Jonathan wins Democracy Icon award and instructs leaders to put service first
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged African leaders to seek to improve the lives of the people they serve, stressing that such a legacy of good works will speak for them after they are gone.
The former president said last weekend in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, where he won the "African Democracy and Peace Icon Award" at the first edition of the concert and African Heritage Awards.
Mr. Jonathan, who advised leaders to prioritize the rights and humanity of citizens, also noted that the welfare of citizens should guide national aspirations and development initiatives on the continent.
Speaking further, he stressed that the duty of leaders is to manage their country properly and efficiently, and "not to dehumanize human beings and make their lives difficult".
"What people remember about you is what should guide our decisions, and I think every leader should start thinking that when they leave office, one day they will be remembered in some way. or another, positively or negatively.
"Will the world remember you for killing people? Will the world remember you for imprisoning people unnecessarily, will the world remember you for destroying their systems or will he remember you for doing good?" he asked.
READ ALSO:Other honorees included former President of Tanzania, the late John Magufuli; Liberian Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor and former Botswana President Seretse Ian Khama.
Mr. Jonathan, who thanked the event organizers, Heritage Times (HT), for a successful program, also argued that such a gesture of appreciation would encourage African leaders to do more to improve people's lives. p>
He added: "I was President of Nigeria for only five years. I believe that the small contributions I made during that period and probably after leaving office may have to honor me today as an icon of democracy and peace in Africa. This means that it is not how long you stay in the office that will make people remember you, but the how you served them and how little impact you have."
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Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged African leaders to seek to improve the lives of the people they serve, stressing that such a legacy of good works will speak for them after they are gone.
The former president said last weekend in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, where he won the "African Democracy and Peace Icon Award" at the first edition of the concert and African Heritage Awards.
Mr. Jonathan, who advised leaders to prioritize the rights and humanity of citizens, also noted that the welfare of citizens should guide national aspirations and development initiatives on the continent.
Speaking further, he stressed that the duty of leaders is to manage their country properly and efficiently, and "not to dehumanize human beings and make their lives difficult".
"What people remember about you is what should guide our decisions, and I think every leader should start thinking that when they leave office, one day they will be remembered in some way. or another, positively or negatively.
"Will the world remember you for killing people? Will the world remember you for imprisoning people unnecessarily, will the world remember you for destroying their systems or will he remember you for doing good?" he asked.
READ ALSO:Other honorees included former President of Tanzania, the late John Magufuli; Liberian Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor and former Botswana President Seretse Ian Khama.
Mr. Jonathan, who thanked the event organizers, Heritage Times (HT), for a successful program, also argued that such a gesture of appreciation would encourage African leaders to do more to improve people's lives. p>
He added: "I was President of Nigeria for only five years. I believe that the small contributions I made during that period and probably after leaving office may have to honor me today as an icon of democracy and peace in Africa. This means that it is not how long you stay in the office that will make people remember you, but the how you served them and how little impact you have."
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.Donate
[embedded content]TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Call Willie - +2348098788999
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