NIGERIA
(2004
World Peace Prayer Society Report)
Lagos
I
REPORT OF THE CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR PEACE AND DEDICATION
OF PEACE POLE BY AGENDA FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.VENUE: KIDSLAND
NURSERY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL, IJU ISHAGA-AGEGE. LAGOS. SEPTEMBER 21,
2004
In
line with the United Nations Resolution 36/67 of 30 November 1981,
by which it declared that the third Tuesday of September, the opening
day of the regular sessions of the General Assembly, shall be officially
proclaimed and observed as International Day of Peace and shall be
devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both
within and among all nations and peoples; Agenda for Community Development
on 21st September 2004 marked the International Day for Peace in Iju
Ishaga Area of Lagos State.
In the morning of September 21, 2004. Over one hundred children gathered
at Kidsland Nursery and Primary School, Iju Ishaga Agege Lagos State
Nigeria , the venue chosen by Agenda for Community Development to
mark the International Day for Peace event and dedicate the Peace
Pole in Line with the World Peace Prayer Society.
Welcome
Address: Mr Omoniyi Olowe - Head Teacher, Kidsland Nursery and
Primary School, 10-16, Suraj Onajowo St, Taju Bello Area, Oke Aro
Rd, Iju Ishaga. Lagos
The students had been expecting members of Agenda for Community Development.
They had formed a big circle on the school playing ground. The main
event started with a welcome address by the Head teacher of Kidsland
School Mr Omoniyi Olowe who took members of Agenda for Community Development
round the school compound where the children excitedly welcomed us.
Prayer
for Peace: Pastor Lanre Mike Ojeola : The Redeemed Chrisitian
Church of God, Yewande/Daddy Village, Oke Aro.
The introduction was closely followed by the invitation of Pastor
Lanre Mike Ojeola of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Yewande
Village who led the children into a prayer session for peace. He reiterated
the need for children to be tolerant of one another. He made reference
to other parts of the world like Sudan, where war is still going on
and asked the children to pray for peace in those countries. He prayed
for children in other countries like Sierra Leone, Liberia, Bosnia
and other parts of the world that are just recovering from war.
Keynote
Address: Olaitan Ibiyemi (Founder/Coordinator Agenda for Community
Development)
The coordinator of Agenda for Community Development thanked the school
authority for allowing the pupils to participate in contributing to
peace making and promotion of the culture of non violence in their
own little way He stated the essence of observation of the International
Day for Peace. He explained to the children that worldwide many children
will be observing the day and that children in Iju Ishaga community
should not be exemption.
He further explained that since 1997, World Peace Prayer Society has
assisted the United Nations Department of Public Information in producing
a program for New York school children at UN Headquarters, including
a World Peace Flag Ceremony.
He stated that in previous years, youth and children in Iju Ishaga
community have not been privileged to participate in peace day celebrations
and activities and help create a Global Ceasefire. Ibiyemi stated
that around the world, people will be planting Peace Poles, re-dedicating
their Peace Poles, conducting World Peace Prayer Ceremonies, participating
in community service projects, and observing the International Day
of Peace in service and prayer for peace.
Peace
Songs:
The children/pupils and staff were then taught a very simple peace
song. After about five minutes of learning the songs, the atmosphere
was filled with the peace songs as composed by AfCODE Theatre/Creative
Factory (A Creative Group of Agenda for Community Development).
The
songs
Can We see
With our own eyes
People living together
Living in Peace
Peace at last
Life without war and tears
Chorus:
Sings out with joys of heart
May peace prevail on earth
Living in peace
Peace at last
Life without war and tears
Presentation
and Dedication of Peace Pole: By Olaitan Ibiyemi (AFCODE)
The climax of the event was the Presentation of Peace Pole to the
staff and children Kidsland School.
He stated that planting a Peace Pole in Kidsland school symbolizes
link with people all over the world who have planted their Poles in
the same spirit of peace and that every Peace Pole proclaims the prayer
May Peace Prevail on Earth in the language of the country and often
several other languages as well. The Peace Pole presented is a hand-crafted
wood that displays the message and prayer May Peace Prevail on Earth
on each of its four or sides with each corner having the words "May
Peace Prevail on Earth written in English Language, French Language,
Yoruba Language (which is the language of the community) and Igbo
Language which is one of the major languages in Nigeria. The Peace
Pole presented was seven feet tall with the bottom made of rounded
wood which served as stand which could be place in the school library
or the assembly. It was constructed from a hard Mahogany wood well
polished and sprayed with chemicals to prevent it from being eaten
by termites.
Ibiyemi stated that the Kidsland Community should see the Peace Pole
as a way to bring children together on an inspiring project to join
in a network of peace consciousness that is emerging all over the
world.
Launching
of Kids for Peace Club: Oladipupo Alatise Program Coordinator
(AFCODE)
It was in this spirit that Kids for Peace Club was launched in the
school with thirty children with the age range 6-12 being the pioneer
members.
Light
Snacks/Refreshments:
Biscuits and sweets were provided by Agenda for Community Development
to all the children present.
Photographs Taken
The photos attached are those taken at the campus of Kidsland Nursery
and Primary School, 101-2, Suraj Onajonwo Street, Off Taju Bello Pipeline
-Oke Aro Road, Iju Ishaga, Agege, Lagos during the event.
Olaitan Ibiyemi, Founder/Coordinator
Agenda for Community Development
Suite 19, Ibukun Oluwa Plaza
Taju Bello Bus Stop
Oke Aro Road
Iju Ishaga-Agege
Lagos State, Nigeria
Lagos
II
Lagos Peace Walk
I greet every body in the name of love unity and harmony, and I wish
You Happy Peace Day Celebration. As known that yesterday is International
Peace Day. We in Lagos marked the day with a walk and a visit to two
of the local governments in Lagos State: Yaba local government and
Mainland local government. Below is my speech for the day. [excerpts]
Now, More Than Ever We Need Peace
Since the attack on the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001 of
which America suffered a massive attack on its body and soul, since
then the world as embarked on an open-ended war against terrorism,
all the while hungry for some way to mend the hole in our hearts.
I have met, mailed and received mail from different people and groups
in the world seeking comfort, seeking meaning and above all seeking
ways to do something positive in the midst of pain, agony and war.
The common threads in all this relationship is " Now, more than ever
we need peace, now more than ever we need to call each and every one
of us to action in our daily lives". Now more than ever we need to
create a culture of peace" back in Africa, series of thing has happen
that as taken away many lives of which more family affected will never
forget these experienced all that has happened to us in this Nation,
the clashes in Kano, Ijaw, Kaduna, Jos, Port Harcourt etc.
The September 11 attack events have opened a door for the human family.
We have a rare opportunity to choose a new path of our evolution.
We are currently in the world events, the logical consequences of
a way of life based on separation and dominance. A new path, the part
of unity and partnership is rising through the smoke and rubble.
The path of unity uses our differences to support the belief that
we are in interdependent whole one family of life on this precious
planet, able to thrive and survive only when we work together for
the needs and dignity of all. The outcome of such thinking is partnership
the vehicle is respect and the result is peace. This view sustains
life in all its rich diversity, and offers us endless cycles of creativity,
freedom and hope.
[…] This is a choice each and even one of us must make in our own
lives on how we live our lives. Those of us choosing the path of unity
and partnership are the pioneers for a new tomorrow. We are literally
building a new world even as the old ones come crumbling down around
us.
Like any path, this peace road is carved by the action of many hands.
Smoothed and widened by the passage of many feet. For humanity to
move from culture of violence to a culture of peace; those of us holding
that intention must lead the way with our thoughts, our words, our
actions … Now more than ever, we need to practice speech that includes
not divides.
[…] I therefore invite you listeners or readers of this message to
seize the opportunity present in the tragic events unfolding, to make
your choice for a culture of peace.
- To
stand for a culture of peace in the midst of war is an act of great
courage for you are sounding a different voice. "
- To
model a culture of peace in the midst of war in an act of great
power for you are showing a better way. "
- To
live a culture of peace in the midst of war is an act of great simplicity
for you are providing that one person can make a difference.
"Never
doubt that a small group of dedicated people can change the world, indeed
it is the only thing that ever has" -Margaret Mead
I therefore enjoin and pray that as we celebrate the International
Peace Day today that you and I and all of us together, to commit ourselves
anew to changing the world.
"Last
century is a century of war lets make this century a century of peace,
love and harmony". -His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet
Fanida Ayodele
Member World Peace Prayer Society
Coordinator: Save our Community
Coordinator: Students for a Free Tibet (Nigeria Chapter)
Secretary General, General Action Against the Violation of Human and
Children's Rights
Ukanafun,
Akwa Ibom
State
The
International Day of Peace 2004 in Nigeria
On Tuesday 21, September 2004, as declared by the UN, we joined
millions around the world to celebrate the culture of peace. The highlight
of these events included religious prayers as directed by the Mennonite
prelate Bishop Udoh, who is also the Justice of Peace of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, assisted by the Evangelist Caleb Akpan, who oversees
the administrative affairs of our chapter. Prayers were offered to
all countries of the world with emphasis to the war-torn countries.
At the end of each prayer session all prayed the universal
prayer “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” I, Mojima Etukudo, the Peace
Representative of the body in Nigeria,
presented the address of the secretary general. I thanked the people
for coming out in mass to observe a day of global ceasefire and nonviolence
on our globe and implored people to see this day as a day of repentance
and reconciliation from war to peace, as war is not a best substitute
for peace. Then the Peace Pole planted last year during IDP was re-dedicated.
After the prayer session there was a great cultural display around
the Peace Pole following the rededication process. Songs of peace
were rendered and the people danced around the pole with prayers and
songs.
As part of the activities for this event, students from secondary
school were invited for an IDP seminar where there were thoughts on
the importance of peace and the effect of HIV/AIDS. In the global
peace building at the end of the seminar they were led to the Peace
Pole where photographs were taken and the message of the Peace Pole
was preached to them. The activities marking the 2004 IDP by the Peace
Pals in Nigeria included the World Peace Prayer Ceremony, where local
children were drawn from all nooks and crannies to sing peace songs
like “A Million Voices for Peace” and “Give Them the Right,” which
carried the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” During the church
service some members of the Peace Pals rendered drama and song renditions.
A desktop Peace Pole was awarded to the labour leader in the
country as the pillar of peace, Mr. Augustine Akpaetor, who is the
chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers in the State. In his response
he thanked the vision of Mr. Masahisa Goi as he becomes a beneficiary
of his vision today and promised to live with the words “May Peace
Prevail on Earth.” Those at the presentation ceremony included Professor
Usanga, Chief Nelson of Cross
River
State
and other dignitaries. Also the Women’s Wing of the youth organization
for the Power
Chapel
International
Church
also met and prayed for peace of the world with Peace Pole and songs
of peace under the leadership of Miss Rose Eddy. Stickers, peace buttons,
brochures, Global Link Newsletters and origami paper peace dolls were
distributed to participants. I thank God for making the 2004 IDP a
reality in my part of Nigeria.
I commend the United Nations Secretary-General H.E. Kofi Annan
and those at the Public Information Unit. We especially thank Mr.
& Mrs. Hiroo and Masami Saionji for piloting the affairs of the
World Peace Prayer Society and the Goi Peace Foundation. My thanks
also go to our director Deborah Moldow for her tireless effort and
all the Peace Reps and friends all over the world.
May God in his infinite wisdom grant us peace eternal peace.
Long live the United Nations; long live the WPPS/GPF International;
long live the WPPS/GPF in Nigeria.
May Peace Prevail on Earth.
Mojima Umo Etukudo
WPPS Peace Representative
2004
World Peace Prayer Society Compilation
PICTORAL
ARCHIVE OF PREVIOUS PEACE DAY EVENTS
May
Peace Prevail
On Earth
