by Mary Oyibocha-Agbajoh
The spate at which Nigerian politicians invoke the name of God for electoral lobbying and influence in their favour is now at an alarming rate; a thing already considered as a ‘menace’ to our society. Infact, the holy bible said ‘faith without work is nothing’; and God is not a God of confusion to override his word to suit the purpose of one man. The underlining factor is the reality that all men are equal before God. He alone grants mercy on whosoever He desire to grant such grace onto regardless of each individual’s deserving merits and demerits.
Of course, all things work together for those who love and trust in God, likewise the fact that there is hardly any politician who has proved beyond reasonable doubt that God actually came down to not only conduct election but also win in his favour. This hypocritical display has become pertinent in the face of our elective office seekers using the name of God in vain. It is either: ‘God told me I will be the next this … that or God revealed to me that I shall be the next XYZ; more of a divine declaration one may say. Unfortunately, and quite regretfully, these set of political hypocrites have refused to accept and appreciate the fact that election victory is not only by miracle but more of hardwork and good records.
Besides so many, two very good examples that readily come to mind to justify this assertion is the victory recorded by Gov. Adams Oshiomole of Edo State and Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State. In a keenly contested election and against strong and intimidating opposition and rivalry, Oshiomole and Mimiko won because the People came out to determine the victor based on the physical evidence of their individual performance as governor as well as their professional and political antecedents.
Furthermore, we are all familiar with the divine ‘myth’ associated with President Goodluck Jonathan’s political journey to becoming the President of Nigeria; a political development many have described as a rare feat in the life of a man. Despite this ‘divine intervention’ in his political life, President Jonathan has further demonstrated his physical political motive coupled with his impressive giant strides already recorded in the history of his administration so far.
Against the background of diverse thoughts and opinions being expressed and proffered by Nigerians at home and in diaspora over the incessant issues confronting his administration, a la socio-economic, political and most especially security, his administration has shown considerable resolve to be fully committed to delivering its Transformation Agenda to Nigerians as promised despite contending distractions.
Of a truth and perhaps arguably, President Goodluck Jonathan has been able to, within a considerable period, inject a breath of ‘Fresh Air’ into the country’s continuous transformation process as the diverse socio-economic and political sectors of the country vis-à-vis: Health-Care, Agriculture, Power generation, Education, Works and Infrastructure, Housing, Roads, Communal Integration, Transportation and the overall shape of the Nation’s economy is now wearing a new look!
Only recently, and in a testimony of the divine grace bestowed on him, the President was singled out to perform the ground-breaking ceremony of Eagle Heights University, a private academic institution of one of Nigeria’s leading clergy men, Founder, Word of Life Bible Church and President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.
Held at Omadino, Delta State, President Jonathan affirmed that the ground breaking ceremony for Eagle Heights University is one of the series of projects billed to position Delta State as a huge investment hub in Nigeria. According to Jonathan, Delta State is host to two Federal Institutions, the University of Petroleum, Effurun and the Maritime University which he performed its ground breaking ceremony at Okerenkoko, Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state last May 10.
He observed that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration is also complementing Federal Government activities by providing good road network, disclosing that the Federal Government will not fail in its commitment to make education available to all Nigerians. The President stated that due to his administration’s commitment to ensure that all the states of the federation has at least one federal university, 14 universities have been opened in different states of the federation, two conventional and one for the training of Policemen, noting that the universities must have at least one faculty to deal with the peculiar challenges in the areas where they are sited. He observed that the technological world is driven by knowledge which can only be acquired through proper education, reiterating that his administration was committed to position the youths of the country for future challenges through proper education.
“It has always been my principle to build the people to build the nation. If we do not give something to our children, they will have nothing to give to the country in the future”, the President said, adding, “we must plan for our children and our grand children by providing quality education for them. What we can leave behind should be children with good education, children with good moral, spiritual and academic upbringing.” He noted that despite the 40 private universities complementing states and federal universities in the country, Nigeria still needs more universities to cater for the teeming youths who are seeking for admission into institutions of higher learning. President Jonathan also commended Pastor Ayo Oritsejaforfor venturing into the education sector, saying that expectedly, the institution will not only ensure academic excellence but will imbue the students with good moral and spiritual upbringing.
Contrary to the perception of Nigerians, and since his emergence as the first university graduate President of the country on May 29, 2011, President Jonathan has demonstrated his capabilities as a resourceful and intelligent leader; a trait that has in no time, impacted on the socio-economic and political development of Nigeria under his leadership. Concerning President Goodluck Jonathan’s streams of criticism and his second term bid, Nigerians should cultivate the culture of appreciating or criticizing President Jonathan with verifiable facts and parameters. Even in the face of turmoil and security challenges, he still remains focused on transforming Nigeria.
He is not only a visionary leader; he is also a performing leader. His performances are evident in job creation, power reforms, agricultural transformations, roads construction, aviation, transportation, economic growth, education, water, pension reforms, oil industry reforms, electoral reforms, ports reforms, freedom of information act, legal and judicial reforms.
Mary Oyibocha-Agbajoh, is a trained legal practitioner, a politician and a strong stakeholder of Delta State politics.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
