Abuja, Nigeria - Chairman of UPF International Dr. Charles S. Yang was in Nigeria from March 31 to April 2, 2014 as part of a recent tour of several African nations to meet to meet with government officials and, on behalf of UPF Co-Founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, to share about the vision and work of the Universal Peace Federation in Africa and around the world. Dr. Yang also described plans for UPF's 2014 World Summit on Peace and Development which will take place in Seoul, Korea, August 9-13, 2014.
He arrived at the Abuja International Airport on March 31 and was welcomed by UPF-Africa Regional Chair Mrs. Kathy Rigney along with other UPF-Nigeria leaders and a protocol officer from the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He briefly visited the Peace Embassy in Wuse 2, Abuja, where he was welcomed by UPF staff and some Ambassadors for Peace. After a brief rest at the hotel room, Dr. Yang had several meetings with dignitaries, including Senator Dr. Ibrahim Mantu, former deputy president of the Senate of Nigeria.
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The following day, Dr. Yang spoke at the National Assembly about the need for a special peace education program in Nigeria as a response to the challenges facing the nation and encouraged the promotion of intertribal and interreligious marriages by the Nigerian government. He used the opportunity to extend an invitation to Nigerian leaders to attend the summit.
There is a growing awareness among people throughout the world of the urgent need for innovative vision and bold leadership if we are to resolve the critical issues of our time. With this in mind, the World Summit convened by UPF and affiliated organizations will bring together world leaders whose individual and collective experience, wisdom and insight can help promote peace and prosperity for all the world’s peoples. In addition to the high-level sessions of the World Summit, delegates will have opportunities to meet with officials representing the government, academia, the private sector and the media.
Dr. Yang presented an Ambassador for Peace certificate to Senator Aloysius Etok, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service. Senator Etok talked about his experiences at the International Leadership Conference in Korea in February 2014, where he was especially impressed by the vision for promoting understanding and harmony through marriages between people of different religions and ethnic groups. He described the various security challenges faced by Nigeria and expressed interest in developing Nigeria's railroad infrastructure and offered a portion of land in his community in Akwa Ibom State for the establishment of a university for peace. In response, senators endorsed proposals such as the promotion of inter-tribal and interreligious marriages and creating an interreligious committee in their National Assembly.
The event was reported on national radio and television. For a brief television report, click here.
Hon. Dr. Bamanga Tukur, former national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party and chairman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation as well as trustee of the UPF-Nigeria Board, organized a special dinner in his residence in honor of the visiting International Chairman of UPF. During the dinner, Dr. Yang spoke again of his keen interest in Nigeria and shared special greetings from UPF Co-founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon. The dinner was attended by other Ambassadors for Peace, dignitaries and UPF-Nigeria leaders. Dr. Yang’s speech at the event was widely reported by the News Agency of Nigeria and other news media.
Dr. Yang and UPF-Africa leaders also met with Professor Albert Tevoedjre of Benin, former special envoy of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to Cote d’Ivoire.
Dr. Yang departed Nigeria with Mrs. Rigney on April 2. His visit brought blessings to Nigeria, as more Ambassadors for Peace are participating in activities and plans are being made to launch the UPF Peace Education Initiative for Nigeria as proposed by Dr. Yang.