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International Day of Peace Events in Nigeria
Written by UPF - Nigeria
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Abuja, Nigeria - UPF-Nigeria organized a program of activities to commemorate the 2014 UN International Day of Peace in Nigeria:
Muslims for Peace Campaign - Sept. 19, Abuja
Outreach was made to various stakeholders and awareness created on social media, radio, TV and through letters of invitation to several groups. Meetings were arranged with the leadership of the National Mosque in Abuja. The Muslims for Peace Initiative was endorsed by the executive secretary of the National Mosque and supported by the local League of Imams. On Friday, Sept. 19, all the mosques in Abuja announced to the worshipers that Sept. 21 would be the UN International Day of Peace, and prayers were offered by the imams for peace in Nigeria and the world. Messages of peace were delivered in the mosques in Abuja, as proposed by UPF-Nigeria to the leaders.
Confirmations have been received about events that were organized in mosques, and program is being organized to thank all the imams and leaders who facilitated the event.
Politicians for Peace and Development - Sept. 19, Makurdi
A Politicians for Peace and Development event took place in Makurdi, Benue State; this was an initiative to bring political aspirants together to dialogue for peaceful elections in Nigeria. About 50 participants from different political parties, NGOs, media and educational institutions attended.
The resource persons were drawn from civil society organizations involved in political advocacy, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Benue State University as well as members of Global Educators for All Initiative in Benue State. The opening keynote address was delivered by Dr. Raphael Ogar Oko, secretary general of UPF-Nigeria, appealing for dialogue among political aspirants instead of the present debates of aspirants.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Benue state commended UPF for the initiative of using dialogue to reduce the political tension in the country and offered to work with UPF to educate politicians ahead of the general elections in 2015.
Programs with Christian groups - Sept. 21
In response to letters to sent to over 100 churches in Nasarawa, Abuja, Lagos, Akure and Abia state, confirmation was received from several churches who made proclamations recognizing Sept. 21 as International Day of Peace in their churches. Also, prayers for peace, messages of peace and a special "offering for peace" were made in the churches. Some of the churches sent the offering they collected along with a report of their activities.
UPF representatives attended a church at the outskirts of Asokoro and spoke about the International Day of Peace. The church founder and an elder were appointed Ambassadors for Peace and everyone joined in prayers for peace.
The All Youth Assembly of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star took place on Sept. 21 at the International Conference Center in Abuja, where 3,500 of their members were gathered. UPF representatives were given the opportunity to address the congregation in a broadcast covered live and beamed around the world on their satellite TV called Cross Star. Dr. Oko spoke about the significance of the current time and the need to promote the brotherhood of all people as members of one family under God. A "Peace-Loving Global Citizen" certificate was read and presented to the leader, Olumba Olumba Obu, who stood up to receive the certificate and displayed it for everyone to see.
Many churches around Abuja who observed the International Day of Peace in their churches expressed interest in attending a UPF-organized event, so a program was arranged at the worship center of the Family Federation for World Peace in Mararaba. There were prayers, readings of the International Day of Peace message by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the UPF Statement on the International Day of Peace, and songs. A special "offering for peace" was collected, and 20 church leaders who were at the event were presented with Ambassador for Peace certificates. A "Peace Day cake" donated by Ambassador for Peace Tina Ita was cut and distributed to everyone.
National Conference on Peace and Special Dinner for Peace - Sept. 25, Abuja
At the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Sheraton Hotels and Tower in Abuja, activities to commemorate the 2014 UN International Day of Peace concluded with a National Conference on Peace, which featured the Annual General Assembly of Ambassadors for Peace and a Forum on "The Right of Peoples to Peace and the Responsibilities of Peoples for Peace." Discussions at the assembly featured implementing the approved Peace Clubs and Peace Education in Colleges of Education, the National Peace Council and issues of Peaceful Elections and Transition 2015 in Nigeria.
The conference on peace was focused on the theme of the 2014 UN International Day of Peace “The Right of Peoples to Peace.” The conference began with an opening prayer by Bishop Jude Nwabueze and was followed by the national anthem of Nigeria led by children of Family Federation for World Peace and Unification members. Dr. George C. Ikpot, director of the UPF-Nigeria Office of International Affairs, gave the welcome address, while Ambassador for Peace Dr. Paddy Njoku, who served as the president of the General Assembly of Ambassadors for Peace 2014, gave the opening remarks in which he charged Ambassadors for Peace to redouble their efforts in the membership drive, partnership development, program participation and fundraising to support UPF initiatives and outreach initiatives.
The first keynote lecture on "The Right of Peoples to Peace and Responsibility of Leaders" was delivered by Hi.E. Amb. Dr. Tagelsir M. Ali, the Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria. The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Professor Bem Ngwe, was the second keynote speaker, and he spoke on "The Right of Peoples to Peace and the Responsibility of the Citizens for Peace." His inspiring presentation drew a lot of references from the constitution of Nigeria.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's message was delivered by H.E. Dr. Angela Aisha Emeje, wife of the former governor of Kogi state. In addition to the speech, she offered to use her influence and experience to mobilize other women to create the UPF-Nigeria Committee on Women's Affairs and invite UPF Co-Founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon to visit Nigeria. She also pledged to support the introduction of the Peace Queen Prize for Girls in Nigeria, an initiative to mobilize and educate girls for peace.
The assembly featured inspiring goodwill messages from the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral U. O. Jibrin; the head of Civil Service of the Nigerian Federation, Danladi I. Kifasi; Director General, National Orientation Agency, Mike Agbo Omeri, the National Commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, Dr. Dickson Akoh; H.R.H. Etsu Kwali; Chief Innocent Mbanefo; a senior Buddhist monk; Abdullahi Saint George, among others. One of the most inspiring and challenging message was by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, who has been a passionate supporter of the UPF in several ways. Chief Ozekhome was recently given the National Honors award by the president of Nigeria.
Some of the outstanding Ambassadors for Peace and dignitaries were presented with copies of the UPF founder’s autobiography and honored as Peace Loving Global Citizens. Recipients of the recognition are:
- H.E. Amb. Dr. Tagelsir M. Ali, Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria
- Real Admiral U. O. Jibrin, Chief of Naval Staff of the Armed Forces of Nigeria
- Professor Bem Angwe, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission
- Amb. Dr. Dickson A. Akoh, National Commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria
- Alhaji Ibrahim Jega, Executive Secretary of the National Mosque in Abuja
- Oghenekaro Ekewenu, a politician and business leader
- Senator Dr. Aloysius Eok, Senator of the National Assembly of Nigeria
Ambassador for Peace certificates were also presented to some distinguished citizens as part of activities to commemorate the 2014 United Nations International Day of Peace.
The Dinner for Peace that evening was the closing ceremony of activities to commemorate the 2014 UN International Day of Peace in Nigeria. A highly selective group of Nigerians and Ambassadors for Peace were in attendance and shared ideas about ways to address emerging challenges of food insecurity and how to eradicate extreme hunger in Nigeria. Rev. George M. Ogurie gave a lecture at the opening session of the dinner before meals were served. Participants expressed gratitude to the UPF founders for the sacrifices and to the Nigeria chapter for the many initiatives to promote the realization of peace in Nigeria.
It was resolved that the UPF Nigeria shall launch the Food for Peace Initiative during the UN World Food Day on Oct. 16, 2014 as a strategy to address hunger, which causes anger that leads to internal conflict and external violence.
These activities were organized by UPF-Nigeria in collaboration with the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, Women's Federation for World Peace, Global Initiative for Harmony in Nigeria, Global Educators for All Initiative, and other organizations.
See reports of the International Day of Peace events in Nigerian news media:
People's Daily: "Group Charges Nigerians to Work Together for Peace"
People's Daily: "When Stakeholders Brainstormed towards Achieving a Peaceful Nation"
Sundiatapost.com: "Peace within Families Leads to National Peace"
Radio Nigeria: report
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