Former First Lady, Mrs Maryam Abacha, Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello and that of Yobe State Mai Mala Buni, were among prominent Nigerians that were conferred with the prestigious National Peace Award 2022.
They were honoured in a ceremony alongsideother awardees drawn from across the country on Saturday at the International Conference Center in Abuja in recognitions of their outstanding contributions toward s promoting peaceful and harmonious co-existence among Nigerians.
Other recipients of the National Peace Award include Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Dr(Mrs) Jumai Ahmadu, President Helpline Foundation, Dr Peter Akindeju, GMD/CEO ICS Outsourcing Ltd ,Dr Olussiji Aina, Dr Hanna Louisa Bisiw, National Women Organiser of NDC of the ECOWAS Forum of Political Parties Gen. Sani Ibrahim ( Rtd), Col. Sani Bello(Rtd) and FCT Minister of State Dr Ramatu Aliyu Tijjani.
The National Peace Award is an annual recognition bestowed on shortlisted outstanding Nigerians from various sphere of life for their contributions towards promoting sustainable peace and development in Nigeria.
Dr Suleiman Adejoh, convener of the National Peace Awards and National President of Messengers of Peace Foundation, said although many Nigerians were instrumental to national peace building, this year’s awardees were recognized for their unwavering commitment to initiatives and programmes that promote sustainable peace such as job creation, education, human capital development and humanitarian initiatives, among others.
Delivering his keynote address at the event, former President of Ghana, Dr. John Mahama, who was represented by Dr Hanna Louisa Bishaw, the Women Organizing Leader of NDC Ghana/President of Ecowas forum of political parties, urged leaders across Africa to initiate and strengthen policies that engender peaceful coexistence for economic stability and growth.
He therefore called on Nigeria to take strong steps to ensure credible elections in the 2023 adding that Nigeria occupies a strategic position in the African continent.
Other Nigerians honoured with the National Peace Award include former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh,Hon.Enemona Anyebe,Hon. Mohammed Wakili,Asiwaju Mashood Shittu and Paul Harris Adakole, among others.
The media sector was not left out as two of its ambassadors, the President of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo and the Chairman of the FCT chapter of the union, Emmanuel Ogbeche were equally conferred with the peace award.
Some traditional rulers were also conferred with the prestigious award for their roles in peace building, especially at the grassroots, including HRM Eze William Ezugwu(Wze Ogbazarra 111) of Ancient OPI Kingdom Ezeka 1 of Ideke Land in Nsukka .
His Imperial Majesty Oba (Dr) Frederick Enitiolorunda Obateru Akinruntan,Olugbo of Ugboland,Ondo State, was decorated as Life Patron of the Messengers of Peace Foundation.
The monarch who was the father of the day ,expressed delight over the recognition and called on all Nigerians to support the initiative in the collective effort towards sustainable peace across the country.
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