Jonathan presents handover notes to buhari, I have done my best

Firdtclass newsline also gathered that the president said his
administration had impacted positively on key aspects of national life
for the benefit of the citizens.
Jonathan said this in his remarks shortly before presenting his
handover notes to the incoming President, Muhammadu Buhari, at the
Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The event, which was held inside the Council Chambers and witnessed by
the All Progressives Congress' chiefs, took place shortly after
Jonathan conducted Buhari round the seat of power.
Vice President Namadi Sambo had also similarly conducted the Vice
President-elect, Yemi Osinbajo, round his wing of the villa.
Jonathan presented an executive summary of his handover notes and a
copy of the report of the National Conference to Buhari.
He expressed the hope that the notes would give the incoming
administration an idea of his administration's mission statement and
the commitment of his government for the past five years.
He however said the report of the National Conference was more
important to him than the handover notes because it was compiled by
Nigerians.
He said if the report was implemented, most of the grey areas of
national development would be resolved.
Jonathan said, "There is another document that I will hand over to
you. To me, this is more important than the handover notes. The
handover notes are the activities of an administration, they show
where we started, where we are going; in some of the cases you will
follow, in other cases you may take other angle.
"But this is a document that was compiled by Nigerians, the report of
the National Conference 2014. We gathered almost 500 Nigerians from
all walks of life, they were not influenced by government in any way.
"Most of the recommendations here, if they are followed, most of the
grey areas even in our politics will be smoothened out.
"Most of the areas where people complain bitterly: corruption and
others, this document deals with them. Some people here were members
of that great body of about 500 eggheads.
"We were unable to implement the report because of the shortness of
time. We have sent a copy to the National Assembly but it is a
document that we are very hopeful your government will look into and
give it the attention it requires."
In assessing his administration's performance, Jonathan said he had
impacted positively on national life.
While admitting that challenges still abound, he expressed the
conviction that they were surmountable.
He said as he handed over the reins of government, he believed that
the nation is secure with its democracy stable and a bright future.
He added, "Our administration has done its best to intervene robustly
and impact positively on key aspects of our national life.
"There is no doubt that challenges still abound, but they are
surmountable and overwhelming national transformation remains
realisable with continuity, commitment and consistency.
"Nigeria is blessed with citizens that will always remain faithful,
firmly committed to national unity, accelerated political, social and
economic development.
"As we hand over the reins of government, I believe that our nation is
secure, our democracy is stable and the future is bright.
"Let us work together and with greater resolve, continue to build a
stronger and more prosperous nation."
He had earlier listed his administration's achievements to include the
success recorded against Boko Haram lately, the eradication of the
Ebola Virus Disease, improved revenue mobilisation, agriculture, power
sector privatisation, massive road construction, railways and
aviation, anti-corruption fight, education, sports and foreign policy.
Jonathan recalled that the Integrated Payroll and Personnel
Information System introduced by his administration had succeeded in
weeding out 60,450 ghost workers in 359 out of 425 Ministries,
Departments and Agencies.
He said the exercise had yielded N185.4bn in savings to the Federal Government.
Buhari, in his short remarks, said he would not be able to make any
strong statement until after reading and digesting the handover notes.
He however commended Jonathan for conceding defeat in the March 28
presidential election, saying his decision changed the course of
Nigeria's political history.
He said the President could have made things difficult if he had
wanted to do so.
He expressed delight that rather than taking any action that would be
at the expense of the lives of Nigerians, Jonathan took the path of
honour.
Buhari said, "What I will say is that since the telephone call you
made (to me), you have changed the course of Nigeria's political
history.
"For that, you have earned yourself a place in our history, for
stabilising this system of multi-party democracy system and you have
earned the respect of not only Nigerians but world leaders.
"All the leaders that spoke to me and congratulated us for arriving at
the point we arrived, mentioned this and I could understand a lot of
relief in their voices that Nigeria has made it after all and this is
largely owed to a situation.
"If you had attempted to make things difficult, you could have made
things difficult and that would have been at the expense of the lives
of poor Nigerians; but you chose the path of honour and may God help
all of us. Thank you very much, Your Excellency."
Firstclassnewsline.net