Jonathan Promises To Tackle Nigeria’s Demons Headlong

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, marking the first anniversary of his presidency Thursday, promised to tackle the problems of power supply insecurity, infrastructure and unemployment, haunting the Nigerian nation. At the same time, he thanked all Nigerians for what he called their immense contributions to the stability and progress of the nation in the past one year.

President Jonathan also believed that a new chapter of renewal and transformation has been opened in Nigeria’s national life with the peaceful, free and fair conduct of the 2011 general elections, according to a statement by his spokesman, Ima Niboro.

The President urged all Nigerians to collaborate with him in ensuring the country’s continued march into a new season of peace, harmony and socio-economic development.

He gave assurance to Nigerians about his unwavering commitment to building on the achievements of the past one year by working assiduously to rapidly bring to fruition ongoing efforts to effectively tackle the country’s most critical developmental challenges.

He reaffirmed that only the interests of the Nigerian people will inform decisions and plans for the future.

The President specifically restates his determination to ensure that Nigeria successfully overcomes the challenges of inadequate power supply, national security and employment opportunities for the country’s youthful population.

He also assured all Nigerians that rapid and significant improvement in public infrastructure, especially roads, transportation, educational facilities, healthcare, water supply and the development of our agricultural sector, as well as the unrelenting prosecution of the war against corruption will continue to receive the fullest attention of his administration.

President Jonathan seized the opportunity of the occasion to pay tribute to his predecessor, noting that late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was one of the nation’s greatest leaders and a visionary statesman, whose commitment to the enthronement of the ideals of patriotism and good governance, as well as the sustenance of growth and progress remain indelible.