By CHARLES IWUOHA

A United Nations -affiliate body, Positive Livelihood Award Centre (UN-POLAC), has appointed Dr Ifeanyi Agujiobi, Permanent Secretary of Enugu State Ministry of Health, as an ‘International Peace Advocate’.

This is contained in a letter signed by the Director-General of UN-POLAC Foundation, Prof. Halo Eton, made available to the newsmen in Enugu on Friday.

It said that the awardee can now be called upon for peacemaking, conflict resolution and other activities that encourage peace and positive living in line with the best international practices.

According to the letter, the award conferred on Agujiobi is for his widely known humanitarian roles and selfless service in the health care space.

It further said the appointment was in recognition of Agujiobi’s “proven integrity and commitment to the dictates of justice, provision of health care needs, universal moral values, and outstanding public service leadership, and the culture of peace”.

The letter said that Agujiobi, an indigene of Ukehe in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, have showcased a field force role in the fight against COVID-19 in Enugu State at the peak of the global health crisis.

It said that the awardee also made extensive provision of relief materials that endeared peace in some of the communities around his senatorial district.

“This amongst other things has earned him the recognition of UN-POLAC”, the award letter said.

The award letter issued to Agujiobi reads in part: “In addition to acknowledging these special qualities, the appointment encourages these individuals to be role models in community services and peace-making.

“In view of the foregoing, the trustees of POLAC recognise that you exemplify these qualities and wish to convey you their decision to appoint you an International Peace Advocate/Notable.”

Part of the benefits of the award include, “UN-POLAC Certificate of Appointment; UN-POLAC International Identity Card; Investiture Apparel; UN-POLAC Flag of Authority to be hoisted at any place of your choice and UN-POLAC Special Vehicle Plate Number in collaboration with the FRSC (available on request).”

“As an International Peace Advocate, you can be called upon for peace making, conflict resolution and other activities that encourage peace and positive living in line with the best international practices,” the letter added.

It would be recalled that UN-POLAC’s mandate is to enhance the effectiveness of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and UNESCO culture of peace project, particularly the maintenance of peace and security and the restoration of human dignity.

UN-POLAC is also a group that describes itself as “an international autonomous institution, established in the year 2001 following the United Nations General Assembly Resolution declaring 2001-2010 as a decade of peace and non-violence.

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