A religious body, Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS), has advocates the need for global peace. The body also emphasised the need for selflessness and service to humanity.
BSC made the submissions at the 6th Leader Olumba Olumba Obu Annual Public Lecture,” at the Obi Wali International Cultural Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at the weekend.
The Lecture, which had its theme as: “Dignity in Service to Humanity”, featured songs rendition, drama presentations, testimonies, encounters, and attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, including the academia, traditional institutions, captains of industry, amongst others.
In his Lecture titled “Universality of Dignity in Service to Humanity”, former Secretary General of Universal Peace Federation – Nigeria (UPFN), Dr. Raphael Oko, emphasised that selfless service to humanity is key to achieving global peace.
Oko, who is also the Director, World Peace Centre, also mentioned that Nigeria is faced with many challenges that it is unable to overcome as a result of differences in culture, religion and political affiliation. He argued that Nigeria, by its position, has a role to play in achieving global peace, especially in the African continent.
The former UPFN scribe expressed optimism that the Lecture will chart a course for solution to Nigeria’s economic woes. “Happiness comes through service to humanity. We only become happy through the service we render to others and others to us,” he stated, adding that service to humanity is universal.
On his part, Director, BCS Training and Orientation, Patriarch Wilson Iwara, x-rayed the importance of work to human growth and development.
Iwara, who spoke on a Lecture titled: “Concept of Dignity in Service to Humanity: the Leader Olumba Olumba Obu Perspective,” mentioned that all humans have inherent dignity. He said work must be seen and bestowed as something designed by God to reveal his glory in our lives. “The Holy Father wants us to think of work and understand its role in our lives by focusing on three important facts. One, work is good, two, work has purpose, three, there is that exception,dignity in all work,” he stated.
Earlier in his Keynote Address to declare the Lecture open, Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Frederick Oho, represented by Prof. Krama Ilami, pointed out that this year’s public lecture stresses the importance of the selfless and exemplified leadership style of Holy Father Olumba Olumba Obu and his teachings and his impact on mankind.
Oho, who is an appeal court Justice, stressed the need for people to live in harmony. He explained that the Public Lecture series presents an avenue where leaders of thought gather to chart a course for global peace and development.