HARRY G.
In a bid to foster global peace and unity, various religious bodies, Nations, individuals, clerics, and religious leaders recently convened a conference to discuss the way forward in promoting sustainable peace.
Held at the Ecumenical Center, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the resource persons analyzed, brainstormed, and brought to the fore ideas, from their perspectives in various fields of study and religious background, that will chart a realistic path to achieve the peace the society yearns for.
Organised by the International body of the Universal Men’s Fellowship, the Peace Conference was part of the activities to mark the 2022 evangelical retreat of the body.
Among the presenters were; Alhaji (Ambassador) Nasir Awheleve Uhor JP – The Rivers State Islamic Leader, Vice President General of Rivers State Council for Islamic Affairs, and Zonal Chairman, South-South Muslim council. Reverend (Prof) Felix Ekiye- Vice Chairman, Family Planning Advocacy Working Group, Rivers State, who doubles as an executive member of Christian Association of Nigeria.
Others were; Dr. Suberu Ibrahim of the Department of Religious and Cultural studies, Uniport, and Ambassador (Engr.) Arinzechukwu Robinson, who is the Rivers State Coordinator of Universal Peace Federation. From the BCS extraction, speakers included: PCS Ogar Osim, Archbishop David Irefin, and Archbishop Evans Nwansi.
In a communique reached after the interactive session, the peace envoys agreed to carry the message of peace and conflict resolution to their various domains. They also agreed that the first step towards acquiring peace is to portray an exemplary lifestyle of peace at both microscopic and macroscopic levels.
Also contained in the communique is a declaration that, henceforth, every religious organization or individual should see themselves as one indivisible entity, knowing we all originate from one creator who is the Father of all.
They also reached a consensus that love for the human family is a pivotal tool for acquiring peace. Pointing to dialogue as another way of achieving peace, the peace delegates stressed the need for community, Nations, Individuals, and others to always embrace dialogue rather than resorting to jungle justice or taking laws into their hands.
The paper on the theme of the Conference, “Peace, the Key to World Unification, was presented by Archbishop Evans Nwansi, where he dwelt richly on Leader Olumba Olumba Obu’s sermon on Peace as recorded in the Everlasting Gospel of the Brotherhood and the Cross and Star.
On his path, the convener, the International Chairman of the Universal Men’s Fellowship, PCS Sylvester Eboigbe, noted that it is only God who can give peace to humans. According to him, humanity should learn to live together peacefully and accept our diversities. He added that with peace, the flow of blessings of God would be in abundance.
Eboigbe said: “With peace amongst us, the flow of blessings will be in abundance…To achieve peace, we must learn to live together, accept our diversities and forget the past”.
The Conference created an avenue where interdenominational prayers were said for peace to permeate the world.
Thank You, Father
