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Tag: Jonathan

  • Jonathan orders rescue of Okonjo-Iweala’s mum

    Jonathan orders rescue of Okonjo-Iweala’s mum

    Police special team, soldiers deployed in Delta

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday directed security agencies to rescue Prof. Kamene Okonjo, the kidnapped octogenarian mother of Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

    Dr. Jonathan has returned to Abuja after the funeral of his younger brother, Meni, in Bayelsa State.

    A massive manhunt for the kidnappers, who were yet to contact the family as at 7.30pm last night, has begun. In the battle to rescue Mrs Okonjo are the police, the State Security Service (SSS) and the Intelligence units of the Armed Forces.

    The family is said to be worried over the fragile health of the retired Professor of Sociology.

    The Ministry of Finance was virtually shut down as a result of the incident.

    The Minister relocated to Delta, it was gathered.

    “We might not have been able to establish motive, but it is a clear case of kidnap,” police spokesman Frank Mba told AFP, adding that “the police have already launched a massive manhunt for the perpetrators of the crime.

    A source said: “The SSS, the police and Intelligence units of the Army, Air Force and Navy are all involved in the efforts to locate Mrs. Okonjo.

    “We are still trying to identify where the old woman was taken to by the fleeing suspects. We will try our best to rise to this challenge.

    “The President has directed all the security agencies to rescue the victim in a tactical manner to avoid being hurt.”

    A police source in Delta said a crack team of detectives from Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, has been deployed in Delta to track the kidnappers.

    The source, who pleaded not to be named because of what he called the sensitivity of the matter, said: “The kidnappers are yet to get in touch with the family. We are awaiting their call. I am quite sure that they will soon reach out to the family.

    “The security agencies are liaising with the family to get some clues and also give an update on their efforts. But the family prefers a low-profile approach to the rescue operation.”

    The Okonjo family is said to be worried about the health of its matriarch.

    Another source said: “For quite some time, the health of the aged mother of the minister has been fragile. And this gives a serious worry to the Minister because she was not allowed access to her drugs before she was kidnapped.

    “The situation is tense in the family because of fears that her health might deteriorate.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “We are anxious about her health. That is why the family has been unusually quiet. We want to leave this issue out of the media as much as possible, until the situation is sorted out.

    “It is quite harrowing and emotionally challenging. If you can keep this off the media, we will appreciate it. That is why all the aides of the minister and associates are not picking calls. The emotional trauma is too much.”

    Early yesterday, activities at the Ministry of Finance were virtually paralysed.

    An official of the ministry said: “We were all devastated; we could not work effectively because the woman has been hardworking and highly reform-oriented. It is sad that the mother of such a patriotic Nigerian could suffer this kind of fate.”

    Sources in Delta said Prof. Chukuka Okonjo, the Obi of Ogwushi-Ukwu, the husband of the kidnapped mother of the minister, has been “a difficult Very Important Person (VIP) to manage for the police.”

    He is believed to have rejected all entreaties for security detail to be provided for him and his wife.

    He is also opposed to the activities of the vigilance group in his palace, it was gathered.

    When he travelled to Nasarawa, where he was at the time of his wife’s kidnap on Sunday, he is believed to have timed down the police’s attempt to provide him an orderly.

    The Minister set her worries aside and reported for work in her office yesterday – although briefly. She received some guests and made telephone calls.

    An official of the ministry said: “Since she came to work today it is likely she was in Abuja at the weekend when the news of the kidnapping broke.”

     

  • Award for Jonathan, Sambo, Mark, others

    Award for Jonathan, Sambo, Mark, others

    President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo and Senate President, David Mark will be honoured today by Nigeria Pilot.

    The Publisher of Nigeria Pilot and Newsworld magazine, Mr. Dennis Sami said yesterday in Abuja.

    “We have been following their track record. The award is meant for those who have performed in their various offices”

    “We are rewarding good work in a country where we deny those who really deserve the award from getting it. I feel the award will encourage the recipients to work harder”

    Mr. Sami added: “Nigeria Pilot is an organisation that is in a hurry to catch up with existing newspapers, we are the fastest growing newspaper in the country and we currently rank among the best six newspapers in Nigeria”

    There will also be a lecture with the theme: “Nigeria at 52: Challenges on Nation Building”, a book launch, launching of a new website, and performances by Nollywood artistes and musician.

    Others to be honoured includes Akwa Ibom state Governor, the Edo State Governor, Jigawa State Governor, Ondo State Governor and ministers who have performed in their various offices.

     

     

     

  • Group asks Jonathan to investigate minting firm

    Group asks Jonathan to investigate minting firm

    A group, the Anti Corruption Network, yesterday asked the Federal Government to beamed its searchlight on the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC), alleging that N2.1 billion may have been mismanaged by the company. But the management of the company denied the allegation, saying the group should provide evidence.

    Members of the group protested yesterday on the premises of the company on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, demanding the sack of the management. They urged President Goodluck Jonathan to investigate the allegation and restore sanity in the company, adding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should prosecute those found culpable.

    The Lagos State Coordinator of the group, Ayo Oyalowo, who spoke with reporters, alleged that Nigerians should be concerned that a whopping N2.1 billion disappeared from the vault of the company.

    Asked to prove the allegation, he said only a 30 ton truck or about three bullion van could move such a huge physical cash. He warned against sweeping the allegation under the carpet, saying it would encourage large scale corruption.

    Oyalowo added: “Let the Federal Government led by Dr. Jonathan fire the management and board of the NSPMC. We also ask that the EFCC should prosecute anyone found culpable in this shameful act.”

     

     

  • Ghana: Jonathan hails Mahama’s re-election

    Ghana: Jonathan hails Mahama’s re-election

    President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated President John Mahama of Ghana on his victory in last weekend’s presidential elections in the country.

    In a statement signed by his media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati , Jonathan said Mahama’s election is an endorsement of his leadership quality.

    He also charged him to reach out to the opposition parties for the development of the country.

    The statement reads in part:

    “President Goodluck Jonathan welcomes President John Mahama’s success in securing his people’s mandate for a full term in office, following his assumption of Presidential powers after the death of his predecessor in July 2012.

    “This is an endorsement by the Ghanaian electorate of his leadership and his party’s action plan for further socio-economic development and continued consolidation of democracy in the country.

    “President Jonathan notes that the very keenly contested elections have been adjudged as free and fair by observers from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other international observers. The President on behalf of himself, the Government and people of Nigeria salutes the people of Ghana for the successful conduct of the polls.

    “While calling on the victorious candidate and political party to extend a hand of partnership to the opposition, in the spirit of reconciliation and national progress, he enjoins all political leaders in Ghana to join hands with the government to collectively deepen democracy in the country in the overriding interest of continued peace, political stability and progress in their country.

    “As President Mahama prepares to begin a complete term in office as leader of his country, President Jonathan assures him of the continued support, cooperation and goodwill of the Federal Government and people of Nigeria for his administration and the brotherly people of Ghana.

    “President Jonathan looks forward to continuing to work and collaborate with President Mahama and his administration at bilateral and multilateral levels on issues of common interest to Nigeria and Ghana.”

     

  • How my brother died of cardiac arrest, by Jonathan

    How my brother died of cardiac arrest, by Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday explained that his younger brother, Chief Meni Innocent Jonathan, died of cardiac arrest.

    Speaking shortly after the funeral service at the St. Stephens Church Otuoke, the president said that his late brother appeared frail during his last private visit to his country home, prompting him to ask him to follow him to Abuja for treatment.

    In an emotion laden voice he disclosed that the late Meni even drove himself to Government House, Yenagoa where he joined him in his helicopter.

    He noted that his younger brother walked to his house unaided in Abuja and that there was no sign that he was going to die suddenly.

    “What worries me is that he died so suddenly. This was a young man. I came home on a Friday, he came to my house, no body carried him, he moved down just from his house across the road. We discussed, he was a bit frail, I said he should follow us so that he could do medical check up. He drove down to Yenagoa to board the Chopper to Abuja”.

    He added that “He got to Abuja that Saturday so he was admitted in the hospital. The following Monday I said let us make arrangement to get him out to let him get treatment outside. So an arrangement was being made, unfortunately he had cardiac arrest and inflamed heart at the State House Clinic. We were making arrangement to move him to National Hospital.

    “It is, very sad thing he has been covering the home front for us. He was a very humble person, he was a reliable and trustworthy person that you can ask to handle things for you. He is dead, there is nothing we can do.”

    While thanking all for coming to share the grief with the family, he noted that though by tradition he was not supposed to bury his younger one, the community is not strict with such traditions .

    “I must thank all of you who have come to join the Jonathan family to give us this respect, in some traditions I’m not supposed to be in church. It is tradition that you don’t bury your younger ones, luckily for this community we don’t have too many of these cultural and traditional things.”

    Bishop James James Oruwori, Bishop of the Anglican Church Ogbia Diocese, in his sermon, while describing death as a separation from the physical world to the spiritual, noted that there is life after death.

    “Our period on earth is a period of probation, it is time for preparations, how are we prepared for life after death. Where you will be is determined by your preparations on earth? How prepared are you is what matters,” he added.

    Governors present at the funeral service included the host Governor Seriake Dickson, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta) Theodore Orji (Abia) and others.

     

  • Jonathan assures NNMA of support

    Jonathan assures NNMA of support

    President Goodluck Jonathan has said the Federal Government is in process of establishing Nigeria National Merit Award Poly Group and a complementary National Research and Development Fund.

    The purpose, according to the president is to encourage technological research essential for socio-economic development of the country.

    Jonathan, who spoke on Thursdayat the presentation of the 2012 Nigerian National Order of Merit Award to Prof. Samuel Ohaegbulam (medicine) and Prof. Emmanuel Yoloye (humanities) at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja also assured the NNMA of Federal Government continuous support.

    According to the president, the administration is committed to fully supporting the NMMA and its activities.

    He also challenged other tiers of government to support them, noting that NNMA will do better if other tiers of government and private sector also actively encourage the body.

    The president, who was responding to the request made by NNMA, said actions are already in place for the establishment of the National Research and Development Fund.

     

  • Jonathan asks Court to strike out suit on Salami

    Jonathan asks Court to strike out suit on Salami

    President Goodluck Jonathan has asked a Federal High Court, Abuja, to strike out a suit by 11 plaintiffs seeking the reinstatement of the suspended President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Isa Ayo Salami, to his duty post.

    The plaintiffs who are the Registered Trustees of Centre for the Promotion of Arbitration are seeking an order of mandamus to compel Jonathan, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to reinstate Justice Salami.

    Justice Bello had in the suit ordered the service of the court process on Jonathan through Adoke.

    The court also granted an order for the plaintiffs to sue in representative capacity.

    In a motion notice filed by their counsel, Mr. Matthew Echo of Dr. Fabian Ajogwu‘s Chambers; Jonathan and Adoke listed four grounds for the court to strike out the suit.

    According to the duo, the human rights activists who filed the suit for themselves and the Registered Trustees of the Center for the Promotion of Arbitration do not have the locus standi to institute the action and to seek the reliefs sought as they do not have sufficient interest in the matter to which the application relates.

    They also contended that the plaintiffs have not shown any authority granted them by the Trustees of the Center for the Promotion of Arbitration to maintain the action on their behalf in a representative capacity.

    Besides, Jonathan and Adoke stated that the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs are indeterminable as they are merely academic and as such should be expunged.

    They added that there is no cause of action against them as they have always acted in accordance with the constitution in relation with the subject matter in the suit.

    When the matter came up on Tuesday, Justice Bello granted the application to strike out Justice Dalhatu Adamu as Fifth Defendant from the suit having been replaced as the Acting PCA.

    The court thereafter adjourned till January 17, for adoption of written addresses.

     

  • ‘Jonathan remains PDP’s bride’

    ‘Jonathan remains PDP’s bride’

    The United Progressive Party(UPP) has disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan will win the 2015 Presidential election without any threat from opposition parties despite the planned merger, which it said, would fail.

    National Chairman of the UPP, Chief Chekwas Okorie, after the party’s first National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, told newsmen that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not choose another candidate other than Jonathan for the 2015 election, warning that the PDP would lose power if it does so.

    Okorie said: “The law guiding merger has made it impossible. That is why there has not been a successful merger in Nigeria and you cannot find it anywhere in the world. It is sheer deceit when you hear some political parties talking about the possibility of merger. The greatest risk any political party will take is to go into merger. The simple term is that the parties going into merger will hold national conventions separately and announce it that they are going into the arrangement. INEC will observe it and see that majority of members agreed with the plan. The first step is that the merging parties will return their certificates to INEC and wait for INEC to issue a certificate bearing the new name and that is the card.”

    He spoke further: “UPP may be a new party but the players in UPP are not new. We are conversant with political party processes. For instance, PDP is stuck with President Goodluck Jonathan. Forget about those who think he will not run in 2015; he will. Those who think they will defeat Jonathan at the Eagle Square should go and have a rethink because they will not. If PDP gives Jonathan red card, that means they have given themselves red card. If PDP says they have no confidence in Jonathan, then the one they will bring will be worse.

    “Do I need to ask Nigerians who the Presidential candidate of CPC is? No, because it has been zoned to an individual just like the PDP is zoned to an individual (Jonathan). So, this issue of merger has already failed because they have already understood that it is impossible.”

    The UPP’s NEC also resolved to uphold the identity, characteristics and ideology of the party and that the party shall welcome, encourage and participate in political alliances with like-minded political parties for the promotion of democracy and electoral benefit to the allies without compromising the party’s identity, characteristics and ideology.

    Other resolutions of the party read in part: “NEC has resolved to uphold the strictest sense of internal party democracy at all levels of the party’s organs and in dealing with members on all matters. NEC insists that only bona fide members of UPP shall have the prerogative to elect party officers at party congresses and to elect party flag bearers at party primary elections at all levels in accordance with the clear provisions of the party constitution registered with INEC.

    “Our great party shall field candidates to contest all contestable elective positions at every election everywhere in Nigeria; that the UPP shall not countenance any proposal for merger with any political party either now or in the future and that the party at all levels shall endeavour at all time to observe the highest principle of credibility, responsibility, courage and boldness in all comments, reactions, input, and intervention in all political or social issues in Nigeria.”

    The resolution further stated: “At any level in which we find ourselves in opposition, our criticism of government policies and actions shall be constructive without resorting to the abuse of persons and denigration of public office holders, and that the UPP shall constructively engage other political parties to ensure free and fair elections and promote the credibility of the electoral process. In this regard, the conduct of the INEC and its officers, as well as all agencies associated with the conduct of elections in Nigeria shall come under our close scrutiny at all times.

    “The UPP shall mobilise other political parties and relevant stakeholders to canvass for the amendment of the Electoral Act and relevant provisions of the constitution to provide for electronic voting system with effect from 2015 general elections in Nigeria. The party supports further democratization of the process of Local Government election in Nigeria. In this regard, our great party supports the transfer of the responsibilities of the various states’ Independent Electoral Commission to INEC. In this way, the decision and timing of the conduct of Local Government election shall not be left at the whims and caprices of state governments and their political parties.”

    “NEC,” the resolution further said, “upholds the principle of rotation of political offices and supports the principle of Federal Character in the appointment of public office holders as already enshrined in the 1999 Constitution without compromising merit. The party shall at all times promote the citizenship right of all Nigerians wherever they may be domiciled in the country, equity, justice and fair play.”

    “The UPP shall immediately put all machinery in motion for effective participation and contest of the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria. In this regard, INEC has approved the zoning of the presidential slot of our great party for the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria to the South East geo-political zone. All aspirants from the Southeast geo-political zone wishing to contest for the office of the president in 2015 can to do so under the platform of our great party.”

    UPP was registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on October 2, 2012 and was conveyed to the party through the commission on October 4, 2012.

     

     

     

  • Kashamu slams Obasanjo for comments on Jonathan

    Kashamu slams Obasanjo for comments on Jonathan

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Prince Buruji Kashamu, yesterday faulted reports that there was tension in the party as a result of the “cold war” between President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    In a statement, Kashamu said it was misleading to accept the views of “probably one of Obasanjo’s stooges” in the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) as that of the entire party.

    He said: “From the tone of the statements made by the NWC member, who reportedly spoke on the condition of anonymity, it is obvious that the views expressed in the reports were from one of Obasanjo’s stooges planted in the NWC to achieve his selfish interest.

    “Otherwise, how come he put the blame for the exchanges between the President and Obasanjo solely on the President? Where was he when Obasanjo said the Umaru Yar’Adua/Jonathan administration could not fight corruption? Where was he when Obasanjo described Jonathan as weak in tackling the Boko Haram menace? Indeed, his second statement in that regard.

    “How come the PDP NWC member did not caution Obasanjo? All the talks about 2015 and Obasanjo’s closeness to the northern oligarchy and control of Southwest politics hold no water. It is all make-believe. The future will take care of itself. No man is God!”

    Kashamu debunked speculations that Obasanjo is influential in the North and Southwest.

    He described him as “an enemy of the North, who has betrayed them severally, just as he did to the Southwest”.

    Kashamo said: “If he were that popular as his allies would want to have us believe, how come the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has dictated the pace in Southwest politics in the last 13 years or so that Obasanjo has led the PDP in the zone?”

    He urged the former president’s acolytes to purge themselves of the “messianic toga” they confer on him, saying “the nation boasts of many educated and intelligent people that are more knowledgeable than Obasanjo”.

    Kashamu said: “It is noteworthy that of all the nation’s past leaders, like Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, it is only Obasanjo that rushes to the media every now and then to run down the Jonathan administration in the same way he fights and scrambles for crumbs with those old enough to be his children back home in Ogun State. “In fact, if there was anyone doing anything inimical to the interest of the party at home and at the national level, it is Obasanjo.

    “Instead of calling his benefactor to order and advising him to exercise restraint, somebody is hiding under the condition of anonymity to flaunt Obasanjo’s credentials and alleged connections to blackmail the President. It has not worked in the past and will not work now.”

    The PDP chieftain urged Nigerians to learn from the United States, where President Barack Obama has “achieved a lot more by engaging in dialogue than going to war”.

    He said: “Jonathan is methodological in his approach as a scientist. What is more, he is the nation’s first leader with a Ph.D degree. He cannot be brash in his approach to issues as some would want to have him do. With patience and careful planning, we shall soon overcome our present challenges.”

     

  • Jonathan, Mark, Tambuwal meet

    Jonathan, Mark, Tambuwal meet

    The Presidency and the leadership of the National Assembly met yesterday for about two hours.

    Senate President David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Rotimi Amaechi met with President Goodluck Jonathan inside his office at the State House.

    Mark turned down all overtures from reporters who had wanted to know the issues discussed.

    The trio left in Mark’s car.

    Amaechi arrived at the State House shortly after Mark and Tambuwal went into the President’s office.

    The governor exchanged banter with a presidential aide who was trying to find out how he would leave the Villa.

    He told the aide: “They told me to come with them here.”

    Issues of the passage of the 2013 budget, the review of the 1999 Constitution and the sharing of the excess crude fund have been matters picthing the Presidency against the lawmakers.

    Another contentious issue is the fixing of the oil benchmark. President Jonathan, in his budget speech, had pegged the benchmark at $75 per barrel against differing figures ranging from $78-$80 projected by the National Assembly.

    The NGF has been in a row with the Presidency over the sharing of the excess crude.

    The matter, which is before a court, is yet to be resolved.