Jonathan spoke at the Presidential Villa, Abuja
yesterday when he received a delegation of the
Federal Capital Territory residents led by his vice,
Mohammed Namadi Sambo, who paid him Easter
homage.
The president described Easter, as a period of
sacrifice.
He said: “Whenever we talk about this period, the
key lesson there is sacrifice. Somebody sacrificed
for our own salvation.
“Now, Buhari is coming on board; it is not about
supporting Buhari or government, but what
sacrifice, as individuals, are you willing to make
for government and for the nation?”
He asked whether Nigerians would be ready to
make the sacrifice of backing Buhari if he should
increase Value Added Tax (VAT) from five to 10
percent.

There is already a proposal in the medium term
expenditure framework now before the National
Assembly to increase VAT from five percent.
The President said: “In the ECOWAS sub-region
for example, Nigeria has the lowest VAT, other
countries pay up to 12 percent.
“If for instance, Buhari decides to increase VAT
from 5 to 10 percent, will Nigerians support him?
That is sacrifice, and we must make sacrifice.”
The president maintained that no government
would survive if the citizens, especially
businessmen, refuse to pay tax.
“If you are a businessman and you say you are
supporting government, but you don’t pay tax;
how do you expect that government to survive?
That government will not survive,” he said.

He recalled that as a deputy governor in Bayelsa
State his people used to come to him to pledge
their loyalty. He said he often responded, “Don’t
tell me you are loyal; tell me you are patriotic to
the country and that you believe in Bayelsa State.
“To me, whenever I travel to different countries
and see things work, those things didn’t fall down
as many people made sacrifice.
“Therefore, in Nigeria, people must also be ready
to make the required sacrifice. Whoever becomes
president is immaterial so long as the citizens are
happy; our children go to school, when they are
sick, they go to good hospital and of course, the
economy blossoms.
“Nation building depends on the sacrifices of
individuals and the patriotism of the citizens.
These are two key elements.
“We are talking about Boko Haram or terror;
soldiers are dying for us to live, police are dying
for us to live. That is sacrifice. As individuals, you
don’t need to die, but there are various roles you
need to play. You must make sacrifice.
“The economy of China was threatened, but they
locked up themselves for a period of time. And by
the time they opened their doors, they become
even a threat to the biggest economy.
“Are we ready for that kind of sacrifice for the
government? Whenever we talk of Easter, these
are the key lessons of sacrifice”, Jonathan said.
The president reminisced about his years of
service from being the deputy governor of Bayelsa
State to being the nation’s number one citizen
and said: “I think it is enough”.
The president said since 1999, he had been in a
cage “being taken care of by the government”.
“For me as an individual, this Easter coincides
with the time I’m leaving. But I always say that
I’m one of the luckiest Nigerians. I’m yet to see
somebody luckier than me. From 1999, I was in
the hands of government for 16 years.
“I was in a cage, being taken care of by the
government. From May 29, 1999 to date; 16 good
years! I think it is enough and I am happy. Help
me to thank God for that ...Today is a glorious
day for me.”
Those in the delegation were Secretary to the
Government of the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim;
Chief of Staff Jones Arogbofa; Head of Service
Danladi Kifasi; Archbishop of the Anglican Church
of Nigeria Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh; Catholic
Archbishop of Abuja Cardinal John Onaiyekan;
Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian
Pilgrims Commission John Kennedy-Opara; Chief
Imam of the National Mosque Alhaji Muhammed
Musa, among others.



http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/daily/top-stories/51381-what-buhari-needs-to-succeed-jonathan

Hehehehe...See GEJ sef dey form better statesman. Abeg no infect our dear Buhari with cluelessness o

The guy shld shut up and trying to sound like someone with a brain. If he actually have this kind of sense I'm him, why cldnt he have done what he thought was right instead of allocating 87% to himself and his cabals out of the whole 100% budget.

Gej still playing mind politics

This is a sound advice. With Nigeria's dwindling revenue its about time we pay more attention to our tax regime.

On the other hand, Buhari's intended welfare system will eventually ruin this country. It might be ok back then in 1980s bt a lot has changed nw. He should take a cue from Iran, Venezuela, etc, countries with bigger resources who had their economy battered by similar miscalculation.

How come Jonadumb forgot all these great ideas in his own 5yrs rule

You have tried and failed, let Buhari do his own

Which one be your own mr GEJ..Please pdpians tell your hero to mind his business which expires May 29,2015.

Who is talking about sacrifice? Why sacrifice? why not rituals?
The same man who promised to reduce his income and that of his FEC in 2012 after the fuel subsidy saga. Three years after instead of his expenses to reduce it rather increased. Why didn't he sacrifice 5 out of his 11 presidential jets?
This is a type of father that tells his children to sleep at night without food while he eats and throw the remaining food out for the dogs.
Sacrifice my *ss.

Good. Let the Oba of Lagos keep threatening the Igbos in Lagos why good people keep building the nation.

GEJ should please stop all this nonsense advice. GMB enjoys a lot of goodwill at the moment, he should not increase the VAT by 100% as been badly advised by GEJ. He will lose his goodwill immediately.

Jonathan please respect yourself and let Buhari perform his wonders and miracles by himself.

The proposal to increase vat to 10% has been a done deal before election. It was election gimmicks that caused the delay in implementation which am sure govt will do before may 29th. Lets wait and see how it goes

I taught u said Lagosians are over taxed and u want to bring JK to deliver, how come u suddenly remember this 10% Vat

Let business enterprises pay theirs. Civil servants do pay na, NEPA bills & recharge cards r inclusive of VATs; d modalties will b d issue. We sha no want double taxation.

How old is Gej to be giving GMB advise

cool