PRESIDENT JONATHAN TO COLLECT PDP NOMINATION FORM FOR 2015 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS TOMORROW

PRESIDENT JONATHAN TO COLLECT PDP NOMINATION FORM FOR 2015 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS TOMORROW, THANKS ALL NIGERIANS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED FUNDS TO PAY FOR FORM

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will tomorrow, Thursday, October 30 pick up the PDP nomination form for the 2015 Presidential elections.

President Jonathan thanks all Nigerians, members of the PDP, friends, associates, and all groups who in sincere appreciation of the achievements of the administration in the last four years, have been urging him to seek a second term in office.

President Jonathan is greatly encouraged by the overwhelming outpouring of goodwill and support, as well as the  confidence of the generality of Nigerians in his ability to continue to transform the country for the good of all of its  people.

The President is also grateful to all the persons, groups and communities who have sent donations, and made pledges to assist him to pay the required N22 million for the PDP Presidential Nomination Fee and Expression of Interest Form.

He acknowledges, and accepts with immense gratitude, the following donations and pledges that he has received from a broad section of Nigerians:

PRESIDENT JONATHAN CONDOLES ZAMBIANS ON DEATH OF PRESIDENT SATA

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT JONATHAN CONDOLES ZAMBIANS ON DEATH OF PRESIDENT SATA

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has received with sadness, news of the passing away of President Michael Sata of Zambia in a London Hospital yesterday.

On behalf of the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, President Jonathan extends sincere condolences to the government and people of Zambia on the death of President Sata who has led his country since 2011.

President Jonathan's deepest sympathies are with the people of Zambia and President Sata's family as they mourn their leader, patriarch, nationalist and patriot who will always be remembered for his uncompromising stand against neo-colonialism and any semblance of renewed imperialism in Zambia and Africa as a whole.

As they mourn President Sata and prepare to lay him to rest, President Jonathan urges the brotherly people of Zambia to commit themselves fully to a peaceful and orderly succession in keeping with the principles of democracy and the country's constitution.

He prays that God Almighty will comfort the people of Zambia and grant them a worthy successor to President Sata who will keep the country on an even keel and ensure that it continues to make steady progress for the benefit of its people. 

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 29, 2014

PRESIDENT JONATHAN APPROVES APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR NNPC

PRESIDENT JONATHAN APPROVES APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR NNPC

In furtherance of ongoing efforts to transform the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) into a commercially-driven entity, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the creation of a new office of Deputy Group Managing Director of the corporation.

President Jonathan has also approved the appointment of Mr. Bernard O.N. Otti, the NNPC's current Group Executive Director (Finance and Accounts) as the new Deputy Group Managing Director/Group Executive Director (Finance and Accounts) of the corporation.

Mr Otti hails from Anambra State. He has held senior positions in some of the largest financial institutions in Nigeria and internationally, and has also served on the boards of numerous public and private institutions.

The new office of Deputy Group Managing Director is expected to strengthen the corporate governance structure of the NNPC and help ensure that value for money and return on investment increasingly become key factors in all operational decisions.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 28, 2014

DISCRIMINATORY ACTIONS AGAINST NIGERIANS OVER EBOLA MUST STOP – PRESIDENT JONATHAN

DISCRIMINATORY ACTIONS AGAINST NIGERIANS OVER EBOLA MUST STOP – PRESIDENT JONATHAN

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan said Monday in Abuja that he expects and hopes that Nigerians will no longer suffer discriminatory checks and stigmatization abroad now that the World Health Organisation has certified that the country is Ebola-free.

Speaking at an audience with the Foreign Ministers of Germany and France who called on him at the Presidential Villa, President Jonathan restated the Federal Government's displeasure over  the stigmatization of Nigerians by some countries after the Ebola virus entered Nigeria in July through a Liberian traveller.

The President maintained that there was never any justifiable basis for the stigmatization of Nigerians since Ebola was rapidly contained in the country and never attained epidemic levels.

He told the French Foreign Minister, Mr. Laurent Fabius and the German Foreign Minister, Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier that  Nigeria will remain fully vigilant to prevent the re-entry of the virus because the  Federal Government recognizes that the country will remain at risk as long as Ebola is active in other West African countries or any other part of the world.

Nigeria, President Jonathan assured the visiting Ministers,   will therefore cooperate fully with other concerned nations to stop the current outbreak of Ebola in West Africa as quickly as possible.

The Ministers told the President that they were in Nigeria to seek further cooperation with the Federal Government in the growing global effort to contain the current outbreak and continuing spread of the Ebola Virus Disease.

They praised Nigeria's successful containment of the virus and expressed the desire of France, Germany and the European Union to collaborate more with Nigeria in helping other West African countries where the virus still remains active.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 27, 2014

PRESIDENT JONATHAN CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT DILMA ROUSSEFF OF BRAZIL ON HER RE-ELECTION

PRESIDENT JONATHAN CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT DILMA ROUSSEFF OF BRAZIL ON HER RE-ELECTION
 
On behalf of the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan congratulates President  Dilma Rousseff of Brazil on her victory in yesterday's final round of her country's presidential elections.
President Jonathan received the news of President Rousseff's re-election with great delight in view of the excellent relations and strategic partnership forged between Nigeria and Brazil during her first term in office.
As President Rousseff prepares to begin a new term of office on January 1, 2015, Nigeria looks forward to working with her government to expand and further enhance existing relation with Brazil, especially in the area of trade and economic relations, for the mutual benefit of the people of both countries.

President Jonathan also applauds President Rousseff's expressed commitment to working for greater peace, national unity and more reforms in Brazil during her second term.

He congratulates the people of Brazil for their unwavering commitment to democracy and its processes which has produced a peaceful and acceptable  outcome in the very keenly contested elections.
 
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 27, 2014

STOP POLITICAL RASCALITY AND BLACKMAIL -PRESIDENCY WARNS AMAECHI

STOP POLITICAL RASCALITY AND BLACKMAIL -PRESIDENCY WARNS AMAECHI

Governor Rotimi Amaechi took his obnoxious willingness to denigrate the highest office in the land in a reckless bid to advance his selfish political interests to a new level of irresponsible and rascally behaviour yesterday in Port Harcourt with his totally false and baseless vituperations against President Jonathan, the First Lady and the Federal Government.

It appears from the Governor's completely unfounded and off-the-mark allegations that he had totally lost all sense of propriety, decorum and responsible political behaviour and resorted to unacceptable demagoguery, libel, blackmail and incitement of public disorder.

Unless his unbridled ambition and desire for self- promotion have completely befuddled his mental faculties and caused him to totally lose touch with reality, Governor Amaechi must know that his claims and allegations are untrue.

We can only assume therefore that he is deliberately spewing malicious falsehood in a desperate effort to incite the people of Rivers State and Nigeria against his assumed political foes.

We warn him that there are legal, constitutional and moral limits to political rascality beyond which he will not be allowed to go without repercussions.

The immunity which he currently enjoys notwithstanding, Governor Amaechi should be under no illusions:  A day of reckoning will surely come when he will answer for all his actions and false allegations against President Jonathan, the First Lady and the Federal Government.

He should also know that Nigerians are aware of the truth and will never be fooled or swayed by his arrant opportunism and anti-Jonathan rantings.

Nigerians know that while Mr. Amaechi falsely accuses others of corruption, he cannot show or explain to the people of Rivers State what he has done with the billions of Naira that has accrued to the state under his tenure.

They also know that while Amaechi continues to falsely accuse the Jonathan Administration of having done nothing for Rivers State, he has recklessly squandered huge state resources on dubious, vain-glorious projects or self aggrandizement.

Nigerians will know too that while he falsely alleges that Rivers and other states have not received funds due to them from the Federation account, the only outstanding allocation was for September, which was released to all states well over a week ago.

The Governor should stop trying to make President Jonathan the scapegoat for his woeful performance in Rivers State and look to his own very apparent failings and incompetencies.

He should also stop blackmailing the First Lady who has demanded nothing from him other than good governance, justice, equity, fairness, real development and progress in Rivers State.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 26, 2014

PRESIDENT JONATHAN WELCOMES W.H.O. DECLARATION THAT NIGERIA IS EBOLA-FREE, ORDERS CONTINUED VIGILANCE AT BORDERS

PRESIDENT JONATHAN WELCOMES W.H.O. DECLARATION THAT NIGERIA IS EBOLA-FREE, ORDERS CONTINUED VIGILANCE AT BORDERS

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan welcomes today's declaration by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that Nigeria is now officially Ebola-free after 42 days without any incidence of the Ebola Virus Disease.

President Jonathan dedicates the certification to the many patriotic health workers, volunteers and ordinary Nigerians who worked tirelessly, some of them paying the ultimate price, to stop the deadly virus in its track after it entered the country in July this year.

The President seizes this opportunity to also reiterate his appreciation of the contributions of state governments, WHO and other international health organisations, relatives of infected persons and other Nigerians who either courageously underwent the rigours of being quarantined or complied with all directives issued by health authorities to defeat the virus.

He believes that Nigeria's globally-acclaimed success against Ebola is a testimony to what Nigerians can achieve if they set aside their differences and work together, and calls on Nigerians to strive to replicate the unity of purpose and all-hands-on-deck approach adopted against Ebola in other areas of national life.

As the nation applauds the success of its collective effort to stop the transmission of the Ebola Virus within Nigeria however, the President warns that the entire country must remain fully alert and vigilant against the re-entry of the virus.

President Jonathan fully shares the view expressed by WHO in its congratulatory message to Nigeria that while we have won a battle against Ebola, the war will only truly end when West Africa, Africa and the world are declared free of Ebola.

The President consequently directs that all the anti-Ebola measures taken after the entry of the virus into the country should remain in place and that health officials should continue to actively screen persons entering the country through its air, land and sea borders for any sign of the virus.

He also urges all Nigerians to continue to follow the anti-Ebola  advisories on sanitation and personal hygiene issued by Federal and State Health authorities.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 20, 2014

Presidential Initiative on National Schools Agriculture Programme

Good morning:
President Goodluck Jonathan will preside over the flag-off of the Presidential Initiative on National Schools Agriculture Programme.

When: 
Monday, October 20, 2014 (Today), 11 am prompt

Where:
State House Conference Centre (Banquet Hall)

Who:
Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and Dr. Baraka Sani, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Presidential Initiative on National Schools Agriculture Programme, will be speaking at the event.  

Best wishes

Oche Egwa

Media Office

PRESIDENT JONATHAN CONDOLES CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA ON DEATH OF APOSTLE NUMBERE

PRESIDENT JONATHAN CONDOLES CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA ON DEATH OF APOSTLE NUMBERE

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has received with sadness, news of the death of the Founder and General Overseer of Greater Evangelism World Crusade Ministries International, Apostle Geoffrey Dabibi Numbere.

On behalf of his family and the Federal Government of Nigeria, President Jonathan extends heartfelt condolences to Apostle Numbere's wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Nonyem Numbere, as well as his children, relatives and members of the Greater Evangelism World Crusade Church.

The President also commiserates with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria and the people of Rivers State on the loss of Apostle Numbere.

President Jonathan joins them in mourning the revered spiritual leader and former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the South-South Zone whose enormous impact on the moral and social development of millions of Nigerians and non-Nigerians will be greatly missed.

He prays that Almighty God will receive Apostle Numbere's soul and grant him eternal rest from his diligent labour in the Lord's Vineyard.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 19, 2014

FG, Boko Haram agree ceasefire -CDS

Islamist militant group Boko Haram and the Federal Government have agreed to a ceasefire.

Chief of Defense Staff Alex Badeh issued an order Friday, telling all service chiefs “to comply with the ceasefire agreement between Nigeria and Boko Haram in all theaters of operations.”

The text went out after Danladi Ahmadu, who calls himself the secretary-general of Boko Haram, told VOA that a cease-fire agreement had been reached.

CONDUCT YOUR PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN WITH GREATER REGARD FOR THE TRUTH – PRESIDENT JONATHAN TELLS BUHARI

CONDUCT YOUR PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN WITH GREATER REGARD FOR THE TRUTH – PRESIDENT JONATHAN TELLS BUHARI

We have noted with disappointment and regret, the reckless, baseless and unsupportable charges made against the Jonathan Administration yesterday by a supposed elder statesman, General Muhammadu Buhari.

We wholly reject the allegations made by General Buhari against the Jonathan Administration at yesterday's declaration of his intention to contest the 2015 presidential elections as an irresponsible denigration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan's sincere efforts, over the past four years, to positively transform Nigeria.

It reflects very badly on the character of the political opposition we now have in Nigeria, that a political leader of General Buhari's stature will deliberately make such false and uncharitable comments about the elected leadership of his country, merely for personal and sectional political gain.

The falsity of General Buhari's anti-Jonathan and anti-PDP claims will be obvious to knowledgeable Nigerians and friends of the country, but for the benefit of others we will like to affirm that there is absolutely no truth whatsoever in his charge that "the last 16 years of PDP Government has witnessed a decline in all critical sectors of life in Nigeria" or that "the economy continues to deteriorate".

Statistics and rankings from the National Bureau of Statistics, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other international economic agencies give the lie to General Buhari's claims on the state of the Nigerian economy.

As is well known, available figures, statistics and ratings show that the Nigerian economy has consistently maintained an unprecedented growth rate of 6-7% under the Jonathan administration. They also show that the Nigerian economy is now the leading economy in Africa and the 26th largest in the world with a gross domestic product of over $500 billion per annum.

Also contrary to General Buhari's assertion yesterday, Nigeria's agricultural sector is thriving under the reforms being implemented by the Jonathan administration as current production figures show and neither manufacturing nor commerce is "down" as the APC presidential aspirant alleged.

His most uncharitable and inexcusable accusation against the present administration was that election rigging continues to thrive in Nigeria.

We trust that all patriotic, objective and non-partisan Nigerians will reject that allegation knowing it to be invalid and they will have the evidence of the progressively freer, fairer and ever more credible elections conducted under the Jonathan administration to support their position.

Despite the other false accusations General Buhari made against the President who he clearly fears to take on in an honest, issues-driven presidential election contest, President Jonathan will continue to carry forward his transformation agenda in the power sector and other areas.

The President will not be discouraged or deterred from his objective of repositioning Nigeria for accelerated and inclusive socio-economic development by the partisan and jaundiced views of power seekers like General Buhari who cannot see the obvious results of the current administration's efforts through their blinkered eyes.

We also draw the attention of Nigerians to the total lack of originality in the hackneyed manifesto offered to Nigerians yesterday by the APC Presidential aspirant.

All that General Buhari promises to do are already being done by the Jonathan Administration to the acclaim of ordinary Nigerians and there is no evidence before Nigerians that the APC leader and his acolytes can do them better.

The retired General is free to renege on his well-publicized pledge not to seek elective office as he has done, but we urge him to conduct his presidential campaign with greater regard for the truth.

We also urge him to eschew unbecoming false accusations against others like a true elder statesman and to focus his campaign on more original ideas for the promotion of peace, stability, unity and progress in our beloved nation.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 16, 2014

PRESIDENT JONATHAN FELICITATES WITH ALAAFIN ON HIS 76TH BIRTHDAY

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
 
PRESIDENT JONATHAN FELICITATES WITH ALAAFIN ON HIS 76TH BIRTHDAY
 
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has expressed his appreciation of the continued support of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III for the Federal Government's efforts to accelerate the pace of socio-economic development in Nigeria.
 
Writing to felicitate with the Alaafin on the occasion of his 76th birthday anniversary tomorrow, Wednesday, October 15, 2014, President Jonathan also applauded the monarch's laudable contributions to peace, harmony and progress in Oyo State and Nigeria.  
 
"On behalf of my family, the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I write to convey warm felicitations to Your Highness on the occasion of your 76th birthday anniversary.
 
"You have not only continued to use your exalted throne to promote peace, harmony and progress in your kingdom and Oyo State, you have also continued to provide unwavering support for our Administration in our determined quest to reposition our dear nation for enduring stability and sustained growth and development. For this, I thank Your Highness," President Jonathan wrote.
 
Wishing Oba Adeyemi very happy birthday celebrations, President Jonathan prayed that Almighty God will continue to bless the Alaafin with good health and grant him many more years of worthy service to Oyo State and Nigeria.
 
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 14, 2014

PRESIDENT JONATHAN FELICITATES WITH ALAAFIN ON HIS 76TH BIRTHDAY

PRESIDENT JONATHAN FELICITATES WITH ALAAFIN ON HIS 76TH BIRTHDAY
 
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has expressed his appreciation of the continued support of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III for the Federal Government's efforts to accelerate the pace of socio-economic development in Nigeria.
 
Writing to felicitate with the Alaafin on the occasion of his 76th birthday anniversary tomorrow, Wednesday, October 15, 2014, President Jonathan also applauded the monarch's laudable contributions to peace, harmony and progress in Oyo State and Nigeria.  
 
"On behalf of my family, the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I write to convey warm felicitations to Your Highness on the occasion of your 76th birthday anniversary.
 
"You have not only continued to use your exalted throne to promote peace, harmony and progress in your kingdom and Oyo State, you have also continued to provide unwavering support for our Administration in our determined quest to reposition our dear nation for enduring stability and sustained growth and development. For this, I thank Your Highness," President Jonathan wrote.
 
Wishing Oba Adeyemi very happy birthday celebrations, President Jonathan prayed that Almighty God will continue to bless the Alaafin with good health and grant him many more years of worthy service to Oyo State and Nigeria.
 
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 14, 2014

PRESIDENT JONATHAN COMMISERATES WITH CHIEF ALAMIEYESEIGHA ON SON’S DEATH

PRESIDENT JONATHAN COMMISERATES WITH CHIEF ALAMIEYESEIGHA ON SON'S DEATH

President Goodluck Jonathan has received with shock and immense sadness news of the death of Mr. Oyamuyefa Alamieyeseigha in Dubai at the weekend.

On behalf of his family and the Federal Government, President Jonathan extends heartfelt condolences to Oyamuyefa's father, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and his entire family on the untimely loss of a very dear son in the prime of his life.

The President and the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan share their pain and grief over the death of Oyamuyefa in circumstances that are still unclear.

President Jonathan assures Chief Alamieyeseigha and his family of the full support of the Federal Government as they strive to unravel the true circumstances of the young man's death.

He prays that God Almighty will receive Oyamuyefa's soul and comfort his grieving parents and siblings.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 13, 2014

PRESIDENT JONATHAN WELCOMES GREATER SUPPORT FOR WAR AGAINST TERRORISM FROM NIGERIA’S NEIGHBOURS

PRESIDENT JONATHAN WELCOMES GREATER SUPPORT FOR WAR AGAINST TERRORISM FROM NIGERIA'S NEIGHBOURS

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Friday in Abuja welcomed the greater support for the war against terrorism from Nigeria's neighbours.

Speaking at an audience with Mr. Emmanuel Issoze Ngondet, a Special Envoy of President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon, President Jonathan also applauded the renewed and heightened commitment of Niger, Chad, Benin Republic and Cameroon to joining forces with Nigeria to rid the West African Sub-Region of the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism.

Reiterating his view that terrorist attacks on one country must be seen as an affront to all civilized nations,  the President called for an even stronger and more effective regional, continental and global alliance against terrorism and its perpetrators.

"Boko Haram and similar terrorist groups kill people indiscriminately hiding under religious beliefs that are not found in any of the Holy Books. They do not represent any civilized and rational people. Civilized and  rational people of the world  who are in the clear majority must therefore join forces to confront  and defeat them," President Jonathan said.

The President thanked President Ondimba for Gabon's pledge to support Nigeria's fight against insurgency. He assured him of Nigeria's total commitment to prosecuting the war against terrorism to a successful conclusion.

Mr. Ngondet, who is  Gabon's Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that Gabon welcomed the decision to form a multinational force that will confront terrorism.

He said that Gabon shared Nigeria's position that Boko Haram's activities have no basis in religion and assured President Jonathan of the support of his country and others in the Central African sub-region in fighting terrorism.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 10, 2014

US website removes Jonathan from Africa’s richest list

The US-based website, Richest Lifestyle, which listed President Goodluck Jonathan as Africa’s sixth richest president has retracted the publication.

Richest Lifestyle had ranked Jonathan alongside King Mswati III of Swaziland, stating that both African leaders were worth $100m (N16.5 bn) in the publication titled “Africa’s Richest Presidents 2014.”
Following the publication, the President had threatened to institute a legal action against the publishers of the online magazine, stating that the ranking lacked “factual basis.”

“The Presidency condemns the totally unwarranted inclusion of President Jonathan in the publication titled “Africa’s Richest Presidents 2014” as another attempt to unjustifiably portray the President as a corrupt leader and incite public disaffection against him.

PRESIDENT JONATHAN SAYS HIS INCLUSION IN LIST OF RICHEST AFRICAN PRESIDENTS IS BASELESS

PRESIDENT JONATHAN SAYS  HIS INCLUSION IN LIST OF RICHEST AFRICAN PRESIDENTS IS BASELESS AND LIBELOUS, DEMANDS RETRACTION AND APOLOGY

We have noted with consternation the listing of President  Goodluck Ebele Jonathan by a website – RichestLifestyle.com - as the sixth richest African President with an estimated net worth of $100 Million U.S. Dollars.

The Presidency condemns the totally unwarranted inclusion of President Jonathan in the publication titled "Africa's Richest Presidents 2014" as another attempt to unjustifiably portray the President as a corrupt leader and incite public disaffection against him.

We categorically assert that there is no factual basis for ranking President Jonathan as the sixth richest African Head of State with a net worth of about $100 Million U.S. Dollars.  

As is well known, President Jonathan has never been a businessman or entrepreneur, but a life-long public servant. The President has held public office since 1999 and has regularly declared his assets as required by Nigerian laws. He has had no personal income since 1999 other than his official remuneration as deputy governor, governor, vice president, acting president and president which are matters of public record.

There has been no significant variation in the totality of his personal assets as contained in his last declaration to the Nigerian Code of Conduct Bureau in 2011 which, as can be verified, was a very, very far cry from the $100 million figure now being bandied about by Richest Lifestyle.com and other irresponsible, copy-cat publications.

The   clear and unacceptable imputation of the claim that President Jonathan is now worth about $100 Million is that the President has corruptly enriched himself while in office which is certainly not the case.

We therefore demand a retraction and an unreserved apology from Richest Lifestyle.com and all those who have reproduced the offensive article.

Otherwise, they should be prepared to substantiate their libelous claims against the President in courts of law within and outside Nigeria. 

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 8, 2014

FG directs Adamawa CJ to inaugurate Ngilari

The Federal Government on Wednesday directed the Chief Judge of Adamawa State to immediately swear in Mr. James Ngilari as the state governor in obedience to a judgement of the Federal High Court Abuja.

The court, in a judgement delivered by Justice Adeniyi Ademola, had nullified the swearing in of Ahmadu Fintiri as the state Acting Governor while declaring the resignation of Ngilari as unconstitutional, null and void.

The Federal Government’s directive on Ngilari’s inauguration was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Adedeji Ajibade, made available to State House correspondents.

It said the inauguration became necessary in order to avoid a vacuum in governance in the state.

The government also directed the National Independent Electoral Commission to put on hold Saturday’s planned bye-election  in obedience to the judgement.

The statement reads, “The attention of the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to the judgment of the Federal High Court Abuja, delivered by Hon. Justice Adeniyi Ademola on 8th October 2014.

“The Federal High Court by its judgement under reference nullified the swearing in of Ahmadu Umar Fintiri as the Acting Governor of Adamawa State and declared the resignation of James Bala Ngilari as unconstitutional, null and void.

“In obedience to the judgement of the court and the need to avert a vacuum in ‎governance and possible constitutional crises, the Honourable, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, hereby calls on the Chief Judge of Adamawa State to immediately swear in Barrister James Bala Ngilari as the Governor of Adamawa State.

“The Chairman, National Independent Electoral Commission is also called upon in obedience to the judgement of the Federal High Court to keep in abeyance all the arrangements made for the conduct of the bye-elections scheduled to take place in Adamawa State on Saturday 11th October 2014.”

Meanwhile, the grand finale of Fintiri’s governorship campaign rally earlier fixed for Thursday will no longer hold as a result of the development.

Before the development, Fintiri, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the cancelled bye-election had concluded plans to hold a rally in Yola.

Some of the dignitaries who were to attend the rally were already in the state capital.

Source: The Punch

Adamawa: Court orders swearing in of Ngilari as gov

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that the former Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Bala Ngilari, be sworn in as the governor of the state.

The court ruled that the purported resignation of Ngilari on July 14, 2014 was invalid, null and void as it breached the provisions of sections 306(1), (2) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution because it was addressed to the Speaker and acted upon by the House of Assembly.

Ngilari, erstwhile deputy to removed Governor Murtala Nyako had filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order compelling his swearing in as the governor of the state.

He had asked the court to declare his resignation letter dated July 14, 2014 and addressed to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, as illegal, null and void.In his suit, marked, FHC/ABJ/CS/545/14, the plaintiff argued that his resignation letter was in breach of the provisions of sections 306(1), (2) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution because it was addressed to the Speaker and acted upon by the House of Assembly.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola, while delivering his judgment, ruled that Ngilari’s letter was written at a time when Nyako had not been removed, thus implying that the letter ought to have gone through Nyako as then governor, which it did not, thus rendering the resignation null and void.

He therefore ruled that Ngilari be sworn in as the substantive governor of the state.

The judgment implies that the bye-election slated for Saturday by INEC, has been stopped.

Source: The Punch

EID-EL-KABIR MESSAGE TO THE NATION FROM GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN

EID-EL-KABIR MESSAGE TO THE NATION FROM GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR, PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, OCTOBER, 2014

Dear Compatriots,
I greet and felicitate with all our countrymen and women of the Islamic faith as we celebrate this year's Eid-El-Kabir.

I also congratulate all believers who have successfully undertaken the Hajj this year as enjoined by Prophet Mohammed (May Peace Be Upon Him).

As they conclude the rites of the Hajj and prepare to return home, let us all join them in offering special prayers for greater security, peace, unity and progress in our dear country as well as for the peaceful and successful conduct of next year's general elections.

With this week's issuance of a formal notice of the impending general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), another national campaign season is now truly upon us and I urge all political leaders in the country to place the overriding interest of the well-being and progress of our fatherland above all other considerations in the coming campaigns and elections.

My administration has done its sincere best in the past four years to implement its agenda for national transformation and move our country forward on several fronts.

I thank the many individuals, stakeholders, groups, associations, non-governmental organisations, unions and political leaders from across the country who have, in recognition and appreciation of our  efforts and commitment to repositioning our dear nation for more rapid growth and development, urged me to seek a second term in office.

In deciding on an appropriate response to such calls, I will place the greater interests of national harmony, cohesion, unity, security, political stability, progress, equity, justice and fairness above any personal ambition or sectional agenda.

I urge all other political leaders in the country to do the same. Let us all rise above unedifying, unpatriotic and selfish personal interests and divisive sectional agenda in the coming national elections.

Let us also commit ourselves more to the sustenance of democracy and political stability which are essential prerequisites for the  advancement of good governance, inclusive economic growth and rapid development.

In spite of the significant progress we have made in the past four years, our dear nation continues to face critical challenges in some areas. I am convinced however that if we persevere and continue to build diligently on what the present administration has achieved, we will surely overcome all hindrances and fully establish a stronger, more united and prosperous nation that meets the aspirations and yearnings of all of our people.

As we celebrate the Eid-El-Kabir, let us also rededicate and commit ourselves to the Holy Prophet's injunctions of piety, honesty, charity and generosity to the less privileged, impartial leadership and true justice for all.

These virtues and lessons will surely stand our nation in good stead as we continue our journey towards the fulfillment of our founding fathers' vision of a great nation.

May Allah's blessings be upon all our compatriots who have undertaken the Hajj this year and on our dear country.
I wish all Nigerians currently in the Holy Land a safe journey back home.

Happy Eid-El-Kabir to you all.
 
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
President,
Federal Republic of Nigeria
October 3, 2014

NIGERIA WILL REMAIN POLITICALLY STABLE AND UNITED AFTER 2015 ELECTIONS - PRESIDENT JONATHAN

NIGERIA WILL REMAIN POLITICALLY STABLE AND UNITED AFTER 2015 ELECTIONS - PRESIDENT JONATHAN

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Thursday in Abuja assured the international community that Nigeria will remain politically stable and united after the 2015 general elections.

President Jonathan gave the assurance at audiences with the new ambassadors of Spain, Finland, Ireland and Ghana who presented their letters of credence to him at the Presidential Villa.

The President reiterated his Administration's commitment to ensuring that the 2015 elections are as free, fair and credible as they can possibly be.

"We received international commendations for the conduct of the 2011 general elections and I can assure you that the 2015 general elections will be even better.

"Our friends and well-wishers will be welcomed to observe the elections under the auspices of the African Union, ECOWAS, United Nations, the European Union or other international bodies to affirm that the elections are as free, fair and credible as we have promised,'' President Jonathan told the new envoys.

The President also urged Ambassador Alfonso Barnuevo Sebastian De Erice of Spain, Ambassador Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury of Finland, Ambassador Sean Hoy of Ireland and Ambassador William Azumah Awinador-Kanyirige of Ghana to strive to further enhance trade and economic relations between Nigeria and their respective countries.

The four new ambassadors thanked President Jonathan for receiving them and promised to do their utmost best to strengthen bilateral relations between their countries and Nigeria during their tenures in Abuja.
 
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 2, 2014

REMI OYO WAS AS AN EXEMPLARY AND INSPIRING TRAIL-BLAZER – PRESIDENT JONATHAN

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
REMI OYO WAS AS AN EXEMPLARY  AND INSPIRING TRAIL-BLAZER – PRESIDENT JONATHAN

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has received with immense sadness, news of the passing away of one of the most eminent Nigerian female journalists and former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Dame Felicia Oluwaremilekun Oyo.

On behalf of his family and the Federal Government, President Jonathan extends sincere condolences to her husband, Vincent, her children, Otome and Okiemuote, her surviving siblings and other relatives.

The President similarly commiserates with the Nigerian Guild of Editors who Dame Oyo served most admirably as a two-term President in the course of her trail-blazing journalism career, the management and staff of NAN as well as the many colleagues, friends and protégés she garnered in her very fulfilled  life.

President Jonathan joins them in mourning Dame Oyo who having attained great success in a profession hitherto dominated by men, patriotically entered national service as Senior Special Assistant (Media & Publicity) to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003 and served with great distinction as the first female Press Secretary to a Nigerian Head of State until 2007.

The President believes that although she was already much honoured in life with accolades and awards including Officer of the Order of the Niger, Dame Oyo will always be remembered and continually honoured in posterity for her exemplary professional life, her inspiring leadership qualities, motherliness and generosity, her immense patriotism and her remarkable transformation of the News Agency of Nigeria during her tenure as the agency's Managing Director.

He prays that God Almighty will comfort her family and all who mourn Dame Oyo, and grant her kind soul peaceful repose in eternity.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 2, 2014

Ex-Obasanjo spokesperson, Remi Oyo, dies at 62

Former Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria and presidential media aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mrs Oluremi Oyo, has died in the United Kingdom, where she was undergoing treatment for cancer.

Her husband, Vincent Oyo, confirmed her death.

Below is a statement issued by her husband on Thursday.

Vincent  writes: With gratitude to God for a life well spent, I regret to announce the death of my dear wife, Dame Felicia Oluwaremilekun OYO.

2014 Independence Day Broadcast by President Jonathan

2014 Independence Day Broadcast by

His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR

Wednesday 1^st October, 2014

Fellow Nigerians:

1.             Today marks the 54th anniversary of our country's independence as a sovereign nation.  This is also the tenth month of our journey into a new century, having marked the centenary of our nation in January this year. 

2.             The first one hundred years were marked by triumphs and tribulations, benefits and burdens, opportunities and challenges.  We made some far reaching advances in building a strong, united and prosperous nation.  We also overcame the forces of disunity that culminated in a debilitating civil war.  We have also renewed our faith in one another, and in our country. We have proven that we are truly a resilient nation.

3.             In my address to the nation last year, I did emphasize that we were in a sober moment in our country. We are still in that mood in spite of the many accomplishments of our administration. Our sombreness has to do with the crises of nationhood occasioned by the activities of terrorist elements who have done the unimaginable to challenge our unity as a people. 

4.             On an occasion like this, it is important that we remember all the precious souls that have been lost in the unprecedented war of terror unleashed on some parts of our country by these individuals who want to compel us to live our lives their way. They will not succeed!