President Goodluck Jonathan yester-day said that de-spite the current security situation in the country, the opportunities outweigh the challenges .Emphasising the relevance of the event, the president said despite the reaction of some people that it should not have held, the importance of the past cannot be forgotten. “…But we all know that we must always remember the past if we are to move forward.”Jonathan who spoke at the Centenary Interdenominational Church Service marking the end of the year long celebration, said, without the participation of Nigerians, the ceremony would not have been successful.
He appealed to Nigerians to show love to one another no matter the circumstance. “Let us show love even when it hurts most, for our lives will be more fulfilled in giving love to others. Few days ago, all our leaders gathered and our nation honoured them for their labour. “I see a new Nigeria filled with love, I see a new Nigeria with treated determination, I see a new Nigeria with passion for a greater Nigeria.
Of course, this is my article of faith and hope for a brighter future and our commitment to creating a united Nigeria that our children will be proud of. He expressed appreciation for the nation’s former Heads of state for taking part in the celebration. “Nigerians were happy when they saw them at the award night.”
The president described as divine providence Nigerians being part of history and stressed that the only way to pay tribute to the nation’s founding fathers was to continue as one Nigeria. In his remarks, former Head of state, Gen Yakubu Gowon said prevailing circumstances at the time, particularly, the need to keep Nigeria one compelled him to declare war against the Ibos just as he referred to them as his “brothers and sisters.” Gowon spoke after Jonathan had invited him to address the congregation, saying that after he (Gowon) had used the riffle to keep Nigeria one, he is now carrying a more potent weapon…the Bible. Gowon recalled that it was cessation attempt that led to the civil war.
“We had a lot of challenges that forced us to fight our sisters and brothers in other parts of the country. They were no enemies but Nigerians and of course our brothers and sisters, he said. “I was frighten when I saw in the papers the headline that asked: “Do you know the meaning of Gowon? It was my curiosity to know what the paper was trying to say that made me know it mean, ‘Go On With One Nigeria.’ “I was very frightened when I saw that. And I said this is what I was trying to do but cannot do it alone, I need your support and prayers.” In his sermon, Prelate Methodist Church of Nigeria, Sunday Ola Makinde (rtd), warned politicians not to do anything that will bring the false prophesy of Nigeria’s break up in 2013
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