He said this when the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Hon. Morgan Tsvangirai, visited him in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he pledged that Nigeria would support the country and the South African Development Community (SADC) for conduct of credible elections in that country.

Jonathan charged: "All African countries have a responsibility to ensure that Zimbabwe does not go back to the crisis of the past with the consequent loss of lives".

He reasoned that the only way Africa can achieve stability in governance, as well as attract the needed direct foreign investment, lay in the conduct of transparent election that would stabilise socio-economic development and ensure that the will of the people reigned. He pointed out that the lessons of Kenya and Cote d'Ivoire should be employed in Zimbabwe to avert crisis.

Tsvangirai told State House Press Corps that he was in the country to brief Jonathan on how far SADC had gone to ensure peaceful elections next year and to solicit the support of Nigeria and the African Union (AU) to play active roles in the conduct of the elections.

"As you know SADC and AU are both guarantors of the global political agreement in Zimbabwe. I am just updating him so that they can play a more active role in ensuring that we can go to the elections next year hopefully in a free and fair manner so that we put a closure to the dispute in Zimbabwe."

He said his trip was aimed at soliciting for more active role in the elections so that "we don't have a repeat of another Ivory Coast."

Meanwhile, Jonathan has vowed to do everything possible to ensure the safety of Nigerians and foreigners residing in the country and asked them not to panic over some of the security concerns. Jonathan said this when football star, Mikel Obi, paid him a thank you visit for assisting the family in ensuring the release of his father, Michael, from the clutches of kidnappers who asked for $10 million.

Jonathan, who described the kidnap of Pa Obi as "Unfortunate and sad", assured him that action was already being taken to address the issue and that result would soon be achieved.

Earlier, the footballer thanked Jonathan for assisting the family to release their father, whom he said was recovering from the psychological and physical injuries.

Mikel said he had been encouraged to put in his best in national assignments, including the forthcoming African Nation's cup qualifier in Madagascar, for which he assured the President of the preparedness of the Super Eagles for the encounter.

By Special correspondent