Mr John Hume, the co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, is to be awarded the annual Martin Luther King Jnr Nonviolent Peace Prize, it has been announced.
Hailing Mr Hume as one of the greatest peacemakers of our time, Ms Coretta Scott King, the widow of the murdered civil rights campaigner, confirmed that he would receive the award at a service at Ebeneezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on January 18th, the US national holiday commemorating King's life.
The event will be attended by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who won the same award in 1985 for nonviolent leadership during South Africa's struggle against apartheid.
"Mr Hume, who is an ardent follower of my husband's teachings, is one of the great peacemakers of our times, and we welcome this opportunity to honour him for his courageous leadership," said Mrs King.