The International Association of World Peace Advocates IAWPA has honoured two Nigerian women Judges with the highly respected Eminent Peace Ambassador Award.
The association in a statement made available to newsmen by its International Spokesman Amb Emmanuel Nkweke said the Judges honoured today by the Association are the Chief Judge of Ogun State Hon. Justice Monsunmola Dipeolu and Justice M A Katsina Alu- Apena in Abeokuta and the Federal Capital Territory FCT respectively.
Amb. Emma who was in Abeokuta said the Conferment of the award on Hon. Dipeolu was in recognition of her contribution to the bench and a bold statement that buttresses the place of women in the Nigerian judiciary and the society. He hailed her as a role model to a lot of women who will be eager to be having the aspiration of being in the bench.
In Abuja representative of the group and Director of Media and Publicity Amb. Nwokoma Messiah hailed Justice M A Katsina Alu- Apena as a vibrant young lawyer who is committed to peace building. He said it is the desire of the association that the award will spur her to advocating for peace. He thanked her for receiving the award and urged her to be a peace advocate in all her dealings.
Amb. Nkweke in Abeokuta said the International Association of World Peace Advocates IAWPA will be celebrating the contributions of Nigerian women judges to the bench in a banquet that will be held later in May. The banquet he said, will also be used to welcome the incoming President of the International Association of Women Judges IAWJ Hon. Justice Binta Nyako who is a Nigerian Judge. “we will be welcoming a daughter of the soul who is the incoming President of the IAWJ. She is a peace advocate and it is our belief that her emergence will see to the promotion of peace in our country which seriously needs it at this time of our national life. Aside that, it will also create awareness for the appointment of Nigerian Women Judges into international tribunals as well as the International Criminal Court ICC among others” the statement said.
Other Eminent Peace Ambassadors that graced at Abeokuta ceremony were Amb. Richard Okere, Dubai, Amb. Igundare Lukman Afolabi from, Ecuador, Amb. Samuel Beyioku, South Africa and His Royal Majesty, Amb. Oba kolawole Aremu Sowemimo and host of others.
