By Danjuma Auta
It has been observed that, for Nigeria to experience any meaningful development, citizens must coexist peacefully despite their religious, tribal and political differences.
This was the contention of the ECWA General Secretary, Rev. Yunusa Sabo Nmadu, during his investiture as the Mayor of Peace by the United Nation Positive Lively Award Centre (UN -POLAC), held at the National Merit Award Center, Abuja, Nigeria.
He noted that the country would have made more progress had citizens realized that all they needed was unity, peaceful coexistence and doing justice to all.
Rev. Nmadu said he was surprised by the award because he did not know that someone out there was noticing his little contributions to humanity and assured that it would be an incentive to do even more in the Lord’s vineyard.
He urged citizens to give their best for the sake of Nigeria and humanity, adding that he would continue his peace building efforts at both the local and international levels.
The Director General, UN-POLAC, Obong (Prof), Halo. B. Eton, disclosed that the group was recognized internationally for its peace building efforts and selfless dedication to the ideals of service to others.
He explained that the awardees were committed to changing the world’s narrative of hate by standing as peace advocates beyond the borders of their communities.
In a key note address, Vice President, UN – POLAC, Prof. Fumilayo Adesanya Davies, stated that for the world to recover better, there was the need to teach individuals to listen to the voice of God and stop doing evil.
According to her, the rising wave of evil in the society was due to the fact that people had refused to respect human rights, dignity, self-esteem, race and tribes.
She implored Nigerians to pray and pay more attention to family institutions in the country and the world at large.
In a related development, the ECWA President, Rev. (Dr.) Stephen Baba Panya, has been decorated as the Patron, Gender Justice Champion by the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) in collaboration with the Ecumenism for Development and Peace Initiative (EDAP) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Speaking at the occasion, which was held at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, Director General Diakonia and Development, Rev. Dr. Lesmore Ezekiel Gibson, explained that the main goal of the organization was to maintain pastoral presence for reconciliation and peace in difficult situations.
He added that they had been involved in encouraging churches to maintain high ecumenical diplomacy, have disaster preparedness and management system and facilitate reconciliation and mediation initiatives.
He disclosed that the choice of the ECWA President as patron was due to his humility and leadership qualities.
The ECWA President, Rev. Dr. Stephen Baba Panya, thanked the organization for finding him worthy of the recognition and pledged to continue on the path of the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The event was witnessed by officials of AACC, EDAP and the CAN president.