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Tag: Jonathan

  • We will be more forceful on terror groups, says Jonathan

    The Federal Government will no longer treat terror groups, terrorising Nigeria with kid-glove.

    President Goodluck Jonathan gave this indication on Thursday during bilateral talks with Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba at the Conference Hall of the Namibia State House.

    According to him, the federal government has decided to be more forceful in curtailing the activities of the Boko Haram group that is unleashing terror in the some States of the North-East region.

    He solicited the support of his Namibian counterpart and other leaders in stamping out terrorism globally.

    He said: “The issue of global terror is worrisome and in Nigeria, we believe that a terror attack on anywhere in the world is a terror attack on everyone. It may be more in one country compare to the other, for instance, in the North Eastern parts of Nigeria, three states out of 36 states, we are having incidence of terror.

    “Initially, we handle it with kid-glove but now we have decided to be a little more forceful because we must thrash out these terror groups. We must not allow it to continue to slow down economic growth in that part of the country.

    “With the terror attacks in that part of the country, the rest of the country feel it because Nigerians live everywhere. In these other parts, there is always the fear that if you do not tackle it, it will infiltrate in these other parts.

    “We will work together to ensure that terror attack is stamped out globally and in Nigeria we are committed,” he said

    President Jonathan thanked Pohamba for his country’s support to Nigeria on the election as non-permanent member of the UN.

  • Jonathan arrives in Namibia on a two-day State Visit

    Jonathan arrives in Namibia on a two-day State Visit

    President Goodluck Jonanathan early Thursday arrived in Windhoek, the Namibian capital, on a two-day State Visit.

    The visit was on the invitation of his counterpart, President Hifikepunye Pohamba.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Jonathan together with the First Lady, Dame Patience, were received on arrival at the Hosea Kutako International Airport by top Namibian officials and the Nigerian Ambassador to Namibia, Dr Biodun Olorunfemi.

    Also on ground to receive the President were Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Investment, and Mines and Steel Development, Alh. Aminu Wali, Olusegun Aganga and Musa Sada, respectively.

    The President is scheduled to hold talks with Pohamba on strengthening friendly and cooperative relations between Nigeria and Namibia and the deepening of bilateral cooperation.

    He will also participate in a business forum aimed at boosting trade and economic relations between both countries.

    The two leaders will revisit the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier signed and conclude engagements on military co-operations between both countries.

    The visit is also expected to conclude arrangement on the construction of a bulk salt processing plant in Namibia by the Nigerian business community.

    There would also be further negotiation on an oil refinery project proposed by both countries 10 years ago.

    Besides the signing of agreements, President Jonathan will meet with the Nigerian community in Namibia and serve as guest of honour at the Namibia’s 24th independence anniversary celebrations on Friday.

    The President will same Friday depart Windhoek for Rome and the Vatican for talks on Saturday with Pope Francis and Monsignor Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State.

    He would leave Italy for the Netherlands for the Nuclear Security Summit and return to Abuja on Tuesday, March 25

  • Jonathan offers jobs to families of the dead

    Jonathan offers jobs to families of the dead

    There was silence from the Presidential Villa yesterday over the fate of Minister of Interior Abba Moro and the Comptoller General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) David Parradang, following last weekend’s recruitment fiasco.

    No fewer than 19 applicants died at four of the centres where tests were conducted. Many others were injured.

    There has been a massive nationwide outrage and calls for the resignation or sack of the minister and the CG. There were also protests in some parts of the country.

    But after yesterday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting which lasted about one hour and devoted almost entirely to the issue, Minister of Information Labaran Maku declined to reply to questions on the fate of the minister.

    But Maku announced that the government had decided to give each of the families that lost people three slots in the federal civil service. One of which must be a occupied by a woman.

    All the injured are to be given automatic employment in the Immigration Service.

    The test is to be cancelled and a fresh one will be conducted by the Federal Civil Service Commission in conjunction with an inter ministerial panel.

    Other members of the committee include Parradang and representatives of the Inspector-General of Police as well as the heads of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigerian Prisons Service, the State Security Service and the Federal Road Safety Commission.

    The government, he said, had also stopped all government agencies, apart from the military and the Police, from carrying out physical recruitment.

    He said: “FEC noted with grief and deep regrets the tragedy of those who died in the ill-fated Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment exercise. FEC is sending condolences to the families of the deceased and also is sending special wishes to those who are injured and receiving treatment in various hospitals in different parts of the country. It expressed total regrets that this tragedy took place at all.

    “Council members were full of grief when the issue was being discussed.

    “We expressed our condolences to the President and Vice President and we indeed reassured Nigerians that all of us who have the privilege of servicing this nation at this time are feeling the pains with the families of our young ones who lost their lives.

    “We reaffirmed our commitment to ensuring that this kind of tragedy does not repeat itself in this country,” Maku said.

    Maku added: “The President has also directed that as soon as he returns from his trip abroad – Dr. Jonathan travelled out on a six-day journey yesterday – he will meet with the families of the deceased to express his personal condolences to them over the tragedy.

    “Our hearts go out to the families of the deceased, this nation is fully behind them, the grief is not their own, the grief is the grief of all Nigerians and the grief is the grief of the of the government and the people of Nigeria. We regret it and pray for the souls of those who have departed.

    “It is regrettable that this took place at a time that every effort was being made by government to increase spaces available for employment. For example, last year, we were able to get 1.6 million employed in the various sectors of the economy and the public service. However, this incident is so painful to all of us and we will not want to see in this country young job seekers looking for job and losing their lives in the process.”

    “We assure the nation today that every step will be taken to look into the various lapses in recruitment exercises into the public service to be sure that all those who are qualified get access into the public service without going through this kind of experience,” he said.

    The FEC, Maku said, praised President Jonathan for his speech during the inauguration of the National Conference on Monday.

  • Bulkachuwa for Appeal Court President

    Bulkachuwa for Appeal Court President

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday forwarded the name of Honourable Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa for screening and confirmation as the President of the Court of Appeal.

    Jonathan, in a letter addressed to Senate President David Mark and read by his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu at plenary, said the nomination of Bulkachuwa was in conformity with Section 238, Sub-section (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which gives the “President powers to appoint a President of the Court of Appeal acting on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council and subject to confirmation by the Senate.”

    When confirmed, Bulkachuwa will be the first woman President of the Court of Appeal in Nigeria.

    Also yesterday, Jonathan asked the Senate to confirm the re-appointment of Mr. Shettima Umar Abba Gana as a member of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

    The President, also presented two bills, namely: National Fertiliser Bill, 2014 and the Nigerian Metallurgical Industry Bill, 2014 for enactment and passage into law.

    Meanwhile, the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Act 2003 has been passed by the Senate.

  • Jonathan praised over Second Niger Bridge

    Jonathan praised over Second Niger Bridge

    Enugu Roots Initiative (ERI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has praised President Goodluck Jonathan for the flag-off of the Second Niger Bridge. It said the project would accelerate economic activities in the South-east and Southsouth geo-political zones.

    The group also called on the President to compel the security agencies to unravel the identity and the mission of those who invaded Government House, Enugu, penultimate weekend, emphasising that a matter as serious as that should not be ignored.

    In a communiqué issued after its meeting in Enugu, the body also called on the Federal Government to revitalise the coal industry because of its vast potential as source of energy and foreign exchange earner.

    In the communiqué signed by Messrs Joni Icheka (Chairman), Emma Nwodo (Treasurer) and Malachy Uzendu (Public Relations Officer), ERI insisted that government should give the execution of the Second Niger Bridge the attention it deserves as against the slow pace of work on Enugu/Onitsha Expressway.

    They stated that the state of the road is deplorable, wondering whether rehabilitation of the road which contract was awarded over three years ago was being funded.

    On the Second Niger Bridge, they praised the President for the flag-off, even as they noted that it takes more than a flag-off to get the job done.

    “We need more than a symbolic flag-off of the Second Niger Bridge. What we need is execution of the bridge as we do not want to believe that what was done was just to lure the Southeast to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the next Presidential election.

    “Former President Olusegun Obasanjo carried out ground-breaking ceremony of the same bridge before his tenure ended but it was abandoned.

    “The Second Niger Bridge will accelerate economic development of the country in general and the zone in particular.”

    ERI condemned the invasion of the Enugu Government House. It called on President Jonathan to probe into the matter in order to bring the perpetrators to justice.

    “What happened at Enugu Government House is most despicable and akin to mutiny. It should not be glossed over. The masterminds must be fished out for appropriate punishment,” ERI said.

    They also urged President Jonathan to find out why reconstruction of the Enugu/Onitsha and Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressways is on hold.

    “We note with sadness that the same company which speedily completed Kubwa/AYA Road expansion project in Abuja in record time is using shovel to mix bitumen and concrete and works at snail speed.

    “Even the Abakpa Junction to Onyeama Mine Section of the road which the company claimed it has finished has collapsed.

    “What is happening on the Enugu/Onitsha and Enugu/Port Harcourt roads is akin to what is going on along the Benin/Okene/Lokoja/Abuja Expressway.”

  • Jonathan to attend Nuclear Security Summit in Netherlands

    Jonathan to attend Nuclear Security Summit in Netherlands

    President Goodluck Jonathan will join other world leaders at the 2014 global Nuclear Security Summit which opens at The Hague in Holland on Monday.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the President’s Senior Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, in Abuja on Wednesday.

    It said Jonathan would join other leaders, including U.S. President Barrack Obama, President Francois Hollande of France, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany at the summit.

    It stated that Jonathan’s visit to Holland for the summit would be the final leg of a six-day working tour which would also take him to Namibia and Italy.

    According to the statement, the president, who will be accompanied by his wife, Patience will leave Abuja for Windhoek early on Thursday for a two-day state visit to Namibia.

    It said that the president while in Windhoek would participate in a business forum aimed at boosting trade and economic relations between Nigeria and Namibia.

    “President Jonathan will also attend the celebration of Namibia’s 24th Independence Anniversary as a special guest of honour on Friday before departing for Rome and the Vatican for talks on Saturday, with Pope Francis and Monsignor Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State.’’

    The statement said that the president would leave Italy for the Netherlands after conferring with the Pope.

    “He is scheduled to lead a high-powered Nigerian delegation to talks on Sunday with the Dutch Prime Minister, Mr Mark Rutte and senior officials of the Dutch government before the opening of the Nuclear Security Summit on Monday.

    “President Jonathan will later that day meet with the Chief Executive Officer and other high-ranking officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s largest joint venture partners, Shell Petroleum International, which has its headquarters in the Netherlands,’’ it further stated.

    It said the president would also witness the signing of an investment agreement between Nigeria and Dutch textile giants, Vlisco and meet with Nigerians living in the Netherlands during his visit.

    It stated that the president would be accompanied by the Minister of Defence, retired Lt.-Gen. Aliyu Gusau, the National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Aminu Wali.

    The other are: Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr Olusegun Aganga; Minister of Communications and ICT, Mrs Omobola Johnson; and other senior government officials.

    It said that Jonathan would leave the Netherlands for Abuja at the conclusion of the Nuclear Security Summit on Tuesday

  • NIS tragedy: Jonathan gives job slots to families of dead job seekers

    NIS tragedy: Jonathan gives job slots to families of dead job seekers

    *All injured job seekers to get automatic employment

     

    Following the public outcry that trailed the death of about 19 job seekers during last Saturdays’ Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved three vacancy slot for the family of each of the 19 job seekers that died during the exercise.

    But one of the three slots must be a female.

    The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of FEC presided over by President Good luck Jonathan.

    According to him, all the injured job seekers are also to be given automatic job in the immigration service.

    He said that the last Saturday recruitment exercise has been cancelled while a fresh one will be conducted under the Chairmanship of the Federal Civil Service Commission with an inter-ministerial panel.

    The Government, he said, has also stopped all government agencies, apart from Army and Police, from carrying out such physical recruitment exercise.

    Details later

  • National Confab: I have no personal agenda – Jonathan

    National Confab: I have no personal agenda – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday inaugurated the National Conference and said he had no personal agenda in convening the conference.

    NAN reported that Jonathan urged the participants to shun all primordial sentiments in their dealings to promote national interest and rapid development of the country.

    He said that the sole motivation for convening the conference was the patriotic desire for a better and greater nation.

    ‘‘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,’’ the president said.

    He called on the participants to come up with recommendations that would enhance the unity and stability of the country.

    According to him, Nigerians must see themselves as one unique people as the conference is meant to strengthen national unity and nation building for the general progress of the country.

    He thanked the National Assembly for introducing the provision for a referendum in the proposed amendment of the nation’s constitution.

    The president urged the National Assembly and the state legislatures to speed up the constitutional amendment process, especially with regard to the issue of the referendum.

    ‘‘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,’’ Jonathan said.

    He charged the participants to ensure the completion of their assignment before the commencement of the 2015 political activities.

    In his remark, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Anyim Pius Anyim, said all 492 nominated members of the conference had accepted their nomination.

    The Chairman of the Conference, Justice Idris Kutigi, thanked the president for the confidence he reposed in them and promised that they would discharge their duties diligently

     

  • NIS stampede: Jonathan queries Moro, Parradang over deaths

    NIS stampede: Jonathan queries Moro, Parradang over deaths

    President Goodluck Jonathan Monday summoned the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro and the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), David Parradang to give explanation why the over 19 job seekers had to die during NIS recruitment exercise at the weekend.

    During the recruitment exercise in cities across the country, among those who died include Abuja (eight), Port Harcourt (five), Minna (three), and Benin (three). Many of the job seekers were also injured during the exercise.

    The deaths were said to have occurred due to stampede resulting from poor crowd management at the centres.

    The duo, who were in the Presidential Villa for over two hours Monday, were led to the President’s office by the Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan, General Jones Arogbofa.

    They however declined comment on the issue when they were led out from the President’s office by Arogbofa at 2.24pm.

    While the All Progressives Congress (APC) among other stakeholders have condemned the recruitment method which led to the death of the job seekers, others have called for the sack of Moro and Parradang over the issue.

  • Katsina: Potshot at Jonathan

    Hardball will give fillip to this story by opening it with a quote from a national newspaper. Here: “It was horror in Funtua area. In Faskari local council in the southern part of the state, the gunmen came in motor bikes armed with rifles and guns and opened fire on villagers.

    “As at 1.00 pm, the death toll was said to have risen to between 80 and 103. The (Katsina) state government officials were busy attending to President Goodluck Jonathan and other personalities at Katsina metropolis where he was commissioning a government structure.

    “Some suspected cattle rustlers came on motorbikes, armed with guns. The attack affected Faskari, Sabo and Dangara local councils.”

    This is supposedly an eyewitness account of the mayhem visited on the northern state of Katsina, timed to happen simultaneously as President Jonathan visited the city last Thursday. As the story above show, while the President was in the metropolis on an official assignment, the marauders were busy ransacking three local council areas and killing at will.

    If there was any doubt that the relentless killings in many parts of the North were premeditated, orchestrated and targeted at destabilising the polity by rendering it ungovernable, this Katsina attack is a dead give away. It was nothing short of a potshot at President Jonathan. A cowardly one in which the lives of innocent citizens were brutishly expended in broad daylight just to prove a maniacal political point.

    Again in the neighbouring Kaduna State, in the wee hours of Saturday, hoodlums said to be numbering no fewer than 40 attacked three villages in southern Kaduna killing about 100 persons and razing most of the houses in sight. The villages are Ungwar Sankwai, Ungwar Gata and Chenshayi. While the Katsina incident happened in the day time, Kaduna was at night but the similarity is that the killers went from one village to the other, taking their time and methodically slaughtering their compatriots unchallenged as if this were a failed state without a government.

    The natural question is: how is it that the so-called cattle-rearers abandoned their flock in the fields, armed themselves with rifles and other deadly weapons; acquired motorbikes and stormed the towns to kill, maim and raze the abodes their fellow peasants? As these people acquired arms, mobilised and planned, where was the Joint military Task Force (JTF), where were the police and other security personnel? How come nobody ever picks any signals of the impending mayhem as they were hatched in order to nip them in the bud?

    The Katsina killing is a particular affront to the Presidency and the Federal Government. It happened in the daylight while the President was visiting. It has helped to expose the lack of depth of our military and law-enforcement corps. Was the rest of the state shutdown just because the President was in the state capital? By this singular event, we can safely conclude that even cattle-rustlers are out-thinking our trained state operatives. And Saturday’s strike in Kaduna was icing on the cake. These ‘cattle boys’ are passing a message that they can strike at will any day and any time.

    Let us leave you with a press release by the Katsina State Government over the incident. Though the government condoles with the victims and set up a committee to ameliorate their pains, the state government uncannily refers to an incident in which about 100 people died as, “skirmishes between cattle rustlers and local residents.” Whence is a war?