Jonathan promises that Nigeria will overcome Boko Haram

President Goodluck Jonathan has assured that Nigeria would overcome the scourge of Boko Haram and it would become a thing of the past.

Speaking at the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Area1, Abuja, where he participated in the first Sunday Service of the year, the President noted that life in the north must change and development must go to all parts of the country.
“We are particularly committed to know where our challenges are, especially in some parts of the north, we are quite pleased with the measures from the outgoing President and the measures of the incoming President concerning Boko Haram,… we sympathize with those who have been affected by the executions.“Boko Haram is temporary, Boko Haram will surely go. A number of countries are facing similar challenges and some have been able to overcome it and surely we will overcome Boko Haram.
“Life in the north must change; development must go to all parts of this country” Jonathan said.
Maintaining that nobody or group could hold Nigeria to ransom, Jonathan said, “We will collectively liberate this country from the hands of any evil person so that we can leave behind a Nigeria that our children and grandchildren will be proud of.”

The President, in his speech, also said the political noisy environment in the country was not abnormal. He pointed out that even the United States of America with many years of democratic governance had its own noisy political tension during itselections not too long ago. He added that there was no cause for alarm as his administration would continue to work towards improving the quality of life of Nigerians.

“I’m not going to read a speech because I avoid making speeches this time around so that I will not be misinterpreted. We are quite please to be with you today. We have enjoyed your approach to worship. Let me, again, thank the new incoming President, Reverend Datiri for the sermon.

“I will not bore you, but let me reassure you again that myself and those who have been elected this period, that the political environment are always noisy all over the world. There is nowhere you won’t hear so much noise.
“Even the United States of America, not long ago, the country was almost shut down. For so many months people were worried that the country that has practised democracy for so many years could get to that situation. But that is politics for you.

“But let me reassure you that we will continue to work harder to improve the quality of lives of Nigerians. …..anything you start, there is always a time. If you want to build a single storey building, it must take you some time to build. We are building one small mini private banquet for the President in the State House…. with a great company like Julius Berger what we thought will take six months is getting to two years,” the president said.

Delivering Pastoral Greetings to the congregation, the new President of COCIN, Dachollom Datiri, noted that the church had suffered greatly from Boko Haram attacks in its branches in the North East.
Datiri commended the President for declaring a State of Emergency in the three northern states of Yobe, Borno and Adamawa and stated that it checked the activities of the insurgents.

“Your transformation agenda is loveable and commendable. You are always in church and God will never forget you. When a leader puts the things of God first, all other things shall be added unto him” Datiri said.
Noting that the storms towards the 2015 election were man-made, the clergyman prayed that they would soon be over and that no evil plan would succeed in Nigeria. He added that, “COCIN is ever thankful to God for giving you to Nigeria, COCIN members, despite political affiliations, will support you.”

Among those who attended the service were the President’s mother, Eunice Jonathan, the President’s Chief of Staff, Mike Ogiadhome, Police Affairs Minister, Caleb Olubolade, and Minister of State (FCT), Olajumoke Akinjide.