Port Harcourt, Nigeria - A one-day special capacity-building workshop for Ambassadors for Peace was organized by UPF-Nigeria at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria on March 15. Fifty-three Ambassadors for Peace and 25 dignitaries attended the workshop, which focused on the role of the Ambassadors for Peace in the mission of UPF. Participants came from several areas in Rivers State and nearby Akwa Ibom State to attend the event.
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The theme of the seminar was “The Role of Ambassadors for Peace in the Mission of the Universal Peace Federation in Nigeria.” Beginning with arrival and accreditation, participants were welcomed by the MC, Sydney Ossai, the UPF-Nigeria coordinating outreach officer for Rivers State. The opening session featured brief self-introductions by all the participants and was followed by an opening prayer by Archbishop Dr. G. Wilson from Akwa Ibom State. Participants sang the Nigeria national anthem to demonstrate their respect for the nation, and Amb. Nsirim Onizor Goddy gave the opening address which reflected on the role of the Ambassadors for Peace in carrying out the UPF mission in Nigeria as he pointed out the many challenges that the Nigeriam nation is facing. Rev. Sunday N. Uke, UPF-Nigeria director of interreligious affairs, also attended the event with other UPF volunteers in Rivers State.
After a brief break, the workshop sessions continued with presentations by UPF-Nigeria Secretary General Dr. Raphael Ogar Oko. Workshop Session 1 featured presentations on the General Introduction to UPF, the UPF Principles for Peace and the Root Causes of Conflicts. Opportunities were provided for participants to reflect on the fundamental principles for peace and their application in addressing the basic challenges facing the Nigerian nation. Participants expressed deep satisfaction about the presentation on the causes of conflicts.
After the lunch break, the next presentations featured the Principle of Reconciliation and Resolution of Conflicts, Introduction to the UPF Founders, the Ambassadors for Peace Initiative and an overview of UPF-Nigeria programs in 2014.
The Closing Session featured group discussions and personal reflections by the presentations. Participants expressed their deep satisfaction for attending the conference and commended the UPF Founders, Rev. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon, for living in peace and teaching others the way of peaceful living. A special moment of silence was observed in remembrance of Rev. Moon, who has ascended to the great beyond and for his great work of peace on earth.
A special feature of the closing session was the commissioning of some distinguished participants as Ambassadors for Peace. Recipients included Wari-Opu-Senibo A. A. Pollyn and his wife Rev. Dr. Margaret A. Pollyn, Mr. Godwin Onobu, Sir Alexander Amadiwochi, Festus Imenwo, Wilson T. Amadi, Prince A. Obene amd Ogochukwu Olisa. Others are Tamunokubie S. Okoseimiema and Tamuno I. Koko. They were all honored for their contribution to peacebuilding in their communities and workplaces.
Responding on behalf of the new Ambassadors for Peace, Sir Alexander Amadiwochi pledged a commitment and determination to work as an Ambassador for Peace to ensure that Nigeria becomes a nation of peace and a leader for world peace and unification. He pledged on behalf of the others to contribute toward the establishment of a UPF Ambassadors for Peace secretariat in Port Harcourt.
Congratulatory remarks were given by other Ambassadors for Peace, who charged the new appointees to work under the UPF platform to build a new Nigeria. Princess Grace Owoh called on all the Ambassadors for Peace to take an active part in all the planned activities for 2014 including prayers for the people killed by Boko Haram (an Islamic jihadist and terrorist organization based in northeastern Nigeria) as well as Boko Haram members killed in their terrorist acts.
Announcements of upcoming programs were made by the MC, and a closing prayer was offered expressing a desire for all participants to return home peacefully. Observing the keen interest of the Ambassadors for Peace in the introductory seminar on UPF peace education, plans were made for ongoing education in UPF principles for peace.