Is President Olusegun Obasanjo's proposed National Dialogue the way forward for Nigeria?
We �re Succeeding, Says Obasanjo
From Josephine Lohor in Abuja, 12.17.2004
President Olusegun Oba-sanjo yesterday said despite criticisms, the entire reform agenda of the Federal Government was succeeding. He however, took exception to the fact that Nigerians "take pride in cynical attitude, unmitigated attacks on persons and institutions in the public sphere and revel in tenuous commitments to the cause of the nation. How can we make progress in that way?" In his speech at the 2004 National Honours Award, the president noted that "our efforts to enthrone good governance transparency, accountability and due process and competition into the way we do things have elicited comments from various circles. But the truth is that we are succeeding. The results are there for all to see." One hundred and ninety -five Nigerians including foreigners received national honours in a colourful ceremony at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Abuja, yesterday. Former Head of Interim National Government (ING), Chief Ernest A.O. Shonekan was the only one who received the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) award, while six who received the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) include Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu; the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar; Chief Sonny Iwedike Odogwu and His Royal Majesty, Igwe Alfred N. Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha. Obasanjo urged "Nigerians to be patient, be supportive and be confident that we are on the right path to greatness", adding that "like all other countries, the challenges are many. The road to development is tough and unsteady, but definitely, the prevailing situation is a passing phase." While emphasizing that "leadership is just as critical as follower ship", the President advised that "a nation cannot develop or enjoy stability when its citizens are not united, focused, entrepreneurial and God-fearing. A people must commit to be values of ,,,, inclusion, accountability, self-help and self-reliance an respect for due process and the rule of law in order to establish common foundations for progress and greatness." In his own speech, after receiving his award from President Olusegun Obasanjo Shonekan called for a re-vitalised national orientation effort to check the alarming rate at which Nigerians leave their motherland. He said: � Across the length and breadth of Nigeria, the mass of our people tend to take more interest in what is going on in other countries other than our fatherland.�
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