Nigeria is not a poor nation, says President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

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Nigeria is not a poor nation, says Jonathan.......


President Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday, faulted the World Bank report which placed Nigeria among the five poorest countries in the world, saying “the nation is not poor.’’

Addressing workers at the May Day rally held at the Eagle Square, Abuja, the President said “the challenge of the country is not poverty, but redistribution of wealth.’’ He said that the realities on ground did not portray the country as a poor nation, but a nation which abundant wealth needed to be evenly redistributed.

The President added that his administration was working assiduously and putting policies in place to ensure that Nigerians had access to financial resources to create wealth for themselves. “Nigeria is not a poor country. Nigerians are the most travelled people. There is no country you go that you will not see Nigerians. The GDP of Nigeria is over half a trillion dollars and the economy is growing at close to 7 per cent.’’

“Aliko Dangote was recently classified among the 25 richest people in the World.

“I visited Kenya recently on a state visit and there was a programme for Nigerian and Kenyan business men to interact and the number of private jets that landed in Nairobi that day was a subject of discussion in Kenyan media for over a week. “If you talk about ownership of private jets, Nigeria will be among the first 10 countries, yet they are saying that Nigeria is among the five poorest countries.

“Some of you will experience that there is an amount of money you will give to a Nigerian who needs help and will not even regard it and thank you but if you travel to other countries and give such an amount, the person will celebrate. “But the World Bank statistics shows that Nigeria is among the five poorest countries. Our problem is not poverty, our problem is redistribution of wealth.’’

The President added that “probably wealth is concentrated in very few hands and a number of people do not have access to it and that is why my administration is committed in terms of financial inclusiveness and we are working very hard to achieve this.’’

Jonathan specifically noted that in the agriculture sector, government introduced the electronic wallet for farmers in rural areas so they could access income through bank facilities.

He said government was also moving agriculture from just a rural development programme to wealth creation and major business programme, adding that government had taken pro-active steps and policies to stabilise power “so that small and medium-scale enterprises will thrive.
“The key commitment of government is to make sure that so many Nigerians have access to finance so that they will be able to create wealth for themselves.’’

The President also read certain political undertones in the processes of ratings by international bodies and global rating agencies.
He explained that “so many countries were downgraded economically in the few past months including some African countries.

“They looked at Nigeria and we gave explanations and they could not see any convincing reason but to downgrade our economy, they left us as BB minus. “They said elections are coming, politicians are shouting at themselves, it may affect their economy, we will no longer give you stable outlook but give you negative outlook, which is same BB minus.

“When so many countries have been downgraded, they said Nigeria is one of the five poorest countries.’’ Jonathan assured that with the support of Nigerians and in particular, the organised labour, the nation would overcome its challenges and take its pride of palce in the globe.

“We must collectively move this country to where we want to go. Government is working with labour leaders and workers of this country to create wealth. We will sure move this country to where we want to go.’’ The President also reiterated that the on-going National Conference was not personal but meant to evolve a roadmap that would redefine Nigeria.

He said he had no personal agenda for initiating the Conference, but for the common good and progress of the country.
He added that “a number of people came to me that any President that set up this kind of conference must have a roadmap set for him. But I said to them that the roadmap is the roadmap for Nigeria. “Jonathan has no personal roadmap for the conference. You can go and ask the over 500 people that are there whether I have sent any emissary to anybody to define anything for my own interest. I repeat, the issue is not Jonathan, I have spent three quarters of my life on earth.

“What we want is a Nigeria for our future generation. We will lead our country to where we want to go.’’ The President noted that the overall interest of the country informed the nomination of many representatives of organised labour, civil society organisations and youths to the conference.
This is the first time that the government is having a national conference and labour has such a number of representatives, he added.
He said the civil society was robustly represented at the conference and the first time that youths were well represented.

“There are 18 youth representatives at the conference which has never happen. We believe that as elders, we must prepare a country for the young generation and build a nation for our children and grandchildren. “The conference is to redefine Nigeria,” he assured.
He noted that the resolution of the conference would be sent to the National Assembly to be implemented for national good. “I believe that at the end of the conference, if the resolutions are agreed by everybody, I will be able to work with my brothers, sisters and friends in the National Assembly to see that whatever they agreed on sailed through. “All what we want is to agree on something that is common and useful for the country. ‘’

The Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu, said that the theme of the 2014 Workers Day, “Building Enduring Peace and Unity’’ was impressive, apt and relevant. He urged labour unions to have faith in the Jonathan administration as it continued to implement policies and plans for national emancipation.
He said the administration had ensured and would continue to ensure that the voices of labour was heard. Wogi added that the Labour Bill drafted to improve the lots of workers pending before the National Assembly would soon be passed into law and urged the unions to be considerate in their demands. (NAN)

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/05/nigeria-poor-nation-says-jonathan/

Posted: at 1-05-2014 07:01 PM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac

I don’t buy this text but I’ll pay for this picture anytime………..
…….very satirical

Mr. President the nation is not rich because 99.999% of Nigerians are living in abject poverty.

Posted: at 2-05-2014 03:24 AM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac

OGA Jona again, Only the politicians are the one enjoing the riches of the country

Posted: at 2-05-2014 10:34 AM (10 years ago) | Hero

where the money na?we no see am for the citizens body

Posted: at 2-05-2014 10:56 AM (10 years ago) | Hero

Our president and leaders are most greedy and selfish people in the world.
Before they can rate nigerian among poorest country in the world, they have cross check many things abou t us. As a nigerian citizen,
Can proof out many reason that make us the 5th poorest country in the world if our president don't know it.
1. Our minimum salary wages for worker is very very poor and low, 18,000 naira per month. I want our president to tell me it that amount is sufficient for only transport fare for a month. Can any of his family live with that such amount in a month?
Let's be sincere to ourselves, the money is too poor for minimum wages.
2. Unstable light. I haven't see any state in Nigeria with stable ligh, and we have lost many innocent soul because of generator fume.
This is very bad and unbearable again, what will it cost our government to put our lighting system in order. We have money to do it, but all our leaders are greedy and self center to think of masses and put our light in order.
3. Poor medical services. In our general hospital, u can't find enough equipment and drugs for patience. The beds in most of our general hospital is worst than mouse rag, even our so call private hospital are still behind many of this modern equipment. That's why many of our selfish and prodigal leaders run to foreign country for treatment and check up.
4. Bad roads. Many of our express road was very bad and full of pot hole, we have lost many soul through accident on our bad road. I can't point out a single nice and excellent motor way in Nigeria. And our government don't have time to repair the old roads for us,.
5. Unemployment. Many of our youth and graduate holder are jobless, they join kidnappers and internet scammer because of lack of job.
If our government can spend the money they loot from our resources to create job and establish good company in Nigeria, our country will be crime free country .
There are many things to list here that make Nigeria among poorest country in the world, nobody cares of how many Nigeria has private jet or private yacht or travelling all over the world. The most Important thing to think and care about is for our citizen to live fine and earn good salary with quality and standard life amenities.
If our government can't put all this things in order for us, I think is time for us to fight for our right and be free from all this rubbish.
Enough is enough for all this bad wicked and selfish leaders, I know they won't listen to us but we will fight for our right.
When we start our own riot and protest, it will be worst than Arab league protest. We will not leave any of our past and present wicked leaders family untouched, that's for sure. There is no way they can escape it because all the security and military that guide them will surely fight against them.

Posted: at 2-05-2014 11:48 AM (10 years ago) | Newbie

abeg*

Posted: at 2-05-2014 11:50 AM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac

every time he opens his mouth, you cant stop wondering how someone with such a dumb head be the president of this country,, nigeria is not poor,, sure, we are not poor but 99 percent of the population is suffering,, he doesnt know how to answer simple question,,

Posted: at 2-05-2014 12:16 PM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac

That's why he could not debate in the last election.......
.........I am sure he would skip any debate come next election if he is running...

Posted: at 2-05-2014 12:57 PM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac

Oga Jonah,
Nigeria is classified poor because  99 % of the people live in abject and nail biting poverty, in the midst of
an ocean of vast wealth.
and the citizens are all over the world ,not as wealthy tourists, but as refugees from government imposed poverty.

Posted: at 2-05-2014 01:38 PM (10 years ago) | Hero

I no blame world bank,na wetin dem see dem talk. Nigeria truly no dey poor,d fact be say our money dey 4 switzerland,dubai,uk & anywhere else xcept nigeria. Jona,where u put our $20 billion? Rubbish

Posted: at 2-05-2014 03:47 PM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac