Imande-Dem Community Youth Lead the 2025 International Day of Peace Celebration

On Sunday, September 21st, 2025, the quiet community of Imande-Dem in the Guma Local Government Area, Benue State, came alive in a remarkable celebration of the International Day of Peace. This year’s commemoration was more than an event—it was a statement of resilience, unity, and the unwavering determination of a community determined to build a brighter and more peaceful future.

What made the day extraordinary was the youth leadership behind it. Young people of Imande-Dem took the front seat in planning and executing the celebration, demonstrating that when youth are empowered, peace is not just possible—it is inevitable. Their passion, energy, and creativity brought the community together in a way that underscored the central role of young people in peacebuilding and sustainable development.

The celebration was filled with sports, cultural displays, and social interactions that broke barriers and strengthened bonds among diverse groups. Football matches and team games highlighted the power of teamwork and cooperation, while community dances and music created an atmosphere of joy and unity. It was a day when the people of Imande-Dem celebrated their diversity not as a weakness, but as a strength to be cherished and protected.

More than a celebration, the day carried a powerful message: peace is not just an abstract value but a practice—something that must be lived out daily in our homes, schools, and communities. The people of Imande-Dem reaffirmed their collective commitment to choosing dialogue over conflict, unity over division, and progress over stagnation.

This grassroots celebration showed that true peacebuilding begins from the ground up. When local communities—led by their youth—take ownership of peace, it becomes sustainable and transformative.

At GoGreen and Nigeria Spring, with support from the UK Government–Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and development partners, we are proud to stand with communities like Imande-Dem that remind us that peace is possible, progress is achievable, and the future is in our hands.

The International Day of Peace 2025 in Imande-Dem was not just about marking a date on the calendar—it was about planting seeds of hope, unity, and resilience that will grow into a more peaceful tomorrow for Benue State and Nigeria as a whole.

“Peace begins in communities. When youth lead, the world follows.”