A survey on the spate of our Development and Achievements as a Nation in the past decades will definitely set you off balance. As a vast majority of Nigerians has greeted our existence and developmental status with high amount of dissatisfaction and hate. The big question that will always remain on the lips of any and every concerned Nigerian is to know the area we have gone wrong as a Nation, no doubt the blame has always been on the path of the Government and our Leaders.
Nigeria no doubt is endowed with the best Natural and Human resources that could pioneer her as one of the most developed Nations in Africa and the World at large but the opposite has always been the case as she has witnessed a log of travails since her independence with poverty taking a footstool in our existence, and the elite becoming more classy by the day. With corruption identified as the major bane to our development as a society of happy people despite our travails, Religious and Ethnic diversity.
When the Independence of the Nigerian State was announced by the Britons on October 1st 1960 after a rigorous fight by the Ziks, Awolowo's,
Enahoro's and others there arose a brighter prospect and anticipation for the future, many a expected a quick Transfiguration but were unfortunately
greeted by the unexpected.
Military dictatorship took its trend in our then nascent State, with a Civilian rule taking a peep from the spectating stand with frowns written all over.
This of course emerged as the birth and origin of a corrupt Nigeria as power drunk rulers capitalized on their position as an avenue to satisfy their ever thirsty pockets.
In what seem like a miracle and a dream come true was the inauguration of a Democratic system of Governance which was headed by the Rtd. Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo after a landslide victory under the Umbrella of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in an election greeted with much dissatisfaction by both Nigerians and International observers alike, hope was risen again as the Obasanjo government baptised us with series of reforms in all sectors of governments and the economy. A reform that saw the establishment of anti-graft agencies whose purposes are to combat Corruption and other related offences which has been identified as the bane to our progress and development as a Nation. The EFCC and ICPC recorded a huge success in the fight against corruption though there were setbacks and known limitations.
The Eight years of Obasanjo's reign saw the birth of Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'aduas regime with Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan voted as Vice-President, a feat which was welcomed by Nigerians as a meticulous selection owing to issues of zoning. Yar'aduas Seven Point agenda was really a policy to be reckoned with, as he was bent on touching the lives of the ordinary Nigerian despite the excesses
and extreme agitations of Youths from the Niger Delta termed militants fighting for economic liberation and of their region, a region that as served as
the economic breast milk of the Nation for decades after the fall of the Agricultural sector of our Economy. The Introduction of the Amnesty Program
was welcomed though highly criticized from quarters of the Nation despite its aim of re-integrating the aggrieved and irate youths of the region.
Death was just too quick in stealing away our short termed Hero, though Nigeria and Nigerians must continue and with due adherence to our constitution saw the enthronement of Dr. Goodluck Ebelemi Jonathan, GCFR as the President Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. President Jonathan in low key and great enthusiasm continued on the legacies and programs of his late boss in order to complete his tenure of monumental and pragmatic leadership.
Borne out of the desire to steer a Transformed Nigerian State, President Jonathan heartily declared his willingness to contest for the elevated seat of the President despite oppositions from different ends, which he did under the umbrella of the People's Democratic Party.
In his campaign messages he reiterated his commitment and zeal to serve and be served. An avenue where he disclosed his humble and honest background. "I was not born rich, and in my youth I never imagine that I would be where I am today, but not once did I ever give up. Not once that I ever imagine that a child from Otuoke, a small village in the Niger Delta will one day rise to the position of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I was raised by my mother and father with just enough money to meet our daily need. In my early days I had no shoes, no school bags. I carried my books in my hands but I never despaired......Fellow Nigerians, if I could make it you too can make it".
President Jonathan never minced words in promising a better and fairer electoral process during his campaigns as the 2011 general elections witnessed a huge Transformation process with appraisals from both local and international observers and the reforms even went beyond the 2011 general elections as a simlar process was recorded in the July 14th and October 20th Gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo State respectively with major opposition parties to the ruling PDP clinching victory at the polls, that was obviously a testimonial of Jonathan's zero tolerance to electoral fraud and corrupt practises. And at such receiving commendations
for his non interference and projected reforms in INEC.
Today we are celebrating our 52nd independence with many Nigerians loosing fate in the future of country, to many it seem our future is a vague one.
Definitely the experiences of our past still plagues and hunts us. But on the contrary there seem to be a Nigeria they don't know;
1. A Nigeria that can boast of rapid Transformation in her power sector with an unprecedented increase in its generation and supply of power from the stagnant 1300MW to over 4,200MW due to the repairs and rehabilitation of the Ten(10) NIPP projects across the country and also due to the steady supply of gas to facilitate power generation. It is expected that we will top 6000MW this year and hitting 13000MW at the end of year next year.
2. A Nigeria that is bent on fighting the scourge of global food crisis and economic downturns through the Ministry of Agriculture; Agricultural
Transformation Agenda. The Ministry Is determined in creating over 3.5million jobs. With its heavy investment in Rice, Cassava, Sorghum. Cocoa and Cotton. It also serves as a key player in the diversification of the Ngerian economy from the heavy over dependence on Oil. As the Transformation witnessed in the Cocoa, Rice and Cassava plantation will steer this even development.
3. A Nigeria that believes in entrepreneurship through the empowerment of young Nigerians via the YouWin Initiative.
4. A Nigeria that is poised in delivering the very best to her citizens in terms of modern Transportation system. The Nigerian Railway System has been epileptic and dysfunctional in the past decades. And it has witnessed a major Shakeup/Transformation since the inception of the Jonathan led administration, with over 3,000 kilometres of rail lines being rehabilitated across the country. With both inter/intra city Train services from Lagos – Ibadan – Ilorin Minna-Kaduna route, Kaduna-Kano route and Kano-Nguru route. Also with the near completion of the Port-Harcourt routes and the Lagos-Kano route. The innovative Light/Fast Rail track system from Abuja-Lagos is 22% done, and plans are in top gear to expand this feat to connect the six geo-political zones by Rail. Imagine cruising from Lagos-Benin in 90Minutes.
5. A Nigeria that has witnessed a tremendous Transformation in her Defence mechanism and strategy, with the Defence Ministry boasting of a home made Naval ship and armoury. And its advancement on insurgents and intelligence gathering techniques.
6. A Nigeria that is witnessing Transformation in its electoral process, a feat that has always seem impossible by Nigerians. The recently held Guber pools in Edo and Ondo States are clear and strong indications that the will of the people will always be the priority of the Federal Government.
The Citizenry is now having a true taste of Democracy which allows them to vote their choiced candidates despite the Power of the Presidency
to influence and manipulate pool results like it has always been a tradition in the Nigerian setting. The President has always kept his words of ensuring a
free and fair elections in Nigeria undermining the Prowess and Pedigree of any candidate.
"Democracy thrives when the lives of the people are being touched productively and positively". --OND
"President Jonathan and the administration in power is not interested in deceiving the populace but only interested in building a standard Nation where people based on competence, development and ideas can come together to build a Strong Nation"......Emeka Onwuocha.
No doubt a new era is berthed in the Transformational Drive of President GEJ, and over the months he has shown an unprecedented leadership quality in calming the storms in the polity and pioneering a passion for change. Despite the destructive criticisms and name calling, undermining the blackmails and pressures Nigeria is still Working.
Arise O' Compatriots and Together let's be Partners in Progress.
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