United Nations Peace Volunteers, under the umbrella of International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), have called on the global community and governments to ensure that peace always prevails, noting that harmony is pivotal for the security of lives and properties, as well as national and global progress and development.

According to a statement yesterday, the peace ambassadors spoke shortly after they were inducted into the group.

They are an award-winning international author, Dr Lilian Ajayi-Ore; a retired Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Command, Muhammed Aliu Akadri; and the Administrator, Holy Child College, South West, Ikoyi, Lagos, Christiana Oluwafunmike Olagunji.

Ajayi-Ore, in her remarks, said the honour was an inspiration for her to continue to let the world know that global progress depends on peaceful coexistence.

Akadri, who expressed happiness and joy over his recognition, said he had used his days as Comptroller of Immigration to serve many nationals, preaching and ensuring peaceful coexistence, saying he would now do more, having been inspired afresh by the recognition.

He stressed that peaceful co-existence remained the foundation for the progress and development of the world, adding that the need for global peace has become more imperative than ever before.

Similarly, Rev Sister Olagunji, in her remarks, said that though the recognition had come to her as a surprise, it would spur her to continue to let the world know that it needed to end all hostilities and wars, and embrace peace for the sake of progress and development.

The IAWPA spokesman, Ambassador Emmanuel Nkweke, during the decoration ceremony, said the trio were accorded the status after a meticulous assessment of their profiles.

He added that the world body adjudged them meritoriously for the award based on their character, great attainments, and contributions to societal peace and development.

He described IAWPA as an international civil society organisation operating as a non-profit making entity with a global mandate to foster peace and appoints credible personalities whose lifestyles are anchored in promoting peace as eminent peace ambassadors across the 193 member-states of the United Nations.

According to the information shared on its website, IAWPA is an organisation of business technocrats, innovators, social entrepreneurs, and highly professional persons who have pledged to uphold the highest ethical standards of the United Nations and have been consistent in providing solutions that would make the world a better place.