The Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters has bagged the Distinguished Fellowship Award of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP), alongside 15 other Nigerians selected from diverse backgrounds.
Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, current Nigeria’s ambassador to Brazil, Amb. Prof. Muhammad Ahmad Makarfi, Emeritus Prof. Njidda Mamadu Gadzama as well as a host of prominent personalities received the SPSP’s highest award at its 14th & 15th International Conference and General Assembly.
The 3-day event, which took place at the NOUN headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, had the theme: “Peace and Security in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” with the immediate-past Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole and the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, as the keynote speakers.
Dignitries at the High table
The combined conference organised by the society in collaboration with the NOUN’s Department of Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution gathered crème-de-la-crème in Nigeria’s security and development sector as well as sundry of academics who presented research papers in relation to the topic.
In his goodwill message, the NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, appreciated the society for its immense work in the field of peace, security and development in the country.
Peters, represented by his deputy, administration, Prof. Isaac Butswat, explained that the university was proud to be hosting the national secretariat of SPSP and urged the participants to come up with solutions not only to the Covid-19 impacts, but the present security challenges in the country.
SPSP’s Governing Board Chairman, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, represented by Prof. Isaac O. Albert, “specially thank NOUN for the very big and well-furnished secretariat," and congratulated the awardees for their recognition by the society.
Former Chief of Army Staff, General Abdulrahman Danbazzau (rtd), who was the Special Guest of Honour, underlined the importance of peace in the society, saying that “peace is central and this is what we have been fighting to get in this country for over 60 years of our independence.”
Danbazzau, who said he was proud to be associated with SPSP, took time off to digest the theme of the conference, and acknowledged that the pandemic had took away the freedom and livelihood of humanity all over the world.
The National President of the society, Dr. Nathaniel Danjibo, explained that the theme was chosen due to its global significance and the conference intended to look at it in relation to peace and security.
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