Nigeria @ 54: My govt has delivered – Jonathan

Jonathan & wife cut the anniversary cake, flanked by Namadi Sambo, former Interim President,Yakubu Gowon & David Mark as they celebrate Nigeria’s 54th independence anniversary. .

President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, on the occasion of the country’s 54th independence anniversary gave his administration a passmark for delivering on most indicators of good governance.

In a nationwide broadcast to mark the anniversary, President Jonathan also called on members of the Boko Haram sect to lay down their arms and embrace peace, saying anybody who has genuine grievances would be heard.

He said the country will ensure the safety of every Nigerian, adding that the country’s armed forces need support to fight the terrorists.

But the President’s award of a pass mark to his administration came on a day the Mo Ibrahim Foundation released the 2014 Ibrahim Index of African Governance,  IIAG, which ranked Nigeria 37th out of 52 in the overall governance scale, rating the nation 45.8 per cent lower than the African average (51.5 per cent). The country scored lower than the regional average for West Africa which stands at 52.2 per cent and ranked 12th out of 15 in the region.

According to the President, his administration is committed to making Nigeria safe for all Nigerians, irrespective of their places of birth, religion and political persuasions.

“To all those waging war against our country, I ask that you lay down your arms and embrace peace. To those who have genuine grievances, I affirm that Nigeria will listen to you, if you bring your grievances to the table of dialogue,” he said.

He reassured Nigerians that his administration remains committed to the “task of building a better and greater country.”

While noting that his administration has made remarkable progress in bequeathing a better Nigeria to generations yet unborn, the President regretted that the accomplishments do not call for celebration yet because “Nigeria is still in a sober moment.

“In my address to the nation last year, I did emphasize that we were in a sober moment in our country. We are still in that mood in spite of the many accomplishments of our administration.

“Our sombreness has to do with the crises of nationhood occasioned by the activities of terrorist elements who have done the unimaginable to challenge our unity as a people,” the President said.

He assured Nigerians that the terrorists waging war on the country would fail as they do not mean well for anyone.

He said their deliberate attack on the weakest and most vulnerable in society underscores their depraved minds.

Confab recommendations’ll be implemented

Speaking on the 2014 National Conference whose recommendations have been submitted to the government, President Jonathan  promised that the recommendations of the conference would be implemented.

While admitting that the nation’s 54 year-journey had not been easy, he said the Nigerian spirit and the unflagging resilience of Nigerian peoples have seen the nation through.

“We will continue to march forward to greater heights,” he promised.

The President pointed out some of his achievements but promised that these would be built upon in the interest of the nation.

On the forthcoming  2015 general elections, President Jonathan enjoined the political class not to use the contest for positions to destroy the polity.

“The contest for the leadership of our country must yield good governance, and not ungovernable spaces. The love of country should rank higher than our individual ambitions.

“We must remain committed to a united and indivisible Nigeria within democratic parameters. The protection of individual rights, liberty, equality before the law, freedom of thought, and a progressive pursuit of a sound economy must be our goal.

“As we look forward to another year in our national life, I am more than confident that our tomorrow will be better than our yesterday and today. Nigeria has got the human and material resources to excel and we shall lead the way in that journey to our manifest destiny.

“Fellow countrymen, brothers and sisters, in all our plans, and in all our words and our actions, we must stand together in love and unity, as one people under God” he said.

Guards parade, highlight of celebration

President Goodluck Jonathan later led former Heads of State, the leadership of the National Assembly, the judiciary and other top government officials to celebrate the nation’s 54th independence anniversary at an event which was held at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, which featured the Presidential Change of Guards and colours  Parade.

The parade was performed by men of the 177 Battalion, Presidential Guards Brigade, Keffi in Nasarawa.

Other features of the colourful event included inspection of new guard/quarter guard, silent drill, posting of sentries/colour patrol and echelon reporting of parade, among others.

Others were foot and arms drill, rhythmic and calculated steps and checking of weapons to ensure they were clean and that rounds of arms were not left in them.

At the end of the parade, Jonathan signed the independence anniversary register and released pigeons to signify peace.

He was accompanied by the President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark; Service Chiefs; the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, and other dignitaries.

Among other dignitaries at the event were former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), and former Head of the defunct Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; former Vice President Alex Ekwueme; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Emeka Ihedioha, and  former Chief of General Staff,  Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya (rt).

Speaking on Nigeria’s independence, General Gowon said that the country will overcome its challenges and remain indivisible beyond 2015.

“I believe in Nigeria. I love Nigeria, and we all must work for Nigeria; that is everybody, including the government and the opposition, in order to make Nigeria great. That is my wish,” he said.

President of the Senate, Senator David  Mark expressed optimism that the future was bright for the country, adding that Nigeria would come out of its current challenges stronger and more united.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha noted that the “Division is not an option for us. We must resolve to commonly address our common enemies and collectively decide that we should make Nigeria a great country.”

Nigeria badly governed — IIAG

Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) has rated Nigeria as  one of the worst governed countries in Africa. In its 2014 report which was released on Monday, Nigeria is rated 45.8 per cent lower than the African average (51.5 per cent) and ranked 37th out of 52 in the overall governance scale. The country scored lower than the regional average for West Africa which stands at 52.2 percent and ranked 12th out of 15 in the region.

Nigeria received poor ratings in categories such as safety and the rule of law where it is rated 44th with 38.1 per cent, 32nd in the rule of law with 41.0 percent and 30th in accountability with 36.6 percent.

Nigeria got its lowest rating in personal safety where it is ranked 49th with 16.5 per cent and second lowest in national security where it is ranked 48th with 58.2 per cent.

Under participation and human rights, it is rated 26th with 46.9 per cent, 31st on sustainable economic opportunity with 43.3 per cent and 34th in human development with 53.0 per cent.

With a population of 173.6 million and population growth rate pegged at 2.8 percent, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, is put at $3013.3 USD, while inflation and unemployment rates stand at 8.5 percent and 13.7 percent, respectively.

While Nigeria got the damning rating by the IIAG, Mauritius is adjudged the best governed country in Africa, with 81.7 per cent, followed by Cape Verde, with 76.6 percent.

Ghana is rated 7th; Rwanda 11th; Benin Republic 18th; Egypt 26th; Mali 28th; Niger, 29th; Liberia; 31st; Cameroun 34th and Togo 36th; all ahead of better endowed Nigeria.

Other countries that made it to the top of the list included Botswana which is rated the third best governed country in the continent with 76.2 percent and South Africa which comes fourth with 73.3 percent.

IIAG is sponsored by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, MIF, a non-grant making organisation committed to defining, assessing and enhancing governance and leadership in Africa.

It presents annual assessments of the quality of governance in African countries. It also provides the framework for citizens, governments, institutions and the private sector to assess accurately the delivery of public goods and services, and policy outcomes, across the continent.

The Founder and Chair, Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Mo Ibrahim said the 2014 IIAG has revealed discrepancies in governance performance between countries and within the four conceptual categories.

“More than ever, these discrepancies call for an Afro-realist approach, which tempers historical Afro-pessimism and current Afro-optimism,” Mr. Ibrahim said.

To have a true grasp of African realities, he argued that one must reject the “one-size-fits-all” attitude, which he said, reduces the continent geographically or governance conceptually, in favour of a more granular approach.