• Tasks Varsities On Productivity
PRESIDENT Jonathan Saturday urged Nigerians to remain hopeful amid rising insecurity in the country, saying the present challenge would not deter his government from ensuring that the country achieves greatness and records success in its transformation agenda.
"As we pray, our thoughts, no doubt, will be dominated by the challenges facing our nation, particularly that of security. Providence has placed us all at our various posts at this particular time in our nation's journey to greatness. Therefore, we must not be deterred or be weary in spirit."
The President spoke at the 3rd Presidential Prayer Breakfast, at Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja.
Jonathan said all Nigerians must be hopeful, focused and watchful to overcome evils confronting the nation.
He said it is noteworthy that the prayer session is coming after Easter, a period when Christians are expected to be focused, rededicated and reborn.
He noted that the breakfast is not a jamboree but a reminder of the need to join spiritual energies to pray to God for wisdom, strength, courage and guidance to make and implement right decisions for the nation.
He noted that everyone at various levels of leadership is an agent of change and that Nigerians must seek God wholeheartedly to overcome evil forces trying to derail progress of the nation.
Meanwhile, President Jonathan has advised universities in the country to align with national aspirations and dreams of the country, adding that universities should woo foreign investors to make the country great.
Professor Ruqqayyat Ahmed Rufai, Minister of Education, represented the President Saturday at the J.T. Useni Mini-Stadium Complex, Naraguta Campus, University of Jos.
Jonathan said: "For most nations, higher education is today defining the pace of economic advancement, scientific progress, social development and national integration. Our universities must align with our national goals and aspirations and brace up to the challenges of knowledge based competition. You must strive to be creative in your approach to contemporary problem solving, including the recurring insecurity problems in some parts of our country.
"The work of your Centre for Conflict Management and Peace Studies is essential in our search for peace. We will continue to count on your invaluable research outcomes on the causes, impact and solutions to the security challenges in this environment.
"I congratulate UNIJOS on hosting the maiden Peace Sports Competition among tertiary institutions in the state, as part of your positive contributions to the national peace process.
"I urge other institutions to emulate the good example. It is encouraging that UNIJOS has now emerged as a centre of excellence in Accounting and Finance related disciplines, and in the process produced the first female professor of Accounting in Nigeria."
Quoting extensively from the Bible, the President said, "In the book of Jeremiah, God said if you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. May we seek him with all our hearts to let his light shine over our nation and guide us in leading our great nation to its destined goal.
Jonathan said if all Nigerians individually and collectively do the right thing, the country would continue to be a great nation.
In his exhortation, Julius Afolabi Falola, a Kano-based pastor, said God has great plans for any country that would serve him diligently.
While referring to Deuteronomy 28, Falola said God is ready to bless and lift up a nation that would obey him and do his will, adding that all adversaries of the country would fall with prayers.
He also urged Nigerian to serve God in holiness, love one another and be devoted to the service of the Lord.
The prayer session was attended by distinguished personalities including Chief Earnest Shonekan, former Head of Interim Government (ING); Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Governors Gabriel Suswam of Benue State and his Abia State counterpart, Theordore Orji and the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria.
The Israeli envoy read the First Lesson of the Bible from Deuteronomy 28: 1-10 while the Second Lesson was read by Chief Shonekan.
Pastor Emmanual Kure of Throneroom Prophetic Prayer Ministry, Kafanchan, Kaduna State, who was joined by the President and other clergies, offered the opening prayer for the event.
The Guardian