Tag: Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan promised yesterday to improve the living standard of Nigerians.

The President restated his administration’s commitment to consolidate the reforms in the Housing sector to address the huge deficit in the country.

Jonathan spoke at the inauguration of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria’s (FMBN’s) Aviation Village in Abuja and the National Housing Fund (NHF) e-card scheme.

He said the implementation of the recommendations of the 2011 housing retreat in Abuja gave birth to the new housing units.

According to him, the National Policy on Housing, adopted by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2012, would also drive the reforms because mortgage institutions were being strengthened to accommodate low-income earners.

Jonathan hailed the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and FMBN for initiating and financing the Aviation Village project.

The President described the project as one of the products of the reforms in the housing sector.

He said: “I assure you that improving the living standards of Nigerians is an imperative which we are resolutely pursuing.”

On the NHF e-card scheme, he said it was an effective tool for NHF contributors to access and monitor their contributions and transactions with the fund.

Jonathan explained that part of his administration’s objectives was to promote openness in government business, boost contributors’ confidence and encourage defaulters to comply by making their contributions when due.

The President hailed the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) arrangement, which led to the birth of the Aviation Village.

He said: “Our intention is not to create a government monopoly but to encourage the private sector to drive the process while we provide the right policies and environment.”

On the few number of houses being inaugurated, Jonathan stressed that “what makes change is not the big things we do but the little things we do and do them well.”

The President said the ability to recreate and replicate small housing estates in more places was better than one large estate of thousands of houses that may not keep provide jobs for Nigerians who work there.

He said: “I am pleased to inaugurate the Aviation Village, a residential housing estate developed for Nigerians under our housing scheme and to formerly launch the National Housing Fund’s electronic card. The significance of both projects is better appreciated when we recall that only three weeks ago, on January 16, I launched the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company.

“Together, there are strong indicators of the quick wins emerging from the invigorated approach this administration has adopted in addressing the housing challenges facing our people. Having listened to others who spoke, you will say that these are government functionaries. But when you listen to Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar (Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president), you will not but agree that we are working.

“In every economy, the housing sector plays a critical role in economic empowerment, job creation and wealth generation. For this administration, improving the living standards of our people is a cardinal objective for which we are committed, and we are pursuing the development of the Nigerian housing sector under our transformation agenda.

“Contributors will not only find the e-card useful in managing their fund but also boost their confidence in the national housing scheme. Those who are still in breach of the law by not contributing should now be comfortable to comply since they are assured of the safety and proper application of their money.”

President Goodluck Jonathan has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practice and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to prove to Nigerians that his administration is fighting corruption.

The President spoke yesterday in Abuja at the swearing-in of the chairman and members of the National Population Commission (NPC), a member of ICPC and two new special advisers.

The ceremony took place before the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

Those sworn in were Eze Iheoma (NPC chairman); Bala Qbayen and Aliyu Kwali (NPC members); Bako Abdullahi (ICPC member) and Senator Suleiman Ajadi and Fidelia Njeze (special advisers for National Assembly and New Partnership for Africa’s Development NEPAD).

The President faulted remarks claiming that his body language showed that he was not fighting corruption.

He insisted that the anti-graft agencies had made huge gains in the fight against corruption, which many Nigerians were unaware of.

The President cited the conviction of about 250 people for various acts of malfeasance under his administration.

Jonathan said: “ICPC and EFCC must make Nigerians believe that they are working. I know what you are doing, but not everybody knows what you are doing. Ordinarily, these are agencies whose activities are not supposed to be made too loud because you don’t celebrate a situation where you send 100 or 200 Nigerians to prison.

“But the society is so funny. These days, anybody who wants to claim any element of credibility will go to the television and attack the government for corruption. ‘The President’s body language shows that he is not fighting corruption or he is not ready to fight corruption.’ Sometimes, it’s even the corrupt people who are making these statements… If you want to be an angel, just attack the government; whatever you have done is covered.

“Recently, the EFCC published the list of about 250 people it convicted. That is a huge number. Yet, some people say the government is not fighting corruption. How many countries have convicted half that number of people within a space of time?

Dr Jonathan urged Iheoma to give Nigerians the accurate population figures to enable the three tiers of government to plan properly.

He said: “…Only yesterday (Tuesday), when we had our Economic Management Team meeting, the coordinating minister for the Economy and the Finance minister said people talk about the growth of the economy at six to seven per cent but it is not impacting on the people.

“People say if the economy is growing, it should impact on the people, such as employment, feeding and other things. She said well, if the economy is growing at a particular rate and our population is growing much more than the growth of the economy, then we have challenges. When we relate the two, the economic rate and population rate then you run at a negative, and probably these are the issues.”

“So, when we have a country that the population is growing than the way our economy is growing, then we must know our population figures, so that government at federal, state and local levels will be able to plan,” he said.

On why he removed the former Chairman of NPC, Festus Odimegwu, Jonathan said: “So population commission is critical and you also have to be mindful about the statements you make and that is not limited to the National Population Commission but to all of us holding offices. You must be mindful and not make statements that will create problem for the society. I dropped your predecessor because of certain statements he made and brought credibility problem to the commission.”

“Perception in most cases are stronger than reality; no matter what you do, if the perception is wrong then society will not follow you. So I believe that you will bring strong leadership to the National Population Commission as the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, I believe you are at the highest level of practice, you are at the top and you will do a good job there,” the President added.

“And for the special adviser on National Assembly, you are coming at an interesting time when people are crossing to the left and right. Luckily, you have been a part of the National Assembly; you have been a senator, you know the games you play there; you know the trick. You will be able to relate with every member. The Federal Government is for everybody and that is why we cannot talk the way they talk. Because as long as you won election to be the president of a country you are the president of everybody, even those who abuse you, even those that are ready to kill you, so you have to protect them.

“To the SA on the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) and African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), the key area you are going to handle are relatively new in our political history. It was formed by some African heads of state; of course, President Obasanjo was one of the pioneers who came up with the concept of NEPAD and APRM. I believe as African states, we have not been able to reach the level of their vision or dream of what made them form NEPAD and APRM. So, you have a lot of work to do, to work with your colleagues in other countries to see that Nigeria gets to where these great men and women envisioned for us to be.

Congratulating them, he said their appointment is coming at a critical time when many things are happening at the same time.

Speaking for the others, Iheoma promised that they would leave up to the expectations of Nigerians.

“We are eternally grateful to you for giving us the opportunity to serve this country,” he added.

THE North seems to be divided over the 2015 presidential election, with a new group emerging yesterday to push President Goodluck Jonathan’s yet unannounced ambition.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is seen as the voice of the North.

A splinter group, the Northern Elders Council (NEC), was unfolded in Kaduna. It is led by elder statesman Tanko Yakassai.

Other key members of the NEC are Ambassador Ledan Shuni, Vice Chairman of the ACF’s Board of Trustees and a former Nigeria Ambassador to Spain, Alhaji Yusuf Mamman.

The new group declared its unalloyed support for the 2015 re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan.

This is contrary to the position of the ACF and the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) that the presidency should return to the North in 2015.

But the ACF seems unfazed by it all.

To the ACF, it is not unusual to see such activities as elections approach.

ACF spokesman Anthony Sani said in an SMS: “Surely, the proliferation of groups by northern elders who profess to speak for the North is not the preferred option. But ACF is not very worried, precisely because actually the North has never been a united whole unit when it comes to partisan politics.

“Most of these groups springing up are partisan in intent and purposes. This is because it is unrealistic to expect all northerners to speak with one voice at partisan level. That is not possible and is not desirable either. Even the law does not allow it when it provides that the President has to be voted for by the entire country and not by only a section.

“So, when we talk of speaking with one voice, it is about the majority, since there is always minority right in any democracy. And that was why Alhaji Shehu Shagari contested with Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim and Mallam Aminu Kano in the North and with Zik and Awo in the South during the Second Republic. So what I believe is happening is clearly democracy in action.”

Kaduna State Governor Mukthar Yero is concerned that there is growing tension in the country ahead of the 2015 elections. He has urged elders to engage stakeholders, and educate the youth on the sanctity of the ballot box.

Yakassai said the new group was ready to partner with others and individuals from all parts of the country who believe in dialogue, mutual respect, harmony and peaceful coexistence.

Yakassai said the NEC would “protect the socio-economic and political interest of the North, the corporate existence and stability of the Nigerian nation”.

“We are firm and committed beleivers in the Nigerian project,” he said, adding:

“We recognise the significance of Nigeria’s centenary as a political entity and call on all Nigerians to serve as agents of consolidation of national unity and continued existence of our nation as one indivisible country. Northern Nigeria has made immense contributions to the unity, well being and development of Nigeria as well as the historical relationship of its people between the North and the South long before amalgamation.

“The Northern Elders Council acknowledges the current state of violence and insurgency in the North, armed robbery and kidnapping in other parts of the country. We urge all men and women of goodwill to act in concert to eradicate and stabilise the polity.

“We in Northern Elders Council appreciate the tremendous progress made in Nigeria’s march towards establishing a stable democratic order. We will work alongside Nigerians who wish to ensure that machinations of anti-democratic forces in this country are frustrated… It is unacceptable for elders to make inflammatory statements capable of breaching the peace…”

The NEC pledged its support for the National Conference.

Addressing the Elders, Yero said: “As elders, it is time for you to put heads together in proffering workable solutions to the myriad of socio-political as well as economic challenges plaguing development in our country.

“Our elders must urgently seek ways of reviving the strong bond of unity and brotherhood that used to be the major basis of stability of the region within a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria. The present situation where our people have been divided along ethnic and religious lines is unacceptable and inimical to sustainable growth and development.

“We must work together towards finding ways to stem the growing tension in the region as well as in the country. In achieving this, we cannot underestimate the power of dialogue and all aggrieved persons must be allowed to ventilate their opinions on the way forward.

“It is also a common knowledge that the heightened tension is directly linked to next year’s general elections”.

In their 11-point communiqué read by Yusuf Mamman, the NEC welcome the publication of the election time table by the Independent National Electoral Commission and urged all political parties and actors to avoid heating up the polity.

They called on governors to promptly develop a master plan for the modernisation of agriculture, address the problem of massive unemployment, poverty and lack of economic empowerment and also initiate programmes that will address social issues as unemployment and widespread poverty and other social challenges.