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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 Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala was on target as Al Hilal produced an impressive 4-0 away victory over NEOM, with fellow Nigerian international Christy Ucheibe also featuring in the convincing performance.
Sports247 reports that Oshoala continued her contribution to Al Hilal’s attacking campaign by finding the back of the net in the 65th minute, helping the visitors strengthen their advantage in a dominant display.
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The Nigerian forward’s goal came during an impressive second-half performance from Al Hilal, who added three goals after the interval to complete a comprehensive victory.
Moroccan forward Ibtissam Jraidi opened the scoring in the 11th minute, giving Al Hilal an early advantage before the teams went into the break.
Oshoala doubled the visitors’ lead in the 65th minute before Manar Al-Anzi made it 3-0 just four minutes later.
Jraidi then completed her brace in the 88th minute, sealing the emphatic 4-0 result for Al Hilal.
Christy Ucheibe, Oshoala’s Super Falcons teammate, also played a part in the victory as the Nigerian duo continued to make their contributions to the Saudi Arabian club.
The result represents another important outing for Al Hilal, with the team’s attacking quality evident in the performance against NEOM.
For Oshoala, the goal provides another opportunity to demonstrate her goalscoring ability and importance at club level. The six-time African Women’s Player of the Year remains one of Nigeria’s most recognisable football exports, and her performances continue to attract attention.
The presence of both Oshoala and Ucheibe in Al Hilal’s squad also highlights the growing influence of Nigerian players in women’s football outside the country.
With the emphatic away victory secured, Al Hilal will look to build on the performance in their subsequent fixtures.
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