I have taken sometime to reflect on
President Goodluck Jonathan’s
presidential ambition, which became
an instant debate after the death of
his predecessor, Alhaji Umaru Musa
Yar’Adua and came to a conclusion
that it would have been very tragic,
if he did not contest, at all.
I had earlier queried the motive
behind his desire to seek power
after a fruitful political career and in
the face of mounting zoning
principle of his party that allegedly
did not favour him even when it
was clear that the zoning
arrangement lacked equity and had
no referendum basis.
An objective comparative analysis
with his predecessors has since
deposed to the fact that his
achievements barely 10 months ago
is the driving force and not personal
ambition. Many people have
commended his political deft
moves, indeed, his dexterity in
social and political engineering, high
sense of vision and mission,
humility and personal success
story, hardwork and dedication to
duty etc.
The Igbo must have had him in
mind when they averred that a
chick that would turn into a cock is
known the moment it is hatched.
Right from the day he took over as
President, he left nobody in doubt
that he was primed for selfless and
result oriented service. He was able
to identify the key areas that are
critical to the economic growth of
the nation.
Realising that it was better to build
strong institutions than strong
leaders, he reorganized the
Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) and appointed
Prof Attahiru Jega, as Chairman. He
followed it up by adequately funding
the electoral body and replacing key
officials identified to be members of
political parties. These actions, no
doubt, boosted the credibility of the
body and the confidence of
politicians in the INEC to conduct
free, fair and transparent elections.
TI want to single out the Presidential
Projects Assessment Committee
headed by Ibrahim Bunu and
Presidential Committee on Energy
and Power headed by Prof Barth
Nnaji. They are his catalysts and
vehicles he uses to draw, drive and
focus attention on critical areas of
governance to achieve planned
development after project execution.
Projects that were hitherto
abandoned are not only revived but
are either completed or ongoing.
Abuja Residents are particularly
applauding the speed at which the
expansion of Musa Yar’Dua
Expressway, Kubwa Expressway,
Akwanga-Lafia road, Lokoja-Abuja
road, the Millennium projects etc.
are going and wondering whether it
is not the same Nigerian contractors
that are handling them.
Interestingly, transportation and
agriculture are receiving attention.
Just a few days ago, the nation
erupted in joy as the rail transport
sector emerged. A train took off
from the Iddo (Lagos) terminal to
the North for the first time in 10
years. The dredging of River Niger
has been sustained with the
potential economic benefits.
Irrigation, provision of agricultural
loans and silos projects are ongoing
helping farmers to boost food
production.
The recent launch of gas revolution
agenda would raise domestic gas
supply to over 10 billion cubic feet
per day, as well as end gas flaring,
build petrochemical plants and
create jobs. That is the same zeal he
has brought to bear on the energy
sector. Since his emergence, power
supply has improved remarkably.
However, while some of his critics
may be quick to point out that as a
former lecturer, Jonathan is bound
to please his former constituency,
what about his reaching out to
Nigerian workers by signing into
law a bill for a new national
minimum wage of N18,000? What
about the $200 million he approved
to boost the entertainment industry
and gave our artistes a new lease of
life?
His willingness to sign the Freedom
of Information Bill? What about his
recent order that female cadets be
enlisted for combatant training at the
Nigeria Defense Academy ? What
about his resolve to implement the
affirmative action of ceding 35 per
cent of government appointments
to women? These measures, no
doubt, point to the fact that his
administration has a definite
purpose and direction and will
represent a system mindset which
is very fundamental to society
transformation.
• Prince Okwuaka is a public affai
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