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Rotary Action Group for Peace (RAGFP) has announced a stra­tegic partnership with the Pres­idency, through the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), to implement the Na­tional Community Violence Re­duction Programme (NCVRP) — a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violence and strength­ening peacebuilding efforts across Nigeria.

The RAGFP is the civil society arm of Rotary International sad­dled with promoting behaviours, structures and institutions that upholds and strengthens peace­building, peacemaking and peacekeeping.

Rotarian Lanre Adedoyin, District Governor of Rotary Dis­trict 9112, while speaking during the maiden press briefing of RAGFP Lagos State Branch, at the Rotary Centre, Ikeja empha­sized that peace remains the cornerstone of human develop­ment, noting that no society can progress in the absence of peace.

“Peace begins with a smile. Rotary places a high premium on peacebuilding, with peace cen­ters established across the world — including one in Kampala, Uganda, and a new one in India. Wherever we are, we must give peace a chance because peace is the foundation of all human activity.

“All over the world, we preach peace. We have embarked on a lot of peace initiatives and peace projects. For us, peace is very im­portant to the growth and devel­opment of our nation.

Past President Adebukunola Soile-Balogun, the Lagos State Coordinator of RAGFP, while addressing newsmen said that peacebuilding and conflict pre­vention is a key Rotary area of focus that provides avenues to ad­vance international understand­ing, goodwill and peace through engagements and implementa­tion of peacebuilding initiatives across borders.

According to her, the Rotary Action Group for Peace primary mandate is to coordinate Rotary’s humanitarian efforts for the ad­vancement and actualization of positive peace in Nigeria.

“The Lagos branch of the Ro­tary Action Group for Peace was commissioned over three years ago and part of our mandate is promoting and building positive peace in our environment. By Positive Peace, we work with institutions and structures that build peace and prevent conflict.

She pointed out that the branch has carried out several peace interventions, including a Peace Walk in Isheri North, the signing of a peace accord be­tween community leaders, and the commissioning of the Isheri Community Peace and Security Council.

Soile-Balogun reaffirmed RAGFP’s readiness to collaborate with the Lagos State Government and the Presidency to promote sustainable peace.