Abuja, Nigeria - A National Peacebuilding Convocation on September 21 at the National Merit Award House in Abuja attended by more than 600 people featured a keynote speech on “The Role of Education in Building a Culture of Peace and Fostering Global Citizenship” by Mr. Charles Chibo, an educator, scholar, and international human resources management trainer.
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The central theme was “Education for Peace: The Role of Education in Building a Culture of Peace and Fostering Global Citizenship,” based on UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s statement that “It is not enough to teach children how to read, write and count. Education has to cultivate mutual respect for others and the world in which we live, and help people forge more just, inclusive and peaceful societies…. We must support peace education programmes, protect students and teachers from conflict, help rebuild schools destroyed by war, and ensure all girls and boys have access to a quality education that includes learning about resolving and preventing conflicts ... let us resolve to learn together how to create a universal culture of peace.”
The program started with Christian and Islamic prayers; and then the Nigerian national anthem.
Speeches
Welcome remarks were given by Rev. Olaleye Alao, Secretary General of UPF-Nigeria, who emphasized the need for moral and ethical education which form the basis for character development. He spoke about the importance of the family pointing to family breakdown and its social consequences. He reiterated the traditional role of education as preeminently to prepare and produce good citizens. He ended with emphasis on establishment of peaceful ideal families through character education.
In the second welcome remarks Dr. Chinedu Nnaji, Deputy Commandant General of the National Unity and Peace Corps, emphasized the government taking steps to foster the proper standard of education that can turn out productive citizens.
The opening address was given by Sir. Dr. Dan A. Okekenta, the Chairman of the occasion. Sir Okekenta is the Chairman of St. John’s Foundation of New York, a prominent Nigerian philanthropist and an Ambassador for Peace. He challenged Ambassadors for Peace to re-examine the UPF’s philosophy of living for the sake of others, and said that “practicing this principle can no doubt make all of us global citizens.”
A goodwill message was given by the Representative of the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Mrs. Francesca Edeghere on behalf of the Special Adviser, Mrs. Sarah Jubril (who was out of the country). She invited UPF to partner with the office of the Special Adviser to promote the teachings of ethics and values in educational institutions.
The Keynote Lecture was presented by Chief Charles Chibo, a distinguished educator. "We must strive to build an education that bridges the gap between the rich and the poor," he said; "an education that does not create inequalities, nor provide grounds for conflicts and anarchy, but rather encourages peaceful co-existence and sustainability."
The Christian perspective was presented by Engr. Williams Wonovsuwe Akaamaa, Department of Agricultural Engineering, School of Engineering & Technology College of Agriculture Lafia, in Nasarawa State.
The Islamic perspective was presented by Alhaji Junaid B. Quadri, a reputable Islamic scholar.
The view of UPF and related organizations was presented by Rev. Charles Chibo, Vice President of the Family Federation for World and Unification in Nigeria.
“Building a Culture of Peace and National Development: The Role of Women in Family Education” was the topic of a presentation by Ms Ukpeme Akpan, Lead Counsel for La Paix Solicitors and Assistant General Secretary of the Abuja Branch of the International Federation of Women Lawyers
All the presenters were UPF Ambassadors for Peace. (The lectures are attached).
Awards
UPF honored 33 carefully selected individuals with appointments as Ambassadors for Peace, with a special Excellent Service Award presented to Hon. Gentle Emelah, a member of the Bayelsa State Assembly, an Ambassador for Peace who worked hard to bring peace to the warring communities in his constituency. This presentation, along with the reading of a letter of commendation from the international office, inspired hope and faith in the work of the Universal Peace Federation.
In addition, the National Unity and Peace Corps presented six people with honors named for past leaders of Nigeria: Umaru Musa Yar’adua and Nnamdi Azikiwe (former presidents) and Obafemi Awolowo (senior statesman).
In recent times there have been communal crises in Nasarawa State, where lives and properties have been lost, and the state government made effort to resolve the conflicts but to no avail. A UPF Ambassador for Peace from the area, Engr. Williams Wonovsuwe Akaamaa, had invited UPF to intervene. UPF National Coordinator Dr. George C. Ikpot visited the state and set-up a Peace and Reconciliation Committee to organize education programs for community leaders and youths to start the process of dialogue and reconciliation. The 12 committee members were all present at the International Day of Peace event.
Over 100 members of the National Unity and Peace Corps were present. Several government representatives attended, including Engr. Godwin Jack Udom from the Presidency; a representative of the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Mrs. Francesca Edeghere; the Special Adviser to the Governor of Plateau State on Peace and Conflict Resolution, Barr Timothy Parlong; Hon. Gregory Iseghohi, Special Assistant to the Minister of Science and Technology; and several other dignitaries including the Commandant General of NUPEC.
Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) Nigeria and National Unity and Peace Corps (NUPEC) partnered with UPF for the event. Supporting Organizations included, West African Network of Election Observers (WANEO), OBBUTIV Peace and Reconciliation Organization and the Euroafricacentral Network (EACN) represented by Mr. Chris Opara, EMMINENCE Magazine.
The event was covered by mass media including national television. Read a report in the Nigerian Observer.
Report submitted by Dr. George C. Ikpot, National Coordinator of UPF-Nigeria
See texts of presentations by:
Engr. Williams Wonovsuwe Akaamaa
Ms. Ukpeme N. Akpan
Rev. Olaleye Alao
Chief Charles Chibo
Rev. George Oguire
Alhaji Junaid B. Quadri