I’ll preach peace when I leave office —Jonathan

At the occassion of Epitome of Peace Award,Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said he would be engaged in preaching peace to all religious faithful when he leaves office.
National mirror reports. Jonathan spoke after he was presented with the 2015 Epitome of Peace Award by the Field Superintendent of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Federal Capital Territory Field, Apostle John Buzu, at the Presidential Villa. “One thing I have decided I will do after leaving office is to be talking to faithful of all religions - Christians, Muslims and others - on the need for Nigerians to live in peace. “We need peace in this country, no matter our religious persuasion or belief. That will be one of my main commitments when I leave office, to reduce discrimination in this country based religious divides or ethnicity. I believe I will have so many apostles that will follow me to do that. “This is because when there is crisis in any part of the country, nobody can practise his own religion. If there is crisis anywhere, people cannot go to the mosque, they cannot go to the church,” he said. Jonathan further said, “all of us do a number of things everyday. People have saved this country, we don’t even know some of them or what they did but some people are a bit luckier that their actions are noticed and sometimes rewarded. “You have also noticed me with my little contribution, not just because I am the president of the country but because of an action I took that you believe saved lives and you are honouring me. “To whom much is given, much is expected. For you to honour me today, you have given me another mandate to work harder to ensure that we as Nigerians continue to live in peace”, he added. He expressed gratitude to the Apostolic Church for the award and decoration while also expressing gratitude for the insignia, plaque, medal and the dress which he said was quite unique. “They will be very conspicuous in my presidential museum or library so that even after 50 years, people will still see and appreciate what you have done today even if I have left this world and gone beyond. What you have done will still be displayed in my library for people to see,” he said. Earlier in his remarks, Buzu said Jonathan deserved the award because of the legacy of peace which he had bequeathed to Nigeria and Nigerians. “As far as your political career is concerned, you have been very vocal to declare that your political ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian”, he said. He noted that the position of Jonathan on his political ambition revealed his strong belief and respect for the sanctity of human life