President Goodluck Jonathan has applauded the attention his administration is giving the Igbo, whom he said, are well represented in his government and are being appointed to positions which no previous administrations ever gave them.

The President also said the Igbo had also benefited from many projects completed by his government in the South-East.

He said these during this year’s World Igbo Congress Day in Huston, United States of America.

The event had held on Saturday, but a copy of the President’s speech at the ceremony was only made available to journalists by the presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, on Thursday.

President Jonathan, who said his administration’s appointments were based on competence, equity and fairness, noted that he would leave it to “historians” to determine whose administration had done more for the Igbo in terms of federal appointments.

The President said, “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in pursuit of productivity and excellence, we have appointed competent and capable men and women to positions of high authority and strategic responsibility in all fields of national endeavour.

“In our dogged determination to develop our country, the Igbo are well represented and in some of these appointments, the Igbo are having them for the first time.

“Some have said that this government has done more in appointments than any other in our history for the Igbo, but that is a matter for the pundits and historians. Let me state that appointments by this administration, across the country, will continue to be based on equity, fairness and competence.

“Even when some utilise politics to undermine our commitment to fairness and justice, we will deploy the principle of Federal Character to progressively correct it. No part of Nigeria under my leadership will be shortchanged.”

He added that in terms of projects and policies, the Igbo had benefited from his administration’s commitment.

Accordingly, the President said his administration had completed many federal roads, which were left in bad state by previous administrations.

He said, “Similarly in projects and policies, we have continued to do our best. Throughout the South-East, we inherited federal roads in very poor conditions.

“In spite of the highly competitive demand and constraints on funding, we have taken on most of the major roads, realising the impact that their improvement will have on business and life in our country.

“The Owerri-Onitsha road, which was under construction at the outset of my administration, has been virtually completed. Three other very important roads, the Enugu-Onitsha expressway, the Enugu-Port Harcourt road and the Nguzu-Edda-Nkporo-Ohafia road which cuts across Ebonyi and Abia States, are steadily progressing. Our hope is that improved budget and Sure-P funding will see quicker action in the months ahead.

“The Ohaozara-Ishiagu road and Enugu-Abakaliki road are some of those that have progressed to good standard. Further attention will be focused on the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road, which is already being addressed remedially by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency.


http://www.punchng.com/news/ive-given-igbo-positions-theyve-never-had-jonathan/

Yes....all in the name of playing politics

kropelgrada: Yes....all in the name of playing politics

The same playing of politics that made Obasanjo to marginalise Ndigbo for eight good years.

GEJ,you are right .the worst ex presido that marginalized Ndi Igbo,is the ugliest president that Nigeria have had, OBJ.

We can see and hear!!! Na tribal paddy paddy government

.

fact is the GEJ govt is the most tribalistic govt nigeria ever had. I thought appointment into 'key' positions is based on competence and capability.
Gej playing tribal/religion politics since 2009..

Ofunaofu: fact is the GEJ govt is the most tribalistic govt nigeria ever had. I thought appointment into 'key' positions is based on competence and capability.
Gej playing tribal/religion politics since 2009..

And previous govt were based on competence and capability yet failed

Clowns plenty for Nairaland including the person wey get this post

.

And in 2015 the Igbos that makes up 99% Nigeria population will return you to power.
I wonder how clueless Jonathan can be. Playing tribal and religious politics that disgusts me and is unfavorable even to him in the demography of Nigeria. This Mr. Jonathan must be kicked out.

BlackTechnology:


And previous govt were based on competence and capability yet failed

Clowns plenty for Nairaland including the person wey get this post

A smart government will not play open tribal politics because it won't favor him and the tribe he perceivedly favored in the future. You need to realise that Jonathan will leave power some day and power will shift to the "marginalised" region. What will be the igbo fate? That's why I am against tribal politics

The President also said the Igbo had also
benefited from many projects completed by his
government in the South-East.

Apart from the Enugu International Airport,what other projects have been completed? He didn't start the Owerri-Onitsha road in his tenure so he shouldn't be commended for that. What other project has he finished?

BlackTechnology:


And previous govt were based on competence and capability yet failed

Clowns plenty for Nairaland including the person wey get this post

..and including u

berem: Apart from the Enugu International Airport,what other projects have been completed? He didn't start the Owerri-Onitsha road in his tenure so he shouldn't be commended for that. What other project has he finished?

airport or fishingport?

barcanista: A smart government will not play open tribal politics because it won't favor him and the tribe he perceivedly favored in the future. You need to realise that Jonathan will leave power some day and power will shift to the "marginalised" region. What will be the igbo fate? That's why I am against tribal politics

If you understand the history of Igbo and Nigeria relationship since the civil war ended , then you will know that Jona is not tribalistic but passing 2 messages which are

1) Igbos the war is over

2) As I treated our former enemy well, I will treat any section of Nigeria that is ready to work with me well. This includes SW who abandoned Jona in 2011 by giving him 4million votes out of 14 million registered voters making SW the least voters.

A matter of fact.

barcanista: airport or fishingport?

Flooded Enugu international airport. This is the landmark achievement of Gej to the igbos

comments powered by Disqus
Guguru
So, he did what he was supposed to do as President and yet he celebrates it as though
he engaged in an extraordinary accomplishment? Nigeria is the only place where people
celebrate accomplishing tasks set in their job description. Ordinarily, they would not
perform any task at all. Thank God for Jonathan doing the job he is being paid to do. He
thinks he is doing the Igbo people a favor. Well, if the Igbo people feel that he is doing
them a favor then they deserve to be treated with political disrespect for their lack of
political consciousness and sophistication.
Omooba Adekunle Orafidiya
Very true. The Igbo nation is the main beneficiary of Goodluck Ebola Jonathan’s
Administration. No surprise because he himself belongs to the Igbo ethnic stock. After all
Ebele (Ebola) and Azikiwe are neither Hausa nor Efik names. The Yoruba tribe has
suffered the most in the hands of this useless, feckless, senseless and clueless Jonathan,
because no Yoruba man currently features in the top 14 positions listed in the Nigerian
constitution. Somehow, someway, the virus called Ebola Jonathan must pay for slighting
our tribe. Oloriburuku (cursed fellow). Were. (M A D man) Alaimore enia. (Ingrate)
Sunny0099
Jonathan administration is government by the Igbos and for the Igbos only. No wonder
Igbos want to die for Jonathan in spite of his obvious incompetence, No problem, We shall
see in 2015 if only Igbo votes will be enough for Jonathan’s second term ambition…
Abiodun Olayinka
More like the positions that they were entitled to but were denied so why give yourself a
pat on the back for doing the right thing and doing the jobs you were wrongly elected to
do.
Onyeamama Igbokwe
The Local Government Chairman of my town while visiting boasted that he always pays
the salaries of the workers. That he considered a great accomplishment.
JJ
You dont need to tell us. It is very plain that you are merely the Ijaw and ibos president.
We hope what you have done for the ibos will sustain them for centuries. If I were the
ibos I will be really scared of the future for the injustice you are perpetrating in other
parts of the country to favor the ibos for it shall end and then what’s next? What have
you done in other parts of the country apart from promoting crisis? Shameless fellow,
mentioning roads. Apart from appointments, the incompetent fo0l has actually done
nothing in igbo land. The most useless, clueless president Nigeria ever had. Boko Haram
sponsor.
The devil came in the name of Goodluck and we voted him. But never again!
okinba launko
All progressed non completed after four years. You really have done a lot sir
Truthisbitter
In spite of that the Igbos still cry marginalisation,they will not stop crying until they are
made the president of FRN.Whatever good GEJ he has done to the Igbos,methinks,it’s
their right and entitlement so saying it is inconsequential except that our politicians think
when they are doing their work,they are doing a great favour and they want that favour
reciprocated through vote.
Nnewi Man
My people have been reduced to political appointment driven tribe,Gej I no blame u na the
useless Ibo elite I blame.
Justin
Funny… Dear Punch, It is spelt as “Houston” not “Huston”
Oga
Someone please tell me this man was not just in Houston when the NE is burning. Did he
not just return from Germany? If this man went to Houston to attend a tribal organization
like the Igbo Word Conference, then he really needs to be voted out of office.
OLAGBOY
Mr GEJ has undermined integrity of the Igbo who were supposed to occupy this position
he is enjoying ,i believe this is a challenge statement and also insult to the igbo people
who have been classified as low as unbearable in term of political position ,it is high time
to awake from their slumber.
Joanathan Sambo
I said it, that one day, Gej will insult us, this is just the beginning, let us continue to chase
him around with our votes, so that he will continue to take us for granted.
Hyginus Efedionye
nonsense topic, building roads and roundabou, reasoning like animals in the zoo, no good
school system, no hospital, leaders travel abroad for treatment, no good drinking water, no
electricity, no good transport system, no sewage system, no industries or factories, no job
or wealth creation, building road my foot.
Layo148
The ibos will remain appointees since they sold their birthright to GEJ/PDP. It will be an
insult to the ibo race if they refuse to raise and build a political structure now. The only
solution to good governance and democracy in Nigeria is to have an opposition parties.
We want to see APGA raise to full responsibility
The Truth
“The Owerri-Onitsha road, which was under construction at the outset of my
administration, has been virtually completed. Three other very important roads, the Enugu-
Onitsha expressway, the Enugu-Port Harcourt road and the Nguzu-Edda-Nkporo-Ohafia
road which cuts across Ebonyi and Abia States, are steadily progressing. Our hope is that
improved budget and Sure-P funding will see quicker action in the months ahead”
How many years and amount of money would it take this corrupt govt to complete roads
less than 200kkm? lol. However I agreed with the president that he gave the Igbos some
positions well deserving such as the past, Chief of Army Defense.
Max
Must you tell the whole world what you did to my region…what have you done that to us
that is above the basket votes we gave you…have forgotten that the Igbos are the first
region to move the motion of support for your 2011 ambition without negotiation….they
did not give you conditions like southwest did…this year also the Igbos are the first region
to drum support for you…please we deserved more than what you mentioned now…give us
sea port and complete the second river niger bridge and take away the idea that we shall
pay 1000 Naira to go to our states.
the comments are just perfect ..... one thing the Yoruba nation can't wait for, the pay back
time. mehn...humming tupac's line "revenge is the greatest joy next sucking phoosie" in
thick egba accent. pay back time omoluabis.
gej project in ekiti?? voicemail. until you vote fayose. osun ko skem skem.... until you
vote apayan ogbologbo omisore..... Oyo kwa no network..... not until y'all vote in uncle
alabi yellow African face of tura soap.

BlackTechnology:
If you understand the history of Igbo and Nigeria relationship since the civil war ended .

After the civil war, during the 2nd republic, an igbo man, Chief Alex Ekweme was the Vice President of Nigeria whilst Alhaji Shehu Shagari was the president.

The only positon the igbos ought to be jostling for now is that of the presidency. Unless, perhaps you lot are satisfied with being lackeys for any government in power

I hope Igbos do not fall for this!

If anyone noticed, I've been observing restraint when it comes to calling the president names and insulting him, but the president's utterances keep making it very very hard for one to stay the course!!

What kind of president openly displays such ethnoreligious bias?? What manner of president says this and other such things as "the Igbos are my presidency's backbone"?? It is simply appalling and leaves other people under your leadership feeling sidestepped!! These are the resultant effect of having bigots the likes of Edwin Clerk as your closest advisers.

This man is just too naïve!! Sounds too basic for a president!! Haba.

barcanista: A smart government will not play open tribal politics because it won't favor him and the tribe he perceivedly favored in the future. You need to realise that Jonathan will leave power some day and power will shift to the "marginalised" region. What will be the igbo fate? That's why I am against tribal politics

The occasion was World Igbo day. And as such what do you expect him to say ? He must give the Igbos reasons to revote him again.


If the Yorubas would hold similar occasion , he will also go there and tell them the laudable achievements the region had (and ongoing ones )under his administration.

The problem is that people like you will always find fault in whatever steps the president takes.

But I've since realised that to avoid criticism ; You must be nothing, say nothing and do nothing .

Jakpon: After the civil war, during the 2nd republic, an igbo man, Chief Alex Ekweme was the Vice President of Nigeria whilst Alhaji Shehu Shagari was the president.

The only positon the igbos ought to be jostling for now is that of the presidency. Unless, perhaps you lot are satisfied with being lackeys for any government in power

Sincerely what we Igbo desire is not presidency but Economic infrastructure that can further speed up our rise out of poverty

How has presidency favoured the Northern and SW people

We thank MR PRESIDENT

GEJ- Dividing Nigerians along ethnic line

BlackTechnology:

If you understand the history of Igbo and Nigeria relationship since the civil war ended , then you will know that Jona is not tribalistic but passing 2 messages which are

1) Igbos the war is over

2) As I treated our former enemy well, I will treat any section of Nigeria that is ready to work with me well. This includes SW who abandoned Jona in 2011 by giving him 4million votes out of 14 million registered voters making SW the least voters.

Whilst I'm a proponent of treating everyone in Nigeria with equity, I am solidly in support of the Bring Competent People to Government cause. I am in no way in support of singling out a particular tribe and telling them that Your Government has appreciated and hired them much more than any government since Adam and Eve. Such statement mean "every past leaders of yoruba and northern extraction hates you, I am the one that loves you". No matter how we look @ it it is tribal. Besides, what has Jonathan done for the Igbos? Wouldn't it be better if he keep shut and allow the Igbos commend him rather than doing himself? He's seTting a Very bad precedents

Imagine the cheap political point GEj is ranting on,as if igbos don't deserve it.

And they've given you their support BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE POPULATION STRENGTH alone to win you second term

berem: Apart from the Enugu International Airport,what other projects have been completed? He didn't start the Owerri-Onitsha road in his tenure so he shouldn't be commended for that. What other project has he finished?

tank God u said he completed the Enugu airport, atleast commend him for dat
That Enugu Airport were abandoned since not untill this adminstration came
And I dnt fink buhari or kwashiokor inshort leme keep quiet

barcanista: Whilst I'm a proponent of treating everyone in Nigeria with equity, I am solidly in support of the Bring Competent People to Government cause. I am in no way in support of singling out a particular tribe and telling them that Your Government has appreciated and hired them much more than any government since Adam and Eve. Such statement mean "every past leaders of yoruba and northern extraction hates you, I am the one that loves you". No matter how we look @ it it is tribal. Besides, what has Jonathan done for the Igbos? Wouldn't it be better if he keep shut and allow the Igbos commend him rather than doing himself? He's seTting a Very bad precedents

I beg to disagree

I believe his actions has helped us pass a message to fellow Nigerians

Which is

Treat us well and we will rally round you.

Yomieluv: Imagine the cheap political point GEj is ranting on,as if igbos don't deserve it.

my broda i'm surprise too,
ndigbo has developed nigeria since ages...
yet we kept quiet...

mr president kip doing it than saying it.we have a long way to go..
and precise,development in the east should be a cöntinuous process,and what we need now is sea port so that the population amillion of igbos in lagos will reduce..pls u have not done much,so kip doing it dan saying it.

I think he's saying the truth, cause he No dy give we south south mouth again
what do u think?