Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has dissolved the State Executive Council.
In a valedictory session today (Friday), the Governor thanked the outgoing members of the Executive Council for their loyalty and dedication to duty.
The outgoing exco members are to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries in their respective ministries.
Furthermore, all political appointees, including Special Advisers, Executive Directors, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Chairmen and members of Boards of Parastatals, Committees and Task Forces have also been dissolved.
Only the Board of Internal Revenue and Directorate of Information and Telecommunications Technology (ICT) are exempted from this exercise.
All political appointees are to hand over all government property in their possession, including vehicles, to the Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Central Administration, Governor’s Office.
The Governor wishes the outgoing members of the State Executive Council and the other political appointees well in their future endeavours.
“To reframe a quotation on Washington DC by Scot McClellan, Abuja has perfectly become the home of the permanent campaign, a game of endless politicking based on the manipulation of shades of truth, partial truths, twisting of the truth, and spin. Governing has become an appendage of politics rather than the other way round, with electoral victory and the control of power as the sole measures of success. That means shaping thenarrative before it shapes you. Candor and honesty are pushed to the side in the battle to win the latest news Cycle”.
With the above citation, a democracy focused non-governmental organization – HUMAN Rights Writers’ ASSOCIATION of NIGERIA (HURIWA) has dismissed the Presidency criticism of the Nuhu Ribadu-led crude Oil Revenue special Task Force Report just as the rights group accused the federal government of manipulation of facts in a bid to perpetually allow the wheel -of-corruption and monumental economic crime to continue to run in government.
In a statement jointly endorsed by the national coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, and the National media officer, Miss Zainab Yusuf, HURIWA warned the federal government that the patience of the long suffering and impoverished citizenry is running out even as the group expressed optimism that Nigerians may resort to civil unrest and disobedience if the monumental corruption going on in government is allowed to continue.
HURIWA wondered why a government that claims to have the popular mandate of the people to govern transparently has now transformed itself and the organs of government serviced with tax payers money to become veritable defender of the corrupt officials who have successfully and brazenly stolen Nigeria blind of the nation’s crude oil revenue.
HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA stated that; “We are ashamed that a presidency official speaking on behalf of the President who has sworn an oath of office to promote transparency and accountability, has become the one openly castigating the well considered findings of a special task Force headed by an incorruptible man (Nuhu Ribadu) and who indeed has in spite of several threats, blackmail and intimidation proceeded to present a report whereby it was discovered that over $180 million disappeared from the public fund in the petroleum sector under the watch of the current administration”.
HURIWA said that the anti-transparency stand of the Jonathan administration may sooner rather than later be challenged by the brutalized long suffering masses who are disdainfully dismissed as docile and indecisive.
Senior Special Assistant to President Jonathan on public Affairs Dr. Doyin Okupe told newsmen that the Ribadu committee did not meet up on the terms of reference of its assignment.
But the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA dismissed the Presidency’s criticism of the Ribadu panel report as “deceptive”,“manipulative”, “unpatriotic”, engaging in semantic dramatization/equivocation even as the Rights group said the anti-accountability stand of this government amounts to a great disservice to Nigerians’ collective quest to kill corruption before the menace kill us.
President Goodluck Jonathan said Friday in Abuja that the Federal Government has made boosting the availability and affordability of life-saving drugs nationwide one of the primary objectives of its strategy for achieving significant improvements in national healthcare services in the shortest possible time.
Speaking at an audience with a delegation from the Merck Pharmaceuticals Company of Germany, President Jonathan said that his Administration was therefore doing everything possible to ensure that genuine essential drugs and medicines are constantly available in hospitals and pharmacies in all parts of the country.
The President said that the Federal Government was working with drug manufacturers, friendly nations and international organizations towards the achievement of this objective and would welcome increased international support and assistance for its effort to give more Nigerians easier access to essential drugs and medicines.
President Jonathan thanked the Merck delegation which was led by Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp-Merck for the company’s ongoing support for healthcare delivery in Nigeria through the continued donation of large quantities of its drug Praziquantel for the free treatment of schistosomiasis or bilharzia, a chronic illness that can damage internal organs and, in children, impair growth and cognitive development.
“We really appreciate your gesture. Your drugs will help us to save even more lives under our Save One Million Lives Initiative which I recently launched. We will make the best use of the drugs and will work with you and our other friends in the international community to achieve our objective of better health services for all Nigerians,” the President told Dr. Haverkamp-Merck and his team.
Dr. Haverkamp-Merck told the President that his company which is the oldest pharmaceuticals company in the world, having been in existence since 1668, will continue to support the Jonathan Administration’s Save One Million Lives Initiative in every possible way.
He informed the President that the company which currently operates in over 60 countries was also assisting and supporting NAFDAC in the agency’s efforts to ensure that only genuine drugs and medicines are supplied to Nigerians.
Igbo Regent Onowu Dr MN Ozua-Okoye is a fore most Igbo protagonist who has made tangible contributions for the unity, development and progress of the Igbo Nation. In this interview with our correspondent, the Onowu who is the traditional prime minister of Igbo land takes a look at the situation of things in Igbo land at the moment, the flood, the new yam festival and its impact on the Igbo culture and 2015 among other things.
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Excerpts
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Flood is the trouble of the moment and it is wrecking havoc in your senatorial zone of Anambra North. What do have to say about it?
The flood is a terrible experience. But I am grateful to God because our people have risen up to the occasion of sustaining those people displaced by the flood. The kind of support accorded them is tremendous. Honestly I am impressed with the kind of massive support given them by the people and without wasting more time I wish thank Mr. President. Dr Good luck Jonathan the Governors of the state affected by the flood, particularly Governor Peter Obi, the men and women of Goodwill and various religious bodies, NGOS and corporate organizations who have given them something to eat, drink and pass through the night with hope and happiness. With the kind of support being given to them I don’t think they have much to regret. Let me appeal to Mr. President, the Governors and those who have helped them in one way or another to still remember to help them settle down after the flood dry up. I am sure most of them have lost properties, farm lands and cash crops, so they need help to restart life and we have to help them out.
As Igbo Regent how have you been able to impact on the people?
As I speak with, I can say that all is getting better for Ndigbo except this flood problem. Since Ojukwu died I have been tirelessly praying for God’s intervention on the lives of Ndigbo. One I pray for emergence of Ojukwu’s replacement the person who can perfectly replace Ojukwu as Igbo leader. Secondly, I pray for Igbo unity and thirdly long life and prosperity of all Ndigbo where ever they live and work. I believe that God is at work and like I said earlier all is well except the flood. As I speak a lot of people are worried about disunity among Ndigbo and I believe that something good would soon be achieved following the people’s concern against disunity.
There have been media report linking some people as new Igbo leaders as Ojukwu’s successor, are you not aware of the report?
I am not aware of the report, and nobody has come to me to notify me of his intention to lead Ndigbo with a comprehensive vision to that effects. I deputized Ojukwu all through and it is unfounded and unacceptable for his successor to emerge without the structure that Ojukwu left behind so I have to be aware of any arrangement with regard to succeeding him. Moreover the issue of Igbo leadership is not about some one parading himself or issuing press statement or interview, it is about vision for Ndigbo and ability to carry out that vision for the over all interest the Igbo nation.
Furthermore, there is a process through which one can be crowned the Igbo leader. Ojukwu passed through that process, my self passed through that process as the traditional prime and deputy to Ojukwu. When Ojukwu was due to be crowned Eze Igbo gburugburu he said I must have to come along to take the title as the prime minister and deputize him and I perfectly deputized him until he passed on that’s why I am now the Igbo Regent.
Talking about the process, who are those involved I mean those who are in position to decide and crown Eze Igbo?
Adama Nri is the chief priest and king maker of Igbo land. He is the one who crowned Ojukwu Ezeigbo Gburugburu in 1996, I have the documents. He is the one that is in position to crown Igbo leader not a traditional ruler. In Igbo land a king does not make a king it is the priest that makes king just as it is in the Bible where prophets anointed kings. Any other process outside Adama Nri is unlikely to stand the test of time.
Some people have spoken against your position as Igbo Regent saying that Regent is not recognized in Igbo leadership hierarchy?
…cuts in such critics are completely ignorant of what Regent stand for because it is well known in Igbo land that when a traditional ruler passes on the prime minister popularly known as Onowu take over automatically as the Regent until after one year or when ever somebody emerges to replace the dead ruler.
I am the traditional prime Minister of Igbo land and second in command to Ojukwu so what on this earth stops me from emerging the Igbo Regent. For God sake my emergence as Igbo Regent is purely on merit and on due process and nobody can dispute it except the ignorant.
There is impression that Igbo culture including Igbo language is gradually fading away and nothing is being done to remedy the situation?
The truth of the matter is that modern civilization is progressing massively in Igbo land and we have no means to resist it unlike the Yoruba and the Hausa our contemporaries. The Yoruba use their culture to resist it while the Hausa use religion but here we have no such strong means. Take dressing for instance the Hausa women have their unique way of dressing which protect them against in decent dressing nowadays. If you attend occasion like Ofala and New Yam Festival the traditional rulers read their address in English so tell me which other means we can use to promote our language if not things like Ofala and New Yam Festival.
As the Regent I am in full support of Subakwa Igbo Movement being championed by Professor Ejiofor. In like manner for us to us to revive our culture we have to device means like Subakwa Igbo Movement with a view to enlighten the people on the need to keep to the norms and values of our culture.
Let me use this opportunity to inform you that on 28th of this month I will mark the Igbo New Yam Festival as the Regent of Igbo land. On that day the Igbo culture will be promoted to the highest level at my palace in Awkuzu, I will use the occasion to pray more in a special way for the over all peace, unity and progress of Ndi Igbo.
What is your hope on 2015 do you think Igbo presidency is possible?
Presidency in a democratic dispensation is the property of Nigerian and they give to whom God wishes to have it. But in my own verdict as experienced politician turned Regent, Igbo president is the best thing that will ever happen to this political entity called Nigeria. Igbo are the most gifted in ideas and other wise to lead this country and I can tell you that from the days of Tafawa Balewa down to Shagari, Obasanjo and the present administration of Goodluck Jonathan it is the Igbos that root out the ideas that make things happen.
This is one, secondly an Igbo man as President will have to make impact in all parts of the country because he knows that his people live every where in the country. So he won’t be biased or tribalistic on discharge of his duties. Thirdly, Igbo president will work for history and posterity knowing how Ndigbo have laboured for this country and lastly an Igbo president, will render all it takes to make Nigeria realize its greatness and put the country in a stronger position to compete with west and lead Africa to the next level. And the earlier Nigerians realize this the better for us.
You haven’t answered my question is Igbo Presidency possible in 2015
Well, if Jonathan runs again under PDP in 2015 Igbo presidency will be difficult that’s the truth of the matter. So it depends on the PDP ticket I doubt if there are other parties with the capacities to win presidency in election.
**why did the Boko Haram chose Buhari and not another former head of state to lead its talks?
The sour relationship between the Presidency and former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, took a further downward spiral, yesterday, when the seat of power took exception to the allegation by the former head of state that the Boko Haram sect was a creation of the PDP-led government and that he shouldn’t be roped into its problems.
Buhari had addressed the press in Abuja on Wednesday and absolved himself of any link with the sect as well as declined an offer from the group to mediate in its reconciliatory talks with the Federal Government.
The Presidency was infuriated by the general’s statement and has asked him to explain why the sect chose him and not another former head of state to lead its talks.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said it was amazing that the sect named Buhari as one of its leading mediators with the government.
Okupe said: “What amazes me here is the fact that they mentioned Gen. Buhari to be one of the mediators. So things are beginning to fall into place.
“And the reaction from the CPC does not help matters at all after all an elder statesman, Dr. Ali Mongunu, was also mentioned and the man has neither rejected nor said anything wrong but the CPC quickly disowned Boko Haram in a very suspicious and questionable manner.
“From my own perspective, it would appear to me that with the statement that is coming from Gen. Buhari that Boko Haram is a creation of PDP and that they should go and fix it, that he is economical with the truth.
“How does that apply to Boko Haram inviting him to mediate in its talks? Is it the government that asked Boko Haram to invite him? And even if it is PDP that created Boko Haram, why should they be asking for Buhari to mediate?”
A youth leader in Abia State, Comrade Chikezie Chukwuocha has called on the Igbos to support the current move by the former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu to unite the people and form a common front to be able to win the presidency in 2015.
Chukwuocha said the call had become necessary in view of the fact that the Igbos has suffered marginalization in the present Nigerian polity.
He said the present situation in Igbo land where everybody wants to be king and nobody wants to be led would not augur well for the unity of the people which he stated was crucial if the zone would speak with one voice and fight a common purpose.
“When the Igbos come together, it will make for greater achievement, if we do one common thing, we shall fight from a common front, but if we are divergent in our views, we cannot meet, we shall be running parallel.”
Chukwuocha stated that it was important Igbos come together to face the forces from other regions particularly as 2015 is around the corner.
He lamented that some people in the area were working against the project of the Igbos uniting to forge a common front in the scheme of things in this country.
“I don’t know the people championing the ‘Njiko Igbo’, I commend them a lot, including the ex governor of Abia state for doing a wonderful work, that’s the type of thing we need this time around; to have common front to actualize our dream of an Igbo man becoming the president of this country in 2015.”
The United Progressive Party (UPP) congratulates President Barack Obama on his victory in the United States presidential election on Tuesday 6th November 2012. This is democracy in action and worthy of emulation by Nigerians in our quest to build a strong, virile and prosperous democratic society.
The massive turnout of voters and peaceful conduct of the presidential polls despite Hurricane Sandy that struck some parts of the nation shortly before the elections reaffirmed Americans’ belief and confidence in democracy as the best form of government. By re-electing Obama the US electorate has once more proved that power belongs to the people. Obama should justify the confidence Americans reposed in his presidency and work hard to revive the country’s economy and improve US-Nigeria relationship.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state today [November 9, 2012] dissolved the state executive committee, thanking them for their selfless service to the state.
At the valedictory exco session held in Benin City, yesterday, Governor Oshiomhole said “I want to use this opportunity to say how much I appreciate your efforts.”
In an emotion-laden voice, Governor Oshiomhole said: “four years down the road, working together, arguing, debating, even sometimes disagreeing, we have provided a collective leadership to the people of Edo State. We have served them diligently with all our hearts.
“You are the least paid commissioners in the country, but that did not dampen your morale to put in your best efforts. I want to thank you very much for what God has used you to do for me and your state. Thank you for the sacrifices you have made.”
“I thought it wise that having worked so hard, it is right to appreciate you.
“On Sunday, I recognize it will be full time for the first tenure of this administration and when it is full time, no matter how interesting the game is, the referee must blow the whistle and end the game. The life of this council comes to an end on Sunday, not today, because that is when the end of the first tenure of this administration will come to an end, so you are still Commissioners even after this statement till 11:59pm Sunday.”
Responding ion behalf of his colleagues, the state Attorney-general and Commissioner for Justice, Osagie Obayuwana thanked the Governor for giving them the opportunity and the free hand to serve.
He said “the experience of working with the Governor has been a school of leadership for us, which was defined by the highest level of congeniality”, adding “I doubt if there is any other exco in any other state in the country comparable to the one we had here.”
He said last sitting of the exco “is a day of celebration because an example has been set that when there is a will, there will, there will always be a way, and this will endure for all time”.
Also present at the valedictory exco session were the Deputy Governor, Dr Pius Odubu, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Simon Imuekemhe, Head of Service, Princess Ekiuwa Inneh, Chief of staff, Osarodion Ogie and all the commissioners in the state.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole will be sworn-in for a second term in Monday, November 12.
Washington: Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the UN, is emerging as the frontrunner to replace Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who is expected to leave the post of top American diplomat early next year.
Senator John Kerry, the chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and National Security Advisor Tom Donilon are also in line to succeed Hillary.
While all the three are confidant to the US President, Barack Obama, but Rice, 47, is said to be his most favourite. Obama has given Rice the status of a Cabinet Minister.
Rice will be the second African-American woman to hold the position — the first being Condoleeza Rice under George W Bush.
The name of Bill Burns, the deputy secretary of state, is also doing the rounds in some circle.
Republican Senators have been very critical of Rice, after her comments on Libya that the attack on the US Consulate Benghazi was a result of mob violence agitated against an anti-Islam movie. However, the Obama Administration determined that this was a terrorist attack.
“Everybody knows that Susan Rice is a possibility, but would have some difficulties in confirmation, given the controversy over what happened in Libya. It’s anybody’s guess. The decisions of a single person are always very difficult to predict,” Daniel Serwer, Professor, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, told foreign journalists. Top Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has gone public that Rice’s confirmation would be “virtually impossible”.
Senators McCain, Graham, Kelly Ayotte and Ron Johnson have accused Rice of jumping the gun and disseminating false information about the attack.
As a result of strong opposition to her among Republican Senators, experts say Obama might have to do a lot of negotiations and back room manoeuvring have his favourite Rice’s nomination get it confirmed by the Senate.
Kerry, another confidant of Obama, might have a smooth Senate confirmation but the slender majority of the Democratic party might make go against this Massachusetts Senator.
Kerry has been Obama Administration’s problem solver on several key foreign policy issues especially when it comes to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
“John Kerry is a sitting Senator. If he resigns to become Secretary of State, there has to be a new election in Massachusetts. And given the difficulties the Democrats have had in this round with Massachusetts, I’m not sure they want to go for that again.”
“And the majority in the Senate, if they are able to preserve it, is very, very important to the Administration and to the Democrats. So I’m not sure if John Kerry, who is an obvious name, is a likely name,” Serwer said.
The Democratic Party in the next Congress would have 53 Senators in the 100-member Senate, which is an increase of two from the current Senate.
“Kerry’s chances may also be looking up now that his absence from the Senate won’t cost the Democrats a majority, though there are still questions about who would replace him on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.”
A Kerry resignation would trigger a special election in Massachusetts, potentially opening up a place for recently-defeated Republican Scott Brown, but that would still leave 53 Democrats in the Senate — and 54 if the Independent Angus King decides to caucus with the Democrats,” the Foreign Policy magazine said.
“Another reason to think Kerry could have the leg-up on Rice is that some of his former advisors — including the State Department’s chief economist Heidi Crebo-Rediker and Steven Feldstein, director of USAID’s Office of Policy — are already in the administration, though it’s not clear how much of a difference this will make,” it said.
The Catholic Pontiff, Pope Benedict the 16th, has commended Governor
Okorocha for his developmental strides in the state.
Speaking through the Prefect General of the Congregation of
Evangelism, His Eminence Fernando Cardinal Filoni, the Pope described
Imo state as the heart of Catholic evangelism in Nigeria.
Cardinal Filoni who represented the Pope at the centenary celebration
of the Arch. Diocese of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, expressed
satisfaction over the tremendous transformation that has taken place
in the state especially in the area of evangelism and human
development.
He applauded the significance of the centenary celebration, pointing
out that it was a seed sowed 100 years ago, at a particular point in
Imo state that has grown into an Arch diocese.
Cardinal Filoni commended Governor Okorocha, for capital and human
development in the state, saying that governors are those who must in
the name of God, exercise their power for the good of the people.
He assured that the church must continue to support and pray for his
government and the nation for justice and peaceful co-existence even
as he thanked him for his hospitality and provisions of security.
The Bishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaikan also thanked cardinal
Filoni for visiting Imo state for the centenary celebration, of the
Catholic faithful in Owerri province.
He described his recent appointment as a cardinal as God’s continued
calling upon his life, and a decision of the Pope as led by God.
In a vote of thanks, the state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha
expressed joy for hosting His Eminence Fernando Filoni which he
described as a blessing to the state.
Governor Okorocha used the occasion to appeal to the Pope
representative to call for a conference of political and religious
leaders for effective development of the people and to address and to
address global leadership challenges.
He pointed out that such step would go a long way towards achieving
the desired leadership that will help the society.
The governor envisage a scenario where people’s culture should be a
synergy with religion, pointing out his observation that people like
worshipping God in their own tradition, culture, norms and values.
Governor Okorocha decried the spate of Western culture spillage in the
country are called on the Pope to put a ban on pornography and nude
clubs which are ravaging the society.
He noted that the Catholic Church was a worthy partner in the state,
especially in the area of ensuring quality leadership, truth, and
people’s welfare, and commended the Arch. Bishop of Owerri
Ecclesiastical Province, Arch. Bishop Anthony Obinna for his
outstanding contribution in this regard.
He recalled on the ongoing free and compulsory education in the state,
pointing out that the state would want to extend the gesture to the
churches but expressed worry and fear of abuse.
