Jonathan says Nigeria not a failed State  

“There is no greater responsibility than service to the nation....’’ Jonathan

Jonathan says Nigeria not a failed State  

Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed insinuations that Nigeria was a failed State.

President Jonathan, who was speaking at the official inauguration of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Thursday in Abuja, noted with delight that Nigeria was blessed with talented and hardworking people.

He said: “We are a country of talented people who have the capacity to address whatever challenges our country may be facing now.

“Other nations have passed through their own trying moments. In no way is our experience peculiar.’’

Jonathan told the ministers that they were carefully selected to serve at a most trying and challenging period of the nation’s history.

According to him, some of the ministers were returning to their old portfolios not just for continuity, but also for the consolidation of projects and processes embarked upon in the administration.

He charged them to give proper account of their stewardship to the people at all times. 

“I believe that this cabinet is made up of men and women who can drive our transformation programme and work hard to make Nigeria better,’’ the president stressed.

He frowned at reported cases of threats of assassination of nominees, their families and friends as well as campaigns of calumny to discourage them from serving in the government.
Expected transformation

He noted that service to the nation was a patriotic duty that every citizen must look up to, and support. In his words; “there is no greater responsibility than service to the nation.’’

He challenged the ministers to be the change agents that Nigerians craved.

Dr Jonathan noted that there were expected to stabilise power supply in the country as a minimum pre-condition for strengthening national productivity.

The president listed other expectations to include, generating employment for the unemployed youth; revolutionising the agricultural sector, ensuring food security for the people, sanitizing the oil and gas sector, provision of good roads, a more qualitative public school system as well as more efficient public health and transportation systems, among others.

“These expectations cut across all sectors. Most importantly, we are expected to protect life and property and guarantee the welfare and happiness of all Nigerians,’’ Jonathan said.

President Jonathan warned that his administration could not afford to disappoint the people.

NAN/Williams