The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike's School of General Studies (SGS) recently joined the global community to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Peace. The event, held on September 21, had the theme "Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day." The SGS called on students and members of the university community to promote peace, dialogue, justice, and tolerance as essential tools for building resilient societies.
The commemoration featured goodwill messages, presentations, and discussions on peacebuilding. Representatives of the Police Zonal and Abia State commands, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), academics, students, and researchers attended the event. The programme included the planting of Peace Trees at the SGS quadrangle by representatives of the university management and other participants.
Prof. Ejitu Nnechi Ota delivered the keynote address, titled "Education for Peace, Dialogue, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Peace: Nigeria and Africa Emphasis." Prof. Adedoyin Adedayo of the SGS presented a paper titled "Sustainable Peace in a Globalised World." A panel discussion and question-and-answer session also featured during the programme.
Awards were presented to notable individuals, including former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Engr. Chinedum Orji, who received the Peace Advocacy Award. Abia State NSCDC Commandant, C.N. Odimba, received a Peacebuilder Award, and philanthropist Sir Nonso Ozomena was also honored.
The university's seventh and pioneer female Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, commended the SGS leadership and staff for organising the programme. Akanwa, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and Development, Prof. Princewill Ogbonna, noted that MOUAU's responsibility extended beyond awarding academic degrees to nurturing minds and equipping young people with the skills needed to address complex social challenges.
The Acting Director of SGS, Dr Chiedozie Atuonwu, described the International Day of Peace as both a call for reflection and action. He stressed that peace was more than the absence of war, violence, or conflict, but a condition in which individuals and communities could live with dignity, security, justice, mutual respect, and hope.
Atuonwu urged members of the university community to make personal and institutional commitments to peace and to make MOUAU an institution where respect was normal, dialogue encouraged, disagreements managed constructively, and human dignity protected. He called for investment in peace through teaching, research, leadership, relationships, and communities, particularly through the education and employment of the next generation.
Key points
- MOUAU's SGS calls on students to promote peace, dialogue, justice, and tolerance.
- The event featured goodwill messages, presentations, and discussions on peacebuilding.
- The university community was urged to make personal and institutional commitments to peace.
