Cultural, Religious Differences, Nigeria’s Major Challenges – Oko

Director of World Peace Centre (WPC), Dr. Raphael Oko, has attributed Nigeria’s inability to overcome many of its challenges to differences in culture, religion and political affiliation.

Oko stated this at the weekend in Port Harcourt while delivering a lecture at the 6th Leader Olumba Olumba Obu Annual Public Lecture, with the theme: “Universality of Dignity in Service to Humanity.”

The WPC boss posited that Nigeria, by its position, has a role to play in achieving global peace, especially in the African continent.

Oko, who is former secretary-general of Universal Peace Federation – Nigeria (UPFN), emphasised that selfless service to humanity is key to achieving global peace.

He expressed optimism that the lecture will chart a course for solution to Nigeria’s economic woes. “Happiness comes through service to humanity.

We only become happy through the service we render to others and others to us,” he stated, adding that service to humanity is universal.

On his part, director of Training and Orientation, Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, Patriarch Wilson Iwara, x-rayed the importance of work to human growth and development.

Iwara, who spoke on a lecture titled: “Concept of Dignity in Service to Humanity: the Leader Olumba Olumba Obu Perspective,” mentioned that all humans have inherent dignity.

He stated that work must be seen and bestowed as something designed by God to reveal his glory in our lives, saying: “The Holy Father wants us to think of work and understand its role in our lives by focusing on three important facts. One, work is good, two, work has purpose, three, there is that exception, dignity in all work.”

Earlier in his keynote address, chairman of the occasion, Dr. Frederick Oho, stated that this year’s public lecture stresses the importance of the selfless and exemplified leadership style of Holy Father Olumba Olumba Obu and his teachings and his impact on mankind.

Oho, who was represented  by Professor Krama Ilami, stressed the need for people to live in harmony, pointing out that the public lecture series presents an avenue where leaders of thought gather to chart a course for global peace and development.