President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday called on all Nigerians to embrace peace and promote unity among the citizens, adding that Nigeria can only develop in an atmosphere of unity and peace.
Jonathan made this call during an Eid-el-Fitri Sallah homage on him led by Vice President, Namadi Sambo to his residence at the presidential villa, describing the attacks on Kaduna and Kano as dastardly, reiterating that efforts were being made to strengthen the security apparatus in the country in order to bring terror attacks and other criminal offences to an end.
He urged Muslim clerics to preach peace and not hate, saying the development of the country would only be possible in an atmosphere of peace and unity.
The President also used the occasion to announced the launch of the Victims Support Fund on Thursday, saying the massive funds expected to be raised from Nigerians and private sector, would be used to rehabilitate those affected by terrorist attacks, rebuilding of churches and mosques destroyed in the attacks as well as to assist orphans, widows and the injured in the various attacks.
“I’m honoured to have you after holy month, we pray God to listen and answer our prayers. These days all we hear is story of conflicts and deaths, we pray God to hear our prayers.
“The fasting period is time to reflect, and time to be our neighbour’s keepers. The time of breaking fast I shared with some of you were refreshing.
“Let me plead with my brothers especially the clerics when they are sending their messages out to their followers to preach peace and unity not the gospel of hate. Because without peace and unity we cannot develop this country. In a conflict situation people move away from such zones and we cannot develop our communities, our local governments, states and our country in a conflict situation.
“Not too long ago we had this dastardly attacks in Kano and Kaduna. We stand to condemn these acts of terror on our people. And we extend our condolence and sympathy to the bereaved and those who might have been injured.
“The recent attacks in Kaduna especially where Shiek Dahiru Bauchi was a target and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari was also a target. You can imagine if these two people had died in those attacks. Shiek Bauchi is one of our top Islamic preachers, he has millions of followers, Buhari former Head of State, a leading political figure has massive supporters. On the same day people wanted to kill them, those who plan the attacks are clearly sons of the devil because if they had killed these two people we wouldn’t have been here today. This country would have been in tumoil, we couldn’t have gathered here to celebrate. We thank Allah for saving their lives and preventing a major calamity that would have befallen our country.
“I use this opportunity to call on all Nigerians to work with government to see that collectively we bring to an end the excesses of Boko haram and other terrorist groups. We are doing everything humanly possible to end it. Government at the same time is looking on how to raise funds in fact we are launching the fund on Thursday, so that the widows, orphans, those whose business premises have been vandalised and even our worship places, mosques and churches that have been destroyed, we will rebuild. Government alone cannot do it because we will need huge sums of money, the Nigerian private sector are vibrant and willing if they see sincerity in government. We have demonstrated that very clear and we are hopeful that that day reasonable amount of money will be raised. And we will continue to raise money until we are able to cushion the effect of these excesses and at the same time we are strengthening our security services so that they will be able to confront this menace,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, Sambo commended the President for fasting alongside the Muslims during the Ramadan fast. He prayed for God to answer all their supplications.
He prayed God to continue to give the President wisdom and guidance to rule, for peace to reign and pray for all evil including Boko Haram to come to an end. He prayed for Nigerians to be their brother’s keepers, tranquillity to reign in the country and for total reconciliation and stability.
Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed paid the homage on behalf of Abuja residents.
He observed that the Abuja residence always enjoy humane and civil disposition which has translated to Muslims and Christians coming to pay homage to the President in line with his exemplary leadership.
He prayed for courage and wisdom for the President and for him to continue to steer the ship of leadership despite the current security challenges in the country.
