PRESIDENT JONATHAN RECEIVING A LETTER FROM A SPECIAL ENVOY FROM SOUTH SUDAN

PIC 1. PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN (R) RECEIVING A LETTER FROM A SPECIAL ENVOY FROM SOUTH SUDAN, MR PA'GAN AMUM OKIECH AT THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA ABUJA ON WEDNESDAY (16/1/13).

PIC 2. PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN (R) WELCOMING A SPECIAL ENVOY FROM SOUTH SUDAN, MR PA'GAN AMUM OKIECH TO THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA ABUJA ON WEDNESDAY (16/1/13). 

STATE HOUSE PHOTO
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PRESIDENT JONATHAN REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO REFORMS, CALLS FOR CONTINUED WORLD BANK SUPPORT

President Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday in Abuja reaffirmed his Administration's commitment to the implementation of all reforms considered necessary for accelerated economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation in Nigeria.
Speaking at an audience with the World Bank's Vice President for Africa, Mr. Mouktar Diop, President Jonathan said that although it was not easy to undertake certain reforms in an intensely political environment, the Federal Government under his leadership will continue to evolve and implement policies that will assure sustainable development and the long-term well-being of the nation.
Acknowledging Mr. Diop's commendation of his Administration's stewardship of the Nigerian economy, the President said that with the continued support of the World Bank, other international institutions and investors the Federal Government will achieve an even higher growth rate for the national economy.
"We will continue to do our best. We would have had more robust growth by now but for the global economic recession. With your continued support, we will certainly achieve more," he told Mr. Diop.
The President said that Nigeria will particularly welcome more support for the World Bank for the concluding stages of its power sector reforms especially for the speedy resolution of labour issues and other matters related to the ongoing privatization of the sector.
Mr. Diop had praised ongoing reforms in Nigeria and the management of the Nigerian economy by the Jonathan Administration which he said had made Nigeria one of the fastest growing emerging economies in the world in spite of the current global recession.
The World Bank Vice President also disclosed that by the World Bank's own criteria and assessment, the level of poverty in Nigeria had actually declined from 48 per cent to 46 per cent under President Jonathan's leadership.
Mr. Diop assured President Jonathan that the World Bank will "use all instruments available to it" to support Nigeria's power sector reforms, saying that he had a clear brief  from the bank's President to give all necessary support for the reforms.
 

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
January 15, 2013

 

 

Reuben Abati saves Dr Kayode Fayemi's Aide from detention

Earlier today, around 11:30am Dr Reuben Abati received a save-our-soul tweet from one Dr Tunde Orimidupa to intervene in the release of one Mr Odewale Eggheader from Katsina's Rimi Police Station.

Abati being a kind gentleman requested for the details of the detained man and promised to help.
It later turned out that Mr Odewale Eggheader a Special Assistant to Ekiti Governor; with a colleague Jimoh Ibrahim were 'taking photos around Katsina'.

Find below exchange of texts between Dr Tunde Orimidupa and Dr Reuben Abati:

'@abati1990 tell your boss to communicate with the CID in kastina for @eggheader to be released now. We need justice on this'.

'@blasteddup @eggheader send eggheader's phone number, and his real name'.

'@abati1990 his name is Egghead Odewale from what I was made to understand'

After contacting Katsina Police command, Abati sent updates and assured everyone that Odewale and Ibrahim will be released soon:

"FYI Got info earlier eggheader Odewale arrested in Katsina. Odewale actually PA/SSA to Ekiti Governor. Was takn photos around Katsina."

"FYI: Eggheader Odewale was arrested along with Jimoh Ibrahim, ID card Logistics and Protocol, Ado Ekiti. Both claim research mission."

"FYI: Spoke with Odewale and followed the process thru at all levels. Both men'll be released shortly. Note that d police also have a duty."

Meanwhile, as everyone awaits the release of the men, there were concerns by Nigerians why a law abiding citizen cannot take photos anywhere in his own country. Many of the questions directed at the President's spokesman were not properly presented.

President Jonathan's spokesman explained that after speaking with police in Katsina and the accosted men, it turned out that "Eggheader Odewale and Ibrahim were taking pictures of locations which have implications for national security & foreign relations"

After the intervention of Abati, Odewale Eggheader and his colleague Jimoh Ibrahim has since been released from custody. This is not the first time Abati will play a good samaritan role to people in need of help. Kudos.

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France sends troops to Mali

France is ready to stop Islamist militants who control northern Mali if they continue their offensive, French President Francois Hollande has said.
However, Mr Hollande said France would only act under UN authorisation.
He was responding to a plea by Malian President Dioncounda Traore for help to counter a renewed rebel offensive.
Earlier, an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council called for the rapid deployment of an African-led international force to Mali.
The Malian army said yesterday that French troops, as well as soldiers from Nigeria and Senegal, were already in Mali. However, speaking at a press conference, the army official refused to give details of their activities.
BBC reported that Residents of the strategic central town of Mopti told the BBC they had seen French troops helping Malian forces prepare for a counter-offensive against the Islamists in nearby Konna.
France was previously believed to have about 100 elite troops in the region. It also has a military base in Chad.
Armed groups, some linked to al-Qaeda, took control of northern Mali in April 2012. They have sought to enforce an extreme interpretation of Islamic law.
Western nations are concerned that Malis north could become a base for terrorists to plan and launch international attacks.
France is signalling pretty unambiguously that it is prepared to step into the Malian conflict. President Hollande said any military action would take place within the framework of the UN, but officials at the Elysee have made clear that, in Frances view, existing UN resolutions already provide sufficient legal cover.
Media reports in Paris say a detachment of French troops is already on the ground at the airport in Mopti, about 70km (43 miles) south of the frontline. It is not clear what their role is - perhaps to assess the situation ahead of a possible intervention.
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PRESIDENT JONATHAN REAFFIRMS NIGERIA’S SUPPORT FOR PEACE BETWEEN SUDAN AND SOUTH SUDAN

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan said Friday in Abuja that African Heads of State and Government must take the lead and do all within their powers to peacefully resolve the lingering boundary dispute between Sudan and South Sudan.
Speaking after receiving a briefing on latest developments in the dispute over the Abyei region from   Mr. Nafie Ali Nafie, a Special Envoy of President Omar El-Bashir of Sudan, President Jonathan pledged that Nigeria will initiate further talks on a peaceful settlement of the dispute at the next summit of the African Union scheduled to hold in Addis Ababa this month.
The President said that African leaders must unite in support of the peaceful and amicable resolution of the dispute over Abyei and all other boundary issues that resulted from the separation of South Sudan from Sudan because they will continue to cause problems between the two countries if left unresolved.
"It is an African problem and African leaders must take the lead in resolving it. We cannot wait for others to come and do it for us," President Jonathan said.
Mr. Nafie assured President Jonathan of President El-Bashir's commitment to the peaceful demarcation of the boundaries between Sudan and South Sudan, and the establishment of friendly relations between both countries.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
January 11, 2013

SUDAN'S SPECIAL ENVOY VISITS JONATHAN

PIC 1. PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN (R) THE SUDAN SPECIAL ENVOY, DR NEFIE ALI NEFIE TO THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA ABUJA ON FRIDAY
(11/1/13)

PIC 2. PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN (R) RECEIVING A LETTER FROM THE SUDAN SPECIAL ENVOY, DR NEFIE ALI NEFIE AT  THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA ABUJA ON FRIDAY
(11/1/13). 
 
STATE HOUSE PHOTO

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INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT JOHN MAHAMA OF GHANA IN ACCRA

PIC 1a. PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN (R) CONGRATULATING PRESIDENT JOHN MAHAMA OF GHANA  AFTER HIS INAUGURATION AT THE INDEPENDENCE SQUARE ACCRA ON MONDAY (7/1/13)
 
PIC 2. PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN (7TH L) WITH OTHER  HEADS OF STATE AT THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT JOHN MAHAMA OF GHANA IN ACCRA, GHANA ON MONDAY (7/1/13)

PIC 3. PRESIDENT JOHN MAHAMA OF GHANA TAKING OATH OF OFFICE BEFORE THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT OF GHANA AT THE INDEPENDENCE SQUARE ACCRA, ON MONDAY (7/1/13)
STATE HOUSE PHOTO

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Dr. Reuben Abati: Oh, my boss; oh, my job!

It can’t be easy being a presidential spokesman. Not now. Not at any time in history. Whether you speak for a well-loved president, a man of history like President Goodluck Jonathan, or a much-hated tyrant in the tower of power like the late maximum ruler of Nigeria, General Sani Abacha, the challenges are more or less the same. Sleepless nights. Frequent travels. Tackling journalists. Dealing with all kinds of intrigues and interests. Speaking the master’s mind whoever’s ox is gored. Risking hard-earned reputation to defend the master, sometimes defending the indefensible.

Jonathan means well for Nigerians - Abati

In this interview, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, contends that contrary to the position of the opposition that President Goodluck Jonathan administration has failed in meeting the expectations of Nigerians, the president has actually carried the art of governance to a higher level.

He also speaks on what the government is doing about the security challenge, especially the issue of Boko Haram. According to him, government is winning the war on terrorism. He comments  on the controversy surrounding the building of the banquet hall in Aso Rock Villa, the vice president's residence, war against corruption and other national issues. Excerpts:

Criticisms can’t turn Jonathan to bully – Abati

In this interview with State House Correspondents, Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati reviews the achievements of the present administration in 2012, saying lots more will be achieved in 2013. He also describes his boss as an impeccable democrat who will not allow criticisms regarding his style turn him into a dictator. Abdulrahman Abdulraheem was there.

People have described President Jonathan as being slow in taking decisions and achieving results. What would you say are the things that have been done differently since he became President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?