The Rotary Action Group for Peace (RAGFP) has announced a partnership with the Presidency, through the Office of the National Security Adviser, to advance peace initiatives across Nigeria.

The collaboration will implement the National Community Violence Reduction Programme (NCVRP), aimed at reducing violence and strengthening peacebuilding efforts nationwide.

RAGFP, the civil society arm of Rotary International, focuses on promoting structures, behaviours, and institutions that uphold peacebuilding, peacemaking, and peacekeeping.

At a briefing in Lagos, District Governor of Rotary District 9112, Lanre Adedoyin, highlighted the link between peace and development, stressing that no society can progress in the absence of peace.

“Peace begins with a smile. Rotary places a high premium on peacebuilding, with global peace centres, including in Uganda and India. Wherever we are, we give peace a chance because it is the foundation of human activity,” he said.

RAGFP’s Lagos State Coordinator, Adebukunola Soile-Balogun, said the group has coordinated multiple peace interventions, including a Peace Walk in Isheri North, signing of community peace accords, and the establishment of the Isheri Community Peace and Security Council.

She also highlighted training initiatives for youth and public servants, conducted in collaboration with agencies such as the NDLEA, EFCC, and ICPC, with plans for vocational training for inmates at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

Soile-Balogun pledged that RAGFP will continue working with both the state and federal government to strengthen community peace and conflict prevention programmes.