FFWPU Nigeria Honored at Centenary USA-NCUSA Awards

The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification Nigeria (FFWU Nigeria) was honored on Saturday, September 27th, during the Nigerian Centenary celebration in New York City. This year, the nation of Nigeria celebrates her 100 years of amalgamation since 1914. Unificationists joined in with the Nigerian community in America to celebrate the day, and to receive a special award.

The celebration was held to honor people and organizations that have had a significant impact on the nation and culture of Nigeria, which included the presentation of the Nigeria Centenary USA-NCUSA Awards.

Since the beginning of this year, FFWPU Nigeria has been promoting a campaign to keep Nigeria united as one nation, based on the words of True Parents during a visit in 2011. Because of this work, FFWPU Nigeria received the award for “outstanding Nigerian representing an organization that has contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria.”

The award is a special recognition organized by the Royal Maids LLC USA, with endorsement from the Nigerian president, the office of the Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the Ambassador of the Nigerian Consulate in New York. 

“I believe this award is coming to us as a result of our True Parents’ investment, sacrifices and deep love for Nigeria,” remarked Olaleye Alao, President of FFWPU Nigeria and representative recipient of the award. “I and FFWPU Nigeria feel humbled by this recognition. I therefore dedicate this award to our True Father and True Mother who loved Nigeria more than anyone in the world. I saw how True Father poured out his heart to my nation when True Parents visited Nigeria in 2011, and I believe that Nigeria is protected and still remains as one nation today because of True Parents.”

In 2011, True Father predicted that in the next three years Nigeria would start to grow and develop quickly economically. His words proved true as early this year Nigeria was declared the most economically viable country in Africa. 

“Many people only see the problems in Nigeria,” comments Mr. Alao, “but I believe that if True Parents did not come to Nigeria in 2011 and left the impact that they did, the country would have been worse off than what we see now. In order words, True Parents’ visit saved Nigeria.”

Mr. Alao found it an interesting coincidence that he happened to receive this award while in New York City, just a week after the National Memorial Service for the second anniversary of True Father’s Seonghwa which was held there. Though The National Memorial Service focused on True Parents’ activities in America, it gave Mr. Alao a deeper sense of meaning behind his own nation, Nigeria.

“Our foundation in Nigeria still needs improvement, and we will continue to keep strong determination,” he says. “We in Nigeria have hope that we will succeed as we are determined to accomplish vision 2020 in line with our beloved True Mother’s directions… our beloved True Parents deserve all the honor and glory, and by their grace we accept this award of excellence.”