Amidst the persistent crisis, bombing and other national issues facing
Nigeria at the moment, President Goodluck Jonathan had assured
Nigerians that he was prepared “to pay any price” to ensure that things
work well in the country.
The president had further maintained
that he will do his best possible to implement all his ongoing reforms
in the most important sectors of the country’s economy.
The
president made this assurance in a goodwill message he sent at the
opening ceremony of the second plenary session of the Catholic Bishops
Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) held at the Mater Dei Cathedral, Umuahia.
His
message which was delivered by the minister of Labour and Productivity,
Chief Emeka Wogu, was indeed full of assurances for positive change in
the country as Jonathan believed that efforts were being made towards
transforming the nation.
While warning those against the ongoing
reforms, Jonathan insisted that there was no going back on the
privatization of the power sector, adding that “the transformation
agenda has reached the point where everybody would be proud that reform
has taken place.”
Goodluck Jonathan, expressed his appreciation
over the invitation granted him by the CBCN in order to come and “share
with them thoughts and vision that guide the nation in the search for
development,” asserting that his administration was working towards
restructuring the country,
He said he was not unaware of the
different problems facing the nation that cuts across the youth and also
the nation’s power sector, assuring that all that will be over soon.
Reflecting
on the security challenges facing Nigeria and the rest of world today,
Mr. President concluded that “human society today is far from attaining
the City of God status as propounded by St Augustine of Hippo.
He
further sought the support of the church to continue to pray for the
nation as his administration was committed towards establishing a true
democracy.
“This administration will always stand for the
truth, peace and justice,” the President said. He quoted some passages
from the Holy Bible as he urged Nigerians to learn to love one another
and live in harmony in the pluralistic society.
The president of
CBCN and Catholic Bishop of Jos Diocese, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, in
his address called for peace in the country, stating that the crisis in
the country had stretched more than necessary.
“The
patience of Christians, especially in the North has been tried and
tested for too long now. We ask that the reckless attacks on them and
other innocent Nigerians be brought to a halt, through the proper use of
security intelligence/expertise available to government and security
agencies both within and beyond Nigeria,” he said.
He further
affirmed that “ explosive devices have become like toys used at will and
local and sophisticated arms escape our sea ports, land borders and
find their way into the hands of criminals and hoodlums; it is a cause
of very great concern,” the CBCN President said.
He further
blamed the incessant killings on inflow of weapons into the country
“most Nigerians wonder whether we are on top of the situation as usually
claimed by government and security agencies”
In conclusion,
Bishop Kaigama assured the president the church was committed to a
united and peaceful Nigeria irrespective of the senseless killings, and
assured that they will continue to pray for national peace and security.
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