World Peace Day: Agediga, SAF preach peace, donate educational materials to pupils, students

By Timi Black, WARRI

• Establish peace Club

• Pay WAEC fees for deserving students

The Chief Executive Officer of Shedrack Agediga Foundation, SAF, Amb.(Dr) Shedrack Agediga who doubled as the Executive Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) has commemorated the 2021 world peace day in Ogulagha community, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

The event was corroborated by presentation of educational materials, inauguration of SAF peace Club and payment of WAEC fees for deserving students in Ogulagha Secondary School.

Congress recalled that the UN General Assembly has declared Sept 21 as world peace day, a move to strengthen the ideals of peaceful co-existence among countries in the world.

Speaking, Amb. Agediga clarified that the choice of SAF in commemorating the 2021 world peace day in Ogulagha community was to create more peace awareness among youths and investors, being Ogulagha an industrial area, which need more peace compared to other areas for the moment.

Agediga remarks: “It is my pleasure to cheerfully welcome everyone to the international 2021 peace day. Your presence makes me happy. I must confessed.

“The international peace day was declared in 1981 as a UN resolution to commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace among nations and people through education and public awareness on issues related to peace.

“International peace day is strategic and a step in the right direction to create more awareness about peace in the our community.

The foundation tagged the programme as:”Recovering For A Sustainable And Equitable World, but narrowed down to: Youth Conflict And Peace Building as topic to suit the local environment.

“Our vision in SAF is to see a peaceful and stable Niger Delta that supports active governance and development. We love to see peace reign among people and between people and nations. This is because peace with nations strengthen the possibility of peace among human beings.

“Over the years, SAF has build on the UN resolution to create platform to educate citizens and youths on peace awareness across the Niger Delta and beyond.

“As the world gradually recovers from the dreaded COVID -19 pandemic, we believe that educational institutions and children were the most vulnerable and worst hit. To this end we decided to celebrate this year’s event with Ogulagha Secondary School , Ogulagha.

“The choice of Ogulagha secondary is strategic and driven by passion to begin charity at home. A wise man said when you leave, you must come back for others. You can erase what you know, you can’t forget who you are.

“About 32 years ago. I was a student of this great and prestigious institution.

“While we are here to celebrate international peace day 2021, I am also here to show gratitude to the school that gave me a beautiful foundation in life. I may not have received all I needed to succeed from this school but my story cannot be completed without referencing Ogulagha secondary school. The memories are ever with me. So am must be always grateful.

“A South African cleric, Desmond Tutu of blessed memory once said, do your little bit of good where you are. It is those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world. Today SAF, an NGO founded by me would present 35 three -seater woonden desks to the school as our “Little bit of good “ thereby providing seat for 105 students.

“Also as an organization committed to sustain and build on the existing peace in the Niger Delta, we wish to seek the permission of the school authorities to flag -off a peace club in the school to be named as SAF PEACE CLUB, also rewarded three female students of the school by paying for their senior WAEC enrolment fees.

“I thank you very much for coming to be a part of this historic event.” Agediga added.

Also speaking, Pst. Seimode Idowu, Director of Socials, Shedrack Agediga Foundation had stated that SAF was hoping to establish more peace clubs within the riverine communities, Delta State and the country at large to advance peace awareness”.

Among some personalities and dignatries at the event were; Chief Vincent Oyibode, Commissioner representing Uvwie/Udu, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), prominent Chiefs in Ogulagha Kingdom, the community and youth leaderships of Ogulagha, leaders and members of the Delta Ijaw Comrade Community, women groups, students of Ogulagha Secondary School and others.