My Transition - Jonathan Ebele REMADE (B), page 13
the first Lady and I walked the red carpet that was spread in our
honour. I shook the hand of many friends, ministers and
government officials, traditional rulers and elders. They were all
welcoming me. The welcome we received on the streets was so
compelling for the First Lady and me – we were astonished. As we
drove to the reception venue, people marched and danced along the
major road leading to the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre where once
again the reception planned was more than ordinary.. We walked into
this huge room that had been specially set up for a concert, and my
eyes quickly reverted to the sign hanging from the middle of the
stage. In huge letters alongside a picture of me were the following
words:
THE GOVERNMENT OF BAYELSA STATE HEARTILY
WELCOMES OUR GREAT LEADER PRESIDENT
GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN BACK HOME TO THE
GLORY OF ALL LANDS. Civic Reception in Yenagoa.
I couldn't believe the reception so carefully planned by the State
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Governor and people of Bayelsa.
Questioning thoughts plagued my mind.
Was this happening? Had I not just lost the elections? How could
these people welcome me in this manner? After enjoying the
wonderfully planned entertainment, it soon came time for me to
address the people. I walked up to the podium fully aware of my
feelings and what was in my heart, this was a time that I had been
dreading, but suddenly I truly felt at home and loved by my people.
My Speech To The People
“I thank all of you here, and my brothers and sisters outside who cannot come in
because of the size of the hall . . . Firstly, let me say that sometimes when exposed
to high office and you finish serving . . . No, I will say it, I was afraid to come
back home . . . Because in one way or another, I knew my people expected more of
me politically. Yes, in a different world, I could have done more for my state . . .
Always we can do more if responsibilities permit . . . I began to fear whether you
would receive me or simply curse me . . . Or, would you hoot at me. Do you know
that because of my doubts I had wanted to come back quietly. But the state
governor insisted that it must be a celebration. I don't know what to say, the only
thing I can do is to thank all Bayelsans, Ijaw people, people from the South-
South, and indeed all Nigerians for giving me this privilege. “Often, during my
term, when I would doubt what I was doing there. I used to think that probably if
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I had stayed in Bayelsa, I'd have been more useful to my people. But vacating the
seat here gave others an added opportunity, and by all accounts, they have done
wonderfully well. I want you all to know that it is my belief this new
administration will work with Nigerians to make better the lives of the people.
I'm indeed happy that one of the statements President Buhari made was that he
doesn't belong to any clique, but rather he belongs to Nigerian's! I congratulate
him for that bold statement.
Applause filled the room. I walked off the stage knowing that my
people understood. I slowly sat down by the First Lady, and she
turned and smiled. We held that smile for a long moment.
The show of affection for us continued with performance by first
class, exceptional and talented array of professional musicians,
singers, dancers, actors, and actresses. The African dancing was
spectacular. The crowd was taken by surprise when the beat of the
reverberating drums rang out, Suddenly an athletic, muscular and
well-built African man with unusually flexible joints, appeared on
stage. He danced to the loud beat of the music wearing only long,
silk, yellow sweat pants and the crowd went wild as he made unusual
moves with his flexibility. They were held captive as he danced,
shook his body at an exceptional speed, and gyrated back and forth.
He brought the house down as he did the ever famous, Michael
Jackson moonwalk to African traditional music up and down the
stage.
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I want to mention one reenactment that sent a great message.
Apparently, it had been well thought out for my benefit, creatively
exhibited through the talented drama of a fish. This enormous
costume masquerade of a giant fish, carried high by two performers,
uniquely appeared on the stage running and turning all around like a
crazy person, taunting the audience to the beat of African music.
The fish played to the crowd but, more importantly, it wanted them
to read the inscription displayed on both sides: DO OR DIE
POLITICS! What message, was this? The crowd began
questioning what was going on. It became a little disturbing as their
boos rang out. What did this mean? The music mimicked the drama.
Then within seconds another performer came onto the stage, he
appeared holding a huge net, he confronted the fish for a few
seconds, the music keeping pace, then with a mighty force he flung
the net, throwing it over the fish and capturing it. The fish struggled
and struggled to get free, but couldn't. The music struck up as the
drama continued. Finally, the fish lay motionless, imitating the death
of the fish. It was an end to Do or Die Politics! The crowd cheered
and applauded enthusiastically as many of the women dancers
dragged the fish off stage.
What an incredible after-party it was, and I must add once again, all
the celebrations held for me in Bayesian State, were a credit to the
executive talent of our Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson. My thanks
to you and your wife!
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18:00 Hours Home To Otuoke
“To many, he has become an icon of peace and a beacon of hope for a
better future, not only for Nigeria but indeed Africa as a whole.”
~ Anonymous
Next, we were on to what would be the last reception of this special
day. Let me quote excerpts from newspaper reports that came out
the next day regarding my homecoming, it may best describe what
was happening to the First Lady and me while driving to our village:
News Report:" Activities to welcome Mr. Jonathan to Otuoke hit a
feverish pitch on Friday morning as various community groups
hoisted their banners around the community as they rolled out their
drums. Police patrol vans stationed at the two roads leading into
Otuoke while security was beefed up at Mr. Jonathan's villa. From
Government House in Yenagoa, he proceeded to his country home
in Otuoke where the mother of all receptions awaited him partying
well into the night." Interestingly, as we approached the crowd at the
village for the reception, I noticed a lot of young people who were
not from Bayelsa state. I met one young man from Katsina state,
which was the home state of President Buhari. The young man had
trekked from Katsina to my village. I was astounded to see him there,
rather than being at Eagle Square, in Abuja, to celebrate his state's
man.
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We walked into the reception ground, Dame Patiance Jonathan
Square, to another scene that I will always remember. Taking our
seats we listened to various speeches and finally I was called upon to
speak. I left the First Lady and was immediately ushered out to the
excitement of the people. I felt a little tense, but hearing the cheers
and well wishes relaxed me, I walked up to the podium about to
address my people. I was feeling overwhelmed by the level of
reception.
The cheering from the crowd uplifted my spirit, feeling emotional I
began: I was born in this small village, many years back . . . The village has
grown a little, but of course, it's still a small village by today's standard. I left the
village after secondary school, and when I started my political career, I was living
in Port Harcourt. With all politicians, we must have our base, our unit, where
our umbilical cord gets cut . . . for that is where you belong . . . And this is my place
of birth! I paused looking out over the sea of faces then continued.
Over the years, during all my elections, I came back here to vote, my wife and
myself. Today is significant for me in as much as ever since I left this village, I've
never actually spent a reasonable amount of time here. I would come maybe one or
two nights and go back. But today . . . All I want to say about that is— I have
come home!
The crowd responded enthusiastically, much to my surprise, so I
decided to add something tangible happening in Bayelsa state. I want
to apologize to my guests for the difficulties you encountered in accessing my
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community. I know it's not easy to get here. However, the governor is building an
airport in Yenagoa, and when finished you will no longer have to pass through
Port Harcourt Airport while traveling to Bayelsa state. For sixteen years we have
made great strides in contributing to the societal development, starting from the
state and ending up in Abuja. For my wife, and myself we say thank you. We
belong to this place; we are one of you . . . We are back!
The crowd received my comments without any hesitation, and I was
very happy.Walking back to where my wife was sitting the music
struck up, the entertainers came on stage, and the singers began to
sing. We sat there for the next two hours being entertained by some
very talented people we have in my country. I felt proud of my
administration's support for the entertainment industry.
“The time for lamentation is over. We are approaching the era of
transformation. Now is the time for action.”
~ Goodluck Jonathan
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154
C H A P T E R
11
“If there is anyone to trek for, it should be
Jonathan who did not allow his ambition to
plunge Nigerian's into any political crisis!”
chapter eleven
THE YOUTH BULGE
This Chapter will begin with a touching story . During the welcome
reception at Otuoke It was announced that young people had
trekked across the country in support of Jonathan's decision to
maintain peace in Nigeria. One individual (spoken of earlier) had
trekked from Lagos to Abuja in support of Buhari winning the
election 2015. The next day I was fortunate to talk with these three
extraordinary young people, one man and two women, who had
ended their trekking odyssey in my village of Otuoke. We sat down
together, and they shared with me their journey. Each of their
experience is worthy of mention, because if they are the example of
how deeply young Nigerians think today, then I want the world to
know about the determination, struggle, and commitment that is
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growing in our young people.
The first young man to start this journey told me how the positive
influence of his wife had made him think. She had been listening to
the news of the young man trekking for Mr. Buhari. He quoted his
young stay-at-home wife as saying: “If there is anyone to trek for, it
should be Jonathan who did not allow his ambition to plunge
Nigerian's into any political crisis!” She encouraged him to make the
journey, and at first, he had thought she was crazy, but then she said
something that resonated with him, which ultimately made up his
mind. “The peace that you and I enjoy today emerged from
Jonathan's acceptance of defeat, and by that action he proved
doomsayers, and the predicted negativity, to be wrong!” She told him
adamantly. The young man agreed, his memory had been jolted,
coming to mind was a commitment made by the President four years
ago in 2011. He told his wife, “I remember that after taking office,
the President declared that he would see to it that the country would
have free and fair elections and whatever the result he would abide by
it . Now four years later he is doing exactly that!”
The young man was convinced, not only to make the journey but
also to declare his commitment. Before starting the trek, he decided
to open a Twitter account and began to inform social media of his
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intent. The result had all kind of reactions; some people supported,
th
and others discouraged him. On May 4 , 2015 the young man
enthusiastically started his trekked from the Federal Housing
rd
Junction, in Lube, Abuja. It ended in Otuoke on May 23 , 2015,
nineteen days later.
The social media buzz had launched, and it took no time for this
information to go viral. The mainstream media quickly got on the
bandwagon, and word quickly spread across the entire country. The
two young ladies joined him, the first was on the second day, she had
driven to where he was (easy to find with social media) and after
speaking with him her mind was made up. She was excited and
shared her interest to family and friends, but they laughed and told
her that she was crazy, and she could even die on the road—it wasn't
worth the risk. They tried to talk her out of going, but she ignored
them. Checking with her Twitter account, she bid the naysayers
goodbye and organized a ride to where she joined the young man.
She began trekking with him on the third day. Through social and
mainstream media they were receiving increased support along the
way with food and shelter. News soon reached the second young
lady, already convinced, she ended up joining them at Agbor, in
Delta State, on day eleven. generation of leaders who instinctively
support peace in our continent.
I was amazed by their story. I asked the girls what had motivated
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them to do such an extraordinary thing? They expressed how much
they were encouraged by the young man's commitment that had
stemmed from what I had committed to back in 2011. They wanted
to trek across the country, but couldn't do it on their own, because
they were women. Teaming up was the next best thing. Sitting
listening to this new generation communicating their plight,
consisting of such sacrifices like incredible endurance, positive
attitude, and remarkable determination was enervating. Not to
mention the health challenges they endured, like sunburn, sore feet,
body pain, fighting the urge to quit (under the scorching hot sun
during their sometimes twelve to fourteen hour -days, I began to
think of the challenges my continent still faced. I thanked them, and
they left, but not before assuring me that when they returned home
after the spotlight had faded, they would pursue ideas and plans to
continue their contribution to peace and unity.
I was so impressed with these young people and very encouraged
that they are a part of the youth bulge spreading across Africa. They
make up ongoing necessity of job creation for the nearly 65% of
people in Africa, under the age of thirty-five. African youth all over
the Continent (not just Nigeria) want jobs and opportunities to
work, or to be entrepreneurial. We need contributors, business
owners, and executives to support the training and development of
this. African youth, with almost 200 million people aged between 15
and 24, accounts for the youngest population in the world, and it
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keeps growing rapidly, expected to double by 2050. It is a challenge,
but also represents an enormous potential for economic and social
growth when we create opportunities for them! I cannot emphasize
enough the fact that job creation is a national security and emergency
issue. The world will be a better place if our youth feels a sense of
ownership to our economies. Giving them employment will give
them dignity. The Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (You
Win) program has alone directly created 5,400 young entrepreneurs
since its commencement. Many philanthropists in Africa are
supporting young entrepreneurs. To build an inclusive global
economy, we need to learn from our global partners, learn the
lessons of our history and take action to establish a better future. I
look forward to global participation and will do my utmost to
