President Goodluck Jonathan on behalf of
the Federal Government and people of
Nigeria on Thursday
extended condolences
to President Francois Hollande and the
people of France as they mourn the victims
of Wednesday’s dastardly terrorist attack.
According to a statement issued by the
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity , Dr .
Reuben Abati, Jonathan joined the rest of the
civilized world in condemning the “ heinous,
senseless and totally unjustifiable killing of
journalists and other persons ” during the
attack on the satirical magazine, Charlie
Hebdo .
He believed that the cowardly and ignoble
attack by violent extremists is a monstrous
assault on the right to freedom of
expression .
Jonathan also saw the attack on Charlie
Hebdo as another manifestation of the
depravity and brutality which the world has
to contend with in what must become a truly
collective effort by lovers of peace, progress
and freedom across the globe to rout the
agents of darkness and retrogression
The President assured President Hollande
and the people of France that Nigeria stands
in full solidarity with them on their day of
national mourning for those who lost their
lives at the hands of the terrorists .
Jonathan noted that France has been a
strong ally and dependable partner in
strengthening regional cooperation in the
fight against terrorism in Nigeria, West
Africa and Africa as a whole.
It reads: “President Jonathan pledges that
his administration will continue to work with
the French government and other friendly
governments in all continents to end the
scourge of global terrorism .”
“ President Jonathan urges media
practitioners worldwide not to be
discouraged or disheartened by the brutal
murder of their colleagues in Paris
yesterday , but to remain strong and fearless
in pursuit of truth and the defence of human
rights and freedom of expression .”
“ The President prays that God almighty will
comfort the people of France, especially the
bereaved families and grant speedy
recovery to all those who were injured in
yesterday ’s attack.”
