President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday in Abuja called on Nigerians to pray for the nation’s security forces to enable them to contain insecurity in the country.
Jonathan made the call at the inauguration of the “Citadel and Towers”, the new complex of the House on the Rock Church, Abuja.
Represented by the Minister of Agriculture, Akinwunmi Adesina, Jonathan, who also inaugurated the Churche’s Cathedral in Lagos, said both structures were architectural masterpieces.
“We understand the importance of faith-based organisations in building a strong, peaceful, resilient and prosperous nation; your work in this regard is highly commendable.
“Like the citadel, Nigeria is rising, my government is working hard, supported by your prayers and the results are evident.
“Today, Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa; we are producing more food than ever before.
“There are renewal of our rail systems, improvement of petrochemical and gas industries, expansion of construction of roads and other infrastructure.
“Modernisation of our airports, improvement of our educational and health systems are receiving major attention’’, he said.
According to him, together we are building a Nigeria of our dreams; a nation destined for greatness by God, to become a beacon of light to nations.
“Yes, we have our security challenges, but none of these things should discourage us, we are working very hard to address the insecurity in some parts of the nation.
“Our security forces are facing enemies of progress who do not want our nation to prosper; those who maim and destroy.
“We must all arise and pray for our security forces, we must be encouraged everyday and indeed when the enemy shall arise, the Lord will lift a mighty standard against him’’, he said.
He expressed gratitude for the prayers of the church for Nigeria, especially for people in government and for the vision for the new church complex.
Jonathan expressed optimism that great leaders would arise from the Church and other faith-based organisations to move the nation forward.
Pastor Paul Adefarasin of the House on the Rock Church, said true transformation required discipline, integrity, unity, commitment, clarity of purpose and sharpness of vision.
He said the citadel being inaugurated was synonymous with the Biblical nation builder Nehemiah and thus Nigeria must stand guard physically and spiritually.
He harped on the need for social justice and equity in the land.
“Today, we stand in one of such structures built to protect our land and deliver social justice to all; the Citadel and Towers epitomises contemporary 21st century architecture.
“It behoves on us to remember the reason for which the citadel was birthed; this edifice has been prayerfully fashioned as a place of refuge.
“This centre is inspired by a clear understanding of the strategic role of faith based organisations as partners in national development.
“Government alone cannot be left to do the business of building our nation; we must all become veritable vehicles for the actualisation of social justice”, he said.
He said education cannot be overemphasised as a tool for national transformation and the church must play its role.

L-R:General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mr Celestine Ogolo, Head of Technical Services Division, Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency, Mitchell Alamina and General Manager, Human Resources and Administration, RSSDA, Tonye Sukubo, during the 2014 Annual Media Report in Port Harcourt, last Friday. Photo: Egberi Sampson