Make Nigeria Work, Jonathan Challenges Youths
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has challenged the youths to make Nigeria work in the interest of all, saying that the country is in the hands of the young ones and that they should make it work. He spoke when youths numbering over 300 and coming from several youth bodies visited him in his Otuoke country home in Bayelsa State to felicitate with him on his 60th birthday.
The former president and the youths, however, observed a minute silence in honour of late Dr Alex Ekwueme, Nigeria’s former president who died in London on Monday. It will be recalled that Dr Ekwueme succumbed to death after he was rushed to London having earlier slumped at his Enugu residence last week.
Addressing the youths, who numbered over 300, the former president said that his family was highly honoured to have them at his home to felicitate with him on the occasion of his birthday.
“My wife and I are very happy that you young people came in your hundreds from all parts of the country, from the Northwest, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, North Central, and of course, our own Southsouth, just to felicitate with us here.”
“However, before I say a few words to formerly welcome you, I have to say that we heard very shocking news last (Sunday) night. It was the news of the death of one of our greatest leaders who was the vice president in the Second Republic, Chief Dr. Alex Ekwueme. It is indeed a sad loss for the nation. So, I crave your indulgence to all stand up for a minute silence in his memory.”
The youths came from Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), National Association of Nigerian Students (Zone B), as well as members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Jonathan’s community.
The former president, who was flanked by his wife, Patience, and some close friends and well-wishers, further encouraged the youths to be patriotic and optimistic about the future of the country.
“You should know that as young people, this country is in your hands and it is your responsibility to make it work. Whatever sacrifices I have made as president, I expect you to even do more when the time comes for you to lead our great country.”
He told them that the world is changing while challenging the youths to show more interest in the affairs of the nation.
Jonathan further reminded them that young people like them elsewhere were not only taking interest in politics
but were already taking over the reins of governance. He cited the cases of France and Australia, two great European countries that recently elected presidents aged 39 and 31 years, respectively.
Speaking earlier, Pereotubo Oweilemi, president of IYC, thanked the former president for the sacrifices he made during his administration. He, however, noted that Jonathan’s efforts were not being appreciated by those that succeeded him and warned that Ijaw people would resist any attempt to humiliate the ex-leader.
“I want to call on the authorities of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that as the president of the Ijaw youths council, I want to sound it loud and clear that we will not allow the persecution of the former first family.
“We will not take it. We are aware of attempts to subvert justice in the bid to humiliate the former first family. By the grace of God, I am a lawyer, and I know the law. When you say that the law should take its course, you should also be aware that there are justice and tradition.
“We all know in this country, for instance, that no former president had been asked to appear before the National Assembly and it will never start with our own son. We will stand by our president (Jonathan) and we will stand by our mother (Mrs. Jonathan). Any attempt to humiliate them will be resisted.”
He further praised Jonathan for his candour and unprecedented gesture of calling his opponent to concede victory to him while the votes of the last presidential election were still being collated, stressing that it was “that singular action that defused the tension in the land and united the nation.”
He also noted that Ijaw nation was divided and urged Jonathan to apply the same wisdom that guided his presidency to unite and bring peace to Ijaw land.
“The Ijaw nation is divided, the youths are divided, and the elders are divided. We all speak in different voices. For how long will this continue? I want to appeal sir, please bring us together.”
Other youth leaders from different parts of the country took turns to speak, with all of them praising the former president for his remarkable achievements and support for youth development.
Those who spoke included coordinator, NANS Zone B, Pedro Chubuzo Obi, Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria Rivers State/chairman of other state chairmen as well as Ahmed Rilwanu Laura, chairman NYCN Zamfara zone/secretary of Forum of 36 state chairmen.
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