One of Nigeria’s most influential online newspapers, The Trent has named former President Goodluck Jonathan Person of the Year 2015.
“We are delighted to launch our Person of the Year Award with such a deserving statesman,” the newspaper’s, President and Executive Editor, Ms. Aziza Uko told journalists in Lagos, Monday. “This marks our second anniversary and our Editorial Board decided to launch this award to celebrate the best among us, to present to the country, especially, the young generation, real symbols of hope.”
According to Ms. Uko, “More than any Nigerian alive, we believe that Jonathan represents the spirit of a united Nigeria governed under democratic ideals and principles. By honouring him, we are simply re-kindling faith in the possibility of a new Nigeria.”
Earlier, in an editorial to celebrate the former president as Person of the Year 2015, The Trent noted that by leaving the stage when the ovation was loudest, “Jonathan opened a golden page in the chapters of democracy’s history, showing clearly to the world that Africa was not a continent of incompetent leaders and despotic rulers who sit tight in office at the expense of their nations’ future.”
Meanwhile, former President Goodluck Jonathan has described the Person of the Year Award 2015 conferred on him by The Trent online newspaper as a “pleasant surprise.”
Reacting to The Trent Person of the Year 2015 Award on Monday, December 21, 2015 the former President said he felt deeply touched by the kind gesture and honour coming months after he has left office.
“This is a pleasant surprise. I feel extremely humbled. I couldn’t have imagined that a group of young people would consider me worthy of this great honour months after I left office as President.
“Usually, people like us receive awards when we are in office because of the position and power that we have. It is moments like this that you actually realize the people who are truly your friends.
“I see this award as an encouragement not just for me but the upcoming generations of Nigerians. I see it also as a celebration of how far Nigeria has come as a democracy. I commend the Editorial Board of The Trent and wish them the very best in their journalistic endeavors,” he said.
Since his exit from office in May 2015, former President Jonathan’s profile has risen globally. He has been extolled by local and foreign media, as well as foreign governments for saving Nigeria from what observers say could have been a bloody social-political crisis in the world’s largest black democracy.
