AGITATORS FOR NIGERIA’S BREAK-UP WILL BE DISAPPOINTED - JONATHAN

THOSE who are predicting the break up of Nigeria in the year 2015 along the perceived fault lines will be disappointed as Nigeria will overcome its challenges and forge ahead as one indivisible entity.
President Goodluck Jonathan gave this assurance on Thursday while receiving the Muslim community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) led by Vice President Namadi Sambo who paid him a Sallah homage at the Presidential Villa Abuja.
He reiterated that adherents of both Christianity and Islam were brothers and sisters and there could not be a country called Nigeria without the co-existence of the followers of both faiths.
“Those who are predicting the break up of Nigeria along its fault lines by the turn of the century when Nigeria will be celebrating its centenary anniversary will be disappointed because Nigeria will continue to remain one indivisible entity,” he said.
He added that as for him and his entire team, they would work assiduously to reposition the country, noting that the country must harness its diversity in order to achieve its full potentials.
Jonathan stated further: “Let me use this opportunity once again to reassure Nigerians including Moslem brothers and sisters that the Vice President and myself and our entire team will do our best to reposition the country.

“For us, we cannot imagine a Nigerian without Moslems and Christians. You can call it another name, but not Nigeria. So, it is a blessing that this is one country that you have significant population of Muslims and Christians and this religious diversity will enhance our development because we can get across the whole world wherever we go we are accepted.
“That helps us in so many ways. We are not even exploiting our diversity because of the myopic views of the elites about our situations. Christians and Moslems are brothers and sisters and we must live together.”
While congratulating Nigerian muslims and muslims around the world, the President observed that foregoing food for a reasonable length of time was not easy, noting that himself who joined muslims to observe the Ramadan fast had lost weight.
“Sometimes when you are not involved in fasting, you will think it is an easy thing to go through. My trousers are just pulling out from my waist. So, you should know that it is not easy to forgo food for a reasonable period within 24 hours of the day,” he stated.
He urged them to continue to pray for peace in the country and around the world, stressing that investors could only invest in the country in an atmosphere of peace.”
Jonathan added: “For us to develop first and foremost, there must be peace and security. Nobody will come and invest in an environment where you are not sure of your workers and investment.
“As a nation, for our children to get where we want them to be, we must create a very peaceful environment for them so they can develop mentally and be focused and use their brains in a manner that will bring economic changes to us.
“In Nigeria, we are very religious people and we believe in one Almighty God and we continue to pray. God will see us through. Yes, we have some challenges but surely Allah will see us through.”
In his remark, Vice President Sambo explained that the FCT muslims paid the president a Sallah homage to thank him for what he has been doing for the country, praying that God would give him good health and wisdom to transform the country.
“We appreciate your fatherly nature. You have been a teacher, you have been a father and good leader. We continue to pray for the transformation agenda which is already showing effect in this country especially in the area of power supply, transport,” he said, observing that the railway has roared back to life after 40 years of dormancy.
Among those present at the homage were the FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed; Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Senator Andy Uba, Senator Philip Ajuda, former Minister of Sports Ismaila Sambawa; Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque, Ustaz Musa Mohammed; Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Saheed Ibrahim; Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Amadu Ali; Minister of State Finance, Yerima Ngama and Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsahudeen Usman.