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Tag: Jonathan

  • 2015: Jonathan, Tambuwal in cold war

    2015: Jonathan, Tambuwal in cold war

    • Speaker shuns presidential fleet

     • IBB’s advice to seek ‘higher office’ unsettles presidency  

     • Okupe:It’s a free world

     

    The Presidency is poised for war with Speaker Aminu Tambuwal of the House of Representatives over what it perceives as his interest in the 2015 presidential race.

    The seat of power is said to have been ‘provoked’ by the public encouragement given the Speaker by former military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida, in Lagos penultimate Saturday, to take a shot at the presidency.

    Babangida, speaking at the Vanguard Man of the Year Awards Nite in Lagos had said: “When leaders like Tambuwal deliver on their electoral promises, we advise them to try something higher. For Tambuwal, your guess is as good as mine. Well done.”

    Tambuwal was a guest at the event.

    The Presidency, sources said, is also uncomfortable with the high level of confidence enjoyed by Tambuwal with the opposition that does not see face to face with the ruling PDP (to which President Jonathan and Tambuwal belong).

    Similarly, intelligence reports suggest that Tambuwal’s comments on national issues are in tandem with those of the opposition.

    Although the Presidency and the Tambuwal-led House of Representatives have been locked in a long –standing face off over budget matters, his alleged interest in the 2015 presidential race appears to have turned him into ‘Enemy N0 1’ in the villa. Some security agencies, it was gathered, have already put him under surveillance.

    This, sources disclosed has forced the Speaker to adopt a ‘discreet approach” in his movement and activities.

    The strain in the relationship between him and the Presidency has now been fuelled by Gen. Babangida’s comment that he deserves to seek a higher position in the polity.

    According to investigation by our correspondent, loyalists of the President have, in the last one year, picked Tambuwal as a potential threat to the second term ambition in 2015 even when there was no concrete evidence to show that he was interested in the race.

    Sources said that Jonathan had twice taunted Tambuwal to know his mindset on 2015 but on both occasions, the Speaker merely smiled and waved it off.

    A highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The Presidency is uncomfortable with Tambuwal because of what it terms his anti-government attitude. Besides the uncompromising oversight of the House on 2012 and 2013 budgets, the presidency sees the Speaker as working for the opposition.

    “The advice of Babangida to Tambuwal to go for a “higher office” has unsettled Jonathan and his strategists on the 2015 agenda. The general interpretation is that Tambuwal might be the candidate of the North against Jonathan.

    “In fact, barely 24 hours after Babangida’s suggestion, two northern governors called Tambuwal to know whether he would seek the presidential ticket on the platform of a party other than the PDP. But the Speaker was just laughing.”

    Asked why Tambuwal was non-committal to the governors, the source added: “The Speaker felt the fear of the unknown about 2015 in the Presidency has been recurring. There has been some drama of suspicion, twice, on 2015 between the President and Tambuwal. For instance, during one of the consultative sessions with the National Assembly leaders on 2013 budget at the Presidential Villa, the President drew the President of the Senate, David Mark, closer to himself on the sofa by saying, ‘after all, we are together in the same party.’ The import was not lost to Tambuwal.

    “Also during the inauguration of the Eko Atlantic City Project in Lagos, Tambuwal was on hand in Lagos, among other guests, to welcome Jonathan. Upon sighting Jonathan, Tambuwal jokingly said: “Your Excellency, you can see that I came early enough to receive you’, but the President simply told the Speaker, ‘You came as the presidential candidate of ACN.’

    “Yet, the Speaker has not shown interest in the presidential race. He is still preoccupied with the mandate given to him to lead the House.”

    Investigation showed that another reason the presidency is suspicious of Tambuwal was his remarks on Monday in Abuja that government should be cautious in granting pardon to those who have committed economic and financial crimes.

    Another source added: “The government regarded Tambuwal’s position as a way of distancing himself from the decision of the National Council of State on ex-Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. The Presidency was hurt that Tambuwal did not oppose the pardon at the Council of State session.

    “The Speaker’s position also rubbishes security brief that Alamieyeseigha enjoys the backing of Tambuwal. Prior to Tambuwal’s warning, he was sighted at a highbrow hotel on Victoria Island in Lagos with Alamieyeseigha having a breakfast session.

    “Actually, Tambuwal was eating alone before Alamieyeseigha tapped him and joined the table for some talks. A South-South governor also teamed up with the duo.

    “Alamieyeseigha and some government officials at the hotel left the table confident that there could be a friend in Tambuwal. But on Monday, Tambuwal lambasted the Presidency on amnesty for corrupt elements. This twist shocked many in the Presidency.”

    On the security surveillance on him, a source said: “The Speaker knows he is under surveillance, especially on 2015 poll which is not yet on his political card. But he is trying to be careful to avoid being framed up.

    “Well, like most public officials now, Tambuwal is hardly using his phone and he runs an unscheduled itinerary known to himself alone.

    “The Speaker also does not use any aircraft in the presidential fleet despite his tight commitments nationwide. He is now more open to some PDP leaders like Chief Tony Anenih and two to three ministers to enable them understand his person. He has told these people that he is not undermining the government or working against President Jonathan.”

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, however denied any cold war between his principal and Tambuwal.

    Contacted last night, Okupe said: “I am not aware of any cold war between the President and the Speaker. My belief is that there is very obvious separation of powers and activities between the Executive and the Legislature.

    “In terms of bills, there are areas of disagreement when the Executive do send them to the Legislature which do not amount to cold war.” On the recommendation of Tambuwal for a higher office by ex-President Babangida, Okupe said: “Why should the presidency be jittery? If ex-President Babangida recommended the Speaker for a higher office, there are other offices along the ladder. It could be President of the Senate, it could be Vice-President. It does not mean the President of Nigeria.

    “Even if he recommended him for the Presidency of Nigeria, it does not call for being jittery. It is a very free world.”

  • Jonathan: Pressed on every side

    The Boko Haram insurgency in the North and the renewed Niger Delta hostilities are threatening peace and economic progress in the country, subjecting President Goodluck Jonathan to mounting pressures, writes Sunday Oguntola

     

    Amnesty! The six-letter word was the magic wand many northern leaders had thought would abate the spate of attacks that have embroiled that part of the country courtesy of the fundamentalist group, Boko Haram, in the last four years.

    Perhaps because it ‘worked’ in the Niger Delta to rein in the militants, they thought it was the same wand that would do the work for the group. Due to the growing clamour, especially from the north for such an offer, President Goodluck Jonathan who had on a visit to Yobe and Borno States insisted that the government could not grant amnesty to “ghosts” had to eat his words, or so it seems.

    But since the federal government announced the constitution of a committee to consider the possibility of granting amnesty to members of the group, events have proved the option might not work. The committee, which was set up in response to growing demands by political and traditional rulers in the north was yet to turn in its report before Abubakar Shekau, said to be the leader of the group said it was not ready for the offer.

    The northern leaders who had argued for amnesty had said it would not only assuage members of the sect accused of killing thousands of people in countless suicide bombing attacks but also usher in the much-needed peace in the region. They readily point to how the same exercise ended the Niger Delta militancy in 2009.

    No to amnesty

    In rejecting the amnesty offer which was still in the works, Shekau, who appeared in an audio recording was quoted to have said: “Surprisingly, the Nigerian government is talking about granting us amnesty. What wrong have we done? On the contrary, it is we that should grant you (a) pardon.”

    He insisted that the federal government has committed several atrocities against Muslims, vowing to continue the attacks largely targeted at churches and security operatives in the region. In line with this, the sect over the weekend engaged operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Kano in a deadly confrontation that left at least a soldier dead.

    In Yobe, a fresh curfew was imposed yesterday from 6pm to 7am following the killing of four policemen by the sect in Babandiga, the headquarters of Tarmuwa local government, about 50km from Damaturu, the state capital. The Boko Haram insurgents have shown that they have no intention in slowing down or engaging government in dialogue of any form.

    The rejection of the olive branch waved by the federal government has become the latest biggest headache for President Jonathan who is desperate to find a political solution to the insecurity challenge that has crippled economic and social activities in most northern states.

    Since the rejection of the offer, many have also turned around to blame the federal government. According to them, the offer was given in a wrong way and in bad manner. So, as it is now it seems whichever way it goes, the president gets the blame.

    For instance, the apex Muslim body in the north, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), has blamed the federal government for rejection of the amnesty by the Boko Haram. According to its Secretary General, Dr Khalid Aliyu, the government should have held dialogue with the sect before considering amnesty.

    Aliyu said: “Even the amnesty itself must have preparatory steps before it is granted. First is finding them, second is to ask them to come out and then dialogue with them. I think that these are the most important ingredients that are supposed to come first.”

    Shehu Sanni, a human rights activist also blamed the government for what he called “putting the cart before the horse” in the offer.

    Meanwhile, the Niger Delta, which many thought had overcome its worst moments also appear to be falling apart. Last weekend, 11 policemen were killed by gunmen suspected to be sympathetic to jailed leader of the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), Henry Okah.

    MEND had threatened to resume hostilities in the creeks after Okah was sentenced to 24 years imprisonment by a South African court. The policemen were killed while in a boat heading to Azuzuama, Southern Ijaw LGA for the burial ceremony of the mother of Kile Torughedi.

    Torughedi, a former MEND militant leader who embraced the federal government’s amnesty, is a Special Assistant to the Bayelsa Governor on Maritime Security. The policemen were attached to provide security during the trip.

    MEND said it carried out the attack because government forces refused to take its threat seriously. “For dismissing (our statement) … as an ’empty threat’, heavily armed fighters from … MEND intercepted and engaged government security forces in a fierce gunfight at Azuzama,” an emailed statement signed by Jomo Gbomo, a pseudonym the group uses, stated.

    It added: “All oil companies and the public are advised to ignore the false sense of security being peddled,” it said, maintaining that the attack had been carried out on Saturday, rather than Friday it earlier advertised.

    A shocked Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, described the incident as “most tragic, shocking and disheartening”.

    The resurgence of militant activity in his home region is a massive blow to Jonathan who helped to negotiate the amnesty deal in 2009. It is coming at a time the nation’s security forces are already overstretched by the Boko Haram insurgency in the north.

    Already, leading oil-producing firms are already reeling under serious theft in the region. Armed gangs have reportedly been stealing one fifth of the nation’s two million barrel-a-day output in the region, forcing many of the oil firms to close down operations.

    Though attacks in the Niger Delta region have dropped since the amnesty programme took off, kidnapping, piracy, large-scale oil theft and pipeline sabotage remain pervasive.

    The amnesty deal, which kept the restive ex-militants at bay, is also running into troubled waters following paucity of funds. Government is bent on discontinuing the programme that has consumed billions. This has kept the ex-militants at an edge, a development that reportedly caused the Bayelsa killing.

    As violence returns to Niger Delta and the continued attacks by the Boko Haram group and rejection of government’s olive branch, President Jonathan is certainly a man pressed on all sides. It would be interesting to see how he will navigate himself and the nation from the seemingly intractable security challenges ahead.

     

  • Jonathan cautioned on amnesty for Boko Haram

    Jonathan cautioned on amnesty for Boko Haram

     

    Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) on Thursday told President Goodluck Jonathan not to grant amnesty to the Boko Haram sect.

    YOWICAN said Jonathan will find it difficult if he grants amnesty to the sect.

    The body added that the move will be potentially dangerous to Nigeria and Nigerians, and that it will be a clarion call to more terrorism in Nigeria.

    Addressing journalists in Abuja on the proposed amnesty offer, YOWICAN President, Dr. Simon Dolly, warned the Federal Government to be prepared to face more deadly and sophisticated response if the Boko Haram sects are granted amnesty.

    The Christian youths further warned Jonathan to desist from granting the amnesty and advised him to arrest the likes of Senator Zanna, Bukar Abba Ibrahim and others whose utterances and actions YOWICAN said have implicated them.

    Dolly advised Jonathan not to fuel the anger of Christian youths saying, “the fact that Christian youths have not reacted does not mean we are cowards.”

    His words: “We are worried by the clarion call and the subsequent setting up of a committee by President Goodluck Jonathan to work out modalities for granting amnesty despite his earlier position on the amorphous nature of this terrorist group. We the entire Christian Youths in Nigeria say no to any form of amnesty to members of Boko Haram sect or any such group.

    “In case Federal Government is contemplating granting amnesty to wilful murderers masquerading as political and religious insurgents who do not respect the basic tenets of humanity and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Federal Government should be prepared to face perhaps more deadly and sophisticated response.

    “We appeal to the President not to be cowed by politicians and few misfits and naturally rebellious persons in the north who are attempting to use the Boko Haram insurgency as a bait to correct what they have failed to do while they were in power. This planned amnesty for murderers is potentially dangerous to Nigeria and Nigerians because it is a clarion call to more terrorism in the country.”

     

     

     

  • Kogi monarch rallies support for Jonathan

    Kogi monarch rallies support for Jonathan

    Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland has urged Nigerians to give maximum support to President Goodluck Jonathan in his fight against insurgency across the country.

    Ibrahim made the call on Tuesday when Mr Kingsley Oguntuase, the Acting Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), led his team on a courtesy visit to his palace in Okene.

    The royal father and the Vice-Chairman, Kogi Traditional Council expressed concern over the degree of insecurity in the country.

    He noted that the phenomenon was beyond an individual, the Federal Government or security agencies alone.

    He said all hands should be on deck to bring the security challenges under control and called on Nigerians to give useful advice to the president on how best to move the nation forward.

    “President Jonathan as a human being is bound to make mistakes.

    “He may have taken some unpopular decisions, but we need to assist him to deliver dividends of democracy to the people,” he added.

    The Ohinoyi also decried the rate of vandalism of government installations and pipelines.

    He said that the activities of the vandals had made it difficult for the nation to meet its daily OPEC quota.

    He urged security agents to be alive to their responsibilities in protecting lives and property, have passion for their work and value the life of every single Nigerian above all.

    He commended efforts of the corps which, according to him, has reduced the spate of pipelines vandalism in the state.

    The monarch urged them not to compromise their integrity by engaging in underhand dealings with criminals.

    Also at the palace of the Obaro of Kabba Oba Micheal Olabayo urged the Federal government to pay attention to the welfare of the corps to enhance its productivity.

    He promised to work with the corps in his domain to combat crime and criminality by providing office and residential accommodation for the corps personnel.

    Oguntuase had said his visit to the traditional rulers was to enable him to intimate them with the corps’ core duties and to solicit their support and understanding.

  • Murdered policemen: Jonathan’s Borno words return to haunt him

    Murdered policemen: Jonathan’s Borno words return to haunt him

    On Saturday, a boatload of policemen ran into an ambush along the creeks of Azuzama in Southern Ijaw local government area, Bayelsa State, leading to the death of 12 security agents. They had been deployed in the area for security purpose during the burial ceremony of the mother of an ex-militant, Kile Selky Torughedi, a.k.a. Young Shall Grow. The killings coincided with the warning issued by members of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to resume attacks in the region following the conviction and jailing of their former leader, Henry Okah. In the warning, MEND had said: “…A series of attacks, codenamed Hurricane Exodus, will begin at midnight on Friday. (The attacks) will be a direct repercussion of a forged threat letter contrived by the Nigerian and South African governments purporting to have originated from MEND… We are now determined to conjure this imaginary trumped-up threat into a painful reality. The attacks will be sustained until an unreserved apology is offered to MEND and the Nigerian government shows its willingness to dialogue, the same way they are willing to dialogue with Boko Haram.”

    But in contemptuously dismissing the MEND threat, the Nigerian military had immediately offered this explanation: “The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has an outfit on the ground in the Niger Delta. Our structures are on ground in the area. They (MEND) should not reverse the hand of peace; nobody should threaten the peace in the area. The JTF is on the ground and is prepared to do their duties in defence of every interest of the nation. Anybody trying to threaten the peace in the area is advised against it.” The police also weighed in with a terse statement. “The police will not respond to threats by criminal elements,” they said curtly, “but suffice it to say we are ready to curb any acts of lawlessness or criminality in the country.” However, notwithstanding the assurances of the police and the military, some 12 policemen were murdered barely moments after the security chiefs finished responding to the MEND threats.

    It is not the seeming impotence of the government’s assurance that has unsettled the public; the problem is that the responses by the two security agencies are agitating the people. For the military, it appears, it is still a matter of muscle flexing. “The five sectors of the JTF covering the nine states of the Niger Delta region are on the alert,” its spokesman boasted. “Our maritime and air assets have also been mobilised and we have intensified our patrols to dominate both land and waterways to checkmate any assailant. We will not permit any lawlessness that will jeopardise the peace in the region.” Not to be outdone, the police, through the state police commissioner, Kingsley Omire, suggested that the killing of his men had nothing to do with MEND’s threat of last week. It was probably a misunderstanding over money matters within the former militant group led by Torughedi, who now works for the Bayelsa State government, and the ‘General’ Adaka Boro Jnr group, the police boss argued. But whatever the cause, the fact is that the killings have been carried out, and the noses of security agents have been rubbed in the dirt.

    President Goodluck Jonathan will now have to revisit the threat he also unwisely issued in March when he visited Borno and Yobe States. He had angrily told his audience that he had issued directives to his security agents of his unwillingness to hear that a security agent had been murdered by anyone, let alone militants of any colour. The presidential threat was widely interpreted to mean that security agents could use maximum and indiscriminate force to pacify restive regions, just like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo did to Odi town in the president’s home state of Bayelsa when some seven policemen were murdered by militants. It remains to be seen what Jonathan will do to his home state now that 12 policemen have been murdered by militants, a classic case of the president’s words returning to haunt him.

     

  • Jonathan and Easter Sunday’s power outage

    Jonathan and Easter Sunday’s power outage

    SIR: It was fate that chose “Oga at the top” – President Goodluck Jonathan to experience the iniquitous show by the Power Holding Company on his Easter Sunday’s visit to Our Saviour’s Church, Lagos. A visit by the President to the commercial hub of the country to rejoice with fellow Christians on the death and resurrection of Christ is a pleasant thing. When leaders acknowledge the place of divinity in their personal lives as well as in good governance, such piety should be appreciated.

    However, when leadership failure and political incompetence force their way to disrupt the smooth observance of such religious rituals, it brings distaste to the matter. President Jonathan has been worshiping with the other faithful on this bright Easter Sunday and nothing bizarre seemed to be in the offing for him. Perhaps, if thought had been given to that, the Cathedral would have gone to rent a 10,000MW generator at N10 million daily usage charge to cover the shame PHCN eventually brought. But thank God they forgot. No sooner had the President started addressing the members of the church than the usual thing happened: PHCN interrupted the electricity supply, leaving the president holding a useless microphone and smiling to conceal his discomfiture.

    What the President experienced on that day, for those few minutes, is what common Nigerians experience for days, weeks and even months without respite. If a church service cannot continue without power supply, how much more the business of a welder, a tailor, a barber, a cold room operator and other small businesses and medium scale businesses?

    Good thing the President said by this time next year, there will no more have power outages; the bad thing is we no longer want to hear good things; we want to see them, experience them and enjoy them. Changing the Minister of Power is not the solution to the problem. Put a reasonable time frame to the start of effective power generation and distribution to the homes and offices in Nigeria and cease to give us the “next year” speeches. We want action!

    I hope that “by this time next year”, we will not be gathering at the Aso rock chapel, celebrating Easter with the President and have him tell us: “You can see we have uninterrupted power supply here”. He should randomly pick a Lagos church to attend again. Hopefully, things might have changed. President Jonathan, now that you have again tasted reality, make things better for the countless millions who thronged the polling booths 23 months ago to cast their votes for you.

    • Joshua Oyeniyi

    Lagos

  • Jonathan to cut cost of governance?

    Jonathan to cut cost of governance?

    IT is a big surprise that the president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, says he is prepared to prune the growing cost of running public affairs. All the newspapers have reported that he is set to confront the challenge headlong by scrapping some government bodies, merging others and restructuring many. The details are still being worked out.

    All that has been released so far is that the National Examinations Council, National Poverty Eradication Programme and the Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examination are the first casualties of the plan.

    By the announced plan, it is clear that the president and his men either do not appreciate the magnitude of the problem or he is again playing games with a deadly disease afflicting the country. How does scrapping NECO and directing WAEC to absorb the workers amount to cutting cost? Or how would changing the name of NAPEP amount to enhancing the value of governance? What is he doing to ensure that every kobo that goes into the national treasury counts? What is he doing to ensure that public policy is tailored towards alleviating the suffering of the people?

    A government that really wants to free money for development would not encourage freeing those convicted of invading the public till to continue from where they had stopped when apprehended. A president who genuinely feels for the people would have come up with a solution to the logjam at the courts where looters of the national wealth are being shielded by legal technicalities. A man who intends to leave his name on the rock would have stirred the soul of the nation against the vampires who have always held a promising country like Nigeria to ransom.

    But, no, enemies of the people are the friends of government. They move freely, fleece the country through contracts over-invoiced and left unexecuted. If our president genuinely wants to lay the foundation for a free Nigeria where thieves would feel a sense of shame, he would have started with a token trimming of his executive council. What really do we need a bloated council of 42 for? Why do we need ministers and ministers of state? True, the constitution stipulates that there shall be a minister from each of the states of the country. But, the last time I checked, Nigeria still had 36 states. So, if the government is committed to a lean government and is only being hamstrung by the constitution, why did he not start by appointing 36 ministers?

    Then, in this season of constitution amendment, what has the president done to get that section amended? If he wants to free cost, why is he not campaigning for an amendment to ensure that we have not more than three or four from each zone? If the president is a member of the executive council, why should his state be represented by a minister? If the Vice President is the automatic vice chairman, why appoint a minister from his state? What about the Secretary to the Government of the Federation? These are elementary and token steps that ought to have been taken by a genuinely concerned president.

    How many Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and Personal Assistants has the president? How many are attached to each of the ministers? How many other hangers-on have these officials, many of whom have no job schedules? As it is at the federal level, so it is at the states.

    Besides, how do we cut the cost of governance without touching the emoluments of elected officials and political appointees? It is all too obvious that wealth of the nation is being shared by a parasitic few who paradoxically hopped on the stage by popular votes. The legislators and members of the executive have refused to make full disclosure of the criminal allowances they award themselves. Even in a democracy where transparency ought to be the watchword!

    A president who claims to realise the need to prune costs, has just announced a programme of celebrating 100 years of nationhood over a one year period. How much is budgeted to feed occupants and visitors of Aso Rock this year? How many cars do we have in the president’s pool? How many do we have in the pool of each of his 42 ministers? How many aircraft do we have in the presidential fleet? How many are in the fleet of the president of the United States of America ? How much is spent yearly to maintain the aircraft? How much has been voted to service and maintain the office of the First Lady? A president who wants to cut cost would have started by providing convincing answers to these questions.

    The earlier we realised that this path that we have chosen with Brother Jona in the saddle can only lead to perdition, the better for the country. Otherwise, the fate that awaits blind men being led by the blind would be the lot of the country.

    May the good Lord help this country.

  • Jonathan, others condole with Ekiti Govt

    Jonathan, others condole with Ekiti Govt

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday expressed sadness over the death of the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Olufumilayo Olayinka.

    She died yesterday in Lagos of cancer related ailment.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Reuben Abati, President Jonathan described the late Deputy Governor as “a dedicated, public spirited technocrat who used her talents to make a difference.”

    He prayed “that the Almighty will grant her soul peaceful rest and her family the fortitude, and the grace to bear the loss.”

    Also, the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) expressed shock over the death. Wale Oshun, the group’s leader described the deceased as a devoted progressive and principled actor worthy of emulation.

    He said: “We had worked closely with her. She was one of our principled persons and very loyal. She worked hard. It is a personal loss for us in the ARG. She was always there for us. It is a pity we lost her.”

    The group’s secretary, Mr. Ayo Afolabi, paid tribute to the Deputy Governor, saying that she was an epitome of humility and hard work. He pointed out that Mrs. Olayinka led a full life devoid of controversy and scandals. He added: “It is a great loss for our group and we can only pray for the repose of her soul.”

    House of Represen-tatives member, Opeyemi Bamidele (Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency) described the death of the Deputy Governor as “one death too many.” He said: “It is entirely an unfortunate development. She was full of life. As a public servant, she understood the needs of the people and how to respond to them.”

    The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Femi Omirin, lamented that Olayinka’s promising career was abruptly terminated by death. Waxing philosophical, he said death is an inevitable end.

    He stressed: “It is a rude shock. It is a monumental loss to the people of Ekiti State and the nation. She had a promising career in the public service.”

     

  • Jonathan to Nigerians: Don’t be deterred

    Jonathan to Nigerians: Don’t be deterred

    Despite insecurity and other challenges facing the nation, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday urged Nigerians not to be deterred or weary.

    He spoke at the 3rd Presidential National Prayer Breakfast at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    Jonathan urged Nigerians to be hopeful, focused and watchful to overcome all evil confronting the nation.

    He said: “Today as we pray, our thoughts no doubt will be dominated by the challenges facing our nation, particularly that of security.

    “Providence has placed us all at our various posts at this particular time in our nation’s journey to greatness. Therefore we must not be deterred or be weary in spirit at this time.”

    “We must be hopeful, focused and watchful to overcome all that is evil confronting our nation.

    “We should remember the saying of the scriptures that with men, it is impossible but with God all things are possible.”

    Noting that prayer is the way ordained for human beings to link up with their creator, he said that the breakfast since 2010 has become a forum to establish God’s link at the Presidential Villa.

    The president added: “I believe that all of us if we begin to do what is right individually and collectively, surely we will take our country to the destination we expect.”

    In his short exhortation at the gathering, Prof. Afolabi Falola, said

    God has great promises for nations that submit to Him.

    He identified obedience, love, holiness and devotion as virtues that will take Nigeria out of the woods.

    The Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, who attended the prayer breakfast with his wife, told reporters: “This prayer meeting introduced by the Presidency is something whether as a Muslim or a Christian, we should carry out in the states.

    “At this time in history, we need lot of prayers. But beyond prayers we also need to take action so that God will be able to give us required support.

    “Prayers yes, but we also need to take action.”

    On amnesty for Boko Haram members, he said: “Quite frankly I believe that whatever solution we will proffer that will solve the problem of terrorist attacks in the north is commendable and welcome.

    “I believe the President has looked at the issue critically and decided on the best way out to invite these people to come out in the open and drop their weapons.”

    At the prayer session were former Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Speaker of House of Reps, Emeka Ihedioha and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, among others.

     

  • Insecurity: Jonathan urges Nigerians not to be deterred

    Insecurity: Jonathan urges Nigerians not to be deterred

    … Presidents wants citizens to be hopeful

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday urged Nigerians not to be deterred or be weary in spirit as the Federal Government was partnering with security agencies to overcome the evil confronting the nation.

    Jonathan gave the charge at a Presidential National Breakfast Prayer held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    “Nigerians must be hopeful, focused and watchful to overcome all that is evil confronting the nation.

    “Today as we pray, our thoughts no doubt will be dominated by the challenges facing our nation, particularly that of security.

    “Providence has placed us all at our various posts at this particular time in our nation’s journey to greatness, therefore, we must not be deterred or be weary in spirit at this time.

    `We should remember the saying of the scriptures that with men, it is impossible but with God all things are possible.”

    The president noted that the breakfast prayer was coming after the Easter, a period when every Christian was expected to be focused, rededicated and reborn.

    He, therefore, enjoined all Nigerians to always pray to God for divine guidance in battling all forces of evil who were bent on causing social disaffection among the peace loving people of this nation.

    “In the book of Jeremiah, God said if you seek me with all your heart, you will find me.

    “May we seek him with all our hearts, empower us to overcome all the evil forces trying to derail this nation, may we seek him with all our hearts to let his light shine over our nation and to guide us in leading our great nation to its destined goal.”

    Jonathan, who described the breakfast prayer as a way ordained to link up with “our creator’’, challenged Nigerians to always do the right thing, individually or collectively to move the nation forward.

    “This breakfast has become one forum to establish link at the Presidential Villa.

    “The first time I addressed a prayer breakfast at this villa was in 2010 and on that occasion, it was a time of thanksgiving and deep reflection over God’s goodness and faithfulness to us.

    “I believe that all of us, if we begin to do what is right individually and collectively, surely we will take our country to the destination we expect.

    “We pray that God should use all of us Nigerians who know the right thing to do, to use all of us as change agents because if all of us do what is right, this country will continue to be a great nation,” he said.

    In his remarks, the Chaplain of the Aso Villa Chapel, Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba said the prayer programme was to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord with the president and to also thank God for his mercy.

    According to him, the Jonathan-led administration has gone through rough times but God is in control.

    “Just like the children of Israel, it was thought that they will not get to the Promised Land, but God has been faithful and He will lead us through.

    “God did not take us this far to take us back but to the Promised Land. God has been faithful and he will not abandon us, we will not fail we will not fear the giants,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Pastor Emmanual Kure of the Throne Church, Kafanchan, led the prayer for Nigeria.

    He was joined by Jonathan, the Chaplain of Aso Villa Chapel and other clergies at the prayer session.

    The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Moshe Ram, read the first lesson from the book of Deuteronomy 28: 1-10, while the former Head of the Interim National Government (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekan took the second reading from Romans 8: 18-27.

    In his exhortation, Pastor Afolabi Falola from a Kano-based Church said that God had great plans for any country that would serve him diligently.

    While referring to the book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 28, Falola said that God was ready to bless and lift up a nation that would obey him and do his will.

    He also said that all adversaries of Nigeria would fall with payers.

    Rev. Fr. Ralph Madu, the Secretary General of the Catholic Church also offered prayers for the President and the nation