Jonathan, Mark Hopeful of New Nigeria

Posted by admin Legislature, National Politics, Presidency, Senate Saturday, January 1st, 2011

IN a blaze of promises of abundance, security and improved healthcare, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and other leaders yesterday ushered Nigerians into the New Year.

In his New Year message to the nation, President Jonathan pledged that his administration would work even harder in the coming months to ensure that ordinary Nigerians begin to feel the tangible benefits of the economic growth recorded by the country in recent years.

The President said the Federal Government would give particular attention to the effective implementation of the new national job creation scheme for which N50 billion has been earmarked in the 2011 Appropriation bill to create thousands of new jobs for the country’s unemployed youth.

He said that to further boost employment, his administration would also initiate a massive national public works programme in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory for the renovation, rehabilitation and upgrading of schools, medical facilities, roads and other public utilities.

President Jonathan said in addition to the N500 billion intervention fund, which had been established for the country’s power, manufacturing and aviation sectors, a $500 million facility would also be made available to support small and growing businesses.

Noting, however, that these and other measures being evolved by his administration to improve the quality of lives of Nigerians could only be effectively implemented in a secure, peaceful and politically stable environment, the President urged all stakeholders in the country to play positive roles in ensuring that next year’s general elections are conducted peacefully to further consolidate Nigeria’s status as a stable democracy.

Thanking all Nigerians for their support, loyalty and cooperation since his assumption of office in May, 2010, President Jonathan said that with their continued support and votes in the 2011 elections he and Vice President Namadi Sambo would continue to give dedicated and committed leadership to ensure that Nigeria moves much more rapidly towards the fulfilment of its immense capacity as a nation.

He wished all Nigerians a happy, prosperous and rewarding 2011.
The President of the Senate, David Mark, reiterated that a new Nigeria was still possible with the cooperation of all Nigerians.

In a New Year message issued on his behalf by his chief press secretary, Paul Mumeh, Mark expressed optimism that “we still have opportunities to rediscover ourselves and make progress.”

He maintained that the nation was well endowed with abundant human and materials resources needed to turn things around for good and urged Nigerians to keep faith.
According to him, the untapped resources in virtually all parts of Nigeria are clear indices of prosperity if well harnessed.

He listed clear-cut direction, defined programme of action, a determined leadership and good followership as the missing links, which Nigerians needed to put together in order to get to the destination, which the Almighty God has provided for the country.

Mark, however, according to the statement ‘’bemoaned the incessant cases of sectarian crisis, which have claimed thousands of our country men and women in recent times, lamenting that the situation has continued to put our economy in the reversed gear.’’

He added: “ These violent crises are avoidable and indeed needless. We cannot claim to be civilised or developing when our actions towards one another are animalistic and barbaric.”

He emphasised that “nations achieved greatness because of the industry, commitment, patriotism and unity among the citizens’’, stressing “We must collectively face the challenge today by having abiding faith in Nigeria because nobody is coming from the moon to develop our country for us.”

Beyond the security operatives, Mark pleaded with all Nigerians to re-enact the spirit of African brotherhood, peaceful co-existence and forgiveness.
Stressing the need for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, Mark pointed out that “no one is an island, we all need each other to survive as an individual and as a group.”

On 2011 general elections, the president of the Senate cautioned; ‘’It should be a game and not war. The desperation of some politicians and the tendency to see the polls as a do or die affair does not suggest anything maturity.

“Nigeria has weathered the storm, we have come a long way. We should be seen as model to other Africa countries. We must show maturity especially in this election. This is a task before all of us.”

He appealed to Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the forthcoming voters registration to register and participate in the electoral process and ensure that the concept of one man, one vote as well as ensuring that votes not only count but must be seen to have been counted.

-Guardianwp_posts