Without Yar’Adua I Wouldn’t Have Been President – Jonathan Told Corps Members

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday told the people of Katsina State that he would not have been president if not for their son, the late former president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who chose him to be vice president in 2007.Speaking to a mammoth crowd at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp, venue of the Katsina rally, the president also said it was the goodwill of the people of the state that has kept him president.He noted that it was for this reason that he is willing to do anything the people of the state needed even without them mentioning them.He said, “I thank the people of Katsina State. But for you I wouldn’t have been here today. I am here because of Katsina. It is your own son that brought me as a vice president and that is why I am here today. Unfortunately, within the first tenure he left me, may Allah bless his soul.“One thing you will know from me is that anything that you need, that you want, that government is in a position to do, we will do it without you asking for it”.The president said his administration was able to provide Katsina State a federal university when it became embarrassing that, as the cradle of western education in the country, the state could not boast of a federal university.He told the people that Katsina State had produced the first female pilot among those currently being trained under the Petroleum Development Trust Fund (PTDF) and that his administration has associated more with farmers more than any other in the country’s history helpingOn insecurity in the North, he said it was a problem facing other countries of the world, adding that his administration had been able to deal with the situation so far because of its focus.He said: “We have challenges like many other countries in the world but we are still managing because of our focus. We will get through our challenges because we are working hard and you know it.”Also speaking at the rally, Governor Shema called on PDP supporters to remain steadfast and not be intimidated by any individual or groups for political reasons.He said President Jonathan has done well for the state by providing a federal university, building almajiri schools, fighting desertification, youth unemployment among others in the state and the country in general.Earlier, Jonathan had paid a courtesy call on the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman in his palace.