Port Harcourt, Nigeria—The government of Rivers State has pledged to partner with UPF-Nigeria on peacebuilding programs in the state and around the Niger Delta.
Chief Kenneth B. Kobani, secretary to the state government, pledged cooperation at the formal inauguration of the State Executive Council of the Ambassadors for Peace in Rivers State on August 21, 2015.
The inauguration, which took place in the Rivers State Ministry of Justice Auditorium, was part of the countdown to the 2015 commemoration of United Nations International Day of Peace with the theme “Partnerships for Peace: Dignity for All.”
Chief Kobani, a former minister of state under President Goodluck Jonathan, was represented at the event by Mr. N.B. Winkpasi, permanent secretary, Special Services Bureau in the office of the secretary to the state government. In his message Chief Kobani expressed his satisfaction with the activities of UPF and commended the founders for the laudable vision of the organization. He pledged the readiness of the Rivers State government to partner with UPF and other peace-focused organizations to ensure that Rivers State emerges as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria by the year 2020, in line with the UPF Peace Vision 2020.
The event featured a special capacity-building seminar on conflict resolution and national reconciliation for the executive council members and some Ambassadors for Peace. UPF-Nigeria Secretary General Dr. Raphael Ogar Oko gave a lecture on “Approaches to Conflict Resolution and Its Application to National Reconciliation.”
The secretary general used the opportunity to inaugurate the Rivers State Executive Council of the Ambassadors for Peace with a mandate to strengthen membership, build strategic partnership, implement programs for peace and explore ways of securing grants and donations to support diverse activities in the state and the nation.
The Ambassadors for Peace were encouraged to register their families with the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification as models of peaceful families. The Rivers State coordinator of FFWPU-Nigeria, Rev. Fred Ezeocha, was introduced to the Ambassadors for Peace with a request to support his efforts to invite 1,200 couples for a peace blessing program in December 2015.
Prince Tonye Jeminimiema was appointed as the Rivers State coordinator of UPF-Nigeria. He spoke on behalf of other officers with a pledge to bring together all the Ambassadors for Peace in Rivers State and ensure that they work with the state government and other strategic stakeholders to reduce youth militancy and create stable, peaceful families in the state. Arrangements are being made for the establishment of the UPF Rivers State Advisory Council and the State Peace Council by the Ambassadors for Peace.
Chief Kenneth B. Kobani was awarded a certificate as an Ambassador for Peace. The event was reported in the state-owned radio station and by local newspapers.
The members of the Rivers State Executive Council of the Ambassadors for Peace are as follows:
- Prince Tonye Jeminimiema—Rivers State coordinator
- Dala Iboroma—deputy state coordinator
- Abel Lawson Kenric—state secretary
- Patricia Uzoma—state deputy secretary
- Derefaka Ajubo—director of membership
- Lawrence Idasoalabo—deputy director, membership
- Barinem Pius Vulasi—director, partnership/public relations
- Ikechukwu Amirize—deputy director, partnership/public relations
- Millicent Jack—director of programs
- Fubara Benjamin Obomanu—director of finance
- Eze. Sir. Omeodu Edison—director of interreligious affairs
- Senibo. Apribo Dick Jaja—director of family affairs
- Barr. Felix C. Amadi—director of international affairs
- Comrade O. Eruni—senatorial district coordinator (Rivers West)
- Celestine Amadi—senatorial district coordinator (Rivers South)
- Ben Edoo—senatorial district coordinator (Rivers East)
- Rev. E.C. Obomanu—assistant coordinator, UPF on campus