A United Nations-affiliate body, Positive Livelihood Award Centre (UN-POLAC), has appointed Dr Ifeanyi Agujiobi, Permanent Secretary in the Enugu State Ministry of Health, as an ‘International Peace Advocate’.
It would be recalled that the body usually appoints medical doctors, top government functionaries and philanthropists that have played great humanitarian roles as advocates to further promote the course of humanity and peace.
This is contained in a letter, signed by the Director-General of UN-POLAC Foundation, Prof. Halo Eton, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Saturday.
It said that the awardee can now be called upon for peacemaking, conflict resolution and other activities that encourage peace and positive living in line with the best international practices.
According to the letter, the award conferred on Agujiobi, a seasoned Permanent Secretary in Enugu State in Nigeria and a renowned medical doctor, was for his widely-known humanitarian roles and selfless service in the health care space.
It further said the appointment is in recognition of Agujiobi’s “proven integrity and commitment to the dictates of justice, provision of health care needs, universal moral values, outstanding public service leadership, and the culture of peace”.
The letter said that Agujiobi, an indigene of Ukehe in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, has showcased a field force role in the fight against COVID-19 in Enugu State at the peak of the global health crisis.
It said that the awardee also made extensive provision of relief materials that endeared peace in some of the communities around his senatorial district.
“This, amongst other things, has earned him the recognition of UN-POLAC,” the award letter said.
The award letter issued to Agujiobi reads in part: “In addition to acknowledging these special qualities, the appointment encourages these individuals to be role models in community services and peace-making.
”In view of the foregoing, the trustees of POLAC recognise that you exemplify these qualities and wish to convey you their decision to appoint you an International Peace Advocate/Notable.
“Part of the benefits of the award included, ‘UN-POLAC Certificate of Appointment; UN-POLAC International Identity Card; Investiture Apparel; UN-POLAC Flag of Authority to be hoisted at any place of your choice and UN-POLAC Special Vehicle Plate Number in collaboration with the FRSC (available on request).
“As an International Peace Advocate, you can be called upon for peace making, conflict resolution and other activities that encourage peace and positive living in line with the best international practices,” it added.
It would be recalled that UN-POLAC’s mandate is to enhance the effectiveness of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and UNESCO culture of peace project, particularly the maintenance of peace and security and the restoration of human dignity.
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UN-POLAC is also a group that describes itself as “an international autonomous institution, established in the year 2001 following the United Nations General Assembly Resolution declaring 2001-2010 as a decade of peace and non-violence.
