President Goodluck Jonathan
declared yesterday that his administration’s transformation agenda was not a
magic wand that would solve all the challenges confronting the country at once.
He said the major concern of his government was to demonstrate an unfailing
love for all Nigerians instead of hostility and violence.
declared yesterday that his administration’s transformation agenda was not a
magic wand that would solve all the challenges confronting the country at once.
He said the major concern of his government was to demonstrate an unfailing
love for all Nigerians instead of hostility and violence.
Also yesterday, a former British prime minister, Mr Tony Blair,
said from the difficulty he went through in his bid to transform his country,
the task of national transformation anywhere in the world required the efforts
of committed leaders.
said from the difficulty he went through in his bid to transform his country,
the task of national transformation anywhere in the world required the efforts
of committed leaders.
Both Jonathan and Blair spoke when the president dedicated the
House on the Rock Cathedral in Lagos.
House on the Rock Cathedral in Lagos.
President Jonathan observed that Nigeria had undergone a series
of tough times, particularly during the military era, adding that it was the
intercessions and prayers of Christians that saved the country from the worst
from happening.
of tough times, particularly during the military era, adding that it was the
intercessions and prayers of Christians that saved the country from the worst
from happening.
He said, “The great task before us as a nation is to demonstrate
unfailing love wherever we are and to show that underlying our faith and belief
is peace and harmony, never hostility or violence.
unfailing love wherever we are and to show that underlying our faith and belief
is peace and harmony, never hostility or violence.
“The task of achieving our greatest potential as a nation lies
in the collective effort of every individual and community, underpinned by
love. If we all do our part, no matter how small, the Nigeria we crave will be
a reality.”
in the collective effort of every individual and community, underpinned by
love. If we all do our part, no matter how small, the Nigeria we crave will be
a reality.”
Jonathan who said the House on the Rock Cathedral was an
achievement of science, technology and the presence of God in the lives of
Nigerians, added that “it is also an unmistakable demonstration of our capacity
for great achievements as Nigerians in any endeavour where we put our energies,
industry and determination towards”.
achievement of science, technology and the presence of God in the lives of
Nigerians, added that “it is also an unmistakable demonstration of our capacity
for great achievements as Nigerians in any endeavour where we put our energies,
industry and determination towards”.
Quoting some verses from the Bible on the virtues of building
the cathedral and its spiritual relevance, the president added that the vision
of Rev. Paul Adefarasin, the metropolitan senior pastor of House on the Rock,
to build God’s house was commendable.
the cathedral and its spiritual relevance, the president added that the vision
of Rev. Paul Adefarasin, the metropolitan senior pastor of House on the Rock,
to build God’s house was commendable.
Mr Blair, who attended the occasion with by his wife Cherie,
expressed optimism on the Jonathan administration in its bid to transform the
country and change the fortunes of Nigerians who, he noted, were still
wallowing in abject poverty.
expressed optimism on the Jonathan administration in its bid to transform the
country and change the fortunes of Nigerians who, he noted, were still
wallowing in abject poverty.
Noting that he believed in the ability of the country to
overcome its current challenges of insecurity, occasioned by religious
zealotry, Blair said the quest for religious peace and reconciliation was not
peculiar to Nigeria alone.
overcome its current challenges of insecurity, occasioned by religious
zealotry, Blair said the quest for religious peace and reconciliation was not
peculiar to Nigeria alone.
Recounting his experience in office and using Jerusalem and the
Middle East where there is protracted conflict, Blair said he “will love to see
the day that Jerusalem will not only be a holy place but a centre of love for
all”.
Middle East where there is protracted conflict, Blair said he “will love to see
the day that Jerusalem will not only be a holy place but a centre of love for
all”.
In his sermon, Rev. Adefarasin, who said Blair was his mentor in
inter-faith, to which he admits he is committed, decried a situation where the
rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
inter-faith, to which he admits he is committed, decried a situation where the
rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
He urged government to uphold equity and equality among citizens
within the ambit of the rule of law, enthusing hope that Nigeria will be great.
within the ambit of the rule of law, enthusing hope that Nigeria will be great.
Source: Leadership
