The Lagos State chapter of the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), an affiliate of the United Nations last weekend celebrated the International Day of African Descent and used the opportunity among other programmes of the day to award several deserving Nigerians.
The glamorous occasion witnessed the recruitment of 17 West Africans comprising of 16 Nigerians and one Ghanaian. 16 of the new awardees were given the Eminent Peace Ambassadors Award while the best of the awards which is Lord Mayor of Peace in West Africa was reserved for a man with the typical rag-to-riches story, a man who epitomises hard work, diligence, dedication, a generous human being and yet, an advocate of peace, Chief Alexander Chika Okafor, the managing director of the Chikason group.
The president of IAWPA, Ambassador (Chief) Per Stafson as well as the International director of the body, John Metchie with some other notable members of the Association were on hand to conduct the award ceremony.
At the peak of the event, Chief Alexander Okafor was given a Diplomatic Identity card and a vehicle plate number as symbols which make him an international citizen and a Diplomat anywhere around the world.
The event which was convened by Ambassador (Dr. ) Chi Jenny Ugboaja was an occasion where deserving personalities who have worked in words and action to promote peace were carefully chosen and then granted the honour.
After the event, the new Lord Mayor of Peace in West Africa said that “Today is a great day and I thank God for this wonderful international honour bestowed on me.
My prayer is that God will give me the grace to do what is needed of me and I will try my best with God solidly by my side to meet the expectations of the people who chose me to be awarded today. I promise to extend the Peace mission to other neighbouring African nations where Chicason has established its branches”.
