Jonathan dedicates first grandchild, urges Nigerians to work, pray for Nigeria

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan yesterday enjoined Nigeriansto pray and work for the good of the country, stressing that God would see the nation through its period of hardship.
Jonathan stated this yesterday while addressing the congregation atthe Word illumination Ministry in Gwarimpa, Abuja where the former President, his wife and well wishers had gone to dedicate and thank God for his first grandchild.
Jonathan noted that every country has its high and low periods,adding that with dedication and hardwork, nations overcome theirproblems.
The former President also advised Nigerians to endeavor toprotect and give their best to their country at all times.
He said further: “I will just thank God for all he has been doing forour country and I also thank you all for the prayers for the good ofour country. Whenever I am talking to Christians and other believersdepending on their faith, I always urge them to pray for the country.Every nation has to go through two periods; period of adversity andperiod of joy.
“For Christians if you read the Old Testament you sometime think thatthe whole world was going to end but God has a reason for everything.No matter the circumstances we are going through today, I believe thatwith the prayers, diligence and hardwork of Nigerians, God will seethis nation through all its tribulations. I always say that the keyand constant thing is Nigeria, and not who is leading the country. It could be Jonathan today, it could be Buhari, Obasanjo, Shagari,Babangida, Abdulsalami today, and it could be anybody else. We have all played our part. And as we progress others will take over. Maybesome of the people that will take over tomorrow are also here in thischurch.So the most important thing is the nation that belongs to all of usand we must strive to protect and give our best to what belongs to allof us. And as Christians we must pray for Nigeria”.
“The world we ares eeing today is so different from the world we saw some years back. Infact when we were in secondary books we used to read about thegladiators in our history books, and they were operating more like inanother world… But today we have crisis all over the world, not justNigeria. We must realize that God loves this country and we have veryvibrant Christians and I believe that with your persistent prayers,God will see us through.”
Earlier, the Senior Pastor of Word illumination Ministry, Mr RunyiOsim Edward, while welcoming the former First Family and their wellwishers to the church had described Jonathan as the father ofNigeria’s democracy. In a sermon entitled ‘Returning to our FirstLove’, he urged Nigerians to seek redemption by remaining true to their God and their calling.