The Secretary General of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF)-Nigeria, Dr George Ikpot, has said that former President Goodluck Jonathan continue to hold President Muhammadu Buhari in high esteem because of his believe in the unity and development of the country.
Ikpot said this on Sunday in Abuja at a youth training and empowerment program, organised by the Ambassador Peter Orobor Foundation (POF), UPF-Nigeria and Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Mpape Branch.
The event was organised to cushion the effects of the recent demolition in parts of Mpape, a suburb of Abuja, where organisers said had led to increment in youth restiveness, homelessness and taking to drugs.
“After Dr. Goodluck Jonathan congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari after the 2019 elections, even as a siting president, some people misunderstood him. The international office called us that he (Jonathan) must be honoured and today he is international chairman of the UPF globally and head of all other awardees, comprising both former and serving heads of states.
“He has since been having a good relationship with President Buhari. When President Buhari was to be honoured, we went to him (Jonathan) to help deliver the President (Buhari) letter, he asked us about the speech draft and we said we didn’t have, after some discussions, Dr. Jonathan out of honour for President Buhari said he would draft the President’s speech and take to him. This to show the level of moral standard in him and which we all should be exhibiting,” he said.
On his part, an industrialist, Ambassador Peter Ovbokhan Orobor, said he was involved in the programme to show those affected and others that taking to drugs is not going to help but worsen their situation.
“We tried to make them see beyond the demolition so that they can move beyond the demolition and do something meaningful for themselves and the society. We are also going to LEA Primary Schools Karmajiji, airport road to pay the PTA levy of over 200 pupils,” he said.
Orobor, who is the Chairman/CEO, Jingle Bells Conglomerates, said about 40 youths were beneficiaries of the Mpape, with beneficiaries given cash and food palliatives to take them off drugs and prostitution.
Also, the Parish Pastor of the RCCG, Anthony Otemeata, said the recent demolition adversely affected many of the youths who apart from becoming homeless, may also be involved in on e criminality or another, hence their resolve to collaborate with the others on palliatives and means of stabilising them and taking their minds off drugs.
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