Special Seminar on United Nations and the Family organised by UPF Nigeria

Written by UPF-Africa

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Abuja, Nigeria – On July 12, 2025, the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Nigeria organized and hosted a one-day national seminar in Abuja titled "United Nations and the Family," centered on the main theme, "The Family As The Building Block Of A Peaceful Harmonized World." The seminar addressed sub-themes including marriage as the core root of the family and its role as the foundation of a peaceful world, the United Nations’ influence on the future of the family and world peace, and the connection between peacebuilding and national development.

The event was convened to support the United Nations’ work in interfaith peacebuilding, peace and character education, and the strengthening of marriage and family, areas where UPF actively contributes as an NGO with General Consultative Status with the United Nations. Recent challenges faced by the United Nations Organization in addressing conflicting perceptions about the natural structure, purpose, and value of the family, particularly highlighted by the 2024 experiences of the UPF Department of Women and Family regarding transgender and LGBTQ perspectives, underscored the need for this seminar.

The seminar aimed to review the moral and social framework of the family, address family and gender-related issues, and encourage UPF Ambassadors for Peace to engage in family-building initiatives based on the vision and teachings of UPF’s founders. It also sought to inspire and motivate Ambassadors for Peace to confront the moral and social challenges facing humanity. Additionally, the seminar examined UN International Days related to family issues, namely International Women’s Day, International Day of Families, and International Day of Parents, to provide a holistic discussion.

Participants included UPF Ambassadors for Peace from Nigeria, South Africa, and India, as well as representatives from various organizations, including the National Orientation Agency, Federal Road Safety Commission, Nigerian Security & Civil Defence Corps, Peace Corps of Nigeria, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, International Society of Diplomats, Naval Officers’ Wives Association, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association, Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association, Nigerian Correctional Service (National Headquarters), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, Police Officers’ Wives Association, Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Police Affairs, and Ministry of Women Affairs.

The seminar featured brief welcome remarks by Archbishop Amb. Aaron H. Dauda, Acting National Coordinator of the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) Nigeria, followed by a video presentation introducing UPF and remarks by the UPF Nigeria Secretary General. Lectures included introductory remarks to the seminar by Amb. Barr Mrs. Esther Omaka, a member of the UPF National Character Education Committee; a keynote lecture titled "The Family As The Building Block Of A Peaceful Harmonized World" by Rev. George M. Ogurie, Regional Director of UPF Africa and West Africa Regional Coordinator for IAPD; a lecture on marriage as the core root of the family and its role in a peaceful world by Rev. Imo Essien Nkanta, National President of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification; a lecture on the United Nations, the future of the family, and world peace by Amb. Prof. Mary O. Aibangbe, UPF AFP Coordinator for Kano State; and a lecture on peacebuilding and national development by Amb. Rev. Dr. Felix Johnson Osakwe, 2023 Presidential Candidate. Goodwill messages were delivered by Chief Amb. Tunde Oladugbagbe, Chairman of CHANMUS, and Amb. Lindsay D’Bling Ralph.