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I’ll Confound Critics By 2013 – Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan said on Monday he would prove
critics of his administration wrong by 2013 when the dividends of new policies
introduced begin to manifest.
Jonathan said this while declaring open the 52nd Annual
General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja.
He said he was the most criticised president in the world at
the moment because his critics failed to understand that the country’s current
challenges predated his administration.
He assured that his critics would have the cause to praise
him at the end of the life of his administration when his Transformation Agenda
would have yielded the expected dividends.
“I think I am the most criticised president in the whole
world, but I tell this noble audience that before I leave, I will also be the
most praised president.
“I have experienced that before, in my governor journey in
Bayelsa State. In fact, people who were close to me will tell you that even after
the election, I told them that in my first 12 months, please cover your ears
because you will hear all kinds of things. But as we progress, you will see
(changes).
“We are working very hard to stabilise power. We are working
very hard to resurface our roads. We have security challenges, which we are
also working very hard to bring to reasonable control.
“It is not easy; we don’t have the magic wand, except the
miracle worker that with the wave of the hand, probably will help to throw all
these challenges away and prosperity will appear. But in pure governance
issues, it takes time.
“Sometimes, even people who have held offices in government
criticise me to the extent of personal abuses. Sometimes I ask, were there
roads across in the country and Jonathan brought flood to wipe out these roads?
or we had power and I brought hurricane to break down the entire
infrastructure?
“If they say Boko Haram is because of poverty; were there
massive irrigation projects in the North where agriculture can thrive and massive
farms, and Jonathan brought drought to wipe out these farms? under two years is
it possible?
“Well, time will tell. What I can tell Nigerians is that let
those who criticise continue to criticise.
“We will do our best and as we progress, Nigerians will know
the truth and we’ll see that we are committed and will surely transform this
country,’’ he said
The President said that he promised to deliver free, fair
and credible elections before the conduct of the 2011 general elections and the
assessment of the polls by local and international observers was a testimony
that he kept his promise.
He said his administration had initiated policies that would
ensure the political, social and economic transformation of the country.
Jonathan said the Federal Government had proposed a new
Anti-terrorism Bill 2012 to address the current security challenges in the
country.
The President said he disagreed with the position of the NBA
on the urgent need to create State Police to address the security challenges in
the country.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.