…award recipients honoured for promoting unity, community development
Religious leaders, traditional rulers and scholars have stressed that peace, justice and unity remain the essential pillars for sustainable development and national progress.
They made the call during the joint celebration of the 2026 Democracy Day, the Day of the African Child and the 10th day of the Islamic New Year, held last Thursday at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Port Harcourt.
The event, organised by Treasury Ventures, publishers of Achievers World International Magazine, Asiwaju Trumpet, NIMMA International Magazine and Stop Violence magazine, also featured the presentation of awards to distinguished personalities for their contributions to peace, community development and cultural harmony.
Delivering a lecture on the Growth and Development of Islam in Rivers State, the Chief Missioner of NASFAT, Port Harcourt Branch, Sheikh Lukman Akintoye, described Rivers State as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria, where Muslims have enjoyed cordial relations with successive governments and other religious groups.
He recalled that a former governor of the state sponsored about 300 Muslims on pilgrimage to Mecca, describing the gesture as a reflection of the state’s spirit of religious tolerance.
Sheikh Akintoye explained that the 10th day of the Islamic New Year holds special significance in Islam, as it commemorates the period when Prophet Muhammad devoted himself completely to the worship of Allah.
Also speaking, the leader of the Rivers State Muslim Council, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor, urged residents to return to the path of righteousness, insisting that lasting peace can only be achieved through obedience to God and the pursuit of justice.
According to him, many of the challenges confronting society stem from humanity’s departure from divine principles.
“You cannot legislate peace. If you want peace, you must work for it. If you want to eat mango, plant a mango tree,” he said.
He maintained that peace must be anchored on justice and equity, citing the biblical principle that people rejoice when the righteous are in authority.
Uhor called for ethical reorientation in Nigeria’s political and economic systems, urging leaders to protect the vulnerable and uphold justice to attract God’s blessings upon the nation.
He also condemned the stereotyping of Muslims because of the criminal activities of a few individuals.
“Islam is a religion of peace. There are good Muslims and bad Muslims, just as there are good and bad people in every society. It is unfair to judge the entire Muslim community by the actions of a few,” he said.
One of the award recipients, Alhaja Rahmat Omolara Abdulsalam, urged Nigerians to become ambassadors of peace by promoting trust, tolerance and mutual understanding in their communities.
“We should always teach our children and our people to trust those around them and to live peacefully with one another,” she said, while commending the prevailing atmosphere of peace and unity in Rivers State.
The Oba of the Yoruba Community in Rivers State, HRH Dr. Adekunle Bright Alabi, described peace as indispensable for societal progress.
“Peace is not negotiable,” he declared, adding that many of the nation’s problems could be traced to weak moral foundations that have made it difficult even for righteous people to effect positive change.
Earlier, the convener of the event, Hon. Abul-Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as Mr. Nigeria, said the celebration was designed to highlight the significance of Democracy Day, the Day of the African Child and the lessons of sacrifice and devotion exemplified by Prophet Muhammad.
“The gathering represents a unique convergence of democracy, culture, youth development and interfaith harmony,” he said.
Alli explained that the awards were instituted to recognise individuals whose outstanding contributions have advanced peace, cultural harmony, grassroots development, community leadership and nation-building.
Recipients of the Pillar of Peace and Culture Award included the Oba of the Yoruba Community in Rivers State, HRH Dr. Adekunle Bright Alabi, and the Sarkin Hausawa of Rivers State, HRH Hussaini Madaki.
Alhaja Rahmat Omolara Abdulsalam received the Ambassador of Peace and Cultural Development Award in recognition of her contributions to peacebuilding and humanitarian service as well as the Chairman Yoruba Muslim Community in Rivers State, Alh. Ahmed Adisa and the the Sarkin Malamai/ Chief Iman Diob, Alh. Haliru Muhammad.
Other honourees included the leader of the Rivers State Muslim Council, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor; former Acting General Manager of Rivers State Television, Pastor Paul Damgbor; the Chief Missioner of NASFAT Port Harcourt Branch, Sheikh Lukman Akintoye, a business mogul, Alh. Abdul Wakeel Oladosu, and an IT guru, Alh. Opeyemi Mustapha, Ambassador Paul Bazia; Chairman of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ); and Dr. Ijeoma Acholonu, the first female Secretary of the Rivers State Council of the NUJ.
