URI mourns the loss of Pelecinnah Josiah-Pele, Global Council Trustee for the Africa region and member of the Nigerian United Religions CC. He died of kidney failure in his home country of Nigeria on January 7, 2011. He is remembered by those he touched as joyful, energetic, gentle and hardworking, someone who put the needs of others ahead of his own.
“We remember Pele's bright spirit, his infectious smile and laughter, his deep thinking and his passionate commitment to work for peace, justice and healing in Nigeria and the world,” wrote URI Executive Director Charles Gibbs and Global Council Chair Yoland Trevino in a letter announcing his passing. “Our Global Council and the entire URI community have lost a Great Blaze of Fire in Pele for working to end injustice.”
In addition to his work with URI, Pele taught peace and conflict studies at the Center for Ethnic & Conflict Studies at the University of Port Harcourt in Nigeria, and consulted for the United Nations Development Program and the World Bank.
A service was held for him in Abuja, Nigeria on Friday, January 21.
Click here to read a memoriam from URI Africa.