President Goodluck Jonathan has assured that his administration will
not abandon those affected by various insurgents’ attacks and other
security crisis in the country, saying, “let me assure you that we will
stand by you.” He said, “we feel your pain and we will do all we can to
provide you with comforts and recovery.” Represented by Senate
President, David Mark, at this year’s Special Inter-denominational
Service with the theme: “Righteousness Exalts a Nation,” to commemorate
Democracy Day at the National Christian Centre, Jonathan noted that no
responsible government would standby and watch anarchy take over the
streets. He vowed that his government would do everything within the
ambit of the law to protect and defend not only our citizens but the
unity of the country.
He expressed happiness that reports reaching him indicated that the
security operatives were presently revising the negative trend of
insurgency in the three affected states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe and
the environs that emergency rule was declared. . President Jonathan
thanked Nigerians for the support of his government and assured that his
administration was recording giant strides despite the various
challenges and that the country’s policies had attracted investors and
was still the prefered destination in Africa. He saluted the gallantry
of the heros past, who had fought to ensure Nigeria remains one and
enjoys democracy. Jonathan said: “It is my pleasure to welcome you to
mark our democracy day. As you all know May 29 has been specially set
aside in the annals of the nation not just to mark our return to the
government for the people by the people, but also to celebrate our
heros, who struggled to bring us to where we are today. “To all those
men, women and institutions through whose labour we enjoy democracy
today, we must continue to doff our hats, they remain shining examples
of heroism and sacrifice. It is because of their hard work and
sacrifices that we celebrate democracy today.
We remain eternally
grateful to all of them. “We who are saddled with the democratic
leadership of the country at this point in our history, will continue to
protect our freedom and our way of life. “We will continue to pull our
shared values and ensure that Nigerians enjoy democracy, liberty in the
land of opportunity, where no man is discriminated against. “We
celebrate May 29 across party lines and social divide, this is how it
should be. Because we celebrate, we understand the full import of
democracy and what it means to our people, who have been able to choose
in an unfiltered manner those who will lead them from where they are to
where they want to be. “As an administration we have continued to
nurture our democracy, the mantra of one man one vote, one woman one
vote, one youth one vote, are the battle cry for free and fair elections
in 2011.
I’m glad to note that the 2011 elections continued to echo
nationally and internationally as one of the freest and fairest
elections this country has had. We have diligently followed through with
similar success in Ondo, Edo, Kebbi and Kogi states amongst others,
were the people spoke and their voices were heard loud and clear. “We
have also raised up our war against corruption, our anti-corruption
agencies are strengthen and for the first time in our history we have
institutionalised a meeting between the three arms of government in
conjunction with the anti-corruption agencies. We have achieved synergy
through this forum in which issues of governance are placed on the front
burner and ways fashioned out to ensure continued improvement in our
body’s polity. “There is no doubt that our country there are challenges,
we have received gratitude and outpouring of goodwill of all well
meaning Nigerians on the unfortunate but inevitable declaration of state
of emergency in the three states of north east, namely Adamawa, Borno
and Yobe.
“No responsible government anywhere in the world will fold its
arms and watch anarchy reign supreme within its borders. This
government therefore will do everything within the ambit of our law to
protect and defend not only our citizen but the unity of our country.
Report reaching me indicate that our gallant and patriotic security men
are presently revising the negative trend of insurgency in the three
affected states and the environs. “I want to assure Nigerians that this
administration is up to task and will not relent until peace and
normalcy returns to the affected states. “We will return sanity and
peace to the streets of Nigeria and we will defeat all the threats to
our corporate existence. “My prayers are with the families of our brave
service men and women and all those who have tragically lost their lives
to internal crisis in the nation. “Their memories will linger on in our
hearts, our thoughts are with the unfortunate victims and families who
faced a long road ahead, the wounded and heartbroken. Families rent
apart by tragedies and sorrow, the churches, the mosques and those who
lost possessions to attacks by insurgents.
“As President of this great
nation, let me assure you that we will stand by you. We feel your pain
and we will do all we can to provide you with comforts and recovery.
“Inspite of the challenges we have face, I make bold to say that our
country is strong and our economy is growing faster than any other
country in Africa today. “Our policies have continued to receive global
acclaim and approval as most investors coming to Africa prefer to set up
shops in Nigeria. In the midst of the lingering negatives our nation
remains the center of gravity of our the African economy and society.
“Our economy, music, films, sports particularly our football and fashion
are all on the rebound across Africa. “Our people remain bold and
courageous, working hard all over the country and around the world to
keep our flag flying. “As we tackle the infrastructure deficit across
sectors, our GDP and living standard will witness steady rise in the
years ahead. Nigeria has come to stay, Africa looks up to us for
leadership and direction, the world reposes high hopes in our capacity
and credentials, we cannot afford to fail, and we will not fail. We must
therefore continue to pull our strength, minimise our areas of weakness
and create that positive synergy that will take us from where we are as
a people to the destination of our hopes and dreams. We must try to
pass on a prosperous and united peaceful and happy nation to our
children and future generation.
“Let me appreciate the support of all
Nigerians to our administration, I appreciate your prayers and goodwill,
together the destiny of our nation is assured”. The church announced
the launch of campaign to restore core values to the nation. It said is
time to use the campaign to save the nation from avoidable crisis
currently plaguing the nation. The theme of the campaign is “Be the
change you want to see” and will run for one year and will be launched
on June 14th. Some notable personalities present were, Mrs. Patience
Jonathan, National Assembly members led by Senate President David Mark,
and Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, Federal Executive Council members,
led by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Secretary to
the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim Presidential aides
led by the Chief of Staff Mike Oghiadomhe, members of the diplomatic
corps. Others were Deputy Governors of Oyo, Nassarawa, and Kaduna.
Others were The Service Chiefs, Heads of Security and Para-military
services, Traditional Rulers, members of the judiciary, Christian
mothers, School children.
The deputy governor, Ignatius Lonjang, who was the first to
congratulate the governor, stated that it was God’s mercy and a big
surprise to Plateau people.
