FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Former president Goodluck Jonathan, on Tuesday expressed hope in the nation’s democracy despite its current wobbling and fumbling nature.
He expressed his confidence shortly after meeting with the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II in his palace in Benin City
Jonathan said democracy is a gradual process and countries must be able to know and appreciate that because of its inherent benefits.
Tomorrow is the public holiday that we are celebrating the Democracy day and looking at the faces, some of you were not born in 1998, 1999 that this present republic came to stay because we will be 25 years old and as at that time, some of you were not born or maybe you could be one or two years and may not know what really happened in Nigeria before this time.
Adding that, Democracy takes a gradual process well, some countries may move faster than others. We maybe moving slowly, we may be a bit sluggish , we may even wobble sometimes but the key thing is that, Democratic governance is what everybody wants. So that people will be able to express themselves freely.
Stating that, We have media freedom because of democracy. It was not like this before. Yes, the dividends of democracy in terms of what comes to the people, are we feeding well? Do you have a good job? Can you go to hospitals that have doctors, drugs? We are still struggling to get there.
“But the journey is on. I believe we will get there”, Jonathan said.
President Jonathan when asked embarking on such initiative of spreading the messages of democracy across the Africa continent, said it is part of his contributions to the continent.
“Well, is always a global practice when you have a privilege of serving a country as a president, there is a number of things we have, there is a number of leakages and after finished serving, you will think about what will you continue to give back to the society and we selected the issue of consolidating democracy across the Africa continent, issues of good governance, and issue of standard practice of elections .
“That is the messages we have been carrying on”, Jonathan added.
Earlier, Jonathan said he was at the palace of the Oba to inform him of his forthcoming programme, Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Democracy Dialogue slated to take place in Benin and to seek his blessings for a successful event.
He said education is key and that if the people are not well educated and prepared, they may not know what to do.
On the part of the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, he thanked former president Goodluck Jonathan for bringing the event to Benin adding that his action has really proven the value and respect he has for the Benin Kingdom which is the home of culture.
While lauding and affirming what president Jonathan said on educating the people to enable them make an informed decision, said it is very apt as if you don’t tell a spoiler that he is spoiling things, he will think that he is repairing it.
The Oba who also commending the former president for always coming to the kingdom to pay him visit, assured him of reciprocating such gesture.
Aljazirah Nigeria reports that those who are to grace the occasion that will be co-hosted by the governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki are immediate past president of Kenya, Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta; former Liberian President, George Weah and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar.
Other personalities expected at the annual event themed ‘Functional Education, Effective Political Leadership as a Panacea to Africa’s Growth and Development,’ are former Vice President of Zambia, Dr. Nevers Mumba and the head of the UNDP Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa, Njoya Tikum.
Expected as a keynote speaker is Prof. Olubayi Olubayi, a seasoned educationist, Chief Academic Officer at Maarifa Education, a Kenya based Pan-African company that owns private universities across Africa and former Vice Chancellor of the International University of East Africa (IUEA) in Uganda.
