₦airaland Forum

Ken Agala wrote:
In a recent interview in London,General Obasanjo referred to President Jonathan as a mediocre. Just as a reminder, this is a post I wrote in 2013. Facts don't lie. Read and share.
"In 2006, President Obasanjo met with the CEO of the New York Stock Exchange in Davo, Switzerland and requested to ring the closing bell at the NYSE. He cited instances with the economic reforms being pushed by Dr. Iweala( whom 'our' governors wants sacked) and finally got a subtle and tentative invite by the new CEO.
The NYSE uses its selection of bell ringers to make strategic statements about the direction of the exchange and its seen as a strong endorsement to potential investors all over the world .
On arrival for the ceremony , the NYSE told President Obasanjo that the request was not approved and that the President can come for a 'lunch', which is a lesser endorsement at the Stock Exchange. Characteristic of OBJ, he got infuriated and shunned the Lunch.
A few months earlier, three African Presidents have been lumped together to ring the closing bell at the exchange. They were the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the President of Mozambique, Armando Guebuza and the President of Tanzania, Jakaya M. Kikwete.
Many African analysts saw this as a let down on Africa as many smaller European country's presidents like Belgium had rung the closing bell alone.
The only African presidents that have ever rung the bell alone are Presidents of Botswana,Festus Mogae in 2005. (Botswana was the only African country them with an A+ credit rating from both Standards&Poors and Moody's ratings)
President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa which was an expression of confidence in the South African economy and President Chiluba of Zambia as an endorsement of the massive economic reforms on the Zambian economy.
Not too long, we have heard various testimonies from global players on the success of the Jonathan run economy. From CNN Money listing of the Nigerian stock amongst the five strongest in the world, to the testimony of the British Prime minister in his address to his party faithful .
From the Clinton Foundation's statement , to US President Obama's endorsement. From international rating agencies like Standard&Poors, Fitch etc, to global institutions like IMF and World bank with a recent upgrading of Nigeria from a low income economy to a middle income economy .
The 23rd September 2013, honoring of President Jonathan at the prestigious Bell ringing ceremony of the NYSE is the greatest global endorsement for the transformation agenda of President Jonathan and the robustness of the Nigerian economy.
It is a testimony to the world that despite the bitter bad press by disenchanted politicians at home, Nigeria is the next destination for global investors.
It is also important to note that in this same year, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) listed Nigeria as the number Foreign Direct Investment destination in Africa.
On its website, the World Economic Forum explained why it chose Nigeria as the host of the 2014 African edition
"...More importantly, it is a reflection of the growing attraction of Nigeria to international capital as one of the world’s most rewarding new markets, following recent painful but highly rewarding set of economic reforms"
For those who make it an obsession to paint President Jonathan like a failure, by calling him names, no matter what name you give to a spoon of honey, the name will never change it's taste.

Elslim:
Buht when dsame international Oyinbo people told us that our soldiers are not well equipped to fight BH una say na dem no well... let's call a spade a spade definately Jonas regimes has its own ups and downs buh d reality is dat the downs overshadow the Ups!

Elslim:
Buht when dsame international Oyinbo people told us that our soldiers are not well equipped to fight BH una say na dem no well... let's call a spade a spade definately Jonas regimes has its own ups and downs buh d reality is dat the downs overshadow the Ups!

Nctrice:
he has done better than all of his predecessors put together!

Ichiato:
That is how they all do. If you are for them then they ring praises for you but if you're against them then they shut you up with abuses. I for one don't need any economic expert to tell me that the average Nigerian has grown poorer over the llast 8 years compared to there counterparts oversees.

chidekings:
and ikenna bought a highlander last week,Emeka finished his three story building,adamu now uses techno R7,and........