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Official Campaign Closing Announcement: #RuntoNigeria with Olive Branch Campaign

ICERM December 13, 2017
RuntoNigeria with Olive Branch

This is an official notification from the International Center for Ethno-Religious Mediation, the creator of the #RuntoNigeria with an Olive Branch campaign.

1. We wish to thank all those who participated in the #RuntoNigeria with an Olive Branch campaign, especially our local organizers who successfully mobilized Nigerians to run and advocate for peace in their states.

2. We also thank our President and CEO, Basil Ugorji, who was the only sponsor of the #RuntoNigeria with an Olive Branch campaign, and who, because of his passion for peace in Nigeria, spent thousands of U.S. dollars from his pocket to provide the #RuntoNigeria T-shirts and take care of logistics for the peace runners in Nigeria.

3. Our gratitude goes to Mr. Efe Friday of SORP who helped in facilitating and coordinating the movement in some Nigerian states.

4. From September 5, 2017 when the campaign was launched with Individual/Group Kick off Run, hundreds of Nigerians from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, and Ondo states actively organized and hosted state-based #RuntoNigeria with an Olive Branch rallies.
The campaign also recorded individual peace runs in other states.

5. But most interestingly, tens of thousands of Nigerians from different ethnic and religious groups were actively engaged in public discussions on our Facebook page. The outcome of this public debate and discussion was a new understanding about what it means to live together in peace and harmony in Nigeria.

6. It is true that the state-based runs and rallies were suspended due to lack of funding, and that our fundraising efforts did not yield results as anticipated, however, we are happy to announce that the #RuntoNigeria with an Olive Branch was a successful campaign. The Abia state rally was very instrumental in restoring peace and security in Abia state and the neighboring states. The campaign also contributed to a nation-wide inter-ethnic and inter-religious dialogue both on social media and in those states that participated.

7. Although the #RuntoNigeria with an Olive Branch campaign is officially closed, the International Center for Ethno-Religious Mediation, and especially, our President and CEO, Basil Ugorji, will continue to advocate for peace in Nigeria through practice (mediation and dialogue) and research. We hope you too will do the same.

8. Once again, we thank you for participating in this campaign.

With peace and blessings,
Laura
……………………..
Laura Waldman,
Director of Programs
ICERM, International Center for Ethno-Religious Mediation

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