THE TASKS AHEAD OF GOODLUCK JONATHAN

By Austeen Elewodalu

 

Last Thursday, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan became Nigeria's fourth civilian President. Dr. Jonathan assumed Presidency after the death of President Yar'Adua from acute pericaditis, an inflammation of the membrane around the heart. Dr. Jonathan, who was elected Vice President in 2007, became Acting President last February after President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua took ill and was unable to perform his official duties. The new President is expected to serve out the rest of Yar'Adua's presidential term which expires on May 29, next year.

The smooth transition of power to Dr. Jonathan has ended months of anxiety over a seeming political crisis in Nigeria. The period from November 2009 when President Yar'Adua was flown to a medical facility in Saudi Arabia for treatment and last Thursday when Dr. Jonathan became President was characterized by political uncertainty and concerns about a looming constitutional crisis. However, Nigeria appears to have crossed the Rubicon with Jonathan's assumption of office as President.

Now that a new President has emerged, expectations of a change from the new leadership are high. The Nigerian people and the global community look forward to a vibrant leadership that would not only take the country out of the woods but also restore its lost glory.

To achieve this, the new President must first of all consolidate on the gains recorded during the administration of late President Yar'Adua. The giant strides achieved by Yar'Adua in restoring peace to the restive Niger Delta region, thereby boosting oil production and the country's foreign earnings must be sustained. Jonathan would be expected to carry through the amnesty programme initiated by his predecessor.

President Yar'Adua was a strong advocate of the rule of law, good governance and electoral reform. Jonathan must carry on from where his late boss left off. He must keep the promise he made during his inauguration. He must demonstrate true commitment to the process of deepening Nigeria's democracy and guarantee that the vote of the people counts. The scheduled 2011 general election will be conducted under his watch. As he has promised, all should be done to guarantee a credible poll.

Jonathan must also ensure zero tolerance for bribery and corruption in order to restore integrity to the country and its citizens. He has to initiate measures to overturn the present poor rating of the country on the corruption perception index of Transparency International. There is no doubt that a lot needs to be done to convince the international community that Nigeria is truly committed to fighting the corruption scourge.

The administration of President Jonathan also needs to give health and education sectors the deserved attention to restore them to their pride of place. That move will no doubt stem the tide of Nigerians seeking medical services and education abroad in drove.

Other very critical areas which the new Nigerian president must address include infrastructure development. The power sector has suffered neglect by successive governments and needs a dramatic improvement to guarantee sustainable development of all other sectors and the national economy.

Finding jobs for the army of unemployed youths and ensuring security of life and property also deserve the front row on Jonathan's priority list.

It is gratifying to note that President Jonathan is aware of the significance of the tasks ahead because some of the issues highlighted here featured prominently in his inaugural speech. He has a very short time to create the desired impact on Nigerians and the international community.

The new Nigerian leader must avoid rhetoric and summon courage and the political will to take decisions in the interest of the country, no matter whose ox is gored. Nigeria has witnessed many administrations with unfulfilled promises.

In days to come, Jonathan will tackle the paramount challenge of nominating a Vice President who will work with him. He must recommend a person of integrity who will assist him to accomplish his vision for Nigeria. The President should not allow politics to be the only considerations for his choice of a deputy.

The new President enjoys a lot of goodwill both at home and abroad. He should not squander it. He has to deliver on his promises.