Dear Compatriots,
I greet you all, especially our Christian brothers and sisters who
are celebrating Easter and commemorating the resurrection of Jesus
Christ today.
As we join Christians in other countries of the world in celebrating
Easter this year, I urge all Nigerians to reflect on the significance of
its lessons of piety, obedience to higher authorities, self sacrifice
for the good of others, redemption, salvation, deliverance, renewal and
the ultimate triumph of good over evil.
These lessons of Easter and other injunctions on brotherly love,
peaceful co-existence, tolerance, honesty, humility, justice, equity and
fairness to all without discrimination contained in the Gospels are of
particular importance to us as a nation as we continue to contend with
the challenges of nation-building and development.
As our Christian compatriots celebrate the Messiah’s triumph over
death and all that it connotes, let us all renew our faith and
confidence in our ability as a people to overcome all obstacles,
challenges and threats to national progress and well-being, including
terrorism and other criminal attacks on our people in some parts of the
country.
My belief in our ability to overcome all retrogressive and divisive
forces in our midst and build a strong, united and prosperous nation by
turning our unique diversity into a source of strength remains unshaken
and we will continue to work with all interest groups and stakeholders
in the country to achieve the peaceful, secure and politically stable
conditions essential for rapid socio-economic development.
In spite of the evil machinations of terrorists, criminals and their
collaborators, our Administration remains ardently focused on efforts to
successfully execute the Federal Government’s Agenda for National
Transformation and achieve sustained development.
We have already made notable advances in this regard. As a result of
our efforts and those of previous administrations, the Nigeria economy
is now the largest in Africa and the 26th largest in the world.
But we cannot afford to rest on our oars. Much remains to be done and
we will continue to count on the patriotic support of all Nigerians as
we strive to achieve more inclusive economic growth, generate more
national wealth and create more employment opportunities to meet the
demands of our increasingly youthful population.
I commend the leadership and delegates to the ongoing National
Conference, the vast majority of who have shown a patriotic and
praiseworthy commitment to national unity, peace and progress built on
justice, fairness and equity for all component parts of the country.
As the Conference breaks into committees to continue its
deliberations, it remains our hope and expectation that the end result
will be meaningful and enduring contributions towards strengthening
national unity and fulfilling our collective desire for a better and
greater nation.
Once again, I extend heartfelt commiserations to all the families who
have sadly lost loved relatives in recent terrorist attacks.
Our thoughts and sympathies remain with all those who have suffered
injuries from the heinous attacks. We pray for their speedy recovery and
shall keep on doing everything possible to assist them with required
medical services and material support.
Our Armed Forces and security agencies will continue to do their very
best to curb such attacks and restore full security to all parts of our
beloved country.
But we must all become more alert and vigilant, and do all that we
can to give them the fullest possible assistance, support and
cooperation they require to achieve more effective protection of lives
and property across the country.
We shall continue to count on your support and prayers for greater peace, harmony, progress and prosperity in Nigeria.
May God Almighty bless our dear nation and guide us, always.
Happy Easter to you all.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
President
Federal Republic of Nigeria
