Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has restated that no criminal group, including Boko Haram, would be allowed to break up the country.
Jonathan gave the assurance in Abuja on Sunday while receiving a delegation of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) residents led by FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed and Senator Philip Aduda, on an Easter visit.
The President expressed hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, saying it is the basis upon which he believes that the nation would surmount its present troubles.
“To me, Easter is most important in Christian faith, because our hope would have been in vain without the resurrection of Christ. The resurrection of Christ gives us hope. Just like Christ told the people when he was alive that his disciple will face tribulations”, Jonathan said.
“As a nation, we are facing tribulation but surely we have hope. Surely, we will overcome the tribulations. Even those who think that this country will be divided into North, South, East and West, will not see it come to pass.
“Boko Haram will not make Nigeria to disintegrate’’.
Jonathan pointed to the rescue operation carried out by kind-hearted Nigerians after the Nyanya bomb blast before any government agencies reached the site, saying violence and criminal acts will never erode kindness from the nation.
“When it happened, people from all religions and classes participated in the evacuation of those injured even before the security people arrived. Those who donated blood, were ordinary people from everywhere, irrespective of their religious beliefs or tribe”, he said.
“That showed that there is no criminal group funded within or outside this country that can lead to disintegration of this country. No criminal group will make this country to disintegrate. Boko Haram will come and go.’’
Jonathan charged states and local governments to complement the federal government’s endeavours by innovatively and positively empowering people within their jurisdiction, saying that would keep them positively distracted from vices.
Responding, Mohammed promised that the FCT would continue rendering unflinching support to the present administration while applauding the president’s transformation agenda.
Also responding, Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Smart Adeyemi described Nigeria as a nation of God, whose leaders and followers must put their trust in him to overcome every tribulation.
