President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday called on all Nigerians, especially those in leadership positions, to make personal sacrifices that will propel the country to growth and prosperity.
Jonathan made the call in his address at the 5th Presidential Breakfast Prayer held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential villa Abuja.
“Leadership is not all about giving directives; a successful leader must be ready to make sacrifices.
“Everything about human life even as an individual as a child if you do not make the required sacrifices you won’t get to where you want to go.
“If you don’t sacrifice your pleasure you will know where you will end; as individuals, first sacrifice your pleasure to succeed,’’ he said.
Jonathan noted that in spite of the challenges confronting the nation, prayers would make the country to triumph.
“Today we are talking about Boko Haram in some parts of the North, about kidnapping in South-South, South- East and other challenges and sometimes’ you begin to think that the world is ending.
“Definitely this country will pass through this period; and that is the essence of this prayer; our constant prayer will surely help us to rebuild our nation,’’ the president said.
Jonathan thanked former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon and former Head, Interim National Government, Dr Ernesrt Shonekan, for their patriotism and commitment to the development of the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prayers were offered for the country, its past, present and future leaders.
In one of the prayers, the Chaplain of the Aso Villa Chapel, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba, noted that through prayers and display of statesmanship by the president, the country had experienced unprecedented peace after the presidential polls.
He noted that during the electioneering, there were evil predictions against the country and the leaders but that God had changed the situation for the better.
Also, Pastor Paul Enenche of Dunamis Church prayed to God to grant Nigerians the right to make good choices that would make positive impact on the life of the nation.
Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the President of the Christians Association of Nigeria, thanked God for the gift of President Jonathan to Nigeria.