Discover Better: I contribute, you contribute, we contribute!!! – By Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies

KEYNOTE ADDRESS DELIVERED ON THE THEME “DISCOVER BETTER: I CONTRIBUTE, YOU CONTRIBUTE, WE CONTRIBUTE!!!” BY BISHOP AMB. PROF. FUNMILAYO ADESANYA-DAVIES ON THE OCCASION OF COMMEMORATIONS OF INTERNATIONALDAY OF MULTILATERALISM AND DIPLOMACY FOR PEACE / APPOINTMENT & PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES TO UN-POLAC INTERNATIONAL PEACE ADVOCATES AND AWARDS, ON FRIDAY APRIL 29TH, 2022 AT LAGOS AIRPORT HOTEL, IKEJA, LAGOS, NIGERIA

0.0 PROTOCOL
Chief Host; Director General, UN-POLAC,

Prof. Obong Halo B. Eton,
MP, FCWI, FIWS,
Host; Deputy Country President, UN-POLAC,
Chairman of the Occasion,
Special Guest of Honour,
Traditional Rulers, Lord Spiritual and Temporal,
Government Officials, Distinguished Entrepreneurs,
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen &
Gentlemen of the Press.

1.0 OPENING AND GREETINGS
It is my honour and pleasure again to address us all at another auspicious occasion of the 2022 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE/APPOINTMENT AND PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES TO NEW UN-POLAC INTERNATIONAL PEACE ADVOCATES AND UN-POLAC DISTINGUISHED WOMAN OF PEACE AND HONOUR AWARDS WITH THE THEME: “DISCOVER BETTER: I CONTRIBUTE, YOU CONTRIBUTE, WE CONTRIBUTE!!!”
Again today, I say a big thank you, to the UN-POLAC LION, Prof. Obong Halo B. Eton, Director General, for the opportunity to be of service to mankind in this great United Nations (UN) project capacity as the Country President. The high turn out at this event, in right here in Ikeja, Lagos, from all over the nation is a clear proof of the commitment of UN-POLAC Peace Advocates to participate in worthy developmental efforts of national and international concern.

It is a proof that the dignified Peace Advocates in Nigeria are concerned and resilient at solving insurgency, insecurity and peace related problems through advocacy; that hold promise for improving the lot of our citizenry, in the nation Nigeria and our world at large as we gather today in COMMEMORATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MULTILATERALISM AND DIPLOMACY FOR PEACE / APPOINTMENT & PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES TO UN-POLAC INTERNATIONAL PEACE ADVOCATES AND AWARDS, in the nation, particularly in this time of general national insecurity and economic down tone.

The THEME: “DISCOVER BETTER: I CONTRIBUTE, YOU CONTRIBUTE, WE CONTRIBUTE!!!” with the Sub-themes: WHO IS A PEACE ADVOCATE? WHERE ARE THE PEACE ADVOCATES? WHAT ARE THE LEGACIES OF PEACE ADVOCACY?” You will all agree is RIGHTLY CHOSEN FOR THIS YEAR’S INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MULTILATERALISM AND DIPLOMACY FOR PEACE / APPOINTMENT & PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES TO UN-POLAC INTERNATIONAL PEACE ADVOCATES AND AWARDS as we all must get ready to contribute our quota to nation and the world at large.

2.0 A BRIEF INTRODUCTION
Ladies and Gentlemen: It’s time for us all as individuals, nations and continents of the world to focus our lives and societies on the choiced theme by the UN-POLAC for this 2022 events: “DISCOVER BETTER: I CONTRIBUTE, YOU CONTRIBUTE, WE CONTRIBUTE!!!.” So that all as individuals, and our world has missed and lost over the years could be recovered again by the special grace of God in Christ.

3.0 KEYWORDS: Please, permit me to commence appropriately with definitions of keywords in order to further enlighten us on the topic before me, so we could make a success of this event. The key words are:

DISCOVER: To find to locate and discover an information, a place, or an object, especially for the first time.
PEACE: A state of freedom from disturbance; tranquillity.
ADVOCATE: A person like a lawyer, who works and argues in support of another’s cause.
ADVOCACY: Any action that speaks in favour of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others.
MULTILATERALISM: The principle of participation by three or more parties, especially by the governments of different countries.
DIPLOMACY: The art and practice of conducting negotiations between persons group and nations. The skill in handling affairs without arousing hostility, such as tact handled the awkward situation with diplomacy.
CONTRIBUTE: Give (something, especially money) in order to help achieve or provide something.
4.0 SUB-THEME DEFINITIONS
WHO IS A PEACE ADVOCATE?
An individual who is ready and willing, “To promote peace and harmony in various local communities across the globe and to ensure that the aims and objectives of the United Nations in the maintenance of global peace is being achieved.”

WHERE ARE THE PEACE ADVOCATES?
We all present here today are the peace advocates as long as we continue to engage in peace advocacy as we’ve been commissioned.

WHAT ARE THE LEGACIES OF PEACE ADVOCACY?”
The purpose for which the peace advocacy organizations are established and their legacies are as follows:
To recruit individuals as volunteers to assist in the implementation of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and also to promote United Nations volunteerism in all human endeavours.
To foster unity, peace and harmony among and between members and the public.

To assist in enhancement of peace education in schools, colleges, universities, industries and places of worship and constant gathering for the purpose of using the knowledge in humanitarian service.
To impart ethical leadership in youths by organizing leadership training courses, seminars, conferences, workshops, etc.
To promote international friendship by organizing exchange programs and encouraging peace services and operations with other similar bodies in the world.
To reach out to corporate bodies, churches, NGOs, schools, societies and other well meaning bodies with the purpose of assisting people in realizing peace.
To collaborate with international and non-governmental organizations, including the United Nations and its specialized agencies.
To give first aid to the needy in times of peace and war.
To encourage and develop the spirit of humanitarian service in people especially the youths, by establishing formations of the organization in approved institutions, strategic positions and places
To establish peace clubs in villages, cities, towns, schools and churches and to use such clubs to teach peace and first aid principles and practice.
To help the elderly/aging people, promote and protect their rights and to ensure that they are treated with decorum and respect, etc.

5.0 IMPORTANT ISSUES TO NOTE AS REGARD POSITIVE LIVELIHOOD AWARD CENTRE (POLAC) INTERNATIONAL PEACE ADVOCATES

POLAC: WHO WE ARE / ORIGIN AND BACKGROUND?
POSITIVE LIVELIHOOD AWARD CENTRE (POLAC) was established as an International autonomous institution in 2001 with the UN and UNESCO following General Assembly resolution, declaring 2001-2010 as a decade of peace and non violence.

POLAC MOTTO
It is Serving God by making Peace!

POLAC’S MANDATE
Our is to enhance the effectiveness of the UN millennium development goals and UNESCO Culture of Peace Programme particularly the maintenance of peace and security and the restoration of human dignity.

POLAC GOALS
* To defend human rights and restore dignity to all persons.
*To contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among groups and individuals through culture and education.
*To enhance the position of family heads through recognition as Peace Advocates for proper family upbringing.
*To recognise people (both late & alive( as legends to encourage the incoming generations for peace and sustainable development.
* To stimulate reactions in all spheres of life.

OBJECTIVES OF POLAC
*First is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise.
*Second is the development of acquaintances as an opportunity for service.
*Third is high ethical standards in business and profession; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each PILAC’s occupation as an opportunity to serve the society.
*Forth is the application of the ideal of service in each POLAC’s personal business, and community life.
*Fifth is the advancement of the international understanding, Goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons United in the ideal of service for peace.

It has it’s 7 way Test:
THE 7 WAY TEST OF POLAC ON WHAT TO THINK, SAY OR DO
1. Will it bring peace?
2. Is it Fair and Beneficial to all concerned?
3. Will it build Better Fellowship and Goodwill?
4. Is it Truth?
5. Is it Worth doing?
6. Does it Glorify God?
7. Will it bring Sustainable Development?

*Glory be to God Most High, On earth Peace be unto men.

Let us develop the culture of peace, you can not give what you don’t have.
Peace be with us all.

POLAC SONG
We want everybody to be happy
We want everybody to be glad
We want everybody to be happy in the Lord
We don’t want anybody sad.

NOTE: GUIDING RULES ON POLAC PLATFORMS
*POLAC as a body/an organisation is not a POLITICAL PARTY NEITHER ARE WE INTO PARTISAN POLITICS, we are not a religious organisation either, therefore;
*All UN-POLAC Peace Advocates are advise to only post relevant quotes and write ups that will enhance effectiveness in promoting the ideals of POLAC and UNESCO.
* Quotes or writes ups that criticizes government or political office holders or religion is not allowed.
* Images or graphic pictures that are not pleasant for viewing isn’t allowed.
*write ups that doesn’t promote what POLAC and UNESCO stand for is not allowed on POLAC platforms.

6.0 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The 17 SDGs are integrated—they recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were born at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro in 2012. The objective was to produce a set of universal goals that meet the urgent environmental, political and economic challenges facing our world. The SDGs replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which started a global effort in 2000 to tackle the indignity of poverty. The MDGs established measurable, universally-agreed objectives for tackling extreme poverty and hunger, preventing deadly diseases, and expanding primary education to all children, among other development priorities.

7.0 SEVENTEEN (17) SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COALS (SDGs)
There are currently 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which have replaced the former Millennium Development Goals (MDGs):
1. NO POVERTY
2. ZERO HUNGER
3. GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
4. QUALITY EDUCATION
5. GENDER EQUALITY
6. CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION
7. AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
8. DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
9. INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
10. REDUCED INEQUALITIES
11. SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
12. RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
13. CLIMATE ACTION
14. LIFE BELOW WATER

15. LIFE ON LAND
16. PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
17. PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS.
We will observe that these are very cogent and relevant goals.
Thanks and kudos to the United Nations.

8.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
We must pray and pay very urgent attention to the situation of PEACE in Nigeria, Africa and even the world. This is imperative now in Nigeria, Africa and the entire world, by the government, families, schools and public in places.
We must always make another person feel important and this is A MUST! That is the social and psychological test!
We should in this day of MULTILATERALISM:
⮚ Stop all policies and politics of self, selfishness and sectionalism.
⮚ Shun false teaching and listening to evil teachings and acting them out.
⮚ Shun and acting evil teachings, establishment and propagation of it.
⮚ Teach sanctity of human’s life and have respect for human dignity
⮚ Shun human slavery of any form and sharing of money after kidnapping.
⮚ Domineering spirit must be broken by teaching while teaming up to confront them.
⮚ Domineering spirit must be also broken through legal confrontation.
⮚ It should be broken through communication skills and listening and learning.
⮚ We should speak and confront it by speaking loud and clearly.
⮚ Let’s make the world a better place through love and sharing.
⮚ Love is the golden rule, that you do to others as you want them to do to you.

9.00 CONCLUSION
There is the need for us as Peace Advocates in Nigeria to be committed to always pray and pay attention to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We, the Peace Advocates in Nigeria shall continue always to remain strong for the PEACE AND JUSTICE of the nation, and the world in general by the special grace of God.

10.00 CLOSING REMARKS

On this note, I hereby congratulate the entire new members of UN-POLAC PEACE ADVOCATES and well wishers, as we continue to bear in mind our THEME: “DISCOVER BETTER: I CONTRIBUTE, YOU CONTRIBUTE, WE CONTRIBUTE!!!” with the Sub-themes: WHO IS A PEACE ADVOCATE? WHERE ARE THE PEACE ADVOCATES? WHAT ARE THE LEGACIES OF PEACE ADVOCACY?” ON THIS YEAR’S INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MULTILATERALISM AND DIPLOMACY FOR PEACE / APPOINTMENT & PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES TO UN-POLAC INTERNATIONAL PEACE ADVOCATES AND AWARDS.

Lastly, always remember that, Ambition is your aspirations; vision is God’s plan for you. May God fulfil all for you. Nobody ever fulfils destiny walking outside of God’s plans. Those who wander away from God-ordained plans are reserved for the blackness of darkness. Today is another chance to build up your faith and relationship with HIM, Remain in God’s love, may Grace of God uplift and support you in all endeavours. Stay strong and be immensely blessed.

PEACE, NOBLE!!! PEACE, NOBLE!!! PEACE, NOBLE!!!

Thank you all for your kind attention.

Long Live POLAC, Long Live United Nations, Long Live Nigeria

BISHOP PROF. FUNMILAYO ADESANYA-DAVIES
INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR, COUNTRY PRESIDENT, UN-POLAC
(NIGERIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, MASS ACTION JOINT ALLIANCE – MAJA 2019).