Rev. Sr. Agatha Ogochukwu Chikelue is a Nigerian Catholic Nun from the Congregation of Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy (DMMM). She is the Executive Director of Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP), Co-Chair of the Nigerian & African Women of Faith Networks and Chair of the Religions for Peace International Women’s Coordinating Committee. Sr. Agatha holds a B.Sc. in Public Administration and M.Sc. in International Affairs and Diplomacy.
Her interest in peacebuilding and interreligious dialogue began some years ago as a result of the incessant ethno-religious violence in her home country of Nigeria. Her hunger for peace at this period manifested in efforts to bridge divides across religious and ethnic lines in the country. Sr. Agatha’s passion for peaceful coexistence in Nigeria motivated her to build a network of Christian and Muslim women united against violence and working for peace in Nigeria. Her years of experiences peacebuilding in Nigeria has brought about an understanding that peacebuilding and development are linked but cannot be achieved without justice, forgiveness and reconciliation. She has also learned that gender plays an important role in disputes, negotiating and resolving differences. She believes in a non-violent approach to conflict through dialogue and through actively involving women in peace processes.
