Two Nigerians, James Wuye and Muhammad Ashafa, have been announced as the winners of the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize. The co-founders of the Interfaith Mediation Centre were recognized for their exceptional contributions to “peacebuilding and reconciliation” in Nigeria.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, revealed their victory on Wednesday in a congratulatory letter addressed to Nigeria’s Deputy High Commissioner, Sani Suleiman. In her letter, Scotland expressed that the panel was thoroughly impressed by the outstanding work of these Nigerians, noting that their efforts have established a global benchmark for peacebuilding and reconciliation. She further remarked that their “dedication to bridging religious divides, fostering mutual understanding, and preventing violent conflict has made a profound impact.”
The letter read in parts, “As distinguished practitioners, we are confident they will serve as role models for future generations of aspiring peacebuilders. If there are pertinent issues, we would be grateful if such notification is provided in writing by Thursday, 20 February 2025, to the head of the social policy development section, Mr. Layne Robinson, at ([email protected]).
“In the absence of any objections by this date, we will proceed with the necessary arrangements to honour the awardees.
“We sincerely appreciate your support in this endeavour and look forward to working together to celebrate and promote excellence in peacebuilding across the Commonwealth.”
The Commonwealth Peace Prize, established on September 21, 2024, seeks to acknowledge individuals whose efforts significantly contribute to global peacebuilding initiatives. The award will be officially conferred on March 10 at a special ceremony marking Commonwealth Day at Marlborough House in London, United Kingdom. In addition to the accolade, the winners will receive a financial compensation of £50,000 to further support their ongoing work in promoting peace and reconciliation.
