BREAKING: Jonathan Honored with Sunhak Peace Prize, Vows to Pursue Peace Forever
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said he would have been happier if he could end human suffering and bring about peace and stability in Nigeria and across the globe.
Jonathan spoke at a reception organised for him in Abuja by his friends and associates to mark the conferment of the Sunhak Peace Prize on him by the Sunhak Peace Prize Foundation in South Korea.
The Sunhak Peace Prize was founded by Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, wife of the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon. It is aimed at ending worldwide suffering, conflict, poverty and threats to the environment by promoting a comprehensive, future-oriented vision of peace.
Jonathan, who was honoured with his wife, Patience, said he was often overwhelmed with grief and concern when he came across citizens, who were suffering and labouring to survive.
He told the audience of friends and well-wishers, “I wish I could end the suffering of people that I come across daily. I do not really want to see human beings suffering and I would be happy to give a helping hand to them if I had the means and be in a position to do so.
“Indeed, I always feel bad seeing people suffering. But let me assure you all seated here today that my commitment to peace remains unchanged till I die. I will continue to seek peace and pursue it for as long as I am alive.”
Jonathan spoke to the thunderous applause of the crowd of supporters and friends.
He thanked the man behind the reception party, Robert Azibaola, a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, for bringing together the people who honoured him for winning the peace prize in Seoul.
The former president was surrounded by many former aides, friends, former governors and associates, as well as religious, traditional and political leaders, among them, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, who chaired the event.
Obi said the reception could not have come at a better time than on Easter Sunday, a time of peace and reconciliation with Christ, the leader of the Christian faith.
Referring to Jonathan, Obi said, “You made Nigeria to be peaceful in your time as the president of Nigeria. May God grant you more peace and strength.”
Former Chaplain of the Aso Villa, Professor Obioma Unwuzurumba, who also spoke at the ceremony, described Jonathan as a man Nigerians will miss for a long time, given the things he did to make the country better while in office.
Unwuzurumba lamented that Nigerians missed a golden opportunity given to them by God to excel in peace and prosperity by failing to re-elect Jonathan as president in 2019, thereby exposing themselves to avoidable challenges.
He stated, “The man we are celebrating today is a man of good heart and who is always unwilling to hurt a fly. My only regret today is that God gave Nigeria a gift and they rejected that gift.
“President Jonathan, you are a peacemaker who should be highly celebrated. The country has refused to acknowledge God but delights in playing dirty politics.
“Nigeria lost a man of peace by not electing Jonathan president in 2015. May God give us a leader that can save the country.”
Former information minister, Labaran Maku, said it was befitting and pleasing for a peace foundation in faraway South Korea to be the one to recognise and award Jonathan with a peace prize, confirming the biblical saying that a prophet is not without honour except in his hometown.
Maku said, “It is not easy to find in our clime a leader who stands out as a beacon of peace by losing an election without putting up a deadly fight back. Jonathan is, indeed, a patriot, who should be cherished by all Nigerians.
“We should pray for him to be in good health and to continue to champion global peace and prosperity.”
Azibaola described Jonathan as a leader, who was committed to making peace and resolving conflicts across the country and the globe, and prayed for more strength for him to continue to champion the cause.
