Preamble

The #RuntoNigeria with an Olive Branch campaign is gaining momentum. For the realization of its goals, we have articulated a model for this campaign as presented below. However, like many emerging social movements around the world, we accommodate the creativity and initiative of the groups. The model presented below is a general guide to follow. A training or an orientation will be given to the organizers and volunteers during our weekly Facebook live video calls and through our weekly emails.

Purpose

#RuntoNigeria with an Olive Branch is a symbolic and strategic run for peace, security and sustainable development in Nigeria.

Timeline

Individual/Group Kick off Run: Tuesday, September 5, 2017. The individual, unofficial run will serve as a time when our runners will engage in self-examination and acknowledge that we all have contributed either directly or indirectly to the problems we face in Nigeria. Nemo dat quod non habet – no one gives what he or she does not have. For us to give the olive branch, a symbol of peace, to others, we must first engage in inner or inward self-examination, become peaceful with ourselves inwardly, and get prepared to share peace with others.

Inaugural Run: Wednesday, September 6, 2017. For the inaugural run, we will run to give Abia State the olive branch. Abia State is the first state based on the alphabetical order.

Model

1. States and the FCT

We are going to run to and in Abuja and all the 36 states in Nigeria. But because our runners cannot be physically present in all the states at the same time, we are going to follow the model presented below.

A. Send the Olive Branch to all the States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

Each day, all our runners, no matter where they are, will run to send an olive branch to one state. We will run to the states in an alphabetical order covering the 36 states in 36 days, and an additional one day for the FCT.

Runners in the state where we will be bringing the olive branch will run to the state headquarters – from the State House of Assembly to the Governor’s Office. The olive branch will be presented to the governor at the Governor’s Office. The State House of Assembly symbolizes the ensemble of the people – a place where the voice of the citizens of the state are heard. We will run from there to the Governor’s Office; the Governor being the leader of the state and in whom the will of the people within the state is deposited. We will hand over the olive branch to the governors who will receive the olive branch on behalf of the people of the state. After receiving the olive branch, the governors will address the runners and make a public commitment to promote peace, justice, equality, sustainable development, security, and safety in their states.

Runners who are not in the selected state of the day will symbolically run in their states. They could run in different groups or individually. At the end of their run (from their designated starting point to the ending point), they could do a speech and ask the governor and the people of the state for which we are running that day to promote peace, justice, equality, sustainable development, security, and safety in their state and in the country. They may also invite credible public leaders and stakeholders to speak about peace, justice, equality, sustainable development, security, and safety in Nigeria at the end of the run.

After all the 36 states are covered, we will proceed to Abuja. In Abuja, we will run from the House of Assembly to the Presidential Villa where we will hand over the olive branch to the president, or in his absence, to the Vice President who will receive it on behalf of the Nigerian people, and in turn promise and renew his administration’s commitment to peace, justice, equality, sustainable development, security, and safety in Nigeria. Because of the logistics in Abuja, we are reserving the Abuja olive branch run to the end, that is, after the olive branch run in the 36 states. This will give us time to plan well with security officials and other law enforcement agencies in Abuja, and help the office of the President to prepare for the event.

Runners who cannot travel to Abuja on the day of the Abuja olive branch run will symbolically run in their states. They could run in different groups or individually. At the end of their run (from their designated starting point to the ending point), they could do a speech and ask their congressmen and congresswomen – the Senators and House Representatives from their states – to promote peace, justice, equality, sustainable development, security, and safety in Nigeria. They may also invite credible public leaders, stakeholders or their Senators and House Representatives to speak about peace, justice, equality, sustainable development, security, and safety in Nigeria at the end of the run.

B. Run with an Olive Branch for Peace Between and Among all the Ethnic Groups in Nigeria

After running for peace in the 36 states and the FCT following an alphabetical order for a period of 37 days, we will run with an olive branch for peace between and among all the ethnic groups in Nigeria. The ethnic groups will be divided in groups. Each day of the run will be designated for a group of ethnic groups historically known in Nigeria to be in conflict. We will run to give these ethnic groups an olive branch. We will identify one leader representing each ethnic group who will receive the olive branch at the end of the run. The designated leader of the Hausa-Fulani for example will speak to the runners after receiving the olive branch and promise to promote peace, justice, equality, sustainable development, security, and safety in Nigeria, while the designated leader of the Igbo ethnic group will also do the same. Leaders of the other ethnic groups will do the same on the days we will run to give them the olive branch.

The same format for the states’ olive branch run will apply to ethnic groups’ olive branch run. For example, the day we are running to give the olive branch to the Hausa-Fulani and Igbo ethnic groups, runners in other regions or states will also run for peace between the Hausa-Fulani and Igbo ethnic groups but in different groups or individually, and invite the Hausa-Fulani and Igbo organization or association leaders in their states to speak and promise to promote peace, justice, equality, sustainable development, security, and safety in Nigeria.

C. Run for Peace Between and Among Religious Groups in Nigeria

After sending the olive branch to all the ethnic groups in Nigeria, we will run for peace between and among religious groups in Nigeria. We will send the olive branch to Muslims, Christians, African Traditional Religious Worshipers, Jews, and so on, on different days. The religious leaders who will receive the olive branch will promise to promote peace, justice, equality, sustainable development, security, and safety in Nigeria.

2. Prayer for Peace

We will end the #RuntoNigeria with an Olive Branch campaign with a “Prayer for Peace” – a multi-faith, multi-ethnic and national prayer for peace, justice, equality, sustainable development, security, and safety in Nigeria. This national prayer for peace will take place in Abuja. We will discuss details and agenda later. A sample of this prayer is on our website at the 2016 Pray for Peace event.

3. Public Policy – Campaign Outcome

As the #RuntoNigeria with an Olive Branch campaign kicks off, a team of volunteers will work on policy issues. We will articulate policy recommendations during the run, and present them to policy makers to implement for a social change in Nigeria. This will serve as a tangible outcome of the #RuntoNigeria with an olive branch social movement.

These are a few points you need to know. Everything will be well planned and articulated as we move on with the campaign. Your contributions are welcome.

With peace and blessings!