In his welcome address, Sunday Dombin, Director of Research, Planning, and Documentation, expressed joy that women are speaking up for themselves. He urged participants to act promptly in addressing negative issues affecting women and youth, encouraging them to engage in meaningful dialogue and celebrate the gains of peace.
The Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Caroline Panglang Dafur, represented by Hon. Jiritmwa Goyit, delivered the keynote address. She described the theme as a strong call to action that reflects the urgent realities of today’s world, including inequality, climate change, and persistent conflicts.
She noted that conflict resolution in the past was largely male-dominated, but modern peacebuilding has become more inclusive, with women and young people playing crucial roles. “The Honourable Commissioner asked that I inform women here that you are critical partners in the effort to bring peace to our homes, our community, our society, and the nation at large,” she said.
The commissioner also urged participants to take the knowledge gained from the summit back to their communities, stressing the need to act as ambassadors of peace while sustaining unity and harmony.
The event featured two panel sessions that sparked engaging conversations. The first, themed “Women as Peacebuilders – Breaking Barriers (Women Transforming Conflict into Peace),” brought together Rev. Agwom Bliss, Sunday Dombin, Prof. Ruth Reuben, and Maureen Dakim, moderated by Rejoice Shammah. The session explored how women can break barriers and actively transform conflict into lasting peace.
The second panel, titled “Youth as Change Agents (Voices of the Future),” featured Matthew Tegha, Ali Ali, Lekur Patience Naanzem, and Aisha Mohammed Kabiru, also moderated by Rejoice Shammah. The discussion focused on empowering young people as strong voices for peace, unity, and social transformation.
Delivering a goodwill message, Mujidang Sitdang, Regional Programme Manager of Tetra Tech (North Central), said the organization was delighted to partner in commemorating the International Day of Peace. He urged participants not only to discuss peace but to act on it, stressing that true progress comes through practical commitment to peaceful coexistence.
Ali Ali, Acting State Coordinator of the National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations (NACOMYO), described the summit as a vital step toward restoring peace in Plateau. He highlighted the importance of involving women in peacebuilding, noting their influence on shaping children’s values at home, while emphasizing that youths remain the engine room of society.
Similarly, Folafoluwa Asabi, a mental health advocate and student of the Air Force Institute of Technology, said the summit was timely for Plateau State. She stressed that empowering women translates into empowering the nation and called for greater mental health awareness, self-love, and support among women.
She further urged women to draw inspiration from leaders like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, saying, “When women are empowered, they rise to transform nations.”
Closing the event, Jeremiah Bulus Gode, Programme Manager at DREP, thanked all participants, speakers, and volunteers for their contributions to the success of the summit. He described the insights shared as inspiring and capable of strengthening ongoing peace efforts in the state.
He also appreciated Tetra Tech for sponsoring the event, urging everyone to take practical steps toward peace. “We must keep working together to build a brighter and more harmonious future,” Gode said.
