PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday assured that the country would not break up despite the activities of a few selfish individuals or groups.
The president said that despite inciting remarks from certain politicians about the possibility of Nigeria disintegrating sooner than later, they would be disappointed as the nation would remain a united entity.
The President made these observations during the Inter-Denominational Church Service to mark the 2013 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebrations at the National Christian Centre in Abuja yesterday.
According to him, only mad couples divorce after 100 years of marriage and Nigeria is not a mad nation, stressing that for the country to get to her desired destination, everyone must be involved, as government alone could not do it neither could the citizens do it alone.
Those in attendance at the service included First Lady, Patience Jonathan and President's mother Eunice; Senate President David Mark, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihidioha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim, Service Chiefs, members of the Federal Executive Council, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the private sector and Christians from different denominations.
According to the President, now is the time for Nigerians to rise up in one voice and condemn terrorism and those who preach disintegration.
He lauded the Armed Forces and other security service for their selflessness, adding that despite the number of criticisms that trail some of their actions or perceived inactions, they were doing all within their powers to keep the nation one and in peace, adding that the best gift that could be given to them was support and prayers.
"Some people talk about disintegration of Nigeria, now even at political levels some people take it as a weapon … when they want to discuss politics. But my conviction and I believe that of most people here and those listening to us, is that Nigeria will continue to remain a united nation.
"Nigeria will not disintegrate… I know Nigeria will remain one. In 2014 we will celebrate our centenary, 100 years in existence. It will only take two mad people to stay in marry for 100 years and say that is the time you will divorce and we are not mad. If there are issues that have been brewing over the period and we have been managing, we will continue to manage.
"We will not think about separation. I always say some nations have their own history, sometimes people question the unity of this country especially when they talk about the amalgamation of the north and south in 1914, some big countries have very ugly pasts… it is for us who are alive today to shift our focus and begin to talk about those things that will bring unity, development.
"I always say that Nigeria is great is not because of our oil, because we have people that produce more oil than us but we are appreciated and still reckoned with because of our size and diversity both for human beings and environment. These are areas we should exploit for unity and development.
"So please let us all stand up and condemn those who say otherwise about our unity, those who call for our disintegration or who make similar statements should be condemned by all Nigerians."
