Jonathan Is Ready, Will Transform Nigeria, Minister Assures - The Guardian

[TGD]

President Goodluck Jonathan will surpass the expectations of Nigerians who want him to transform the economy and improve their lot, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, assured yesterday.

The minister spoke in Lagos during a courtesy visit to the Rutam House of The Guardian Newspapers.

He said that unknown to many Nigerians, President Jonathan "is an intensely focused leader, who though not given to much speech, is most committed to transforming to something wonderful the nation called Nigeria."

Jonathan, according to the minister, recognises more than anybody else, the enormity of the debt he owes Nigerians, having enjoyed an unprecedented pan-Nigerian mandate in the recently concluded elections.

According to the minister, some underrate him, wondering how he is going to perform or what he can he do to turn around the country, but "having worked with him in the last one year, I can tell you that, he is fully ready for the job."

He therefore solicited the cooperation of the nation's press in constructive criticism, agenda setting and other constructive engagements to achieve the dream of a great Nigeria.

"The president is ready, willing, capable and committed to making a difference, " Maku declared.

Responding on behalf of The Guardian's team, which included the Executive Director, Mr. Toke Alex-Ibru and the Editor and Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Debo Adesina, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Emeka Izeze, reiterated the commitment of the newspaper to the unity and sovereignty of the country, stressing that it was more than ready to partner the Jonathan-led government to birth a new Nigeria.

Izeze recalled the days of healthy competition among the different regions and urged the Jonathan administration to find ways of reviving such a progressive spirit of competitiveness, which led to giant strides in the 1960's.

"We (The Guardian) owe allegiance to the sovereignty and progress of Nigeria and in this you (Jonathan government) have us as partner...

"The president cannot provide everything, but he can ginger every one of us, every governor – irrespective of party affiliations – to surmount all national problems."

Adesina drew the attention of the minister to the overwhelming goodwill, which Jonathan enjoys from Nigerians, judging by the mandate given to him at the polls.

He therefore charged the president (with his cabinet) not only to appreciate the enormous responsibility on his shoulder but to also, "ride the crest of goodwill to achieve our nationalistic dreams and ideals."

"The last elections showed that Nigerians are no fools, that they are discerning and above all, they want a great country. Does the president appreciate the enormous responsibilities that that historic election (comparable to the June 12 polls) places on him?" Adesina asked.

Earlier, the minister had also recalled the tense days of military dictatorship, noting that his visit was a homecoming.

He, however, urged the media to report the Nigerian situation with hope and not pessimism.

"We are not where we should be, but we can't look down on what we have achieved so far," he stressed, noting that "the job of building the nation from where we are today and projecting our nation positively belongs to every journalist. We are in this together."

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