President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday decried what he termed as ethnic politics but elected public officials. This was as he reassured Nigerians of his commitment to overcoming all distractions and delivering on his promise of good governance and national transformation.
The president gave the assurance in his Eid-el-Fitri message to the nation to congratulate Nigerians of the Islamic faith who were about to successfully complete the month-long Ramadan fast.
He assured that his administration would continue working tirelessly to build on the firm foundations for sustainable national development which it had already established in key areas.
He listed the key areas to include: public infrastructure, power supply, roads, transportation, aviation, agriculture, education, healthcare, youth employment and electoral reform.
President Jonathan also urged other elected officials at all levels of governance to avoid overheating the polity with unnecessary ethnic and political intrigues.
He urged them to give the highest priority to fulfilling their promises of better living conditions for the electorate first, before turning their minds to plans and permutations for future elections.
The President urged Nigerians to continue to support the present administration in every way possible to ensure that the country continued to make steady progress.
He thanked Muslims in the country who responded to calls by him and other leaders for special prayers during the Ramadan for greater peace, security and progress in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, President Jonathan will participate in the 2013 Christian Pilgrimage to Israel with at least 500 pilgrims on his entourage. This is made up of 350 pilgrims from Nasarawa and 150 from the Presidency, Daily Review Online learnt.
Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Mr John Kenndy-Okpara, said this when he visited Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State in Lafia on Wednesday.
Kennedy-Okpara said this was the first time a sitting Nigeria President would be participating in a Christian pilgrimage to the Holy land.
He said the president had requested that pilgrims from Nasarawa State should accompany him considering the proximity of the state to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The executive secretary said allocation had been given for the state government to sponsor 350 pilgrims from Nasarawa to accompany the president on the journey.
Kennedy-Okpara said the Federal Government had subsidised the exchange rates per dollar to N146 for all intending pilgrims (both Christians and Muslims) for this year’s pilgrimage.
He explained that intending Christian Pilgrims to Israel would enjoy 12 per cent reduction, while those going to Israel, Rome and Greece would have 20 per cent reduction.
He said the reduction is to enable pilgrims, who are spiritually-rich but materially-poor, to be able to embark on the trip.
“Pilgrimage is a tool for moral and spiritual transformation, and not a jamboree as erroneously perceived,’’ he said.
He called on churches, corporate organisations and wealthy individuals to sponsor people on pilgrimages with the view to transform the society at the long run.
The executive secretary, who was in the state to sensitise Christians on the 2013 Christian pilgrimage, appealed to the state government to support to the state Christian pilgrims welfare board.
He requested for a permanent office accommodation and vehicle for the board.
Responding, Al-Makura commended past Christian pilgrims for making Nasarawa State proud through their exemplary conduct.
He maintained that his administration accord premium to religious harmony and would continue to promote such virtue.
Al-Makura said his government was poised to carry everyone along, thus the appointment of 10 Christians and seven Muslim commissioners in his cabinet.
He said apart from increasing the number of government sponsored-Christian pilgrims, the state government would also support them with robust packages to ensure a hitch-free exercise.