Pax-Amor Initiative

Bridging the Gap: Mentorship and Strategic CollaborationFor any young civil society organization, "registering presence" within the developmental sector is more than just an exercise in visibility. It is a strategic effort to build a foundation of shared wisdom, avoid the duplication of efforts, and align with institutional pillars that have weathered regional challenges. This philosophy was the driving force behind Pax-Amor’s recent familiarization visit to the League for Human Rights (LHR).The League for Human Rights has long stood as a registered, independent beacon for civic education, legal empowerment, environmental advocacy, and democratic advancement in Nigeria. To maximize its impact, LHR heavily prioritizes networking with domestic and international entities. Understanding the value of this established network, a Pax-Amor delegation consisting of Jick Thomas Azi, Lawrence J, Francis Joseph, and Ochanya Gloria visited the LHR headquarters on Tafawa Balewa Street in Jos.The delegation was received by Dr. Nankin Bagudu, a seasoned advocate, Executive Director of LHR, and the Plateau State Coordinator for the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG). Dr. Bagudu warmly welcomed the young organization, reinforcing the necessity of PAI’s foundational goals and underscoring the collaborative nature required of modern civil society."It is good to collaborate," Dr. Bagudu remarked, noting that civil society organizations (CSOs) face a monumental task in today's social climate. During the meeting, he offered a powerful guiding principle that has since become a cornerstone of PAI’s operational strategy: "Instead of waiting for violence to occur first before intervention, we should work toward controlling or preventing those violence." This endorsement solidified a mutual commitment to proactive conflict prevention, mentorship, and capacity building.Grassroots Impact: The Tudun Wada InterventionWhile high-level institutional partnerships provide the overarching strategy, the true test of Pax-Amor’s mission happens directly in the local neighborhoods. One of the organization's most critical community outreach efforts took place in Tudun Wada, a prominent, highly populated, and vibrant district within the Jos North Local Government Area.Tudun Wada is a geographical and social microcosm of Jos itself. It shares borders with major areas like Hwolshe, Federal Low Cost, and Gabong, creating a melting pot where people from various cultural and geographic backgrounds across Nigeria live side by side. While the indigenous population comprises the Berom and Afizere peoples, the current demographic is heavily shaped by small-scale entrepreneurs, civil servants, and a large concentration of students. Notably, the community boasts a significantly high population of youths compared to children and elderly residents.While domestic violence and child abuse are unfortunate realities across many societies, empirical research conducted by Pax-Amor revealed that these issues are relatively high within Tudun Wada, a trend heavily driven by high population density, economic pressures, and lack of localized legal awareness. Recognizing that community safety begins at home, PAI prioritized Tudun Wada for a targeted sensitization campaign.On April 26, the Pax-Amor team—led by Jick Thomas Azi alongside Lawrence Joseph , Ochanya Gloria, and Udoka Glory (visiting from Akwa Ibom State)—convened at the Church of the Annunciation compound. The gathering served as a collaborative forum with local stakeholders to discuss effective strategies for identifying, reporting, and preventing domestic abuse. By moving these issues out of the shadows of private shame and into the light of public education, PAI sought to empower residents to protect vulnerable women and children.A Vision for a Safer PlateauThe Pax-Amor Initiative operates on the foundational truth that regional peace is not merely the absence of open warfare, but the presence of everyday justice, security, and dignity within individual households. By directly tackling gender-based violence, domestic abuse, and child exploitation, PAI is systematically dismantling the internal frustrations that often boil over into wider communal instability.Through its strategic partnerships with veteran organizations like the LHR and its direct, on-the-ground engagement with local communities like Tudun Wada, Pax-Amor is proving that organizational age is no barrier to systemic impact. The initiative continues to demonstrate that with a proactive vision, clear leadership, and a willingness to learn from established peers, a young organization can spark a significant and lasting shift toward a safer, more harmonious Nigeria.

“All of us, not only presidents and generals, must play a role in building peaceful and stable communities.
We cannot be innocent bystanders.“
- Kofi Annan, 7th Secretary-General of the United Nations (1997-2006)

I AM A WOMAN!!!

So what?
I get into an argument
with a man, he slaps me,
I feel the pain, yet they
tell me I provoked him. I
should have been quiet, I
should have been patient. I should apologize to him.

I get into an argument
with a man, I slap him,
they tell me I have no
respect, no home training. I should have been quiet, I should have been patient. I should apologize to him.
Because I am a woman, I don't have a right to be
angry. So, the degree of
my innocence is directly
proportional to the degree of my silence in the face of oppression
and brutality.....

Because I am a woman,
my husband cheats on
me, I am told to tolerate it to save my marriage. The barbaric and stupid
excuse is that ''it is in
their nature to cheat, I
should slim down, dress
better, cook better, pray
harder and be more
pleasant to him"

I cheat, and I am called a
w***e, I have committed
an abomination, I have no right to look elsewhere for the love and emotional support I lack at home, I am an
irresponsible mother.

So I am sent packing,
from the home we both
built, with all my earthly
possessions stuffed into
a tiny box on my head. I
am henceforth forbidden
from seeing my two older children, I'm lucky to be allowed to go with my little one still suckling on my left breast. Three years later, the little one is tagged a bastard. Now, my new name is "after-three", because I am a woman.

He is 28 and runs a
company. He's tagged
wonderful, hardworking,
focused, career oriented,
successful at a very
young age.

I am 28 and I run a
company "Hmmmm....
she is not even married,
unserious, can not order
her priorities right, a
hustler, loves money, let
her go and get a husband oh"

And I wonder if being
successful has anything
to do with a person's
gender.

Because I am a woman,
I am not allowed to have
wits or be a prodigy, I
cannot be financially
buoyant, professionally
successful or be treated
with respect without a
man beside me.

Then I am tagged a
generous leg opener, "a
runs girl". They never see
the possibility that I
actually had to go through ups and downs to get to where I am, because I am a woman.

A man looses his wife to
death and remarries a
year after, he did the right thing, he's being praised and congratulated for moving on, after all life is for the living.

A woman looses her
husband to death and
remarries after 4yrs,
"aaah! so early? Are you
sure she wasn't sleeping
with that man even when
her husband was alive?
That was why she killed
her husband. She's a
witch! Because she's a
woman. But don't forget, that what makes a woman does not make her less human!

A Woman has the most unique character like salt! Her presence is never remembered, but her absence makes all the things tasteless.

This is dedicated to all women and girl child.
Help protect them!!

Jick Thomas Azi
Project Director
Pax Amor Initiative

: Today is the 2024 edition of the International Volunteer Day, which is a day set aside by the United Nations to celebrate Volunteers and Volunteerism across the globe. The theme for this year's International Volunteer Day is "Diverse Volunteers, Stronger Communities". This theme highlights the importance of volunteerism in building stronger, more resilient communities. It also emphasizes the value of diversity and inclusivity in volunteer work.- recognises the contributions of Volunteers as first responders in times of crisis. Volunteers are present all around us, answering calls in times of need, helping save lives today and supporting those who want to continue lives today with dignity tomorrow. Risking their lives every day to care for people affected by conflict, violence and humanitarian crises, volunteers brave many dangers to help others, driven by the desire to make a difference in the face of human suffering. This year, International Volunteer promotes the contributions of such volunteers at the local, national and international level. In Nigeria and the world at large, the culture of Volunteerism is strong through the activities of community, social and religious organisations, however the government is yet to appropriately value this contributions by supporting the agencies that focused on coordinating volunteers role in sustainable development to be well prepared to carry out their function. It is important for every stakeholder to mark this year celebration in any way that reflects the theme of this year's celebration. Whatever we do, we can still create time to do something that can make the society better. You can start changing the world by changing yourself and supporting others to become like you. HAPPY VOLUNTEER DAY 2024.
Jick Thomas Azi

International Peace Day 2024 is just around the corner! It's celebrated annually on September 21, and this year's theme is "Cultivating a Culture of Peace". This theme marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace.

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly, and in 2001, it was declared a day of ceasefire. The goal is to have a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and contribute to building a culture of peace.

*Ways to Celebrate International Peace Day:*

- _Promote Education and Awareness_: Educate yourself and others about peace and its importance.
- _Organize Community Events_: Host events that promote unity, inclusivity, and peace, such as peaceful walks, runs, or sports activities.
- _Support Humanitarian Causes_: Donate to organizations that work towards peace and conflict resolution.
- _Practice Mindfulness and Reflection: Observe a minute's silence at noon to reflect on those who have lost their lives due to conflict.