Abuja, Nigeria – The Member representing Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Eze Nwachukwu Eze, has bagged the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution’s inaugural Peace Award.
Nwachukwu, the House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Banking, received the award in Abuja on Friday during the International Peace Day organised by the institute.
The event was epochal for Nwachukwu as it saw Former Nigerian President and Africa’s Peace Ambassador, Goodluck Jonathan, honoured with a Fellow of the institute; the second after Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon.
Receiving the award, Nwachukwu pledged to continue promoting peaceful co-existence among Ebonyi people, Nigerians and Africans for their overall growth and development.
“Any leader truly representing the people should always allow the people’s will to prevail.
“Such a leader should not coerce the people to do his bidding or cause crisis in order to get into power.”
Nwachukwu, a former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi, said that Ebonyi state had become a haven of peace in the country because of its leaders’ resolve to place collective interest over personnel biases.
“We give God the glory for this and commend Gov. Francis Nwifuru for fostering peace and unity among the people and their leaders.
“Peace is a cardinal component of his People’s Charter of Needs mantra and the state has been on an upward trajectory since his emergence as governor.”
In his remarks, former President Jonathan advised African leaders to develop the culture of peace in their quest for power.
Jonathan, who has toured the continent and beyond as an ambassador of peace, urged leaders to allow the people determine the course they would follow.
He said: “Most African leaders have shifted focus from entrenching peace to retaining power at all costs.
“What is wrong is wrong and should not be coined or covered under the cover of politics”.
Dr Joseph Ochogwu, the Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, urged people not to always think of themselves alone but also of others.
“The more peaceful people we have at the home front, diplomatic and international spheres, the more peaceful and secured world we would have,” he said.
