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

[MyInfoStride]

In furtherance to my directive that Nigerians stranded in Libya be immediately evacuated, I want family and friends of the victims to know that 500 of the 2000 stranded victims have landed in Abuja while the rescue operation will go on until everyone willing to return is brought back safely. Under my watch there will be no Nigerian left behind in troubled zones.

- GEJ

[MyWorld]

Half A Million Reasons To Listen To You, by Goodluck Jonathan
Monday, March 7, 2011 at 7:24pm

I would like to address the question asked by Constant Nosa Olotu who asked if I read the comments on this page and what impact they have on me. When I created this profile on June 28th, 2010, I had the intention of bypassing the protocol that surrounds me and communicating directly with the Nigerian people. And I have dutifully done this consistently and this has been probably one of the most rewarding experiences in my life as a public servant because I am now able to know what the Nigerian people think on any given issue. So to answer Nosa directly, yes, I read your comments. I obviously cannot read all due to the number, but I take my time to skim through comments.

If you look at several decisions I have taken, it would be apparent to the observant that this is really the case. Over the months, I have taken my facebook friends comments into account in decisions I have taken concerning national football, security, economic policy and foreign affairs. Someone said, I made history by being the first Presidential candidate in the world to make a declaration of my intention to contest on facebook! This goes to show you the level of importance I attach to those who have taken the time to not only be my friends on facebook but to make comments and draw my attention to issues that I would hitherto not been made aware of. For example, I learnt about the property Nigeria owns in San Francisco, California through one of you, a youth named Tuokpe Onuwaje and was able to take appropriate action as a result of that knowledge. I have also received on the spot information about disturbances and other happenings from eye witnesses on this page and this has shortened government's response time.

Beyond your comments here, I also take time to visit your external sites where you provide links to them on this profile and I busy myself with learning from your perspectives on Nigeria. I particularly enjoy visiting the Nigeria Village Square (Nigerian Village Square).  Even though most of the comments there tend to be critical I have found that truth abounds more in criticism, especially where it is constructive, than in praise. I must commend this site and its operators.

If you recall, I did mention on this page that I want my mind to be plugged into yours and yours into mine in much the same manner as the world wide web is connected to everyone via the Internet so that we can make government in Nigeria an information super highway that functions for the sole purpose of making Nigeria a much better place than we met it.

Today, over half a million Nigerians are friends of mine on this profile. Nothing could bring me more joy particularly as my friends cut across every nook and cranny of this great country and every strata of society. From  all of you on this page I draw inspiration and get ideas that help me govern better and love Nigeria more.

Finally, it is not lost to me that very few world leaders have as many as half a million friends. In fact, I am advised that only President Barack Obama has more fans than I among elected Presidents. For this I am very grateful to you my friends and I am further inspired to give heed to your comments and questions on this page. Thank you.

- GEJ
Half A Million Reasons To Listen To You | Facebook.

[MyInfoStride]

I need to say this very clearly. I want your votes so I can emerge as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria after the election, however, my ambition does not take priority over the life of even one Nigerian. There MUST be no violence in the April elections! No one who means well for Nigeria will advocate violence under any pretence. I call on Nigerians to be discerning and shun any calls to violence.

- GEJ

[MyWorld]

I have been campaigning round Nigeria but I intend to carry ALL Nigerians along in my plans as such I am sending representatives to Diaspora Nigerians to brief them and take questions. The 1st session is this Monday, 14th of March in California, by 7PM at the Courtyard Marriott, 5555 Shellmound St, Emeryville Ca 94608. I will be represented by my SSA on Strategy, Oronto Douglas. RSVP to 1-510-837-8337.

- GEJ

[MyInfoStride]

As I said in Benin City, I pledge with your help to expand on our present achievement of delivering adequate petroleum products all over Nigeria at the same price by increasing Nigeria's refining capacity. With your support we will end gas flaring and instead use the gas to power electricity plants and set up fertiliser factories leading to more jobs.

- GEJ

[MyInfoStride]

Politics should not lead to criminality. I have been going round Nigeria selling detailed ideas and plans because the world is what it is today due to the power of ideas. Nigeria's case will not be different. Because of an idea we have electricity, the motor car and aeroplanes. When we are at a campaign rally call for ideas and issues not threats and incitement to violence.

- GEJ

[MyInfoStride]

When I began this journey seeking your votes I committed myself to promising less and delivering more. I promised to reduce pressure on roads by expanding on aviation and rail infrastructure and to this end I commissioned 25 new rail coaches following which my entourage and I journeyed by rail from Lagos to Abeokuta. When I promise I will deliver.

- GEJ

[MyInfoStride]

As I have stated on this page, I am committed to ensuring social justice and restoring the dignity of labour in Nigeria which is why I have signed into law the Minimum Wage Act which mandates every employer of labour to pay at least N18,000 per month to the least paid staff. We have to motivate to create wealth. We may have much or little but what little we have, must be shared more equitably.

- GEJ

[MyInfoStride]

At the Northern Economic Summit with Former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari (GCFR) Turakin Sakkwato, Chief Solomon Daushep Lar (CON) Walin Langtang, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (GCFR)-Because though a younger man may have more clothes than his elders, he can never have more rags.

- GEJ

[MyInfoStride]

There are only two types of people in Nigeria: Good or Bad and not Northerners or Southerners. Assess people by their character which they control not by their place of origin which they cannot control. God made us and placed us in the locality where we were born. To discriminate against any human based on place of origin is to question the wisdom of God. And the wisdom of God is beyond the wisdom of man.

- GEJ