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2025 Peace Day: Bege Foundation Forum Highlights Women and Youth as Pillars of Peace in Plateau
Calls for greater inclusion of women and young people in conflict resolution took the spotlight on September 29, 2025, as the Bege Foundation hosted a stakeholders’ engagement to commemorate International Peace Day in Plateau State.
Themed “Act Now for a Peaceful World – A Stakeholder Engagement for Sustainable Peace,” the forum highlighted how women and youths are reshaping the narrative of peacebuilding through mediation, dialogue, and community development initiatives.
Bege Foundation’s Team Lead, Mr. Kenneth Attah, stressed that empowering women and youths is no longer optional but essential for lasting peace. He noted that partnerships with Peace Direct and other supporters have created platforms for dialogue, skills acquisition, and entrepreneurship. “This initiative is not about analysis but about real impact—transforming lives, strengthening communities, and creating spaces where women and youths can meaningfully contribute to peacebuilding,” he said.
Through the Ladies Empowerment Goals and Support Initiative (LEGASI), projects have already impacted communities across Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Riyom, Jos North, Mangu, and Bokkos, explained Mrs. Lola Raji, Executive Director of the Fort Initiative. She pointed to successes in promoting women’s inclusion, conflict resolution, and humanitarian response, alongside efforts to strengthen early warning systems like the 112 emergency hotline.
Plenary sessions featured testimonies from women peace actors and youth leaders who shared how they have moved from communities once divided by violence to active collaboration with elders and security agencies. From mediating disputes in villages to leading grassroots campaigns, their stories underscored the growing influence of women and youths as peace champions.
Representatives of government and security institutions, including the Ministry of Women Affairs and the NSCDC, commended the effort, describing peace as indispensable for Plateau’s development.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Godwin Okoko, Director of the Bege Foundation, urged that persons with disabilities must also be included in peacebuilding efforts. “Sustainable solutions must reflect the resilience and contributions of all groups,” he said.
The consensus among participants was clear: women and youth are not just beneficiaries of peacebuilding—they are at its very heart.
Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey has described Nigeria’s 2-2 draw against Poland as a positive outing despite the disappointment of conceding late goals in both halves.
READ ALSO: Wilfred Ndidi Says Poland Friendly Gave Super Eagles Chance To Test New Ideas
Reacting after the friendly encounter, the Fulham F.C. defender explained that the game provided valuable playing time for several members of the squad.
“It was a good outing overall for the team,” Bassey said.
According to the Super Eagles defender, some players had limited time to properly train together before the match but still managed to deliver a strong performance.
“A few players did not have enough sessions together, but we still played well,” he implied.
Bassey also highlighted the absence of several important players within the squad but praised the team for competing strongly regardless.
“We were missing some key players, but the team still performed well,” he noted.
The defender admitted the late goals conceded ultimately affected Nigeria’s chances of securing victory against the Polish side.
“The late goals made it difficult for us to win,” he added.
Despite the result, Bassey stressed that the Super Eagles will continue working hard to improve in key areas ahead of future fixtures.
“We will keep improving as a team,” he stressed.
Nigeria remains unbeaten in normal time under coach Eric Chelle as the team continues adapting to new tactical ideas and player combinations.
“There are still many positives to build on,” many football observers believe.
The Super Eagles continue preparing for upcoming international matches with growing competition across the squad.
“The team is gradually becoming more balanced and competitive,” supporters continue to say.
For Calvin Bassey, the message is clear.
The Poland match offered valuable lessons.
The team showed positive signs despite missing players.
And improvement remains the priority moving forward.
Because strong teams continue learning and evolving through difficult matches and challenges.
BY SUNDAY SAMUEL—Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested four suspected notorious cultists linked to a series of violent crimes and cult-related activities within Alimosho and its environs.
The suspects, identified as 34-year-old Nurudeen Ganiu, 38-year-old Oluwaleke Fagbula, 41-year-old Emmanuel Silas, and 41-year-old Nurudeen Abdullahi, were apprehended during a midnight initiation ceremony in the Egbeda area of Lagos State.
Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives launched a covert raid that disrupted the ring and led directly to their capture.
During the successful operation, law enforcement officers recovered one locally made cut-to-size pistol, one English Beretta pistol loaded with ten rounds of live ammunition, and a jackknife.
Further investigation by the Command revealed that one of the apprehended suspects is a notorious gang kingpin who was rusticated from a university in Ogun State in 2022 due to his involvement in cult activities. Police findings established that the gang has been deeply involved in local thuggery and has consistently terrorized residents of Egbeda and neighboring communities.
The suspects confessed to being active members of the Eiye Confraternity, a notorious secret cult group. Their standard mode of operation involved using motorcycles to launch swift attacks on unsuspecting members of the public and disrupting social gatherings at gunpoint.
The Commissioner of Police for the Lagos State Command commended the operatives for their professionalism and swift tactical response during the midnight raid. Reassuring residents of the state, the Commissioner emphasized that the Command remains steadfast in its resolve to combat cultism and eliminate violent crimes across Lagos. Members of the public were urged to stay vigilant and continue assisting law enforcement by reporting suspicious activities through the Command’s dedicated emergency lines.
The post Lagos Police Arrest 4 Notorious Eiye Cultists in Egbeda Initiation Raid appeared first on Business Today NG.
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