By Don Peter Okoro.
The International Coordinator of the United Nations Peace and Positive Living Awareness Centre, His Excellency, Dr Festus Ozioma Ozoemena has outlined some of the benefits of being a United Nations Peace Advocate/Ambassador.
This was made known last week Saturday when the United Nations PEPOLAC had her 2024 World Peace Day Celebration Event at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre Awka, Anambra State.
He pointed out that The PEPOLAC has attained the UNITED NATIONS Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Status. The Council coordinates the work of the 14 UN Specialized Agencies and 10 functional Commissions; receives Reports from the 9 UN Funds and Programs and issue Policy recommendations to the UN System and Member States.
He enumerated the ECOSOC STATUS benefits to include: Creating opportunities for International Donor Agencies to support your Projects, Programs and Interventions.
Possiblity of getting Diplomatic Visas. Peace Advocacy Engagements and Activities both at Local, Regional and Global Levels. Being well positioned for National Honours, Appointments and Inter- Governmental interface.
A very robust relationship with the International Community, Personalities and Public Figures. A booster for Personal Profile, Reputation and Corporate Establishments.
Robust Business Interactions and Networking at all levels. Highly Respected Globally. Positioned to attend International Conferences/ Conventions, make Rewarding Contacts and gain Exposures.
Above all, A World Peace Diplomat and Ambassador with Diplomatic Credentials. This Year’s Event has as it’s Theme: ‘CULTIVATING A CULTURE OF PEACE: THE IMPERATIVE IN OUR CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY.”
A topic which the The Keynote Speaker and Discussants namely: Dr.Bibian Ugoala, Prof. Chukwuemeka Jaja Nwanegbo, Prof. Ifejirika and others did justice to. Going further in his address the International Coordinator said:””
In our pursuant to the global peace mission and mandate,we have made reasonable progress. Following my peace mission to the UNITED NATIONS International Headquarters in Manhattan, New York, last year July, was all the needed boost to launch the Organization into the global space.”” He continued: “”Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, as I address you this afternoon, our Organization has gotten members in the United Kingdom ( UK), United States of America ( USA), Canada, Netherlands and other African countries and we are spreading by the will of God like wild fire.
We shall be in Monrovia, Liberia next month of October, after our program in Lagos on the 3rd of October,2024.”” Speaking on the Peace and Leadership Centre Multi- Purpose Building project, he revealed:””This project when actualized would be a Masterpiece. It would serve a lot of purposes, halls for conferences, seminars and workshops. Outdoor Court, International College Of Peace Advocates, Peace Education and Tourism, Guest House, among other things.””
He called on members and well wishers to support the project. The International Coordinator also commented on the Anambra State Peace Building and Conflict Management Agency (ANSPEBCOMA) which he called the Game Changer.
In his words:””It took us about 4years to midwife the delivery of the Bill known today as:.
“Anambra State Peace Building and Conflict Management Agency.”
The journey started with the 7th Assembly and it could not see the light of the day,as it could only get to the second reading before the expiration of that session of the House of Assembly.
But we started all over with the 8th Session of the ASHA which was eventually passed into Law by the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly and assented by the signing into Law by the Executive Governor of Anambra State on the 10th of June 2024. With the signing of this Bill, Anambra State is good to go in matters of Peace Building and Conflict Management Issues and related Matters.Curbing insecurity challenges, alarming civil cases in our courts,disputes and crisis among our communities, in public Institutions and other establishments.”” He called on the Governor to expedite action, by giving life to this Instrument, by establishing it to serve its purpose for Ndi-Anambra by transforming the land into a peaceful, livable and prosperous home land. He called on all and sundry to give peace a chance in their various spheres of endeavors. He congratulated the Peace Mayors, Peace Ambassadors and Honourable Justices For World Peace for choosing the right path and demanded for their diligence on this International Appointments as UNITED NATIONS Peace Advocates and Diplomats. Reminding them to keep to the Rules of the Organization in pursuant to the global Peace Impact and Initiatives and to be active in all they do for humanity, for a better world to emerge.