President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday reassured that his administration will do everything possible to improve the welfare of Nigerians.
He gave the assurance while receiving a delegation of the Anglican Communion, led by the Most Revd. Nicholas Okoh at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The church conferred a “Primatial Award” on the President during the visit.
Jonathan pleaded for patience from Nigerians, saying meeting all the goals of his transformation agenda could not be overnight.
He said: “For me and the vice president as well as the Federal Government, by the grace of God and the willingness of Nigerians, we will do our best to improve the quality of lives of our people. We have our transformation agenda. It is not something we can do overnight, even if you have all the money in the world. If you want to build a six-storey building, you must give yourself a period that must be a time for you to complete that project.
“We have drawn our map and we have progressed. I believe we are progressing in the right direction. For you to really build a society, you need to do things that are critical and continue to do them well. And those things we now change the world that we are.”
He went on: “If we take issues of economy, transport, and infrastructure, those things that will improve the economy; and if the government continues to do those things very well, it would not take a lifetime for this country to change. It would not take more than 10 years. Within a space of 10 years, you would see major changes.
“We are totally committed to doing our best to improve on the quality of lives of our people. All what we require from you as spiritual fathers is to pray for us for God to give us the wisdom and mind to do what is right because it takes on God to lead.
“Without the fear of God, nobody can lead well. We are all humans. We are pushed into all kinds of situations. But if God is with you, no matter the challenges, no matter the circumstances you find yourselves. My prayer everyday is for God to use me to improve this country positively. And I believe that is why I am here today.
“My political journey is what nobody can tell. Without God, I wouldn’t have been here because most people know about it, but maybe when I leave office, that is when I will tell the true story of my journey.
“But I believe very clearly that it is God that made it possible; to even be a deputy governor in the first place, not to talk about being a president. I promise I will do my best.”
“I grew up as a member of the Anglican Church. As at that time, it was only Anglican Church that was at my tiny village. But now, I don’t know the number of churches that are there. Almost all the classrooms are churches now.
“I have been a part of the church from the beginning. I attended Anglican Primary School as a pupil. So I have to be very grateful to the Anglican Church that brought me up. I am what I am today because of the Anglican Church.”
Jonathan thanked Christians for praying for Nigeria. He said: Our country is passing through challenges. The whole world is passing through challenges. Sometimes, when I listen to the news around the whole world, it reminds me about the Old Testament in days of fighting, fighting and fighting.
“And I always ask: Do we stop fighting? But God has a reason for everything. I believe whatever is happening to Nigeria will be very temporary. We will go through the challenges. With your prayers, we will go through the challenges.”
Conferring the Primatial Award of Excellence in Christian Stewardship on the President, Rev. Okoh said the essence of the award was to acknowledge his fairness to all in the distribution of the nation’s resources.
Giving reasons for the award, Rev. Okoh said: “By this award, we affirm that you as the leader and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has shared, allocated, distributed the resources of Nigeria fairly, equitably and judiciously to the East, West, North and South of Nigeria to all, including the traditional religionists, Muslims and Christians alike, to men and women, to the youth and children, including theAlmajiri.
“This is the essence of this award. Congratulations. May God honour you.”
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