President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday called on Nigerians to unite in building a peaceful and prosperous nation. The president also called for more support for his administration towards realising its goal of transforming the country.
The president in his New Year message said, “let us all therefore resolve as we celebrate the New Year to place the higher interests of national unity, peace, stability and progress above all other considerations and work harder in our particular fields of human endeavour to contribute more significantly to the attainment of our collective aspirations.”
He said his administration will continue to ignore cynics that see nothing good in government saying, “I also want to assure Nigerians that we will refuse to be discouraged by those who have taken it upon themselves to pick on every initiative and effort of this administration.”
President Jonathan urged Nigerians to render support to government in its effort at developing the country.
He said security will remain the major focus of his administration by 2013 saying, “we will also do more in 2013 to further empower our security agencies who are working in collaborative partnerships with our friends in the international community to stem the scourge of terrorism in our country and enhance the security of lives and property in all parts of Nigeria.”
He said priority will also be placed on flood and erosion control as well as the rehabilitation and expansion of existing federal roads, improved power supply and reactivation of the national rail network.
The president said government will work towards actualising its programmes and policies as captured in the transformation agenda.
The president also promised to create employment opportunities for the teaming graduates and to create wealth for the people.
He said, “We have in the last year achieved a lot in terms of the positive transformation of vital sectors of our national life such as public infrastructure, power supply, oil and gas, transportation, education, health and agricultural development.
“We will continue to work diligently in 2013 to ensure that our efforts in these areas are carried forward to full fruition in fulfilment of our promise of better public services and improved living conditions for all Nigerians.”
