NBM To ECOWAS: Humanitarian Service Key To Peacebuilding

by Idahosa Musa

The NBM of Africa Worldwide has called on ECOWAS and other regional stakeholders to give greater recognition to humanitarian intervention, community support and public education as tools for preventing conflict and strengthening peace across West Africa.

The President of the organisation, Dr Charles Chimezie, made the call on Monday in Abuja while delivering NBM’s World Peace Day address at the ECOWAS Secretariat, Asokoro, stressing that peace could not be sustained through security measures alone.

Chimezie said humanitarian organisations had an important role to play in addressing social conditions that could make vulnerable communities susceptible to crime, violence, hopelessness and other forms of insecurity.

He said NBM had, over the years, used humanitarian service as part of its contribution to peacebuilding, with interventions covering healthcare, education, disaster relief, welfare assistance, environmental sanitation and support for vulnerable families and communities.

The NBM president disclosed that members of the organisation had donated blood during the month to hospitals in Benin City, Abuja, Kuje, Lafia, Delta and Jos, describing the initiative as a practical demonstration of how saving lives could contribute to building more compassionate communities.

He also disclosed that the organisation had supported displaced persons and disaster victims with food, financial assistance and relief materials, including recent intervention in Borno State in partnership with the state government.

According to him, NBM’s educational interventions were equally designed to reduce vulnerability among young people, stressing that access to education and opportunities could help protect children and youths from exploitation, criminal activities and hopelessness.

Chimezie said the organisation had also intensified public education on social justice, equality, human rights, peaceful coexistence and responsible citizenship, urging young people not to allow anger and differences to degenerate into violence.

He said greater attention should be given to children, teachers and vulnerable communities, adding that government institutions, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and civil society organisations must work together to identify emerging challenges before they develop into major security threats.

The NBM president clarified that the organisation was not a security agency and would not investigate crimes, arrest suspects or take the law into its own hands, but would educate, prevent, observe and responsibly refer credible concerns to the appropriate authorities.

He therefore called for a structured partnership between NBM, ECOWAS, governments, security agencies, humanitarian organisations and civil society groups to promote peace education, youth engagement, community dialogue, child protection and humanitarian response across the region.

Chimezie said the organisation was ready to serve as a bridge between communities and legitimate institutions, stressing that responding to human suffering, building trust and strengthening community resilience were essential components of peacebuilding.

He reaffirmed NBM’s commitment to the philosophy: “One Africa. One Humanity. One Peace.”