Chat 212 - News Summary...
- President Jonathan said the nation would have been embarrassed if the current security challenges facing it were external.
- Jonathan spoke at a pre-Centenary National Praise and Thanksgiving Service at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
- He said, “Sometimes, these things (security challenges) happen to strengthen our faith and make us more effective.
Chat 212 - Newsmail Report...
President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday said the nation would have been embarrassed if the current security challenges facing it were external.
Referring to the onslaught by members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, Jonathan said God had a reason for using Nigerians to challenge themselves.
Jonathan spoke at a pre-Centenary National Praise and Thanksgiving Service at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The programme, which was delayed for two hours because of the crucial World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Ethiopia, was attended by top government officials and other dignitaries.
The President said God was using some of the challenges facing the country to equip the nation’s leaders and indeed Nigerians.
He said, “Sometimes, these things (security challenges) happen to strengthen our faith and make us more effective.
“Every day, security chiefs now think of how to continue to improve on capacity building. Maybe God has a reason to use ourselves to challenge ourselves.
“These challenges are coming from within. If they were coming from outside, we would have been embarrassed. God wants us to learn in a bitter way. With our collective prayers and efforts, we shall surely get to where we will get to.”
He said the programme was remarkable for him, coming on a day the national team, the Super Eagles won its away match in Addis Ababa after he had visited the players and urged them to win the match and lead the country to the World Cup so that the world would know that even with the nation’s challenges, Nigeria was progressing.
“It is delighting that they played and won. I thank those who have been praying for this nation. No nation gets to where it is without challenges.
“Looking at our challenges, sometimes we think is this country moving or are we going to be weighed down? We shall get there,” he added.
Rev. Austen Ukachi, in his short exhortation, said like a game of soccer, one thing that could unite Nigerians was praise.
He said it was better for Nigerians to praise God than to dwell on their differences, saying the nation’s diversity is a blessing and not a curse.
He observed that despite its various challenges, God in His mercies decided to keep the nation as one.
Those who attended the service include President of the Senate, David Mark; his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihediora; Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State; members of the National Assembly, members of the Federal Executive Council and other top government officials.
