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
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