{"id":428270,"date":"2011-05-23T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2011-05-23T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/05\/23\/the-lessons-of-jonathan%e2%80%99s-visit-to-kwara\/"},"modified":"2011-05-23T06:00:00","modified_gmt":"2011-05-23T06:00:00","slug":"the-lessons-of-jonathans-visit-to-kwara","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/23\/the-lessons-of-jonathans-visit-to-kwara\/","title":{"rendered":"The lessons of Jonathan\u2019s visit to Kwara"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n<\/p>\n

Success Nwogu writes on the recent visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Kwara State and its lessons for the state.<\/span><\/p>\n

The working visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Kwara State on May 17 presented another golden opportunity for deep reflection on the need to ensure that the six geo-political zones of the country do not exist as mere nomenclature.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jonathan had said, \u201cThe Federal Government is committed to making sure that the six geo-political zones of the country are not just used for sharing of political offices but also for economic development and to position them for economic growth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Though the visit was used to inaugurate some projects implemented by the Dr. Bukola Saraki-led Kwara State Government, it also brought to the fore the need to brainstorm so as to fashion out a well structured, comprehensive and realisable national economic blueprint.<\/span><\/p>\n

The projects inaugurated by Jonathan include the International Cargo Terminal building, Ilorin, the International Aviation College, Ilorin, Kwara State University, Malete being built by Charvet Nigeria Limited, Mass Train Transit Scheme and Ilorin Water Works Project, Asa-Dam.<\/span><\/p>\n

It also once more reverberated the need for the leadership of the six geopolitical zones to strategize so as to embark on programmes and policies that would make the zones economically-strategic and viable and politically indispensable like the former three regions of the country: the Northern, Western and Eastern regions. The former three regions engaged in healthy competition that provided a tripod for the economic development and political wellbeing of the then Nigerian State.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jonathan, while inaugurating the International Cargo Terminal building said, \u201cThe Federal Government is committed to decongesting Lagos and making sure that the six geo-political zones of the country are not just used for sharing political offices but also for economic development to position them for economic growth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

While some zones of the current six geopolitical regions are becoming foresighted and have embarked on programmes that will enhance their regions and the member states to admirable economic hub centres and conodrums, some regions are still yet to wake up from their stupor.<\/span><\/p>\n

No doubt, as Saraki said, the inaugurated projects and others such as the Shonga Farms presented a landmark foundation for the socio-economic growth of Kwara State and the North-Central region. Some other states in the northern part of the country had also embarked on construction of dams and other policies and programmes aimed at boosting agriculture and other sectors of the economy.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the South-West, the Lagos State Government led by Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), had blazed the trail in socio-economic, environmental and industrial transformation of the state and by extension the South West Region.<\/span><\/p>\n

But sadly, little or nothing substantial could be said of the South East region. The states appear to still be far away from the current progressive efforts and realities and are yet to brace themselves for the task of rebuilding their economies and infrastructure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another significance of Jonathan\u2019s visit is the need to assess the long-lasting impact of some of the programmes, projects and policies of government on the welfare of the citizens and national growth. While some of the inaugurated projects will improve the welfare of the citizens and the enhance the educational, economic and political relevance of Kwara State, some projects raise serious concerns about viability, investment and contribution to the welfare of the majority of the people.<\/span><\/p>\n

An Ilorin resident who identified himself as Mallam Ibrahim Sanusi told our correspondent that he was really surprised at the locomotives bought for the Mass Train Transit Scheme. He said the train coaches would hardly have space in the western museums as the smoke emitted by the trains contribute to environmental pollution. He cynically said leaders in developed countries would never allow even their animals to be transported in such trains.<\/span><\/p>\n

If the assessment of Sanusi is anything to go by, observers wonder why such locomotives should be bought with taxpayers\u2019 money, used to convey them while the government commends itself for a \u2018laudable\u2019 achievement even today when the modern rail system is sophisticated and electronic. The long-term economic wisdom of such a venture becomes questionable as some people view it as another financial drain.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Chairman of the new multi-billion naira International Aviation College, Ilorin, Captain Edward Boyo, had while speaking to journalists during the inauguration, said the institution would help Nigeria train its professional pilots, engineers and aviation managers and even citizenss of other African countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, an industry stakeholder told our correspondent that the students of the institution are to pay about N7m for their training. If this is true, it would be necessary for the government to work out a way to subsidise the fees so that many prospective pilots and other personnel would be trained without necessarily lowering the quality of services offered by the institution.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another important lesson of the president\u2019s visit is the need to reorganise and restructure the nation\u2019s educational system to meet current challenges and realities. Jonathan, had while inaugurating the Kwara State University, Malete, said that it was sad that Nigerian universities were unable to admit all qualified and prospective students. He also said there was the need to urgently check the falling standard of education in the The Vice-Chancellor, KWASU, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na\u2019Allah, in his speech, encapsulated the need to have a functional and efficient wholistic education system that would enable graduates possess theoretical knowledge, skills and entrepreneurial capabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

While some applaud Saraki for bringing Jonathan to Kwara, others say it was meant to convince the residents that Saraki was still a power broker and in the good books of Nigerian kingmakers and the Federal Government. Yet, some people hold the view that it was a public relations gimmick meant to assuage Jonathan\u2019s feelings which were \u2018purportedly hurt\u2019 when Saraki dared to contest the presidential election.<\/span><\/p>\n

But of importance is the advice of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, who urged Jonathan to brace up to the task of giving purposeful and progressive leadership to Nigeria as the entire country was looking up to him for a transformation of the economy. He counselled the President to govern the nation as his entire constituency and ensure fair play, equity and justice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sulu-Gambari said, \u201cThe country is looking up to you (Jonathan) for greater things, especially the Niger Delta people. But do not allow them to influence you. We have problems of transportation and we have four means of transportation \u2013 road, air, water and rail. Try as much as you can to possibly make them functional again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI remember you promised us credible elections even if it would cost you your office and you have succeeded in doing that. Since you have humbled yourself, God has elevated you among other contestants. In the next four years that you will be in office, try as much as possible to turn things a round and make Nigeria work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

Taken from:
\nThe lessons of Jonathan\u2019s visit to Kwara<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Success Nwogu writes on the recent visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Kwara State and its lessons for the state. The working visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Kwara State on May 17 presented another golden opportunity for deep reflection on the need to ensure that the six geo-political zones of the country do not exist as mere nomenclature. Jonathan had said, \u201cThe Federal Government is committed to making sure that the six geo-political zones of the country are not just used for sharing of political offices but also for economic development and to position them for economic growth.\u201d Though the visit was used to inaugurate some projects implemented by the Dr. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":426816,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-428270","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-local-news"},"yoast_head":"\nThe lessons of Jonathan\u2019s visit to Kwara - Ghanamma.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/23\/the-lessons-of-jonathans-visit-to-kwara\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"The lessons of Jonathan\u2019s visit to Kwara - Ghanamma.com\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Success Nwogu writes on the recent visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Kwara State and its lessons for the state. 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