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Tag: Goodluck Jonathan

NIRP, NEDEP’ll unite public sector capacity, private sector expertise

President Goodluck Jonathan’s unveiling of the nation’s industrial revolution plan and the National Enterprise Development Programme, are seen as the elixir needed to launch Nigeria on the path of sustainable development, reports, SIMEON EBULU,

Last week’s launch of Nigeria’s Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) and the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP), underscored the Federal Government’s determination to actualise and expand, not only the nation’s industrial base, but also to provide employment for the citizenry and increase the consumptive capacity of Nigerians, especially of made-in-Nigeria products.

The event which took place at the Banquet Hall, State House Abuja, was not just a launch, it was also meant to showcase the success story of the collaborative effort between the Bank of Industry (BoI) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) . It was the unveiling of a marriage sort-of, designed to match enterprise with funding and to churn-out visible products and services that can drive the economy and put the ordinary Nigerian back to work.

NIRP and NEDEP, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, said, is the door for the Small and Medium Enterprises sector, which he admitted is credited for providing about 75 per cent of the nation’s workforce.

He said the average Nigerian is creative, intelligent, business savvy and most of all, enterprising, “that is why it is not surprising that the SME has about 17million companies, employing 32million people in this country which represents about 75 per cent of our workforce and contributes about 47 per cent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” stressing that is the reason this sector cannot be ignored.”

He said the SME sector, as important as it is, still faces challenges from a number of factors.

He said NEDEP has been strategically designed to address the observed challenges in the SMEs’ segment by bringing together public sector capacity and private sector expertise to deliver the needed enterprise data bank.

Jonathan who arrived the venue at about 9.45am to flag-off the event, took about 40minutes to move round the mini-fair arena to see first-hand, feel and touch the various products that were on display. They range from fabrics to plastic products, leather materials, machinery, cosmetics, arts and crafts and a wide-range of other items, including vehicles, produced by Innoson Motors, Nnewi in Anambra State.

As the President, accompanied by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Aganga, the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Ms. Evelyn Oputu, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Minister of Finance and Coordinating of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Executive Director, BoI, Waheed Olagunju, was conducted from one stand to the other, he engaged the attendants and the manufacturers, touching and admiring the products and asking questions.

His mien, beamed-live to the waiting audience in the banquet hall, showed that he was satisfied with what he saw, as he relished on entry into the banquet hall to the waiting arms of several dignitaries and senior government officials, amongst whom were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Chief Kola Jamodu, President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Forte Oil, Femi Otedola, Founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Oviah, Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Adamu Mua’zu, the Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, his counterpart from Gombe State, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo and the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Prince Segun Adesegun, who represented his Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, amongst several others.

Aganga, who took the first shot at the day’s event, left no one in doubt as to the necessity, as well as the urgency for Nigeria to industrialise. He said for years, the nation has frittered away many opportunities aimed at industrialisation, by merely focusing on export of raw materials. A continuation along that path, he warned, will lead to more poverty. He said Nigeria must diversify its economy, produce what it consumes, stressing that no nation survives on the basis of exporting its raw materials.

“History shows that no country has ever become rich by exporting raw materials without also having an industrial sector, and in modern terms an advanced service sector. The more a country specialises in the production of raw materials only, the poorer it becomes,” he said, adding that industry implies National wealth. Aganga explained that the NIRP and NEDEP are both holistic and integrated, meaning that they are joined at the waist with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), adding that the NIRP and NEDEP adopt inclusive structures which bring in other government agencies and the private sector to ensure adequate policy synergy, urging operators of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to form cooperatives for easy access to funding from BoI.

Several messages of solidarity came in support of the initiative. Nigeria’s acknowledged biggest industrialist, Dangote, assured that the private sector will play its part in support of the government’s initiative. Obi, Mimiko, Dankwambo, Jamodu and Prince Adesegun, aligned with the federal government, saying that the NIRP and NEDEP are programmes in the right direction.

A caste of three students from Jikwuoi International school, Abuja and a presentation by Nigeria’s Nollywood best added colour to the event. The youngsters urged people to save, so they could invest. In their words: “In the old days, the man who saves was a miser, but now, he is a wonder.”

Done with the solidarity messages, Jonathan, walked up the podium to formally inaugurate the NIRP and NEDEP, saying the NIRP is the most ambitious and comprehensive road map that would transform the nation’s industrial landscape, boost skills development, enhance job creation and conserve foreign exchange.

His words: “The NIRP is the flagship industrialisation programme ever embarked upon by this country. It will fast-track industrialisation, accelerate inclusive economic growth, job creation, transform Nigeria’s business environment and stop the drain on our foreign reserves caused by importing what we can produce in locally.

“The Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan is the most ambitious and comprehensive industrialisation programme because it is based on the areas where Nigeria has competitive and comparative advantage such as agriculture and agro-products, metals and solid minerals, oil and gas, construction and light manufacturing services. It has identified those sectors where Nigeria can be number one in Africa and top 10 globally.”

He said NEDEP, would help reposition the MSME sector as the major driver of job creation and inclusive economic growth, adding that the Federal Government would continue to promote the patronage of made-in-Nigeria products through the implementation of its local patronage policies and programmes, adding that NEDEP is designed to develop and grow the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises because all over the world, the MSMEs are primary drivers of employment. With the successful implementation of the National Enterprise Development Programme, Nigeria will attain her dream of inclusive economic growth.

February 17, 2014
Prayers has sustained Nigeria, says Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that the prayers of Christians and other religious groups in the country have gone a long way in reducing the security challenges in the country.

Thanking them for their intercessory prayers, he said that Nigeria would have been worse than it is in terms of security challenges.

Speaking at the Redeemed Christian Church of God Olive Parish, in Lagos on Sunday where the General Overseer of the Church, Pastor Enoch Adegboye worshiped, he said: “I thank Christians and other religious groups that pray for this country especially at the period the whole world is facing a lot of challenges.”

“You will agree with me that whenever you tune your television especially the international news centres like CNN, Aljazeera or Sky news you always see breaking news. All the breaking news are always negative, you hardly see any positive breaking news all over the world.”

“In Nigeria too, we have been having our own fair share of these negative news brought about by the Boko Haram killing people at will. But we believe that God knows it all.”

“Without your prayers, probably it would have been worse than this. God has always been faithful to Nigerians. God will contnue to hear our prayers so that our country will get out of these challenges of terror and other related crimes” he added.

On the 100 day fasting members of the Redeemed church is undergoing, he said: “even to keep faith with the orthodox 40 days fasting during the lent period which I also participate, it is not easy to keep faith with therefore, to fast for 100 day is not an easy task.”

“You are fasting not because of your personal interest, but for the country. I have to thank the General Overseer and all of you who have been in this fasting. God will hear our prayers” he said.

In his message titled “God will remember you”, Pastor Adegboye said “whether the devil likes or not, Nigeria will be great again”.

According to him, the Church will continue to seek the face of God for the country and its leadership.

“I can assure you that we are praying and we will continue to pray because we have no other place to go to and God has a reason,” he said.

He urged the congregation to always seek the face of God and patiently wait for God’s visitation.

Among those who attended the service include the the wife of the General Overseer of the Church, Pastor Folu and the Resident Pastor and a former Attorney-General of Lagos State, Pastor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN)

The First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, the Deputy Governor of the State, Mrs Adejoke Adefulire and the Minister of State for FCT and the Supervisory Minister of Police Afaairs, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide were also at the service.

February 16, 2014
Jonathan splashes N31 million on home based Eagles, crew

*Each player gets N1 million * Head coach – N1.5m, Asst Coaches – N1m each, seven others – N0.5m

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday announced a cash reward of N1 million for each of the 23 Super Eagles home based players that recently won bronze medal at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa.

The Head Coach, Stephen Keshi will take home N1.5 million while the three assistant coaches got N1 million each.

Others included N500,000 each for Team Secretary, Team Doctor, Team Physiotherapist, team curator, Media Officer, Technical, team coordinator.

The President, who announced the N31 million cash rewards during the Presidential Reception for the team at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, said that the supporters will be rewarded at a later date.

He said: “As a token of our appreciation, we have decided to give you very little token because ‘Thank You’ does not go to the market.”

“We feel like welcoming you in a golden way even though you got bronze because of your outstanding performance in the march against Morocco.”

“Although you did not get gold, you got the hearts of Nigerians. Your achievements speaks volume. You may not have won the championship, but you performed gallantly.”
He went on: “I think we are succeeding in sports because of the strong link between the executive and the parliament.”

“We are reaping the dividends of our investments in sports. Although there is still much more to be done. Let me encourage you to remain committed and disciplined” he added

The Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi applauded the decision of the President to host the Super Eagles Home Based inspite of winning Bronze just like the teams that won gold in the past.

“You are the best President sports has ever had in Nigeria.” He stated

Among those who graced the occasion included the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam and many members of the cabinet.

February 13, 2014
Chief of Staff: FCT Minister, Oronsaye, Duke, Dokpesi listed

No fewer than five candidates are being considered by the Presidency for Chief of Staff to the President, it was learnt yesterday.

Chief Mike Oghiadomhe was forced out of the office by President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday.

The candidates are the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed; a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Steve Oronsaye; DAAR Communications proprietor Chief Raymond Dokpesi; ex-Governor Donald Duke and the Principal Secretary to the President, Alhaji Hassan Tukur.

The President is said to be assessing some recommended candidates.

But while the President is yet to make up his mind, there has been celebration by workers at the Presidential Villa over Oghiado-mhe’s exit.

Some people also took to the streets in his hometown, Fugar in Edo State, celebrating Oghiadomhe’s removal.

He has failed to use the position to help the people and the town, they alleged.

The jubilant Fugar citizens recalled with nostalgia the “development” brought to the town by the late Admiral Mike Akhigbe, another indigene who was Chief of General Staff in the Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar regime.

It was learnt that Oghiadomhe remained indoors yesterday at his residence on Aso Drive in Maitama District, Abuja to receive visitors, including some Presidency officials.

According to a source, the criteria for the new Chief of Staff will be competence, rich experience in bureaucracy, maturity, exposure, loyalty, tolerance of all, irrespective of leanings, being a team player and being apolitical”.

Responding to a question, the source added: “The personalities of these candidates are being analysed. For instance, there are concerns that the FCT Minister may be unstable on the job following pressure on him to vie for the governorship of Bauchi State in 2015.

It was also unclear last night if Dokpesi would be willing to leave his media empire for such an assignment. There is the likelihood of a partisan backlash on his media house. But having being a Chief of Staff to ex-PDP National Chairman Bamanga Tukur when he was the governor of the old Gongola State, “Dokpesi will be on a familiar terrain if he gets the job”.

But President Jonathan’s “godfather” Chief Edwin Clark has kicked against Dokpesi’s consideration for the job.

Accusing him of so many things, he vowed to abort any plan to pick the media mogul.

Except for his closeness to ex-President Obasanjo, the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Steve Oronsaye, appears to have fitted the bill having worked as a Permanent Secretary at the Villa for more than eight years, the source said.

“Oronsaye’s recent interaction with the EFCC might have been a pre-emptive move by some powers that be who knew the thinking of the President,” he added.

“Duke’s polished nature, age and innovative acumen seem to be assets for the job, but there are doubts if he can be apolitical”.

Duke has been out of power for six years, since leaving office as governor of Cross River State.

“Being a Principal Secretary to the President, Tukur is familiar with the schedule of his boss. His Achilles Heel is his inability to detach himself from politics, especially in Adamawa State, where he wants to call the shot as a local hero.

“He is also said not to have the temperament to tolerate perceived political enemies of the President. He is so loyal to the President to a fault that he takes on battles against the President’s imaginary or known enemies.

Another source said the criteria had been set out by a team of experts which the Presidency engaged in 2011 to evaluate the Office of the Chief of Staff.

The source added: “The President is seeking a United States model in managing the Office of the Chief of Staff. The next occupant will be heard less as the case with Gen. Mohammed Abdullahi, who was the Chief of Staff to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“I think we lost the track since Gen. Abdullahi left office in 2007. The former Chief of Staff conducted his activities in such a professional manner that he earned the confidence of his principal, governors across party lines and even the Organised Private Sector. He was also not involved in politics.”

February 12, 2014
‘Igbo ‘ll insist on self-determination at conference’

Lawyer and elder statesman Prof. Ben Nwabueze kicked yesterday against the exclusion of the discussion on the country’s unity by the national conference.

He said the Igbo will insist on self-determination at the conference.

The octogenarian, who insists that the conference should write a new constitution for the country, said President Goodluck Jonathan had no right to decide Nigeria’s existence.

Speaking at the Conference of Ethnic Nationalities organised in Abuja by the Ethnic Nationalities Movement (ENM), he said: “Nigerians should have the right to self-determination.

“Now we have a conference that says that the divisibility of Nigeria is a no-go area. Does that mean that we cannot even talk about the inherent right of the ethnic nationalities to secede, we have no right to self-determination; is that what it means?”

The theme of the conference was: “Towards a truly representative National Conference.

Describing the right to self-determination as an inherent right of the citizenry, Nwabueze said his own nationality – the Igbo – had already resolved to insist on the inclusion of the subject as part of the agenda for the forthcoming national conference.

Nwabueze, who is the first academic Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), however, called on Hausa, Yoruba, Edo, Itsekiri and other ethnic groups to insist on their right to self-determination.

The jurist said: “If we can’t even discuss it, that excludes the right of the delegates to talk about self-determination. This is a burning issue. We, the Ndigbo, have already decided to insist that that right of self-determination must be there.

“I use this opportunity to invite other ethnic nationalities – the Yoruba, the Hausa, the Edo people, the Itekiri, the Ijaws the representatives of the Ijaw are already demanding it. We must all come together to discuss it.”

He noted that the fear that the discussion could culminate in the country’s disintegration should not stop the delegates from exercising their right to discussing self-determination.

Nwabueze explained that the representation of ethnic nationalities in the constitution would help to contain the government from oppressing others to create a state of instability.

He recalled that as the adviser to the drafting of the Ethiopia 1995 constitution, he insisted that ethnic nationalities should be included.

The legal luminary urged Nigeria to borrow a leaf from that.

Nwabueze, who noted that some critics had held the opinion that the United States and Europe no longer discuss ethnicity and tribe, asked whether those countries and continents had tribes in the first place.

According to him, all the ethnic groups in Nigeria predate the amalgamation of the country and their importance must not be trivialised.

He also expressed surprise that various religious organisations, trade unions and interest groups were considered for the conference while the nationalities that own them are left out.

The chairman of the occasion, Mr. Solomon Asemota (SAN), said the union of Nigeria could not be said to have produced useful results.

Asemota, a member of the national conference advisory body, who submitted a minority report, explained that the union’s failure accounts for the fear that the topic could result in the call for the dissolution of Nigeria at the national conference.

Asemota maintained that Nigeria cannot be said to have been constant with Indirect Rule, civil war and the Boko Haram insurgency.

The chairman said: “The marriage of 1914 cannot be said to have been fruitful,or have produced many useful results. This explains why the dissolution of the Nigerian Union cannot be discussed at the National Conference for fear of its actualisation.

“We cannot also say that Nigeria has been constant, not with Indirect Rule, insecurity, the civil war and now Boko Haram as well as other issues that have plagued her for more than 50 years.

“There is evidence that Nigeria is not designed as a great “Trust”, because the Southern Lady of means who provides for the upkeep is being taken for granted. She is treated as a woman married under customary law and treated as a mere chattel and this has made the marriage difficult.”

In his presentation, titled “A Summary and Matter Arising for Nigeria’s National Conference”, a professor of sociology, Onigu Otite, advised that whenever it is required that conference delegates be selected from a region, state, or category of Nigerians, efforts should be made not only to represent ethnic minorities or combination of them, but also to avoid double nominations.

He suggested that the Federal Government should undertake an ethnic balancing and weighting exercise after collating the names of all the delegates to the conference.

This, according to him, would help to ensure equity and appropriateness in the choice of delegates for a balanced national conference.

Otite said: “Our president should be given the privilege of nominating some attendees to national conference. This will hopefully promote the representativeness of people from all the ethnic groups of Nigeria at the conference.”

February 12, 2014
APC gets 2,000 PDP defectors in one local govt

The Interim Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Isa Local Government of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Hassan Shagari, has said over 2,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the APC in the area since Governor Aliyu Wamakko dumped the PDP for the progressives about three months ago.

Shagari, who is also the special adviser to Wamakko on Disabled Matters, addressed reporters in Isa town.

He noted that the defection of PDP members into the APC showed the confidence and trust they have in the governor and his administration.

Isa Local Government in Sokoto Eastern Senatorial District is the home of former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, who has defected to the PDP.

The development is coming on the heels of President Goodluck Jonathan’s trip to Sokoto with party bigwigs, ministers and governors to receive Bafarawa and his supporters into the PDP last Saturday.

Shagari said residents of the local government were defecting to APC because Wamakko had delivered the dividends of democracy to them.

The party chieftain explained that Wamakko had evenly transformed the state through health care, education, roads, rural water supply and electrification, among others.

He said: “Virtually most of the defectors were Bafarawa’s supporters before his defection to the PDP. They were apparently angered by his wrong decision of joining the PDP.”

Shagari said Sokoto State residents were confident in the APC, Wamakko and his administration.

“We are confident that the APC is the messiah we need to salvage the North and Nigeria.

“Nigerians desire change and only APC, the only party which has the broad-based manifesto, can provide such change,” he added.

Also, Sokoto State APC Interim Chairman Inuwa Abdulkadir yesterday said the registration of the party’s members has weakened the PDP in the state.

He said: “The coordination, conduct and transparency with which it is being carried out, with attendant large turnout, sent fears and anxiety to the PDP.”

The former minister for Youth Development, who spoke with our reporter in Sokoto, said the APC symbolises the choice of the majority.

He said: “The membership registration was well organised and structured in accordance with guidelines and constitutional provisions.

“We made sure that the processes were followed and respected to promote the quest for the needed change Nigerians are yearning for.

“The party has been galvanised and our members and supporters will continue to be law-abiding and steadfast at ensuring the delivery of the party at all levels.”

The interim chairman noted that the exercise was successful, adding: “It was conducted smoothly, orderly and transparently with a large turnout. This is a major breakthrough.

“Nothing is as great in politics as having a smooth process of conducting electioneering activities for elections.

“We are organised and determined to protect the growth, interest and development of the country and its citizens. That is why we proved to the world, through this exercise, which has endeared us to Nigerians.”

The Interim Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Isa Local Government of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Hassan Shagari, has said over 2,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the APC in the area alone since Governor Aliyu Wamakko dumped the PDP for the progressives about three months ago.

Shagari, who is also the Special Adviser to Wamakko on Disabled Matters, addressed reporters in Isa town, the headquarters of the local government.

He noted that the defection of PDP members into the APC showed the confidence and trust they have in the governor and his administration.

Isa Local Government, in Sokoto Eastern Senatorial District, is the home of former governor Attahiru Bafarawa, who recently defected to the PDP.

The development is coming on the heels of President Goodluck Jonathan’s trip to Sokoto with party big wigs, ministers and governors to receive Bafarawa and his supporters into the PDP last Saturday.

Shagari said residents of the local government were defecting en masse to APC because Wamakko had delivered the dividends of democracy to them.

The party chieftain explained that Wamakko had evenly transformed the state through health care, education, roads, rural water supply and electrification, among others.

He said: “Virtually most of the defectors were Bafarawa’s supporters before his defection to the PDP. They were apparently angered by his wrong decision of joining the PDP.”

Shagari said Sokoto State residents were confident in the APC, Wamakko and his administration.

“We are all confident that the APC is the messiah we need to salvage the North and Nigeria.

“Nigerians desire change and only APC, the only party which has the broad-based manifesto, can provide such change,” he added.

February 12, 2014
N100bn bond for expressway

•Is it politics or business?

As if in response to widespread skepticism over its plan for the abandoned Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Federal Government has thrown a new dice into the conundrum. According to the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, the government is ready to issue a N100 billion bond towards the completion of the road. The minister made the claim before a delegation of campaigners for President Goodluck Jonathan and his vice, Namadi Sambo, known as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Reloaded Committee, which is led by former deputy senate president, Ibrahim Mantu. Shockingly, the minister also claimed that since the contract for the expressway was re-awarded, work has been going on, on that road.

Considering the several failed promises made by the Federal Government on the rehabilitation of that road, we do not know whether this new claim is a mere political gimmick. Interestingly, the minister chose a meeting with politicians to announce such an important decision. A few months ago, President Jonathan came to do a groundbreaking ceremony on the construction of that road, but notably, the current budget awaiting the approval of the federal legislature captured only N25 billion out of the about N170 billion required to fix it. Again, the Federal Government had not long ago, also claimed that it was going into a Public-Private Partnership as a source of funding to build the road.

So, which of the claims shall Nigerians rely on towards the reconstruction of perhaps the most important federal highway in Nigeria? Should we rely on the political assertions of the minister made before President Jonathan’s praise singers or that of the President which came with much fanfare, with no action? Or, is it even possible that when the President flagged off the reconstruction project, there was no funding plan in place? Nigerians demand an answer to this flip-flop of the Federal Government, more so as the integrity of the office of the President has been dragged into the conundrum.

As we have previously argued, if indeed the Federal Government has no plans to reconstruct that road, why all the fanfare and excruciating deprivations that road users suffer on the day President Jonathan came to perform what is turning out a duplicitous enterprise? Now, it seems the minister has taken over where the President stopped in a classical case of double speak. By the minister’s claim last week, the Federal Government is now to fund the entire project, partly through direct funding and the major chunk of fund, by borrowing. Yet, in the 2014 budget estimate, the entire provision for the ministry of works is not up to the cost of the project; or shouldn’t the cost have been captured in the budget, if truly there is a genuine plan of action?

The case of abandonment that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has suffered is applicable to most of the other federal highways across the country. While the present regime can claim that the crisis predates it, it is shameful that it has not done much since it came on board. Again, since the emergence of democratic governance in 1999, the Peoples Democratic Party has been in power, and over the 14 years it has budgeted hundreds of billions of naira to the Federal Ministry of Works, with very little to show for it. The failure of the party to deliver on infrastructure cuts across, in spite of the trillions of naira budgeted annually for these. Considering the importance of this road, we again urge the Federal Government to expedite action on its reconstruction.

February 12, 2014
Let’s criticise constructively

SIR: Finally, seven senators on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) may have ignored the order by their party asking them to block the screening of service chiefs recently appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan by fully participating in the screening exercise. The opposition party had initially issued a directive to its members in the house to frustrate the passage of the 2014 budget and the screening of ministerial nominees, alongside the confirmation of the new service chiefs.

The opposition claimed that their action borne on the perceived persecution of its member, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state alongside other security issues in the state which have element of partisan ideology.

First and foremost, Rivers state is just a state out of the 36 states of the federation. Thus political issues within a state should not serve as yardstick in truncating major national issues. Just within the period of waiting for the confirmation of the new service chiefs many lives had been lost through insurgent attacks in the volatile North-east region of the country. So, why on earth will a political party fighting for national interest try to frustrate the confirmation of the new service chiefs just because of an issue affecting a state governed by their member? This action will not only jeopardize our ailing democracy but will also compromise national security.

The lawmakers have the power to summon and interrogate the commissioner of police alongside his boss, the inspector general of police for the misdemeanor in Rivers State rather than holding the nation and its citizens to ransom. The commissioner can be questioned about incessant disruption of opposition gatherings and other partisan security activities. In this case, the party can use its numerical advantage and I also believe that well-meaning lawmakers will support their decision either to seek for the redeployment or the sack of the commissioner.

The first month of the year has come to an end; there is no better time to pass the year’s budget than now. But it is so unfortunate that the opposition who is supposed to put the ruling party on its feet is trying to frustrate a sensitive issue like the national budget. There is no gainsaying that this year is a defining year for the present administration to finalize its transformation agenda and the budget is the only way to achieve that mission. Derailing the passage of the budget and hence its implementation will not only affect the economy but dehumanize the Nigerian populace.

While every right thinking Nigerian is aware of the impunity going on in some states, especially River State, there is need to use our discretion to ensure ensure stability in the polity rather than promote party politics.

• Moshood Isah

Garki II, Abuja

February 12, 2014
Jonathan forces his Chief of Staff Oghiadomhe to resign

Ministers to go

It was supposed to be a normal day for Chief Mike Oghiadomhe. He arrived in his office, which is a few minutes away from President Goodluck Jonathan’s, at the Presidential Villa, looking forward to another busy day. It was not to be.

A few hours later, he called his personal staff to an emergency briefing. He dropped the bombshell. He was quitting his job as Chief of Staff to the President – a job he did with great panache.

Oghiadomhe packed his personal effects and left after submitting a terse resignation letter. According to the letter, he was quitting due to “political expediency”.

But, some highly placed sources said President Jonathan asked Oghiadomhe, who many have described as his friend, to go. The Presidency said he left to pursue a political ambition.

But, many were wondering last night what the “ambition” could be as there is no election coming up soon in Edo State, where Oghiadomhe is from.

“The President received the letter today, which is titled ‘letter of resignation’ and it says he wishes to pursue other political necessities in our great party,” presidential spokesman Reuben Abati told reporters after many hours of silence over Oghiadomhe’s exit.

Abati, who spoke to reporters after a meeting with President Jonathan, said: “You would recall that about two weeks ago, before the President travelled to Ethiopia, he announced in council that if there was any member of the cabinet or any major political appointee who wants to pursue some other political roles, that he had been hearing rumours that some people want to go and pursue other things in whatever capacity, that such people are going to be engaged heavily in political activities, they should let him know; and if they see that they are going to be really busy, and such activities may occupy their time extraordinarily, they should please step aside or come and see him for discussion.

“That you can confirm, it happened in the open floor of the council. And you can see what I have pointed out as the reason for the chief of staff’s resignation is in line with that. So, we find the speculation, particularly by some of the online platforms, callous, completely unreasonable, considering that this is a man who has served and given time and energy to the pursuit of the good interest of our country.”

“Mr President appreciates his contributions and he would like to put on record that indeed he was a man who discharged his responsibilities diligently and the country is very grateful to him and the President personally would like to wish him well in his future endeavours.”

On replacement for the position, he said: “Not yet”.

But sources gave various reasons why Oghiadomhe had to go. It was gathered that the issue came to a head last Saturday in Sokoto.

Oghiadomhe was said to have breached protocol by keeping Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the dark concerning President Jonathan’s visit.

Oghiadomhe was said to have written the letter on Jonathan’s visit to Deputy Governor Mukthari Shagari, who is still of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Wamakko, one of the five PDP governors who defected to the APC, not minding the breach, was said to have made adequate arrangement for the President’s visit.

The President was in Sokoto to receive ex-Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, who was defecting to the PDP.

There were indications that more heads may roll in the cabinet following Oghiadomhe’s exit.

Some controversial ministers might be dropped from the cabinet, it was learnt yesterday.

February 11, 2014
‘Govt not serious in resolving ASUP strike’

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) yesterday accused the President Goodluck Jonathan administration of ‘insensitivity’ towards resolving the over seven months strike.

ASUP National President, Dr. Chibuzor Asomugha said government was not serious in calling off the strike.

Speaking in Abuja on a Raypower Radio programme, Political Platform, he vowed that the strike would continue if government did not fulfil its promise.

Asomugha said after the January 21 meeting with the Supervising Minister for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, government promised to get back to the union on further development, adding that nothing had been done.

Said he: “The insensitivity on the part of government is acute to the point of destroying the system irrevocably. We are saying if government can resolve the four issues it chooses by itself, we can get the system running again.

“We had made overtures. The next day after the NEC, we conveyed NEC’s decision to government. We expect government to have looked at that matter and if government is serious about the situation, government would have said, okay, now this is your stand on it, come let us talk about it. But government has not said anything.

“NEC has reviewed the progress we have made so far with government and it has considered that government has not shown enough commitment. Government has not given ASUP anything concrete. The only thing we had to work with was the word of the minister, not supported by any paper or document, not supported by any authorisation.

“The paper government gave us was a proposal. Government gave us the paper to convey this proposal to our NEC. It wasn’t an affirmation of government’s commitment to pay. We also reminded the minister that the other issues were pending. We asked questions about the issues, which government up till now has refused to address.”

February 11, 2014