The Conference

 Global Peace Festival Nigeria 

The Conference ended with a celebrated closing plenary and a wonderful festival, It was full of joy , peace and entertainment. One family under God  is indeed the solution for a peaceful world of development.The Global Peace Foundation celebrates and promotes the vision of One Family Under God through building interfaith partnerships, vibrant families, and a culture of service and peace.

 Concurrent Sessions III
 Role of Media in Peacebuilding

The role of media was efficiently discussed  by great stakeholders among which are Blossom Ozurumba Nnodim, Author, Blogger, Compere, Social Media Innovator,Azubuike Ishiekwene, Group Managing Director, Leadership Group
Femi Adesina, President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Ms Luisa Piette, Director, UPI Next - Media Development Division, United Press International, Inc.Mr Mohammed Garba, President, Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ)

Concurrent Sessions II 
Character and Creativity:
“Developing Character and Creativity as Essential 21st Century Competencies in Education”

The Character and Creativity Initiative is an experiential training in values and entrepreneurship for students in secondary schools. It was initiated by the Global Peace Foundation in Kenya 2011 and was introduced into Nigeria in February 2013.About five schools have already introduced it into their academic curriculum .The Initiative is also seen as a long term panacea to the youth unemployment problems in Nigeria. Other discussants at the events are; the convener of the Summit, Dr. Tony Devine, a Vice President of the Global Peace Foundation and Executive Director Leadin. Dr. Paddy Njoku, Executive Director National Examination Council (NECO),  Dr. Aliu Paiko, lecturer, Ibrahim Babangida University, Minna Niger State. Mr. Aturu Jonah, Director Education research centre, Federal capital Territory Nigeria,Dr. john Omiti, Executive director, Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis(KIPPRA)
Character and creativity was embraced by Nigerian schools from inception according to some of the principals and heads of schools because it is very relevant to the new curriculum being adopted by the education authorities to address youth restiveness and unemployment. It si also aimed at preparing the youth for the challenges of the 21st century work environment.
Dr. Tony Devine, in his remarks, observed that half of the world youths are out of employment. And that latest World Bank reports indicate that about 4,500,000 new jobs to stay above unemployment.” The world has gone from the era of under connect to hyper connect. There is therefore need for Nigeria to train its youth to be able to connect the world”
Dr. John Omiti of KIPPRA gave a brief overview of the introduction of CCI in Kenya, the impacts the initiative has made in Kenya and challenged Nigerian educators to embrace it.” CCI is meant to create job creators” He said. CCI is also meant to change both the school culture and the school environment to bring out the best out of the students.
The introduction of CCI in Kenya from the KIPPRA research shows that CCI contributed to the overall improvement in school culture. There was also a general reduction in social problems in the school environment. Students also began to model healthy lifestyles according to the findings.
He concluded that there is a need for teachers, students and parents to have a common vision and work together. This working together requires good interrogation from the teachers and a positive attitude from the students.
On his part, Aturu Jonah of the Education Research Council Abuja surmised that “education without proper direction is a meaningless endeavor” The Marker on an individual that sets him apart from others is the values you exhibit. No individuals or society will entrust anything of value to persons of doubtful character”
  Overcrowded classrooms according to Aturu constitute an obstacle to character and creativity in schools.”When the classroom is so large, the teacher will not be able to monitor students’ behavior, the student is encouraged to continue in vices knowing that the teacher may not fish him out. When character is compromised, creativity is impaired, he said.
 Before leaving the event, Dr. Mrs,Sarah Jibril, the Special  Assistant to the president left this parting words, “ Quality food plus quality character makes an effective citizen. We are teachable, changeable, development- able and transformable.”

 The session ended on an interactive note. But not without an invitation by Mr. Franci Kyanyon, the Director of Character and Creativity Initiative in Nigeria, informing the participants of the forth coming Global Peace Convention coming up in Malaysia in December 2013.

Africa Peace Service Corps: Volunteering and Service

It was sucessfully lunched and discussed on its implementation









Concurrent Session I
Interfaith Strategies for Promoting Peace and Celebrating ‘One Family Under God’

 HRH King Alfred Diete-Spiff, Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, “The role of Traditional Institution in the One Family under God Campaign”

The traditional ruler King Alfred Diete-Spiff, the Amanyanbo of Twon Brass recalled that all traditional Institution was instituted by God Himself, noting that no peaceful town operates with two rulers. He further noted that Community is the grassroot where everything begin – the governor of tomorrow, King, legislators, lawyers, judges, doctors and all kind of people, including the thieves, armed rubber, the kidnapper, are all products of the community. He further calls for the empowerment of the Traditional Institution to prepare the community for the future.

Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, Anglican Archbishop of the Province of Kaduna, who spoke on the Role of Religion in promoting One Family Under God described the two religious as a mysticological in nature, noting that most preachers and teachers of these two religions are not qualify to teach thereby exhibiting ignorance of the religion, noting that religion is a emotive thereby playing on the emotion of the people. However he asserted that are several areas of agreement between the two religions.  He concluded with a quote

That “Negotiation can arrest conflict involving Muslims and Christians, but only understanding can curb the fears that drives conflict.”

Buttressing a point on One family Under God Alhaji Haruna Bagege noted that Prophet Mohammed on one occasion granted permission to 70 Christians to pray in his mosque in Medina, which is rated the second largest mosque in the world, which goes to underscore the cordial relationship between Muslims and Christians.

Economic Forum on Youth Job Creation and Social Funds

 It is no longer news that young people all over the world are increasingly frustrated by lack of opportunities and perpetual scantiness of jobs to carter for the billions and multiplying number of graduates turned out by various higher institutions of learning around the world. This has does not account for the millions of unschooled and/or out-of-school youths that finds life miserable.
This explains why the Global Peace Foundation in planning for the Global Peace Leadership conference 2013 which is ongoing in Nigeria has included a session for young people that will be dedicated to giving the unemployed or under-employed, under-advantaged and under-privileged opportunity to fully participate in the society.
The session which was coordinated by Mr. John Dickson engaged its moderator Dr. Manu Chandaria , Chairman GPF Africa and CEO of Comcraft Group, as the first speaker. In his message, Dr. Chandaria stressed the need for participants to take their destiny into their own hands, as he opines, “Taking destiny in your hands implies being responsible and committed to good cause”.
Dr. Chandaria insisted that “If we are prepared to take destiny in our hands, everyday must be a new commitment to achieve a new height.” It was clear in the message of Dr. Chandaria that no negative or bad influence can be seen as an achievement in life. He explained that doing good is very difficult, but to do bad is very easy, this is because achievements are not easy to come by as they emanate from sincere hard work, commitment and dedication, and this is what is expected of every youth that wants to succeed in life.
Dr. Chandaria in concluding his message reminded participants of earlier point, maintaining that if they fail to take destiny in their hand, their life will be wasted.

 Ambassador Harold  Doley, Founder of Doley Securities Group, New York, assuming the floor re-iterated the points made earlier by Dr. Chandaria, he added that the youth must control their destiny as he said, “you have to crown yourself because if someone else crowns you, it means that he/she is greater than you”.

Ambassador Doley, encouraged youths to go into small scale businesses explaining that it can drive the economy faster and greatly. According to him, “the greatest driver in the US economy in terms of employment is the small scale business”.  He also called on the Government and private individuals to invest in Nigeria, saying that they should bring back their money to the country and invest in the people. In his concluding words he added, “To create an economic boom in Nigeria, develop your housing stock”.

Several other persons who spoke during the session also emphasized on the need for every young person that wants to succeed in life to take action. Mr. JinhyoKwak Kim, President of United Vision Group (UVG) based in the USA spoke on the essentiality of people in every sector and the need to build-in ownership responsibility in anything one does in life, so as to create room for accountability, commitment and dedication.
The session was rounded-up by Mr. Idah David who represented the Special Assistant to the President (of Nigeria) on Job creation Ms. Josephine Washima, he identified some of the factors that hinder adequate job creation in Nigeria as absence of law (and its enforcement) on Corporate Social Responsibility, inadequacy of Corporate Community Communication, over concentration of Government/Government centeredness in Abuja and refusal/denial of indigenes the right to semi-skilled jobs among others.
Role of Women in Peace Building 

During the session “Role of Women in Peacebuilding,” the Nigeria chapter ofthe Global Peace Women (GPW) was launched by Hajiya Amina NamadiSambo, wife of Nigeria’s Vice-President. Global Peace Women is the women branch of the Global Peace Foundation,
The launching attracted an overwhelming participation of women from Nigeria and across the world, especially those actively engaged in peace building roles.HajiyaSamboexpressed delight in current efforts by women to impact on peace processes and challenged women to be collectively involved in intervening in resolving conflict in the country and the world in general.
Speaking in the sessionson ‘women in peacebuilding’ Hajiya Amina Sambo, stated that a review of conflict in Nigeria in the last five years has shown that the role of women in peace building is essential and that they possess the potentials to hold society together as catalysts.This she said is as a result of their biological and sociological compositions which make them more patient having acquired relationships across cultures by marriage.
Despite this however, Mrs. Sambo reiterated the general believe that poverty has the face of a woman because women are more negatively impacted by conflict,warning that where there is no peace, there won’t be sustainable development.
Noting that the theme of the conference ‘Moral and Innovative Leadership: Building Sustainable Peace for a Prosperous Future’ implies that there is a responsibility expected of women, sheemphasized that the capacity of women to be peace vanguards must be built to prevent conflict from exploding.
Mrs. Sambo declared that it was in this regard also, that Mrs. Patience Jonathan, the First Lady of Nigeria and President of the African Ladies Peace Keeping Mission, AFLPM has been playing vital roles to build peace in Nigeria and across the continent through the initiation of several programs on peace.
Among the dignitaries were:
 Dr. Junsook Moon, wife of the founder and Chairman of the Global Peace Foundation and Chairwomen    of the Global Peace Women, Mrs. SalamatuHussaini-Sulaiman, the Commissioner, Peace and Security Department of the ECOWAS Commission, Hajiya Aisha Babangida, Chairperson of Better Life for African Rural Women and daughter of former military   President,General Ibrahim Babangida, HonourableKhadejaBukar Abba, Chairperson, House Committee on Privatization,Hajia Aisha Dukku, former Minister of state for Education who was also moderator of the session,HajiaBilkisu Yusuf,

The Open Plenary Section   

Welcome Banquet

What a warm welcome banquet, one family under God commenced with the presence of the wife of the Vice President of Nigeria opening the ceremony. The President of Global Peace Foundation and important delegate from all around the world were present. With an astonish smile, she releases her sweet lovely and peaceful spirit to the occasion. The atmosphere was full of love, harmony and indeed the candle light of Peace was turned on. The occasion was at its best with wonderful and entertaining session.

Day 1

Character and Creative Initiative (CCI) session and the Africa Peace Service Crop (APS) started the preconference event.  The Special Adviser on Ethics to the President and many great professionals were present at CCI session.
Education sector  was dicussed to be  the bedrock for creating and sustaining good character toward national and global peace.

The committee on the APS had a great time brainstorming on the strategy of lunching this next phase of development .  More to come in Day 2 but as of now we await the unveiling their mandate.  

 

Pre-Conference Events

Global Peace Leadership Conference 2013 is at its best to commence tomorrow . Preparatory activities is at its top form at the secretariat and all hands are deck towards the perfection of the event. Below is the documentation team in a meeting.

Global Peace Leadership Conference 2013

The Global Peace Foundation (GPF)  in partnership with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) will host the Global Peace Leadership Conference and Festival 2013, a major convening of political, religious and civil society leaders in Abuja, Nigeria to advance innovative new models for peace in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) is a global movement of committed peace builders working in partnership with people of all Faiths, Races and Cultural backgrounds, based on common principles, values, and aspirations. GPF promotes and celebrates persons and programs that contribute to reconciliation, mutual respect, harmony and cooperation, and sees all people as One Family under God.
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria as a think tank on matters of national and regional peace promotion and conflict management for the purpose of facilitating national and regional integration.
This major Leadership Conference and Peace Festival will offer a forum for some of Africa’s leading Statesmen, including current and former heads of state, parliamentarians, religious leaders, scholars, prominent business figures, women, youth and service leaders to advance opportunities for peace and youth development across the region under the vision of One Family under God.
The Global Peace Leadership Conference in Abuja from November 7-9, 2013 at the Sheraton Hotel with the theme ‘Moral and Innovative Leadership: Building Sustainable Peace for a Prosperous Future’ will:
- Build a coalition of peacemakers beyond religious, political, social, and ethnic/tribal differences to promote regional and national unity, integration, and of a culture of peace;
- Present a new approach to peace-building and development transcending economic, political diplomatic strategies, and grounded in shared spiritual and ethical values;
- Promote academic and ‘whole-person’ education that can empower children and youths to develop character and good citizenship as a society’s most valuable resource;
- Advance a Pan-African agenda for sustainable peace and development.
The Africa Leadership Mission on Peacebuilding, Young Leadership and Service will be launched at the Leadership Conference in Abuja with the support of current and former heads of state including Zambia’s founding President H.E. Kenneth David Kaunda, Nigeria’s former President, H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo and Seychelles founding President Sir James Mancham (OBE).
Modeled on the Latin American Presidential Mission inaugurated at the Carter Presidential Center during the 2012 Global Peace Convention in Atlanta, USA, the Africa Leadership Mission on Peacebuilding, Young Leadership and Service will engage former heads of state and research institutions in a collaborative effort to advance new approaches to peace and development in Africa.