Read the State House press release..
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
Thursday in Abuja urged world leaders
and international institutions to give their
fullest possible support to the incoming
Administration of Gen. Muhammadu
Buhari. President Jonathan also called on
all Nigerians to do their utmost best to
help the incoming President succeed in
leading the country to greater heights of
accomplishment.
At separate audiences with the new
ambassadors of France, Senegal and Ethiopia,
President Jonathan appealed for patience,
understanding and cooperation from all
stakeholders in Nigeria, which, he said, General
Buhari will need to move the country forward to
greater, peace, security and progress.
Responding to the commendation of his
exemplary concession of victory in the
Presidential elections by the new ambassadors,
President Jonathan said that he acted out of his
abiding conviction that the unity, well-being and
progress of Nigeria must supersede all personal
ambitions. “Democracy has to be nurtured to
grow.
Strong democratic institutions are the backbone
and future of our democracy. They must be
protected and nurtured. As for me, as a matter of
principle, it is always the nation first. “You need
to have a nation before you can have an
ambition. It should always be the nation first.
You don’t have to scuttle national progress for
personal ambition.
“Since I assumed duty, I have
been involved in quelling political crisis in some
African countries and I know what they passed
through and what some are still going through.
If you scuttle a system for personal ambition, it
becomes a collective tragedy,’’ President
Jonathan declared. Speaking with the new
French ambassador, Mr. Denis Guaer, President
Jonathan urged France to extend the support
and assistance it gave to his administration to
General Buhari’s government. “President Francois
Hollande was our guest in Nigeria during the
celebration of Nigeria’s centenary.
He has been very supportive of the country in the
fight against terrorism. I expect that the same
warmth and goodwill will be extended to the
incoming government. I expect that France will
continue to work with the new administration,
especially on issues of terrorism. “The United
Nations has been supportive as well. Our troops,
supported by regional forces, have done very well
in fighting the terrorists in recent times.
What we need now is support to help our people
get back their lives,’’ he said. The ambassadors
commended President Jonathan for setting a
record of humility, patriotism and courage in
safeguarding the democratic process in Nigeria
and Africa. “Nigeria is not only an economic
power in the world today, but also a great
democratic example.
And it is all by your effort, Mr. President. The
last elections and your response was truly a
great achievement and you will always be
remembered for it,” the French ambassador told
the President. Mr. Guaer, the new Ambassador of
Senegal, Mr. Baboucar Sambe and the new
Ambassador of Ethiopia, Samia Zekaria Gutu
who were at the Presidential Villa to present
their letters of credence to President Jonathan,
also assured him that they will do their best to
strengthen relations between Nigeria and their
countries during their tenure.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President (Media and
Publicity)
April 16, 2015
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