The immediate past President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan was conspicuously absent at a a special thanksgiving service hosted by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Aso Villa Chapel.
Past leaders who are Christians that attended the service included former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of the Interim National Government Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, former Chief of General Staff Rear Admiral Ebitu Ukiwe, General Oladipo Diya (rtd).
The vice president told State House correspondents after the service that former President Jonathan was among those specially invited, “but unfortunately, he had to cancel at the last moment.” Osinbajo, said the service was organised to thank God for all He had done for the nation this year, stated: “Today is a special thanksgiving for the end of the year. And as you’ve seen, all the former presidents and vice presidents are here for the special thanksgiving service. They’ve been specially invited to come.
Also speaking, Gowon called on Christians in the country to love their fellow citizens regardless of their faith as expected by Christ. “Our neighbours are Christians, Muslims, traditional religions etc. Whatever we do, we make sure that we live up to the expectation of what Christ expects of us,’’ he said.
Expressing joy that he attended the service, the former military leader thanked the vice president for facilitating his attendance. Gowon prayed for God’s guidance for President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo to govern the nation according to His will.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters Senator Ita Enang thanked Osinbajo for bringing the past and present leaders to the service.
Enang said the thanksgiving service was aimed at thanking God for helping Nigeria to steer its economy. He said chairmen and members of the committees in charge of budget and finance at the National Assembly were currently appraising the 2016 budget, “and it is good to thank God and ask God’s face as we move ahead.”
