PRESIDENT JONATHAN ACTUALLY PRAYED FOR A TURBULENT ADMINISTRATION
|
| PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN |
Only a few people are actually aware of the fact that the President of Nigeria Dr. Ebele Goodluck Jonathan had actually prayed for a turbulent administration on July 14, 2011 at the swearing for the then newly appointed Ministers.
Jonathan had said hard times await the new ministers as Nigerians, in their quest for the transformation of the economy, would mount pressure on them, stressing that 'there will difficult decisions and moments'.
He said 'the task ahead is not going to be an easy one. Remember the words of the late Tai Solarin, in a January 1, 1964 essay: 'May your road be rough,' he said. 'I am not cursing you; I am wishing you what I wish myself every year’.
I therefore repeat, may you have a hard time this year, may there be plenty of troubles for you this year! If you are not so sure what you should say back, why not just say, same on you? I ask no more! Obviously the road ahead of us may be rough, but with sincere and purposeful leadership, we will surely succeed in transforming this country.
Everything will be done to provide an enabling environment for you to be able to function efficiently. I will also personally ensure that we remain focused as a team, and that the confidence that the people repose in us, is not taken for granted'.
He went further to say 'There will be difficult decisions and tough moments ahead but we must, through our efforts, show that we are prepared to work in the best way to focus on the people's aspirations.
Sensing their discomfort then, the president reassured them saying that: “I am not cursing you; I am wishing you what I wish myself every year. I therefore repeat, May you have a hard time this year, may there be plenty of troubles for you this year!” Ha!
While other past heads of government would wish new appointees good luck after the usual tough talk, President Jonathan did it differently by invoking the prayers of the late Tai Solarin in a poem (May your days be rough-January 1, 1964)
As people were filing out of the Council Chamber after the ceremony, many were repeating the words to one another, with each one rejecting them either in the name of ‘Allah subhannahu wata-Allah’ or in ‘Jesus name’! They included the ministers just sworn-in and who were the recipients of the ‘curses.’
"Is this a prayer or a curse?" a very senior government officials asked no one in particular.
 |
| TAI SOLARIN |
