National President of the foundation, Dr. Sulaiman Adejoh, who conferred the award on Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, disclosed that the honour was in recognition of his zeal, steadfastness and efforts in ensuring that Enugu State always remained calm.
Adejoh said: “We have taken note of these efforts because it is extraordinary. It takes a wise leader and man of peace to use all the connections and with the help of God to ensure peace in the state.
“And by the powers vested in you as Governor of Enugu State, you have used your God-given ability to ensure that there is relative calmness in Enugu and by extension, the entire country.”
He explained that the foundation is the organiser of the National Peace Awards in Nigeria, the Prominent Queen of Peace and the African Peace Awards, adding: “By June this year, we will be in London for the first Global Messengers of Peace Awards in partnership with the Queen of England.”
Adejoh said the foundation honoured Ugwuanyi to identify with his success as the most peaceful governor in the country, adding: We have gone round even to the rural areas. We saw the good roads. We sampled opinions of the people and most importantly, we heard the positive things they said about you.”
Responding, Ugwuanyi dedicated the award to God and stressed that God is the one behind all his successes and the unmerited favours he had gained in life.
He noted that peace remained the costliest commodity in life, pointing out that it was impossible to achieve security and welfare of the people without peace.
“If there is a commodity in the market called peace, nations are prepared to buy it at all cost. And because we entrusted Enugu State to the hands of God, we have seen God’s hands in the affairs of the state. I dedicate this award to the Almighty God and thank you for this honour,” he said.
Other members of the award delegation are Executive Strategist, Queen of Peace, Okokoro Ejiro; Manager, Queen of Peace, Jennifer Ijeoma Ezenwa; member, Messengers of Peace Foundation, Caroline Ezeh; Charles Duhu; Uche John Abonyi; Martins Chinedu E.; Obiora Kene Akpanisi and HRM Eze Williams Ezugwu.
