Eid-el-Fitri: Jonathan assures of adequate security
…tasks security agencies on intelligence gathering
BY SAM EYOBOKA, HENRY UMORU, DANIEL IDONOR & OLAYINKA LATONA
ABUJA – PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan in an Eid-el-Fitri message, yesterday reassured all citizens and foreigners resident in the country that his administration is taking every necessary action to enhance national security.
Similarly, Senate President, Senator David Mark urged Nigerians to join hands in putting an end to the activities of nefarious person in our midst.
A statement by Dr Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity said Jonathan has directed the security services to rapidly evolve and implement additional security, intelligence-gathering and counter-terrorism measures, including greater cooperation with other nations engaged in the global war against terrorism.
While congratulating all Nigerians of the Islamic faith who have successfully completed the month-long fast, the President joined the Moslem faithful in the pious hope and expectation that God Almighty will grant the prayers of Nigerians during Ramadan for the continued peace, well-being and progress of the nation.
“Against the background of last Friday’s terrorist attack on the United Nation’s Building in Abuja and other recent events which may have caused Nigerians to be apprehensive about the security of their lives and property, the President wishes to reassure all citizens and foreigners resident in the country that his administration is taking every necessary action to enhance national security”, it said.
According to the statement, “President Jonathan has directed the security services to rapidly evolve and implement additional security, intelligence-gathering and counter-terrorism measures, including greater cooperation with other nations engaged in the global war against terrorism, to thwart the evil machinations of misguided terrorists and other promoters of mindless violence in the country”.
Jonathan further assured Nigerians that he will not be distracted from the full implementation of his agenda for national transformation by the actions of terrorists and retrogressive elements in the country.
“With his new national economic management team now fully established and functional, Nigerians can look forward to visible progress in the fulfillment of the President’s promise of socio-economic revitalization, job creation and the renewal of national infrastructure in the coming months.
“While President Jonathan will continue to give the nation required leadership and direction for greater unity, stability and progress, he wishes to stress, however, that all Nigerians have a role to play in the urgent task of nation-building”, the statement added
Mark harps on peaceful co-existence
The Senate President in his sallah message called on Muslims across the country to imbibe the exemplary life of Holy Prophet Mohammed, by living peacefully with others if we must heal the nation of the present wounds.
In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the Senate President also congratulated Muslim faithful across the country for the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
According to him, all Muslims should abide by the lessons learnt during the holy month and refrain from any form of indiscipline and hatred, adding that as faithful, imbibing the teachings and exhortations of Almighty Allah is the panacea to all human challenges.
His words: “Prophet Mohammed lived an exemplary life; he laid the foundation for peaceful co-existence and taught his followers the reward and benefit of mutual relationship.
“The necessity of the Holy Month of Ramadan is to afford Muslims the unique opportunity to plead for forgiveness of their sins and get closer to Almighty Allah. He called on Muslims and Nigerians of other faith to spend this period reflecting on how we can jointly put an end to the activities of some nefarious people among us.
“As a nation, this is one of our trying times; a time for sober reflection, a time to celebrate and reflect on how to foster national unity. As Nigerians, we should all be encouraged to reflect on our nation’s challenges and pray to Allah for his divine intervention.
Nigeria would be greater if all hands are on deck in the onerous task of transforming our great country.” Mark advised.
The Senate President however assured Nigerians of the National Assembly’s resolve in ensuring that relevant legislations that will positively revamp every sector of the economy and guarantee safety across board were put in place.
Oritsejafor greets Muslims
National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor also congratulated Nigerian Muslims on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan
The CAN president, in his goodwill message, urged all Muslim faithful in the country to take advantage of the 30 days of spiritual exercise and the lessons thereof, to imbibe the true Islamic teachings which include charity and compassion for fellow human beings.
The CAN president further enjoined the Muslims to take advantage of the season of self-denial and sober reflection to pray for peaceful co-existence, stating that Ramadan is generally regarded as a period of purification and geared towards closer relationship with the Creator.
Oritsejafor argued that, all over the world, the month of Ramadan inculcates a sense of belonging to the Muslim Ummah, as adherents throughout the world fast together and experience the pangs of hunger and thirst just as the period brings Muslims closer to God.
He therefore called on all adherents of the Islamic faith in Nigeria to join hands with every Nigerian to work for the peace of the nation “because without peace there cannot be meaningful development in the nation.
“I congratulate all Muslims in Nigeria while I urge them to take advantage of the just concluded 30-day spiritual exercise when prayers were offered to God for the peace and progress of the country, and live in peace with all other Nigerians irrespective of their faith,” he appealed.
Making special reference to the spate of violence in the country, Oritsejafor appealed to Muslims to shun violence and allow peace to be their watchword.
