By Julius Peter, Abuja
Ijeoma Igweatu, founder of Redeemer Month Zion Adoration Ministry, has received an award in recognition of her commitment to humanitarian service and support for the less privileged at the 3rd International Peace and Unity Conference and Awards.
The event was organised by the United Unity Environment Rescue Organisation (UNERO) under the theme, “Sustainable Peace and Unity in Nigeria for National Development,” with a focus on promoting peace, unity, humanitarian service and national development.
Igweatu, who expressed appreciation to the organisers for the recognition, described the award as a source of encouragement to continue contributing to the well-being of humanity, particularly by supporting vulnerable members of society.
She said the honour meant a great deal to her, adding that it would further strengthen her resolve to sustain the good work that earned her the recognition.
According to her, helping the less privileged is not merely an act of generosity but a responsibility that every individual should embrace in obedience to God’s desire for humanity to live in love, compassion and mutual support.
She emphasised that Nigerians must cultivate the spirit of brotherhood and extend assistance to people in need, regardless of their circumstances, if the country is to achieve lasting peace and unity.
“I appreciate the organisers for finding me worthy of this honour. This award means a lot to me, and I promise to continue doing the good work that has distinguished me for this recognition,” she said.
Igweatu reaffirmed her commitment to supporting the less privileged, noting that caring for others is an important way of demonstrating love for God and humanity.
She maintained that when individuals make conscious efforts to support one another, communities become more peaceful, harmonious and united.
According to her, the practice of being one’s brother’s keeper should begin within families and extend to communities and the nation at large.
She said, “I will continue to help the less privileged because this is what God wants from all of us. We must learn to be our brother’s keepers. When we care for one another, we will have peace in our homes, our communities and Nigeria at large.”
The founder of Redeemer Month Zion Adoration Ministry also encouraged well-meaning Nigerians, religious organisations, philanthropists and other stakeholders to make humanitarian service an integral part of their activities, stressing that collective responsibility was necessary to improve the lives of vulnerable people.
She noted that recognising individuals who dedicate their time and resources to helping others would inspire more people to contribute positively to society.
In his remarks, the convener of the conference, Ambassador Dr Anagwu Ikechukwu Augustine, Global Chairman of UNERO and Permanent Representative to the Department of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) of the Alliance for Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, called on Nigerians to embrace sustainable peace, unity and humanitarian service as essential foundations for national development.
Anagwu said the achievement of sustainable development required the collective commitment of individuals, families, communities, government institutions and civil society organisations to building a peaceful and inclusive society.
He explained that peace and unity could not be achieved through words alone but must be demonstrated through practical actions, including caring for vulnerable people, supporting the less privileged and promoting peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
According to him, the organisation’s activities are largely humanitarian, with a strong emphasis on assisting people in need and recognising individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the service of humanity.
“What we are doing here is more of humanitarian work than anything else. Today, we are honouring caregivers and philanthropists and presenting awards to encourage them to continue their good work,” he said.
The convener noted that caregivers and philanthropists play important roles in addressing social challenges by providing assistance to individuals and families who may otherwise struggle to meet their basic needs.
He said their contributions deserved recognition because humanitarian work often requires personal sacrifice, dedication and a genuine concern for the welfare of others.
Anagwu added that celebrating such individuals would encourage others to emulate their examples and become more actively involved in initiatives aimed at improving the lives of disadvantaged people.
He stressed that a peaceful society is one in which people demonstrate compassion, respect one another’s rights and work together to address common challenges.
The UNERO chairman further maintained that sustainable national development depended not only on economic growth and infrastructure but also on the willingness of citizens to promote justice, peace, social responsibility and human dignity.
He urged Nigerians to move beyond differences and embrace shared values that unite them, noting that cooperation among citizens and institutions was essential to overcoming challenges that hinder national progress.
The 3rd International Peace and Unity Conference and Awards provided a platform to celebrate individuals committed to humanitarian activities while drawing attention to the importance of peacebuilding and social responsibility.
The recognition of Igweatu and other deserving individuals at the event underscored the importance of encouraging people whose contributions help improve the welfare of others.
The event also reinforced the message that sustainable peace begins with individual acts of kindness and collective efforts to create communities where the vulnerable are supported, human dignity is respected and everyone has an opportunity to live in a safer and more harmonious society.
As Nigeria continues to pursue national development, stakeholders at the conference emphasised the need for citizens to make peace, unity and humanitarian service shared responsibilities, rather than leaving the task to government alone.
