Royal Ambassador General of the UN University for Global Peace, His Royal Highness, Dr. Valentine Sunday Abat disclosed this, Saturday, at a press conference in Makurdi.

The ambassador explained that when established, the university will prepare leaders in the country in peacebuilding and tackling day-to-day challenges. He said it is the UN’s belief that, if there is no peace, there would be no progress or development.

He said: “We believe that if the university is established here, it will go a long way to train our leaders in building peace. Most people go into leadership without having even the basic knowledge of managing administrative issues confronting them. So, establishing such a university will go a long way to train our leaders on peace building and everything concerning leadership.”

According to him, the essence of establishing the University in the state is in recognition of governor Ortom efforts in peace building.

He further stated that the University has also invited the Russell’s Hall group to partner with Benue State government in building economic infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) is to confer Nelson Mandela award on Ortom for his efforts in building peace in Benue.

President IHRC Geneva, Ambassador Hussein Bou-said, who disclosed this in Makurdi, said Ortom is the second governor in the country to be conferred with the Mandela award by the IHRC.