2nd July, 2010
Entries by President Goodluck Jonathan on the facebook platform are receiving massive reactions from Nigerians, who are using the opportunity to tell him their views about issues in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president on Monday made good his promise to open the fan page to interact with Nigerians.
“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,’’ he said.
By 1 p.m. on Thursday, the entry had received 1,261 comments, majority of which hailed the president for opening up the window of discussion while also saying that his ascendancy to power is divine.
The president’s subsequent entry at 2.06 p.m. on Tuesday had also received at least 662 comments as of Thursday while more were still coming in.
“It is not about WHO will change Nigeria. It is how WE can change her instead. Nigeria is the sum of our thoughts and actions. I’ve trained myself not to think anything but positive thoughts about this great country of ours since God and the people of Nigeria gave me the opportunity to serve,’’ he had said.
The president also made two entries on Wednesday, first at 7.43 a.m. and later after swearing in the new INEC management.
The early morning entry, which attracted 1262 comments, said: “Only team work can make the dream work. You and I are a team which is why I need to know what you think about the decisions of this administration.
“Communication, rather than information, is power. And I will listen to your voice. My vision is for Nigerians to be stakeholders rather than onlookers in this administration.’’
The second entry on the INEC inauguration said: “If we want a better Nigeria, we will have to create it. It will not just happen. I am not asking you to believe in me. I’m requesting you to believe in yourself.
“Today, I swore in the new Chairman of INEC and I pledge to all Nigerians to give them a free hand. Every support needed will be mobilised to make them achieve the objective for a greater Nigeria. Consequently, I urge you all to be hopeful about the future .’’
On its part, this entry had recorded 536 comments by Thursday afternoon, while more were still coming.
Although the comments are on various issues of governance, majority centre on electricity supply, INEC and elections, football, job opportunities and oil spill, among others.
From the tone of the reactions, it is apparent that most of their authors are youths, some of who use the opportunity to solicit for jobs.
Many also prayed for the president to continue with his good work while urging him to contest next year’s presidential election.