Jonathan Urges Prayers For Peaceful Co-Existence

President Goodluck Jonathan last Sunday called on Nigerians and the Islamic faithfuls in particular to continue to pray for a peaceful co-existence in the country.

Jonathan made the call while addressing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) residents who paid him a Sallah homage at his official residence in the Presidential Villa.

Our correspondent reports that the delegation was led by Vice President Namadi Sambo and the FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed.

The President said it was sad that at a period when the nation was celebrating Eid-El-Kabir, there were still incidences of violence in some parts of the country.

He noted that the country could not develop in an environment of violence as no investor would come in to invest.

The President also reiterated the commitment of his administration to transform the country and implement projects that would improve the living conditions of Nigerians.

“It is a period we are all expected to live in peace but as a Nation, we have our own challenges. Even this holy period we still have incidences happening here and there.

“So, I use this opportunity to plead with all of you and indeed all Muslims in any part of this country to continue to pray for the peace of this country because without peace, we cannot develop as a nation.

“If the country is not peaceful nobody will want to come and invest money and without investment, we cannot stimulate the local economy, people will continue to live in poverty.

“The government is totally committed to make changes to improve the living conditions of our people so that our future generation will not pass through the pains that we are passing through today,” he said.

Earlier, Sambo who spoke on behalf of the delegation said they came to extend their sincere greetings and homage to the President and to pray for the Nation.

“We pray to Almighty Allah that we will have peace, unity and progress in Nigeria and He will continue to grant our President the good health, wisdom, strength to continue with the good leadership that we are already witnessing in this country,” he said.

Some of the dignitaries at the event include the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Minister of Defence, and the Ministers of State for Health and Finance.

Also present were the Chief of Air Staff, I-GP, former Speaker of House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba and former PDP Chairman, Ahmadu Ali.