Buhari's presence at Centenary flag off impressed me, says Jonathan

By Lizzy Ebem, Daily Times, February 13, 2013

President Goodluck Jonathan said today that he was impressed by the presence of former Head-of-State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), at the flag off of the nation's centenary celebration which held last Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The President said he was impressed when he saw Buhari on his arrival at the venue of the programme which informed his decision to invite him join him in lightening the centenary torch.

The President said, "When the celebration was packaged and that day when I got there, I was impressed myself especially when I saw the former heads-of-state including General Buhari. He came that day and that was why I said the two of us should light the unity torch and I think it was something nice."

The President also said the flag off and Super Eagles' victory at the just-concluded African Cup of Nations showed that God had a purpose for Nigeria.

"So the colourful flag off of the centenary with the victory of the Super Eagles, though I am not a soothsayer, but there are certain things that are directed by the will of God and I believe God has a purpose for this country.

"I believe that purpose will come through and I believe collectively, we shall succeed," the President concluded.