As Nigeria continues to witness serious cases of insecurity, President Goodluck Jonathan has advised the citizens not to succumb to extreme provocation which he said was the ultimate goal of those perpetrating acts of terrorism in the country.
In an Easter message to the people, the President said he would ensure he puts an end to the growing insecurity in the country using the powers he has as the Commander-In-Chief of the country.
President Jonathan, while felicitating with the Christians in the country as they celebrate the Easter, stressed that irrespective of religion or faith, Nigerians should enjoy the holiday by establishing stronger bonds with their neighbours.
According to the President, “as we celebrate this year’s Easter therefore, I urge all Nigerians to re-dedicate themselves to living in peace and oneness with all members of their communities no matter their ethnicity, religious beliefs or places of origin.
“By now, it ought to be an accepted fact amongst us that our immense potential for greatness in the comity of nations derives in the main from our collective strength as a country of close to 170 million people and the acclaimed richness of our diverse human resources and natural endowments.
“It follows, therefore, that to successfully achieve our vision of becoming one of the most dominant nations on the global stage in the shortest possible time, we must stay together as a people and continue to effectively resist by all possible means, the evil machinations of global terrorists and their misguided domestic accomplices who seek to provoke turmoil, hatred and harmful divisions among us.
“I assure all Nigerians that our security agencies, armed forces and I will continue to fully discharge our constitutional responsibilities for protecting the unity and territorial integrity of this country with all the powers and forces at our disposal.
“We must have peace, security and stability to effectively implement our agenda for national transformation in all parts of the country and we shall continue to work ceaselessly to re-establish the prerequisite conditions for nationwide progress and development.”
He urged Nigerians to continue to exhibit restraint and understanding in the face of seeming provocations. “Those who mindlessly and indiscriminately attack churches, schools, health workers, motor-parks, banks and ordinary road users must be seen as they truly are: the brainwashed pawns of international terrorism.
“They do not represent any true religion or section of the country and we must never play into their hands by succumbing to their nefarious ploys to incite religious, ethnic hatred and division among us,” he said.
He expressed hope that with the celebration, Nigerians would begin to focus more on Jesus Christ’s lessons of self-sacrifice, brotherly love, placing others before self, tolerance, obedience, respect for lawful authorities, dutifulness, diligence, honesty, justice and fairness.
He also prayed that the celebration would help the country to overcome its present challenges and build the more peaceful, secure, united, progressive and prosperous nation of everyone’s dreams.
