GIST: Why Jonathan’s administration is the best!

President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has again and again been questioned and compared with that of the previous administrations Nigeria has had over the years. Opinionistic voices in various corner of the federation has spoken about it, with varying views and conflicting analysis drawn to drive home their individual points. Couple of days ago i conducted a public opinion on the
Jonathan’s administration in comparison with other administrations, most of the people that spoke to believe that there are no basis for comparison. Their argument is that it’s only in Jonathan’s administration that the Nigerian people have actually experienced and still experiencing true freedom; the first time in many years that our foreign policies has gained a positive image of Nigeria and Nigerians, so much so that other country nationals are beginning to treat Nigerians with more regard and respect.
Some also believed that when it comes to the long-aged unsolvable electricity issue, that Jonathan’s concept and approach is at the verge of stabilizing power in the country. More people today unlike in the past, speak of the constant power supply in their homes. This is one area other presidents has eaten the nation dry without anything to show for it.
Querying hard on Jonathan’s uncared attitude towards corruption and its practicers, they argue that corruption is an abstract phenomenon that needs intelligence to stem. However, that Jonathan’s administration unlike the previous ones, is going for the ROOT and not the STEM.

Realistically speaking, their points to some extent seem valid however, some individual like myself may have certain reservations to this. To speak pragmatically about it, the situation will require concrete and tangible analysis. As much as Jonathan is not the cause of every problem that Nigeria has, he is the big gun behind the moulded powder and thus, holds the master key that can unlock the issue and set things on right footings.

Jonathan’s administration is the best not because he has succeeded where his predecessors failed, but because he has continued to gradually making unexpected giant strides even in the midst of trials and controversies that threatens the unity of Nigeria as a nation. Because he has a well conceptualized plans that could translate into actionable results if giving the chance or opportunity to implement them. Because unlike others, he understands the principles of political and social diplomacy, and knows exactly when to apply them. The only reason am rooting for him to return come 2015 is so he can have time to continue and finish what he began. Drawing a bucket from the well of history tells us that if a new leader ascends to the presidential seat, he will spend half of his time trying to undo everything that Jonathan has done, he will fire and hire, cancel and award projects, and will work to discredit the past administration, Jonathans’, without making any real addition into the system and before he knows it,four year will be gone and he will want a re-election.

Looking hard at the crop of politicians that fills the sphere, most especially in the APC, the best contesting opponent that the PDP have, none of them deserves to be president -Tinubu, Buhari, Fashola etc., they are all child’s play politicians. President Jonathan has a better game to play amongst these individuals and it will be nice if the likes of Boko Haram and other waring groups give Nigeria a chance by giving President Goodluck Jonathan a chance.


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MAJOR ECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE JONATHAN ADMINISTRATION





The Economy



    Improvement in Economic Indices - In October 2011 International Ratings agency, Fitch Ratings revised the country’s Outlook upwards from Negative to Stable.



    Standard and Poor’s another internationally respected and independent ratings agency, revised Nigeria's ratings from stable to Positive.



    Signing into law the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Bill 2010 (Local Content Bill) which has increased Local Content in the Oil and Gas sector.



    Ø As a direct result of that law Royal Dutch Shell awarded a N7.8 billion ($49.9 million) contract to a Nigerian firm, S.C.C Limited, for the manufacture of high pressure line pipes that would otherwise have been awarded to a foreign firm.



    Ø As a result of this law, Exxon Mobil awarded an off shore platform contract to a local firm, NigerDockNig. PLC that would otherwise have been awarded to a foreign firm.



    Initiating the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF). A seed capital of $1 billion was provided to kick start the fund as well as establish three sub funds- the Nigeria Infrastructure Fund; the Future Generations Fund and the Stabilization Fund which will be the pillars of the SWF.



    Launched the Youth Enterprise with innovation in Nigeria (YOUWIN) initiative on the 11th October 2011 which is the administration's job creation centre piece.



    Ø On Thursday April 12, 2012, 1,200 Nigerian youths emerged winners of the competition following a transparent process. Each winner receives a business start up grant of between 1 to 10 million Naira.



    Foreign exchange reserves rose to $37.02bn by May 14, 2012, the highest level in 21 months.



    On March 29th, 2011, The UK Government in London described Nigeria as the fourth fastest growing economy in the world.



    On February 13 2012, President Goodluck Jonathan launched the Public Works Women and Youth Empowerment Programme, an intervention programme designed to employ 370,000 youths in the year 2012 with 30% of those jobs being reserved for women.



    The Federal Government under President Jonathan has secured investment commitments worth 4.89 Trillion Naira.



    Launched the NigComSat-1Rsatellite which will help expand Internet Bandwidth, monitor the weather and provide early warning to prevent natural disasters like floods, crop monitoring and urban planning. It has the attendant benefit of reducing the over $1 billion spent in purchasing Internet Bandwidth from abroad.



    Nigeria’s banking industry rescued and stabilized by the establishment of the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) in the year 2010.



    MasterCard made Nigeria its regional headquarters for its West/East and Indian Ocean islands zone raising the profile of Nigeria’s e-commerce industry.



    Nigeria’s GDP grew by a record 8.29% during the last quarter of 2010 and by over 7% in 2011. In the first quarter of 2012 Nigeria had verifiably become the fourth fastest growing economy in the world as recently attested to by several multilateral bodies and trading partners.



    Revival of the Textile industry via the 150 billion Naira Textile Industry Bailout. As a result the United Nigerian Textile Limited was reactivated amongst others and 2000 employees re-engaged.



    Non oil exports from 2010 (standing at $2.3 Billion) and subsequent years are ten times what they were in 2000 (which were $200 Million) as a direct result of this administration’s intervention in the Textile Industry and Real Sector.