The Rotary Club of Omole-Golden in partnership with Halogen Academy has convened a pivotal conference in Lagos to address Nigeria’s escalating security concerns and the global decline in peaceful coexistence, according to a statement made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
Themed Peace Building and Conflict Prevention Seminar, the forum brought together stakeholders committed to strengthening national stability at a time when insecurity increasingly shapes socio-economic outcomes. The event which brought about deep insights underscored the urgency of community-driven solutions and collaborative peace-building.
Delivering the welcome address, the Chair of Rotary Club of Omole-Golden’s Peace Building and Conflict Prevention Committee, Mr. Adegbola Lewis said Nigeria faces “complex and evolving security challenges ranging from urban crime and cyber threats to communal conflicts and other emerging risks.” These realities, he noted, affect not only personal safety but also “economic growth, social cohesion, and national development.”
Lewis emphasized that security cannot be left to the government alone. “It is a shared responsibility,” he said, citing the roles of communities, civil society, the private sector, and service organizations like Rotary Club.
Peace building, he added, is not theoretical but practical, requiring early identification of tensions, constructive dialogue, youth engagement, ethical leadership, and responsible information sharing. “Peace building and conflict prevention are not abstract concepts. They are practical tools. They involve: Early identification of tensions, Constructive dialogue, Community-based mediation, Youth engagement and empowerment, Ethical leadership, Responsible information sharing amongst others,” Lewis indicated.
The President of Rotary Club of Omole-Golden, Rtn. Adekunmilola Adio-Moses reinforced Rotary’s people-centered philosophy. “In the Rotary Club, people come first, then resources,” he said. Without unity and consensus, he warned, development efforts would be futile.
Adio-Moses encouraged continued engagement beyond the conference and expressed optimism that more community members would partner with the club.
The keynote speaker, Chief Operating Officer of Halogen Academy, Dr. Wale Adeagbo, framed peace building around human needs and interests. According to him, conflict prevention begins with acknowledging basic needs such as food, shelter, security, and recognition. “Peace building and conflict prevention is about human needs and interests which includes basic human needs such as shelter, food, recognition; the needs of all individuals and groups must be accommodated in any decision-making process to avoid rebellion and uprising,” he said.
Adeagbo referenced the 2025 Global Peace Index, which indicates that global peace is at its lowest level since the index was introduced. In the past decade, peacefulness has deteriorated in 100 countries, driven by factors including the U.S. President Donald Trump’s international policy approach, rising state-based armed conflicts, misinformation, environmental degradation, and the vulnerabilities created by hyper-connected digital infrastructure.
Zooming in on Nigeria, Adeagbo highlighted alarming trends: a 45% rise in kidnap incidents and a 52% increase in community-based disputes, stressing that firearms now drive the nation’s insecurity. “In Nigeria, there is a 45% increase in kidnap cases and 52% increase in community disputes. Nigeria’s insecurity is driven primarily by guns, with about 7 out of 10 bandits and terrorist attacks involving firearms. Therefore it is important to systematically discover real and potential threats, anticipate issues, and implement mitigation strategies.”
He identified “active listening, empathy, emotional regulation and perspective taking” as essential tools for conflict prevention.
Also speaking as a Guest speaker at the seminar, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, gave a candid overview of the financial realities of maintaining security infrastructure in Lagos. He noted that the Fund does not present a budget to the legislature and relies heavily on public donations. “We are the only government agency that doesn’t present a budget to the House of Assembly. We survive on what you give” referencing the demands of supporting over 130 police stations, 20 area commands, LASTMA, the DSS, and other security formations.
Ogunsan revealed that he introduced a crowdfunding strategy upon assuming office to expand community participation in security financing. “So when you hear that someone donates NGN 1 Billion, you should know that it can only do so much. That’s why when I came on board, I started the crowdfunding idea so anywhere I go to preach the Gospel of peace, I pitch my crowdfunding idea.”
Speaking from the Policing perspective, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh described the event as “significant and far-reaching.” He urged the Rotary Club to expand such interventions to other target groups, noting that communication remains central to policing. “We cannot get tired of talking because people feel us in different ways,” he said.
According to him, the Police tradition mandates officers to listen to every complaint, whether a criminal report or a domestic dispute. “In conflict, there are early warning signals you have to pay attention to,” he added.
Also, the Director, Department of State Services, Lagos, Mr. Babajide Adisa explained that crises, whether natural or man-made, are inevitable and must be managed objectively. He underscored the value of non-kinetic approaches but warned against compromising on truth. “You can’t say because you want peace, you bury the truth,” he said, arguing that accountability, including punitive measures, is essential to deter wrongdoing.
As the country continues to grapple with rising insecurity and social tension, the Rotary Club of Omole-Golden’s initiative stands as a reminder that fostering peace is not merely the work of institutions, it is the duty of every citizen, every community, and every stakeholder committed to a safer and more united Nigeria. The conference emphasized that peace building is not a one-day effort but a continuous process rooted in dialogue, listening, honest accountability, and collective responsibility.
