In a proactive move to address the recurring communal clashes that have plagued three neighboring towns for decades, a youth-focused peacebuilding training was held on Thursday in Osogbo.
The program, tagged “Preach for Peace,” was organized by Future Builders Initiative in partnership with the Peace Education, Advocacy and Climate Action for Development Network (PEACAD Network). Supported by the German Federal Foreign Office through the IFA Zivik funding programme, the initiative aims to break the cycle of violence and promote lasting harmony among the Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin-Osun communities, which have been locked in protracted land disputes for over twenty years.
Speaking on behalf of the Project Lead, Faridah Igbayilola, explained that the initiative is designed to cultivate a new generation of peace ambassadors. These young people will be equipped to champion dialogue and harmony within their communities.
“We aim to create ambassadors for peace who will help bridge communal boundaries and clashes happening between these communities,” Igbayilola said. “They will go back to their communities to raise awareness and preach the importance of peace and harmonious coexistence.”
The training brought together 30 young people selected from the three communities. Organizers emphasized that targeting youth is a strategic necessity, as they represent the largest demographic and are often at the forefront of violent conflicts.
Akinremi Olawale, the Executive Director of PEACAD Network and Project Co-Lead, provided context on the severity of the crisis. “For about 20 to 30 years, these communities have been in conflict over land disputes. In the last three years alone, the clashes have occurred more than five times, which is very concerning,” he stated. He stressed that while elders may instigate conflicts, it is the youth who are frequently mobilized to carry them out. “If they understand peacebuilding and conflict resolution, they can influence their communities positively.”
The training sessions were designed to be practical and transformative. Facilitator Wasiu Adebiyi introduced participants to the core concepts of peace, conflict, and violence, illustrating how poorly managed disagreements can spiral into bloodshed. He issued a stern warning against political exploitation, urging the youth to resist being used as instruments of violence. “Political seasons are often associated with violence. Youths from Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin-Osun must be careful not to allow politicians to use them to cause destruction in their communities,” Adebiyi cautioned.
The call for dialogue was reinforced by other stakeholders. The Global President of the Osun State University Alumni Association, Abubakar Basit Olalekan, identified a lack of trust as a primary driver of the conflict. He stressed the need for sincere conversations, stating, “Peace may be costly, but it is never as costly as conflict. The communities must learn to trust one another and sit together to resolve their differences.”
Development practitioner Adetunji Ajala highlighted the critical timing of the initiative, recalling that clashes around the same period the previous year had led to loss of lives and widespread destruction of property. He advocated for continuous peace efforts that involve community leaders, youth, and women to ensure lasting reconciliation.
The six-month project is not ending with the youth. Organizers plan to expand the dialogue to include traditional rulers, chiefs, and community unions, aiming to bring all stakeholders together to forge sustainable solutions.
For participants like Segun Adepoju, the training has already made an impact. He described it as timely, stating that it would empower youths to return to their communities with a new mindset focused on unity and development rather than conflict. As the newly trained peace ambassadors return to Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin-Osun, the hope is that their voices will help drown out the drums of war and build a future defined by dialogue.
