Story by Dili Utomi.
The International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA) an affiliate of the United Nations which aims to promote peace around the world has recognised the contributions of 17 West Africans to be recruited into the ranks of the Eminent Peace Ambassadors. The Association which was founded in 2012 to help promote World Peace has Ambassador Per Stafson from Denmark as its president with His Eminence, Oba Joseph Ogunjobi Ogunbana as the country president.
The organisation networks international and regional organisations in 193 member States of the United Nations and recruits people of decent ethical manner as Eminent Peace Ambassadors through effective screening of nominations with special regards granted to personalities whose efforts are evident in making peace and providing benevolence to orphanage children, widows and the elderly.
The organisation is duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria and has State chapters around the country. The Association took out time on Saturday to mark the 2024 Observance of the International Day of African Descent with the theme: People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice And Development.
As a body of Eminent Peace Ambassadors, the organisation commemorates the United Nations International Observance days, decades and years with concentration at the national, states and grassroots, bringing the awareness of the United Nations to people who have no knowledge of the working, functions and structure of the United Nations to enable them share and gain knowledge on particular events, themes and subject matters.
Nigerian movie actor and an Eminent Peace Ambassador, Charles Okafor presented a paper on the topic: “Roll of Arts in African Development” and in it, he referred to “The Resolution 68 (237) of the United Nations General Assembly which was predicated on two key reasons. One is to strengthen National, Regional and International Cooperation in relation to the full enjoyment of social, cultural, civil and political rights of people of African descent and two their full equal participation in all aspects of society”.
This year’s observance of the day which showcased a lot of African cultural orientation in the forms of songs, dances, art displays and different attires was convened by Dr. Chi Jenny Ugboaja and the following persons were made Eminent Peace Ambassadors at the occasion, they are
1. Chief Alexander Chika Okafor
2. Mrs. Favour Chibuogwu Chika-Okafor
3. Chika Dikanna Okafor
4. Chibuikem A. I. Chika-Okafor
5. Ukaa Solomon Shaala
6. Emmanuel Adetayo Adekoya
7. Chidi Caleb Egonu
8. Oluwaseun David Fajobi
9. Emmanuella Jane Gabriel
10. Olanrewaju Adesoji Oduwole
11. Emmanuel Chukwugozie Orjichukwu
12. Giles Ezeokoli
13. Oluwaseun Olayemi Adunbarin
14. Odilia Sirri Akongnwi
15. Israel Olufemi Idowu
16. Chief Afam Chukwuma
17. Margaret Uzoma Isinguzo
Additionally, the host/convener of the event, Ambassador (Dr.) Chi Jenny Ugboaja was also given her letter of appointment as the Lagos West Senatorial District Coordinator on the day.
It is also noteworthy to point out that Chief Alexander Chika Okafor was pronounced “International Lord Mayor of Peace for West Africa” at the ceremony. Some of the participants fielded questions from the press on the programme of the day and the relevance of the awards.
The host and convener of the event, Dr. Chi Jenny Ugboaja said that “The purpose of the event on the day was to promote Africa and her culture. Africa is known for her different cultural orientations and this could be seen in the presentation today. The African Descent Day is celebrated by the United Nations and we are marking it on this day. Again, the objective of this association is to promote peace and that is why we are choosing people of ethical orientation to become ambassadors”.
Chief Afam Chukwuma was one of the recipients of the awards and he noted in an interview that “One tries to make his contributions to promote peace and you may not know that people are taking notes. Peace is a very important factor in any given situation and without peace, there can not be any meaningful development”.
Ambassador Charles Okafor said “It goes without saying that a peaceful country is a prosperous country, a peaceful country is a stable country, a peaceful country is a futuristic country. The concept of peace speaks to the audacity of mutual co-existence, love, bonding and the critical engagements where we jaw-jaw and not war-war”.
Lord Mayor Alexander Chika Okafor said” Today is a great day and I thank God for this wonderful international honour bestowed on me. My prayer is that God will give me the grace to do what is needed of me and I will try my best with God solidly by my side to meet the expectations of the people who chose me to be awarded today”.
The International president of the Association, Ambassador Per Stafson in his interview noted “Our goal is for world peace and the meeting of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations which is very important. Without peace, there is no prosperity, you cannot grow the economy. Peace is everything, that is our key point. Then also ensuring the attainment of the sustainable development goal which has 17 points under the United Nations, to sustain development and improve the world, more clean water, food security, school system and all other forms of development is another one of our goals.
For advertisement and more information, please contact us on 08027590195, 08035721540 or email us at [email protected] or send us messages on x @dn_utomi or on Instagram @utomidili.
