Jonathan commits to strengthening national security

Jonathan commits to strengthening national security

President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria has said that the government was taking definite steps to strengthen national security.

President Jonathan made the pledge while receiving a delegation of the family of the late Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who came to commiserate with him at the State House, Abuja, over the bomb blast.

The late Prime Minister’s family members led by Malam Yakubu Tafawa Balewa, were in the State House on a thank-you visit to the president, for naming the new Ministry of Foreign Affairs building after their father.

Fighting terrorism

Speaking on the explosions, which rocked the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja on June 16, Jonathan said that his administration would not forget the act.

He said the explosion was an act of terror, which had become a global trend, but gave assurance that his administration was taking steps to ensure the safety of all Nigerians.

Immortalisation

The president said that naming the Foreign Affairs Headquarters building after the late Prime Minister was not an accident, but “a recognition of his contribution as Nigeria’s first foreign minister’’.

He said the action was also to recognise Balewa’s contributions to the development of Nigeria as its first Premier.

On plans by the family to establish a foundation in memory of their father, Jonathan advised that they should ensure the appointment of people of integrity, who would keep the good name of the late Prime Minister alive.

He promised that the prime minister’s mausoleum would be upgraded, to serve as a suitable tourist attraction for visiting foreign leaders and visitors.

Earlier, Yakubu Balewa had expressed appreciation to Jonathan, and spoke of his family’s plans to set up a foundation in memory of their father.

He said the foundation would focus on good governance and good neighbourliness.

NAN/Williams