By Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The United Nations Peace and Positive Living Awareness Centre (UNPEPOLAC) has honored Urum Development Union president, Chief Alloysius Tabansi, with award for his numerous significant contributions to the promotion of peace in Nigeria.
The award was conferred on the community leader, weekend, at an event marking the 2022 World Peace Day. The event held at Dora Akunyili women development centre, Awka, Anambra state capital.
Among other recipients of the award were Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of Niger, and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Alexander lbezim – Managing Director Anambra Broadcasting service (ABS), Chido Obidiegwu; and Vice Chancellor Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Charles Esimone.
Also honoured were the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, lfy Obinabo – Staffs of ABS: Ify Unachukwu and Ejike Abana – Pastor Margaret Mela from Plateau State, and Apostle Chris lkechukwu, founder Revelation Bible Ministry International.
Reacting on his award, Chief Tabansi expressed gratitude to God and the organisers for finding him worthy for the honour and assured that as an ambassador of peace, he will remain committed in the propagation of peace within and outside his domain.
“I dedicate this noble award to God Almighty, my lovely wife, Mrs Doris Tabansi; my lovely kids, my parent and siblings, my community Urum Anike, my excos, my good brother and friend Chief Cosmas Ndibe and all those who have been supporting this journey of peace in Urum and Awka North in general.
“I want to thank the UN PEPOLAC for finding me worthy to receive award of this nature. This award to me is a motivation to embark on more peaceful journey anywhere I find myself.
“It’s a an assignment to do more work and I will surely use it by the grace of God to foster more peace in my community, Local Government, Anambra state and Nigeria at large.”
Tabansi went ahead to commend the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for his giant strides in ensuring full restoration of peace and security in the state and thanked him for keeping to his promise of developing Awka North in his administration.
He described the governor’s visit to Awka North in September to kick start a 30km road from Amansea to Omor as historic. He even said a construction of 6km road from Unizik junction to Isuaniocha will further open up Awka North to give residents of the area access to their communities.
The PG who bemoaned the deplorable state of access road linking Isuaniocha Urum, Amanuke to Ugbene after it was awarded by the immediate past administration, appealed to the governor to come to the people’s rescue by revisiting and ensuring speedy completion of the project.
He also emphasized that timely completion of the road will give the newly awarded Amansea – Omor road right connection between Awka North One and Two at the Awba Ofemili axis.
The governor, represented at the occasion by the Chief of Staff, Mr Earnest Ezeajughi, had earlier said his administration placed high premium on peace and stability which led to establishment of the 15 man justice and peace committee with mandate on fostering peace across the state and south east zone.
He also urged everyone to walk on the path of peace as no meaningful development thrive where there is no insecurity and racism.
In a keynote address, International Coordinator of Un-PEPOLAC Nigeria, Dr. Ozioma Ozoemena, described this year’s event as unique and called for the urgent need to establish peace building and conflict management agency in Anambra state in line with professor Soludo’s administration in achieving a peaceful, livable and prosperous new Anambra.
Also in a lecture titled “End Racism, Build Peace,” Prof Echezona Ifejika of the department of English department, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, reminded the federal government need to resolve the lingering tussle with ASUU, as he said “educational system cannot function in a country where peace is not in existence.”
He emphasized that peace is more needed in educational sector than any other sector as man is a complete system that needs peace. He also said the best way to achieve peace in educational sector is to pay teachers as at when due and see teaching as profession and teachers as professionals.
High point of the occasion was unveiling of peace and leadership centre muti- purpose building project architectural design.
