Ahead of next year’s general elections, President Goodluck Jonathan
yesterday advised politicians to put Nigeria first. He urged them to
avoid behaving like motor-park touts.
This is even as former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon said all is not well with the nation, hence it should not be taken for granted. He stressed that Boko Haram and their sponsors were waging war against the people and Nigeria’s unity which many fought so hard and died for, adding that there was no alternative but to urgently join hands to rid the nation of this menace.Also, Bishop Matthew Kukah of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, commended Jonathan for not manipulating the electoral system, noting that in the old order, he would have been in his office fixing results, adding, “that you have made the system to be on autopilot is tremendous and commendable”.
President Jonathan, in his address, urged politicians in particular to see the 2015 elections as another opportunity for us to renew our commitment to deepening our democracy and strengthening our bond of unity.
While urging that democracy should be strengthened by robust debates, generation of innovative ideas and development, patriotism and progress in our country, the President called on everyone, the political class as well as the citizens to rise up to these challenges.
The President spoke in Abuja at the formal presentation of Kukah Centre which focuses on faith, leadership and public policy with commitment to good governance and leadership promotion.
The President, who described Bishop Kukah, as a great man, with a great vision and great commitment to do his best for Nigerians said his center is to add more building blocks to the growth and development of democracy. He said, “We have gathered here to add more building blocks to the growth and development of democracy. Since our nation returned to democracy, this is the longest stretched of uninterrupted civilian rule that we have had in our dear country.
“Our long journey has been challenging, we have also shown resilience and commitment in walking the path of democratic consolidation. For this, I thank the people of Nigeria for their support and steadfastness. This country is ours to build and we must remain committed to this enterprise,” Jonathan noted.
Chairman on the occasion, Gen. Gowon, said the center will serve as a platform for mentoring society, sensitize Nigerians on the need to be vigilant.
Gowon noted that despite the nation’s troubles, the country continues to march on. According to him, “we have come a long way from pre-colonial to colonial state to post –colonial to independence and from a civil war to military coups and returns to military coups to civil war and to democracy. We have made our mistakes, but we have also never wavered in our struggle to build a strong and united nation.
“All has not been well and is still not well. Therefore, we cannot take this for granted. Boko Haram and those who sponsor it are waging war against the rest of us, and against the unity for which so many have fought so hard and so long and died for. We have no alternative but to urgently join hands to rid our nation of this menace. This was the substance of my address at the Chief of Army Staff’s Conference last week exactly a week ago in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.
Founder of the centre, Bishop Kukah said his experience with life gave him the courage to establish it, noting that he also enjoys the tremendous appreciation from Nigerians.
He said his experience at Oputa panel helped sharpened his ideas and open his eyes to the fact that parts of the country felt marginalised whether as minority, religious or ethnicity, adding that what he took away from the panel was that very Nigerian was accusing each other of being behind their woes except themselves.
Kukah said he understand the profound sentiments about Nigeria, he understands Nigeria more than any other. “I’m a lot of things to many people, an activist, politician, the list is long but the more they add the list the happier I am. The idea behind the center, is actually as a personal capacity, to contribute and to share”.
In his goodwill message, Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, said Kukah is a man of many parts but stressed to the Catholic Church he remains a priest to lead people in worship, in moral life and direct them.
This is even as former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon said all is not well with the nation, hence it should not be taken for granted. He stressed that Boko Haram and their sponsors were waging war against the people and Nigeria’s unity which many fought so hard and died for, adding that there was no alternative but to urgently join hands to rid the nation of this menace.Also, Bishop Matthew Kukah of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, commended Jonathan for not manipulating the electoral system, noting that in the old order, he would have been in his office fixing results, adding, “that you have made the system to be on autopilot is tremendous and commendable”.
President Jonathan, in his address, urged politicians in particular to see the 2015 elections as another opportunity for us to renew our commitment to deepening our democracy and strengthening our bond of unity.
While urging that democracy should be strengthened by robust debates, generation of innovative ideas and development, patriotism and progress in our country, the President called on everyone, the political class as well as the citizens to rise up to these challenges.
The President spoke in Abuja at the formal presentation of Kukah Centre which focuses on faith, leadership and public policy with commitment to good governance and leadership promotion.
The President, who described Bishop Kukah, as a great man, with a great vision and great commitment to do his best for Nigerians said his center is to add more building blocks to the growth and development of democracy. He said, “We have gathered here to add more building blocks to the growth and development of democracy. Since our nation returned to democracy, this is the longest stretched of uninterrupted civilian rule that we have had in our dear country.
“Our long journey has been challenging, we have also shown resilience and commitment in walking the path of democratic consolidation. For this, I thank the people of Nigeria for their support and steadfastness. This country is ours to build and we must remain committed to this enterprise,” Jonathan noted.
Chairman on the occasion, Gen. Gowon, said the center will serve as a platform for mentoring society, sensitize Nigerians on the need to be vigilant.
Gowon noted that despite the nation’s troubles, the country continues to march on. According to him, “we have come a long way from pre-colonial to colonial state to post –colonial to independence and from a civil war to military coups and returns to military coups to civil war and to democracy. We have made our mistakes, but we have also never wavered in our struggle to build a strong and united nation.
“All has not been well and is still not well. Therefore, we cannot take this for granted. Boko Haram and those who sponsor it are waging war against the rest of us, and against the unity for which so many have fought so hard and so long and died for. We have no alternative but to urgently join hands to rid our nation of this menace. This was the substance of my address at the Chief of Army Staff’s Conference last week exactly a week ago in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.
Founder of the centre, Bishop Kukah said his experience with life gave him the courage to establish it, noting that he also enjoys the tremendous appreciation from Nigerians.
He said his experience at Oputa panel helped sharpened his ideas and open his eyes to the fact that parts of the country felt marginalised whether as minority, religious or ethnicity, adding that what he took away from the panel was that very Nigerian was accusing each other of being behind their woes except themselves.
Kukah said he understand the profound sentiments about Nigeria, he understands Nigeria more than any other. “I’m a lot of things to many people, an activist, politician, the list is long but the more they add the list the happier I am. The idea behind the center, is actually as a personal capacity, to contribute and to share”.
In his goodwill message, Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, said Kukah is a man of many parts but stressed to the Catholic Church he remains a priest to lead people in worship, in moral life and direct them.
