President Jonathan Receives Peace Award

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Tuesday was presented with another award “Peace Loving Global Citizen” for his decision in accepting defeat at the 2015 presidential election.

The award was presented to the President by the Universal Peace Federation(UPF) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

President Jonathan at the event urged the incoming administration to accept the contributions of all Nigerians to the progress and development of the country.

“We have a country, the country will be more united. I believe and only pray that the incoming government should appreciate the contributions of everybody and see how we will run Nigeria as a country that belongs to everybody and all citizens irrespective political persuasion.”

While commending the group for the honour, President Jonathan said the Vice-President Namadi Sambo also deserved the honour, saying that his decision to accept defeat also affected him, adding that his party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also deserves the encomium award.

President Jonathan said that the reason he accepted the result of the election is because there must be a nation first before any ambition.

According to him, he said when he leaves office, the remaining part of his life will be dedicated to issues that would bring unity and peace to the country.

Speaking at the event the leader of the group, Mike Ozekhome, said the president deserved global recognition following his decision to accept defeat in the just concluded election. He also noted that Nigeria is now respected in the comity of nations not just because of the president’s achievements but because of his decision.

In a related development, the Muslim Rights Concern has criticized President Goodluck Jonathan over his recent claim that he would advocate for peace after leaving office. The group said that the president will never be accepted by Nigerian Muslims as a peace ambassador.