About Us
Discover our inspiring journey and mission as an NGO, driven to make a positive impact on the world.
About us
Who We Are
Sherisesan for Peace-Harmony and Social Development Initiatives (SPHSDI) is a women-focused, community-driven non-governmental organization dedicated to empowering women, uplifting vulnerable groups, and fostering peaceful, inclusive communities across Nigeria.
Founded by High Chief, Iyalode Sherifat Olusesan Temitope Ishmail-Fijabi. Iyalode Of Odomola Kingdom, Eredo Lcda, Epe Division, Lagos State. Is built on the belief that peace and progress begin at the grassroots — in families, communities, and everyday interactions. Through empowerment, education, dialogue, and humanitarian support, we work to create environments where dignity, security, and compassion thrive.
Our Mission
Sherisesan for Peace, Harmony and Social Development Initiatives is committed to empowering women, supporting vulnerable groups, and fostering peaceful communities through education, advocacy, and humanitarian assistance. We provide tools, training, and opportunities that build confidence, reduce conflict, promote dialogue, and enable individuals and families to thrive with dignity, stability, and long-term hope.
Our Vision
To build a peaceful, harmonious, and empowered society where every individual — especially women, youths, and the underprivileged — can live with dignity, contribute to development, and become active agents of peace and positive transformation.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF SHERISESAN PEACE & HARMONY SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
1. To create sustainable programs through educational training and empowerment for youths, women, and members of the organization, aimed at promoting self-reliance and leadership development.
2. To alleviate the suffering of the poor, especially individuals and families struggling to afford basic meals, by providing food items and essential support to sustain livelihoods.
3. To support the less privileged and vulnerable members of society through targeted interventions that improve their quality of life and promote social inclusion.
4. To establish a strong presence and reputation as a leading non-governmental organization in the field of peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and resolution in Nigeria and beyond.
5. To develop and implement effective peacebuilding programs and initiatives that address the root causes of conflicts, encourage dialogue, and promote sustainable peace and harmony among diverse communities.
6. To forge strategic partnerships with governmental agencies, NGOs, and private sector entities to leverage resources and expertise in advancing peace and social development initiatives.
7. To expand the reach and impact of the organization’s peace education workshops, training sessions, and capacity-building programs across communities and institutions.
8. To advocate for policy reforms and increased resource allocation at local, national, and international levels to strengthen peacebuilding, social justice, and conflict resolution efforts.
9. To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the organization’s programs and interventions to ensure accountability, continuous improvement, and maximum impact.
10. To foster a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and collaboration within the organization and among stakeholders, thereby enhancing effective peacebuilding and social cohesion.
11. To mobilize financial resources through fundraising campaigns, grant applications, and strategic partnerships to sustain and expand the organization’s operations and outreach.
12. To empower communities affected by conflicts to actively participate in peacebuilding and reconciliation processes, fostering unity, stability, and long-term development.
Meet Our Founder
High Chief, Iyalode Sherifat Olusesan Temitope Ishmail-Fijabi. Iyalode Of Odomola Kingdom, Eredo Lcda, Epe Division, Lagos State.
Founder | President | Retired Director | Customary Court Judge Member | Peace Advocate | Community Leader | Horticulturist
High Chief, Iyalode Sherifat Olusesan Temitope Ishmail-Fijabi is a distinguished administrator, humanitarian, and peace advocate whose career spans an extraordinary 39 years across human resources, general administration, civil service leadership, conflict resolution, crisis management, community development, and grassroots empowerment. She is recognized as a transformational figure whose work has shaped public institutions, empowered vulnerable groups, and strengthened community harmony.
Her academic foundation includes a B.Sc. in Sociology and an MBA from the University of Lagos, complemented by advanced certifications in Conflict Management, Problem Solving, Leadership, and Organizational Communication from professional institutions in Dubai, the United States, and Nigeria. Her commitment to excellence and continuous learning reflects her lifelong dedication to service, mediation, and human-centered leadership.
A Trailblazing Public Service Career
Iyalode Fijabi served in multiple ministries within the Lagos State Government before rising to become the first woman to head the Industrial Relations Department in the Lagos State Ministry of Establishments, a historic role through which she shaped the State’s labor relations landscape. Her tenure was marked by strategic negotiations, strengthened cooperation among unions and management, and the formulation of policies that enhanced staff welfare and institutional efficiency. She chaired and contributed to several high-level committees, including those on illegal check-off dues, staff welfare, service harmonization, and performance assessment.
Earlier in her civil service journey, she served as an Administrative Officer in the Lagos State Chieftaincy Department, where she worked closely with Obas, Chiefs, and traditional councils. Through this role, she developed deep expertise in indigenous governance, community mediation, and cultural conflict resolution—foundational experiences that later shaped her peacebuilding philosophy.
Experience Across Sectors
Beyond government, she has worked at EKO INTERNATIONAL BANK LIMITED as a Banking Officer, at Concord Press Nigeria Ltd, and with AGIP Oil Company, where she managed welfare and community relations in Warri, Port Harcourt, and Bonny. These experiences broadened her understanding of grassroots engagement and community dynamics across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
Trainer, Facilitator & Advocate
A certified facilitator, she has led numerous trainings and workshops on leadership, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, management development, project management, customer relations, and performance improvement. Her facilitation style blends empathy with discipline, rooted in decades of real-world experience across institutions and communities.
Honours, Fellowships & Recognitions
Her outstanding service has earned her commendation from former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, and recognition from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for her contributions to the Lagos State Vision 2020 “Project Wheel” initiative. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Information Management and the Association of Human Resource Practitioners, and a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM).
Cultural Leadership
In May 2025, she was formally installed as the Iyalode of Odomola Kingdom, succeeding her grandmother—the town’s first Iyalode. As Iyalode, she serves as a custodian of culture, the leader of women, and an advocate for peace, harmony, and social transformation. Her work reflects a lineage of service and womanhood, woven into the cultural fabric of Odomola and its surrounding communities.
Humanitarian Engagement
Iyalode Fijabi’s humanitarian outreach spans widows, single mothers, elderly citizens, market women, children, and vulnerable households. She frequently visits schools to mentor young people, offering guidance on discipline, values, emotional intelligence, and educational excellence. Her compassion is matched by her commitment to justice, reflected in her role as a Customary Court Judge Member, where she upholds fairness and wisdom in conflict resolution.
Personal Life & Philosophy
Outside her professional work, she is an avid horticulturist and a member of the Ikeja Golf Club—interests that reflect her appreciation for nature, serenity, and balance. She is married with children. Her personal creed, “Empowering Women, Uplifting Lives, Building Peace,” captures the spirit of her life’s work.
Founder of Sherisesan
With decades of leadership behind her, she founded Sherisesan for Peace, Harmony and Social Development Initiatives as a platform to advance peacebuilding, empower women, support vulnerable groups, and strengthen communities. Her vision continues to guide the organization’s mission, values, and programs, creating sustainable pathways for reconciliation, dignity, and development across Nigeria.
Our Story
Sherisesan began as a vision rooted in decades of public service, community engagement, and personal encounters with marginalized individuals whose lives were impacted by conflict, poverty, or lack of opportunity.
Our founder witnessed firsthand how unresolved disputes can destroy families, escalate into community violence, and hinder development—and how timely mediation, compassionate support, and empowerment can bring healing, unity, and hope.
Her experiences inspired the creation of an organization that:
– Upholds peace as the pillar of progress
– Treats every human being with dignity and compassion
– Provides opportunities for growth, empowerment, and self-reliance
Bridges divides between communities, institutions, and individuals
Today, Sherisesan is more than an NGO—it is a movement dedicated to restoring peace, nurturing harmony, and empowering people to transform their lives and communities.
Our Core Values
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