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Tag: Goodluck Jonathan

  • $14b required to save Lake Chad – Senate

    $14b required to save Lake Chad – Senate

    The Senate on Tuesday asked President Goodluck Jonathan to take steps to raise $14 billion to save the Lake Chad from drying up.

    This followed a motion entitled: “urgent action to save the Lake Chad” sponsored by Ahmed Lawan (Yobe North) and 40 others.

    Though the lawmakers commended the Federal Government for its financial and moral support to the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), they underscored the need to raise the fund to undertake Inter Basin Water Transfer (IBWT) from the Ubangi River.

    The upper chamber also resolved that the National Assembly should continue to provide legislative support to the Federal Government to continue with its leadership role in the LCBC and quest for sustainable resuscitation of the lake, the promotion of peace, stability and security in the region as foundation for durable and sustainable development.

    It urged Jonathan, in consultation with the LCBC summit chairman and other leaders, to champion the donor conference and accordingly constitute a robust team of eminent citizens drawn from the member states to embark on sensitization programme of potential donors.

    It asked Jonathan to provide financial and logistic support to embark on the sensitization programme and to organize the donor conference.

    Lawan in his lead debate noted that Lake Chad is the fourth largest lake in Africa, with a surface area of about 25,000 square km in 1960.

    He recalled that heads of government of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad came together in 1964 and established via Fort Lamy Convention, the LCBC with general objective of harmonizing the activities of member countries for the sustainable management of the basin resources.

    The lake, he said, is a repository of bio-diversity, playing an important socio, economic, political and cultural role to over 30 million people in the four countries sharing border and provides habitat to a variety of wildlife, including migratory birds.

    He noted that due to a combination of natural and human factors, the lake has been drying up over the last 50 years leading to the reduction of the lake surface area from 25,000 square km in 1960 to about 2,500 square km.

     

  • Jonathan, security chiefs meet again on insecurity

    Jonathan, security chiefs meet again on insecurity

    Towards tackling the security challenges in the country, President Goodluck Jonathan met with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and other security chiefs for about one hour at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday morning.

    The Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Ita Ekpeyong and the Inspector- General of Police, Mohammad Abuabakar were also at the meeting.

    The President had last Friday met with the security chiefs after cutting short his trip to South Africa and Namibia due to fresh security challenges in Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, Borno and Yobe States.

    In the fresh crises, many security personnel and civilians were killed in the affected states.

    Although, the security chiefs did not speak with State House correspondents on the closed-door meeting yesterday, it was leant that the meeting has to do with the current security situation in the country.

     

  • Buhari warns of looming anarchy

    Buhari warns of looming anarchy

    Former Head of State and National Leader of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), General Muhammadu Buhari has warned of a looming anarchy in the country which is beyond the ability of the President Goodluck Jonathan led government to control.

    Buhari spoke in Abuja on Saturday at the party’s National Convention to merge with other top opposition parties including the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

    “Anarchy is knocking on the door of many sections of this country and the Federal Government has not demonstrated that it has the good sense to understand what is going on, or the competence to check it.

    “The nation is hopelessly adrift. But, if we are to survive, this vicious circle of violence that has engulfed this nation must be brought to an end; and we implore the National Assembly to take the lead in this quest for peace,” Buhari noted.

    He said the patience of the nation and the various communities has been severely tried and stretched to its limits and urged well meaning Nigerians to explore every opportunity to save the country.

    Buhari emphasised that the only way to stabilize the country is for opposition parties to merge and oust the ruling PDP noting that all the parties joining to form All Progressives Congress (APC) are coming in as equals.

    The opposition parties, he said have resolved that henceforth all votes must be counted.

    “This is a historic moment when several different political parties have resolved to come together to change Nigeria for the better and stop the mindless drift that has been going on for the last fourteen years. We must understand and accept that we are here gathered to make history or forever stand accused and condemned by it.

    “The government has failed in almost everything. It has proved unable to secure the nation’s internal environment: there is widespread and rising poverty and unemployment across the length and breadth of the country. There is spiraling lawlessness all over the country. There is a complete and total decline in the quality of social services and an irremediable dilapidation in the nation’s socio-economic infrastructure across board,” Buhari said.

     

     

  • PENGASSAN warns politicians against heating the polity

    PENGASSAN warns politicians against heating the polity

    …. Condemns recent killings of police officers

    Oil workers under the auspices of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have warned politicians in the country to stop heating up the polity but concentrate on issues that can bring development to Nigeria and improve the welfare of the people.

    The workers also condemned recent attacks on security personnel in Bayelsa State; Bama, Borno State; Assakyo Village, Nasarawa State; and Benue state; describing the killings as acts of revolt against the Nigeria state.

    They charged the Federal Government, especially the service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director of the Department of the State Security (DSS) to ensure that perpetrators of the evil killings are brought to book.

    Speaking against the backdrop of the political intrigues in the country, PENGASSAN President, Comrade Babatunde Ogun, called on the politicians to let their discussions be people and development driven rather than witch- hunting and campaign of calumny.

    Comrade Ogun said the recent wrangling among politicians is not necessary and charged the politicians to channel their efforts and strength towards developmental projects and ending criminal attacks and other insecurity issues that are threatening the survival of the Nigeria entity.

    He said that the politicians should not let the labour of those that fought for the emancipation and freedom of Nigeria from the Nigeria be in vain through the inflammatory statements and inciting comments.

    “The recent attacks and counter attacks by various political parties and groups in the country cannot help us to achieve anything. I believe by now the government needs to identify issues that require urgent attention instead of dissipating its energy on unnecessarily dwelling on issues that can be trashed out in house among the parties.

    “The attitude of the politicians is further causing disaffection and disunity among Nigerians and threatens the survival of Nigeria as an indivisible one entity, instead of fostering unity and diversity among the people,” he stated.

    While advising President Goodluck Jonathan not to distracted by unnecessary issues and comments, especially the 2015 general elections, the union president called on Mr. President to be more focussed and determined to end killing of innocent Nigerians by religious insurgents and terrorists, as well as kidnapping in the country.

    “President Jonathan should caution his aids over political inflammatory statements and the oppositions should also learn to be objective in their comments and stop inciting statements that can engulf and consume the Nigeria state.

    “Security issue and other developmental issues such as job creation, tackling corruption at all level of governance, improvement of welfare for the citizenry should be paramount in the mind of all, especially political leaders like president, special advisers and aids, ministers, governors, lawmakers at both National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly, commissioners and all political advisers to the governors,” he said.

  • Dokubo-Asari vows to cripple oil production if ….

    Dokubo-Asari vows to cripple oil production if ….

    ...Dares Reps, Northern leaders

    Leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, on Thursday vowed to halt oil production in the country, if he is arrested.

    Dokubo-Asari, who spoke at a press conference in Abuja, was adamant and insisted that he stands by his comment for which the security agencies are now being prevailed upon to arrest him.

    He challenged the House of Representatives and some northern leaders to order his arrest, if they can.

    “The last time former president Olusegun Obasanjo arrested me,” Dokubo-Asari stated, “my arrest reduced Nigeria’s oil production to 700,000 barrels per day, this time, it will reduce it to zero barrel, and we will match violence by violence, intrigues by intrigues, we are ready for them.”

    He said if some of those calling for his arrest fail to carry out their threats, he will regard them as cowards.

    The former President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) also vowed that Nigeria would become “history” if he is arrested.

    He wondered why those now clamouring for his incarceration did not do the same when some northern leaders threatened to make the country ungovernable, “where the dog and baboon will soak in blood” and how there will be no more Nigeria, if a northern did not occupy Aso Rock Presidential Villa in 2015.

    Dokubo-Asari said: “I stand by my statement which I made in my earlier press conference; there will be no peace, not only in the Niger Delta, but everywhere, if Goodluck Jonathan is not President by 2015.

    “I want to add that the Fulanis, who migrated and invaded our lands and continue to show disregard and disrespect to the owners of the country they came into, and people have tolerated them for a very long time, but that will no longer continue.

    “I want to refresh your memories with comments made by these Fulani invaders who have in the time past threatened war and break of Nigeria.

    “In 2010, a Fulani, one Lawal Kaita said and I quote: ‘Anything short of a Northern President is tantamount to stealing our Presidency. Jonathan has to go and he will go. Even if he uses the incumbency power to get his nomination on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, he would be frustrated out…The North is determined, if that happens, to make the country ungovernable for President Goodluck Jonathan or any other Southerner who finds his way to the seat of power on the platform of the PDP against the principle of the party’s zoning policy.”

     

     

     

  • Jonathan aborts Namibia visit, meets security chiefs

    Jonathan aborts Namibia visit, meets security chiefs

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday cancelled his scheduled State visit to Namibia.

    After two days visit to South Africa, where he attended World Economic Forum among other official functions, he was expected to proceed to Namibia yesterday along with other members of his delegation including State governors and Ministers.

    A statement issued yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said that the President had to return home to tackle the fresh security challenges in Nigeria.

    The statement reads: “In view of recent developments at home in Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan has cut short his visit to South Africa and aborted his state visit to Namibia which was due to start (yesterday) today.”

    “The President is returning to Abuja immediately to personally oversee efforts by national security agencies to contain the fresh challenges to national security which have emerged this week in Borno, Plateau and Nassarawa States.”

    “President Jonathan will on arrival, meet with the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and heads of national security services on arrival to review the security situation in the country.” It stated

  • Jonathan nominates Nnamani, Okiro for board appointments

    Jonathan nominates Nnamani, Okiro for board appointments

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday forwarded the names of the former Senate President, Ken Nnamani and ex-Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro for board appointments.

    Jonathan also nominated Hon. Justice K.M.O. Kekere-Ekun for confirmation as a Justice of the Supreme Court.

    While Senator Nnamani was to be confirmed to chair the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Okiro is to chair the Police Service Commission.

    Jonathan also listed Barrister Aminu Dikko from Kaduna in the North West Zone as the Director -General of the ICRC.

    Other proposed members of the ICRC are – Mrs. Comfort Saro Wiwa from Rivers State (South South), Engr. Janet Febisola Adeyemi (Ondo-South West), Mrs. Yabawa Wabi (Bornu-North East), Hon. Musa Elayo (Nasarawa-North Central) and Barr. A.U. Kanu (Abia-South East).

    Members of the Police Service Commission are – the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Yakubu Mohammed (rtd) (North West), Hon. Justice Olufunke Adekeye, JSC (rtd), Osun, Aisha Larai Tukur (Taraba), Mrs. Comfort Obi (Imo), Chief Torngee Gem Toranyiin (Benue) and Dr. Otive Ogbuzor (Delta).

    Jonathan also wrote to withdraw the nomination of Mr. Adesoji Olaoba Efuntayo as the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Efuntayo was replaced with Mr. Emmanuel Adegboyega Aremo (South West).

    The President also urged the Senate to confirm the nomination of Mr. Adulphus Joe Ekpe as the Director General of the National Lottery Commission.

     

  • Nigeria, S/Africa to focus on intra-regional trade – Jonathan

    Nigeria, S/Africa to focus on intra-regional trade – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan has said that Nigeria and South Africa will give priority to intra-regional trade and play leading roles in boosting inter-regional trade in the continent.

    Jonathan made this known on Tuesday at the start of the Nigeria/ South Africa Business Forum which took place in Cape Town, South Africa.

    According to the president, the forum which has been long overdue is expected to bring significant improvement to trade and investment between the two countries.

    “My aspiration is that the vision of President Jacob Zuma and I will be realised in the near future,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted President Jonathan as saying at the forum.

    Deliberations at the forum focused on mines, power, banking, finance and oil and gas

    Jonathan said the success story of the forum would not only bring about stronger bilateral and economic relation between the two countries but would strengthen bonds of business and friendship among Nigerians and South Africans.

    “The forum is also expected to improve on other socio-economic activities, as well as increase the volume and value of trade between the two countries,’’ Jonathan said.

    In his remarks, President Zuma said that the two countries already have growing and warm bilateral relations, structured through the Bi-National Commission which was inaugurated in 1999.

    “We have today witnessed the signing of new agreements and Memorandum of understanding between our countries,” he said.

     

     

  • Nigeria, S/Africa approve visa waivers

    Nigeria, S/Africa approve visa waivers

    Nigeria and South Africa on Tuesday signed an agreement aimed at ending visa acquisition by holders of official and diplomatic passports.
    Ministers from both countries have been charged to ensure the effective implementation of the newly signed instruments and the conclusion of outstanding agreements.
    Both Presidents, Jacob Zuma and  Goodluck Jonathan met in Cape Town, South Africa where various issues were discussed on how to improve on relationship between both countries as they agreed on so many issues aimed at boosting development in the continent.
    Beside the  visas waiver agreement both countries also signed eight other bilateral agreements which include,  cooperation in legal field, oil and gas sectors, power sector development, environment,defence cooperation, women development and empowerment as well as child development.
    The bilateral agreements also cover geology, mining, mineral processing and metallurgy and fields of information and communication technology.
    For both presidents, stronger ties  between both countries is necessary if the continent’s fortune is to be improved.
    In his view, President Zuma said,  “we have a duty to take this historic relationship further. Our two countries have already grown very warm bilateral relations structured through the bi-national commission that was officially inaugurated in 1999,”.
    The meeting also afforded President  Zuma the opportunity to express his joy also the number of South African companies  doing businesses in Nigeria, the biggest investment being in the telecommunication sector.
    He further noted that it is the  intention of South Africa to expand to other sectors such as engineering, construction, banking, oil and the media.
    He also advocated for  both countries to promote people to people relationship especially through tourism which he said has generated huge Foreign Direct Investment for the country.
    “Last year alone, South Africa received a total of 73,282 Nigerian tourists which is an 13.8percent increase from 2011 contributing about 720million Rands to the South African economy within the period.”
    In his responding,  President Jonathan, described the signing of nine bilateral agreements between the two countries is a major achievement that would enhance the  critical role of Nigeria and South Africa in transforming the continent,
    The President later addressed joined session of the South African parliament where he re-echoed the need for the two countries to strengthen partnership in growing the continent’s economy.

  • Jonathan at bilateral meeting in Cape Town

    Jonathan at bilateral meeting in Cape Town