MAY 29 INAUGURATION: I owe Nigerians good governance –Jonathan

Posted by admin Latest Politics Sunday, May 29th, 2011

President Goodluck Jonathan at a pre-inauguration thanksgiving service yesterday vowed to provide good governance, stressing it is what he owes Nigerians to atone for the loss of lives and property in the post-election crisis that followed his overwhelming victory in the April presidential election.
Jonathan, before the clergy at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, made the solemn pledge as part of activities for his inauguration today for a fresh term in office, urging religious leaders to continue to pray for his administration’s success.

The President said, “We and the government I would lead owe Nigerians good governance based on the fear of God. That is the only thing we can do to atone for the great loss this country witnessed. I therefore, appeal to our religious leaders to continue to pray for us, because no matter how committed you are as an individual, if God does not touch all of us who are to run the affairs of the country, then we cannot go anywhere.” He said his election was in answer to prayers, some of which were said at the venue of the thanksgiving before the election last September.
According to him, “we were here in this centre last year September to make our supplications before the Almighty God. Most of you here today were there that day. I thank God we are here today to thank God for answering our prayers.”

President Jonathan noted that the elections had solidified democracy in the country, expressing hope that the country was already on its way to transformation. He said, “That everything is working is a clear indication that transformation has started. Let us use this opportunity to ask ourselves what we should do as individuals and as Nigerians for this transformation to be consolidated.
“I believe one thing is for us to reflect on our value system, the fear of God, respect for our elders, respect for our clergymen and women, hard work, honesty and to love our neighbours. With love, peace and unity, Nigeria’s greatness is assured,” he said.

He assured that the country was up for great things, as it prepares for its centenary celebrations, adding: “I believe this decade is Nigeria’s decade, a decade we celebrated our glorious jubilee, 50th anniversary of Nigeria’s stock exchange, we recorded free, fair and credible elections, it is the decade the Lord has made.“I plead with you to pray for me, as I said before, pray for all of us who the Lord has given the privilege to run the affairs of the country both at the executive, legislature and judiciary because I, on my own, cannot manage the affairs of this country, only God can make it possible.” The President thanked the Church of God and religious leaders for praying for the country, and Nigerians for their support and sacrifice, especially during the last elections.

Also speaking, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria
(CAN), Pastor Ayo Oristejafor, chastised politicians for resorting to diabolical power in their bid to capture political positions, saying that “your time is up”. The CAN president, who noted that the cost of running the country was too high, appealed to members of the National Assembly to do something about it, even as he observed that the controversy over N18,000 minimum wage was unnecessary as the amount was too meagre. Oritsejafor further said he observed that Nigerians were willing to undergo any sacrifice for the sake of the country as long as leaders led by example.

He urged President Jonathan not to depend on human beings, but God, in his assignment of providing leadership for the country, adding that God would be with him.“Some leaders depend on men, others depend on God. That is the difference between leaders. Any God-fearing leader at any level, God is with you. When you face challenges, the Lord is with you. When evil men surround you, the Lord is with you. When your friends become your enemies, the Lord is with you,” he said.

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