A non-profit organisation, UFUK Dialogue, has conferred peace awards on some prominent Nigerians, including Speaker of House of Representatives Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State, among others.
The group also conferred a posthumous award on the late General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for his tireless efforts in promoting interfaith dialogue for peace.
In his opening remark during the event in Abuja, the president of UFUK Dialogue, Mr. Kamil Kemanci, said that dialogue and peaceful co-existence has always been and remains a need, a necessity, and a must for us to have a healthy and more productive society.
“With dialogue, it is possible to transform conflict into co-operation. This interfaith dialogue seeks to realize religion’s basic oneness and unity, and the universality of belief Islam and Christianity all come from the same root, have almost the same essentials, and are nourished from the same source.” He said
Mr. Kemanci further reiterated that “for everyone to live peacefully, it is important for individuals to rise above differences that drive us apart and that go beyond any ideology or political system, and above any religious movement or religious authority.”
This year’s edition, which is the 6th in the series, saw various individuals rewarded for their contributions to peace in Nigeria.
Others include the Publisher of Leadership newspaper, Mr. Sam Nda Isaiah, Geoffrey Oyeama, Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Segun Adeniyi, Chairman Editorial Board, ThisDay Newspaper, and Manir Dan-Ali, Executive Director, Daily Trust Newspaper.
Regional Pastor E. Aibitayo Central Parish (RCCG), Prof Shehu Ahmad Sa’id, Murshid National Mosque Abuja, Mrs. Nafisah M. Monguno, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaid, who is the Wazirin Sokoto, Mr. Ikeogu Oke, and Mrs. Maryam Lemu were also amongst those who received awards under various categories.
This year’s awards ceremony had in attendance personalities like the National Security Adviser, Major-General Mohammed Babagana Monguno, the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, representatives of the First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, as well as representatives of the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives and various ministries and agencies.
