{"id":7244,"date":"2013-07-28T10:40:10","date_gmt":"2013-07-28T10:40:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/disnaija.com\/nigerian-newspapers\/jonathan-hard-work-many-foes-powerful-critics-5\/"},"modified":"2013-07-28T10:40:10","modified_gmt":"2013-07-28T10:40:10","slug":"jonathan-hard-work-many-foes-powerful-critics-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disnaija.com\/jonathan-hard-work-many-foes-powerful-critics-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Jonathan: Hard work, many foes, powerful critics (5)"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

As an Igbo, I am very happy with what the Jonathan administration is doing at Owerri and Enugu Airports. Hitherto, the two airports had been evidences for those of us who believed that the emasculation of the Igbos was a deliberate state policy. But under Jonathan, Igbos are getting few but vital things due them. Turning Enugu Airport into an international airport alone should fetch Jonathan all the accolades in Igboland, because those who know, would appreciate what it means for a group of people known to travel the most in this nation. What about sports and the huge successes recorded there? When the Eagles failed, we complained and wrote that it was a sign of systematic failure. Now that they are champions, why are we finding it hard to say it\u2019s a sign-post for\u00a0 the good things that are coming? The junior football teams are doing well and even in athletics we have pulled some feats. Don\u2019t these achievements deserve commendations? Shouldn\u2019t they stand as a plus for somebody?<\/p>\n

In foreign affairs, our pre-eminent place in Africa has been re-established. Shouldn\u2019t that give us some cause to smile at least momentarily? We talk of healthcare and allow the frivolous indulgences of the few rich to becloud our reasoning. A lot of our Federal Medical Centres are witnessing colossal transformation infrastructure and equipment wise. At least I know of Owerri and Umuahia. The number that troop to FMC Umuahia and the energy and expertise the doctors\u2019 expend make me feel confident that with great leadership, this nation can be turned around too soon. I also listened to the agric minister and what is happening in that sector is\u00a0 marvelous. We are not there yet, but such meaningful efforts should be encouraged. That\u2019s my position. Yes, I can understand the frustration over pervasive hunger and disease. The leadership class has become lovers of themselves and families only. This attitude has compounded our situation. People are dying in hundreds daily. I can understand. We all want quick reverses. I think, from what I see, Jonathan knows the times even though his speed and disposition give a different message. I have once said Jonathan should move away from the imperial president and wear the activist garb, but from the look of things that has been a tough demand.<\/p>\n

I have also lamented the lack of ideology in the approach to solving our problems. Waiting for the private sector to lift us won\u2019t work now or in the near future. The government would need to take us to another\u00a0 level \u00a0without distancing the private sector though. The government, like I observed earlier, should lead while the private sector follows and let the people have quality and choice, determined by affordability. To our chagrin, we now equate high prices to quality and efficiency. Our educational system is witnessing some efforts to turn it around but the impact of such efforts on the people is negative because of the cost. So, establishing new universities may be good to provide the much needed access but the intended objective is being rubbished by the cost given that our population today comprises largely\u00a0 the unemployed.<\/p>\n

This is one reason among many why Jonathan should need more than the prescriptions from some of the economists sponsored from western institutions who mill around him. Not that they are not good, but their emphasis on the exchange rate, foreign capital investment, price of petroleum, crude oil , sovereign wealth accounts and borrowing would always pose serious problems. Their approach is diverting attention from the real issues of affordable healthcare, education, good roads, power, positive job creation efforts through deep economic engineering that would bring back industries, making credit facilities available, and mechanized agriculture, so that there is food everywhere thereby making the economy an inventive and productive one. This is partly why increase in Gross Domestic Product, does not register a corresponding impact in the well being of citizens.<\/p>\n

So far, these experts don\u2019t think along these lines. They don\u2019t see the sense in building housing estates; the kind the military built all over the place, yet these are the small things that would make Nigerians\u00a0 happy, to cheer and clap. Jonathan has increased salaries and\u00a0 that is good. More of it should be undertaken. Workers need living wages to avoid corruption. More than that, we need industrialization. Our nation can control the markets in the whole of West Africa and this would mean a lot in employment opportunities and better wage standards. Let me say this, our problem is not basically about big government and the funds spent on emoluments. It has more to do with phantom contracts and bloated figures we put on white elephant projects. We over-inflate contracts and services, that is the problem. We also duplicate needs. Ministries and departments struggle to allocate funds for projects and routine matters that have nothing to do with real development. These are the issues. If I were President Jonathan with an eye for another term, I will listen to alternative views especially on economic standpoints and make labour leaders my best friends.<\/p>\n

The things that would make Nigerians smile and cheer are often the small and neglected things. For instance, the voices of dissent from Niger-Delta could be much about a supposed son, who is not reaching \u201cdown\u201d enough. I have heard those who say Jonathan should be a Nigerian leader not a regional chieftain and laugh. The contradiction here is that those who talk and write most about someone being tribal are themselves the worst. They act their culture always and believe in it. They defend it with their blood, but let another person do same and it becomes a misnomer. I have said it before and wish to say it again; there is nothing wrong for anybody to be a true son of his father. Those who develop split personalities end up disgracing themselves. In true life, when we celebrate and our friends come, unknown to us the first thing they try to find out is our relationship with our people and how much they accept us. I am one of those who believe that federalism means sharing our strengths and weaknesses, and aggregating our peculiar interest in a peaceful, harmonious atmosphere for the common good. This is why I would hardly describe anybody as a tribalist . You won\u2019t make relevant contributions at the centre,if you don\u2019t know your people and they don\u2019t trust you to know what their inner feelings and desires are. Let all our leaders find quality ways of reaching out to their people, without compromising the Nigerian vision. That\u2019s how it should be.<\/p>\n

On security, the efforts so far are commendable but\u00a0 peace would not come by guns. I have in past articles asked the president to make it an all party affair. He should publicly and privately engage the real power brokers from the north. The leadership from the north has not played enough roles on this issue of security.\u00a0 Talking only about amnesty gives an impression that some people set out to achieve parity with the people of Niger-Delta. This approach is certainly not healthy. On corruption, most of the evils that were exposed were not committed by this administration. Most of\u00a0 them\u00a0 had been on for God knows when. Jonathan deserves credit that more exposures have been made under his watch. Yet, some degree of seriousness need be seen.<\/p>\n

Indeed, a platform is been constructed, from where we can launch into the deep. What is left is for us to push to expand the frontiers not by insults or playing down what has been achieved but through pure motives and then placing higher demands. I don\u2019t believe in harassing incumbents. My strategy which I place before the Nigerian people is\u00a0 we should learn to prepare early for the next elections. We often don\u2019t ask questions before we give away power. What we should do is to resolve that henceforth, those who want power should tell us in clear terms what their policies would be in all areas of our lives. If you will sell away government properties, say so. If you won\u2019t build roads and wait for private companies to build and then collect big fees, say so. If you will build, you tell us the roads and the timeframe. Above all, reject those who did not do well. That\u2019s how nations that want progress go about it. We don\u2019t do these and yet expect progress. If you ask me as an ordinary Nigerian, I will say Jonathan has worked hard and scored some vital points amidst great odds. If I were to speak as an Igbo, I will say given the way Ojukwu was buried and recently Chinua Achebe, Jonathan has been very fantastic. After all, development is not only about physical things alone. On a more serious note, President Jonathan is working hard, just like his foes are many and his critics are powerful. The time for verdict would be some months after he has celebrated his third year anniversary. That is the way it should go if truly we are practicing democracy.<\/p>\n

\u2022Concluded<\/p>\n

————————————————————————————————————————-
Posted in Nigerian Newspapers. <\/a>A DisNaija.Com<\/a> network.<\/p>\n

Source: The Sun Newspaper<\/p>\n

DisNaija.Com<\/b> publishes regular posts on Nigeria News,<\/a> Nigerian Newspapers,<\/a> Online Nigeria Gist.<\/a><\/p>\n

Follow us on Twitter<\/a> and Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Nigerian Newspapers<\/a>
\n
\nFollow @Dis_Naija<\/a>
\n