The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Jonathan

  • Anambra women berate Jonathan over Boko Haram

    WOMEN of Adazi-Nnukwu in Anaocha local government area of Anambra State, yesterday criticised President Goodluck Jonathan for allegedly abandoning the community, after 12 of their kins were recently killed by the Islamist sect, Boko Haram in the North.

    Speaking with reporters yesterday on the premises of Saint Andrews Catholic Church, Adazi-Nnukwu, during its centenary celebration, the women leader, Virgy Ezimorah said the silence of the president on the killings of their people was unacceptable.

    She said those people who were killed in the North were the pillars of development for the community.

    Ezimorah said if those people were still alive that the church building would have been completed, adding that the president had not even written a single letter to commiserate with them.

    According to her, “Is it because we did not incite our children for reprisal when our 12 sons and daughters were killed in the North by the Boko-Haram sect?

    “His silence (President Jonathan) in this matter does not make us happy, no person or group had monopoly of violence, if we had allowed our children to carry out what they had in mind, the story would have been different,” Ezimorah said.

    However, delivering his address during the centenary, the parish priest, Rev. Dr. Peter Onyeso, said that the greatest challenge of the church was insufficient fund.

    He said the building, which was constructed in 1912, was going through a serious renovation and expansion to accommodate more people and also to be in tune with modern architecture.

    He lauded Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi, and Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, for their support to the church.

     

  • Jonathan, Oshiomhole, Northern governors condole with Buhari

    Jonathan, Oshiomhole, Northern governors condole with Buhari

    President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday commiserated with former head of state, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) on the death of his eldest daughter, Zulaihatu.

    The President, in a condolence letter to Buhari, according to statement by his media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, prayed that God Almighty would comfort him and grant him and members of his family succour from the pain of losing a beloved child who has been nurtured and raised to adulthood.

    “I write to extend sincerest commiserations to you and your family on the death of your eldest daughter, Zulaihatu, yesterday November 29th, 2012.

    “I can well imagine the profound pain, sadness and sorrow brought upon you by the tragic loss of a beloved child whom you have nurtured and raised to adulthood.

    My heart goes out to you as you mourn Zulaihatu. I pray that God Almighty comforts you and grants you and your family succour at this very traumatic time for all who knew and loved her,” President Jonathan wrote.

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has also condoled with Buhari on the death of Hajia Zulai.

    In a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, Comrade Oshiomhole said: “We learnt with rude shock, the death of your beloved daughter, Hajia Zulai.  I wish to offer my profound condolence and the commiseration of the people and government of Edo State.

    “Our hearts are with you at this very difficult period, as the death of a beloved one can be traumatic.

    “While we grieve over her death, we take solace in the fact that she lived a worthy life as a mother, an accomplished economist, a devout Muslim and a hard-working young Nigerian who did not rely on her father’s name and influence to get an upper hand in life, but rather relied on her intellect and hard-work to carve a niche for herself.

    “We pray Almighty Allah to grant you and the rest of the Buhari family the courage to endure the loss of Hajia Zulai and also pray for the repose of her soul.”

    Similarly, governors of the 19 Northern states under the aegis of the Northern Governors Forum (NSGF) yesterday commeserated with former head of state and leader of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), on the death of his daughter, Zulaihat.

    The Chairman of the forum and governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu urged the CPC 2011 standard bearer to take solace in the fact that it is only God that gives and takes life whenever He pleases and that no living soul shall escape death as it is the necessary end that would come when it would.

    In a condolence statement signed by Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo, the forum enjoined the former military leader and members of his family to be encouraged by the fact that although Zulaihat died at a relatively young age, she lived an inspiring and a fulfilled life.

    The statement reads: ”Life is not about how long people live, but how people impact positively on the environment around them.

    ”Though Zulaihat lived a short life, she brought change to her immediate family, her community, and all those she met,especially women and children.”

    The Forum advised the CPC leader that the best tribute he can pay to his late daughter is to sustain her good deed of touching the lives of the weak and poor.

  • Jonathan, Gana task Corps members on development

    Jonathan, Gana task Corps members on development

    For five days, Christian Corps members converged at the Redemption Camp in Keffi, Nassarawa State for the annual convention of Nigeria Christian Corpers’ Fellowship (NCCF).

    The programme tagged I come soon caused heavy vehicular movements iAn Keffi as the Corps members, who came from all the states of the federation, started trooping into the capital city.

    President Goodluck Jonathan, during the opening ceremony, told the faithful not to be disturbed by the present security challenge in the nation, assuring them there would be turnaround.

    The president was represented by the chaplain of the Aso Rock Chapel, Reverend Albert. He said the government appreciated the services rendered by Corps members in ensuring developments in their places of primary assignments.

    He said the impact of the Corps members could be over emphasised in the nation and in leadership, saying the former President Olusegun Obasanjo gave his life to God on the platform created by the serving youth, who had paid regular ministerial visits to Yola prison during the former president’s incarceration in the prison.

    The former Information Minister, Prof Jerry Gana, who chaired the ceremony, counseled the youths to lay good examples for the coming generation by rendering selfless service devoid of hypocrisy, tribalism and hatred.

    He, however, prayed for divine protection and torch on all corps members in Nigeria and tasked them to remain patriotic in their duties to the nation and humanity.

    Other clergymen that also ministered during the four-day programme included Bro Gbile Akanni, Peace House Gboko, Pastor James Abiona and Pastor Sam Oye among others.

    The programme also featured entrepreneur development, health and marriage counseling. In his speech, the NCCF national president, Stephen Odekunle, told participants: “It is very important that a believer know that there is more to life than clothes, cars and houses. Our attention must be focused on the kingdom of God.”

    A Corps member from Ebonyi, Esiri Uwejeyan, described the event as life-transforming. Victory Jumbo, a Batch “A” Corps member, also expressed satisfaction about the programme of the convention.

     

  • Jonathan splashes N45m on athletes

    Jonathan splashes N45m on athletes

    •Declares games open
    •As Fashola charges athletes, officials on fairness

    President Goodluck Jonathan has splashed a total sum of N45 million naira on athletes participating in the 18th National Sports Festival (NSF).

    Ably represented by the Vice- President Namadi Sambo, the President stated that N20 million has been earmarked for the overall team at the festival, while N15 million and N10 million naira will be prize monies for the second and third teams respectively.

    At the Teslim Balogun Stadium yesterday venue of the opening ceremony of the games, Sambo said the festival since inception has met with its cardinal objectives of fostering unity and friendship among Nigerian youths, and the discovery of budding talents for the future.

    “This year’s festival that is being hosted by Lagos State is like home-coming as it all started here in 1973. The Federal Government has donated the sum of N45 million for the first, second and third teams that will emerge at the end of the festival,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) earlier charged athletes and officials alike to compete and judge fairly as winning in any event should not be manipulated in any form.

    Fashola further said while Lagos will hope to compete to the medals table, the state will not be desperate to win.

    “The ultimate objective of the festival is to discover talents for the future.

    The festival have been elevated by previous host but Lagos hope to extend on it. I wish all our visitors an eventful stay,” he said.

    Present where, the first Military Governor of Lagos, Mobolaji Johnson, Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, Rotimi Amaechi of River State and other eminent Nigerians.

  • Nollywood condoles with Jonathan

    Nollywood condoles with Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan has described Nollywood as the nation’s greatest ambassador.

    He said the sector is positively marketing the country to the world.

    The President spoke when some artistes known as G-20, led by Kanayo O. Kanayo, came to condole with him on the death of his brother, Meni.

    Jonathan said Nollywood has brought hope and good reputation to the country.

    Kanayo said: “As practitioners in a veritable compartment of the creative industry, known as Nollywood, we are at one with your Excellency, family and all people of goodwill, within and beyond the shores of this land, in this time of grief.”

    Other members of the delegation were Onyeka Onwenu, Stephanie Okereke-Idahosa, Teco Benson, Bukky Wright, Rita Dominic, Wale Adenuga, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, Jide Kosoko, Bob Manuel, Sanji Danja, Emem Isong among others.

  • Jonathan sacks BPE boss Onagoruwa

    Jonathan sacks BPE boss Onagoruwa

    Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) boss Bolanle Onagoruwa got the boot yesterday — no thanks to the flip-flopping over the $23.6m Transmission Company of Nigeria contract awarded to Canadian firm Manitoba Hydro International.

    The Presidency, it was learnt, felt the director-general’s cup was full, having failed to have an “effective grasp of the privatisation”.

    Mrs. Onagoruwa was relieved of her appointment through a terse statement signed by the media aide to the Vice President, Mr. Umar Sani. It was with immediate effect.

    The statement reads:

    “Mr. President extends his sincere appreciation to Mrs. Bolanle Onagoruwa for her services to the nation and wishes her the best in her future endeavours.

    “The Director General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), Mrs. Bolanle Onagoruwa, has been relieved of her appointment with immediate effect. She is to hand over to the most Senior Director in the Bureau, Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki, who is to hold the position in an acting capacity.

    “Mr. President extends his sincere appreciation to Mrs. Bolanle Onagoruwa for her services to the nation and wishes her the best in her future endeavours.”

    Her sack yesterday came almost one year after the Senate demanded she be fired.

    There were also strong indications that her removal had to do with the row over bids for power firms and the approval of a $23.6m management contract for the Transmission Company of Nigeria awarded to a Canadian firm, Manitoba Hydro International.

    Her removal created a drama in the BPE. Dikki, who is named as the acting DG, is due for retirement from BPE as from December 1. He has notified the agency of his disengagement.

    Until his sudden appointment, he was in charge of Industry and Services.

    The staff were preparing to give Dikki, who is from Kebbi State, a send off only to be greeted with his appointment as acting DG at about 4pm yesterday.

    The National Council on Privatisation(NCP), headed by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, was not comfortable with the handling of the BPE by the former DG.

    An insider, who spoke in confidence, said: “The government has not been comfortable with Onagoruwa since the bids were conducted for power plants. The NCP felt the BPE was not circumspect enough to have allowed the bids to run into a storm which led to the resignation of the former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji.

    “As a matter of fact, when Nnaji left office, a re-evaluation panel raised by the office of the vice president rejected the bid for Afam Electricity Generation Plant by the consortium(Skipper Nigeria Limited) traced to the ex-minister.

    “The decision, however, created a fresh, crisis following a protest over the sidelining of the Bureau of Public Enterprises by the Office of the Vice-President in constituting the Re-evaluation Committee.

    “Instead of allowing the BPE to drive the re-evaluation process as enshrined in the Privatisation Law, the Chairman of the NCP asked an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Power to head the new panel.”

    Another source, however, said the management contract for the Transmission Company of Nigeria awarded to a Canadian firm, Manitoba Hydro International, by the BPE, sealed the fate of the former DG.

    The source claimed that the contract almost created a wedge between the President and the NCP, led by the VP, due to the alleged tardiness of the BPE.

    The source said: “The Presidency, at a stage, cancelled the contract only for the President to restore it. Such somersault does not help the system and it could erode foreign investors’ confidence.

    “At a stage, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, came out to clarify that the BPE awarded the contract, contrary to the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.”

    Abati said: “The BPE has no power to approve a management contract, according to the provision of Section 16 sub section 4 of the 2007 Public Procurement Act. That section says that the BPE must obtain a certificate of no objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement.

    “Another section of the Act says that certain contracts must be approved by the Federal Executive Council. The management contract in question is $23.6m, which is above the approved threshold of BPE. The vice-president is a member of FEC.

    “For the BPE to go ahead and approve that contract simply means that due process was not followed. It is a matter of due process, a matter of best practice; it is not a personality matter. The infraction was committed by the BPE.”

    The Nation learnt that one of the remote causes of the removal of the DG was the report of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee that probed the privatisation of Federal Government’s enterprises.

    The Ad Hoc Committee on December 15 , 2011, recommended the removal of Onagoruwa.

    The committee, which made 45 recommendations, also said former Directors-General of BPE Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, Dr. Julius Bala and Mrs. Irene Chigbue should be reprimanded by the NCP.

    The committee said the former helmsmen should be “reprimanded for seeking approval directly from the President instead of the NCP as stipulated in the Public Enterprises Act 1999.”

    The investigation by the committee, which was led by Senator Ahmed Lawan, covered the activities of the Bureau between 1999 and 2011.

    The committee said Onagoruwa should be removed for what it described as “gross incompetence in the management of the BPE and for illegal and fraudulent sale of the five per cent Federal Government’s shares in the Eleme Petrochemical Company Limited (EPCL)”.

    It was gathered that the Senate leadership had insisted on the removal of the DG as part of the conditions for the resolution of its frosty relationship with the executive.

    The source added: “The Senate said it was not happy with the Presidency’s disdain for its resolutions on key issues.

    “Although the President gave Onagoruwa the benefit of the doubt, her handling of transactions in BPE did not earn her the confidence of the NCP and the Presidency.”

    A BPE source added: “We were actually preparing for the send-off for Dikki slated for today when the announcement came. Dikki had spent eight years as a director, and it was time for him to go. He was to disengage from the agency from December 1, until the announcement came.

    “This was the same manner Onagoruwa was appointed in June 2010. This is life.”

     

  • Jonathan’s government and anti-corruption crusade

    Jonathan’s government and anti-corruption crusade

    Fighting the hydra-headed monster called corruption, which is seriously afflicting the Nigerian economy should never be a lone effort. This is the crucial reason why the Goodluck Jonathan Administration certainly requires the support of all patriotic and well-meaning Nigerians to fight corruption, towards heralding a new beginning in the scheme of things in the country.

    It is an established fact that one of the fundamental factors working against the attainment of marked socio-economic, cultural, educational and political developments in the major facets of the country’s economy over time is the pervasive unalloyed corruption. And, for President Jonathan’s Administration to tackle this monster headlong, the support of all and sundry is definitely required.

    Nevertheless, one may ask what essentially constitutes corrupt tendencies or practices in human affairs. According to Transparency International (TI), corruption is defined as “the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. It hurts everyone who depends on the integrity of people in a position of authority.”

    Thus, in any human society, corruption erupts when elected representatives make decisions that are influenced by vested interests rather than developmental societal values. Therefore, in an attempt to demonstrate his administration’s seriousness in tackling corruption in Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan urged the National Assembly (NASS) to accelerate its delivery of two key executive-sponsored legislations, namely: the anti-corruption bill and the anti-terrorism bill, expected to assist his administration in dealing with burning critical national issues, including identified  deficiencies in the battle against corruption, money laundering and illegal funding of terrorist activities.

    Jonathan had said in a correspondence to the 6th Session of the House of Representatives at the time: “Given this administration’s commitment to combating corruption and terror and boosting the country’s economic development, a blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will no doubt seriously hamper these laudable efforts.” The current Administration has continued demonstrate that it means business in fighting corruption tooth and nail in this regard.

    Recall that the President had also hinged his Administration’s determined efforts at pushing for the National Assembly’s passage of the anti-corruption and anti-terrorism bills into Acts on possible blacklisting by the FATF and possible stifling economic consequences for Nigerians.

    In walking his talk with regards to dealing decisively with any indicted individual or institution found to be corrupt, President Jonathan has vowed that his administration will not shield any corrupt person from investigation or prosecution by the anti-graft agencies, including Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

    With the required measure of independence to execute its mandate effectively, the EFCC while still beaming its search light to discover more, has been able to recover several billions of dollars corruptly stashed away in foreign lands by some former political leaders including governors and other public officials.

    The president, again, re-assured the nation and international community at the opening of the 8th National Seminar on Economic Crimes held at the Training and Research Institute of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abuja.  With a change of leadership in the agency for improved delivery, the government, indeed, has continued to support and encourage the EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies to confront corruption more decisively, while charging them to spare no culprit, regardless of status or position.

    No doubt, landmark legal battles involving certain prominent Nigerians as Cecilia Ibru, ex-Managing Director/CEO, Oceanic Bank International; Erastus Akingbola, former CEO, Intercontinental Bank, among others in the Banking sector who have stood trial for their roles in the near collapse of their organisations. The legal prosecution and eventual imprisonment of Chief Olabode George, a former People’s Democratic Party’s Vice-Chairman, South West, for his role in the mismanagement of Nigerian Ports Authority’s finances as the Chairman remain green in memories of Nigerians till date.

    Likewise, a former Minister for Interior and owner of Integrated Oil and Gas Limited, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho (rtd), was summarily dismissed from the President Jonathan’s cabinet for alleged official corruption. As regards the thorny issue of the indicted fuel subsidy companies and suspects, following the report of the Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede Presidential Committee on Verification and Reconciliation of Fuel Subsidy Payments Committee, it is no longer news that the current administration has allowed the EFCC to commence the prosecution of no less than 25 oil marketing firms and their Directors.

    Some of the companies reportedly, had claimed payments for consignments brought in by ships which investigations revealed were either non-existent, or were somewhere else in the world. While some have been ordered to refund various sums of money unjustly benefited from the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF), the continued trial of these suspects is, of course, commendable. In other words, justice is being allowed to take its full course in the matter. This is especially laudable.

    This administration actually is not “soft on corruption” as is being suggested in certain quarters. The Government is merely being methodical in its approach to tackling the corruption monster by allowing the anti-corruption agencies and courts of competent jurisdiction to do their jobs effectively without fear or favour. Therefore, for the current Administration to remain fully committed to fighting the war against corruption, the need for Nigerians from all walks of life to consciously support the efforts cannot be over-emphasized. Arm-chair criticisms without active involvement in the prosecution of the war against the common enemy called corruption will not bring about any enduring change in the nation’s system.

    It should be noted that a diligent fight against corruption, in the interest of national peace, stability, progress and development, can guarantee an atmosphere for the effective implementation of the Jonathan’s administration’s Transformation Agenda and for the much-expected paradigm shift in key sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

     

    • Aliyu Mohammed is a Kaduna-based lawyer and public affairs commentator.

  • ‘Jonathan govt not fighting corruption’

    ‘Jonathan govt not fighting corruption’

    President Goodluck Jonathan came under fire yesterday when the national leadership of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) accused his government of not fighting corruption.

    ANPP said from all indications, Nigerians have seen that corrupt practices have increased since the coming to power of the Jonathan administration.

    During the last presidential media chat, the President claimed that his administration has fought corruption to a standstill more than any other government. But the ANPP described this as “a lie.”

    The party, in a statement issued in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emma Eneukwu, urged President Jonathan to stop defending what cannot be defended, adding that he should work hard to stop the menace and should prosecute culprits.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Jonathan approves two nominees for Merit Award

    Jonathan approves two nominees for Merit Award

    President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the conferment of Nigerian National Order of Merit Award on two distinguished Nigerians for 2012.

    A statement signed on Tuesday by Secretary, Nigerian National Merit Award, Mr. Adamu Mu`azu, named the nominees as Prof. Samuel Ohaegbulam, a pioneer in the field of neuro-surgery in Nigeria and Prof. Emmanuel Yoloye, an expert in Education Psychology, Chemistry and Science Education.

    The statement stated that the duo would be decorated with the NNOMA on December 6, by President Jonathan at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to the statement, the duo had passed through the litmus test of NNOMA.

    In line with the Transformation Agenda of the present administration and to enhance further research works, each recipient would be given a cash award of N10 million, it said.

    It added that the recipients would also be entitled to a medal and a certificate.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the NNOMA has been conferred on only 60 Nigerians from all walks of life since its inception in 1979.

    Prospective recipients are either nominated by persons or a group of persons who feel that the nominees have distinguished themselves nationally and internationally in various spheres of life.

     

  • Jonathan urges Customs to shun corruption

    Jonathan urges Customs to shun corruption

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday urged the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to correct “the lingering perception of corruption and fraud” in the service.

    Declaring open the 2012 Annual Comptroller-General of Customs Conference in Katsina, Jonathan acknowledged that the monthly revenue generation of the service had tripled from N30 billion to N100 billion.

    Represented by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, the president said the ongoing reforms in the service had brought about “greater efficiency” but more needed to be done on corruption and fraud.

    He said: “In line with our administration’s zero tolerance for corruption, the Customs service must constantly examine itself by weeding out corrupt men and officers whose activities tarnish the image of the service.

    “You must faithfully abide by the principles of good governance, which encapsulates transparency and integrity.”

    President Jonathan urged the NCS not to relent in its role of facilitating trade, border protection and security of the nation.

    He said the Federal Government appreciated the efforts of the service in preventing the proliferation of small and light weapons in Nigeria and pledged that the government would continue to give the required support to check the activities of those involved in the illicit trade.

    Jonathan called for increased collaboration between the service and other Customs bodies across the world in the fight against “persistent smuggling and criminal activities” at entry ports.

    “Constant networking and exchange of vital information with sister agencies will not only ensure easy detection, it will also guarantee the reduction of high risk shipments in the international supply chain.”