Two Nigerians win inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize

The co-founders of the Interfaith Mediation Centre, Reverend Dr. James Movel Wuye and Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa, have been selected as the winners of the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize.

Their nomination, which was submitted by the Federal Government, was rewarded for its exceptional contributions to peacebuilding and reconciliation.
This was disclosed in a congratulatory message signed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, and addressed to the Deputy High Commissioner, High Commission of Nigeria, Sani Suleiman.

According to Scotland, the Pan-Commonwealth High-Level Adjudication Panel was impressed by the outstanding work of Wuye and Ashafa, “whose dedication to bridging religious divides, fostering mutual understanding, and preventing violent conflict has made a profound impact.”

She said their tireless efforts have not only inspired communities across the Commonwealth but have also set a global benchmark for peacebuilding and reconciliation.

“As distinguished practitioners, we are confident they will serve as role models for future generations of aspiring peacebuilders,” the Secretary-General said.

The Commonwealth Peace Prize will be formally conferred during a special ceremony on Commonwealth Day, Monday, March 10, 2025, at Marlborough House, London, UK.

This occasion will bring together esteemed dignitaries, leaders, and stakeholders from across the Commonwealth to celebrate the achievements and contributions of the awardees.

Patricia urged the Deputy High Commissioner to notify the Commonwealth should any pertinent considerations affect the conferral of the award.

“If there are pertinent issues, grateful if such notification is provided in writing by Thursday, 20 February 2025, to the Head of 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,” she noted.