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Tag: Jerry Gana

  • Jerry Gana is still a political force at 70 – Bello

    Jerry Gana is still a political force at 70 – Bello

    Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has felicitated with the former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana on his 70th birthday anniversary.

    Bello eulogised the leadership quality of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader whose political affiliation cut across the nation’s political party, religion or tribal divide.

    The governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Jibrin Baba Ndace, said that Gana has remain politically relevant not only to Niger State, his place of birth in particular but to the country in general.

    Describing Gana as a bridge builder, Governor Bello stated that the Professor of Geography has continued to be a force in the political landscape of the country.

    “Professor Jerry Gana has over the years remained a relevant force in the democratic evolution of a modern Nigeria. He has within his adulthood age built bridges across the six geo-political regions of the country. A totally detrablised leader, our elder statesman, an erudite scholar, political mobilizer and administrator par-excellence has remained the shining light of our people.

    “I recall with nostalgia the way he handle his assignment at DIFRRI, which led to the opening up of many rural communities; his contributions to the development of modern democratic ethos as a founding father of one of the nation’s political parties, where he served as the founding Secretary to the party’s Board of Trustee (BOT) indeed qualified him as one of Nigeria’s bright leaders.

    “He injected a new drive into public information management during his stint as the Minister of Information. His ability to play with words remains legendary in recent time.

    “It is our prayer that God will preserve his life, so that the country can continue to tap from his wealth of experience,” the statement read.

  • Oritsejafor, others urge Nigerians to emulate Martin Luther king

    Oritsejafor, others urge Nigerians to emulate Martin Luther king

    Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), on Monday, urged Nigerians to see Martin Luther King as a role model in fighting for a violence-free election.

    He made the call in an interview with newsmen at the Selma Movie Premiere that took place at The Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

    The clergy said: “I am touched by what I have seen so far and I think it is a thing worth watching.

    “When you hear of Martin Luther King Jnr., you are not hearing of an angel but a human being. A human being who could see and feel what others felt, and decided to do something about it.

    “So if you want peace then you must be prepared to speak and say the truth at all times even when it is bitter.”

    He stressed the need for Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the March 28 and April 11 general elections so as not to be disenfranchised.

    The Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Professor Oshita Oshita, also called for violence-free election and to draw lessons from the premiered movie – Selma.

    He describe the movie as a story based on the philosophy of non-violence epitomised in the actions of the legendary Martin Luther king Junior.

    His words: “Luther King was a great man that continued to impact our world through the social movement he inspired and led.

    “The moral of Selma movie is not just in the historic match from Selma to Montgomeri but the non-violent nature of the match that made it a thing of international significance and respect despite brutalisation by law enforcement agents.

    “The movie projects the fact that positive transformation could be achieved through non-violence.

    “So this lesson is that Nigeria in 2015 general elections can achieve sustainable development through peaceful and non-violent democratic elections.”

    Similarly, Professor Jerry Gana, a scholar and former Minister of Information, in his brief speech urged Nigerians to collectively say no to violence.

    He also quoted a verse in the Bible Galatians 5:22 – ‘the fruit of the spirit is love and joy and peace and patience and goodness and gentleness and self control’, and wished Nigerians would imbibe the teachings  thereof.

  • Jonathan will campaign in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa – Gana

    Jonathan will campaign in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa – Gana

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will take President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election campaign train to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and other states ravaged by Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeastern part of the country.

    The Chairman of the PDP fundraising dinner and former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, stated this in Abuja on Monday.

    Gana is also the Director, Contact and Mobilisation of the President’s campaign organasation.

    Towns and villages in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States have come under bloody attacks by Boko Haram insurgents. Several towns and villages have been seized by the sect members, with hundreds of innocents citizens killed, maimed and abducted by insurgents on a daily basis.

    Gana said: “As the Director, Contact and Mobilisation, yes, we will go to the North East, the campaign organisation is going to be inaugurated today (Monday) and because we are organised, the programme is ready.

    “North East is in our programme and in fact we are going to campaign in Maiduguri, Yobe and everywhere else and by the grace of God, we shall come back.”
    Speaking on the chances of the PDP in the February elections, Prof. Gana said the electorates will go for capacity and experience.

    “People will go for experience and capacity and not those that will be experimenting with the new house because we don’t know whether the new house will last after the election.

    “People who want to be stable build on solid rock, which is the PDP. The other one is the sand and when you build on sand, it may scatter. Please advise Nigerians to vote for the party that is on the rock.

    “This is a critical year for Nigeria, but it will all go well. There won’t be violence, the elections will be free and fair. The winner will be clear, Nigeria will not break up. Anyone who says Nigeria will be divided will be disappointed because Nigerians have become very mature politicians and democrats.”

  • Conference Committee denounces immunity clause for President, Governors, others

    Conference Committee denounces immunity clause for President, Governors, others

    •Committee considers modified Presidential system of government

    National Conference Committee on Politics and Governance has recommended the removal of Section 305 on Immunity clause from the Nigerian constitution.

    Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Jerry Gana said the Committee was concerned about the abuse of office by public office holders and the corruption that goes with it.

    He said the Committee was of the opinion that a message should be sent to Nigerians and office holders that no one is above the law.

    He said: “We took decision on the Immunity clause and it was a clear consensus, so that in the interest of zero to elegance for corruption, to promote good governance, to promote transparency and discipline.

    “The fact that we don’t want people going around that the government being above the law, the issue of Immunity clause should be removed from our constitution.

    “This is not yet the decision of the conference though, but this is what we are presenting to the plenary”.

    Saying that the Committee was unanimous in its decision, Gana explained that there was no need for voice vote for the decision to scale through, “I must say that the entire members of the committee went along with the decision, we had no reason to divide the Committee because it was a consensus.

    “People yielded to the force of argument, which is what should happen. Everybody was for removal but initially some people felt that it should partial, while others felt that it should be total.

    “But the weight of the opinion is total because we want to send a very clear message that we should promote zero tolerance for corruption.

    “There shouldn’t be any kind of legislative or executive impunity again.

    “We must do the rule of law, that is how democracy should be. We are convinced as a committee that the Conference should send a clear message to Nigerians that no one is above the law,” he added.

    Similarly, the Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government has set up a sub-committee that would come out with the most suitable type of government for the country.

    At the continued debate on the subject yesterday, members argued on the propriety of Presidential, Parliamentary, modified Presidential (French model).

    However, when it became apparent that a consensus would not be reached, Co-Chairman, Mohammed Kumaila suggested entrusting a sub committee with the responsibility of examining all the options and come out with the best form that would meet the aspirations of Nigerians.

    Former governor Abdulkadir Kure advocated for a hybrid system with the French model whereby there would be a President and a Prime Minister that would emerge from different regions in the country.

    According to him, Presidential system has failed many African States as the poorest and most corrupt countries in the world, made up oof mosly African countries practice Presidential system of government.

    He said some State institutions should be strengthened under the system like the police, Code of Conduct Commission (CDC), anti-graft agencies, the Civil service, judiciary and the Orientation agency among others.

    Sen Saidu Dansadau said though he would have preferred Presidential system but that the attitude of Nigerians should be of utmost concern to the Committee .

    He said Nigerians have penchant for subverting the law due to their excessive greed for power that they do not want to share and inordinate acquisition of wealth.

    He said the Committee must find ways of evolving a system that would check all the negative tendencies that are militating against good governance in the country.

    He suggested a modified Presidential system with two tenures of consecutive four years, a full time unicameral legislature and confirmation of the cabinet by a Special Committee established by the constitution.

    Dr Abubakar Mohammed said the Nigerian president is the most powerful in the world which was responsible for the rampant impunity by State officials.

    He however highlighted the inherent flaws in the system while citing the French model of hybrid Presidential system.

    According to him, conflicts that may arise from the President and the Prime Minister not emerging from the same political party.

    Sen. Nimi Amange said no system of government would work in Nigeria unless office holders change their attitude to governance.

    He however suggested that the country should continue with the Presidential system but with single tenure, while Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) be vested with the powers to appoint anti graft executives.

    He also said the CJN should be appointed by National Judicial Council to check the excesses of the executive.

    The Sub-Ccommittee is expected to turn in its work today for adoption.

  • A presidency in decline, a president in denial

    A presidency in decline, a president in denial

    A Lot a few Nigerians would want to be in President Goodluck Jonathan’s position as leader of Africa’s most populous and may be richest country, but very few would want his kind of presidency.

    Two years and eight months into a four-year tenure and with the option of another four years as second term likely, Nigerians it does seem cant wait to dump the man from Otuoke at the next available opportunity for a leader with a firm grasp of our problems and challenges and the best solution to take us to the next level.

    Dr Ebele Jonathan, who many thought few years ago could be the messiah the country needed because of his youth, education and a pan-Nigerian mandate at the polls, is such a big let down that even his main supporters are beginning to regret putting him forward to lead this nation of over a hundred and fifty million people with vast human and material resources.

    The man is fast becoming a lame duck do nothing president whose words nobody can go to bank with. Such is the weakness of the man and his presidency that many would rather turn to his wife or some of his other women in government to get things done than rely on his orders.

    Jokes apart, the women in his government get things done quickly and easily than even the Commander-In-Chief. It sounds unbelievable, but it is true. Madam Patience Jonathan, the First Lady, is more effective than her husband. Sometime ago underground news sources said she told the wife of a state governor; “tell your Oga not to rely on my Oga or be his friend, tell him to be my friend, my Oga is not reliable”.

    She surely knows what she’s talking about. Those who are very powerful in Jonathan’s administration today owe their loyalty to her. Nyesom Wike, the Minister of State for Education worships her, Deziani Madueke, the Petroleum Minister had to ‘settle’ her with oil subsidy contract before she could be appointed a Minister and has been ‘oiling’ the First Lady constantly ever since to remain in office, Stella Oduah has had to squeeze water out of the stones in the Aviation parastatals to be able to satisfy Madam’s insatiable appetite for money.

    Today, thanks to Madam First Lady’s support and Jonathan’s weakness, these three Ministers of the Federal Republic can not be removed except they leave or Madam Patience wanted them out. And these Ministers and the Chief of Staff are so arrogantly going about with this air of untouchability that even some other people close to the president are getting worried. In the Ministry of Aviation Stella Oduah does her things with impunity. Ask the parastatals, the managements are just waiting for her time to be up, hoping and praying that before then nothing untoward would happen and something would still be left in their coffers.

    The case of the armoured limousines are still there and even in the face of overwhelming public condemnation of the role of Oduah Jonathan seems helpless to punish her. What kind of a presidency is that? Even if for the sake of credibility?

    The other day we were told that several billions of dollars of our oil revenue have not been remitted to the federation account by the NNPC. The CBN governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi alerted us about this and he was called names for that. He had an argument over this with the Finance Minister and at the end of the day the figure had to be revised down to about 10 billion USD the whereabout of which had not been satisfactorily explained.

    While Nigerians as usual were still trying to get over this and continue with their lives, the President threw in bomb shell; he asked the CBN governor to resign over the NNPC issue. Grapevine had it that the Petroleum Minister had who supervises the NNPC had for some time been putting pressure on Dr Jonathan to sack Sanusi over his letter on the ‘missing’ billions, but the president had resisted citing the provisions of the law. On this particular day, Deziani reportedly went to the president demanding that Sanusi be removed immediately because she heard he was planning another letter. It was a noisy atmosphere at the president’s office and the Commander-In-Chief had to give in. Sanusi was summoned and told to go, the Kano prince refused and dared the president to do whatever he wants. You know the rest of the story.

    The issue here is not the decision to sack Sanusi or not but that Dr Jonathan had to drag the office of the president of Nigeria into this and at the end of the that office was disgraced. Did Jonathan not know that he does not have that power to fire the CBN governor alone or force him to go? And why should he even ask the man to go without addressing the issue of alleged corruption in the remittance of our oil earnings by the NNPC that he raised in the letter?

    Why did Jonathan found it easier to ask Sanusi to go and but difficult to deal with the issue of the limousine purchase by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority for the use of the Aviation Minister? This is double standard.

    The power and authority wielded by the president of Nigeria are such that should not be invoked frivolously lest they become less effective and Dr Jonatan has shown that by his handling of the Sanusi incident. If the president had been fair in the exercise of his power and authority I am sure the CBN governor would think twice before daring him, even if he knows he doesn’t possess the power to fire him. The fear and respect he should normally have for that office would have told him that if the president says he doesn’t want you, then you have to go. But this president is belittling that office, hence the little respect he now commands. Such is always the case with lame duck presidencies.

    And our man is in denial over this. The other day he was at the Shagamu inter change to launch with fanfare the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway which his government had just repossessed from a concessionaire and promised to fund the project. After a few initial grading and excavation here and there the project is as good as abandoned and we are being told now that the government is considering giving it out again to another concessionaire because the money is not just there in the public purse to prosecute it. There is nothing wrong with involving the private sector in the funding of such a big project, but for the government to change course mid way after the whole world had been told that all is well with funding of the project shows that something is wrong somewhere. And the fact that it was the president that came and flagged off the project shows that somebody somewhere had deceived or is deceiving him about the availability of public fund for the project. Forget about government’s denial about another concession for the expressway, the fact is that some people are playing politics with us over this road and the presidency is either part of them or is the driving force behind the deceit. A serious presidency doesn’t behave this way. A serious and strong presidency would fish out those behind this and punish them for ridiculing the president and his office. But can we say this about Jonathan’s presidency?

    For six months or thereabout university teachers went on strike over unfulfilled promises by government. The Minister of Education Nyesom Wike was going about for much of this period playing politics trying to destabilize Rivers State while our children were idling away at home. And when Wike finally woke up to his responsibility he bungled the whole effort to resolve the crisis when he announced the sack of the lecturers for not going back to work as ordered. ASUU defied the order and made a laughing stock of government. A serious presidency would have fired the Minister for this embarrassment, but not Jonathan. Another sign of weakness, a waning presidency. The success of ASUU has now emboldened other similar bodies to challenge the government knowing fully that sooner rather than later the presidency would give in. Lame duck presidency!

    The security situation in the north east is a cause for concern for all and the government naturally is worried that in spite of all what it has been doing Boko Haram insurgency is not abating. While it would be wrong to entirely lay the blame for the seeming lack of a headway in the fight against terror in the region at the doorsteps of the federal government, could a perceived weakness in the authority of this president be the motivation for the insurgents to soldier on in spite of the superiority of the armed forces in terms of combat weapons and human resources? If this presidency is perceived and even seen to be a no nonsense leadership and is acting as such, would it be a signal to Boko Haram et al that this government means business and nothing is ruled out in the fight against terror? But if government policy is flip flop on this issue even those prosecuting the war would do it halfhearted.

    If the truth must be told, this presidency is not getting a lot of things done because Nigerians see it as weak, lame duck, but our president is in denial over this. It is unfortunate. Until President Jonathan sits up and face governance seriously and forget his re-election for now, things will continue to go bad and the country would continue to suffer. Enough of politics, Jonathan please govern. If you are the Comander-In-Chief, please chiefly command well. Apologies to Professor Jerry Gana.

     

  • House holds valedictory session for Lar

    House holds valedictory session for Lar

    The House of Representatives held a valedictory session for the late Solomon Lar yesterday.

    Lar, who died in the United States of America in October, was a member of the House in the First Republic.

    The late politician was eulogised during the session, which was attended by ex-Information Minister Prof Jerry Gana, former principal officers of the National Assembly; Ghali Umar Na’abba, Ken Nnamani, Ibrahim Mantu, and former Plateau State Governor Joshua Dariye.

    Also in attendance were the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Barnabas Gemade as well as the widow, Merry, among others.

    Na’abba spoke on behalf of the former principal officers in the National Assembly.

    Gemade and Senator Victor Lar also spoke of the late PDP pioneer chairman in glowing tributes.

    The Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, described the late politician, as an emancipator, who loved and preached peace.

    Tambuwal said the leadership of the National Assembly, in conjunction with the Gana-led burial planning committee, decided to dedicate the day to honour Lar because he left legacies of excellence.

    “He was a pioneer, a leader, who decided which path his followers should follow. He left a legacy of excellence as a governor. He abolished daily pay and contract employment and he believed that leaders lived to serve the people.

    “He was not in politics for self aggrandisement. The best way to ensure the legacy he left behind is to remember the things he stood for.”

    Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha described the late Lar as an elder statesman and emancipator of the oppressed.

  • Jerry Gana for Democracy Games

    Jerry Gana for Democracy Games

    Former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana will on Friday, in Abuja, chair a one-day workshop on Democracy Games.

    Briefing newsmen in Abuja, the chairman of the committee for the event, Prof. Adekunle Akinyemi, said the game, which he described as the world’s newest indoor game, is targeted at making democracy a household issue where everyone irrespective of age and background is an active participant.

    He expressed optimism that the game would enrich the nation’s democratic process which can also attract other participants outside the country to learn.

    Akinyemi further explained that the choice of Prof. Gana to chair the workshop was informed by his wealth of experience and immense contributions to nation’s development both in the military and civilian era.

    Also speaking, Biodun Akinpelu, said the game, invented by a Nigerian 19 years ago, has in it images of major players in the nation’s nascent democracy, and comprises board and cards to be played by two to six persons.

    Underscoring the significance of game, Akinpelu explained that, as a game of chance, it will encourage politicians to eschew the politics of bitterness and imbibe the culture of accepting defeat in elections.

    He urged Nigerians to embrace the game, adding that anyone who can read can play the game which is interesting and self explanatory.

     

  • Jonathan, Gowon: Danjuma is ‘Field Marshal’ of Africa

    Jonathan, Gowon: Danjuma is ‘Field Marshal’ of Africa

    FORMER Chief of Army Staff and Defence Minister, Retired General Theophilus Danjuma, is now the ‘Field Marshal’ of Africa, President Goodluck Jonathan and former Head of States, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.) said yesterday.

    Jonathan and Gowon spoke in Donga, Taraba State, where Danjuma was conferred with the traditional title of ‘Gam Gbaro’ Donga.

    A Gam Gbaro in Chamba language means a War Field Marshal.

    Jonathan and Gowon said Danjuma is not only a Field Marshal of Donga but also of Africa.

    “The civil war is now over, but TY Danjuma is a Field Marshal to deal with the war against poverty, social ills and health problems,” Gowon said.

    Gowon jocularly said that with the Field Marshal title, Danjuma has become his senior in rank.

    President Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of State for the Niger Delta Affairs, Darius Dickson Ishaku, said Danjuma’s “valuable advice”, which has most times helped in steering the affairs of the country, makes him the Gam Gbaro of Africa.

    He said: “General TY Danjuma is a forthright and frank person, sometimes uncomfortably frank.

    “I admire him because his philanthropy is quite amazing. He has retired but he is not tired.

    “He has made more achievements during his retirement era than when he was in the army. He is Gam Gbaro of Africa.”

    Danjuma, in his early military career, served in Congo as Company Commander with the United Nations Forces in 1961 and 1962.

    He also served as Company Commander with the Nigerian Army contingent to Tanzania I964. Upon return from Staff College, he was posted to Nsukka front of the Nigerian civil war where he commanded the brigade that overran the Biafra capital, Enugu in October 1967.

    Danjuma was appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3RD Infantry Division in 1971 and Chief of Army Staff and Chairman Joint Chiefs in 1975 to 1979.

    Gowon said Danjuma was one of his young brave soldiers whose courage helped the government of Nigeria during the civil war.

    According to him: “Danjuma’s spectacular victory in Nsukka-Enugu front with his Textbook Operation and leap flogging from one village to another in Enugu in October 1967 gave the government the courage and filips.”

    The Gara Donga, His Royal Highness Dr. Danjuma Banyonga, who decorated Danjuma in Chamba cultural regalia and conferred on him the chieftaincy title, described him as a “well disciplined and gallant soldier”.

    “Despite all his achievements and several positions of authority, he never oppressed his subordinates,” the monarch said.

    Gara Donga said they honoured Danjuma because of his achievements in the Army during his retirement as Minister of Defence and his philanthropy to the poor.

    “Despite his successful businesses, he remains humble and selflessly committed to health as socioeconomic development of the nation, assisting the less-privileged irrespective of tribe and religion.

    “He is a frank and uncompromising person in all his dealings,” Banyonga said.

    Other dignitaries at the occasion included former head of states, General Muhammadu Buhari; former Information Minister, Professor Jerry Gana; Senator Emmanuel Bwacha(Taraba South) Real Admiral Akin Aduwo; former Taraba State Governor, Rev. Jolly Nyame; former Minister of Commerce, Idris Waziri and former Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Obadiah Ando.

    Danjuma, in his response, said the occasion was unique because the traditional title conferred on him was an international title as the Chamba people are unique and found in Togo, Ghana and Cameroon.

    “I was able to achieve as a commander in the army because I had an excellent Commander- In- Chief in person of Gen. Yakubu Gowon who kept the Armed Forces and Nigeria together,” he stated.

  • PDP convention: Tukur, Gana mend fences

    PDP convention: Tukur, Gana mend fences

    The crisis of confidence between the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and Chairman of the party’s special convention committee, Prof. Jerry Gana, appeared to have been resolved.

    The Tukur led National Working Committee (NWC) held a meeting with Gana’s committee at PDP secretariat on Monday where the two parties agreed to reschedule the special convention earlier fixed for August 31 by the convention committee.

    The meeting was held at the instance of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The convention date had been changed on two occasions. New dates for the national convention and the Southwest congress are expected to be announced at an expanded meeting of the party’s leadership on Wednesday.

    Tukur, had in the heat of the disagreement last week, announced the suspension of the committee’s programme as announced by the Gana, a development that necessitated the intervention of President Jonathan.

    Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, Tukur said the issues affecting the conduct of the forth coming convention had been ironed out and disagreements over the matter resolved.

    Gana, who also spoke after the meeting, corroborated Tukur’s position, saying that the party leaders had agreed to sink their differences and move ahead in the overall interest of the party.

    Also present at the meeting were the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who is the secretary of the Gana committee; Governor Godswill Akpabio who is the committee’s deputy chairman; and a former chairman of the PDP, Dr. Haliru Bello Mohammed.

     

  • Gana seeks autonomy for local governments

    Gana seeks autonomy for local governments

    The Federal Government has been advised to make the 419 local government areas that make up the northern part of the country autonomous.

    A former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, gave the advice on Monday at the inauguration of the Northern Local Government Chairmen’s Forum (NLGF) in Abuja.

    Prof. Gana, who in his keynote address as the chairman of the Board of Trustee (BoT) of NLGF, noted that local government is a strategic and vital organ of government, also advised the chairmen not to divert resources allocated to them for the development of their councils.

    He urged the chairmen to develop a tremendous capacity for accountability, stressing that accountability is very important in public office especially at the local government levels.

    “We want to use this opportunity to appreciate the Senate and the House of Representatives, that they are very much on course that the autonomy of local government is well spelt out, well protected, and well constitutionally provided in the constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria. But, please, use that autonomy well, use it for the people of Nigeria,” he said.

    The newly formed forum comprises chairmen of 419 local government areas from the 19 northern states in the country.

    The forum is aimed at fostering unity and peace among the people and engendering the socio-economic development of the region.