Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ on Thursday March 22nd, opened its new permanent center, at Ugolo road near Osubi Airport, Ugolo, in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta state.
The event which attracted the crème de la crème in the political and business sphere from different parts of the country and in the United Kingdom combined, graced the opening of the Center, with the Commissioning of the facilities and the ground breaking ceremony for the forthcoming African Heritage International Academy.
CEPEJ which is a Pan- African, non-governmental, non-political and not-for-profit civil society organization, was conceived in 2001 as Niger Delta Reorientation Project, to help curtail and change the mindset of youths during the peak of the crisis in the region.
It later registered with the Delta State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in 2007. In January 15, 2010, it was registered as the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
The NGO has set the pace for others, as it has substantially achieved its aim of ensuring the promotion and protection of fundamental human rights of the citizenry and sustainable peace and development in Nigeria and Africa at large.
Speaking at the ceremony, the National Coordinator of CEPEJ, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, welcomed his guest by expressing his appreciation to them for their presence.
In his words, “I am delighted to have you people here, to witness the official unveiling of the Africa for Peace Center. We are privileged to have you share in our joy of a dream come true.
“CEPEJ is actively committed, to working to promote peace, effective security and environmental institution that collaborate with government, ministries, agencies as well as private organizations, to adopt and implement non-violent means of conflict resolution.
“Over the years, our organisation has been working to influence public policy in social, economic, political and cultural spheres, in order to bring about justice and positive change in human rights and environmental issues.
”We have regularly organised many conferences in many Nigerian cities, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. These conferences have huge audiences drawn from every spectrum of the Nigerian society – the federal, executive, military, police, diverse security agencies, traditional rulers, the academia, students and market women.
“CEPEJ is in a hurry to invest in institutions and people. We strongly believe that young people should be involved in the process of regional transformation, as they are the key to achieving sustainable development.”
Continuing, Mulade gave an insight into how the project came into fruition; “The office complex that we are gathered to unveil today, is an outcome of a strong collaboration between CEPEJ and donor agencies.
”As we all know, an NGO is a non-profit enterprise which can only thrive through donors from local and international agencies. We are delighted and we doff our hat to Apex Environmental Consultants Limited, an Oil and Gas firm, for their immense contribution towards the realization of the dream we are celebrating today.
”We are not forgetful of other organisations such as EGCDF, PIND, Chevron and several other international agencies too numerous to mention. We are indeed glad to be associated with them all,” he said.
In a chat with GbaramatuVoice on the sidelines of the August occasion, he enumerated the workings and objectives of the project.
“First and foremost, we have unveiled the Africa for Peace Center and we said, let justice go down like a stream in Africa.
”That is the essence of the unveiling. We also commissioned the facility which was formally opened for use today and we have different departments inside the facilities.
“We also have another building attached to it, where those who are in partnership with us can as well occupy those places for particular projects or activities.
“After that, was the ground breaking of the African Heritage International Academy, which is to provide the needed education for our youths because they are the future. Hence, we need to prepare for the future which entails giving them quality education and that is what CEPEJ is doing. I have the passion to see how I can impact on the society, as government cannot do it alone. So as a CSO/NGO, we are here to compliment governments’ efforts.
The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori (JP) said he is glad that this was happening in his constituency.
He further commented the National Coordinator of CEPEJ, Comrade Sheriff Mulade for his organisation’s efforts for development and sustainable peace in the state and Nigeria at large.
He pledged his continued support for the organisation, in its continued pursuit of peace and national development.
The Emir of Bida, Gen. Dr. Yahaya Abubakar (rtd) the Etsu Nupe of Niger state, who was one of the dignitaries present at the event, also commended Comrade Sheriff Mulade on his achievements so far and mentioned that he had to forgo some official duties, in order to attend the occasion.
He emphasised on the need for all tribes and religions in Nigeria to come together and work together, to ensure peace in the land.
He stated further that; “It is better to embrace peace than to manage crisis. So let peace reign between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria and let God guide our Nation.”
Other dignitaries in attendance were, His Royal Majesty, Orodje of Okpe, Orhue 1; the Amayanabo of Twon-Brass in Bayelsa State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; Chief Favour Izoukumor, Commisioner Representing Ijaw Ethnic Nationality, DESOPADEC; Comr. Jude Ebitimi Ukori, Chairman, Egbema-Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF), amongst others too numerous to mention.
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