President Goodluck Jonathan has sent a message of solidarity to the government and people of France over what he called the heinous, senseless and totally unjustifiable killing of journalists and other persons during the attack on the satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo.
In a message signed by his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati today, President Jonathan advised media practitioners worldwide not to be discouraged or disheartened by the brutal murder of their colleagues in Paris.
He asked them to remain strong and fearless in pursuit of truth and the defence of human rights and freedom of expression.
The President also extended his condolence to President Francois Hollande as he joined his country people to mourn the victims of yesterday’s dastardly terrorist attack.
He believed that the cowardly and ignoble attack by violent extremists is a monstrous assault on the right to freedom of expression, even as he also regarded the attack on Charlie Hebdo as another manifestation of the depravity and brutality which the world has to contend with in what must become a truly collective effort by lovers of peace, progress and freedom across the globe to rout the agents of darkness and retrogression
The President assured President Hollande and the people of France that Nigeria in full solidarity with them on this day of national mourning for those who lost their lives at the hands of terrorists.
He confirmed that France has been a strong ally and dependable partner in strengthening regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria, West Africa and Africa as a whole, assuring of his administration willingness to continue to work with the French government and other friendly governments in all continents to end the scourge of global terrorism. [myad]
