President Jonathan Builds Roads To The Future by Uko and Murphy

The Nwokolo family in Lagos had just lost their patriarch. For convenience sake, a decision was taken to promptly take the corpse home to the South-East and take care of its embalming there pending the fixing of the burial date. A vehicle was chartered and two kinsmen accompanied the body. By 11 am, they were at Ore. They found themselves in a traffic jam and assumed that in a matter of minutes, they would get out of it. Six hours later, they had not moved an inch. Then they realized that they were trapped in Ore because of the terrible state of that portion of the Shagamu-Benin Expressway. Both sides of the dual carriage way were blocked by vehicles. Their vehicle could not even reverse and seek an alternative route inside Ondo State because of the long rows of vehicles behind.

Soon it was nightfall. The two men and the driver got worried. They ended up sleeping in the vehicle with the corpse. Then it was daybreak again. Still no progress. Another nightfall came and went. Then the corpse started to deteriorate. The men knew that their custom frowned at the body of a kinsman being buried away from home, but it made no sense to continue to stay with a decaying corpse in a vehicle. They consulted with their family members on the phone and it was agreed that the most practical thing to do was to ask for space in any bush nearby and bury the corpse. And that was what they did.

This is not fiction. This happened many times in Ore between 2005 and 2009. That portion of the road was so bad that when the then Minister of Transport, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, visited it in 2007, she wept profusely. It was a touching moment. Yet that road remained in a deplorable state until the emergence of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as President.

When President Goodluck Jonathan took office in May 2010, he was faced with numerous obstacles. Among those was Nigeria's crumbling infrastructure. It was not only the roads that were in such a sorry state. The railway was dead, the aviation was mediocre. Agriculture was abandoned. Education and health were stagnant. Local production was virtually non-existent. While some programmes were already in place when President Jonathan took office, he has taken strides that his predecessors never realized. He and his administration have made vast improvements on the roads, rail, power, aviation, and port systems. President Jonathan looks towards the future, hoping to achieve even greater feats.

Prior to President Jonathan's emergence, Nigeria's infrastructure had long been neglected. One focus of the president was to improve the roadways. Prior to President Jonathan taking office, several projects were conceived, but none was completed. Some of the projects are the Loko-Oweto Bridge, the Onitsha-Owerri roadway, the Vom-Manchok roadway, as well as over half a dozen other roadways that are still being reconstructed. Before the president got involved most of these projects had not gotten any further than the planning stages.

On March 10, 2014, President Jonathan performed the groundbreaking ceremony on the Second Niger Bridge that would link the cities of Onitsha and Asaba. This was another project that had previously been planned, but it remained in the cooler until President Jonathan stepped in. This is a major project, with the bridge itself measuring over 1,590 metres and forming part of an 11.90 km road project. At the ceremony, President Jonathan addressed the crowd, saying, "Today, I have come, as your President, to flag off of this vital Bridge project, in order to move that solemn pledge, from sincere promise to concrete reality."

The railway system was another major area of concern when President Jonathan initially took office. For more than 15 years, three major railways were moribund. Now, those lines are undergoing major rehabilitation. Work on several other lines has been completed, and the number of passengers that use the railways has increased from 1 million to over 5 million, on a yearly basis. Prior to the Jonathan administration, Nigeria's cargo freight services were nonexistent, but work has also now commenced in this area.

President Goodluck Jonathan has initiated a 25-year Railway Strategic Plan. This plan will allow the railway system to be revamped and revitalized now and well into the future. And for the first time in 100 years of railway in Nigeria, the eastern part of Nigeria will be connected to the west with a rail line that runs from Calabar through Onitsha, Benin City, Ore, to Lagos. On December 15, 2014 President Jonathan wrote on his Facebook page that, "I received the news that Nigeria's Inter-state High Speed Rail Project has been listed amongst the world's top 100 infrastructure projects with a sense of fulfilment that this administration's desire to link our commercial and administrative capitals is receiving global affirmation."

The power system in Nigeria is another area of the infrastructure that needed to be overhauled. President Jonathan launched the Roadmap to Power Sector Reform to design a strategy for improving service delivery, expanding capacity, and reforming a system that, in the past, has been one of the nations most stunted areas. President Jonathan states that these reforms will go a long way to determining whether Nigeria, "remains in darkness or joins the rest of the world in the race for development."

One major step in the power sector was privatization. The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) has been divided up into 11 Local Distribution Companies (LDC), 6 generation companies, and 1 transmission company. Two solar plants are under construction in Yobe and Kano, and the president has also managed to secure $3 billion for investments in expansion in the power sector through the year 2018.

During Jonathan's administration, the National Aviation Masterplan was developed and implemented. Under his watch, air safety has continually been improved with the implementation of cutting-edge navigational aids, Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), and Total Radar Coverage (TRACON). President Jonathan, since his term began, has overseen 22 airports being remodelled and 16 airports being designated for perishable cargo, where none of these existed in the past.

Among other things, Jonathan has developed five international airport terminals. There has also been the installation of an Accident Investigation and Analysis Laboratory in Nigeria, only one of four labs in Africa. Nigeria has now also earned a US Category 1 Certification, which implies that Nigerian registered aircraft can fly direct into USA destinations without any inhibitions.

The ports in Nigeria have always been hampered by government restrictions. President Jonathan has cut bureaucratic red tape and financial requirements, leaving 7 agencies at the ports, as opposed to the 13 prior agencies. Prior to the Jonathan administration, the clearing time for trouble-free cargo was 39 days. It has now been dramatically reduced to only 7 days. Daily Port Operations were consistently only 8 hours long, but now they operate 24 hours a day, the first time this has happened since 1970.

Before Jonathan came into office, less than half of Nigeria had access to portable water. Now more than 70% of the population (4.3 million Nigerians) enjoy clean water. 9 dams have been completed. The dredging of the Lower River Niger is done: number of passengers on the waterways has increased from 250k per year to 1.3 million passengers per year, and cargo shipments have increased from 2 million to 5 million.

President Goodluck Jonathan has initiated, improved, or built upon many different programmes to help revive and revitalize the infrastructure of Nigeria. The introduction of the SURE-P (The Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme) enabled an economic intervention designed to reduce the amount of subsidy paid on petroleum products. The savings realized through this programme are invested into improving the lives of all Nigerians by stimulating the economy and alleviating poverty through infrastructure programmes, human resource empowerment projects, and safety net projects.

Looking at the facts, it is easy to see the number of improvements that have been made to Nigeria's infrastructure since President Jonathan took office. As well as improving Nigerians' quality of life, the ongoing progress has created new jobs and helped to fund essential social and economic programmes. The greatest enemy to policies and projects is lack of continuity. Every new regime wants to discontinue the policies and programmes initiated by its predecessor. Most of President Jonathan's programmes are at foundation levels that a new government may truncate them and pull Nigeria backwards again. That is why another term for him will be in the interest of the growth and development of Nigeria.

With the upcoming election, President Jonathan has tried to stress the importance of continuing to improve Nigeria's infrastructure. In his eyes, he wants to continue with the progress until "Nigeria's infrastructure, be they roads, schools, airports or hospitals, are listed amongst the best in the world. And by God's grace, this will happen in the not-too-distant future."

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Aziza Uko is Executive Editor of The Trent. She is also Chief Executive of Ziza Group, a company she founded in 2009. She can be reached on Twitter at @azizauko.

Wayne L Murphy is an American writer who was born and raised in New York. Murphy can be reached on Twitter @WayneLMurphy

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ChibokGirls: It's Ten Months Now BY Abdulbaqi Jari Katsina

It is now Ten months since the abduction of over 200 girls in Chibok town, Borno state. Going by the song "four week, make one month", it has been Ten months since their abduction ( 280 days). But going by the counts using actual days of each month since April 14, then by 2nd of February, that will be Ten months since their abduction (194 days). But if using the Average of 30 days, then by 8 of February when the presidential debate is expected, then that will mark Ten months since their abduction.
    
Just like the Aboke girls abducted by the LRA in 1994, Chibok girls are gradually been forgotten  as election is drawing nearer, and the public attention has been diverted to the much discussed, controversial Presidential scheduled of 14 of February. The attention of the world is now on Nigeria now. A prosperous, secured and stable Nigeria means a stable Africa. While a chaotic, anarchist Nigeria is no doubt a serious concern to Africa and global security.

     
While insecurity is still at its zenith, the government should intensify its effort to make sure that those girls and all other Nigerians abducted are set free, protected and secured. The parents and relatives of people killed, abducted, wounded, uprooted fro their homes should not despair and loss hope, God willing, this shall come to pass and things will return normal.

    
Violence should have no more place in Nigeria. Whether pre or post election violence should not be allowed to happen or should it be encouraged. A road to a secured Nigeria can be through our votes. Disciplined, upright leaders should be elected at all levels irrespective of party affiliation. That will see us through and make our motherland proud and allow it to take its rightful place in the community of nations.
 
    
The counting, prayers and protest will not stop until #Chibok girls are set free, peace return to Nigeria, and until when Nigerians can sleep with both eyes closed.

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Comrade Abdulbaqi Jari Katsina
Katsina State
@littafi  
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Ghanaian Actress Speaks: Small Boobs Fit Perfectly In Bikinis Than Heavy Boobs

Ghanaian actress Nikki Samonas says she likes to flaunt her boobs since they are small and "it's easier to do that when they are small than when they are heavy".

"My boobs are trending...you can't even wear a bikini when they are heavy", she said.

"small boobs fit perfectly in bikinis than heavy boobs."

"People just seem happy about the things they acquire or achieve and I think they like to tell the world or share it".

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Source: myjoyonline.com
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Vote Me Into Power And Worry No More About Corruption, Insecurity, Unemployment in Nigeria

APC presidential hopeful, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), yesterday assured that he would focus mainly on tackling the problems of corruption, insecurity and economy if voted into power in the forthcoming polls.

Buhari affirmed that the party has succeeded in identifying the three major problems and would proffer solutions to them in other to better the lot of Nigerians.

According to LEADERSHIP, Gen Buhari remarked that the problem of unemployment bedevilling Nigerians would also be tackled headlong, pointing out that the biggest problem after insecurity is the unemployment of energetic youths who are more than 60 per cent of the population of this country.


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Declare Two Days PVC Collection Public Holiday, APC Tells Her Governors

The All Progressives Congress has directed all her controlled states in Nigeria to set aside two working days to allow public servants who are yet to pick their permanent voters' cards do so.
The two working days must be between February 1 and February 10, 2015.

The national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun stated this yesterday at the presidential rally of the party in Lagos State.

He said that the decision became imperative to allow many Nigerians pick their Permanent Voter's Cards.


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Reference: LEADERSHIP
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PDP Plans To Scuttle Elections, APC Alleges

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the Peoples Democratic Party and the President Jonathan-led government, to scuttle the 2015 general elections.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Media and Publicity of the campaign, Mallam Garba Shehu, in Abuja, on Thursday.

Shehu disclosed that the APC had it on good authority that the kernel of the plan was to use the subterfuge of the frivolous litigation by some people to get a court pronouncement to disqualify the APC candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).


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Source: The Punch
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The Naira Is Likely To Be Steady Next Week On Dollar Sales By Oil Companies

The naira is likely to be steady next week on dollar sales by oil companies, while East African currencies are expected to be supported by central bank interventions, Reuters has reported.

The naira is likely to trade around its present levels next week on the back of expected month-end dollar sales by some energy companies and intervention by the central bank.

The local currency has remained volatile in the wake of falling oil price and the exit of offshore investors in local debt and equity last year.

The naira was trading around 189.90 to the dollar on Thursday, same level it closed a week ago. The naira was however weaker than its Wednesday's close of 186 after dollar sales from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation buoyed the currency.

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Source: The Punch
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Aziza Uko: Fighting Corruption Differently And Getting Results

Do you think that corruption is worse in Nigeria now than some 10 years ago? Well, let us look at figures from the most reliable authority on that: Transparency International. Every year, Transparency International publishes the Corruption Perceptions Index.

Obasanjo's years
2000 – 90th out of 90
2001 – 90th out of 91
2002 – 101st out of 102
2003 – 132nd out of 133
2004 – 144th out of 146
2005 – 152nd out of 158
2006 – 142th out of 163

Jonathan's years
2011 – 143rd out of 182
2012 – 139th out of 174
2013 – 144th out of 175
2014 – 136th out of 174

A look at the figures shows that Nigeria is judged less corrupt now than in the President Olusegun Obasanjo's years in spite of the bravado of the then Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Many will find this hard to believe. Nigeria does not occupy an enviable position on the Corruption Perceptions Index, but it is obvious that Nigeria has made some progress. This progress is not by chance.

What does Transparency International see about Nigeria's fight against corruption that many Nigerians don't see? It's simple. Transparency International notices that unlike the showmanship of the past, more proactive measures are being taken today to prevent corruption rather than pursuing alleged offenders. For example, by registering 12 million farmers and contacting them directly through the e-wallet to collect fertilizer and improved seedlings, the government cut off middlemen who aid corruption. Consequently, there will be no need to spend time and resources pursuing, arresting, and prosecuting middlemen for fertilizer corruption.

Also, the ban on police checkpoints was a bold step that reduced the chance of the public witnessing extortion on the streets. The reduction in the number of agencies at the seaports and airports who inspect containers and cargoes and delay clearance of goods also caused a silent reduction of corruption in these areas.

The privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) was a source of reduction or elimination in corruption in that company known for its corruption.

And most importantly, the transparency of the general elections in 2011 and the elections in states like Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, and Osun was a plus for Nigeria. Since Jonathan came into office in 2010, there have been a reduction in electoral court cases. In addition, no governor has been sacked by the court for being wrongly declared the winner of an election.

As innocuous as these pre-emptive measures are, Transparency International sees them and they count in our favour during the rating.

Now look at these:
*  N400 billion in procurement fraud saved due to the strengthening of the Bureau for Public Procurement operations.
*  N370 billion of fraudulent oil subsidy claims identified by the presidential task force.
*  73,000 ghost pensioners deleted from the records by the police pension office.
*  200 properties such as hotels seized from corrupt public officials.
*  117 convictions secured by the EFCC just in 2013.

To many observers, these numbers appear like a beacon of light in the darkness of fraud, embezzlement, bribery, and theft. They represent some of the achievements the administration has been able to attain under President Goodluck Jonathan over the past few years.

This has not been an easy feat. It is no exaggeration to say that Nigeria has experienced a number of very tough years lately. 2014, especially, can rightly be called an annus horribilis: the unspeakable violence emanating from Boko Haram; the intimidating threat of Ebola to inflict human suffering on an unprecedented scale not only in Nigeria, but in Africa as a continent. These daunting challenges would be enough to bring the strongest of nations down to their knees.

In this truly difficult environment, it is even more remarkable that under the leadership of President Jonathan the fight against corruption has made further inroads in Nigerian politics, business, and society at large.

Corruption is a tough enemy to conquer. When you fight corruption, corruption fights back vigorously, vehemently, and viciously. More than just criminal behaviour by individual perpetrators, corruption must be viewed as a sociological phenomenon. It can pervade all of society, rich or poor, black or white, Christian or Muslim. It can be in the air we breathe and become a way of life.

Its consequences, though often not visible at first, are catastrophic. The political institutions as well as economic performance of corrupt countries deteriorate over time. The result is that eventually investors look for opportunities someplace else. In the words of Professor François Melese, writing on corruption in The Concise Encyclopedia of Economics: "By discouraging investment, corruption crushes economic growth and slashes per capita incomes. Corruption breeds poverty, and poverty kills. In other words, corruption kills."

Because it is such a powerful foe, the fact that President Jonathan's resolve to fight it is unshaken should be welcomed by all democratic forces in society. It is encouraging indeed that the President can be quoted as saying: "Let me put you on notice: the assignment of offices is not an allocation of privileges."

The fight against corruption will never be entirely over. No society on earth has been able to rid itself of it completely. But for contemporary Nigeria, not giving in to the evil forces of corruption is an integral part of its great transformation: one of the main building blocks for more prosperity, stability, and democracy.

President Jonathan himself said it best: "Democracy is a journey that every nation, mindful of advancing the liberty of its citizens, must undertake." This amounts to a paradigm shift that looks at the fight against corruption as a process, not an action authorities can take at will.

Thus, the advances of the Jonathan administration since the year 2010 are tangible. Significantly, for instance, the EFCC has been granted independence from the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice. This measure frees this pivotal authority in its fight against corruption from the influence of the political sphere. Full and true independence for the EFCC is of critical importance. Furthermore, the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) came alive recently. This will help to close one of the major avenues of public-sector corruption. More than 50 thousand ghost workers have been eliminated, saving the country next to N140 billion. In addition, those longtime staples of corruption in Nigeria, such as fertilizer subsidy fraud, PMS subsidy fraud, or pension fraud have been tackled. Several corrupt judges have been fired. For the first time, a system which monitors who the real recipients of agricultural subsidies are has been installed.

It is this plethora of measures successfully applied under President Jonathan that gives hope that the fight against corruption will continue unabated with him. Today, the facts tell us that President Jonathan is delivering on this promise he made a while ago: "The time of lamentation is over. This is the era of transformation. This is the time for action." President Jonathan must expand the scope and style of this fight against corruption, so that more results can be achieved.

But most importantly, we as individuals must take a decision to resist bribery and corruption in our own little corners. We must refuse to demand gratification before performing the duties for which we are paid salaries. From the journalist that demands a brown envelope to write his or her stories to the manager that demands a bribe to sign a document, corruption thrives. Corruption is not only a crime of those in political offices. Anybody in a small office who demands a small bribe now will demand a big bribe when in a big office.

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Aziza Uko is Executive Editor of The Trent. She is also Chief Executive of Ziza Group, a company she founded in 2009. She is award winning graduate of marketing and a marketing communications professional with over 16 years post graduation experience. She is a writer, editor, and music lover. She can be reached on Twitter at @azizauko
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Just In: PDP Lifts The Suspension Of Bamanga Tukur

The Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday announced the lifting of the suspension of a former Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu, announced the lifting of the suspension at the presidential rally of the party in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.

Tukur was suspended in December 2014 for dragging the party before the court in his attempt to reclaim the chairmanship of the party, where he was forced to resign in January last year.

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Source: The Punch


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