President Goodluck Jonathan Said Tuesday that Nigerians would better appreciate him when he is no longer in office, adding that it is only then they would they compare his efforts to that of his successors and see the strides the country made under him.
Jonathan spoke while receiving a delegation of traditional rulers and leaders from Bayelsa State, led by Governor Seriake Dickson, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The president heaped the blame for the strident criticisms against his administration on the advent of social media and its wrong use.
he said, however, that his administration is not alone on that score as it has become the trend world over for more strident criticsms to leveled against leaders.
For him these criticisms his administration Domnot come to him as a surprise.
“People do not often give credit to great men when they are still in charge,” he said.
He believes that whenever he is done with is terms and a new administration takes over and people make comparison, they would appreciate his efforts and give him his due credit.
The president promised that he would not be distracted by such criticisms, as he would continue to give his best to the nation.
According to him, leaders all over the world received more criticisms these days, due to the effect and power of social media.
He said, “I always say that I will not even expect praises now, because hardly do people praise serving leaders. It is when you leave office that people will begin to know.
“When you leave, people will begin to compare what you have done over the period vis-a-vis what others have done, then they will compare you with whoever takes over.
“Probably that is the time some people will begin to say good things about you. But I will do my best to make sure that we do change things.
“We are trying to create enabling environment for our economy to thrive, irrespective of the challenges we are having in the petroleum sector and the security challenges we have.
“I will do my best so that by the time I leave, you will be able to say that when our son was there, he served the country well. This will help make another son of Bayelsa to be given another opportunity to serve Nigerians,” he said.
Citing the regrets of the inventor of dynamite because of the destructive purpose for which people used it, Jonathan said he was in power today because it was the will of the people.
“I assure you that I am here by the grace of God and with the willingness of Nigerians. If Nigerians say I shouldn’t be here, I wouldn’t have been here. We contested election in 2011 and Nigerians voted for us.
“I am your own, if I don’t do well, the shame will be on you. If I do well, you will have some kind of pride. I will do my best.
“These days, there are all kinds of stories. It is all over the world, leaders are being lambasted, especially with the social media now.
“People use what knowledge had created for negative reasons. Just as I was told that the person who invented dynamite regretted that invention, because he thought he was coming up with something to solve human problem, but when he got to know about the level of destruction: human lives that are being blown up because of explosion, the man regretted that invention.
“What is supposed to be used for the common good was turned to negative purposes,” he added
Earlier in his address, Governor Dickson had said Bayelsa people were proud of the president’s service to the nation.
He explained that the delegation visited the president to show the world that they were with him in actions and prayers.
“It is in the spirit of Christmas that we are here on behalf of the people of the state to wish you, your family and government compliment of the season and wish you victorious 2015.
“We bring you prayers and message of solidarity. We thank all Nigerians for the support and prayers they have been giving you.
“We are proud of the service you are giving to our country and we appreciate your transformation agenda,” he said.
President Jonathan also received a delegation of Urhobo Progressive Union from Delta State at the Presidential Villa.
