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Tag: Jonathan

  • Jonathan to present 2013 budget in October

    Jonathan to present 2013 budget in October

    President Goodluck Jonathan is to present the 2013 budget before the joint session of the National Asembly on October 4.

    The intention of the President was made known to the lawmakers in a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal.

    The Presidnt’s presentation is howevef coming against the backgroud of the lawmakers’ declaration to reject the proposal if the current 2012 budget was not fully implemented.

    It would be recalled that the House is also set to embark on a week physical inspection of infrastructure projects across the country, to ascertain the level of budget implementation by the Executive.

    Chairman, House Committee on Information and Public Affairs, Zakari Mohammed, said the on-going audit of government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA), would form the basis for the acceptance of the 2013 budget presentation.

    Insisting that the resolution of the House on 100 per cent budget implementation remains sacrosanct, Mohammed, said: “Until we are through with all these, 2013 might not be a matter in focus, because we still have a lot of issues with the present budget.

  • Memo to President Jonathan

    Memo to President Jonathan

    SIR: I would like to commend you for your thoughtfulness in acceding to the demands of most Nigerians in reversing the planned introduction of N5000 note and the deliberate ploy to annihilate N5, N 10 and N20 notes estimated to cost a whooping sum of N 40 billion.

    I am excited that your decision to put this redenomination and introduction of new N 5000 note on hold was premised on the popular decision and wishes of Nigerians. Sir, in line with this spirit of benevolence, I wish to appeal to you to replicate this kindheartedness also by completely reversing the increase in Premium Motor Spirit from N 97 to N65.It is not too much a surprise independence anniversary gift to your compatriots come October 1.

    Nigerians are yet to feel the impact of the SURE-P proceeds you promised. If you could not realise N1.3 trillion naira targeted, at least the international oil price has kept steady above the $100 per barrel mark – way above the budget benchmark price. You can impact our lives so much with that.

    Do you know that fuel queues have returned to our cities? You can put your detractors to shame once and for all by building more refineries and ensuring purposeful overhaul of the old ones. If you had thought of this immediately you took oath of office, on May 29, 2011, today the challenges of local refining of crude would have been a thing of the past. It would have been another good reason to roll out the drums and celebrate the breakthrough this Independence Day.

    You can start now.

    Boko Haram sect continues defiantly to ravage the North East/West and dangerously threatening the entire nation. How long would you allow this endemic blood-letting brute thrive to the detriment of our existence? Relying wholly on Ihejirika’s tactics could not guarantee the anticipated result. It will not and has not yielded better fruit anywhere else in the world. Change tactics.

    Thank you for honouring the Paralympians who made Nigeria proud and proved to the world that there is ability in disability. And Muhammad Tahir Zakari (MFR) of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for his exceptional honesty in returning the sum of N6 million wrongly paid into his account. A good number of people would have zoomed off with the sum. But he followed the dictates of his conscience and chose the path of righteousness. Would it not have been better to seek for more Zakaris and the Paralympians and confer on them with National Honours instead of those you once accused as sponsors and members of Boko Haram?

    The licence of Dana Air has been restored less than three months after their flights crashed at Iju Ishaga in Lagos. As I put pen to paper, some families are yet to identify and recover the bodies of the victims. Kindly direct the aviation minister to take another look into the clean bill of health granted to Dana Air especially when the mandatory compensations have not been paid and inquest into the immediate and remote causes of the crash not concluded.

    Some national dailies have been speculating about the whereabouts and health condition of Her Excellency. Do not misconstrue the interest of the media for it is those we love, we ask after. It is our hope that as we celebrate 52 years of nationhood, we shall see her standing by your side as you wave school children and others march past you at the Eagle Square.

    Accept the assurances of my best regards and happy 52nd Independence Anniversary in advance.

     

    •Sunday Onyemaechi Eze

    Samaru Zaria

     

  • Jonathan a president on internship, says ACN

    Jonathan a president on internship, says ACN

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday described President Goodluck Jonathan as a trainee-President.

    In a statement in Ilorin, Kwara State capital by its National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party wondered how else one can describe the administration’s lack of capacity to be pro-active or respond in a timely and robust manner to the recent catalogue of woes and national calamities.

    In the opinion of the party, the continued bungling of the Boko Haram insurgency, which is harvesting more deaths almost on a daily basis, the unstoppable carnage on our roads, the executive somersaults of the administration on policy issues, and in general the slow, unfocused and uncertain responses of government to issues depict a government on internship.

    According to the ACN, the closure of the Lokoja-Abuja highway which had cut off Abuja, the nation’s capital city due to flooding of roads and bridges on the Abuja-Lokoja highway signposts the extent of our decayed national infrastructure and exposes the incapable hands entrusted to salvage them. However, even worse is the fact that the President has not deemed it fit to comment on this disaster, neither has there been any visit by a minister or any co-ordinated response to the disaster from the central government.

    On a week-end of multiple disasters such as the Lokoja flooding , the bomb blast in Bauchi, and the two weeks of non-stop flooding all around the country, the President’s handlers showed more concern in informing the people about President Jonathan’s trip to the United Nations General Assembly summit than explaining or proposing a co-ordinated response to these calamities, the party said

    The disposition of Jonathan’s administration to the welfare of Nigerians confirms the widely held belief that the welfare or well-being of Nigerians is definitely not a priority to his government otherwise why could the President not find time to visit even by helicopter the disaster zones to at least give hope to the victims or their relations? the party queried.

     

  • Jonathan, Ban in close door meeting

    Jonathan, Ban in close door meeting

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday met with the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon as the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly began in New York

    The UN Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria reports that shortly after receiving the president, both parties went into a closed door meeting.

    NAN gathered that they discussed recent developments in Nigeria, how best to enhance the fight against piracy in the Gulf of Guinea as well as the implementation International Court of Justice judgment on Bakassi .

    According to a source, they also agreed on the pressing need for stabilisation of the political situation in Mali and for a concerted international approach to problems in Guinea-Bissau, Darfur, and Sudan-South Sudan.

    NAN also learnt that they discussed terrorism in the Sahel and the importance of socio-economic factors in reducing it by ensuring increased investment in agriculture, education and employment.

     

  • Jonathan to present 2013 budget October 4

    Jonathan to present 2013 budget October 4

    President Goodluck Jonathan will present the 2013 Appropriation Bill to the joint session of the National Assembly on October 4.

    This is contained in a memorandum President Jonathan sent to the Senate President, Senator David Mark entitled “Re: 2013 Budget.”

    The memorandum reads in part: “I write to crave your kind indulgence to grant me the slot of 12.00 noon on Thursday, October 4th, 2012 to enable me formally address a joint session of the National Assembly on the 2013 Budget.”

    The memorandum signed by President Jonathan was dated September 1, 2012.

    Jonathan thanked the Senators for the constancy of their support and urged Mark to accept the assurances of his highest consideration.

    This is the first time in recent years that the Appropriation Bill would be presented to the National Assembly in October.

    The 2012 budget for instance was presented to the joint session of the National Assembly on December 13, 2011.

    The National Assembly has consistently complained about late presentation of the budget.

    The lawmakers maintain that late presentation of the budget make it difficult for them to scrutinize the budget.

     

  • Jonathan visits First Lady in Germany

    Jonathan visits First Lady in Germany

    President Goodluck Jonathan has visited his ailing wife, Dame Pateince , who has been in a German hospital for about a month.

    The President, who flew out of the country on Sunday for New York to attend the first-ever High-Level Plenary Session of the United Nations on the Rule of Law, had a stopover in Germany.

    The First Lady was scheduled to accompany the President to the UN General Assembly, but she fell ill.

    Her state of health could not be ascertained yesterday and it is still not known when she will return to Abuja.

    Dame Patience was reported to have been flown out of the country on September 1, following an unstated health challenge. Various ailments have been attributed for her sudden disappearance from the Presidential Villa.

    Till date, there has not been any statement from the Presidency on Dame Patience’s health.

    Sources in New York and at The Presidency in Abuja told our correspondent yesterday that the President made a stopover in Frankfurt from where he travelled to Wisbaden to see his ailing wife.

    A source said: “Yes; I can confirm to you that there was a stopover in Germany. That should be expected, especially when the First Lady has been out of the country for quite some time. The most important thing is that the President arrived New York on schedule and he is already settling down for what he came to do here.”

    Dame Patience’s Special Assistant on Media, Ayo Osinlu who had confirmed the trip to the media when she travelled, however, insisted that Mrs. Jonathan was resting and not seeking medical attention.

    He added that the First Lady was expected back in the country this week but did not give a specific date.

     

  • Jonathan in New York

    President Goodluck Jonathan arrived in New York on Sunday for the United Nation’s 67th General Assembly .

    Jonathan was received at the John F. Kennedy International Airport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Olugbenga Ashiru, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U.S., Prof. Ade Adefuye, Nigeria High Commissioner to Canada, Chief Ojo Maduekwe and Prof. Joy Ogwu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN.

    The New York Correspondent of the News Agency of the Nigeria (NAN) reports that the President was also received by Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda.

    Jonathan is among the first 38 Heads of State, who will speak at the General Assembly today on Peaceful Resolution of International Disputes.

    While in the New York, the President is also scheduled to meet with other world leaders, including the Presidents of China, France, South Korea, Brazil, Bulgaria, Finland and Switzerland.

     

  • Jonathan calls for global order based on rule of law

    President Goodluck Jonathan has called for the strengthening of rule of law both at the national and international levels to ensure equity and fairness for all people.

    This is as he assured the global community of his administration’s “unwavering commitment” to upholding the rule of law and implementing all pledges made by Nigeria to the international community.

    Consequently, he said that his Administration will continue to encourage the Nigerian judiciary to play a pivotal role in the advancement and elaboration of the rights of Nigerians through effective oversight over the actions of the executive and legislature.

    Jonathan made the declaration during his address to the first-ever High-Level Plenary Session of the United Nations on the Rule of Law yesterday in New York.

    The President said that the rule of law at international level must be based on the core principles of the United Nations which were further reaffirmed in the 2005 World Summit Document.

    This, he said, implies that countries must in good faith, honour their international obligations, including the obligation to refrain from the threat or use of force, the obligation to settle disputes through peaceful means, the obligation to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and abide by international humanitarian law.

    “Nigeria subscribes to the view that it is only an international system based on the rule of law that can guarantee the protection of the rights of individuals and the interests of the less powerful in the global arena.

    “The principle of equality of States remains an important element in the promotion of the rule of law at the international level. The international community should therefore discourage any semblance of selective observance and enforcement of international law.

    “Nigeria recognizes the important role of the International Court of Justice and other international tribunals in the peaceful resolution of international disputes.

  • Jonathan tasks SGF, SSGs on service delivery

    Jonathan tasks SGF, SSGs on service delivery

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday advised secretaries to state governments to ensure good governance, accountability, due process and rule of law for effective service delivery.

    He gave the advice at the Presidential Retreat for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Secretaries to State Governments at Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, the president urged state governments to partner with the Federal Government to promote democracy, constitutionalism, national development and transformation.

    “As secretaries to governments in our dear country, you are at the epicentre in implementing, monitoring and delivery of good governance to our citizens.

    “Thus, for effective discharge of your responsibilities, there must be effective application of sound governance practices involving the exercise of due diligence, high standards of integrity and transparency in the handling of the affairs of your offices.

    “This is in line with the current administration’s zero tolerance for corruption and the deepening of the Rule of Law principle in the conduct of government business.

    “No tier of government can afford to be an island unto itself. There must be cooperation between and amongst all tiers of government for overall national development,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the president as saying at the retreat.

    According to him, at the federal level the philosophy of governance is one of consultation, consensus building and cooperation for positive action to transform the country.

    He, therefore, reiterated the determination of the government to facilitate and participate in programmes to advance good governance and sound inter-governmental relations.

    Jonathan tasked the participants to always insist on excellence, fairness and the overall good of the people in their actions in and outside government.

    In his remark, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Anyim Pius Anyim, noted that the Presidential Retreat which was instituted in 2007 was meant to promote and strengthen inter-governmental relation between the Federal and State Governments.

     

  • Jonathan arrives New York for UN summit

    Jonathan arrives New York for UN summit

    President Goodluck Jonathan arrived in New York on Sunday for the 67th General Assembly of the United Nations.

    Jonathan was received at the John F. Kennedy International Airport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Olugbenga Ashiru, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Prof. Ade Adefuye, Nigeria High Commissioner to Canada, Chief Ojo Maduekwe and Prof. Joy Ogwu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN.

    The New York Correspondent of the News Agency of the Nigeria reports that the President was also received by Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State.

    Jonathan is among the first 38 Heads of State who will speak at the General Assembly on September 25 on Peaceful Resolution of International Disputes.

    While in the New York, the President is also scheduled to meet with other world leaders, including the Presidents of China, France, South Korea, Brazil, Bulgaria, Finland and Switzerland.

    The President is to deliver a speech at the high-level meeting on Rule of Law at the UN Headquarters on Monday.

    He will join the Prime Minister of Norway, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg with whom he currently serves as co-chair of the UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women and Children.

    Jonathan will also attend a meeting on the Nigerian economy, meet with the Chairman and top executives of the oil giant, ExxonMobil.

    He will attend a reception hosted by President Barack Obama of the U.S. and the UN Secretary-General on the eradication of polio.