This is contained in his Ramadan message issued, on Tuesday, by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati.
The statement said that while wishing adherents of the Islamic faith successful and spiritually gratifying Ramadan fast, President Jonathan called on them to offer prayers for the nation.
"The President calls on all Nigerians, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, to strive to imbibe in greater measure, the virtues of piety, self-discipline, tolerance, equity, fairness and sympathy for the less privileged which the Ramadan fast promotes.
"President Jonathan also urges all persons of the faith who may have been misled by extremists and agents of international terrorism into taking up arms against their fellow countrymen, women and children to re-open their minds, during this Ramadan season, to Islam's true lessons of love and peaceful co-existence with others.''
It said that the President prayed that God Almighty will grant the prayers of the faithful during Ramadan.
He also prayed that God will reward them bountifully and grant the nation greater peace, security, unity and national harmony.
The President was received on arrival in Beijin by the Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister, Mr Le Yucheng; Nigeria Ambassador to Republic of China, Amb. Aminu Wali and his wife, Mrs Aisha Wali.
The President is being accompanied on the visit by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan; Chairman Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Sen. Paulinus Nwagu; Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Rep. Mohammed Mongono and Chairman House Committee on Aviation, Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
Also on the entourage of the President are, Govs. Peter Obi of Anambra; Theodore Orji of Abia; Isa Yuguda of Bauchi and Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe and 13 Ministers.
President Jonathan later had a closed door meeting with members of the delegation led by Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru; Petroleum, Mrs Deziani Allison-Madueke; Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada; Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah; Works, Mike Onolememen; Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) and the National Planing, Dr Shamsudeen Usman.
Others are ministers of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar; Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo; Science and Technology, Prof. Bassey Ewa; Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe; Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga and Mines and Steel Development, Isa Sada.
The President is expected to be received officially on Wednesday by President Xi Jinping of China.
They would thereafter hold Bilateral meeting, and sign agreements /MoUs as well as hold a Joint News Conference.
The President would also meet with a group of African Ambassadors and grant audience to CEOs of reputable
Chinese companies. (NAN)
via nigerianeye
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