Nigeria's challenges like Israelites' journey to Canaan —Jonathan •Visits Ibadan today

President Goodluck Jonathan, on Sunday, likened the
current challenges facing the country to the hardship
encountered by the Israelites on their journey from Egypt to
the Promised Land.
Jonathan spoke during his foster daughter’s wedding
thanksgiving service at the Cathedral Church of the Advent,
Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Life Camp, Abuja.
He told the congregation that just as the Israelites
eventually made it to Canaan despite the numerous
challenges that confronted them on the way, Nigeria would
get to its desired destination.
The president urged Nigerians to continue to support the
government and pray for the country, adding that
government would keep doing its best to overcome the
challenges.
“This is a period in which the whole world is being
challenged, just like some of the passages we read.
“Whenever I think about all these happenings in Nigeria, it
makes me remember the journey of the Israelites from
Egypt to the Promised Land.
“When God promised they were going to be given a land full
of milk and honey, ordinarily one would have expected
them to just walk in and get the milk and honey.
“But they had to cross the Red Sea; that was a challenge.
They had to meet people like Annas and others. That was a
big challenge, but because God wanted them to be there,
they were able to get there.
“Surely, we will get to where we want to go as a nation. We
may have the road bumps, we may have the obstacles but
we will crush them and pass them.
“All we want to request is your continued support and your
prayers, and we promise we will continue to do our best.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the
thanksgiving service followed the wedding of the
president’s foster daughter, Inebharapu Paul, with Mr
Simeon Onyemaechi, on Saturday.
The ceremony, which was held at the Ecumenical Centre,
Abuja, had attracted important dignitaries, including former
President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Meanwhile, as part of continuation of his campaign tour of
the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital
Territory (FCT), President Jonathan will today storm the
city of Ibadan to solicit support from the electorate in Oyo
State in pursuit for his second term ambition.
Jonathan and his campaign train will be at the prestigious
Mapo Hall which has been scheduled to host the event.
Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo
State have concluded arrangements for the mobilisation of
party faithful throughout the state to attend the programme
at Mapo Hall in order to give their support to the President,
according to the party's Public Relations Officer in the
State, Kehinde Salawu.
Also speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, the Public
Relations Officer of the Oyo State police command, DSP
Adekunle Ajisebutu, said: ''We are fully prepared for the
campaign train of Mr President. We cannot afford to toy
with the safety of the president and that of the people, so
logistics have been put in place to ensure the safety of the
president, members of his entourage and that of the people
who will be attending the event," he concluded.
Also, as President Jonathan visits Ibadan, Oyo State
capital, today, the governorship candidate of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Senator Teslim
Folarin, has appealed to the people of the state to troop out
en masse to welcome the President and Commander- in-
Chief of the Armed Forces to the Pace-Setter State as a
show of solidarity and love.
Folarin also urged politicians to conduct themselves
lawfully and avoid any action capable of disrupting the
peace of the state.
According to him “To appreciate the steady implementation
of the transformation agenda of the present administration
and as a peace-loving people, we urge all to keep the
peace, be lawful and avoid any actions or utterances
capable of disrupting our reputation for harmony as a
pacesetter .
According to the release signed by the director of media
and strategy to the gubernatorial candidate, Victor
Oluwadamilare, Folarin said   “we have to use this
opportunity to appreciate our leader, President Jonathan,
for his good leadership and commitment to ensuring that
this country is united.''
“Irrespective of political affiliation, our people must remain
mindful of the rule of law and shun all actions that
contravene the law, especially the maintenance of public
order,”
Folarin said that the series of empowerment programmes
implemented by the Jonathan’s administration in Oyo State
have been possible, due to the atmosphere of harmony in
the state and urged “all to vote for PDP in the next month’s
elections in order to bring back the past glory, peace,
economic and social development to the state.