Fellow Nigerians,

I thank you all for turning out en-masse for the March 28 General Elections.

I promised the country free and fair elections. I have kept my word. I have also expanded the space for Nigerians to participate in the democratic process. That is one legacy I will like to see endure.

Although some people have expressed mixed feelings about the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I urge those who may feel aggrieved to follow due process based on our constitution and our electoral laws, in seeking redress.

As I have always affirmed, nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian. The unity, stability and progress of our dear country is more important than anything else.

I congratulate all Nigerians for successfully going through the process of the March 28th General Elections with the commendable enthusiasm and commitment that was demonstrated nationwide.

I also commend the Security Services for their role in ensuring that the elections were mostly peaceful and violence-free.

To my colleagues in the PDP, I thank you for your support. Today, the PDP should be celebrating rather than mourning. We have established a legacy of democratic freedom, transparency, economic growth and free and fair elections.

For the past 16 years, we have steered the country away from ethnic and regional politics. We created a Pan-Nigerian political party and brought home to our people the realities of economic development and social transformation.

Through patriotism and diligence, we have built the biggest and most patriotic party in Nigerian history. We must stand together as a party and look to the future with renewed optimism.

I thank all Nigerians once again for the great opportunity I was given to lead this country and assure you that I will continue to do my best at the helm of national affairs until the end of my tenure.

I have conveyed my personal best wishes to General Muhammadu Buhari.

May God Almighty continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

I thank you all.”

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR

President,

Federal Republic of Nigeria

March 31, 2015

Fellow Nigerians,

Whoever has information about which state(s) and polling unit(s) these electoral anomalies took place should send such information to presgej@gmail.com.

All information will be treated with utmost confidentiality.

God Bless Nigeria!

#4MoreYears

X-RAYING JONATHAN’S GOAT AND YAM ANALOGY
By Abdurrahman Adeyemi

If I were on the news desk, my headline after the last media chat by President Goodluck Jonathan would have read “Anti-corruption: Don’t Keep Goat and Yam Together, says Jonathan”.

Until that media chat, I never really appreciated the President’s approach to anti-corruption. For a country that is used to dramatized arrests and entertaining arraignments in court, you would not really blame those who were critical of the President because no one had taken the time as Mr. President did to explain his anti-corruption philosophies.

It was the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, who once said that when you fight corruption, corruption also fights back. Fighting corruption in a democratic Nigeria is not exactly the same as fighting corruption in a military regime or in advanced democracies like the USA and UK. It comes with an assortment of weighty loads, such as judicial corruption, legal loopholes, appeal to political, ethnic, and religious sentiments, etc.

That is why, except former Governor Lucky Igbinedion who ‘naively’ pleaded guilty in a plea bargain arrangement, the celebrated arraignment of former Governors by the Ribadu regime have gone nowhere since 2007. The actual trial is yet to start in most of the cases as the courts and lawyers continue with pre-trial rigmaroles and gymnastics. A former governor even got a perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC from arresting or arraigning him, while the Supreme Court only recently ruled that former Governor Joshua Dariye should stand trial for corruption- 8 years after he was first arraigned.

Even when the courts give some judgments, the popular feeling among the populace that only people who did not steal enough to go round the right quarters pay for their sins. How does one begin to lament all over again in the case of John Yakubu, the self-confessed pension thief who got a paltry N750,000 (Seven hundred and fifty Naira) fine for stealing N32 billion pension fund?
Worst still, corruption in Nigeria borders on depravity. Otherwise, why on earth would a sane man steal old people’s pension/livelihood and bring curse on their present and future generations? A furious Senate President, Senator David Mark, once said “Pension money is blood money… whoever steals money meant for pensioners is guilty of taking blood money and would suffer the pains associated with taking blood money”.

But did the cabal of pension thieves ever care? After all, they were hitherto the untouchables who hold the law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, bureaucracy, political leadership, and even the media hostage through corrupt manipulations, and inducements. They are laws unto themselves. Impunity is their surname. So, for all they care, the old can pay death by installments through starvation, curable, and avoidable diseases.

It is against such background that Mr. President’s ‘goat and yam’ philosophy or preventive approach in the anticorruption struggle can be best appreciated. As he rightly pointed, keeping a corrupt Nigerian top bureaucrat or politician and money together is like keeping the goat and yam together and expecting that nothing would happen. Granted, we might be lucky sometimes. But why gamble with the yam when you can actually build foolproof administrative and technological systems capable of denying the goat access to the yam in the first place?

We must give it to the President that his anticorruption strategy of denying access to public fund has worked in all the key areas it has been applied. The introduction of the Integrated Payroll System (IPS), according to the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, helped weed out ghost workers in federal public service, saving the nation some N160 billion as at December 2014. Until the introduction of the Electronic Wallet System in the agricultural sector by President Jonathan, Nigeria had simply been subsidizing corruption for over 40 years in a futile attempt to get fertilizer, seedling, and other critical farm inputs to farmers. But with this, government cut off the middlemen gave farmers direct access to manufacturers through the subsidized electronic vouchers sent to their mobile phones. For decades, people used to supply bags of sand as fertilizer and get away with it.

In the pension area, which is my main focus, the activation and reform of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Department (PTAD)- by the Jonathan Administration has helped to curb corruption in the pension sector.

Lest we mix things up, there are two sets of pensioners: the pre-Pension Reform Act 2004 (Defined Benefits Scheme called the old pension scheme) and the post-Pension Reform pensioners (Contributory Pension Scheme- CPS) directly regulated and supervised by the National Pension Commission (PENCOM). The later has no problem because no one can even steal from the fund. It is tamper proof. Each contributor has his/her Retirement Savings Account (RSA) where his/her benefits are deposited monthly and they get alerts. The Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) is also separate from the Pension Fund Custodian. Thus, the person who keeps the money cannot spend it, while the fund administrator has no access to the money. Even former President Obasanjo, Jonathan’s biting critic, gave him kudos for maintaining the sanctity of the contributory pension fund, which now stands at over N4 trillion.

Unfortunately, it is a different story for the old pension scheme. Pension Departments like the Civil Service Pension Department; Police Pension Office; and the Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pension Office (CIPPO) handle their pensions. Regrettably, these were turned into covens of pension witches where the nation’s resources are bled and death warrant of pensioners signed. The N273 billion looting for which Abdulrasheed Maina, John Yusuf, Atiku Kigo, etc were in the news occurred just in the Police Pension Office alone.

How was this monumental theft possible? Every year, the government made funds available to these Pension Departments to service pensioners under their Departments. The beneficiaries here were supposed to be reducing until the scheme fizzles out because whereas no new pensioners join it (new pensioners fall under the Contributory Pension Scheme), pensioners under this scheme grow older and pass on.

However, trust the evil geniuses in the pension offices who use ghost pensioners to milk the government. There were real and man-made ghost pensioners. The real ghosts were pensioners who died, but whose pensions kept running into the private accounts of the pension cabals because they were not declared dead to government. Man-made ghost ‘pensioners’ never existed in the first place, but were mere names planted for siphoning the treasury.

Worst of all, these crooks would not even pay the living pensioners. They use endless verification exercises to buy time. Thus, while pensioners died in road crashes travelling up and down; while they slumped and died in the queues in the name of verification exercises that never verified anything, pension funds stashed away in fixed deposits yielded interests (blood money) for the cabal.

Instructively, such stealing could have been curtailed simply by activating Section 20 (2)(a) of the Pension Reform Act 2004, which provided for the Pension Transmission Arrangement Directorate (PTAD). This system should have consolidated and taken over the various Pension Departments long ago so that pensioners’ monies could be transmitted directly into their accounts without the involvement of a third party (the Pension Departments). It is a kind of financial autonomy for pensioners.
The PTAD was conceived to use institutional framework to sanitise and stabilise the pension departments and institutionalise a viable, virile and transparent pension system that is devoid of corruption and other sharp practices. It was conceived to resolve the complaints of pensioners and eliminate undue interference by other government agencies. Indeed, it was conceived to consolidate the pension offices and centralise the pensioner database and IT platform that would make it impossible to steal pension funds.

Admittedly, the Pension Reform Act 2004 left some structural and administrative issues in the running of the PTAD that needed to be addressed. But the main reason it was never activated was because it was not in the interest of the cabal and the powers that be to do so. It was their slush funds- like the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).

However, the Jonathan Administration not only mustered the courage to activate the PTAD and appoint an Executive-Director for it in August 2013, it further spearheaded the Pension Reform (Amendment) Act, 2014 to, among many other critical reforms, properly establish and strengthen the PTAD. Section 41(20) of the Act has removed the ambiguities in the parent Act and enhanced PENCOM’s oversight and regulatory powers over the PTAD.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, recently told pension stakeholders that since its setting up, the PTAD has helped fish out over 15,000 ghost pensioners and saved the nation about N4.2 billion that would have gone down the corruption drain. Instructively, only 3 geopolitical zones have been verified! Little wonder the Federal Universities Pensioners Association, described the Jonathan pension reform in this respect as the shortest and safest route between pensioners and their pensions. In other words, the middlemen- the pension departments- cut off and denied access to pension funds, the yam is now kept away from the goat and pensioners can now sleep with two eyes closed.

I believe this is a better way to fight corruption than the usually dramatized arrests and arraignments that get nowhere.
Adeyemi wrote in from Ilorin

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/x-raying-jonathan-s-goat-and-yam-analogy/204079/

THE TRUTH THAT MUST BE TOLD ABOUT JONATHAN
with Yemi Adebowale

yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com 07013940521

Let me say it straight away: Whenever there are security challenges anywhere in the world as we are witnessing with Boko Haram, the achievements of that administration would be blighted. The easiest way to breakdown a political opponent is to make this a major political campaign issue. In the case of our dear country, some political opponents of Goodluck Jonathan are also stoking insurgency in order to reap politically from the crisis. And then, a combination of high level sabotage/inept military leadership allowed the insurgency to get out of hand. I said it a few weeks back that Jonathan, as the Commander in Chief had not been firm and decisive on this issue. That was why the insurgency got out of hand. But suddenly, there is a ray of hope, with the multi-national force smoking the bastards out of their hideout. Jonathan’s deal with our neighbours around the Lake Chard Basin on counter-terrorism is working. If the momentum is maintained, in a couple of weeks, Boko Haram will become history.

However, we must not allow the insurgency in the North-east to becloud the landmarks of this administration; and they are numerous. For example, Jonathan has greatly deepened democracy in this country with consummate respect for free press, freedom of expression, human rights and virtually all democratic ethos. He is free from the madness of autocracy. That was why he signed into law the Freedom of Information Bill which Olusegun Obasanjo dumped. No President in the history of this country has received this much bashing by all sorts of people, and yet, we don’t get to hear of arrests and assassinations. We must also note that Jonathan allowed a strong opposition party to emerge without ‘influencing’ INEC. This is the first Nigerian President that will show great respect for INEC’s independence. I am sure that our chicken farmer in Abeokuta would not have allowed all these to happen. He would have railroaded INEC to stop APC. Jonathan has deepened democracy in our dear country by refusing to manipulate the result of elections as witnessed in the Anambra, Edo, Ekiti, Ondo and Osun states governorship elections. His party won only in Ekiti State.

I became interested in developments in the health sector under the Jonathan administration when the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan on October 2013 successfully carried out the first open heart surgery in the hospital; the first ever in its over 60 years history. The feat was carried out by UCH surgeons in conjunction with a team of surgeons from United States. The four-hour surgery corrected a leaking heart valve in a 19-year-old secondary school leaver.

The big question that followed was: When did UCH acquire the equipment and manpower for this kind of complex surgery? It all started about three years ago when the Jonathan administration embarked on massive refurbishment/modernization of federal health institutions across the country. The UCH, just like many federal health institutions benefited in terms of world class equipment and the training/re-training of its manpower overseas. The hospital has since carried out more open heart surgeries in the last three years. The Jonathan administration also re-introduced the overseas component of the Residency Training Programme and overseas refresher courses for young consultants and other health professionals in different specialties. Just like UCH, virtually all federal health institutions across the country have been positively impacted on in the last four years.

The local content law initiated and signed into law by Jonathan has empowered Nigerians and an estimated 30 per cent of oilfield services revenue now goes to companies owned by Nigerians. This is projected to hit 50 per cent in 2015. SEPLAT, a company created due to the government’s policies, now employs over 5,000 workers and produces over 70,000 barrels of oil per day.

We have surpassed South Africa and our economy is now the largest in Africa and the 26th largest in the world. Between 2011 and 2014, GDP growth hovered around 7%per annum, the highest in Sub-saharan Africa. According to a recent World Bank data, the Foreign Direct Investment in just the first six months of 2014 stood at $9.7 billion. The moribund automotive industry has been revived. Vehicles are currently being assembled in Nigeria after over 30 years comatose.

We are making progress with the growth of the agricultural sector. His administration eliminated the corruption in the distribution of fertilizers. This is the first government that showed commitment to returning this country to the good old days when agriculture played a significant role in our economy. For example, before 2012, there was only one world class rice mill in the country. But between 2012 and 2014, over 18 world class rice mills have been established across the nation.

The railway system once moribund is being resuscitated with many lines now back to life. Jonathan successfully unbundled the power sector. With the conclusion of the sales of gencos, and discos and government clearing up all legacy issues in the industry/successful completion of some of the major pipelines to feed the gas plants, generation and distribution capacity is climbing steadily.

Jonathan has in the last three years shown pronounced commitment to the education sector. A 4-Year Strategic Plan to support the actualization of the Transformation Agenda for the sector was developed. This is the only administration that has consistently increased allocation to the education sector in the last four years. For example, education budget increased from N409.5 billion in 2012 to N437 billion in 2013. In the last four years, 12 new federal universities were established across the country to ensure greater access to university education. It is heart-warming to know that there is now at least one federal university in every state.

Opponents of Jonathan should be reasonable enough to give him credit for the ongoing transformation of the nation’s airports. The Aviation Master Plan and Road Map approved by Jonathan in January 2012 is being passionately implemented. This is the first time that such a grand plan for the Nigerian Aviation Industry would be initiated and implemented passionately by any administration in this country. There are now two additional departure and arrival wings at the Murtala Mohammed international Airport. They have reduced queues during passenger processing. Terminals in airports across the country are being remodeled and upgraded. Again, for the first time in the history of this nation, an international airport took off in the South-east. This is the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, upgraded by the Jonathan administration.

Things are changing on federal roads across the country. We are not there yet, but we can see great improvement. There is a pleasant massive rehabilitation, reconstruction and expansion of major arterial highways by the Jonathan administration. This has reduced travel time between most origins and destinations on these arterial routes. Take a drive on the new look Benin-Ore axis, and you will understand what I mean. The “Operation Safe Passage” launched by the Federal Ministry of Works in 2012 has led to the repair of the failed sections of many federal highways. This is visible on roads like Ilorin to Jebba, Lafia to Makurdi, Aliade to Oturkpo/9th Mile, Enugu to Port Harcourt, Kano to Katsina and Odukpani to Itu. The Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road is also looking good.

There is a revolution going on in the industrial sector (the real sector) courtesy of the Jonathan administration. Manufactures in the country have never had it so good.

Indeed, this is the first time a government will fulfill virtually every commitment made to the manufacturing sector, resulting in massive improvement in industrial capacity utilization. Figures from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria show that between the Obasanjo and Yar’Adua administration, industrial capacity utilization dropped to about 39 per cent. In the last three years, capacity utilization has increased to about 49 per cent.

There was a N100 billion Textile Industry Resuscitation Fund announced by Obasanjo about 13 years ago. He never implemented it until he left office. Jonathan ensured that the money was released in 2012. Some textile mills in Kaduna, Kano and Lagos have roared back to life, creating new jobs for thousands of Nigerians.

There is the Export Expansion Grant introduced by Obasanjo to encourage manufacturing for export. He suspended the fund just after he initiated it. Jonathan has revived the grant and has been handing it to exporters. Manufacturers are now encouraged to produce for the export market, thus earning foreign exchange for the country. Nigerian manufactured goods are now all over the west coast and beyond, thanks to the EEG.

A N200 billion Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS) was introduced by late President Yar’Adua but was hardly implemented. Jonathan has now fully implemented it, helping hundreds of farmers to set up agro-allied industries. A N10 billion rice processing fund was introduced by Obasanjo in 2002 but was never implemented. Jonathan has also fully implemented this. He is also implementing an Industrial Sector Refinancing Fund which bails out manufactures whose businesses are dying due to expensive debts owed to banks.

As February 14 beckons, let me say it loud and clear that we need a man that does not discriminate on the basis of religion or tribe. We need a man with great respect for our two great religions – Islam and Christianity. We need a man that relates with people, not on the basis of religion. We need a detribalised man who treats everybody equally whether you are from the North or South of this great country. We need a man that truly believes in the sanctity of equity, democracy and the rule of law. We need a man that will allow the media to consistently bash him (whether rightly or wrongly) without a draconian response.

Buhari is a good man. But the Presidency of Nigeria requires much-more than this. Buhari as a one-man anti-riot force cannot solve the problems of Nigerians. He is surrounded by too many shady characters. I need not go into this long list of dubious characters masquerading as progressives. We all know them. While terrorists attack our brothers in the North, most of these people jeer our soldiers and Jonathan. People who fail to work with the incumbent government to fight attacks by terrorists are callous and Godless and we must not reward them by voting them into power. These people want to hijack Buhari and this great country for their own selfish interest.

Again, we started a process with Obasanjo in 1999 and completed it in 2007, with the Owu Chief doing the maximum two terms allowed by the constitution. Power rotated to the North in 2007 and we started another process with Yar’Adua, the great statesman and patriot. By divine reasons, this process was truncated prematurely in 2010. We started another just process in 2011 with Jonathan. I believe we should complete this current process in the interest of equity and one-Nigeria. This is a food for thought as we prepare to vote.

AUDU MAIKORI REVEALS WHY HE CHOOSES JONATHAN OVER BUHARI

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Here's the article the Chocolate City boss shared on his Facebook wall:

"I watched Buhari's campaign speech yesterday and I left feeling like I was listening to my father speaking to me- and that’s sort of natural afterall he and my father are about the same age. Buhari is an awesome figure, very impressive in terms of what he stands for as a person . Indeed i must tell a story – way back in 1998 during the perennial university strikes I was in kaduna during one of the perennial fuel scarcity episodes.

I was at the Ungwar Rimi filling station and had been on a line for 3 hrs or so waiting for my turn to buy fuel.

And if you can recall those days, fuel lines were like military camps and people were violent if you tried to jump the queue unless you were a friend of the petrol station manager or a soldier And Buhari drove into the area in his 505 looking for fuel and somehow people saw him and all of a sudden people started moving their cars out of the way to allow him drive up to fill his tank.

This people did without compulsion-it was out of sheer respect of him, the man, the father figure- that was Buhari(pre -PTF).

If Buhari was going to be allowed to run the country based on his ideals alone, I would probably change my mind ( after I get past the age factor) But honestly speaking , governance is not strictly about a single personality- it’s a series of conversations around different interest groups and institutions and walking the fine line between your decisions based on personal interest or moral values and / or public interest- which usually means a politicized decision.

I feel that a Buhari presidency though well intended will not achieve much due to the fact that he will try to purge Nigeria via old school methods which are no longer practical. He will be the face but the real machinery will be run by some of Nigeria’s most “pious” politicians – people like Tinubu, Amaechi , Atiku ,etc. The question is will they allow him to stop the business as usual environment they have benefited from to their detriment?

When he spoke about sharia a few years back which was seen as very inciteful and how it was necessary in Nigeria, he spoke as a devout Muslim that he is- but the statement was so politically incorrect especially since you know that same Sharia implementation led to the death of thousands of man and women in kaduna state alone in the early 2000′s This led to the division of southern kaduna from northern kaduna and the relocation of the people to Barnawa and beyond due to religious intolerance.

When it comes to elections, I personally feel that we are asking a man who’s ways and actions are set to suddenly become dynamic and new and do so with the support of leaders who were not just part of the PDP rot but were key players in it. Suddenly the are born again and old things are passed and have become “new”…

Goodluck is far from perfect but I see him continuing to make steady inroads especially in the area of the economic advancement of young people because the cliche is true – the youth are the future but the future is now and here!

Has he done well? In some areas yes but in security no. That’s the fact. I won’t go into the reasons why not but we should note that the rot in the army started many years before Jonathan and the insurgency only opened the cankerworm that was hidden because the need to protect Nigeria hadn’t arisen in over 39 or so.

About corruption having worked around government for almost 3 years I now understand things I never quite understood. Most of the corruption in Our country is usually attributed to government and the civil service which is true but we forget that they need collaborators in the private sector to successfully perpetrate these crimes. The best way to fight corruption is to build institutions and use technology to fortify them so they can reduce incidences of corruption- that’s the truth. You can’t tap an MTN line like we used to tap the box telephones at home in those days. You can’t pass the Lekki toll gate without paying 120 at the automated gates but the politicians can set up companies to surreptitiously buy the company that owns the gates( hope you get my drift) and that’s done at top level. You can’t also fight corruption if you tip a policeman at every checkpoint instead of taking the day off and ensuring you get your drivers license so wecan stop the extortion – yes that too is corruption.

Why is budget implementation so poor?because the National Assembly unduly politicizes the process leading to late passage of the bills ( in 2013 it was in July / August same as 2014) so when projects don’t get delivered its mostly because of slow passage of the bill.

The other reason is that the appropriations committees can tamper with the budget how they like that’s why a project like the perilous Lokoja -Abuja road which led to the death of many Nigerians took over 10 years to be completed because the amounts appropriated by the NASS was simply inappropriate to adequate fund the completion. It was only when Sureprogramme intervention came that the road was fast tracked ( as most can testify) same with the railways , roads and bridges etc- why? because the SUREP funds were better insulated from tampering unlike many other projects approved for completion. There are now policies being put to change this to make execution more effect off of the lessons we learnt via Surep on a federal level.

But I digress, I agree that GMB is a fine gentleman and leader but I also believe that if I did vote for him I would be doing so nostalgically not realistically because there’s a new Nigeria where people are earning a living off their talents and passions and creating a new middle class which was virtually non existent post GEJ and that’s the Nigeria I want to be part of…Agriculture is becoming the new sexy and his administration has pushed it even more than Obasanjo ( a renowned farmer did). No matter how I explain FB or Instagram or the global economy to my dad now he may not fully grasp it as a person below 35 would and I fear that I would rather move forward imperfectly than go back to the past in search of Utopia.

This is just my view of things and I have taken time to state it and not berate GMB – it’s my vote , it’s my choice, some will say that I vote for hm because of SUREP. But honestly I do so because in him I see a man who is imperfect, struggling with his imperfections to make things better and I see room for improvement and change….in all fairness we are all sort of like that trying to get a better report card and improve on poor subjects of last semester. In the latter I see an upright man of integrity and high discipline who doesn’t yet realize that one of his disciples may yet betray because they don’t stand for the same ideals"

Audu Maikori
Content Credit: Facebook (Audu Maikori)
http://expressng.com/2015/01/elections-chocolate-city-boss-audu-maikori-makes-case-president-jonathan-opinion/



REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE JONATHAN (GEJ)

1. Before President Jonathan Nigeria’s food import bill was 1.1 Trillion Naira, today it is 680 billion.

2. Before President Jonathan, 50,000 Ghost Worker drew 139 billion annual salary from the Civil Service. Today, its history.

4. Before President Jonathan signed the Local Content Act only 60 Nigerian tankers transported crude. Today, it is 400.

5. Before President Jonathan, Nigerian Railways was moribund. Today, they are shifting 5 million passengers per annum.

6. Before Pres. Jonathan, middlemen sold fertilizers to farmers. Today, 6 million farmers get fertilizer direct from govt.

7. Before President Jonathan, Nigeria was suffused by Guinea Worm.Under President GEJ, UN certifies Nigeria Guinea worm free.

8. For 19 years, Nigeria cold not win an Africa Cup of Natioions. Under President Jonathan, we are the reigning champions.

9. Before President Jonathan, it took 8 hours to drive from Lagos to Benin. Under President GEJ, that journey takes 4 hours.

10. Before President Jonathan, Nigeria was a net importer of cement. Under President GEJ,Nigeria is a net exporter of cement.

11. Before President Jonathan Nigeria did not have a single formal Almajiri school. Today, there are 125 models completed.

12. Before President Jonathan, Nigeria had only 27 Federeal Universities. Today, EVERY Nigerian state has one.

13. Before President Jonathan, enrollment in Colleges of Education was 500k. Today 750k people are enrolled.

14. Conduct of free and fair elections in the country, including the 2011 poll which was adjudged to be the most credible election of its magnitude that has ever been conducted in the country, though it was not without its flaws. Unlike in other administrations, the Goodluck Jonathan administration has given a free hand to the country’s electoral umpire, INEC, to perform its statutory duties.

15. Relative non-interference with electoral and judicial matters. This is evident in the number of governorship elections that have been won both at the polls and in the court by opposition parties in Anambra, Imo, Osun states, among others.

16. Initiation of the YOUWIN program in 2011. The Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YOUWIN) program aims to generate over 100,000 jobs for innovative unemployed youths across the country in the course of three years. It is currently in its third year.

17. Goodluck Jonathan administration is the one behind the revival of the dead automotive industry in Nigeria. Global auto giants like Peugeot, Nissan and Hyundai now either assemble or wholly manufacture small cars, Sport Utility Vehicles, trucks and buses at various locations in Nigeria. In addition to that, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company (IVM), Nigeria’s flagship indigenous automaker, has begun the sale of their first made-in-Nigeria cars and SUVs in August 2014.

18. Construction and beautification of many federal roads in the country, including the Lagos-Benin expressway, Abuja-Lokoja expressway, Enugu-Abakiliki expressway, Onitsha-Owerri highway and most parts of the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway.

19. Remodelling, beautification and standardization of airports across the country. In addition to that, aircraft from Nigeria are now allowed to fly directly to the United States of America instead of going through many stopovers in Amsterdam and some other European cities along/in the route. The Akanu Ibiam Airport in Enugu was upgradede into an international airport.

20. Arresting the outbreak of the deadly and highly contagious Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in record time, though it unfortunately claimed some lives at the onset.

21. Unbundling and privatization of the dysfunctional Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) into about 18 profit-driven successor companies.

22. Women in politics have been given more prominent roles in the current President Goodluck Jonathan administration. A large number of the federal appointees of the Goodluck Jonathan administration are women. They include, but are not limited to, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Miriam Aloma Mukhtar, Nigeria’s first female Chief Justice; Diezani Alison-Madueke; ex-aviation minister Stella Oduah, Joy Ogwu, Nigeria’s representatives at the United Nations; Sarah Jibril; and Viola Onwuliri.

23. Introduction of the Nigerian electronic identity card (e-ID card), one of the most secure in the world d the largest in Africa. The e-ID card serves as both an international identification module and an electronic payment solution.

24. Also, about 352 laboratories were rehabilitated, while 72 new libraries were constructed in the Federal Unity Schools and laboratories rehabilitated in all the 51 Federal and State polytechnics across the country.

25. Government would complete the deployment of the three electronic platforms- namely, the Treasury Single Account, TSA; the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System, GIFMIS; and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS- to curb leakages in the system.

26. Aviation Certification - US Category 1 Certification attained.

27. Mortgage - The Nigerian Mortgage Refinancing Corporation was set up to enable 200,000 affordable mortgages within 5 years at affordable interest rate.

28. Nigeria became biggest economy in African overtaken South Africa. Sentiment Apart and don't be bias, Which past Nigeria President/Head of state has recorded these in 3 years.

29. New Terminal for 5 International Airports at Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu.

30. Air Safety - INSTALLATION of cutting age navigational aids and Instruments Landing Systems, including runway lights and Total Radar Coverage (TRACON).

31. The following bridge was concessioned to Juluis Berger and early works have commenced: Second Niger Bridge.

31. 104 candidates scaled the final hurdle (First Class Graduates) for Presidential scholarship award and were asked to apply to study in any of the top 25 universities in the world approved for the scheme for their Phd.

32. Nigeria produced the first Made-In-Nigeria tablets. Manufactured by some Niger Delta youths.

MORE REASONS TO VOTE FOR GOODLUCK JONATHAN

You said President GEJ has not been doing anything, but let me give u reasons why I should vote GEJ and his some of his achievements.

It is in GEJ administration, Nigeria became the first country in West Africa to host the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2014. It was also the most successful World Economic Forum for Africa (WEFA) in history, boasting of a global reach of 2.1 billion people according to estimates.

2. Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote’s net worth increased from US$2.1 billion at the start of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration to US$23 billion in 2014, making him Forbes’ richest black person in the world and the overall 26th richest in the world. He attributed this mammoth increase in his monetary worth to Goodluck Jonathan administration favourable economic policies.

3. Construction and beautification of many federal roads in the country, including the Lagos-Benin expressway, Abuja-Lokoja expressway, Enugu-Abakiliki expressway, Onitsha-Owerri highway and most parts of the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway. Also, construction of the second Niger Bridge between Onitsha and Asaba to relieve the pressure on the old Niger Bridge which was completed in December 1965.

4. Revival of the comatose railway system of transportation in the country is happening under the current Goodluck Jonathan administration.

5. Remodelling, beautification and standardization of airports across the country. In addition to that, aircraft from Nigeria are now allowed to fly directly to the United States of America instead of going through many stopovers in Amsterdam and some other European cities along/in the route. The Akanu Ibiam Airport in Enugu was upgraded into an international airport, directly connecting the South-East region of the country to the outside world for the first time since independence.

6. Establishment of nine federal universities across the country in states which previously had no federal degree awarding institution.

7. Computerizing education in the country with the introduction of the computer-based test (CBT) which will be mandatory for all UTME candidates from 2015.

8. Introduction of the Almajiri system of education in the academically disadvantaged Northern parts of the country.
9.Arresting the outbreak of the deadly and highly contagious Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in record time, though it unfortunately claimed some lives at the onset.

10. Transformation of the agricultural sector, so that, in the words of Agriculture minister Akinwumi Adesina, “Nigerians will stop thinking of agriculture just as a means of livelihood, but more as a business.”

11. Nigeria has reduced its food imports by over 40% as of 2013, moving the country closer to self-sufficiency in agriculture.

12. Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava with an output of over 45 million metric tonnes in 2014 according to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

13. Due to favourable economic policies, Internet penetration in Nigeria has now increased from about 45 million in 2011 to 63 million in 2014, overtaking countries such as the United Kingdom and France in the process. What this means is that more people now use the internet in Nigeria than in the UK and France.

14. As of the second quarter of 2014, the number of registered active telephone lines in Nigeria stood at 130 million out of a total of over 170 million telephone lines.

15. Introduction of the Nigerian electronic identity card (e-ID card), one of the most secure in the world d the largest in Africa. The e-ID card serves as both an international identification module and an electronic payment solution.

16. Introduction of the cashless system which aims to encourage the use of e-payment systems in the country and reduce the volume of physical cash in circulation.

17. Unbundling of the dysfunctional Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) into about 18 profit-driven successor companies.

18. Under the watch of President Goodluck Jonathan administration, Nigeria won the African Cup of Nations for the first time in 19 years in South Africa in February, 2013.

19. Nigeria ended up with 11 gold , 11 silver and 14 bronze medals at the recently concluded 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, finishing 8th in the overall ranking.

20. Women in politics have been given more prominent roles in the current President Goodluck Jonathan administration. A large number of the federal appointees of the Goodluck Jonathan administration are women. They include, but are not limited to, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Miriam Aloma Mukhtar, Nigeria’s first female Chief Justice; Diezani Alison-Madueke; ex-aviation minister Stella Oduah, Joy Ogwu, Nigeria’s representatives at the United Nations; Sarah Jibril; and Viola Onwuliri.

For me and my household, it’s GEJ till 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoV9avcdPac

Nigeria Listed Among 20 Fastest Growing Economies

A new survey released by Bloomberg has projected that Nigeria, China, the Philippines, Kenya, India and Indonesia will rank among the 20 fastest growing economies in world this year.

In an accompanying chart by the New York-based financial newswire service, Nigeria with an expected growth rate of 4.9 per cent was ranked sixth behind China (7 per cent), the Philippines (6.3 per cent), Kenya (6 per cent), India (5.5 per cent) and Indonesia (5.4 per cent).

Other countries that made the list of 20, dominated by emerging economies in Asia and Africa, include: Malaysia in seventh place, Peru, Thailand, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kazakhstan, Colombia and Saudi Arabia.

Others are Taiwan, Turkey, South Korea, Poland, Mexico, Ireland and Singapore.

According to Bloomberg, “Emerging markets in Asia and Africa still reign supreme: They’re at the top of global growth projections over the next two years.

“The world is expected to grow 3.2 per cent in 2015 and 3.7 per cent next year after expanding 3.3 per cent in each of the past two years," according to a Bloomberg survey of economists.

“China, the Philippines, Kenya, India and Indonesia, which together make up about 16 per cent of global gross domestic product, are all forecast to grow more than 5 per cent in 2015.”

By comparison, the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK), which combined account for about a quarter of global growth, are expected to grow 3.1 and 2.6 per cent this year respectively, said Bloomberg.

“The euro area probably will expand just 1.2 per cent as European Central Bank President Mario Draghi deals with a fragile Greece and embarks on a bond-purchase programme to stimulate the region's growth.

“China still remains the fastest-growing G-20 nation, even though the Asian economy is no longer expanding at the pace it did a few years ago.

“China's economy grew 7.3 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2014 from a year earlier, and is expected to slow to 7 per cent in 2015.

“To counter that slowdown, People's Bank of China policy makers are boosting monetary stimulus. The central bank cut its benchmark interest rate in November for the first time since 2012. This month officials lowered by 50 basis points the deposit reserve ratio, which is the amount of reserves that banks need to keep on hand,” the survey said.

Continuing, it added that Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, is projected to expand at 4.9 per cent this year, while Kenya will probably grow by 6 per cent in 2015, even as unemployment and poverty remain stubbornly high, with over 40 per cent of Kenyans living below the poverty line.

“US growth forecasts for 2015 are coalescing around 3 per cent even as the dollar soars to its highest level in more than a decade.

“As growth picks up, the Federal Reserve is weighing whether to raise interest rates for the first time since 2006. Their benchmark federal funds rate has remained near zero since December 2008.”

CREDIT: http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/nigeria-listed-among-20-fastest-growing-economies/202874/

https://www.youtube.com/embed/V3GVwiIxpOY

#GEJAchievements

TESTIMONIAL

i am a YOUWIN 3 AWARDEE.. i have benefited from the GEJ adminstration.. and thank you, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala for continuing to help people who daily insult you.

thats the cross of leadership, saving a blind man from a pit and ignoring his insults of you "yanking" him without permission.

- Toba Owojaiye

Jonathan-led Govt Helping to Empower Thousands of Agric SME Operators —FIIRO

Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), has revealed that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, in the last four years, has empowered it to train no fewer than 29,435 Nigerians youths and women during its various technology transfer and techno-entrepreneurship development programmes as part of poverty alleviation and job-creation efforts of the government.

The training, according to the Director-General of FIIRO, Dr. (Mrs.) Gloria Elemo, covered production of fruit juice, instant pounded yam flour, cassava bread and confectioneries baking, soaps and detergents, industrial cassava starch, black soap, odorless fufu flour, tomato paste & powder, tie and dye, liquid detergent, essential oil, custard powder, high quality cassava flour, vegetable oil extraction, electroplating, solid mineral milling, among others.

“In continuation of the Institute’s efforts at ensuring the commercialisation of our research and development outputs, the technology transfer training workshops were conducted between 2011 and 2014,” Dr Elemo said in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune.

FIIRO said the president, through improved budgetary allocation to the institute, had committed huge resources to the Institute’s activities towards local content development, food security, nutrition security, development and utilisation of indigenous technologies for the achievement of Transformation Agenda, leading to cassava processing and utilisation technologies.

“The Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) pioneered Research and Development (R&) work on cassava processing in Nigeria. Some of the cassava products developed by the Institute are: high quality cassava flour, industrial cassava starch (including normal, detoxified, modified; food and pharmaceutical grades), odourless fufu powder, Cassava chips and pellets, Cassava-based adhesives, Cold water starch, cassava noodles, tapioca, mechanised gari, soy-gari, glucose syrup, ethanol, 100 per cent cassava cake and cassava bread,” the FIIRO boss revealed while enumerating the government’s empowerment of the institute to develop technologies and transfer such to small and medium size operators in the country.

Dr. Elemo said the adoption of cassava bread and cassava bread recipe developed by the Institute as national bread by the current administration has the capacity to create over 3 million jobs along the cassava value chain as well as saving the nation a whopping sum of N127billion at 20% substitution of cassava flour for wheat flour.

The DG/CEO, also commended the Federal government for the support it received in the development of High Nutrient Density Biscuit and Drinks for school feeding programme which the government is planning to adopt nationwide for school feeding programme. The Institute also received tremendous support for its R& programme on Ready-to-Use-Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) for treatment of severe malnutrition that could readily replace the imported nuts for the treatment of malnutrition to conserve foreign exchange.

“The institute, also with support from the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development and Lake Chad Research Institute, has produced acceptable bread from 100% local wheat; the institute has also produced cocoa bread with support from the Jonathan-led administration with overall objective to reduce import dependency, save foreign exchange and create jobs,” FIIRO said.

Due to the age of the Institute, infrastructural facilities were dilapidated while the research equipment were obsolete, constituting a major challenge which had to be addressed through gradual rehabilitation of the laboratories as well as equipping the laboratories with the state-of-the-art research facilities.

Through the current administration, FIIRO said it had rehabilitated five specialised laboratories and upgraded some of its physical infrastructures, now the Institute wears a new look; a Nutraceuticals laboratory is currently under rehabilitation under strict supervision of a Professor of Nutraceuticals from the University of Kwazulu Natal University, South Africa; acquired and installed the following state-of-the-art laboratory equipment: GC-Mass Spec, Ultrafast HPLC, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, UV-Visible Spectrophotometer, Rapid Moisture Analyser, Flourescent Microscope, NIR Auto Analyzer and Mixolab making the Institute a centre of excellence in West Africa sub-region for products analysis for academia and industry most especially the micro, small and medium enterprises.

SOURCE: http://tribune.com.ng/agriculture/item/29090-jonathan-led-govt-helping-us-to-empower-thousands-of-agric-sme-operators-fiiro

France: Nigeria is Investors’ Unavoidable Destination

Despite the various challenges bedeviling the country, France has described Nigeria as investors’ unavoidable destination.

French Minister of Finance and Economy, Mr. Michael Sapin, who disclosed this at the weekend, said Nigeria would be a major beneficiary of a 240 billion Euro fund being earmarked by France for investment in Africa as the European nation renews its investment drive on the continent.

Sapin stated that investing in Africa without Nigeria was unthinkable, adding: “if you are not in Nigeria, you are not in Africa”.

“With a huge market and investment potentials, he noted that “no serious investor can ignore Nigeria, given the large population, highly skilled human capital and massive untapped natural resources.”

Sapin said already a contact group had been formed to ensure that French investors took the centre-stage of business activities in Nigeria and African countries.

“Perception about Africa is changing rapidly, especially after over a decade of steady impressive economic growth, even when most regions of the world were experiencing retarded growth or even recession.

“French investors have to know this, that French needs Africa. With a budding young population who are highly skilled and entrepreneurial, we must give impetus to this needed collaboration between Africa and France,” Sapin said.

French President, Francois Hollande, who unfolded France’s renewed investment plans in Africa at the ‘French-African Forum for a Shared Growth’ in Paris, France at the weekend, described Africa as “our future.”

Hollande stated that Africa stands out as the world’s preferred investment destination, considering its impressive economic growth over the years and abundant unexploited human and natural resources.

His government, he said, was adopting a multi-pronged investment drive in Africa as well as infrastructure funding, noting that France was willing to woo a number of countries to invest in Africa.

The French leader noted that there was a convergence of cultural links, assuring that France would support Africa better in investment and funding of projects.

He said the 240 billion euro being earmarked by his government for Africa would help African countries drive their growth, admonishing French companies to be more aggressive in their investments in Africa.

“Africa is our future. It is a continent with great demographic evolution. It has recorded the highest growth in the last few years. It is also a continent full of untapped resources...,” Hollande said, noting that Africa boasts an army of vibrant youth population unlike other continents

Besides the 240 billion euro earmarked for investment in Africa, he disclosed that an export bank was being put together at the end of March to help African countries access funds.

President Goodluck Jonathan was represented at the forum, attended by many African leaders, ministers and corporate chieftains, by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

At a session on “Financial Innovation for a Shared and Inclusive Growth,” Okonjo-Iweala stated that existing resources fall short of what is required to surmount various challenges in Africa, citing, for instance, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) figures which says that $30 billion investment is required annually to eradicate poverty.

The minister said there was the need to come up with more innovative financing options to meet various needs in Africa, adding that how to raise far more domestic resources was imperative.

She said more efforts should be channelled into what she described as "traditional sources" of projects funding.

Okonjo-Iweala, who said Nigeria was adopting a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to finance two flagship projects—the Second Niger Bridge and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, noted the problem with PPPs was that it takes up to seven years to conclude such arrangements which is longer than the lifespan of an administration.

But she said with the involvement of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), managers of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) in the Second Niger Bridge, the Jonathan administration was working on leveraging on the available legal and technical expertise to see how to wrap up everything, including financing within three years.

The minister also said another innovative financing source was Diaspora remittances, which could be securitised as well as financial inclusion, which incorporates people from the lower rungs of the ladder.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/france-nigeria-is-investors-unavoidable-destination/201264/

Re: Soludo and Okonjo-Iweala: N30 trillion Mismanagement Claim
By Sylvester Monye

I am really saddened and deeply troubled by the turn of events over the last few days by the tone of the debate on the economy and the personalities involved. The two principal actors are people who are not just close to me, but respected internationally in the field of economics. In his latest article, Professor Chukwuma Soludo alleges that over N30 trillion is missing or stolen or unaccounted for, or simply mismanaged under Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s watch. Using the average dollar exchange rates since May 2011, the sum of N30 trillion is equivalent to about US$193 billion!! The trained mind will already decipher that this cannot be true, but for the sake of others, let me state clearly why such a huge amount cannot possibly be missing.

First, the assertion by Professor Soludo that on average 400,000 barrels per day are being “stolen” cannot be correct. From my vantage position as former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, I know that on several occasions, the government has made it clear that between 50,000 to 100,000 barrels per day are being lost to pipeline vandals. In fact, my recollection is that Dr. Okonjo-Iweala was the first person to sound the alarm on the missing barrels. However, the repair of the broken pipelines requires “shut-ins”, that is, the pipelines are closed down, which prevents about 400,000 barrels per day being pumped. So what is not being pumped cannot be stolen. It makes more sense to say that about 250,000 to 300,000 barrels over and above what is stolen (which is 50,000 to 100,000) by vandals cannot be pumped and sold, and this is weighing down government revenues.

Second, the claim that gross mismanagement has denied the country some $60 billion is also not true. The government has on numerous occasions given explanations as to why reserves have fallen since the 2008/09 financial crisis. Reserves, particularly the Excess Crude Account component, were used to shore up our economy when the crisis hit and please bear in mind that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was not Minister of Finance at this time. In the same vein, the state governors were not tolerant of the idea of excess crude savings, preferring to share monies that could have built up the reserves. The resistance has been raging from the day the concept of Excess Crude Account was initiated under President Obasanjo. In fact, there is a subsisting law suit in the Supreme Court by the governors seeking to share what is left of the Account. Surely, the Minister of Finance cannot be held liable for the behaviour of our governors. If anyone is truly convinced of gross mismanagement of our reserves, we need to show courage in our conviction by asking the State Governors to account for their respective shares of Excess Crude Account over the last 6 years. In any event, it is the CBN Governor who should account for the management of the reserves.

Lastly, no one can now say that $20 billion is missing from NNPC. The fact of the matter is that a forensic Audit, led by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation has been carried out, and the Audit report has just been released. The conclusion of this forensic investigation is that NO MONEY IS MISSING!!!

In this same article, Professor Soludo accused the Honourable Minister of Finance of manipulating national statistics, particularly poverty numbers. This cannot be a fair accusation from my brother. The integrity of data from the National Bureau of Statistics is now generally applauded by both international bodies as well as local institutions. It is therefore, not wise to disparage a fledgling national institution in this manner. However, for the avoidance of doubts, my simple response to that accusation is that Nigerians should read pages 16 to 18 of the “Nigerian Economic Report 2014”, published by the World Bank. This can be found on the link: http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2014/07/23/000470435_20140723133415/Rendered/PDF/896300WP0Niger0Box0385289B00PUBLIC0.pdf

Though Professor Charles Soludo’s intellect and capacity is not in any doubt, I will strongly advise the Honourable Minister of Finance not to respond to his recent article, as the debate will lead us nowhere, and further overheat the polity. My take, is that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who has received many accolades internationally for her contribution to global economic development and to Nigeria’s economic growth and stability, must not be distracted from her daily job of managing our economy through the tough times ahead.

Professor Sylvester Monye is President, Africa Institute for Public Policy and former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, on Performance Monitoring and Evaluation

Youth Empowerment: Education and Vocational Training
The administration from inception in 2011, targeted the educational sector by expanding access to all levels of education, as well as raising the quality of education. There was also a need for massive overhauling of Technical and Vocational Skills Education to ensure skills acquisition and encourage entrepreneurial minded people set up businesses and employs others.

Other programmes include Revitalization of Adult and Youth Literacy, Improving Access through Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Improving Access to Higher Education through New Universities, Encouraging Private Sector Participation in Tertiary Education, Expanding opportunities for open and distance learning, Scholarships.

Under the amnesty programmes, thousands of youths in the Niger Delta have been given scholarships.

Youth Employment: Agriculture
The government recently launched a self-employment initiative under the Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP) called the Nagropreneur programme. This scheme, designed to encourage youth to go into commercial agriculture as entrepreneurs, plans to develop over 750,000 young Nagropreneurs by 2015.

Over 250,000 farmers and youths in Northern states now profitably engaged in farming.

Youth Empowerment: Job Creation [SURE-P]
There has been key government programmes focusing on direct job creation including Community Service Scheme (SURE-P) aimed at engaging 320,000 youths in labour intensive work such as construction and rehabilitation of social and economic infrastructure. This has seen about 120,000 employed so far. Another offshoot of the SURE-P is the Graduate Internship Scheme (SURE-P) that aims to attach 50,000 graduates to competent firms to enhance skills development towards employability. 4,000 graduates have been matched so far. Moreover, YOUWIN- Business Plan Competition has successfully run two of its three cycles and is now in its third cycle with 2400 winners selected and 26,000 jobs directly created in different sectors of the economy. At least 80,000 jobs are expected by 2015

Introduction of the FERMA-SURE P Public works Programme, engaging and training over 6,000 Nigerian youths on road maintenance works thereby creating a social safety net and Road ownership attitude with abutting communities.

The SURE-P Public Works Programme, managed by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), creates temporary direct-labour jobs for Nigeria’s unemployed youths. The Programme is a set of short-term projects targeting both unskilled and low skilled persons for employment in labour-intensive activities aimed at improving the infrastructure stock in the communities where the projects are undertaken.

Youth Empowerment: Job Creation [CSWYE Programme]
The Community Service, Women and Youth Employment Programme (CSWYE) creates short-term work programmes for vulnerable populations including underprivileged women, youth and people living with disabilities through labour intensive public works projects. Programme beneficiaries are employed in community development services such as cleaning the drains, assisting in traffic control, etc. The programme aims to create 370,000 jobs annually, with a minimum of 30 percent of the spaces reserved for women. SURE-P records show that the scheme has so far created about 119,000 jobs across the country, of which about 41,137 are women.

Youth Empowerment: Job Creation [ICT]
The government of President Jonathan with the aim of creating jobs through the Ministry of Communication Technology created a number of programmes to promote entrepreneurship in information and communication technology (ICT) and to leverage ICT to match Nigerians with available short-term, freelancing projects in the public and private sectors.

iDEA is focused on identifying young Nigerians talented in software coding and supporting them to start ICT companies. These talents are identified through ‘Hackathons’ – software code writing competitions - where they showcase their skills.

The Ministry is focused on creating an ecosystem that will result in the creation of companies and not just codes. The iDEA centres identify the best talents and match them with industry innovation hubs that provide a platform for the talents to develop their solutions, be mentored, and learn business/managerial skills.

They are matched with angel investors as well as private equity and venture capital firms. The programme, which commenced in 2012, is in its third round with about 20 companies that have been formed to date. This represents a US$100 million per annum investment opportunity with hundreds of jobs in the primary companies and a lot more in the support industries.

Youth Empowerment: Job Creation [NAPEC]
National Action Plan on Employment Creation (NAPEC) is a job creation programme coordinated by the Ministry of Labour and Productivity which focuses the policies, programmes and projects in 11 key sectors of the economy on job creation for Nigerians.

It is expected that the Action Plan will generate over 10 million jobs in critical sectors of the economy. The NAPEC initiative mandates that all contracts signed by the Federal Executive Council stipulate the number of jobs that will be created for Nigerians in the course of executing the project. In addition, all contracts with foreign companies must include a knowledge transfer component that ensures ongoing maintenance of the project by Nigerians. From 2011 to 2013, local content programmes have created a total of about 198,000 jobs across the country.

Youth Empowerment: Job Creation [NAPEP]
Through various schemes under the National Poverty Eradication Programme
(NAPEP) between June 2011 and April 2013, over 80,000 jobs were created and 143,765 youths trained in different skills. These results were achieved through the following NAPEP programmes: Gender Focus Initiatives, The Villiages Solution, Micro Credit Initiative, Enterprise Promotion and support.

The government has launched a Youth Entrepreneurship Strategy; a coalition of fed govt agencies and private organisations to provide funding and empowerment to youth and women entrepreneurs. This initiative will kick off in February, 2015.

Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Women Empowerment

Empowering Women
More than any other Nigerian leader in recent memory, President Jonathan has done very well for Nigerian women. He has tremendously improved on the record of former presidents in involving women and empowering them by acting on an official policy of progressively increasing the percentage of women in positions of authority in government to 35 per cent.

Women in Government and Leadership Positions
At the last count, the Jonathan administration has employed three female Justices in the Supreme Court; 16 female heads of ministries; nine female special advisers; 12 female permanent secretaries, 26 female heads of federal government parastals; 29 female federal commissioners; 16 female heads of federal tertiary institutions; four female representatives in international multi-lateral organizations and 12 female ambassadors and high commissioners.

Women Empowerment: A Cycle Broken
Under this government, women are now admitted to the Nigerian Defence Academy, a taboo even under Obasanjo. This leaves women with the opportunity to serve their nation side-by-side with the men.

Women Empowerment: National Gender Policy
Under the Jonathan administration that Nigerian women have attained the highest level of participation in the nation’s social, political and economic life. President Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda contains a National Gender Policy which it mainstreams into all aspects of government planning and development.

A major component of that policy is women empowerment in politics. Here, there has been a remarkable success in the creation of awareness on the participation of women in politics. Not only has a Political Trust Fund been established to provide support to women aspirants willing to participate in general elections, a database of women political aspirants has also been created.

The implementation of Jonathan’s Gender Policy has also resulted in an increase in women’s representation in Government from 10% in 2011 to over 33% 2013, with the appointment of 13 female Ministers out of 42, representing 31% and 4 Special Advisers out of 18, representing 23%. These appointments have set the stage for the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) target number three on Gender Equity and Women Empowerment.

Women Empowerment: Women in Business
Two micro-credit schemes have been set up to assist women: (1) the Women Fund for Economic Empowerment (WOFEE), in collaboration with the Bank of Agriculture and the State Governments and (2) the Business Development Fund for Women (BUDFOW), in collaboration with the Bank of Industry.

The two schemes are revolving facilities with an interest rate of 10%. In addition to these efforts, 77 skills acquisition centres have been constructed and equipped across the country to increase income generation, through job creation, for women, especially at the grassroots level.

A recent research, conducted and published in a book, titled Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Champion for Women, shows that Nigeria was 23rd out of 188 countries studied, in terms of women mobilisation, appointment into positions, participation in governance and women empowerment.

Women Empowerment: Job Creation
The Community Service, Women and Youth Employment Programme (CSWYE) creates short-term work programmes for vulnerable populations including underprivileged women, youth and people living with disabilities through labour intensive public works projects. Programme beneficiaries are employed in community development services such as cleaning the drains, assisting in traffic control, etc. The programme aims to create 370,000 jobs annually, with a minimum of 30 percent of the spaces reserved for women. SURE-P records show that the scheme has so far created about 119,000 jobs across the country, of which about 41,137 are women.

Women Empowerment: The Role of the First Lady
The President is married to a remarkable woman, Dame Patience Jonathan, who is endowed with some of the greatest human attributes and who is a natural mobilizer of women. The President has, in his private and public life, benefitted immensely from his wife’s virtues. It is generally acknowledged, for instance, that it was Dame Jonathan’s mobilisation efforts that secured Jonathan the massive votes of Nigerian women during the 2011 Presidential election.

The 2011 experience was enough for Jonathan to consolidate his faith in the qualities of Nigerian women. He did not entertain any doubt whatsoever about their character, capacity and competence in playing any role in the land, whether political, technical or administrative. That is the reason behind Jonathan’s Policy of Gender Equality and why, as some Nigerians would say “the President has surrounded himself with women and entrusted them with some of the most critical and sensitive positions.”

With her project, "Women For Change Initiative", she is seeking to make Life better for women in the country and totally restore the dignity of womanhood. She has lent her voice to the actualization of the 35% affirmative action for women in Nigeria, thus advocating more women in governance.

With her pet project, Women for Change Initiative, Dame Patience Jonathan, widely seen as an Apostle of women empowerment, continued the journey started by previous First Ladies into an era befitting of the Nigerian Woman.

She has struggled relentlessly to awaken and empower the Nigerian woman through her various summits, programmes, enlightenment and sensitisation campaigns, including ensuring that women in politics in the country are constitutionally recognised as stakeholders, She canvassed in several fora that women should be given more opportunities to contribute to the development of the country.

Women Empowerment: Well-placed Presidential Confidence
President Jonathan’s confidence in Nigerian women has not been misplaced. Some of his administration’s greatest achievements, since he came into office, have been in Ministries, Parastatals and Departments manned by women.

The person who has been working hard to ensure this resilience of the national economy is a woman, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance.

President Jonathan’s administration, in the history of Nigeria, has given the greatest opportunities to women and youths to express themselves.

Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

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nennin:
@gej pls that is a very good one by gej and minister of agriculture, i want to ask you i am a young boy planing to go into agriculture this year how can i benefit from YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM (YEAP), i when to federal ministry of agriculture yesterday to make an enquire about the program non of them were able to tell me about it because they dont know anything about the program so i want to know access the fund the process and procedures of getting the fund. thanks GOD BLESS NIGERIA.

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Increased Bank Lending
Through our agriculture initiatives, lending to the entire agricultural value chain has become easier and cheaper, and is helping a number of newly established private firms in the North West Zone to secure loans. For instance, the Umza Rice Mills of Kano, was able to secure N500m under NIRSAL to support its working capital requirement.

Bank lending to rural borrowers increased from 0.22% of their total lending before our administration to 7.63% of their total lending in March 2014. Because of the success of our efforts to encourage banks to lend to seed companies, bank lending to private seed companies and small agricultural input retailers has increased from zero before our administration, to $10m (N1.6bn) in 2012, and $53m (N8.5bn) in 2013. Bank lending to fertiliser companies rose from $100 million (N16bn) in 2012 to $500m (N80bn) in 2013. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Gains of E-wallet Scheme
 A total of 1.37 million MT of fertilizer worth N150.70 billion has been sold since the inception of our e-wallet scheme.
 A total of 102,703MT of improved rice seeds has been redeemed by rice farmers across the country since the inception of our e-wallet scheme.
 A total of 67,991MT of improved maize seeds have been redeemed by rice farmers across the country since the inception of our e-wallet scheme. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Infrastructure and Skills Development
We are constructing three integrated rice mills in Niger, Kogi and Nasarawa states and one cassava mill in Nassarawa state. We also have agriculture skills training centres in Benue and Kwara states. Our irrigation project in Kwara state is expected to irrigate thousands of hectares of rice farm. We have Agriculture Services and Training Centre in Vom, Jos. We have distributed 67,000 MT of improved seed to be planted on 3.5 million hectares.

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Economic Impact in the North Central
We have realized additional food production of 7,000,000 metric tons and made gross economic impact of N455 billion. We have achieved net economic impact of N105bill through our Agricultural Transformation Agenda Dry Season Rice Transformation. We have impacted and supported 7400 farmers in Kogi state and 1000 farmers in Niger state. We made gross economic impact of N2.1 billion and net income impact of N0.9billion in Kogi state. In Niger state, we made gross economic impact of N0.3billion and net economic impact of N0.1billion. We have created 13,000 jobs in Kogi state and 2,000 jobs in Niger state through agriculture. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Testimonial
My name is Bala Ahmed and I will be the first person to tell you that farming is not an easy job. I chose farming because it’s what I know. My father was a farmer, so was my grandfather and his father before him. So I inherited a huge farmland and despite the fact that I attended school to a certain level, I still chose farming because, it’s what I have always known and it is also my passion.

Now, I will tell the truth, for years, farmers have suffered greatly due to not getting the required help from our government until recently. How can you grow seed that you don’t have? How can you produce bountifully, when the fertilizers come at a rate you can’t even afford? But all these are changing in recent years. Yes, things are changing. Thanks to modern technology and and the administration of President Jonathan. I have a cell phone from government that has practically changed my life.

Before, it was the so called middle men who were benefitting from the billions of naira spent every year by government. But we thank God today. We are getting subsidized and also getting high quality fertilizer and seed directly from government through the Growth Enhancement Support scheme. How does this work? GES delivers inputs to us directly through our cell phones given to us by government and I know all the farmers in my locality have it. It’s also called E-wallets.

And last year when we wanted to expand our farm land we applied for a loan under the GES scheme to buy a tractor and insha Allah, we got it without giving anybody a bribe. Today, we are paying back our loan by renting out the tractor to other farmers. So, when you get more food on your tables, at a cheaper rate, you should understand that it is because we get what we need to grow our farms products easily, without much stress from President Jonathan’s administration. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Job Creation
Through our comprehensive Agricultural Transformation Agenda program, we have recorded many landmark achievements. Through agriculture we have created thousands of jobs across the country. The provision of inputs in 10 Northern states enabled dry season farming; and profitably engaged over 250,000 farmers and youths even during the dry season. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Boosting Economy through Agriculture Initiatives
Through our comprehensive Agricultural Transformation Agenda program, inflation fell to 7.8% in October 2013, its lowest since 2008, as a result of higher domestic food production. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Growth Enhancement Scheme
We launched the Growth Enhancement Scheme to provide targeted support for seeds and fertilizers to 5 million farmers per year or 20 million farmers within four years. Through the scheme, we are providing subsidized inputs to farmers via an e-Wallet program. In fiscal year 2013, an estimated 4.2 million farmers received subsidized inputs. As a result, in 2013, we produced 1.1 million metric tonnes of dry season rice across 10 Northern states; and over 250,000 farmers and youths in these states are now profitably engaged in farming even during the dry season. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Promotion of Private Sector Investments
We launched Staple Crop Processing Zones to support investments in the entire agricultural value chain. At present, there are significant private investment commitments from agribusiness ventures such as: Flour Mills of Nigeria, the Dangote Group, Syngenta, Indorama, AGCO, and Belstar Capital.
#GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Cassava Exploits
In 2012, 2.2 million metric tonnes of cassava chips were exported, exceeding the Agricultural Transformation Agenda’s target by over 100%, while the 40% substitution of cassava for wheat has been achieved through research and collaboration with the IITA and Federal Institute for Industrial Research. Similarly, there has been a decline in wheat imports to Nigeria from an all-time high of 4,051,000 MT in 2010 to 3,700,000 MT in 2012. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Reduction of Food Import Bill
Under our administration, Nigeria produced over 8 million metric tons of additional food. As a result, Nigeria’s food import bill reduced from N1.1 trillion in 2011 to N648 billion in 2012. Moreover, last year, we produced 1.1 million metric tons of dry season rice across 10 Northern states, employing over 250,000 farmers and youths in these states. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Training and Capacity Building
One of the key reform areas in our Transformation Agenda is agriculture. About 200 women in Benue State were trained on how to make compost for farming and 360 farmers in the same state, were trained on climate change adaptability in agriculture.
The environment and farming in Benue state got a boost from about 600 men and women in Benue state who participated in training on how to be environmentally better farmers.

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Environmentall Friendly Agriculture
We established community woodlots of 10 hectares each in Plateau and Kogi (10ha) states. We restored 10 hectares of degraded forest in Achareni Forest Reserves in Kogi state and rehabilitated 10 hectares degraded forest reserves in Niger state. Our administration also launched Presidential Initiative on Coastal and River Bank protection on flood in Asa River (Kwara State). We established two skill acquisition centres to train people on the fabrication of solar -powered grinding machines in Kaiama and Baruten in Kwara State. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Testimonial by Hajia Meimuna
My name is Hajia Meimuna. I am a widow and in my 60s. I have a farm that I inherited from my late husband. It was overflooded some years back, I lost all that I had put in it for that year and the next. Many people died, many of us lost our properties. When they told us that most of these problems in our area are mostly as a result of us not taking care of our environment, we have become wiser. Nobody should pray for that kind of flooding we experienced. So they have put some machines in our towns to tell us when a big flood will happen again, so we can all run where the floods will not get us. We thank Allah and we thank the government for being concerned about us. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Key Reforms and Achievements
When our administration came to office, Nigeria was spending annually on the import of wheat, rice, sugar and fish, alone. This put enormous pressure on the currency and of course, that situation was not sustainable fiscally, economically, and neither was it politically acceptable.
We started looking for a way to move Nigeria from a net food importer status to a net food exporting country, while ensuring domestic food production, and creating jobs, especially for the youth. Nigeria used to be a major player in global agricultural markets; however, our administration inherited Nigeria as one of the highest food importing countries in the world.

The good old days are coming back again, thanks to our Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA). The primary goal of our reform is to achieve rapid growth in the agricultural sector, ensuring food security, job creation, wealth creation and a diversified economy away from oil. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Ending Corruption Seed and Fertilizer Sectors
When we launched the reforms particularly the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) Scheme in 2012, we ended four decades of corruption in the seed and fertilizer sectors within 90 days. We ended direct procurement and distribution of seed and fertilizers by the government. Private sector seed and fertilizer companies now sell directly to farmers. We developed cell phone based system to send subsidies via electronic vouchers (e-wallets) directly to farmers via their cell phones. Nigeria is the first African country to develop the e-wallet for input delivery to farmers. We reached 1.5 million farmers and impacted 7.5 million people within the first one year. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Standardised Systems and Processes
We developed the first database of farmers. 4.2 million farmers were registered in 2012 and 10 million in 2013. Commercial banks lent N3.7 billion to seed companies and agro dealers. We recorded 0% rate of default on Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) loans. Through our initiatives, quality of fertilizer and seeds produced domestically has been of high quality in the majority of cases as demonstrated by the increased productivity of farmers. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Increased Productivity
Rice yields of farmers participating in our Growth Enhancement Scheme have gone from 1.5MT to 3.5MT on average during the wet season and 4MT on average in the dry season. Maize yields of farmers participating in our Growth Enhancement Scheme have also gone up from 2MT to 3MT on average. Our dry season rice support policy, has led to the total production of high quality paddy and massive jobs creation as fields are jam-packed with workers. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Flood Recovery Food Production Plan
Out of an estimated 1,760,364MT of rice paddy production in 2012/2013, at least 1.1 million MT was harvested from 264,000 hectares of dry season rice in 2012 across the 10 northern States of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano, Kogi, Niger, Bauchi, Kastina and Gombe using the Flood Recovery Food Production Plan. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Major Achievements in North-West Zone
Our reforms in agriculture and the real sector have led to great improvements in agriculture and manufacturing in the North West zone. There has been improved access to fertilizer, the number of seed companies in North-West region has increased, and over 370,000 thousand farmers in the region have been provided with critical farm inputs. We have developed and supported dry season rice cultivation. And to arrest desert encroachment and revive the ecosystem in the North West Zone, we have granted the sum of N10 billion to kick-start the Great Green Wall afforestation programme. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Value Chain Development
Agri-business and related value chain development is creating wealth and jobs in the North West zone. Our Growth Enhancement Scheme and other efforts aimed at encouraging private sector development have led to a rise in the number of private firms in the region producing key farm inputs such as seeds, pesticides, and herbicides—from only some six firms before the administration to about 65 by 2013. This has created thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the region. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Revolution in Rice Cultivation
Rice yield and cultivation in the North West have increased significantly. Our ATA has achieved a revolution in rice production and processing across the country as a result of which Nigeria is now on target for self-sufficiency in rice production. As at 2014, for instance, over 1.9 million hectares are cultivated in 22 states (this will amount to 10.45 million tonnes production, which is unprecedented in Nigeria’s history). #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Increased Rice Production
The introduction of accelerated dry season farming in rice production in ten states, five of which are in the North West, has led to increased rice production. In the North West a total of 974 metric tons of paddy rice was cultivated, specifically: Jigawa 74,872 farmers produced 299,888mt of paddy rice; Kano 31,491 farmers produced 125,694mt of paddy rice; Katsina 3,334 farmers produced 13,336mt of paddy rice; Zamfara 32, 391 farmers produced 129,564mt of paddy rice; Sokoto 46,087 farmers produced 184,348mt of paddy rice; Kebbi State 55,473 farmers produced 221,892mt of paddy rice. Yield in rice has also improved from about three tons per hectare in 2010 to over five metric tons per hectare now as a result of the introduction of improved seeds. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Post-harvest Conservation and Processing
Under our administration at least seven private rice mills have been established, leading to the creation of more jobs in the North West zone. Better technology has been introduced by our administration to improve post-harvest conservation and processing of rice and reduce damage and impurities in paddy. We have allocated N10 billion (over $50 million) to support the creation of 17 new private rice-processing companies.
As a result of our Agricultural Transformation Agenda, there has been an upsurge of integrated rice mills across the country, including at least seven in the North West (compared to none before our administration). These include Labana Mills in Kebbi, IRS Mills in Kano, Umza Mills in Kano, Attajiri Rill Mills in Sokoto, Atahi Rice Mill in Jigawa State, Kare Hi-Tech Mill in Zamfara. These mills have created thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the zone. The Umza Mills located in Kura, Kano, which has 75,000mt per annum capacity, directly employs 260 staff, for example. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: TESTIMONIAL BY GEORGE ZANGI:
My name is George Zangi, I work for Value Seeds as the President and Founder. We are in the business of agricultural research, seed production and seed distribution. I’ve been in this sector for more than two decades helping Nigerian farmers to have access to top quality seeds of improved varieties. In 2011, there were just a few companies then, say a handful, precisely not more than seven.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture under the leadership of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina summoned a meeting of stake holders in the sector and presented a very robust program, He wanted to use that to help Nigerian farmers to improve access to top quality seeds by farmers. Until then the Ministry was rife with corruption and so many things were completely not okay, so we went there, and he said, “Look I understand your challenges, I understand what we should do to give you the enabling environment to flourish. We have called you so you can indicate your interest in going ahead with the Federal Government in Agricultural transformation.” It was welcome news. We were all willing and as he said he actually understood our weakness, our challenges which in the main had been finance and access to affordable funding.
Sincerely when he started we thought it was a joke, companies that could barely produce hundred tonnes, hundred and fifty tonnes, three hundred tonnes suddenly could access funds to produce bigger quantities, some of us doubled, others with bigger capacity tripled their turnovers and that was in the first year. 2011 was the formative year and he provided the linkage to banks; fortunately banks were willing to also go with the Federal Government in Agricultural Transformation and a few banks supported us the early seed companies and we got funding, affordable funding, and single digit interest rate. That is how the transformation journey started, all sectors and all players in the Agricultural sector were touched. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Increased Access to Farm Inputs
Focused implementation of our Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) over the last four years has promoted a significant increase in farmers’ access to fertilisers and improved seeds. There was an increase in the number of farmers that use fertilisers, from 42.5% before our administration to 44.7% in 2013. There was a similar increase in the use of pesticides as they have become more available and cheaper for farmers in the zone. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Gains of Liberalisation
In 2012 when we launched the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GES), over 370,000 farmers in the North West were served with critical farm inputs. As at 2013, over 2.3 million farmers were served with seeds and fertilisers in the North West through the GES compared to zero before our administration. In addition, following the liberalisation of the sector, our support to the private sector has led to an increase in the number of private seed companies in the North West from only six, before the administration to 66 in 2013. This has increased farmers’ access to improved seeds and competition has also reduced prices and raised farm profits. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Cheaper Financing for Agriculture
Loans provided by banks through our Nigeria Incentive Based Risk Sharing for Agricultural Lending scheme (NIRSAL) under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda has been on the rise. A total of N18.01billion was lent to fertilizer and seed companies in 2014 by Banks/NIRSAL compared to N16.8billion that was lent to fertilizer and seed companies in 2013 and N5billion that was lent to fertilizer and seed companies by Banks/NIRSAL in 2012. Lending to agriculture increased from N128.4bn to N368.2bn by 2014 with farmers in the North West zone now having greater access to cheaper financing, under our NIRSAL. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Agriculture: Agricultural Lending Scheme
With the introduction of our Nigeria Incentive Based Risk Sharing for Agricultural Lending scheme (NIRSAL) under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, commercial banks have been encouraged to lend to the entire agricultural value chain due to drastic reduction in the risks traditionally associated with such lending. Total commercial bank lending to agriculture has increased from N128.4 billion before our administration, to N368.2 billion by March 2014. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

Key Economic Achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan In the Power Sector

NORTH CENTRAL
1. Before President Jonathan: Over the past two decades, the stalled expansion of Nigeria’s grid capacity, combined with the high cost of running diesel and petrol generating sets, has crippled the growth of the country’s productive and commercial industries and stifled the creation of jobs which are urgently needed in a country with a large and rapidly growing population. The erratic and unpredictable nature of electricity supply has engendered a deep and bitter sense of frustration that is felt across the country as a whole and in its urban centres in particular.

 President Goodluck Jonathan inherited a power sector which has been affected by many years of inefficiency and erratic supply of electricity. The President recognised immediately that irregular electricity supply was a serious impediment to individuals, institutions and businesses of any scale in the country. Therefore, Mr. President wasted no time and spared no expense in pushing forward reforms in the power sector to address the deficiencies in the sector. The Road Map for Power Sector Reform, launched in August 2010, with its emphasis on privatization of power generation and distribution and the construction of a new transmission network is expected to reduce in a big way the infrastructure challenges. The President set up an action committee on power, chaired by Mr. President himself and in collaboration with the Presidential Task Force on Power (PTFP), chaired by the Hon Minister of Power were reconstituted on September 5, 2012. The collaboration between these two committees with the Federal Ministry of Power and other agencies, including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the Bureau of Public Procurement, and the Federal Ministries of Finance, Labour and Water Resources, have made tremendous progress on power.

2. Before President Jonathan’s administration, previous government never thought of diversification of power generation?

 The government of President Jonathan, through the North central’s natural endowment, is seriously working towards the diversification of power generation. In this respect, the nation’s vast resources of coal, wind, solar, biomass and hydropower potentials are being fully exploited. Feasibility studies on the development of coal to power are on-going in coal blocks in Benue and Kogi states. These studies are expected to focus on clean coal technology. Hydro Power Development Feasibility Studies Carried Out Include:
• Zungeru project in Niger State…………………….700MW
• Gurara II project – Niger State……………………...360MW
• Gurara I Project Niger State…………………………..30MW

3. Before President Jonathan’s administration, previous administrations never thought of tackling the issue of power generation through the establishment of the power reform.

 Under the administration of President Jonathan, the power reforms are huge and below are notable successes recorded. Completed transmission grid includes:
• 330/132/32KV Ganmo SS (new), 300MVA
• 330/132 KV Katampe SS (Ext), 150 MVA
• 132KV DC Ganmo (Ilorin/Osogbo SC Turn in/ Turn out), 2km
• 330KV DC Ganmo (Jebba/Osogbo SC turn in/ Turn out), 12km
• 330 KV DC Ajaokuta-Lokoja-Gwagwalada, 222km
• Jos – Kafanchan 132 KV D/C line, Plateau and Kaduna State, 80km of 132 KV transmission line.
• 2 x 30 MVA 132/33KV SS at Pankshin and makeri, Plateau state, 60MVA transformer capacity at 132kv level in Makeri and Pankshin towns in Plateau state
• 2 x 60MVA, 132/33kv substation, FCT, 30MVA transformer capacity at 132kv level in Kwanar Dangora.

4. Before President Jonathan’s administration, the transmission grip projects were in despirate need of upgrade.

 The completion of on-going transmission grid projects will improve power supply even more. These include:
• Kainji-New Bussa 132 KV DC Transmission Line & 330kv SC River crossing, located at Kainji to New Bussa, Niger State, 132kv and 330kv transmission lines to wheel more power to New Bussa.
• Katamper-National Stadium 132kv DC line, FCT, 8.4km of 132kv double-circuit underground cable and 4km of 132kv DC overhead transmission line
• Kainji 1 x 150MVA, 330/132kv & 2 x 30/40MVA substation at New Bussa, Niger State, 150MVA transformer capacity in Kainji, Niger state.
• Kukwaba 2 x 60MVA, 132/33kv substation, FCT, 120MVA transformer capacity at 132kv level in Kukwaba, FCT Completed Distribution Activities
• Abuja - Airport 33kv Dc Line
• Apo 1 X 15mva Injection S/S Transformer
• Pankshin 1 X 7.5mva Injection S/S Transformer
• Shendam 1 X 7.5mva Injection S/S Transformer
• Completed Injection S/S = 31 Capacity = 492.5 Mva
• Completed Csp Transformers = 2514
• Completed 11kv Lines = 1221km, 33kv = 230km

Testimonial
I am Mark Emmanuel and I’m from Benue state.
In terms of power supply I will really say I enjoy stable light where I am. Electricity is one of the major areas I can say government have really impacted my business.
If light can improve, it is my believe the government can also improve other areas. Now I don’t spend too much money on fuel buying petrol for gen.

NORTH-EAST

5. Before President Jonathan administration, the power sector reforms, effort to reform the sector had never succeeded in raising outputs nor laid the requisite foundation for sustainable improvements in generation, transmission and distribution.

 The President Jonathan administration’s power sector reforms have laid the foundation for sustainable improvement, and promising results have started to show. Total installed generation capacity has steadily increased, from about 8500 MW before the administration to just under 10,000MW, while average installed capacity has nearly doubled during the period as a result of the reforms.

6. Reliability on electricity was a major challenge in previous administration. They never worked or even lay the foundation to proffer solution to that challenge.

 Power sector reforms are improving reliability of and access to electricity in the North East with a reduction in the proportion of households’ experiencing frequent blackouts from 46% t0 28%. System reliability has also improved significantly during the President Jonathan’s administration. The total number of system collapses has decreased from 22 before the reforms to only 15 now

7. The percentage of house hold reporting blackout several times per week/months and year before Jonathan in the North East was 42.6 as at 2010.

 The administration of President Jonathan has worked assiduously to reduce the percentage of house hold reporting blackout per week/months and year in the North East to 27.2 as at 2013.

8. Before President Jonathan’s administration Transmission and distribution of was left unattended to, therefore affecting electricity supply.

 Increases in transmission and distribution capacity in the North East have improved electricity supply from 25.1 hours per week to 73 hours per week under the President Jonathan’s administration.

9. Before President Jonathan’s administration transmission and distribution was about 5,500MW

 Statistics shows that transmission and distribution capacity has increased from about 5,500MW before the reforms to over 6,800 MW now. Distribution capacity has also increased from about 5,088 MW before the reforms to over 7,300MW now.


10. Before President Jonathan’s administration poor transmission affected the allocation of distribution in the zone.

 In the North East, these improvements in power transmission have translated into improved power allocation to the two Distribution Companies covering the zone. As statistics shows that both Yola and Jos Distribution Companies have experienced significant increase in distribution output.

Testimonial
My name is Habiba.
When my son got a good job with a telecoms company in Lagos he asked me what I wanted him to buy for me. I said I wanted a deep freezer so I can sell mineral and water and sometimes I can sell chicken. Before I would have asked for something else but now with the improved light and full current, I am sure that my deep freezer will always be blocked and water and drinks would be cold.

NORTH-WEST

11. Reliability on electricity was a major challenge in the North-West during previous administrations. President Goodluck Jonathan inherited this challenge.

 The administrations of President Jonathan Power Sector Reforms are Improving Reliability of and Access to Electricity in the North West and total installed generation capacity has steadily increased. Total installed generation capacity has steadily increased, from about 8,500 MW before the administration to just under 10,000MW now, while average installed capacity has nearly doubled as a result of the reforms.

12. Before President Jonathan’s administration, previous government did not make a move to diversify power generation to increase electricity generation in the North West

 The Galma HydroPower Station in Kaduna when completed will generate 2.5 megawatts of electricity. In addition to this additional power to the national grid, the Galma Hydro-Power station in Kaduna will also provide about 150 million litres of water per day to the people of Kaduna state.


13. The percentage of households that experienced several blackouts per weeks, month, and year before President Jonathan administration was over 42.6% in the North West.

 After President Jonathan’s administration Statistics shows that there has been a reduction in the percentage of households that experienced several blackouts per weeks, month, and year from over 42.6% before the President Jonathan’s Administration to about 17.6% now. This is supported by the increased allocation of electricity to the two distribution companies in the North West, Kaduna Disco and Kano Disco. In addition house holds with access to electricity have significantly improved from 36.6% before the administration came into office to 42.2%, as at 2013.

Testimonial
My name is Asabe. When my son got a good job with a telecoms company in Lagos he asked me what I wanted him to buy for me. I said I wanted a deep freezer so I can sell mineral and water and sometimes I can sell chicken. Before I would have asked for something else but now with the improved light and full current, I am sure that my deep freezer will always be blocked and water and drinks would be cold.

SOUTH-EAST

14. Before President Jonathan: Prior to 2010, Nigeria’s infrastructure had declined due to a prolonged period of under investment, and the power infrastructure in particular, was in a poor condition. Power generating capacity which was between 2,600 and 2,800MW was well below requirement for Nigeria’s 170 million populations and manufacturing industry was seriously impaired. Efforts to reform the sector had neither succeeded in raising outputs nor laid the requisite foundation for sustainable improvements in generation, transmission and distribution.

 The President Jonathan Administration’s Transformation Agenda set a clear strategy for addressing the power challenge. In line with Vision 20:2020, the objective is for the Sector to generate 40,000MW. To achieve this it was estimated that government would need to make a total investment of about N1,896 trillion between 2011 and 2015 to boost power generation, transmission, distribution, and renewable energy. The achievements in the power sector are already having far reaching implications for standard of living of not just the South-East people, but all of Nigeria. Manufacturing, trade and industry are all benefiting from an improved power supply. In collaboration with the Nigerian Gas Company and various sector project owners, the federal government achieved significant improvements in gas supply in 2012 and 2013. An additional 285 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) of gas was added to the western grid. A surplus of 100 MMscfd of gas (approximately 350MW of thermal power) was also attained.

15. Before President Jonathan’s administration only 60.9% had access to electricity

 Under the President Jonathan Administration access to and supply of electricity to households in the South East have improved from 60.9% to 66.9%. Access to electricity has improved in the South East thanks to reductions in system collapses and improvement in the average number of hours of power available per day nationally.

16. Before President Power generation in the South West was not enough for distribution.

 Under President Power generation is now at an all-time high with a record peak generation of 4,517MW as at 2013.

17. Before President Jonathan’s administration, gas available for power supply was low.

 Under the President Jonathan administration gas made available for power supply is increasing. An additional 285 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) of gas was added to the western grid. A surplus of 100 MMscfd of gas (approximately 350MW of thermal power) was also attained which is yet to be fully utilised. Specific achievements in gas to power supply in the South East include:
• The Utorogu gas plant increased production from 250 MMscfd to 320 MMscfd;
• The Ughelli East gas plan improved its production from 40 MMscfd to 70 MMscfd;
• The Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) completed its gas plant at the Oredo field. The National Integrated Power Producers (NIPP) also completed the pipeline connecting the plant to the Escravos Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS). As a result, NPDC has commenced injection of 65 MMscfd of gas into the ELPS. There are also a number of projects that are either on-going or already completed in the South East that will improve power supply to the region. These include:
• On-going power generation plant at Alaoji 960MW;
• completed NIPP Project in Alaoji 225MW South East;
• Coal to Power projects for Enugu axis (5 coal blocks);

• Dams with completed feasibility studies in 2013;
• Rural electrification projects including the Adada Dam, Enugu State 109kW, and the Ivo Dam, Enugu State 56kW;
• a consultancy services contract for wind, solar and biomass was awarded to M/S Mindlink International Limited for a Biomass project in Udi Town Enugu State;
• the temporary gas supply line from the Imo River Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) field to the NIPP Alaoji power station was completed to facilitate supply of 30 MMscfd to the Alaoji power plant.

18. Before President Jonathan’s administration, other administration left the rural areas without access to electricity in the South-East


 The administration of President Jonathan ensured that rural areas were not left behind, to this end, the following rural electrification projects have also been completed in the South East:
Abia State NTIGHA/AMAPU&2.5M VA S/S NCHARA AKANU ISU AKIRIKA UKU , Anambra State ICHI, NKPO&EKWULO BIA
Ebonyi State EKPELU/NDUFU ALIKE Enugu State ACHI AGU Ebe
Imo State Reinforcement of electricity networks in various communities in Imo State


Testimonial

My name is Ifunnaya Idibe. When my daughter gave me a deep freezer in 2010 I danced around the house with joy. ‘Finally, my business will boom’ I said to myself because I would be able to sell cold drinks. But whosai, we never had light and after a while I started fearing the deep freezer will spoil. But now things have changed. We have light now more than before and once I plug my freezer in 2 hours it will block. My business is booming.

Pictures don't lie.

At least, not in this instance.

holatin:
and all this dey Nigeria ??

Nigeria don many I think

#GEJAchievements in Waterways 1/12
Before GEJ
Previous governments have simply neglected to develop our inland waterways system to ease movement and life in general.

During GEJ
President Jonathan’s administration has dredged about 72 km of the lower River Niger from Baro in Niger State to Warri in Delta State; and completed the construction of the Onitsha inland port; while the Baro port is nearing completion.

The result of all these is that we now have year round navigation around the lower Niger; and we are already witnessing an increase in cargo volume from below 2.9 million metric tons in 2011 to over 5 million metric tons in 2013 on the inland waterways. As in the case of the rail transport, the number of passengers travelling via our inland waterways has increased fourfold from 250,000 in 2011 to over 1.3 million.

#GEJAchievements in Waterways 2/12
Before GEJ
Nigeria is blessed with a large body of inland water yet to be fully utilized for the movement of goods and people. Previous governments have simply neglected to develop our inland waterways system to ease movement and life in general.

During GEJ
The Federal Government has completed the capital dredging of the Lower River Niger from Warri (Delta State) to Baro (Niger State) – 572km - to facilitate all-year navigability.

The channel runs through major towns such as Warri, Onitsha, Agenebode, Idah, Jamata (Lokoja) and Baro. In addition, Baro, Oguta, and Jamata (Lokoja) River Ports are under construction. Baro and Oguta are expected to be completed this year.


#GEJAchievements in Waterways 3/12
Before GEJ
Lack of reforms of the waterways stalled commercial activities.

During GEJ
Waterways reforms have boosted commercial activities with bulk movement of more than 1,200 tonnes of goods per year.

The reforms have led to increased inland waterways transport services and the transportation of goods over long distances at relatively low rates along the channels.

Examples of bulk transportation include:
• Movement of 1,200 tonnes of ceramic tiles from Lokoja to Onitsha by Messrs Ninon Transport Company at 5 trips per Annum;
• Messrs Ninon are currently constructing 4 Nos. 500 tons capacity Barges in Lokoja with intention to deploy them for use in the Lower River Niger Channel;


#GEJAchievements in Waterways 4/12
Before GEJ
Safety and security in our waterways was a source of concern.

During GEJ
Safety and security on the Inland water ways have been beefed up to ensure passenger safety.

Beyond making our inland waterways more functional, the administration of President Jonathan also ensured that safety and security on the inland waterways be improved with:

• Strengthening Inland Waterways Police Command by providing 12 Security Patrol Boats.
• Procurement of additional 3 Security Patrol Boats is on-going.
• Provision of anchorages for repairs and overnight berthing on the Waterways in 4 locations along the Lower River Niger at Budon and Ajaokuta in Kogi, Ilushi in Edo and Aboh in Delta States.
• Acquired two (2) Water Ambulances to provide First Aid in accident cases.
• Acquired two (2) Water Mobile Workshops for emergency repairs of Ferries and Boats on Waterways.
• Soft security coverage programme by providing Radio communication in major waterways starting with Lower River Niger.
• Registration of vessels/operation permits: 5,620 as at date.


#GEJAchievements in Waterways 5/12
Before GEJ
Reforms in the waterways were abandoned by previous governments in the country.

During GEJ
Several reforms are ongoing to make Nigerian water ways hitch–free. In line with the Presidents waterways reform plan, the proposed passenger transportation on PPP arrangement on major and minor water crossings using 14-seater, 28-seater and 45-seater water buses has now kicked off.

The routes that will benefit from this are Yauri to Malare (Kebbi), Buruku to Abuku (Benue), Pategi (Kwara) to Nupeko (Niger), Lokoja to Onitsha, Onitsha to Bomadi (Delta), Idah (Kogi) to Agenebode (Edo), Yenagoa to Brass (Bayelsa), Calabar to Oron (Akwa Ibom), Marina to Apapa (Lagos) and Marina to Badagry (Lagos). Six Units of the Water Buses are available now. An additional six are expected soon.


#GEJAchievements in Waterways 6/12
Before GEJ
Constructions and dredging of waterways in the North Central Zone were abandoned by previous governments.

During GEJ
In order to further open the North central zone to more waterway and business activities, President Jonathan’s administration has commenced the following projects:

• Lower River Niger Dredging Project: Lots 1-5 Warri (Delta State) – Baro (Niger State)
• River Bank Protection Works in: Kogi – Kelebe & Okumi, Edo – Ilushi
• Construction of Inland River Port, Baro
• Construction of Inland River Port: Lokoja
• Construction of Idah Jetty
• Construction of Buruku Jetty
• Construction of Pategi Jetty
• Construction of Pategi Ferry Ramp


Testimonial
My name is Abubakar Adulazeez, I am from Okene in Kogi state. You see, the thing with this water transportation is that at the beginning, it was scary what if something bad happens?

But now, it’s like a bus ride to me. Inside is comfortable and so far, I’ve seen that the government has put so much into water transportation. Now we don’t need to go by road at all times. So, it’s safe to travel by water from place to place. We just thank government.

#GEJAchievements in Waterways 7/12
Before GEJ
As a result of the non-dredging of River Niger by previous government, economic activities were stalled.

During GEJ
There has been an increased use of inland waterways to stimulate economic activities following the dredging of over 572km of the Lower River Niger under President Jonathan’s administration.

#GEJAchievements in Waterways 8/12
Before GEJ
Reforms in the ports and harbours were abandoned.
During GEJ
The reforms in ports and harbours have positioned the maritime transport sector in line with global best practices. As a result, the overall operational efficiency in the ports has been steadily improving. Specifically, as at 2013, concessionaires have made $475million investments in cargo handling equipment and $450million in terminal development.

Developmental reforms initiated by President Jonathan administration have led to easier navigation in the waterways. Now, 1.6million barrels of crude oil are now being moved from Okpai by sea 3 to 4 times monthly.

Testimonial: My name is Akuraino Umukoro and I am an experienced seaman. I was frustrated when I came to Owerri to operate a ship.
The channels were narrow and the vessel was always getting stuck. When we didn’t get stuck, we would be robbed. Now, the federal government has dredged the channels and supplied security patrol boats to keep us safe.

#GEJAchievements in Waterways 9/12
Before GEJ
Inland waterways were not given adequate attention. It was left unattended to by previous governments.

During GEJ
The number of passengers travelling by water was 1.3 million in 2012, compared to a mere 250,000 the previous year. President Goodluck Jonathan has proven that he understands the importance of water transport in relieving some of the pressure from the other means of transportation. The Inland Waterways provide alternative means of transporting goods, agricultural produce and services at relatively low rates.

Dredging of Lower River Niger from Baro (Niger State) to Warri (Delta State) has allowed all-year navigation. More also, Onitsha Port has been completed, while Baro Port, Lokoja Port and Oguta Port are under construction and the volume of cargo transported in the inland waterways has doubled during the administration of President Jonathan.

Before Jonathan, Baro Port, Lokoja Port and Oguta Port were non-existent. Now, they are nearing completion.

#GEJAchievements in Waterways 10/12
Before GEJ
The importance of external seaports and inland waterways to the transportation of goods within and outside the country were not fully recognised and harnessed before the administration of President Jonathan.

During GEJ
President Jonathan administration embarked on an ambitious programme of opening up access to inland waterways and expanding existing infrastructure in the nation’s seaports.

Having in mind that Lagos state occupies a strategic position in the nation’s economy with the major seaports of Tin Can and Apapa located in the state, a lot of President Jonathan’s waterways reforms have been in Lagos.

Other Reforms in the South West include:

• Construction of a new deep seaport at Lekki has been approved
• Rehabilitation of Tin Can Island Port (Quay Wall & Apron)
• The Ibaka, Agge, Olokola, Badagry and Ogidigbe/Escravos deep seaports are being processed.
• Rehabilitation of Lagos Harbour Moles
• Remedial Works for Tincan Island Service Lane, Apapa, Lagos.
• Construction of 1.6km dual carriage way within Lagos Port Complex (LPC)
• Rehabilitation of Apapa Port railway Network
• 62 Critical Wrecks have been removed from our channels which allowed for the dredging of the channel to accommodate bigger vessels.
Significant Outcomes

#GEJAchievements in Waterways 11/12
Before GEJ
Dredging of the harbours in Lagos and Bonny were abandoned.

During GEJ
President Jonathan administration embarked on continuous dredging of the harbors in Lagos and Bonny to accommodate large ocean liners such as the West African Maximum (WAFMAX) Jumbo Cargo Vessels that carry 4,500 TEUs instead of conventional vessels of 2,500 TEUs.

This is providing opportunities for trans-shipment to other ports of Nigeria and neighbouring countries. Prior to this administration, the Lagos channel depth was about 10 metres but it is now 14meters.

#GEJAchievements in Waterways 12/12
Before GEJ
E-payment system was a major challenge before the administration of President Jonathan.

During GEJ
President Jonathan major reform has been the introduction and adoption of e-payment system which has improved bill payment processes from 3 – 5 days payment confirmation circle time to a couple of minutes (instant/real time confirmation).
This has not only reduced the operational costs for shipping companies but also contributes to improved vessel turnaround time.

Before & After GEJ
Key #GEJAchievements in Railways: North Central

1. Prior to President Jonathan’s administration, Nigeria’s Railways were in a complete state of comatose and abandonment. The railways had been a key mode of transportation in the 60s through the 80s but after these years, paucity of funds and government’s inability to maintain these lines led to the railways being abandoned thus adding more burden on the road transport system.

The Federal government has embarked on a total turnaround of the railways nationwide. In a 25- year strategic vision for the rail sector, the administration’s goal is to complete the rehabilitation of the existing narrow gauge or railway lines; the construction of new standard gauge rail lines. This will then be complemented by extension of the rail network to link all State Capitals, commercial centers, solid mineral and mining sites, petroleum product depots and major agricultural zones, as well as fertilizer distribution depots, ensuring the people that everyone that relies on rail is connected.

Before & After GEJ
Key Economic Achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan on Railways: NORTH WEST

1. Before the President Jonathan’s administration, the Nigerian Railways Corporation was moribund, and transportation of goods and people was forced onto the roads network. This contributed to the degradation of the road networks increasing the maintenance burden on government and imposing extra costs and delays on other roads users.

 As part of the 25-year strategic vision to revive and modernise the Nigerian Railway System, the President Jonathan’s Administration has adopted a systematic dual approach which will see the rehabilitation of the entire existing narrow gauged lines while simultaneously developing standard gauge lines. To achieve this, a number of important projects have been undertaken over the last four years to revive and develop railways within and leading to the North West. In railways the journey towards full recovery has only just begun but is already delivering important benefits. Completion of the President Jonathan’s Administration vision for the railways will generate huge benefits for the nation and will be particularly important to the economic development regions like the North West that need low cost efficiency transportation links to the ports to facilitate their economic growth.

2. Before President Jonathan’s administration, there was little number of people that was using railway in the North West.

 Under the present administration, not only is the railway service back, it has re-commenced movement of goods and people in and out of the North West zone. 850 passengers are transported weekly between Kano and Nguru while 3,450 Passengers are transported thrice weekly between Minna And Kaduna

3. Before President Jonathan’s administration there was poor efficiency of the rail transport system in the North West.

 In addition to the passengers’ traffic, several tones of goods are being transported via the rail sector helping companies improve their efficiencies and bottom lines. Examples of companies currently benefiting from this service includes: Flour Mills which now moves wheat from Apapa to Kaduna and Kano through Connect Rail Limited; Lafarge which now moves 1,500 tons of cement equivalent of 50 trailer loads by rail from Ewekoro to Ibadan, Oshogbo, Ilorin all the way to Minna and Kano; the downstream oil sector which now moves the equivalent of over 30 tankers by rail weekly.

4. Before Jonathan administration, the rate of accident on the road was high due to the poor rail way system and the wear and tear from heavy trucks contributed to bad roads.

 Resumed railway services have reduced wear and tear as well as accidents on the roads since the weekly movement of goods and people began from Lagos to Kano. All of these activities not only save these companies funds but also help to extend the lifespan of the nation’s road network through reduced wear and tear from heavy trucks.

 The President Jonathan’s administration has completed rehabilitation work on the 1,124km Western Line from Lagos to Kano and passenger services and haulage were flagged off in December 2012.


Testimonial

Travelling by train
My wife and son were excited as we got on the train. My wife had never been on a train, same for my three year old son. “Is it safe?” “What if it stops?” “How will we buy food or go to the toilet?” My wife’s questions were endless but I could understand her anxiety. Train travel is not popular in Nigeria but now the trains are running again, transporting goods and people across the country. We had a great journey.


Before & After GEJ
Key Economic Achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan on Railways: SOUTH-EAST

1. Enugu station was left un-cared for by previous administration.

 More than 200 communities are now connected by rail with one million litres of fuel being moved daily by rail. In addition, to these, there are various rail rehabilitation and remediation projects on the narrow gauge lines such as the rehabilitation work on the Eastern Line (Aba), and Enugu.

Further railway development projects have been prepared and evaluated through engineering and economic feasibility studies including:
• Standard gauge line for Benin-Agbor-Onitsha-Nnewi-Owerri-Aba route with additional line from Onitsha-Enugu-Abakiliki (500km)
• Standard gauge line for Port Harcourt-Aba-Umuahia-Enugu-Makurdi-Lafia-Kuru-Bauchi- Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri
• Re-modelling and re-development of major railway stations utilising public private partnership (PPP) including: Enugu Station in the South East; Iddo Terminal Station, Lagos; Ebuta Metta Junction Station Lagos; Illorin Station; Kaduna Junction Station; Kano Station; Port Harcourt Station; Jos Station; and Gombe Station.


Before & After GEJ
Key Economic Achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan on Railways: SOUTH-WEST

1. Before Jonathan’s administration, the south west was not free from the moribound that affected the rail transport. And this placed further pressure in Lagos-Ibadan road. The railway used to offer a cheap and convenient alternative for the transportation of goods in and out of Lagos, but the collapse of the railway system put enormous pressure on the Lagos – Ibadan road, and this further contributed to the degradation of the road.

 The Federal Government has embarked on a total turnaround of the railways in the South West In a 25-year strategic vision for the rail sector, the administration goal is to complete the rehabilitation of the existing narrow gauge or railway lines; and the construction of new standard gauge rail lines. The Railways have Commenced Regular Operations and Transportation after many years of regret; regret; and more than 16,000 People are now transported daily through the zone.

2. Before President Jonathan’s administration, Lagos Mass Transit Trains operated less than 16 trains per day.

 Under President Jonathan’s tenure, the Lagos Mass Transit Train operates 16 Trains per Day with an average transit of 16,000 passengers daily. The Lagos Kano Express Train Services operates twice a week and the Lagos – Ibadan – Ilorin – Lagos Train, operates thrice per week, moving an average of 6,188 passengers weekly. These trains are also now highly patronized for excursion during festivities.

3. Before President Jonathan’s administration, it was a major challenge for companies to move their goods by rail along the Western States.

 Commerce also received a boost from the resumption of the trains. Companies like Flour Mills of Nigeria moves tons of Wheat from Apapa to Kaduna and Kano, on a weekly basis. Similarly, there occurs weekly movement of Petroleum Products in excess of 30 Tankers from Lagos up to Kano. This also benefits the general public as incidences of tanker accidents are slowly being curbed. Other haulage companies are also benefitting from the revamped railway system as there has been an increase in weekly movement of freight Lafarge Cement Plc moves about 1, 500tons of cement (Equivalent to 50 trailer loads) from Ewekoro to Ibadan, Oshogbo, Ilorin, Minna and Kano on a weekly basis. These achievements in passenger and cargo transportation have been made possible by enormous amounts of work channeled into the rehabilitation and construction of rail lines across the country.

4. Before President Jonathan’s administration, railways in the South West was left un care for by previous administration.
 Under President Jonathan’s administration, there has been massive rehabilitations of the railways have been undertaken in the South West. Some of them include:
• Rehabilitation and Completion of Apapa Port Railway Network and Signal Works which is made up of double track of 1.5km
• Rehabilitation and Completion of the main Western line, Lagos – Kano, 1,124km, and resumption of passenger services and haulage of goods along the line
• Rehabilitation and Completion of the Mainline from EbuteMetta Junction to Apapa Local Station.
• Rehabilitation of the seeding and loops lines to enhance operational efficiency along the western lines.
• Rehabilitation of the 300m link between the Apapa Port Complex and the National line, and connection to key industrial locations within Apapa
• 74 stations and branch lines between Lagos and Kano
Construction of Lagos - Ibadan standard gauge (double track) 2 x 180 Km to commence upon approval of loan funding by the China Exim Bank
Construction of new corridors in the South West: East – West Rail Line Lagos-Shagamu Ijebu Ode-Ore-Benin City (300km)
• Construction of new corridors in the South West: Lagos-Abuja (High Speed – 615km)

Testimonial

They call me Big Joe. I live in Lagos, at Anthony Village but work at Apapa. As you might have guessed, transit to and back from Apapa is always a nightmare on weekdays. I have once been in traffic for 6hours! It’s just madness! But things have changed, thanks to the railway. Now, I’ve abandoned my car in the house and now go by train from Oshodi to Apapa which costs me less per day. I usually sit in a private coach, not in the mass coach and in less than 30mins, I’m at work. Same route I take home. I tell you, I have saved a lot with the small price I now pay compared with burning fuel on the road for three to four hours. If I calculate the amount of fuel I used to fill my car on those days I took it to work, it’s times 5 of what I currently spend on railway. With no stress or traffic, nothing beats it, I tell you Jonathan’s government is touching lives.

2. Prior to President Jonathan’s administration, no government taught to modernizing the railways.

Asides the reconstruction phase, the administration of President Jonathan carried out the modernization phase which involve the construction of standard gauge lines. This is the second segment of the 25 years Railway Strategic Plan. A summary of the projects under the modernization phase are presented in Table 4.2 below and it can be seen that, the North Central zone features prominently in virtually all aspects of the modernization phase.

3. Before President Jonathan’s administration, transportation of goods from the North through the rail system was a major challenge.

As a result of various rehabilitation and construction works being done by President Jonathan in this sector, movement of goods has considerably increased between the North and South, and these flows through the North Central. Some examples include:

• Movement of Wheat owned by Flour Mills Ltd from Apapa to Kaduna and Kano.
• Weekly movement of 1,500 tons (Equivalent to 50 trailer loads) of Cement for Lafarge Cement Plc from Ewekoro to Ibadan, Oshogbo, Ilorin, Minna and Kano.
• Weekly Movement of Petroleum Products Equivalent to 30 Tankers from Lagos up to Kano.

4. Previous administration left the Akere Bridge in Niger state dilapidated, making it not fit for use.

The administration of President Jonathan has rehabilitated the Akere Bridge in Niger State. Thus, transportation by rail has commenced on this bridge, thereby contributing to easy movement of goods and people.

5. Before President Jonathan’s administration, Abuja to Kaduna standard rail line was not fit for use.

The Abuja to Kaduna Standard Gauge Line has been completely rehabilitated and reinforced with 32M concrete pillars. This will contributed in no small way to strengthen the rail line, ease transportation, and ensure the safety of commuters in the North Central on the rail ways.

6. It was a challenge moving huge amount of people using the rail transport because of it poor state in previous administration.

Over 90% of the existing 3,505 Km of narrow gauge line, across Nigeria have been rehabilitated during President Jonathan’s time in office. The rehabilitation of the railway also ushered in relief for hundreds of passengers transiting from point to point. Since passenger services resumed the. Lagos-Kano Express Train Services, which currently operates twice a week; from Lagos – Ibadan – Ilorin – Lagos Train, moves an average of 6,188 passengers every week. These trains have also become popular for excursions and are highly patronized during festivities. The North Central zone is at the heart of these trips.

Testimonials

MR ABUDULLAHI

My name is Abdullahi from Kogi State. I am aware of improvement in railway system, electricity, road transport system and agriculture and so on by this present Government. To a large extent I can say the roads are better than they were five years ago. As for the railway, if it is the only thing this administration achieved, it has improved life and has also ease transportation of bulk goods.

Story of Impact 2

My name is Benjamin Ejiga, I believe the mass movement of people via rail service is an answer to the perennial problems of transportation on our roads, what I will like to see though is that when the main lines are set, they should extend services to places like here. We too should be linked to the rail line, it is not too far from us, and we should be able to travel to Abuja by rail if we so desire.

#GEJAchievements

FG commissions N60bn steel mill in Sagamu

on January 30, 2015

The Federal Government yesterday commissioned a N60billion integrated steel mill in Shagamu, Ogun State as part of productive activities thrown up by the sectorial implementation of the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, who commissioned the mill, built by the Standard Metallurgical Company, said Government was committed to repositioning the steel sector to access a substantial share of the global wealth, estimated at $10tn. He said with the implementation of the right sectorial policies under the NIRP, the number of functioning steel rolling mills in Nigeria had increased to over 21 currently, from less than five a few years ago. ”Before this administration came on board, we had less than five functioning steel rolling mills and no cold rolled steel mill, but today there are more than 15 functioning steel rolling mills producing reinforced bars; about three functioning cold rolled steel mills producing cold rolled flat sheets; and about three producing or about to commence the production of wire coils. This is a visible evidence that our policies are working,” Aganga said. According to him, steel is at the heart of any country’s economic development and is one of the most important materials widely used for both domestic and industrial purposes throughout the world, hence the priority given to the sector in the NIRP. He said, “In addition to accelerating the industrial development of a nation, a vibrant steel sector contributes to the growth of the Gross Domestic Product and exploitation of Nigeria’s abundant natural resources. “A vibrant steel sector also generates economic activities in downstream industries, creates job opportunities and acquisition of technical skills, helps in the transfer of technology and provision of machine parts and tools. This particular project is being executed with 100 per cent locally-sourced raw materials.” He noted that the establishment of the phase I of SMC’s steel mill and the ground breaking of the phase II of the project would complement the company’s existing investments in the agri-business sub-sector of the country, pointing out that the mill ranked among the largest private sector investments in the steel sector in Nigeria. Aganga said, “I am assuring existing investors like SMC and prospective ones of Government’s support in the pursuit of self-sufficiency in local steel production. The implementation of game changers in the sector is already opening up a lot of downstream sector activities with the attendant massive job opportunities and economic empowerment for our engineers, technicians, artisans and fabricators alike. ”To date, a number of sectorial policies have been developed under the NIRP. The Sugarcane to Sugar under the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) has attracted over $3 billion in investments.

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/01/fg-commissions-n60bn-steel-mill-sagamu/

Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

#GEJAchievements in Roads Construction and Maintenance

We have made progress in the construction of various road projects across the country, such as the Kano-Maiduguri road, the Abuja-Lokoja road, the Apapa-Oshodi road, the Onitsha-Enugu-Port-Harcourt road and the Benin-Ore-Shagamu road, among others. Work has also commenced on the Lagos-Ibadan road. In the South-South, we have dualised the East-West road, Warri-Oron (spanning Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states – 338km) and reconstructed the Owerri-Elele road (spanning Imo and Rivers states – 35.15km). We have made investments into roads construction and maintenance. SURE – P intervention funds are targeted at construction and maintenance of roads and other infrastructures.
#GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Roads
Prior to our administration, travelling on Nigerian Roads was a nightmare: commuters were made to stay overnight in transit, oftentimes falling into the hands of armed robbers who took advantage of vehicles slowing down on bad roads to attack passengers. We made the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads a top priority and work commenced in earnest on the construction and rehabilitation of roads across the length and breadth of Nigeria. Before we came on board, only 5000km of federal roads were motorable. Now, 25,000km are in good condition and motorable.
#GEJAchievements Compare Nigeriab4GEJ

Better Roads Design; Expansion of National Road Network
Today, travel times, cost of vehicle maintenance, accidents and carnage on our roads have all been drastically reduced due to better roads design and construction. Economic goods are now better distributed through our arterial roads with better turn-around times which lead to more profits for entrepreneurs while commuters now enjoy better services on road transportation and at reduced fares. Some of the transport companies have also slashed their fares in response to the remarkable improvement and expansion of the National Road Network.
#GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

On-going Road Projects
We are implementing many road projects in the North Central costing over N200 billion. These include:
• Dualisation of Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja road in FCT and Kogi State.
• Construction of Loko-Oweto Bridge over River Benue with approach roads in Nasarawa and Benue States.
• Oturkpo-Oweto Road in Benue State
• Otukpa-Ayangba-Ajaokuta-Okene Road in Kogi State
• Dualisation of Lokoja-Okene-Benin road in Kogi and Edo States.
• Rehabilitation of Ilorin-Kabba-Obajana Road in Kogi & Kwara States.
• Periodic maintenance of Lafia-Doma Road in Nasarawa state
• Periodic maintenance of Jebba-Lafiaji Road in Niger State.
• Dualisation of Suleija-Minna road in Niger State.
• Rehabilitation of Mokwa-Bida Road in Niger State.
• The newly reconstructed rail bridge Zungeru-Akare
• Rehabilitation of River Ebba Bridge at Cheche in Niger State.
• Rehabilitation of Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa-Birnin Gwari-Kaduna Road in Niger State
• Construction of Bida-Sacci-Nupeko-Pategi Road in Niger State.
• Periodic maintenance of Lafiagi-Mokwa Road in Niger State.
• Rehabilitation of Jarmai-Bashar Road in Plateau State.
• Construction of Langtang-Lalin-Tunkus-Shendam Road in Plateau State.
• Reconstruction of Mokwa-Bide Road
• Reinstatement of Washout on Bridge approach & Embankment at CH.0+100 along Shendam-Yelwa-Ibi Road in Plateau State.
• Completion of the Reconstruction of Vom-Manchok road in Plateau State.
Work is progressing on the Reconstruction of Mokwa-Bide Road, Akure-Ilesha Road, Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega Road, Enugu-Abakaliki Road, Ogoja-Ikom Road and Vandekiya-Obudu Road, among others.
#GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

Accelerated Projects Dualisation of Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja Road
We have accelerated work on the dualisation of Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja road in FCT and Kogi State. The Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja road which links the FCT with many parts of the South has been in a state of disrepair for many years. We have intensi¬fied reconstruction of this road to ease the burden of travellers in this zone. The reconstruction includes dualisation of the road which would help in no small way to address the high number accidents on this road.
#GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

Total Reconstruction of Vom-Manchok Road in Plateau State
We have totally reconstructed and completed the Vom-Manchok road in Plateau state. This has eased transportation of citizens in the North Central immensely.
#GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

Testimonial from James Goteng
My name is James Goteng, I come from Plateau state. I’m a bus driver; I work for a Transport company. I usually travel from Jos to Lagos carrying passengers. Sometimes my boss will change my route and I will go from Jos to Kano and Jigawa.

When I first became a driver for the company, I always hated it because the roads were very bad and at the end of every journey, I always have body pains from the bad movement of the bus on the bad roads. In fact, sometimes we enter the bush to make a road path because the real roads are not even as good as the bush path.
Sometimes we get attacked by armed robbers who take advantage of the bad roads because we are travelling on slow speed. However these days the roads are good. In fact, I can’t believe we have a government that can even do this much for us. I have no fear; my passengers too don’t complain and we even charge them less. Life is good for everyone now.
#GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

Testimonials from Gowon Franklin Namiyap
I come from Plateau state, I have been in Abuja for about five to six years now. I would like to appreciate the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, especially in the area of Road Transportation. His administration is by far better than the previous ones. Before, we used to experience transportation problems because road construction was terrible. However, since President Goodluck Jonathan came in, things have improved. The places we used to travel for 6 hours now take about 3 hours or less.
#GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

Road Projects in the North West
Before our administration, precisely as at 2011, only about 963 kilometres of Federal Roads out of the total of 6,876.2 Km in the North West could be regarded as good roads. 5,913.2km were in bad shape. Travelling on these roads was therefore a nightmare with frequent vehicular breakdown, increasing costs of vehicle maintenance, unnecessarily longer travel times, rising public transport fares and frequent road traffic accidents.
#GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

Massive Construction, Rehabilitation, Expansion and Maintenance of Federal Roads
In order to improve the condition of national roads infrastructure, we have embarked on massive construction, rehabilitation, expansion and maintenance of federal roads in all the geopolitical zones of the federation. In the North West, a total of 1,040km of federal roads have been constructed in 20 projects at the cost of N157billion. This has raised the stock of federal roads in the North West From 6,876km before our administration to 7,916km in 2014. We have succeeded in making over 4,751km of federal roads in the North West motorable, with over 5,400km in good condition. #GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

Repositioning Federal Road Maintenance Agency FERMA
Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has been re-positioned and now has better capacity to fix roads in the North West zone and the rest of Nigeria. As part of the reforms, government agencies like FERMA have been greatly empowered. The agency is now equipped with state of the art pothole patchers and cold asphalt production plants located in Kuje, Katsina and Lagos. This has greatly enhanced its capacity for prompt and regular routine repairs and maintenance of federal roads. Today, FERMA now plays an active role in recovering road wash-outs, general maintenance and vegetation control on the key federal highways in the North West zone including: Abuja-Kaduna- Kano Road/Katsina-Dutsinma-Kankara Road/ Gusau-Talata-Mafara-Sokoto Road/B/Gwari Funtua Road Project.
#GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

Some New Initiatives and Major Reforms in Roads Projects
We have procured and distributed 38 state-of-the-art Bergkamp FP5 mobile pothole patchers for all-year round road repairs. We have installed and commenced work from two Major 80TPH FERMA Asphalt plants in 2012. Our administration introduced the FERMA-SURE P Public works Programme, engaging and training over 6,000 Nigerian youths on road maintenance works thereby creating a social safety net and road ownership attitude with abutting communities.
#GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

Road Support Services and Other Interventions
We have provided quick intervention/communication call lines for Public-Government interaction on conditions of Federal Roads nationwide. Some of our other achievements in road construction and maintenance include commencement of full-scale production of cold asphaltic concrete mix for all year round intervention on road failures all over the country, systematic replacement of weak box culverts with short bridges and reinstatement of vandalised bridge handrails along critical highways. We have also provided road support services to over 90 locations for accident victims (first aid) and police intervention on flash points nationwide.
#GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

Checking the Activities of Hoodlums along Highways
We initiated the National Joint Programme of Action Against Road Abuses and Routine Surveillance to prolong road pavement life span and protect road assets nationwide. Over 40 mini Asphalt plants are being used effectively for regular production and utilization of hot rolled Asphalt for proactive road maintenance works. In addition to this, we are ensuring sustained vegetation control along major federal highways thus improving inter-visibility, checking the heinous activities of hoodlums along highways and reducing the rate of accidents due to blind curves and overgrown weed. We have also provided street lightings along usually dark urban stretches of federal highways and major bridges across the country.
#GEJAchievements Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

Before & After GEJ
Key Achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan In the Environments: NORTH-CENTRAL

1. Prior to the President’s appointment, the management of the environment was severely neglected; there were severe droughts and severe flooding. The President, therefore made environmental protection, conservation and sustainable development important aspects of his Transformation Agenda

This special focus on the environment as well as reforms in the sector has resulted in an improved standard of living of the people in the North Central zone. The environmental reforms have been driven by the realization that environmental degradation, pollution, and climate change can have disastrous effects on the quality of life of Nigerians, and this could negate the positive effects of the reforms of the administration. The Ministry of Environment has devoted considerable efforts to improve environmental conditions in the country and these have been pursued through 5 key policy thrusts:
i. effective waste management
ii mitigating the effects of climate change;
iii effective environmental governance;
iv. reclamation and rehabilitation of degraded land; and
v. biodiversity conservation and ecotourism.

2. Before President Jonathan administration, flooding was a major challenge in the North East. There were no warnings to help the people prepare to prevent damage.

The government installed Flood Early Warning Systems in three states prone to flooding and established Remote Sensing/GIS facility in Abuja. In addition, the government has expended considerable resources to tackle climate change. Some outcomes include:

• Set up a National Climate Change Media Network in Abuja.
• Provided rooftop rainwater harvesting facilities in Nuku, Abaji LGA of the FCT; and Ofante in Kogi State
• Provided Solar powered facilities for Secondary Schools in Kwali LGA of the FCT.
• Promoted adaptation to impacts of climate change by reducing flooding through development of small scale hydropower system and integrated agricultural practices at Agatu LGA, Benue State.
• Constructed Rainwater Harvesting Tanks at Nuku in Abaji, FCT and Ofante in Kogi States.

3. Before President Jonathan’s administration, farmers were not trained on how to make compost for farming and climate change adaptability in agriculture.

The environment and farming in Benue state got a boost from about 600 men and women in Benue state who participated in training on how to be environmentally better farmers.

The government also:
• Established community woodlots in Plateau (10Ha), Kogi (10ha), States
• Restored 10 ha of Degraded forest in Achareni Forest Reserves in Kogi State.
• Rehabilitated 10 ha degraded forest reserves in Niger State.
• Presidential Initiative on Coastal and River Bank protection on flood in Asa River (KwaraState)
• Established Two (2) Skill acquisition centres to train people on the fabrication of Solar - powered grinding machines in Kaiama and Baruten in Kwara State.
• Trained and provided sets of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for artisanal miners in some states including Nasarawa for sustainable mining techniques.
• Conducted Intensive awareness and sensitization programmes on sustainable mining in Nasarawa State.
• Trained artisanal miners on best practices to reduce pollution and safeguard human health and avoid disasters in Nasarawa State.
• Supported Digital Peers (NGO) in the organization of a Workshop on Sustainable Waste Management for youths in Kuje, Abuja in 2012.
• Initiated National Sanitation and Anti-litter Campaign in Kuje, Bwari and Abuja Municipal Area Councils.

Testimonial

I am called Hajia Meimuna. I am a widow and in my 60s. I have a farm that I inherited from my late husband. It was over flooded some years back, I lost all that I had put in it for that year and the next. Many people died, many of us lost our properties. When they told us that most of these problems in our area are mostly as a result of us not taking care of our environment, we have become wiser.

Nobody should pray for that kind of flooding we experienced. So they have put some machines in our towns to tell us when a big flood will happen again, so we can all run where the floods will not get us.

We thank Allah and we thank the government for being concerned about us.


Before & After GEJ
Key Achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan In the Environments: SOUTH-EAST

4. Before President Jonathan administration, flooding and erosion, have had serious impact on economic activities and living standards in the South East.

To address this challenge, the government of President Jonathan focused on ensuring that the region develops in harmony with the environment. The thrust of related reforms has been towards:
• Mitigating the effects of climate change;
• Effective environmental governance;
• Reclamation and rehabilitation of degraded land;
• Effective waste management; and
• Biodiversity conservation and eco-tourism.

5. Before President Jonathan’s administration, the South-East flooding where just discussed, past government didn’t back it up with action.

The government of President Jonathan introduced a policy reform in the sector which include:

• The requirement of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for all capital projects;
• New environmental guidelines, standards and regulations;
• Sustenance of wildlife in national parks across the country; and
• Commercialisation of the ecotourism aspect of the National Parks in conjunction with Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE).

Under the President Jonathan administration 15 Erosion and Flood control projects are on-going in the South East with 3 already completed in Nekede, Umuachina and Okpolo Ire Ojoto.

Testimonial
My name is Obinna Okorocha. I am from Imo State. My father and mother have 5 children, four girls and one boy, me. When I finished secondary school I told my parents that I want to do business because I don’t have head for too much book so they had to find me a Master from where I learned how to make aluminium window frames. I was with my master for 4 years before I got my freedom and my sisters and their husbands helped me to raise money to start business. All my mates who went into business decided to go to Lagos but me, because my father and mother are old and because I am the only son they wanted me to stay in Imo state. At first I did not want to because I wanted to see the city to see how people enjoy life in Lagos or even Abuja or Kano but after my mother finished begging me and crying I decided to stay. Before I did not know that somebody can make it very fast in Owerri like this because people don’t build houses like they build in Lagos or Abuja but government has changed everything.


Before & After GEJ
Key Achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan In the Environments: SOUTH-SOUTH

6. Before President Jonathan’s administration, the South-South Zone had been plagued with agitation about perceived marginalisation, environmental degradation and destruction of farmland from oil exploration, which resulted in the struggle for justice in the 1990s. Militancy and local indigenous activity against commercial oil refineries and pipelines in the region increased in frequency and resulted in severe disruptions to Nigeria’s oil production, unrest, and insecurity to life and property.

In August 2009, the Federal Government granted amnesty to the militants. The militants surrendered their weapons in exchange for a presidential pardon, rehabilitation and education. Other initiatives to develop the Niger Delta region (including the SouthSouth Zone), such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the Niger Delta Ministry were also introduced.

Through routinely organised security and consultative meetings, peace and security has been maintained in the region and the incidence of militancy has reduced. A Counter Terrorism Training School was also established in Nonwa Tai, Rivers State.

Under President Jonathan’s administration, the containment of militancy has seen daily oil production grow from 700,000 bpd to about 2.5mbpd. The significant increase in Nigeria’s daily oil production is directly linked to the reduction in the incidence of militancy and improvements in safety and security in the SouthSouth zone.

7. Before President Jonathan’s administration, years of oil exploration and exploitation by the oil companies, the zone had suffered environmental degradation. Given that the main traditional occupations of the people are farming and fishing, environmental degradation seriously affected the livelihood and the economy of the zone.

Under President Jonathan’s administration the Ministry of Environment has supervised clean-up activities in 497 Oil Spill sites most of which fall within the South South Zone

8. Prior to President Jonathan’s administration, environmental sustainability was not of high priority in the South South.

However, with the present administration, there has been an upsurge in the total number of clean ups in the South-South region. The reforms and achievements of President Jonathan in the area of environmental sustainability have been crucial to reviving economic activities in the South South.

Testimonial

STORY OF IMPACT My name is Uwana Miebi and I am from Bayelsa state even though I have lived all my life in Lagos. The first time I came to Bayelsa was when I came to see my father for the first time. My mother had just died and my grandmother decided it was time I knew where I came from. My mother had left him when he took a second wife because he was an only son and wanted many children. It was raining when we got to Bayelsa and after two hours of driving I began to notice something with runoff water. There was a dark sheen over it. I asked my grandmother what it was and she said it was oil. She told me that, not too far from where we were, there were men on big rigs sucking up crude oil from the land.“You know what crude oil is and what it is used for?” I had nodded and she went on to explain how it got on the water. My grandmother was a retired science teacher, and she had passed on her love for science to me. For the one week I spent with my father, I would go with him to the farm every day because my grandmother insisted. I would walk with him down the bush path not saying a word till we got to the farm, then I would go a little ways from where he was working and look for grasshoppers and big ants for my insect collection. The farm was strange. The leaves of the cassava plants were mostly light brown, as if it was harmattan season and the sun had dried them. “This is what the oil companies have done to us,” my father said the day I gathered the courage to ask him. I remember how tired he looked, as if he had been working all day even though we both left the house together that morning. “Is this why the garri I’ve been eating tastes funny?” “Yes. The oil gets into everything. If only we could cook with it, it would be better.” Four years later, I took JAMB examination and I filled in environmental engineering as my first and second courses of choice. I read everything I could on oil spills and spent every holiday in the village, sometimes with my friends who shared my passion for cleaning up the devastation wrecked by oil spillage. During my research, I discovered the transformation agenda for sustainable development by the President Jonathan’s administration. I followed the successes of the projects having to do with land rehabilitation. For my service year, I have been posted to The National Oil Spill Directorate and Response Agency, NOSDRA and have had the opportunity of witnessing firsthand the work that is being done to reduce the risk of oil spills. Every community we visit reminds me of my village and I have faith that soon it will be our turn. That one day, I’ll go to my father’s farm and see a field of green.


Before & After GEJ
Key Achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan In the Environments: SOUTH-WEST

9. Before the President Jonathan administration, it was common occurrence for foreigners to use Nigeria as a dumping ground for hazardous products.

Thankfully, this trend has stopped. The administration has put in place an anti-dumping mechanism where all ships are inspected and those found to be carrying hazardous products are immediately seized. A good example is the vessel MV MARIVIA, from the United Kingdom which was carrying e-waste to Tin Can Island Port, Lagos. This vessel was impounded and only released after paying a USD 500,000 Bail Bond with the Lagos Federal High Court.

10. There were reoccurrence of flood without drainages to contain them, this challenge was spilled over till 2012.

In order to forestall a re-occurrence of the floods that devastated the country in 2012, the Environmental reforms executed have resulted in an improved standard of living of people of the South West. Automatic FEWS have been installed; the government installed Four (4) standalone Automated FEWS facilities along: Ogun- Alamutu River& Eruwa River in Ogun states as well as Owena Bojutire River & Ose River in Benin – Owena River Basin.

11. Before President Jonathan’s administration, waste management in the South-West was a major challenge.

Beyond engaging the community in managing its own environment, the government of President Jonathan also established Pilot Waste Management Projects at Ilokun and Erinfun/Emirin, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State and installed Plastic Recycling Plants in Ibadan, Osogbo and Lagos.

12. Before President Jonathan’s administration, Nigeria was treated as the dumping ground for all kinds of toxic waste. It seemed the authorities before now were incapable of arresting culprit nations and individuals who had made our shores the litter bin of the world.

Environmental Regulations, Guidelines and Policies have been tightened and enforced under the President Jonathan administration. The government of President Jonathan arrested Vessel MV MARIVIA, originating from Tisbury, United Kingdom carrying e-waste to Tin Can Island Port, Lagos. In line with international best practice, the vessel was only released after posting a USD 500,000 Bail Bond with the Lagos Federal High Court.

Testimonial
My name is Haruna Folajobi. I own and run a waste Management Company called Folajag Waste Disposal Company. We do more than just disposing waste. We work in collaboration with the Federal government in Lagos to help clean up our state.
Before, Lagos was just a heap where people will just come and dump all kinds of refuse anywhere. But since the collaboration with government, we are cleaning up fast and teaching our people to take care of our environment for our common good. I have over a hundred people working for me in shifts.

#GEJAchievements

For many years, spanning different administrations, the Benin-Ore Road was a death trap claiming the lives of thousands of our loved ones due to neglect and corruption in form of multiple awards of contracts to rehabilitate it. But it was never done.

It didn't take this Administration much time to get on it and fix it.

Compare #Nigeriab4GEJ

Nigeriab4GEJ: Condition of the Education Sector
Before the President Jonathan administration, quality education needed revitalisation as many of the existing institutions were in bad shape due to several year of neglect.

From its inception in 2011, this administration targeted the Education Sector by expanding access to all levels of education, as well as raising the quality of education. There was also a need for massive overhauling of Technical and Vocational Skills Education to ensure skills acquisition and encourage entrepreneurial minded people set up businesses and employ others.


Nigeriab4GEJ: Basic Education Needs Boost
There was a time when it was a normal sight to see children on the streets; playing, hawking or running errands. Before President Jonathan took over the helm of affairs of governance, an alarming 10.5 million children (the highest in the world) were out of school for various reasons. In order to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the country, a number of special intervention programmes such as the Almajiri Education, the Girl-Child Education and Back-to-School initiatives were set up by the Jonathan-led administration to absorb these children and provide conducive learning, thus creating better opportunities for them in the future.

President Jonathan and his team set out to accomplish education-focused initiatives such that in 13 states, special girl schools are being constructed while in 27 states, 125 day and boarding schools are being constructed under the Almajiri education programme, initiated by this government, to provide quality education to the teeming population of uneducated children. As a result of these interventions, enrolment in basic schools increased from 23 million in 2010 to 29 Million in 2012. This will further increase with the handing over of Almajiri Schools to state governments.


Nigeriab4GEJ: Education Reforms Increase Student Productivity
Under the Jonathan administration, Education Reforms have seen enrolment in primary schools increase by 13%, while enrolment in junior secondary schools increased by 32%.

Today, there is better and sustained funding of Universal Basic Education in the country through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). The President’s commitment to quality education for all is reflected in improvements in the country’s performance in various examinations. For instance, the WASCE pass rate was highest in 2012-2013 [38% & 36%]; as compared to the 15%-25% of 2000-2009. NECO statistics reveal that in 2010, 9.36% of the total number of candidates made 5 credits & above [including in Mathematics & English]. Corresponding figures were 8.06% in 2011; 32.22% in 2012; 48.37% in 2013 and 52.29% in 2014.


Nigeriab4GEJ: Unity Schools in Need of Attention
Before President Jonathan, federal-owned secondary schools were in a deplorable condition, with most unable to boast of the basic academic infrastructure and amenities to induce well-rounded learning. However, in 2013, the Federal Government rehabilitated 352 laboratories and constructed 72 new libraries in the Federal Unity Schools thus putting an end to the absence of a conducive place of learning for young and prospective academicians and scientists.


Nigeriab4GEJ: Accessible and Affordable Education
Before the Jonathan administration took on the task of governing this nation, the influx of private universities into the tertiary education system, coupled with the inadequate number of institutions, made it difficult for many to enjoy accessible and affordable education. In order to expand admission opportunities at the tertiary level, 12 new universities (9 in the North, 3 in the South) have been established. This has created increased access to a Federal University in the country and will absorb thousands of students who are denied university admission every year as was the case in Nigeria before the Jonathan-led administration took over at the helm of affairs.

Federal-owned tertiary institutions, which had erstwhile been left to their own fate in pre-Jonathan Nigeria, now receive government attention, as laboratories in the 51 Federal and State Polytechnics have been rehabilitated with state-of-the-art equipment. Also, micro-teaching laboratories are being constructed in 58 Federal and State Colleges of Education across the Federation.

To further show his commitment toward sustainable improvement in the education sector, and in reaction to the deplorable state of institutions in the pre-Jonathan era, a High Impact Fund to support higher institutions of learning has been established to become Centres of Excellence in specific areas. Each selected University gets N3billion; Polytechnics and Colleges of Education N1 billion.


Nigeriab4GEJ: Attention on Post Graduate Education
In addition, the Federal Government has launched a Special Presidential Scholarship Scheme for our best and brightest brains. We are selecting the best out of our First Class graduates in various disciplines, especially engineering and science. A total of 101 Presidential Special Scholarships for Innovation and Development (PRESSID) have been awarded to beneficiaries for training in top 25 universities in the world. This, is in direct contrast to the lack of attention paid to the enhancement of post-graduate studies as a tool for economic development in pre-Jonathan administrations.


Nigeriab4GEJ: Teach the Teachers
The number of National Certificate of Education (NCE) awarding institutions has increased from 96 in pre-Jonathan 2011 to 124 since Jonathan became president. This further lends credence to the president’s drive to make learning accessible. With the increase in NCE awarding institutions, also came an increase in student enrolment in the Colleges of Education from an average of 620,000 in 2011 to 750,000 in 2013 – a 20% increase!

To further improve the quality of instruction, Federal Government has sponsored 7,000 lecturers of federal and state tertiary institutions for post-graduate studies home and abroad.


Nigeriab4GEJ: Spotlight on Vocational Training
For a long time, technical colleges remained abandoned or were converted to general schools. However, with the Education Reforms in place during the Jonathan era, over 100 Innovation Enterprise Institutions have been licensed to provide alternative access to higher education through technical and vocational education and training.

Before & After GEJ
Key Economic Achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan In the Health Sector
South-South

22. Prior to President Jonathan’s administration, access to healthcare, poor healthcare equipment and quality of healthcare workers posed challenges to the health of Nigerians in the zone, and consequently life expectancy.

 The healthcare reforms of President Jonathan targeted increased access by providing the requisite infrastructure and skilled staff in primary health care centers across the region through SURE-P and MDGs Counterpart Funding Schemes. At the tertiary level, the Federal Government has upgraded facilities in most of the Federal Hospitals in the region. These interventions have helped reduce the number of women dying during pregnancy as well as the number of children dying because of vaccine preventable diseases.

23. In 2008 before President Jonathan’s administration, 70.6% of women aged between 15 and 49 in the zone reported having problems with accessing healthcare.

 But, in 2013 during President Jonathan’s administration the proportion of women that reported problems with accessing healthcare had reduced to 56.2%, a significant improvement of 14.4 percentage points. Statistics also shows that with provision of better quality of healthcare, more women (35.7%) delivered babies in government healthcare facilities in 2013 than in 2008 when it was 30%.

 Under President Jonathan’s administration, aggressive immunization campaigns resulted in 16 States including Akwa Ibom, achieving the target of 78% DPT3 coverage.

24. Before President Jonathan’s administration infant mortality rate was 84 per 1000 lives birth while under five mortality was about 138 in 2008.

 Under President Jonathan’s administration, there was significant improvement in child mortality rate between 2008 and 2013. Infant mortality reduced from 84 to 58 per 1000 live births, while under-five mortality reduced from 138 to 91 in the period.

Testimonial
My name is Mama Tano. To lose a child is one of the worst things that can happen to a woman. It is bad to happen once but to happen two times that is worst. “I no fit,” I told my husband when I realized that I was pregnant again. Every year, measles will enter our village here in Koko and by the end at least 20 children will die. My son was born in the house by the same local midwife who helped me when I delivered the first two. I was tired but I watched as she wiped his body with olive oil and cotton wool, fear just holding my heart like this. The boy was almost three months that day when as I was feeding him, I heard people talking outside our door. My younger sister staying with us came and told me that some people outside are giving measles and polio medicine to children under one year. That was how I carried my son with breast in his mouth and went outside. There were four of them carrying boxes. They told me that the government has decided that that every child no matter how far away their village must get immunized against diseases that usually kill children like measles that used to kill plenty children in our village. After they finished with my son, I carried them around to other houses that have small children like my own and I made sure that all the children take the immunization. My pikin is three years old now and there is another baby on the way. This time I am not afraid of anything.

Before & After GEJ
Key Economic Achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan In the Health Sector
SOUTH WEST

25. Prior to the President Jonathan administration, the health sector was unable to deliver high quality and accessible healthcare as it normally should. This was a major challenge with repercussions spread across the whole sector.

 Under the President Jonathan administration key reforms in the health sector were initiated with the aims of providing affordable and high quality healthcare delivery both at the primary and tertiary levels. In order to transform the health sector and enable it deliver high quality and accessible healthcare, the government embarked upon infrastructural development which involves the rehabilitation and equipping of the various health facilities across the zone. Also, the reforms have focused on the control of diseases such as cancer and sickle cell anemia, as well as the provision medical services. Some of the reforms undertaken include:
1. National Strategic Health Development Plan (NSHDP): This is like a support for the health sector reforms: it aims to address most of the challenges in health care delivery system that have hampered progress in this sector nationwide.
2. Save One Million Lives Initiative (SOML): In line with the NSHDP, this initiative outlines a vision to save one million lives by the year 2015.
3. SURE-P Maternal and Child Health Programme: The SURE-P MCH Programme aims to provide a safety net of sort and lessen the impact of subsidy reduction on the more vulnerable sections of the population; people like women and families that have no steady source of income.
4. Midwives Service Scheme: This programme aims at reducing maternal mortality by providing access to qualified and adequate birth attendants to people who cannot afford modern health care facilities especially in the rural areas.
5. Community Based Social Health Insurance: This scheme seeks to raise the coverage of Health Insurance by reaching out to the rural communities as well as the underserved.
6. Establishment of the Centre for Disease Control: The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control was established in collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Health and the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on MDGs in 2012.
7. Introduction of new vaccines: The Penta-valent vaccine was introduced into the EPI schedule. This singular vaccine provides the protection against Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus (DPT), Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib).
8. Modernization of the Federal Teaching Hospitals: The Government has been upgrading the country’s tertiary health facilities to bring them up to international standards.

 President Jonathan Health Reforms have led to lower Mortality and Increased Access to Health Facilities in the South West. Key health indicators show that child mortality has fallen and there has been an increase in the number of people accessing health facilities. Statistics shows that between 2008 and 2013, post-neonatal mortality in the South West fell, while child mortality also fell between 2008 and 2013 in the South West zone. This goes to show that many more children enjoyed good health under President Jonathan’s administration and fewer children are dying.

26. Prior to President Goodluck Jonathan administration, the Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital had no laboratory for public health quality assurance/reagent and control.

 Rehabilitation and equipping of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile -Ife
• Completion of the Public Health Quality Assurance/Reagent Control Laboratory of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, located in Yaba, Lagos.
• New cardiac unit developed and commissioned at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

 The President Jonathan administration installed state-of-the-art medical equipment in the South West, leading to ground breaking medical services. Laparoscopy, a modern and much safer style of surgery -has become a mainstay in the world of medicine. To make surgical processes safer and easier in the south-west zone, this administration has established a well-equipped laparoscopic centre at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Ile Ife. Similarly, a total knee and hip replacement centre at National Orthopaedic Hospitals in Igbobi, Lagos.
• Establishment of the Geriatric Centre of the University College Hospital, Ibadan
• Upgrading of the capabilities of the following centres to do renal transplantation: Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital; University College Hospital, Ibadan;
• Lagos University Teaching Hospital carried out kidney transplant in 2012.
• Full laparoscopic services at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Ile Ife
• Total knee and hip replacement at National Orthopaedic Hospitals in Igbobi, Lagos.

27. Prior to President Jonathan’s administration, pregnant women could not boast of getting prompt attention from medical personnel.

 This has changed under President Jonathan’s Administration. The President’s Health Reforms have led to a remarkable rise in the number of pregnant women who have been attended to by doctors. Similarly, statistics shows that the number of pregnant women receiving care from any type of skilled health worker has increased between the years 2008 and 2013.

28. That malaria fever is the highest killer of people in sub-Saharan Africa, is no longer news.

 Nonetheless, the good news today is that President Jonathan government’s concerted efforts at reducing the rates of infection and increase treatment for the disease is yielding great results. Millions of mosquito Long Lasting Insecticide Net (called mosquito net) has been strategically shared under this administration. Added to this, the effective awareness of created over the usage of mosquito nets has gone a long way to towards achieving significant reduction in the number of people infected with malaria.

29. Statistics reveals that the Children under age 5 with fever who had access to Anti-malarial drugs same or next day to combat malaria in urban areas was about 20%, 15% in rural area and 25% in South West.

 During President Jonathan’s administration, statistics reveals that in 2013 the percentage of Children under age 5 with fever who had access to Anti-malarial drugs same or next day to combat malaria in these areas grew to be about 30% in urban, 20% in rural and 40% in South West.

 The battle against malaria is not over, the country has not yet achieved total elimination of malaria but it is important to note that prompt treatment is easily available to those infected with malaria. The administration of President Jonathan has made giant strides in this regard. Statistics shows a surge in the percentage of children under age 5 who were given anti-malarial drugs same or next day after being infected, this measure will go a long way in the fight against malaria fever. The fact that there have been fewer incidences of malaria fever has important implications for absenteeism, productivity and performance. Fewer incidences of malaria means the number of days lost from work is lower and reduced absenteeism means that firms will spend less on looking for replacement workers. This will ultimately improve productivity.

Testimonial:
My name is Comfort Abebi Abegunde. I’m a native of Oyo state. I was here two or three years ago, when one woman came and delivered her baby on the floor at the general hospital because the doctors were not enough in the whole, big hospital. The woman went into labour and before the nurses could even find her a bed space, it was, Gbam! Baby on the floor! As mothers ourselves, we all used our wrapper to wrap the baby until nurses came round. But today, look at the hospitals, there are beds, there are even more doctors. Me myself, I just had a baby and I had a doctor attend to me. So I think things have changed, if we have to be honest with ourselves.

Before & After GEJ
Key Economic Achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan In the Health Sector
North West

12. Before the President Jonathan’s administration, primary healthcare delivery in the North West zone was grossly inadequate, especially in terms of access and quality. Access to skilled healthcare providers was especially poor in the rural areas. Statistics shows that 67% of women giving birth did not receive antenatal care from skilled providers.

 The healthcare reforms of President Jonathan targeted increased access by providing the necessary infrastructure and skilled staff in primary healthcare centres across the region through SURE-P and MDGs Counterpart Funding Schemes. At the tertiary level, the Federal Government has upgraded facilities in most of the Federal Hospitals in the region. These interventions have helped reduce the number of women dying during pregnancy as well as the number of children dying because of vaccine preventable diseases. These positive outcomes are supported by the National Demographic Health Survey, as shown in Figure 4.7, suggesting that the percentage of women with access to skilled healthcare providers has increased from just 31% before the President Jonathan’s Administration to 41% in 2013.

13. Also, vaccination coverage was also low in the Zone with only 6% of children between the ages of 2 to 23 months receiving all the basic vaccinations. These inadequacies led to high maternal and child mortality in the zone.

 The number of children between the ages of 12 – 23 months that receive all basic vaccinations has also increased from 6% before the administration to 9.6% in 2013. Improved access to basic primary healthcare delivery has reduced child mortality from 139 deaths per 1,000 live births before the administration to 105 in 2013. Similarly, under-five mortality has also fallen from 217 deaths in every 1,000 live births before the administration to 185 deaths in 1,000 live births in 2013. This Provides further evidence that the President Jonathan’s Administration interventions in the health sector are working and yielding positive results in the North West.

14. The infant mortality rate in the North West was about 67.1% before Jonathan’s administration.

 Under President Jonathan’s leadership, there has not just been a drop in child and infant mortality, the percentage of women lacking access to antenatal care has fallen from 67.1% before the administration to 55.4% in 2013.

15. Before Jonathan administration, hospitals in the North West were not up to standards.

 14 teaching hospitals have been modernised and re-equipped to international standards in the North West under the President Jonathan’s Administration. With these upgrades, the people of the North West can now receive specialist care without travelling out of their region. Examples of hospitals that have benefited include the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Usman Danfodio Teaching Hospital.

16. Before the administration of President Jonathan, there was no centre to handle people living with sickle cell anemia.

 President Jonathan administration have established a special sickle cell treatment centre has been established at FMC Birnin Kebbi . As part of the administration effort to bring succor to everyone, a sickle cell centre was established not only in the North West zone but also in each of the five other geopolitical zones (in FMC Gombe, FMC Kebbu, Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, FMC Ebute-Metta and FMC Yenagoa).

 During the last four years, a total of 58 million insecticide treated mosquito nets have been distributed nationally – Just one of the many ways the President Jonathan administration has stepped up effort to eradicate malaria through the Roll Back Malaria Programme. Focusing on prevention, distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets is being followed by mass media campaigns. The campaign is working and people living in the North West zone have embraced the scheme with usage increasing significantly, also in combating HIV/AIDS.

 Focusing on malaria treatment the Government has also stepped up efforts to ensure that drugs are both affordable and accessible especially for children. Again the effort is working in the North West.

Testimonial / Press reaction.

“In a New Survey, Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS Prevalence Drops to 3.4%” – Thisday December 6, 2013

In a new national survey conducted by the federal government for the 2012 National HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey-Plus (NARHS Plus) Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is now 3.4 per cent. However, Rivers State leads other states in the country with a prevalence rate of 15.2 per cent. NARHS is conducted to monitor the HIV/AIDS epidemic among the general population in the country. It involves other sexual and reproductive health indicators and behavioural tendencies. The Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Sani Bala, at the national dissemination of the survey findings said the result of the survey reflects the effort of the federal government in the fight against HIV in the country. Bala explained: “The HIV prevalence situation compared with 3.6 per cent in 2007 about 3.4 per cent of Nigerians is currently living with HIV/AIDS with 3.2 per cent in urban and 3.6 per cent in the rural areas and 2.9 per cent among young people aged 15-19 years.” A cursory look at the new survey indicated that Taraba State ranked second with a prevalence rate of 10.5 per cent; followed by Kaduna State with 9.2 per cent. Nasarawa State has 8.1 per cent while the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) 7.5 per cent. Ekiti State however has the least prevalence rate of 0.2 per cent, Zamfara 0.4 per cent, Bauchi 0.6 per cent and Ogun 0.6per cent.

Source: http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/in-a-new-survey-nigeria-s-hiv-aids-prevalence-drops-to-3-4-/166023/

“HIV Infection Drops By 35 Percent In Nigeria Says United Nations” – Sahara Reporters
A new global report by UNAIDS indicates that new HIV infections in Nigeria have declined by 35 percent in the past three years, says a story in the DAILY INDEPENDENT. The Gap report released in Geneva, Switzerland on July 16, 2014 also indicated that Nigeria is one of the countries in the world that realised a rapid increase in the number of people living with HIV that are accessing Antiretroviral therapy. “The decline in new infections is a clear sign that the Government of Nigeria is steering the HIV response in the right direction, and much progress can be realised if more resources are committed to the cause,” said Dr. Bilali Camara, the UNAIDS Country Director in Nigeria. The report said new infections showed signs of decline while about 640,000 people in Nigeria were on antiretroviral therapy in 2013. However, it said there is a need for much more work to be done in the country in order to eliminate HIV by 2030.
Source: http://saharareporters.com/2014/07/18/hiv-infection-drops-35-percent-nigeria-says-united-nations

Before & After GEJ
Key Economic Achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan In the Health Sector
SOUTH EAST

17. Before President Jonathan: Prior to the President Jonathan administration, poor access to healthcare, inadequate healthcare equipments and limited staff posed challenges to the health of ordinary Nigerians and consequently life expectancy.

 The healthcare reforms of President Jonathan targeted increased access by providing the necessary infrastructure and skilled staff in primary health care centres across the region through SURE-P and MDG’s Counterpart Funding Scheme.

18. In 2008, before President Jonathan’s administration, about 75.8% of women aged between 15 & 49 years in the zone reported having problems with accessing healthcare.

 But in 2013, the proportion of women that reported problems with accessing healthcare fell by 10.1 percentage points to 65.7%; a significant improvement.

19. Prior to President Jonathan administration about 25.3% delivered their babies in government owned health care facilities.

 Under President Jonathan, more women about (33.37%) delivered babies in government owned healthcare facilities in 2013 compared to 25.3% in 2008.

20. Before President Jonathan’s administration, infant mortality was about 95 per 1000 child birth while under five mortality was about 153 per 1000 live birth.
 Statistics now shows that there has been a significant improvement in child mortality rates between 2008 and 2013. Infant mortality reduced from 95 to 82 per 1,000 live births, while under-five mortality reduced from 153 to 131 per 1,000 live births in the period.

21. Before President Jonathan, heart surgery was majorly done abroad.

 But do you know that Under the President Jonathan administration, the Centre of Excellence for Heart Surgery at the University of Enugu Teaching Hospital was refurbished and can now conduct open-heart surgery. In addition, microsurgery of the brain can now be conducted at Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia

Testimonial

 My name is Emeka Amadi. When my father had his heart problem everyone was saying “fly him to India, fly him to India” as if going to India is 10 kobo. But we did not even go near the airport. We went to the University of Enugu Teaching Hospital and we drove from Awka by road to Centre of Excellence for Heart Surgery where they performed an Open Heart surgery that saved my father’s life.

Before & After GEJ
Key Economic Achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan In the Health Sector.

NORTH-EAST

1. Before the President Jonathan’s administration, significant intervention was needed in order for the primary health care system in the North East to achieve the MDG goals. As at 2008, primary healthcare delivery in the zone was grossly inadequate. For example, statitics showed that over half (51.2%) of women giving birth in the zone did not have access to antenatal care. Only 43% of women in the zone received antenatal care from a skilled provider. In terms of vaccination coverage from preventable diseases, only 7.6% of children between the ages of 2 months and 23 months received all basic. Access to safe drinking water was also very low before the President Jonathan’s administration. Only 33.7% of households in the zone had access to improved sources.

 The Health Reforms of the President Jonathan’s administration in the last four years have resulted in significant improvements in several critical healthcare indices in the North East. The number of healthcare professionals providing antenatal and postnatal care has significantly increased in the zone. This is as a result of the implementation of the various Health Sector interventions, especially the SURE-P Maternal Child Health Programme, Midwives Service Scheme.
2. In addition, before President Jonathan’s administration only 43% of women from this North East zone received antenatal care from a skilled provider. In terms of vaccination coverage from preventable diseases, only 7.6% of children between the ages of 2 months and 23 months received all the basic vaccinations in the zone.

 Furthermore, after President Jonathan’s administration data from the National Demographic Health Survey of 2013 shows that the percentage of women receiving antenatal care from skilled providers has increased by 14.7%, from 43% before the President Jonathan’s administration to 49.3% now. This further suggests that the conditional cash transfers and other interventions aimed at encouraging women to attend antenatal clinics are working

3. Before President Jonathan administration the percentage of women receiving antennal care from community health workers was 5.1%.

 Did you know? … The percentage of women receiving antenatal care from community health workers has increased by 67%, from 5.1% before the President Jonathan’s administration to 8.5% now

4. Before President Jonathan administration, the number of children that receive basic vaccination was 7.6%.

 The percentage of children between the ages of 12 months and 32 months that receive all basic vaccination has risen by nearly 90%, from 7.6% before the President Jonathan’s administration to 14.2% now. And the increase in vaccinations is working. The introduction of Pentavalent vaccines (DPT, HB, Hib), which help protect against Childhood Pneumonia & Hepatitis B has led to a reduction in child mortality in the North East. Statistics shows, all indices of Child Mortality in the North East have declined compared to their levels before the President Jonathan’s administration.

5. Access to safe drinking water was also very low in the zone before the President Jonathan’s administration. Only about 33.7% of households had access to improved sources. These poor healthcare delivery indices had translated into poor healthcare outcomes as reflected in the high maternal, infant, child and under-five mortality rates.

6. Before President Jonathan administration for instance, available data shows that in 2008, Child and Adult mortality rate was significantly high.

 Child and Adult mortality rates have significantly declined in the North East during the President Jonathan administration. Statistics shows that, adult mortality rates of both males and females are also falling significantly. This may be attributable to significantly stepped up effort in reducing the major preventable killer disease such as HIV and Malaria. Statistics shows that, the awareness campaigns are working as more Men and Women are having comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS. In addition, more people are getting for HIV, and more people are receiving counseling about the disease during antenatal clinics.

7. Before the administration of President Jonathan, only 7.1 percent of all households in the North East had at least one LLIN (Lere Long Lasting Insecticides).

 This number has increased to 60.6% during the President Jonathan’s administration. In fact, there is an over 160% increase in the average number of LLIN per household in the zone, from 0.5 per household before the President Jonathan’s administration to 1.3 per household. Statistics shows that, more households in the North East now has access to the Insecticide-Treated Mosquito Nets (LLIN) under the President Jonathan Administration.

Testimonials:
My name is Umaru Othman. The day I was told that I was HIV positive, my world collapsed. But through
counselling I realised that all was not lost. Today, two years later—thanks to the HIV/AIDS interventions for PLWHA—I am getting my drugs on time and keeping my viral load stable which means I do not have to deal with infections.

 The Presidential Initiative on North East (PINE) was developed as a comprehensive plan for the reconstruction of the North East through a series of well co-ordinated and sustainable interventions in close collaboration with the State Governments and international development partners. One of the area the PINE is focused on is restricting the health sector of the North East.

 Despite the activities of terrorists, President Jonathan has not been discouraged in his determination to ensure the economic transformation of the zone. Demonstrating this, several strategic high impact projects and interventions have been implemented in the zone over the last four years. These strategic projects and interventions are already recording significant successes and are transforming the fortunes of the zone. This section of our report is concerned with highlighting the reforms and achievements of the President Jonathan in the North East. The discussion is arranged around different component with the health of the zone as one of the key focus.

Before & After GEJ
Key Economic Achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan In the Health Sector
NORTH CENTRAL

8. Prior to President Jonathan’ administration, health service delivery in the North Central zone was not encouraging. As a proactive government, this administration has done a lot to resolve many of these challenges and ensure qualitative healthcare for the citizenry.

 In order to transform the health sector and enable it deliver quick, yet accessible and high quality health services, the President’s team on Health began by rehabilitating and equipping various health facilities across the North Central zone. The Ministry of Health focused on the control of diseases such as malaria fever and serious ailments like cancer and sickle cell anemia. Many Nigerians in the North Central have therefore benefitted from quality basic primary health care system that has served to increase life expectancy. Some of the reforms undertaken include:
• National Strategic Health Development Plan (NSHDP): This is the main aim of the health sector reforms and the plan seeks to address most of the challenges in the health care delivery system.

• Save One Million Lives Initiative (SOML): In line with the NSHDP, this initiative set a target to save one million lives by the year 2015.

• SURE-P Maternal and Child Health Programme: The SURE-P MCH Programme aims to lessen the subsidy reduction on the mass of the people, particularly on women and families with no source of steady incomes and those whose income barely sustains them.

• Midwives Service Scheme: This programme aims to reduce maternal mortality by providing access to qualified and adequate birth attendants to women especially in the rural areas.
• Community Based Social Health Insurance: This scheme seeks to raise the coverage of Health Insurance by reaching out to the rural communities as well as the underserved.

• Establishment of the Centre for Disease Control: The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control was established as a collaborative effort between the Federal Ministry of Health and the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on MDGs in 2012.

• Introduction of new vaccines: The Pentavalent vaccine was introduced into the EPI schedule. This singular vaccine ensures protection against Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus (DPT), Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib).

• Modernisation of the Federal Teaching Hospitals: The Government has been upgrading the country’s tertiary health facilities to bring them up to international standard. Typical examples are:

 Commissioning of the new Respiratory Intensive Care Unit; (to combat the scourge of Avian Flu and other viral diseases) at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada.

 Launching of the CCT pilot programme at Deidei Comprehensive Health Centre, Bwari Area Council Establishment of National Trauma Centres in the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital and the National Hospital Abuja.

 Completion and Equipping of Federal Staff Hospital Jabi, Abuja.

 Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa achieved the Target of 78% DPT3 coverage in April 2013 compared to NO State for the same month in 2012.
 Newly acquired diagnostic machine at the Diagnostics Centre, Kwara State
 Newly acquired Dialysis Machines at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.

9. Prior to President Jonathan’s Administration, there was a high level of neonatal and post-neonatal deaths which were a cause of concern and needed urgent remedy

 Thanks to the reforms in the health sector, there has been a drastic reduction in neonatal and post-neonatal deaths.

 Did you know? … Under President Jonathan’s administration, fewer children under age 5 died from childhood diseases. Statistics shows that infant mortality and child mortality and under-five mortality in the North Central dropped between 2008 and 2013. There was a record of improved health among children; with fewer children dying under President Jonathan’s administration.

10. Before President Jonathan’s administration, few pregnant women received antenatal care from skilled medical personnel.

 Information relayed from statistics shows that there has been a remarkable rise in the number of pregnant women who have been attended to by doctors, while the number of pregnant women receiving care from any type of skilled health worker increased between 2008 and 2013. The figures clearly attest to the facts that healthcare delivery systems have improved in the North Central zone.

11. Before President Jonathan’s administration, only about 10% of urban, rural area and North Central Household had at least one mosquito net (insecticide treated) as at 2008.

 President Jonathan achieved great success in this regard; the first step to combating malaria is preventing mosquito bites via the use of mosquito nets. This simple act has gone a long way in helping to reduce malaria fever infections. Statistics shows that today about 46% of Urban, 60% of rural and 55% in North Central Households have mosquito net (insecticide treated)

 For President Jonathan, the fight against Malaria isn’t over yet but it is important to note that prompt treatment is available to those infected with malaria. The administration of President Jonathan has been able to make giant strides in this regard with the provision of anti malarial drugs in the hospitals. Statistics shows that children infected with malaria fever are getting prompt treatment earlier than used to be the All of these have economic implications- fewer incidents of malaria fever mean less cases of absenteeism- either at school or work, resulting in an increase in productivity and performance. Again, fewer incidences of malaria mean the number of days lost from work is lower and firms/ companies will spend less looking for replacement workers.

Testimonials:
Laraba Dauda
They told me traditional birth attendants were the best when it came to pregnancy and child delivery in my area, that’s in Pankshin, yet I had already lost two pregnancies since I got married in 2008. I was blamed for many things like not drinking enough herbs, but I also know enough now to understand that it was because I didn’t get adequate antenatal care. So, I was overjoyed when I became pregnant again, this time I did not waste any time, I just headed straight to the new hospital in town, the one they say was built by the federal government. Yes, there was a long queue and I had to wait my turn but it wasn’t for long after all who doesn’t like good things.A female doctor examined me and I was given free drugs. During antenatal clinics at the hospital, the nurses talked to us about simple things that will keep us and our babies safe and then they gave us free mosquito nets because as pregnant women, it is easy for us to get malaria. I gave birth to a baby girl and I did not pay a dime. After my delivery, they showed me again how to keep my baby safe under mosquito net. I did that but after sometime, with all the wahala of taking care of my baby, I forgot. That must be why when my daughter was about 11 months, she became sick from malaria.I took her back to the hospital and we were given free malarial drugs. I have continued to use the mosquito net; even my oga comes under it in the night. Today, we are all not worrying about malaria. My daughter is a fine 5 years old girl and I’m even pregnant again.

#GEJAchievements in Aviation: Repositioning the Aviation Sector

Before President Jonathan the aviation sector was beset by numerous challenges which hindered development of the sector and offered an unacceptable level of risk and a poor passenger experience to air travellers.

Key Reforms in the Aviation sector have seen it repositioned. This is because the sector is an importance to the growth of key economic sectors. The Aviation Master Plan together with its implementation framework have been developed to confront the sector’s numerous challenges, with a view to providing a safe, secure, profitable and self-sustaining world class industry with a distinct airport experience for travellers.

Key reforms undertaken to achieve this include measures to encourage the growth of domestic airlines, improved regulatory oversight, safety projects, and infrastructural development. One of the more visible impacts of these reforms in the North West is that the Aminu Kano international Airport in Kano, Kaduna Airport and the Shehu Shagari Airport in Sokoto have been overhauled with remodelled terminals and modern air navigational and safety equipment installed. This has improved the passenger experience and is attracting foreign and domestic airlines to the zone. This contrasts sharply with the situation before the Jonathan administration when safety and passenger comfort were major issues in aviation.


#GEJAchievements in Aviation: Safer and Robust Aviation Sector
Did you know?

The aviation reforms introduced by the President Jonathan’s administration have improved aviation safety and passenger experience in the North West. By improving and modernising physical facilities at all the airports within this zone, the President’s administration has put in place systems that are significantly safer and more robust than in the past.

In addition, the training needs of people engaged in the aviation sector have been addressed as the capacity of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology has been enhanced with state-of-the-art training facilities. The college now has the capacity to train 1,250 aviation professionals annually.


#GEJAchievements in Aviation: Enhancing Passenger’s Experience
Did you know?

Major airports in the North West zone including Kaduna, Sokoto, and Aminu Kano have been remodelled, greatly enhancing the passenger experience.

Did you know?

Under the President Jonathan’s administration, the airports in the North West zone are becoming more closely integrated with Nigeria’s core national economy.

As part of efforts to make the airports more integral to the nation’s economy, the Aminu Kano International Airport has been designated one of 13 perishable cargo terminals in the country, while development is ongoing to make the Sokoto airport one of the largest Hajj terminals in Nigeria.


TESTIMONIAL: SULE LAMIDO:

My name is Sule Lamido and I am from Kano State. The first time I travelled by air was in 2010. The airport was hot and crowded and very noisy although my uncle had taken me and my sister to sit in the VIP lounge which had a good AC.

When I travelled last week I noticed that everything has changed. The airport is now bigger and the air conditioners are working for everybody. Because they increased the space, the airport did not look too crowded any more.


#GEJAchievements in Aviation: Tremendous Improvement at the Airport
Under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, the aviation sector witnessed tremendous improvement. This is evident in growing domestic airlines, enhanced safety, security, institutional reforms, regulatory oversight, capacity building and infrastructural development.
In Aviation, GEJ’s administration signed a MOU with Emirates Aviation College to improve delivery level of courses/programmes; and is working to reduce capital flight and overhead costs to domestic airlines by ensuring major aviation courses are available in Nigeria. Training schools are to be set up for the continuous training of Aviation personnel. The Ministry is working with IATA to localise training programmes.
The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) was transformed into a regional centre of excellence, to develop aviation manpower in Nigeria and West Africa. NCAT will be a globally recognised degree-awarding institution with a capacity to produce 1250 aviation professionals per annum.

#GEJAchievements in Aviation: Transformation in Aviation
Construction of new and upgraded control towers.

Development of four (4) new international terminals at Kano, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja, as well as Cargo Terminals.

Remodelling and reconstruction of the following airports: Lagos International, Calabar, Kaduna, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Kano, Yola, Owerri, Benin, Jos, Abuja, Lagos (GAT), Sokoto, Akure, Katsina, Ibadan, Ilorin, Makurdi, Bauchi, Maiduguri, Gombe and Jalingo.

Restoration of Fire Hydrants at the following airports: MMIA, Abuja, Enugu and Benin. Supply and installation of generators and transformers in Lagos and Kano airports, to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

Resurfacing and extension of runways.

#GEJAchievements in Aviation: Excellence at Work
For the first time ever, Nigeria has an Aviation Master Plan and Road Map.

There has been a robust revision of the Civil Aviation National Policy for the first time in over 12 years.

For the first time in over three decades, all 22 federally-owned airports across the country are being remodelled, resulting in improved passenger experience.

For the first time, five modern international passenger terminals are being constructed simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu.

Obsolete power infrastructure is being replaced/upgraded across major airports in the country.

Fire-fighting infrastructure now state-of-the-art across the airports.

Installation of cutting-edge navigational aids and Instruments Landing Systems (ILS), including runway lights and Total Radar Coverage (TRACON) to enhance air safety.

Installation of state-of-the-art Communication and Surveillance infrastructure, making communication between Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) and Pilots much more seamless.

State-of-the-art meteorological infrastructure (Doppler Weather Radars, Low-Level Wind Shear Alerts Systems – LLWSAS) to enhance accurate, timely weather observation, forecasting and reporting.

Security infrastructure is also being replaced/upgraded to cope with emerging security challenges.

Installation of an Investigation and Analysis Laboratory in Nigeria. It is one of the only four in Africa and the only one in the West African sub-region.

Upgrade of NCAT’s training capabilities, expanding beneficial relationships that support training and human capital development in the aviation sector.

Streamlining of General Aviation (GA) to eliminate unauthorised commercial operations, promote scheduled airlines’ profitability and safety.

Elimination of unfavourable Concession and Lease Agreements that were inconsistent with the public interest, industry growth and advancement.

Promotion of private sector and international investors’ participation in Nigerian Aviation sector.

Deployment of modern technology and digitisation of records and processes.

More friendly operating environment for domestic carriers.

Six airports namely Jos, Makurdi, Yola, Jalingo, Lagos and Ilorin, which are strategically located in proximity to food baskets have been designated as perishable cargo airports and international standards perishable cargo facilities are being developed at these airports. A new Cargo Development Division has been established in FAAN to give focus to this effort.