Nigerians pray for the country ahead of independence
Gloria Essien, Abuja
Ahead of the 51st independence anniversary of Nigeria, an interdenominational service was held on Sunday in Abuja to pray for the Nation.
The service featured prayers for peace and stability, economic boom and unity of Nigeria.
In his speech at the event, President Jonathan justified his administration’s approach to the many social, political and economic challenges facing the country.
He told his critics and some politicians he described as Goliaths, who he accused of doing everything possible to make his presidency fail, that they would be defeated by God that installed him President.
President Jonathan said although he possess not the traits of a ruthless dictator like King Nebuchadnezzar, a lion, a tiger or an army general commanding troops as some Nigerians have wished, he knows that God that installed him President through prayers would use him to change Nigeria. He thanked the church and the faithful for their prayers and urged them to continue.
President Goodluck Jonathan said that Nigeria has been receiving accolades from world leaders for its achievements.
Excerpts of his speech:
“I thank you for your prayers. It is because of it we are even seeing what we are seeing today. You have been praying for us and my request is for you to continue to pray for the government and together we will conquer the Goliath of our time.
You have been praying for us, but others will not even want us to move an inch, especially those of us who are politicians. But, one prayer I will continue to request because if you listen to Nigerians or read their statements, some Nigerians still want the President of this country to be a lion or a tiger, somebody that has that kind of strength, force and agility to make things happen the way they think.
Some others will want the President to operate like an Army General, like my Chief of Army Staff commanding his troops. Incidentally, I am not a lion and I am also not a General. Somebody will want the President to operate like the kings of Syria, Babylon, Egypt and Pharaoh, all powerful people that you read about in the Bible. They want the President to operate that way, the characters of the Goliath. Unfortunately, I am not one of those”.
Nigeria is being piloted by God himself
The President continued:
“But God knows why I am here, even though I don’t have any of those attributes, or these characters I have used as an example. But through your prayers, God placed me here. The only thing I ask you to do for me, and that is the prayer I pray every time is for God to use me to change this country.
I don’t need to be a lion. I don’t need to be Nebuchadnezzar. I don’t need to operate like the Pharaoh of Egypt but I can change this country without those traits.
“You know these days for you to be an intellectual and for people to listen to you, you have to abuse government. Somebody was asking, is Nigeria on autopilot? Meaning a plane without a pilot and I say Nigeria is being piloted by God himself. It is not going to be easy, but with God using you and us, we will get to where we want to go.
 R-L: President Goodluck Jonathan; Senate President David Mark; First Lady Patience Jonathan and Mrs Esorhe Rosemarie Mark
“I just got back from the United States; the President of America is like the President of the world because it is the most powerful country. In most cases, if you go for UN General Assembly; if you are to speak immediately after the US President, then you are in trouble. Immediately he speaks, about two thirds of the hall will leave because everybody wants to listen to the President of America.
When Obama spoke during the Security Council meeting outside the General Assembly, he commended Nigeria, but back home, we are being abused. When the President of South Africa and Gabon spoke, they commended Nigeria, but here, we are not being appreciated. But what I can assure you is that Nigeria is on course and with your prayers and the guidance of God, we will surely get to the destination we are going."
Nigeria at 51 after Independence
He outlined the challenges and expressed his determination to overcome them:
“It is not going to be easy because just like Rev. Yusuf Turaki said, there are Goliaths everywhere, very terrible Goliaths; the ones that can even kill their father and mother and even their children in order to stop government are willing to do it. So, we have these terrible Goliaths that are trying to frustrate us; but surely with God, we will conquer them.
I remember one of the sermons Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor gave here; he said every Goliath has an exposed forehead. All the Goliaths that are stumbling blocks to the development and growth of this country, God will expose their heads for the stone of David.
Brothers and sisters, we are celebrating Nigeria at 51 after Independence, but as a nation we are 97 years old because Nigeria was amalgamated in 1914. In 2014, we will celebrate the centenary, our 100 years of existence; we will do a big ceremony. Today, we are celebrating 51 years of independence.”
Iheanacho(with agency reports)
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PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN IS GREETED BY (L-R), PASTOR AYO ORITSEJAFOR; SGF, SENATOR PIUS ANYIM PIUS; AND CHIEF OF DEFENCE, AIR MARSHALL OLUSEYI PETINRIN 
