President Umaru Musa Yar'adua

When former Nigerian president olusegun obasanjo (GCFR) announced that his chosen successor was then Governor of Katsina state; Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, many people complained. Many people shouted just because he(Yar'Adua) was chosen by Obasanjo. Many underestimated Yar'Adua's capabilities. Many felt it was more or less going to be a puppet government with the strings in Ota pulled by no one other than itu-baba himself; Obasanjo.
Yar'dua's first test came much too quickly. On the eve of the handover, Obasanjo through presidential directive ordered that the price of PMF otherwise known as petrol to be increased to 75 nairas per litre and Value added tax increased to 10%. Over night, the country was staged with an mpending economic crisis. The sudden and unexpected increase in prices and tax lead to stagflation. although it did not really hit stagflation, given more time it would have hit.
Labour immediately swung into action and requested that the directive be reversed by the new administration. Ofcourse Yar'Adua who had not expected this crisis on his hand had two options, 1- he reveresed the presidential directive given by Obasanjo and gain the trust of Nigerians while looking like a weak leader or 2- go ahead and leave the directive in price which would later result into stagflation. Yar'dua not only chose none of the obvious choices but showed his self a true leader and diplomat with a listening ear. He called labour to the negotiation table to address the issues and offered to reduce the price of PMF from 75 nairas per litre to 70 nairas per litre and revert the VAT back to its former place which was 5%. Whoever said you cant eat your cake and have it was wrong because Yar'dua ate his cake and had it. Although labour did not initially agree, they finally came around and saw reason with our dear Leader. Yar'Adua not only proved to Nigerians that he was the right man for the job but that he was ready to listen to anybody.
President Umaru Yar'Adua took another vital step in the direction of democracy and showing himself a unique leader by making his asset declaration public. No public officer either civil servant or president in Nigerian history had ever made his assets public. Yar'Adua showed the people he was truly the servant leader who was going to lead by example and not "do as i say not as i do"...Yar'Adua's public asset declaration won him another medal in the eyes of so many Nigerians.
His next step was his attack on the major issues surrounding the nation. Undoubtedly, Nigeria's biggest problem and embarrassment is its epileptic power supply. The decaying power sector has made the little manufacturing industry in Nigeria pack up which lead to unemployment and the other vices that come with unemployment. His approach to the power sectors problem was first selecting a minister of power and he felt no one could do the job better than he so he made himself minister of power. I can tell u today for the first time since i was born which was about 18-19 (give or take) years ago, we had three weeks of nearly uninterrupted power supply. Even when there is interruption, power is restored in less than 5 minutes.
Many were opposed to Obasanjo's selection as many have seen him as another wicked dictator no different than Abacha. The only difference is Obasanjo wore more expensive clothing which are his traditional clothes as opposed to the traditional khaki worn by our military "atingos". Obasanjo said one thing, that Nigerians will eventually thank him when history vindicates him! well, although i never thought i will have said this this soon but here goes nothing, thank you Mr. Obasanjo a.k.a. baba iyabo! You might have known what you were doing when you chose Yar'Adua and you might not have known but you gave us the answer to our years of prayer, you put in a man who has the fear of God in him, a man who respects other peoples views, a diplomat, a leader, you presented to us; The New face of Nigeria- President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua!

stay blessed my fellow NIgerians