The United Nations Positive Livelihoods Award Center (UN-POLAC), Nigeria on Friday called for an end to policies and politics of selfishness and sectionalism for peace to reign in the country.
Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, the International Director and Country President of UN-POLAC Foundation gave the advice at the Commemoration of International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace/Appointment and Presentation of Certificate to UN-POLAC International Peace Advocates and Awards in Lagos.
Delivering a keynote address on “Discover Better: I Contribute, You Contribute, We Contribute”, Adesanya- Davies said that the peace advocates were concerned and resilient at solving insurgency, insecurity and peace-related problems through advocacy.
According to her, the foundation’s mandate is to enhance effectiveness of the UN Millennium Development Goals and UNESCO Culture of Peace Programme particularly the maintenance of peace and security and the restoration of human dignity.
“We must pray and pay very urgent attention to the situation of peace in Nigeria, Africa and even in the world. This is imperative now in Nigeria, Africa and the entire world, by the government, families, schools and public places.
“We should in this day of multilateralism stop all policies and politics of self, selfishness and sectionalism, ” Adesanya Davies said.
The Country President called Nigerians to shun false teaching, domineering spirit and human slavery and promote sanctity of human’s life and respect for human dignity.
“Let’s make the world a better place through love and sharing. Love is the golden rule that you do to others as you want them to do to you.
“We must always make another person feel important and this is a must.”
Speaking, the Director General, UN-POLAC, Nigeria, Prof. Obong Eton, said called on all advocates of peace to advance peace against all odds, urging them to make the foundation more effective and efficient.
Also, Dr Anthony Okoh, the Chairman of the occasion, who called for self discipline, urged Nigerians to spread peace by helping the poor around them, saying, “peace is important to all
Dr Cynthia Obiorah, Director, Projects and Women Affairs UN-POLAC Foundation said that violence put the brakes on development and impedes the evolution of people towards greater socio-economic and spiritual well-being.
Obiorah, who noted that women are drivers and strategic partners of peace and sustainable development, said that true inclusivity of women needed to be at the forefront.
“Sustainable peace will only be possible if there is equal participation of all citizens-women and men- in the public life of their country and community. Equal representation provides a strong foundation for the development of sustainable peace,” Obiorah said.
One of the awardees, Prince Ade Ajayi, the President, PAAF Centre for Constitutional Literacy and Civic Education said with credible elections, education, genuine dialogues and collaboration of all, peace could return to all parts of the country.
Receiving the Justice for Peace Award as an International Peace Advocate, Ajayi, who commended the foundation for recongnising his efforts in constitutional literacy for peace promotion, pledged to do more on building peace.
Also, Dr Fidet Okhiria, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) who was conferred with the Honorary Doctorate Degree of Philosophy of Peace said the award would strengthen him more in nation building.
Another recipient of Ambassador of Peace, Dr Prosper-Ohayagha Success, the Commissioner for Health urged people to start preaching peace, uniting the people saying, “We need to embrace peace. We just tolerate our character, religious and political differences.”
Several eminent Nigerians were presented various awards including Apostle of Peace Award, Mayor of Peace, Mary Slessor Peace Award, Grand Commander of Peace, Officer of Peace, Distinguished Peace Advocate, Monarch of Peace, Evangelist For World Peace among others.