Former President Goodluck Jonathan has pledged to continue to devote his life to promoting peace and service to humanity in the country and across the globe.

Mr Jonathan stated this on Sunday in Abuja at a reception organised by the ‘Friends of Dr Goodluck Jonathan’ on receiving the 2025 prestigious Sunhak Global Peace Prize Award in Seoul, South Korea.

The former president said that his desire has always been to impact lives and promote peace in his space.

“I wouldn’t say much, but only to thank you and to reassure you that my commitment to peace will continue. I will continue to do my little best until the last day I live on earth. I believe that’s the only way I can serve God, by serving man,” Mr Jonathan said.

Mr Jonathan said that though he suffered while growing up as a child because of his humble background, he always felt sad seeing people suffering or seeing a country going through a crisis.

The former governor of Bayelsa added that he desired to see that no Nigerian suffer any lack, even though it was not so easy or possible for any president to achieve that.

“That has been my fear, and that was why I was very reluctant when I was approached to come to the centre to be a vice president.

“I said, look, Bayelsa is a small state. Let me see what I can do with this small state, whether I can make significant changes, but today, here I am,” he said.

Mr Jonathan appreciated the organisers of the Sunhak Global Peace Prize Award for counting him worthy, saying, “I never expected it.”

Mr Jonathan also appreciated the organisers of the reception for the great honour, even though he initially declined it.

“I also appreciate all those who attended this reception. I have listened to the comments from all of you, and I can only say thank you for those good words. They are quite encouraging,” the former president said.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, said Nigeria would continue to celebrate Mr Jonathan for the sacrifices he made to make the country peaceful.

Mr Obi, the chairman of the occasion, said everybody knew what Mr Jonathan represented and the hope he had brought to Nigeria’s democracy.

“There is no special day to celebrate this award other than today, Easter day, which is a day of sacrifice. We will continue to celebrate you for the sacrifice you made for this country to be at peace.

“You have put in a lot of effort to ensure there is peace in Nigeria, Africa and the world as a whole,” Mr Obi said.

(NAN)