Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday urged citizens to remain strong and resolute in defence of freedom, unity, law and order, peace, security and progress of the nation.
The call was contained in a message to the nation on the 2014 Eid-el-Fitri celebration.
Regretting that some parts of the country experienced terrorist attacks during the month of Ramadan, the president hoped that the spiritual lessons and the Holy Prophet’s teachings of piety, love, justice, fairness, equity, peaceful co-existence, tolerance, honesty and dedication to duty learned during Ramadan, will remain with Nigerians towards greater benefit and glory for the nation.
He said: “I felicitate with all Nigerians, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters on the auspicious occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Fitri celebrations.
“I congratulate all of our countrymen and women who have successfully undertaken the purifying Ramadan fast.
“May the lessons and blessings of the holy month also permeate into us all and positively influence our attitudes towards our fellow countrymen and women, irrespective of their religion or places of origin and promote greater commitment to the peace, unity and stability of the nation”.
The president added: “Although the observance of the Holy Month was sadly tainted in parts of the country with the continuing atrocities of extremists and terrorists in our midst, I urge all patriotic Nigerians to remain strong and resolute in defence of freedom, unity, law and order, peace, security and progress of the nation.
“I feel the pains and anguish of all our compatriots who have experienced the harrowing impact of terrorism unleashed on them by brainwashed and misguided agents of evil and disunity, but we must never throw up our hands in helplessness and despair as the terrorists and purveyors of anarchy want”.
President Jonathan also urged Nigerians to continue to show solidarity with security agencies and give them the full support they require to succeed against terror.
He said: “I assure all Nigerians, once again, that we are totally committed to winning that war, putting the scourge of terrorism and insecurity rapidly behind us and giving the fullest possible attention to the urgent task of improving the living conditions of our people in all parts of the country.
“We cannot and will not be deterred from our goal of positively transforming our nation into a strong, united, progressive, stable, secure and prosperous nation in which all citizens will live in peace in spite of our immense diversities”.
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