Former President Goodluck Jonathan says achieving peace in Nigeria goes beyond carrying rifles and guns, insisting that justice and equity must prevail.
Jonathan made this known on Saturday in Abuja, where he was the guest of honour at the President’s Night organised by the Rotary Club of Asokoro.
Represented by former Chief of Defence Staff, Retired Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petirin, the former president emphasised that peace was not merely the absence of war, but the presence of fairness.
“You see, he (Jonathan) has this sense of justice, that we must be just. We should not exclude anybody.
“He understood that achieving peace is not just about carrying rifles and guns. In fact, he believed that this accounts for just about 30 per cent of what is needed.
“The remaining 70 per cent involves hard work, people talking, negotiating, agreeing, disagreeing, coming back again to discuss and then finally agreeing,” he said.
According to him, this approach was instrumental in restoring peace to Plateau State during Jonathan’s administration.
He also commended the Rotary Club for its impactful service to humanity.
In his remarks, the 24th President of the Rotary Club of Asokoro, Mr Babatunde Adetoba, said the event was to showcase the club’s contributions to the community.
“Rotary Club is an international organisation that has been established for over 100 years. We focus on seven key areas, including education, water, sanitation, and maternal health,” he said.
Adetoba revealed that the club recently assisted indigent patients with free cataract surgeries and donated five million Naira to a hospital.
“We reached out to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, donated drugs and medications, conducted free eye screenings, and gave out free glasses.
“Rotary is big on polio eradication. Globally, we have spent over 2.6 billion dollars on the cause, and we continue awareness efforts to ensure Nigeria remains polio-free,” he added.
He described charitable donations as a noble act that did not necessarily require much.
“A small amount can put a smile on someone’s face or change their life forever,” he said.
Adetoba also noted that the club had sustainability measures in place to ensure the long-term impact of its projects.
Speaking on the essence of the President’s Night, he said it was an opportunity for the president to honour friends, associates, and supporters who have contributed to the club’s achievements over the year.
Stella Okotete, Executive Director of Business Development at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), and Hajiya Halima Buba, Managing Director of SunTrust Bank, were also honoured at the event for their outstanding contributions to society.
