By Ima Niboro
\nIn more than a decade since the end of its military rule, Nigeria has made
\nsignificant strides toward solidifying itself as a bastion of democracy.
\nToday, Nigeria prides itself as a country with open elections and freedom
\nof the press, the right to due process and an independent judiciary.<\/p>\n
But in spite of the substantial progress achieved, Nigeria, as with
\ndeveloping countries across the globe, remains victim to a history haunted
\nby colonial injustices and insurgent pressures. In the decades that
\nfollowed colonial rule, military dictators and a brutal civil war scarred
\nNigeria\u2019s growth, opening the country to a long stretch of corrupt
\nleadership by military dictators, and civil unrest.<\/p>\n
This history predates President Goodluck Jonathan.<\/p>\n
If history is any guide, confronting corruption rooted in centuries of
\ndevelopment does not happen overnight. It is a slow and fragile process,
\nrequiring concerted efforts steered by a committed leadership. Of late,
\nNigeria faces a bitter battle against a growing insurgency, yet the
\nnation\u2014under the astute governance of the current administration\u2014 has come
\na long way in moving forward.<\/p>\n
Policies emplaced and measures continually underway reflect the
\npresident\u2019s steadfast commitment to establishing transparency and
\ncredibility across all government institutions. He has uncovered and
\nseized fraudulent money from corrupt officials, dismissed judges for
\nabusing their powers, led Nigeria as one of the first signatories to an
\nanti-money laundering act, passed legislation to permit open scrutiny of
\ngovernment businesses, and established partnerships to ensure credibility
\nin the country\u2019s electoral process.<\/p>\n
The groundwork in place to confront corruption has enabled the
\ngovernment\u2019s success in responding to domestic threats. As the Ebola
\noutbreak rampaged the country\u2019s major cities, President Jonathan partnered
\nwith state governments and international NGOs to provide medical aid and
\ndevelop innovative approaches to treat Ebola victims, successfully
\ncontaining the virus in-country while deploying Nigerian volunteers to
\nlead efforts abroad. His Victims Support Fund provides relief for those
\nimpacted by Boko Haram violence and his Safe Schools Initiative, and
\nsubsequent construction of hundreds of schools, serves to protect
\nNigeria\u2019s academic system and ensure children\u2019s right to education, most
\namong Nigeria\u2019s northeastern region where school enrollment lags behind
\nother areas.<\/p>\n
Yet despite this remarkable progress, Nigeria faces the constant peril of
\nan escalating terror threat. Centuries of civil unrest fueled the
\nevolvement of Boko Haram, the terrorist organization that has claimed
\nthousands of innocent lives over the past four years. Since 2013, the
\npresident has instituted a state of emergency in three Nigerian
\nnortheastern states facing the worst of Boko Haram\u2019s threat. He has
\nestablished anti-terror measures to better equip and effectively train the
\nmilitary. And he has engaged in active negotiations to secure the release
\nof the Chibok girls\u2014all the while protecting the country from the very
\nterrorists ravaging its soil.<\/p>\n
Jonathan assumed his position in a national landscape laden by societal
\nwoes. Since 2010, his administration has worked tirelessly to institute
\nmeasures to allow Nigeria to establish itself as an open, transparent
\nnation that safeguards the democratic rights of the Nigerian people.<\/p>\n
Clearing the roots is the key to creating a sustainable foundation in the
\nfight against corruption. The President and his administration continue
\nbuilding onto these measures, keeping Nigeria moving forward in the face
\nof daunting odds.<\/p>\n
Niboro is managing director of the News Agency of Nigeria, a state-run
\nnews reporting organization.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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