The Shedrack Agediga Foundation, SAF, on Tuesday marked the International Day of Peace 2021 in Ogulagha, Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State.
The ceremony also saw the Chairman of the Foundation, Amb Shedrack Agediga, Executive Director, Planning, Research and Statistics on the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Commission (DESOPADEC) paying homage to his alma mater, the Ogulagha Secondary School.
While the 2021 International Peace Day was themed “Recovering Better For a Sustainable and Equitable World,’ the Foundation inculcated the sub-theme ‘Youths, Conflict and Peace Building.’
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In his opening address, Agediga “The choice of Ogulagha secondary is strategic and intentional. A wise man said when you leave, you must come back for others. You can erase what you know, you can’t forget who you are.
“About 32 years ago. I was a student of this great and prestigious institution.
“While we are here to celebrate the international day of peace 2021, I am also here to show gratitude to the school that gave me a beautiful foundation in life. I may not have received all I needed to succeed from this school but my story cannot be complete without the input of Ogulagha Secondary School. The memories are ever with me.”
Agediga further announced the distribution of books, wooden desk for 105 students, as well as the flag-off of the Shedrack Agediga Foundation Peace Club in the school.
‘Today SAF, an NGO founded by me would present 35 three-seater wooden desks to the school as our “Little bit of good “ thereby providing seats for 105 students
“Also as an organization poised to sustain and reinforce the existing peace in the Niger Delta, we wish to seek the permission of the school authorities to flag -off a peace club in the school to be named as SAF PEACE CLUB,’ he added.
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Pastor O’Neil Ijomah, the guest speaker at the event, who also was a student of Ogulagha Secondary school emphasized on the essence of peace in achieving development.
According to the clergy, the same way one cannot be comfortable if they lack peace in their own body, indelible development cannot materialize without peace.
He charged the students and participants of the event to be value-driven, acquire more knowledge and get skilled to be useful, and contribute their quota in society.
Using himself and Comr Shedrack as examples, Ijomah tasked the students to not see themselves as constrained species for they can become more than who the DESOPADEC Executive Director is today.
In inaugurating the first members of the SAF Peace Club, Pst Lakemefa Seimode, the Director of Programs for SAF noted that more peace clubs would be inaugurated across secondary schools in riverine communities and the whole Delta State to further instill the message of peace in young ones.
Seimode tasked the pioneer Shedrack Agediga Peace Club members to live up to expectations, and always be of good conduct as good ambassadors of peace.
Outside the distribution of books and desks, the Foundation also paid WAEC enrollment fees for three female students at the event.
In his goodwill message, Chief Vincent Onyibode, Commissioner representing Urhobo ethnicity in the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Commission, called on mothers to instill education in their wards, particularly the male children.
He advised youths against engaging in social vices and embrace education as the future is bright for those who are prepared for it.
The event was well attended by distinguished chiefs in Ogulagha, youth and community leadership, the Delta Ijaw Comrade Community, Ijaw Youth Council members among others.
