Nigerians In Diaspora Pledge Support For Jonathan  

Nigerians In Diaspora Pledge Support For Jonathan  

Nigerians in Diaspora have pledged their support for President Goodluck Jonathan's people-oriented policies and programmes.

A spokesman, the coordinator of Nigeria Initiative for Development (NNID), a non-government organisation, Chief Peter Mozie, who made the pledge at a news conference in Abuja , applauded the laudable and pragmatic policy initiatives of the government.

Challenges to be tackled 

He, however, urged the President to tackle the challenges in the education sector.

In his words, “we urge Jonathan to tackle with great urgency, the rot in our educational system as well as create a credible and visible framework for free and fair elections, we want him to improve security of lives and property as well as create employment for our teeming youths and graduates.''

Mozie said members of NNID were in the country for the first time and that they were spurred by the government's unique and purposeful agenda to help create and foster a better Nigeria .

He applauded Jonathan's policy initiatives as contained in the 2011 budget proposal, saying they would address decaying national infrastructure.

According to the coordinator, Nigerians in Diaspora believe in the political and economic agenda of President Jonathan.

Mozie, therefore, called on all Nigerians and political groups to give the support necessary to reform the administrative structure of INEC.

He said this could be done through comprehensive consultation with civil society organisations, political parties and relevant experts.

Positive change

President Goodluck Jonathan said that the policies and programmes of his administration have put Nigeria firmly at the threshold of positive change.

He challenged all Nigerians to join the train for change and specifically urged those in the Diaspora to take advantage of the current climate to come home and invest.

The president said that the democratic structures for free and fair elections were in place while economic policies and development projects were receiving prime attention.

He said the 2011 budget, which has large provision for job creation through major infrastructural projects, was part of the efforts of the government to further develop the nation.

Jonathan said that he was working hard to get the Diaspora Commission Bill passed to enable the government to tap the huge human capital in the Diaspora for the development of Nigeria .

About 60 members of NNID, a non-partisan, Pan-Nigerian NGO, representing more than 400 Nigerians living in the United States , UK , Sweden , Netherlands , Russian Federation , Republic of South Africa and Canada are visiting Nigeria for the first time.

NAN/Evelyn/Qasim/Yinka