AIT ban dangerous for democracy – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described as unacceptable Monday’s directive by the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to bar a television house, Africa Independent Television, AIT, from covering his activities, saying the suppression of the media under any guise portends danger for the nation’s democracy.
Mr. Buhari’s party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has already announced the reversal of the directive.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Tuesday said after carefully studying the defence by Mr. Buhari’s campaign spokesperson, Garba Shehu, as well as the statement by the APC, it is persuaded that the action was not only unjustifiable, but also unconstitutional and completely against the spirit of liberty and the rule of law in a democracy.
“The PDP as a party that have nurtured the nation’s democracy in the past 16 years cannot afford to fold its hands and watch the constitutional rights, media freedom and personal liberty of Nigerians, the basic tenets of democracy being demolished.
“We ask, is this a beginning of the feared erosion of the freedom and personal liberty the media and Nigerian citizens have been enjoying in the last 16 years under the PDP led-administration? Has our dear nation finally fallen into the clutches of totalitarianism and impunity where government actions will based on egocentric decisions and impulses of individuals rather than the rule of law?
“While we assure the President-elect of our resolve to run a mature and responsible opposition based on issues, we are disturbed by this emerging development and reassure the Nigerian people that we will continue to stand with them on issues of democracy and freedom at all times.
“Perhaps, we need to remind General Buhari that part of the challenge of his new position, even as President-elect is that he has lost his private life which is now subject to public scrutiny and media interrogation, as required of the custodian of the mandate of the Nigerian people.
“The PDP is not oblivious of the background of the President-elect especially as it relates to the freedom of the media, but we had thought that having declared to be a converted democrat, he would make himself amenable to the basic principles of democracy by following the due process of the law on any circumstance.
“General Buhari may also wish to be reminded that the Nigerian constitution upon which provisions he emerged President-elect, also gave the media powers to cover activities of public office holders while at the same time providing legal avenues for redress in the event of any violation. If the right of the President-elect was in anyway violated by the AIT or any media house for that matter, he is expected to act within the law and seek redress in the courts otherwise one would have no option than to conclude that he is out for personal vendetta.
“The APC and the President-elect may have one or two lessons to pick from President Goodluck Jonathan, who though the most maligned and abused President in the history of our nation, even by the APC, allowed his actions to be sufficiently guided by humility, tolerance and the rule of law”, the PDP said.
The party called on Nigerians not to despair but remain steadfast and unite in resisting any anti-democratic tendencies intended to instil fear in them and set the stage for a dictatorial order and the erosion of their personal freedom and liberty as citizens, which they have been enjoying in the last 16 years under the PDP.

APC reverses Buhari on AIT, says all accredited media free to cover President-elect’s activities

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has reversed the controversial decision taken by President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to bar the Africa Independent Television, AIT, from covering his activities.
The party said all accredited media organizations in the country, including the AIT, are free to cover the activities of the president elect.
AIT journalists were on Monday denied access to Mr. Buhari’s temporary office when they showed up to cover his official engagements.
His spokesperson, Garba Shehu, cited family and security concerns for the decision.
“AIT has been asked to stay aside based on security and family concerns. In addition, Buhari has decided that they will have to resolve some issues relating to issues of standard and ethics.
“We will be talking with them to try and resolve the matter, but for now the station has been asked to stay aside, because like I said there are some family and security concerns. They have been asked to step down their coverage until we resolve the matter with them on ethics and standard,” Mr. Shehu said.
However, the party in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, said the incoming Buhari Administration would not discriminate against any media organization, irrespective of its role during the electioneering campaign leading up to the recent polls.
The statement however enjoined all media organizations to observe the highest level of professional standards in carrying out their duties.
”There is a Code of Ethics guiding the practice of journalism in Nigeria, and this demands every journalist to ensure a strict adherence to the highest levels of ethics and professionalism in carrying out their duties.
”There must be repercussions, within the realms of the law, for media organizations which have wantonly breached the Code of Ethics of the journalism profession and turned themselves to partisans instead of professionals. But such repercussions will not include barring any accredited media organization from covering the activities of the President-elect,” the APC said.
A lot of Nigerians had condemned Mr. Buhari’s decision to bar the AIT from his activities.
Majority of those who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES on the matter considered it an infringement on press freedom.
Some however view the decision as payback to AIT after they ran a series of documentaries maligning Mr. Buhari during the electioneering campaign prior to the election.
A UK-based activist and strong supporter of Mr. Buhari, Kayode Ogundamisi, described the decision as a “disappointing”.
Writing on his Facebook page, Mr. Ogundamisi said although it is understandable for the President-elect to feel aggrieved about the activities of AIT, there was no basis for Mr. Buhari to ostracize the television station.
“News of General Buhari barring AIT is disappointing, the decision should be reversed, whoever advised the General to bar the organisation does not wish him well,” Mr. Ogundamisi said.
Also, an Abuja based lawyer, Abdul Mahmud, in a telephone interview, told PREMIUM TIMES that the decision to bar AIT was strange.
He said Mr. Buhari promised Nigerians change and that if he felt his fundamental rights were infringed upon, there were a lot of channels open for him to seek redress.
He said Buhari should have approached the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission or even a competent court of law.
Mr. Mahmud also said Mr. Buhari would be taking off on a wrong footing by declaring a media war.
“I have not seen anywhere in the world where the government wins the war against a big media outfit. In the short term, the government will be successful, but once the government starts making mistakes, other media houses will be drawn into the war to support the media group being ostracised by the government,” he said.
Mr. Mahmud also faulted the decision of Mr. Buhari on the grounds of privacy, as the place of his present abode, the Defence House, is an official building that is owned by Nigerian taxpayers.
However, some Nigerians also said Mr. Buhari acted within his right to stop the AIT from covering his activities.
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, Bashir Yusuf said the change Nigerians voted for is a change from having things done on the basis of “business as usual”.
Writing on his twitter page, Mr, Yusuf said right to free speech stops where one’s right to privacy and safety starts.
“When people voted for change, were they told AIT and the media will be exempt? That business as usual can proceed in the name of free speech?
“In the US they have barred media organisations from covering the White House on ethical grounds. Now AIT is involved, the heavens is about to fall.
“I am of the view that AIT and NTA’s licences should have been revoked a long time ago. They have serially violated the Broadcasting Code.
“It’s a fallacy that because you have the money to set up a private TV station, you are a defender of free speech and can invade my privacy,” he said.
Source:  Premium Times

Chibok Girls Found???

The Nigeria Armed Forces on Tuesday evening announced 200 girls and 93 women were rescued in Sambisa Forest on Tuesday, April 28th afternoon.
The Defence HQ however stated that they can’t confirm if the girls are

Obama emails hacked by Russians

Russian hackers reportedly obtained some of President Obama’s emails when the White House’s unclassified computer system was hacked last year, indicating that the breach was significantly more intrusive than originally thought.
Citing officials briefed on the investigation, The New York Times reported Saturday that while the hackers did not appear to have breached more carefully guarded servers that contain Obama’s BlackBerry messages, they did manage to obtain access to email archives of people with whom Obama communicated.
Officials did not tell The Times how many emails were obtained, but admitted that the unclassified system often contains highly sensitive information that includes schedules, email exchanges with ambassadors and diplomats, and debates about policy and legislation. The president’s email account itself does not appear to have been hacked
No classified networks were compromised and hackers obtained no classified information, White House officials said. Many administration officials have two computers in their offices, one of which operates on a secure network and another unit connected to the outside world for unclassified information.
That Obama’s emails were obtained by Russian hackers in particular – presumed to be linked to the Russian government – caused the intrusion to be seen as so serious that officials met on a nearly daily basis for several weeks afterwards, The Times reported.
“It’s the Russian angle to this that’s particularly worrisome,” a senior US official told The Times.
While the White House is hit by daily cyber attacks, primarily from Russia and China, the hacking occurred at a time of renewed tension with Russia, particularly over the crisis in Ukraine and Russia's military patrols in Europe.

Source: New York Times
Click here to like us on facebook and stay updated

Ondo gets new deputy governor

 Ondo state Commissioner for Agriculture, Lasisi Oluboyo has emerged as the newly appointed Deputy Governor in Ondo state following the early Monday morning impeachment of Ali Olanusi by the state House of Assembly. Lasisi Oluboyo.
At a resumed hearing this morning in Akure, the state House of Assembly announced that the state governor, Olusegun Mimiko has sent Mr. Oluboyo’s name to them for ratification.

INEC declares Ishaku winner

… APC candidate, Aisha rejects results
From AKINWALE IJANUSI, Jalingo
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the governorship elec­tion in Taraba State, Mr. Darius Ishaku, has been declared winner.
In the supplementary election held in 10 local government areas yester­day, the PDP polled 52,120 votes, while APC candidate, Senator Aisha Alhassan, got 13,598 votes. These, added to their previous scores of 317,198 votes (PDP) and 226,386 (APC), the total ag­gregate scores of each party now stands at 369,318 votes and 275,987 respectively.
Declaring the winner, the Returning Officer, Prof. Kyari Muhammed, Vice Chancellor of Modibbo Ad­ama University of Technol­ogy, Yola, said, “the election was duly conducted and that Darius Dickson of the PDP, having satisfied the require­ments of the law is hereby declared winner.”
Meanwhile the All Pro­gressives Congress (APC) agent, Abubakar Umar, has rejected the outcome of the governorship election by refusing to sign the result sheets, alleging some irreg­ularities and vowed that his party (APC) would approach the Tribunal to retrieve its “stolen mandate.”
Also the candidate of the APC, Senator A’isha Alhas­san, has rejected the result of the poll.
Addressing a world press conference at the Unity Hall in Jalingo, the state capi­tal, she said the combined governorship election in the state were characterised by massive rigging, ballot box snatching and abuse of card readers in many parts of the state by the PDP and its al­lies.
Aisha rejected the results ascribed to Wukari, Donga, Takum, Sardauna, Zing, Yor­ro, Ardo-Kola and Lau local government areas, saying that they did not reflect the true results of the election in those areas.
“In all these areas, our agents, supporters and other well meaning voters were shot at, beaten up, intimi­dated and chased away from voting centres, while voting and collation took place in residences of PDP stalwarts and top government func­tionaries,” she alleged.
The APC governorship candidate expressed sur­prise that INEC went ahead to make its declaration de­spite her party’s protestation that the first segment of the election was characterised by irregularities, adding that she had no confidence in the Resident Electoral Commis­sioner in the state, Ahmed Makama, for ignoring her party’s complaints over mas­sive electoral fraud espe­cially in the Southern part of Taraba.
“I shall be heading to the Governorship Election Tribunal to seek redress on my stolen mandate. Darius Ishaku did not win the elec­tion. That is why I will never call to congratulate him. He and the PDP know that he did not win the election,” she said.

Source: Sun New
Click here to like us on facebook and stay updated

I’ll probe NNPC -Buhari

 From IHEANACHO NWOSU, Abuja
President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Bu­hari, yesterday, gave a hint of how his gov­ernment will kick-start its fight against corruption dis­closing that he will probe the alleged missing $20 billion from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Speaking when a delega­tion of Adamawa State chap­ter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) paid him a congratulatory visit at his campaign headquarters in Abuja, Buhari declared that his government would revisit the matter.
He regretted that the outgo­ing government of President Goodluck Jonathan did not give the issue the seriousness it deserved, when the former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and incumbent Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, brought the matter to the attention of the govern­ment.
Buhari noted that rather than investigate the allega­tion, the government hurriedly removed Sanusi as CBN boss.
The President-elect, who addressed his visitors in Hau­sa language, giving a clear message on the direction of his government, warned that stealing of public funds meant to provide jobs for the teem­ing jobless Nigerian youths, would not be condoned.
He said though some gov­ernment officials were said to be returning some money to the government, he was not moved by the gesture.
He said: “I heard that some people have started returning money; I will not believe it until I see for myself.
Imagine a situation where the former CBN governor, who by God’s grace later be­came the Emir of Kano raised an issue of missing billions of money, not in naira but in dol­lars, $20 billion.
“What happened? Instead of investigating to know whether it was true that the money was missing or not, they simply found a reason to remove him. So, these are the issues we are talking about.
“This issue is not over yet. Once we assume office, we would order a fresh probe on the matter. We would not al­low people to steal money meant for Nigerians to buy shares and stash away in for­eign lands.”
On his campaign promises, the President-elect reiterated that his administration would do everything to address in­security in the country.
Gen Buhari accused the rul­ing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of playing politics with security agencies, especially the military. According to him, the implication was that the military was getting weak­er and ineffective by the year.
The President-elect, who was military head of state between December 31,1983 and August 1985, recalled the lofty feats achieved by the Ni­gerian Army in foreign lands and wondered why it had been very difficult for it to curb the menace of Boko Haram in the North East to the extent that 14 local government areas were lost to the insurgents.
Describing Boko Haram as a terrorist organisation, he stated that it had become obvi­ous that the sect’s operations were not religion-oriented but pure terrorism against the na­tion and the people.
“I said it earlier, all the religions we practice both Is­lam and Christianity do not support terrorism. So, to kill people either in the mosque or in a church, market, motor­park or to slaughter children in school, anyone who com­mits such a crime either does not know what Allahu Akbar (God is great) means or does not believe in it. This is ter­rorism. It is our hope that God gives us the power to end this.
“Because of this (Boko Ha­ram crisis), some of our fel­low Nigerians from the North East don’t know where their parents are; some don’t know where their children are. Their houses have been burnt, their cities like Bama, Michika, Mubi Madagali and the rest of them.
“I urge you to be patient and ensure that anything that will benefit our nation re­ceives your support. We will try our possible best and en­sure that we repair hospitals, schools, roads and ensure that we get drugs in our hospitals, books and other equipment.
“The 16 years of the PDP has further impoverished the people, it was the PDP, not the APP, not the CPC, not the APC. The three things we in the APC will give priority to are the issues of security, the economy and the war against corruption.”

Source: Sun News
Click here to like us on facebook and stay updated

We paid N4bn to FAAN in 2014 – Arik Air

By LOUIS IBA
Indigenous carrier, Arik Air, has denied allega­tions by the Federal Airports Authority of Nige­ria (FAAN) that it has con­sistently refused to honour its financial obligations of paying statutory fees and charges for services enjoyed at the Federal Government airports.
The crisis took an ugly twist Thursday last week when FAAN had to disrupt Arik operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in protest over debts estimated at over N1.2billion owed by the airline. FAAN denied the airline’s staff access to their duty post making it im­possible to process passengers for departures out of Abuja.
Daily Sun learnt that, at the instance of the Minister of Aviation, officials of the Fed­eral Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) are inter­vening to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
A highly placed official of Arik Air who spoke to Daily Sun said , while the relation­ship between FAAN and Arik Air has not been smooth in the last two years, it was, however, erroneous for FAAN to claim that the airline was indebted to it to about N1.2billion.
The official, who preferred to remain anonymous and who gave out some data containing financial transactions between the two establishments, noted that, last year alone, Arik Air paid FAAN close to N4billion for services it was getting at the airports. He said the data had also been made available to the regulatory agencies and avia­tion ministry officials investi­gating the case.
“It is very untrue that Arik Air has not been making pay­ments to FAAN, that cannot be correct although we have been having some issues,” said the official.
“Remember FAAN claimed that we dIdn’t pay parking and landing fees. But we paid FAAN about N4billion in 2014. And this figure includes parking and landing fees, rent, passenger service charge (PSC), fuel surcharge
“Let me even show a little breakdown of this payment data. In Jan 2014 Arik Air paid N335, 562,212.50; April N370, 417,622.50; Sept N344, 486, 305; and Dec N447, 232,602.50.
“In the same 2014, we paid N318, 575,002.50 in Feb; N327, 359,180 in March; N349, 471,655 in June; N315, 530,737.50 in July. The total amount paid FAAN in 2014 was N3, 941,023,995. This is contrary to the claim that Arik has not been paying its bills,” he added.
Aside FAAN, the Nige­rian Airspace Management Agency, and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) are equally owed by some op­erating airlines. The trend has compelled government to or­der AMCON to take over the management of some of the ailing or debt ridden airlines.
Some of the factors rais­ing operational cost and erod­ing profit margins of airlines include, high cost of aviation fuel, multiple taxes at the airports from various regula­tory agencies, high premium charges by insurance firms, ex­orbitant cost of maintenance of aircraft abroad due to the crash in the value of the naira against the dollar, and the high interest rates from creditor banks.

Source: Sun News
Click here to like us on facebook and stay updated

Ondo Deputy Governor Impeached

The Ondo State House of Assembly has impeached the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi.
The Monday plenary session was attended by 24 out of the 26 members of the House, including the Speaker, all in support of the impeachment.
The impeachment motion was moved by the Majority Leader, Henry Akinsoyinu, who revealed that the seven impeachable offences of gross misconduct and abuse of office levelled against the Deputy Governor have been proved.
The motion was seconded by the Deputy Majority Leader, Oyebo Aladetan.
The Seven man panel of investigation set up by by the State Chief‎ Judge, Olasehinde Kumuyi, chaired by Olatunji Adeniyan had earlier in the morning submitted its report to the House.
The Speaker of the House, Jumoke Akindele, adopted the motion and declared the Deputy Governor impeached and removed from office.
She gave a directive that all the government property in possession of the Deputy Governor be handed over to the Permanent Secretary in the office of the Deputy Governor.
Meanwhile, two members of the House belonging to the opposition party, APC, Gbenga Edema and Fola Olasehinde, were absent at the sitting.

Source: Sun News
Click here to like us on facebook and stay updated

Buhari Takes Charge

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

Gradually, things changed for General Muhammadu Buhari for good. He is no more the ordinary Nigerian of yesterday. He is now the president-elect.

But that is no more news. The news now is that everything about the man has suddenly turned presidential: food, house, clothings, vehicles, name it. Have you seen him of late? Buhari has got swag. In fact, the usual Buhari’s two or three cars convoy has grown serpentine with fortified security presence.

But then, the man has lost his privacy. Ditto for his running-mate. The vice-president-elect, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has transformed from the ordinary preacher to wearing the executive stuff.

When Buhari threw his hat into the political ring in 2003, seeking the presidency, he was seen as the biggest joker of the century. Of course, the people rejected him. In 2007, he gave it another shot but was humiliated by his kinsman, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. In 2011, he reappeared for the presidential contest, the same fate of the previous times befell him. By this time, he was already being dubbed a serial loser.

But as 2015 approached, signs of his coronation became clear. And on March 28, destiny crowned him the president-elect even at 72. Now, the serial loser has become the lucky winner. Once again, the general has been catapulted into a life of affluence and influence.

Nostalgically, the only time Buhari’s life assumed this dimension was during his military days when he was Head of State. But that was 30 years ago. Even at that, there is a difference between being a President and Head of State. It is not just because one is elected by the people but the fact that one would not be afraid of colleagues planning a coup and removing one. The military steals political power irrespective of the public odium it attracts but a President receives the mandate of the people.

Buhari suffered such military fate on August 27, 1985 when his colleagues ent him packing from office. Since then, he had led a private life.

But the man is back at the corridors of power. This time, through the front door. And, gradually, attention is fast shifting from the incumbent president to him.

First official bilateral engagement as president-elect 

Watching Buhari receive the President of Ivory Coast, Allassane Quattara, at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja in the evening of Monday, April 20, upon his return from his home country, Daura, Katsina State, put in me the feeling of presidential reality.  As a former Head of State, Buhari may be entitled to use the facility but definitely not with an air of presidential aura he exuded that day.

Quattara may have also met with President Goodluck Jonathan earlier that Monday, but not with the observable euphoria on his face, jolting him to some immediate memorial expeditions where he recalled his own election. Like Buhari, Quattara’s presidency was also tough, an eventual art of providence and destiny.

Said the Ivory Coast leader: “I have come to Nigeria to congratulate my brother the president-elect for his brilliant election and to let him know that the process of this election is a great pride to all of us and the rest of African countries.

“The peaceful process is a lesson for all African countries. You will recall that in my own country in 2010 when we had the presidential election, the former president did not want to leave office and this led to civil war with 3000 people died. So, we are very proud of the Nigerian people.

“I came to congratulate my brother President Buhari and tell him that my country and Nigeria will work hand in hand for stronger integration of the West African region. Nigeria is very important to all of us for its leadership and I think I met President Buhari few years back. We will continue to work together to make sure that the west African region and the people the region can seek more prosperity and better lives.”

While the Ivorian leader shared his ugly experience in the hands of  his predecessor, Buhari recalled Jonathan’s benign stance which has saved Nigeria of a conceivable overt crisis.

“I think more specifically (Quattara’s visit is ) to congratulate president Jonathan for his statesmanship because when president Quattara referred to his own experience where he was under siege for more than four months because his predecessor refused to acknowledge his winning. In Nigeria opposite happened, hence we are enjoying the peace, so specifically congratulate president Jonathan for his statesmanship”, the president-elect said.

Buhari relocates to Defence House 

Buhari’s presidential treatment did not just begin and end at the airport. It continued to Abuja metropolis and would continue over the next four years. Upon his return that Monday from Daura where he had been since the April 11 gubernatorial election, Buhari checked in at the luxurious Defence House in Maitama axis of town.

Understandably, the facility, which may also be called a safe house, was designed by the regime of a military Head of State and has since served as the temporary abode for an incoming president. In fact, only persons of presidential status use the place for official engagements and so, Buhari, being the presidential-elect, is entitled to use the facility which was recently renovated to receive his visitors. And you can bet the horde of security personnel that now surrounds the place.

ECOWAS Chairman’s visit

The first person to visit Buhari at the place was the Chairperson of Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Ghanaian President, Mr. John Mahama, on Tuesday, April 21. He brought two things to Buhari: Congratulations and pledges to work with him on ECOWAS platform. But the contemporary xenophobic madness in South Africa, a sister country, stole the show. And you could trust that Mahama descended heavily on the country especially on its attack on Nigerians.

“I think it is an issue that we are all worried about because of the specific circumstances of South Africa and its most regrettable and most unfortunate. I think that the young people of South Africa do not know what happened before they gained their freedom. The whole of this continent stood behind South Africa. The whole of Africa stood behind South Africa to fight against apartheid. I remember all of us who growing up as secondary school children went on marches and where part of the African Youth command boycotted classes and all that all in the fight against apartheid”, Mahama said.

“Indeed for several of the countries where their citizens were brutalised in South Africa, these are countries called front line states and harboured the freedom fighters of South Africa and gave them safe haven, gave them passports to be able to avoid the clutches of the apartheid regime and even Nigeria. Nigeria even though not a neighbour of South Africa was considered a frontline state  because of their economic contribution that Nigeria did to be able to liberate South Africa from apartheid and so, it is regrettable that the same people who fought against apartheid are being attacked.

“The pictures we have seen are horrible. As ECOWAS, we have issued a statement condemning what is happening, the unfortunate thing is this is not first time, it keeps flaring up and so while we are condemning this incidence we must work with South African government to ensure that it won’t happen again. We are trying to create an integrated continent where our people can move freely amongst our countries, this has not set a very good example for integration and especially for South Africa   that has investments all over countries”.

On Nigeria’s elections, the ECOWAS leader said: “Earlier this morning I called on President Jonathan and also commended him for his maturity and statesmanship that he has shown in terms of conceding before the tally was done and calling President elect  Buhari to congratulate him. I think that Nigeria has shown a good example for self regime that democracy and good governance have found a firm root in the ECOWAS.

The ECOWAS has a protocol on democracy, good governance and elections and I believe that has been properly followed here in Nigeria.

“We have five elections this year and Nigeria has set the pace and we still have Togo that is coming on Saturday 25th and in October we have Burkina Faso. We have cote d ivoire. We have Guinea, so I think that with what has happened in Nigeria, it is an example for other countries in terms of the standard electioneering. In my second heart as the president of Ghana as you know Ghana and Nigeria have very close relationship and we will continue to work closely with Nigeria, we share the same values our cultures are similar.

“Nigeria is the biggest economy in West Africa and is the most populous and also the biggest economy in Africa. So, it is a very valued member of ECOWAS and we will continue to expect that Nigeria would show a certain leadership and carry her responsibility in terms of the work of west African states”.

Ambassadorial visits 

One of the campaign promises of Buhari was to restore Nigeria’s self respect in the international community and signs of that glowed on Wednesday, April 22 when, in one fell swoop, China, Israel, Equatorial Guinea, Iran and Morocco promised their cooperation with the incoming administration.

The assurances of those countries were conveyed through their ambassadors in Nigeria who visited to Buhari at the Defence House.

For China, Buhari’s regime would mark a new dawn of investments in agriculture and infrastructure.

“China and Nigeria are going to further our cooperation. As part of our desire for collaboration with Nigeria I discussed with the President- elect on some of the potential areas of investment. We plan to invest in such areas like Agriculture, infrastructure and other projects that is tailored to impact positively on the lives of the people of Nigeria. We came to present the best wishes and regards from our President and people of China to the president- elect”, the Chinese envoy, Mr. Gu Viaojie, said..

In the case of Morocco, the diplomatic row between it and Nigeria that resulted to the recalling of its ambassador to Nigeria was now a thing of the past.

“The new relations is for the good of both Morocco and Nigeria. I am here to give the President- elect a message from the King of Morocco. The message is  for greetings and best wishes from Moroccan people. I believe that ( the ugly incident that led to the withdrawal of Moroccan Head of Mission) is in the past now. We are looking forward to the future now”, the Morrocoan ambassador, Mr. Mostafa Bouh, said.

Similarly, the Equatorial Guinea ambassador said Nigeria has shown exemplary leadership in Africa with the conduct of the peaceful elections just as the Israeli ambassador, Uriel Palti, expressed the readiness of his country to continue with the good relationship with Nigeria.

Last line

For sure, there is a season for everything. Like President Goodluck Jonathan, who had no shoes at a time, Buhari, in the last 30 years when he exited office, may not have played host to officials of other countries in the manner last Tuesday and Wednesday afforded him. Osibanjo also may have occupied the office of Commissioner for Justice somewhere but not as noticeably as the office of the number two citizen of a country.

These new titles with their inherent euphorias intoxicate. But no matter, the mistake both men cannot afford to do is to let the excitement get into their heads.

There is enormous task ahead. The job of fixing Nigeria and get it back onto the path of glory with a happy citizenry is paramount and non-negotiable. A repeat of the past mistakes of successive leaders who got carried away by office exuberance and paraphernalia must not happen. 30 years out of military or civilian power should have taught someone a big lesson. The world is watching.

Source: Vanguard News

Click here to like us on facebook and stay updated

Jonathan prays for Buhari

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday prayed for the in-coming administration of General Muhammadu Buhari. The President has also admonished Nigerian leaders at various levels of government to be ready to make sacrifices for the growth of the nation, stressing that Nigerians should not allow the challenges of today to weigh them down

In the same vein, he challenged Nigerian past leaders to emulate the sterling qualities   of   former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; and the former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, both of whom he said have demonstrated unequal patriotism to their fatherland.

The President spoke at the fifth presidential prayer breakfast held inside the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

We pray for in-coming administration

“We continue to pray for the country and of course, we pray for   the incoming government and also pray   for   us who are leaving to have the opportunity to serve humanity in different phases.

“I remember in 2009 when I visited the Nordic countries, they told me they were celebrating 200 years of peace that has enabled them to develop.   Nigeria was 49 years as an independent nation in 2009.

“If the Nordic countries, well developed technologically and otherwise, it means crisis really retards development.

“So we have challenges, today we are talking about   boko haram in the north, kidnapping in south south, south east. Atimes you are forced to think that the nation is ending, definitely this country  will overcome this challenge. That is the reason for these prayers. Just like prayers helped Nehemiah to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, our constant prayers will help us rebuild this nation.

“For me, I have to thank God and Nigerians for the privilege and opportunity given to me this past 16 years. I served my state as a deputy governor and governor for eight years. From government house in Yenegoa and then I came here to the state house, Abuja served the country as vice president and a president. That is a reasonable length of time and so I have to thank God, first because if God did not will it, it won’t have happened.

Emulate Gowon and Shonekan

According to the President, despite their tight schedules and their ages,   the two former leaders had always attended programmes in the Villa any time they are invited.

The support for me within this period, I will continue to do my best as  I’m gradually joining Gowon and Shonekan to serve our country in different capacities. “And I must commend  Gen. Gowon and Chief   Shonekan  and some of our other leaders, for the eight years I have been as vice president and president, whenever we called upon them wherever they are in this world, they will try to come. I have seen that    they are extremely patriotic and they believe in this country. If all our leaders show that level of commitment, that level of patriotism, that believe and sincerity of purpose to our nation, then surely we will go where we want to go.

Leaders must be ready to make sacrifices

“I always say leadership is not all about giving directives,   a  successful leader must be ready to make sacrifice. Everything about human life as an individual, a child,   if you don’t make the required sacrifice you can’t go to where you want to go.

“If you don’t sacrifice your pleasure of course you will know where you’ll end. As parents we know the kind of sacrifice we make for our children to go to school, to feed.

“To build a family you need sacrifice. So for those who   have the privileges of leading at local, state and national levels, at all times we should be ready to make sacrifice for our nation to grow.

“So as we call for prayers we also call on our leaders not just local government chairmen, governors and president’s alone , I’m also calling on leaders at other levels,  Ministers must make the required sacrifice, our lawmakers because they look at all our laws, they   can create crisis in country if they are not ready to do things the right way.

“So all of us in leadership position must be ready to make the sacrifice and with our prayers and with our commitment Nigeria will surely get to where it wants to go” he said.

 Source: Vanguard News

Click here to like us on facebook and stay updated