Addressing a diverse audience of academics, administrators, business moguls, military personnel, chiefs, and students, the Vice-Chancellor emphasized the need for curricula that embrace diversity, nurture critical thinking skills, evoke empathy, and wholeheartedly encourage non-violent conflict resolution. He asserted that only through such educational reforms can the nation achieve lasting peace across all regions.

The Vice-Chancellor stated, “We are confronted with an escalating wave of violence and insecurity as a nation. Communal clashes, herders and farmers’ conflicts, and alarming rates of murder, banditry, kidnapping, and abduction are pervasive. The adverse effects manifest in the consistent decline of agricultural and industrial productivity, coupled with an unabated erosion of internal security."

“To counter these challenges, we must pivot our educational focus and modalities. Nigeria and Africa need an education system that fosters a more peaceful and just world, reduces violence and conflict, increases tolerance and understanding, creates equitable societies, and enhances individual and community well-being,” he added.

The Guest Lecturer, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Veracity Petroleum Ltd., expounded on the theme, "Raising the Bar: Towards Holistic Education Development Through Promotion of Peace Education." He called for the infusion of peace education into various subjects and urged engagement with parents, local organizations, and community leaders in peace education initiatives.

Awards of excellence were presented to five individuals, including Mr. Dauda Oladele, Engr. Raji Kehinde Ayoola, Alhaji Nurudeen Adeoye Oyetunde, Professor ‘Ayo Clement Adebooye, and Professor Anthony Kola-Olusanya, in recognition of their outstanding contributions.

During the event, the Provost of the College, Professor Florence Yusuf, highlighted the judicious use of donations received from a previous awardee, which went towards setting up a resource center for the College. She stressed the importance of equipping teachers-in-training with conflict resolution skills to restore the nation to its core values of peace and unity, as echoed in the national anthem.