President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria has congratulated the joint-recipients of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, Pakistani girl-child education activist, Malala Yousafzai and Indian children’s rights campaigner, Kailash Satyarthi.
The congratulatory message is coming after the duo was named 2014 peace prize winners on Friday.
Malala had visited Nigeria earlier in the year in solidarity with the more than 200 Chibok Schoolgirls. Following her visit, Jonathan had summoned representatives of the Chibok community, holding a meeting with them for the first time after the girls were abducted.
In his congratulatory message to the peace prize winners on Saturday, Jonathan expressed belief that Malala and her co-winner are worthy recipients of the Noble Peace Prize in view of their globally-acclaimed and very courageous advocacy against bigotry, discrimination, oppression and extremism even in the most difficult of circumstances.
He commend Satyarthi’s peaceful campaign against human trafficking and abuse of children as slave labourers, urging others with grievances around the world to emulate his method of non-violent protests.
Jonathan enjoined both Nobel laureates to draw greater strength from the global honour and recognition which the Nobel Peace Prize represents and carry on their brave advocacy for the rights of girls, women and oppressed persons with renewed vigour and impetus.
He assured the duo that he fully shares their belief and views on gender equity and the protection of the rights of young persons.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria will continue to do all within its powers to promote safe education for all children and the empowerment of women, while vigorously protecting young children from forced labour and human trafficking,” Jonathan assured in the message signed by his spokesman Reuben Ababti.
