President Goodluck Jonathan has cautioned Nigerians against scuttling the 2015 general elections through acts of violence and thuggery. He called on youths in particular to shun negative tendencies from politicians and vote for credible candidates with proven mettle for leadership.
The President spoke today at the 2nd convocation ceremony of the Nigeria Turkish Nile University, Abuja, in which Governor Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State and the Director-General, State Security Service, Ekpeyong Ita, were awarded honorary doctorate degrees.
“I would like to point out especially to our youths that the general elections are fast approaching,this calls for responsible engagement and participation.
“While encouraging you to vote for credible candidates of your choice, I urge you to shun all invitations to political thuggery or acts that can undermine free, fair and credible elections.”
President Jonathan, who was represented by the Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Suleiman Bagoro, said the Federal Government was determined to win the war against terrorism, adding that the insurgency in Nigeria was calculated to undermine the nation’s cohesiveness.
“These are trying times for our country, occasioned by the challenge of terrorism, innocent lives are being wasted by some people who have chosen to undermine our cohesiveness as a people.
“They will not succeed. We are determined to win this war and win back peace which is prerequisite for our development.”
He said efforts are being made to end the disparity between holders of Bachelor’s Degree and Higher National Diploma in the public service.
While discouraging over-dependence on paper qualifications, the President said the focus of his administration was to address comprehensively the challenges facing all sectors of education.
“Our aim in government is to address comprehensively, the challenges facing all sectors of education. We must move the focus from the mere acquisition of certificates to the development and application of skills for which individual students are best suited.” [myad]
