L-R: Babajide Adisa, Director, Department of State Services (DSS), Lagos State Command; Jimoh Moshood, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State; Adekunmilola Adio-Moses, President, Rotary Club of Omole Golden ; Prince Henry Akinyele,District Governor, Rotary District 9111; Ayodele Ogunsan, Executive Secretary/CEO, Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF); and Adewale Adeagbo of Centre of Excellence, Halogen Group, at stakeholder engagement Session held recently in Lagos.
Stakeholders at the 2026 World Understanding and Peace Day (WUPD) have called for deliberate action to bridge widening social, political and ethnic divides, warning that polarisation has become deeply embedded in global and national culture.
Speaking at the event themed “Bridging the Divide – Building a Culture of Peace in a Polarized World,” Chairman of the occasion, Ike Nwachukwu, said rising global polarisation, misinformation, declining trust in institutions and youth frustration are deepening tensions in Nigeria.
He warned that polarisation is no longer accidental but cultural, fuelled by identity politics, economic insecurity, leadership failure and fear of “the other.”
Nwachukwu urged Nigerians to listen before reacting, understand before judging and build shared interests across differences, stressing that peace is not the absence of conflict but the ability to manage it constructively.
Drawing from his military experience, he noted that unity in service transcended tribe and religion, saying Nigeria must embrace shared values and collaboration to rebuild trust and national cohesion.
The keynote speaker at the 2026 World Understanding and Peace Day, Bishop of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Ilesa Diocese, Dapo Asaju, said the challenge of peace is global and not peculiar to Nigeria.
The cleric noted that nations across the world, including major global powers, are grappling with instability and insecurity despite efforts to promote peace.
Citing the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, he said Ukraine remains under constant tension over fears of further attacks.
Bishop Asaju urged nations and leaders to remain committed to dialogue and collective responsibility, emphasizing that achieving peace remains one of the greatest challenges facing humanity today.
In his remarks, District Governor of Rotary International District 9113, Rotn. Lanre Adedoyin, said Rotary remains an organisation of action built on selfless service and strong leadership values.
He explained that Rotary’s leadership succession process is seamless and transparent, noting that future district governors are nominated years ahead without rancour, ballot manipulation or conflict — a system he said could serve as a model for Nigeria’s political class.
Chairman, World Peace and Understanding Day Planning Committee, Rotn Joe Akhigbe, said that the annual event reminds them of Rotary’s enduring commitment to promoting peace , goodwill, and international understanding.
