The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria One Family Under God (OFUG) Campaign for Peaceful Coexistence kicked off its ongoing weekly radio campaign on May 1, 2023. Reverend John Joseph Hayab, Country Director for GPF Nigeria, directs the campaign, which features two weekly 30-minute programs broadcasted live via three radio stations: Eagles F M Abuja, Invicta Radio, and Liberty Radio Kaduna. The program reaches an audience of approximately three million listeners across Kaduna, Nassarawa, Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Katsina, and Bauchi states as well as Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. Attracting listeners from diverse religious, ethnic, and family backgrounds, guest speakers recognize the value of the OFUG radio campaign and volunteer their time to discuss various topics important to achieving universal peace and a sense of community throughout Nigeria.
Through the end of July, topics discussed include the importance of faith, family, and transformative education in achieving peace as individuals and as One Family Under God. This is central to GPF’s universal principle that “All people have intrinsic value, dignity, and fundamental rights, as endowed by the Creator (Sacredness of life, human dignity).” The radio programs stress that peaceful coexistence is only achievable when we recognize the inherent value of each human being and work together to create and sustain global peace.
Recognizing the role of religious leaders in creating a peaceful coexistence in communities, guest speakers on May 11-12 included Mallam Ibrahim Kufena and Reverence Caleb Ma’aji, the Secretaries, Kaduna state chapters of Jamatu Nasril Islam (JNI) and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) respectively who were at Liberty Radio and Invicta Radio stations in Kaduna. Also, Miss Auta Mercy Kwando and Mr. Jireh Ishaya of GPF Nigeria were guests at Eagles FM Abuja to speak on the topic. These broadcasts emphasized that religious leaders are central to creating an environment of trust wherein people from diverse backgrounds can coexist peacefully. This peaceful coexistence, in turn, allows people to practice different religions in harmony.
Commemorating World Family Day, celebrated annually on May 15, the radio program expanded the discussion to include the family’s role in promoting peaceful coexistence. Zulahat Lawal, a caller to Eagles FM Abuja, emphasized that “peace will continue to elude us if we continue to get our priorities wrong as far as the family is concerned.” Guest speakers and callers alike reiterated that the strength of a society depends on the strength of the family and that society cannot progress unless the family progresses.
Understanding the significance of transformative education as a catalyst for peaceful living, four programs broadcast over two weeks in July were dedicated to this crucial topic. The difference between traditional and transformative education was explained to listeners. Guest speaker Abdul Ahmed, the Program Manager of GPF Nigeria, noted that the main purpose of transformative education is to acquire rational and emotional skills, which are foundational for all members of society to live together peacefully. Other guests noted that transformative education goes beyond achieving the basic skills of reading and writing to include critical learning and the appreciation of people, thoughts, and environments.
The OFUG Nigeria radio campaign continues to reach diverse listeners throughout the country. Through its many volunteer guest speakers, GPF Nigeria members, and call-in listeners, the campaign discusses critical components to achieve and sustain a peaceful coexistence founded on the tenet that everyone, regardless of background, shares a common humanity.
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