PRESIDENT JONATHAN SHOCKED BY SENATOR EWHERIDO’S DEATH, CONDOLES HIS FAMILY, COLLEAGUES AND CONSTITUENTS

President Goodluck Jonathan has received with shock and sadness, news of the passing away of Senator Akpor Pius Ewherido today at the National Hospital in Abuja.

On behalf of himself and all members of the executive arm of the Federal Government, President Jonathan extends heartfelt condolences to Senator Ewherido's family, the Senate President, Senator David Mark and all of the late Senator's colleagues in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

The President joins them, members of the Ewherido family and the government and people of Delta State in mourning the distinguished legislator who served commendably as a member and deputy speaker of the Delta State of Assembly before his election as the Senator representing the Delta Central Senatorial District in the 2011 general elections.

President Jonathan prays that God Almighty will comfort Senator Ewherido's family, relatives, colleagues in the National Assembly and all the people of his constituency.

He further prays that God will, in His infinite mercies, grant them the strength and fortitude to bear the painful loss of the very promising politician at the relatively youthful age of 50.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 30, 2013
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

PRESIDENT JONATHAN WISHES GOVERNOR FASHOLA HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

President Goodluck Jonathan has written to congratulate Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State as he celebrates his 50th birthday tomorrow, June 28, 2013.

President Jonathan conveyed warm felicitations to Governor  Fashola and prayed that God Almighty will grant him many more years of commendable service to the people of Lagos and Nigeria.

"On behalf of my family, the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and on my own behalf, I write to express warm felicitations to you on the landmark occasion of your 50th birthday anniversary.

"As you deservedly celebrate this glorious day, it is my prayer that Almighty God, who has richly prospered you and ordered your every step this past half century, will continue to bless you with good health and fulfillment in the many more years of worthy service ahead of you," the President wrote.

He wished  Governor Fashola very happy birthday celebrations.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 27, 2013
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

PRESIDENT JONATHAN REAFFIRMS NIGERIA’S COMMITMENT TO STRONGER ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN AFRICA AND SOUTH AMERICA

President Goodluck Jonathan pledged Thursday in Abuja that Nigeria will remain at the forefront of efforts to promote greater economic and trade relations between Africa and South America.

Speaking at an audience with Venezuela's outgoing Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Enrique Fernando Arundell, President Jonathan declared that Nigeria remains fully committed to developing the Africa-South America Summit into a more productive platform for the expansion of areas of cooperation between the two continents.

Recalling his interactions with late President Hugo Chavez at the 2nd Africa-South America Summit at Margarita, Venezuela in 2009, President Jonathan said that it was apparent that the late Venezuelan leader was also very committed to establishing mutually-beneficial economic relations between Africa and South America.

Expressing the belief that President Nicholas Maduro will follow late President Chavez's footsteps in this regard, President Jonathan said that Nigeria was ready to work with him and other Heads of State and Government to "maximally exploit" the potentials for mutual economic benefit inherent in closer ties between Africa and South America.

The President praised Mr. Arundell's efforts to enhance the cordial relations between Nigeria and Venezuela.

"Thank you for the services you have rendered here. You have done wonderfully well. We will always remember you and your contributions to development in our country," he told the outgoing Ambassador.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 27, 2013
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

WE WON’T ALLOW YOU TO BE VICTIMIZED OR MALTREATED - PRESIDENT JONATHAN ASSURES NIGERIANS STILL LIVING IN BAKASSI

President Goodluck Jonathan late Sunday in Yaounde assured Nigerians still living in the Bakassi Peninsula of his administration's continuous care, concern and support for their safety and well-being.Speaking at a meeting with the Nigerian Community in Cameroon, President Jonathan dispelled fears that the Federal Government has abandoned Nigerians who remained in the peninsula after its transfer to Cameroon and will allow them to be victimized or maltreated.  

The President expressed the belief that improvement in bilateral relations between the Nigerian and Cameroonian governments after the judgment of the International Court of Justice on the Bakassi dispute will also have a positive impact on relations between citizens of both countries. 

"When countries disagree, their citizens also tend to disagree. But when they are friends, their citizens also follow the same path," President Jonathan observed in his remarks to the gathering.

Responding to other issues raised at the meeting, President Jonathan said that his administration's hard work and commitment to change  have resulted in significant improvements in growth indicators such as  a drop to single digit inflation,  stable exchange rates and steady GDP growth. 

These achievements, the President noted, will gradually translate into improvements in the country's human development indicators in areas such as healthcare, education and reduction of poverty.

President Jonathan also said that his Administration was doing everything possible to rapidly improve the power supply situation in Nigeria. He cited the recent ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a new power plant at Zungeru as an example of such ongoing efforts.

The President praised officers and men of the Nigerian armed forces and security agencies for the effectiveness of ongoing operations to restore full security and normalcy to the three states where a state of emergency was recently declared.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President(Media & Publicity)
June 24, 2013  ‬

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PRESIDENT JONATHAN CONGRATULATES NEW TUC PRESIDENT

President Goodluck Jonathan congratulates Mr. Bobboi Kaigama of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria on his election as President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The President welcomes Mr. Kaigama's declaration after his election that the TUC under his leadership will work with government and private sector employers for the benefit of workers and all Nigerians.

President Jonathan and the Federal Government look forward to working with Mr. Kaigama and his new team at the helm of the TUC to fulfil this commitment and enhance cordial industrial relations in Nigeria in furtherance of the present administration's agenda for national transformation.

The President believes that with Mr. Kaigama's notable antecedents, excellent credentials as a labour leader and experience as President of the large Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, he is fully equipped to succeed as President of one of the two major conglomerations of trade unions in the country.

He extends his best wishes for a fruitful and successful tenure to the new TUC President.
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Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 22, 2013
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

PRESIDENT JONATHAN APPLAUDS GENERAL DANJUMA’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO INSTITUTIONS AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS NIGERIA

President Goodluck Jonathan heartily congratulates General Theophilus Danjuma on today's conferment on him of the high traditional title of Jarmai Zazzau by the Emir of Zaria, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Shehu Idris.

President Jonathan joins General Danjuma's family, friends, associates, former colleagues in the Armed Forces, protégés and admirers in all parts of the country in felicitating with him on being honoured yet again for his immense contributions to the development of the nation.

The President believes that General Danjuma's splendid career in the Armed Forces and public service of the Federation, as well as his colossal philanthropy and generosity to communities in all geo-political zones of the country have ensured that he will be continually honoured and celebrated by an appreciative nation.

President Jonathan also commends the Emir of Zaria for honouring the former Chief of Army Staff and Minister of Defence whose outstanding personal contributions to the progress of institutions and communities in Nigeria includes the recent donation of over N2 Billion to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for the construction of a new library, lecture hall, auditorium and administrative block.

He prays that God Almighty will continue to bless General Danjuma with good health and grant him many more years of great service to his beloved fatherland.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 22, 2013
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

PRESIDENT JONATHAN TO CONFER WITH AFRICAN LEADERS ON PIRACY IN GULF OF GUINEA

President Goodluck Jonathan will travel to Yaounde, Cameroun, tomorrow, to participate in the Summit of West and Central African Heads of State and Government on Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea which opens there on Monday, June 24, 2013.

The summit has been convened against the background of rising incidents of piracy in the resource-rich Gulf of Guinea.

President Jonathan will join other Heads of State of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central Africa States (ECCAS) in the Camerounian capital to deliberate on new proposals and a joint action plan to tackle piracy and maritime criminality in the gulf.

Documents to be considered and ratified by Heads of State at the Summit include a Memorandum of Agreement among ECOWAS, ECCAS and the Gulf of Guinea Commission on maritime safety and security in West and Central Africa, the policy statements of the Heads of State and Government on maritime safety and security, as well as a Code of Conduct on the fight against piracy, armed robbery and illegal maritime activities.

It is expected that at the conclusion of the summit, legal instruments for cooperation on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea will be adopted by participating heads of state and government.

The legal instruments and the Memorandum of Agreement on joint prevention and repression of illegal activities in the gulf will establish a concrete basis for the two regional blocs to share intelligence, conduct joint patrols and jointly repress piracy in their maritime domain. President Jonathan will be accompanied to the summit by the Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, the Minister of Transport, Alhaji Idris Umar, the Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Joseph Ezeoba and the Director-General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi.The President will also hold bi-lateral talks with President Paul Biya on bilateral issues such as border security and the welfare of Nigerians living in Cameroun.

He will meet with the Nigerian community in Cameroun before returning to Abuja on Tuesday, June 25, 2013.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 22, 2013
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

PRESIDENT JONATHAN APPROVES APPOINTMENT OF NEW DPR DIRECTOR AND CEO OF NIGERIAN SHIPPERS’ COUNCIL

President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of Mr. George Abiodun Osahon as the new Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

Mr. Osahon who has over 30 years experience in the petroleum sector is to replace the incumbent Director of the DPR, Mr. Osten Olorunshola who was appointed to the position in 2011.

Previous positions held by the new DPR Director include Group General Manager – National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Managing Director – Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC)  and Managing Director of Energia. He is currently the Managing Director of Geo-Concept Technical Limited and hails from Edo State.

Mr. Osahon is expected to reposition the DPR and enhance the department's  ability to address the critical challenges of regulating the upstream and downstream sectors of Nigeria's petroleum industry, and enforcing the provisions of the country's petroleum laws.

President Jonathan has also approved the appointment of Mr. Hassan Bello as the substantive Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers Council.

Mr. Bello who held the position in an acting capacity until now, was the council's Director of Legal Services.

He hails from Kebbi State and graduated from Ahmadu Bello University's Faculty of Law in 1981. He later obtained a Masters of Law Degree from the University in 1990.

Before joining the Nigerian Shippers Council in 1998, Mr. Bello worked with the Sokoto State Ministry of Justice and the Sokoto Investments Company.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 20, 2013
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

PDP NEC PASSES VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN PRESIDENT JONATHAN

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Thursday in Abuja passed a vote of confidence in President Goodluck Jonathan, declaring that it was evident that Nigeria has made significant progress in many sectors under his leadership.

In the  confidence motion moved by Senator Ibrahim Mantu and unanimously adopted by all members of the committee at today's PDP NEC meeting, the party commended President Jonathan's "resolute and decisive tackling" of Nigeria's security challenges which, it said, had curbed terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria, particularly in the North-East geo-political zone.  

The PDP also applauded ongoing reforms and development in the country, especially those in the agricultural, aviation, transportation, and education sectors, saying that it was  apparent that President Jonathan's Agenda for National Transformation is being diligently implemented and that Nigerians are better for it.

The party also commended President Jonathan's strict adherence to the rule of law as well as his protection and defense of the constitution.

 "The President is discharging his mandate to the appreciation of Nigerians that overwhelmingly voted for him in the 2011 general elections.  

"It is therefore in view of the above that members of the National Executive Committee of our great party do hereby pass a vote of confidence in the President, Commander-In-Chief, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR," the motion stated.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 20, 2013
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

PRESIDENT JONATHAN CALLS FOR MORE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN WAR AGAINST TERRORISM

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Tuesday in Abuja restated his call for greater global cooperation and coordination in the war against terrorism.

Speaking at separate audiences with the new ambassadors of Israel, Russia, Greece and Algeria who presented their letters of credence to him at the Presidential Villa, President Jonathan said that Nigeria and other countries will benefit immensely from greater collaboration amongst their security agencies on efforts to combat domestic and international terrorism.

The President told the incoming ambassadors that Nigeria would welcome increased cooperation  from countries that are more experienced in such matters for its ongoing operations against domestic terrorist groups.

President Jonathan told the new Israeli Ambassador, Mr. Uriel Palti that he looked forward to visiting Israel later this year and discussing ways of enhancing bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He also assured Mr. Alekos Oikonomopoulos, Mr. Nikolay Udovichenko, Mr. Belkacem Smaili and Mr. Amadou Habibou, the new ambassadors of Greece, Russia, Algeria and Senegal respectively, that the Federal Government will fully support their efforts to strengthen existing cordial relations between Nigeria and their countries.

The new ambassadors all expressed their delight at being posted to Nigeria and promised to do everything possible to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between their countries and Nigeria.

REUBEN ABATI
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 18, 2013
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

THIS ADMINISTRATION WILL NEVER LOSE FOCUS – PRESIDENT JONATHAN

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan declared Monday in Abuja that the present administration will never allow itself to be derailed from pursuing the Transformation Agenda to its logical conclusion.

Receiving a high-powered delegation of Middle-Belt and South-South Elders under the aegis of the Congress for Equality and Change led by elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark and former Senate President, Ameh Ebute, President Jonathan pledged that his administration will continue working diligently to build on the achievements catalogued in its mid-term report to the nation.

The President also reaffirmed the Federal Government's unwavering commitment to moving Nigeria progressively forward along the path of development articulated in the Transformation Agenda.

President Jonathan commended the elders for "working tirelessly to bring us to where we are today," and for their continued support, promising that "as our leaders, we will continue to do our best to justify the confidence you have reposed in us."

He also thanked the Middle Belt and South-South regions of the country for their contributions to national unity, stressing that the unity of this country "depends on the cooperation of all."

Chief Clark had earlier told the President that the Congress for Equality and Change, formed in 2010, is made up of 13 states in the North and six states in the South where there are minority ethnic groups.

The co-leader of the delegation and Chairman of the Congress, Senator Ebute, said that the group is committed to promoting the equality of all Nigerians.

Senator Ebute said that this commitment informed the total support given to President Jonathan in 2010 and 2011.

While commending the Mid-Term Scorecard of the Jonathan Administration, Senator Ebute said that the scorecard had encouraged the Congress "to go out and showcase the achievements and ask Nigerians to continue to support President Jonathan to accomplish more for the nation."

REUBEN ABATI
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 17, 2013
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PRESIDENT JONATHAN DID NOT ORDER DISMISSAL OF TOP POLICE OFFICERS

Reports by sections of the media today that President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the sacking of top police officers are untrue and most misleading.

The Presidency views the highly sensationalized reports as a deliberate attempt to cause anxiety and disaffection amongst the top hierarchy of the Police Force through the willful misrepresentation of President Jonathan's remarks at the swearing-in of the new Chairman and members of the Police Service Commission.

The swearing-in ceremony at which President spoke yesterday was directly covered by members of the State House Press Corps and as a significant number of them rightly reported, the thrust of the President's remarks was that the new Chairman and members of the Police Service Commission should strive to effectively  discharge their statutory function of enhancing discipline and efficiency in the service  by ensuring that performance, competence and merit are the primary criteria for career progression in the Police.

The full transcript and recording of the President's remarks at the occasion are available to all sections of the media and they clearly show that at no point in the course of his comments did the President "order" or "direct" the Police Service Commission to "sack" any police officer.

President Jonathan was certainly not giving fresh orders or rewriting the rules when he said: "People who are promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Police and above must merit the rank. If you don't merit the rank, you should be retired from the service".

As all police officers and their counterparts in the Armed Forces and security agencies know, the President's words were fully in line with existing rules and regulations guiding career progression in the services.

The import of President Jonathan's comments was that the new Police Service Commission and other bodies charged with overseeing the career progression of officers and other personnel in the police and security agencies should work to achieve greater competence levels in the services by upholding extant regulations without fear or discrimination.

Headlines such as "JONATHAN ORDERS SACK OF TOP POLICE OFFICERS" and "SACK CORRUPT POLICE, IMMIGRATION OFFICERS, JONATHAN ORDERS PSC, CG" are a complete distortion, falsification and perversion of the President's remarks.

The Jonathan Administration has granted access to all media organizations who wish to report on its activities and done everything possible to facilitate the performance of their duty of correctly informing the public in keeping with the spirit of democratic governance.

In return, the Presidency expects a much higher standard of professionalism and accuracy than that being exhibited by sections of the media.

Those guilty of deliberately distorting or twisting the President's words to promote sectional agenda and fan the embers of discord in the polity should desist from doing so.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 13, 2013
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

FATAI ROLLING DOLLAR WILL REMAIN AN ENDURING INFLUENCE ON AFRICAN MUSIC – PRESIDENT JONATHAN

President Goodluck Jonathan joins other Nigerians and music lovers in all parts of the world in mourning the accomplished and multi-talented musician,

Pa Fatai Olayiwola Olagunju, popularly known as   Fatai Rolling Dollar, who passed away earlier today.

President Jonathan shares the grief of all lovers of music over the death of the illustrious entertainer, master singer, guitarist and exponent of the native thumb piano who continued to perform and exhibit his unqualified love for the music profession at an age when most of his contemporaries had long retired.

The President believes that the late Fatai Rolling Dollar who enthralled his teeming followers throughout his career of over 64 years will, even in death, remain an enduring influence on African music and that the vacuum his death has created in the Nigerian entertainment industry will be hard to fill.

He extends heartfelt condolences to the late musician's family and prays that God Almighty grant his soul eternal rest.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 12, 2013
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

PRESIDENT JONATHAN CONDOLES FAMILY OF LATE BENEDICT ODIASE

President Goodluck Jonathan commiserates with the family, colleagues, associates and friends of the composer of Nigeria's National Anthem, Pa Benedict Odiase, who passed away yesterday.


President Jonathan believes that the late police officer, who was the Director of the Nigerian Police Band until he retired in 1992, will always be remembered and honoured whenever the National Anthem which captures the vision of Nigeria as a great nation is played.

As he is mourned, the President urges Pa Odiase's family, former colleagues in the police and friends across the country to be consoled by the knowledge that the late police officer lived an exemplary life, and in passing on, bequeathed an indelible legacy to the nation which will continue to inspire present and future generations of Nigerians to greater heights of accomplishment.

President Jonathan prays for the peaceful repose of Pa Odiase's soul.

Dr Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
June 12, 2013

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RIBADU IS AN ETHICALLY-CHALLENGED HYPOCRITE - PRESIDENCY

The Presidency totally rejects the false, hypocritical and self-serving claim by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu at a lecture in Kaduna on Saturday that Nigeria under President Goodluck Jonathan is a "sinking ship" in which the yearnings of the masses are being neglected by a tyrannical leadership.

We find it very sad and utterly deplorable that Nuhu Ribadu has resorted to shameless wolf-crying, the peddling of arrant falsehood and the denigration of the elected government of his fatherland in furtherance of his selfish quest for continued national political relevance after his wholesale rejection by Nigerian voters in 2011.

It is very unfortunate indeed that the once highly respected former EFCC Chairman has now taken to political prostitution and developed a penchant for irresponsible and reckless utterances aimed at improving the electoral fortunes of his new friends and "leader", who he once famously denounced as a crook who is "not fit to hold public office".

There can be no doubt that nothing else but blind ambition for an office for which he is clearly unfit is driving Ribadu to infer that an Administration led by a President who welcomed him back to the country after his self-imposed exile, restored his rank in the Nigeria Police to save him from the shame of demotion and converted his dismissal from service to retirement has now become tyrannical and anti-people. We take special note of his ingratitude.

If Nuhu Ribadu wants to talk of tyranny then he should talk of the days when he orchestrated the impeachment of governors with an illegitimate quorum of legislators who had been threatened by the EFCC under his watch. It beats the imagination that Nuhu Ribadu, a man who once presided over an  EFCC which in 2007 compiled a list of disqualified politicians aspiring for office without a court order or legal backing now has the guts to accuse the man under whom Nigeria has had the most credible elections in this Fourth Republic of being  the leader of a "sinking ship". Can there be a greater tyranny than the tyranny of removing governors via undemocratic means and barring legally entitled persons from contesting elections?

Nothing else but misguided ambition could have driven Ribadu to urge Nigerian youth to rise up and save the country from an Administration which he willingly served recently, but which he now duplicitously and insincerely claims is "imposing private interests on the majority".

It is certainly the height of hypocrisy for Ribadu who built his entire reputation as an anti-corruption crusader by completely disregarding the rule of law and recklessly trampling on the rights of perceived enemies of the government of the day, to now accuse an administration that has consistently upheld the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights of being tyrannical.

It is only a shameless man that will turn around and accept to be the political lackey of a man he once openly accused of corruption at various times between 2004 and 2007. Now that he has been used and abused by the undemocratic overlords that reign over the ACN and fearing that he may soon be dumped now that that vehicle is about to be subsumed into the so called All Progressives Congress, Ribadu is  desperately seeking fresh relevance. 

Ribadu's descent into a moral abyss since leaving the exalted office of EFCC Chairman, his equally ethically-challenged new friends and his willingness to vituperate against any person or institution he perceives as a challenge to the fulfillment of his unattainable ambitions, have clearly exposed him for what he truly is – a thoroughly unprincipled attention-seeker whose entire career in the public service was built on bootlicking and doing the bidding of the powers of the day without a care for legality which should have been his primary concern as an officer of the law.  

President Jonathan and his Administration will not be distracted from the diligent implementation of the agenda for national transformation by the falsehoods and vituperations of Ribadu and his new friends.

Far from being tyrannical as Ribadu falsely alleged in Kaduna, President Jonathan will, as he has consistently done since assuming office, continue to strengthen institutions of democratic governance in Nigeria, uphold the fundamental human rights of all Nigerians including the youth, and protect their right to elect leaders in free, fair and credible elections.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 10, 2013
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

AGWAI REPLACES KONTAGORA AS DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF SURE-P

President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd.) as the new Deputy Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

General Agwai, a former Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff replaces Major-General Mamman Kontagora who passed away last week.

The highly-decorated General who also held several other

 military appointments within and outside the country, including Deputy Force Commander

 of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone and Force Commander of the African Union Mission in Sudan, has been a member of the SURE-P Committee since its establishment by the Jonathan Administration in February last year.

The committee is charged with the responsibility of managing and reinvesting the Federal Government's share of the savings from the partial removal of the subsidy on fuel in programmes and initiatives that will improve the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 6, 2013
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

Rhythm N’ Play Campaign for Grassroots Sports Mobilisation

Address by
His Excellency, President GoodluckEbele Jonathan, GCFR

At the Launch of the Rhythm N' Play Campaign for Grassroots Sports Mobilisation,

Thursday, 6th June 2013                                            

PROTOCOL:

  1.         I would like to thank all of you for being here today, for the Presidential launch of the 'Rhythm N' Play Campaign'for Grassroots Sports Mobilisation. 
2.         Today marks another historic day in our renewed sports development drive, which has already started yielding visible results and national glory.
3.         You will all recall that late last year, we convened the Retreat on Sports which not only analysed the challenges in the Sector but also came up with a clear Roadmap for its development in the short, medium and long terms.
4.         Already, 2013 is turning out to be a success for the country in Sports. In February, our gallant Super Eagles won the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).  Two weeks ago, I hosted a joint Reception for the Golden Eaglets who represented the country at the African Under 17 Football Championship in Morocco as well as our Athletics Team which emerged overall winners of the maiden Under 18 African Athletics Championship in Warri. 
5.         They were honoured for their extra-ordinary feat and display of talent in their chosen sports at the international arena.  So far, we are doing well in our effort to fly the Green-White-Green in the Football World Cup tournament in Brazil next year.  This is a great moment for sports in Nigeria. 
6.         We must build on this momentum and trend.  We must take every step to ensure that our successes are sustained.  We believe that grassroots sports development and nurturing provide the way.
7.         Sport is an important vehicle for fostering cohesion and nation building. This has been amply demonstrated in the greater attention Government has given to sports development. In National competitions, it mirrors our pride, emotion, unity and discipline. Aside from these obvious benefits that sporting glory brings, it is also a major tool for youth development.
8.         Through sports, people imbibe self-discipline, perseverance, team spirit and patriotism. Encouraging young people to take on sports, also helps to build a generation that is healthier in body and mind and, therefore, able to contribute more fully to national development. 
9.         Government remains firmly committed to the development of our youth to ensure they grow up as healthy, responsible and productive citizens with available opportunities to make easier life choices.  This is the spirit of our Government of Transformation.  We must collectively build a worthy nation for the younger generation.
10.    Considering its long-term socio-economic benefits, this administration is irrevocably committed to grassroots sports development. We believe that our young people must be encouraged to have an early start in sporting activities. 
11.    'Rhythm N' Play,' the  programme that we are launching today, is aimed at providing young Nigerians under the age of 17 years, with structured programmes that combine sports and play as critical learning and development tools. 
12.    As the biggest campaign for youth participation in sports ever launched in our country, this initiative will revolutionize grassroots sports in our dear nation. Our target is to introduce 2 million additional children to sports over the next two years.
13.    In this regard, I have directed the National Sports Commission and the Federal Ministry of Education, to work in concert towards achieving this target. 
14.    Through this targeted effort, our administration intends to bring physical education back to our schools, and make participation in sports activities compulsory for all pupils and students.
15.    We are not unaware of the fundamental constraints facing this initiative, such as inadequate sporting facilities and qualified coaches in the majority of our educational institutions.
16.    Nevertheless, we are determined to reverse this situation. We will overcome existing constraints by articulating cost efficient solutions to empower children and facilitate greater interest and participation in sports. 
17.    As we launch this campaign today, I call on all State Governments and all other stakeholders, including the private sector, to give full support to the realization of its objective. Partnering with you in developing sports facilities in rural and urban areas, we are certain to significantly spur the growth and development of grassroots sports.
18.    Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, let me emphasise, once again, that we must all commit to building a new Nigeria for our children.  It is now my honour to formally launch the 'Rhythm N' Play Campaign'.
19.              I thank you. ‬
‬

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President Jonathan proscribes Boko Haram & Ansaru

PRESIDENT JONATHAN APPROVES ORDER PROSCRIBING BOKO HARAM AND ANSARU, MEMBERS,SUPPORTERS, COLLABORATORS NOW FACE PROSECUTION UNDER TERRORISM PREVENTION ACT

President Goodluck Jonathan has formally approved the proscription of Boko Haram and authorized the gazetting of an order declaring the group's activities illegal and acts of terrorism.

The order which has been gazetted as the Terrorism (Prevention) (Proscription Order) Notice 2013 affects both Boko Haram (Jamaatu Ahlis-Sunna Liddaawati Wal Jihad) and another group – Jama'atu Ansarul  Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan was approved by President Jonathan pursuant  to section 2 0f the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011 (As Amended).

It officially brings the activities of both groups within the purview of the Terrorism Prevention Act and any persons associated with the two groups can now be legally prosecuted and sentenced to penalties specified in the Act.

The proscription order warns the general public that any person "participating in any form of activities involving or concerning the collective intentions of the said groups will be violating the provisions of the Terrorism Prevention Act".

Section 5 (1) of the act prescribes a term of imprisonment of not less than 20 years for any person who knowingly, in any manner, directly  or indirectly, solicits or renders support for the commission of an act of terrorism or to a terrorist group.

For the purposes of subsection (1) of section, "support" includes -

(a) incitement to commit a terrorist act through the internet, or any electronic means or through the use of printed materials or through the dissemination of terrorist information;

(b) receipt or provision of material assistance, weapons including biological, chemical or nuclear weapons, explosives, training, transportation, false documentation or identification to terrorists or terrorist groups;

(c) receipt or provision of information or moral assistance, including invitation to adhere to a terrorist or terrorist group;

(d) entering or remaining in a country for the benefit of, or at the direction of or in association with a terrorist group; or

(e) the provision of, or making available, such financial or other related services prohibited under this Act or as may be prescribed by regulations made pursuant to this Act.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 4, 2103
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

PRESIDENT JONATHAN HAS NO INTENTION OF PROBING OBASANJO ADMINISTRATION

The Presidency is constrained to state once again that there is no truth whatsoever to rehashed reports in the media today that President Goodluck Jonathan intends to order a probe of the Obasanjo Administration because of the former President's "constant" criticisms of the Federal Government.

President Jonathan remains fully focused on the urgent tasks of assuring peace, security and stability across the country to create the right conditions for rapid socio-economic development and will not be distracted from this objective by futile attempts to drive a wedge between him and other respected elders and leaders of his party.

The President has nothing but the greatest respect for Chief Obasanjo's very notable contributions to national growth and development over many years and far from taking offence or seeking retaliation, will always welcome objective criticism and advice from the very highly-regarded elder statesman.

What is more, President Jonathan regards his Administration as a continuation of the unbroken chain of PDP-led governments started by Chief Obasanjo in 1999 which have worked tirelessly to entrench democratic governance and achieve rapid socio-economic growth in the country.

Rather than order a pointless probe of his predecessors, he will continue to do his utmost best to build on the solid foundations for national progress laid under previous PDP administrations.

Speculations and suggestions of an impending probe of the Obasanjo Administration by President Jonathan are therefore nonsensical and should be dismissed by all right-thinking Nigerians as the product of the fertile imagination of mischievous political jobbers.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
June 1, 2013
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

AL-JAZEERA’S REPORT ON STATE OF EMERGENCY AND "CIVILIAN CASUALTIES" IS CONTRIVED AND MISLEADING

We view with grave concern, the attempt by sections of the media, especially the foreign media to mislead the general public and the international community about the on-going State of Emergency and military operations in three states of the Federation: Adamawa, Yobe and Borno. For the avoidance of doubt, the declaration of a state of emergency and the consequential security operations are meant to protect the civilian population and the territory from the macabre and dastardly assault on the Nigerian state by insurgents and terrorists. It is not an operation against innocent citizens as Al-Jazeera and others are suggesting.
In executing this sovereign objective, President Jonathan explicitly directed that the operations be conducted in line with applicable rules of engagement and peculiar care in managing a unique situation. In an earlier statement, he had also made it clear to the military high command and received assurances that those who violate their operational orders will be disciplined accordingly. In line with this regard for the rights of the civilian population, the President Jonathan had ordered the release of women and under-aged persons in protective custody, and made arrangements for their immediate rehabilitation. Fifty eight persons in this category have been released.

The Armed Forces have also secured the release of six women and children in Boko Haram captivity. There is nothing to suggest so far any violation of operational orders by the troops operating in the North East. Their intervention has received popular support, among the civilian populace, and within two weeks of operation, the possibility of calm and normalcy resonates even as enclaves of terrorists are raided and their capacity to continue their reign of terror heavily compromised. This is a process and the Government owes it to the people of the North-East to see it through.

The Jonathan administration believes that media reporting of the reality of living in a state of emergency is needed to keep the local and international community well informed and to hold accountable those prosecuting the military operation to help build trust and sustain the public support needed to build lasting peace. 

Rather curiously however, the last two weeks have witnessed mischievous attempts by a section of the media to generate negative propaganda around these operations in the North East. Most recently, a video report by Al-Jazeera yesterday titled "

Civilians among dead in Nigeria offensive" (May 31) sought to put the government and the people of Nigeria in bad light. This is regrettable. While we welcome an open interrogation of government's activities, we reject any attempt to exploit the security situation in the North East to malign, discredit or otherwise undermine the country's efforts by other surreptitious means. There can be no doubt that the Al Jazeera report of May 31 is in very bad taste.

Two quick points will highlight the concerns here:
(1) the video is that of the unfortunate incident that occurred in Bama on May 7 and has no connection with the current operation. If anything, the victims shown in the video were those the Boko Haram attacked before they launched an offensive on the Bama prison
(2) the claim that the man in uniform shown in the video is a Nigerian soldier cannot be sustained, because in a war-like theater as we have on our hands, anybody could have been clad in a military fatigue; and we have seen Boko Haram members appear in military fatigues in their propaganda videos.  Besides, no soldier has left the frontlines since the beginning of the operations. Surely, this type of reporting on a serious national security issue is irresponsible and should be deplored by all.

We reaffirm the Government of Nigeria's commitment to and belief in the professionalism of the Nigerian Military, an institution that has served with distinction on many occasions across the region and outside. We deplore the effort to encourage terrorists through unverified and inaccurate reporting, and the desperation to blackmail the current peace and security process.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media &Publicity)
June 1, 2013
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN