LAGOS DECEMBER 17TH (URHOBOTODAY)-President Goodluck Jonathan has been urged not to see those expressing great disaffection with his administration as his enemies, rather he should take courage and motivation from the criticisms towards moving the country forward on the path of development.
The appeal is coming almost a week after Former President Olusegun Obasanjo sent an 18-page letter, accusing President Jonathan of not upholding and delivering his electoral promises to Nigerians.
A three term member of the Federal House of Representative Rt. Hon. Halims Oghenechuko Agoda gave the advice while answering questions from newsmen during the commissioning ceremony of Jesse Divisional Police Headquarters by Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikechuckwu Aduba at the weekend.
Hon. Agoda while expressing delight on the directive of Mr. President to his aides not to reply the former president said it would be right if Mr. Jonathan take out time to critically look at the multi faceted challenges alleged against his administration.
Hon. Agoda who until now represented Ethiope Federal Constituency at the National Assembly for three terms, observed that that the hallmark of a great leader is to carefully look at issues on both sides of those who are for or against.
“You know our constitution provides where you are entitled to freedom of speech and more especially, when we are in a democratic setting, where you can express your opinion freely. But that expression also has limitations. Democracy brings about a situation where people will be allowed to judge us, to associate and express their minds. And so whatever discussion in the country today is a product of democracy. Irrespective of whether they are negative or positive these have brought about the combination of democratic ethics and principles.
“As a leader like President Jonathan is, he should take the giant stride. He should have a quiet moment to look at both sides; those praising him and those telling him all is not going on well. He should not regard any of them as his enemy; instead they should be able to motivate him by looking at where he was before and where he is currently as a president to project for tomorrow. That is the hallmark of a great leader”, he said.
According to him, “I have a strong feeling that Nigeria as a nation, with great potentialities and people; tomorrow is our time. We would be the leading light of the African continent and indeed, many other countries see Nigeria as one of the world powers in the near future. So, the message is that we should love ourselves. We should regard ourselves as one so that at the end of the day, we will get to the highest level.”
Hon. Agoda explained that, he decided to finance the renovation and equipping of Jesse Police Divisional Headquarters because of his firm belief that it when men of the Nigerian Police Force are well equipped, they will have the moral right to combat crime in the society.
While giving the assurance to do more for the police force, he told the commissioner of police that he would by next year assist men of the Jesse Police division with staff quarter and operational vans to aid crime fighting in the area.
This he said requires the philanthropy gesture of spirited individuals to give the police force its desired standard in combating crime in the society.
Speaking at the ceremony, Delta State Police Commissioner, CP Ikechukwu Aduba urged the people of the area to join hands with the Nigerian Police Force to eradicate miscreants out of the state.
Aduba stated that the commanded is ever ready to flush criminals, no matter their status from the state, adding that Jesse Police Division is one of the best in the country.
While calling on Deltans to emulate the philanthropy gesture of Hon. Halims Agoda, he commended the erstwhile lawmaker for contributing to the development of the force in the state.
The restructured Jesse Police Divisional Headquarters boost of Air Conditionals, Conference Hall, Pipe borne Water and three buildings well furnished.