The American University of Nigeria (AUN) joined stakeholders in peace and development at the Adamawa State Peace Building Network Coordinating Meeting, held on September 17, 2025, at the JDPC Yola Office, Catholic Secretariat.
The gathering brought together civil society organizations, development partners, and community leaders, united by a shared commitment to strengthening peacebuilding mechanisms across the state.
Representing AUN President and Vice Chancellor, Professor DeWayne Frazier, Vice President of Administration and Registrar, Mr. Daniel Okereke, reaffirmed the university’s development-driven approach to education and peace. In his keynote address, he emphasized the critical role of data and technology in conflict prevention.
“Peace is not accidental,” he said. “It is built, guarded, and renewed through vigilance, data, technology, and above all, through people working together.”
He recalled AUN’s pioneering work through the Adamawa Peace Initiative (API) and highlighted interventions such as Peace Through Sports, digital skills training, and the Feed and Read program for vulnerable children. From AUN’s journey, he outlined three enduring lessons: data must be paired with community voices; technology amplifies impact; and youth are essential to building sustainable peace.
Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, Mr. Yusuf Mohammed was among the AUN representatives in attendance. The conveners of the network, Mr. Lawrence Yakubu and Mr. Danjumaa Ojei Mailambu, outlined its mission of conflict prevention, mediation, and community resilience. Mr. Mailambu stressed that the new framework would strengthen coordination and resource management.
“The network will foster peacebuilding with a united front, avoid duplication of efforts, and help us better manage our available resources,” Mr. Mailambu said.
In a goodwill message, Mr. Yohana Moses, Principal Special Assistant to Governor Ahmadu Umar Fintiri on Civil Societies and Non-Governmental Organizations Coordination, congratulated the conveners for what he described as a timely and meaningful initiative. He also commended AUN for its decade-long leadership in peacebuilding, noting that “data is always key in building peace.”
The meeting concluded with optimism as participants looked forward to the launch of the Adamawa State Peace Building Network, expressing confidence that it will mark the beginning of a new era of collaboration, resilience, and sustainable peace in Adamawa State.