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By Niyi Tabiti
The latest Y!naija edition is out and it is tagged 'election issue'. The Editors of the magazine interviewed Nigeria president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikwe Jonathan. The interview was conducted by Chude Jideonwo, a director/editor of Y! naija magazine and a collegue, Aziza Uko. Questions and answers were asked in various areas. If you get a copy of the magazine you can get full details of what transpired.
Meanwhile here are some of the questions and answer from the interview with President Goodluck Jonathan
Power –
you took it as a priority when you came into office – but, as with successive governments, one year down the line in terms of practical change in everyday lives, not much seems to have changed. Why not?
I cannot agree with you that not much have changed. Before Nigeria
started investing in the IPPs our production was just about 1000MW now
we have attained 4000 MW even though by the investments we have made
we should have attained 10,000MW if not for the constitutional
challenges that we faced in investing money from all ties of
government into the IPPs. But we are back on track and will make quick
progress.
Also, we have seen the usual band of millionaires who seem to support every government of the day making headlines as supporters of your campaign. Many believe that these people are not inspired by your message, rather their own selfish interest to remain in favour of your government. Can you assure us of independence from these money-bags if elected?I run an independent government and at all times our decision-making
process has placed national interest over special interests. This is
how we have managed to solve problems like perennial fuel scarcity.
Many Nigerians have also come out to strongly identify the PDP’s big
umbrella with its many narrow interests, as the problem with the
country. Some like Prof Wole Soyinka, have said the PDP is wired
against Nigeria’s good, what would you say to that?
Nigeria is a country with many challenges and I can appreciate our
collective impatience to make progress. The problems we have cannot be
belittled to the point of seeing them as problems of PDP or problems
caused by the PDP. The problems we have are problems that the PDP is
not solving fast enough. I concede.
More of these hard questions on the lips of every Nigerians and frank answers are in the latest issue of Y!“We are proud of this achievement because it is the first time that a
serving President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria would grant a
lifestyle magazine an interview,” said Ms. Uko, who assumed the
position of Y!’s Editor-at-Large in March. “And it is the first time
that Mr. President would grant a face-to-face sit-down with any media
outfit this campaign season. We are obviously very proud of this scoop
– hence our special double-cover issue.”
It’s a double cover – and the second cover has MI, Banky W, Omoni
Oboli, Sound Sultan, Ruggedman and Ice Prince share their thoughts on
these elections and the future, plus an exclusive RSVP shoot with Obi
Somto.
Y! also chronicles the historic youth participation and organization
in these elections. Nmachi Jidenma reports on how young people are
organising in Working for Change, James Sambo scores on youth
volunteering for various campaigns in Team Spirit, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu
shares his experience hosting Nigeria’s first ever youth-focused
presidential debate, Ifreke Inyang takes a crucial look at the impact
of Twitter and Facebook in these elections in Online vs Offline,
there’s an interview with Nigeria’s youngest campaign manager Ohimai
Amazie, Cheta Nwanze writes Don’t forget the Governors and for those
Spoilt for Choice, four supporters tell what’s special about their
Muhammadu Buhari, Nuhu Ribadu, Goodluck Jonathan and Ibrahim Shekarau.
In a style shoot, Y! captures the young (and the old) in everyday
situations who say one thing – it’s cool to vote! And, in addition to
this bumper package, Y! debuts Y! XTRA – a pictures, parties, fashion,
and style pullout that comes free!
“Call it recommended reading for the 2011 elections - and after!” said
its Managing Editor, Adebola Williams. “We call this a collector’s
item – and we know for certain that this historic RSVP edition is
guaranteed to blow you away.”
The magazine is available from Tuesday, April 11 nationwide. In Lagos, it is
available at the Silverbird Stores, The Palms and Terra Kulture in
Victoria Island as well as Osata Supermarket in Ikeja and all
airports. In Abuja, it is available at the Silverbird stores and with
vendors. In Port Harcourt, it is available with vendors at Emele, NTA,
at the Airport and Roundabout. Customers flying on Dana Air also get
copies of the magazine in flight.
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THE MOVIE
