Jonathan advocates patriotism

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Nigerians should strive to put the nation first rather than their sectional interest, President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday when he received former Minister of Information and Ijaw leader, Edwin Clark, who visited the State House with associates

Mr Jonathan used the occasion to extol the values of nationalism and cohesion that Mr Clark has promoted over the years, and described the him as a de-tribalized man who has friends and contacts in all parts of the country. A former Inspector General of Police, M.D Yusuf thanked Mr Jonathan for the reception, noting that while Mr Clark's comments could sometimes be hard pills to swallow, they do not detract from his sense of devotion to national integration. A former PDP chairman, Solomon Lar, also described Mr Clark as a bridge-builder who believes in one Nigeria and puts the nation first in all he does. He commended Mr Jonathan for his tradition of hosting elder-statesmen who have contributed to nation-building, saying the gesture should be emulated by future leaders

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Former chairman of the Board of Trustees of Peoples' Democratic Party, Tony Anenih, also extolled the virtues of Mr Clark, whom he described as a man of his words. He also called on Nigerians to always speak against oppression and stand for the truth at all times; something he said Mr Clark has always done. A former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman, described Mr Clark as one of the fathers of the nation who abhors injustice and who always speaks up no matter whose ox is gored. Need more information regarding house sign?

Mr Clark thanked the president for receiving him and his associates in spite of his tight schedule, noting that Mr Jonathan's assumption of office is the handiwork of God and the Nigerian people. Others who were present include Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo; Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan; Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe; former Chief of General Staff, Mike Akhigbe; former Deputy Speaker, House of Reps, Chibudom Nwuche; and Mr Yusuf. Others include former Bayelsa State Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Frederick Faseun, Doyin Okupe, Ledum Mitee, and John Fashanu