The two leaders, who spoke at the funeral service at the Government House Chapel, Jos, on Tuesday called on Nigerians to initiate and also support steps toward national unity among Nigerians.
Dantong and Gyanmg Fulani, the Majority leader of Plateau House of Assembly, died on July 8.
Jonathan, represented by the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu urged Nigerians to be strong and very hopeful.
``Nigeria is passing through a trying moment which requires our unity to surmount it.
``We should not lose hope toward a united and peaceful Nigeria; the security challenges are only trying moments that give way to a better Nigeria.
``I believe that Almighty God will help us if we, as Nigerians, are willing to forgive one another and embrace dialogue as a way forward,’’ he said.
Jonathan urged Nigerians to accommodate one another and live together and condoled with the family, the government and people of Plateau over the loss of the senator, whose contributions, he said, would be greatly missed.
Mark, in his message, said that the unity of Nigeria should be uppermost in the minds of every Nigerian, in spite of challenges the people were facing.
``We should guard against anything that will tear us apart in spite of the security challenges before us. It is true Plateau has been under attack but we should learn to forgive and forget.
``Until we forgive those that wrong us, we can’t ask God to answer our prayers. The senator that we are burying today has been preaching forgiveness as a child of God so we should follow suit,’’ he said.
According to him, although many shall ask, how long shall we continue to lose our men, women and children before peace will come, my answer is no more with the death of Dantong?
``I believe with Dantong’s death, God will surely come to our rescue and restore peace not only in Plateau but in Nigeria as a whole.’’
Gov. Jonah Jang of Plateau called for the amendment of the Nigerian constitution to address some pressing issues that would solidify the unity of Nigeria as a nation.
He said: ``I don’t believe in Sovereign National Conference that some people are proposing.
``I believe there are so many things that are wrong with our constitution; such issues are begging for amendments for us to have a true federal constitution. ’’
Jang called on the members of the National Assembly to be bold and sincere enough to correct the wrongs in the constitution, noting: ``posterity will tell whether you do justice or not.’’
Among dignitaries at the funeral ceremony were serving and former governors, ministers, serving and former senators.
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