Istifanus, 22, won a Volkswagen beetle, an unannounced cash prize and a ticket for a trip to the United Kingdom.
Istifanus, who attributed her victory to God, said that she would use the opportunity to create more awareness of the dangers of violence.
She said peace was a crucial factor to the development of Nigeria's economy and called for greater understanding among diverse ethnic groups in the country.
``Peace can be achieved through better understanding among different communities and greater appreciation of our cultural and religious differences,'' she said.
She announced plans to design peace campaigns to enlighten people at the grassroots level on the benefits of a peaceful society.
The 1st and 2nd runners-up, Miss Marylin Nkuma of Delta and Christabel Odeta representing Cross River, also spoke against violence.
Nkuma emphasised the need for youths to become more creative, stressing that this would keep them away from criminal activities.
``As the saying goes, an idle mind is a devil's workshop," Nkuma said.
Odeta said the concept of "one Nigeria" as established by the country's founding fathers would only be ``sustained if peace reigns.’’
Earlier, the Project Manager of the event, Mr Kingsley Amafibe, said the programme was designed as a platform to encourage productivity through pageantry.
``The youths are basically the tool for violence in Nigeria and if you can occupy their minds, definitely there will be a violent-free society,’’ Amafibe said.
37 contestants representing all the states and the Federal Capital Territory vied for the peace ambassador crown.
Questions from judges to the contestants centred on challenges of insecurity and ways to entrench lasting peace in the country.
The event also featured concert, comedy and dance performances by Abuja All Stars dance group
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