The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) has urged governments, religious leaders, and other stakeholders to collaborate in promoting peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance for national development. Rev. George Ogurie, Sub-Regional President of UPF West Africa, made this call during a peace road walk to mark the 2024 United Nations Day of Victims of Acts of Violence based on Religion or Belief.
The peace walk, held in over 120 countries worldwide, also commemorated the 12th anniversary of the late Dr. Sun Myung Moon, the founder of UPF and a renowned peace advocate. Ogurie, who also serves as the African Regional Coordinator for the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD), emphasized the importance of creating a national environment conducive to peace, unity, and development.
Ogurie highlighted that UPF had gathered religious leaders to discuss solutions to disunity and religious conflict, noting that religious intolerance has led to numerous deaths and must be addressed collectively by both government and religious leaders.
“Too often, innocent people fall victim to conflicts stemming from religious intolerance,” Ogurie stated. “The United Nations’ commemoration is a call to action for religious leaders and politicians alike. Many times, political figures exploit religion for personal gain, but this is a dangerous practice that benefits no one.”
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He also advocated for the adoption of the International Peace Highway, a global peace initiative proposed by Dr. Moon, to promote regional and global integration.
Simeon Uwa, Executive Secretary of the International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP)-Africa, echoed this sentiment, describing the peace walk as a symbol of unity and peaceful integration. Uwa noted that Dr. Moon believed that connecting the world through roads and bridges would foster harmony and reduce violence.
“This vision is particularly relevant today, as the world faces widespread conflicts,” Uwa said. “If we strive to live in harmony and eliminate tensions, we can make significant progress in development.”
Mrs. Joy Fan, FCT Coordinator for UPF Nigeria, emphasized UPF’s collaboration with religious leaders to spread messages of hope and peace. “We believe that we are all part of one human family under God, and religion should not be a source of conflict,” she said.
Dr. George Ikpot, Secretary-General of UPF Nigeria, called on the government and religious leaders to work together to find solutions to religious intolerance. The event, themed “Religion and the Creation of World Peace,” brought together government officials, religious leaders, security agencies, and other stakeholders to reinforce their commitment to peacebuilding.
