Ben Agande, Abuja.
President Goodluck Jonathan has called on state governors not to shy
away from signing death sentences passed on convicted criminals saying
that as leaders, their responsibilities include doing both the “sweet
and the ugly part” a long as it is sanctioned by law.
In a message at the Villa Chapel to commemorate the Fathers’ day
celebration, president Jonathan expressed worry that discipline which
used to be the hallmark of the family is gradually being eroded because
of negative influence of modernism.
He said: “These days, because of modern life, discipline is almost
gone. Discipline can be in various forms. In the states, it could be
admonition. Magistrate can just admonish and allow him to go. From
admonition to various forms of punishments, it could be imprisonment.
The extreme is capital punishment.
“In the case of capital punishment, the state governors will sign
(the death sentence). Even governors sometimes find it difficult to
sign. I have been telling the governors that they must sign because that
is the law. The work we are doing have a very sweet part and a very
ugly part and we must perform both. No matter how painful it is, it is
part of their responsibilities” the president said.
He president said fathers are expected to be role models where
children will want to be like their fathers, saying that they must of
fail to discipline their children when necessary.
“I want to urge all of us who are fathers to discipline our children.
No matter what you do, even if you show love and provide the needs of
the family, if you don’t discipline your children, it is not good. So
for us as parents, it is important for us to let our children constantly
know that it is good to take the right path. It is good for them to
know that they must be upright” the president said.
Earlier in his sermon, The President of the Church of Christ in
Nigeria, Rev. Soja Bewarang, said if Nigeria must move forward, those
working with the President must refrain from stealing public funds and
must be honest.
“If this country must survive, all men working under the President
must practise honesty and they must not steal. He (the President) cannot
fight corruption when you are not supporting him. He may try, but he
cannot be everywhere. You are his representatives , so you must practise
honesty and you must not steal,” he said.
He asked Nigerians to pray for good fathers like Enoch; those who
will walk with God like Noah; those who will feat and trust God like
Joshua; and men of faith like Abraham.
The special service which had Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta
State as the special guest of honour was also attended by the
President’s mother, Eunice; Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom
State; Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, and his wife;
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Tony
Anenih; members of the Federal Executive Council; new Controller-General
of Immigration, Mr. David Paradang; Commandant-General of the Nigeria
Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr. Ade Abolurin; and members of the
National Assembly.
Others were the Ambassador of Ireland in Nigeria, Mr. Patrick
Fhearghail; the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Uriel Palti; former
House Leader, Tunde Akogun; Ndidi Elumelu; and Nollywood stars among
others.
No comments:
Post a Comment