Nigeria's 2019 Elections: Voting Factoids As Polls Open Within 24hours - Its A Young Voters' Election!

 FEEEDS Blogpost below was written prior to announcement February 15 by Nigeria's Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the general elections until February 23, 2019

As Nigeria's 84 million registered voters prepare to go the polls in Nigeria's 36 states, in addition to the politics, desire for peaceful elections, and concerns about securing in certain areas of the country, there are some basic election factoids, that we need be aware of as Africa's most populous country begins 2019 election day in less than 24 hours from now.  Many of these voter and voting factoids will have an impact of vote count given that 2 of Nigeria's six regions have the largest number of registered voters.  Previous February 14, 2019, blog on Nigeria's election entitled Nigeria's Election & Beyond, " focused not only on the implications for this year's elections, but also the challenges and opportunities for Nigeria beyond the elections. In addition it is important to have a fuller picture of how regional populations and their respective registered voter numbers will both affect the dynamics and the outcome of this important election:

Some Quick Country Facts:
-- Population stats on Nigeria can be wide ranging, but no doubt it is the Africa Region's most populated nation with research numbers ranging from 190-195 million people in 2019.* Since Nigeria has not had an official census since 2006, for a number of political and ethnic reasons, the most recent research figures on the country falls within this range, although the 200 million figure was recently reported by media, but as of yet, no research source that supports that figure as of today (February 15, 2018);


-- Nigeria is politically and economically zoned into "Six Geo-Political Regions" - Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast, and South-South, and along with these is the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). These regional breakdowns are important because of where certain ethnic and political allegiances might lie and the respective size of their the regional populations. But in this election, this breakdown is even more important because it will be key to examine the following:  where the largest number of registered voters as well as the largest block of young people are; where the difficult human indicators (meaning poverty indicators) are; and, where and how these figures might effect the outcome of this election. President Buhari, of the All Peoples Congress Party (APC) is 76 years of age, and the main opposition presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar is 72. Their platforms to boost jobs, cut corruption, encourage foreign investment, address problems with infrastructure, power, energy, etc., and improve security are not that different from each other, although the former has a current record which can be examined, and the other a historical one from having served as the country's vice president from 1999-2007. Here are some answers to the above questions on why regional breakdowns are going to be key**:


-- Northwest (where current incumbent, President Buhari hails) has greatest number of registered voters for this election with over 21 million;
-- Southwest (where the current vice president, Oluyemi Osinbajo is from) follows with 16 million registered voters;
-- Northeast (where the leading opposition candidate from the People Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar is from)  has one of the smallest number of registered voters with slightly over 11 million;
-- Southeast (where the opposition vice presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is from) has 10 million registered voters
-- South-South has 12 million registered voters;
-- North-Central has 13 million registered voters; and
-- Federal Capital Territory (FCT), location of Nigeria's capital, Abuja, has 1.3 million registered voters.


Voter Profile:


Despite the large number of registered voters - some 84 million of which more than 42 million are between the ages of 18-35 years, and with the Independent Nigeria Election Commission (INEC) establishing 176,996 polling places (including for IDP's), the mood in the country among older voters appears to have turned more apathetic in the last six months, on top of some being worried about security in their areas, particularly in both the Northeast and Northwest regions, albeit, for different reasons. In the Northeast, it is gang and militia-related, and in the Northwest it is Boko Haram-connected. There are security concerns in the South-South and Southeast linked to various Niger Delta groups, or peri-groups, but not to the extent that security issues persist in the Northern areas. Voter turnout will be paramount, critically by young voters, as Nigerian election law calls for  a candidate to win at least 25 percent of votes cast in two-thirds of the states. Equally important, this will be a young voters election.


So where are most of these young voters concentrated? Yes, you guessed it  -- in the Northeast and Southwest -- where the largest number of registered voters exist.  This election -- despite the political rhetoric and platforms -- will come down to arithmetic and arithmetic by region based on the young voter, and young voter turnout. Whomever wins, will have won as a result of their turnout numbers, their desire to see their country move forward more  in every social, political, and economic aspect, and their reasoning as to which candidate can do it -- not only better, but faster.


FEEEDS Series BlogSpot




*worldpopulationreview.com/countries/nigeria-population/;
*http://populationof2018.com/nigeria-population-2018.html; 
*http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/nigeria-population/
*https://countrymeters.info/en/Nigeria
*http://globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/nigeria#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2020&region_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2016
*https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ni.html
** CGTN Africa Live, Ddeji Bades, February 15, 2019, 1p.m.
**numbers rounded to nearest million
**https://inecnews.com/
**https://www.pulse.ng/news/politics/this-is-state-by-state-breakdown-of-total-registered-voters-across-nigeria/4nr0720
**https://www.pulse.ng/news/politics/northwest-has-highest-number-of-voters-for-2019-elections-southeast-lowest/c695pdr
**https://allafrica.com/stories/201902120570.html
**http://nigeria.opendataforafrica.org/xspplpb/nigeria-census

Gallup Interviews Dr. Sanders on Nigeria Upcoming Elections & Issue Beyond Elections

Interview Questions by Gallup &; Article first published by Gallup on February 13, 2019, and republished in Allafrica.com*


"A Conversation With Robin R. Sanders CEO-FEEEDS, former U.S. ambassador to Republic of Nigeria, Republic of Congo, and U.S. Permanent Representative to ECOWAS "

What has changed in Nigeria since the last election?

Over the course of the past two elections, particularly in 2015, Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has greatly improved its ability to execute and administer elections, including preparations, cleaning up election rolls, improving voter registration and education processes (especially with young voters), and establishing a fixed timetable for both the presidential and governors' elections, and even encouraging up throughout pre-election week registered voters (via text and media) to get out and vote. There are 84 million registered Nigerian voters, of which 42 million are between the ages of 18-35 years of age, the biggest block of the current voting electorate.**

Equally important, Nigerian citizens are demanding and expecting their leaders to respect transparency and hold free, fair and peaceful elections because they know it can be done in their nation, and they expect even more so for the 2019 elections. A peace accord was signed February 13, 2019 among the presidential candidates which called for non-violent election.

Furthermore, civil society, as a stakeholder, is more active in its election watchdog role, adding its voice to ensure transparency in every step of the process (for example, registration, holding Election Day parallel vote tabulation, and calling for a peaceful election and post-election period).

Then there is the press. Nigeria's media have always been dynamic. But what one sees over two decades is a sophistication in established media outlets. They too contribute to the calls for improved democratic processes. This doesn't mean there isn't sensationalism in the press (as
there is elsewhere), but the well-respected, established media outlets (inclusive of respected television, print, radio, online outlets) have played a positive Fourth Estate role in the last decade and will do so this election.

What are Nigeria's biggest challenges or opportunities this year? The next decade?

Nigeria is reportedly a country of more than 190 million people and growing, with most of its population younger than age 35. That being said, I see Nigeria's large, young population as an opportunity for the nation's future, but that opportunity must be taken advantage of and harnessed. Meaning, that job creation -- note I am not saying the word "employment," but job creation -- is going to be key.

What is the difference you might ask between the two -- job creation and employment? Well, think of one as digital (job creation) and one as analog (traditional 9-to-5 employment). Job creation includes traditional formal jobs, but more so developing entrepreneurs and small business, referred to in the region as small and medium-size enterprises or SMEs, with a specific focus on women, young girls and skills training.

I spent the last two years researching the impact and potential of SMEs on the region's growth and development in my book, The Rise of Africa's Small and Medium Size Enterprises. The data there, including some from Gallup on how people feel about starting a business in their country, show that with job creation through SMEs/entrepreneurs comes an emphasis on training, technology and the use of new educational platforms (e.g. online courses).

The Africa region will have the largest working age population in the world around the year 2035, according to the IMF.*** A large part of that population certainly will be in Nigeria. But the region has hard development issues, as does Nigeria. It will be important for the region to see certain elements as part of the same four-legged stool for growth, stability, democracy and development to thrive, and to provide opportunities for its young people.

For Nigeria, these elements include improving health, education and infrastructure; addressing poverty and food insecurity; further combating corruption; and improving and managing security. The latter point includes Boko Haram as well as Sahel climate change issues, which exacerbate historical and traditional pastoral and herder tensions in the central regions, producing more conflict, which can and has devolved into further political/ethnic tensions.

These are challenges for Nigeria to resolve to have a sustainable, enabling environment for development and to provide opportunities for its young people. Some security progress has been made in the Northeast over the past two years, but there are a series of pockets of instability which remain, young girls are still missing, and many internally displaced persons (IDPs), remain displaced, or are food insecure -- although some IDP-focused projects exist, and INEC has done a lot to register and establish IDP polling sites, and these efforts for IDP's are good things.

On corruption, Nigeria has made important inroads in addressing illicit enrichment, demanding more transparency in government accounts, reporting of personal assets and money transfers, and working with foreign governments to return stolen monies to Nigeria's treasury -- with some success.
Clearly more can be done to reduce corruption. But I like to remind people that this is not the whole story of Nigeria, and I get dismayed when the country's story gets reduced to this single (albeit important) issue, or just to the challenges.

This is a vibrant nation, with a vibrant, growing, creative, business and entrepreneurial population. These are the good news stories. Furthermore, its democracy and election processes have improved, and all of us who are friends of Nigeria want to see continued progress in these areas, especially during the upcoming 2019 elections, which we hope are peaceful, and beyond.






*https://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/246653/job-creation-holds-key-nigeriafuture.aspx
*https://allafrica.com/stories/201902140928.html
*https://www.panafricanvisions.com/2019/a-conversation-with-robin-r-sanders-ceo-feeeds-former-u-s-ambassador-to-republic-of-nigeria-republic-of-congo-and-u-s-permanent-representative-to-ecowas/
**Voice of  America, Africa News Tonight, stream broadcast, Tune-In, February 11-12, 2019; INEC
*** International Monetary Fund. (2015, April). Sub-Saharan Africa - Navigating headwinds. Retrieved July 24, 2016 from https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/reo/2015/afr/eng/pdf/sreo0415.pdf


Article updated February for TAP Blog


FEEEDS Series Blogspot

 

Nigeria’s New President Lays Out “The Buhari Doctrine”

Nigeria's New Leader:
President Buhari

May 29, 2015 – date of the power shift, paradigm shift, political shift marking the New Democratic Dispensation for Nigeria and its people. May 29, 2015 ushered in in a New Nigerian President – General Muhammadu Buhari --   who gracefully, but emphatically laid out his change-agent strategies for Africa’s most populous country. As he spoke before an enthusiastic inaugural crowd at Abuja’s Eagle Square, it was clear that he was further outlining things he had previewed, in what FEEEDS® is calling “The Buhari Doctrine.” His speech was a mission statement, road map of where he wants the country to go, how to get there, and the fortitude required of the nation to make real, sustainable change happen. 

Buhari – after complimenting the statesman-like transition behavior of outgoing president Jonathan – kicked into high gear with phrases FEEEDS sees as defining statements as to how he will govern: “I belong to everybody, and I belong to nobody,” and the “past is prologue,” the intensity of these words were not lost on anyone:

-- Influence peddling and corruption will not be tolerated;
 
-- Post-election political animosity needs to be set aside so the country can move forward.

Buhari has been on a 12-year mission for change, which includes several presidential bids. So now the mission is a Government Administration with Nigeria in a different “league of democratic nations,” setting an example for Africa, and all evolving democracies. The Buhari Doctrine set forth focuses on the core goals of reducing poverty, improving political conditions and diversifying the economy:
 
1.) Strengthening security in the Northeast and relationships with neighbors in fighting Boko Haram. (Buhari thanked Chad, Niger, and Cameroon for being good allies);

2.) Improving plight of internally displaced by Boko Haram;

3.) Working on a range of sectoral reforms, particularly in the oil sector and on hot button subsidy issue;

4.) Re-establishing good education and health systems;

5.)  Encouraging the private sector to expand job creation for young people;

The inaugural crowd called Buhari “Baba” (meaning Father-Leader) as they reveled in the 4-hour historic moment -- setting aside momentarily worries about one of the worse fuel shortages Nigeria has ever seen.
  
Sensing the need to manage mission with implementation, Baba Buhari added the watch words "patience and time" to his inaugural speech to manage expectations from his countrymen and the international community as he will need lots of both to fix, correct, and improve challenges outlined above.

It seems President Buhari’s had truly taken on the father figure of the nation as his message was part counsel, vision, and a preview of his leadership style. There is a Nigeria he envisions, one that functions better economically, politically; where Nigerians honor each other; which has a vibrant civil service; and where there is discipline. Yes, he was a military ruler; yes, he came to power in a coup (1983-1985); and yes he was removed by a coup.  This does not diminish his inaugural message, his 12-year doggedness to become president, and his mission to be true to Nigerian voters.  He wants a mature democracy that includes action against corruption, impunity; and a democratic philosophy for Nigeria’s future built on transparency. Nigeria has already turned a page, deepening its democracy with the 2015 election, and May 29, 2015 transition.

One interesting take-away of the inaugural activities was they reflected the diversity of Nigeria. They were inclusive: regionally, ethnically, religiously, and surprisingly, to some extent politically. In attendance, were a fair number of previous ruling party (PDP) stalwarts, Muslim and Christian leaders, activists, academics, media, and captains of industry. It was one of the most inclusive events Nigeria has had in a while – an important early achievement of Buhari’s victory. Yes, sour grapes do remain within PDP, but some (not all) dusted themselves off following post-election shock, and behaved as conciliatory as former president Jonathan.

It would be hard for any fair-minded person not to support the notion of every Nigerian having the opportunity not to live in poverty or fear, providing there is no intent on harm, human rights violations, or abuse. Democracies are not about one voice, but "inclusiveness" (all political and religious views, ethnic groups, women, youth, disabled, civil society), albeit fairly, constructively, transparently, and without malice.

The hard part will be the first 100 days, the first year. However, there are a few positives which are worth recapping. Nigeria is:

-- Africa’s largest economy;

-- World’s seventh largest populated country;

-- Only nation having 100+ mobile phone (important for business and education);

-- Premier African investment destination;

-- Africa’s third largest middle class at 30 million;

However, the list of challenges, on top of security and corruption, are a lot longer. With this New Dispensation comes the responsibility to "lean forward" more vigorously to:

·      Reduce poverty, as about 60 per cent of Nigerians live on naira 290 a day ($1.25), with same number facing food security;

·      Address education. Nigeria has world's largest number of children [10 million]not in school; children under 15 are 44 percent of population; 39 percent of Nigerian adults cannot read or write;

 

·      Improve  health and provide housing to the 17 million without shelter;

·      Expand SMEs from its current 17 million;

·      Create 1.8 million jobs yearly from current 1.2 million to outpace poverty and keep pace with population; 

·      Secure energy-fuel needs, including rural electrification;

·      Focus on women and at-risk girls from education to financial inclusion as they lag on all human index well-being indicators.

 Changing any of the above will improve the life of the average Nigerian. The peaceful transition is just the start and we need, as the international community, to do all we can to support President Buhari and Vice-President Osinbajo to implement their positive mission for the nation.

 

A FEEEDS blogspot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After Nigeria's Power Transfer: What Will Be Its Place in Africa's Democratic Growth

 Nigeria's Place in Africa's Democratic Growth: Striving to be a More Perfect Union

Keynote Address

 By

Ambassador (Dr.) Robin Renee Sanders

CEO-FEEEDS Advocacy Initiative and former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, ECOWAS, Republic of Congo, and Director for Africa National Security Council at the White House

                                       May 26, 2015, Port Harcourt, River State

Every now and again there are hallmarks, legacy moments, and periods of time in a country's history. .  .in a country's future, in a country's ability to change and grow. I would argue that this is one of those times in Nigeria -- as a result of your recent elections, and as you embark on a historic, peaceful handover of power to a new set of leaders on May 29, 2015.

You had a seismic shift in your political landscape and your political future in 2015, which has proffered two things:

·      It has proven the naysayers and doubters who thought Nigeria could not have credible elections wrong, not once but twice – as your 2011 and your 2015 elections more than met international observer standards; and,

·      The 2015 election moved Nigeria into a different “league of nations” not just for Africa, but on the world stage.

I made remarks in Washington in both 2011 and early 2015 highlighting two things I know about Nigeria and Nigerians – do not underestimate their "Resilience and Resolve" [I call these the two R's] to get it right despite the range of challenges betwixt and between.   I have always marveled at these two elements which are fundamental to Nigeria's national character.

Granted, despite these two R's [resolve and resilience], we all recognize that there are headwinds…challenges [which you know better than I] in the road ahead as the nation seeks to move forward on development, but equally important, will be to heal political wounds and move past any remaining animosities from the election period. The future well-being of the nation should be at the top of everyone's to-do list.
It was clear with the 2015 election that the Nigerian voter wanted a transparent process. You had that albeit with some irregularities and incidents of violence; but, none, as declared, which fundamentally affected the outcome of the national process.
I wrote after the election that I thought INEC Chairman Jega was Nobel Peace Prize-worthy, and that the Nigerian voters were the super heroes of ensuring that your national elections were both democratic and transparent. May no one ever again question your ability to do so?  

So what is next for the Continent's giant? The President–elect and his team have already outlined "The Buhari Doctrine" turning the mandate, as desired by the Nigerian people, into his top policy priorities – addressing security, corruption, economic issues, energy/fuel needs, and poverty through education and job/entrepreneurial opportunities. But, the watch words now are "patience and support" from both the voter and the international community to provide time to fix, correct, and improve all of the elements outlined in "The Buhari Doctrine" to address the current challenges. The President-elect has asked for this; we all need to support him and his team thus so.

None of what I just said is new. It is all known. So what is the message for today?  What does all this democratic, national, political change mean for Nigeria, moreover for the Continent?
It is – by far and clearly one key thing -- an Opportunity -- an opportunity to fundamentally change the paradigm of Nigeria's political future; to fundamentally change your leadership role on the Continent, and to speak with authority about not only how things should be, but how things can be.
You are an independent sovereign nation, and nothing I say here changes that. You will make you own decisions as a nation, as Nigerians.

So my broader message is in my philosophy about democracy and democracies.  I want to share that with you as it might be useful at this important juncture in your history, but more specifically to address the two-part theme of this anniversary celebration in honor for His Excellency, Governor Amaechi  -- Deepening Democracy in Nigeria- Implications for Development in Africa.  So I will address the themes as such as I share my philosophy about democracy and where it comes from for me.

Deepening Democracy In Nigeria: What is Nigeria's Democratic Philosophy?

Fundamentally, many countries have a philosophy of what they want their democracy to be like, to look like. For Nigeria what are those elements, what is the Democratic philosophy you are going to build into your national character to take advantage this historic political paradigm shift?

The most important democratic phrases to me which have driven my beliefs in both my personal and professional life on democratic processes just so happen to be in the Preamble of United States Constitution. For other Americans it may come from Bill of Rights, other historical or contemporary documents of America. But for me, it comes from the Preamble, the phrases are:

·      "In Order to Form a More Perfect Union;" and, 

·      "We the People." 

I believe in these phrases, even though, at times we have had challenges in the US as a nation, but I truly think it is important to have a democratic philosophy to live by, and upon which to judge yourself and your nation. I am probably inspired by these words more so because I am an African-American and because of the history of African Americans in the U.S. from slavery to today. We, as well as other groups in the US, have faced diversity issues and exclusion throughout times in our history, and we still face some of these challenges today as a nation -- as evident by recent events in Ferguson, Missouri and Baltimore, Maryland this year. But for me, these challenges further underscore how critical having a democratic philosophy can be for a nation: it serves as a compass in both good times, and bad.

Striving to be a More Perfect Union

Let me highlight the applicability of the first phrase [In Order to Form a More Perfect Union] and what that means to me and for me. These are just examples and as Nigerians you will need to decide from this New Dispensation which starts on May 29, 2015 – what your new democratic philosophy will be; how you will deepen it; and, moreover describe it. I have read your Constitution many, many times since I first came to Nigeria in 2008; so your democratic philosophy might come from there or elsewhere from your many inspirational writers.

Nigeria has turned a page already toward a more perfect union; a more perfect federal republic; a more perfect Nigeria. This is part of the democratic deepening called for by the lecture’s theme today and by your historic election, and transition.

Your election has made the world sit up and pay attention and from this point forward you are a role model for the Continent. Don't lose that, build on it, cherish it…embrace it.

We the people

This brings me to the second phrase I hold on to as part of my democratic philosophy – We the people – which actually are the very first three words of the Preamble. I am intentionally addressing these three words last as they inspire me more than any others, and provide me my compass about the role of democracy.   The same precepts apply as I noted above – Nigeria will have to determine the elements of its democratic philosophy to truly "deepen" this New Dispensation.

The reason I am sharing my  very personal thoughts with you about what these three words -- "We the People," – can mean is they underscore that any nation –  yours, mine, your country neighbors, your colleague African nations, your allies, and your nation-partners, your nation-friends – any that consider themselves in the league of democracies in both practice and spirit must not only include, but see and respect all of its nationals, no matter where they live or from what region or ethnic group they are from.

A Nigerian philosophy of "we the people," would mean everyone has an opportunity not to live in poverty or fear, everyone who is a Nigerian is respected as such, and honored as such. It needs to means that everyone along the political spectrum, providing you are not intent on harm, human rights violations, or abuse, has a voice because democracies are also not about one voice, but many…in a word "inclusiveness" -- all political parties and ethnic groups, women, youth, all religions, the disabled, civil society, the media – albeit participating fairly, constructively, transparently, and honestly.

"We the People, in Order to Form a More Perfect Union," is the full weight of that first phrase in the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution, and its represents the vehicles that help me keep my moral, professional and personal compass. But I also believe philosophies like that have helped America deepen its democracy, even when we stumbled…and we have stumbled from time to time.  

The Continent is looking up to you as the standard on both elections and, even more so, on transitions. Your leadership in both deed and philosophy will be even more important as a marker of progress not just domestically but for Africa.  You have a great start; remember mature democracies have two things as regards to elections when a change in political power takes place:

·      A statesman-like concession, as you had from President Jonathan;

·      The grace and leadership of Mr. President-elect Buhari as the victor taking the helm.

Nigeria had both those things.

Implications for Development in Africa

Moving on to the second part in today's theme -- Implications for Development in Africa – ostensibly means what are the development expectations for Nigeria coming out of this election: what they will be on May 30, 2015; the first 100 days, and the first year. Those will be set by Mr. President-elect and his team and he has already mentioned many of those things in the run-up to the handover. The international community, particularly friends like the United States, the UK, China and others will need to be helpful, supportive, and good partners to Nigeria at this time. The importance of Nigeria to the U.S. has always been there. That being said, you already know that Secretary of State John Kerry will lead the U.S. Delegation, which further underscores not just the friendship between our two nations, but how significant your election and the peaceful transition are as positive messages about Nigeria and the African Continent.

You know the positives already in terms of your nation, but let's quickly recap:

You are now the largest African economy; the fourth largest populated country in the world^[i];  singularly you have the world's largest number of mobile phones at 100 million – important for business and education; you are right now the best-practice example of an African election; the premier Africa investment destination; your 30 million middle class [ii]members grow daily; and you have improved access to capital/financial inclusion by 44 percent[iii]. Your leadership in international arenas such as the African Union, in ECOWAS, potentially also at the helm of the African Development Bank, and in New York, you have called for a permanent UNSC seat for Africa -- are all actions of which to be proud.

However, the list of challenges here is a lot longer, and the suffering of the everyday Nigerian is high. Thus, with this new Dispensation and good news also comes the responsibility to "lean forward" more vigorously to address development:

·      Improving security  in the North;

·      Combating corruption;

·      Reducing poverty, as most Nigerians live on naira 290 a day ($1.25), representing about 60 per cent of your population[iv], with the same number of people facing daily food security issues;

·      Addressing education such as having the world's largest number of school-aged children [10 million]not in school; particularly since children under 15 make up 44 per cent of your overall population, and 39 per cent of Nigerian adults cannot read or write;[v]

·      Improving  health systems and providing affordable housing to the 17 million people in Nigeria without good shelter is critical;[vi]

·      Expanding the number of Nigerian Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) from its current 17 million;[vii]

·      Creating 1.8 million jobs per year from your current 1.2 million just to outpace poverty and keep pace with your population growth;[viii] 

·      Securing energy-fuel needs, including rural electrification, remain one of your most press needs not only for daily living but for your private sector and investors; and an

·      Additional focus needs to be on women and at-risk girls from education to financial inclusion as they both lag behind here on all human index well-being indicators.

Changing any of these issues to the positive side of the ledger will further underscore Nigeria's leadership role on the Continent.

In sum, a new paradigm begins for your nation on May 29, 2015, and Nigerians should be very proud of the example they are setting for Africa and for evolving democracies all over the world. I want to again congratulate Governor Amaechi for his leadership in holding such an important symposium at the dawn of the changing of the political guard in Nigeria.

As I close my remarks, I am extremely proud of Nigeria and have always been in the pro-Nigeria corner way before it became fashionable to be so. I am appreciative of having represented the U.S. Government here, honored to have served as an observer in your 2015 historic, democratic elections, and to be asked to speak here today. I wish the Governor, people of Rivers State, the nation, the outgoing President, and most assuredly President-elect Buhari and Vice-President elect Osinbajo the very best as they lead Nigeria during this landmark period in Nigeria's history.

 I Thank you.

---

[i] http://www.aworldatschool.org/country/nigeria

[ii] Source for SME & job figures: Sept 24, 2014, McKinsey Breakfast on Nigeria, The New York Palace Hotel, New York

[iii]  http://datatopics.worldbank.org/financialinclusion/country/nigeria

 

[iv] http://www.aworldatschool.org/country/nigeria

[v] http://www.aworldatschool.org/country/nigeria

[vi] Source for SME & job figures: Sept 24, 2014, McKinsey Breakfast on Nigeria, The New York Palace Hotel, New York

[vii] Source for SME & job figures: Sept 24, 2014, McKinsey Breakfast on Nigeria, The New York Palace Hotel, New York

[viii] Source for SME & job figures: Sept 24, 2014, McKinsey Breakfast on Nigeria, The New York Palace Hotel, New York