This write up is an excerpt from the speech that was delivered by the President on the occasion of his official declaration to vie for the office of the president in the2011 polls.
I have decided to pick this particular aspect of the speech for emphasis so that all nairalanders can reflect and relate with this motivational story. For the first time, we are hearing from the horse’s mouth the true story of a man from a humble background. If Jonathan eventually wins the 2011 election, everybody in this country will know that he/she can aspire to the highest office in this country AGAINST ALL ODDS.
[b]''I was not born rich, and in my youth, I never imagined that I would be where I am today, but not once did I ever give up. Not once did I imagine that a child from otuoke, a small town village in the Niger Delta, will one day rise to the position of the president of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria. I was raised by my mother and father with just enough money to meet our daily needs. In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags. I carried my books in my hands but never despaired; no car to take me to school but I never despaired. There were days I had only one meal but I never despaired. I walked miles and cross rivers to school every day but I never despaired. I didn’t have power, didn’t have generators, studied with lanterns but I never despaired. In spite of these, I finished secondary school, attended the University of Port Harcourt, and now hold a doctorate degree. Fellow Nigerians, if I could make it, you too can make it! Any Nigerian child from Kaura Namoda to Duke town; from Potiskum to Nsukka, from Isale-Eko to Gboko will be able to realize his God-given potentials, unhindered by tribe or religion and unrestricted by improvised political inhibitions. My story hold out the promise of a new Nigeria. A Nigeria built on the virtues of love and respect for one another, on unity, on industry, on hard work and on good governance.” (CULLED FROM PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN’S EXTEMPORANEOUSLY DELIVERED DECLARATION SPEECH AT THE EAGLES SQUARE)[/b]This story shows that neither circumstances of birth or the inhibitions of life can encumber a determined mind. If Obama is too far to relate with, I believe this story that was told by the president himself should be easy to motivate us all. As youths and the future leaders of tomorrow, we should demand a new Nigeria that does not hinder progress and that gives equal opportunities to all. For once, we have a president whose ascendency to power can motivate us to aspire. Not with the barrel of the gun, but with determination, preparation and some GOODLUCK! Any one that is presently being made to feel inferior, should take solace in this story and know that; no condition is permanent and that things can only change for the better. It is always better to be prepared and not to get an opportunity than to get an opportunity that we are not prepared for. Education remains the key to opening unimaginable doors and windows of opportunities. It is rather sad that we had to wait for 50 years and circumstantially before we can have a president with a PhD!
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT, KEEP YOUR HOPES AND DREAMS ALIVE!!!!!!!