On behalf of himself, the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan commiserates with the family of foremost journalist, public affairs analyst, administrator and role model for media professionals, Alhaji Alade Odunewu who passed away yesterday at the age of 85.
President Jonathan joins the Odunewu family and all who knew "Allah De" as he was popularly known in mourning the veteran journalist who attained national fame with his popular and widely read satirical newspaper columns with which he entertained, educated and edified an adoring public.
The President believes that as Alhaji Odunewu is laid to rest in Lagos today, his family, relatives, associates, admirers and the many media professionals for whom he was an inspiring mentor and role model should be comforted by the knowledge that his place alongside the greats of Nigerian journalism is assured.
President Jonathan also believes that Alhaji Odunewu will be eternally remembered and honoured as a nationalist and patriot whose notable contributions to national development extended well beyond his chosen profession of journalism to the public service of his state and Nigeria where he served with distinction as Commissioner, member of the Federal Electoral Commission and Chairman of the Nigerian Press Council.
As they mourn him, the President urges the present generation of Nigerian journalists to strive to emulate Alhaji Odunewu's exemplary craftsmanship, courage, forthrightness, fairness, patriotism, honesty and moral rectitude which were most apparent in his life and also evident in "Winner Takes All", the collection of writings which he has bequeathed to posterity.
He prays that God Almighty will receive Alhaji Odunewu's gentle soul and grant him eternal rest.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 26, 2103
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Friday, July 26, 2013
Thursday, July 11, 2013
SHOW GREATER RESPECT FOR CONSTITUTION AND RULE OF LAW, PRESIDENT JONATHAN URGES POLITICAL GLADIATORS IN RIVERS STATE
President Goodluck Jonathan has noted with concern the recent untoward political developments in Rivers State and he calls on all those involved in regrettable acts of political violence to show greater respect for the constitution and the rule of law.
President Jonathan urges members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and all other political gladiators in the state to put the interests of the state and the nation above their personal egos and ambitions that seem to have gotten in the way of their expected commitment to uphold the principles of democracy and good governance.
The President calls on all those who were remotely or directly involved in heightening political tension in Rivers State to put an immediate end
to their actions which are capable of plunging Rivers State into public disorder and strive to settle their political differences without further recourse to barbaric acts of violence.
President Jonathan expects all members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, irrespective of their current affiliations or loyalties, to comport themselves with greater restraint while efforts continue to resolve existing differences and restore internal harmony to the state branch of the party.
The Presidency has also noted with regret the continuing attempts by some individuals and groups to place responsibility for the unpleasant developments in Rivers State on President Jonathan.
We are constrained to state once again that there is absolutely no factual basis for suggestions that some of the politicians involved in the current dispute are acting at the behest of the President.
President Jonathan certainly did not instigate the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly and as President of the nation, he will never support any actions that negate his avowed commitment to the rule of law. The President will also never violate his oath of office to always defend the Nigerian Constitution.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 11, 2013
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Tuesday, July 9, 2013
PRESIDENT JONATHAN ARRIVES BEIJING, BEGINS TALKS WITH PRESIDENT XI JINPING TOMORROW
President Jonathan who was accompanied by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan was received at the Capital Airport in Beijing by China's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Li Yucheng and Nigeria's Ambassador to China, Alhaji Aminu Wali.
The President will be formally welcomed to China tomorrow by President Xi Jinping at a grand ceremony scheduled to hold at the Great Hall of the People.
Thereafter, the two leaders and their official delegations will hold bilateral talks at the end of which new agreements and memoranda of understanding will be signed.
These include an agreement on defence cooperation between Nigeria and China, and an agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation.
Others are: an Agreement on Finance for the Zungeru Power Plant and Airport Terminals; and an Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports.
At the conclusion of the signing ceremony, President Jonathan and the First Lady will attend a state banquet to be given in their honour by President Jinping and his spouse.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 9, 2013
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AS RAMADAN BEGINS, PRESIDENT JONATHAN URGES NIGERIAN MUSLIMS TO PRAY FOR GREATER PEACE, SECURITY AND NATIONAL PROGRESS
As they join the global Islamic community in undergoing the spiritual purification of Ramadan, President Jonathan urges all Nigerian Muslims to offer special prayers during the period for greater peace, security, unity and rapid socio-economic development in the country.
The President calls on all Nigerians, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, to strive to imbibe in greater measure, the virtues of piety, self-discipline, tolerance, equity, fairness and sympathy for the less privileged which the Ramadan fast promotes.
President Jonathan also urges all persons of the faith who may have been misled by extremists and agents of international terrorism into taking up arms against their fellow countrymen, women and children to re-open their minds, during this Ramadan season, to Islam's true lessons of love and peaceful co-existence with others.
The President prays that God Almighty will grant the prayers of the faithful during Ramadan, reward them bountifully and grant Nigeria greater peace, security, unity and national harmony.
He wishes the Muslim community a successful and spiritually gratifying Ramadan fast.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 9, 2013
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Monday, July 8, 2013
Rockefeller Foundation Summit on Realizing the Potential of African Agriculture
His Excellency President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
At the
Rockefeller Foundation Summit on Realizing the Potential of African Agriculture
Abuja.8-9 July 2013
PROTOCOL
1. It is with great personal joy that I welcome our distinguished guests to this very critical Summit. I would like to commence by paying special tribute to the Rockefeller Foundation, an organization which has done more to support scientific research than any other foundation in the world.
2. The vision of John D. Rockefeller to improve the lives and livelihoods of people around the world was, and remains, a noble one. It is on record that, since its establishment 100 years ago, the Foundation has remained faithful to its vision of building human capacity, institutions, and innovations for transforming the world.
3. From supporting the development of yellow fever vaccine, to the green revolution in agriculture in Asia, the Foundation has done so much to improve health and to feed the world.
4. Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the Rockefeller Foundation richly deserves our commendation and congratulations on its centenary!
5. We are honored that the Foundation chose Nigeria to host this special occasion which is part of the activities to celebrate the Foundation's centenary.
6. The Rockefeller Foundation is not a stranger to Nigeria. Indeed, it helped to build the foundations of our university education system, especially in medicine and agriculture. Many may not know that Rockefeller Foundation grants helped to support the establishment of the neuro-surgery facility at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria in 1962.
7. The Foundation also maintained a program office for Nigeria based at the University of Ibadan, from where scholars were awarded fellowships and grants in support of cutting edge research.
8. Today, we are here to discuss innovations in agriculture. The Rockefeller Foundation has been on the forefront of innovations in agriculture. In the 1960s, it sowed the seeds of research that led to the green revolution that transformed Asia and fed over a billion people. Dr. Norman Borlaug, a former staff of the Rockefeller Foundation, went on to win the first ever Nobel Prize for agriculture.
9. In Africa, unless we transform agriculture, our economies cannot grow, as millions of our people depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. The Foundation's vision in supporting African agriculture, to help Africa feed itself, is noteworthy. The shift of focus in agriculture from Asia to Africa is both timely and welcome.
10. The partnership between the Rockefeller Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2006, with a collective investment of $150 million, led to the creation of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), chaired by former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.
11. As we embarked on our boldest effort ever to transform agriculture in Nigeria, I looked for a world class agricultural scientist to help us get the job done. I appointed Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a former staff of the Rockefeller Foundation and Vice President of AGRA. Today, our agricultural sector is undergoing unprecedented transformation, with significant impacts.
12. My Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is working very well with my Administration's Economic Management Team to reposition our economy, is a Board member of the Rockefeller Foundation. So, you see, the Rockefeller Foundation is having impacts right here in Nigeria.
13. The transformation of agriculture in Nigeria is a center piece of the economic transformation agenda of my government. Nigeria is known for oil. But today, many countries around the world have found oil. The recent discovery of Shale oil and gas means that we can no longer depend solely on oil to drive the economy. With abundant land and water resources, and an abundant vibrant labor force, Nigeria has all it takes to use agriculture as its new frontier for growth.
14. There is no reason why Nigeria should be a net food importing country. We should be a net food exporting country. That is why I launched the Agricultural Transformation Agenda in 2011 to unlock the potential of agriculture, and make agriculture the main driver of the economy – just like it used to be in the 1960s before we discovered oil.
15. We set out a bold plan to produce 20 million metric tons of food and create 3.5 million jobs through the agriculture sector by 2015. Today, the results achieved are impressive. Within the past one year, we have succeeded in producing an additional 9.1 million metric tons of food, which is 85% higher than the annual target of 5 million metric tons which we set for the country.
16. To reduce our dependency on rice imports, as the world's largest importer of rice, we set out to make Nigeria self-sufficient in rice production by 2015. Ambitious as this goal seems, we are well on our way to achieving the target of rice-self-sufficiency. Dry season rice production in 2012/2013 unleashed a rice revolution across ten States in the northern parts of our country. Our farmers produced a record 1.1 million metric tons of paddy rice, which represents one third of the additional rice paddy we need to be self-sufficient in rice by 2015. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, we are feeding Nigeria now!
17. As the world's largest producer of cassava, we decided to become the world's largest processor of cassava. To cut down our import of wheat, we embarked on a major innovation to use high quality cassava flour to replace some of the imported wheat flour.
18. Today, cassava bread, made out of composite flour, from 20% cassava and wheat flour have hit our markets. This alone will save Nigeria N 254 billion – well over $1.5 billion - in import bill on wheat and put this wealth in the pockets of our farmers. We are aggressively creating markets for use of cassava for starch, sweeteners and dry cassava chips.
19. Farmers, majority of who are smallholder women, are at the heart of our transformation of agriculture. To reach our farmers effectively with improved seeds and fertilizers, we turned to the power of mobile phones.
We developed the Electronic Wallet Scheme, which allows our farmers to receive electronic vouchers to redeem subsidized seeds and fertilizers from private sector seed and fertilizer companies and dealers.
I. I am pleased to note that Nigeria is the first country to develop such a scheme in Africa. Over 1.5 million farmers received their seeds and fertilizers via mobile phones in the first year. We ended four decades of corruption in the fertilizer sector, within 90 days of this government, and restored dignity back to Nigerian farmers. Our plan is to reach 10 million farmers, and impact 50 million persons, in the next two years, through the Electronic Wallet System.
II. The women especially are very excited that, for the first time, they are getting their fertilizers and seeds directly. I believe in our women farmers. When you empower women, you change the destiny of nations.
III. I am unwaveringly committed to the empowerment of the women of Nigeria; a fact made eloquently evident by the fact that over a third of my Ministers and Special Advisers are women, and our many job-creation initiatives targeted at women.
IV. Our Administration's successes in the agricultural sector were recognized on a global scale recently when, only last month, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) gave an award to Nigeria for achieving the Millennium Development Goal on Hunger, for reducing the number of hungry people in the country. This milestone was achieved 3 years ahead of the 2015 target date set for the Millennium Development Goals!
V. While we are delighted at this recognition, we know our job is only done when not one Nigerian goes to bed hungry.
VI. To drive our agriculture, we have ended the approach of agriculture as a development program. We now treat agriculture as a business. Private sector investments are expanding rapidly, from seeds and fertilizer companies and agro-processors. In the last one year, over $8 billion of private investment commitments have been made to the sector.
VII. We developed Staple Crop Processing Zones, to attract the private sector to invest in rural areas, to process and add value to all of our crops. This will reduce post-harvest losses and create jobs.
VIII. The adverse effects of climate change have presented challenges to our efforts. Last year, we witnessed devastating floods in many parts of the country. While providing immediate support to all those affected, we went into dry season food production to mitigate the impacts on our food supply. We recovered from the impact of the flood. Today, there is no food crisis, there is no famine.
IX. To fully unlock the power of agriculture, farmers need affordable finance to invest in seeds, fertilizers and mechanized equipment. Small scale traders of farm inputs need credit to stock up on farm inputs. Agribusinesses need affordable long term finance to grow their businesses. This is why Nigeria developed new innovative finance approaches to expand access to finance to the agriculture sector.
X. The Central Bank of Nigeria and the Ministry of Agriculture developed the Nigerian Incentive Based Risk Sharing for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) to reduce risks of banks to the sector. The Ministry of Finance last year issued loan guarantee to cover 70% of all losses by banks. I was pleased to learn that of the total of N 3.2 billion lent by banks to agrodealers and seed companies in 2012, the default rate was zero percent. Investment in agriculture clearly does pay!
XI. I would like to use this opportunity to thank my colleague Heads of State and Government, who are either present here today or have sent representatives, for gracing this important Summit with their esteemed presence.
XII. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, as you dialogue today, I urge you to develop innovative technologies and financing approaches that will increase access to finance for farmers and unlock the power of agriculture as a business, for millions of farmers across Africa. Africa should not be managing poverty with agriculture. Africa should be creating wealth from agriculture.
XIII. In Nigeria, we know that agriculture was our past. I am confident that with our renewed drive to transform agriculture, we will succeed in making agriculture our future.
XIV. As this Summit on Realizing the Potential of African Agriculture, with emphasis on Catalytic Innovations for Growth gets into top gear, I am confident that agricultural development in our continent is going to receive unprecedented boost.
XV. While wishing the Rockefeller Foundation many more productive years in driving innovations to transform our world, I wish you all very successful deliberations.
XVI. Thank you.
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Friday, July 5, 2013
PRESIDENT JONATHAN FLAGS RECONSTRUCTION OF LAGOS-IBADAN EXPRESSWAY
REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR, AT THE FLAG OFF, FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION AND EXPANSION WORKS ON THE LAGOS-IBADAN DUAL CARRIAGEWAY SECTIONS I AND II ON FRIDAY 5TH JULY, 2013 AT SHAGAMU INTERCHANGE.PROTOCOLS:
1. We are gathered here today, to flag-off the reconstruction and expansion of sections I and II of the Lagos-Ibadan dual carriageway, one of the busiest and most important roads in our Nation.
2. This event fulfils my promise to accelerate these projects after the termination of the concession agreement between the Federal Government and Bi-Courtney for the reconstruction of the road. It also reflects our commitment as an administration to practically and relentlessly meet the yearnings of our people and also to improve our national transport infrastructure.
3. The Lagos-Ibadan expressway, constructed, between 1974 - 1978, is among the earliest dual carriageways in our Country. The road is an important economic artery that connects our Nation's economic nerve centre: sea ports; airports and other vital businesses to many of the states of our federation. At the regional level, the road constitutes a section of the strategic Trans Saharan Highway, which links Lagos on the Atlantic Ocean to Algiers on the Mediterranean Sea.
4. This strategic national infrastructure is therefore of great socio-economic importance, not only to Nigeria, but also to the people of Africa. It is for this reason and noting that a comprehensive renovation and reconstruction was long overdue that the Federal Government in 2009, acting in good faith, entered into a concession agreement under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme to deliver on the road and alleviate the hardships on millions of road users.
5. The state of disrepair of the road; the recurring fatal accidents; unprecedented traffic jams and security breaches, which compromised public health and safety are not issues a democratic government can ignore. In the public interest therefore, we have had to terminate the agreement after four years of evident non-performance.
6. On termination, we acted swiftly late last year when we deployed two reputable road construction companies to carry out emergency repair works on the road to ease traffic as interim measures.
7. Today, I am happy to inform you that we are ready to bequeath to Nigerians a better and more durable road after 35 years when the first construction was made. Two competent construction companies - Messrs Julius Berger Plc and RCC Nigeria Limited, who emerged as successful bidders, and were subsequently contracted will ensure timely completion of this very important dual carriageway.
8. We have made adequate funding arrangements to see the projects all the way through to completion and by the special grace of God, we are certain to deliver on our promise and pledge, on schedule.
9. Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, today's epic reconstruction flag-off marks just a part of the current strategic and determined efforts of Government in establishing a strong, comprehensive and durable national infrastructure network - in Rail, Roads, Aviation and Inland waterways, coupled with a new regime of disciplined re-orientation in regular maintenance, and backed by competent, professional staffing.
10. Fellow citizens, let me use this opportunity to appeal to all road users to be patient and mindful of road diversions during this time, while we hold the contractors to their bond of timely and quality delivery of their service.
11. It is now my honour and privilege to flag-off the reconstruction and expansion of the Lagos-Ibadan dual carriageway, sections I and II.
12. I thank you.
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RIVERS PDP VISITS JONATHAN
1. Your Excellency, may I use this opportunity, on behalf of the delegation of the People's Democratic Party in Rivers State to thank you immensely for the opportunity of this visit. Apart from being the first since the change of leadership of our great party in the state, it is indeed historic because your Excellency is not just our son, being from Niger Delta extraction, but also because your Excellency is our son-in-law. Rivers State therefore is your home of comfort.
2. We indeed received, visited and interacted with our sister, the First Lady, Her Excellency, Dame Patience Jonathan during her recent visit to Rivers State. We can affirm that from the joy and contentment Her Excellency exuded, Your Excellency is indeed a caring and loving husband, and she, a dependable and doting wife. In gratitude, we wish your Excellency and our dear sister many more years of blissful marriage and companionship in Jesus Name. Amen.
3. We have been following Mr. President's Transformation Agenda which is laying a solid foundation for sustainable development of our dear country. We believe in it and are very proud of your Excellency, Mr. President.
4. Despite the distractions which your Administration is witnessing at the moment, your Transformation Agenda and the human face you have brought into governance is to say the least, commendable.
5. Mr. President, we appreciate the fact that you love our people, being one of us, it is for this reason that we must place our gratitude on record. Your Excellency's magnanimity in appointing our illustrious son and leader Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, as Minister of State for Education is highly appreciated. We are happy that he has not disappointed you since assumption of office.
6. In the same vein, we want to thank Mr. President for finding some of our sons worthy of appointments, namely Ambassador Desmond Akawor, Nigeria's Ambassador to South Korea, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, Chairman, Abuja Investment Company, Prince Uche Secondus, Chairman National Identity Card Management Commission, Senator Tari Sekibo Oduabaji, Chairman, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, Chief Sergeant Awuse, Chairman Federal Polytechnic Governing Council, Kaduna, Senator Lee Maeba, Chairman Federal Housing Authority, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, Chairman, Anambra-Imo River Basin Authority, Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs, Chairman, Federal Medical Centre Board, Owerri, Mr. O. C. J. Okocha, SAN, Chairman, Council of Legal Education, Mr. Ledum Mitee, Chairman, NEITI, Mr. Victor Alabo, Managing Director, Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, Hon. Hope Ikiriko, Federal Civil Service Commissioner representing Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states, and Barrister Frank Owhor, Federal Commissioner, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission. What else can we say than to THANK YOU IMMENSELY, our dear brother.
7. Permit us to use this opportunity of this visit, to thank the First Lady through you, for the message of reconciliation and peaceful co-existence which she preached while in Port Harcourt last month. It shows that she truly means well for the State. Her Excellency also empowered over 10,000 of our women from the 23 LGAs of Rivers State under the Women for Change and Development Initiative. There is no doubt, the various items which she delivered to the hitherto neglected poor and rural women will help to alleviate pains and enhance their wellbeing. Kindly extend our invaluable gratitude to Her Excellency, our sister.
8. Mr. President, as if these are not enough, we also thank you for supporting that the position of Deputy National Chairman of our great party be retained by Rivers State.
9. Having said all these Your Excellency, we are pained and our heart bleeds today that the main champion of opposition in the country against Mr. President and indeed the Federal Government of Nigeria is our own son, Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi. This is indeed shameful. We do not know what has come over the young man. Is it that he wants to destabilize the PDP before his eventual movement to his new party, having been handed over the ACN/APC structure in Rivers State? Unfortunately, he has repeatedly rebuffed every effort by us and well-meaning Nigerians to make him show remorse and respect for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Mr. President Sir, we sincerely apologize to you and the First Lady on this sad situation. We appeal that as the saying goes, "you do not visit the sin of the father on the son" and implore your Excellency, to remember us in prayers.
10. To demonstrate that Rivers people are not with Governor Amaechi in this hostile attitude against Mr. President and our great party, we shall continue to support his suspension from the PDP by the National Working Committee until he retraces his steps from engaging in anti-party activities.
11. Your Excellency, Governor Amaechi is not only showing disrespect to your office, he is also attacking the Nigeria Police, his grouse that the new Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr. Joseph Mbu is not doing his bidding as perhaps, some before him did by being used to terrorize innocent Rivers men and women including his perceived political opponents. Your Excellency, Mr. Mbu is a God-sent Commissioner of Police who has refused to be used to arrest and harass political opponents of Governor Amaechi and charging them to court on trumped-up charges. We are very proud of his impartiality and we join well-meaning Nigerians in Rivers State to celebrate him as a core professional.
12. It is for this reason that our Governor has been doing everything including instigating commission of crimes to ridicule and blackmail the Commissioner of Police. Governor Amaechi desperately wants Mr. Mbu out of Rivers State and has publicly threatened to lead a street protest in Port Harcourt with hired persons and non-Nigerians. The idea of the protest we understand, is to further press for the removal of the patriotic and selfless Commissioner of Police in Rivers State.
13. Your Excellency, we also want to use this opportunity to thank the Hon. Minister of State for Education, and our Leader Hon. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, who has been a source of inspiration as well as many others in our struggle to restore our dignity and forge ahead as a winning party.
14. Finally, as a party, Mr. President, we in Rivers State assure you that we will continue to support you, the Transformation Agenda and all your policies. As our son-in-law, we guarantee that you can go home and sleep with your two eyes closed, believing that AT ALL TIMES, WE WILL MASSIVELY SUPPORT AND STAND WITH YOU, COME RAIN COME SHINE.
Long live Peoples Democratic Party
Long live Rivers State
Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria
Thank you, Your Excellency
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Thursday, July 4, 2013
NIGERIA, CHINA TO SIGN MAJOR AGREEMENTS TO BOOST DEFENCE, TRADE AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION
The agreements which will be signed after high-level talks between President Jonathan's delegation and President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and other senior Chinese government officials include an Agreement on Defence Cooperation between Nigeria and China.
Others are: an Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation; an Agreement on Finance for the Zungeru Power Plant and Airport Terminals; and an Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports.
Also to be tabled for discussion during talks between Nigeria and China in the course of President Jonathan's trip to Beijing will be an agreement for the Central Bank of Nigeria to invest in China's Inter-Bank Bond Market through the Peoples' Bank of China, and an agreement for the prevention of the theft, illicit import and export of cultural property.
The successful conclusion of these agreements and other memoranda of understanding for increased bilateral cooperation in areas including the development of public infrastructure, oil and gas, power supply, agriculture, communications and tourism is expected to consolidate the already cordial political, trade and economic relations between Nigeria and China.
President Jonathan will also seek additional Chinese investment for the Mambila Hydro Electric Project, rail modernization, road construction and agricultural development.The President will be accompanied to China by Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe state and Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State.
His entourage will also include the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike
Onolememen, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina.Others are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, the Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, the Minister of National Planning, Alhaji Shamsudeen Usman, the Minister of Transport, Alhaji Idris Umar, the Minister of Solid Minerals, Alhaji Mohammed Sada, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke and the Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada.
In furtherance of his efforts to attract greater direct Chinese investment to the Nigerian economy, President Jonathan will on Thursday July 11, participate in a special session of the Nigeria/China Investment Forum which will be attended by leading Chinese investors and their Nigerian counterparts.
He will also hold separate meetings with the Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers of leading Chinese conglomerates such as Huawei, SINOPEC and ZTE with the same objective in mind.
Before returning to Abuja on Saturday, July, 13, the President and his delegation will visit Daqing in China's Heilongjiang Province to confer with leaders of the Provincial government and tour the Daqing Petrochemical Industry and Agricultural Demonstration Farm.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 4, 2013
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President Jonathan leads High-Powered Delegation to China
President Jonathan who will leave Abuja on Monday evening for the five-day state visit to China is scheduled to hold separate meetings with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress, Mr. Zhang Dejiang.
Talks between President Jonathan and the Chinese leaders will focus on greater bilateral cooperation in areas such as the development of public infrastructure, oil and gas, power supply, agriculture, communications and tourism.
It is expected that before the conclusion of the visit on Friday, July 12, 2013, new bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding will be concluded and signed to guide and sustain future Nigeria-China relations in these and other areas of cooperation.
The President will be accompanied by the Governors of Abia, Anambra, Gombe and Bauchi States, Senator Paulinus Nwagu, Hon. Tahir Monguno and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Petroleum, Works, Agriculture, Works, Aviation, Solid Minerals, Transport, National Planning, Trade & Investment, Niger Delta, Justice, Culture & Tourism as well as the Minister of State for Defence.
He will also participate in a special session of the Nigeria/China Investment Forum which will be attended by leading Chinese investors and their Nigerian counterparts.
President Jonathan and his delegation will also hold separate meetings with the Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers of leading Chinese conglomerates such as Huawei, SINOPEC and ZTE.
His engagements in Beijing will also include commissioning the new Nigerian Embassy building, laying the foundation stone for the residence of Nigeria's Ambassador to China and meeting with members of the Nigerian community in China.
Before returning to Abuja, the President and his delegation will visit Daqing in China's Heilongjiang Province to confer with leaders of the Provincial government and tour the Daqing Petrochemical Industry and Agricultural Demonstration Farm.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 3, 2013
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Tuesday, July 2, 2013
FAIRNESS IN DISTRIBUTION OF COMPENSATION TO ELECTION VICTIMS - PRESIDENCY
President Goodluck Jonathan promised Tuesday in Abuja that the Federal Government will closely monitor the disbursement of the N5.7 billion which it recently approved for victims of the 2011 post-election violence in nine states to ensure fairness and equity.
Speaking at a meeting with leaders and representatives of the Middle Belt Forum, President Jonathan said that the Federal Government will do all within its powers to ensure that the money goes to real victims of the violence.
Responding to concerns raised by the delegation, the President said that although disbursements were already being made based on the recommendations of the various committees that examined claims for compensation, his administration will keep a close eye on the matter with a view to correcting any errors or omissions.
President Jonathan said that his administration will continue to work with the leadership of the Middle Belt Forum and other Nigerians to improve the living conditions of all citizens of the country.
"The Middle Belt has a key role to play in Nigeria. You have played a crucial role in keeping us united. I urge you to continue in that spirit," he told members of the forum who were led by Chief Solomon Lar, Prof. Jerry Gana and Governor Jonah Jang.
Thanking the forum and the people of the Middle Belt for their support for his election in 2011, President Jonathan assured them that his administration will continue to work untiringly to justify their confidence in his leadership.
"We believe that God willing, we will make a very positive impact on the lives of the people of the Middle Belt to show you our appreciation," he told the delegation which included several notable figures from the Middle Belt such as General Zamani Lekwot, General Joshua Dogonyaro, General Atom Kpera, Chief Fidelis Tapgun, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, Senator Jonathan Zwingina, Senator Ameh Ebute, Senator Joshua Dariye, Rev. Jolly Nyame, General Ishaya Bamaiyi, Dr. Bala Takaya, Ambassador Dan Suleiman, Hon. Margaret Ichei and Joe Gadzama.
The Forum pledged its continued support for the Jonathan Administration and asked for greater federal government support for development in the zone especially in the areas of water resources and solid minerals.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 2, 2013
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Monday, July 1, 2013
"NO EXCUSE FOR A RECURRENCE OF DEVASTATING FLOODS" - PRESIDENT JONATHAN
Addressing ministers and officials at a meeting which he called at the Presidential Villa to review ongoing flood containment measures, President Jonathan warned that he will not tolerate any excuses for a repeat of the flooding disasters which displaced various communities across the country in 2012.
"We have no excuse to be caught unprepared again after the floods of last year," the President said, adding that he expected all relevant MDAs to be very proactive in speedily implementing required flood prevention and management measures.
President Jonathan also directed the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Flood Prevention and Control which includes the Ministers of Environment, National Planning, Water Resources, Finance, Health, Transport and Aviation to establish effective liaison with governors of all flood-prone states and ensure that there is proper coordination between federal agencies and the states in the implementation of flood control measures.
He also stressed the need for greater public enlightenment and advocacy to ensure compliance with measures that have been evolved to prevent a recurrence of devastating floods across the country.
A technical team established by the Inter-Ministerial Committee presented a National Climate and Flood Control Framework to the President which detailed short term, mid-term and long term measures recommended to solve the problem of perennial flooding in parts of the country.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency also informed the President that it was constantly monitoring soil moisture saturation across the country since the onset of the raining season, saying that its real time monitoring of weather conditions will enable the agency to give early warning of floods.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 1, 2013
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN
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