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Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reiterated his administration’s firm commitment to peace, unity and harmonious coexistence among all communities in the state, describing peace as the bedrock of sustainable development and collective progress.

The Governor gave the assurance on Sunday while addressing participants at a One-Day Peace Conference organised by the Ebira Muslims Peace Initiative in Okene. The conference, themed “Essence of Peace and Unity Among the Muslim Ummah,” was held at the Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land in Okene Local Government Area.

The gathering brought together Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups and other key stakeholders from across Kogi State to deliberate on ways of strengthening peaceful coexistence and promoting shared responsibility for social stability.

Governor Ododo commended the organisers for providing a platform that promotes unity within the Muslim Ummah while also encouraging tolerance across religious and ethnic lines. He noted that Kogi State has continued to earn recognition as a model of peaceful coexistence, attributing this to the collective efforts of citizens and the government’s deliberate and inclusive peace-building strategies.

“No society grows in an atmosphere of hatred and division,” the Governor said. “Peace is the foundation upon which prosperity is built, and unity is the bond that keeps us together as one people.”

He stressed that security goes beyond the use of force, emphasising the importance of dialogue, trust-building and inclusive engagement in resolving conflicts.

“Our major responsibility as a government is to provide security for our people, and in doing that, unity must be guaranteed,” he said. “One of the most effective ways of sustaining peace and unity is through non-kinetic approaches — engaging people, listening to them and resolving issues through dialogue.”

Governor Ododo explained that his administration is actively engaging religious leaders across the state, noting that such leaders command the trust and confidence of their followers.

“Today, we are meeting with our people and Islamic leaders to engage them constructively on the need to give peace a chance, for the unity of our state, our land and our people,” he said. “I have just concluded a meeting with Islamic scholars in Ebiraland and the Kogi Central Senatorial District. We are also working towards similar engagements in the West and East, as well as with Christian and traditional leaders. To ensure peace, you must engage all critical stakeholders.”

He expressed optimism that Kogi State is on a steady path to lasting peace, adding, “We are happy that everyone is ready to give peace a chance in Kogi State.”

Earlier, in his goodwill message, Chairman of the Ebira Muslims Peace Initiative Committee, Ustaz Ismail Obosi Suleiman, underscored the importance of unity among the various Islamic sects in Ebiraland. He acknowledged that differences in opinions are natural but warned against allowing such differences to degenerate into hostility.

Quoting Qur’an 3:103 — “Hold fast, all together, to the rope of Allah, and do not be divided” — Suleiman called for continuous dialogue among Islamic groups, a focus on shared values and a firm rejection of political manipulation that fuels division.

He urged religious leaders to lead by example through respectful engagement and the promotion of authentic Islamic teachings that foster understanding and dispel misconceptions among followers. According to him, peace remains the foundation for a prosperous Ebiraland and a stable Kogi State.

The conference also featured contributions from other dignitaries, including the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, His Royal Majesty Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje, and the Provost of the National Defence College, Professor Adam Okene Ahmed, both of whom spoke passionately on the need for tolerance, dialogue and mutual respect as pillars of peaceful coexistence.

The One-Day Peace Conference concluded with a renewed commitment by Islamic scholars, government representatives and community stakeholders to deepen unity, promote peaceful coexistence and ensure that Kogi State continues to thrive as a united and peaceful society.