Lois Otse Adams
The International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), a world-class organization with the United Nations (UN) ECOSOC special consultative status, celebrated the 7th anniversary of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to mark this year’s Global Week at the Ibom Hall, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State today, 20th September, 2022.
The anniversary, which had the presence of His Excellency, Ambassador Per Stafsen, World Peace President, Denmark and a renowned philanthropist and one of the awardees Amb. Dr. Okpara Obinna Emmanuel as special appearances, was used to flag off the UN’s first-of-its-kind plan of action to safeguard religious centres in unity and solidarity for safe and peaceful worship in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria in general.
Following the State Government’s near-to-completion ecumenical worship centre, the Spokesman of the Association, Amb. Dr. Emmanuel Nkweke, during the event, stated that Akwa Ibom State is on the threshold of history as the action plan will begin the mapping of Akwa-Ibom State’s Religious Sites into the United Nations Data Base using geospatial technologies.
The event had in attendance dozens of secondary schools in the state that showcased their talents in drama and dance displays to better highlight the importance of Sustainable Development Goals globally.
The high point of the event was the presentation of the Award of Eminent Peace Ambassador to deserving Nigerians whose humanitarian and endearing activities and peaceful dispositions have contributed to promoting peace and unity in Nigeria through their various states.
Special guests at the event were the Country Director of the association in Liberia, who doubles as the ECOWAS Coordinator, Amb. Dr. Sammy David and his team, the International Director of the association, Prof. Amb. Chidi Ehiriodo, State Director of the association, Amb. Prof. James Asuquo, State Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Prof. Bassey Udoh, the Religious Adviser of the association to the World Peace President, Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, Chairman of the Akwa State Council of Traditional Rulers and host of other distinguished personalities.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, His Excellency, Udom Emmanuel was conferred with the award of the SDGs Golden Governor of the Year while the president of Tanzania, Her Excellency, Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner of the SDGs Presidential Gold Award. Other awardees were Arc. Dr. Usen Udoh, Dr. Mrs. Jane Obioma Onwumere, Most Rev. Dr. Friday Ibanga, Chief Akin Ricketts, Tosin Adeniji, Dr. Augustine Onwumere and the global hospitality icon, Ini Akpabio.
Some organisations also won the SDGs Award 2022 for promoting peace, good health and well-being, decent work and economic growth, and sustainable development, among them include PWAN Group of Companies as the 2022 Overall Best Performing company on SDG-11, Save A-Life Foundation as overall Best Performing NGO on SDGs-3, while the Nigeria Ports Authority won the SDGs-8 as Best Government Parastatal of the Year for its economic growth and performance.
The International Association of World Peace Advocates has been in the forefront of promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, while this year’s United Nations plan of action, an initiative of the UN Alliance of Civilisation is widely promoted worldwide by the Association.
