The Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, has called for robust collaboration among stakeholders as a critical pathway to securing and sustaining peace across Nigeria.
Dr. Ochogwu made the call during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the IPCR and the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE) at the Institute’s headquarters in Abuja.
He stressed that peacebuilding is a collective responsibility that cannot be achieved by any single institution, noting that it requires the active participation of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), national and international organisations, state and non-state actors, as well as the media.
“Peace is all-inclusive. No single institution can do it alone,” he said, adding that peacebuilding in today’s Nigeria demands the mobilisation of intellectual, institutional and informational resources, a role the media must play with responsibility and professionalism.
The IPCR Director-General cautioned against destructive criticism, described it as detrimental to national cohesion.
“Your nation is like your family. When you constantly pull it down, outsiders begin to see it as broken. Constructive engagement strengthens nations, while destructive criticism weakens them,” he stated.
Dr. Ochogwu further noted that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot deliver its agenda in isolation, stressing that national development requires synergy among government institutions, the media and civil society.
Highlighting the significance of the partnership with ACOE, he said the collaboration would help amplify messages of peace, dialogue, mutual understanding and development, not only in Nigeria but across Africa.
The high point of the event was the formal signing of the MoU by Dr. Joseph Ochogwu and ACOE Chairman, Mr. Shola Akingboye.
Under the agreement, both organisations committed to promoting ethical online journalism and peacebuilding initiatives; supporting research, policy advocacy and public campaigns aimed at enhancing governance, transparency and citizen participation in peace processes; and conducting collaborative research on the impact of online media on conflict dynamics.
The MoU also provided for the exchange of information, resources and best practices on conflict resolution and digital media ethics, as well as mutual participation in lectures, conferences and awards to amplify peace and media responsibility messages.
Earlier, the Chairman of ACOE, Shola Akingboye, commended Dr. Ochogwu for his leadership and commitment to repositioning IPCR to effectively deliver on its mandate.
He pledged ACOE’s full support for the partnership, describing the association as a voice for the voiceless.
“We are here to reaffirm our commitment to supporting initiatives that promote peace in Nigeria through enhanced collaboration,” he said.
Akingboye assured that ACOE would leverage its digital platforms to project IPCR’s activities, boost its online visibility, engage stakeholders, educate the public and contribute meaningfully to the Institute’s peacebuilding objectives.
