Jonathan, Atiku Grieve Over Death Of Gombe Emir

May 28, 2014

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have expressed shock and sadness over the death, in London yesterday, of the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar.
President Jonathan extended condolences to Governor Ibrahim Dankwanbo and the people of Gombe State, the Gombe Emirate for the loss.
He savoured the warm reception and courtesies extended to him and his delegation by the late Emir during his visit to Gombe for the North-East Economic Summit in December last year.
President Jonathan said that Alhaji Shehu will be greatly missed by his people and all who knew him.
Alhaji Atiku on his part described the late Emir as a great traditional ruler who fully identified with the aspirations and development of his people during his 30-year eventful reign.
He recalled that throughout his remarkable reign, the late Shehu Abubakar took passionate interest in issues such as education, which are integral components of development.
Atiku Abubakar also recalled the late Shehu Abubakar’s contributions to Nigeria’s political and democratic developments.
“As a delegate to the 2005 National Political Reform Conference the late Emir of Gombe played a significant part in Nigeria’s political affairs.”
While condoling with the family, the people and the government of Gombe State, the former vice president urged other leaders to follow the example of the deceased by identifying with their people and their aspirations.

How Boko Haram Retards Jonathan’s Planned Development Of Nigeria-Maku

Greenbarge Reporters

May 28, 2014

Nigerian information minister, Labaran Maku has said that Nigeria would have by now, reached an eldorado if it were not the destructive activities of Boko Haram.
The minister, who gave a run-down of the lofty achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan when he addressed newsmen today shortly after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, said if Nigera were to be enjoying peace, it would have attained developmental milestone that is unequaled in the anals of history.
According to Maku, under President Jonathan, railway is back, many good network of roads have sprang up, effective power supply is back and millions of jobs have been created for the youths, among other things.
“If Nigeria were to be enjoying peace like Ghana and other African countries, it would have reached the higheight of development by now.”
The minister emphasized that the President has been able to move on with the main points of his government Transformation Agenda inspite of the dangerous security environment in which he is operating.
“Imagine the level of development that would have been achieved if a lot of money is not been sank into the security challenges.
“The entire money we are spending is to maintain security in states controlled by that party ( opposition All Progressives Congress).
He accused the opposition of playing politics wity the security situation.
“(While) We are busy spending money to maintain security in those states, what have they done about it? Because 90 percent of all insurgency is in states controlled by that party. 90 percent of those campaigning to bring back Chibok girls are members of that party.
“Because the media will look the other way. No, I think that honestly, if we want this country to grow, we must ask the relevant questions. The Chibok girls remain our number one priority, we will never sleep, we will not rest until God brings them out. But for you to now begin to look at it as if, when people do wrong, we are the fire fighters, the federal government is a fire fighter. We did not creat this insurgence or the structure that led to them. You know where they came from but you are now blaming the fire fighter for the fire.”

Nigeria’s World Cup Preparations: We Are On Top Of The Situation Football House Boasts

Greenbarge Reporters

May 28, 2014

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has said that it is on top of the situation in all arrangements relating to the Super Eagles’ run-in to the 20th FIFA World Cup finals

The Federation’s spokesman, Ademola Olajire said in London today that logistics for all friendly matches, hotel accommodation, international flights, local flights, movements to and from airports and hotels, feeding and conducive environments have all been dealt with to the letter.

“I can tell you that the NFF is on top of the situation and not taking anything for granted. The FIFA World Cup is the biggest project there is in football and as far as the present NFF is concerned, every detail is important.”

He disclosed that earlier the day, two assistants of the NFF’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon, departed London for Philadelphia, USA to prepare for the Super Eagles’ arrival on Thursday. London to Philadelphia is a seven-hour flight.

After tonight’s clash with Scotland’s Tartan Army at the Craven Cottage, the Eagles’ delegation, led by NFF President Aminu Maigari, will leave for Philadelphia on Thursday morning aboard a British Airways flight. They will then be driven by bus to The Westin Philadelphia hotel.

After playing Greece at the Philadelphia Union Stadium on June 3, the Eagles will move to Jacksonville, Florida for the match against the United States on June 7.

On June 10, the African champions will fly to Sao Paulo, a nine-hour trip, where they will be met on arrival by FIFA’s transport and accommodation officials, as well as officials of the Local Organising Committee and the NFF’s advance delegation.

The delegation will then be driven to the Team Base Camp, Vitoria Hotel Concept in Campinas, 60 minutes away. The hotel was inspected and approved by Coach Stephen Keshi the day after the World Cup Draw in Salvador last December.

Stephen Keshi’s wards will train at the Brinco do Ouro Stadium, the playing pitch of which recently underwent extensive upgrade at the prompting of the NFF. The Mayor of Campinas, Mr. Jonas Donizette, has at various times assured of adequate security for Team Nigeria. Portugal is the only other team staying in Campinas.

FIFA will take over the team upon from Sao Paulo, and make arrangements for chartered flights from Campinas to match venues in Curitiba, Cuiaba and Porto Alegre. It will also arrange Venue –Specific Training Sites in those venues.

However, the NFF already knows that the Super Eagles will stay at Radisson Hotel Curitiba when they go to play Iran on June 16; at the Hotel Hits Pantanal when they go to Cuiaba to play Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 21; and at Holiday Inn Porto Alegre when they visit that city to play Argentina on June 25: exactly 20 years to the day both teams clashed at the 1994 World Cup in the USA. [myad]

You cant’s Call Our President ‘Some Guy Called Goodluck Jonathan,’ Ambassador ‘Adefuye Protests Against US Senator McCain

Greenbarge Reporters

May 28, 2014

Nigerian Ambassador to the United States of America, Professor Ade Adefuye has accused the man he referred to as “the ranking Arizona senator and former Republican presidential candidate of cashing in on the pain of a distressed Nigerian nation not only to show contempt to the country but also denigrate the office and person of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Adefuye , who spoke at the monthly meeting of Constituency for Africa at the Ritz Carlton Hotel with them: ‘Message to the American People, Our Girls Will Be Back,’ emphasized that it is rude for Senator McCain to refer to the President of the largest economy in Africa and 26th largest economy in the world as ‘some guy called Goodluck Jonathan.’

He asked McCain where his principle of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of nation states had gone.

“Has McCain forgotten the results of such acts just a few years ago? Could he not learn from the results of previous unilateral military interventions? One wonders what could have happened if the 2008 elections have gone the other way and McCain became the president of the most powerful nation in the world. But thanks to providence. The good Lord has a better plan for the people of the world.”

Ambassador Adefuye reminded the US Senator that Nigeria is the America’s largest trading partner in Africa and America’s most important strategic partner in the continent, even as he reminded the former US presidential candidate that his statement had “reinforced his image as a hawk and reminded us of his status as a veteran.”

The Ambassador was happy that US Senate ignored him and passed a balanced Resolution on May 14 condemning the abduction of Chibok girls by urging the US government to assist Nigeria in its effort to rescue the girls safely.

“This has strengthened the hands of the US government to cooperate with Nigeria in dealing with Boko Haram.”

He advised Senator McCain to engage the Nigerian people in a constructive and meaningful engagement even as he urged him to always ask his staff to brief him properly on Nigeria “and accord our country as well as the Office of the President the respect they deserve.”
Adefuye thanked the American people whom whose support would facilitate the efforts in bringing the abducted Chibok girls safely and bring the menace of Boko Haram to an end. [myad]

Vice President Namadi Sambo Commissions 100 High Capacity Buses For Abuja

Greenbarge Reporters

May 27, 2014

Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo has commissioned 100 high capacity buses for the Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory. The buses were procured under the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment-Programme (SURE-P).
Commissioning the buses, Tuesday, at the Eagle Square, Abuja, Namadi Sambo said the acquisition of the buses was in line with the federal government’s comprehensive roadmap on the transport sector aimed at addressing the challenges in the critical economic sector holistically.
According to the Vice President the federal government sees the transport sector as very crucial to the attainment of economic and social wellbeing of the people, adding: “the comprehensive roadmap examines the sources of attaining such lofty targets through a huge financial investment to be sourced through public sector investment as well as Public-Private-Partnership (PPP).”
Vice President Sambo stressed the determination of the administration to ensure that the capital city had a world class transport network system that will connect it with the rest of the country, even as he said: “when completed, these transport systems will significantly ease the problems of accommodation and transportation in the city as workers would rather choose to live in the satellite towns and commute to work in these improved and efficient mass transit systems.”
He commended the FCT administration for delivering on its promise to provide adequate and efficient transportation service for residents and visitors to the FCT, advising the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company (AUTMCO), to ensure that the buses are utilised in line with global best practice.
Namadi Sambo enjoined members of the public, who are the beneficiaries of the buses, to reciprocate this gesture by making sure that they pay the modest fares that would be charged
The Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, said that the buses are fitted with state of the art facilities to ensure security, safety and comfort of the passengers.
He said that the fares would be affordable even as he disclosed that the administration plans to inject 200 of such buses annually in the next three years.
Bala Mohammed said that the government also plans to setup an assembly plant in Abuja for the assembly of the buses.

PDP: Is The Legend Coming To An End? By Garba Shehu

Garba Shehu

May 27, 2014

Garba Shehu

Nigeria marks Democracy Day this week amidst widespread anger at the wasted past few years, growing fears of terrorism and crime under an unshackled administration, altogether calling into question the effectiveness and the future role of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a party founded on the cherished values of liberalism, unity and plurality.
In many ways, the PDP has, in its 15-year rule, come to symbolize democratic rule in Nigeria – and deserves credit for the longest streak of uninterrupted civilian (non-military) rule in Nigeria’s history. To their credit and that of the nation, PDP has given this country a seamless, civilian-to-civilian succession, another novelty because that had been the breaking point of many African democracies. It is however, sad to note that the party is today in disarray, having turned its back to the values it once so proudly stood for. They are in addition, clearly out of touch.
Parties are like pillars supporting democracy. For this reason, Nigeria needs strong political parties in line with vision of the founders of the PDP.
To retain its position as the country’s bedrock of democratic governance, the PDP needs to reboot so as to realign itself with the people of this country. No party or government can succeed with bad policies. A party that puts the President’s interest FIRST and the nation LAST is setting itself for a major embarrassment at the polls.
Three core areas which the party needs to rework are one: its commitment to internal party democracy. A party cannot give this or any country democracy if it is not beholden to it as an internal practice. There are hawkish individuals and groups that have hijacked the PDP, people who are more or less like a noose around its neck. Without freeing itself from these robber-barons, there is no way ordinary Nigerians will have a sense of belonging and ownership here.
Two: the party as it is, is obese with vested interests and corruption. Nigeria deserves a ruling party that is truly their own – not a party in the pockets of the President who is at best promoting the politics of patronage as manifested in the way he makes appointments and the granting of concessions and waivers. A party should thrive on the sustained growth of the people and their country not occasional crumbs. PDP doesn’t have a tradition of using its diverse talents. Rather it has the entrenched practice of putting the old wine in a new bottle.
Thirdly: PDP must learn to tame the arrogance of its elected officials. It is time for the party to understand that people today live in a climate where news, regardless of good or bad, spread in seconds. The other day, as reported by the French News Agency (AFP), the President, Dr. Jonathan was greeted with shouts of “Bring Back Our Girls” as he made to enter the Union Building, venue of the inauguration of Jacob Zuma, the President of South Africa. Shortly before he left here, he sent a very unkind message to parents and activists clamouring for a more decisive government action in the search of 276 girls stolen from their dormitory at Chibok by Boko Haram. They have been missing more than a month now. In what many termed as reckless and insensitive remark, the President asked stakeholders to stop worrying him with calls that he returns the missing girls.
“Go (talk to) to Boko Haram,” he reportedly said in a speech read on his behalf. Before this, he had spoken in Paris, France where he said a visit by him to Chibok town was not necessary. Upon listening to the crap, one almost felt like saying to him to get out of the kitchen if the heat is too much!
When the top brass of the military made a joint trip to the office of the Minister of Finance to protest the lack of funding for the war against the criminality in the North-East, an important message for the PDP to take away is that they are putting our democracy at a great risk. We are lucky to have a military that is reformed and nuanced in democratic order. In Mali a few years ago when they were starved of funding in the war against the insurgency in the North of that country, what they did was they returned to Bamako, the capital, put the elected President out of work and assumed leadership. That they believed, was the only way they would ensure the funding of the military operation. In responding to the cries of the military, our Finance Minister, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala announced that she had so far funded the defence budget to the tune of N130 billion, which is about a sixth of the money appropriated for the year 2014. If she has parents and in-laws, (as I believe she does) let them warn her to handle this matter with reason and (political) commonsense, not an economist or a miserly aunt. People that did not fight for this democracy have no right to scuttle it.
The President visited Pope Francis on March 23rd this year. I wonder how he missed a classic lesson by the Pontiff, who said at one occassion that “every man, every woman who has to take up the service of government, must ask themselves two questions: Do I love my people in order to serve themselves better? Am I humble and do I listen to everybody, to diverse opinions in order to choose the best path? If you don’t ask these questions, your government will not be good”.
If Dr. Jonathan didn’t get that one, he certainly ought not to have missed the golden words of the legendary African leader, Nelson Mandela, who said: “a leader should lead from behind his people, but when danger comes, he should be in front.”
Or Alexander The Great, whose way out for Nigeria, as he spelled it out thus: “An army of sheep, led by a lion is better than an army of lions led a sheep.” Is the legend of the PDP coming to an end? I hope not. This democracy needs a reformed PDP, standing side-by-side with Action Progressives Congress (APC) as pillars of our democracy.

Read More Articles From This Author: Garba Shehu

[myad]

Nigerian Presidency Angry Over Suggestion It’s Spending $800 Million To Hire Foreign Image Laundarer

Greenbarge Reporters

May 27, 2014

Nigeria Presidency is obviously angry with some foreign and local media which floated an idea that it is spending the sum of $800 Million to hire foreign firm to launch an image laundering for it.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said that such reports are completely false and baseless.
“Reports in national and foreign media that the Federal Government is currently in the process of recruiting an international public relations firm to “counter mounting criticism both inside and outside the country” are completely false and baseless.
“The suggestion that the Federal Government intends to spend a staggering sum of $800 Million on the phantom public relations effort to ease “increasing pressure over its response to the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls” is also wholly untrue.”
Dr. Abati said that federal government considered such falsehood coming at this particularly difficult and sensitive time for the entire nation as highly insensitive, deplorable, absurd and very malicious.
He emphasized that there is no iota of truth in the reports of a drive by Jonathan government to recruit consultants to launder his image, adding that the federal government’s topmost priority for now is not public relations or image laundering but national security and the ongoing effort to ensure the safe return of the abducted college girls.
“We therefore condemn the attempt by purveyors of the bogus reports to incite the Nigerian public against the Federal Government through the circulation of falsehoods.”

Vice President Namadi Sambo Lays Kogi House Foundation In Abuja

Greenbarge Reporters

May 27, 2014

Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, today, performed the foundation laying ceremony of Kogi House in Abuja.
The Housing project is being handled on Public Private arrangement with the state government taking care of 80 percent of the project cost.
Namadi Sambo commended the state government for, by this initiative, keying into the federal government’s Transformation Agenda, particularly in the areas of education agriculture, health care and others.
The Vice President said is happy with what he called the giant strides of Governor Idris Wada in the provision of relevant infrastructure, the efforts he has made in raising the state to high level towards attracting local and foreign investors.
He said that the house project underscores the fraternal and deep cordial working relationship that exists between the federal government and the people of Kogi State.
“The land was allocated to the Kogi state government for over twenty years ago but that your administration took the bull by the horn to develop it in order to harness and generate revenue and improve the economy of your state is a commendable effort. It is most interesting to take note of your economic and financial innovation in funding the development of this 11-storey edifice via a Public Private Partnership model.”
Namadi Sambo said that Abuja is a symbol of Nigeria’s unity and strength and called on state governments to strengthen this unity and cooperation by establishing a string of liaison offices in the capital city.
He also urged state governments to emulate Kogi State in achieving infrastructural development for the benefit of citizens.
Earlier, the Kogi State Governor, Captain Idris Ichalla Wada said that the foundation laying of the Kogi House has underscored the new branding of the State as the “Confluence of Opportunities.”
Governor Wada said that the Kogi House being funded from the proceeds of the Bond collected by the State government, would bridge the housing needs of its indigenes in Abuja, create employment opportunities and generate more revenue for the State.
He said that Kaibo Engineering Group Holdings Limited of China would contribute twenty percent and management of the project under the Private Partnership Agreement while the State government would chip in 80 percent.

Boko Haram: Nigerians’ll Laugh Last, Says Governor Uduaghan

Greenbarge Reporters

May 27, 2014

Delta state Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has given assurance that Nigerians will come out of the current confusion caused by Boko Haram activities, including the abduction of 275 female students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno state victorious. He asked Nigerians however, to continue to stand behind President Goodluck Jonathan and the various security agencies in their determination to defeat the insurgents.

Governor Uduaghan who spoke in Asaba today at the 2014 Children’s Day Celebration observed that despite the havoc the group has been causing, the group is not winning the war even as he cautioned Nigerians against actions and utterances that would encourage to the terrorists.

The Children’s Day was marked in Delta State with prayers for the peace of the nation and release of the abducted Chibok students. The theme of the celebration was “Unite for Peace in Nigeria; Unite for Children.”

The Governor asked Nigerians not to have the impression that Boko Haram is recording victory, adding: “The terrorist group may be destroying things but they are not winning the war. President Jonathan is doing everything possible to get those girls released unconditionally and unharmed and also to see to the end of Boko Haram activities in the country.

“I can assure you that the President is on top of the situation and with the help of God, these security challenges will come to an end.”

He gave reason why the Children’s Day celebration was marked with fasting and prayers for the release of the Chibok Girls, saying: “Nigeria requires prayers. With prayers, nothing is impossible before God.”

He said that failure of parents to properly train and groom their children partly contributed to the anti-social behaviour among the young ones and asked them to take upbringing of their children and wads with all seriousness.

The governor particularly pleaded with fathers to play more active roles in their children’s development and stop the trend of leaving the responsibility solely to mothers, adding that the former should take interest in visiting the schools their children attend and go through their school notebooks.

Governor Uduaghan who had an interactive session with the children, advised them to desist from any temptation to join cult groups and other anti-social activities that could jeopardize their chances as future leaders of the country.

The children in their separate answers to the questions of the Governor on what Boko Haram meant, described the group as ‘child kidnappers,’ ‘terrorists trying to destroy Nigeria,’ ‘bad people who are throwing bombs.’’

In the exhortation, one of the school children, Ayeh Jennifer said that the rapid growth and development of Nigeria in all spheres of life lay in the citizenry living in unity and peace among themselves.

Ayeh also admonished parents to impart in their children strong morals and discipline to make them better citizens of the country.

The children who piloted the affairs of the day offered prayers for the release of the Chibok school girls, peace in Nigeria, peace in Delta State, an end to anti-social behaviour among students as well as prayers for the leadership of the state and the nation. [myad]

Ahaneku Becomes Vice Chancellor Of Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Greenbarge Reporters

May 27, 2014

Immediate past Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku has been picked as new Vice Chancellor of the institution.

He was appointed today by the Governing Council of the University. The Council is headed by Air Vice Marshal Larry Koinyan (Rtd).

According to a statement by the University’s Director of information and public relations, Emmanuel C. Ojukwu, Professor Ahaneku emerged new Vice-Chancellor following an exhaustive meeting held yesterday by the Council, which voted eight members for him and three members for his rival, Professor Greg Nwakoby.

He said that the new Vice Chancellor is a Professor of Chemical Pathology and a Fellow of Academy of Science. He was born in 1962.

Professor Ahaneku is said to be loaded with a wealth of experience. He is expected to assume office on June 3, 2014 as the fifth substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University. [myad]

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