Today, November 20, President Goodluck Jonathan celebrates his birthday. He would definitely receive lots of gifts and warm greetings during the day. Apart from congratulating him, we decided to look at Jonathan’s presents for Nigeria in 2014 and some of his biggest achievements.
1. Terrorism and problems of the North
Several special programmes were launched: the Presidential Initiative for the Northeast (focused on improving infrastructure and economic growth in the region), the Victim Support Fund (a partnership with the Private Sector that has raised about 60 billion Naira to help empower and rehabilitate the victims of terror), and the Safe School Initiative (centred on creating a safe environment to encourage our children in the communities to acquire education). According to the Presidency, “they would contribute into development of peace in Nigeria.”
2. Water sector
The water sector has significantly improved. Latest numbers indicate that 67% of Nigerians now have access to potable water. In 2010 just 58% used to have it. National Urban Water supply programmes are going to be launched in 12 states.
3. Transport
Gauge line from Lagos to Kano has been rehabilitated. Port Harcourt-Gombe segment, as well as the branch line from Kafanchan to Kaduna, expected to be completed and fully operational by December 2014. Ports in Nigeria now operate 24-hour service, which has led to the reduction of clearing time and improved efficiency.
4. Social sphere
Nigeria met its Millennium Development Goal One on reducing hunger and extreme poverty, two years ahead of 2015 target set by the United Nations, and was given an award by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
5. Health
The Ebola Virus Desease was stopped in Nigeria. Realizing the imminent threat, the president declared a national emergency, pulling states, local authorities and the Federal Government into action. New Polio Virus cases were reduced from 300 in 2010 to 6 today.
Goodluck Jonathan was born November 20, 1957, Otuoke, Nigeria. He became the Vice President of Nigeria in 2007 and the President in 2010.
Jonathan is of the Ijo (Ijaw) ethnic group and is a Christian. He was raised in the region of the Niger Delta, the modern territory of Bayelsa State. He went to Christian primary and secondary schools in the area and later attended the University of Port Harcourt.
There he earned a B.S. in zoology, an M.S. in hydrobiology and fisheries biology, and a Ph.D. in zoology. During his university education, he also studied at Rivers State College of Education from 1983 until 1993. The future president then worked as an assistant director at the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission from 1993 until 1998.
No comments:
Post a Comment