Bishop Blessing Avbenayeri Bags Global Peace Ambassador Award
Abuja — Clad in the dignified robes of his episcopal calling, adorned now with the laurel of peace, Bishop Blessing Avbenayeri Eriefeta stood as both shepherd and statesman. On Saturday, August 30, 2025, at the grand halls of Barcelona Hotel, Abuja, the Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Sapele, Delta State, was conferred with the Distinguished Fellowship Award and formally elevated as a Global Peace Ambassador by the Institute of Global Peace and Conflict Management.
The moment, rich in symbolism, echoed not only the triumph of a revered clergyman but also the coronation of a peacemaker whose voice has become a royal emblem of faith, unity, and moral courage within the church and across Nigeria.
The ceremony, attended by dignitaries, ecclesiastical leaders, and peace advocates, unfolded like a coronation of higher calling. Draped in his clerical regalia, Bishop Eriefeta did not stand merely as a priest of the altar, but as a royal envoy of peace — a shepherd whose staff now carries the dual weight of faith and diplomacy. The convocation was more than a ceremony — it was a convergence of the pulpit and the platform of global peace. The atmosphere blended sacred reverence with civic recognition as the bishop, robed in spiritual dignity, embraced a new mantle as a diplomat of peace.
Bishop Eriefeta’s journey is one carved by devotion to God and duty to humanity. As Presiding Bishop in the Anglican Communion, he has been more than a custodian of the gospel; he has been a bridge-builder, championing reconciliation, and weaving dialogue where conflict once threatened to tear communities apart.
From the pews of Sapelle to the nation’s capital, his ministry has extended beyond the walls of the church — embracing interfaith harmony, advocating for justice, and embodying the gospel of peace in a turbulent age. His elevation into the Global Peace Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Fellow is a seal of honor on a trajectory that has made him not only a guardian of souls, but also a global icon of peacebuilding
According to a statement issued by the leadership of the Institute of Global Peace, the conferment of the Distinguished Fellowship on Ambassador Blessing Avbenayeri Eriefeta stands as a recognition of his lifelong dedication to building bridges of reconciliation, fostering interfaith harmony, and championing peace within and beyond the Church.
“Bishop Eriefeta has exemplified the highest ideals of service, moral courage, and transformative leadership. His elevation into the Global Peace Hall of Fame is not only an honor to him as an individual, but also an inspiration to all who believe in the power of dialogue and peacebuilding as tools for nation-building,” the Institute’s President and Registrar jointly declared.
For over a decade, Bishop Eriefeta has not only presided over the Sapele Diocese with pastoral depth but has also become a leading voice in reconciliation, humanitarian outreach, and community peacebuilding. His ministry extends beyond the stained-glass windows of the Anglican Communion; it reaches into communities fractured by conflict, into homes in search of harmony, and into the nation’s conscience in pursuit of justice and unity.
In his trajectory, he has fused the ancient mission of the Church with the modern demand for peace, ensuring that the gospel of Christ is lived not only in sermons but also in societal transformation. This long record of humanitarian service, dialogue promotion, and interfaith engagement laid the foundation for the honors bestowed upon him.
In his brief but soul-stirring remarks to newsmen, Bishop Eriefeta expressed profound humility and gratitude, dedicating the honor first to God Almighty and then to the resilient communities whose struggles and triumphs continue to shape and inspire his ministry.
He pledged an unwavering commitment to the sacred cause of peace within Nigeria and beyond its borders, emphasizing that the conferment was not a finality but a fresh mandate—a call to build stronger bridges of unity, to heal divisions, and to uphold the dignity of humanity through the eternal love of Christ.
“This recognition is not the end but a call to deeper service. Peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the living presence of justice, of understanding, and of love. By God’s grace, I will continue to be a voice of peace, a defender of hope, and a servant of humanity,” Bishop Eriefeta affirmed.
The President of the Institute, Dr. Ambassador Adetunberu Oludotun, described Bishop Eriefeta as a “custodian of faith whose ministry has transcended the pulpit into the public square.” He added that the bishop’s peace work perfectly aligns with the Institute’s mission of raising ethical leaders for conflict resolution and peace diplomacy.
Equally, the Registrar, Hon. Ambassador Joshua Tarhule, lauded the bishop’s elevation as a testament to the crucial role of faith leaders in peace advocacy:
“Our nation needs more clerics like Bishop Eriefeta — voices that heal divisions, bridge communities, and demonstrate that true leadership is service.”
With this conferment, Bishop Blessing Avbenayeri Eriefeta has been formally inducted into the Hall of Fame of Global Peace Ambassadors — the highest honor of the institute. He now stands as a shepherd of souls and a sentinel of peace, embodying both the spiritual guardianship of the Church and the civic responsibility of a peacebuilder.
As the echoes of applause filled the convocation hall, one truth was evident: the ministry of Bishop Eriefeta is not bound by diocesan borders. It is a calling that now carries the weight of global peace, a mission that Nigeria — and indeed the world — needs in these times.
As the gathering dispersed under the Abuja skies, one thing became evident: Bishop Blessing Avbenayeri Eriefeta has not only been honored, he has been crowned as a beacon of peace — a symbol that faith, when married to action, can heal nations and inspire generations.
