Jerry Gana: ‘Peace Without Justice Cannot Stand’

Former Minister of Information and pioneer Minister of Cooperation and Integration in Africa, Professor Jerry Gana, has emphasised that true peace is unattainable without justice, fairness, and equity.

Speaking in Abuja on Monday at the 25th anniversary of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), which coincided with the 2025 International Day of Peace, Gana cautioned that injustice remains the greatest threat to stability in any society.

“Peace without justice is impossible because injustice breeds resentment and fuels conflict,” he said. “Once people feel excluded, oppressed, or denied their fair share of resources, they are more likely to resist authority, making peace fragile and unsustainable.”

Reflecting on his role in establishing IPCR during his tenure, Gana commended the Institute’s resilience but urged the Federal Government to prioritise border security and leadership integrity.

“Peace is justice in action. Peace is leadership with integrity. Peace is equitable distribution and fairness. Wherever there is injustice, conflict is inevitable,” he declared, stressing that secure borders are key to addressing Nigeria’s insecurity.

He also lamented a global decline in peacefulness, citing the 2025 Global Peace Index. “Too often we define peace as merely the silence of guns. But lasting peace is far more profound. Peace delayed is peace denied. Peace begins not in conference halls, but in human hearts,” Gana said.

IPCR Director-General, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, hailed the anniversary as a milestone in the Institute’s peacebuilding journey. He described the 2025 International Day of Peace theme, “Act Now for a Peaceful World”, as both a reflection and a call to action.

“Peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of justice, equity, and dignity for all. For a quarter of a century, IPCR has been at the forefront of this noble cause,” Ochogwu said, acknowledging staff, stakeholders, and past leaders for their commitment.

He also praised President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying its alignment with IPCR’s mandate offers fresh opportunities to consolidate peace in rural communities and beyond.

Similarly, Acting Director of the ECOWAS Early Warning Directorate, Onyinye Onwuka, urged inclusivity, empathy, and greater involvement of women and youth in decision-making as pathways to sustainable peace.

To mark the anniversary, IPCR organised humanitarian support for internally displaced persons (IDPs), interfaith initiatives, mental health programmes, and grassroots outreach through its zonal peacebuilding offices nationwide.

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