The Nation Newspaper

Tag: President Jonathan

  • Don’t allow repeat of 2011 post election violence – Jonathan

    Don’t allow repeat of 2011 post election violence – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday commissioned N9.6billion new Kaduna State Government Ultra-modern Office Complex, urging the people of the state not to allow the repeat of the 2011 post elections violence in 2015.

    The President said gone were the days when selfish politicians would instigate violence in the state, while he and his family remain untouched.

    President Jonathan, who was welcomed to the event amidst funfair further, told Kaduna people that “don’t allow anybody to use you in causing chaos while he and his family remained untouched.

    “Peace is initiated and maintained by the people, if the people are determined to live in peace, there would be peace and if we live in peace we would see more development coming to the state.”

    He added that no amount of security personnel deployed to the state can maintain security, adding that it was time for Nigerians to build their communities, states and the nation at large.

    The President commended the governor for improving the security situation in the state.

    Speaking earlier, Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji mukhtar Ramalan Yero, said the project was one of numerous accomplishments of successive administrations in the state.

  • Jonathan congratulates Brazilian President on re-election

    Jonathan congratulates Brazilian President on re-election

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday congratulated President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil on her victory in the final round of her country’s presidential elections.

    According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, President Jonathan received the news of President Rousseff’s re-election with great delight because of the excellent relations and strategic partnership forged between Nigeria and Brazil during her first term in office.

    It reads: “As President Rousseff prepares to begin a new term of office on January 1, 2015, Nigeria looks forward to working with her government to expand and further enhance existing relation with Brazil, especially in the area of trade and economic relations, for the mutual benefit of the people of both countries.”

    “President Jonathan also applauds President Rousseff’s expressed commitment to working for greater peace, national unity and more reforms in Brazil during her second term.”

    He congratulated the people of Brazil for their unwavering commitment to democracy and its processes which has produced a peaceful and acceptable outcome in the keenly contested elections.

  • 2015: Jonathan to declare on Nov 11

    2015: Jonathan to declare on Nov 11

    The Chairman of the Presidential Declaration Committee Dr. Haliru Bello, on Friday disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan will formally declare his intention to run for 2015 Presidential election on November 11.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the committee’s inaugural meeting at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, Bello said the venue for the declaration will be decided in the committee’s next meeting.

    He said: “The President gave us the task to organize the modality of creating a platform for him to meet Nigerians and announce his response to the various calls for him to come out and declare his interest in the presidential election.

    “The President has not said anything yet, but it is like all Nigerians have called on him. It is our honest hope that he will come out and say yes to the demand of multitude of Nigerians.

    “We expect he will say yes, but we cannot say yes for him. We will wait for him to speak.

    “The date that is fixed is Tuesday, November 11. On that day, there will be a forum for the President to meet Nigerians to announce his decision.

    “The venue is yet to be decided. That will be decided at our next meeting. When we come out on November 11, the President will face the people of Nigeria and say yes to their demand.

    “If he says yes, it will be yes. If he says no, then it is negative. But you are aware that our party, the Peoples Democratic Party in all its organs, from the caucus to the Board of Trustees and the National Working Committee had decided that President Jonathan should be given the first option of refusal with the PDP ticket.”

    “If he is going to contest, the PDP will give him preference. As the President, he has performed and we are satisfied with what he has done.”

    According to him, it is only when he declines the offer that the PDP could look at any other contestant.

    Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema, disclosed that members of the committee were grouped into sub-committees during the inaugural meeting.

    Some of the groups, according to him, include secretariat, venue and decoration, media and publicity, security, protocol and mobilisation.

    He was optimistic that the committee would come up with enough preparations that would ensure a hitch-free declaration ceremony.

  • Joint border posts will check terror, other crimes – Jonathan

    Joint border posts will check terror, other crimes – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday maintained that creation of joint border posts will go a long way in checking terrorism and other trans-border crimes.

    He made the remark during the foundation laying stone and re-launching of the construction of Seme-Krake joint border, which is one of the seven posts earmarked for construction in the sub-region.

    Stressing that the region has no choice but to work together to overcome the challenges, he said that the joint border posts will promote greater integration, development and prosperity in the sub-region.

    He said: “Your Excellencies, our sub-region faces many challenges today.  They range from the insidious and new wave of terrorism and insurgent activities, to such other trans-border crimes as human and drug trafficking, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, among others.

    “We have no choice, as neighbours and brothers, but to work together, in unity and determination, to deal decisively with these threats to our security and stability, which impede our development potential.

    “The increased cooperation and coordination of controls, the exchange of data and intelligence which will result from the implementation of the joint border posts will certainly help our countries, individually and collectively, to successfully confront some of these challenges.”

    Continuing, he said: “I am confident that by simplifying clearance procedures and reducing unnecessary delays and inconveniences associated with existing conventional border posts, the joint border posts will promote greater integration, development and prosperity,  within and among the countries of our sub-region.

    “The launch of this project represents an important movement in the ECOWAS integration protocol. An enhanced Seme-Krake joint border post, will no doubt, ameliorate the present hardship being experienced by border users and officials operating along the Nigeria-Benin borders.

    He said the project and other similar projects are expected to be completed in good time in order to help enhance trade and cargo movements across West Africa.

     

  • Jonathan to Falcons: Bring back the AWC trophy

    Jonathan to Falcons: Bring back the AWC trophy

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday congratulated the Super Falcons for reaching the final of the 2014 African Women’s Football Championship in Windhoek, Namibia.

    The President also commended the team for securing a ticket to represent Africa at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, President Jonathan urged the team to go all out against Cameroon in the African Women’s Championship Final.

    He said the team must not fail to continue its glorious domination of African Women’s football with another victory, having won six of the eight previous championships.

    The statement reads: “Although the Falcon’s scintillating performance thus far in this year’s AWC tournament makes the team the bookmakers’ favourites to win the final match, President Jonathan urges the girls not to take victory against Cameroon for granted, but to prepare very well and put their acclaimed soccer skills and strength to the best possible use on Saturday to achieve victory.

    “The President assures the girls and their handlers of the full support and best wishes of the Federal Government and all soccer-loving Nigerians as they strive to add another international sporting laurel to the glory of their fatherland.”

    He joined other Nigerians in praying for the team’s victory and looks forward to receiving them in Abuja with the championship trophy.

     

  • Jonathan hails Uduaghan’s ‘exemplary dedication to service’ at 60

    Jonathan hails Uduaghan’s ‘exemplary dedication to service’ at 60

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday applauded Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s exemplary dedication to the service of Delta State and Nigeria.

    In a congratulatory letter to Uduaghan, who turns 60 Wednesday, the President commended his commitment to the ideals of diligence, humility and perseverance.

    He wrote: “On behalf of my family, the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I write to express warm felicitations to you on the glorious occasion of your 60th birthday anniversary.

    “I join your family, friends, well-wishers and the entire people of Delta State in celebrating a life that vividly epitomizes triumph against all odds emanating from the circumstance of birth, while also symbolizing the assured reward for single-minded commitment to the ideals of diligence, humility, perseverance, focus and dedicated service.

    “As you deservedly mark this landmark anniversary, it is my prayer that Almighty God will continue to grant you good health, even as He guides, guards and prospers you in the many more years of fulfilling service ahead of you.”

    The President, according to a statement issued by his media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, also wished Governor Uduaghan a very happy birthday.

     

  • FG will pay special attention to tourism – Jonathan

    FG will pay special attention to tourism – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday promised that his administration will continue to pay special attention to the tourism sector in his transformation agenda.

    He stated this at the opening ceremony of the 28th National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) 2014 at the Abakaliki Township Stadium, Ebonyi.

    Represented by the Vice President, Arc Namadi Sambo, the President said because culture and tourism constitute a vector for job creation and economic empowerment for the youths and women government will continue giving the sector the necessary attention it deserves.

    The President said, “The federal government believes that a proper grasp of the people’s culture enhances understanding and smooth administration at all levels. We also believe that for tourism to make significant contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, it must be driven by the people’s culture and heritage.

    “We are happy to note that the success of Nollywood that is giving Nigeria a good image in the international arena has become a potent tool of national re-branding. This is attracting the desired global attention to our nation and its culture.”

    Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi, described the theme of this year’s festival, “Celebrating Nigeria at 100-The role of culture and tourism as a vehicle for national unity” as appropriate and timely.

    He said, “Even though culture in itself always portrays the tendency to discriminate against people of different background, the sudden awareness of its relevance as a pillar of civilization and an emblem of identity has proved that it is also a unifying factor in our quest for national integration.

    “Together we are a formidable force, together we represent the rich heritage of identity, together we have woven ourselves as one people unified and striving to be together.”

     

  • Jonathan orders continued vigilance against Ebola

    Jonathan orders continued vigilance against Ebola

    …Welcomes WHO certification for Nigeria

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday ordered that all the anti-Ebola measures taken after the entry of the virus into Nigeria should remain intact.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President also asked health officials to continue to actively screen persons entering the country through its air, land and sea borders for any sign of the virus.

    He welcomed the official declaration of Nigeria as Ebola-free nation by the World Health Organisation (WHO) after 42 days without any incidence of the disease.

    He said: “As the nation applauds the success of its collective effort to stop the transmission of the Ebola Virus within Nigeria however, the President warns that the entire country must remain fully alert and vigilant against the re-entry of the virus.

    “President Jonathan fully shares the view expressed by WHO in its congratulatory message to Nigeria that while we have won a battle against Ebola, the war will only truly end when West Africa, Africa and the world are declared free of Ebola.

    “The President consequently directs that all the anti-Ebola measures taken after the entry of the virus into the country should remain in place and that health officials should continue to actively screen persons entering the country through its air, land and sea borders for any sign of the virus.

    “The President also urged all Nigerians to continue to follow the anti-Ebola advisories on sanitation and personal hygiene issued by Federal and State Health authorities.

    Jonathan dedicated the WHO certification to the many patriotic health workers, volunteers and ordinary Nigerians who worked tirelessly, some of them paying the ultimate price, to stop the deadly virus in its track after it entered the country in July this year.

     

     

  • Jonathan cautions Buhari on election campaign

    Jonathan cautions Buhari on election campaign

    …Conduct your campaign truthfully – President

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday advised former head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), to conduct his electioneering campaign with greater regard for the truth.

    The Presidency response to Buhari’s comments about current administration’s performance came via a statement issued by the President’s media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati.

    The former Nigerian leader had during Wednesday’s formal declaration of his 2015 presidential bid castigated the Peoples Democratic Party- led Federal Government for impoverishing Nigerians.

    But the Presidency in the statement condemned what it described as “reckless, baseless and unsupportable” charges made against the administration by Buhari.

    “We wholly reject the allegations made by Gen. Buhari against the Jonathan administration at yesterday’s declaration of his intention to contest the 2015 presidential elections as an irresponsible denigration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s sincere efforts, over the past four years, to positively transform Nigeria.

    “It reflects very badly on the character of the political opposition we now have in Nigeria, that a political leader of Gen. Buhari’s stature will deliberately make such false and uncharitable comments about the elected leadership of his country, merely for personal and sectional political gain,” the statement said.

    It added: “The falsity of Buhari’s anti-Jonathan and anti-PDP claims will be obvious to knowledgeable Nigerians and friends of the country, but for the benefit of others we will like to affirm that there is absolutely no truth whatsoever in his charge that the last 16 years of PDP Government has witnessed a decline in all critical sectors of life in Nigeria or that the economy continues to deteriorate.

    “Statistics and rankings from the National Bureau of Statistics, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other international economic agencies give the lie to Buhari’s claims on the state of the Nigerian economy.”

    The Presidency claimed that available figures, statistics and ratings show that the Nigerian economy has consistently maintained an unprecedented growth rate of 6-7 per cent under the current administration.

    “They also show that the Nigerian economy is now the leading economy in Africa and the 26th largest in the world with a gross domestic product of over $500 billion per annum,” it stated.

    The statement also faulted Buhari’s assertion on agriculture, insisting that Nigeria’s agricultural sector is thriving under the reforms being implemented by Jonathan’s administration.

     

  • Jonathan greets Alaafin at 76

    Jonathan greets Alaafin at 76

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday hailed the continued support of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, for the Federal Government’s efforts to accelerate the country’s socio-economic development.

    Writing to felicitate with the Alaafin on the occasion of his 76th birthday anniversary taking place Wednesday, President Jonathan applauded the monarch’s laudable contributions to peace, harmony and progress in Oyo State and Nigeria.

    The President wrote: “On behalf of my family, the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I write to convey warm felicitations to Your Highness on the occasion of your 76th birthday anniversary.

    “You have not only continued to use your exalted throne to promote peace, harmony and progress in your kingdom and Oyo State, you have also continued to provide unwavering support for our administration in our determined quest to reposition our dear nation for enduring stability and sustained growth and development. For this, I thank Your Highness.”

    According to a statement issued by his media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, President Jonathan wished the monarch very happy birthday celebrations and prayed that Almighty God will continue to bless him with good health and many more years of worthy service to Oyo State and the country as a whole.