Agatha Chikelue

Executive Director @Cofpofficial, passionate in bringing people together to talk, end violence and build a vision for inclusive, just and peaceful future

[Agatha Chikelue @Agatha_Sr]

https://t.co/f7Iex9znX7

[Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace @Cofpofficial]

Happy birthday Sr 🎉🎊🥂

On this special day, we celebrate your visionary leadership and tireless commitment to peace and development. Your dedication continues to inspire us all. Wishing you a fulfilled year.

[Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace @Cofpofficial]

"Whatever you do, even if you shout the name of God a thousand times, and you're hurting your neighbor, killing the innocent, that is not religion"

- Cardinal John Onaiyekan

#peacebuilding #PeaceForAfrica #cofpfoundation #interfaith

[Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace @Cofpofficial]

Cardinal Onaiyekan Welcomes the Leadership of the Ahmadiyya Community in Nigeria in His Residence

Majlis Ansarullah Ahmadiyya Nigeria, the elders' auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at of Nigeria paid a courtesy visit to His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan (CON), the Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja and the Founder/Chair, COFP Foundation in his residence at Asokoro, Abuja, on Tuesday, 20th August 2024.

Welcoming the delegation, Cardinal Onaiyekan expressed his gratitude to the team for their surprise visit and encouraged them to keep up their good work. He further shared his views on the theme of their upcoming conference, "Making Living Worthwhile For All: Islamic Solutions to Economic and Security Challenges." Cardinal Onaiyekan elaborated on the importance of living a meaningful life, particularly in a time when many are drawn to criminal activities that detract from the true purpose of life. He emphasized the need for guidance and education to help people achieve a life of worth and integrity.

Cardinal Onaiyekan also commended the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for its significant contributions to peace and unity in Nigeria showing that Islam is indeed a religion of peace. Reflecting on the diversity of religious organizations in both Islam and Christianity, he remarked, "It is my conviction that religious organizations exist for a purpose. If God had wished, He could have made us all Muslims or all Christians." He emphasized the importance of unity and harmony amidst the diversity of faiths.

In response, the Sadr, Alh. Dauda Raji, expressed his deep appreciation for the warm welcome that he and his team received. He provided a brief introduction about the Ahmadiyya Community, highlighting its teachings and its numerous contributions to society, including humanitarian efforts, free education, and healthcare initiatives. He also mentioned that their upcoming conference would feature a two-day medical outreach. Books on peace and interreligious harmony were presented to His Eminence by the leader of the delegation, Sadr at the end of the visit.

[Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace @Cofpofficial]

In our diversity, we find strength. Let's promote peace and tolerance across all faiths and cultures.

#peacebuilding #PeaceForAfrica #COFPFoundation

[Agatha Chikelue @Agatha_Sr]

Have you applied yet? Tell someone you know about this great fellowship program. It's just 3 days until the application closes.

[Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace @Cofpofficial]

3 DAYS TO GO!
Have you applied yet for the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace Fellowship Program 2024/2025? Hurry now as the applications close on the 31st of May 2024.

[Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace @Cofpofficial]

Sincere thanks and appreciation dear friends for your prayerful wishes during the announcement & receipt of the Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Affairs Award by Religions for Peace. I am so fortunate to have such amazing friends who have been instrumental in my success. Your support is a gift that I don't take for granted and this is the reason why I am dedicating this award to you all who are working so hard for Peace and Development in different corners of the world without recognition or appreciation. May God be your reward now and forever 🙏🏽 Happy Easter and Eid celebration. God bless.

Agatha Chikelue Sr.

[Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace @Cofpofficial]

The Executive Director, of Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace, Sr. Agatha Ogochukwu Chikelue receives the Religions for Peace Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Actions Award as the second runner-up.

Building peace and community resilience is what she is called and trained to do as a Nigerian Catholic Nun of the Order of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy (DMMM). With over 20 years of grassroots peacebuilding in Africa, Sister Agatha Chikelue has proven that she is a true definition of a woman peacebuilder, an amazon of peace, and a peace scholar per excellence.

This assertion is true and evident through various leadership positions that she holds both currently and in the past which enabled her to serve her community in different capacities. For instance, as the Executive Director of the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP). Sr. Agatha 2018 introduced one of the first of its kind in Nigeria; a one-year COFP Fellowship Program on interreligious dialogue, conflict transformation, and mediation as an avenue for building the capacity of local actors on social cohesion, integration, and sustainable peace in Africa. To date, this program has trained more than 300 participants across 16 countries in Africa in advancing inclusive peace and human development in the continent.

As the Chair of Religions for Peace International Women’s Coordinating Committee (IWCC) which provides leadership for the Global Women of Faith Network and as the Co-Chair of Religions for Peace Africa & Nigeria Women of Faith Network, Sr. Agatha has reached out to thousands of women, including youth and men, empowering, collaborating and building their capacity to stand up against all forms of violence by speaking with one voice for justice, peace, and common good.
As an elected Ten-Man Steering Committee Member of the African Union (AU) on Interfaith Dialogue, Sr Agatha advised and supported the AU in bridging communities in Africa for 3 years among other numerous peacebuilding work she engaged in.

Her passion for peace motivated her to build a network of women from diverse religious backgrounds, united in their efforts to combat violence and promote peace in Nigeria. With extensive experience in peacebuilding, she recognizes that peace and development are interconnected, yet they cannot be attained without justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Sister Agatha firmly believes that women's inclusion and active engagement in peace processes and leadership are fundamental human rights that should not be subject to negotiation.

It is on this note that the COFP Foundation, IWCC, and the ACRL express their appreciation to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as well as Religions for Peace for recognizing the selfless efforts and sacrifices of their own- Sr Agatha Chikelue in building bridges of peace and development across boundaries through the Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award. This is indeed, a beautiful way to inspire her and others to do more.

[Agatha Chikelue @Agatha_Sr]

Happy International Women's Day to all the amazing women out there. May all your struggles in building a better society never be in vain.
#InternationalWomensDay #IWD

[Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace @Cofpofficial]

https://t.co/A6f1rnKuyd

[Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace @Cofpofficial]

COFP'S STAFF TEAM CELEBRATES HER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

In a spirited display of camaraderie, the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace staff, under the leadership of Deputy Director, Rev. Fr. Boniface Neibo, joyously celebrated the life and accomplishments of their

[Agatha Chikelue @Agatha_Sr]

https://t.co/Ju322kKtYj

[Agatha Chikelue @Agatha_Sr]

I'm thankful for one more cycle around the sun! 🎉🎂
Today is my birthday, and I'm enjoying the excitement of fresh starts and the knowledge I have built up along the road. Cheers to another year filled with learning, joy, and treasured memories. To the journey ahead, cheers!

[Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace @Cofpofficial]

My Dear Brothers and Sisters, today marks another special day in the history of COFP Foundation.
Hence, it is with great joy that I, on behalf of the Board, Council and Management of the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP) have the honour and pleasure to Present and

[Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace @Cofpofficial]

HAPPENING NOW:

80th birthday celebration and book presentation of His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan CON.

Photograph with H.E. @PeterObi

[Agatha Chikelue @Agatha_Sr]

Thank you so much @religions4peace

[Religions for Peace @religions4peace]

Religions for Peace is pleased to recognise Rev. Sister Agatha O. Chikelue, Chair, Religions for Peace IWCC; Executive Director, @Cofpofficial, Nun of the Daughters of Mother Mary of Mercy, as the second runner-up of the Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award!

[Religions for Peace @religions4peace]

Religions for Peace is delighted to announce the winners of the highly anticipated inaugural #WomenofExcellenceinMultiReligiousAction Award, recognising & honouring exceptional diverse #womenoffaith who have demonstrated outstanding leadership! Read more: https://t.co/4llTuof3px!

[Agatha Chikelue @Agatha_Sr]

Happy 80th birthday Cardinal Onaiyekan. May God continue to keep you in sound health of mind and body.

[Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace @Cofpofficial]

A happy and prosperous 80th birthday to Cardinal Onaiyekan! 🎉
Your leadership and insight have served as a constant source of motivation. May love, health, and lasting blessings adorn this significant occasion.

#CardinalOnaiyekanAt80

[Agatha Chikelue @Agatha_Sr]

It was such an honor having this great team.

[Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace @Cofpofficial]

Courtesy visit to COFP Foundation by @hiltonfound team, the sponsor of the SRS project at the COFP Fellowship Program. It was a fruitful round-table discussion.

[Agatha Chikelue @Agatha_Sr]

Welcome to the last month of the year. May you encounter divine restoration and peace.
Happy new month ❤️

[Agatha Chikelue @Agatha_Sr]

Hearts are connected and gaps are bridged by peace. As everyone is reminded, harmony has no boundaries, no religion, and no origins. Let's keep the dialogue going. Together we can create a world that is more peaceful and brighter.

#PeacefulCoexistence #AfricaUnite