President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ), on Sunday, November 10, 2013 said the issues of Association of Senior Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), payment of arrears owed pensioners and that of the power sector would soon be a thing of the past.
He said that the ASUU imbroglio would be resolved to put an to end to the strike embarked upon by members of the union, just as he assured Nigerians that by the end of April, 2014, there would be relative steady power supply in the country.
President Jonathan’s pronouncement came on the heels of appeals made by the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Founder, Word of Life Bible Church, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor during the 26th Jubilee Word Festival of the Word of Life Bible Church, Warri, Delta state.
Pastor Oritsejafor had appealed to Mr. President to pay the pension arrears owed senior citizens of the country with a view to reducing their pains and sued for a possible way of resolving the protracted strike embarked upon by Association of Senior Staff of Universities (ASUU).
President Jonathan, who lauded the role of the Church in keeping Nigeria stable, said in spite of daunting challenges, his administration has continued to ensure the best for the country, and solicited the cooperation of all Nigerians for greater development through peace and unity.
“But for the church, this country would have gone into oblivion. We must thank the church for its prayers for this great country. It is the prayers of the church that has kept this country together. By God’s grace, the issue of terrorism and kidnapping will be a thing of the past. The superior power of God will give Nigeria victory over her challenges.”
Speaking from his paper titled; “The Role of Citizens in Nigeria’s Socio-economic Recovery,” the president said, “Two years into our transformation agenda has witnessed remarkable progress. Our reform has attracted both local and international attention. We are building capacity of citizens in all spheres.”
“Government efforts at diversifying the economy and creating employment are yielding result. Nigeria is making progress in the power sector and I am sure that before the end of the first quarter of 2014, power would be stable.”
The CAN leader who decried the level of corruption in the country, prayed God to give President Jonathan the strength to fight it to logical conclusion, noting that the President’s decision to initiate a National Conference is a step in the right direction.
While urging religious leaders in the country to stand behind the government of the day to fight terrorism against the nation, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor commended President Jonathan for extending by six months the state of emergency in three northern states where the Boko Haram insurgency is yet to abate.
Dignitaries at the opening of the 2013 Jubilee Word Festival and the celebration of the 41st Anniversary of Word of Life Bible Church include, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross Rivers State; Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State, Minister of Information, Labaran Maku; Senator Emmanuel Agwuariavwodo representing Delta Central District; the executive secretary of Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board; Senator Patrick Osakwe and former deputy governor of Delta State, Sir Benjamin Elue, among others.