By PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
Inter Religious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD), in conjunction with Universal Peace Federation (UPF) has ended its 2nd edition of Africa Spiritual Day celebration with men and women from different faith across 133 nations who participated in the programme.
Speaking at the ceremony which took place on Sunday at Christian Central Chapel Int’l CCCI church auditorium, Calabar, The Presiding Bishop, Dr. Gospel Emmah Isong urged participants to use spirituality to build bridges, that would development the continent of Africa rather than division.
The cleric who spoke on the theme; Abasiakara meaning God rules, stated that spirituality remains the greatest asset possessed by Africans, which if properly harnessed, would make Africa continent and the world a better place to co-exist.
In his earlier remàrks, Regional Coordinator IAPD and Africa Sub-regional Director, Universal Peace Federation (UPF), Rev.George Ogurie, stated that the organisation stand a chance to win the United Nations (UN) Inter-faith Harmony award if it remains consistently in doing what it is expected to do.
“We are sure of winning the United Nations UN Inter-faith Harmony award”.He stated.
Earlier, President, Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU), Nigeria, Rev. Imo Essien Nkanta, who spoke on the purpose of the spiritual day celebration, stressed on the need for unity of the continent, adding that unity is strength.
He maintained that the ceremony remains one of the formidable platforms for leaders of different religious faith to come together to rob minds, brainstorm on issues bordering on world peace, unity and to find a way path towards peaceful co-existence with one another to make the continent of Africa and the world at large a better place to live.
He said: “Africa Spiritual Day celebration will help in the promotion of universally shared values as well as unite believers of different faith, traditions and make them understand that we are one human family under one creator, irrespective of the perceived differences.
The event was rounded off with speeches by Imboni, Dr. uZwi-Lezwe Radebe, IAPD-Africa Chairman and founder of The Revelation Spiritual Home; El Hadj Habib Kane, Director of Religious Affairs, Mali; Father Louison Emerick Bissila Mbila, Chaplain at AU from Ethiopia and Venerable Dr Ilukpitiye Panasekara, Chief Monk Buddhist, Tanzania both the auditorium and at the zoom .
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