Jonathan to Nigerians: Let’s unite against Boko Haram

President Goodluck Jonathan has called on all Nigerians to unite against the Boko Haram insurgents whom he described as the nation’s common enemy. He made the call in Abuja today at the fourth unity conference organised by the Community And Youth Development (CYD) in Collaboration With Youth For Peace And Good Leadership Initiative (YPGLI), with the theme […]

President Goodluck Jonathan has called on all Nigerians to unite against the Boko Haram insurgents whom he described as the nation’s common enemy.

He made the call in Abuja today at the fourth unity conference organised by the Community And Youth Development (CYD) in Collaboration With Youth For Peace And Good Leadership Initiative (YPGLI), with the theme “Religious Approach in Curbing Youth Restiveness, Immorality and Corruption in Nigeria”.

Jonathan, who was represented by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, said all Nigerians must condemn the insurgency, noting that it did not represent any religious ideology.

The president, who said the insurgents were out to cause disaffection and disharmony among religious adherents, urged Nigerians to work in unison to defeat all divisive tendencies which, according to him, attempt to undermine the nation’s sovereignty.

“We must unite against terror which is our common enemy. These insurgents must be condemned by all as they represent no religious ideology. They are out to cause disaffection and disharmony among religious adherents. None of these two religions preach violence. We must therefore continue to work collectively to defeat all divisive tendencies that attempt to undermine our sovereignty and collective resolve as a nation”, he said.

Describing religious tolerance as critical to the peaceful coexistence of Nigeria, Jonathan asked all Muslims and Christians to continue to live in peace and harmony as enshrined in the scriptures, saying “religious understanding and tolerance must continue to dominate our collective and corporate existence if we aspire to grow and prosper as a people.”

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for all Nigerians to thrive, irrespective of religious and political affiliation, assuring that “this shall remain sacrosanct. In this enterprise, we’ll need the partnership and support of all Nigerians.”

The president said his government was implementing policies and programmes targeted at youth development as they constitute Nigeria’s greatest asset.

“This explains why Youth development is a key policy of our administration. We have through our various youth programmes achieved successes”, he said

He thanked the youth for their continuous support and resilience in the face of the country’s numerous development challenges.

In their separate remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the Etsu Nupe; Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar and the former Secretary-General of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Elder Samuel Salifu; charged Nigerians to respect and understand each other’s religion.

They also asked the youth to imbibe self discipline; parents to guide their children alright; and the government to make religion a core subject.

Earlier, the chairman of CYDNN, said the four-day conference was aimed at fashioning out ways of curbing youth restiveness in the country.