Easter: President Jonathan Reassures Nigerians On Democracy Dividends Despite Terrorists' Threats
…First Lady, Atiku, Imoke Call For Sacrifice, Prayers
SAN FRANCISCO, April 19, (THEWILL) â€' President Goodluck Jonathan has reassured Nigerians that his Administration would deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians despite the distractions from those he described as retrogressive forces. He gave the assurance in an Easter message issued on Saturday to commemorate the 2014 Easter celebration.
As we join Christians in other countries of the world in celebrating Easter this year, I urge all Nigerians to reflect on the significance of its lessons of piety, obedience to higher authorities, self sacrifice for the good of others, redemption, salvation, deliverance, renewal and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.
These lessons of Easter and other injunctions on brotherly love, peaceful co-existence, tolerance, honesty, humility, justice, equity and fairness to all without discrimination contained in the Gospels are of particular importance to us as a nation as we continue to contend with the challenges of nation-building and development.
As our Christian compatriots celebrate the Messiah's triumph over death and all that it connotes, let us all renew our faith and confidence in our ability as a people to overcome all obstacles, challenges and threats to national progress and well-being, including terrorism and other criminal attacks on our people in some parts of the country.
My belief in our ability to overcome all retrogressive and divisive forces in our midst and build a strong, united and prosperous nation by turning our unique diversity into a source of strength remains unshaken and we will continue to work with all interest groups and stakeholders in the country to achieve the peaceful, secure and politically stable conditions essential for rapid socio-economic development.
In spite of the evil machinations of terrorists, criminals and their collaborators, our Administration remains ardently focused on efforts to successfully execute the Federal Government's Agenda for National Transformation and achieve sustained development.
We have already made notable advances in this regard. As a result of our efforts and those of previous administrations, the Nigeria economy is now the largest in Africa and the 26th largest in the world.
But we cannot afford to rest on our oars. Much remains to be done and we will continue to count on the patriotic support of all Nigerians as we strive to achieve more inclusive economic growth, generate more national wealth and create more employment opportunities to meet the demands of our increasingly youthful population.
I commend the leadership and delegates to the ongoing National Conference, the vast majority of who have shown a patriotic and praiseworthy commitment to national unity, peace and progress built on justice, fairness and equity for all component parts of the country.
'As the Conference breaks into committees to continue its deliberations, it remains our hope and expectation that the end result will be meaningful and enduring contributions towards strengthening national unity and fulfilling our collective desire for a better and greater nation.
'Once again, I extend heartfelt commiserations to all the families who have sadly lost loved relatives in recent terrorist attacks.
'Our thoughts and sympathies remain with all those who have suffered injuries from the heinous attacks. We pray for their speedy recovery and shall keep on doing everything possible to assist them with required medical services and material support.
'Our Armed Forces and security agencies will continue to do their very best to curb such attacks and restore full security to all parts of our beloved country.
'But we must all become more alert and vigilant, and do all that we can to give them the fullest possible assistance, support and cooperation they require to achieve more effective protection of lives and property across the country.
'We shall continue to count on your support and prayers for greater peace, harmony, progress and prosperity in Nigeria. May God Almighty bless our dear nation and guide us, always,' he said in the statement.
The President's message came as the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, called on all Nigerians to intensify their prayers for peace to reign in the country. She made the call in a special Easter message to Nigerians on Saturday.
'As Nigerians join their counterparts all over the world to celebrate the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the First Lady, Dame Patience Faka Jonathan has urged Nigerians, particularly Christians, to pray for peace and progressive development of the country.,' a statement signed by Ayo Adewuyi, a media aide in the Presidency attached to the First Lady's Office, said.
The First Lady in her Easter message also asked Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of love, peace and tolerance, which are the attributes of Jesus Christ, and seek the face of the Lord as Government strives to tackle the current challenges facing the nation.
Dame Jonathan reminds Nigerians particularly the women, of the exploits of Esther through prayers when the children of Israel were faced with many challenges and how the Lord intervened to save the Israelites.The First Lady asked Nigerians not to leave the task of nation building to the President alone, stressing the need to support him with prayers and intercessions in order for the Lord to favour the country under his leadership. Dame Jonathan also urged Nigerians to use the period to pray God to grant the nation's leaders, wisdom to continue to provide purposeful leadership for the peace, progress and prosperity of Nigeria.
Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) Atiku Abubakar, in his message called on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love and sacrifice as they celebrate Easter, and to watch out for the wellbeing of one another.
In an Easter goodwill message issued by his Media Office in Abuja, Atiku enjoined Christians, and indeed all Nigerians, to internalize the spiritual gains and benefits of the season for an improved society.
According to him, this is the only path to enthroning a Nigeria where the basic human rights of the rich and poor are respected and upheld, and where citizens can dwell in peace and safety.
'We need to be our brothers' and sisters' keepers and, above all, make sacrifice an integral part of our existence. That is the only way the sacrifice and life's lessons of Jesus Christ will make meaning in our own daily lives and the life of our nation,' Atiku said.
According to him, 'the message of Easter is love. Unconditional love for each other, not as people from different tribes or places of birth, not as Christians or Muslims, but as members of a commonwealth of humanity. We must love each other as Nigerians first.'
He noted that the ongoing security challenges in our country are saddening, but they also provide an opportunity for us to come out as one people and one nation, to stand together against any persons or forces, which may seek to divide us.
The former Vice President also urged Nigerians to contribute their quota to national security, by reporting any suspicious activity to the police. 'Until we begin to care for one another and to realize that every single human life is precious in the eyes of God, Nigeria will never actualise its destiny as a great nation capable of playing a leading role in the world,' he said.
Cross River State governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, enjoined Christians and Nigerians of all walks of life to reflect on the significance of this year's Easter brought about by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and close ranks in order to confront the current realities facing us as a nation.
In his Easter goodwill message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, Governor Imoke urged Christians to use the opportunity of the celebration to rededicate themselves to the values of love, peace, sacrifice and tolerance as embodied in the death of the Saviour, Jesus Christ.
According to Governor Imoke, 'As we celebrate Easter, let us reflect on the significance of the season, which is sacrifice, to reach out to one another.'
Continuing, Governor Imoke said: 'The joyful news that He is risen does not change the contemporary world. Still before us, lie tolerance, accommodation, work and discipline. But the fact of Easter gives us the spiritual power to appreciate the truth that His dying moment on the cross offers us the greatest illustration of forgiveness possible.'
While urging Christians to celebrate Easter with sober reflection, as the country is currently challenged, Imoke noted that 'The of import Christ's resurrection was not to engage in wild and lavish celebration but to give our lives meaning and direction and the opportunity to close ranks, no matter our differences and circumstances.'
He enjoined Nigerians to eschew hate and bigotry, which was what Christ preached against.