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Tag: Goodluck Jonathan

  • Mob attacks Turaki’s convoy in Jigawa

    Mob attacks Turaki’s convoy in Jigawa

    A mob attacked yesterday former Jigawa State Governor Saminu Turaki’s convoy for pasting President Goodluck Jonathan posters on the vehicles.

    It was gathered that the ex-governor was attacked on his way out of Hadejia, where he attended the turbaning of Abdulfatai Tahir as the new Talba of Hadeijia.

    An eyewitness, Suraja Musa, said the youths started chanting “Bamayi” when they sighted the President’s posters on the vehicles in Turaki’s convoy.

    Hadejia is a stronghold of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Speaking to reporters after the incident, a People Democratic Party (PDP) sole administrator in Sokoto State, Abba Anas, who was with the former governor, said the youths were sponsored by the government to embarrass Turaki.

    He said: “We went to Hadejia to felicitate with our friend, who was turbaned as the new Talban Hadejia.

    “On our way out, some youths attacked our convoy and damaged some vehicles. We are aware of the orchestrated campaign to frustrate our movement in Jigawa.

    “We know that a Special Assistant to Governor Sule Lamido organised these boys to attack us but I want to say how disappointed we are because the government claim that it is fighting thuggery in politics and drug abuse.

    “It is shocking that the same government will send youth after the convoy of an ex-governor in the state.”

    But the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Adamu Muhammad Usman, denied He said: “It is unfortunate that they are linking the government to the attack. When Turaki’s convoy was attacked in Gumel two weeks ago was it the government that sponsored it?

    “When his convoy was attacked in Baturiyya a week ago was it government that sponsored that as well? The truth is that Saminu did not achieve anything in Jigawa in eight years.

    “The people cannot stomach his failure with his latest attempt to return to politics in the state. His purported attempt at politicising the turbaning in Hadeijia was what might have angered the youths. The truth is that Lamido’s performance has endeared him to the people and he remains their leader.”

  • Insurgency sponsored against Jonathan, says PDP

    Insurgency sponsored against Jonathan, says PDP

    •NSA Dasuki: Shettima’s outburst not political

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has blamed the festering insurgency in the country on “unpatriotic elements” whose want to discredit the person, office and administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party said the tactics is to distract and detract the President, constrain the successful delivery of his transformation programme so as to portray him as non-performing and ridicule his score card when time reckons.

    The party said it was beyond conjecture that the Nigerian version of terrorism is the product of a narrow political persuasion that defies logic and reason.

    “We accept the reality of terrorism as a global phenomenon. However, the peculiar trend of the Nigerian version which subsists on a welter of nebulous demands and masked identities, hacking down innocent Nigerians – women, children and the elderly – in an awful scorch earth fashion, and in an obstinate ridicule of dialogue, defies all reason and logic and only summarizes a well considered agenda of national destabilization for a purely selfish political cause. We pointedly finger the opposition.”

    But the National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, holds a different view. At a briefing on terrorism in Abuja yesterday, Dasuki, a retired colonel, urged the political elite not to politicise the the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Dasuki, at the event, had clarified the recent emotional outburst by the Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima as the governor’s reaction to the spate of terrorist attacks on soft targets in his state.

    According to the NSA, Shettima’s statement should not be viewed from a partisan prism. He said: “That statement by the Borno Governor was not a political statement.

    “He may be a member of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) but that does not necessarily mean he was speaking from partisan perspective”.

    The PDP said Jonathan is being persecuted on account of his minority origin, arguing that no leader in the history of the country had faced the height of persecution that the President had been subjected to since he assumed office.

    The statement added: “We recall statements by some politicians, vowing to make the country ungovernable for President Jonathan on the eve of the 2011 general elections and therefore adjure Nigerians to rise against this brute ideology of violence from which a tiny clique of the political class intends to benefit ultimately. It is the climax of wickedness only heard of the Lucifer in the distant bosom of hell fire.

    “Ironically, this is in spite of his humility and his fidelity to the orthodoxy of all democratic norms and values. This is in spite of his proven commitment to the unity and progress of every party of Nigeria irrespective of tribe and religion. Ironically, this is in spite of his proven competence and record delivery of his electoral promises”.

    The ruling party urged well-meaning Nigerians to resist those behind the sectarian violence and insurgency in the country and to shore up support for the President in his efforts to “deliver the dividends of democracy to the people”

     

  • Minister faces sack over 19 job seekers’ death

    Minister faces sack over 19 job seekers’ death

    Jonathan lashes Moro, NIS chief

    Protests in Abuja, Kaduna

    Interior Minister Abba Moro’s job was hanging in the balance yesterday after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Besides, there were protests in Abuja and Kaduna over the death last weekend of no fewer than 19 job seekers at Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment centres.

    Jonathan summoned Moro and NIS Comptroller General Mr David Parradang to the Villa to explain what went wrong.

    The presidential action followed the national outcry that greeted the deaths in Abuja, Minna, Port Harcourt and Benin centres of 19 applicants, including expectant women.

    Eminent Nigerians have called for Moro’s resignation or his sack by the President over the poor handling of what should be a routine event.

    Moro insisted yesterday that he would not resign. He blamed the victims for the stampede that led to their deaths, saying they failed to obey instructions. The minister added that some unauthorised people came to the centres to cause problems. He promised to set up a probe.

    The organisation of the recruitment has been generally adjudged to be shoddy, with 520,000 job seekers chasing 4, 556 openings. There was stampede at the stadia used for the recruitment.

    In Kaduna, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led a protest to the NIS.

    In Abuja, a civil society organisation spearheaded a march on the office of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

    The NLC, in a statement by its President AbdulWaheed Omar, called for a probe of the deaths.

    Moro and Parradang were at the Presidential Villa for over two hours. They were led to the President’s office by the Chief of Staff, Gen. Jones Arogbofa.

    Jonathan described the “incident” as sad.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the National Conference in Abuja, he said: “As we were preparing for this inauguration, a very sad incident happened on Saturday.”

    He called for a minute silence “for the young lads who died on Saturday”.

    It was learnt that Jonathan tongue lashed the two officials for about 20 minutes. They were reportedly dumbfounded throughout the session.

    They could not give cogent reasons for the deaths.

    The President was reported to have told them: “I am highly disappointed with your performance. I cannot tolerate this.”

    It was learnt that the President’s mood suggested that the time was up for the two officials to resign – if they could read his countenance.

    A highly-placed source said: “We have never seen the President in such a foul mood at the Villa. The case was compounded by the fact that the Minister and the Immigration chief could not give cogent reasons.

    “They were just blabbing.

    “At the end of the 20-minute session, the Minister and Parradang wobbled out of the President’s office, uncertain of their jobs.”

    Another source in the Presidency said: “The President’s reaction suggested that they cannot go scot free at all. If they do not quit, he might show them the way out of government.

    “What the President did was to tongue lash them, leave them to ponder and take the path of honour by quitting; otherwise they will be removed without dignity.”

    It was gathered that Moro and Parradang were still trying to lobby some governors and highly-placed Nigerians to keep their jobs

    Security agencies have started probing the involvement of a company, Drexel Nig. limited, in the recruitment tragedy.

    A top official of one of the security agencies said: “From our preliminary findings, over N7billion was collected from 734,000 candidates who applied for about 4,556 vacancies.

    “We are investigating how the company was engaged, the terms and the service rendered to the NIS.”

    The peaceful protest at the Kaduna State command of the NIS was led by NLC Vice-President Isa Aremu. The protesters arrived at the NIS office early in the morning and blocked its entrance. They prevented the staff from entering their offices.

    The union members carried placards that contained various inscriptions and a letter of protest which they wanted to deliver to the state controller.

    However, the officers on duty barred the workers from the premises, telling them that the controller was not in the office.

    Aremu demanded compensation for the families of the 19 victims.

    He urged Jonathan to demonstrate that no life of an applicant would further be wasted at any recruitment centre.

    He said: “The President should take action so as to prevent shameless exhibition of incompetence and non-service delivery by some of his ministers.”

    The Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), led the Abuja protest.

    The Executive Director of CASER, Mr Frank Tietie, led some members to the NHRC headquarters.

    Tietie urged the authorities to probe the incident and bring those found wanting to book.

    He said lack of crowd control measures and medical emergency personnel at the centres across the country was a violation of the applicants’ rights to life and dignity.

    Tietie said preventable deaths, occasioned by negligence and inaction, were rife in the country.

    He called for urgent action to prevent a recurrence.

    The CASER executive director submitted a petition addressed to the UN Human Rights Commission to the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Prof. Ben Angwe, for onward transmission.

    Angwe described the incident as “sad, not only to the commission but also the Federal Government and country at large”.

    The commission is investigating into incident.

    Angwe expressed regret that the exercise, which was meant to provide jobs for Nigerians and reduce unemployment, resulted in avoidable deaths.

    He said that the incident had kick-started a new beginning in the campaign for the protection of the fundamental human rights of Nigerians.

    He assured the group of NHRC’s commitment to assisting in identifying the victims and ensuring they were compensated by the government.

    The NHRC executive secretary praised CASER for its action, saying it indicated that groups were heeding the commission’s call for sensitisation of Nigerians to their human rights.

    The NLC said the congress was saddened and shocked to learn of the avoidable deaths.

    Said Omar: “It is grossly unfair for the Immigration Service to have invited thousands of our youths to physically present themselves to compete to fill a miserly 4000 vacancies.

    “Nothing but crass opportunism can explain this heartless scam.

    “A more rational and discerning recruitment process could easily have reduced the number by insisting on raising minimum standards.

    “The explanation by the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, that 520,000 applicants were invited for 4,556 spaces and that the applicants died in a stampede due to impatient and non-adherence to laid down orderly procedure, is rather weak and untenable.’’

    Omar noted that to have invited so many applicants for such few spaces was unacceptable.

    He called on the Federal Government to investigate the NIS, query the methods it adopted and the discretion it exercised in conducting the programme.

    “It is also important to remind government of the danger that unemployment, particularly unemployment of qualified youths, represents.

    “We, therefore, call on the government to tackle unemployment with increased commitment, and appropriately sanction those who have had a hand in causing these scandalous deaths.”

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) described the stampede as a national disaster. It called for an investigation.

     

  • Jonathan: no personal agenda for National Conference

    Jonathan: no personal agenda for National Conference

    President Goodluck Jonathan declared yesterday that he has no personal agenda for the National Conference—contrary to a popular view.

    The President also said that the convocation of a National Conference became necessary to avail Nigerians the opportunity of charting a way forward for the country.

    Dr. Jonathan added that the National Conference was being convened to engage in intense introspection about the political and socio-economic challenges confronting Nigeria.

    He said that the conference was also to chart the best and most acceptable way for the resolution of such challenges in the collective interest of all the constituent parts of the country.

    Jonathan spoke while inaugurating the 2014 National Conference in Abuja.

    National Conference, he said, is a very important avenue for the voices of Nigerians to be heard and an avenue to address the yearnings and desires of Nigerians that needed to be discussed.

    He noted that delegates at the conference are neither usurping the role of the National Assembly nor the Executive, but rather complementing the efforts of the two arms of government in their march towards a greater and stronger union.

    He said: “Let me repeat what I have been saying that Goodluck Jonathan has no personal agenda in convening this national conference.

    “Dear Compatriots, my administration is convening this National Conference today because we believe that we must assume responsibility for ensuring that the long-running national debate on the best way forward for our country is not in vain.

    “It is our expectation that participants in this conference will patriotically articulate and synthesise our peoples’ thoughts, views and recommendations for a stronger, more united, peaceful and politically stable Nigeria, forge the broadest possible national consensus in support of those recommendations, and strive to ensure that they are given the legal and constitutional backing to shape the present and the future of our beloved fatherland.

    “In inaugurating this national conference today, we are not unmindful of the argument of those who say that we do not need such a conference since we already have an elected Parliament and an elected Government in place.

    “As cogent as that argument may sound, I have chosen to act on the sincere conviction that in the truly democratic nation we are striving to build, we must never ignore the loudly expressed views of the majority of ordinary Nigerians.

    “I have heard that majority say, that we need to rebuild trust by involving them in the process of developing a guiding document of our national political relationships, which is more acceptable to all sections of the country. I have heard our people say that we need to openly and frankly discuss our problems and seek acceptable solutions instead of allowing them to fester and remain sources of perennial conflict.

    “I have also heard them say that, as the elected representatives of our people, we must never arrogate to ourselves all knowledge and wisdom regarding the development of our country.

    “And I am in full agreement with our people. The power we hold is, without question, in trust for the people. Sovereignty belongs to the people. Their voices must be heard and factored into every decision we take on their behalf.

    “This National Conference is a very important avenue for the voices of our people to be heard. Our people have yearnings and desires that need to be discussed. Their representatives at this conference are neither usurping the role of the National Assembly nor the Executive. They are complementing us in our march towards a greater and stronger union.

    “This coming together under one roof to confer and build a fresh national consensus for the amicable resolution of issues that still cause friction amongst our people must be seen as an essential part of the process of building a more united, stronger and progressive nation.

    “We cannot continue to fold our arms and assume that things will straighten themselves out in due course, instead of taking practical steps to overcome impediments on our path to true nationhood, rapid development and national prosperity.

    “For many years we have discussed and argued over various issues concerning our national existence and well-being.

    “Much of this national discourse has been conducted through the mass media, both print and electronic. More recently, the advent of the age of ICT and social media has greatly enlarged the space for the discussion of our country’s future.

    “Many more young and articulate Nigerians who previously had little access to the traditional mass media have now joined the conversation, motivated by patriotic concern for good governance, peace, stability, justice, equity, fairness and the harmonious co-existence of the diverse groups that make up our great nation.”

    Describing the inauguration of National Conference as historic which promises to be another significant landmark in the country’s efforts to strengthen national unity and consolidate democratic governance in the country, Jonathan said that he also believed that the National Conference is coming at a very appropriate time.

    He said: “Having just celebrated the first centenary of our country, the most compelling task before us, as we move ahead and contemplate what our nation will be at the end of its second century, is to lay a much stronger foundation for faster development.

    “This we can achieve by building a more inclusive national consensus on the structure and guiding principles of state that will guarantee our emergence as a more united, progressive and prosperous nation.

    “In our history as a political entity, we have experienced highs and lows but have always forged ahead. To my mind, the fact that we have weathered all storms and continued with the mission of evolving a truly national identity signifies that we are going in the right direction.

    “The strongest nations in the world today also went through their own formative stages; some for decades and others for centuries. We must learn from them that nationhood will not happen overnight, especially given the circumstances of our birth as a nation.

    “History also teaches that nation-building is a journey of dedication, commitment, diligence, perseverance and patriotic vision. To be successful, nation-builders must continually strive to evolve better and more inclusive societies in which every citizen is a proud and committed stakeholder.

    Jonathan also thanked the National Assembly for introducing the provision for a referendum in the proposed amendment to the Constitution.

    The introduction, he said, should be relevant for the Conference if at the end of the deliberations the need for a referendum arises.

    He urged the National Assembly and the Houses of Assembly to speed up the constitutional amendment process especially with regard to referendum.

    Jonathan is confident that “we are embarking on a landmark journey that will make us stronger as a nation, if we undertake it with all sense of purpose and sincerity”.

    “Let us do that which is selfless, purposeful and patriotic so that history will remember us for having served our nation well,” he said.

    Jonathan urged all officials and participants in the national conference to work extra hard to ensure that their deliberations are completed on schedule, well ahead of the schedule of events for the next general elections already announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Chairman of the Conference, Justice Idris Kutigi, who spoke on behalf of delegates, described the inauguration of the National Conference as historic.

    Kutigi who commended Jonathan for initiating the conference noted that the talk shop is part of the country’s strive for equitable nation.

    He said that the caliber of delegates attests the importance of the conference.

    He said, “Today is an important day in the history of Nigeria. This is part of our drive for equitable nation.”

  • Delegates: our expectations at conference

    Delegates: our expectations at conference

    •Fiscal federalism, regionalism, resource control top agenda

    Fiscal federalism, resource control, regionalism, devolution of powers and state police are likely to top the agenda of the national conference, which was inaugurated yesterday by President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    However, many delegates from the North canvassed national unity, cohesion and equity, unlike their counterparts from the South, who clamoured for decentralisation of power and the re-design of the defective federal system.

    The population of the delegate is a blend of old and young politicians, technocrats, traditional rulers and other statesmen. Many old delegates, including former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), who could not stand for a long time or walk alone, were assisted by aides into the National Judicial Institute (NJI) venue. Other aged delegates-Prof. Jibril Aminu, Senator Edwin Clark, and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Kolapo Gambari-were also accompanied by aides.

    Pro-Jonathan campaigners also invaded the venue, displaying presidential villa badges. One of them, former Bayelsa State Diepreye Alamiyeseigha, displayed the badge copiously as he move round to welcome co-delegates on the accreditation crew. The platform also offered a reunion of sorts for former governors and ministers, who exchanged banters.

    Clark, who spoke with reporters after his accreditation, said while he supported the unity of Nigeria, the national understanding can only be fruitful in an atmosphere of equity, fairness and justice.

    The Ijaw leader said the national conference can only be meaningful, if it can restore true federalism. He added: “The Southsouth is for true federalism. You can call it resource control. We also need to de-emphasise states and have regions. We need to return to the 1963 constitution. As delegates, we will come up with resolutions that will also end corruption in the country”.

    A retired soldier, Gen. Geoffrey Ejiga from Benue State, said he would articulate the rights of the minority groups at the conference, adding that the country is incomplete without them. He said: “We should use this opportunity to resolve Nigeria’s problems. Delegates should discuss frankly and with open minds so that we can resolve our basic problems. The constitution should be re-written so that it can satisfy our yearnings. This is my expectation”.

    Ejiga added: “One Nigeria is my agenda. Proper federalism is my goal. I am from Idoma, a minority tribe from Benue State. The minority should be given their rights to rule themselves in a peaceful Nigeria. In those days , we had the Idoma Native Authority, with its police and prisons. Such arrangements will give minorities to express themselves”.

    Former Lagos State Military Governor Raji Rasaki compared military and civilian administrations, saying that democracy is better. But, he said to foster popular rule, there is the need to re-design the federal structure to give room for the defense of peculiar interests.

    Rasaki said he looked forward to a conference of issues and understanding, where the right decision that can propel Nigeria forward will be taken by delegates. He also spoke on the agenda dear to his mind, saying that regionalism is the answer to the lopsided federalism.

    He stressed: “The zones should function well and states can operate under them. The six zones can become the component units. Then, you can change the state to another nomenclature”.

    Akinjide spoke on Nigeria unity, saying that it is non-negotiable. Dismissing the insinuation that the conference will be another jamboree, the elder statesman added: “The leadership of the country is committed to this initiative. The report will see the light of the day”.

    The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Abdulwaheed Omar, said labour representatives at the conference will canvass the retention of labour matters in the Exclusive Legislative List to prevent untoward hardship in the hands of the governors.

    He also said the NLC delegates would insist on the unity of Nigeria, adding that it has been the pre-occupation of the labour movement since independence.

    Omar added: “Something good will come out of the conference and Nigeria will move forward. This is a conference with difference because of the way the delegates were selected. It may not be a perfect selection, but, it is a deeper form of selection and representation. Labour representatives will canvass the unity of Nigeria at the conference. We will also canvass the need for improved security, freedom of expression and the need to review this form of government”.

    The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Gambari, who spoke with reluctance, avoided the contentious issues, saying that he would only lend his voice on the floor. He supported the move to submit the report of the conference to the National Assembly, pointing out that it is in order.

    The retired jurist added: “Subjecting the report to the National Assembly is in order. The members of the National Assembly were elected”.

    Former Ambassador to Spain, Alhaji Yusuf Mamman, who represents the Arew Consultative Forum, said the national question would be brought to the front burner. He added: ‘We are here to discuss the contentious issues. I am representing the ACF here”.

    Former Senate President Ken Nnamani said: “True federalism is the minimum outcome expected from this conference”. He lamented the inequality of zones, pointing out that the Southeast has been marginalised in the distribution of states. He added: “The zones should be equal. That is why we are asking for two more states in the South. They have more states in the dry land than where we have vegetation. The Southeast is densely populated. It is not only one state we need more; we need two states”.

    Nnamani dismissed the fear that the National Assembly may tinker with the report, following its submission by the conference. He said: “I don’t think so. The National Assembly will not tinker with it”.

    Former military governor of Rivers State and Amanayabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Diette Spiff, said: “What we need in Nigeria is true federalism or what you call resource control. We also need to debate this presidential system of government and parliamentary system to know which is better. Our founding fathers practices parliamentary system and there was a role for traditional rulers. We need a House of Chiefs for traditional rulers”.

    A delegate from Ondo State, Prof. Femi Mimiko, said the sessions may be stormy, adding that truth can emerge from the frank deliberations. The Vice Chancellor of Ondo State University added: “We need to redesign the federal structure so that we can have truefederalism”.

    Former Afenifere Publicity Secretary Mr. Yinka Odumakin said that the conference should be able to make suggestions on how to curb corruption in the country. He also spoke on the mode of ratification of report, saying that referendum is the best. He added: “the main issue is that federalism has been basterdised and the solution is that we should return to true federalism. There is the need fpr the devolution of power. Unitarism has led to s strong centre to the detriment of the component units”.

    Former House of Representatives Speaker Ghali Naa’ba supported the ratification of report by the National Assembly, which he described as the custodian of sovereignty. He said: “Nigeria did not elect us as delegates. The National Assembly is elected by the people. Therefore, it is good to subject the report to the National Assembly”.

    The Accord leader, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, said, although he is representing the party, he would articulate the grievances of Oyo State at the conference. He noted the Southwest’s clamour for regionalism, saying that it has limitations. The former governor said: “They are calling for regionalism. Will Ondo State share its oil with Oyo State under Western Nigeria? This is the issue we should look at”.

    However, he reiterated his commitment to the struggle for the creation of Ibadan State, saying that it is long overdue. He added: ‘I don’t think state creation is on the agenda of conference. It is already a constitutional matter. The guidelines are spelt out in the constitution”.

    A delegate from Ogun State, Chief Bisi Adegbuyi, said there would be stormy sessions at the conference because of the fundamental issues on the front burner. He decried the lopsided federla arrangement, saying that a powerful centre is counter-productive.

    Adegbuyi, a lawyer and politician, said rehgionalism is the solution to the defective federal system, stressing that it will offer opportunities for self-determination.

    Former Anambra State Governor Chukwuemeka Ezeife called for the equality of zones, adding that it is a factor in national unity. He also said that fiscal federalism should be the irreducible minimum outcome of the conference.

    The former governor objected to the proposed ratification of the report by the National Assembly. He said: “I don’t support the submission of the report of the conference to the National Assembly. The people of Nigeria should receive the report”.

     

  • ABDULLAHI: MY REGRETS AS SPORTS MINISTER

    ABDULLAHI: MY REGRETS AS SPORTS MINISTER

    FORMER MINISTER of Sports Bolaji Abdullahi has expressed regrets over his inabilities to see through the Sports High Performance Programme he started some months ago.

    Speaking in Abuja on Monday, the former Minister who doubled as the Chairman of the National Sports Commission said though he left the Commission a happy man, he would have loved to see through the programme “am happy , I am leaving office a fulfilled man. I thank every one that have supported me all through my tenure. I was not taken aback when I was relieved, because as a politician, you should expect that at any point’.

    He said he tried to reposition the Commission, by striving to lay emphasis on grassroots sports development. He appealed to all stakeholders to support the new minister in his quest to reposition sports in the country in accordance with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The brief handing over ceremony which took place in the Minister’s conference room at the Abuja National stadium saw the former Minister arrived the venue in a Mecedes Benz E320 car at about 11.00am.

    In his speech, the new Minister Tamuno Dangogo revealed that his target is to consolidate on the achievements recorded and building on the existing brands. He vowed to work closely with all Nigerians to move sports forward. He insisted that they can pay attention to all sports without diminishing on the already attained gains.

  • Jonathan approves elevation of 25 judges to Court of Appeal

    Jonathan approves elevation of 25 judges to Court of Appeal

    President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the elevation of 25 judges selected from High Courts across the country for appointment as justices of the Court of Appeal.

    The new justices of the nation’s appellate court, whose elevation was announced about two weeks ago by the National Judicial Council (NJC), are to be sworn-in by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mukhtar.(CJN) on March 24, 2014 at 12 noon in the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

    The President’s approval of their appointment now brings the number of justices of the Court of Appeal to 90 from 70.

    NJC’s Acting Director, Information, Soji Oye said, in a statement yesterday, that the elevation of the judges followed NJC’s recommendation, which is in line with the new Court of Appeal (Amendment) Act, which increased the number of justices of the court from 70 to 90.

    He said their elevation was also informed by the vacancies “occasioned by the demise, retirement and elevation of some justices of the court to the Supreme Court.”

    The affected judges include Justices Bolokuromo M. Ugo (Bayelsa State), Biobele A. Georgewill (Rivers State), Oludotun A. Adefope-Okojie (Ogun State), Misitura O. Bolaji-Yusuf (Oyo State), J.O.K.Oyewole (Osun State) and O.E. Williams-Dawudu (Lagos State)

    Others include Justices Hamma Akawu Barka (Gombe State), Joseph Jude Jella (Taraba State), Bitrus G. Sanga (Bauchi State), Muhammed Mustapha (Borno State),Yargata Nimpar (Gombe State), Sa’idu Tanko Hussein (Kogi State), Mudashiru N. Oniyangi (Kwara State) and Amina Audi Wambai (Niger State).

    Also affected are Justices Ridwan Maiwada Abdullahi (Nasarawa State), Tani Y. Hassan (Kano State), Muhammed Lawal Shuaibu (Jigawa State), Kadi Musa Hassan Alkali (Kaduna State), Jamilu Y. Tukur (Katsina State), Paul Obi Elechi (Ebonyi State), Ugochukwu A. Ogakwu (Enugu State), Nonyerem Okoronkwo (Imo State), Joseph E. Ekanem (Akwa Ibom State), F.E. Oho (Delta State), Abimbola O.O. Adejumo (Edo State)

     

  • No cause to doubt Jonathan, say delegates

    No cause to doubt Jonathan, say delegates

    Many of the delegates to the National Conference yesterday said they have no cause to doubt President Goodluck Jonathan’s sincerity.

    According to some of the delegates who spoke with The Nation, discussion on the unity of the country and putting the outcome of the conference to referendum would be positive for the country.

    Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) National Co-ordinator Ganiyu Adams said: “When yo listen to the speech of the President, you will realise that he takes the conference very seriously by clearing the air that he has no personal agenda for convening the conference.

    “From his speech, I can see that he is serious and committed; even from the nomination of the delegates, one can see that his intentions are not politically-motivated.

    “I’m happy to part of this history and I promise to represent Nigeria very well because the interest of Nigeria supercedes any other personal interest we might have.”

    Lagos lawyer Femi Falana said: “I have no cause to doubt the President on the essence of this conference for now. I understand that the agenda of this conference is open, I have no problem with the issue of unity and I think the majority of our people have no problem with that.

    “Challenges before the conference is how the delegates would put selfish and regional agenda aside and appreciate that history is beckoning to transform this country from a country of poverty to a land of prosperity having regard to our enormous resources.

    “For me, I think the profundity of the resolution that may emerge from the conference will dictate the success or otherwise of the conference.

    “What is crucial, first, is to get, under the present constitutional arrangement, the conference has to form a synergy with the National Assembly with a view to getting the members of the legislature to appreciate that the constitution is defective.

    “That is Decree 24 of 1999 promulgated by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, once that is appreciated, we can go from there. If the resolutions are popular and reflect the generality of the interest of Nigerians, I can assure you that it is going to force the National Assembly and the government to subject the resolutions to referendum, so that it can have the input of the Nigerian people.

    “But if the delegates decide to satisfy and massage the ego of the elite, we will be back to square one. All those that have come with their own agenda, including the government that is saying the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable, I think that is an arrogant statement.

    “For me, It is the way you run the country that will preserve its unity. If you have 4000 jobs and you extort money from 700,000 applicants and in the process make N700,000m and asked the applicants to go to stadia round the country to write examination where there are no tables and chairs, then you can’t talk of unity of Nigeria in the air.

    “The unity must concretised by addressing the problems of underdevelopment, joblessness, corruption, decaying infrastructures, and others that you can say our people have to unite.

    “On the other hand, if there are centrifugal and centripetal forces trying to tear the country apart, you can’t talk of unity in the air, it must be unity on the basis of Justice and fair play and recognising the rights of our people.

    “To start with, Chapter Two of the constitution must be made justiciable, so that those without jobs can have employment benefits, it is in Section 16 of the constitution, access to eduction and a decent living of minimum wage for all Nigerians.

    “It is when all these are put in place that you can say the unity of Nigeria is sacrosanct but what we have now is the unity of the elite, the ruling class to corner the resources of the country to the detriment of the masses.

    “Saying that we must discuss the unity of this country, is a diversionary statement, because the majority of our people have no problem with our unity but with a condition.

    “The conditions are that the generality of our people want good education for their children, employment and unemployment benefit for the jobless, access to the good things of life.

    “It is when all these are in place that we can now say why do we have to talk of breaking up the country like we have a war now of those who have been dislocated, uneducated, unenlightened and have taken up arms against the State.

    “If the State is giving unemployment benefit, by way of amnesty to those who were asked to lay down their arms, that is the militants, why won’t you give unemployment benefits to those who have no jobs so that they don’t go to criminalities.

    “That is the unity we are looking for, not unity at all cost, not unity that allows the ruling class to loot the treasury of the country. We are looking for the unity that would put food on the table of Nigerians and of we do that, corruption will disappear or go down to the barest level.”

    Archbishop John Onaiyekan said: “Arriving at a conclusion, what I heard him say was I think he was telling those here that they should spend the time to cement our unity so that by the time they finish the assignment, thing will be better and feel more united.

    “That does not mean the delegates should keep quiet over the grievances we have, rather this should be a forum where those things which are making it difficult for us to work together can be tabled and discussed and dealt with.

    “It is a pity that people dwell more on things that divides us, but we can strive to concentrate on those things that unite us. Staying in ones village all through ones life can not help us in that direction, going out and interacting with people from other part of the country does have its positive effects of understanding and tolerating ourselves”.

    Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko said: “It all depends on what the end will be, I don’t want to comment on the issue because the President has expressed his desire and concurrence with the general opinion of delegates that there should be referendum. He made it clear that he has no objection to that.”

    Legal giant Chief Chief Richard Akinjide said: “The President’s speech is excellent because he has been able to show that he understands Nigerian politics and geo-political problems. From his speech and what we are going to do, the confab is set to take off from a positive note going by the fact, we are not restricted and advised to drop personal and ethnic interests”.

    Former Petroleum Minister Prof. Jubrin Aminu said: “The President has spoken well and I believe he meant what he said. For me, I won’t be here if I am convinced that the conference won’t work out well for Nigerians”.

     

     

  • Presidential Fleet

    Presidential Fleet

    • 10 jets, yet, the president wants more !

    The state of the nation cannot be better underscored than by reports that the N9bn Nigerian Air Force 001 (5N-FGT) presidential jet failed to deliver value for money when President Goodluck Jonathan was about boarding it. Not only that, the fact that three jets from the Presidential Fleet were used for the trip which was strictly a party affair also signposts the wastefulness in the government.

    The president was about leaving the North-Central Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) rally that held at the Trade Fair Centre, Minna, Niger State, when the incident happened. He was reportedly about leaving Minna for another visit to Sokoto State when the plane suddenly developed fault. On board at the time, with the President waiting to be air borne were Adamu Muazu, National Chairman of the PDP, Tony Anenih, chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Ahmadu Ali, former chairman of the party and Attahiru Bafarawa, former Sokoto State governor, among others. The team was later forced to disembark from the plane while the battle to diagnose and fix the problem went on.

    The plane that conveyed Vice President Namadi Sambo to the rally – a 5N-FGW smaller presidential jet was eventually used by the president while Sambo joined Senate President David Mark in another smaller presidential jet -5N-FGV- which conveyed the Senate President to the state. What this means is that a trivial ruling party’s rally witnessed deployment of three presidential jets that are serviced with tax payers’ money. Such acquisitions smack of contempt at a period when about 120 million Nigerians live below poverty level.

    According to reports, the Presidential Fleet boasts 10 jets at the moment; yet, the presidency intends to acquire more. We wonder what is driving leaders in the nation away from the roads that commoners ply every day. May be this is because they have failed in their obligations to repair most highways/roads which terrorists and kidnappers have hijacked due to insecurity in the land. It is pathetic that many Nigerians die daily on these roads being heartlessly avoided by their leaders.

    We are worried by the cost of maintaining the Presidential Fleet which the Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, estimated at N9.08bn annually. The fleet include two Falcon 7X jets, two Falcon 900 jets, Gulf stream 550, one Boeing 737 BBJ (Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One), and Gulf stream IVSP. Others are one Gulf stream V, Cessna Citation 2 aircraft and Hawker Siddley 125-800 jet. Despite the huge spending on the fleet – at grossly insensitive public expense – it is sad that one of them carrying the president still developed fault while on duty.

    We are disturbed that the Presidential Fleet is competing with commercial airline operators given the number of aircraft in the fleet. Indeed, we wonder whether there is any compelling necessity for the fleet to be the third largest in the country. Assuming our commercial airlines are efficient, top government functionaries, including even the president can at best charter jets for important trips. After all, Queen Elizabeth of England and Prime Minister David Cameron often go on British Airways’ chartered flights for long trips.

    The unnecessary proclivity of the presidency for expansive Presidential Fleet that is obviously ill-maintained (judging from what happened in Minna), despite the whopping budget set aside for its maintenance, does not project the country as a serious one to the outside world.

     

  • ‘We can overcome all obastacles’

    ‘We can overcome all obastacles’

    Text of President Goodluck Jonathan’s address at the inauguration of the National Conference in Abuja… yesterday.

    I am delighted to welcome you all to the inauguration of this historic National Conference which promises to be another significant landmark in our efforts to strengthen national unity and consolidate democratic governance in our beloved country.

    I also believe that this National Conference is coming at a very appropriate time. Having just celebrated the first centenary of our country, the most compelling task before us, as we move ahead and contemplate what our nation will be at the end of its second century, is to lay a much stronger foundation for faster development.

    This we can achieve by building a more inclusive national consensus on the structure and guiding principles of state that will guarantee our emergence as a more united, progressive and prosperous nation.

    In our history as a political entity, we have experienced highs and lows but have always forged ahead. To my mind, the fact that we have weathered all storms and continued with the mission of evolving a truly national identity signifies that we are going in the right direction.

    The strongest nations in the world today also went through their own formative stages; some for decades and others for centuries. We must learn from them that nationhood will not happen overnight, especially given the circumstances of our birth as a nation.

    History also teaches that nation-building is a journey of dedication, commitment, diligence, perseverance and patriotic vision. To be successful, nation-builders must continually strive to evolve better and more inclusive societies in which every citizen is a proud and committed stakeholder.

    It was with this objective in mind that we set up the Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC) on the National Conference in October, last year, and charged its members with the responsibility of designing the framework and modalities for a productive National Conference.

    The Committee which submitted its report in December, 2013, was able to reach out to all Nigerians and various interest groups, socio-political groupings, regional and religious elements, professionals, civil society, the organised private sector, labour, youth, women and others to ascertain their views on the initiative.

    The Presidential Advisory Committee established that there was, indeed, a national consensus for this conference to be convened immediately, to meet the yearnings and aspirations of our people.

    The National Conference is, therefore, being convened to engage in intense introspection about the political and socio-economic challenges confronting our nation and to chart the best and most acceptable way for the resolution of such challenges in the collective interest of all the constituent parts of our fatherland.

    This coming together under one roof to confer and build a fresh national consensus for the amicable resolution of issues that still cause friction amongst our people must be seen as an essential part of the process of building a more united, stronger and progressive nation.

    We cannot continue to fold our arms and assume that things will straighten themselves out in due course instead of taking practical steps to overcome impediments on our path to true nationhood, rapid development and national prosperity.

    For many years, we have discussed and argued over various issues concerning our national existence and well-being. Much of this national discourse has been conducted through the mass media, both print and electronic. More recently, the advent of the age of ICT and social media has greatly enlarged the space for the discussion of our country’s future.

    Many more young and articulate Nigerians who previously had little access to the traditional mass media have now joined the conversation, motivated by patriotic concern for good governance, peace, stability, justice, equity, fairness and the harmonious co-existence of the diverse groups that make up our great nation.

    Dear compatriots, my administration is convening this National Conference today because we believe that we must assume responsibility for ensuring that the long-running national debate on the best way forward for our country is not in vain.

    It is our expectation that participants in this conference will patriotically articulate and synthesise our peoples’ thoughts, views and recommendations for a stronger, more united, peaceful and politically stable Nigeria, forge the broadest possible national consensus in support of those recommendations and strive to ensure that they are given the legal and constitutional backing to shape the present and the future of our beloved fatherland.

    In inaugurating this national conference today, we are not unmindful of the argument of those who say that we do not need such a conference since we already have an elected parliament and an elected Government in place.

    As cogent as that argument may sound, I have chosen to act on the sincere conviction that in the truly democratic nation we are striving to build, we must never ignore the loudly expressed views of the majority of ordinary Nigerians.

    I have heard that majority say that we need to rebuild trust by involving them in the process of developing a guiding document of our national political relationships which is more acceptable to all sections of the country. I have heard our people say that we need to openly and frankly discuss our problems and seek acceptable solutions instead of allowing them to fester and remain sources of perennial conflict.

    I have also heard them say that, as the elected representatives of our people, we must never arrogate to ourselves all knowledge and wisdom regarding the development of our country.

    And I am in full agreement with

    our people. The power we

    hold is, without question, in trust for the people. Sovereignty belongs to the people. Their voices must be heard and factored into every decision we take on their behalf.

    This National Conference is a very important avenue for the voices of our people to be heard. Our people have yearnings and desires that need to be discussed. Their representatives at this conference are neither usurping the role of the National Assembly nor the Executive. They are complementing us in our march towards a greater and stronger union.

    Over the years, well-meaning Nigerians have drawn attention to inadequacies in our current constitution. Some have described it as a military-inspired document which does not take into full consideration the genuine desires and wishes of the people.

    The phrase in the preamble that says “we, the people,” has been variously criticised as being misleading because, according to the critics, the constitution was not written by the people. There are also those who believe that the constitution is not our problem but the political will to faithfully implement it for the peace and progress of Nigeria.

    While opinions on the matter can be as diverse as rain showers, I believe that irrespective of our personal views on the issue, no one can deny the fact that every constitution is a living document that needs to be revised and improved upon from time to time. The United States, which is the model democracy in the eyes of many, has amended its constitution 27 times since it was first adopted in 1787.

    Some of our compatriots also believe that because we have held several conferences in the past, we do not need to hold another one. I do not share that view at all.

    A deeper look will reveal that the challenges we faced before each of the preceding national conferences were different. The challenges of 1956 are certainly not the challenges of 2014, and definitely not the challenges that the nation will face in years to come. It makes sense, therefore, that as the challenges before us evolve, we must be constant and proactive in our search for fresh solutions. We cannot continue to proffer yesterday’s solutions for today’s problems.

    This conference is open for us to

    table our thoughts and posi

    tions on issues and make recommendations that will advance our togetherness. The issues range from form of government, structures of government, devolution of powers, revenue sharing, resource control, state and local government creation, boundary adjustment, state police and fiscal federalism, to local government elections, indigeneship, gender equality and children’s rights, amongst others.

    We must not approach these issues with suspicion and antagonism. Rather, we should be open-minded and work to achieve what is best for Nigeria. Even though you come to the Conference as nominees and representatives of different interest groups, I urge you all to make a more united, stronger, indivisible and prosperous Nigeria your preoccupation and reference point at this national gathering. Whatever the pressures on you may be, I call upon you to put the best interest of Nigeria before all other sectional or group interests.

    Indeed, I am quite worried when I hear people say that some participants in this National Conversation are coming here to defend and promote ethnic or clannish agenda. It is very regrettable that there are persons who believe that we cannot undertake any collective task in our country without the hindrance of ethnic rivalry even after 100 years of nationhood.

    This conference gives us an opportunity to prove such persons wrong and I believe it will. As we start a new century of nationhood, we have an obligation to reshape and redirect our country for the benefit of our children. There should be no room for divisive cleavages and ethnic jingoism. There should be no room for selfish considerations that defeat the purpose of national progress. There should be room only for the national interest.

    In the 60s, our country was ranked along with some developing countries, including India, Malaysia and South Korea. Today, those countries have moved far ahead of us in several areas. My expectation is that the outcome of this conference will be a positive turning point for our country’s development. We must seize this opportunity to cement the cleavages and fault lines that tend to separate us. We must re-launch our country.

    I know the task before you is onerous; but there must be only one winner, and there can only be one winner if we do everything right, and that winner must be Nigeria. I urge you, therefore, to focus strictly on the Nigerian Agenda.

    I expect that, as persons of integrity and honour, you will do nothing in this conference that will undermine our efforts and desire to build a truly great nation. I also expect that your discussions will be informed only by the noblest of instincts and persuasions.

    Our sole motivation for convening this conference is the patriotic desire for a better and greater nation. We are determined that things must be done in a way and manner that will positively advance that objective.

    While we recognise that groups and communities are the building blocks of our nation, we must also emphasise that we need one another to build the solid and prosperous country of our dreams.

    We cannot join hands together to build with a collective vision if we continue to harbour negative biases and prejudices against ourselves.

    Yesterday’s prejudices should die with yesterday. Today is a new day. This is the dawn of a new era. This is an opportunity to think anew. We must jettison the poisonous mindsets of the past, which were built on unhealthy competition among our diverse groups and peoples.

    We need a new mind and a new spirit of oneness and national unity. The time has come to stop seeing Nigeria as a country of many groups and regions. We have been divinely brought together under one roof. We must begin to see ourselves as one community. We are joined together by similar hopes and dreams as well as similar problems and challenges. What affects one part of the community affects the other.

    An average Nigerian sees every part of the country as home. Let us seize the opportunity of this conference to do more to further turn our diversity and plurality into unique national resources for strength and greatness.

    I have always affirmed that our ability to stay together despite our acknowledged differences, when other countries are finding it difficult to meet that challenge, is a powerful statement by Nigeria to the world on the virtues of tolerance and unity.

    It is a strong and compelling statement in a world much afflicted by strife and violence. We must sustain it. We must not allow the antagonists of unity and togetherness to prevail. We must work ceaselessly to remain one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity, as our National Anthem says.

    Honourable Chairman and distinguished delegates, I urge you not to be under any illusions as you begin your assignment. The task that lies ahead of you is formidable. Over the coming weeks, you will be confronted with complex and emotive issues; strong views will be expressed by opposing sides and some disagreements will, in all likelihood, be intense.

    I sincerely believe, however, that we can overcome all obstacles to true national unity if we dig deep into the recesses of our national character and look up to God Almighty for wisdom, guidance and the generosity of spirit we need to ensure the success of this conference.

    Once again, I wish to express my appreciation to the Nigerian people who have, without hesitation, accepted dialogue as a means of resolving all differences and tensions that may exist in the country, and therefore, given their unequivocal support for this National Conference.

    Let me at this point thank the National Assembly for introducing the provision for a referendum in the proposed amendment of the constitution. This should be relevant for this conference if at the end of the deliberations, the need for a referendum arises. I therefore urge the National Assembly and the state houses of assembly to speed up the constitutional amendment process, especially with regard to the subject of referendum.

    I thank the Chairman, Senator Femi

    Okurounmu, and members of the

    Presidential Advisory Committee for the arduous work they undertook to prepare for the conference. I also thank the Chairman of this National Conference, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, the principal officers and all the distinguished patriots and representatives of our people who have taken time off their busy personal schedules to serve the cause of national unity and progress at this conference.

    I am confident that we are embarking on a landmark journey that will make us stronger as a nation if we undertake it with all sense of purpose and sincerity. Let us do that which is selfless, purposeful and patriotic so that history will remember us for having served our nation well.

    In conclusion, I urge all officials and participants in the national conference to work extra hard to ensure that their deliberations are completed on schedule, well ahead of the schedule of events for the next general elections already announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Let me again repeat what I have been saying that Goodluck Jonathan has no personal agenda in convening this national conference.

    Ladies and Gentlemen, I now have the honour and privilege of declaring the National Conference open, for the good of our nation and to the glory of God Almighty who has brought us together.