By Julius Peter

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, has received an award in recognition of his service and commitment to promoting peace, unity and the protection of human rights in Nigeria at the 3rd International Peace and Unity Conference and Awards organised by the United Unity Environment Rescue Organisation (UNERO).

The conference, held under the theme, “Sustainable Peace and Unity in Nigeria for National Development,” highlighted the importance of peacebuilding, humanitarian service, respect for fundamental human rights and collective responsibility in advancing national development.

Speaking after receiving the award, CSP Iniedu expressed appreciation to the organisers for recognising his contributions, describing the honour as a motivation to remain committed to his professional responsibilities and service to humanity.

He said the award meant a great deal to him and assured the organisers that he would continue to discharge his duties diligently, particularly in promoting public trust in the Nigeria Police Force and ensuring the protection of citizens’ fundamental human rights.

According to him, the protection of human rights remains a critical responsibility of the police, adding that the Force must continue to uphold the rights and dignity of Nigerians in the discharge of its constitutional duties.

Iniedu commended UNERO for its commitment to promoting peace, unity and humanitarian service, noting that organisations that recognise and encourage individuals making positive contributions to society deserve commendation.

He also assured Nigerians of the commitment of the police to protecting fundamental human rights as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

The police spokesperson stressed the importance of respecting citizens’ rights and ensuring that law enforcement activities are carried out in accordance with the law, particularly during the election period when public confidence, peaceful political participation and respect for democratic principles are essential.

He further emphasised the need for cooperation between security agencies, civil society organisations and members of the public to sustain peace and prevent actions capable of threatening national unity.

The recognition of the Force Public Relations Officer at the conference underscored the role of responsible policing, public communication and respect for human rights in building confidence between law enforcement institutions and the citizens they serve.

Earlier, the convener of the conference, Ambassador Dr Anagwu Ikechukwu Augustine, Global Chairman of UNERO and Permanent Representative to the Department of Non-Governmental Organisations 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 meaningful and sustainable development could only be achieved when individuals, families, communities and institutions worked together to promote peaceful coexistence, protect vulnerable people and contribute to the welfare of society.

He noted that peace and unity should not be treated merely as slogans but as shared responsibilities requiring practical action from citizens, government institutions, community leaders, humanitarian organisations and other stakeholders.

According to him, Nigeria’s development depends significantly on the ability of its people to overcome divisions, support one another and create an environment where everyone can contribute meaningfully to society.

The UNERO chairman explained that the organisation’s activities were primarily humanitarian, with particular attention to supporting the less privileged, assisting vulnerable members of society and recognising individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to helping others.

“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.

He explained that the recognition of caregivers, philanthropists and other individuals committed to humanitarian causes was intended to encourage more people to embrace selfless service and extend support to those in need.

Anagwu stressed that humanitarian service remained an important instrument for promoting peace and unity because it addresses the needs of vulnerable people, strengthens relationships within communities and encourages compassion across social boundaries.

He added that recognising people who dedicate their time, resources and energy to improving the lives of others would inspire more Nigerians to participate in activities that promote social welfare and national cohesion.

The convener further emphasised that national development should not be measured solely by economic growth and infrastructure but also by the welfare of citizens, the protection of human dignity and the availability of support for people facing social and economic challenges.

He maintained that a peaceful society was one in which vulnerable individuals were not abandoned, communities worked together to address common problems, and institutions remained committed to justice, compassion and accountability.

The organisation’s emphasis on humanitarian assistance, he said, reflected the need for collective efforts to improve the conditions of disadvantaged people and create opportunities for them to live with dignity.

Anagwu also called for greater collaboration among public institutions, civil society organisations, philanthropists and community stakeholders to address social challenges and promote a culture of service.

He urged Nigerians to see peacebuilding as a continuous process that requires tolerance, mutual respect, dialogue and a willingness to accommodate differences.

The conference’s call for sustainable peace also comes as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, a period when political activities and public engagement will require the commitment of political actors, security agencies and citizens to peaceful democratic participation.

The assurance by CSP Iniedu that the police would continue to protect fundamental human rights highlighted the importance of safeguarding citizens’ freedoms while maintaining law and order during the electoral process.

The protection of human rights, including lawful political participation and respect for the dignity of citizens, remains central to strengthening public confidence in democratic institutions.

Stakeholders are expected to play complementary roles in promoting peaceful political engagement, discouraging violence and ensuring that disagreements are addressed through lawful and democratic means.

The conference provided a platform to draw attention to the relationship between peace, humanitarian service, responsible leadership and national development.

Through the recognition of individuals such as CSP Ani Iniedu and the advocacy of organisations such as UNERO, the event sought to encourage greater commitment to service, compassion and the protection of human dignity.

The organisers expressed the hope that the message of peace and unity would extend beyond the conference to communities across the country, inspiring individuals and institutions to contribute to a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.

Ultimately, the conference reaffirmed the importance of collective responsibility in building a nation where respect for human rights, humanitarian assistance, peaceful coexistence and service to humanity remain essential pillars of national progress.