President Jonathan Condemns Terrorist Attack On French Magazine
BEVERLY HILLS, January 08, (THEWILL) – President Goodluck Jonathan, the Federal Government and people of Nigeria Thursday extended heartfelt condolences to President Francois Hollande and the people of France as they mourn the victims of Wednesday's dastardly terrorist attack.
President Jonathan, in a statement signed by his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, joined the rest of the civilised world in condemning what he described as the heinous, senseless and totally unjustifiable killing of journalists and other persons during the attack on the satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo.
The President said he believed that the cowardly and ignoble attack by violent extremists is a monstrous assault on the right to freedom of expression.
President Jonathan also considered the attack on Charlie Hebdo as another manifestation of the depravity and brutality which the world has to contend with in what must become a truly collective effort by lovers of peace, progress and freedom across the globe to rout the agents of darkness and retrogression
The President assured President Hollande and the people of France that Nigeria stands in full solidarity with them in their national mourning for those who lost their lives at the hands of terrorists in Paris on Wednesday.
Noting that France has been a strong ally and dependable partner in strengthening regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria, West Africa and Africa as a whole, President Jonathan pledged that his administration would continue to work with the French Government and other friendly governments in all continents to end the scourge of global terrorism.
President Jonathan urged media practitioners worldwide not to be discouraged or disheartened by the brutal murder of their colleagues in Paris Wednesday, but to remain strong and fearless in pursuit of truth and the defence of human rights and freedom of expression.
The President prayed that God almighty will comfort the people of France, especially the bereaved families and grant speedy recovery to all those who were injured in yesterday's attack.