The Words of the Oko Family
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The Words of the Oko Family |
Abuja, Nigeria -- Chairman of UPF International Dr. Charles S. Yang was in Nigeria from March 31 to April 2, 2014 as part of recent visits to Africa to meet with heads of state and government and other high officials and, on behalf of UPF Co-Founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, to share about the vision and work of the Universal Peace Federation in Africa and around the world. Dr. Yang also described plans for UPF's 2014 World Summit on Peace and Development which will take place in Seoul, Korea, August 9-13, 2014.
He arrived at the Abuja International Airport on March 31 and was welcomed by UPF-Africa Regional Chair Mrs. Kathy Rigney along with other UPF-Nigeria leaders and a protocol officer from the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He briefly visited the Peace Embassy in Wuse 2, Abuja, where he was welcomed by UPF staff and some Ambassadors for Peace. After a brief rest at the hotel room, Dr. Yang had several meetings with dignitaries including Senator Dr. Ibrahim Mantu, former Deputy Senate President of Nigeria. The following day, Dr. Yang spoke at the National Assembly, where he presented an Ambassador for Peace certificate to Senator Aloysius Etok, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service. During the meeting at the National Assembly, he spoke about the need for a special peace education program in Nigeria as a response to the challenges facing the nation and encouraged the promotion of inter-tribal and inter-religious marriages by the Nigerian government. He used the opportunity to extend an invitation to Nigerian senators to attend the forthcoming World Leaders Summit in Korea in August along with President Goodluck Jonathan.
The National Assembly program was covered and reported by national radio and television.
Responding to Dr. Yang's speech, the senators endorsed the UPF initiatives and called for the promotion of inter-tribal and inter-religious marriages in Nigeria. Senator Etok, who was appointed an Ambassador for Peace at the event, offered a portion of land in his community to the UPF for the establishment of a UPF University for Peace in Nigeria. The proposal for the creation of an Inter-religious Committee at the National Assembly was also supported by the senators present, who promised to take it up with the Senate leadership.
Hon. Dr. Bamanga Tukur, former national chairman of the People's Democratic Party and chairman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation as well as trustee of the UPF-Nigeria Board, organized a special dinner in his residence in honor of the visiting International Chairman of UPF. During the dinner, Dr. Yang spoke again of his keen interest in Nigeria and shared special greetings from Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon. The dinner was attended by other Ambassadors for Peace, dignitaries and UPF-Nigeria leaders. Dr. Yang's speech at the event was widely reported by the News Agency of Nigeria and other news media.
Dr. Yang departed Nigeria with the Africa Regional Chair of UPF on April 2. His visit brought blessings to Nigeria, as more Ambassadors for Peace are participating in activities and plans are being made to launch the UPF Peace Education Initiative for Nigeria as proposed by Dr. Yang.