……………. Urges leaders to make sacrifices for the good of the nation
Following his defeat at the Presidential Elections last month, the number of visitors, political associates, amongst others who thronged the Aso Rock Villa have reduced drastically and this was confirmed by President Goodluck Jonathan himself.
Jonathan confirmed this when he spoke at the 5th Presidential Prayer Breakfast at the Presidential Villa, Abuja yesterday.
“Most noticeable is the shrinking figure of influence peddlers who frolicked with the first family round the clock, including joining in the morning prayers at the Villa Chapel,” the paper had stated.
He said he was impressed by the turn out at the event, explaining that he thought since he was leaving office, his visitors would be dwindling.
“Today, I expected a very low turnout because in most cases when government is going people reduce. You will notice that even in the chapel the number of people that will be coming becomes less and less. But when I came in, I noticed that this whole hall is filled up. So I have to sincerely thank all of you,” the president observed.
He, however, thanked Nigerians for the support they gave him throughout his administration.
“I will continue to do my best as I’m gradually joining Gowon and Shonekan to serve our country in different capacity”.
Jonathan noted that there was need for leaders at all levels to imbibe the habit of making sacrifices to enable the country grow, even as he warned that lawmakers stood the risk of plunging the nation into crisis if they failed to do things the right way,
He urged leaders to emulate the virtues of former leaders like General Yakubu Gowon and Chief Ernest Shonekan who, according to him, had demonstrated immense patriotism towards the country.
He said: “I have seen that they are extremely patriotic and they believe in this country. If all our leaders now have that level of commitment, that level of patriotism, that belief and sincerity of purpose to our nation, then surely we will go where we want to go.’’
“I always say leadership is not all about giving directives. A successful leader must be ready to make sacrifice. Everything about human life as an individual, a child, if you don’t make the required sacrifice, you can’t go to where you want to go.
“If you don’t sacrifice your pleasure, of course, you will know where you will end. As parents, we know the kind of sacrifice we make for our children to go to school, to feed.
“To build a family, you need sacrifice. So, for those who who have the privileges of leading at local, state and national, at all times we should be ready to make sacrifice for our nation to grow.”
Stressing the need for sacrifice, the president said, “So, as we call for prayers we also call on our leaders, not just local government chairmen, governors and president alone, I’m also calling on leaders at other levels. Ministers must make the required sacrifice, our lawmakers because they look at all our laws, they can create crisis in country if they are not ready to do things the right way.
“So, all of us in leadership position must be ready to make the sacrifice and with our prayers and with our commitment Nigeriaw will surely get to where it wants to go.”
He assured that despite the challenges facing the country, particularly the Boko Haram insurgency in the North and kidnapping in the South South and South East, the country would overcome.
He added that sustained peace was needed for the country to develop, stressing that prayers were therefore required for Nigeria to toe the right path.
He said, “For us to build Nigeria, we need these prayers. This should be captioned presidential breakfast prayers comprising all aspects of prayers for us to rebuild our nation. Yes we have challenges as a nation but every other nation passes through challenges.
“So, we have challenges, today we are talking about Boko Haram in the North, kidnapping in South South, South East. At times, you are forced to think that the nation is ending. Definitely, this country will overcome this challenge. That is the reason for these prayers.
“Just like prayers helped Nehemiah to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, our constant prayers will help us rebuild this nation. We continue to pray for the country and of course, we pray for the incoming government and also pray for us who leaving to have the opportunity to serve humanity in different phases.
“For me, I have to thank God and Nigerians for the privilege and opportunity given to me this past 16 years. I served my state as a deputy governor and governor for eight years. From Government House in Yenegoa and then I came here to the State House, Abuja, served the country as vice president and a president.
“That is a reasonable length of time and so, I have to thank God, first because if God did not will it, it won’t have happened”.
The first lesson at the prayer session was taken by General Gowon while Pastor Paul Eneche gave a short exhortationw.
Those who attended the prayer included former Head of Interim Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal, Alex Badeh; House Leader, Hon. Mulikat Akande; President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) , Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor; Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Bajowa.
Other are Senator Ita Enang, Senator Philip Aduda; Hon. Uche Ekwunife; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Ayim Pius Ayim; Head of Service of the Federation, Danladi Kefasi; HRM Alfred Diete Spiff; ministers, members of the Diplomatic Corps among others.
Meanwhile, President Jonathan yesterday commissioned the Jubilee Resort and Leadership Centre built by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the National Christian Centre, Abuja with a call on Nigerians to remain united to be able to do great things.
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