Ifon-Orolu/Erin-Osun/Ilobu: PEACA Network, FBI Hold Peace Summit

…Peace remains foundation for development — Don

The Peace Advocacy and Climate Action for Development (PEACA) Network, in partnership with Future Builders Initiative, has organised a peace summit aimed at promoting dialogue, reconciliation and sustainable peace among communities affected by the Ifon-Orolu, Erin-Osun and Ilobu conflict in Osun State.

Speaking on Thursday at a Multi-Stakeholder Peace Summit on sustainable peace among the Ilobu, Erin-Osun and Ifon-Orolu communities, the Executive Director of PEACA Network, Akinremi Olawale, said the six-month project commenced on February 1, 2026, had reached about five months of implementation with activities including training of ambassadors from the affected communities, engagement with traditional institutions, development associations and community unions.

Olawale said that the organisation would continue with media campaigns to spread knowledge and lessons learnt during the project.

According to him, the summit was not the end of the initiative but a step towards developing lasting solutions from information gathered throughout the project.

“This may be the last physical programme, but it is not the end. We will collate the information gathered from this programme and others to derive solutions and determine the way forward,” he said.
Olawale added that the organisation would continue with media campaigns to spread knowledge and lessons learnt during the project.

Also speaking, the Programme Officer of Future Builders Initiative, Faridah Igabayilola, said the project had recorded significant progress, beginning with the training of 30 participants from Ifon-Orolu, Erin-Osun and Ilobu communities.

She added that over 20 media practitioners across Osun State were trained on “Peace Solution Reporting” to promote conflict-sensitive journalism.

“Media serves as a bridge to peace. We trained journalists on how to produce reports that provide solutions, reduce conflict and promote peace.

“We have made a lot of progress. Bringing key stakeholders from the three communities into the same room is a major step in the right direction,” Igabayilola said.

Meanwhile, Professor of Political Science at Osun State University, Osogbo, Prof. Bolaji Omitola stressed that development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of conflict.

He noted that communities that fail to promote peace would struggle to achieve development.

“The programme is a wonderful and very timely initiative. As I stated during my keynote address, peace is a prerequisite for development; there cannot be meaningful development without peace.

However, the Member representing Obokun State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewumi Adeyemi (Irekandu), commended the stakeholders involved in the peace-building initiative, encouraging them to remain focused on addressing real challenges affecting the people.

Hon. Adeyemi hailed the Governor Adeleke’s efforts in promoting peace through direct engagement with communities, urging residents to uphold peace agreements reached with the government.

“The organizers are doing, they should ensure they are solving real problems that affect the lives of the people.

“The government has done well so far. The Governor has been engaging directly with people on the ground. I want to appeal to our people to continue to keep to the peace accords they have with the government so that we do not experience crisis again in the state.” Adeyemi advised.