From Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha
The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Nigeria has inducted seven persons into the Ambassador for Peace in Onitsha, Anambra State.
According to the group, the awardees, Mrs Edugie Joy Emeleogu, Mr Peter E. Chiekweilo, Mr Emmanuel M. Emeleogu, Mr Ngonadi Humphrey Ayedogitobi, Pastor Capt. Ekene Divine Ikemba, Rt. Rev. Herbert Eze and Pastor John Ifeanyi Emos were carefully selected in different fields of endeavours after a thorough screening by the group before they emerged for the South-East zone.
The award and certificate were given to the awardees at the South-East Ambassador for Peace conference on peaceful election held at De Lumen Suites, GRA, Onitsha.
Speaking at the event, the Secretary General of Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Nigeria, Dr Amb Raphael Ogar Oko, said that the core vision and mission of the organization was to be a peace ambassador and epitome of peace crusader.
He said that the organization is a global network of individuals and organizations dedicated to building a world of peace centered on universal spiritual and moral values along with principles of good governance.
Oko noted that the core values of the group are one family under God, strong healthy families, inter-faith harmony and cooperation, a culture of service, reconciliation and partnership and affirmation of spiritual principles.
He disclosed that the organization which is a global network of ambassadors for peace had brought about universal, spiritual principles to the task of resolving conflict and reconciling the divided human family.
He also stated that the body organized international leadership conferences, symposia, and peace councils that offered opportunities for high-level consultations, as well as diplomacy and grassroots programmes that build support for a culture of peace.
Oke said that UPF focuses on inter-faith peace building, strengthening marriage and family, peace and security, service and the culture of peace, as well as United Nations and NGO relations.
According to him, “involving in politics for the sake of the people will enable the realization of harmony among the members of the constituency. Therefore, politics or political leadership is not the sake of the politician or political party, but for the sake of the people. We should always live for the sake of others.
“Inter-party cooperation among political aspirants, leaders and other stakeholders transcending political parties and beyond the boundaries of religious denomination, regional ethnicity or nationality and access to public resources is essential for the sustenance of civil rule and sustainable constituency development”.
In her remarks, the Anambra State Coordinator of UPF, Rev. Zeal Festus charged the new inducted ambassadors to ensure that there is peace, unity, love, and orderliness in the society.
“We are a body of people who lived not just for our own, but for others. It is a task, it is a job, it is our obligation and responsibility to promote peace thereby ensuring that sustainable development is achieved in our states and country at large through successful and peaceful elections,” she said.
In their appreciation, some of the awardees, Rt. Rev. Herbert Eze and Mr Peter E. Chiekweilo commended the UPF for the recognition and promised to carry out the responsibility of promoting peace with the fear of God and humanity.
They promised not to let the organization down in discharging their responsibilities, assuring of their keeping to the rules and regulations guiding the prestigious group.
There were presentation of lectures by the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Fegge Onitsha (DPO), Mr Rabiu Garba (SP) and the General Manager of Top Rank Hotel and PRO of UPF in the state, Elder Stanley Izuakalam on the need for peaceful co-existence.