We’ll not yield to terror – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday said his administration would remain unyielding in the face of terror attacks in parts of the country. The President said the Federal Government would continue to reinforce the nation’s defence with a view to ridding the country of terrorists who had been threatening the country’s peace and development. Jonathan spoke through Vice President Namadi Sambo at the opening of the 16th meeting of the Baroness Lynda Chalkerled Honorary International Investor Council, which held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said, “This administration remains committed to ensuring security of lives and property of Nigerians and all those that reside in this country. “Our security forces are confronting terrorism and any insurgency that seeks to undermine the security of the nation. “We will remain unyielding and will continue to reinforce our defence so as to rid the country of terrorism and the forces of evil that threaten our peace and development.” Jonathan said that Nigeria’s position as the preferred destination for Foreign Direct Investment in Africa had been maintained despite the current security challenges, adding that his administration’s determination to ensure that Nigeria becomes one of the world’s 20 most industrialised nations had grown stronger. He said he would continue to take all necessary steps to enhance the competitiveness of Nigeria’s enterprises, having “significantly improved the nation’s investment climate.” The President said he was encouraged that the measures the government had taken were steadily contributing to the attainment of the broad objective of the administration’s transformation agenda and that he would not relent in efforts to sustain a predictable and stable policy environment. Jonathan said, “Let me reaffirm that our efforts under the transformation agenda are yielding impressive results. Today, Nigeria is one of the strongest economic performers in Africa. “For the second year, the United Nation’s Conference on Trade and Development has declared Nigeria as the number one recipient of Foreign Direct Investment in Africa. “In May this year, Nigeria hosted global leaders at the World Economic Forum on Africa. Besides the record attendance, prospective and sizeable additional investments into Nigerian economy were pledged.” Chalker said a situation where primary school children failed to complete their education was symptomatic of the level of problems in the country. This, she said, was the reason why the council would focus on education. “We do not have a separate session on power supply but we do know that Nigeria’s progress again depend on the gas reforms, the management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, fuel supply to power plants, speedy implementation of renewable energy and progress plan for developing domestic gas utilisation. Power and education are at the heart of what must be achieved,” she said.