Wednesday, July 29, 2015
How To Buy, Shop and Import From China in Nigeria, Ghana and Other Africa Countries
How To Buy, Shop and Import From China in Nigeria, Ghana and Other Africa Countries
If you are interested in buying and importing goods from China in Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries, this post is for you. You can start importation of goods from China without leaving your room in Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries and without sending money via any third party.
One great advantage of buying from China is that they offer direct shipping to African Countries. You don’t have to pass through any hassle if you’re buying from China because it is easy and simple.
Buying goods from China help reduce shipping cost unlike shipping from USA or UK. The website that offers to sell Chinese products and allows you to ship them to Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries is www.aliexpress.com. This website is owned by Alibaba.com where buyers and sellers meet to trade.
Aliexpress.com is a good website for Nigerians, Ghanaians and other Africans shoppers that wish to buy products and items from China.
Before you proceed, check:
• How to Make Money Online in Nigeria
• How to Buy from Amazon.com in Nigeria
For shopper that wish to buy from Aliexpress.com, the process involve are not tedious. Below are the steps involved:
1. You need to first search for what you intend to buy
2. Then click on checkout
3. Make payment for goods via escrow or credit card (if you are a Nigerian, you can use AfriCard issued by UBA Bank or Visa prepaid card issued by Zentith bank, as both cards does not require you to own an account with both banks.).
4. You receive your shipment
5. Confirm the receipt of goods
As a shopper on Aliexpress.com, you need to have access to the internet, a credit card andAliexpress.com buyer account.
I recommend Aliexpress.com because they have greater advantage than Amazon in terms of:
Wholesale Discounts: if you are buying at a bulk rate from aliexpress.com, you will be granted discounts on good purchase from them. Bulk purchasing is a good option for Nigerians, Ghanaians and other Africans wishing to start importation of goods from China.
Shipping Cost: there ship cost is relatively low when compared to that of Amazon.com.
Affordable: products from Aliexpress.com are affordable; you can get mini laptops from their website for a little price of $100 or less.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
Action Plan for employment is on course, says Wogu
Action Plan for employment is on course, says Wogu
To curb the threatening menace of insecurity and other sundry,
Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Chukwuemeka Wogu has once
again highlighted policy options of the Federal Government aimed at
changing the structure of employment in the country.
The minister added that government was poised to implement the
National Action Plan on Employment Creation, NAPEC, targeted at
creating five million new jobs annually within next three years.
According to him, effort would also be made towards establishing more
skills acquisition centres and implementation of Local Content policy
in all the sectors, especially in the Oil and Gas industry in order to
boost job creation.
Wogu, at a recent meeting in Lagos said government will always call on
Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association, NECA to support the above
plans and programmes from time to time in the course of their
implementation.
He said that the Transformation Agenda of the Goodluck Jonathan-led
administration will appreciate the cooperation, support and
collaboration from all Nigerians who look forward to better days for
posterity.
The minister called on relevant stakeholders to come up with a
blueprint on achieving industrial harmony from the employers’
perspective. “Together, we hope to join the league of twenty most
developed nations of the world by the year twenty-twenty.”
He assured government's determination to collaborate with its
development partners to strengthen industrial relations institutions
and increase the capacity of the inspectorate role of the ministry of
labour, adding that the University of Lagos is collaborating with the
African Regional Labour Administration Centre, ARLAC, in Zimbabwe as a
specialized diploma and degree warding institution on labour in the
English Speaking African countries.
Government also spoke about the effort being on both the review of
curriculum and infrastructural development at the Michael Imoudu
Institute for Labour Studies, MINILS, Ilorin.
According to him, 'to achieve a relative industrial harmony will
entail an appreciable level of good governance anchored on sound
principles of governance. Government is taking a holistic and
proactive measure to address observed gaps in labour administration.
Such measures include capacity building for labour administrators and
enforcement of existing labour laws.'
The minister stated that from the macro-economic perspective,
government is aware that an equitable legal framework will defend
people from abuse from any of the social partners hence a home-grown
economic blueprint has been tailored to meet our peculiar economic
circumstance. “The policy of gradual withdrawal of government from
active role in state enterprises is a mark of respect for the expected
impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians. It is designed to encourage
community groups, professionals and young entrepreneurs to turn their
ingenuity and commitment to venture into entrepreneurship and sound
management which ultimately should create new jobs and relief the
negative outcomes of globalization.
“This was amply demonstrated in some of the already launched
Programmes by Mr. President, and the inclusion of Entrepreneurship
Programmes in the curriculum of Nigerian Universities,” said Wogu.
Labour minister stated that the analysis of the recipe for industrial
harmony can not be exhausted, adding that there is need for a national
discourse and intellectual engagement on the way forward as the
current challenge of industrial disharmony is global. 'We must debate
to adopt adaptive measures to cope with the global wave of
industrialization and demands if we are to achieve our desired
economic development and growth.'
Given the relative success of the Regulation on Labour Administrative
issues on Contract Staffing / Outsourcing in the oil and gas sector in
regulating and reducing the number of disputes, the minister said
government was prepared to engage stakeholders in the
telecommunication sector as well. “Our plan is to identify and
articulate similar consensus building in other sectors so that the
economy can generate the required steam for development and growth. We
are broadening the base of our consultation on policy options.
Government will continue to draw from the wealth of its social and
development partners on fashioning out ways of growing the economy,”
added Wogu.
SEWUN charges government to initiate people-oriented policies
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Total War between herbal medicine and medical doctors rages
Total War between herbal medicine and medical doctors rages
Medical doctors in Nigeria have risen up fully against herbal medicines and want them band while herbal medical practitioners accuses them of envy.
Okechukwu Jombo
They call them all sorts of name depending on the ethnic inclination of either the seller or the user Some call them Agbo,Gbaraga,Ogwu igbo etc what ever you call them Herbal drugs has been with us in Nigeria and is even getting more visible
Watching the woman as she carried the basin full of herbal medicine on her head one will not but feel pity for her but on second thought as she announces the efficacy of her wares you will lose that sympathy.
This is the story of the herbal medicine dealers and the society which they operate. You cannot but notice them every were in most major cities of Nigeria. They exit pari parsu with western medical health care givers.
Every of them have there clientele and keep to them but all that is about to change as the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council NMDC is challenging the right of the herbal medicine dealers to exit along side their members
While herbal medicine practitioners are of the view that Nigeria and other African countries should take advantage of the huge revenue earning potential in herbal medicine, and stem the continuous tide of loss of funds arising from this complacency towards the development of herbal medicine on the continent.
Even as the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is asking media houses to exercise caution when advertising herbal products.
Africa Regional Coordinator and CEO, Revelation International Magazine, Mr Paul Bassey, observed that Africa must realise that the use of herbs which forms the larger medicinal substance of the conventional drugs, is key to the continent’s health revolution in 20:2020.
The NAFDAC DG,Dr.Paul Orhii said he is not conderming herbal drugs outrightly but according to him“Traditional medical practitioners need to be recognised by government and be given the rightful place in the provision of primary healthcare”.
He explained that worldwide, herbal medicine has come to the front burner due to its capacity to generate huge revenue.
Data from the World Health Organisation shows that annual revenues in Western Europe totaled US$ 5 billion in 2003-2004, in China, sales of herbal products totaled US$ 14 billion in 2005, while herbal medicine revenue in Brazil was US$ 160 million in 2007.
Describing herbs as one of the many wonders of nature, Bassey noted that contrary to widespread belief that use of herbs for medicinal purposes is evil, herbs and plants are one of nature’s healing and curative measures.
“Traditional or herbal medicine is the sum total of knowledge, skills and practices based on the theories, beliefs and experiences that are indigenous to different cultures and that are used to maintain health, as well as to prevent, diagnose, improve or treat physical and mental illnesses.”
But not a few observers believe that NAFDAC have failed abysmally in controlling or regulating the conduct of herbal practitioners particularly in advertising of herbal products. While many believe that the term ‘NAFDAC Approval’ being bandied by most hawkers of herbal products is misleading and not seen as an endorsement of such products most of them are often advertised as drugs that cure all ailments; a situation that requires critical intervention by NAFDAC.
Media organizations in Nigeria are in dire need of revenue often generated through advertisement and most herbal practitioners are aware of this and are seriously exploiting it. But the quest for revenue analysts say should not replace the need to ensure that these products are not exposed without regulation and adherence to certain codes of ethics which NAFDAC should dictate and enforce including guidelines which media houses must follow before accepting and exposing any advertisements on herbal products
As the argument rages Pharmacist under the aegis of the Association of community Pharmacist of Nigeria said they are against herbal drugs and abuse of it in the country as according to them there are no dose and people just keep taking it until it damages their organs and to stem the tide in Nigeria, they urged the Federal Government to step in and regulate its use.
They also called on government to work out modalities for easy drug access, while warning Nigerians against consuming herbal drugs arbitrarily.
Lagos ACPN Chairman, Aminu Abdulsalam Yinka said if not checked urgently, drug abuse and misuse may plunge Nigeria into disaster. He berated the level illegal drug sales, misuse and abuse in the country.
He advised Nigerians against consumption of herbal drugs as he noted that research on their side effects have not been documented, even though the practice may still have its place in the country.
On his part, former Lagos ACPN Chairman, Anthony Ani, said the rising incidence of kidney and liver failures could be traced to drug abuse and misuse among Nigerians.
Urging Nigerians to desist from purchasing drugs from hawkers, the pharmacist said Nigerians should patronize only appropriately registered pharmacy shops to avoid a situation where “we use our money to buy death.”
Herbal medicine, both native and Chinese, is undergoing something of a renaissance in Nigeria - there are several companies who have expanded in the past few years and are starting to acquire NAFDAC licensing for their products.
However a lot of people have raised eyebrow about them insisting that all that glitters is not gold that while some are asking for caution many say they should be out rightly banned
According to Dr. Okpo Ojah an expect on herbal medicine in a paper he delivered recently titled The need to standardize herbal medicinal practice for sustainable development in Nigeria he arguedThat one is proud to see that with the gradual revival or renaissance of Nigerian culture in general, traditional medicine has assumed its rightful place of importance in the Nigerian environment.
Given such a dynamic resurgence, the country’s traditional medicine according to him has effortlessly been competing with imported western medicine which was well received and left behind as the colonial heritage within the context of the western civilization which Nigeria and other African countries also inherited from colonial masters. Thus both in the rural and urbanizing communities of the country, the practice of medicine is now a comfortable mixture of both the alternative (traditional medicine) and the orthodox systems.
This situation he explained is imposed by the majority of the clientele who realize the benefits of the two systems. This cultural ambivalence of the people he said is capable of enhancing smooth integration of the two aspects of medical practice. It is against this backdrop that he welcomes welcomes the move by the House of Representatives to ensure the passage of the bill on herbal medical practice in Nigeria.
Such a measure he said bound to eliminate the various criticisms often leveled against the practice of traditional medicine such as general secrecy, dirty environment, absence of gainful motives, motion or association with the spirit of the ancestors in the comsogomic sense, the use of rites and rituals and ceremonies in the treatment processes, the over-dosage as well as illiteracy associated with most of the traditional healers.
Such a measure will also facilitate open and healthy competition between the orthodox and alternative medicine practitioners as well as encourage the exportation of traditional medical products abroad for foreign exchange earnings as against the current overseas medical trips by many Nigerians where fifty billion Naira has been spent over the years. It is therefore up to the traditional medicine men to accept the challenges of the standardization measures being put in place by NAFDAC and the members of the House of Representatives. Other relevant agencies connected with this project should co-operate with the National Assembly in order to enhance the auto-centric growth and development in traditional medicine in Nigeria as witnessed in China, India and other countries in Asia in synergic medicinal practice.
Friday, June 24, 2011
What is Forex (Foreign Exchange).
What is Forex (Foreign Exchange).
The vast currency market is a foreign concept to the average individual. However, once it is broken down into simple terms, the average individual can begin to understand the foreign exchange market and use it as a financial instrument for future investing.
Forex was created not by design, but because traders, brokers, bankers, importers, exporters and investors recognized opportunities it brings. In 1971, the U.S. went off the "gold standard", in which its foreign-exchange rate was pegged to the price of gold. At that moment, new trading opportunities appeared on the horizon.
Forex is the one stabilizing factor in the world's system of monetary exchange, yet it is not answerable to any extrinsic stabilizing influence. There are "no restrictions" in this market. No single international authority acts as a governing body, and no government can intervene unilaterally to regulate foreign exchange practices or, should there be a threat of world monetary crisis, halt trading. While treasury officials in Washington, London, Bonn, Tokyo and other capitals pay close attention to relative currency values, none can intervene in a regulatory capacity. The market exists only to the extent those traders in Asia (Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore), Europe (Frankfurt, London, Paris and Geneva), Bahrain, and the U.S. (New York), New Zealand and Australia (Sydney) are willing to buy and sell.
Foreign Exchange is the simultaneous buying of one currency and selling of another. The foreign exchange market (FOREX) is the largest financial market in the world, with a volume of over $1.5 trillion daily. Unlike other financial markets, the Forex market has no physical location, no central exchange. It operates through an electronic network of banks, corporations and individuals trading one currency for another. The lack of a physical exchange enables the Forex market to operate on a 24-hour basis, spanning from one zone to another in all the major financial centers.
The vast currency market is a foreign concept to the average individual. However, once it is broken down into simple terms, the average individual can begin to understand the foreign exchange market and use it as a financial instrument for future investing.
Forex was created not by design, but because traders, brokers, bankers, importers, exporters and investors recognized opportunities it brings. In 1971, the U.S. went off the "gold standard", in which its foreign-exchange rate was pegged to the price of gold. At that moment, new trading opportunities appeared on the horizon.
Forex is the one stabilizing factor in the world's system of monetary exchange, yet it is not answerable to any extrinsic stabilizing influence. There are "no restrictions" in this market. No single international authority acts as a governing body, and no government can intervene unilaterally to regulate foreign exchange practices or, should there be a threat of world monetary crisis, halt trading. While treasury officials in Washington, London, Bonn, Tokyo and other capitals pay close attention to relative currency values, none can intervene in a regulatory capacity. The market exists only to the extent those traders in Asia (Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore), Europe (Frankfurt, London, Paris and Geneva), Bahrain, and the U.S. (New York), New Zealand and Australia (Sydney) are willing to buy and sell.
Foreign Exchange is the simultaneous buying of one currency and selling of another. The foreign exchange market (FOREX) is the largest financial market in the world, with a volume of over $1.5 trillion daily. Unlike other financial markets, the Forex market has no physical location, no central exchange. It operates through an electronic network of banks, corporations and individuals trading one currency for another. The lack of a physical exchange enables the Forex market to operate on a 24-hour basis, spanning from one zone to another in all the major financial centers.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Christians and Muslims religious unrest in Nigeria
Generally speaking, apart from corruption, one of the major problems facing Nigeria is Christian–Muslim religious unrest. It is not uncommon to hear about violence involving Christians and Muslims anytime in any part of the country. Initially, the problem was prevalent in the northern part of the country but over time, the crisis could now been seen in almost every part of the country. It is however ironical to say that both Christianity and Islam claim to be religions of peace. The reverse has always been the case in Nigeria. In the last four decades, hardly can a year go without religious unrest in Nigeria. These riots have claimed several lives and property. Several factors are however responsible for these incessant crisis. Some of these factors include political instability, instable economic fortune, poverty, bad governance, military dictatorship, violation of fundamental human rights, lack of love and value for human life, to mention just a few.
On daily basis millions of Christians and Muslims rub elbows with each other during a variety of encounters. Closeness and distance at the same time characterize the inner relationship between the Christian and Islamic faiths in Nigeria. The door to healthy dialogue on spiritual matter is always open, but seldom entered.Yet an average Muslim in Nigeria lives in suspicion with his Christian brother. The story is however the same is for Christians to Muslims. Several factors are responsible for this suspicion. One is what Matthew Kukah calls “historical differences and misinterpretations aided by colonial histories.” In the words of Kukah:
Christian-Muslim relations, even at the best of times, have always been disturbingly marred by suspicions, accusations and counter accusations over interpretations of history and experiences. This is a historical reality that has been further confounded by the very complex nature of colonial histories on the continent of Africa, where the destruction of the existing civilizations, empires and emperors provided the foundation stones for the establishment of the colonial states that later emerged. The passage of many years after the end of colonial rule has not changed the prejudices.
On daily basis millions of Christians and Muslims rub elbows with each other during a variety of encounters. Closeness and distance at the same time characterize the inner relationship between the Christian and Islamic faiths in Nigeria. The door to healthy dialogue on spiritual matter is always open, but seldom entered.Yet an average Muslim in Nigeria lives in suspicion with his Christian brother. The story is however the same is for Christians to Muslims. Several factors are responsible for this suspicion. One is what Matthew Kukah calls “historical differences and misinterpretations aided by colonial histories.” In the words of Kukah:
Christian-Muslim relations, even at the best of times, have always been disturbingly marred by suspicions, accusations and counter accusations over interpretations of history and experiences. This is a historical reality that has been further confounded by the very complex nature of colonial histories on the continent of Africa, where the destruction of the existing civilizations, empires and emperors provided the foundation stones for the establishment of the colonial states that later emerged. The passage of many years after the end of colonial rule has not changed the prejudices.
Goodlucks Address
Address by his Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, on the occasion of the grand finale rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign, on Saturday 26th march 2011 at Eagles square, Abuja
About ten weeks ago, delegates to the special convention of our great party assembled in this same Eagle square. On that day, Vice-President Namadi Sambo and I were given an overwhelming, but humbling mandate, to become our party's flag-bearers in the forthcoming presidential elections.
Sambo and i enjoyed emphatic support and overwhelming show of love in the six geopolitical zones in our nation and by that, you have effectively sent a message to the world that our support is truly national. You committed our party to continuity, but sent us a strong and powerful message that you wanted peaceful change that would create an enabling environment for the rapid transformation of our great nation.
3. Since that day, we have travelled to the 36 states of the federation. We were encouraged and supported by our spouses; and leaders of our party at all levels. We met artisans, farmers, the elderly, youth, physically challenged, women and people from all walks of life. We were received by traditional rulers and religious leaders. We interacted across board with the unemployed and the down -trodden. We sincerely thank our governors who facilitated all these movements and interactions with our people.
4. Everywhere we went, the message we received was simple, clear and loud. It was that: nigerians want to remain a united and strong nation. Our people know that we still have many challenges but also understand and accept that the pdp is the only truly national party that has a strong followership in all six geo-political zones.
5. The message i got is that our people understand this election and our politics better than most politicians can imagine. Our people want leaders that are more concerned about their wellbeing. They want servant leaders who will put the interest of the nation first beyond their self-interest. Our people see an overwhelming need to unite the nation so that we can have personal and collective security. Our people want jobs so they can put food on the table for their families. They expect the government to provide affordable healthcare, good quality education and significantly improved physical infrastructure.
6. It is very clear from the interaction i had with people that nigerians will favour only candidate that will be fair to all sections and groups in the country. Fairness means that we must provide skills and job opportunities for the youths; we must empower our women and above all – we must improve the lives of the urban and rural poor in all the 36 states of the federation. I share these noble aspirations and pledge my personal commitment to it.
7. All of you here are the strings that bind us together. You are the guarantee that no place and no one will be left behind in nigeria. We have today assembled in large numbers from every ward, local government and state in nigeria. But then we do not assemble just for the sake of it. We assemble because we need broad-based support and a firm national mandate to enable us pursue a vigorous transformation agenda for national development.
8. Today we come together and thank the almighty god for all the members of our party; and all of you who have worked very hard to spread our message of hope to all hamlets in this great land. We thank god for the people in every state that came to receive us with great generosity; warmth and open hearts, but above all we pledge to god almighty that we understand the immense responsibility which this sacred trust places on our shoulders.
9. Our opponents have done a very good job of reminding the populace about the problems that are still facing the nation but many of the solutions they proffer are hopelessly inadequate. Some of them even sound as if they wish to turn the clock back and take us back to models that have failed repeatedly because they have not really assimilated investor demands and the new global focus on development and good governance.
10. The telecommunication sector reform that the pdp government pursued has developed tremendously over the last decade because it was opened up for private sector participation in a transparent and consistent manner. Today with the progress we have made in the telecommunication industry, i can call my aunt in her farm in the village. It is this same logic that is at the heart of my power sector roadmap and it is this same logic and philosophy that will drive our policy options in all other sectors where it is clearly applicable. In the process, i will clear out any vested interests that stand in the way of quick policy implementation and rapid economic transformation. This is my message to the private sector (formal and informal). This is also my message to investors (local and foreign). We will work with you and partner with you to put nigerians to work.
11. The patient, steady and consistent application of the laws of the land is the guarantee against the abuse of power and selective justice that destroys our collective resolve to fight corruption. We are determined to fight corruption at every level regardless of positions in the society. We will strengthen the existing institutions and empower them so that they can carry out their obligations without fear or favour. We will build a society where probity, accountability, fairness and equity will be the foundation in our polity.
12. We will continue to support the art and entertainment industry with funds to aid its development. We will fight piracy so that hard working artists can reap the fruits of their labour and provide jobs for more nigerians.
13. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive society where there will be jobs and abundant economic activities for our people. Our plan for building inclusiveness is not only about job creation; it is also about ensuring financial inclusion for all nigerians and strengthening the frame work for social security to protect the poorest and most vulnerable in our society.
14. Therefore, all our economic activities would emphasize the need to create jobs and wealth as our solution to the endemic poverty among our people.
15. We have already taken concrete steps to tackle the unemployment problem in the country. Our public works programme will create 1.5million jobs this year. We have initiated a growth and employment pact that would enable public-private partnership to enhance growth in construction; ict; meat and leather; tourism and entertainment. We are focusing on employment generating sectors of the economy like agriculture, manufacturing, building and construction where we generate the biggest impact on employment with fiscal incentives for these sectors.
16. Our power roadmap launched in august last year is on course. My abiding pledge is that within the next six months when most of our nipp projects would have come on stream, and repositioned the transmission and the distribution aspect of the electricity chain, power situation will improve significantly.
17. Our reforms in the petroleum industry, which aim at diversifying the sector so that it can generate more jobs and wealth for our people are also on course. Only on thursday this week, i launched a major gas revolution initiative where government in partnership with the private sector will invest over 25billion dollars that will make nigeria a petrochemical hub in africa. This is targeted at stimulating the economy and thereby creating directly and indirectly over one million jobs. Major fertilizer industries will be established and fertilizer blending plants will spread across all the segments of the country. The nigerian content law which is under implementation will provide jobs for over three hundred thousand nigerians. We will intensify seismic operations in the benue, chard and anambra basin with a view to exploit our resources for the good of our people.
18. Agriculture will continue to be the corner stone of our job and wealth creation policy, as we enhance its capacity to diversify our economic base. We have started the process of revolutionizing agriculture through the rehabilitation of all our dams and irrigation projects to give us the support of all year cultivation so that we can feed our nation and create export potential opportunities.
19. At the social frontiers we are committed to the improvement of our infrastructure. Therefore, transportation, including national road network, railways and waterways; health care and education would continue to receive our utmost attention. Two weeks ago i had the opportunity of taking a train ride from lagos to abeokuta. This exhibits our commitment to the rehabilitation of rail services. We will embark on the construction of modern gauge rail system across the country with a view to making transportation of people and goods more effective.
20. No matter the good intention of government, if a formidable educational system is not in place it will be difficult to achieve national development. Because of the importance of education to our national development, i called a stakeholders summit to look at the inadequacies in our educational system and i have set up a task force that is empowered to carry out the recommendations of the summit especially as it affects our curricula. We will encourage the establishment of skill acquisition centres in all local governments of the federation. At the tertiary level, our government will ensure that every state of the federation that has no federal university gets one and we will work with the private sector to provide accommodation to decongest our crowded hostels.
21. We shall confront all the social issues that have threatened the peaceful coexistence of nigerians in all parts of our country. In this regard, we will empower our security agencies to perform its statutory duties effectively. Our commitment to peace, security and rapid development of the niger delta remains unwavering. We shall continue the implementation of the amnesty programme with vigour.
22. Before i conclude this address, i want to appeal to our political leaders and nigerians in general to eschew violence in all ramifications. I have said, neither my ambition nor any other person’s ambition is worth the blood of any nigerian. I seize this opportunity to remember with heavy hearts the members and supporters of our party; and indeed all other parties – that lost their lives in accidents or through acts of political violence during the course of this campaign. I would like to assure their loved ones that they did not die in vain. May their gentle souls rest in perfect peace.
23. I want to assure you once again that i understand the challenges that our people face today. As someone who grew up in a very modest environment and find myself through the will of god and the mandate of nigerians in this privileged position, i pledge my commitment to build a stronger and more prosperous country for this generation and the generation to come.
24. To the youth of nigeria, i promise good and functional education and job opportunities;
to the women, i promise more involvement in governance and more challenging jobs;
i also assure you of your 35% in appointive offices;
to our children, i promise to give you hope and a nigeria that you will be proud of.
25. I urge you to go out there and vote for transformation;
vote for unity, equity and justice;
vote for economic prosperity, job creation and youth empowerment;
vote for good education and skill acquisition;
vote for security and a society where there will be mutual respect for one another.
I urge you my brothers and sisters to vote for Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Mainasara Omoluabi Jonathan and i will never, never let you down.
I thank you.
About ten weeks ago, delegates to the special convention of our great party assembled in this same Eagle square. On that day, Vice-President Namadi Sambo and I were given an overwhelming, but humbling mandate, to become our party's flag-bearers in the forthcoming presidential elections.
Sambo and i enjoyed emphatic support and overwhelming show of love in the six geopolitical zones in our nation and by that, you have effectively sent a message to the world that our support is truly national. You committed our party to continuity, but sent us a strong and powerful message that you wanted peaceful change that would create an enabling environment for the rapid transformation of our great nation.
3. Since that day, we have travelled to the 36 states of the federation. We were encouraged and supported by our spouses; and leaders of our party at all levels. We met artisans, farmers, the elderly, youth, physically challenged, women and people from all walks of life. We were received by traditional rulers and religious leaders. We interacted across board with the unemployed and the down -trodden. We sincerely thank our governors who facilitated all these movements and interactions with our people.
4. Everywhere we went, the message we received was simple, clear and loud. It was that: nigerians want to remain a united and strong nation. Our people know that we still have many challenges but also understand and accept that the pdp is the only truly national party that has a strong followership in all six geo-political zones.
5. The message i got is that our people understand this election and our politics better than most politicians can imagine. Our people want leaders that are more concerned about their wellbeing. They want servant leaders who will put the interest of the nation first beyond their self-interest. Our people see an overwhelming need to unite the nation so that we can have personal and collective security. Our people want jobs so they can put food on the table for their families. They expect the government to provide affordable healthcare, good quality education and significantly improved physical infrastructure.
6. It is very clear from the interaction i had with people that nigerians will favour only candidate that will be fair to all sections and groups in the country. Fairness means that we must provide skills and job opportunities for the youths; we must empower our women and above all – we must improve the lives of the urban and rural poor in all the 36 states of the federation. I share these noble aspirations and pledge my personal commitment to it.
7. All of you here are the strings that bind us together. You are the guarantee that no place and no one will be left behind in nigeria. We have today assembled in large numbers from every ward, local government and state in nigeria. But then we do not assemble just for the sake of it. We assemble because we need broad-based support and a firm national mandate to enable us pursue a vigorous transformation agenda for national development.
8. Today we come together and thank the almighty god for all the members of our party; and all of you who have worked very hard to spread our message of hope to all hamlets in this great land. We thank god for the people in every state that came to receive us with great generosity; warmth and open hearts, but above all we pledge to god almighty that we understand the immense responsibility which this sacred trust places on our shoulders.
9. Our opponents have done a very good job of reminding the populace about the problems that are still facing the nation but many of the solutions they proffer are hopelessly inadequate. Some of them even sound as if they wish to turn the clock back and take us back to models that have failed repeatedly because they have not really assimilated investor demands and the new global focus on development and good governance.
10. The telecommunication sector reform that the pdp government pursued has developed tremendously over the last decade because it was opened up for private sector participation in a transparent and consistent manner. Today with the progress we have made in the telecommunication industry, i can call my aunt in her farm in the village. It is this same logic that is at the heart of my power sector roadmap and it is this same logic and philosophy that will drive our policy options in all other sectors where it is clearly applicable. In the process, i will clear out any vested interests that stand in the way of quick policy implementation and rapid economic transformation. This is my message to the private sector (formal and informal). This is also my message to investors (local and foreign). We will work with you and partner with you to put nigerians to work.
11. The patient, steady and consistent application of the laws of the land is the guarantee against the abuse of power and selective justice that destroys our collective resolve to fight corruption. We are determined to fight corruption at every level regardless of positions in the society. We will strengthen the existing institutions and empower them so that they can carry out their obligations without fear or favour. We will build a society where probity, accountability, fairness and equity will be the foundation in our polity.
12. We will continue to support the art and entertainment industry with funds to aid its development. We will fight piracy so that hard working artists can reap the fruits of their labour and provide jobs for more nigerians.
13. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive society where there will be jobs and abundant economic activities for our people. Our plan for building inclusiveness is not only about job creation; it is also about ensuring financial inclusion for all nigerians and strengthening the frame work for social security to protect the poorest and most vulnerable in our society.
14. Therefore, all our economic activities would emphasize the need to create jobs and wealth as our solution to the endemic poverty among our people.
15. We have already taken concrete steps to tackle the unemployment problem in the country. Our public works programme will create 1.5million jobs this year. We have initiated a growth and employment pact that would enable public-private partnership to enhance growth in construction; ict; meat and leather; tourism and entertainment. We are focusing on employment generating sectors of the economy like agriculture, manufacturing, building and construction where we generate the biggest impact on employment with fiscal incentives for these sectors.
16. Our power roadmap launched in august last year is on course. My abiding pledge is that within the next six months when most of our nipp projects would have come on stream, and repositioned the transmission and the distribution aspect of the electricity chain, power situation will improve significantly.
17. Our reforms in the petroleum industry, which aim at diversifying the sector so that it can generate more jobs and wealth for our people are also on course. Only on thursday this week, i launched a major gas revolution initiative where government in partnership with the private sector will invest over 25billion dollars that will make nigeria a petrochemical hub in africa. This is targeted at stimulating the economy and thereby creating directly and indirectly over one million jobs. Major fertilizer industries will be established and fertilizer blending plants will spread across all the segments of the country. The nigerian content law which is under implementation will provide jobs for over three hundred thousand nigerians. We will intensify seismic operations in the benue, chard and anambra basin with a view to exploit our resources for the good of our people.
18. Agriculture will continue to be the corner stone of our job and wealth creation policy, as we enhance its capacity to diversify our economic base. We have started the process of revolutionizing agriculture through the rehabilitation of all our dams and irrigation projects to give us the support of all year cultivation so that we can feed our nation and create export potential opportunities.
19. At the social frontiers we are committed to the improvement of our infrastructure. Therefore, transportation, including national road network, railways and waterways; health care and education would continue to receive our utmost attention. Two weeks ago i had the opportunity of taking a train ride from lagos to abeokuta. This exhibits our commitment to the rehabilitation of rail services. We will embark on the construction of modern gauge rail system across the country with a view to making transportation of people and goods more effective.
20. No matter the good intention of government, if a formidable educational system is not in place it will be difficult to achieve national development. Because of the importance of education to our national development, i called a stakeholders summit to look at the inadequacies in our educational system and i have set up a task force that is empowered to carry out the recommendations of the summit especially as it affects our curricula. We will encourage the establishment of skill acquisition centres in all local governments of the federation. At the tertiary level, our government will ensure that every state of the federation that has no federal university gets one and we will work with the private sector to provide accommodation to decongest our crowded hostels.
21. We shall confront all the social issues that have threatened the peaceful coexistence of nigerians in all parts of our country. In this regard, we will empower our security agencies to perform its statutory duties effectively. Our commitment to peace, security and rapid development of the niger delta remains unwavering. We shall continue the implementation of the amnesty programme with vigour.
22. Before i conclude this address, i want to appeal to our political leaders and nigerians in general to eschew violence in all ramifications. I have said, neither my ambition nor any other person’s ambition is worth the blood of any nigerian. I seize this opportunity to remember with heavy hearts the members and supporters of our party; and indeed all other parties – that lost their lives in accidents or through acts of political violence during the course of this campaign. I would like to assure their loved ones that they did not die in vain. May their gentle souls rest in perfect peace.
23. I want to assure you once again that i understand the challenges that our people face today. As someone who grew up in a very modest environment and find myself through the will of god and the mandate of nigerians in this privileged position, i pledge my commitment to build a stronger and more prosperous country for this generation and the generation to come.
24. To the youth of nigeria, i promise good and functional education and job opportunities;
to the women, i promise more involvement in governance and more challenging jobs;
i also assure you of your 35% in appointive offices;
to our children, i promise to give you hope and a nigeria that you will be proud of.
25. I urge you to go out there and vote for transformation;
vote for unity, equity and justice;
vote for economic prosperity, job creation and youth empowerment;
vote for good education and skill acquisition;
vote for security and a society where there will be mutual respect for one another.
I urge you my brothers and sisters to vote for Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Mainasara Omoluabi Jonathan and i will never, never let you down.
I thank you.
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