on September 28, 2014 at 8:56 pm in News

Abuja - President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday said that terrorism and kidnapping were still major national challenges because Nigerians had not united against them as they did against the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

Jonathan made the statement at an inter-denominational church service at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, to mark the country’s 54th Independence Anniversary coming up on Wednesday.

President Goodluck Jonathan speaking at the 54th Independence
Anniversary Interdenominational Church Service at the National Christian Center, Abuja On Sunday (29/9/14)

He said the country was able to fight and defeat the deadly Ebola disease because Nigerians united against the virus irrespective of political persuasion, religion or ethnic origin.

The president appealed for unity among Nigerians, noting that there was no problem or challenge that could withstand the force of a united Nigeria.

“Take the case of Ebola for example; this is a good example all Nigerians must learn from.

“When Patrick Sawyer brought Ebola to Nigeria, it was in Lagos that this incidence happened and in terms of politics, Lagos is an opposition party state but the central government is the ruling party.

“From Lagos Ebola moved to Rivers State, also opposition party state

“But because all Nigerians fought Ebola irrespective of political persuasion, irrespective of religion, irrespective of ethnicity, as individuals we defeated the disease,’’ he said.

Jonathan commended the military and other security services for the successes they had recorded in the counter-insurgency operations despite internal sabotage.

He noted that what the security agencies needed was the support and encouragement of all Nigerians to rid the country of terrorists and other enemies of the Nigerian state.

The president frowned at inflammatory statements and utterances of some politicians and called for restraint in the interest the country.

“We will not require people to come from heaven or other countries to solve our problems. What we require from our brothers and sisters is to encourage our military because it is not easy.

“When people are sleeping in their houses at night, they are busy fighting. Bullets are not badminton rackets or something.

“When I listen to some statements made by some people who call themselves leaders, I feel sad for the country.

“We must believe that we do not have any other country outside of Nigeria,’’ he said.

In his sermon, the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oristejafor, said that most of the challenges confronting the country were self-inflicted.

He noted that corruption and terrorism, which he described as `the greatest’ problems facing the country were created by greedy politicians and extreme religious ideologists.

According to him, corruption is fed by greed, which in turn is rooted in poverty mentality.

He defined poverty mentality as the thinking that what one had was not enough.

Oristejafor differed with the school of thought that terrorism was caused by poverty.

According to him, terrorism is caused by extreme religious ideology.

The CAN president, who based his message on Mark 4:35 to 41, said that Nigeria was a boat built by God that could never sink.

He said that as Jesus calmed the storm that threatened the boat conveying Him and His disciples across Lake Galilee, God would take the country through its current challenges and restore peace to the land.

Oristejafor warned trouble-makers to either repent and retrace their steps or be ready to face God’s judgment.

Hon. Justice Walter Onoghen, took the First Reading drawn from 1 Samuel 30:1-19.

The Second Reading, taken from Mark 4:34-41, was taken by the President of the Senate, David Mark.

Other dignitaries who attended the service included the First Lady Patience Jonathan; the president’s mother, Mrs Eunice Jonathan and former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd).

Chief Ernest Shonekan, Head of the Interim National Government; top federal government functionaries, Service Chiefs, state governors, members of the clergy, among others, also attended the service. (NAN)

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/listen-statements-feel-sad-nigeria-jonathan/

chinwike2: OP how far na ? Hope fine. Back to topic- El-rufai and junaid mohammed will be judged by posterity

Sincere9gerian:
I dey kampe!

In his sermon, the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oristejafor, said that most of the challenges confronting the country were self-inflicted

OrlandoOwoh: Must he mention Lagos and Rivers states being opposition or thinks we have forgotten how he said he doesn't have any problem of security in PDP-ruled states. So sad ko, wan kain, ni.

chinwike2: this Analogy Mr president is making with rivers and lagos states is not short-sighted because they are all his territory, is there a part of the analogy you don't understand ? Please sir dont lose sight of the message on UNITY

brownlords:

Learn to always identify members of comment first, read later group, why waste your time?

When I listen to some statements made by some people who call themselves leaders, I feel sad for the country.

ProfCorruption:

OritseBlingBling is still preaching.

nuclearboy: Personally, when I listen to the president, I also feel sad

In his sermon, the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oristejafor, said that most of the
challenges confronting the country were
self-inflicted.

berem: Who makes inflammatory statements and divide Nigerians along ethnic and religious lines if not PDP leaders?

I smell hypocrisy Mr President!!

ShehuAba: Feeling sad for which country?
Maybe Otuoke.
Jonathan can't seem to stop amazing us with his antics by the day.

OrlandoOwoh: Must he mention Lagos and Rivers states being opposition or thinks we have forgotten how he said he doesn't have any problem of security in PDP-ruled states. So sad ko, wan kain, ni.

Johnnyessence: he should be sad cos terrorism in Nigeria is been politicized job recruiting in Nigerian is now disbursing of thousands before u eventually get d job,every political office holder now use d office to embezzle our money,corruption is now d order of d day even d military chief are now embezzle our money. we are tired of Gej govt. we are fooled with I don't av cloth and shoes again .our education system is now decay if u don't cram very well u won't earn distinction even d so called lecturers that's bagging PhD today are after govt. money not impacting knowledge to d students it's only d few ones that are now trying. no jobs after u graduate from 4 yrs course no encouragement for our teeming youth Thk God for fashola and Dr. adadevoh that quickly stop Ebola spreading and public awareness of our teeming youth ,ngo's ,state doctors that stop d spread of ebola.our youth are now roaming d street after dey av sleepiness time in schl while reading to av distinction.and d end of day when they av their class they apply for jobs no jobs.good luck should remember one thing in life u can't be successfully by not impacting ur little quota in d life of youth,good luck should remember our youth are d leaders of tomorrow ,good luck should remember no permanent place in life,good luck should remember one day he will give account of what he do in his govt. to God Cos' God will ask him.

Johnnyessence: its in federal government policy we see if u don't av first class u are not qualify for scholarship,its in federal policy u see sentiment and selfish interest in choosing talent chap in d glorious youth we av in this country, it's in federal government policy u will see federal govt. slot in every education, job vacancy.I believe one thing either u are 3rd class graduate,2nd class graduate and 1st class graduate each ever one u belong doesn't says d student is a dump.if a HND polytechnic graduate can do well in leadership in d state ,impacting knowledge to d people definitely if u are a college graduate u can do well in ur field.govt.should not av hatred in choosing graduate this days.govt. of Good luck u will see where d scholarship giving to d first class student studying in abroad are crying for their rescue Cos' govt.haven't provide for their needs since they resume fully .let's change hand come 2015 it has happen in ivory coast when they change their president Laurent gbagbo to wabara.