Abuja, Nigeria - Nigerian President Olusegun Obusanjo appealed to Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon for help on the problem of debt relief on the occasion of Moon's visit to Nigeria to inaugurate the Universal Peace Federation.
"The world is not helping Africa enough," Obusanjo said, in a message delivered by his personal representative, Chief Kanu Agabi. "Unfortunately, the rest of the world is sitting in judgment over Africa . . . Dr. Moon, the appeal of this country to you is that you should use your great influence to talk to the world to come to the aid of Africa."
A former British colony, Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation, with 150 million people. In recent years, Christian/Muslim interreligious conflict has been a great concern, and Father Moon's arrival was widely anticipated, with the Independent newspaper welcoming him as a "leading advocate of global peace."
An overflow crowd of 700 gathered at the Shehu Musa Yar'adua Conference Center. According to Radio Nigeria, the assembly included Minister of Communication, Chief Cornelius Adebayo; Deputy Senate President, Alhaji Ibrahim Mantu; Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero; and Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa. Diplomats from other West African nations were also in attendance.
National trustee of the UPF Mr. Segun Olusola said he came to associate with the organization after seeing former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda championing the cause of peace with Father Moon at the United Nations in New York. "I made up my mind then that I was going to reinforce my connection with the UPF," Olusola said.
In his peace message, Father Moon stressed the need for all nations to nominate 'Ambassadors for Peace' who would work and advise their national assemblies. He urged Nigerians to "live in accordance with heavenly law," outlining his urgent vision of God's providence for Africa and the world, and encouraged Nigerians to study his teachings deeply, change their lives and transform their country and continent. "If Africa focuses on its internal development rather than external circumstances," he said "then the lives of Africans will improve automatically."
The event included an invitation for couples to join in a world peace blessing toast of marriage rededication.
Nigerian President Olusegun Obusanjo was presented the 'Leadership and Good Governance Award' for his role in helping to establish democracy. 'Ambassador for Peace Awards' were also made to the Governor of Kaduna, the Minister for Communications and three other Nigerian dignitaries.
At an informal celebration the morning after the event, some of the fruits of the Federation's work in Nigeria were highlighted, including a children's martial arts exhibition and a visit by a championship Nigerian soccer team.
The Nigerian Ambassadors for Peace expressed their resolve to promote the UPF and sought guidance about how to accomplish that goal. "They have caught the vision of this interreligious project and want to run with it," said George Ogurie, Secretary General of UPF-Nigeria.
To read the inaugural peace message, click here.
To download a report booklet of the UPF Founders' 2005 World Peace Tour, click here.
