As the President of Nigeria in the outgoing tenure, I concentrated much of my efforts at rebuilding the physical infrastructure that could galvanize national industrial development. Today, the National Integrated Infrastructure Mater Plan has been launched. The National Enterprise Development Programme has been launched, The YouWIN programme has been launched; the Growing Girls in Nigeria Initiative called G-Win has also been launched. We have revived the moribund Railway system. The trains are now back on tracks. We have unbundled PHCN and paid off the workers without major industrial disharmony, paving the way for private sector provision of constant electricity. Volkswagen is back to Nigeria, Nissan is now producing in Nigeria and Peugeot Automobile has resumed production in Kaduna. All these are products of our in-depth Automotive Industry Master Plan.
I have built 12 new Federal Universities and ungraded two institutions to University status. This is unprecedented in the annals of Nigeria. The aim is to increase access to tertiary education to more number of Nigerian youths. In addition, Universities in Nigeria now receive N200 billion in grants annually to support on-campus infrastructure development, apart from normal budgetary allocations. We have constructed Almajrin schools in North and Technical vocational centres for out-of schools youths in the South east and South-west to provide conformable learning environment to our children to access good education. We have laid the foundation. We want to take these to the next level. This next level is human capital development.
Therefore as a Presidential aspirant in the 2015 elections, my issues of campaign focus on the following:
- Women: The Goodluck second tenure will embark on large scale women empowerment programme as well increase number of women that occupy public offices. We have developed a road map to integrate women into the nation’s development processes. I will fully implement the Affirmative Action of at least 35% positions for Women in appointive positions. I will do more to promote increased girl-child education in the northern parts of Nigeria. The G-WIN Initiative will be the plank to economically empower women and girls. The reduction in maternal and child mortality will be aggressively pursued through already existing programmatic platforms. Nigeria women must be fully engaged to contribute to national development. We are committed to making work and effort of women to count in National Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
- Youth: Youth are the heartbeat of the nation. The Goodluck second term administration will give greater attention lifting up the Nigerian youth to a higher level of attainment. We work to harness the energies and potentials of the youth for national development through specialized programmes including support for Youth in ICT; Youth in Sports; Youth in Agriculture and Youth entrepreneurship. The youth will be supported to become wealth greater though starting and running their own businesses. This is our strategy to curb youth unemployment and restiveness. The future of Nigeria belongs to the Nigerian youths. They must be empowered to compete in the emerging globalized economy.
- The Elderly: The Goodluck Jonathan Administration will ensure that Pensioners and the elderly are protected, supported and provided for so that they can continue to enjoy good health and longevity. Special attention will be given to the elderly in our society.
My primary focus is on human capital development. I believe a nation is as developed as its human capital. Education, Women, and Youth development are the indicators of a nation’s development. Having laid the foundations for industrial take off, I want you to vote for me to make good these areas of our national life. It’s all about you. A vote for Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 election is a vote to securing for solid future. Let’s do it together.
Nigerians first. Nigerians always. Vote Goodluck Jonathan. Vote PDP.
By PDP Integrity Vanguard
