Governance in Nigeria: President Goodluck Jonathan Speaks and I Quote!

[MyInfoStride]

I am not unmindful of the escalation of violence in Plateau state and have ordered the Chief of Defence Staff to immediately take charge of securing the state. I met with the Governor on Tuesday to ensure collaboration with the State Govt to keep the peace. We must also foster understanding between the feuding communities and the SGF has been directed to collate all reports of previous committees set up to look into the recurring crisis in Plateau State for review and timeous implementation.

- GEJ

[MyInfoStride]

Recall that I informed you that inflation dropped from 10.2% in June to 9.4% in July. I am pleased to say that the inflation rate again dropped to 9.3% in August as confirmed by the CBN and independent international organizations. This is as our economy grew by 7.72% in the second quarter. As we tighten fiscal and monetary policies and direct resources to education (which has the highest allocation in the budget), power and roads, we will also see similar growth in our developmental indices.

- GEJ

[MyInfoStride]

The plight of the common man is my priority and this is the reason why I have ensured that education and healthcare get the lion's share of the capital allocation in the 2011 budget. And though we are not there yet, we are seeing some results. For instance, I just returned from the UN where that world body confirmed that maternal mortality in Nigeria has reduced by 42% between 2008-2011. This is only a beginning as this administration is committed to doing all within available resources to ensure the well being of the common man.

- GEJ

[MyInfoStride]

My priority is to ease the burden of the masses by improving on our infrastructure most notably power and though this is far from being enough, I am nonetheless gratified that we are now generating 4,242.7MW of electricity which is the highest this nation has ever generated. We will improve on this. Today, however, I need your feedback. Has the power situation in your area improved, remained the same or deteriorated? Please let me know so I can take your views into consideration in making policy decisions.

- GEJ

[MyInfoStride]

I wish all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora a happy independence day celebration. May God bless you all and may God bless Nigeria.

- GEJ

President Goodluck Jonathan's address to the Nation 1st Oct 2011. Watch the video below:

Ustream - You're ON - Live Streaming Video

[MyInfoStride]

Having personally taken a ride on one of the Nigerian Railway Corporation's Mass Transit Train services which have now been extended to selected routes nationwide, I want to get your feedback on this service. Apart from the Mass Transit service, the NRC has also begun the haulage of heavy goods such as cement to ease the burden on our road networks. Have you been on these trains? Have you seen them? Please let me know your views so I can take them into consideration in making further policies in the transportation sector.

- GEJ

[MyInfoStride]

I launched the Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YouWin) Initiative yesterday where the Ministry of Finance working in concert with other ministries laid down details of how Nigeria will generate jobs for her youth. You elected me and I work for you and took note of your complaints over the workers affected by the Airtel saga and I mandated the Minister of Labour to ensure justice is done. Those efforts have borne fruit and the workers are to be recalled. It is my desire to create new jobs and keep old jobs in Nigeria and no job is too small for the FG to pass over when it comes to keeping jobs in Nigeria.

- GEJ

[MyInfoStride]

I know that what the youth of Nigeria want are jobs, jobs and more jobs and I and the government I lead are committed to playing our part in creating jobs and opportunities for young Nigerians which is why I launched the Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YouWin) initiative yesterday. This clip from the NTA gives you an insight into this initiative and you can get further information on the website youwin.org.ng.

- GEJ

[MyInfoStride]

Today, my team and I are holding the final session of the Presidential Retreat with the Private Sector. I have tried my best to make sure every sector is represented. We have Captains of Industry and SMEs present. However, we do not have the space for everyone, but if you are an employer of labour in the Private Sector and have a question, do ask it here. I will select two which will be answered at the retreat.

- GEJ

[MyInfoStride]

This week we kicked off the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) which is a vehicle initiated by this administration to secure the future economic well being of Nigeria and Nigerians by investing in Infrastructure, ensuring future availability of investment capital through creative investments in long term assets and insuring the integrity of future budgets by setting aside funds to be used as last resorts... to ensure fiscal stability. We have provided a seed capital of $1 billion to kick start the fund as well as established three sub funds- the Nigeria Infrastructure Fund; the Future Generations Fund and the Stabilisation Fund which will be the pillars of the SWF. It is time to start creating wealth and opportunities for generations of Nigerians yet unborn because we all know that they will be born. We also must creatively stimulate job creation for the current generation of Nigerians and we have begun to make progress in that regard with initiatives like the Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YouWin) initiative, a planned reduction in recurrent expenditure and an unprecedented first line allocation for education in the Appropriation Act. We must make those necessary sacrifices that will prepare Nigeria for a changing world where investments flow to the most desirable locations and in doing this the buck stops with me.

- GEJ
Friday,21st October, 2011 at 9:53am