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Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by Nobody: 9:57am On Mar 09, 2015 |
Nigeria has a date with destiny as March 28 and April 11 draw near. These are two significant dates that, on one hand, present Nigerians with an opportunity to strengthen democracy through the ballot. These dates, on the other hand, are also beaming scaring danger signals. No thanks to politicians who are beating drums of war, stumping across the country, making campaign statements full of fury, with little about issues of concern to most Nigerians. As is typical of Nigerian elections, the tension is thick in the air, so much so that the putrid smell of Armageddon has enveloped the country. Fears are palpable, generating serious concerns among Nigerians and within the international community. Nigeria has traveled this route before, not once. There are however reasons for genuine and heightened concern this time. The last few years have seen widening cracks along the Nigeria’s well- known fault lines of religion and ethnicity. The security situation, especially in the northeast, has been a huge sore on the reputation of the Africa’s most populous country. The abduction of more than 200 girls from the Borno State community of Chibok nearly one year ago, and the perceived lack of enough effort from the government of President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure they are rescued, are making the prospect of a peaceful poll a tall dream. President Jonathan has had to take the blame for virtually everything going wrong in Nigeria. Admittedly, there are issues that currently feed this perception. They include the security situation, corruption and poor living standards of most Nigerians. Ordinarily, the buck stops at the desk of the president. The opposition seems to have succeeded in creating the impression that Mr. Jonathan merely wakes up on daily basis and does nothing. But things don’t always seem as they look in Nigeria. That the president has been doing nothing would not pass the muster of nonpartisan scrutiny. What would be correct is that the president has actually done little to publicize the many things he has been doing. In the last six years, the government has been confronting more fundamental issues of growth and development with the type of vigor and single-mindedness uncommon in Nigeria. The Jonathan administration would trump any previous administration in the effort made to tackle the near-complete collapse of infrastructure such as roads, transportation and power supply. The same can be said of employment generation and capacity development. Nigeria’s economy has not only survived major shake-ups affecting most advanced economies, it has actually also been growing in leaps and bounds, emerging as Africa’s largest. He has perhaps taken an ingenious route to fighting corruption. He understands the difference between the symptoms of corruption and the underlying causes. While many had expected a frontal attack at the symptoms through demonstrative — even if unlawful — actions by deploying anti-corruption forces in a frenzy of mass arrests, media trials and public sentencing of suspects, Mr. Jonathan has chosen to allow the justice system the space to work. He hasn’t stopped at that. He is, with the skill of a surgeon, identifying the underlying causes of corruption and taking them out one after the other. This is what he did with a fertilizer distribution scam, which had hampered food production and diversification effort for decades. Perhaps, he did not make enough noise on this, but the result of his approach is loud enough for the thousands of Nigerian farmers who now have easy access to fertilizer, completely eliminating the meddlesome middlemen. The action is equally loud enough for the vested interests to fight back and join the now-profitable president-bashing choir. The security challenge is a bit more complicated. Mr. Jonathan’s emergence represented a paradigm shift in the Nigerian political arrangement. He was the first person with no strong political background or affiliation, and from a minority tribe to become a democratic president in Nigeria. He had not benefited from any of the important pillars of power such as the support of a major ethnic group. The template for success in the Nigerian environment requires much more than the timing of response to a security situation, such as the Chibok abduction saga. It requires the willingness of the players within the affected area to put the safety of lives and protection of properties of the people ahead of their own immediate political advantage. It is not going to be easy trimming the hair of someone who continues to run. It could take time to either catch up with him or get him to willingly agree to the need to solve a problem. The ability to keep calm rather than adopt a knee-jerk and high-handed approach in the face of treachery and impunity is a great asset the president is endowed with. This, as the opposition is wont to do, can also be mistaken for weakness or incompetence. Mr. Jonathan’s civilized approach to tackling issues is built around the need to ensure social justice, equity and the rule of law. This should, ordinarily, be worthy of global acknowledgment and commendation. But the concerted noise from the opposition camp and the penchant of some international observers to rush to judgment without taking full account of peculiarities of an environment are a bit deafening and blinding to the reality on ground. As elections are getting closer, the president is faced with the facts that Nigerians are in a hurry. They’ve waited for too long. This is a situation that is being exploited by opposition leaders, who have been calling for mob actions as against the rule of law. Mr. Jonathan has equally shown that he understands that Nigerians are expecting a leader with a magic wand, who could with a snap somewhere, turn age-long and deeply rooted social decay into an instant state of bliss. But the magic wand could actually be a possibility if current efforts are allowed another four years to take root, grow and bear fruits. • William Reed is president of the Black Press Foundation. Source:http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/mar/5/william-reed-goodluck-jonathan-steering-nigeria-wi/#ixzz3TkQJUpRm 191 Likes 44 Shares |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by Redoil: 9:59am On Mar 09, 2015 |
Never again should we fall into the hands of evil cabals been controlle by tinubu and his evil minions from the sea/hell Nigerians shine ur eyes ur destiny is in ur hand APC and their evil minions are the biggest problem we are having and facing if we make any mistake with these people then and then you are on ur own. Last warning 291 Likes 39 Shares |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by smakati(m): 10:00am On Mar 09, 2015 |
Yes, like the captain of titanic. Awon oniranu jatijati 44 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by mytime24(f): 10:17am On Mar 09, 2015 |
Never again !!! 47 Likes 3 Shares |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by sammieguze(m): 10:20am On Mar 09, 2015 |
March 28 will decide 11 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by izenco2005(m): 10:23am On Mar 09, 2015 |
Im here |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by Ashleyma77(m): 10:25am On Mar 09, 2015 |
nice writeup.wonder what u will wrire come may29th when the new president is sworn in. #march4buhari 142 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by bjdon: 10:30am On Mar 09, 2015 |
This is neither a pro GEJ or pro GMB post, just a call for some reflection: Our inferiority complex sometimes knows no bounds. I find it quite insulting when Nigerians seems to think that the opinions of foreigners somehow carries more weight than anything else. Why is this so? Who is this writer for the Washington Times? How do we know he's not been approached and 'settled'. Please my people if you must vote for either GEJ or GMB, do it based on your OWN opinion based on YOUR judgement of what's going on in the country and which man YOU think is better placed to move the country forward. NEVER let your opinion be swayed by the foriegn media, for the one thing you can be sure of is that, deep down they only have their own nations and paymasters interest at heart, never YOUR own. 78 Likes 6 Shares |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by Nctrice(m): 10:53am On Mar 09, 2015 |
this is a true master piece, one that paints a picture of the president, his inherent intent, and the God factor that has always been there for Nigeria! That God factor that took him to Aso rock without any strong political backing is the same God factor that gave us our independent on a Plata of Gold in 1960! So good it's coming from someone off the shores of Nigeria! 77 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by Slynonny(m): 10:58am On Mar 09, 2015 |
In GEJ we trust. 87 Likes 9 Shares |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by Whynotthetruth(m): 11:06am On Mar 09, 2015 |
The Jonathan administration would trump any previous administration in the effort made to tackle the near-complete collapse of infrastructure such as roads, transportation and power supply. God bless Jonathan... Nigeria; let's support him to do more!!! 145 Likes 13 Shares |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by Whynotthetruth(m): 11:09am On Mar 09, 2015 |
The opposition seems to have succeeded in creating the impression that Mr. Jonathan merely wakes up on daily basis and does nothing. But things don’t always seem as they look in Nigeria. The above statement clearly defines APC and its false stance and propaganda... APC represents everything wrong with the Nigerian polity... 162 Likes 21 Shares |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by maestroferddi: 11:10am On Mar 09, 2015 |
The malcontents can only have their say. After all is said and done, Jonathan will still carry the day. We say no to one chance salon. 72 Likes 5 Shares |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by Clerverly: 11:26am On Mar 09, 2015 |
The op is fraudster! The link doesnt lead to the paid article! PDP and desperation!!! 25 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by olapluto(m): 11:29am On Mar 09, 2015 |
Written by Abati's former coursemate. I smell Abati's handout all over the piece. 13 Likes |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by DaGC(m): 11:30am On Mar 09, 2015 |
Even the Washington times now think that GEJ has ruled for 6years. Truly, GEJ was right about perception. I loved the interview where he was asked about the level of corruption and he told the journalist that the ICPC, EFCC, NPF and courts are there for tackling all of that. But the perception of most Nigerians is that the president should be doing the work of those agencies. Same way most Nigerians thought GEJ postponed the election even though they know that he has no constitutional power to do that especially in house where the opposition is the majority. God bless the president of the federal republic of Nigeria. 89 Likes 12 Shares |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by seunfly: 11:32am On Mar 09, 2015 |
Hope this one is not sponsored by the opposition as usual? 1 Like |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by olapluto(m): 11:36am On Mar 09, 2015 |
Who is William Reed (the writter)? He claims to be the president of the 'Black Press Foundation' . No info about this 'foundation' on google. The only info about this 'foundation' is this article by WT. I honestly think this is another 'Wendel Simlinn*' orchestrated by the desperate team GEJ. This was also an opinion piece (i.e written by members of the public and sent to the editor to consider for publishing). Could this have been written by Abati and sent in using a non existent name William Reed, and a non existent foundation called Black Press foundation? Investigation begins! 39 Likes 3 Shares |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by Upright750: 11:47am On Mar 09, 2015 |
Front page pls. 3 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by mekaboy(m): 12:04pm On Mar 09, 2015 |
bjdon: Sometimes in a football match, people outside the pitch see better than the players in the field. That is why the referee most times gets instructions from the one outside the pitch with a clearer view. Most times our understanding of things in Nigeria are not clear and influenced by people who might be pro or anti govt.. Someone who is a ghost worker and has been fished out by the biometric excercise will say the govt is bad. Those who have been benefiting from fuel subsidy scam, would make the masses believe the govt hates them when they tried to remove it. Like the issue of bokoharam, when it started elders in the north including buhari made the northerners believe the govt was against them while bokoharam was their friend. This led to northerners accommodating the sect members and withholding information. In the case of unemployment , there has always been a shortage of employment and the govt will never have enough employment opportunities for all the unemployed youths. But the policies of govt encourages investors which in turn creates more jobs. The rails are back but we dont see it as employment, neither do we see you win etc as employment. As dangote, innoson motors aand other firms increase in their capacity due to govt support and patronage this also creates employment. What about the single digit sme loans made available . When u wear red glasses, everything will be red to u. The enemies of this administration have succeeded in puting on red glasses in the eyes of most Nigerian youths. Some are even inside the trains traveling from one location to the other and causing goodluck online. Some are even buying food at the same price despite the fall in oil price but still insullt the president online. 93 Likes 19 Shares |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by Revolution: 12:41pm On Mar 09, 2015 |
bjdon: Thank you. William Reed, who is a black American, writes like someone with business interests in Nigeria or connections to Jonathan, rather than a professional journalist. But the opinion of those feeling the pinch, Nigerians, is what matters most. I do sometimes like to refer to respected foreign media to show Jonathan is "incompetent" or "clumsy" because Jonathan himself, when it suits him, acts as if the foreign media know best. 9 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by knightsTempler: 12:44pm On Mar 09, 2015 |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by Nobody: 12:55pm On Mar 09, 2015 |
Truth, and nothing bu thetruth. Rejected by the "progressives:, accepted by the real progressives. The transformation is going on! Let it continue. 35 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by fresh15: 1:13pm On Mar 09, 2015 |
Never before did Buhari win and never will he win.Nigeria is too big for Buhari to lead,considering his academic background and age.It is Jonathan all the way. 33 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by Nobody: 1:33pm On Mar 09, 2015 |
PR at work 2 Likes |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by holatin(m): 1:33pm On Mar 09, 2015 |
will be back to modify 6 Likes
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Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by LMAyedun(m): 1:34pm On Mar 09, 2015 |
God Bless GEJ! GEJ till 2019 34 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by adrainuche(m): 1:35pm On Mar 09, 2015 |
GEJ is Working.. Haters are hating.. APC are phantasmagoring Osibanjo is celebrating Buhari is Certificating Amaechi is stealing Jega is castigating Obasanjo is switching Tinubu is waiting (for whom??) Gej till thy Kingdom come.. 25 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Goodluck Jonathan Steering Nigeria With A Steady Hand - Washington Times by RichDad1(m): 1:35pm On Mar 09, 2015 |
Bioked |
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