PTDF boss writes book on Goodluck

Emeka Ibemere

A book entitled: The Essential Goodluck Jonathan by Femi Ajayi, Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and the Convener, Goodluck Good Governance Group (G4), has been launched in Lagos. The event took place on Saturday 31 January, 2015, at Elomaz Hotel Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos State.

Launching the book, the author, who is also former Secretary and Director General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, called on Nigerians to judge President Goodluck Jonathan by his track records and re-elect him instead of being swayed by sentiments.

Speaking at the book presentation to a group; Goodluck Good Governance Group, G4, Ajayi said; “It would be a great injustice if we urge the electorates to re-elect the President based on sentiments.  He should be strictly judged on his track record of achievements since he became the number one political leader of Nigeria in year 2010. He has proved to be a role model for democracy and good governance since he became president of Nigeria,” he added.

“While it’s tempting to ask electorate to re-elect him because he is an easy going, likeable and humble gentleman or on the basis of his coming from a region that produces Nigeria’s black gold (oil revenue), this election should not be run on sentiments,” he said.

Ajayi in his book extol the President’s penchant for upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms as enshrined in the constitution and Human Rights Act adding that his feat has been unprecedented among Nigeria heads of state. According to him, the President has shown deference for rule of law, respect for court judgments and facilitated free and fair elections. The 72- page book with 66 contents is a highlight of the Presidents’ transformation agenda in the last six years on the saddle as the President of most populous country in the black race.

The Essential Goodluck Jonathan also contains the President’s giant stoic character and a personal testimony of the author about the President whom he said is a close friend for 33 years ago.

“My acquaintance, subsequent friendship, and enduring relationship with President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan; are all providential and divinely designed”, Ajayi writes.

“This personality profile can only be attempted by someone who has known the person under focus intimately in several capacities and who has the unique opportunity to observe him at close quarters under various situations over a long period”.

“So, while giving special thanks to President Jonathan for the intimate association that gave birth to this book, the glory for the connection and opportunity certainly belongs to our heavenly Father”.

According to the author, “the book is a passionate but critical and in-depth analysis of the person, passion, mission, vision, politics, policies, principles and philosophy of the man and the leader, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan”.

The author also added that the book is an x-ray which tries to unmask, explain and project the essence of the real GEJ, not as the messianic GEJ in the minds of his starry-eyed fanatics or the care-free and soft politician as misconceived by some well meaning Nigerians. Ordinarily, The Essential Goodluck Jonathan would have been a historical biography of Jonathan by a friend but a timeless personality sketch of the President which is based on his expressed visions and stated missions.

The writer stated: “it is a window into his thoughts, sayings and deeds; his candid views and opinions on specific subjects of human interest.”

The book under 24 sub-themes contained different quality leadership the president represents such as: “Jonathan- Much more Than Good Fortune, New Genre of Politics, Leader not Ruler; Sound Planner and Result-based Manager; A human Personality Par-Excellence; An accomplished Scholar; A Believer in Generational Justice; Advocate of Core Competence in Public Sector; Vanguard of Moral Values in Politics; A Case for Social Marketing; Promoter of Due Process and Rule of Law; Pragmatic Politician; A Democrats’ Democrat; Long Suffering and Easily-Forgiving; Apostle of Free But Responsible Media; Public Welfarist Extraordinaire; Quintessential Nation-Builder; Apostle of Peace; Pro-Youth Empowerment and Employment; Campion of Local Content; Crusader for Education and Capacity-Building; Pro-Poor but Anti-Poverty; Ally of the Private Sector; and My testament on GEJ”.

Essential of Goodluck Jonathan apart from revealing the President’s sterling character also revealed tangible but crucial benefits of democratic qualities of the President, and made comment on the giant strides of Jonathan in sustainable development of the country.