From right, Amb. (Dr.) Chi Jennifer Ugboaja, Representative of the Governor, Pastor Idowu Ogedengbe and Bar. Olusola Sulayman after the event.
Story by Dili Utomi.
The Oxford advanced English dictionary defines peace in these ways: freedom from disturbance; tranquillity, mental or emotional calm, a state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended. Several leaders have strived in their different ways in words and actions to promote peace and peaceful coexistence.
The International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), a body that is affiliated to the United Nations and totally committed to the promotion of peace around the world has recognised the commitment of the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde and has deemed him worthy to be made a Peace Ambassador.
The world peace day was celebrated by the governor, Thursday at the old State House of Assembly complex within the State Secretariat with a theme: Celebrating The Culture Of Peace. All known religious bodies in the state were invited to the occasion where several persons spoke about the imperative nature of promoting and maintaining peace.
The governor himself was represented by Pastor Idowu Ogedengbe, the executive assistant to the governor on administration. Also in attendance were the representative of the Head of Service in the state, Barrister Evelyn Akintunde, Barrister Olusola Sulayman, the chairperson of the International Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the representatives of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the representatives of Jamat Islamiya in the State, the representatives of the Traditional Worshippers, the women wing of the leading Party in the State, the people’s Democratic Party, the representative of the President of IAWPA, Ambassador (High Chief) Adefowope Kayode Orioye, the IAWPA National Secretary, Ambassador (Dr) Chi Jennifer Ugboaja and many others.
Amb. (Dr.) Chi Jennifer Ugboaja decorating the representative of the Governor, Pastor Idowu Ogedengbe at the event.
Barrister (Mrs) Akintunde made a presentation in which she quoted Albert Einstein who says that “Peace cannot be achieved by force, but by understanding” She says that “Peace is a state of security and calmness, the foundation for achieving growth in the society, it affects every aspect of our lives”. She added that the promotion of peace is the promotion of human rights and dialogue. That all life forms are sacred and the need to co-exist while promoting all virtues that aid healthy living and tackling issues that are against human rights, racism and other forms of negative tendencies that do not augur well for peaceful coexistence should be encouraged.
Barrister Olusola Sulayman in her submission which partly dwells on ‘a culture of peace’, said that “On the foundation earlier laid in this talk, peace goes beyond the mere absence of war or violence and extends into our way of living; a culture that values understanding, empathy, compassion and inclusion. Short bursts of intermittent calm that do not necessarily embody a cultural expression of non-restiveness, mutual consideration and proactive conflict resolution cannot take up the true nature of peace. At best they present illusions of peace and essentially foreshadow aggravated conflict resulting from pent up anger and unresolved issues”.
A group photograph after the event.
She concluded that ” I want to remind us all that a culture of peace begins with us as individuals and that if we fail in playing our roles as of ambassadors of peace and tolerance in our very unique positions and comprehensive perspectives, then society has no hope of peace”.
Many goodwill messages followed, Ambassador Beulah Adeoye spoke about the painting that was chosen to depict peace which had a big storm, a very dark cloud in the background, yet a calm little bird that perched on the branch of a tree that was being tossed back and forth by the raging storm.
Various persons spoke about the need to embrace in all considerations to aid the rapid development of the State and Nigeria in general.
The high point of the occasion was the recruitment of the governor into the Eminent Peace Ambassadors cadre, speaking on the reason why the governor was chosen for the honour, Ambassador (High Chief) Orioye said that governor Seyi Makinde has resolved the age long crises within the ranks of the various transport Unions and has restored peace in the state in all areas.
A display of the award by representative of the Governor.
The investiture of Governor Makinde as an Eminent Peace Ambassador was the high point of the occasion as Pastor Idowu Ogedengbe received all the items of the investiture from the IAWPA members present.
While making her speech on the celebration of the day and the subsequent investiture of the Governor, Ambassador (Dr.) Chi Jennifer Ugboaja noted noted that the Oyo State Governor was chosen for his actions in the enablement of peace in the state.
Amb. (Dr.) Chi Jennifer Ugboaja performing the award of Eminent Peace Ambassador investiture on the Governor’s special assistant on administration, Pastor Idowu Ogedengbe at the event.
The executive assistant to the Governor Makinde on Administration, Pastor Idowu Ogedengbe in an interview said that “We want peace to be our culture, considering that we have a lot of discontentment now, we want people to know that even if you are not happy with the situation, you can make it known peaceably”.
Barrister Olusola Sulayman in an interview also said “I would applaud the organisers for bringing these various faith together and I think that the award to the Governor will spur him to do more”.
Ambassador (Dr) Chi Jennifer Ugboaja also said in an interview that “We are here to make the Governor of Oyo State an Eminent Peace Ambassador as the best Governor of the year. From our findings, we realised that the Governor is doing very well as was also attested to by participants at this event today. I am very happy with the turnout of people to this event and their reactions to everything that happened here today”, she added.
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