President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday said despite
his desire to transform the country, his government could
not perform magic in an atmosphere of violence.
He said economic development could not be achieved in a
nation devoid of peace.
Jonathan spoke shortly after he was conferred with the
2013 Africa Peace Award of the United Religions
Initiatives at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President also said for the country to witness
economic development, there must be internal democracy
and stability.
“There is no way a government can perform magic when
people are shooting gun. There cannot be economic
development without peace. For you to develop
economically there must be peace and political stability.
Government creates conducive environment for private
sector to thrive and create jobs,” he said.
He also stressed the need for African leaders to continue
to govern their countries in the right way.
While dedicating the award to Nigerians, who he said
gave him the opportunity to serve, Jonathan called on
Nigerians especially youths to give peace a chance.
Jonathan said he and his government were fully
committed to a peaceful world.
He said, “Even when countries are fighting, at the end of
the day, they will still come to the dialogue table to
resolve their differences. They have hardly solve crisis
through the barrel of the gun, even if you had the most
sophisticated weapon to fight, they will still come to
negotiate otherwise you can never live in peace.
“So, let me call on all Nigerians especially the young
people, if you come to the southern part of this country
you hear about militancy, kidnapping and if you go to the
North you have this issue of Boko Haram.
“For us to develop our country, we must all embrace
peace.”
He promised to continue to work to foster peace in spite
of the challenges facing the country.
The Regional Director of URI, Ambassador Mussie Hailu,
said the award was in recognition of Jonathan’s
contributions to religious harmony in Nigeria and peace
keeping operations under the United Nations.
He said, “We have been following with great interest the
great role the President play in his country, West Africa
and Africa as a whole since he assumed office as
President of Nigeria.
“We commend his leadership qualities in the West African
sub-region in particular as ECOWAS Chairman and also
lauded the current transformation agenda of his
administration.”
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