FROM LEFT: FORMER HEADS OF STATE, GEN. ABDULSALAMI ABUBAKAR; GEN. MUHAMADU BUHARI; GEN. YAKUBU GOWON; PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN; FORMER PRESIDENTS OLUSEGUN OBASANJO; ALHAJI SHEHU SHAGARI; FORMER MILITARY PRESIDENT, GEN. IBRAHIM BABANGIDA AND FORMER HEAD OF INTERIM NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, CHIEF ERNEST SHONEKAN, AFTER RECEIVING THEIR CENTENARY AWARDS FROM PRESIDENT JONATHAN IN ABUJA ON FRIDAY (28/2/14)
The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said those who described the centenary celebration as a mistake were wrong because it has ushered in dawn of a new era of peace and unity among Nigerians irrespective of their political, religious, ethnic and sectional affiliations.
It noted that Nigeria has for long been under attack by sectional interests and “this is the time to silence such interests and build a strong and united country”.
The party particularly observed that the hopes of Nigerians were rekindled when they saw former president Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan together, irrespective of their perceived misunderstandings.
While it hailed President Jonathan for the success of the event, the party added that it heralded a dawn of “oneness, brotherliness, unity and peace in the nation”.
A statement by the PDP national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the ruling party was proud of President Jonathan for organising the event which “not only succeeded in putting the nation on the international arena to showcase our best, but also fostered unity and genuine reconciliation among our leaders and the people”.
“The centenary celebrations have ushered in a new era. They have rekindled the Nigerian spirit in all of us. They have revived our sense of patriotism; our inner love for one another as one people under God.
“The Centenary Concert not only reminded us of our common root but also pointed us to our rich heritage which comes alive only when we combine our energies as a people. It showed we are indeed one people determined to succeed and that our divisions are as ephemeral as they are artificial.
“Nigerians were moved and their hope of a peaceful great nation was rekindled when they saw former president Shehu Shagari, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar come together. Nigerians were moved when they saw Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo and President Jonathan together irrespective of their perceived misunderstandings. This shows that our differences and disagreements as a nation do not get to the bones and can always be resolved”.
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