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Jonathan Personally Offers Jobs To 33 Members Of Families Who Lost Relations In Last Year’s Immigration Recruitment Saga

Nigeria immigration disaster
Nigeria immigration disaster

President Goodluck Jonathan, today, personally presented letters of employment into the Nigerian Immigration Service to members of the 15 families who lost sons and daughters during the Service’s recruitment exercise last year.
At a brief ceremony in the Presidential Villa, President Jonathan gave letters of employment to 33 members of the  bereaved families.
Three members of each of the families were offered to three emeployment even as some of the bereaved families are yet to present qualified members to take up the offer.
In his remarks at the occasion, the President said that he was deeply saddened by the death of their relatives in circumstances that were completely avoidable and unwarranted.
President Jonathan said that the Federal Government is fully committed to ensuring high standards for recruitment processes into the public service, and the provision of safety measures to avoid the recurrence of the March 15, 2014 incident which claimed many lives.
“Today is a sad day for all of us. First, let me convey our deepest condolences to the families who lost very young people during the recruitment exercise into the Nigeria Immigration Service.
“It is quite regrettable and we promise that such a thing will never happen again.”
President Jonathan apologized for the delay in fulfilling the promise of employment to members of the bereaved families, explaining that employment into the public service must go through some processes.
Cheques for an undisclosed amount were also given to each of the bereaved families at the occasion.
“The cheque is not for compensation. You cannot replace somebody with any amount of money,” Jonathan said.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved families, Yunusa Imam thanked President Jonathan for the cheques and letters of employment.
“We thank you, Mr. President for the promises that you have kept. We are profoundly grateful,’’ Imam, a guardian of one of the victims said.

[myad]

Letter To EFCC By Chief Of Staff To President Was Forged, Says Fani-Kayode

Femi Fani Kayode
Femi Fani Kayode

Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode has said that a letter which was said to have emanated from the Chief of Staff to the President, Brigadier Jones Arogbofa was forged.
Reacting to an alarm raised over the said letter purportedly to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Fani-Kayode, in a statement said: “we have said it before and we shall say it again: the entire leadership of the APC is suffering from paranoia and delusion. “They are hiding under their beds and running from their own shadows. This is a clear case of the biblical provisions that say ”there is no peace for the wicked” and that ”the wicked run even when no-one is pursuing them.”
“These people have lost their peace and they are running even when no-one is pursuing them.
“If they are so sure of winning the election and if their hands are clean then why should they be having nightmares about the EFCC? The truth is that they are a party that are struggling with their shady past and the sordid catalogue of horrendous sins and crimes that have been committed by their leaders over the years
“It does not take a letter from the Chief of Staff to the President to the EFCC Chairman to provoke the security agencies to swing into action against them. Given the grave, serious and sordid allegations that have been made against most of them over the last few weeks in various television documentaries the Nigerian people themselves are asking questions and demanding answers.
“As a matter of fact even Nigeria’s partners and friends in the international community are asking those same questions and demanding answers too.
“All the paranoid and absurd press statements in the world and all their nebulous and nonsensical allegations or claims of persecution and Federal Government conspiracies against them cannot stop that. God Himself is against them and sooner than later they shall feel His wrath and taste of the awesome power of His word.”

[myad]

PDP Plans To Have Buhari Try His Party Men

Garba Shehu
Media Director of APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, Garba Shehu

All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organization has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Federal Government is working extra hours to raise malicious charges against the leaders and suspected financiers of the opposition APC, using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in order to force General Muhammadu Buhari to “try his own men” in a test of his bid to fight corruption without fear or favor.
A statement by the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation’s Media Director, Garba Shehu alerted Nigerians that the federal government is planning to take advantage of a vow by General Buhari that if elected, he will not investigate the past, but that all on-going cases, as he said will be allowed to run through the courts without any
hindrance.
“In what is clearly a mischievous attempt to railroad the Presidential Candidate of the APC, General Buhari to subject his own supporters to trial and conviction, the Federal Government, in a letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Brigadier General Jones Arogbota (rtd) sent a list of some of the most senior APC leaders, businessmen and company CEOs with a view to the immediate commencement of investigation and trial against them.
“The list as circulated on the web, included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State.
“Others are Senator Danjuma Goje, Senator Bukola Saraki, Faruk Ahmed, Executive Director PPPRA;
Sulaiman Barau, a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank; the MD of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Habib Abdullahi and the DG of the NCAA, Captain Mukhtar Usman.
The rest are the MD of NDIC,
Umaru Ibrahim; Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed; the Group Executive Director of the NNPC, Aisha Abdulraham; the Governorship candidate of the APC in Taraba State, Senator Aisha Alhassan; the PDM candidate for Adamawa Governorship election, who was formerly the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Ahmed Modibbo as well as the former Minister of Education, Professor Ruqqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i.
“The letter-forwarding the list to the EFCC quoted the Chief of Staff as saying that he had been “directed by the C-in-C (President) to instruct your Agency to clandestinely investigate the personal and official finances” of the listed individuals.”

[myad]

Governor Amaechi Describes PDP As Electoral Magician, Wants Nigerians To Be Vigilant

APC rally in RiverGovernor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has called on Nigerians to beware of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) whose top members are magicians when it comes to elections.
Governor Amaechi who is also the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation said in Port Harcourt during the party’s zonal campaign rally today that President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP are afraid of the forth-coming general elections and would do anything to rail-load themselves back to office.
“You know I used to be in PDP. For the first time, I can see real fear in their eyes, even the president is afraid. You can see that everybody is now jittery because the game is up.
“This time in South-South and South-East, we will not write result. We are going to vote and our votes will count and I am proud to be part of APC. You must vote and stay there because members of PDP are magicians”.
He described PDP as an atrocious party with unbelievable record of abuse and intimidation. He also condemned the attack on his wife Judith by PDP members who way laid her at Ahoada West during her campaign there.
Governor Amaechi told the gathering that God has already told Nigerians who will be the next president but that person, definitely is not Jonathan.
“The sad part is that the police are arresting us every day but all these will be over in two weeks. So far, over 30 members of APC have been killed in recent times. No day passes without the killing of one APC member or the other but they will account for all their atrocities in due time.
”They cannot intimidate us forever. Let me tell you that my courage comes from knelling down, praying and asking God for strength.”
Speaking at the rally, the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Oyegun, said that the burial ceremony of PDP which was postponed by President Jonathan will still hold on March 28.
Oyegun said that despite the needless postponement of the elections, Nigerians will still give a befitting funeral rite for PDP.
The chairman who told a surging crowd of party supporters of APC’s political exploits in the North-West where they were until a few days ago, described South-South as critical.
‘We were in the North-west yesterday. You know the North-West is the home base of the in-coming president. South-South is also important to us because it is the home of the out-going president.  These zones are crucial.
“I thank you for your support, courage and resilience. You have survived your oppressors despite all odds. Goodluck Jonathan is our son and brother but he has failed us as a region and Nigeria. So we want to send him on an honourable retirement. I know you will all support the APC in this venture because we must send him home.
“PDP is confused and disoriented. They have no sense of direction. PDP is down but not out yet. So a lot of work still needs to be done, that is why we are here. Let me also assure you that PDP’s funeral still holds despite the rescheduling of the elections.
“We will have a good funeral ceremony for PDP come March 28. I want you to promise me that you will all come out and deliver these votes. And that you will be there, ready and prepared to make sure that every vote counts. We are going to deliver the entire South- South to our president in-waiting, General Muhammadu Buhari.”
Oyegun who described APC’s governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside as a scholar and gentleman whose tenure as governor will bring honour and development to the people, called on voters to disregard the lies of PDP.
Governorship candidate of APC in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peter-Side described corruption and insecurity as impediments to national growth and development. He insisted that these hindrances, coupled with the misrule of the last six years, have further worsened Nigeria’s crisis.
Peterside who led all the APC governorship candidates in the region to the podium, pledged the zone’s support to candidates of the APC.  He described the last six years under President Goodluck Jonathan as traumatising and hellish, calling on the people of the region to reject the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and it’s candidates in the forth-coming elections.
“It is evident that our people want a new life and a Nigeria where things will work. We want a Nigeria that is not plagued by insecurity and corruption. General Muhammadu Buhari represents a united Nigeria where people will live in peace and harmony.
“Therefore we are going to make a statement with our votes come March 28 that our so-called brother does not represent our interest. We will also confirm what the whole world already knows: that we are progressives and that we are in tune with the rest of Nigeria on the great change that is coming”.
Peterside assured chieftains of APC that the people of Rivers State are conscious of the consequences of their actions on both March 28 and 11 April, adding that their lives and existence will depend on how they cast their votes.
“As we vote for our party and General Buhari, we know we are voting for ourselves, therefore the people of South-South will mobilize massively for all the elections.”
The rally featured General Mahammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the APC, his running mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Chief John Oyegu, National Chairman; Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Prince Hilliard Etagbo Etta, deputy National Chairman of APC; Timipre Sylva, former governor of Bayelsa State and members of the party from the entire South-South resolved to massively vote for APC to save Nigeria.

[myad]

Jonathan Says He’s Embarrassed By His Purported Telephone Conversation With Moroccan Leader, Orders Probe On It

goodluck-jonathanPresident Goodluck Jonathan has expressed shock, surprise and embarrassment by the controversy that has erupted over whether or not he had a telephone conversation with Moroccan leader, King Mohammed VI.
A statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said that the regrettable furore that has developed over the matter is due entirely to misinformation as President Jonathan has neither spoken with King Mohammed or told anybody that he had a telephone conversation with the Moroccan Monarch.
“It is true that President Jonathan has been speaking with some African leaders to seek their support for Nigeria’s candidate for the position of President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
“In continuation of his efforts in support of the candidacy of the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina for headship of the AfDB, President Jonathan indicated that he would like to speak with the King of Morocco, the President of Algeria and the President of Egypt.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was consequently directed to make necessary contacts with the embassies of the three countries and arrange for President Jonathan to speak with their leaders.
“Since that directive was given, President Jonathan has spoken with the Prime Minister of Algeria and subsequently sent Vice President Namadi Sambo to Algiers as Special Envoy to follow-up on his discussions with the Algerian Prime Minister on support for Nigeria’s candidate in the coming elections for the AfDB Presidency.”
The statement said that President Jonathan has, however, not yet spoken with King Mohammed VI and President Al-Sisi of Egypt as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must know.
President Jonathan, the statement said, has ordered the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali to urgently undertake a full investigation of the claim which emanated from the Ministry that the President spoke with King Mohammed VI.
“The investigation is to identify all those who were responsible for the unacceptable act of official misinformation which has resulted in an unnecessary diplomatic row with another country and national embarrassment.
“It is also expected to unveil the motives of the culprits.”
The statement said that President Jonathan has also ordered that prompt and commensurate disciplinary action be taken against the culpable  person or persons, adding that while awaiting the outcome of the investigations, President Jonathan called on Nigerians to disregard the vituperations of opposition elements, who have, true to type, latched on to the regrettable faux pas as a fresh opportunity to unpatriotically  denigrate the government of their country and advance their irresponsible quest for victory at any price in the coming elections.

[myad]

Blessing Okagbare Disowns Advert With Her Footage Endorsing Jonathan, As APC Describes It As Height Of Lie

Blessing Okagbare
Blessing Okagbare

The reigning African and Commonwealth tracks title holder, Blessing Okagbare has disowned an advertisement with her image footage showing that she has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for the March 28 Presidential election, even as All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organisation described such action as part of the lies which Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Presidency have been feeding Nigerians with.
In her reaction to the advert which has been running on the nation’s television stations, Blessing Okagbare said that she was not consulted before her image was used. She is currently in a tango with a pro-Jonathan group, GoodHouse Nigeria over unauthorized usage of her footage.
Okagbare is angry that “someone out there is using my image, footage and everything I have worked for to make money through advert and campaign without seeking my approval.”
Blessing Okagbare regretted that such action of the ruling PDP and the Presidency “shows how some of my countrymen back home can be so selfish, disrespecting and have no regard for people’s privacy……..This is fraudulent because I am totally not in support of it. “We called the people (GoodHouse Nigeria) and they denied using my image and footage for PDP presidential advertorial. Who did it then? Why are they lying?”
In a statement today, the director of media and publicity for the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, Garba Shehu challenged the ethical justification of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation using an unauthorized footage of a budding athlete, describing both the presidency and the PDP as chronic lairs.
According to Garba Shehu it is a shameful act that the PDP will steal the intellectual property of a Nigerian in its blind ambition of selling dummies to Nigerians about the popularity ratings of President Jonathan.
“This particular incident will be the umpteenth time that this administration will lie to Nigerians about the president.
“Up till now, the government hasn’t come clean about what transpired in a diplomatic row the country currently has with Morocco over a purported telephone conversation. This government has also been consistent in its lies about the achievements of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
“From the arrest of the Ebola disease to other phoney claims of improvements in the living standard of Nigerians, the Goodluck Jonathan government has stood firm in rigmarole of falsehood in a futile attempt to project President Jonathan as what he is not.
“This president has failed Nigerians woefully; and that is why every of its lines of falsehood come out in bold reliefs before Nigerians.
“But to imagine that the government will commit such a shameful act as stealing from the intellectual property of a hardworking Nigerian athlete is most unimaginable.”

[myad]

Abati Abuses Tinubu, Fashola For Speaking Ill Of Jonathan

Reuben Abati
Reuben Abati

Special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati has taken the leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola to the clearner, saying that their desperation for power has turned them into lunatics.
Dr. Abati told newsmen at the Presidential Villa, Abuja today that Tinubu and Fashola have been displaying shallowness and hollowness in their attacks on President Jonathan.
“And what I have tried to do is to expose their shallowness and hollowness‎ and to appeal to all right thinking persons to dismiss (their attack on the President) as another gimmick coming from a desperate political group seeing that defeat is steering them in the face and have resorted to greater desperation. And who knows we may witness even far greater desperation from their camp as we get closer to election day. But our appeal to Nigerians is that this country is greater than everyone’s ambition and at the end of the day what is important is Nigeria.”
Dr. Abati picked quarreled with governor Fashola against the background of comment he made to the effect that the robbery incident that occurred yesterday in Lekki‎, Lagos State was due to the presence of President Jonathan in Lagos, adding that the governor said that all the policemen who should have been responsible for security in the state had been deployed to serve President Jonathan.
“We consider the statement attributed to governor Fashola as ‎grossly and utterly irresponsible. We expect that a man of his status who is governor of a state should speak more responsibly. It doesn’t make any sense whatsoever that the entire police formation in Lagos State would be deployed to protect the President of Nigeria.
“The visit of the President to Lagos or any part of the country does not necessitate the depletion of the police force active in that particular state or environment. President has a defined  team that protects him anywhere he goes. And again President Jonathan does not need the entire police force in Lagos State to protect him: a state where he is loved by the people and where as we have seen, he enjoys overwhelming support in the lead up to the 2015 presidential elections.”
Dr. Abati considered Fashola  statement as not only irresponsible, but also unintelligent “because it flies in the face of facts and it just does not add up.”
He advised the governor not to play with lives of the people all in an attempt to play politics, saying that while people died in that unfortunate incident and President Jonathan commisurated with the affected families, the governor is playing cheap, irresponsible and disgusting politics.
Turning to Asiwaju‎ Bola‎ Tinubu who alleged that he had been offered by President Jonathan the position of the Vice President in what he called “an imaginary national interim government,” Dr. Abati said that except people have not been following the news or they have chosen willfully to play deaf and dumb, President Jonathan has said again and again that an idea of an interim national government is treasonable.
He said that the President even made it clear that he has never anywhere discussed that idea with anybody and he has never proposed it at any forum.
“That as President of Nigeria, the democratically elected president his ambition can never be to head an Interim National Government under whatever circumstances.
“He is going to this presidential elections on the basis of the records of his achievements. On the conviction that he has served Nigerians well and the overwhelming majority of Nigerians ‎are appreciative of the achievements of his administration and are therefore solidly behind him and will vote for him massively on March 28.
“He therefore  has no reason whatsoever to support such an unconstitutional proposition as Interim National Government which in its fullest will amount to assault on democratic principles under this circumstance.
“Again if you de-construct the statement that purportedly emanated from the office of the Asiwaju Tibunu, you will see again the absurd nature of it. The absolutely ridiculous nature of it in the sense that given the configuration of Nigeria, it is not likely, totally impossible to have an ING arrangement in which you will have a southerner as President and then another southerner as Vice President. It is not something that is likely to work given the nature of our politics.
“But the Tinubu camp putting out that statement was so much in a hurry to engage in their usual game of deceiving the public of propagandaism of the current electoral process, that the emptiness, the hollowness, the shallowness of their proposition escaped them.
This is another gimmick coming from a desperate political group seeing that defeat is steering them in the face and are resorting to greater desperation. And who knows may witness even far greater  desperation from their camp as we get closer to election day. But our appeal to Nigerians is that this country is greater than everyone’s ambition and at the end of the day what is important is Nigeria. And those who seem determined to pull down this country will lies, with black information, they are the enemies of this country and do not deserve to be given the opportunity to occupy, to enjoy opportunities that they do not deserve.”

[myad]

Death Robbed Nigeria Of Brigadier Kaliel, One Of The Finest Officers – Buhari

The presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, has said the death of pioneer Governor of Bauchi state when it was created in 1976, Brigadier Mohammed Bello Kaliel, has robbed Nigeria of one of its finest and best military officers the country has ever produced.
In a condolence letter to the Government of Kebbi State on the death of Brigadier Kaliel, General Buhari the deceased was a loyal, patriotic and dedicated officer.
He said that the late Kaliel, who was Commander of the Brigade of Guards to former President Shehu Shagari, was a remarkably disciplined officer, who had demonstrated all the virtues of an officer and a gentleman.
General Buhari said that he was proud to be associated with a disciplined military officer like the late Brigadier Bello Kaliel, whose contributions to Nigeria’s development could not be forgotten.
The APC presidential candidate noted that Brigadier Kaliel’s gentle nature, patience and calm disposition was remarkable enough to disarm even the most hardened critic.
General Buhari prayed to Allah to forgive Brigadier Kaliel’s shortcomings and reward his good deeds with Al-Janna (Paradise). He also extended his condolences to the government and people of Kebbi State as well as the family of the deceased.

[myad]

I Look Forward To Be A Sexy Grandmother, Says Omotola Jalade

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde

Popular Nollywood actress, mother and entrepreneur, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde said that he looked forward to be a sexy grandmother in the next 20 years if God spares her life. She also spoke on her career, marrying at a tender age and people’s perceptions about how she is living her life.

She also spoke about her 20 years in the movie industry, people calling her arrogant, getting married at 18 and lots more. She also talks about her music career and the future of Omotola Jalade Ekeinde.

Read excerpts from her interview below.

On her dreams in Nollywood: We were coming from a place where it was disgraceful to be an actor. My first plan was to earn money to help my brothers. When I achieved that, my dream was to make this job a success so much that people would respect me and I would be proud of myself. It was just to earn the respect of Nigerians.

On people seeing her as headstrong and arrogant: I realized I was different and it made me a target. A long time ago, when it was not popular to do so, I demanded that they pack my food on set. And they said I was proud. I tried to fit in, in the past, but after a while I feel I don’t have to be apologetic. I asked, ‘Why am I too fast?’ God told me, if that is how I made you, then don’t apologise for it. I have always demanded high standards, I have realized that I have the grace and energy to do it. But people do not understand the whole purpose until I am done.

On her husband: I am favoured. He trusts my decisions. He knows I am not irresponsible even if I say so myself. I consider every decision carefully. He may have reservations but that is human, and that is not going to be a deal breaker.

On infidelity: Men cheat for different reasons and women cheat for different reasons. For women, it usually happens when the spouse does not show care and love. It is not really the money. I don’t lack care; how much can you possibly give me more than what I already have? Also, you have to think about what you are going lose; your home, respect and integrity. When a woman cheats, then she really wants to cheat and it will be quite difficult to catch her at it because women are good planners.

On her religious beliefs: I gave my life to Christ when I was 15 years and I used to preach inside ‘molue’. It is important that you find Christ and find him early. It is for your good. The fact that I found Christ early helped me to be focused. I always rely on God for direction (even when I wanted to get married), I just have to find peace with it and then go for it. I really did not indulge in those things that could have exposed me because I wasn’t interested. I don’t like clubbing. Even when I was single, you would have to pay me to go clubbing.

On her music career: I finished my second album since 2010 but it is not yet out contrary to insinuations. I am not trying to be a Tiwa Savage. My career is like a Barbara Streisand kind of career. I said I would bring out an album every five years. The next step for me is to have my own entertainment place where you can listen to my music, watch my movies and experience everything about Omotola.

On the next 20 years: In the next 20 years, I am hoping that I will be alive and God will grant me good health. I hope to be a sexy grandmother as well. [myad]

Any Yoruba Oba Who Endorses Presidential Candidate Is Courting Trouble From His People, Awujale Tells Jonathan

Awujale and Jonathan

The Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona has made it clear to President Goodluck Jonathan who is seeking for re-election for second term that he is not in a position to tell his subject who to vote for and who not to vote for in the March 28 election.

Oba Adetona who paid a host to the President at his palace in Ijebu-Ode during a presidential visit to his palace, asked the President to present his programme to the people of Ijebuland for them to form their opinion on whether to vote him or not.

President Jonathan had arrived Awujale palace at 11:15 am in company of the national Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Adamu Mu’azu, the governor of Bayelsa state, Seriake Diskson, governor of Ondo state, Dr. Segun Mimiko, former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

Others at the meeting include, the Munister-designate, Musiliu Obanikoro, Chairman , Mobilisation and Organisation committee of the People’s Democratic Party in the South West, Prince, Buruji Kashamu , the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Gboyega Isiaka , PDP leaders as well as some members of All Progressives Congress and Social Democratic Party.

According to Awujale:”In Ijebu here, it is not possible for any Oba, not even in Ijebu, in Yorubaland, to go out and say vote for this, vote for that: that person (Oba) is looking for trouble, but give them the opportunity to present their programme so that people can make up their minds on what to do. I think this is a very sound democratic principle and that is what I have decided to do. To give you the opportunity of meeting with the people. [myad]

 

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