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Tag: Goodluck Jonathan

  • Attack on Kano Mosque heinous, says Jonathan

    Attack on Kano Mosque heinous, says Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan has condoled with the people and Government of Kano State over the attack on the Central Mosque in Kano on Friday which he described as heinous.

    In a statement reacting to the incident in which scores of persons were killed, President Jonathan commiserated with all the families who lost their loved ones.

    He called on relief agencies and medical personnel to deploy every possible effort to assist the injured, and the general public to heed the call for the donation of blood by the hospitals where the injured are being treated.

    The President further directed the security agencies to launch a full-scale investigation and to leave no stone unturned until all agents of terror undermining the right of every citizen to life and dignity, are tracked down and brought to justice.

    He reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestation is a despicable and unjustifiable threat to our society and reiterated the determination of the government to continue to take every step to put an end to the reprehensible acts of all groups and persons involved in acts of terrorism.

    He urged calls Nigerians not to despair in this moment of great trial in our nation’s history but to remain united to confront the common enemy.

    According to him, no terrorist act against fellow citizens will destroy the Nigerian spirit to remain positive, resolute and united in the quest for lasting peace and security in the country.

  • 2015: PDP screens Jonathan

    2015: PDP screens Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday appeared before a presidential screening committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Jonathan, who arrived at the party’s secretariat at 3.15 pm, in company with Vice President Namadi Sambo and ministers, went straight to the screening venue.

    The exercise lasted for about an hour, with the Ahmadu Ali-led committee discharging the President after the closed screening session.

    After the exercise, the President left the secretariat as quietly as he came in.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, who spoke to reporters after the screening, said it was necessary for the President to comply with the processes leading to the primaries and ratification.

    According to him, the President was not in anyway disadvantaged before now and that his humility at submitting to party processes spoke volume of his compliance with party supremacy.

    Metuh said the result of the screening would be released by the party’s leadership within 24 hours.

    The leadership of the PDP has voided the disqualification of its aspirants by the screening appeal committees across the states.

    A statement yesterday by the party urged the affected aspirants to disregard the disqualification orders.

  • Jonathan urged to sign National Health Bill into Law

    Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have urged President Goodluck Jonathan to sign the National Health Bill into Law.

    They said the bill, which has scaled through the National Assembly, was passed to the Presidency on October 28 and is yet to get its nod.

    In a communiqué after a media roundtable in Abuja, on the importance of Primary Health Care (PHC), the coalition said assenting to the Bill would address health challenges and guarantee citizens’ right to health.

    The event was organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).

    The communiqué was signed by the CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim, Coordinator, Community Health and Research Initiative (AMHiN), Dr. Aminu Magashi and Legal Officer, Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI), Mr. Maxwell Kadiri.

    They implored development partners and multilateral institutions to pressurise Jonathan to endorse the Bill.

    The CSOs recommended the implementation of commitments to develop the health sector, including the 15 per cent budgetary allocation to health care delivery. They advocated partnership among the stakeholders demanding greater accountability at all levels.

    Civil societies were also encouraged to develop and share robust strategies for engaging the media to ensure reporting on the issues affecting the health sector.

    Other members of the CSOs include MacArthur Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Women’s Right Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), Community and Health Research Initiative and Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON).

     

  • Jonathan greets HID Awolowo at 99

    Jonathan greets HID Awolowo at 99

    President Goodluck Jonathan congratulated yesterday Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Dideolu Awolowo on her 99th birthday.

    The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, prayed God to grant Mrs. Awolowo many more years of worthy service as the matriarch and moral compass of the great Awolowo political dynasty.

    “President Jonathan looks forward to personally participating in the celebration of Mrs. Awolowo’s 100th birthday next year to honour the highly-revered spouse of one of Nigeria’s famous founding fathers.”

     

  • Jonathan: Our universities now better

    Jonathan: Our universities now better

    PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday boasted that Nigerian public universities are now better off following adequate release of funds in line with the NEEDs Assessment request of each university.
    Jonathan said the funds were released to both state and federal government- owned universities.
    The President said the University of Benin alone got N2.6bn for development of its infrastructure.
    He spoke in Benin City during the conferment of Post-Graduate Diplomas and Higher Degrees at the 39th and 40th convocation ceremony of UNIBEN
    Represented by the Pro-Chancellor of the university, Senator Bob Dickson, Jonathan expressed optimism that Nigerian universities would develop its infrastructure and academic services from the NEEDs Assessment funding.
    He said the recent funding was in addition to grants made to the universities from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).
    The President said his administration would work with relevant stakeholders in the education sector to transform the economy and urged private organisations to forge partnership in the area of funding research and scholarship.
    He congratulated outgoing Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Osayuki Oshodin for a successful tenure.
    Oshodin said over 100 NEEDs Assessment projects have been awarded.
    He stated that an additional 424 projects were executed during his administration.
    The Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe; Senator Daisy Danjuma, Rev. Matthew Okpebholo and Tony Elumelu were conferred with honourary degrees.

  • 130 Reps sign impeachment notice against Jonathan

    130 Reps sign impeachment notice against Jonathan

    Disturbed by the growing impunity in the country, 130 members of the House of Representatives yesterday launched a battle to remove President Goodluck Jonathan. They signed an impeachment notice register.

    But Speaker Aminu Tambuwal asked  his colleagues to consider the barricade of the National Assembly by the police and security agents as part of the price to pay for a sustainable democracy.

    Members at the Executive Session of the House, refused to table the impunity of the police to “avoid the situation degenerating into a  major crisis.”

    Investigation showed that members were angry by the invasion of the National Assembly by the police and security agents.

    They alleged that the invasion was backed by the Presidency.

    They alleged that President Jonathan met secretly with on Wednesday night with Senate President David Mark and Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha on the shape of yesterday’s House sitting.

    Alleging executive recklessness, interference and abuse of police,  the members opted to collate signatures for an impeachment notice against President Jonathan.

    The lawmakers also rejected the request for the extension of emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

    Instead, they asked the President to “invoke Section 8 of the Armed Forces Act to deal with Boko Haram insurgency”.

    A principal officer of the House said: “With how the police and security agents molested members of the House of Representatives, President Goodluck Jonathan has lost our goodwill. We have resolved to stop this impunity in the land.”

    Another House member, who confirmed to have signed the register, said: “This time around, it is going to be battle to the finish. Going by the principle of Separation of Powers, the police and security agents have no business barricading or occupying the National Assembly.

    “The Executive arm is misusing the police and security agencies. We will no longer tolerate this.

    “In a democracy, the Legislature is a sacred place. Why will hooded security agents invade the National Assembly to the extent that members were forced to be jumping the fence to enter the complex. What has become of our mandate as elected Representatives?”

    The House requires signatures of one-third of the members of the National Assembly to serve impeachment notice on the President.

    Senators are believed to be in league with members of the House to move against Jonathan.

    The source said: “From the way we are going, the siege on the National Assembly might be the beginning of more clampdown on the lawmakers. The closure of the Assembly by the Chairman, Senate President David Mark suggested that anarchy was imminent.

    “We will not sit by in the House and watch the political environment polluted and our hard-earned democracy turned into diarchy.

    “The only condition for peace is for Jonathan to retrace his steps by respecting the principle of Separation of Powers and call both the police and security agencies to order.”

    Section 143 of the 1999 Constitution reads in part: “The President or Vice-President may be removed from office in accordance with the provisions of this section whenever a notice of any allegation in writing signed by not less than one-third of the members of the National Assembly is (a) presented to the President of the Senate (b) stating that the holder of the office of President or Vice-President is guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office, detailed particulars of which shall be specified.”

    House member said the Police Affairs Committee was mandated to invite the Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, to explain why Representatives were attacked, teargassed and molested.

    Another source confirmed that the House may also reject the President’s 2015 Appropriation Bill.

    “With the invasion of the National Assembly by the police and security agents, the President may have it extremely difficult in getting our consent to consider the 2015 Appropriation Bill.

    “If he can intimidate, we can also use our constitutional powers to assert our constitutional  rights,” he said.

  • Jonathan urges Nigerians to disregard inciting statements

    Jonathan urges Nigerians to disregard inciting statements

    •Prayer for President as he turns 57

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday urged Nigerians to disregard inciting statements.

    He spoke when Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson led his kinsmen to the Presidential Villa to celebrate with him on his 57th birthday.

    Jonathan enjoined Nigerians to disregard the statements by some people threatening the unity of the country.

    Admitting that Nigeria had challenges, he assured that it would overcome them.

    Said he: “Some people are making remarks that are more or less treasonable. Don’t be worried, nobody can divide this country. This country must survive. We will not give up to blackmail by anybody. We will do our best. Nigeria must survive this major setback like Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges.”

    Speaking on the challenges facing the country, the President said: “I always said I don’t know whether the State of Israel has ever known peace for one day. But they are moving forward, they are developing. Go to America today, most of the millionaires are Jews, but they are always fighting to survive. That we have challenges should not be misconstrued that the country will disintegrate.

    “We will surely overcome the challenges. This country must move forward, this country must unite.”

    Thanking his Bayelsa kinsmen for coming, he said: “Today I’m here to serve Nigeria and you are here to support me, to identify with me as my people. If I’m here to serve this country and you don’t give me this support, of course people will not take me serious. They will say even his people have rejected him.

    “So I thank Governor Dickson for coming, for gathering our royal fathers from the kingdoms in Bayelsa State to come in this manner. I’m grateful to you all.”

    Praying God to renew the President’s strength to serve the nation, Dickson said the people expressed solidarity with him as he marked his birthday.

    A service was conducted by the Presidential Chaplain, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba, who read 1st Samuel 10:14-27.

    Prayers were said for the first family and the nation.

    At the session were Jonathan, his wife,  Patience, his mother, Madam Eunice Jonathan, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and presidential aides.

  • Children to Jonathan: give us free education

    Children to Jonathan: give us free education

    As President Goodluck Jonathan celebrated his 57th birthday yesterday, a cross section of children urged him to make education free at the primary school level so that they could compete with their mates in other countries.

    The children, in a request made at the Festival Primary School, Area 10, Abuja, where the President had gone to celebrate his birthday with them, said it was expedient for him to meet their demands as most of them were out of school due to poverty.

    They urged him to remember his beginning as a student when he had no shoes and use his office to give them free education.

    Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Youths and Students Affairs, Comrade Jude Imagwe, Jonathan said his administration would take children away from the streets, as it was their right to enjoy quality education.

    He enjoined them to respect their country and pray for its survival so that it could overcome its challenges.

    “Your respect and daily prayer for Nigeria will go a long way in keeping this country together.

    “Always have it in mind that you have no other country to call your own. Always pray for Nigeria and its leaders so that we can leave a better country for youths, who will become leaders of tomorrow.

    “We are celebrating the President’s birthday because we see him as a hope to the hopeless. The choice of this public school was made for the President to remember his root as a primary school pupil, who attended school with no sandal. It shows he has not forgotten his beginning,” Imagwe said.

  • Ebonyi urges Jonathan to ignore speaker’s letter on bond

    Ebonyi urges Jonathan to ignore speaker’s letter on bond

    Ebonyi State government yesterday described the letter written to President Goodluck Jonathan by embattled factional Speaker of the Assembly, Chukwuma Nwazunku, as an act of desperation.

    It said what the former speaker had done was to tell the world about the low-level of his literacy and comprehension in his hurry to satisfy the whims of his new found godfathers.

    The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Martin Elechi, Dr Onyekachi Eni stated this in  Abakaliki in a reaction to Nwazunku’s letter, titled “Records don’t lie, only rebels do”.

    Nwazunku had, in an open letter, called on the President not to approve the State’s second bond application of N15 billion until it satisfactorily explain how it expended the first bond of N16 billion it got in 2007.

    But Eni wondered why Nwazunku would be opposed to the bill now after he had overseen the plenary session that approved the request for the second bond issue in March this year.

  • EPZ: Ijaw youths urge Itsekiri to stop insulting Jonathan

    EPZ: Ijaw youths urge Itsekiri to stop insulting Jonathan

    Ijaw youths, under the aegis of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, have warned the Itsekiri to stop blackmailing President Goodluck Jonathan because of the stalled inauguration of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Delta State.

    They said they were dismayed by what they called the reckless and irresponsible attacks on the President by the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILOT) and other Itsekiri groups in Delta State.

    They described the tirade against Jonathan as irresponsible.

    In a statement by their spokesperson, Eric Omare, the IYC urged the leaders to stop insulting the President and resolve the dispute.

    The statement said: “The protesting Ijaw people of Gbaramatu and Ogulagha kingdoms are Nigerians and President Jonathan, as the President of Nigeria, has a duty to listen to their complaints, just like any other Nigerians.

    “The fact that President Jonathan is Ijaw does not mean that he should ignore the complaints of Ijaw people in Nigeria.”

    The youth said they were unhappy that the Itsekiri leaders attacked the President whenever a government decision did not favour them.

    They said: “We seriously frowned at the attitude of Itsekiri leaders and groups attacking President Jonathan and other Ijaw leaders at the slightest opportunity once a government decision is not in their favour. This will no longer be tolerated.

    “It would be recall that the Itsekiri carried out a similar campaign of calumny against the Presidential Adviser on the Niger Delta Affairs, Kingsley Kuku, over the amnesty programme, even when it was obvious that they were not eligible to benefit from the programme.

    “We call on President Jonathan and other Nigerians to ignore the careless and irresponsible attacks by the Itsekiri leaders and groups as it is the stock in trade of the Itsekiri to blackmail the government once its decision is against them.

    “The IYC insists that for sustainable peace and successful execution of the EPZ project, the Ijaw of Gbaramatu and Ogulagha must be given their rightful recognition as co-host communities to the EPZ project.”