President says politicians misquote him out of mischief

From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, Abuja

“I have been forced to watch what I say this time because politicians now take delight in twisting my utterances to suit them,” says President Goodluck Jonathan. This is even as the President blamed the current challenges facing the country on the selfishness, lack of unity and love among Nigerians as well as the championing of ethnicity and religion. Jonathan said he dreams of a future in Nigeria where any child can become what he/she wants to be based on merit without hindrances or connections.
He noted that total commitment to developing the country as well as working collectively to overcome the barriers facing it by Nigerians will guarantee a better future for our children.
The President disclosed these yesterday in his remarks while worshipping at Apostolic Faith Church, Jabi, Abuja, noting that Nigeria’s greatness was not in her oil, but in her diversity, human and natural resources, her potentials and the population.
He said while his administration will not dwell on its achievements thus far, it will despite the challenges, continue to work to deliver the dividends, of democracy, noting that there was hope for the future of Nigeria if he could rise from the smallest community in Bayelsa State to become the President of Nigeria by the grace of God and support of the people.
Jonathan likened the current challenges facing the country to that of the Israelites in the Holy Bible  when they were leaving Egypt for Canaan, the Promised Land, assuring that he will bequeath a better Nigeria to the upcoming children.
The President urged the church to continue to pray for the country, noting that through prayers, Nigeria will get to greater heights.
Jonathan said: “We will try our best but this is not the time to reel out what we are doing or what we are not doing, otherwise, they will think I am here to campaign. But I assure you, this congregation and indeed all Nigerians that by the will of God and your support, I am here today from nowhere.
“Any child of Nigeria can be where I am. I come from the smallest state in this country, even within the state, one of the smallest communities in Bayelsa. Even within the community, one of the smallest families, but I am here today by the grace of God.
“That is the type of Nigeria we want to create, a Nigeria where you can get what you want if you work hard, it is not because you know somebody who knows somebody that will talk to somebody. A Nigeria that our children, if they work hard, will get whatever they want just like in other free societies like America and so on. We will work with you to help you to get to wherever you want to go”, he assured.
The President who said he had no prepared text to read to the congregation, regretted that recently whatever he says seems to be taken out of context by the media.
“I don’t have a formal address. Because for those of us in politics, these days are not the best days to make speeches because any statement we make, people look at how to paint it. The next day when you read the newspapers, you start doubting if that is what you said. So any statement we make is always used against us”, he lamented.
The President said that he was touched by the preaching of the man of God and the ministration especially that of the children, adding that the Villa Chapel during the Christmas and New Year celebrations is usually closed to allow him worship outside the Villa to interact as well as thank Nigerians who have stood by his administration in prayers.
“But I am quite pleased to be here with you today to worship with you. I love the children and your programme. I love the choir ministration. This is the first time I am worshipping with you since I came to Abuja in 2007. You would have seen me more than 10 times if we don’t have a chapel in the villa where we worship every Sunday.
“But during the Christmas and New Year period, I like to go round and interact with other brethren. The reason is actually to thank all of you for what you have been doing for this country, for your prayers. I always say and I will continue to say it that but for your prayers, probably it would have been worse than this.
Jonathan said Nigeria was divinely created, adding that it was not by chance that the North and South came together.
“I totally agree with our man of God that it was not by chance, it was ordained by God. If God didn’t will it at that point, the North and South would not have come together. The details of the North and South coming together make Nigeria a very great country. I use to say that Nigeria is great not because of oil, we have countries that produce more oil than Nigeria but nobody talks about them.
“We have countries that have multi million dollars in reserve because of their wealth and nobody talks about them but here we are just talking about $40,000. But the biggest to the smallest country talks about Nigeria. Why? Because of the diversity from the North to the South, the human and natural resources, the potentials and the population that we have.
“So, Nigeria is a country that has a special blessing from God. It is left for us to appreciate God and continue to pray for God’s intervention and this country will continue to be great,” he said.
Earlier in the service, the President took the Bible reading from the Book of Lamentations, Chapter 3, Verses 22 to 26.
Delivering the sermon titled: “Living worthy of great mercies, great faithfulness of God,” Rev. Bayo Adeniran said that Nigeria will be very great if it returns from its evil ways, repent and follow God like the people of Nineveh in the Bible in Jonah 3: 5 to 8.
He urged Nigerians to be wary of false prophets, stressing that the mercies and grace of God are available for the country
He said: “If Nigeria believes in God like the people of Nineveh, God will heal Nigeria. The swiftness of God shall visit this country. We are so bothered about external corruption, but there are so much corruption in the heart.
“The nation starts with you, the individual and the family. Return to God and God will answer your prayers. Nigeria shall not die, Nigeria will live if we return to God.” He stated

Source: Sun