More equipment for military this week - Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday disclosed that the Nigerian military will take delivery of some additional equipment this week and next in his administration’s quest to end insurgency in parts of the country.

Jonathan disclosed this during his courtesy visit to the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambari, in his palace.


He was in Ilorin for the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential rally in the state.

The President expressed the hope that with the delivery of the platforms, the military would move faster within the next two weeks to curtail the security challenge.

He said, “You have observed us for the past four years. Yes, we have security challenges relating to the Boko Haram saga mainly in North East.

“Although their excesses extend to some parts of the North like Abuja, Sokoto, Gombe and Kano. But it is mainly in the North East. We are working hard and we shall surely bring it to a halt.

“As far as the military is concerned, even as we are talking, we are expecting more platforms this week and next week.

“I believe that in the next two weeks or so, we will be able to move faster than we are moving.”

Outside the security network, Jonathan said his administration had moved fast in many areas like the road network.

While admitting that work is still in progress, he said no government could fix all the country’s problems in four years.

“We have intervened in so many areas; agriculture that touches the life of an ordinary Nigerian is one of the areas that we have been working very hard.

“We are trying to move agriculture to the next level; a level that young graduates will be able to embrace,” the President added.

He promised that his administration was committed to pushing the country forward and providing jobs for young people as well as to diverse the economy.

Jonathan told the traditional ruler that he was in the palace to personally inform him that he was interested in seeking re-election.

He also introduced the party’s governorship candidate in the state, Senator Simeon Ajibola, to the monarch.

He said under the PDP, people of the state would continue to enjoy freedom and quality of life.

Gambari told the President that having watched his performance over the years, he was convinced that he has done very well.

He prayed that God would crown the President’s effort with success.

He urged all politicians to conduct their campaigns without violence.

He said since he heard of the President’s campaign trip to the state, he had been praying to God to make it hitch-free.

Earlier, the national chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, had told the emir that the delegation was in the palace to seek his support and prayers so that the PDP could continue the good work it had started.