Former President Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR) and former Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara (CFR) will be among the eminent Nigerians who will deliver papers at the groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering peace and understanding among diverse faith communities at the World Interfaith Harmony Week Conference and Awards organised by the Honor 103.5 FM and Pan-af Publishers, in cooperation with the United Nations.
Former President Obasanjo will deliver the thematic paper while former Speaker House of Representatives, Dogara will deliver keynote address at the significant event slated for February 5, 2025, at 10am in Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan.
The theme for this year’s conference is “The Love of the Good and The Love of the Neighbors,” with a sub-theme of “Peace for Our Time.”
Other eminent personalities that will grace the occasion include Engr ‘Seyi Makinde, the Executive Governor of Oyo State as the Special Guest of Honour and Senator, Otunba (Engr) Gbenga Daniel as the Chairman of the conference.
Others are His Eminence, Alhaji Dr. Mohammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto & Co-Chair of the Nigerian Interfaith Council; Most Reverend Daniel Okoh, National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other eminent personalities from various sectors.
The event seeks to highlight the importance of love and mutual respect in building harmonious relationships among different religious groups.
A key highlight of the conference will be the conferment of the Apostles of Peace Gold Award and the UN World Interfaith Harmony Gold Award. These prestigious awards will honor individuals and organizations that have made remarkable contributions to peace and interfaith dialogue.
The list of Award recipients is as follows:
UN Apostle of Peace Gold Awards goes to His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, PhD; His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara CFR; His Excellency, Engr. Dr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde FNSE; Evang. Dr. Cosmos Maduka; Rev. Dr. Israel Adelani Akanji FAR; Most Rev. Daniel C. Okoh; Bishop Dr. Francis Wale Oke and His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, The Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Others for this award are Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi; Rev. Dr. Stephen V. Adegbite; Rev. Dr. Samson Ajetunmobi; Senator (Otunba) Engr. Gbenga Daniel; Pastor Dr. Samuel Olusegun Oladele and Pastor Femi Emmanuel.
Those to receive UN Interfaith Harmony Gold Award are His Eminence, Alh. (Dr.) Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakah CFR, MNI, The Sultan of Sokoto; Evang. Ajibola Ogunkeyede; Prof. (Senator) Wande Abimbola, The Awise Agbaye; Chief Mrs. Victoria Adunola Samson; Alh. (Barr) Olatoye Folorunso Abdul-Azeez; Alh. Sheikh Abdulrahman Olanrewaju; Rev. Owolabi Olatunde Olasunkanmi; Pastor Odekunle Ephaphras; His Eminence, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola Akinola, the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo & Delta and General Raji Alagbe Rasaki (Rtd)
Additionally, the event will feature the launch of the book titled “Reviving Values: A Blueprint for the Tertiary Institutions,” aimed at inspiring educational institutions to embrace core values that promote peace and interfaith understanding.
The primary objectives of the conference are to promote dialogue, understanding, and peace among various faith communities while celebrating the efforts of those dedicated to fostering interfaith harmony.
Host is Rev. Dr. Phillip Bukola Oyewale, CEO, Honor 103.5 FM while Chief Host is His Eminence, Rev. Dr. Samson ‘Supo Ayokunle, former President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and Board Chair, Honor 103.5 FM
