The International Association of World Peace Advocate has ended its world peace celebration in Bayelsa State, with a call on the people to inculcate the culture of peace in their domains. It has also used the peace celebration to honour some prominent Nigerians.
The ceremony took place in Yenegoa last weekend.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Emmanuel Nkweke the International Spokesman of the association expressed delight over the huge success of the ceremony, stressing that the theme of the celebration was “Peace Education” describing peace as important to every nation as it is undoubtedly the panacea for development in the communities, LGAs, states nation and the entire world.
According to him, “without peace there will be no development.” Amb. Nkweke who is also known as Mr. “Vote Count” called on the security agencies as well as the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to assist in enlightening and educating members of the public on how to maintain peace. He called Nigerians to maintain peace in their various domains to ensure that development and business thrive in their areas, which he said will go a long way in moving the nation forward. He said that the reason for the honour of the awardees was due to their service to the less privileged.
In his speech the chairman of the occasion, Hon. Tonye Emmanuel, the Deputy Leader Bayelsa State House of Assembly who described peace as essential in every community, noting that peace is a way of promoting governance and helping every administration’s desire to ensure dividends of democracy in the state, LGAs, and the nation.
Hon. Emmanuel who was one of the awardees at the ceremony, expressed joy over the award bestowed on him by the association. He thanked and dedicated the award to God, his wife, family and members of his constituency.
Delivering a lecture on “peace education”, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Salo Adikumo said peace is necessary to achieve their educational targets disclosed that there are two types of education which include positive and negative types of education and advised students to follow the positive type of education to enable them make success in their educational endeavours.
The Hon. Commissioner who noted that the administration under the leadership of the Bayelsa State governor, Barr. Seriaka Dickson was making progress in the educational sector, urged students and residents of Bayelsa state to maintain peace to enable the governor sustain its drive in the educational sector and other ministries.
Unveiling the peace cup for students, the Commissioner assured the students of assisting them to achieve their educational desire.
In their good will messages the students of various schools who participated in the ceremony Miss Dakutima Gift of New Total Child Academy, Philip Gift, among others described peace as foundation for success, adding that a nation with peace is respected and honoured. They enjoined everyone to maintain high level of peace in their domains.
In there separate speeches some of the awardees pastor, (Mrs.) Julima Henshaw, Chief James Akor Ayigba a former Commissioner of Kogi State while thanking the association for the award bestowed on them, noted that the award will spur them to do more in the society and urged the public to maintain peace in their communities.
Those presented award at the ceremony include Hon. Tonye Emmanuel, the Leader Bayelsa House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kobowei Benson, Speaker Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udo Oko Chukwu, Speaker Abia State House of Assembly, Bishop (Dr.) Emmanuel Bob-manuel, His Royal Highness James Iyegba Akor, former Commissioner in Kogi State, Bishop Dr. Ben Obeneme, Eze Cyprian Oragbu-nam Akpaka; Pastor Juliana Henshaw, Mr. Waate Peter Nubaridoo, Miss Lima Victor Umaroduah, Dr. Madu Ekpat, and Miss Orumbo Nene Ataetip of Rivers State. ####
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
