By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos – Two groups, J-Town Ambassadors and Sentinel Oasis of Love and Care Initiative (SOLCI), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening peacebuilding, youth empowerment and community development across Jos, Plateau State.

The partnership seeks to address prevailing social and environmental challenges in communities within the Jos metropolis through coordinated programmes that promote unity, responsible leadership and sustainable community engagement.

Speaking on behalf of the J-Town Ambassadors, a member of the Board of Trustees, Ojee Onazi, said the organisation was founded in 2020 by individuals raised in Jos who were inspired by the city’s history of peaceful coexistence among people of diverse backgrounds.

She noted that the group draws from Jos’ long-standing culture of good neighbourliness and unity in diversity.

Onazi explained that J-Town Ambassadors promotes peace and social cohesion through youth empowerment initiatives, support for vulnerable groups and community-based activities, including music and peace football programmes.

According to her, the organisation is driven by a shared commitment to service and the desire to foster hope and inclusion within society.

“We come from diverse backgrounds and are determined to create a lasting legacy of service by promoting unity in diversity, empowering people and restoring hope,” she said, adding that while unity in diversity may appear challenging, it remains achievable.

On his part, the Trustee and Executive Director of SOLCI, Haroun Audu, said the organisation is focused on equipping young people for servant leadership anchored on faith, integrity and service.

He described SOLCI as a servant leadership platform dedicated to mentoring youths in Jos North and surrounding communities.

“Our mission is to raise responsible, trustworthy and committed leaders who can excel across society. Our vision is to equip young people for servant leadership through faith, integrity and service, thereby fostering social change and community impact, beginning from Jos North and expanding outward,” Audu stated.

He announced a 10-week community clean-up initiative involving 60 youths drawn from 10 wards in Jos North Local Government Area, to be implemented in collaboration with the Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA). The exercise is scheduled to run from 7 February to 4 April 2026.

According to Audu, the initiative builds on SOLCI’s maiden Youth Servant Leadership Training held in May 2025 and was further strengthened by the commitment of participants during a reunion held in October 2025.

He added that the programme aims to enhance leadership and teamwork skills, promote gender equality, foster unity across communities and improve environmental sanitation in selected locations.

In a goodwill message, the Communication Officer of PEPSA, Godwin Moses, assured the organisations of the agency’s readiness to collaborate to ensure the success of the clean-up initiative.