COE Southeast Nigeria Chapter Inaugurated

The Children of the Earth Southeast Nigeria Chapter was inaugurated on Wednesday, 11 December, 2013.

The ceremony of inauguration began with an opening prayer offered by the Vice Principal of Knowledge International Schools, IMO State, Nigeria. Once the prayer was offered, guests were introduced to the high table and recognition was given to special guests and community members of honor. All were party to the traditional welcome presentation of Kolanuts and were treated to a production by the school’s cultural troupe. The Children’s Declaration of Peace was exhibited by one student as a rain storm began to threaten the remainder of the festivities.

Femi Sylva, the Children of the Earth (COE) Chapter Coordinator, spoke detailing a brief history, vision and mission of Children of the Earth Organization, while Mr Udochukwu Austine gave a talk as the Chapter coordinator of CoE NigerDelta, Nigeria. Princess Ukaga also addressed the audience via telephone.

The ceremony was attended by more than 300 participants representing numerous secondary schools, community members, media and press, military and security personnel, and officers of the State. Representatives of the Nigerian Police Force stressed the benefit this peace education will bring to the community, reinforcing the peace efforts provided young people are given the opportunity to develop a culture of peace at an early age. The Chapter formed with more than 500 members immediately after the inauguration ceremony, with all staff and students of Knowledge International Schools as active members.

The closing prayer was offered and participants were dismissed into the rain. Due to the heavy downpour, any attempt for a group photograph was impossible to accomplish.

Following the inauguration ceremony, the director of Knowledge International Schools, IMO State, Nigeria, Chief Pat Ariguzo, volunteered to provide as a venue--a large hall within the school premises--for a peace centre, a place where young people from various communities and states within the region may converge for workshops and training on peace and skill acquisition. The proposed “Knowledge International Peace Centre” will be completed by January 2014. It will be a subset of Knowledge International Schools, IMO state Nigeria. All activities held at the Knowledge International Schools shall be organized and coordinated by CoE Southeast Nigeria Chapter under the leadership of Mr. Orodiran Sylvanus Olufemi. The hall is currently undergoing some renovations in preparation for the Chapter's first project in February 2014.

“From the management's observation of my integrity, ingenuity and influence on young people in the local government and neighboring local governments in the state, I have also been retained as a full staff of the school to handle all subjects on peace and international relations. We shall continue to work and prepare towards the next ONE PEACEFUL AFRICA 2014 gathering in Kenya.”

- Femi Sylva, the Children of the Earth (COE) Chapter Coordinator

The ceremony ended at about 2:30pm. It was documented in video format and shall be forwarded with commissioning of the peace centre.