President Goodluck Jonathan and former Prime Minister of Britain, Tony Blair were present at the opening ceremony of the Rock Cathedral of House on the Rock in Lekki Lagos. The church built in eight years, is now valued at about $85million (N13.4 billion), according to the founding pastor of the church, Paul Adefarasin.
At the unveiling ceremony of the 9,000 seater church, Jonathan urged Nigerians to demonstrate unfailing love for the country notwithstanding the current challenges confronting the nation.
He said for Nigeria to be a better place, there should be collective efforts of every individual and the communities.
“I appreciate all for giving me the opportunity. I thank all Nigerians for what they are doing for the country. Because of the intercessory prayers, the country is stabilised,” he said.
The president said transformation could not be effective without passing through challenges. He then assured Nigerians that whatever challenges the country is passing through now, will end in joy.
“When we work hard, we will take our country where we want it to be,’’ he said and urged Nigerian youths not to relent in working with the government for the betterment of the country.
“Nigerian youths, we reassure you that we will continue to work together, do our best for the country as a nation. When we work together, we will overcome the challenges in the country.
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair, said for total transformation to take place, Nigerians should work hard and see themselves as one and do away with religious differences.
Blair said that Nigeria is a country endowed with great potential, hence, the need for total transformation.
“Nigeria should be hopeful because of its people. Nigeria will be built by the strength and dedication of Nigerians. There is no progress in the midst of violence,” Blair said.
He urged the Federal Government to put opportunities in the hands of many not few, and appealed to Nigerians and religious bodies to tolerate one another and give room for religious reconciliation.
Rev. Paul Adefarasin, the Senior Pastor of the Church, said there was hope for Nigeria in spite of the challenges ravaging the country.
The ceremony continues on Sunday with the dedication of The Rock Cathedral, where renowned gospel artist Don Moen will minister.
Nonsense.. Jonathan should knw that he is a Nigerian president not a CAN president that is always going round to promote christianity and using public funds to build churches… This is unacceptable in a country where Muslims have 63% of the population..Rather he should concentrate on running the affairs of the state that needs his urgent attention.. If he want that then let him resign and be appointed CAN president instead.
@Sageer Muhammad,the president and Tony Blair were invited to commission a church,not president Jonathan build the church and u are nonesens,whereas u the [email protected] the president is mulism he can be invited to commisson a mosque nothing BAD about it.
BOKO HARAM
All terrorist activities, from the maghreb, to sudan,to
somalia, to Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan to
Pakistan are all associated with mainstream
Islam.The hatred being generated worldwide
against mUslIms is a good sign. It means that
collective effort will be generated to end their
mindless bigoted jihadism. The plans of boko haram
to islamize Nigeria will not prosper.
Amen!
Who told Muhammad dat the cathedral was built with state funds? And what on earth is wrong with the President attending a church’s opening ceremony? Are u telling us dat no Muslim head of state in d past has attending similar Muslim occasions? Ur comment comes across as thinly-veiled bigotry. Honestly.
*attended
@muhammad, u totally wrong in what u saying. He didn’t use any funds to build the church, besides he can attend any occasion within Nigeria. Who even told u that 63% of nigerians are muslims? It is like the 19 northern states are deceiving u. Look inside and u see that not all 19 are muslim.
I am sure u must be a boko haram person sha that is why u talking lik dis.