Nigeria recaptures Gwoza from Boko Haram: military

Nigeria’s military on Friday announced that troops had retaken the town of Gwoza from Boko Haram, from which the group declared their caliphate last year.
“Troops this morning captured Gwoza destroying the Headquarters of the Terrorists self-styled Caliphate,” Defence Headquarters in Abuja said on Twitter
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/03/nigeria-recaptures-gwoza-from-boko-haram-military/#sthash.wDp9l5ex.dpuf

NATIONAL BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR ON THE 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS

NATIONAL BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR ON THE 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

Dear Compatriots,
1.            As we prepare to go to the polls tomorrow, I have come before you this morning to express my immense appreciation for the opportunity you gave me to lead this great nation of ours in the past four years.

2.           I also wish to place on record, once again, my sincere gratitude for the support you have given my administration without which the significant progress we have made in recent years would not have been possible.

3.           In spite of the many challenges we have had to contend with since 1999, our present democratic dispensation continues to endure and grow stronger in keeping with the yearnings and aspirations of our people.

Photos: TY Danjuma visits President Jonathan

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN  WITH THE CHAIRMAN VICTIMS SUPPORT FUND, GEN THEOPHILUS DANJUMA AFTER A MEETING AT THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA ABUJA ON  WEDNESDAY (11/3/15)

Courtesy: State House Photo

PRESIDENT JONATHAN APPOINTS NEW SURE-P CHAIRMAN

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT JONATHAN APPOINTS NEW SURE-P CHAIRMAN

General Martins Agwai

In furtherance of his efforts to continuously re-energize and reposition agencies of the Federal Government for optimal service delivery, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has appointed Mr. Ishaya Dare Akau as the new Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

Mr. Akau, whose appointment takes immediate effect, replaces Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd.) who served as Chairman of the SURE-P until today.
The new SURE-P Chairman hails from Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State and holds Bachelors’ Degrees in the Arts and Law.

Mr. Akau comes to the job with years of experience as a high-level administrator in the nation’s public service. His record of service includes tenures as Chairman of the Kaduna State Universal Education Board and Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission.

President Jonathan thanks the outgoing Chairman of SURE-P, Gen Agwai for his service to the nation and wishes him well in his future endeavours.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
March 10, 2015

PHOTOS: PRESIDENT JONATHAN'S VISIT TO YOLA, MUBI, BAGA AND MAIDUGURI

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN ON THURSDAY VISITED ADAMAWA AND BORNO STATES WHERE HE ADDRESSED NIGERIAN SOLDIERS IN  MUBI, BAGA AND MAIDUGURI.
HE ALSO VISITED THE EMIR OF MUBI, DR ABUBARKAR ISA AHMADU. HE  MET WITH GOV. KASHEEM SHETTIMA OF BORNO AND THE GOVERNOR OF ADAMAWA.

Courtesy: State House Photos

OBASANJO’S UNWARRANTED ATTACK ON PRESIDENT JONATHAN IS ODIOUS, REPUGNANT AND SELF-SERVING

OBASANJO'S UNWARRANTED ATTACK ON PRESIDENT JONATHAN IS ODIOUS, REPUGNANT AND SELF-SERVING

We find the false claims and allegations reportedly made against President Goodluck Jonathan by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday in Abeokuta very odious and repugnant.

As we have had cause to say before, it is most regrettable indeed that a man like Chief Obasanjo, who should know better, chooses to repeatedly, wantonly, and maliciously impugn the integrity of a sitting President of his country for the primary purpose of self-promotion.

It is obvious from Chief Obasanjo's serial vituperations against President Jonathan who is doing his best to positively transform Nigeria for the benefit of all of its people that he has willfully chosen to close his eyes to the present administration's good works and intentions. For reasons best known to him, Chief Obasanjo has set his mind on regime change by fair or foul means.

Otherwise, it would be completely senseless, irrational and out of place for Chief Obasanjo, who still claims to belong to the same party as the President, to accuse President Jonathan of plotting to win the rescheduled presidential elections by "hook or crook" and planning to plunge the nation into crisis if he loses the election.

For the record, President Jonathan has no such intention and will continue to give the greatest possible support to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant federal agencies to ensure that the rescheduled elections are successfully conducted.

Indeed, it is not President Jonathan who remains faithful to his oath of office who is trying to plunge Nigeria into crisis, but Chief Obasanjo who is scheming to plunge the country into chaos in pursuit of a selfish and highly egocentric agenda.

Chief Obasanjo's plot with others within and outside the country to thwart the general elections and foist an unconstitutional Interim National Government, which he hopes to head on the nation is well known to us, but by the Grace of God Almighty, his odious plan to return to power through the back door will fail woefully.

We know very well that it is in pursuit of this nefarious plot that the former President continues to sow the seeds of discord and crises in the polity by purporting to remain in the ruling party while openly consorting with the opposition, endorsing its candidates and predicting victory for opposition candidates in a manner most unbecoming of a supposed elder statesman.

Thankfully, the vast majority of Nigerians who are patriotic and right-thinking cannot be fooled by Chief Obasanjo's antics.

We urge them to be assured that President Jonathan's commitment to democracy in all its ramifications remains constant and that he will never be party to the use of any unlawful means to remain in office or gain political advantage over his opponents.

The President stands by his commitment, which he reaffirmed on national television last Wednesday that on his watch, all elections in Nigeria, will be free, fair and credible, and that all certified election results will be respected.

As President Jonathan has also assured the nation, the rescheduling of the general elections was in the best interest of the nation and was never driven by any ulterior motive on the part of government as Chief Obasanjo and others have alleged.

President Jonathan will continue to put his best efforts into giving Nigeria quality leadership and will not be distracted from his purpose by unwarranted and needless criticism by persons who ought to know better.
 
The President also continues to trust in the good judgment of Nigerians and to believe that in appreciation of his sincere efforts to move the country forward over the past four years, they will re-elect him for a second term on March 28, 2015 with a mandate to pursue his agenda for national transformation to a successful conclusion.
 
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
February 14, 2015

PRESIDENT JONATHAN TO SPEAK ON CURRENT NATIONAL ISSUES TOMORROW

PRESIDENT JONATHAN TO SPEAK ON CURRENT NATIONAL ISSUES TOMORROW

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will host a special edition of the Presidential Media Chat tomorrow, Wednesday, February 11, 2015.

During the programme, which will be broadcast live on the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and the Voice of Nigeria (VON) from 1900 Hours, President Jonathan will respond to questions from a panel of journalists on current national issues.

All other television and radio stations in the country may hook-up to NTA and FRCN to relay the programme to their viewers and listeners.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)

PATRIOTIC NIGERIANS, NOT FOREIGN OPINION WRITERS WILL RE-ELECT PRESIDENT JONATHAN

PATRIOTIC NIGERIANS, NOT FOREIGN OPINION WRITERS WILL RE-ELECT PRESIDENT JONATHAN

We have noted with surprise, The Economist's tongue-in-cheek endorsement of General Muhammadu Buhari in the run-up to Nigeria's general elections and the international magazine's baseless, jaundiced and rather malicious vilification of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who retains the trust and confidence of majority of Nigerians as the outcome of the Presidential elections will undoubtedly show.

We are sure that many Nigerians and other readers of the usually urbane, thoughtful and well-reasoned editorial opinions of the Economist will be shocked that the magazine has taken the very ill-considered decision to  throw its weight behind a candidate who, as a former military dictator, curtailed freedom of speech, ordered the kidnapping of opponents and jailing of journalists,  and  is accused of incitement to violence and grave human rights violations in Nigeria's current democratic dispensation.

The Economist may feign ignorance of President Jonathan's remarkable achievements as leader of his country in the past six years, but Nigerians who, unlike the magazine's opinion writers, will actually vote in the country's forthcoming presidential elections, know that President Jonathan has worked very hard to fulfill all the major promises he made to them on assumption of office.

Nigerians know that President Jonathan has developed our economy and created more jobs, they know that he has given policy support to the real sector of the economy, so that Small and Medium Enterprises can thrive, they know that he has encouraged locally owned enterprises to take advantage of our resources in growing the domestic economy and they also know that he has successfully attracted greater foreign direct investment to the country.

Unlike the clearly poorly informed and distant authors of the Economist Opinion titled "The Least Awful", appreciative Nigerians are also aware that President Jonathan has worked tirelessly to improve power supply across the nation, rebuild and expand national infrastructure, improve public transportation and provide greater access to quality education for all Nigerian youth.

They know very well too that President Jonathan has significantly improved healthcare services in the country, revolutionized agriculture, promoted gender equality and women empowerment, and done his very best to stem corruption in government.

Contrary to the Economist's assertions, Nigeria, under President Jonathan has made very considerable progress.

In spite of the significant challenges of terrorism and insurgency the nation faces today,  President Jonathan has ensured that Nigeria has become  a more vibrant democracy with  free media, an independent judiciary, free, fair and credible elections, and greater respect for human rights.

The Economist is entitled to its erroneous opinion on who represents the best leadership option for Nigeria in the coming elections, but happily for the country, it is not the magazine's lead writers, but  more knowledgeable and patriotic Nigerians who actually work and live in the country, that will vote and re-elect President Jonathan for a second  term in office.

They will do so, because unlike the Economist's opinion writers, they understand that a Buhari Presidency will, for their beloved country, represent a stark setback and retrogression  from the tremendous ongoing positive transformation of Nigeria under President Jonathan's leadership.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
February 6, 2015

PHOTOS: PDP PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN RALLY IN BENIN, EDO STATE

Afenifere endorses Jonathan’s second term bid

Subject: Afenifere endorses Jonathan's second term bid

Afenifere endorses Jonathan's second term bid

Akure, Jan 27, (2015) The pan Yoruba group, Afenifere, on Tuesday in Akure endorsed the second term presidential bid of Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic party.
The group gave the endorsement at the residence of Chief Reuben Fasoranti, its national leader, where it received President Jonathan and his entourage.
In a speech read on his behalf by the National Secretary of Afenifere, Chief Seinde Arogbofa, the group said it was to enable President Jonathan to complete the transformation Agenda as well as implement the decisions of the last National Conference for Nigeria's progress.
``Afenifere is a socio political association. We have always spoken out our minds on any matter that affects our country.
``We therefore want to say it loud and clear that after considering so many things, the Nigerian constitution inclusive, we see you for now as the best option to continue as the president of our dear country.  Consequently, we call on all well-meaning Nigerians to join us,'' he said.
Afenifere said it was encouraged by the transformation agenda of the President to give the endorsement
It specifically mentioned the President's convocation of a National Conference for the restructuring of the country as worthy of note.
It said a second term would enable the President to implement the decisions of the conference.
The group also spoke of the need for the government to tackle the insecurity in the country and also to ensure equal spread of amenities and key national offices.
It thanked President Jonathan for making the Federal University of Technology Medical College , Akure, a reality and  for granting Ondo state a Federal Polytechnic.
It requested the President to appoint key officers of the state into the polytechnic for effective take-off
President Jonathan in his response said he was committed to implementing the decisions of the national conference before the end of the first year of his second term if re-elected.
``We will not play politics with the report''.
The president also said he would not relent in the fight against insurgency and would not transfer it to his next administration.
Jonathan said the Yoruba race was key to Nigeria's development and his administration would continue to work with the people for national development. The president said that his administration recorded milestones in aviation, road construction, education and transportation and would do more.
According to him, the administration completed 25,000 km of roads, from the 5,000km it inherited and promised to complete the remaining 10,000km soon.
He thanked the Afenifere for the endorsement which he described as novel in the activities of the group.
``We will achieve more for Nigerians. All we want is the support of the people. We will not disappoint you.''