By Josephine Agbonkhese

The Executive Secretary of the Society for Neighbourhood Peace and Development (SONPED), Barr. George Utomhim, has called on former Nigerian President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to continue playing his role as a respected elder statesman by supporting the reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the interest of national peace and stability.

In a statement, Utomhim encouraged the former president to rise above partisan politics and engage deeply with current government policies and reforms. He emphasized that such engagement would enable Jonathan to offer informed perspectives and make meaningful contributions toward national development, especially as Nigeria navigates complex social and economic reforms.

He noted that Jonathan’s global experience and standing in international diplomacy place him in a strong position to support and enhance the success of ongoing reforms. According to him, the former president’s wealth of knowledge and leadership experience can help shape policy direction and strengthen social and economic frameworks, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and prosperous nation.

The statement further urged Jonathan to promote unity by fostering tolerance, mutual understanding, and bridge-building across political and regional divides. It stressed the importance of his intervention in matters of national concern to help reinforce Nigeria’s unity, peace, and reconciliation.

Citing concerns raised by the Fund for Peace about Nigeria’s fragile state, the group appealed to Jonathan, in his capacity as an international envoy for peace, to champion healing and cohesion among Nigerians. It also called for his collaborative support in advancing the reform efforts of the current administration to achieve sustainable development.

SONPED further emphasized that aligning with President Tinubu’s vision—focused on economic revitalization, improved policy support, expanded access to funding for small and medium-scale enterprises, and infrastructure development—would help foster nationwide growth and stability.