Jerry Gana criticises Nigeria’s leadership for lack of initiative, urging fairness, integrity, and justice to achieve lasting peace.

Former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana has come hard on present leadership of the country, stating that: “Our leaders are no longer thinking. No more initiative. No more programmes.”

Gana, who was the Chairman at the 25th Year Anniversary of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) and the Commemoration of the 2025 International Peace Day in Abuja on Monday, noted that leadership is very important and should be enlightened and trained, should be about, “Compassionate leadership. Leadership full of ideas, since one idea can transform your whole country.”

He however lamented that, “But our leaders are no longer thinking. No more initiative. No more programmes.

“Otherwise, a nation like the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a nation full of these kinds of resources in Nigeria, will be having the kind of realities we are facing now.”

He said, “I don’t love going to the market again in Nigeria. Because prices are changing almost every other day. And things are very, very difficult.”

He advised leaders to be fair to all in order not to create disputes in the system that could affect peaceful living.

He said, “Always remember that peace delayed is peace denied. Very, very distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, too often we define peace as merely the silence of guns. But lasting peace is far more profound.

“To my own understanding, peace is justice in action. Peace is leadership with integrity. Peace is equitable distribution and being fair in a nation.

“In fact, at the heart of peace is justice, equity, and fairness. Wherever there is injustice, you wait. There will be conflict.

“Therefore, leaders must avoid injustice. In any society where there is injustice, just wait for it. There will be violent, sometimes, reaction.

“So we encourage leaders around the world to pursue justice, fairness, equity. Peace is also a promotion of human dignity. If you really see the sanctity of life and human dignity, you will not want to generate conflict.”

On his part, the Director General of Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu noted that the theme of this year’s International Day of Peace “Act Now for a Peaceful World” as declared by the United Nations, “calls us to action, to stand for peace, to promote dialogue, and to foster reconciliation.

It is a day to reflect on how far we have come in our collective pursuit of harmony and, more importantly, how much further we still have to go.”

He noted that “the world today is a complex tapestry of challenges, from geopolitical tensions to internal strife, from economic inequality to climate-induced conflict, from violent extremism to divisive narratives in social media. In the face of these headwinds, the message of peace is not a quiet whisper, it is a powerful, urgent clarion call. It is a reminder that peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of justice, equity, and dignity for all.”

He said, “For a quarter of a century, IPCR has been at the forefront of this noble cause. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we are not just marking time; we are celebrating a journey of resilience, commitment, and impact. Twenty-five years ago, the IPCR was established with a clear mandate: to be the intellectual and practical nerve center for peace and conflict resolution in our nation and Africa. We have grown from a nascent institution into a formidable force for positive change.”

He explained that “our work has spanned the full spectrum of peacebuilding. We have engaged in community-level mediation, facilitated high-level national dialogues, conducted rigorous research to inform policy, and trained a new generation of peacebuilders. We have worked tirelessly with government agencies, civil society organisations, and international partners including the United Nations Institutions to weave a stronger fabric of peace. Our achievements are not just our own, they are the shared success of every community leader, every young person, every public servant, every civil society organisation, every international organisation, and every corporate organisation who has partnered with us over the years.” (ARISE NEWS)