The Nation Newspaper

Tag: President Jonathan

  • Jonathan, Gowon, others attend Lar’s funeral

    Jonathan, Gowon, others attend Lar’s funeral

    President Goodluck Jonathan and former head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, were among the many dignitaries that attended Friday’s funeral rites of Chief Solomon Lar in Jos, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

    The Peoples Democratic Party National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, his Board of Trustees counterpart, Chief Tony Anenih, and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, are also attending the funeral at the Rwang Pam Stadium.

    Also at the stadium to bid Lar farewell are – former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani; Governors Gabriel Suswam of Benue, Idris Wada of Kogi, Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Rochas Okorocha of Imo and Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State.

    Ministers in attendance are – Labaran Maku (Information); Abba Moro (Interior), Bala Mohammed (FCT) while the Senate President, David Mark and the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha are graced the occasion.

    Others were retired senior military officers like Gen. T. Y. Danjuma, Gen. Joshua Dogon-Yaro as well as Sen. Isaiah Balat, Special Adviser to the President (Special Duties).

    NAN reports that as the funeral ceremony continues, security has been tightened around the venue and other parts of Jos metropolis.

    Security personnel were deployed to strategic junctions, while vehicular movement had been diverted to other areas considered less busy.

    The spokesperson of the Plateau Police Command, Mrs. Felicia Anselm, while commenting on the security arrangement, declared that adequate measures were put in place to avoid any hitch.

    “We have left nothing to chance; we have enough men on ground and the situation is fully under control,’’ she told NAN.

     

     

  • NGF faction to meet Jonathan on state of economy

    NGF faction to meet Jonathan on state of economy

    The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) faction headed by Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, wants to meet with President Goodluck Jonathan over allegations regarding the non-remittance of some funds by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

    The forum underscored the need for such a meeting in a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting in Abuja, which ended in the early hours of Thursday.

    It would be recalled that the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, had in a letter to Jonathan, alleged that the NNPC failed to remit $49.8 billion to the Federation Account.

    Sanusi said in the letter that the sum represented the proceeds from crude oil sales between January 2012 and July 2013.

    “There is a weighty allegation contained in a recent letter to Mr. President by the CBN Governor on the state of the economy.

    “Therefore, members mandated the forum’s chairman to request for a meeting with Mr. President in order to deliberate on issues of critical national importance.

    “The meeting with the president has become necessary because the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting for November, planned for December 9 and 10, was shelved for undisclosed reasons,’’ it said.

    The forum also noted that the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, scheduled for December 12, where such issues could have been discussed, was also postponed indefinitely.

    It noted that the NEC meeting had not been convened in the last four months.

    However, the forum condoled with the government and people of South Africa over the death of its former president, Dr. Nelson Mandela.

    It noted that Mandela left a legacy of quality and selfless leadership which was worthy of emulation.

    The forum also remembered the late Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State, who died a year ago.

    It said that it would identify with the Yakowa family during the memorial event which would be organised by the family.

    Meanwhile, the NNPC has rejected the CBN governor’s allegation over the unremitted funds, saying that the allegation was borne out of his misunderstanding of the workings of the oil and gas industry.

    The NNPC said the misunderstanding was further compounded by the modalities for remitting crude oil sales revenue into the Federation Account.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NGF meeting was attended by the governors of Borno, Lagos, Ekiti, Kwara, Adamawa, Zamfara, River and Osun states.

    The deputy governors of Oyo and Jigawa States also attended the meeting.

     

  • ASUU should resist FG’s threat

    ASUU should resist FG’s threat

    SIR: It is heart-rending that President Jonathan’s regime has thrown all caution to the winds in its unabated offensive against the mass of working people in the latest round of attacks on democratic rights. The most bizarre is the ultimatum issued to the striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), to resume on or before December 9.It would be recalled that ASUU has embarked on indefinite strike to press home the demands for the full implementation of the 2009 Agreement reached with the Federal Government on improved funding of the universities to enhance better learning and working conditions in the universities.

    The Jonathan regime has equally demonstrated its deep disregard for democratic rights by deploying the officers of the Nigerian Police in an aberrant militarization of the campuses. To this has been added the cash-and-carry mobilization of rotten renegades in the students’ movement to undermine the struggle of the university lecturers.

    It would be necessary to attempt to remedy the grave ignorance of the Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, who possibly need to be reminded of the fundamentals of labour laws in Nigeria. It is trite law that the legal right of ASUU as a trade union to strike on the conditions of service of its members has statutory flavour. Therefore a mass sack threat amount to a legal nullity. The Federal Government is in breach of the principle of collective bargaining.

    While the members of ASUU need to be commended, they must remain steadfast as their struggle is genuine and pro-labour/students. However, the struggle has exceeded ASUU alone as the Jonathan regime has had the day with its rough-shod on democratic rights which have seen a wave of repression of peaceful assemblies and exercise of freedom of association.

    What is urgently needed is a concerted mass mobilization strategy involving all genuine pro-labour organizations in the workers’ and students’ movement as well as the trade unions to embark on a series of street protests and demonstrations to resist the planned mass retrenchment of university lecturers, militarization of university campuses and attacks on democratic rights.

    • Ayo’ Ademiluyi

    Agege, Lagos

  • FG won’t interfere with national confab – Jonathan

    FG won’t interfere with national confab – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday insisted that the Federal Government has no intention of interfering with the structure and processes of the proposed national dialogue.

    He made the remark while speaking with leaders of Ohaneze Ndigbo and the South-East Geo-Political Zone at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Jonathan, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said that his administration had left it to Nigerians to determine the framework, content and process of the dialogue.

    He said: “If you listen to the radio, watch television and read online, you will realize that Nigerians are talking. We listen and read the commentaries. But all the discussions and ideas need to be harmonized. We must come to a point where we can move in one direction.’’

    On worries expressed in some quarters over the time-frame for the national dialogue, he said the process would definitely be completed well before the 2015 elections.

    According to him, the Presidential Advisory Committee on the National Dialogue will soon present its report to him having concluded its nationwide consultations

    .The President and ministers, who were in attendance at the audience, also briefed the South East leaders on his administration’s developmental efforts in various sectors including aviation, agriculture, transportation and power.

    He assured the delegation that his administration will do all within its powers to ensure that projects such as the Second Niger Bridge, the rehabilitation of South East roads and expansion of the national rail network to the zone are completed on schedule.

    The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey, congratulated the President for initiating the upcoming national dialogue.

    He pledged the South East’s support for the process and assured the President that Ndigbo will make meaningful contributions to move the country forward in unity.

     

  • Jonathan arrives Paris for peace summit

    Jonathan arrives Paris for peace summit

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday arrived in Paris, France, to join other world leaders participating in a summit on peace and security in Africa.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the president and his entourage arrived at a Military Airforce Base in Paris at about 10.30am.

    Jonathan was accompanied by the First Lady, Dame Patience and some Presidential Aides.

     

    He was received at the airport by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed, and the Nigerian Ambassador to France, Mr. Hakeem Suleiman.

    NAN reports that no fewer than 50 Heads of State and Government are participating in the Elysee Palace Summit being hosted by President Francois Hollande of France.

    The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, heads of European institutions and leaders of Africa’s sub-regional and continental organisations such as the African Union and ECOWAS are also participating in the summit.

    The summit is scheduled to discuss peace and security in Africa, economic partnership, sustainable development and climate change.

    Hollande and Mrs. Valerie Trierweiler are billed to host all heads of delegation to the summit and their spouses to a state dinner.

     

     

  • Jonathan declares three-day mourning for Mandela

    Jonathan declares three-day mourning for Mandela

    … AU Commission too

    President Goodluck Jonathan has declared three days of national mourning for former South African President, Dr. Nelson Mandela, who died on Thursday.

    Flags are to be flown at half-mast across Nigeria during the period and President Jonathan urged all Nigerians to unite in solidarity with the people of South Africa as they mourn the “great liberator, freedom fighter and hero of the black race.”

    A statement issued by his media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the President also called for special prayers in mosques and churches in Nigeria during the period of mourning which begins on Friday, for the peaceful repose of Dr. Mandela’s soul.

    A special inter-denominational memorial service for the anti-apartheid icon will be held at the State House Chapel on Sunday.

    Also, the African Union Commission on Friday declared three-day mourning with special funeral service in honour the Madiba.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the special service will take place on Sunday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

    The AUC’s Deputy Chairperson, Mr. Eratus Nwencha, made the announcement, when he addressed a press conference on Mandela’s demise on Friday in Addis Ababa.

    The AUC deputy chairperson said the commission would hold the service in collaboration with the Ethiopian government and the South African Embassy in Ethiopia in honour of the Nobel Peace Prize winner.

     

  • U.S to FG: Win war on terrorism

    U.S to FG: Win war on terrorism

    The United States wants Nigeria to win its war against terrorism, the country’s Ambassador, Mr. James Entwistle, has said.

    Entwistle said this on Thursday in Abuja, when he led a delegation from the U.S on a visit to the Chief of Defence Staff, Adm. Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim.

    According to him, he made this position known, when he presented his letters of credence to President Goodluck Jonathan, sometime last week.

    “I told President Jonathan that the position of the U.S government is that the security challenges facing the northeast part of the country be solved.

    “And I told the president that the simple message I was conveying is that the U.S wants Nigeria to win its war on terrorism.

    “That is the bottom line message that I share with the president and you this morning. The visit of the Commander of the U.S. African Command is a follow up from the meeting between President Jonathan and President Barrack Obama in New York,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the envoy as saying during the visit.

    Entwistle said the two presidents had talks on how to explore ways that the U.S can be of assistance to Nigeria on the issue.

     

     

  • Jonathan tasks youths on hard work

    Jonathan tasks youths on hard work

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday tasked Nigerian youths on hard work towards successful development of science, technology, economics, arts and other fields in the country.

    Jonathan, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo during the 2013 Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) Award at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said that Nigeria’s survival just like any country in the world depends on such developmental efforts.

    The three recipients of the award are Prof. Seth Sunday Ajayi (Science), Prof. Francis Abiola Irele (Humanities), and Prof. Hilary Inyang Inyang (Engineering/Technology).

    He said: “Our survival and collective future as a nation and as a people rest on our national and global development efforts in science, technology, economics, arts and other fields. I enjoined all Nigerians, especially our youths to emulate your good example and rededicate themselves to excellence. It is only through hard work that we can keep our nation on the path to become one of the leading nations of the world.”

    According to him, the Nigerian National Order Merit Award is one of the most prestigious awards and the highest bestowed on Nigerian citizens at home and in the diaspora for creative, intellectual and academic contributions of national and global significance.

    “The award appropriately celebrates excellence and merit. Since it was established 34 years ago, only 70 Nigerians have been honoured with this award. This is an unmistakable demonstration of the quality of the evaluation procedure applied in the selection of awardees.”

     

  • Jonathan, others invited to Paris summit

    Jonathan, others invited to Paris summit

    The French President, François Hollande, has invited many African presidents for the December 6 to 7 summit on peace and security in Africa, holding in Paris.

    PANA reported the summit on peace and security in Africa on Wednesday.

    The invited Presidents are – Goodluck Jonathan (Nigeria), Boni Yayi (Benin), Blaise Compaoré (Burkina Faso), Pierre Nkurunziza (Burundi), Paul Biya (Cameroon), José Pereira Neves (Cape-Verde) and Dr Ikililou Dhoinine (Prime Minister of the Comoros).

    Others are – Denis Sassou-Nguesso (Congo Republic), Joseph Kabila (Democratic Republic of Congo), Alassane Ouattara (Côte d’Ivoire), Ismail Guelleh (Djibouti), Hailemariam Desalegn (Ethiopian Prime Minister) and Ali Ondimba (Gabon).

    Also expected to attend are – John Mahama (Ghana), Alpha Condé (Guinea), Teodoro Mbasogo (Equatorial Guinea), Dr. Motsoahae Thabane (Prime Minister of Lesotho), Helen Johnson-Sirleaf (Liberia), Ali Zeidan (Libyan Prime Minister).

    Others are Ibrahim Keita (Mali), Mohammed VI (King of Marocco), Navinchandra Ramgoolam (Mauritius Prime Minister), Mohamed Abdel-Aziz (Mauritania) and Armando Guebuza (Mozambique).

    Presidents Hifikepunye Pohamba (Namibia), Mahamadou Issoufou (Niger), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Macky Sall (Senegal), James Michel (Seychelles), Dr Ernest Bai Koroma (Sierra Leone), Hassan Mohamoud (Somalia), Salva Mayardit ( South Sudan), Barnabas Sibisiso (Swaziland), Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzanian Prime Minister), Idriss Itno (Tchad), Faure Gnassingbe (Togo) and Moncef Marzouki (Tunisia) would also attend the summit.

    The Presidents of South Africa, Algeria and Angola will be represented by their senior government officials while Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Yahya Jammeh (Gambia) and Issayas Afewerki (Eritrea) would not attend, even though they were invited.

     

     

  • Jonathan nominates ex- PDP chief as NPC chairman

    President Goodluck Jonathan has nominated former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in Imo State, Chief Eze Duruiheoma, as Chairman National Population Commission (NPC).

    The nominee whose name was read on Tuesday by the Senate President, David Mark, was nominated to replace Chief Festus Odimegwu who resigned his appointment as NPC chairman two months ago.

    Odimegwu ruffled political feathers when he vowed to clean up the NPC by ensuring that the expected 2016 census was credible.

    The controversial NPC boss who was forced to resign also claimed that records available to him showed that the country had never conducted credible census.

    According to him, figures presented as census figure for the country had always been cooked up by interested parties.

    President Jonathan in the letter dated November 27, 2013 entitled: “Request for confirmation of chairman and members of the National Population Commission,” noted that the NPC is one of the Federal Executive Bodies established under Section 153(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    He said that by provision of Part 1(J) of the Third Schedule of the Constitution, the Commission shall comprise a chairman and one person from each state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    He added, “In this connection, the slots for the chairman and members representing the FCT, Katsina and Ekiti States on the Commission are currently vacant.”

    Jonathan noted that in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution decided to appoint Chief Eze Duruiheoma (Chairman), Aliyu Daniel Kwali (FCT), Alhaji Bala Almu Banye (Katsina) and Adebola Adetunmbi (Ekiti) as members of the NPC.