COFP Newsletter
Summer Update
(January – June, 2024)
Induction & Graduation of Fellows After 3rd Module
From April 28th to May 4th, 2024, forty-seven (47) Fellows from Nigeria and several African countries including Uganda, Zambia, Niger, Cameroon, and Ethiopia gathered at the Ajuji Greenwich Hotel in Abuja for the final module of the 2023/2024 Fellowship program. The first four days of the program were dedicated to intensive training in peacebuilding and conflict transformation. The final two days highlighted the COFP Africa Network of Peacebuilders (CANEP) induction and graduation ceremonies, celebrating the Fellows’ remarkable achievements as witnessed from the implementation of their community peace projects.
On May 3rd, the COFP Africa Network of Peacebuilders (CANEP) held its annual general assembly, inducting the 47 Fellows who completed the three-module course. Fellows shared their peace projects experiences and were honored as “COFP Fellows/Ambassadors of Peace” through their induction into CANEP. During the general assembly, Brig. Gen. David Buba Shaljaba and Hajiya Mrs. Sureya Roble Ali from Kenya were appointed President and Vice President of the COFP Africa Network of Peacebuilders- CANEP, respectively, to replace the former Pioneer President and Vice of CANEP, Rev. Dr. Sylvester Dachomo Davou and Prof. Karim Olayinka Ramota. In the same vein, both the former President and Vice were appointed as the Senior Advisors to CANEP due to their wealth of experiences as the pioneer leaders of CANEP. The Rex Peace Award was also presented to Bowen Mary and Roble Sureya from Kenya for their most outstanding projects implemented by the Class of 2024 Fellows.
This module concluded with a graduation ceremony where Fellows received certificates from Nile and Veritas Universities, highlighting the prestigious collaboration that has significantly enhanced the quality of the program. This program equipped the graduating Fellows to foster peace and resolve conflicts, contributing to lasting peace in Africa.
With the beautiful impacts of the COFP International Fellowship program as enumerated above, we are not ignorant that more than ever, the world is still experiencing a decline in peaceful and inclusive living particularly, with the increasing reports of wars and natural disasters across the globe. The societal contribution towards peace continues to decline, and as such, there’s an urgent need for continuous reinforcement to peacebuilding efforts. This is why the COFP Fellowship Program has become an essential annual event. In March 2024, the Foundation announced a call for Fellowship applications, attracting over 1,000 applicants, including individuals from across Africa. The selection committee undertook a rigorous process to carefully choose the 50 participants for 2024/2025 COFP Fellowship cohort, set to commence in July.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y25qvIU4ijQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMusxnY76I4&t=75shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzUhs78HkcI
