No regrets – Jonathan

 

Says, Nigerians must be prepared to sacrifice

FROM JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, ABUJA

The President yesterday looked back at the events of last week especially the presiden­tial election that he lost, the peaceful atmosphere thereafter, his contributions to the Nigerian state and concluded: “I have no regrets whatsoever”.

President Goodluck Jonathan de­scribed himself as the luckiest Nigerian, who had benefited from democracy since its return 16 years ago.

Jonathan became the first Nigerian leader to concede defeat by calling the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Bu­hari, on phone to congratulate him on his victory, even though there were a few states’ results to be announced by the In­dependent National Electoral Commis­sion (INEC) at the time. He urged Nige­rians to be prepared to make sacrifices if the country must grow.

He said that rather than regrets, he is full of appreciation to Nigerians.

He urged Nigerians to be ready to make tangible sacrifices and give the in-coming government the maximum sup­port if they want the country to be like other developed nations, noting that it was the individual sacrifice and not man­na from heaven that made countries like China to be great.

Jonahan stated this when he hosted Federal Capital Territory (FCT) resi­dents led by Vice President Namadi Sambo, who paid him the traditional Easter homage after church service. He said having served the country as deputy governor of his home state, Bayelsa, to when he became the President, “I think it is enough.”

The President, who spoke after emo­tional remarks by Sambo, said he was yet to see any Nigerian who is as lucky as he is. He said: “For me as an individ­ual, this Easter coincided with the time I am leaving, but I always say that I am one of the luckiest Nigerians. I am yet to see somebody luckier than me.

“From 1999, I was the head of gov­ernment for 16 years. Not just in govern­ment as a parliamentarian because if you are a senator or House of Representa­tives member, you take care of yourself, you live in your own house.

“I continued in 2011 because Nige­rians voted me and Namadi Sambo, an architect, I have to thank all Nigerians. Whereever I will be, I will remain grate­ful to this great country. Today is a glori­ous day for me,” he said.

Speaking on the significance of Eas­ter and the need for Nigerians to make sacrifices, Jonathan noted that sacrifice for the survival of the government was necessary irrespective of who is the Pres­ident at any given time.

He recalled his admonition to some of his aides and associates during his days as deputy governor in Bayelsa, that he will rather, have a patriotic Nigerian rather than a loyal one and a committee who believed in the state.

He said nation-building depends on sacrifice and patriotism, noting that Ni­geria currently has the lowest Value Added Tax (VAT) charge of five per cent, wondering if Nigerians will be willing to support Buhari’s government should he decided to increase VAT to 10 per cent. He said one cannot claim to support gov­ernment when the person was defaulting on tax payment, adding that government will surely collapse.

He cited soldiers and policemen who he said were dying daily in their fight against Boko Haram in order for others to live, insisting that though Nigerians don’t have to pay the supreme prize, they must make sacrifices to have a Nigerian of their dream.

“Thank you for this Easter homage, it is a period to reflect on the essence of our belief. Because we believe without the resurrection, they wouldn’t have been Christianity. Whenever we talk about this period, the key lessons there is sac­rifice. Somebody sacrificed for our own salvation.

“So, as a people, as a government what I always believe we should ask what sac­rifice are you making. Now is not about supporting Jonathan or government, now Buhari is coming on board, is not about supporting Buhari or government, but what sacrifice as an individual, are you willing to make for government and for the nation.

“If you are a businessman and you say you are supporting government, but you don’t pay tax, how do you expect that government to survive? That govern­ment will not survive. While in Bayelsa State as a deputy governor, people used to come to me to say I’m loyal. Don’t tell me you are loyal, tell me I’m patriotic to the country and that you believe in Bay­elsa State.

“To me, whenever I travel to countries and see things work, those things didn’t fall down as the way people made sac­rifice, therefore in Nigeria, people must also be ready to make the required sacri­fice. Whoever becomes president is im­material so long as the citizens are happy, our children can go to school, when we are sick, we go to good hospital and of course, the economy blossoms.

“But for that to take place, people must make the required sacrifice. In ECOW­AS sub-region for example, Nigeria has the lowest VAT (five per cent payment), other countries pay up to 12 per cent. If for instance, Buhari decides to increase VAT from five to 10 per cent, will Nige­rians support him? That is sacrifice and we must make sacrifice.

“Nation-building depends on the sac­rifice of individuals and the patriotism of the citizens. These are two key ele­ments, we must be ready to sacrifice for our nation. We are talking about Boko Haram or terror, soldiers are dying for us to live, police are dying for us to live that is sacrifice.

“As individuals, you don’t need to die but there are various roles you need to play, you must make sacrifice.

“The country of China was threat­ened, but they locked up themselves for a period of time but by the time they opened their doors, they became even a threat to the biggest economy. Are we ready for that kind of sacrifice for the government? Whenever we talk of Eas­ter, these are they key lessons of sacri­fice,” he said.

Sambo said Easter is of great es­sence to mankind and the period also symbolises peace. The Vice President commended Jonathan for conceding de­feat in the elections, saying he not only made Nigerians proud, but Africa and the world as well.

Sambo, who said the last five years he served as Jonathan’s deputy, had been a learning one for him, describ­ing the President as “brother, friend and my teacher forever,” adding that he was proud to have served with him.

“We are very proud of your positive contributions to Nigeria, your actions have saved Nigeria and make Nigeria proud of Africa and made you stand tall globally.

“With the contributions and actions you took, your name will be written in gold not only in Nigeria, but in Africa and world.

“I’m proud to have been your deputy, brother, friend and you are my teacher forever,” he said.

Notable personalities on the delega­tion were Senator Philip Ajuda, Deputy Governor of Sokoto, Murktar Shagari, Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria, Head of Service of the Federation, Danladi Kifasi, Secretary of the Government of Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Primate of An­glican Communion, Nicholas Okoh, Bishop John Praise, FCT Minister Bala Mohammed, and Minister of State FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide.