The Nation Newspaper

Tag: nation-building

  • ‘Raise standard of righteousness for nation- building’

    Nigerians have been enjoined to raise a standard of righteousness that can withstand temptations and positively transform individuals in government and politics.

    That was the message of the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, to the Wise Men Conference of the Christian Pentecostal Mission (CPM) International in Ajao Estate, Lagos.

    It was delivered by the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Dr Sarah Jubril.

    The First Lady said as individuals with no other country, it is incumbent on Nigeria is to come together and build a virile nation that will be the pride of all through good character and discipline.

    ”Parents must live exemplary lives and bequeath enviable legacies to their children. They must affect their work places in a way that will build the nation.

    “They must evolve a dress code that commands respect for their children, particularly girls. They must cultivate a culture of righteousness and decency that can withstand corruption, nepotism and ethnicity and place collective interest above personal interest, ”she said.

    The General Overseer of the church, Dr Obiora Ezekiel, warned that Nigerians must learn to utter words that would build and encourage others.

    In line with the theme of the conference, understanding the times, Ezekiel said as the country grapples with challenges such as insecurity, youth unemployment and kidnapping, individuals should come up with workable solutions to these myriad of problems instead of scathing criticisms.

    ”We must always think of how to get out of our problems instead of engaging in open criticisms that will make us sink deeper.”

    “God has been good to place us in this mightily endowed country and we must not destroy ourselves but encourage our leaders always to do the needful, ”the man of God said.

  • Contribute to nation building, cleric urges Nigerians

    Nigerians have been asked to contribute their quota to take the nation to greater heights.

    The General Secretary, Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN), Dare Ajiboye, gave the advice at a briefing in Lagos.

    Ajiboye said the problem with Nigeria is attributable to the absence of good and dedicated leaders.

    Leaders, he added, should have the fear of God and love for mankind.

    According to him: “Our leaders are selfish. They amass wealth that they keep in and outside the country.”

    He also asked the citizens to do what is right. “We have no other place to call our home; therefore, we all need to make Nigeria better,” he said.

    On the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASSU), Ajiboye appealed to both the union and the federal government to continue to dialogue and shift grounds where necessary in the interest of the students.

    He said it was not good for the government to ask ASUU to reason with it when it was not raising the stakes.

    He criticised the committee set up by the government on the national conference, saying it is a delay tactic.

    The BSN helmsman advised the government to implement its recommendations to restore the people’s confidence.

  • Jonathan tasks youths on nation-building

    President Goodluck Jonathan has enjoined Nigerian youth in Kano to channel their energies toward the promotion of peace, progress and national unity.

    He also pledged his administration’s resolve to always carry them along in his determination to build a great nation.

    Jonathan spoke through his Special Senior Assistant on Youth and Student Matters, Comrade Jude Imagwe, during an interactive session and Ramadan Iftar with university students and leaders of youth groups in the North West Region yesterday in Kano.

    While commending Muslims for the religious journey so far accomplished, Jonathan reminded them that the holy month of Ramadan represents an opportunity to reconcile with Allah.

    He charged them to preserve and extend their spiritual cleansing beyond the period of Ramadan and assured them that the Christian community in Nigeria is joining them in prayers in this all-important month of Ramadan.

    Also, he noted that,” I have come to you on behalf of the President to specifically thank you for the support that you have extended to him during the first half of the administration and intimate you that he needs more of your support in the second half of his administration than in the first.”

    While admitting that there are a number of challenges confronting youths in the country, the President solicited for understanding and cooperation, noting that some of these challenges had been existing since the nation’s independence.

    According to Jonathan: “What we are undergoing now is the building of a foundation that would withstand the test of time: A total transformation in all sectors.

    “Transformation that even without the president in office tomorrow, whosoever that would pilot the affairs of this country, would know that a foundation had been laid.”

    He assured them that ASUU’s strike would soon be over, explaining that the Federal Government is working assiduously to find a lasting solution to the industrial dispute in the nation’s universities.