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Tag: Jonathan

  • Group to Jonathan: Deliver on your campaign promises

    Group to Jonathan: Deliver on your campaign promises

    The Foundation for Integration in Nigeria (FIN) has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to deliver on his electoral promises.

    In a communiqué  at the end of its Executive Meeting held at the weekend in Abuja and signed by its National President,  John Aide, the group said:  “We urge President Jonathan to deliver on his campaign promises in all its ramification to Nigerians or forget 2015 as Nigerians will decide his fate through the ballot.

    “The continued culture of corruption and the brazenness with which it is practiced is killing the economy of the country. Corruption is an enemy of development. Government should be sincere in its fight against corruption.”

    On the state of insecurity, it appealed to the Armed Forces and Northern leaders to live up to their responsibility .

    The communique reads: “We urge the Northern leaders to collaborate with the Federal Government to stop the menace of the bombing being perpetrated by the Boko Haram terrorist group and the Armed Forces of Nigeria. They should live up to their responsibilities by providing security to our facilities

    “We urge the political leaders who suffer from verbal diarrhea to stop making divisive/undemocratic utterances to allow President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to perform.”

    The group also rejected the plan by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to introduce N5000 note.

    “We condemn and reject the plan to introduce 5,000 Naira note and the change of the 5, 10 and 20 Naira notes to coins as this will cause inflation and raise the cost of goods and services to the ordinary masses of this country.

    “This great nation is bigger than any individual. We call on Nigerians not to be despaired but rather keep hope alive for the help of God and the collective active commitment of the people will bring about positive changes in Nigeria.”

  • Unworthy awardees to lose honours

    Unworthy awardees to lose honours

    Apparently reacting to the criticism that the National Honours are losing their credibility, the Federal Government vowed yesterday to withdraw the awards from individuals found to be of questionable character.

    According to President Goodluck Jonathan, all holders of the National Honours must not fall short of the people’s expectation. Honoured in the past are former police chief Tafa Balogun, former Oceanic Bank CEO Mrs Cecilia Ibru and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Bode George, They have all been convicted for various offences.

    President Jonathan spoke at the 2012 National Honours Award Investure for 155 eminent Nigerians.

    The categories of the awards are: The Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), which had only one recipient – frontline businessman Dr. Mike Adenuga.

    Other categories are Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), with 11 recipients; Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) had 25; Officer of the  Federal Republic (OFR) 24; Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) 38; Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) 38 and  Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) with 18.

    The six Paralympics gold medallists stole the show at the event. Though they were not on the original list of awardees, their heroic performance in the just-concluded London 2012 Paralympics where the country won 13 medals, fetched them the honours.

    They were applauded all through for redeeming Nigeria’s image in the sporting arena.

    The name of Alhaji Sani Abubakar Danladi, the deputy governor of Taraba State, who is facing impeachment, was struck off the list. Danladi, who was listed for the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), was believed to have fallen apart with his principal, Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai, who got Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

    Danladi’s name, which was number 51 on the list, was skipped. It was also not known if he was informed before the ceremony or if he was present.

    Justice  Kayode  Eso and Justice Andrews Obaseki, both retired jurists were absent at the event. Also absent was Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, but unlike the retired jurists, Ninge was represented by his wife.

    Jonathan said he had directed the National Honours committee to compile a list of peoples honoured but, have been found to be of questionable characters.

    He said the honours would be withdrawn from such individuals.

    The President argued that as an important part of the country’s symbols of value and pride, all holders must not fall short of collective expectations.

    The President also reminded the people that there were many more Nigerians who deserve the recognition.

    He said: “I have directed that the National Honours Committee compile a list of persons conferred with National Honours but that their current credibility is questionable. If they are found wanting, our prestigious Honours will be withdrawn.

    “This is essential in ensuring that holders of National Honours are truly worthy representations of our national values and honour, and especially are patriotic Nigerians or real friends of Nigeria,” he said.

    Dr. Adenuga got the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON) this for his contribution to the growth and development of the economy over the years.

    President Jonathan said of him: “Mike Adenuga Jnr. has contributed immensely as a businessman and entrepreneur to the growth and development of our economy. He worked hard to establish Globacom as an international communications company which provides means of livelihood to over 100,000 Nigerians.

    “Today, across Ghana and Benin Republic, he has built a formidable brand, and is expanding footholds in Cote d’Ivore and Senegal. We will continue to honour our businessmen who do us proud in the world of international business while creating jobs at home.”

    The President also praised Muhammad Tahir Zakari,  a Level 10 Officer in the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, who showed “remarkable honesty in returning an error payment to him of over N6 million in November 2011”. “This is a commendable behaviour that should be emulated,” he said.

    Jonathan lauded the six paralympians who won gold medals at the 2012 Paralympics Games in London. He told them: “Your achievement is a clear demonstration that hard work, determination, tenacity and resilience are building blocks for greatness.”

    President Jonathan also spoke on the need to reposition the country by engaging in value re-orientation and confidence building in the nation’s polity, stressing that the country needs  to urgently  “embrace positive attitudinal change in our collective resolve to make Nigeria a great nation.

    “Nation building requires the sacrifice of all citizens. On our part, we shall remain committed to promoting good governance, respect for the rule of law, due process, transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.”

    The President congratulated the awardees and told them to see such honours as “a privilege and not a right”.

    His words: “I urge you to be beacons of hope and inspiration for Nigerians. You must continue to exemplify a distinct sense of responsibility and a commitment to the community that makes for a great nation.

    “A national award is among the greatest Honours a country can bestow on her citizens. A national honour carries with it a unique responsibility. While the honour recognises your unique contributions to Nigeria, let me state that it is also a call for greater commitment and sacrifice for furtherance of the development of our dear country.”

    Jonathan urged the awardees to sustain the tempo as it will provide hope for youths who look up to them as mentors and role models.

    With the honour, he said, the awardees have confirmed that success is possible with determination.

    He praised the chairman and members of the Committee and the event’s organisers for a job well done, urging them to continue “to be guided by the principle of faithfulness and integrity as well as the pursuit of excellence during the screening of prospective awardees”.

    Noting that the number of the awardees was small, compared to the size and population of the country, Jonathan was of the opinion that many more Nigerians deserve the recognition. He urged Nigerians to participate in the nomination and also expand the search processes to include all levels of the society.

    Earlier, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, had in his welcome address, noted that the National Award was informed by the need to recognise success, achievement , gallantry, honesty, and exemplary character in the life of every nation.

    The Award Committee, he said, worked tirelessly for two months to identify NIgerians who have demonstrated exemplary contributions to national development and growth.

    The Chairman of the 2012 National Award Committee, Justice Alfa Belgore, said 4,425 had so far been recognised and honoured since inception in 1963. They include the 155 that were honored yesterday.

    He noted that the awardees had in one way or the other touched the lives of some  Nigerians.

    He pleaded that the present standards put in place be maintained so as to restore the glory of the award.

    While congratulating the awardees for their individual achievements, which brought them the honour, Justice Belgore urged them to see the honours as a call to higher dedication to the nation.

    He stressed the need to allow peace to reign in the country, saying our mission of becoming a great nation can only be achieved if we have more men and women living by example.

    The chairman enjoined Nigerians to support President Jonathan. “Let every Nigerian rededicate himself to the service of this nation,” he said, adding that we need a stable nation to progress positively.

    Responding on behalf of the entire awardees, Justice Mary Odili appreciated the president and government for considering them worthy of the honours.

    She also promised that they will work harder in their various fields to justify the honour done to them.

    She said: “Words are inadequate to capture this moment. We are grateful for what has happened today. We appreciate what you have done. We are, indeed, grateful and cannot forget this moment.”

  • Jonathan mourns Adeosun

    Jonathan mourns Adeosun

    President Goodluck Jonathan has said the death of former banker, Chief Oluwole Adeosun, was a sad loss. The President said the late Adeosun’s contributions to the nation’s development as the Secretary of Transport, Aviation and Communications under the Interim National Government (ING), headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan in 1993, were commendable.

    In a statement by his spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati, the President said: “As Chairman of the National Pensions Commission (PENCOM), Chief Adeosun contributed immensely to pension reforms. The nation will no doubt miss his uncommon experience and expertise.”

    Dr Jonathan commiserated with the Adeosun family, the government and people of Ogun State over the death of the late Osi of Egbaland.
    He prayed God to grant his soul of the departed eternal rest.

  • Jonathan hails Ogbemudia at 80

    Jonathan hails Ogbemudia at 80

    Former Governor of the defunct Midwest and later Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, clocked 80 yesterday. In a congratulatory message to Ogbemudia by his media aide, Mr. Reuben Abati, President Goodluck Jonathan praised the former governor for his “enduring patriotism, courage, productive leadership and uncommon administrative acumen”.

    The statement reads: “I write on behalf of my family, the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to express my warm felicitations to you on the occasion of your landmark 80th birthday.

    “Your administrative acumen over the years has earned you a prestigious place of honour in the annals of our national development history. “Decades after you left office, your astounding achievements as Governor and Minister continue to be acknowledged with reverence and nostalgia. It is a testimony to your abiding faith in Nigeria that continue to willingly give of yourself in active service of our fatherland and avail the younger generation of your wise counsel.”

    The President wished the retired army general a happy birthday, God’s blessings and good health. During the celebration yesterday at his home in Benin, the Edo State capital, Ogbemudia said he has prepared his final resting place within his compound.

    He said: “Outside there, you will find a nice building with a cross on it. There are two graves inside it. One belongs to my mother who died in 1968 and the unoccupied one is for me. It has been there for a few years now.
    “When I was younger, whenever I was told that somebody was celebrating 80 years, I used to think of the disadvantages of being an 80-year-old man, especially memory loss.
    “I thank God for giving me him good health, a sound mind and good memory. God has been extremely kind to me.”
    Ogbemudia said at a time, he thought his strict up-bringing was a punishment, but later appreciated his parents when the discipline inculcated in him became useful to him in the army.
    He urged parents to train their children to face future challenges, adding that “the only immunity against hunger is hard work”. Ogbemudia hailed Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s achievements and said the state has enough resources to make life meaningful for its citizens.

    He said: “Many people have been coming to my house through this beautiful road. As a governor, I could not build the road, but somebody felt I deserved to have a good road leading to my house and did it.

    “I repeat without any apology that what I have seen in terms of development in the last three years is something that many people that will come later cannot equal.”
    Ogbemudia urged leaders to show good examples and thanked his guests for coming.

    He said he used 80,000 pounds meant for him as the Military Governor of the defunct Midwest State to build the Cemetery Road in Warri, Delta State.
    Edo State Deputy Governor Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu; the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri; former Deputy Governor Lucky Imasuen; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Osarodion Ogie; former Secretary to the State Government Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Chairman, Bendel Newspapers Co. Ltd. Board of Directors, Mr. Josef Omorotionmwan were at the event.

    Also in attendance were a former minister, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire; former President, Edo Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Joseph Olubor and Chairman, Transition Committee, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Dennis Edomwonyi.

  • Jonathan splashes cash on Paralympians, Falconets

    Jonathan splashes cash on Paralympians, Falconets

    •N5m for each gold medalist •Falconets receive N1m each

     President Goodluck Jonathan    last night opened the vault and showered  cash on Nigeria’s delegation to the just concluded Paralympics in London and the Falconets,the women Under-20 football team for their exploits in Japan.

    The President at a  special reception in  honour of the  Paralympics  athletes and officials as well as the Falconets,gave each of the gold medalists N5million and the silver medalists N3million each.

    The bronze medalists went home with  N2million each while the other members of the delegation were rewarded with N500000 each.

    The Falconets who placed fourth in the World women  Under-20  football completion got N1million each for their effort.Their coaches got a similar amount.

    The  Nigerian special athletes  won a total of 13 medals- six gold, five silver and two bronze medals.  On the overall medals table, Team Nigeria finished 22nd position in the world and  third in Africa behind Tunisia and South Africa that placed first and second respectively.

    officials got N1million.

    The Falconets presented a jersey with the players autograph to the president.

    Speaking at the occasion, Jonathan decried the abysmal performance of Nigerian athletes at the London Olympics, describing it as a huge disappointment.

    He underscored the urgent need to revamp the sporting sector to restore it to its glorious days. To achieve this, the President said government will convene a national sport retreat to address critical issues in the sector.

    He said key actors in the federal and state governments, the private sector, retired and active sports men and women will participate in the retreat.

    Jonathan also called on state governments to take sport seriously and engage youths in various sporting competitions with a view to catching them young.

    He commended the Paralympians and Falconets for their outstanding performances and assured that government will ensure that preparation for any global sporting event starts early.

    He equally noted that attention will be paid to the provision of infrastructure.

    Meanwhile, Governor Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers and Sport Minister, Bolaji Abdulahi disagreed over the possible cause of the failure of the country’s team at the 2012 Olympics.

    While the minister blamed indiscipline and lack of determination on the part of the athletes, the governor said it was mainly as a result of inadequate preparation.

     Bolaji had noted that the difference between the Olympians and the Paralympians was the issue of high level of commitment and discipline.

    But the governor disagreed with him as he noted that determination and discipline without proper preparation will always lead to failure.

    He asked that the country “should not be too hard on our athletes. No matter how determined our athletes are if we don’t prepare well we would not win any medal.”

    He therefore called for early preparation for the next games slated for Brazil in 2016.

    Speaking on the Paralympians, Ameachi said they had comforted Nigerians with their performance – something their able bodied colleagues could not do

    He used the opportunity to call on the Federal Government to pay attention on the disturbing rise in polio incidents in the country.

    He said rather than increase the numbers of those on wheel chairs as a result of polio, the president should call the attention of those concerned to urgently tackle the situation.

  • Jonathan, Alison-Madueke at FEC meeting

    President Goodluck Jonathan and Minister of Petroleum Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, attended yesterday’s Federal Executive Council meeting.

    The President returned to Abuja on Tuesday night 24 hours before his expected departure from Gaborone, the Botswana capital.

    The President moved to Botswana from Malawi. The President’s departure from Botswana, raised speculations that it may have been caused by concerns over the health condition of his wife, Patience, who is hospitalised in Wiesbaden, Germany with an undisclosed ailment.

    The President arrived in the Council Chamber for the weekly FEC meeting at 10a.m to the surprise of members.

    The petroleum minister who was reportedly hospitalised in a London hospital, was also there.

    Many of her colleagues milled around her before the commencement of the meeting.

  • ‘Jonathan does not deserve second term’

    An association, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Total Loyalty Group, has decried the campaign for a second term for President Goodlucl Jonathan by Southsouth leaders under the chairmanship of Chief Edwin Clark.

    The group. led by Alhaji Toyin Balogun, said the President has not impressed Nigerians by his achievements.

    Balogun said in a statement in Lagos that Dr. Jonathan has created more problems for the country by his ineptitude, failed government, incompetence and inability to restore security.

    He added: “I challenge them to point out any major achievement that has been recorded by Dr Jonathan. Corruption ravages the land. There are infrastructural decay, our roads are death traps, there is mass unemployment and hopelessness inn the land. It is sheer wickedness to ask him to stay in office beyond 2015”.

    Balogun said campaign for continuity should be based on a fair assessment of the incumbent in office and not on ethnic sentiment.

    He stressed that Nigeria has been in want of good leadership, which the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has failed to install.

    Balogun added: “,Jonathan like his political party, has proved that Nigeria is doomed under their leadership, PDP has given Nigeria a retrogressive administration. It is suicidal to indulge them and allow them to ruin the country beyond 2015. With PDP, Nigeria may not have a future”.

  • Advice for Jonathan on nation’s unity

    Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan was yesterday urged to focus hisenergy on halting the lingering insecurity of lives and property caused by the onslaught by the Boko Haram sect in order to ensure the sustained unity of the country.

    He was also advised to summon the courage to tell Nigerians the truth about the state of the nation’s economy and stop deceiving Nigerians by trying to fix it wrongly through the back door with an unworkable policy.

    Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) members of the House of Representatives – Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, representing Gbonyin, Ekiti East and Emure Federal Constituency and Chief Rotimi Makinde of Ife Federal Constituency – who gave the advice, also threw their weights behind the Senate in its efforts to stop the government on the controversial N5000 notes.

    “Day in, day out, things are getting worse for Nigerians, even than how they were before Jonathan came in. It appears the economy is in a bad shape and the government must let us know the truth rather than complicating things with the N5000 note issue. There are daunting challenges that daily threaten the health of the country and that of helpless Nigerians. These are what should occupy the mind of Mr. President for now,” Faparusi said.

    In a statement entitled: ‘State of the nation,’ Makinde, who is the Deputy Chairman, Human Rights Committee in the House, also said: “As a lawmaker and accountant with meritorious pedigree, no economic policy, measure or innovation such as the proposed introduction of new N5000 notes can triumph in an unsecured environment like ours. Besides, this, among others should not be our priority at this trying and turbulent period. We should be concerned with only those things that will promote the unity of this entity called Nigeria.

    “On daily basis, we face the challenges of series of attacks on innocent lives and government properties/utilities across the land. A few days ago, three NNPC staff were gruesomely murdered in Arepo Village while trying to fix a damaged pipeline. There are series of other attacks ranging from armed robbery to unrest orchestrated by the Boko Haram sect.”

    He spoke further: “Uniformed men are killed on daily basis. The NYSC scheme, with its good intention, is facing probable scrapping as no one would want his folks to serve in troubled states. These are issues that must bother any responsible and responsive administration.”

  • Jonathan dumps 7-year single tenure proposal

    •Dr. Jonathan

    Two new states likely.   INEC ‘lacks power to seek amendment’

    The Presidency bowing to public pressure, may have dropped the idea of a seven-year single tenure, The Nation learnt yesterday.
    But the government is determined to create one or two states “to ensure some balance and equity”, a source said, pleading not to be named.

    One of the new states may come from the Southeast, which is the only geopolitical zone with five states.
    Also, the government has foreclosed state police in the proposed amendments to the Constitution. It will not be on the list it plans to send to the National Assembly.

    There might, however, be significant proposals on local government and justice sector reforms.
    A government committee on the proposed amendments has almost concluded its work.

    The popular thinking in government circles is that the single term tenure is not popular among Nigerians, hence the decision to dump it.
    The source, who spoke last night, said: “In deference to public opinion, the Presidency will no longer push ahead with the seven-year single-term tenure because the proposal has been beclouded with political sentiments and unnecessary speculations.
    “The intention of President Goodluck Jonathan is to stabilise the system and reduce political frictions and post-election crises to the barest minimum but most people erroneously assumed that he is trying to perpetuate himself in power.
    “Whether we like it or not, posterity will certainly vindicate Jonathan on this single tenure system.

    “So, as things stand, the Presidency will retain the present provision of a renewable four-year tenure system – in line with Section 135 of the 1999 Constitution.”
    On state creation, the source said: “President Jonathan believes in equity and fairness. I think his administration is favourably disposed to the creation of one or two states to address obvious imbalance.

    “One of the states might be from the Southeast, which is the only geopolitical zone with five states. The other five zones have six states, with the exception of the Northwest with seven states.”
    On other likely areas of amendment, the source said: “We want to ensure autonomy for local governments, especially on the need for the abolition of Joint Accounts. Most of the 774 local government areas in the country have become appendages of the state governors.
    “The administration of President Jonathan is disturbed that there is no democracy at the local government level, let alone good governance. This is a vital tier of government.
    “Also, Nigerians should expect fundamental reforms in the justice sector, especially access to justice, quick dispensation of justice and criminal justice reforms.”
    The source admitted that the government is considering the proposals of Justice Alfa Belgore Committee, the report of the Steering Committee on the Implementation of the Justice Sector Reforms in Nigeria and other similar reports to draw up its proposed amendments.
    While submitting the report of its committee to the President in July, Justice Belgore harped on the need to save the local government system and reform administration of justice.

    He said: “We have viewed many parts of the Constitution. In particular, we put new visions into creating an optimally independent, incorruptible and stabilising local government system that shall always be administered by democratically elected officials that must be accountable, responsive to local needs, directed, controlled and sanctioned by appropriate laws.
    “In our view, this is necessary in order to deepen principles of democracy and sound resource management at the grassroots where it really matters for this country.
    “Of special significance is that we also looked at the judiciary vis-à-vis the Bar, which is just one. That means there is only one Bar.
    “The procedures we inherited from the colonial times, which were originally meant for jury, has not helped the speedy dispensation of justice. There is no reason earthly why judgments and hearing in cases must take more than one year.
    “The British have done away with these procedures in some of their Acts while we still insist on their being sacrosanct, which is unfortunate.”
    It was gathered that plans by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to initiate independent amendments to the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2011 may not work.
    By law, the electoral commission cannot approach the National Assembly directly, but through the Federal Government.
    A top government official said: “INEC cannot go ahead to seek amendments to the Constitution without doing so through the Federal Government.
    “By virtue of Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution, the electoral commission is one of the Federal Executive Bodies. So, anything INEC wants to do must be through the government and not as an independent body.

    “What INEC should do is to submit its proposed amendments to the government for harmonisation and the government in return will look at it on merit and forward these proposals to the National Assembly.”

    INEC is proposing an amendment to its Act to stop a sitting President from appointing Resident Electoral Commissioners. The commission is seeking powers to appoint RECS in order to enhance its independence and be able to conduct a free and fair poll.