre, University of Ibadan, where she addressed a distinguished audience of peace scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and civil society leaders.

Speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, she said the Federal Government continues to intensify efforts to confront terrorism, banditry, and criminal networks undermining national stability.

“Let me start by reassuring you of Mr. President’s commitment to sustaining peace in Nigeria. We have coordinated security measures in place to eradicate terrorists, bandits, and all criminal activities in Nigeria. We are going to work with other global partners to restore peace and safety across the country,” she stated.

According to her, the administration has also expanded the deployment of advanced technology to support military operations and enhance national security.

“We have deployed technology in maintaining peace. We have sophisticated drones being used by our military, innovative digital tools for the Nigerian Navy, and other strategic defence assets being utilized to fight terrorists across the region,” she added.

Dr. Essiet explained that the Office of Community Engagement was established by President Tinubu to bridge the gap between government and grassroots communities across all regions, in line with a vision built on inclusion, collaboration, and sustainable development.

She noted that the office has implemented transformative programmes aimed at amplifying citizens’ voices and supporting community-driven solutions.

“Social cohesion is one of the most important determinants of peaceful coexistence in our nation. We are working collaboratively with all states in the North Central region to strengthen peace and unity. We do not want a country divided along tribal or religious lines. We want to stay together as one to protect our people and resist criminals causing insecurity in Nigeria,” she said.

She explained that the approach has fostered stronger bonds within and across social groups, while also reinforcing trust in government institutions.

“We are reinforcing and promoting social cohesion as an essential element of government policy and civil society engagement, especially in communities where groups with different identities share the same geographical space,” she noted.

Dr. Essiet emphasized that community engagement is a critical arm of government, especially in addressing the root causes of violent conflict, mistrust, and segregation among groups.

“Community engagement is central to achieving sustainable peacebuilding outcomes because it requires the active participation of local communities in designing, implementing, and monitoring peace programmes,” she said.

She concluded her remarks with an African philosophy that underscores interdependence and shared humanity: “I will end with an African proverb: ‘Obuntu’ — I am because you are.”

The opening ceremony marked the commencement of a high-level gathering of peace scholars and practitioners dedicated to advancing dialogue, policy innovation, and practical solutions for national and regional peacebuilding.