Nyanya Bomb Blast: Masterminds Will Pay for It - Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has promised that all those who took part in the recent Nyanya bomb blast that killed about 100 people will pay dearly for it. Jonathan made the promise at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday during the 4th annual presidential breakfast prayer. “No matter what government does, we cannot recover the dead, but our promise is that all those who took part in that will pay dearly for it,” he said.

The president said his prayers were with all the victims of the attacks by the Boko Haram sect, their families and loved ones across the nation. He said his administration would continue to support the victims’ families while security agencies continued to work hard to contain insurgency.

Jonathan, who noted that Nigerians have to rely on God to pursue peace and surmount terrorism, thanked them for their prayers, acknowledging their love for the nation which, according to him, gives him hope and encouragement to do more for the good of the country. “Today our prayers are with the victims of Boko Haram and their families and loved ones. The last tragedy of these heinous ideology occurred while we were preparing to mark the resurrection of our Lord at Easter bringing sorrow to many families.

“The government is offering all assistance to support the affected families as the security agencies work tirelessly to unravel the source of this evil and to forestall further senseless desecration of our homeland... We must all come together and have faith to combat the ignorance and intolerance of criminals. Your love for our country gives me hope and encouragement to do more for the good of our country.

“I urge you not to relent in your prayers and dedication because overcoming the present challenges we face may look impossible with men, but with God all things are possible. This is clearly seen in the scriptures and this is my article of faith. And of course, this is one of the things that make me smile whenever you see me.

“By the grace of the almighty, Nigeria will overcome the evil of terrorism and with these strides of development which the country is undergoing in many sectors, we will not be slowed down. We must all increase our vigilance and alertness as well as cooperation and understating to our men in uniform who are at the forefront on our behalf.”

Earlier, the chaplain of the Aso Villa Chapel, Venerable Obioma Onwuizurumba, in his welcome address, said the breakfast was organised to celebrate Easter and the goodness of past years as well as to ask God for more grace for Nigeria. He noted that Jonathan’s administration had passed through difficult times.

The guest speaker at the event, Director General of the National Institute for Transformation, Professor Vincent Anigbogu asked Jonathan not to be distracted by terrorist activities in the country, saying “All great visions for Nigeria must move forward; the threat of Boko Haram shall be insignificant. If your desire is to change this nation for better, God will honour it.

“Many leaders faced similar challenges and overcame them, he noted and declared that “you are not alone Sir, you can succeed. During threats, we must focus on our goals. Don’t allow distraction. Nigeria must remain a multi-lingual, multicultural and multi-religious country. No single organisation can derail this country. We must arise during this season and be extraordinarily tough.