Rotary Committees Inaugurate National Peacebuilding, Conflict Prevention In Nigeria

History was made yesterday, the 15th of May 2022 as Rotary Inter-country Committee of Great Britain and Ireland – Nigeria facilitated the integration of Rotary Nigeria Districts 9110, 9125, 9141 and 9142 peacebuilding and conflict prevention committees to form a Rotary Nigeria National Peacebuilding Organization, mandated to “activate positive peace in Nigeria and advance initiatives to improve peaceful living and practices in the Country”.

The Rotary ICC GBI national coordinator, PDG James Onions in his opening remarks, thanked the Rotary Nigeria District Governor Elects for making this possible, reckoning that it is rewarding to see the impact of Rotary ICC in Nigeria.

He said ICC is an enabler that deepens Rotary impact and encourages Country supports.

“ICC is about creating a group of people in nations capable of taking effective actions together; and that it is equally rewarding to see that same enablement in Nigeria, aimed at advancing positive peace activities to tackle root causes of violent conflicts and reinforce the eight pillars of positive peace in Nigeria.”

Rotary ICC Nigeria national coordinator, PAG Wole Kukoyi stated that the newly formed Rotary Nigeria Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Organization, being the 1st multi-District Committee; it is engineered and expected to have more synergy, cooperation and collaborations amongst the Rotary Districts so as to effectively tackle Nigeria’s domestic conflict challenges.

Past RIBI President, PDG Peter King in his keynote address on “peace as Rotary core area of focus”, recounted Rotary world peace actions, initiatives and efforts, and the importance of Rotary tradition of peacebuilding. He further stated that just recently the RI Council on Legislation added and enshrined “positive peace” as a key objective of the Rotary International Service.

The Rotary Nigeria District Governor Elects (DGE) took turns to give their respective charges, and pledged their unwavering support and commitment to the Rotary Nigeria National Peace Committee;

DGE Omotunde Lawson (RID 9110) said the unification of the Districts for peacebuilding in Nigeria is a step in the right direction, so as to holistically halt the progress of violent conflicts and address its root causes. She further stated that the newly formed synergy presents a rare opportunity for Rotary to make more impact across Nigeria, and she relishes the prospects.

DGE Grace Okaro (RID 9142) while applauding and endorsing the Union, called for the need to pull resources together, get more support from the Rotary Foundation and scale up peace  interventions in Nigeria.

DGE Mightyman Aye Dikuro (RID 9141) congratulated the newly inaugurated Peace Chairs and re-emphasized the commitment of the Districts. He further adviced that the only way to make peacebuilding rewarding and sustainable is to implement humancentric projects across the seven areas of Rotary focus, and put peace in the hearts of mankind.

DGE Goddy Nnadi (RID 9125) re-echoed the District Governors charges and assurances, and further pledged his full support to the Committee initiatives. He assured to doggedly contribute to the actualization of the Rotary Nigeria National Peacebuilding Committee set goals and objectives.

The newly installed Rotary Nigeria Districts Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Chairs (2022-23) gave their remarks, re-affirming their total commitment to the mandate for Activating Positive Peace in Nigeria and Rotary World peace objectives at large.

– PAG Chester Apasi (RID 9110)
– ADSD Pietro Uzochukwu Macleo (RID 9125)
– DGN Utebor, Emeke Michael .M (RID 9141)
– PAG Dennis Chukwukelu Ekemezie (RID 9142)

The Moderator, Rtn. Olatunji Olaleye while giving his closing remarks announced the commencement of volunteer recruitment into State specialized peace sub-committees, and the launching of the Rotary Nigeria Peacebuilding Mechanism on the 29th of July 2022.