Jonathan fights back

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday fought back and said the most critical of his administration on corruption were neck-deep in the art, even at the highest level, describing them as “the most corrupt.” Addressing the Nigerian community in South Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, Jonathan said corruption in Nigeria was highly exaggerated.
Similarly, President Jonathan expressed his unhappiness with the 400 Nigerian citizens in various prisons in South Africa, saying it was bad example of what Nigerians in the Diaspora should be. On the reports of corruption in his administration, Jonathan said, “From my experience as deputy governor up till the time I was elected as the vice president I know those who talk more about corruption are the most corrupt.

“People’s perception about corruption in Nigeria was over-amplified than the corruption that happens. “The perception index is very high, we are not saying there’s no corruption in the country, all of us must work hard to fight corruption,” he said. He said issues of corruption, security and crime were important to him and his administration. He added that government was addressing the problem of insecurity in some parts of the country.
“The issue of insecurity, threat to peace and stability in some parts of the country is being addressed; threat to peace and stability in the country must be stopped,” Jonathan said. He said he was totally committed to what was right for the country at all times. “I promise Nigerians that the issue of power will be solved as soon as the privatisation of power sector is completed. “Power is key to the transformation agenda of this government. In no distant future, the type of transformation in the telecommunication sector will be experienced in the power sector.

“We as government are doing everything to build a Nigeria of our dreams. Our airports are being renovated and modernisation and expansion of our railway transport system is ongoing. “All what we request from all Nigerians, both at home and in the Diaspora is support and understanding.” On the number of Nigerians in South African prisons, President Jonathan said, “I was told that more than 250,000 Nigerians are living in South Africa and that more than 400 are in prison serving various jail terms.
“This is a bad example of what Nigerians in the Diaspora should be; there are some countries like Malawi and Uganda that no Nigerian is in prison. “Most Nigerians are doing very well abroad in various professional callings. “There are Nigerians living in South Africa making good name for us, but a few of you are doing things in different ways.

“There is need for these few Nigerians to be good Ambassadors of Nigeria so that people will not see Nigerians and Nigeria as corrupt and criminally-minded people and nation,” he charged. Jonathan assured that insecurity and molestation of Nigerians by various South African authorities would be discussed with President Jacob Zuma during the state visit.