Lagos, Nigeria - Following the post-election violence which erupted in some northern states of Nigeria leading to loss of lives and property, bringing much pain and agony to many families, the Lagos State chapter of UPF organized a conference to commemorate the International Day of Families. The event took place on May 12 at the Lagos Airport Hotel-Ikeja.
The theme for the conference was "Promoting Religious Harmony for Nation Building." The conference was attended by more than 120 guests, among them several Ambassadors for Peace and other distinguished leaders from different walks of life. Also in attendance were two key people: Amb. Segun Olusola, Chairman of the UPF-Nigeria Board of Trustees, and Chief Mrs. Opral Benson, member of UPF-Nigeria Board of Trustees.
Major highlights were (1) reading of the current European tour speech of UPF Founder Rev. Sun Myung Moon by UPF-Nigeria Secretary General Mr. Olaleye Alao; (2) lectures by two distinguished Ambassadors for Peace from Kaduna State in Northern Nigeria who run an NGO called "Interfaith Mediation Center": Rev. Bitrus Dangiwa, a Christian scholar, and Imam Mohammed Sani Isah, an Islamic scholar; and (3) appointment of 17 religious and youth leaders as Ambassadors for Peace.
Mr. Alao introduced the autobiography of Father Moon and referred to the exemplary family values of Father Moon as reflected in his autobiography.
The Nigeria Television Authority covered the event; three other print media, namely the Punch, The Nation, and C&M Magazine, were also present.
On May 21, a celebration is planned in Abuja, the Nigeria Federal Capital Territory, to mark the International Day of Families and Africa Day.