By Roland Ike
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 who is the House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Banking received the award in Abuja during the International Peace Day organised by the institute.
The event was epochal for Nwachukwu as it saw former Nigeria’s 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.
Nwachukwu in his remarks thanked the organisers for the award and 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 their will to prevail.
“Such leader should not coerce the people to do his bidding or cause crisis in order to get into power.”
The former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State said that the 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 His Excellency, Governor 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.”
Former President Goodluck Jonathan in his remarks at the occasion, 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 the leaders to allow the people determine the course they would follow.
“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 unto the diplomatic/ international sphere, the more peaceful and secured world we would have.”
