The Presidency has explained why it has been slow to rescue the over 200 schoolgirls that were abducted by terrorists in Chibok, Borno State over 100 days ago.

While speaking at Chatham House lecture series held at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said "the need to avoid a repeat of the 2004 experience when 300 children were killed in an attempt by Russians to free hostages held by Chechens in the North Caucasus region of Russia was responsible for the seemingly slow process of freeing the Chibok girls."

Okupe, who spoke on the topic titled, "Priorities and Progress in Nigeria: Imperatives for stability and Growth," on Thursday, said the military and other security agencies as well as their international allies are capable of rescuing the kidnapped girls from their abductors but would rather weigh all options to ensure that they were brought back alive.


The presidential aide described tackling the current insecurity in the North-East as the priority of the Federal Government and lamented that the various acts of insurgency were slowing down growth in other equally important sectors of the economy.

He said, "We are taking advantage of the offers from our international military and intelligence allies to get a greater understanding of the landscape and identify key locations. We are working with our neighbours to secure the borders and limit the movements of the Boko Haram fighters, building on the agreements reached at the recent summits in Paris and London."

He added that government was also working on blocking domestic and international sources of funds for the insurgents group.

Speaking further, Okupe maintained that since Nigeria attained independence, no administration had done as much as the Jonathan administration in guaranteeing food sufficiency, better power output, effective transport and economic stability.

He said, "Consequent upon the faithful implementation of the transformation agenda, by the end of 2013, Nigeria's non-oil exports had increased tenfold over two years, reaching almost $3bn from $276m in 2011. Nigeria is once again the world's largest producer of cassava, a major raw material in the European and Asiatic food markets, and also accounted for thirty six per cent of the total global cocoa exports in 2013."

http://www.punchng.com/politics/why-were-slow-in-rescuing-chibok-girls-presidency/

. And where the hell are the results Anyway, GEJ till 2019..

$3bn is too small! With all the resources we have all over Nigeria. We should also be exporting bitumen which we spend more than $2bn annually buying from Iran.

Idrismusty97: $3bn is too small! With all the resources we have all over Nigeria. We should also be exporting bitumen which we spend more than $2bn annually buying from Iran.

agreed, but if the tenfold trajectory continues dont you think we will get to the destination sooner? If past administration did what GEJ has done in diversifying and transforming our economy, Nigeria would have been miles ahead.
Come to think of it all this transformation is happening in the midst of insurgency, insecurity in the country! care to think what the trajectory would have been without insecurity and support for the president?

Idrismusty97: $3bn is too small! With all the resources we have all over Nigeria. We should also be exporting bitumen which we spend more than $2bn annually buying from Iran.

I agree with you, but based on the starting line, one has to give this administration some real credit.

ujoinme:

agreed, but if the tenfold trajectory continues dot you think we will get to the destination sooner? If past administration did what GEJ has done in diversifying and transforming our economy, Nigeria would have been miles ahead.
Come to think of it all this transformation is happening in the midst of insurgency, insecurity in the country!

atlwireles:

I agree with you, but based on the starting line, one has to give this administration some real credit.

It is indeed a rapid increase. I hope it doesn't just stay at the tenfold. I still believe we can do better than that. Nevertheless, A welcomed development!

ujoinme: All we need is stable power/electricity and wonders will happen in Nigeria.

Will Tinubu agree to allow us have steady power supply after losing out in his bid for one of the discos the jagabantic bat has continued to sabotage critical power lines and gas pipelines.

May God punish Tinubu with Ebola virus

Idrismusty97:


It is indeed a rapid increase. I hope it doesn't just stay at the tenfold. I still believe we can do better than that. Nevertheless, A welcomed development!

Very correct, $3b should be the value of cash crop exports from two states alone. As long as we face the task at hand, Nigeria will surely move from tenfold to a hundred fold . We really have no choice.

Anytime economic indices of this country improve on paper, they get worse in reality!!!

Nigeria: defying the laws of economics since '99!!
PDP: Lying to Nigerians since 500BC!

omenka: Anytime economic indices of this country improve on paper, they get worse in reality!!!

Nigeria: defying the laws of economics since '99!!
PDP: Lying to Nigerians since 500BC!

4ool!

indeed Nigeria is on the rise. If only BH will stop their insurgency so that government policy on Agriculture will take root in the north.

If true, then that's good news for the economy. Diversification on point. Agriculture here I come.

omenka: Anytime economic indices of this country improve on paper, they get worse in reality!!!

Nigeria: defying the laws of economics since '99!!
PDP: Lying to Nigerians since 500BC!

You dey mind these vodoo economist. All this growth be like music....we dey hear am, but we nor dey see am Thanks to PDP entertainments!

koboko69:

You dey mind these vodoo economist. All this growth be like music....we dey hear am, but we nor dey see am Thanks to PDP entertainments!

Do you people object to news items, because they are good news, or because you have facts to prove them wrong.

koboko69:

You dey mind these vodoo economist. All this growth be like music....we dey hear am, but we nor dey see am Thanks to PDP entertainments!

I am not a Jonathan supporter but his economic teams lead by finance minister are fantastic. he has done well on so many front especially in atteacting foreign investment, increase no oil export and the privatization of the power industry.

the major area is lacking is in the area of massive corruption, poor institutions of state, very high recurrent expenditure ( about 74% ) of national budget. I blame the legislative arms of gov't for most of these problem though.

another issue we need to look at is the size of Nigeria budget. a budget of 27billion us dollars for 175millions people is too small. Govt need to devoled a robust task system so that more money can be available to diversify gov't earning from oil export

Ah like this president!

atlwireles:

Do you people object to news items, because they are good news, or because you have facts to prove them wrong.

Do you have facts to proove them right either?

abdulwastecx:

I am not a Jonathan supporter but his economic teams lead by finance minister are fantastic. he has done well on so many front especially in atteacting foreign investment, increase no oil export and the privatization of the power industry.

the major area is lacking is in the area of massive corruption, poor institutions of state, very high recurrent expenditure ( about 74% ) of national budget. I blame the legislative arms of gov't for most of these problem though.

another issue we need to look at is the size of Nigeria budget. a budget of 27billion us dollars for 175millions people is too small. Govt need to devoled a robust task system so that more money can be available to diversify gov't earning from oil export

Assuming all you have said so far is right. Then you mean Jonathan's government can be likened to opening aa tap into a basket.

koboko69:
Bros...assuming all you have said so far is right. Then you mean Nigeria's economy can be likened to using a basket to fetch some water.

yes sir, we are operating at a very low capacity utilization ( say less than 10% ). we can do much better. but we need start from somewhere

koboko69:

Do you have facts to proove them right either?

https://www.nairaland.com/1826485/nigeria-emerge-economic-force-powered

https://www.nairaland.com/1826038/british-firms-look-discover-boom

https://www.nairaland.com/1814723/manufacturing-sector-now-nigerias-major

https://www.nairaland.com/1814325/nigerias-economy-grows-6.21-percent

https://www.nairaland.com/1805969/nigerias-non-oil-export-products-rise

https://www.nairaland.com/1795035/stronger-economic-management-lifts-nigeria

https://www.nairaland.com/1816178/winning-nigerias-evolving-food-market

https://www.nairaland.com/1824769/world-bank-cuts-nigerias-poverty#24897246

These are Nigerian economic news headlines in the last 30-60 days. They all show one trend, improvement of this country. Do we still have lots of problems, yes we do. But pretending nothing is happening, is very disingenuous.

abdulwastecx:

I am not a Jonathan supporter but his economic teams lead by finance minister are fantastic. he has done well on so many front especially in atteacting foreign investment, increase no oil export and the privatization of the power industry.

the major area is lacking is in the area of massive corruption, poor institutions of state, very high recurrent expenditure ( about 74% ) of national budget. I blame the legislative arms of gov't for most of these problem though.

another issue we need to look at is the size of Nigeria budget. a budget of 27billion us dollars for 175millions people is too small. Govt need to devoled a robust task system so that more money can be available to diversify gov't earning from oil export

poor institution of state, corruption and high recurrent expenditures did not emanate from this government, but GEJ is doing his best to address this problems in the face of strong opposition to his policies and insecurity that is directing his efforts away from this areas.

In the Area of strong institutions: You would agree that this government has come up with the best policies in Agriculture, Industrialization, Aviation, commerce/trade etc.than any Nigerian Administration in recent times.
The ministry of finance and economic planning you already agree is doing great.
The Military is receiving training and equipment upgrade in a scale that has not happened in recent times in Nigerian history, Our Navy now has seaworthy ships with offshore/high-sea capabilities for the first time in many years, the army and air force are getting 40 helicopters at once and other heavy equipment, our soldiers fighting in the front-lines are being paid allowances in advance for their services: the only military in the world that does it.
Our Elections are more credible as ballot stuffing, outright snatching and wanton killings on election day is disappearing, ie INEC is getting stronger and better at service delivery and has more credible people at its helms.

Privatization of government assets are being handled in a more transparent manner than before, within the privatization sector many regulatory agencies are being setup to regulate those industries.
My friend you would agree that this administration has done a lot if not more than any administration has done to strength govt institutions in Nigeria.
On corruption: you would agree that most of the issues surrounding the corruption of this administration has been media sensationalism the $40b that became $12bn and $10b and finally reviewed to $20b was the figment of imagination of Sanusi Lamido and the opposition. the senate and the international accounting firm that waded in to ascertain the veracity of his claim has since declared that no such amount is missing.
That is not to say that Nigeria is not faced with corruption, but corruption has been institutionalized in many aspects of our nation hood and it will take a long time to stamp it out, it starts by having an accountable govt. at the head and GEJs administration has been more accountable than most of his predecessors.
And Finally, on High recurrent expenditure I agree with you here, but we cannot hold it against this president because he wasn't responsible for the high cost of government, but you would agree that institution responsible for making laws that are capable of changing the high cost of government ie the Senate, are not going to make any laws that will seek to cut down their own expense, because they are the biggest beneficiary of government pork.
GEJ in his wisdom set up the National constitutional conference that would have been an avenue to pass resolution that would have change the fiscal composition of the nation, but instead of Nigerians welcoming such moves there has been a hugh campaign to scuttle its success, and the members of the conference have not themselves help matters, but instead of passing such tough resolution on devolution of powers that would have had immense impact on the fiscal composition of the Nation they choose to pass the buck and opt for trivialities like state creation that will compound Nigeria's problems especially in this regard.

I would rest my case by stating that GEJ is the best president that Nigeria Has ever had, If not for anything by captaining Nigeria in its metamorphosis into the biggest economy in Africa, and charting a new course in diversifying our economy before our very eyes -30 auto manufacture and agriculture on my mind! No one can fault him on that regards. And this is the reason that Nigeria is the #1 destination for Foreign direct investment in Africa. He has done all this in the face of insecurity and stiff political opposition.
Care to ponder where Nigeria would be if we all cooperated with this good president? Hopefully, we will all wise up and give him full support for his second term, so he will take us to our transformational destiny as a country.

ujoinme:

poor institution of state, corruption and high recurrent expenditures did not emanate from this government, but GEJ is doing his best to address this problems in the face of strong opposition to his policies and insecurity that is directing his efforts away from this areas.

In the Area of strong institutions: You would agree that this government has come up with the best policies in Agriculture, Industrialization, Aviation, commerce/trade etc.than any Nigerian Administration in recent times.
The ministry of finance and economic planning you already agree is doing great.
The Military is receiving training and equipment upgrade in a scale that has not happened in recent times in Nigerian history, Our Navy now has seaworthy ships with offshore/high-sea capabilities for the first time in many years, the army and air force are getting 40 helicopters at once and other heavy equipment, our soldiers fighting in the front-lines are being paid allowances in advance for their services: the only military in the world that does it.
Our Elections are more credible as ballot stuffing, outright snatching and wanton killings on election day is disappearing, ie INEC is getting stronger and better at service delivery and has more credible people at its helms.

Privatization of government assets are being handled in a more transparent manner than before, within the privatization sector many regulatory agencies are being setup to regulate those industries.
My friend you would agree that this administration has done a lot if not more than any administration has done to strength govt institutions in Nigeria.
On corruption: you would agree that most of the issues surrounding the corruption of this administration has been media sensationalism the $40b that became $12bn and $10b and finally reviewed to $20b was the figment of imagination of Sanusi Lamido and the opposition. the senate and the international accounting firm that waded in to ascertain the veracity of his claim has since declared that no such amount is missing.
That is not to say that Nigeria is not faced with corruption, but corruption has been institutionalized in many aspects of our nation hood and it will take a long time to stamp it out, it starts by having an accountable govt. at the head and GEJs administration has been more accountable than most of his predecessors.
And Finally, on High recurrent expenditure I agree with you here, but we cannot hold it against this president because he wasn't responsible for the high cost of government, but you would agree that institution responsible for making laws that are capable of changing the high cost of government ie the Senate, are not going to make any laws that will seek to cut down their own expense, because they are the biggest beneficiary of government pork.
GEJ in his wisdom set up the National constitutional conference that would have been an avenue to pass resolution that would have change the fiscal composition of the nation, but instead of Nigerians welcoming such moves there has been a hugh campaign to scuttle its success, and the members of the conference have not themselves help matters, but instead of passing such tough resolution on devolution of powers that would have had immense impact on the fiscal composition of the Nation they choose to pass the buck and opt for trivialities like state creation that will compound Nigeria's problems especially in this regard.

I would rest my case by stating that GEJ is the best president that Nigeria Has ever had, If not for anything by captaining Nigeria in its metamorphosis into the biggest economy in Africa, and charting a new course in diversifying our economy before our very eyes -30 auto manufacture and agriculture on my mind! No one can fault him on that regards. And this is the reason that Nigeria is the #1 destination for Foreign direct investment in Africa. He has done all this in the face of insecurity and stiff political opposition.
Care to ponder where Nigeria would be if we all cooperated with this good president? Hopefully, we will all wise up and give him full support for his second term, so he will take us to our transformational destiny as a country.

Excellent analysis OP! very insightful i must confess.

jazzydee:

Excellent analysis OP! very insightful i must confess.

rather long but a good read nonetheless.

Atouke:

rather long but a good read nonetheless.

I normally don't read long comments, it was worth every minute .

GEJ is on a hurricane move to change Nigeria for better but the hopeless people still gotta hate but their hate touchest us not

ujoinme:

poor institution of state, corruption and high recurrent expenditures did not emanate from this government, but GEJ is doing his best to address this problems in the face of strong opposition to his policies and insecurity that is directing his efforts away from this areas.

In the Area of strong institutions: You would agree that this government has come up with the best policies in Agriculture, Industrialization, Aviation, commerce/trade etc.than any Nigerian Administration in recent times.
The ministry of finance and economic planning you already agree is doing great.
The Military is receiving training and equipment upgrade in a scale that has not happened in recent times in Nigerian history, Our Navy now has seaworthy ships with offshore/high-sea capabilities for the first time in many years, the army and air force are getting 40 helicopters at once and other heavy equipment, our soldiers fighting in the front-lines are being paid allowances in advance for their services: the only military in the world that does it.
Our Elections are more credible as ballot stuffing, outright snatching and wanton killings on election day is disappearing, ie INEC is getting stronger and better at service delivery and has more credible people at its helms.

Privatization of government assets are being handled in a more transparent manner than before, within the privatization sector many regulatory agencies are being setup to regulate those industries.
My friend you would agree that this administration has done a lot if not more than any administration has done to strength govt institutions in Nigeria.
On corruption: you would agree that most of the issues surrounding the corruption of this administration has been media sensationalism the $40b that became $12bn and $10b and finally reviewed to $20b was the figment of imagination of Sanusi Lamido and the opposition. the senate and the international accounting firm that waded in to ascertain the veracity of his claim has since declared that no such amount is missing.
That is not to say that Nigeria is not faced with corruption, but corruption has been institutionalized in many aspects of our nation hood and it will take a long time to stamp it out, it starts by having an accountable govt. at the head and GEJs administration has been more accountable than most of his predecessors.
And Finally, on High recurrent expenditure I agree with you here, but we cannot hold it against this president because he wasn't responsible for the high cost of government, but you would agree that institution responsible for making laws that are capable of changing the high cost of government ie the Senate, are not going to make any laws that will seek to cut down their own expense, because they are the biggest beneficiary of government pork.
GEJ in his wisdom set up the National constitutional conference that would have been an avenue to pass resolution that would have change the fiscal composition of the nation, but instead of Nigerians welcoming such moves there has been a hugh campaign to scuttle its success, and the members of the conference have not themselves help matters, but instead of passing such tough resolution on devolution of powers that would have had immense impact on the fiscal composition of the Nation they choose to pass the buck and opt for trivialities like state creation that will compound Nigeria's problems especially in this regard.

I would rest my case by stating that GEJ is the best president that Nigeria Has ever had, If not for anything by captaining Nigeria in its metamorphosis into the biggest economy in Africa, and charting a new course in diversifying our economy before our very eyes -30 auto manufacture and agriculture on my mind! No one can fault him on that regards. And this is the reason that Nigeria is the #1 destination for Foreign direct investment in Africa. He has done all this in the face of insecurity and stiff political opposition.
Care to ponder where Nigeria would be if we all cooperated with this good president? Hopefully, we will all wise up and give him full support for his second term, so he will take us to our transformational destiny as a country.

Gbam!!! U said it all. If only opposition and boko haram can pause for 2years.

koboko69:

You dey mind these vodoo economist. All this growth be like music....we dey hear am, but we nor dey see am Thanks to PDP entertainments!

I was about to ask for the details ooo,they should give us the details of how we export products wort 3billie dollars,and stop dropping figures.

masseratti: I was about to ask for the details ooo,they should give us the details of how we export products wort 3billie dollars,and stop dropping figures.

Nigeria’s non-oil export products rise to 117 as orders hit $3.72bn
http://businessdayonline.com/2014/07/nigerias-non-oil-export-products-rise-to-117-as-orders-hit-3-72bn

masseratti: I was about to ask for the details ooo,they should give us the details of how we export products wort 3billie dollars,and stop dropping figures.

36% of world cocoa production is all the proof you need. that means 36% of every chocolate bar and other cocoa based products are made up of Nigerian cocoa. go look up the the size of world cocoa market-Thomas!

ujoinme: 36% of world cocoa production is all the proof you need. that means 36% of every chocolate bar and other cocoa based products are made up of Nigerian cocoa. go look up the the size of world cocoa market-Thomas!

like seriously? If we produce 36% what are Ghana,ivory coast,indonesia,cameroon producing,we are no 5 or at best 4th

masseratti: like seriously? If we produce 36% what are Ghana,ivory coast,indonesia,cameroon producing,we are no 5 or at best 4th

the balance of 64%.

read this link, Thomas: http://businessdayonline.com/2014/07/nigerias-non-oil-export-products-rise-to-117-as-orders-hit-3-72bn/#.U9P6-tJDveA