Security scholars, experts and other stakeholders, on wednesday, said  cooperative networking is pivotal for sustaining peace in the Southwest and the country as a whole.
The scholars and stakeholders included a renowned scholar, Prof. Olawale Albert; the Director of the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies [IPSS], University of Ibadan, Dr. Ruth Adio-Moses; the immediate past Director of IPSS, Prof. Dominic Danjibo;  the Oyo State Commandant of Amotekun Corps, Col. Olayinka  Olayangu [rtd]; Dr. Olanrewaju A. Oladejo of IPSS,  Community Engagement Officer of United States Institute of Peace,Nigeria [USIP], Tarfa Henry and others.
They made the call during a capacity-building programme which was held at the Oyebamiji Hall of the Department of Peace , Security and Humanitarian Studies hall of UI, Ibadan.
 The event, which had the theme: ‘Enhancing Community Peacebuilding Network for Sustainable Approaches to Threats in Southwest  Nigeria’, was organised by IPSS, UI in collaboration with USIP, Nigeria. Participants at the event,  who came from states across the region,  included officers from the Ministry of Justice in Oyo State, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,  Non-Governmental Organisations, the media and others.
The General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General Obinna  Onugbogu was represented by Col. M.S. Mukhtar.
Speaking virtually on the ‘Core Roles of Community Peacebuilding Actors’,  Prof. Albert said important stakeholders in community peace building need to work together in harmony.
According to the professor, peace-building actors included the local government system, traditional rulers, community associations, business associations and groups, prominent personalities, opinion moulders.
 The IPSS Director, Adio-Moses, said the programme was to strategise and  bring,  ‘’all our efforts together in order to build peace within our communities. Also, there is a need to consciously make a conscious effort, you know, to bring our strong points together and use these strong points to build peace in our communities’’.
She added: ‘’We need peace, and we believe that we have the instruments for peace building. We should use our communities, community leaders, grassroots leaders and engage them effectively for peace building and that the Southwest will be better for it. They should engage Community leaders, it’s very important bringing the Grassroots, bringing youths, every group should be recognized and should be brought to the table when talking about peace building and peace building issues’’.
On his part, the immediate past Director of IPSS, Prof. Dominic Danjibo, said the society must create structures and opportunities for sustaining peace, adding,   ‘’Building blocks must be put in place for peaceful coexistence’’.
 On his part, Oladejo said sustainable peace cannot be achieved in the absence of coordination.
He said: ‘’The purpose of the workshop is to bring peace-building actors together for them to be able to create a platform of networking which will assist in carrying out the assignment. Sustainable peace cannot be achieved in the absence of coordination. We are expected to be well coordinated in  carrying out their mandate. That is the essence of this workshop. Core stakeholders in peace keeping were invited. So, they are expected to go back to their respective locality and be able to impart what they have learned here.
 ‘’To sustain peace, everybody must consider peace as a corporate assignment that must be worked for. If you see it, sustain it. All stakeholders must work together’’.
The Oyo State Amotekun Commandant, Â Col. Olayangu [rtd] said dialogue and network are critical elements of peace-building.