Amid persistent killings and rising tensions, the Full Life Empowerment Programme (FLEP) has called for the sustainability of its peacebuilding initiative in Jos. The call was made during a press briefing led by the Project Manager, Idoko Innocent.
Addressing journalists, Innocent expressed concern that peace and unity are becoming increasingly difficult to achieve, as communities remain divided along religious lines instead of being united by shared humanity.
He explained that the Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB) Project, themed “Peace and Prosperity,” was launched in response to growing violence, insecurity, and intolerance driven by religious differences.
According to him, the project brought together religious leaders, stakeholders, and community members to engage in open dialogue aimed at addressing the root causes of conflict.
Through these engagements, participants developed five guiding values—Faith without Fear, Respect, Forgive and Rebuild, Justice and Opportunity for All, Peace is the Future, and Stronger Together.
Innocent noted that the initiative worked with over 50 young people from different faith backgrounds, helping them build mutual understanding and form lasting relationships across religious divides.
He added that participants were equipped with practical tools to promote peace in their communities, transforming them into ambassadors of unity and coexistence.
The project also integrated entrepreneurship training, providing participants with skills in business development, financial management, and livelihood creation.
“This approach ensures that young people are not only ambassadors of peace but are also economically empowered to contribute to a stable society,” he said.
Innocent revealed that participants extended the project’s impact by visiting six secondary schools, where they reached over 800 students with messages of peace, unity, and mutual respect.
He stressed that the project has recorded visible success, with many participants now building friendships across religious lines and promoting harmony in their communities.
However, he warned that despite these gains, many communities are still affected by violence and division, noting that the project is ending at a critical time when it is most needed.
“In a time like this, sustaining this initiative is not optional but necessary. Together, we can build a society where peace leads to prosperity, and where communities can live and thrive without fear,” Innocent urged, calling on partners and stakeholders to support the continuation of the project.
