President Goodluck Jonathan says all leaders who want to end well must be ready to sacrifice their pleasure, even as congregation numbers at Aso Villa Chapel begin to dwindle.
The president stated this at the fifth presidential prayer breakfast held yesterday at the Banquet Hall of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Jonathan, who said prayers were needed to build Nigeria, also preached that leadership is not about giving directives, but about sacrificing for the growth of the nation.
“I always say leadership is not all about giving directives; a successful leader must be ready to make sacrifice. Everything about human life as an individual, a child, if you don’t make the required sacrifice, you can’t go to where you want to go. If you don’t sacrifice your pleasure, of course, you will know where you will end. As parents, we know the kind of sacrifice we make for our children to go to school, to feed. To build a family, you need sacrifice. So, for those who have the privileges of leading at local, state and national, at all times, we should be ready to make sacrifice for our nation to grow.
“So, as we call for prayers, we also call on our leaders not just local government chairmen, governors and president alone. I’m also calling on leaders at other levels; ministers must make the required sacrifice, and our lawmakers too because they look at all our laws, they can create crisis in country if they’re not ready to do things the right way. All of us in leadership positions must be ready to make sacrifice and with our prayers and commitment, Nigeria will surely get to where it wants to go,” he said.
Falling numbers
In a veiled reference to media reports that his friends and associates had deserted him after losing his re-election bid, Jonathan said he knew that people often deseredt outgoing leaders.
He said he had even noticed congregation numbers at Aso Villa Chapel had fallen become less than it used to be.
“Today (yesterday), I expected a very low turn-out because in most cases, when a government is going, people reduce. You will notice that even the Aso Villa Chapel, the number of people that will be coming become less and less. But when I came in, I noticed that this whole hall is filled up. So, I’ve to sincerely thank all of you. We’re all here because we believe in the power of prayers in nation building. The essence of the presidential prayer breakfast is to call on all Nigerians to come together and pray…For us to build Nigeria, we need these prayers. This should be captioned presidential breakfast prayer comprising all aspects of prayers for us to rebuild our nation.
“Yes, we have challenges as a nation, but every other nation passes through challenges. I remember in 2009 when I visited the Nordic countries, they told me they were celebrating 200 years of peace that has enabled them to develop. Nigeria was 49 years old as an independent nation in 2009”, he told the gathering comprising former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) and former Head of the Interim National Government Chief Ernest Shonekan.
On the brink
Jonathan also stated that at times, Nigeria’s current security challenges compelled him to think that the country was going into extinction.
The president, however, expressed optimism that with prayers of all Nigerians, the nation would overcome her challenges.
“We’ve challenges, today, we’re talking about Boko Haram in the north, kidnapping in south-south, south-east. At times, you’re forced to think that the nation is ending. Definitely, this country will overcome this challenge. That’s the reason for these prayers. Just like prayers helped Nehemiah to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, our constant prayers will help us rebuild this nation,” he said.
The president, who pledged to continue to pray for Nigeria and the incoming administration of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), thanked God and Nigerians for giving him the opportunity to serve as deputy governor, governor, vice president and president within 16 years.
“We’ll continue to pray for the country and of course, we pray for the incoming to government and also pray for us who leaving to have the opportunity to serve humanity in different phases. For me, I’ve to thank God and Nigerians for the privilege and opportunity given to me these past 16 years. I served my state as a deputy governor and governor for eight years. From Government House in Yenegoa, and then I came here to the State House Abuja, served the country as vice president and president. That’s a reasonable length of time and I’ve to thank God first because if God had not willed it, it wouldn’t have happened. I’ve to thank Nigerians for the support for me within this period,” he said.
Stepping out and retired
Jonathan also promised to continue to do his best for Nigeria in different capacities even as he gradually joins the league of the country’s former leaders.
He urged Nigerian past and current leaders to learn from Gowon and Shonekan who, he said, had been consistent in attending programmes at the State House throughout his tenure.
The president described the two ex-leaders’ gesture as patriotic, saying if all leaders emulate them, Nigeria would be a better place for all.
“And I must commend Gowon, Shonekan and some of our other leaders, for the eight years I’ve been as vice president and president, whenever we called upon them, wherever they’re in this world, they’ll try to come. I’ve seen that they’re extremely patriotic and they believe in this country.”
Earlier, Aso Villa Chaplain Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba said the breakfast was unique as it marked the last in Jonathan’s administration.
The clergyman noted that President Jonathan had sacrificed his ambition to unite the country.
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