President Goodluck Jonathan has faulted a report in the United States which predicts breakup in Nigeria before
2015, assuring Nigerian citizens that the country will not break-up.
To him, the country’s diversity is a great strength yet to be tapped.
This assurance was made by the president when a delegation of the Muslim Umma in government paid him a Sallah homage.
Vice President Namadi Sambo led the delegation, which included Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ola Saheed Ibrahim, Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Ahmadu Ali, Minister of State for Finance Yerima Ngama and National Planning Commission Chairman Shamsudeen Usman.
Others on the team are: Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque Musa Mohammed, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Bala Mohammed, FCT Minister of State Olajumoke Akinjide, Senator Andy Uba, Senator Philip Ajuda and former Minister of Sports Ismaila Sambawa.
The President congratulated Muslims for successfully observing the Ramadan and urged them to continue to pray for peace in Nigeria and the world.
He noted that fasting is no easy task as he said he participated in the 30 days fasting every year in solidarity with Muslims.
Jonathan said: “For us, we cannot imagine a Nigeria without Muslims and Christians; you can call it another name, but not Nigeria. So it is a blessing that this is one country that you have significant population of Muslims and Christians and this religious diversity will enhance our development because we can go around in the world, wherever we go, we are accepted. That helps us in so many ways.
“We are not even exploiting our diversity because of the myopic views about situations. Christians and Muslims are brothers and sisters and we must live together. Those who are predicting that this country will separate based on our frontlines as at the time of amalgamation by 2015, they will know that these predictions will not be true.
“Today is a unique day, and I urge our Muslim brothers and sisters that they should continue to pray for peace, not just in Nigeria but all over the world. If you watch television these days, more than 60 per cent of the time is spent on showing crises all over the world and for the world to move ahead and for Nigeria to move ahead, for us to develop first and foremost, there must be peace and security. Nobody will come and invest in an environment where you are not sure of your workers and investment.
“As a nation, for our children to get where we want them to be, we must create a very peaceful environment for them so that they can develop mentally and be focused and use their brains in a manner that will bring economic changes to us.
“In Nigeria, we are very religious people and we believe in Almighty God and as we continue to pray to that God, God will see us through. Yes, there are some few challenges now, but surely Allah will see us through.”
Dr. Jonathan went on: “Let me congratulate all our Muslim brothers and sisters from Nigeria and indeed all over the world for going through this tempting period, in this month of Ramadan in the Holy month that the Qur’an was revealed to human. Sometimes when you are not involved in fasting you will think it is an easy thing to go through.
“My trousers are just pulling out from my waist. So you should know that it is not easy to forego food for a reasonable time within 24 hours of the day.
“For you to have gone through this spiritual exercise, it is worth congratulations. So I congratulate you. Let me use this opportunity once again to reassure Nigerians, including Muslim brothers and sisters, that the VP and myself and our entire team will do our best to reposition the country.”
Sambo thanked the President for being a father and a good leader.
He urged Nigerians to continue to support President Jonathan and the administration.
He told the President: “We are here to pay homage and to thank you for what you have been doing for Nigeria. The month of Ramadan is a holy month. The Imam during the sermon reminded us that whoever fasted throughout, that God will forgive sins and accept all our prayers. We prayed for peace, for God to grant you good health and wisdom and the grace to transform Nigeria to a better country.
“We appreciate your fatherly nature, you have been a teacher. You have been a father and good leader. We continue to pray concerning the transformation agenda, which is already showing effect in this country, especially in the area of power supply, transport. Today we have railways in this country after over 40 years. I call on all Nigerians to continue to support Mr. President and this administration.”