In August 2023, a significant event took place in Nigeria as a result of advocacy efforts by the Universal Peace Federation – Nigeria (UPF). This event, called the “Teachers Training Workshop on HJ Peace and Character Education for Pilot Schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria,” was a collaborative effort between UPF, the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), and the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace, under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Education.
The 8-day workshop commenced on August 22, 2023, with an opening ceremony attended by representatives from 20 pilot primary schools in the FCT. Distinguished dignitaries, including CIG Leaders, Ambassadors for Peace, and officials from the Federal Ministry of Education, were present to express their unwavering support for this initiative.
The core of the workshop unfolded from August 23 to 31 at the UPF Peace Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria, with a brief break during the weekend. During these eight days, teachers were exposed to model lectures on HJ Peace and Character Education, covering various topics such as character education, filial love, effective teaching strategies, world religions, and conflict resolution. The teachers also worked in small groups, guided by UPF resource persons, to develop detailed lesson plans tailored to primary school students’ comprehension levels. These lesson plans would be compiled into an instructional manual for use in the 20 pilot schools in the FCT.
On August 31, 2023, the workshop concluded with testimonials from participating teachers who expressed gratitude for the training’s impact. They pledged to promote the use of the HJ Peace and Character Education instructional manual among their peers in order to reach more primary school students in Nigeria.
The closing and certification ceremony, both physical and online, featured congratulatory remarks from various dignitaries, including representatives from educational bodies and UPF officials. Each teacher received a copy of True Mother’s memoir, “Mother of Peace,” as a source of inspiration for their efforts to promote peace in Nigeria through character education. Additionally, Dr. George Ikpot, UPF – Nigeria Secretary General, bestowed the title of Ambassador for Peace upon Dr. Bilkisu A. Adedoyin, Elder Ngwunna U. George, and Dr. Abdulmalik Yusuf for their invaluable contributions to the success of the Teachers Training and peace in Nigeria.
This event marked a significant step toward UPF – Nigeria’s long-term goal of integrating Character Education into the curriculum of all primary and secondary schools in Nigeria. The participation statistics for both the opening and closing ceremonies highlight the widespread interest and commitment to this initiative, with a total of 91 individuals attending the opening and 85 individuals attending the closing ceremony, including special guests, resource persons, teachers, media personnel, and staff members.
