The Traditional Ruler of Awka Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Gibson Nwosu, has appealed to residents of Anambra State to embrace peace before, during, and after the November 8 governorship election.
Nwosu made this call in Awka during a courtesy visit by Ms. Amaka Uzodinma, South-East Zonal Head of the Peace Building Office, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The monarch, a retired Nigerian Air Force pilot, stressed that peaceful coexistence was vital for sustainable development, improved infrastructure, and effective security management.
“As the world celebrates the 2025 International Day of Peace, I pray that peace will flourish in homes, businesses, and communities across Anambra. This pigeon I release today symbolizes that prayer for enduring peace, not only in our state but also in conflict-affected nations worldwide,” he said.
Uzodinma, in her remarks, explained that the International Day of Peace—observed annually on September 21—was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981. The occasion, she said, serves as a global reminder of the importance of unity, harmony, and nonviolence.
“The theme for the 2025 celebration is ‘Act Now for a Peaceful World.’ At IPCR, we also mark 25 years of service this year, during which we have consistently worked with traditional rulers, religious leaders, community heads, and NGOs to promote peaceful coexistence and conflict resolution,” she noted.
Also speaking, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, National Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, described peace as priceless and urged communities in the South-East to respect and uphold traditional institutions to minimize avoidable conflicts.
In his contribution, Professor Bruno Ibekilo of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, praised the UN for championing initiatives that foster unity. He added that the academic community recognizes the critical role of peace and conflict resolution in driving human development.