UN peace ambassadors urge global community to prioritise peace

Peace ambassadors of the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), United Nations Peace Volunteers, have called on governments and the global community to prioritise peace as a foundation for security, development and global stability.

 

The ambassadors—award-winning international scholar, speaker and author, Dr Ambassador Lilian Ajayi-Ore; retired Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Lagos State Command, Ambassador Muhammed Aliu Akadri; and Administrator of Holy Child College, Ikoyi, Rev. Sister Ambassador Christiana Oluwafunmike Olagunji—made the call in Lagos after being formally decorated as Global Peace Ambassadors.

 

In a statement issued on Sunday, the trio emphasised that peace remains pivotal to the protection of lives and property, as well as national and global development.

 

Speaking during the decoration ceremony, World Peace Spokesman of IAWPA, Ambassador Emmanuel Nkweke, said the recipients were selected after a meticulous assessment of their profiles and track records.

 

According to him, the organisation adjudged them worthy of the honour based on their character, professional attainments and sustained contributions to societal peace and development.

 

Ajayi-Ore, co-author of The Power of the Learning Mindset, expressed delight at the recognition, describing it as a renewed call to service.

 

> “This honour strengthens my resolve to pursue world peace, especially through investing more in the girl-child and women in general,” she said.

“Peace is the foundation for development across nations.”

 

She added: “I acknowledge the honour of receiving this ambassadorship, and I thank the United Nations for recognising our efforts. We promise to uphold this responsibility with integrity and commitment.”

 

Akadri, a former Comptroller of Immigration, said the award was both humbling and motivating.

 

“I will continue to serve humanity with humility,” he said, recounting his service in Ogun and Lagos States where he worked to ensure peaceful coexistence among diverse nationalities during his tenure with the NIS.

 

Rev. Sister Olagunji described the honour as a pleasant surprise.

 

“Everything came as a surprise—from the beginning to this moment. I wasn’t really expecting it, but I am grateful and deeply honoured,” she said.

 

Nkweke further explained that IAWPA is an international civil society organisation with a global mandate to promote peace by appointing credible personalities as Eminent Peace Ambassadors across the 193 member states of the United Nations.

 

He disclosed that following recommendations by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in June 2019 granted IAWPA Special Consultative Status, enabling it to collaborate with UN agencies, funds and programmes worldwide.

 

According to him, the organisation is also an active participant in the United Nations Global Compact.

 

IAWPA, according to information on its website, comprises business technocrats, innovators, social entrepreneurs and professionals committed to upholding the highest ethical standards of the United Nations while advancing peace and sustainable development.

 

The association’s mandate includes advocacy for peace, promotion of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), support for UNESCO’s Culture of Peace Programme, and the restoration of human dignity through dialogue, volunteerism and global cooperation.