Adura_ngba: Obasanjo Legacy: Lest We Forget

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THE ECONOMY PRE-1999

Near Collapse of Economic and Social Infrastructure
• Slow Growth in GDP – 1.19% in 1999
• High Double-Digit Inflation in the range of 20 – 25%
• Loose Fiscal Policy with fiscal deficits averaging 3.5% of GDP
• Low growth in oil sector due to lack of investment – 7.5% in 1999
• Huge debt overload – external and domestic debt 70% of GDP resulting in difficulty in debt servicing


The Economy SINCE 1999

• FDI and Portfolio inflows more than doubling every year – about US$7bn in 2006; non-oil exports grew by 24% in 2006 and China and India becoming preferred partners.

• In 2006, the Nigerian economy grew by 7% (GDP growth rate). Inflation rate dropped from 17% to 10% by September 2006

• In 2006, the non-oil sector, especially agriculture, grew by 8% up from 6.5% in 2005 (almost twice as fast as the oil sector)

• Nigeria has the most profitable Stock Market in the world with an average Return on Investment (ROI of over 31%)

• Stable prices (exchange rate, inflation) and stronger banking system powering NSE; thousands of Nigerians are making money out of the capital market; NSE capitalization expected to be about US$100bn in 2008, ahead of Egypt and second only to JSE

• The Pension Reforms Act 2004 established for Nigeria a new and contributory pension scheme for both the private and the public sector. Pension Fund now in excess of N600bn

• 21 companies with market capitalization of US$1bn and above. There are 22 companies with such profile in West Africa, out of which 21 are in Nigeria – none in 1999.


AGRICULTURE SINCE 1999
• Growth rate in Agriculture sector increased from 2.9% in 1998 to 7% in 2005.

• Annual production of fingerlings and table fish increased from 2.0 million metric tones and 30,000 mt in 2004 to 50 million metric tones and 80,000 mt respectively in 2006.

• The Nations silo storage capacity increased by about 100,000 mt.

• The current growth rate is slightly higher than the 6% target set for the sector under NEEDS and NEPAD’s Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme


Agriculture, Water Resources
and Rural Development
SINCE 1999
• Water supply coverage increased from 35% to 65% between 1999 and 2007, hence increased food production through irrigation.

• A total of 2,170km rural feeder roads awarded for rehabilitation under the 2006 MDG Poverty Reduction Fund Release.

• The output of cash crop such as rice, cocoa and rubber also grew by 24%, 36% and 10% respectively.

• Cocoa production increased from 170,000 mt in 1999 to about 460,000 mt in 2006.

• Five new improved cassava varieties with potential yield of 30 - 80 tons/ha compare with the present yield of 12 - 15 tons/ha have been formerly released to farmers nationwide.
• 89 boreholes, 41 open wells, 24 micro earth dams, 480 tubewells and over 536 fish ponds constructed under the National Special Programme for Food Security (NSPFS)

• Annual production of cassava tubers increased from 35million metric tonnes in 2005 to over 49 million metric tonnes in 2005.

• 1,044 water pumps distributed

• Annual production of over 10,000 mt of assorted vegetables

• The construction of the Gurara water transfer project (capacity 850 million cubic metres), is a tremendous achievement in the development of dams and reservoirs.

• One of the global leaders in poultry production


Agriculture sector
Ensuring Food Security before 1999
• Scarcity of seedlings for farmers
• Unavailability of fertilizer to farmers
• Wastage of farm produce
• Lack of emphasis in agriculture
• High importation of locally produced food
items such poultry products, fruit juices, plantain chips, leading to undue pressure on
the Naira


Agriculture sector slide 8

ENSURING FOOD SECURITY SINCE 1999

• Presidential initiative on rice, livestock, cassava, vegetable oils, tropical fruits and tree crops have led to a significant boost in agricultural production
• Increased interest in agriculture due to improved government policies
• Improved allocation and distribution of fertilizer and farming implements
• Enhanced local and foreign markets for farm produce
• Increased in agricultural research funding
• Increased in output of major crops such as maize, millet, sorghum, rice, beans, yam, cassava etc.

ROAD & RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE

• Between 1999 and February 2007, FGN spent N116bn to complete 117 roads and bridges covering 4,747km

• Currently there are 118 new and on-going projects covering 632,428km with some attaining completion levels of 96.6%. Amount spent on this so far is N187.35bn

• Total length of road projects awarded (completed and on-going) since 1999 is 19,801.05km estimated at N229.019bn

• Some of the road dualisation projects are Ibadan-Ife; Benin-Asaba; Mile 3 diobu – P/Hacourt; Benin Bypass; Kaduna Refinery road; Onitsha-Owerre; Nyanya-Keffi; Ibadan-Ilorin; Benin-Warri; Lagos-Otta-Abeokuta; Kaduna Eastern Bypass; Abuja-Lokoja; East-West and Kano-Maiduguri

• Many roads are aklso under design for future dualisation, including Kano-Kongolam; Lokoja-Benin; Keffi-Jos; Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi

• The plan is to dualize all major federal roads by 2020

Adura_ngba: NEW RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE


• Federal Government has approved new railway plans for the standard gauge
• $8.3bn estimated for the project. $2bn is obtained as a soft loan from the Chinese government
• 3 longitudinal lines: Lagos – North; Warri – North; and Port Harcourt – North
• 4 Latitudinal lines, with extension lines to cover all State capitals and major commercial cities

ELECTRICITY PATHETIC PAST

• 1986-1999: No major overhaul carried out on existing plants
• 1990-1999: No new power stations built
• 1999: Only 19 out of 79 generating units in operation, with actual daily generation averaging 1800MW
• The last transmission line built in 1987

ELECTRICITY SINCE 1999
Major Infrastructural Expansion

• Geregu Plant, Kogi State: completed and commissioned February 2007
• Omotosho Plant, Ondo State: completed and commissioned May 2007
• Papalanto Plant, Ogun State: On going
• Alaoji Plant, Abia State: On going
• Egbema Plant, Imo State: On going
• Omoku Plant, Rivers State: State complted, Federal On going
• Calabar Plant, Cross River State: On going
• Gbarain Plant, Bayelsa State: On going
• Ihovbor Plant, Edo State: On going

MAMBILLA HYDRO PLANT: 2000MW: Contract signed and civil works have begun.


WHAT has CHANGED?
• Energy generation increased from 1,800MW in 1998 to about 2700MW in 2004

• Funding increased from about $50m in 1999 to about $380m in 2005

• 19 new power stations under construction to generate 4,500MW of power

• 7,000km of transmission lines nationwide and 22,000 transformers to be installed

• Over 600 project sites nationwide to bring electricity to about 1000 rural communities. The entire project will involve about 20,000 shipments comprising:
• - 200km of gas pipeline
• - 10,000 tons of material for power station equipment
• - 67,500 tons of transmission tower materials
• - 15,000km of distribution conductors
• - 25,000 distribution transformers



INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION SINCE 1999

Market Liberalization
International Recognition
Telecommunications Sector Reform
Communications Infrastructure Development

• State Accelerated Broadband Initiative (SABI Project)
• Wire Nigeria Project (WiN)
• Internet Service Exchange (IXP)
• Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF)

Unprecedented Impact in Socio-Economic Development

Phenomenal Industry Growth (connected mobile line grew at about 100% annually)

Improved Tele-density (tele-density increased from a mere 0.45 lines per 100 persons in 1999 to 25 lines per 100 persons as at January 2007)

Nigeria was adjudged the fastest growing telecoms market in Africa and one of the fastest in the world by 2006

Private investment rose from $50m in year 1999 to $9.5b in 2007. This was also influenced by the revolution in the telecommunications

Over 34million connected lines

Massive employment generation

Two major projects initiated to provide rural telephony in 108 local governments spread across the country

Massive rural telephony project launched two weeks ago by Mr. President

NIPOST now a world class postal institution


HEART OF AFRICA PROJECT
A cohesive information programme for Nigeria's image management and economic progression.

Arguably the most ambitious marketing and ethical blueprint designed by any Nigerian government to tell the Nigerian story.

Ensured the right kind of information is received about Nigeria, both locally and internationally.

Repositioned Nigeria to serve as Africa's preferred destination for political, business, social and cultural events.

Embraced a value orientation programme involving attitudinal and behavioral change tagged PRIDE - Patriotism Resourcefulness Integrity Distinction Enterprise.

Hosting of the largest colloquium of Nigerian mothers - “Mother's Summit”. The summit became the plank for the implementation of PRIDE - The internal component of the project.

Nigerian brands marketed abroad through bus, escalator and tube branding.

Adura_ngba: NAFDAC

An investment in the dignity of Man
Restructured and modernized food and drug administration regulatory processes Counterfeit drugs in circulation dropped from 41% in 2001 to 16% in 2006.

Production capacity of local pharmaceutical industries increased from 25% to 40%; and their number rose from 70 to 200 in 6 years.

110 destruction exercises of counterfeit and substandard products valued at N20billionPharmacovigilance Centre established to monitor adverse drug reactions and safety of medicines.

Over 400 Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reports have been received.
45 convictions secured in respect of counterfeit drugs related cases.

NAFDAC admitted as a member of the National Centre participating in the WHO Drug Safety Monitoring Programme.

On the strength of NAFDAC's monitoring of salt iodization, Nigeria is rated as the first developing country to achieve Universal Salt Iodization.

Use of bromate by Nigerian bakers has dropped from over 95% in 2001 to less than 0.01% in 2006.

There is now very strict control on Narcotics and Controlled substances.


NIGER DELTA 1958 - 1998
• 1958: British colonial government established Willinks Commission to tackle development challenges

• 1961: Niger Delta Development Board (NDDB) was created to facilitate development of the region. NDDB failed.

• 1970: 6 out of 11 River Basin Development Authorities were established to address challenges of development in the Niger Delta

• 1970 - 1980: Out of N214bn meant for all River Basin Development Authorities, only N227.2m went to the 6 RBDAs in the Niger Delta

• 1981: Presidential Task Force (PTF) established and allocated 1.5% of Federation Account to develop the Niger Delta region. RBDAs and PTF failed.

• 1992: OMPADEC established for rehabilitation and development of oil producing areas.

• 1992 - 1998: OMPADEC received N23.2bn but failed to change the situation in the region.

Niger Delta: 1999 - 2007

• 1999: 13% derivation introduced, leading to increase in revenue for the Niger Delta states from 26% in 1999 to 44% in 2003.

• 2000: NDDC established to address challenges of development in the Niger Delta.

• 2000 - 2006: NDDC received N176bn as allocation, six times the total monies allocated to past development commissions on Niger Delta development from 1961 - 1998.

• 2000 - 2006: NDDC executed 2,035 projects involving 160 classrooms, 480 health centres, 173 roads, 47 bridges, 316 electrification schemes, 283 water projects, 62 jetties and 25 shore protection and erosion control projects.

• 1999 - 2005: FGN spent N1.12bn on erosion and flood control projects in 5 Niger Delta states of Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, Edo and Delta

• A new five year development plan for the Niger Delta to cost N20 trillion:
– Dualisation of the East-West road at N230bn
– Rural electrification of 396 communities in the region
– Upgrading of the Petroleum Training Institute, Warri, Delta State to degree awarding institution. N1bn already released for expansion of infrastructure and upgrading processes.
• Launch of the New Master Plan for the Niger Delta by Mr. President in April 2007

• Inauguration of a 50-Member “Consolidated Council on Social and Economic Development of Coastal States”

• N2, 461,900,000,000tr allocated from the Federation Account to the six (6) States and all the LGAs in the South-South geo-political zone between June 1999 and April 2007.



EDUCATION: 1999-2007

• Introduction of Universal Basic Education led to:
– Increase in primary school enrolment from 17million in 1999 to 22million in 2005
– Increase in Secondary school enrolment from 3.8m in 1999 to 6.2 in 2005
– Increase in tertiary school enrolment from 312,334 in 1999 to 779,253 in 2005
• Restructuring of the Education Sector

• Online processes for JAMB, NECO & WAEC Examinations
• 40,000 teachers trained and retrained in 2006

• Revitalization of the Education Tax Fund; and resuscitation of the scholarship scheme for students in tertiary institutions

• Repositioning and reintegration of Polytechnics

• Home Grown School Feeding and Health Programme (HGSFHP)

• Procurement and distribution of 515 computer sets with complete accessories. Over 100 million has so far been spent on the computerization project.
•
• Housing for All Teachers (HAT) initiative, using the Federal Capital Territory as a pilot scheme.

• Renovation of structures; provision of additional classrooms, hostels and other facilities.

SPORTS and SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

You will recall that the 2003 All-African Games was more than a game.
It created an upsurge in economic activities
It was a major boost to tourism in our country
It generated 50, 000 jobs which included volunteers and those engaged in informal businesses

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Nigeria’s first communication satellite (NIGCOMSAT -1), has just been launched on May 13th, 2007. A hybrid satellite designed to operate in C, Ku, Ka, and L bands with footprints over Africa, part of Middle East and Southern Europe. It is sub-Saharan Africa’s first geostationary communication satellite. Fifty-five (55) Nigerian engineers involved in the design and building of all sub-systems of the satellite.

Through NIGCOMSAT-1, Nigeria is expected to receive $400m from African countries for their international telephone traffic alone.

It is expected to trigger further convergence in ICTs and cause a reduction in subscription rates of ICT related services.

NigeriaSat-1 (low earth orbit sensing satellite) was launched in September 2003.

NigeriaSat - 2 (with a ground resolution of 2.5m) is also due for launch in 2007.
Nigeria’s ICT policy framework was approved in 2001, following which the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) was established.

Nigeria had earlier launched her Micro-Satellite, code named NigeriaSat-1, an earth observation Micro-Satellite, the first low orbit remote sensing satellite, with its ground control station situated in Asokoro in Abuja and manned by Nigerian engineers.

Nigeria now a Member of International Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) comprising the United Kingdom, China, Algeria, Turkey, Thailand, and Vietnam. This membership enables Nigeria have a global coverage and to receive daily revisit provision of real time data for dynamic remote sensing thus making the satellite in the DMC operationally marketable, apart from reduction in cloud problems and increased commercial value, setting a New international Earth Orbit standard and stimulating partner-nations-value added business and high profile in terms of international disaster support; and world's first coordinated EO satellite constellation.
The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), the statutory body responsible for Nigeria's Space science and technology programme, through its Space Application Support for Sustainable Development (SASSD)has: Facilitated the supply of high resolution imagery and generation of topographical maps for the preliminary planning of the railway alignment.

Ensured the development of a Fadama Land Information Management System (FLIMS) through its long term rice yield prediction and production monitoring using soil/agronomic data typical of landscapes and agro-ecological zones.

Mapped settlements and major highways in Nigeria.

Developed Early warning Systems for food security to provide warnings of imminent crop failure and other food security problems.

Developed models for cassava yield prediction through remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques to provide relevant spatial and agro-meteorological data for field assessment and yield potential modeling including sub-plot sampling using satellite data and radiometer for field measurement of spectral reflectance and creating spatial database of Land and conditions suitable for sustainable production of cassava in Nigeria for the purpose of strategic national planning.

Updated the Land Use/ Cover Mapping of Nigeria
Identified Artisanal and Illegal Mining Sites in Nigeria using Remote Sensing GIS and GPS technologies

Mapped and monitored the impact of Gully Erosion in South-East Nigeria.

Mapped and monitored Flood Disaster Vulnerability in Nigeria

Provided Remote Sensing and GIS in Vector-Diseases Studies; for instance, Malaria Epidemiology

Nigeria now boasts of the likes of Zinox and Omatek (indigenous producers of branded systems which have flourished under the Obasanjo Administration).

THE HEALTH SECTOR

• We have introduced the Ward Health System as a strategy for the revitalisation of the Primary Health care System

• In 2003 Government made provision for the construction of 200 Ward Health Centres (WHC).

• A total of 154 WHC sout of 200 have been completed and are fully functional.

• Contracts for additional 380 PHC centres were awarded in 2004 to bring the total to 580 PHCs Nationwide

• Government invested 100 million Euros to equip and upgrade 8 teaching hospitals to “Five Star” status. These are:
– University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital
– Lagos University Teaching Hospital
– Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, Zaria
– University College Hospital Ibadan
– Jos University Teaching Hospital
– University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital
– University of Calabar Teaching Hospital
– University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ozalla, Enugu State

• 15 other Federal Hospitals, 23 Federal Medical Centres, 3 Orthopaedic Hospitals and 8 Neuropsychiatry Hospitals have also been renovated and re-equipped.


AIR TRANSPORT

• Re-certification of MMA by the United State Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on December 22, 1999.

• Resurfacing and extension of runway of Yola, Enugu, Calabar, Kastina, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan Airports to accommodate 747 Tyre Aircraft.

• Training and Retraining of security, fire & safety personnel to meet the challenges and threat of terrorism.

 Purchase of screening machines for all Airports.
 Purchase of apron buses for major international Airports.
 Provision of flight information display system (FIDS) for MMA.
• Installation and Upgrading of airfield lighting in major Airports.

• Installation of Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) at Sir Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu and Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri.

• Acquisition of motorized Air Traffic Control Tower, the first of its king in Sub Saharan Africa.
• New concession for variously needed infrastructure at Airports have been granted:

5 Star Hotels
Aircraft maintenance facilities ( Hangers)
Warehouses (Cold and Dry)
Shopping Malls
Office Complexes
Aviation Fuel Deports
Petrol Station
Car Parks

Adura_ngba: ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY (NCAA)

The creation of NCAA in 1999 brought about the enthronement of professionalism, integrity and discipline in the conduct of aviation business and in safety oversight.
Effective regulatory activities and re- certification exercises.

Successful outing in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) universal audit of 2006 where Nigeria came up with about 93% record performances.

A performance which ICAO recommended for other African countries to emulate.

Periodic economic audit of Nigerian Airline as a Surveillance mechanism to create a synergy between the financial health of an airline and its ability to provide safe and secure commercial aviation operations.

Six Nigerian carriers have been allocated regional and transcontinental routes.

ACHIEVEMENT OF NIGERIAN AIRSPACE MANAGEMENT AGENCY, NAMA

Injection of huge antennae of High Frequency [HF] and very High Frequency aeronautical radio among other communication facilities.

Procurement and Installation of 20 Very High Frequency Omni Directional Radio Range [VOR] equipment, 10 instrument landing system, locator beacons, On-Range directional beacons, Very High Directional Finder among others.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF NIGERIAN METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY (NIMET) SINCE 2003

Procurement and Installation of rural radio internet for dissemination of meteorological and other Information to rural dwellers.

Sophisticated, modern, computerized and automated equipment installed in its network to improve its data collection, processing and dissemination.

Forty-eight Automatic Weather Stations (AWOS) have been installed in Bauchi, Yola, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Markurdi, Abuja, Ibadan, Ilorin Obudu, Yenegoa, Calabar, etc

Nigeria was selected as one of the four beneficiaries of the 2nd generation satellite Group Receivers of Meteosat image in Africa through the untiring effort of the Agency.

Installation/Refurbishing of 17 port cabins in the network by SAHCOL
Installation of 2 new Digital Weighbridges at Lagos Warehouse by SAHCOL
Transportation infrastructure
Expanding the frontier of development
Before 1999
Dilapidated and failed roads nationwide, leading to poor transportation networks and increased highway accidents.
Emphasis on road rehabilitation, maintenance and management through the establishment of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), leading to rehabilitation of 500 roads in 2004 and over 1000 roads by the end of 2006.

Giving Nigerians better and expanded access through functional Highways and efficient Waterways.

Facilitating the creation of efficient railway networks.


PROSPECTS FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

This trend will continue and be consummated PROVIDED:

• Reforms are consolidated and sustained

• Prosperity not powered by oil, although primary commodity sector
still dominant

• Private sector growing by the day and owns the reforms - broadened
Stakeholders

• Growth of 12% can be achieved by exploiting hidden reserves for
growth in areas listed below:

• Youthful population, provided educational revolution succeeds
• 60% of arable land lying fallow
• Diaspora as reserve of skills and resources
• Exploiting dormant natural resources – solid minerals, oil and gas, etc
• Awakening Nigeria’s dormant capital – real estate/mortgage revolution
• The SME revolution

Breaking Dynasties of poverty: spatial inequality
Nigeria one of most unequal societies - need to enlarge the cake

Breaking the Natural Resource/Oil Curse

Infrastructure Gap: power; transportation; national gas policy; security and law and order

Taking Reforms to the States - the ‘other hand’

Decisive Solution to the Niger- Delta

Employment, especially urban youth unemployment
Macroeconomic Stability - new models and framework to lock-in recent gains: fiscal responsibility and consolidation; domestic debt burden; inflation targeting framework for monetary policy and Naira Revolution

Constitutional Reforms - especially aspects that constrain effective economic management

Electoral reforms and sustenance of Democracy

Urban Renewal across states, especially Lagos

Deepening the ICT Revolution and educational reforms

Revolutionalise Science & Technology Infrastructure

Agrarian revolution

Tourism

Challenges of the Business Environment

Social Service Delivery

Ports and Customs Reforms - clear customs in 6 hours - in Latin America it’s done in 2 hours

Administrative red-tapes; e.g. Land registration

Deepen NIPC’s one-stop shop

Institutionalizing Reforms

Leadership of the President and his team

National Council on Reforms and Transformation

Challenge of right skills: economy getting too sophisticated and needs new skills


BROAD CONSENSUS FOR DEVELOPMENT

Nigerians seem to have broad consensus on the imperatives of Africa’s giant. According to the President-Elect, the four key consensus by Nigerians are:

a. Deepening Democracy and Rule of Law
b. Economy to be driven by the private sector
c. Zero tolerance on corruption, and
d. Need for Good Governance

“Nigeria’s greatness lies in consolidating on these basic agreements and extending the frontiers of reforms” - Yar’ Adua, May 4, 2007

Both Goldman Sachs and Financial Times of London agree:

“We have a super-conviction about Africa. We are very optimistic that the corner has been turned economically. You have to imagine where it will be in two or three years’ time, and it is going to change in ways that people don’t expect. … Irrespective of its chequered and often bloody history, and in spite of ongoing political uncertainty, Nigeria is attracting an unprecedented wave of interest from bankers and investors…. Renaissance is making a big push into Africa, with Nigeria at the heart of its strategy”

ballabriggs:
OBJ was a mediocre but Jonathan is ten times lower than mediocrity.

ballabriggs:

Sincere 9gerian: "Some of the road dualisation projects are Ibadan-Ife; Benin-Asaba; Mile 3 diobu – P/Hacourt; Benin Bypass; Kaduna Refinery road; Onitsha-Owerre; Nyanya-Keffi; Ibadan-Ilorin; Benin-Warri; Lagos-Otta-Abeokuta; Kaduna Eastern Bypass; Abuja-Lokoja; East-West and Kano-Maiduguri7"

The FACT is that MOST of these so called OBJ achievements exist ONLY on paper. For instance, in the area of roads, after 8 SOLID years, most of the roads listed as achievements by OBJ, were abandoned and DEATH TRAPS as at 2007, including: Onitsha-Owerri, East-west, Kano-Maiduguri, Abuja-Lokoja, Kaduna refinery road,etc.

In my opinion, OBJ's regime was an abysmal failure. Most of the laudable programmes he initiated were BADLY implemented. What is the benefit of a laudable programme/policy if BADLY implemented?

For instance, I support privatisation but I say NO to a BADLY executed privatisation process. Rather than embark on compromised and corrupt privatisation, it is better to leave things as they are.

The electricity reform act of 2005 or so was another laudable policy but which the govt could not implement to the letter. The NIPP power programme, was great on paper, but very poorly implemented.

The regime of OBJ was even more DREADFUL if one recalls his notoriety for discredited elections and DO-OR-DIE/Amala politics.

There are positives in his 8yr reign no doubt, like the telecomm reforms, banking reforms, pension reforms,etc but overall, the 8yr reign of OBJ was an ABYSMAL failure.

Gbawe: The truth is that GEJ and OBJ are both gradualist mediocrities and opportunists who would not meritoriously have gotten as far as they did in Nations where, naturally, standards are set high. Both OBJ and GEJ, above everything else, are destructively corrupt as well.

Everything is then compounded by how Nigerians lack the political sophistication to make leaders do what should be done. Praising mediocrity, for one reason or another, is now enshrined in the mentality of Nigerians. I personally don't care for any list of achievements related to OBJ or GEJ because the major problems that must be tackled robustly and effectively, to turn Nigeria around drastically, are always ignored by 'defenders of the realm' like GEJ, Yar Adua and OBJ. One after the other, same story of ignoring our most devastating challenges.

Comparisons, for me, are a waste of time because it cannot be argued that the index that matters most differed significantly under OBJ or GEJ. I.e significantly notable improvement in the life of the average Nigerian. In fact, I would posit that most of the small progress made in the past 13 years have been largely incidental and evolutionary in context and not the result of deliberately inspired leadership. People talk about GSM in relation to OBJ. For f*ck sake, it was evolutionarily bound to happen considering I had been using a mobile phone for around two years in Ghana, and much longer in the UK, before Nigeria got the technology !!! Is any one, not given to the worship of mediocrity, to praise OBJ for technology the entire world already had as standard?

No President, since 1999, has made significant progress in relations to the fundamental problems troubling Nigeria. To that end, they are all failures to me. Granted it can be argued the degree to which they have failed/are failing.

aurenflani: All I know is that IBB out performed both OBJ and GEJ in infrastructural development of Nigeria.

donroxy: Olusegun Obasanjo is simply a blessing to Nigeria....!!!






#TeamOBJ#

ckkris: 1. I enjoy electricity in 2013 more than at any other time in Nigeria.
2. The Railways are working again.
3. The military seem to have penetrated Boko Haram and their sponsors are now begging for amnesty, a k a, soft landing.
4. Foreign Direct Investment is becoming normal.
5. Prices seem stable and economy is now measurable, and therefore predictable.
6. No police road blocks.
7. Discipline is being restored in education.
8. Nigeria won the Cup of African Nations.
9. Food supply and prices are stable.
10. There is rule of law.
11. Fuel subsidy cabal is being threatened.
12. The fresh air Jonathan is stabilizing to make Nigeria a 21st century nation state.

ckkris: The accomplishments of President Jonathan is astonishing.
October 1, 2010, real bombs were exploding all over Abuja, as President Jonathan stood courageously on a dais, celebrating Nigeria's Independence at three Eagle Square.

All the born to rule ganged up against him, even from the military, and within his government, to frustrate his policies to fail. Now Obasanjo has joined them.

aurenflani: All I know is that IBB out performed both OBJ and GEJ in infrastructural development of Nigeria.

Pukkah:

Did you just say 'astonishing'? It looks like that word has taken on a new meaning.

Pukkah:

Erm...there's one more point you should add to your nebulous list:

13. Pardon of convicted looter and thief of public funds.

ballabriggs:

What has Jona done on those roads even after four budgets? Where has all the money gone? Some parts of Onitsha to Owerri road was done under OBJ (from Onistha to Oba) and Umaru Yaradua who saw the slow pace of work did the better and most difficult part of that road from Owerri to Ihiala when he re-awarded part of the road to Julius Berger considering the slow pace of CCC's work. Till date after four years and money budgeted, Jona is still on that road! What of East West road? Lagos Shagamu? Lagos Ibadan? Owerri to Aba? Calabar to Ikom? Umuahia Ikot Ekpene? Uyo to Calabar? Is Lagos Abeokuta any better today? Lagos Badagry?

After four budgets! We are still talking rehabilitation? I am witness to the fact that by 2002, OBJ had completed the Benin By-pass and also completed the dualisation of Benin to Asaba road.




What difference has Jona brought to the Privatisation table with the hounding of Manitoba and the shenanigans that led to the sacking of Nnaji? Who won the bids for Power privatisation, any difference from the guys that won under OBJ? Arumeni Johnson, Otedola, Abdulsalam Abubakar, Mike Adenuga, Dangote e.t.c. So what has changed? How has Jona improved the process?

To what extent has this present government implemented the NIPP even after the billions of dollars budgeted?



What has changed under Jona? That Akpabio cancelled someones name? That Rivers Bayelsa and the South East states declared a 99% voter turn out unheard of?

Obj ran a healthy budget, cutting and reducing recurrent expenditure. Jona runs a budget of 68% recurrent expenditure and is not even able to implement the remaining 32% of capital projects in his budget.

If OBJs reform was on paper, Jona's own is in Labaran Maku's mouth.

I am not saying you should not praise your master, after all that is what you are paid to do. It is your job, you need it to earn a living.

However, to try and castigate a man (who has achieved ten times more than your principal) in order to project your principals horrible image is to bring curses on your Principal.

Sincere 9gerian:
You talk about 4 budgets? That is very deceitful. 2010 was problematic year because most of part of that year was wasted on transition of power from the ailing president Yar Adua to GEJ. That shouldn't have happened but this is Nigeria and we have our fault lines. 2011 was an election year and unfortunately another transition period. Little work is done on election years in Nigeria. Nonetheless, the counting of your budgets or impacts of the GEJ govt should start from 2011. GEJ was elected in 2011 for a 4yr tenure and after 4yrs, we shall assess his govt vis-a-vis the 4yr or even 8yr tenure of OBJ.

By the way, the Onitsha-Owerri road has been completed.

I know you hate our president but even if he's my master he's still your president. Except of course you'r not a Nigerian.

If calling our president my pay master will relieve some of your frustrations and bitterness, well its okay by me. Believe me, I want you to argue your case, however senseless, from as much comfortable position as possible.

The difference in the privatisation that we'r seeing under GEJ is the TRANSPARENCY and conformity to DUE PROCESS. You know it but hatred has blinded your mind. Provided there's transparency and due process, even if your father wins any of the firms, no problem.

ballabriggs:

Unfortunately for a failed Doctor turned rent seeker like you, you have not said anything. You keep running around with your deluded and fraud ridden mind just as your elder in crime Okupe does.

There was a budget, what happened? Whose business is it if it was an election year? You have a mandate, you have a budget to implement, you signed it! You have signed three budget plus the one signed on his behalf by Turai making four. Where has all the money gone? Why are we still talking rehabilitation after four budgets? Why are we still talking kilowatts after these budgets. What happened to over $60 billion OBJ left in reserves and how did it go down with little evidence to show in our development? These are questions that demand answers.

Privatisation under Jona is more "Transparent", how?

Demanding truth and asking important questions means hate in your dubious mind? MUHEHEHEHE no wonder you could not make it as a Doctor- you are a mediocre.

It was an election year? Governance comes to a halt with elections? By next year, elections start heating up, meaning Jona has about nine months to bring tens of millions of our people out of the poverty line! How is he going to achieve that?

That is why I say he is a mediocre. With mediocre's, they leave governance in search of power forgetting what they swore to do for the people. Forgetting they swore to reduce the poverty facing the land.

You can tag along in the vehicle of mediocrity, it fits you, take Okupe, Abati and Maku along. As for me and other progressives, we say know to mediocrity.

Kick Out Siddon Look 2015!

Sincere 9gerian:
I thought you created a thread with topic "Olusegun Obasanjo vs Goodluck Jonathan". But how come you'r so unstable that you cant stay focused on the same topic you created. You keep attacking everyone, from Sincere 9gerian, Okupe, Abati,etc? If you want to discuss any of those names why not create another thread? Stay on topic. Stay focused. If you have health issues, seek help.

ckkris:

Please Sir, kindly contradict my claims. I'm an ardent supporter of Jona 2015. I haven't even started listing Jona's accomplishments. Wait until campaign start. Tinubu and Buharam are no where.

Pukkah:

True.

But the paid mercenaries and tribalists won't agree. They bandy economic growth rates which have not translated to development. Anyway, the growth is in the pockets of their masters.

They ignore the poverty and astronomical unemployment in the land and hail what Jonathan is doing as economic revolution!

They recycle the same old story and pass it off as achievements. They compare Jonathan to Obasanjo as if OBJ himself was a revolutionary leader.

In fact, if you're not sure of yourself or if you're gullible, those guys would sweep you off your feet with their untruths, half-truths and ill-digested theories.

See what some of them termed an economic revolution:

https://www.nairaland.com/1238968/african-economic-revolution#14986163

ballabriggs:

If you were intelligent enough you will see I linked my op on OBJs "legacy" to what sychophant's under Jonathan want to force down our throat. Now shift if you have nothing to say.

Sincere 9gerian:
You'r selling OBJ's "legacy" and at the same time talking "sycophants"? It is you that is trying to sell non-existing "legacy" that is the "sycophant"

Dare2007:


because u got part of hs loots.