You Can Be Poor And Still Shun Crime – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday noted that it was possible to be poor and shun crime, but rather choose to live a life of honour and dignity.

The president said this at the 2014 National Honours Award Investiture ceremony held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja.

“You can see that those who take to criminality do not necessarily do so because of poverty; it is possible for people to be poor and live a life of honour and dignity,” said Jonathan.

He noted that like several other Nigerian present at the event, he had passed through stress in life, “but we did not take to criminality.”

This was said in appreciation of taxi driver, Mr. Ime Usuah, traffic warden, Cpl Solomon Dauda, and Aso Rock steward, Mr. Michael Isaac Onuh.

Extolling the virtues of the three men, Jonathan said Usuah, despite his daily income not being more than ten thousand naira, a passenger forgot N18 million in his taxi, and went away.

“The man did not have Mr. Usuah’s name or his phone number. The honest Nigerian spirit in Mr. Usuah led him to go hunting for the owner of the eighteen million naira and he delivered it to him, intact. This is how it should be,” said Jonathan.

“…Michael Isaac Onuh, a very dedicated steward who has served every Head of State loyally since President Shehu Shagari (it is quite a feat for a steward to have survived nine Heads of State and nine First Ladies) – are all here to receive honour for their hard-work in service of our Nation and humanity.”

“For many of you in Abuja or who visit our Nation’s capital, you must have seen a hard working traffic warden who does his job with great dexterity, glee and happiness. As a traffic officer, he delights in entertaining commuters by graceful gyrations and gesticulations as he efficiently directs traffic.CPL Solomon Dauda carries on his job with evident pride and dignity!”

President Jonathan therefore directed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to give the honourees a gift of a flat each.

“And by the same token, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation should ensure that another awardee who has contributed so much to the history of this country, the person who designed the Nigerian flag, Pa Michael Akinkunmi is placed on the salary of a Special Assistant to the President.”

Information Nigeria checks show that the 78-year-old could earn at least N4,697,068 per annum, in accordance with the 2010 Consolidated Salary Structure for top federal public office holders.

by Greenstarnetwork admin..