Boko Haram activities not Islamic, Jonathan insists

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday insisted that the activities of the dreaded Boko Haram sect have nothing to do with the Islamic religion.
Jonathan, therefore, called on Nigerians to continue to pray to God to forgive the sect members and to halt insurgency in the country.
The President spoke while receiving a delegation of the Muslim community in the Federal Capital Territory that paid him the traditional Sallah homage at his residence in Aso Rock, Abuja.
The delegation, which was led by Vice President Namadi Sambo, also included the Minister of State for the FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide; the National Security Adviser, retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki; the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba; Ministers; and presidential aides.
President Jonathan however expressed optimism that the nation will soon get out of insurgency.
His words: “Boko Haram killing innocent children and women in market places, in mosques, schools definitely has nothing to do with religion.
“For us as a nation, this period we should use it to charge ourselves, call on ourselves, encourage ourselves to continue to pray for the forgiveness of those who are doing things that are not religious and for Allah to see us through.
“I believe in this country, I believe that Nigeria has a lot to offer not only to Nigerians but to the world and that surely we will get to where we want to go.
“Whatever obstacles we see are very ephemeral and part of history of nation building.
“If you read the history of all nations, there is no nation that does not pass through some challenges but they got over it and move ahead.
“I think we are getting over our problems.”
Speaking on Eid-el-Kabir, President Jonathan noted that it was a unique one this year because it falls on a Friday, urging Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of humility and equality before Allah that Hajj exemplifies.
Vice President Sambo, while speaking earlier, had extended Sallah greetings to the President, thanking him for his continued support for Nigerian Muslims to perform the annual Hajj.
Sambo noted that the transformation agenda was already yielding positive results in the various sectors of the nation’s economy.
He, therefore, urged all Nigerians to continue to pray for the country so that we can get over insurgency.
Sambo later presented a Sallah card to President Jonathan.