Standing on the already established protocol,
I deem it a great privilege to be invited to share a few thoughts with you on this auspicious occasion on the theme:
‘Centering African Peace and Security Thought in a Multipolar World.’
As I pondered over the theme, I asked myself if Africa can achieve peace in isolation.

Over the years, we have discussed the various factors which deny the world of peace: Religious Extremism, Ethnic Marginalization, Poverty, Hunger, Diseases and Human Rights Violations among others.

The United Nations (UN) and its affiliate bodies, have since its establishment developed policies and programs all aimed at promoting human development and sustaining peace. Here on our continent, the African Union (AU) and its organs have consistently provided support towards achieving peace. Civil Society Organizations, National Security Establishments and reputable educational institutions like the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Center, have all been involved in our collective quest for sustainable peace. This should tell us that Peace is a priceless commodity and a necessary requirement for the development of any human society.

Mr. Chairman,
I define Peace as when one is satisfied with one’s circumstances and such satisfaction must have a positive impact on oneself, environment, society, nation and the world at large.
If an individual cultivates this quality of Peace, he/she begins to exhibit the qualities of Reconciliation, harmonious co-existence with his neighbours, protection of the environment and many good social values.
Let me at this point ask a rhetorical but pertinent question: What would happen, if all the inhabitants of this world cultivate this quality called ‘PEACE’?
Mr. Chairman, Peace must be an inborn quality, not an academic qualification. This means that Peace must be seen as a Positive Behavioral Change; an Attitude that can easily be communicated in a manner to have a positive impact on Society, Nations and the world at large: because it takes quality to establish quality. For example, quality of education acquired depends on the quality of teachers or lecturers. So Peace must be imparted as a quality, but should not be seen purely as an expression of academic excellence. This means that everybody, whether literate or illiterate must acquire the qualities of Peace, because Peace can only thrive on the principles of Truth and Love

You would all agree with me that the investments in peace and security globally are not commensurate with the outcomes thus far. A study by the Institute of Economics, Peace, and Security (IEPS) indicates that conflicts and violence cost the world more than 14 trillion dollars a year through military and security expenditures. The question then is: ‘What are we doing wrong?

Let me announce to you that UNTIL HUMANITY RETRACE ITS ROOTS TO THE CREATOR, peace will continue to elude us.
Early in life, I had the opportunity to go to my creator in prayer, requesting that he to show me my purpose of existence on earth. This was because I realized there was something unique about my life that I could not find answers to at the time. In the end, I found the purpose of my existence, as an ambassador for Peace Globally. The quest for the divine knowledge and power for this peace mission made me to retire into the wilderness to pray and fast for forty days and forty nights. This was between 20th November, 1988 to 29th December, 1988, when I was just 22 years of age. Indeed, I have been independently researching into LIFE, THE PURPOSE OF CREATION AND THE GOAL OF HUMANITY for the last 35 years.

In fact, I am just a messenger for Global Peace. This led to the establishment of my NGO, The Center of Awareness Global Peace Mission, COA-GPM, as a vehicle to undertake this task. My position is that Global Peace is FEASIBLE only if it is pursued from the DIVINE ANGLE

In the course of my assignment, I came to the understanding that one of the major elements that deny the world peace are diseases that have no known cure. The thought of living with a disease that brings you pain, discomfort and in some instances shame, discrimination and ultimately death denies humanity of the much-needed peace.
According to the IMF, the global cost of COVID-19 is estimated around 12.5 trillion dollars. As at 2020 the WHO estimated that about three million people had lost their lives to COVID-19 globally. Time will not permit me to speak on the havoc caused by HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis and Diabetes among others.

As a result, I undertook personal research aimed at discovering a medication that could bring hope to individuals and families whose peace are denied them relative to some of these conditions. The result of the research was COA FS, now COA Mixture, a plant medicine registered for general wellbeing but has supported the health of many.

African countries have always played essential roles in maintaining global peace and security.
However, with the rise of a multipolar world, there is the need to center African Peace and Security thoughts in the decision-making process. This requires a recognition of the continent’s unique challenges and certainly its opportunities. What this means in practice is that, a concerted effort must be made to place African voices at the center of global conversations.

In a multipolar world, it is essential to include African viewpoints in global debates on peace and security.
While the UN Security Council currently includes five permanent members with veto power, African countries have been left out, despite the continent’s significant contributions to global peacekeeping missions. A more representative and inclusive United Nations Security Council would benefit not only African countries but also the International community as a whole.

Another aspect that must be addressed is the lack of attention given to the root causes of conflicts in Africa as I enumerated earlier. While peacekeeping efforts are essential, they are not enough to achieve long-term stability. Furthermore, addressing these issues will require a deeper understanding of African societies and cultures.

To center African Peace and security thoughts in a multipolar world, there is the need for increased investments in research and policymaking.
African perspectives should inform both research and policy formulation with a focus on long-term solutions. This will require greater investment in training and capacity-building for African policymakers and experts. Africa must find a way to unite, because united we stand, divided we fall. Africa is seen from the outside world as ONE AFRICA. Africa is the richest continent but because of our disunity, Africa is seen as the poorest and that is affecting our Peace and Security

Research and development of African human and material resources is the surest way for Africa to gain economic sovereignty. What Africa needs is Sustainable Economic Empowerment. Economic performance and peace are often mutually enforcing. That is, better economic performance assists in building peace and vice-versa. Together, they can form a virtual cycle.

Mr. Chairman, on the other hand, we must not lose sight of the fact that there are entrepreneurs whose business empires thrive on the presence of conflicts and wars. Achieving peace globally can therefore be perceived as a threat to the survival of their business interests.
Mr. Chair, distinguished graduands, ladies and gentlemen, how then do we wean our people from patronizing the lies and deceptions of the entrepreneurs of conflicts and wars?

I want to tie these points to my earlier reflections on my life. In the course of my assignment, I was made to understand that the human being is the most precious among all creations. The creator is very concerned about the welfare of human beings and that He expects all of humanity to become like Him. This led to what I call ‘Ato Duncan’s Theory of LIFE: THE PURPOSE OF CREATION AND THE GOAL OF HUMANITY’.

Every HUMAN BEING is like an EGG of a HEN. The expectation is that the egg will hatch and become like the FOWL. However, you cannot describe an egg as a FOWL until it has hatched and matured into a FOWL. So, every EGG is A POTENTIAL FOWL. Similarly, the Creator expects us to overcome mortality, come out of our Mortal Selves and become like Him [ IMMORTAL GOD]. Our understanding of becoming like the Creator, will make us pursue His qualities. In other words, “be as Perfect as your Heavenly Father is Perfect”. In the course of time, we develop similar qualities too, becoming the very image and likeness of the one who created us. The more I understand and mature into the image of my Creator, who is the source of Peace, I will become a worthy vessel through which peace can spread to others.

In essence, I want to state that PEACE is a quality or virtue that must be developed.
To achieve global peace, the individual HUMAN BEING must be our focus. How can our policies and programs impact the individual in order to develop those positive qualities required for peace to flourish? What is the rationale behind the development and implementation of those policies and programs? Is it to win votes irrespective of the harm to society? Is it aimed at projecting particular religious denomination, ethnicity, color, race, gender, health, and comfort at the expense of the other?

Mr. Chairman, here again, Ato Duncan’s fundamental Law of Peace is: LOVE + TRUTH = PEACE. Anything outside this equation can never bring peace. This Fundamental Law of Peace must be considered at all times in PEACEBUILDING, POLICY FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION, GOVERNANCE AT ALL LEVELS, ELECTORAL PROCESSES and ANYWHERE THAT DECISIONS ARE TAKEN FOR HUMANITY.

Let me tell a short story. There is the story of a Judge and a King who lived in a city. The King hated the Judge for no reason. He was always speaking ill about the Judge. The Judges’ children came to their father and asked why the King hated him so much. In a response, the Judge told his children to continue loving the King despite the hatred. There is a law in this city that if a driver knocks down or kills a pedestrian on the pedestrian walkway, the culprit will be sentenced to death by hanging. And guess what, the King became the first culprit. He was out one day driving in his car and knocked down a young man on a Zebra crossing. The young man died on the spot and the King was arrested. There was mourning in his household throughout the night. knowing very well he has fallen into the hands of his sworn enemy, he would surely be sentenced to death by hanging.

The following morning, the King was arraigned in court.
The children of the Judge were happy that at long last their father was going to avenge his enemy. However, things took a different course. After listening to the various submissions, the judge asked for the CCTV footage of the incident. He came to a conclusion after viewing the footage that it was not the fault of the King. He observed in the footage that, it was rather the young man who was at fault. He said it was clear from the footage that the young man jumped from nowhere unto the Zebra crossing in what seemed to be a suicide attempt and it was just unfortunate that he crashed into the vehicle of the King. He therefore acquitted and discharged the King. With tears in his eyes, the King went down on his knees and apologized profusely to the Judge.

How would you have acted if you were in the position of the Judge? What lessons can be derived from this story as we search for peace that impacts on lives in a positive and reflective manner? The judge demonstrated Love even in the midst of hatred. He demonstrated the truth when he could have gone ahead to use the power at his disposal. The approach by the judge sent a very strong signal to the King, who in turn ensured that the city adopts to live by the fundamental principles of Peace, which is Love and Truth.

Chair, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in conclusion, there is the need for leadership at the family, community, Nation states and Global levels to understand these principles and mainstream them into their various policies and programs. By so doing, they will impact society more significantly and help us develop attitudes and behaviors that enhance peace and security.
My Organization, The Center of awareness Global Peace Mission is ready to build collaborations with institutions and Nation States to bring to the global world practical strategies to sustainable peacebuilding by placing the human being at the center of our individual and collective endeavors.

To the graduands, you have put in so much effort to get to where you are today. The knowledge you have acquired here is for the benefit of your immediate society and the world at large, but consider the Fundamental Law of Peace at all times. As we congratulate you on your success, I urge you to add to this knowledge the right attitudes and behaviors as these will make you worthy ambassadors of Peace wherever you go.

I look forward to meeting you again so that together we can make Africa, and by extension, the world a peaceful place for our very existence. And above all, I quote “blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” from the Holy Book of Matthew, chapter 5 verse 9.
I thank you all and God bless you.