The Nation Newspaper

Tag: President Jonathan

  • Jonathan vows to lead battle to defeat Boko Haram

    Jonathan vows to lead battle to defeat Boko Haram

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday night vowed to lead Nigerians to defeat the Boko Haram sect.

    Speaking at the official launching of the Victims Support Fund at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, the President said that it beats his imagination that Nigerians could make themselves available to be used as suicide bombers.

    He said the fact that the fund was being set up was not an admission that terrorism has come to stay in the country.

    Jonathan said: “I never for once thought that I would, in my life time, hear of Nigerians strapping bombs to themselves and blowing up innocent people. We would have sworn that it is impossible! 10 years ago, no Nigerian would have imagined it. We thought it was something that could only happen in other countries.”

    “But here we are today witnessing this sordid phenomenon. Even women, who are not known for violence, are now involved. Mr. Chairman, fellow citizens, we will defeat terror and I will lead Nigerians to achieve this.”

    “The fact that we are setting up a victims support fund does not mean we have accepted that terrorism is here to stay. No! Never! Rather, this is just one of the short-term measures in our overall strategy against the enemies of peace and progress.”

    The President assured that his administration will not allow evil to overcome good in the country.

    According to him, it was also unbelievable to think that “some twisted minds” could kidnap innocent school girls and keep them in captivity for months.

    In effort to rescue the abducted Chibok school girls, he said the government is caught between demonstrating military might and endangering their lives or undermining the sovereignty of Nigeria by succumbing to the blackmail of the terrorists on their own terms.

    All options, he said, are still open to bring the girls back home safely.

    He said: “We will come out of this tougher and better nation. In these trying times, we have seen Muslims and Christians, Northerners and Southerners, men and women, and Nigerians from all walks of life rise up in unison to condemn the terrorists.”

  • Guber poll: Jonathan visits Osun Saturday

    Guber poll: Jonathan visits Osun Saturday

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun on Thursday said that all arrangements had been concluded to receive President Goodluck Jonathan in Osogbo on Saturday.

    The Secretary of PDP in Osun, Mr. Bola Ajao, made this known when he addressed journalists in Osogbo.

    Ajao said the President was coming to throw his weight behind Senator Iyiola Omisore’s bid to win the state governorship election.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the election holds August 9.

    He said Jonathan would also use the visit to intimate the residents with his transformation agenda.

    “The President’s passion for overall development is not hidden. Few days from now, residents will be at the poll to elect a governor to steer the ship of the state for another four years.

    “The import of the President’s visit is not only to boost the candidature of the party’s governorship candidate but to further explain his transformation agenda to the people.

    “A vote for the PDP is a vote for individual growth and collective emancipation through a one man one woman vote,’’ he said.

     

  • Bayelsa elders to Jonathan: Declare for second term now

    Bayelsa elders to Jonathan: Declare for second term now

    Elders and frontline politicians in Bayelsa State on Thursday asked President Goodluck Jonathan to seek reelection in 2015.

    The elders comprising former and present political office holders, henchmen of the Peoples Democratic Party and industrialists advised Jonathan to stop wasting time in declaring for a second term.

    Rising from their meeting in Yenagoa, the state capital, the elders under the aegis of Bayelsa Development Forum (BDF) said Jonathan should extend his Presidency to enable him complete his transformation agenda.

    The elders who attended the meeting were BDF Chairman, Chief Thompson Okorotie; Secretary and former Speaker of the old Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr. Talford Ongolo and former political adviser, George Fente.

    Others are Chief Claudius Enegesi, Chief Lionel Jonathan-Omu, Charles Dorgu, Chief Banton Akpuruku, Mr. Bolous Indiamaowei, Senator Inatimi Spiff, Mr. Fyneman Wilson, Chief Douye Naingba and Chief Alex Ekiottene among others.

    Okorotie, who addressed the maiden press conference of BDF, said President Jonathan had achieved unprecedented landmark despite security challenges in the country.

    He mentioned electricity, agriculture, rail transportation, housing and airport remodeling as sectors where Jonathan had left his footprints.

    He also praised the commitment of the present administration of Governor Seriake Dickson to the development of different sectors of the economy.

    He said Dickson’s administration had shown uncommon passion to develop the state.

    “BDF observed that Bayelsa State has experienced stagnation and very slow pace of development over the years to the chagrin of the people.

    “We believe the time is ripe for our state to catch up with the rest of our country and even go beyond and excel,” he said.

     

  • Jonathan reassures international community on 2015 polls

    Jonathan reassures international community on 2015 polls

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday night reassured the international community of his administration’s commitment to credible and peaceful elections in 2015.

    Jonathan gave the reassurance while addressing Senators and members of the diplomatic corps who joined him for the breaking of Ramadan fast at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He insisted that the 2015 general election would be so free, fair and peaceful that the whole world would be surprised.

    “I know that one thing that is dear to your hearts is what the elections in this country will look like next year.

    “But let me use this unique opportunity to reassure you. I am conveying this to my brothers, your heads of government, that our elections next year will be free and fair.’’

    Jonathan said so much was happening in the world today which required constant supplication of all to the creator, to seek for His protection and guidance.

    He said there were some members of the society who had “lost their ways and allowed evil forces to take command of their faculties.

    “Let us take the opportunity of this season to ask Allah to forgive them and guide them back to the path of righteousness and holiness.

    “I wish to call on your excellences and all Muslims who are praying during this period, especially during the Night of Majesty, to pray for peace and security to reign.

    “Let us also pray to Allah to guide the leaders as well as the followers and give them wisdom to work for the development of their respective countries, “the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the President as saying at the forum.

    Jonathan also urged them to seek God’s intervention in the various challenges confronting “our nations,” especially nations facing civil strife, political instability, militancy, terrorism and financial crisis.

  • Jonathan, Nasarawa Speaker, PDP chieftain meet

    Jonathan, Nasarawa Speaker, PDP chieftain meet

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday held a closed-door meeting with the Speaker of Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Musa Mohammed and the Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    There have been street protests by youths in the state following moves by the state House of Assembly to impeach Governor Tanko Al-Makura.

    The governor is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The lawmakers on Wednesday asked the state Chief Judge to raise a panel to investigate al-Makura on 16 charges of gross abuse of public office.

    But speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with the President, the Speaker, who was accompanied by some principal officers of the House of Assembly, declined to give details of the meeting.

    He said: “It is a private visit. I don’t have the mandate of the State Assembly to brief the press. The Chairman of the House Committee on Information has the mandate to speak to the press on anything concerning impeachment.”

    Secondus, who emerged from the President’s office few minutes later also declined to give details of the discussion at the meeting.

    “It’s consultation. I can’t say whatever now. We are consulting,” he stated.

  • We’ll do everything possible to rescue Chibok girls – Jonathan

    We’ll do everything possible to rescue Chibok girls – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday told the Chibok community that government is doing everything humanly possible to rescue the over 200 girls abducted from their college in April and return them safely to their parents.

    A statement issued by his media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the President spoke at a meeting with parents of the abducted girls, some of the girls who escaped from their abductors and leaders of the community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He appealed for their patience, understanding and cooperation in the ongoing efforts to rescue the girls.

    President said, “Anyone who gives you the impression that we are aloof and that we are not doing what we are supposed to do to get the girls out is not being truthful.

    “Our commitment is not just to get the girls out, it is also to rout Boko Haram completely from Nigeria. But we are very, very mindful of the safety of the girls. We want to return them all alive to their parents. If they are killed in any rescue effort, then we have achieved nothing,”

    The meeting was also attended by Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, his Bauchi State counterpart, Isa Yuguda and the Senate President, David Mark.

    The President insisted that although he was yet to visit Chibok folloowing the abductions, his heart was constantly with the traumatized parents and people of the community.

    He stressed that his desire was to visit them when their daughters have been freed.

    “Our duty now is to take all relevant steps to recover our girls alive and our primary interest is getting them out as safely as possible. I will not want to say much, but we are doing everything humanly possible to get the girls out.

    “This is not the time for talking much. This is the time for action. We will get to the time that we will tell stories. We will get to the time that we will celebrate and I assure you that, by God’s grace, that time will come soon,” he told them.

    Responding to appeals for more assistance in overcoming some of the challenges imposed on Chibok and neighbouring communities by the Boko Haram insurgency, the President said the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Federal Medical Agencies will intensify their efforts to provide them with additional relief aid and assistance.

    He also assured them that Chibok and other communities in the three North-Eastern States most affected by the Boko Haram insurgency will be the first beneficiaries of the Victims’ Support Fund, the Presidential Initiative for the North-East, the Safe Schools Initiative and other developmental programmes which the Federal Government is putting in place to address the damage, losses, setbacks, economic and social dislocations caused by the insurgency.

    “We solicit your maximum cooperation. Let us work together. Evil can never overcome good. We will surely overcome Boko Haram,” President Jonathan stated.

    In his remarks, Governor Shettima called for more sobriety, reflection and unity of purpose in the fight against terrorism in the country.

    He said the state government will give President Jonathan the fullest possible support in his efforts to address the problems caused by terrorism and the Boko Haram insurgency.

     

  • Chibok girls’ education won’t suffer – Jonathan

    Chibok girls’ education won’t suffer – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday met with about 51 secondary school girls that escaped from terrorists, their parents, some parents of girls still in captivity and community and opinion leaders from Chibok, Borno State, with a promise to ensure the girls’ education do not suffer.

    Over 200 girls were abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, on April 14.

    Jonathan, who met these people behind closed doors at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, also promised to rescue the abducted girls still in captivity alive.

    Besides government officials barring journalists from covering the over two hours-thirty minutes meeting, the Chibok girls and their parents were shielded from journalists throughout their stay at the Villa.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said, “Mr. President met with the parents of the abducted girls, community and opinion leaders of Chibok. The parents include those of girls that escaped and those of the girls who are still in captivity, the girls who managed to escape were also here.

    “It was an interactive session during which the President had the opportunity to listen first hand to the various categories of persons. It was a very successful event and a good development because Mr. President had always been looking forward to this opportunity. Before now he had met with various stakeholders on the matter but today he heard directly from the persons involved.

    “Statements were made by all the representatives of people. They spoke their minds and conveyed their feelings to the President. The girls who escaped also gave an account of what they went through. Mr. President reassured them of the federal government’s determination and his own personal determination to ensure that the girls that are still in captivity are brought out alive.

    “That is the main objective of the government. Mr. President also used the opportunity to empathise with the parents and the girls and to reassure them that everything will be done to make things easier for them, especially those who have escaped and the ones that will also be rescued, that their education will not in any way suffer and he is convinced that evil will never prevail over good.”

    He went on: “Mr. President further assured that after the battle has been won and the girls are brought back home, he, together with the parents and the state government will focus on development, on building Chibok, on building all that the terrorists had destroyed and on ensuring that every child, either in Chibok or in any other part of the country, has his/her dream realized.”

  • Jonathan meets Chibok girls’ parents Tuesday

    President Goodluck Jonathan will on Tuesday meet with some parents of the over 200 secondary school girls abducted in Chibok, Borno State in April 14.

    Also expected to be at the meeting billed for the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, are some of the schoolgirls that escaped from the terrorists.

    The Pakistani Girl-Child Education Campaigner, Malala Yousafzai, had urged President Jonathan to meet the parents when she met him last week Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    An earlier meeting with the parents scheduled for last week Tuesday did not hold as they were said to have left for Borno State.

  • Jonathan mourns Rilwanu Lukman

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday expressed sadness over the death of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Alhaji Rilwanu Lukman.

    Jonathan, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, commiserated with the former minister’s family, the Government and people of Kaduna, his friends, associates and all those he mentored over the years in the domestic and global oil industry.

    He noted that Lukman was a brilliant engineer, technocrat and administrator who spent almost all his working life serving his country and the global community in various capacities including Minister, Special Adviser, Secretary-General and President of the Organisation of Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC).

    The statement reads: “As Alhaji Lukman’s soul returns to its Maker, President Jonathan joins all who knew him in giving thanks to God Almighty for bestowing him on the nation and for the great intelligence, integrity, competence and humility with which he distinguished himself in all his national and international assignments.”

    “Nigeria, the President firmly believes, will always owe a huge debt of gratitude to the late Petroleum Minister for his very significant contributions to the development of the country’s oil and gas industry, and for serving with acclaimed distinction as the nation’s representative at the helm of OPEC affairs over many years.”

    Jonathan prayed Almighty God to receive Alhaji Lukman’s gentle soul and grant him eternal rest in Paradise.

  • Terrorism: Security Council stops ethnic registration, deportation

    Terrorism: Security Council stops ethnic registration, deportation

    The National Security Council meeting presided by President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday stopped the registration and deportation of non-indigenes in any part of the country.

    To check the onslaught of Boko Haram, some state governments have reportedly commenced the registration of non-indigenes in their states.

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting at the Presidential Villa, the Director General of State Security Service (SSS), Ita Ekpeyong, maintained that such deportation and registration are more dangerous than Boko Haram itself.

    Ekpeyong, who was accompanied by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, said that Nigerians are free to settle anywhere they like.

    He said that the Council of State meeting will be held next week to discuss the issues.

    He said: “The IGP has told us what was discussed at the meeting, the fight against Boko Haram, the efforts made by government to rescue the Chibok girls and the issue of deportation, registration of Nigerians in states of the federation. We regard this as even more potent than Boko Haram.”

    “The Council discussed in detail the issue of registration of Nigerians in any part of the country, being subjected to registration, being subjected to deportation, being taken away from one part of the country to the other.

    “The Council discussed the reaction by some groups in Kano State and other parts of the country. We observe that this threat was more potent than Boko Haram and could disintegrate the country.

    “And we take this very seriously, for people to deport people, for people to take people from one place to the other, for registration of indigenes no matter where they are. No matter where they are they are free to settle anywhere they like.

    “The Council resolved that the issue of registration of Nigerians anywhere in the country and deportation should stop forthwith. To re-emphasis the importance, the President has attached to this that is why he asked the IGP and myself to address the press, this must stop forthwith.”