Jonathan waxes philosophical

The President, who waxed philosophical while speaking at an interdenominational service ahead of Nigeria's 51st Independence Anniversary in Abuja, assured that “God will soon expose the foreheads of Nigeria’s Goliaths” whom he accused of forming stumbling blocks to the efforts of his administration. 

Jonathan said God chose him to turn the fortunes of the country around despite his weaknesses.

He stated that though he may not be a military general, an autocratic king or a lion as some people may expect, he will change the fortunes of the country for the better.

“If you listen to some of the things people say or write in papers, some people would want the president to be a lion; some people would want the president to be a troop commander who would crush everybody on sight," he said. "Unfortunately, I am not a troop commander. I am not an army general. Some would want the president to be like David or other warriors in the bible; unfortunately, I am not one of those."

The President, who said he initially  did not want to give a speech at the service heralding the nation’s 51st Independence Anniversary, wondered why inspite of all the achievements being recorded by his administration,“some Nigerians chose to vilify us”. 

He also noted that despite commendations from world leaders, including President Barak Obama of the United States, and Jacob Zuma of South Africa for the efforts of his administration at the just concluded United Nations (UN) General Assembly, some Nigerians have not seen anything good about what he is doing but said he would not relent.

He commended Nigerians for their fervent prayers saying that such prayers have kept his administration moving forward.

“It is because of your prayers that we are seeing what are seeing today," he said. "You have been praying for us; some others do not want the government to move an inch,  I mean those of us who are politicians. The only prayer I need from you is for God to use me to change this country. I don’t need to be like Nebuchadnezzar, David or other great men to change this country, but with your prayer, I can change this nation; we can make the difference.

Someone had written in the papers: is Nigeria on auto pilot?  I tell them that Nigeria is not on auto pilot, God is in-charge and God will take us to the destination he has destined for us."

The President however sounded a note of warning stating that the journey ahead will not be easy. "It is not going to be easy, but with God using you and me, we will get to where we want to be," he said.

At the service, several church leaders prayed for the growth and progress of the nation. They also prayed for peace in all parts of the country to mark the beginning of a week long events for the celebration of Nigeria's 51st Independence Anniversary to be rounded up on Saturday October 1st.