World Peace Day: Peace Is Ultimate, We Should Always Embrace It – Oweilaemi Foundation 

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By Binebai Princewill 

As lovers of peace all over the world celebrate the 2020 International Day of Peace, the Oweilaemi Foundation (OF) has also joined the league of Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) to celebrate the World day of peace. 

The Oweilaemi Foundation described peace as the ultimate, stressing that leaders all over the world must strive to always embrace it.

This was contained in a message made available to newsmen in Warri earlier today, personally signed by founder and chairman of the Oweilaemi Foundation (OF), Barr. Roland Pereotubo Oweilaemi, a copy of which was sent to The Liberator Newspaper.

The peace advocate noted that the foundation couldn’t have kept quiet as today marks the World Day of Peace, adding that Nigeria and its various ethnic groups, Christian and Muslim faithfuls must learn how to always live together peacefully. 

While appreciating the United Nations (UN) for setting aside this day as the International Day of Peace, Barr. Oweilaemi said people should not be quick to forget the havoc wrecked upon the world by the first and second world wars, stressing that the world must do all they can to avoid third world war. 

Using Nigeria as a reference point, Barr. Pereotubo stated that the 1967 Civil war and its attendant effects on Nigerians remains a telling example of the many evils associated with war. 

The Oweilaemi Foundation as an NGO has been rendering assistant to the needy in the society with more interest on the aged in  the society, a foundation they have used in transforming the lives of many across the country. 

A background research carried out by The Liberator Newspaper reveals that each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.

This year, it has been clearer than ever that we are not each other’s enemies. Rather, our common enemy is a tireless virus that threatens our health, security and very way of life. COVID-19 has thrown our world into turmoil and forcibly reminded us that what happens in one part of the planet can impact people everywhere.

In March, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on all warring parties to lay down their weapons and focus on the battle against this unprecedented global pandemic. While the message is intended for armed parties, solidarity and cooperation across borders, sectors and generations are also needed to win this new fight against the worst public health crisis of our time.

For the United Nations, 2020 was already meant to be a year of listening and learning. To mark its 75th anniversary, the UN has invited millions of people worldwide to join UN75, the largest and furthest-reaching global conversation on building the peaceful and prosperous future that we want.

As we struggle to defeat COVID-19, your voice is more important than ever. In these difficult times of physical distancing, this International Day of Peace will be dedicated to fostering dialogue and collecting ideas. The world will be invited to unite and share thoughts on how to weather this storm, heal our planet and change it for the better. Even though we may not be able to stand next to each other, we can still dream together.

The 2020 theme for the International Day of Peace is “Shaping Peace Together.” Celebrate the day by spreading compassion, kindness and hope in the face of the pandemic. Stand together with the UN against attempts to use the virus to promote discrimination or hatred. Join us so that we can shape peace together.

Background

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire.

The United Nations invites all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities during the Day, and to otherwise commemorate the Day through education and public awareness on issues related to peace.

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