UNITED NATION PEACE AWARD WINNER TASKS NIGERIANS ON IMPORTANCE OF PEACE IN COUNTRY

By Eche Nwaobasi and John Ike Okeke

Awka

An Asaba based Civil Engineer and philanthropist, Emmanuel Chidera Obi who last week bagged the prestigious “Ambassador for World Peace” Award from UN PEPOLAC, one of the subsidiary Organizations of the United Nations has tasked all Nigerian leaders both political, religious and traditional, including those in diaspora on the importance of life pursuits that ensure peace and tranquility in the country in anything they do.
Engr. Obi noted that all issues posing as national problems in the country today have become serious challenges to all Nigerians and will only vanish if everybody will embrace peace, maintain it and come together in unity, while charting the course of real national dialogue for a lasting solution to the onerous and lingering task of nation building.

Making the observation above in a chat with newsmen immediately after receiving the award alongside the Senator representing Anambra Central in the 10th Senate of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator (Dr) Victor Umeh, longest serving former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grande Alliance (APGA), among other notable recipients selected from across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria at the Hilton Leisure Resort and Hotels, Awka Anambra State last weekend, Obi, Umunze Orumba South L.G.A born illustrious son, who the United Nation Organization body said was selected and honoured on account of his fruitful peace moves in his Community, State, Church, Social circles and work place which have resulted in and continued to help in enthronement of the peace, harmony, tranquility, understanding, tolerable and conducive atmosphere for co-existence everywhere in the country as the same people dwelling in the same nation, regrets the present spate of incessant killings, assassination, murder, arson, destruction, robbery (especially the violent ones), high rate of poverty, corruption in governance which gave rise to embezzlement of public funds, nepotism, favouritism and all forms of fraudlent activities fast becoming widely accepted as the norm in public set-ups etc in Nigeria, while explaining that he is so worried that there seem to be no end to these vices which deeply rip into the national fabric, rubbishing the very essence of living and continues to erode national values and ethics, thus paving the way for the numerous social malaises plaguing and threatening the very foundations Nigeria now.

While attributing these vices as well as other ills in the country to lack of peace and love among Nigerian, the Civil cum Structural Engineer called on Nigerians to learn to be patriotic, tolerant, love of one other and fear of God, stressing that if these factors are strictly abided with and adhered to, the country will overcome whatever obstacle it is currently facing.

Earlier in an address before bestowing the Awards on the awardees, the International Coordinator of the UN PEPOLAC for Anambra State, Rev. Ozioma Ozoemena and the Director Crises, Conflicts and Dispute Resolution of the Organization in the State, Bishop Dr. Mike Chukwudum admonished the awardee to be good ambassador of the United Nations by ensuring that they continued in promoting peace wherever they find themselves.