by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A Nigerian Pastor has been honored with five Honorary Doctorates Awards for his “outstanding contributions” to Interreligious Peace and Harmony.
Renowned Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru received the five Honorary Doctorates Awards from foreign Universities for promoting interreligious peace and harmony, according to a statement in Kaduna on weekend.
Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru was the recipient of a quintet of honorary doctorate degrees, in a noteworthy convocation ceremony meticulously orchestrated by the Lectern Peace and Human Rights Academy (LPHRA), in collaboration with North West International University (NWIU) and Christian Ministry Training University (CMTU), and fortified by the generous patronage of the Mahatma Gandhi International Virtual University (MGIVU).
Ambassador Professor Buhari Isah, the venerable Chairman Emeritus of the Lectern Peace and Human Rights Academy, reported a diverse global presence at this year’s international virtual convocation event, both virtually and in-person, representing the entirety of Nigeria’s 36 states.
“A cadre of over 50 distinguished international scholars partook as virtual keynote speakers, complemented by a substantial number of attendees hailing from diverse regions of Nigeria, converging in the capital city of Abuja.
“The convocation ceremony, a heralded juncture in which Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru was vested with his honorary doctorates, convened a distinguished assembly of academic luminaries from Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, alongside eminent representatives of the Islamic and Christian clergy.
“Moreover, traditional titleholders from the 19 northern states of Nigeria gathered to celebrate Pastor Dr. Buru’s commendable contributions to the propagation of peace and the promotion of interreligious amity.
“Ambassador Professor Buhari Isah underscored the conferment as a laudable world record title, highlighting the constancy of Pastor Dr. Buru’s endeavors in nurturing peace and harmony across the expanse of Nigeria’s 36 states, substantiated by readily accessible information through an internet search of his name.”
The esteemed institutions that bestow the accolades in question encompass: European Institute of Applied Research, Estonia North West International University, Republic of Armenia Christian Ministerial Training University, Zambia Glory International University, Burkina Faso Cholan Book of World Records, India.
Ambassador Professor Buhari Isah accentuated the exhaustive eight-year assessment, undertaken to scrutinize the unwavering dedication of Pastor Dr. Buru to activities encompassing peace dialogues, mediations, and conflict mitigations, notably in the contentious locales of Southern Kaduna and select territories of northern Nigeria.
“In addition to the aforementioned, it is pertinent to acknowledge Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru’s recognition by esteemed foreign entities, which encompass the World Astrological Research Institution (ARI), European Institute of Applied Research (EIAR), Global Institutes of Peace and Research Centre (GIPRC), Access to Human Rights International (ATRI), and the Cholan Book of World Records (CBWR).
“Furthermore, Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru’s distinction as the laureate of the United Nations World International Interfaith Week and Harmony 2022 by King Abdullah of Jordan substantiates his global acclaim.
“Ambassador Professor Buhari articulated Pastor Dr. Buru’s persistent commitment to fostering unity, while ameliorating conflicts within myriad local communities across Kaduna State’s 23 local governments. Additionally, he has rendered humanitarian assistance to an extensive cohort of internally-displaced persons (IDPs) over numerous years.
“The conferment of such prestigious doctorate honors traditionally accords individuals, who have manifested exemplary devotion to nation-building and the safeguarding of human rights.
Accepting the honors on behalf of his family and the ecclesiastical community, Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru extended heartfelt gratitude to all supporters and well-wishers, who have bolstered his tireless mission of peace building and the advocacy of harmonious coexistence among diverse faiths, both nationally and on the global stage.
Pastor Dr. Buru, marked by profound humility, reflected on the unexpected recognition, affirming, “I never envisaged receiving such esteemed doctorate degrees from any institution. Yet, through the grace of the Almighty, I have been conferred with three doctorate degrees within the span of a single year.”
In attendance was, Mr. Ibrahima Yakubu, the National President of the Nigeria Network of Peace Journalists (NNPJ), who lauded the discerning foreign institutions for acknowledging Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru’s contributions.
He accentuated Pastor Dr. Buru’s extensive travels to various African nations, championing peace and harmony, urging the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to “consider his inclusion among scholars dedicated to fostering peace and stability across African states,” he stated.
He said, “We are happy that a Nigerian Pastor, Dr. Yohanna Buru, is awarded with Five Honorary Doctorates by Foreign Universities in Acknowledgment of His Peace Advocacy and promotion of interfaith relationship across all the borders of Africa.”
Mr. Yakubu extended his profound gratitude to the assiduous journalists, who have been instrumental in amplifying Pastor Dr. Buru’s indefatigable peace initiatives.
“Their unwavering support has been invaluable in advancing his mission of nurturing harmony and mutual respect among divergent religious communities, transcending the borders of Nigeria to resonate throughout the multifarious regions of Africa,” he stated.