 Published
April 24th, 2011
It will not be unusual to state that the
April 16, 2011 presidential election of President Jonathan
remains a non-default national outcome with a clear or given
mandate which is richly suited to our current national
needs; no matter how imperfect it may be to some quarters in
the country
The Nigerian people are a mix of various ethnic, traditional
and religious sentiments and these psychologies play a role
as to how the President will appeal to the country’s common
national identity, share our common interests and address
the soul or mentality of those tied to the politics is
ruthless divisions and selfishness.
President Jonathan knows that his newly found mandate is not
only God-sent but anchored in the spirit of a people crying
for progress in their general living conditions; a cry that
began since the democratic year of year of 1999.
In spite of our class, political, religious and regional
differences, somehow the Nigerian people for the most part,
and for the first time, have presented the same eyes for a
transformational type of leadership.
There appears to be is a sense of national confidence in
this new President by many rural, urban and diaspora
Nigerians who are looking forward to measurable changes, and
clearer indicators in areas of concern such as public
safety, joblessness, local terrorism, lowly governance,
religious radicalism, inadequate law enforcement, monetary
mismanagement, and other related problems.
It could be safe to say that for the next four years the
nation could come under a smooth line of political stability
without the fear of post-1960 independence experiences such
as coups and anti-rule of law leadership.
Therefore, let this presidency be a tenure when Nigeria is
no longer viewed as one of the most corrupt nation in the
world. Let this time not just be a period of pledging to end
corruption, advance economic and social reforms but a time
when today’s Nigerians will look back and say it was a
period when real changes were noted and transparently
carried out in health, road, electricity, budget, contract,
security and other domestic areas.
We want to see dramatic improvements in the rule of law,
policing, penology, agriculture, infrastructure,
professional work, and privatization.
The Nigerian people are looking to a presidency that will
aggressively pursue private investment, and maintain less
dependence on government aid in areas like education, public
financing, regional development, agricultural production,
and technical research or studies.
In the areas of trade and economics, Nigerians in the
diaspora should be invested upon and re-directed back home
to help in various areas of research and technical
assistance.
This presidency should find a way to convince leaders in the
incoming administration to fully pursue efficiency and time
management if we are to ensure growth and development in
public service and governance.
Under this presidency Nigerian should practice positive
expectations since such national mindset will always result
in societal promotion within our today’s global economy, as
well as help the presidency avoid the extra ordinary weight
of bearing the formidable problems involved in the Nigerian
leadership.
It matters not if this period in Nigeria is proclaimed as
the dawn of a new era, or the emergence of a new State. The
question for all of us is the Jonathan Presidency going to
get the Nigerian public's overwhelming support that could
prepare and motivate the prime change that we will all
appreciate?
John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D., DABPS; FACFE; is a Licensed
Clinical/Forensic Psychologist; Diplomate of American Board
of Psychological Specialties; Fellow of American College of
Forensic Examiners (For Psy); Former Interim Associate Dean
and an Assistant Professor of Psychology, Broward College -
North Campus, Coconut Creek, Florida.
joshodi@broward.edu
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