By Solomon Chidubem Ogbonna, Nigeria for a World BEYOND War, December 7, 2025

On 27 November 2025, the World BEYOND War Nigeria Chapter visited Richgates Divine School in Ibadan for an inspiring edition of the “Peace Begins With Me” school campaign, an initiative designed to nurture peace consciousness among children and to strengthen nonviolence as a lifelong habit.

In a country where armed violence has too often disrupted childhoods destroying schools, displacing families, and leaving parents torn between the desire to educate their children and the need to keep them safe even at home, the work of peace education is more urgent than ever. World BEYOND War Nigeria continues to provide young people with the knowledge, values, and confidence they need to resist violence and build a more peaceful future, even in contexts where insecurity challenges access to education. The campaign at Richgates Divine School was another meaningful step in that direction.

More than 150 students, along with their teachers and school administrators, gathered with energy and curiosity to explore what peace truly means and how it begins with individual choice. From the start, the atmosphere was filled with joy. Students listened attentively, participated actively, and expressed ideas that revealed both their intelligence and their desire for a better, safer society. Through engaging discussions, the campaign introduced key concepts such as peaceful communication, emotional control, kindness, and nonviolent conflict resolution. Students reflected on how small actions like listening respectfully, helping a classmate, or choosing dialogue over retaliation can create ripple effects that influence families, schools, and entire communities.

A special moment came when all the students recited the Peace Pledge, raising their voices together to affirm their commitment to being peacebuilders in their daily lives. The pledge resonated throughout the school courtyard and created a sense of unity and purpose that was almost palpable. Many students later shared that they wished to learn more about peace, participate in future programs, and help spread the message among their peers.

As part of the campaign, a “Peace Wall” was created (a colorful board where students contributed words, drawings, and symbols expressing their visions of peace). The Peace Wall now stands as a daily reminder that peace is not abstract; it is something every child can practice and embody. Teachers and administrators welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm, highlighting how peace education reinforces classroom harmony, improves emotional wellbeing, and reduces conflict among students. The campaign is only the beginning, as World BEYOND War Nigeria is committed to expanding peace education across Oyo State and eventually nationwide. The chapter plans to bring peace programs to at least 20 schools in 2026, train Student Peace Ambassadors who can champion nonviolence among their peers, establish permanent Peace Walls in participating schools, and launch a Peace Club at Richgates Divine School to sustain monthly activities. Beyond the school environment, World BEYOND War Nigeria also aims to collaborate with local leaders and community groups to embed the values of peace more deeply within youth culture.

Ultimately, the vision is to help build a national peace education network for children and teenagers, recognizing that Nigeria’s diversity is a strength that must be nurtured through deliberate unity-building efforts. By reaching students early, WBW Nigeria hopes to empower a generation that sees peace as a daily practice and personal responsibility. The “Peace Begins With Me” campaign at Richgates Divine School was a testament to what becomes possible when children are given the tools and encouragement to imagine a peaceful society and to take action within their own circles.

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