Apparently, the President had zeroed in on a comment and arranged for his aides to contact some “visionary” who appeared to have a sort of solution to the power problem.
Power is a tough nut
Whilst some comments on Google Buzz were less than charitable about this crowd-sourcing approach to problem resolution, I felt for the first time we had a leader who was seeking advice, ready to listen and responding positively to suggestions.
More importantly, the power infrastructure problem is really a difficult one for too many reasons to recount here as I threw the idea that if it were easy to solve the least competent leader would have done it and the most political leader would have built on it – The fact is radical ideas are needed on that matter and it would do well that we restrain our criticism and cynicism for an opportunity to listen first and keep our peace for a while.
A new leadership approach
Meanwhile, Goodluck Jonathan as he has plainly identified himself on Facebook has the profession of a politician rather than a zoologist, I suppose, that is what he had become now has 100,335 people who like him since he joined just 11 days ago on the 28th of June 2010.
His first status post was – Today, in fulfillment of the promise I made at the 26th convocation of the University of Port Harcourt on Saturday, 15 May 2010, I have created a facebook fan page to interact with Nigerians. As I said on that day, there is an unchallengeable power of good in the Nigerian nation and her youth and through this medium I want Nigerians to give me the privilege of relating with them without the trappings of office. GEJ
This is a laudable goal, in the main that he first kept the promise and in recognising that the trappings of office might prevent him from getting a feel of the people he leads.
More humility than hubris
For his profile, he writes – My life has always been about service. I am focused on serving my Creator, family and my country to the best of my ability and with your help I aim to be better at doing that.
This probably is something Nigerians can relate to as a very religious country; it does appear to say a lot in terms of his priorities which puts his faith and immediate responsibilities first and then the country for the greater good.
He recognises that his abilities are not omnipotent or omniscient as many African leaders tend to demonstrate by never allowing others in power thinking they only have the wherewithal to rule like emperors whilst failing to mentor suitable successors to their “thrones”, with our help, President Jonathan hopes to improve on what he is doing – for once, a sense of humility rather than hubris is expressed by leadership.
A voice in the wilderness
I cannot help but think after reading many of the postings by the president than they all sound quite professorial almost to the extent that it is impossible to identity the substance of his statements. The voice is too collective sometimes relayed in platitudes that border on the rhetorical, where the 1st person is used there is almost a conflict between the assertive and the acquiescent – it makes you wonder if you are being lead or you are half-persuaded to follow.
I would think that the president does read many of the comments but he would definitely have to engage a Facebook management team that weeds out the chaff and highlights the wheat.
Yes sir, yes sir, 3 bags full sir
The comments are presaged with unnecessary and flowery obsequiousness each one seeming to try to out-praise the other with all the religious padding that detracts from getting straight to the point – verbosity is our undoing in many cases being succinct, concise or precise is too good for our expression.
With an average of over 1,500 comments per status, this a Facebook page I neither want to like or leave a comment on, for this one page the responsible thing would be to switch off all notifications or streamline your settings to take notifications from lists of friends whilst excluding the traffic generated at the President’s page.
There are ways in which this looks like taking suggestions from a crowd at a political rally, the noise, the heckling, the robust supporters who will listen to no one but their patron and much worse – this is for a particular followership and audience that needs to extend their Facebook footprint to include politicians, celebrities and passing fads or trends.
The new talk shop
As a forum for ordinary Nigerians to engage with their president, this a welcome development; as an opportunity to glean new ideas for issues that Nigeria faces, this widens the resource and talent pool beyond the fossils that crowd the political space in Nigeria – it would become the new Nigerian talking shop but for the wise, this is best observed from afar.
You probably need to be a member of Facebook to visit http://www.facebook.com/jonathangoodluck
As the first wired President of Nigeria on a popular social network, all one can say is Goodluck Jonathan – welcome to Facebook.
The President’s Facebook page has started a new kind of revolution especially among younger internet aware youths, in my University everybody is rushing to join and i think people understand that the country has problems but for once this is somebody that has voluntarily brought himself within earshot and ready to attempt solutions from listening.While a lot might be naive to think the President will read each massage or too excited about the virtual proximity to power to leave only praises , a lot do research and take the quality of their postings seriously and it has virtually left most feeling as if they have a friend they can trust.
Anyway you look at it , this is a new kind of Presidency for Nigeria
Your excellency sir, I want to tell you that you should not forget soon the kind of fate that brought you into office. If God be for you who can (not the North or anyone else) can be against you. Sir please do not fail to contest because if you fail, God will issue you queries. sir i have more than several ways to gain more supports but…
HE. they will come in seven ways and they will flee in thousands of ways, please do not be distracted. 2011 you will be there to continue the good works God has giving to you. we are behind you, south south we go.
WE HAVE STARTED SEEN CHANGES IN THE STABILITY OF THE POWER AND WE ARE PRAYING FOR ITS CONTINUITY. MR. PRESIDENT YOU ARE WELDONE.
WITHOUT MIXING WORDS, PRES. GOODLUCK HAS PUT IN PLACE WHAT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO ENRACED BY FEATURE LEADERS. HE WAS ABLE TO OPEN-UP NIGERIANS EYES BY HIS STYLE. I PRAY HE CONTINUE WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR. GOD BLESS PRES. JONATHAN, GOD BLESS NIGERIA.
Your Excellency,may the good Lord guide your steps and show you proper direction to take Nigeria out of the present sorry state to a glorious level in providing essential infrastructure for Nigerians
As a product of unique University of Port-Harcourt it does not surprise me at all the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan would be too willing to break rands with officialdom and connect directly with the masses. Expect more from Prof Claide Ake boys. Thanks, Nnaemeka T. Okafor (University of Port-Harcourt, 1977 Pioneer Set).
oga, sir u are GOD sent.
Jonathan go for the golden dream. There are still Nigerians who share with your vision. Nigeria can make it. All we need is ethical re-orientation. Corruption is the bane of our society and must be remove. Dr . Bassey Esu
[…] Blogueiros locais registram como positiva a iniciativa do presidente, apontando eu ele estava buscando aconselhamento, pronto para ouvir e responder positivamente às sugestões. […]
Your Excellency you have won the forthcoming elections already,other contestants know this for sure.(Anybody who has decided to contest otherwise is wasting his/her money and i think its better they invest this wasting money on something more profitable)
sir, you are highly supported
P resident Goodluck Jonathan is my PRESIDENT and my prayer to him is that GOD will enrich him with WISDOM,TEMPERANCE,UNDERSTANDING AND GRACE. And may the peace of our Lord JESUS CHRIST that supasses every understanding ,the love of GOD and the fellowship of the HOLYSPIRIT guild your heart my president. You will always hear a voice behind you directing you on the way to go.GOD’S GRACE ,MY PRESIDENT
[…] Blogueiros locais registram como positiva a iniciativa do presidente, apontando que ele estava buscando aconselhamento, pronto para ouvir e responder positivamente às sugestões. […]
Thank you Sir for your palpable sincerity on this nation. Its my fervent prayer that the good Lord will give you all the needed for the fulfilment of your heart-felt concern for your fatherland,amen.
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no improvement
well I was happy when had that Goodluck woned the election as the president of Nigeria, because of the election in other for to vote I had to fly to Nija which I belived alots of others Nigerians mart have done. is like I’m regreeting it for me to spend about a thuosand Euro to buy my ticket just for sake of mr G. Jonathan. Am disapointed, due to the fact that the major problems we have is not even yet attending to them, ie power,corruption, mostlly in the police setor and govt. offices. to my surpr.His removing fuel surfsidy.That is bool. what is the problem the Advisers. I hope mr president you would read this, is not late because you are the hope of Nigerians you have to make name as your name applies for Nigerians and the world to put you in good history. And God Almighty will give you direction and guide thrue this term $second terms which I know with the Grace of God you suceed. Ola Osa-Oni.
Very quickly, most African leaders must cross the narrow tinge between democracy to autocracy. With a damning new year gift of fuel subsidy removal and apparent muzzling of opposing voices, tyranny seem beckoning.
MR. PRESIDENT be strong, and courageous if only u believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Note Nigerians sh”d remember u are not the only one in the house there. my prayer is that God will use u and those around u in the house to change Nigeria to better.Finally always remember your oath to the people before u assumed office. Remained bless Amen.
NTA program displayed feeble and not usual President Jonathan,as he might be toxin-ed or poisoned tactically,as gradually end up in terminal exit.
The recent NTA displayed NIPC TV Program where I saw President Goodluck Jonathan delivered a key Note Address, where careful observation shown evidently that President Goodluck Jonathan is not usually normal and vibrant, displaying some earlier signs of being toxin-ed or gradually being poisoned via a complex tactics, as he lost agility, doesn’t look as old self or exhibit talking authority as a President, as he is likely weak internally. These are earlier signs of contact with toxin’s or poisonous substances, which his direct visit to any trust-able/reliable hospital could investigate.
Further observation on the TV, shown where VP Namadi Sambo looks big like when late Gen. Abacha was battling poisoned health problem, which suggest that both might have been tactically toxin-ed or poisoned, with the Evil planner’s belief that they might use tech and medication to cure VP Namadi Sambo later, but big look portrayed that the blood medical cleansing is not going as expected.
In doubt, President Goodluck Jonathan should directly without proxies,consult Special US or German Hospital for complex blood check up/examination analysis for medical technical blood cleansing exercise and medication,and strictly observed his feeding/drinking,as there further program to gradual add chemicals to his system,while they can fool him with spiritualism. Also, the Presidency could gather his TV shows from the first swearing in after the death of Late President Musa Yar’dua to the his second swearing in,in 2011,where evidently there could great difference in his agility, moves, exposing of high self confidence with authority to present weak people whose mind and body is not functioning as expected. When Late President Musa Yar’dua was in his earlier signs, we raised alarm,but thgey tactically used ethnicity and religion to weaken and caged him,moved from Germany to Saudi where their contacts/networks were used for their limited evil agenda.
We, rather known as Street or nobody sounded this alarm as we sounded during of Late President Musa Yar’dua was not healthy, but we were are heard, because Late President Musa Yar’dua don’t have presidential website or direct email for easy access.The President Goodluck Jonathan quickly forgot the impossibilities Nigerians faced in installing him as President after the death of Late President Musa Yar’dua, where the Evil Genius with world cronies fought to corner Power, but indomitable African icon Obasanjo, Elder Shagari, notable Core North Emirs, some reasonable Chiefs and good Nigerians fought behind scene to make Goodluck Jonathan the Nigeria President, whom Goodluck Jonathan has abandon to doom or death, rather using his God given opportunity to tactically assist Nigeria to live reasonably and help his Niger Delta people to reasonably develop and move out poverty.
The Evil Genius who looted and manipulated Nigeria/west Africa, to reward us with violence through Boko Haram rather to use his loot to develop Nigeria for us the captured Nigerians, is very unfortunate, but God or Nature will take care of that. But he made great blunder by arming and coordinating such Bokos with Great Kanuri people who have in past fought Fulani over Northern domination, as after usage, will use the same violent tool to pressurize core North led Fulani to seek for their Kanuri share of core North loot, presently being managed by trusted Southern cronies.
The VP Sambo Proxies parading of Mike Otedola whenever President Goodluck Jonathan in every Presidential conference, as to portray President Goodluck Jonathan as the person who sent Mike Otedola to set up Hon. Farouk Lawan is an evil agenda. Mike Otedola simply knows nothing about Northern Politics with its dynamism, but he will be dumped when the game is over, as his family will bear cost beyond their imagination.
Now, Nigeria has won its world class trophy in waging war successfully internally and will be granted in space in the world Guinness Book of Record, as Pakistan and Afghan war were externally being sponsored, but Nigeria, those who looted are waging war against the poor and helpless & gullible Nigerians shall never go scot free on earth or world beyond.
http://www.maziliteralworks.wordpress.com
http://www.maziliteralworks.blogspot.com
Regards
Mazi Patrick Maduabuchim
Historian,Thinker/Writer
email:akwaba2000@gmail.com
My president. don,t allow saboteurs to be a problems to you,keep on doing what you are doing now .it is going to be great tomorrow,the critics will later praise the bold step you took in piloting the affairs of this nations in this regime.
i,m from africa -algeria- but i,m not proud been african . because i think we african people are corrupted and we don,t do much to developpe the continent and help our animals. normaly nigeria should be the country number one in africa . look what are doing to your country because of your mentalite and your fanatisme . true or not ? normaly if we were real strong men and women .the whole word should comme to our feet to ask us to visit africa. we are just a fucking stupid people from egypte to south africa .
what african people need to do is to start working to developpe a new ideas and build a real iniligence and work hard to change an old mentality in africa.mentaly we are lasy and we always complain about english and french people . today thez are not with us, and we are free. but still corrupted and lazy .and our probleme number one is women , because we are fanatics people because of religions from athor cultures . we african people we never hade a prophet so why should we follow athors cultures and their religions . i think we don,t know what logic means to us . start working hard and share all we got between us. because at the moment the tresors of africa are in north america and europe . man thez have a good life and we are starving, this is crazy . how stupid we are .
we are almost one milliard men and wemen in africa . and in 2050 we will be 2 milliards . can you tell why do we need to be so many ? i think we should produce less children and work more . today we can live a nice life with two children , but not with 5 or 10 kids . weak up african people it is time to start thinking before it is to let. if we want we can . si on veut on peut .there is no africa witout our bieutifull animals and our sexy women .
the armee, and the state , and the people of nigeria . need a dialog and tolk peacefully to each athor . do not destroy your country .and do not mix religion and politic .and fight corruption witch is in your blood . boco haram is from saudi arabia and qatar and north america .