The United Nations Positive Livelihood Award Centre (UN-POLAC) has designed Mr Ekpei Ukam with the honoree status of ‘Peace Ambassador’.

The investiture ceremony took place during the UN-POLAC’s conference as part of activities to mark the 2023 International Day of Peace at Calabar Municipality Council Hall, Calabar.

Presenting the award, the Director, Cross River State Chapter of UN-POLAC, Chief Owali Ilem, said Mr Ekpei Ukam was recognised for his active and positive efforts, outstanding contributions in strategic and developmental peace-building process and action plan in Cross River State and Nigeria at large.

He commended Mr Ukam for always addressing the needs of his people, especially with the provision of basic social amenities, worthy of note is the Solar-Powered Motorised Borehole Project he sponsored and installed at Ijom Community, Biase Local Government Area and other humanitarian gestures to people within and outside Cross River State.

POLAC Foundations was established as an International Autonomous Institution in 2001 with the UN and UNESCO, following the General Assembly Resolution, declaring 2001-2010 as a decade of peace and non-violence.

He noted that rewarding him will encourage other leaders to perform their best in ensuring peace and development while discharging their responsibilities in their various fields of endeavours.

Speaking further, he enumerated the benefits that come with the appointment to include: UN-POLAC Certificate of Appointment; UN-POLAC International Identity Card; Investiture Apparel; UN-POLAC Flag of Authority to be hoisted at any place of your choice and UN-POLAC Special Vehicle Plate Number in collaboration with the FRSC. (Available on request).

“As an International Peace Advocate, you can be called upon for peacemaking, conflict resolution and other activities that encourage peace and positive living in line with the best international ambassador,” he added.

Receiving the award, Deputy Manager, Operations Geology NNPC Exploration and Production LTD, Mr Ekpei Ukam appreciated the award and thanked the organisers for their recognition, saying while extending his humanitarian activities, he will continue to play a key role to support and give assistance to peacebuilding and developmental processes.

Ukam, the initiator and founder of Autilikang Foundation, called on Nigerians to always think, act, preach and work for peace as without peace, progress, socioeconomic development and social justice will continue to elude us.