Dear Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am honored to give congratulatory remarks on this stage of the prestigious Sunhak Peace Prize. The Award Theme of the 2019 Sunhak Peace Prize, “Human Rights and Human Development in Africa,” really touches my heart sincerely, because I am a citizen of the 21st century and because I am an African.

A prize cannot be awarded to everyone. A prize is something that is awarded to an individual with great devotion and one who has God-given ability. Therefore, I would like to send great applause and appreciation to the Laureates of the 2019 Sunhak Peace Prize, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and Ms. Waris Dirie, who have devoted their lives to building better world for all.

Waris Dirie is a human rights activist who has been fighting endlessly to eradicate female genital mutilation around the world. Especially, she has contributed greatly to raising worldwide awareness of the female genital mutilation issue, after she was appointed as the UN special ambassador for the elimination of female genital mutilation in 1997.

After she published a book called Desert Flower, the book became best-selling book around the world, and it was adapted into a movie. The movie helped to spread the tragic facts about female genital mutilation and helped people to change their perspectives about female genital mutilation.

For over thousands of years, the cruel act has been practiced in many countries. And fighting against this deep-rooted tradition was surely an unimaginably painful path to take with many threats against Waris Dirie.

However, Waris Dirie devoted her life to improve lives of girls and women, at the risk of her life. In the end, she has improved millions of girls and women’s human rights by saving many of them from female genital mutilation. Now, the number of victims of female genital mutilation is decreasing greatly, through her tireless efforts.

The two nominees of the Sunhak Peace Prize for 2019 are the great man and woman of this century, who have taken the path which no one else has chosen to take, for the happiness of humanity and for the betterment of our future. And they have endured hardships and have been making tremendous achievements through their tireless efforts. They emphasize the value of loving humanity to pave a bright future for everyone.

Again, I would like to give sincere congratulations to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and Ms. Waris Dirie.

Lastly I would like to send sincere thanks and congratulations to the Sunhak Peace Prize Foundation on awarding individuals and organizations with a futuristic perspective in gathering hopes and lights to build a bright future for humanity. I think awarding of a prize is the greatest and glorious way to uplift the humanistic spirit. Also, it’s not only the reward given to the nominee but it’s an opportunity for everyone to celebrate, congratulate and learn the nominees’ marvelous achievements in building a world of peace.