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Tag: Jonathan

  • 2015: 4m in S/South endorse Jonathan

    2015: 4m in S/South endorse Jonathan

    •Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta lead, says Anyim

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF),Chief Pius Anyim said yesterday that four million people in the six Southsouth states have endorsed  President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election next year.

    According to Anyim, the people want the President to formally declare his retention to return for a second term, immediately.

    The SGF  who stood in for the President at the third edition of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria’s (TAN’s) rally in Port Harcourt  to drum up  support for Jonathan ahead of his declaration, said the Southsouth endorsement is the  strongest so far .

    He gave the breakdown as follows: Rivers state – 1, 000,100; Akwa Ibom – 800, 000; Delta-750,000;Cross River-520,000; Bayelsa -516,000; and Edo-490,000.

    He said: “It (number of persons who endorsed Jonathan) is a great record that has been broken. Something significant has happened. You have proven that President Jonathan has a base. His zone is solidly behind him.

    “In my zone (South-East), we have been beaten by the people of the South-South zone. The registration is ongoing. If I return to my zone, the figure will double. South-South people have spoken. Other Nigerians will follow. I will take the message to Mr. President. At the appropriate time, Nigerians will hear from him.”

    At the rally were Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili; Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike; Culture and Tourism Minister Edem Duke; Works Minister Mike Onolememen and Sports Minister Tammy Danagogo as well as Federal and State legislators from the zone.

    Odili  said  that Rivers state remains solidly behind  Jonathan and asked the people to ensure “their son and great in-law” returns to office next year.

    The ex-Rivers governor (Odili) also lauded President Jonathan for the convocation of Uduaghan declared that the President “must” contest in 2015, having achieved much for the country.

    Danagogo described President Jonathan as “Original Port Harcourt Boy,” saying: “For us in Rivers State, we will be thanking you for what you are doing. The President is one of us. Rivers people are so happy. We have never had it so good.

    “Mr. President should declare for second term. We will vote massively for him. Not just because Mr. President is our own. He is an excellent product. Let us continue to support him. You are witnesses to his transformation agenda. Nigeria still needs President Jonathan’s brilliant performance to solve our national challenges.”

    Wike, in his remarks, thanked TAN for bringing the South-South rally to Port Harcourt, stressing that if the non-governmental organisation had done otherwise, many people would have concluded that Rivers state was not for President Jonathan, especially with the defection of Governor Rotimi Amaechi to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The minister of state for education said: “Rivers State is totally for President Jonathan. Everybody from the South-South is supporting President Jonathan. He is the first Nigerian President in 30 years to tackle the Almajiri menace, by giving the children basic education. The Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas in Bonny, Rivers State was also established by President Jonathan.”

  • Nnamani to APGA: You can’t win Enugu

    -As APGA holds rally for Jonathan in Anambra

    Former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, yesterday in Awka, Anambra State, said it is impossible for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to win elections in Enugu State.

    He was reacting at a rally organised by APGA for President Goodluck Jonathan at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka.

    National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, had boasted that his party would win all the South-East states, including Enugu in the next general elections.

    However, at the rally yesterday, organised by Join Jonathan Journey (JJJ) under the leadership of Chief Ben Oranusi and Chief Ben Obi, the only APGA senatorial aspirant that attended the rally was Chief Dubem Obaze.

    Other aspirants to the senatorial seats in the state where absent, with the crowd of over 2,000 people following Obaze from the Anambra North Senatorial zone.

    While adressing the crowd, Nnamani said, “we thank APGA for supporting Jonathan, who is a member of my party, but I want to disagree with Umeh that his party will take over Enugu State; it is not possible.”

    For Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, the state is owned by APGA and would never struggle with another party in the state, adding that they came to show solidarity with President Jonathan.

  • Sports Editors League want Jonathan’s action on football feud

    Sports Editors League want Jonathan’s action on football feud

    • Warns against NSC taking sides
    • Level playing field for all candidates

    The umbrella body for Sports Editors in Nigeria, tagged League Of Sports Editors met in Lagos yesterday to review recent happenings in Nigerian football. They resolved that there was need for government at the highest level to take action on the ‘shameful happenings’ in football management

    The meeting, which was chaired by the newly elected President of the body, Tony Ubani of the Vanguard newspapers, had in attendance  eminent personalities such as Jide Alabi of the Silverbird Group, Ade Ojeikere of The Nation Newspapers, Ben Alaiya of SportsDay, Kunle Salami of New Telegraph, Duro Ikhazuagbe of ThisDay, Ben Alozie of The Union, Ben Memuletiwon of National Mirror, Dare Esan Of Complete Sports, Emeka Ezeugwu of the Newswatch Group, Femi Fasetire of SportsDay, Peter Edema of Daily Independent, Desmond Ekwueme of National Weekender, John Joshua Akanji of The Sun Newspapers group.

    The meeting was superintended by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the group and Weekend Editor of the Vanguard newspapers, Mr Onochie Anibeze.

    The group views with concern, the way and manner Nigerian football has been riddled with crisis of recent, which has put the country in international odium.

    “We view these issues as very unfortunate and want to ask those concerned to put an immediate stop to it, especially as we hear that these issues are being orchestrated by some high powers in the sports sector. Having taking a serious look at the issues we have no option but to call on President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to use his good offices to call his sports officers to order in the larger interest of the Nigerian people. Because his government has been an achieving government in the area of sports and we cannot allow unbridled personal interest and ambition to ruin his achievement in sports.

    The statement jointly signed by President Tony Ubani and Secretary General, Dare Esan, said Nigeria has received enough insult from the international community and the idea of causing crisis after every World Cup year in Nigeria must stop forthwith.

    “We want to advise that the purported election of some officials recently cannot hold water because the congress held elsewhere and we cannot continue to use the apparatus of government to intimidate the very persons it is meant to protect.

    “We therefore call on President Goodluck Jonathan to throw the field open for all eligible candidates to contest the forthcoming elections as that is the standard international practice. Anything short will be unacceptable to the generality of Nigerians”, the statement declared.

    The statement further added that why it was not siding with any of the parties it seeks for justice and peace and thinks that only President Goodluck Jonathan can act quickly to stop the detour to anarchy in Nigerian football nay sports.

    “It’s not time for the blame game but we must insist on due international process and the need to give all qualified candidates free opportunity to contest the coming NFF polls. Enough is enough of this charade because of pecuniary benefits to some desperadoes”.

  • Jonathan meets PDP chieftains, ministers

    Jonathan meets PDP chieftains, ministers

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday met with chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and members of the cabinet in the Council Chamber.

    Those at the meeting included Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President, David Mark, Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, while the PDP National Chairman, Adamu Muazu, led members of the National Working Committee to the meeting.

    Most ministers and top government officials that attended the Federal Executive Council meeting stayed behind for the meeting that started around 2pm.

    Speaking to State House correspondents, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisah Metuh, said: “There was a meeting between FEC members, the NWC members and the leadership of the National Assembly PDP caucus.”

    “The meeting discussed a lot of issues, the most important issues being the interface between the executive, the legislature and the party with a view to promoting and publicizing the ideals of the achievements of the government’s transformation agenda and to ensure that we continue to gain the confidence of Nigerians.”

    “Being the only party that promotes the unity and progress of Nigeria that covers all national interest, we want to ensure that our people will continue to have faith in the party. The meeting set up a small committee to continue to dialogue and promote theses ideals.”

    On whether the Adamawa governorship by-election was discussed, he said: “The issue of Adamawa was an exclusive preserve of the NWC and the body is unknown to the party’s constitution to discuss such matters.”

    He said that it is exclusively the preserve of the NWC to discuss the Adamawa election.

    Asked if ministers with political ambitions have been asked to go, he said: “We have not brought out our guidelines. You cannot tell people to resign except when the guidelines are out. So when the guidelines come out then we can now discuss such issues.”

    According to him, the guidelines would soon be released.

    “You know we have a regulatory body that takes care of such issues, we have INEC and we are waiting, we will not want to run foul of the law, very soon, we will bring out our guidelines,” Metuh stated.

     

     

  • Group to northern elders: Chibok girls won’t stop Jonathan

    A socio-political group, De Servants, on Wednesday dared northern elders insisting that President Goodluck Jonathan would declare for a reelection with or without the abducted Chibok girls.

    Northern Elders Forum (NEF) recently gave the President till October to either produce the girls or forget his re-election ambition.

    But De Servants carpeted NEF for the ultimatum after a meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, attended by its members across the six geopolitical zones.

    The group asked NEF to help President Jonathan and the country to bring back the girls instead of apportioning blames.

    De Servants endorsed President Jonathan for second term and expressed optimism that the President would soon declare his 2015 ambition.

    The Leader of the group, Mr. Kime Engozu, said it was the responsibility of all Nigerians to fight insecurity in the country.

    He asked the northern elders to imitate the spirits of patriotism displayed by their Niger Delta counterparts when the region was ravaged by militancy.

    He recalled that the Niger Delta elders moved into the creeks to resolve the problem and restore the peace in the region.

    He said the group would invite the northern elders to work with the Federal Government for the release of the Chibok girls and restore peace in the country.

    “Let all of us work as nation builders and not nation destroyers,” Kime said.

    He said their endorsement of Jonathan for second term was to enable him to consolidate on his achievements so far.

     

  • Photo: New look Jonathan on arrival from Germany

    Photo: New look Jonathan on arrival from Germany

    President Jonathan on arrival in Abuja Monday after a private visit to Germany.
    President Jonathan on arrival in Abuja Monday after a private visit to Germany.
  • Jonathan okays N50bn for mechanized farming

    Jonathan okays N50bn for mechanized farming

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday said he has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria to set aside N50 billion for full scale mechanized farming in Nigeria.

    Jonathan said the money will be used to fund the establishment of 1,200 agricultural equipment hiring enterprises nationwide.

    The President spoke at the commissioning of the new 100, 000 metric tonnes (MT) silo complex and the flag off of private sector driven agricultural equipment hiring enterprises in Kwali Area Council, Abuja.

    Jonathan, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo said he had already directed that 590 unit of tractors, 500 power tillers and harvest and post harvest equipment be used to support women and youths in agriculture.

    He said: “As part of our drive to leave behind hoes and cutlasses and replace them with modern agricultural equipment, I have directed the CBN to set aside N50 billion mechanization intervention fund. This support fund will allow us to speed up the full establishment of the 1,200 private sector driven agricultural equipment hiring enterprises all states of the federation.”

    The President also said the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development had made available N4.5 billion to support the refinancing of tractors’ acquisition by the private sector through the Bank of Agriculture.

     

  • Ebola: ALGON hails Jonathan for prompt response

    Ebola: ALGON hails Jonathan for prompt response

    The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) hailed President Goodluck Jonthan yesterday for his prompt response to the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria.

    In a statement by its Secretary General, Alhaji Shittu Bamaiyi, the association noted that Federal Government’s prompt response showed its dedication and concern to save lives.

    The statement reads: “The Federal Government’s efforts at checkmating the killer disease are not only heart-warming but reassuring in protecting the health of Nigerians.

    “This measure is gladdening and a thing of pride that the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the international community have applauded the measures taken by Nigeria in protecting the lives of its citizens against the disease.

    “ALGON suggests that the Federal Government should ensure that the 774 health centres built across the country are immediately put to use to serve as centres for the treatment of such ailments.

    “ALGON hopes that the Federal Government, under the leadership of Goodluck Jonathan, will sustain the spirit with which it is fighting the killer disease and use the same zeal and determination to tackle the country’s numerous challenges.

    “The association implores Nigerians to join hands in tackling issues that threaten our collective interests as a people, irrespective of our political and sectional interests.”

  • Imo elders to Jonathan: call PDP chieftains to order

    Imo elders to Jonathan: call PDP chieftains to order

    Elders in Imo State have urged President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene in the breach of security in the state by personnel of the Presidency and chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    According to the Imo State Council of Elders (IMSCE), personnel in the Presidency and PDP chieftains displayed disregard for constituted authority by their unrestrained use of siren and motorbike outriders.

    The elders urged President Jonathan to intervene, “as the general elections are approaching.”

    They enjoined him to prevail on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the 2011 results of five wards in Oguta Local Government.

    The group’s accusations were contained in a statement by its chairman and a former deputy director-general, State Security Service (SSS), Prince Okey Njemanze.

    Njemanze, who said although security agencies maintained peace, added that danger was looming, following alleged security breaches by PDP politicians.

    Besides the use of siren and outriders, the elders cited alleged attack on Governor Rochas Okorocha during the funeral of Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

    They also cited another incident, alleging that suspected thugs loyal to the PDP candidate in the Oguta election attacked the governor’s convoy, pulled down the outrider and disarmed a policeman.

    “If this lawlessness persists, as electioneering nears, there may be bloodbath among the aides loyal to political gladiators in the state,” Njemanze said.

    The elders attributed INEC’s refusal to declare the result of the 2011 House of Assembly election in five of the 198 wards in Oguta, won by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), to the Presidency.

    According to the group’s chairman, INEC’s refusal to declare the results has left the area unrepresented in the Assembly for three years.

    The body faulted the Presidency for being silent on the status of a delegate to the National Conference, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, who despite being dethroned as the Chairman of the Imo Council of Traditional Rulers, paraded himself as a delegate to the National Conference.

  • ‘Jonathan can re-contest’

    THE PeoplesDemocratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Akwa Ibom State have urged President Goodluck  Jonathan to declare his second term ambition in the national interest.

    They said that the state would give him a bloc vote because he has lived up to expectation in the last six years.

    Governor Godswill Akpabio, who spoke on their behalf in Uyo, the state capital, during the President’s visit, said the people were ready to work for his victory at the poll.

    He said: “Our dear President, let me state that you are in your home. Akwa Ibom people do not only love you as a  President from the Southsouth, they also appreciate you as a brother and true Nigerian, who is committed to changing the fortunes of the nation.

    “Twice this year, Akwa Ibom people, in an uncommon resolve, unanimously  passed a vote of confidence on you and your administration. In furtherance to their conviction, they urged you to step forward and contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic in 2015. That yearning is still aflame and they have kindly waited for an answer. Your Excellency, the people of Akwa Ibom people are steadfast and will go with you all the way.

    “Inspite of the challenge of insurgency facing the country, Akwa Ibom people say sail on. Sail on for evil may thrive for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Sail on, keep moving, we are with you. We shall never retreat nor surrender, for the truth is stronger than falsehood. We shall overcome because history, truth and most importantly, God Almighty, is on our side.”

    Akpabio thanked President Jonathan for justifying the confidence reposed in him by the people, stressing that he has defended democracy in the country. He said the achievements of the President are visible in the power sector, aviation, the expansion of the national infrastructure, the promotion of the local content of policy, and the restructuring of the economy

    President Jonathan thanked the people for their love and support for his administration. He commended Akpabio for his developmental strides, stressing that the projects are of high quality.

    He also commended the private sector for contributing to the development of the state, advising the governor to always create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.

    The Minister of Petroleum Resources,  Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, said she was impressed by projects in the state. She said the commissioning of the  Uquo Gas Plant facility at Esit-Eket and the Methanol Industry at Ibeno was historic, noting that it would boost the development of the oil and gas sector.

    The minister said the projects would create jobs for  youths and supply gas to the Calabar Independent  Power Plant (IPP), Cross River State.