Ijaw Leaders Task Jonathan on Reforms

Ijaw Leaders Task Jonathan on Reforms, List Priorities

IJAW leaders on the platform of Ijaw Foundation, have challenged Acting President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently address and resolve six key issues which they claimed will immediately launch Nigeria on the path of greatness.

They listed the six areas as; Resolution of the Niger Delta crisis by addressing the fundamental causes of discontent in the region; electoral reforms to strengthen thew country's democracy and good governance as well as power generation to support industrialisation programmes.

Others according to them, include road infrastructure development to support commerce and industry; a credible anti-corruption campaign to make visible the dividends of democracy and a New Partnership’ with State and Local Governments to promote food production and public health.

These facts are contained in a congratulatory letter to the Acting President dated February 21, 2010 and made available to our correspondent on Monday via an e-mail.

The letter which was jointly signed by the President of the foundation, Ebipamone Nanakumo, his deputy, Patterson Ogon, Secretary, Lincoln Snithers and three others said, ''we know that the challenge ahead is enormous, but establishing your legacy on the foregoing burning national issues cannot be over-emphasized; and, because there is so little time to waste, this process must commence right away with all deliberate speed''.

Continuing, they said as a country trying to recover from ''our damaged psyche and image and attempt to rebuild our confidence and restore hope, it is our fervent prayer that all stakeholders in our national destiny will work together to strengthen your resolve toward achieving the aforementioned goals. Achieving these goals would certainly constitute an indelible legacy and would represent a new beginning for our nation''.

The Ijaw leaders say they stand ready, willing and able to support Jonathan's administration in promoting peace, stability, security and growth for the country, pointing out that on this, ''you have our solemn and unwavering pledge''.

Members of the Ijaw Foundation who are drawn from Ijaw people residing at home and in the Diaspora said, ''we are very proud of the manner in which you handled yourself and the country in the last two very trying months and commend you for having conducted yourself with utmost dignity and sincere patriotism.

''You allowed the constitutional and democratic processes to play themselves out, enabling all Nigerian stakeholders to contribute to the dialogue concerning the resolving of the constitutional issue. You maintained self control even as the judiciary carried out its role as one of the three branches of government, thereby, reinforcing the separation of powers which is an essential element of a functioning democratic system of government.''

Adding, they said, ''we thank the entire nation for supporting the joint declaration of the Senate and the House of Representatives to resolve the leadership vacuum and, thus, save our nation from ridicule among the comity of nations. This reaffirms our faith in the supremacy of the constitution, with renewed confidence that the country belongs to all Nigerians regardless of ethnicity, region, political zone, and religion''.

They also acknowledged the role the National Assembly played, albeit belatedly, in finding a democratic answer to the unprecedented constitutional impasse that threatened grave harm to the country, claiming that without the statesmanship they collectively displayed in resolving the quagmire, ''we might have found ourselves in a crisis of unimaginable consequences. We applaud their courage and wisdom''.

The Ijaw leaders are not yet done. ''We appreciate the solidarity of our former national leaders who put the national interest above all else in putting forward wise counsel, and we salute our current military leaders who rejected the temptation to disrupt our nascent democracy.

''Now therefore we join the Eminent Elders of the nation to urge you to be courageous and decisive in writing a fresh history for the nation; firm but fair in the enforcement of the rule of law; and honest and just in discharging the duties bestowed upon you by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Our nation needs men and women of rare courage, strong conviction, great determination to make a difference and unswerving commitment to national unity and socio-political and economic progress'', they said. ENDS

ENDS

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