Students across secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have stressed the importance of sustainable peace to national economic development, insisting that a peaceful climate is vital for boosting internally generated revenue (IGR) and attracting foreign investment.

The students made these assertions during separate interviews following a comprehensive youth empowerment and peace-building outreach conducted by the Change a Child Community Initiative, an NGO led by its founder, Blessing Oluchukwu Awamba, across schools within the Gwagwalada Area Council.

Speaking after the sensitization session at Government Girls’ Secondary School, Dukpa, students Miracle Chinaza Igwe and Gertie-Bright Ayodele maintained that peace remains the bedrock of academic success and overall national well-being.

Igwe said “Peace counts, peace is very important. As a student, I need peace especially when dealing with my fellow students.

“When there is peace in our country, Nigeria will become a better place for everybody. Business will be able to thrive, we will have more investment from foreign nationals and everybody will be happy with one another.”

She further advocated for an expansion of grassroots peace campaigns by both government bodies and civil society organisations to foster deeper community understanding.

Echoing similar sentiments, Ayodele placed a strong demand on the government to tackle systemic corruption, ethnic bigotry, and political apathy as essential prerequisites for lasting harmony.

She argued that societal unrest often stems from institutional failures to guarantee equity, justice, and quality employment opportunities for citizens.

“The roles that government should play in promoting peace is that they should ensure that corruption is stopped and they should ensure that the citizens get proper and quality jobs and human rights,” Ayodele noted.

A parallel sentiment resonated among students at Government Secondary School, Dobi, also in the Gwagwalada Area Council, where student leaders identified peace as a potent antidote to tribalism and social fragmentation.

The Head Boy, Saliu Jinaidu, pledged to champion anti-corruption and unity as a future leader, while the Head Girl, Rufkatu Francis, shared that she actively employs dialogue to maintain harmony within the school hostel.

Weighing in on the responsibilities of the state, the Labour Prefect of GSS Dobi, Ahmed Abdurrahman, emphasised that public tranquility is heavily anchored on transparent and responsive governance.

He pointed that “If there is peace or there is a good standard from the government, there will be peace in our community. If the government is not at ease, we will not be at ease,” Abdurrahman remarked.

He urged authorities to prioritise widespread access to education, safeguard fundamental human rights, and reward hard work to secure a stable future for the younger generation.