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
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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
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