Bishop Stephen Adeniran Oni Receives Global Peace Ambassador Award in Abuja


By Genesis ogiri 

Abuja — In a ceremony that blended the solemnity of ecclesiastical tradition with the dignity of international recognition, Bishop Stephen Adeniran Oni, Presiding Bishop of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Diocese of Ondo, was formally conferred with the Global Peace Ambassador Award by the Institute of Global Peace at the prestigious Barcelona Hotel, Abuja.

Clad in the ceremonial vestments of his episcopal office, Bishop Oni stood as a figure of moral authority and spiritual leadership, embodying both the pastoral care of a shepherd and the statesmanship of a national peace advocate. The convocation drew dignitaries, clergy, and peace-building advocates from across the country, witnessing a rare convergence of faith, diplomacy, and civic responsibility.

The award ceremony at Barcelona Hotel, Abuja, provided a fitting backdrop for the historic occasion. The venue welcomed dignitaries from across Nigeria, creating a convergence of faith, diplomacy, and civic engagement. Observers noted the symbolic resonance of the bishops’ presence in formal ecclesiastical attire — a visual testament to the fusion of spiritual authority and moral advocacy.

Audience members, including peace advocates, clergy, and policy experts, lauded the ceremony as a demonstration of the Church’s growing role in fostering reconciliation and national stability. Many remarked that Bishop Oni’s recognition, alongside leaders like Bishop Avbenayeri Eriefeta of Sapele Diocese, signals a new era in which Anglican bishops in Nigeria are increasingly being positioned as torchbearers of peace and national conscience.

The image of Bishop Stephen Adeniran Oni, adorned in episcopal vestments, receiving the Global Peace Ambassador is more than ceremonial splendor. It is a symbolic fusion of faith, diplomacy, and civic responsibility — a reminder that the Church, through leaders like Bishop Oni, is pivotal in nurturing peace, justice, and ethical leadership in Nigeria.
In honoring this shepherd of souls, the Institute of Global Peace has simultaneously celebrated a moral compass for the nation, signaling to all that the pursuit of peace is as sacred as it is necessary.

According to a statement jointly signed by the President and Registrar of the Institute of Global Peace and Conflict Management, the recognition of Bishop Stephen Oni was deliberate and deeply symbolic.

 “Bishop Oni has consistently demonstrated that the Church is not only a sanctuary for worship but also a pillar for peace and nation-building. By conferring this award, we affirm his role as a moral compass at a time when Nigeria needs bridge-builders more than ever,” the Institute’s leadership declared.

Their remarks placed Bishop Oni’s voice within a broader national and global narrative — positioning him as a faith leader whose influence transcends the pulpit into the civic square.

In his episcopal carriage, draped in the solemnity of faith and the royal dignity of the church, Bishop Oni stood as one whose life is a living epistle of reconciliation. The award, according to the leadership of the Institute, recognizes his “unwavering commitment to the promotion of peace, interfaith harmony, and sustainable nation-building.”

In his response, Bishop Oni’s voice was both pastoral and prophetic. With humility, he thanked the organizers for finding him worthy of such an exalted honor, but quickly turned the focus to the urgent challenges confronting Nigeria.

He lamented that corruption, ethnic tensions, religious bigotry, and tribalism remain deep fractures threatening the nation’s collective destiny. Yet, with the calm authority of a seasoned shepherd, he called for collaboration, dialogue, and tolerance as non-negotiable tools for peaceful coexistence.

“Peace cannot thrive in the midst of corruption or flourish where divisions are weaponized. Our survival as a nation rests on our ability to rise above tribe, creed, and selfish ambition to embrace the higher cause of humanity. As Nigerians, we must learn to live together, or risk falling apart,” Bishop Oni declared.

Observers say that the elevation of Bishops Oni into the ranks of global peace icons is not only a personal honor but a collective emblem for the Church in Nigeria. It signals to the watching world that Nigeria’s Anglican leadership is emerging as a torchbearer of dialogue, a defender of unity, and a custodian of moral vision.

In a nation where political voices often falter under the weight of partisanship, the episcopal mitre now gleams with a new authority — not merely ecclesiastical, but national.

To many in attendance, the honor was more than an award — it was a coronation of sorts. Bishop Oni’s mitre gleamed that day not only as a symbol of ecclesiastical authority but as a crown of peace, a royal emblem bestowed by a grateful world for his steadfastness in building bridges where others erect walls.

As the evening drew to a close, one truth lingered: Bishop Oni is more than a leader of a diocese; he is a moral compass for a nation in need of peace.




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