Jonathan bags another Peace Award, urges Buhari to recognise contributions of Nigerians

President Goodluck Jonathan was on Tuesday

honoured with another award of “Peace Loving

Global Citizen” for his decision to accept the result

of the 2015 Presidential poll.

The award was presented to the President by the

Universal Peace Federation(UPF) at the

Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking at the event, President Jonathan 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,

Jonathan said Vice-President Namadi Sambo also

deserved the honour, saying that his singular act

of accepting defeat in the election also affected

him.

“My singular act has made you now to come and

honour us, not just me, I ran the election with the

Vice President and if we have won, two of us would

have been here but by that act, two of us are

packing out on Friday, he equally deserves the

encomium that you have given me.

“My party, the PDP also deserves the encomium

award.’’

The President stated that he took the decision to

accept the result of the election because there

must be a nation first before any ambition.

“I use to say that even if I will be President for

the next 25 years, I will not be a happy person if

so many people die because of me.

“One thing is to hold office, another thing is to be

able to satisfy your conscience,’’

According to him, 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 earlier, leader of the group, Chief Mike

Ozekhome, said that Jonathan had attracted global

recognition considering his decision to accept the

defeat in the just concluded election.

According to him, Nigeria is now respected in the

comity of nations not only because of Jonathan’s

achievements but because of his decision to accept

the result of the election.

Ozekhome stated that by Jonathan’s singular act,

he had snatched victory from defeat.(