President Goodluck Jonathan was obviously unhappy with the minister of communication, Mrs. Omobola Johnson over the one billion naira she donated on behalf of those in the communication sector last night at the launching of terrorism support fund in the Banquete Hall of Presidential Villa, Abuja even as he thanked all those who honoured his invitation to the fund raising and donating highly at the occasion.
The President who had expected the people in the communication sector to bring billions of naira to the coffers of the T.Y Danjuma committee on victim of terrorism support fund expressed open disappointment with mere one billion the minister announced.
“I am not satisfied with the contribution of the communication sector. The minister will have to go back to her people to bring something reasonable,” the President told Mrs. Johnson.
Shortly before the minister was called out to announce the donation of those in her sector, minister of petroleum resources, Dizeani Alison-Maduekwe announced the sum of N17 Billion from the people in the petroleum and gas sector just as those in the banking sector announced N15 Billion.
President Jonathan kick-started the fund-raising with the sum of N10 Billion from the federal government as each of the 36 states of the federation, including the federal capital territory donated N100 Million.
The President appreciated the fact that highly placed Nigerians responded enthusiastically to his appeal for collective action by contributing generously to the Terror Victims’ Support Fund during the fund-raising event last night.
The President said he was overwhelmed by the expression of support, cooperation and solidarity by Nigerians and friends of Nigeria from all walks of life.
“It shows that the public is genuinely concerned about the threat of terrorism to our common humanity and stands ready to support worthy causes and pro-people policies.”
President Jonathan noted that the overwhelming demonstration of support for the Fund has greatly inspired and encouraged the government to continue to adopt every possible measure and do everything within its powers to bring terrorism in the country to an end as quickly as possible.
“The Federal Government’s initial target of Fifty billion naira (N50 billion) was exceeded, a clear indication of support for the Federal Government’s counter-terrorism strategies.”
The President commended the Chairman of the Terror Victims’ Support Foundation, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) and members of the Foundation for accepting to serve the nation in this regard. He is confident and convinced that the Foundation will make judicious and transparent use of the funds in order to ameliorate the negative impact of terrorism in the affected areas.
The President announced that the total sum of Fifty-eight billion, seven hundred and ninety million naira(N58, 790 billion) was realised during the fund-raising with the highest donation of N10 billion and the lowest individual contribution of N5, 000.
President Jonathan appeals to other Nigerians and friends of the country to make their token contributions to the Fund as the Foundation seeks further support. [myad]
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