The 12-week Peacebuilders Leadership Internship (PLI 1.0) equipped young Nigerians with practical skills in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, leadership, and community development, culminating in impactful outreach at the Karamajiji IDP Camp.
The Ominya Initiative for Peace and Community Development (OIPCD) has successfully graduated the inaugural cohort of its Peacebuilders Leadership Internship (PLI 1.0), marking a significant milestone in its commitment to promoting peace, leadership, and community development among young Nigerians.
The graduation ceremony, held on 31 July 2026 in Abuja, celebrated the successful completion of the 12-week internship programme, which equipped participants with practical knowledge and skills in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, leadership, civic engagement, and sustainable community development.
Speaking during the event, the Executive Director of OIPCD, Amb. Honest Salihu Gode, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to investing in young people as catalysts for peace and sustainable development. She noted that the successful completion of the maiden edition of the programme demonstrates the immense potential of youth-led initiatives in fostering peaceful communities and empowering emerging leaders to drive positive social change.
Throughout the three-month programme, participants took part in weekly hybrid learning sessions facilitated by experienced peacebuilding practitioners and subject-matter experts. The intensive curriculum covered peacebuilding, conflict analysis and resolution, Youth, Peace and Security (YPS), Gender and Inclusive Peacebuilding, youth leadership, advocacy, project management, and the responsible application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for peacebuilding and social impact.
A major highlight of the internship was the implementation of the Pass It On (PIO) Project at the Karamajiji Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Abuja. During the outreach, the interns engaged young people in meaningful conversations on peace, dialogue, empathy, tolerance, and non-violent conflict resolution, demonstrating their ability to translate classroom learning into impactful community action.
The ceremony also featured a keynote address delivered by Hon. Tpl. Abubakar Ahmed Sadiq, alongside certificate presentations, recognition of outstanding interns, reflections from participants on their learning journey, and appreciation for facilitators, mentors, and partners whose contributions ensured the success of the programme.
The graduating interns have now joined OIPCD’s growing network of Peace Champions, a community of young leaders committed to advancing peaceful coexistence, strengthening community resilience, and championing sustainable development across Nigeria.
With the successful completion of the Peacebuilders Leadership Internship (PLI 1.0), OIPCD reaffirmed its resolve to expand the initiative, providing more young Nigerians with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities required to become effective peacebuilders, community leaders, and advocates for lasting peace.
