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Tag: Goodluck Jonathan

  • Stop Boko Haram, Sultan urges Jonathan

    Stop Boko Haram, Sultan urges Jonathan

    PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan was yesterday in Sokoto where he got a passionate request from the Sultan – stop Boko Haram now.

    Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III was, besides, concerned politicians’ use of religion and ethnicity rather than issues to campaign for votes at next month’s elections.

    “Politicians should not encourage sentiments against patriotism and national unity among Nigerians,” he cautioned.

    Citing the 2011 general elections, the monarch said “We are amazed at what is happening today. Even in 2011, we did not face such challenges.”

    “You must ensure peace and stability and the problem of insurgency must be brought to an end,” Alhaji Abubakar told Dr. Jonathan.

    He spoke of so much rot “in almost all sectors, including education and the trend of insecurity, among others.” So we should address issues that could bring succour to an average Nigerian,” he added.

    Alhaji Abubakar, who wondered why politicking had turned into war, said: “We should know that both parties have significant number of Christians and Muslims as members and God knows why He created us to live together as Nigerians.

    “We should respect our individual religious tenets, otherwise one will be turning against his or her own  religious tenet.”

    The Sultan cited the Paris killings and advised that” Nigeria must not allow foreign happenings to creep into its domain, especially those which do not happen here or concern us while we condemn same to safeguard our territory.

    “Our leaders must continue to dialogue on matters affecting the country by preserving and encouraging the love for one another,” he counselled.

    Delighted by the signing of the anti-violence pact by presidential candidates, Alhaji Abubakar also observed that this was not enough to address the situation, pointing out that other politicians should be cautioned against the use of thugs and weapons before, during and after elections.

    He also warned against any tendency to disenfranchise would-be voters from the general polls, “because millions of Nigerians are likely to be disenfranchised for not obtaining their PVCs”. “I am one of those who up till now have not received the PVC, the Sultan said.

    Earlier, President Jonathan told Sultan Abubakar that the visit was to seek his blessings as a mark of respect for the Sultanate, which he described as key for the peace and stability of the country.

    He said his administration had been keeping faith with commitments to ensure Nigerians are better of in so many areas of human development.

    On the entourage of the president were Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu, Governors Sule Lamido of Jigawa and Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor of Sokoto State and campaign coordinator of the president in Sokoto, PDP gubernatorial candidate in the state, Senator Abdallah Wali, former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, ministers, Senator Ahmadu Ali, leaders and elders of the party among others.

    Jonathan said: “I am particulalry concerned about the education of the Nigerian child who should access same for a sound foundation for self and nation building.

    “You may recall that I inauigurated the Almajiri integrated model school few years back as foundation that will the child to achieve great stand in education.”

    “We will focus on the Goronyo and Shagari dams in an effort to demonstrate our commitment to boosting agriculture in Sokoto State too.”

    He said the PDP government was committed to improving the lives of Nigerians.

    Mua’zu told the Sultan that the PDP was committed to reversing all trends for the benefit of Nigerians.

    “We are fast at ensuring Nigeria survives and remains amiable to all in terms of development, peace and stability for the unity of its people.”

  • N250m campaign fund divides Oyo PDP

    N250m campaign fund divides Oyo PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State has fallen into disarray, following disaffection generated by how the N250 million fund released by President Goodluck Jonathan for his campaign in Ibadan, the state capital, last week, was spent.

    Jonathan and other national leaders were at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on January 12 for his presidential campaign. The party’s governorship candidate, Teslim Folarin, was given the party’s flag at the campaign rally.

    A source told The Nation that some party top leaders were not happy because they did not get their “due”.

    The source said the money was not evenly distributed among party elders who mobilised their supporters for Jonathan and other candidates, thereby sparking anger and silent protest.

    Such funds are collected by a serving minister who is expected to further distribute to all stakeholders for effective campaign.

    But according to the source, the N250 million released to Oyo State has been largely expended with only N75 million balance.

    Some elders, it was learnt, have been complaining , saying they were given only a paltry sum.

    A former senator and some other leaders had threatened to expose the deal should the alleged cheating go unaddressed.

    A chieftain, Yekini Adeojo, called a stakeholders’ meeting yesterday to resolve the issue.

    The outcome of the meeting was unknown.

  • Jonathan visits soldiers, displaced persons in Borno

    Jonathan visits soldiers, displaced persons in Borno

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday  paid a surprise visit to Maiduguri, Borno State capital on the occasion of Nigeria’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day to meet with officers and men of the Armed Forces currently in the frontline of the war against terrorism and insurgency in the country.

    Accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the National Security Adviser and the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, President Jonathan visited officers and men of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri to thank them for their patriotic and courageous service to the nation.

    The President told officers and soldiers of the Division that the nation was very proud of them and grateful for their dedication and commitment to the defence of the civilian population against terrorists and violent extremists.

    President Jonathan also assured the troops that the Federal Government will continue to do everything possible to ensure that they get the weapons, equipment, welfare and logistics support they require to completely rout the insurgents and restore full security and normalcy to affected parts of the country.

    Describing the troops as a special breed of men who were undertaking a great assignment for their fatherland, the President assured them that all necessary action was being taken to address  challenges facing them in their operations against  Boko Haram.

    “In terms of equipment and logistics, we have already made considerable progress since the insurgency started and we will continue to improve in that regard until your operations are successfully concluded,” he told the soldiers.

    President Jonathan also toured wards of the 7 Division Hospital and Medical Services Centre where he met with soldiers recovering from injuries sustained in operations against Boko Haram. He wished them speedy recovery.

    Before leaving the Borno State capital, President Jonathan visited  over 900 displaced persons from Baga at a camp in the city.

    The President commiserated with the displaced persons on the losses they suffered during the attack on their town by Boko Haram.

    He promised them that the Federal Government will strive to make their stay in the camps more comfortable while it continues to do all within its powers to restore peace and security to enable them return to their homes soon.

    “Terrorism and insurgency have been very traumatic for all of us. I feel particularly disturbed when I hear of our people being displaced within their own country.

    “I assure you and other displaced persons that Government is working very hard to ensure that you do not remain in these camps for too long.

    “I know that many of your houses have been destroyed. We will assist you financially so that you can rebuild your homes and return to them gradually,” President Jonathan told the displaced persons.

    The President thanked the Red Cross and other international organizations who have been assisting in the provision of relief materials to the displaced persons.

    He also charged local, state and federal government officials to work with greater harmony and cooperation in rendering support to the displaced persons.

    “I do not want to be hearing conflicting reports on support being given to them. Government is one and we must all work together to assist our people whenever the need arises.

    “We must cooperate maximally and work together at the local government, state and federal levels to ensure that our people who are unfortunately displaced from their homes get the best possible treatment,” President Jonathan said.

  • Jonathan, Buhari at Non-Violence election workshop

    Jonathan, Buhari at Non-Violence election workshop

  • Jonathan promises eight million jobs at Ibadan rally

    Jonathan promises eight million jobs at Ibadan rally

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday pledged to boost the first lady’s office at all levels of government  – if he is re-elected.

    Dr. Jonathan spoke in Ibadan as he took his campaign to the Southwest.

    He also campaigned in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. He is billed for Osogbo, the Osun State capital and Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital today. He will visit Akure, the Ondo State capital tomorrow.

    In Ibadan, the President visited the Olubadan, the traditional ruler of the biggest city in West Africa, Oba Odulana Odugade, who made two requests – a dry seaport for the city and upgrading of the Ibadan airport to international status.

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Teslim Folarin was presented the party’s flag by PDP National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu.

    Folarin told the supporters at the rally that top on the minds of Oyo State citizens is the creation of another state.

    Other party leaders in the zone were at the rally at the Mapo Hall.

    Dr. Jonathan spoke on why he would encourage First Lady’s positon at the local government level.

    “We must encourage women. We are in the Southwest, which is an area that has produced so many great women. I’m sure more than 50 per cent female professors in this country come from the Southwest. Some parties have said they would scrap the office of the First Lady, office of the governor’s wife, and office of the local government chairman’s wife; they are going to ban Army Officers Wives Association, Naval Officers’ Wives Association, Police Officers’ Wives Association etc. I can tell you that these offices are helping to mobilise our women. These offices encourage all Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The money they spend does not come from government budget. They run NGOs. Nigeria has a lot of philanthropists who want to spend on good causes. They use some of these funds to help our women.

    I know that in the Southwest, you have trained your daughters in the best universities in the world. You cannot train your daughter in Cambridge, Oxford University and others and expect them to be mere baby factories.”

    The President promised to create about two million jobs yearly for the four-year tenure to open up opportunities for youths to apply their skills and competencies.

    He said: “We in the PDP believe that you are the leaders of tomorrow. We are creating future leaders… That is why most of our governors are in their 40s. We believe you Nigerian students will take Nigeria to the moon. We will also work hard to create jobs for you… We will make sure we provide not less than two million jobs every year. We know that about two million Nigerian youths enter the Nigerian labour market yearly after they leave school. Though we have some arrears, we believe that if we start creating two million jobs every year, unemployment will be drastically reduced within a period of five years. We don’t just promise. What we are saying is what we are doing.  We are redefining education. We are going to increase the number of tertiary institutions. This government has built more tertiary institutions than any other government. For instance, we established 14 new universities.  Twelve of them are conventional universities while two  are for police training and maritime professional training… I believe that without education, we cannot change people. I am here today because I have education. That is why I believe that every Nigerian child should have the Goodluck opportunity… I will not build prisons for you. I will build schools for you.

    “And we are not just establishing tertiary institutions, we are improving quality.”

  • ‘Disqualify Jonathan’

    A group of youths in Delta State, under the aegis of The Forum of Past Youth Leaders of Ethnic Nationalities in the Southsouth, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to disqualify himself from contesting the February 14 election after admitting that he has failed the nation.

    The forum’s chairman, Alhaji Mumakai-Unagha, addressed reporters in Warri after visiting the six states in the Southsouth to educate the people ahead of the proposed mass rally in the area.

    According to him, the President’s admission that his generation had failed the people was enough for a vote of no confidence in him.

    Mumakai-Unagha noted that Nigerians no longer needed an indolent President, adding that Nigerians needed a leader who would address the challenges facing the various components of the nation.

    The activist, who is the pioneer vice president of the National Youth Council of Nigeria in the Southsouth, frowned at the high rate of corruption in high places and insecurity in parts of the country.

  • ‘Nigerians must reject Jonathan’

    ‘Nigerians must reject Jonathan’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti Central Senatorial District of Ekiti State has listed reasons why Nigerians must vote out President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The party urged the people to troop out tomorrow to welcome its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, who it described as a man of integrity.

    Addressing a briefing in Aramoko-Ekiti yesterday after presenting the party’s State and National Assembly candidates, the APC Chairman in the district, George Ojo, accused the PDP of mismanaging the economy and promoting corruption.

    The candidates are Gbenga Olofin (Senate), Oyetunde Ojo and Dr. Eniola Ajayi (House of Representatives).

    Others are Gbenga Odebunmi, Oyekola Adeoye, Gabriel Ogundele, Mrs. Omowumi Ogunlola, Ayodeji Odu, Sola Olofin, Sola Fatoba and Bisi Dada.

    Ojo said the February 14 presidential poll offers the electorate an opportunity to change the polity and end the PDP’s misrule.

    He said Jonathan lacked the moral justification to canvass  votes when the missing $20billion and N500million SURE-P funds were yet to be found.

  • Obasanjo, Adeboye, Oyedepo, Jonathan meet in Abeokuta

    Obasanjo, Adeboye, Oyedepo, Jonathan meet in Abeokuta

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan met on Monday at Obasanjo’s mansion  on Presidential Hilltop Estate, Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.

    Sources close to the Obasanjo home said the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and founder of Winners’ Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, were at the meeting at the instance of the former President as one of conditions given by Obasanjo before any meeting with Jonathan could take place .

    It was learnt that the men of God were called to be witnesses of what would transpire between Jonathan and his benefactor, Obasanjo, during the meeting after the terms of the outcome of previous series of discussions between the two were allegedly not followed by the President.

    It was further learnt that Obasanjo would use the avenue to ask Jonathan salient questions to the hearing of Adeboye and Oyedepo bordering on security situation of the country, his loyalists who were weeded out of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) as well as the matter concerning the South West Organising Mobilisation Committee Chairman of PDP, Prince Buruji Kashamu, whom the former President said can’t be his leader.

    The meeting still on – going as at the time of filing the report by 9:32pm.

    However, earlier on Monday, Jonathan had arrived the M.K.O stadium in Abeokuta by 3: 50pm and headed straight to the State box at the MKO Abiola stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta for re-election campaign rally.

    In his campaign train were BoT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, the party National Chairman, Adamu Muazu, ex – governor Gbenga Daniel, Chief Femi Fani – Kayode, PDP governorship candidate in the state, Prince Gboyega Isiaka, state party Chairman, Bayo Dayo, former Defence Minister, Musiliu Obanikoro, the agriculture Minister, Adesina Akinwunmi among others.

    Addressing the rally earlier, Jonathan who pleaded with Ogun electorate to give him their mandate the second time, acknowledged the place of the state as having played and continued to play pivotal roles in annals of the nation.

  • Jonathan seeks more prayers for the nation, Armed Forces

    President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the nation and the Armed Forces in their effort to safeguard the country.

    He made the call while speaking at the 2015 Armed Forces Remenbrance Day Church Service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Appreciating the Nigerian Armed Forces”.

    According to Jonathan, it would have been worse for the nation if not for the dedication of the security personnel and the prayers of Nigerians.

    He said: “Looking at what is happening all over the world today, even some sophisticated countries that have the technology and can see anywhere from their bedroom still have terror challenges not to talk of Nigeria that is not yet there.”

    “Even in our country, it would have been worse than this but for your prayers. We crave your indulgence to continue to pray for us. Do not stop in your prayers.”

    Noting that there are inadequacies in the military, he said that the government will continue to kit and equip them to effectively perform their duties.

    He said: “Let me also appreciate the armed forces. Whenever you hear that people have been killed, there is this temptation to say they are not doing anything. Yes, we know there are some black legs within the armed forces, no doubt about that. Some have been caught, some are being prosecuted.”

    “But on the overall, Nigerian armed forces are gallant people. They have been working hard day and night, with the police and other organisations like SSS and NIA. That is why we are even sleeping. On occasions like this, we must commend them, appreciate them and really encourage them.”

    “I know that if they have not been working the way they are working, it could have been worse for us. As a government, we know that yes there inadequacies in the military but be rest assured that we are trying within this period to properly kit and equip you to protect our citizens.”

    “Let me call on all Nigerians to continue to pray for the Armed Forces, their families, their wives and children because it is not easy to be the wife of a soldier and the husband is posted to Borno state.” he said

    The government, he said, will continue to invest in the welfare of military personnel and their families through programmes like the recently launched Victim Support Fund.

    In his sermon, the Prelate, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Archbishop Samuel Uche urged the Federal Government to jail some group of Nigerians threatening to form parallel government as their actions amount to treason.

    He lamented the situation where high profile citizens have resulted to making unguarded utterances for cheap political gains rather than partner with government to tackle the current insecurity faced by the country.

    He said: “Those saying they will form a parallel government or inviting the military they are committing felony, they should be in prison because they are committing treason.

    “Some shameless individuals and groups make such utterances and use grievous situation as a tool for politicking, blaming the government in power as doing nothing to solve the problem of insurgency. Who is deceiving who?

    He also said that available information before him shows that 95 percent of persons fighting Nigeria in the guise of Boko Haram were of Fulani and Kanuri origin.

  • Igbo group, CLO back Mbaka on Jonathan

    Igbo group, CLO back Mbaka on Jonathan

    In Igbo group, the Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF) Worldwide, has backed Enugu State-based Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka’s comments on President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The Chairman of the forum, Augustine Chukwudum, yesterday told The Nation in Calabar, the Cross River  State capital, that the cleric spoke the truth because the president had misruled the country.

    He said: “What Rev. Fr. Mbaka said is true because President Jonathan has spoilt this country. His administration is corrupt.

    “Government is not doing anything to stop the suffering of the masses. The Catholic bishop, who said if Mbaka were to be under his diocese, he would sanction him, must be one of those benefitting from the Federal Government.

    “But for Mbaka to show that he is not relying on anybody or government’s patronage, he is telling the truth. This is what is expected of priests. They should guide the people. Today, you hardly hear our leaders listening to the voice of God.

    “I’m warning those people criticising Mbaka because he has told the truth that they are attracting the wrath of God. Let people tell the truth. Jonathan promised to build refineries. This is five years. Not even a stone has been laid for the refinery and we are clapping that the man should continue. Now we are buying a litre of fuel at N110 or N120. Kerosene is sold for N130 per litre. It is supposed to be the cheapest, but it is now costlier than petrol. And the bishop and other sycophants are not seeing what the masses are experiencing. Instead, they are praising the President.

    “Even if Jonathan is allowed to continue for the next 30 years, this country will get worse. We are not seeing any good luck in his government. I urge those criticising Mbaka to have a rethink. Let them re-examine themselves, search their conscience and analyse what Jonathan has done since he took over leadership.

    “Today, they are talking about subsidy. What are they subsidising? Nothing. They are just sharing billions of naira. Those people, who stole our money in the name of subsidy, how many of them have been convicted? None. They are now political patrons of the President, donating money to enable him run for a second term so that they will be allowed to continue their illegal businesses.

    “This shows his government is corrupt. So, my stand is that Ndigbo Unity Forum backs Rev. Fr. Mbaka. We condemn whoever slams him. The wrath of God will come upon them.”

    Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Southeast chapter, has supported the New Year message of Rev. Fr. Mbaka, saying the cleric told President Jonathan the truth.

    In a statement by the Southeast Zonal Director, Olu Omotayo, CLO noted that the neglect of federal roads in the Southeast and the decayed of federal institutions were no news, but it was important and surprising that for the first time in the last eight years, a credible and respected son of the zone joined the campaign by civil societies and pressure groups to condemn the decayed state of infrastructures in the zone.