Jonathan, National Assemblyurge unity, others at Sallah

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly yesterday urged Nigerians across political, ethnic and religious divides to work together for the unity of the country. Jonathan, Senate President David Mark and House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal made the appeal in different goodwill messages to Muslim faithful at the commemoration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir. In his message,· Jonathan congratulated all Nigerians who had been able to undertake the hajj this year in fulfilment of their religious obligations. He said: “As they undergo the rites of the hajj in the holy land, and celebrate the feast of sacrifice here at home, I urge our Islamic faithful to offer special prayers for peace, harmony, unity, security and progress in our fatherland. “I also implore them, as always, to find time in the midst of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations to meditate on the immense benefits our nation can derive from a greater exhibition by its people of piety, honesty, selflessness, tolerance, peaceful co-existence with others, equity, fairness and justice for all, which are an integral part of the message of the Holy Prophet.” He said that his administration would continue to promote the teaching of these commendable virtues of Islam and other religious beliefs in the knowledge that a greater manifestation of such virtues and ideals by the citizens would stand the country in a very good stead in the effort to overcome the challenges of development and build a great nation. Jonathan said: “My administration also remains fully committed to the implementation of measures and policies that will further promote and enhance national peace, stability and progress. “It is in keeping with that avowed commitment and my firm belief in the right to freedom of expression and the right of all people in a democracy to make choices on how they wish to live and be governed that I recently announced plans for an orderly national conversation on our problems and challenges. “Those who continue to say that the initiative is diversionary or aimed at promoting certain political ambitions are in error. “Our sincere objective is to create an acceptable and workable platform for a national dialogue or conference that will help us resolve the issues that still cause tension and friction in the polity, reinforce the ties that bind the country’s many ethnic nationalities and ensure that Nigeria’s immense diversity continues to be a source of strength and greatness. “Our desire is for the greatest possible majority of Nigerians to key into the process and agree on the best way forward for our dear nation. “We have been greatly encouraged in this regard by the very positive reaction of various national interest groups to the initiative and I seize the opportunity of this occasion to urge all other Nigerians to give their fullest possible support to this renewed effort to harness the efficacy of dialogue and consensus-building for the future well-being and progress of our beloved nation.” He added: “I assure all Nigerians that going forward, my administration will continue to give very focused and purposeful leadership to the nation. “We remain committed to achieving significant improvements in the living conditions of all Nigerians through the diligent implementation of our agenda for national transformation. “We will also remain very proactive in taking all actions deemed necessary for the restoration and sustenance of peace and security in all parts of our beloved nation.” Mark urged clerics of all faiths to preach the good news of oneness, peaceful co-existence, trust and love to fellow citizens. He noted the security challenges facing the nation and pleaded with all Nigerians of goodwill to rise up to the occasion to tackle the menace headlong. Mark remarked that “with the collective resolve and determination of all of us, we can solve the problem and live like one big united nation where no one is oppressed or afraid of each other. “I believe that our size and diversity is our strength. God did not make mistake in putting us together in one country. We should therefore use our strength and God-given potential for good.” Despite the challenges, Mark urged Nigerians to have unshakeable faith in the ability of the people to overcome. “It is we Nigerians that can solve our problems. That is the reason we must agree as a people to address our problems in an open, frank and honest manner because nobody is coming from the moon or space to solve our problems”, he stated. Mark added that the platform offered by the national conference or dialogue was a needed avenue to reconcile any differences. He, therefore, implored all Nigerians to take advantage of the confab to present their positions so that “we can continue to live in peace and united like a people with a common mission and purpose.” Also congratulating Muslims, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, urged them to carry over the lessons and virtues imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan to every aspect of their lives in order to develop the nation. He said: “We are blessed as a nation for having religious and cultural orientations that teach us to place general good above personal interest, forgive and reconcile when we are hurt, show love and kindness to all. Live holy and to be our brother’s keeper. “I have no doubt whatsoever that we will get to the promised land sooner than expected if only we will put these virtues, orientations and injunctions to work and emulate the lives of the holy prophets.” Tambuwal urged Nigerians to redouble their efforts and work for the unity and progress of the country. He said the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir called for repentance and forgiveness of one another, especially now that the country was facing numerous challenges. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal enjoined Nigerians to be steadfast in love to one another. He said that it was by so doing that Nigerians could be committed to what was just and right for their country. Tambuwal urged the Muslim faithful to intensify their prayers for peace in the country, and admonished religious leaders to lead their followers properly so that they would not depart from the truth. The Speaker assured that the National Assembly would continue to be guided by the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians in the onerous task of making laws for peace, unity and good governance of the nation. His deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, congratulated Muslims, enjoining them to ensure that peace, order and love for one another remained their watchwords during the Sallah season and thereafter. Ihedioha urged Muslims to emulate the exemplary life of Prophet Mohammed by demonstrating the virtues of charity, gratitude and humility, noting that by so doing, the whole essence of the celebration would be achieved. He, however, urged Nigerians to explore the opportunity offered by the Sallah to re-appraise their commitment to the unity and harmony of Nigeria with a view to reinforcing their efforts towards making Nigeria a united, virile and strong nation. He said: “For Nigeria to emerge as one of the greatest nations in the world, all the citizens, both the leaders and the led, must be patriotic, and working together purposefully as a united entity to ensure the attainment of greatness and nation building.” He enjoined Nigerians to take a cue from the Super Eagles players who defeated the Ethiopian national team on Sunday in a rare show of patriotism in spite of all odds.