From Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha
A female bishop in Anambra State, Edith Elisha Ezenekwe, was among eight diginitaries who recently bagged the award of Ambassadors for Peace in Nigeria.
Daily Sun gathered that the awards, which were bestowed on the recipients in Owerri, Imo State, by the Special Envoy of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) to Nigeria, Rev. Park Shang Seon, was based on their humanitarian services.
Bishop Ezenekwe is the president of Brethren Gathering Ministry Inc., Obosi, Anambra State. She is also the president of Brethren Inter-denominational Theological Seminary (BITS), Proprieties Anointed International School, Achaputa Layout, Obosi, and runs Goshen Family Foundation, a ministry for motherless children and widows
Rev. Seon, while delivering the speech of the founder of the UPF, Rev. (Dr.) Sun Myung Moon, said that the ambassadors were the proud descendants of a long line of people who were born with the spirit to promote the welfare of humankind.
He urged the recipients to continue to live a life worthy of emulation by touching lives, helping the less privileged, motherless children and widows, and have passion for the propagation of the gospel of God with a view to promoting peace everywhere.
“Is there a dream common to all people regardless of gender, age, time or place? Throughout the ages, people everywhere have yearned and hoped for the realisation of the ideal of world peace. However, never in history has lasting peace been achieved that would bring joy to heaven. This fact remains the basis of our historical sorrow and anguish.
“Throughout history, people have applied their paltry efforts in pursuit of peace. Consider the confrontation between democracy and communism. Each side strove to achieve peace on its terms, but they were unable to resolve the core differences between them over questions of human rights, freedom and equality,” he said.
In his comments, the Secretary-General of the UPF, Nigeria, Dr. Raphael Okoh, told the recipients that, as ambassadors for peace, they should abide by the rules and norms of the body, live exemplary lives, propagate the image of the body and affect people’s lives positively.
He recalled that the peace federation was founded on the existing, sound ideals of the United Nations, which do not call for intense politicking like what obtains among nations. He also explained that the organisation stood for peace and the welfare of humanity on a pan-global and universal level.
“You are the peace ambassadors and special envoys of heaven that are conveying my teaching and educating others to establish exemplary families through true love, true life and true lineage. You who have become ambassadors for peace must now go forward with the conviction and dignity of a prophet that comes with Heaven’s truth, having no fear of the path of death. Go out as Heaven’s special envoys and God will certainly grant you eternal life,” Okoh prayed.
Executive director, international affairs, UPF Nigeria, Dr. George Ikpot, commended the recipients for the awards. He said that the awards were bestowed on them after rigorous screening and investigation about their character and background.
Ikpot urged the ambassadors not to be carried away by worldly things but to be focused on heavenly things in order to gain eternal life after serving humanity and promoting peace among people, communities, states and countries on earth.
“You should stand in the position of leaders representing the 1.2 million ambassadors for peace around the world who are spearheading the revolutionary era ahead of the coming of Heaven. You are Heaven’s emissaries who must fulfil the dual missions of the ‘peace kingdom police force and peace kingdom corps’ that are responsible for ensuring the peace and happiness of humankind in the future,” Ikpot said.
The Anambra State coordinator of UPF Nigeria, Rev. Zeal Festus, said the recipients were selected after being nominated by well-known members of the public, after which the nominees were screened.
She warned that the recipients’ certificates of award could be withdrawn if they were found wanting or indulging in illicit, criminal and illegal activities.
Outlining the qualities a nominee ought to possess to be given a look, he said anyone so considered should be humanitarian, of good character and be a notable person who has verifiable means of livelihood.
In his appreciation, Bishop Ezenekwe thanked the founder and leaders of the UPF for the honour done to her and others. She promised to be a good ambassador who would continue touching lives and society.