Ramadan: Foreign terrorists out to disintegrate Nigeria, says Jonathan

• Urges prayers for peace, security President Goodluck Jonathan has raised the alarm that evil agents of international terrorism are seeking to “dis-unite” Nigeria. Jonathan, in his goodwill message to Nigerian Muslims at the commencement of this year’s Ramadan, today urged them to pray for greater peace and security in the country. A statement by […]

• Urges prayers for peace, security

President Goodluck Jonathan has raised the alarm that evil agents of international terrorism are seeking to “dis-unite” Nigeria.

Jonathan, in his goodwill message to Nigerian Muslims at the commencement of this year’s Ramadan, today urged them to pray for greater peace and security in the country.

A statement by the presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, quoted Jonathan as saluting all Muslims in the country as they began Ramadan fast.

Abati said the president reassured the entire nation that the Federal Government continued to work tirelessly to curb insurgency, terrorism and other criminal acts “which have caused insecurity in parts of the country”.

He said Jonathan urged Nigerians not to succumb to despair, but to remain steadfast in the firm conviction that with courage, determination, focus, decisiveness and collective support for the Armed Forces  and security agencies, “the country will ultimately overcome the evil agents of sectionalism, sectarianism and international terrorism who seek to disunite the nation”.

“As they join fellow adherents of the faith in other parts of the world in undergoing the strictures and spiritual purification of the annual Ramadan fast, against the background of security challenges in the country; President Jonathan urges all Nigerian Muslims to offer special prayers during the period for greater peace and security in the nation”, Abati said.

He said the president also called on Nigerian Muslims, as they observe the Ramadan, to re-dedicate themselves “in fuller measure to the virtues of piety, self-discipline, tolerance, equity, honesty, fairness and sympathy for the less privileged which the Holy month promotes”.

According to Abati, Jonathan joins all people of faith in praying that God Almighty grant Nigeria greater peace, security, unity and national harmony.

The presidential aide said his boss wished the Muslim community a rewarding and spiritually gratifying Ramadan fast.