President Jonathan Inspects Gas Explosion Site In Bayelsa

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President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan today assured members of the Koluoma community in Bayelsa State and adjoining villages affected by the gas explosion at a Chevron gas exploration well in January, that the Federal Government will provide more relief materials to alleviate the hardship suffered by the people resulting from impact of the explosion.
The President said government was keen on addressing environmental issues and their attendant ecological impact across sections of the country.
The President promised the communities that the Nigeria Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) will facilitate the deployment of more relief materials to them. He commended them for showing restraint, tact and discipline in the way and manner they have channeled their grievances and assured them that government will do its best to address their complaints.
President Jonathan also enjoined Chevron to provide more relief materials and other sundry relief items to the people.
He urged oil companies operating in the country to undertake the training of personnel, especially residents of communities within their operational base as part of its compensation and corporate responsibility to the people.
Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson said the state has been exposed to risk due to activities of oil companies operating within its communities and asked that the companies learn to respect their environment in order to ensure the preservation of the nation’s ecological system.
He disclosed that his administration has set up legal and technical committees to harmonise assessment reports conducted.
Speaking on behalf of the communities, former Bayelsa State House of Assembly member, Hon. Ayaowei listed the problems facing the people resulting from the gas explosion to include inability to continue with their fishing businesses, lack of portable drinking water, medical care and electricity as well as lack of access roads to link the communities.
Chevron Managing Director, Andrew Fawthrop while regretting the incident, promised that the company will commence community and medical development works within in the communities soon.
President Jonathan was accompanied to Koluama by Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, Ministers of Petroleum, Deziani Allison-Madueke, Environment, Hadiza Malaifia and Niger-Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe and was warmly received by the elated community members including traditional rulers, youth, school pupils and students.
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Eno Olotu (Mrs) For: Special Adviser to the President(Media) 27-2-12

“I Have Not Abandon The SURE PROGRAMME” – President Jonathan

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As has become the pattern by some political pundits whose definition of opposition is to undermine any good policy initiative of the Federal Government, there has been a deliberate misrepresentation of the comments by President Goodluck Jonathan at the 58th National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party on 20 February 2012 on the issue of reviewing the SURE programme.  Hence, it has been alleged that the Federal Government (FG) has abandoned or is attempting to “truncate” the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment (SURE) programme.
At no time did President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan say that the Federal Government had abandoned the SURE programme. What he said in his opening remarks at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting last week, was that the full implementation of government’s palliatives to cushion the negative effects of the fuel subsidy removal as contained in the original SURE programme, was no longer feasible and will be reviewed in view of the partial rather than full removal of the subsidy on petrol.
The SURE Programme was predicated on a policy of FULL deregulation as stated in the SURE document released to the general public (Please see http://tinyurl.com/7qczjeo). However, due to widely publicised events after the commencement of full deregulation, the government, after a series of negotiations with organized labour, reduced the pump price of petrol. It therefore follows that the funds that were expected to accrue from full deregulation will no longer accrue since the policy of full deregulation was stepped down for the time being.
This new reality informed the President’s directive that the original SURE programme documents already circulated to the public, be withdrawn in order not to give the public false expectations.
The SURE programme HAS NOT been cancelled. What President Goodluck Jonathan said at the 58th National Executive Committee meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  is as follows: “We developed this with the expectation that we were going to completely deregulate the downstream sector of the oil industry, (after) the 100 per cent removal of subsidy.” …..“We couldn’t achieve that though there was an increase in the price. I don’t want this to be distributed; it will give a wrong impression.”
These comments only show that President Jonathan is being transparent with the public rather than offer them unrealistic expectations.  Sincerity of purpose is a virtue and should be encouraged.
For those who are still in doubt, let it be stressed that the Dr. Christopher Kolade Committee charged with implementing the SURE programme, is still at work and has not been disbanded while a new SURE document containing the reviewed palliatives will soon be released to the public.
We appeal to labour unions and other opinion-moulders in the society to desist from misinforming the public about government’s well-meaning programmes geared towards addressing the critical needs of the citizenry.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser (Media & Publicity) to the President
February 27, 2012

‘I Abandoned My Two Daughters To CRARN On Pastors’ Instruction’ – 30 Years Old Widow

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Mayen Sunday-John left his two daughters at a center, as the church
and community children accused of being witches.

One morning in February last year it was too much for Mayen
Sunday-John. She decided to put an end to the situation with her two
daughters, the 30-year-old woman left the seven-year-Utit Ofon and Utibe of 10 months at a CRARN Centre (Child Rights and Rehabilitation
Network, which is supported by UNICEF).

Very recently, Mayen Sunday-John lost her husband, and shortly after
his death, the building where he worked, ravaged by a mysterious
brand.Mayen Sunday-John’s two daughters was allegedly hekseDet same
thing happened to Mayen Sunday-John’s small grocery store in Uquo in
Southern Nigeria. For the local church, it was clear who was behind: Mayen Sunday-John’s two daughters, who were alleged to be witches. And
it happens frequently in southern Nigeria, the local community believe
that it is the witch forces with the family’s own children behind when
a family affected by tragic events. The local church stood with the
solution – but Mayen Sunday-John could not afford to pay $ 100, which
was the price for the church rescued two children from their witch
powers. Outside the church cleansing the children were ostracized by
both family and community.

Was she insensitive to her youngest daughter?
The first child, Mayen Sunday-John brought to CRARN center, was the
little Utibe.
“I started with the smallest of them, because I lay sleepless at
night, and because the church had power over me with accusations
against my children. I was insensitive to my daughter,” she says.
“At the same time the community also excluded my daughters, but God
would never be happy if I had let them die,” sobs Mayen Sunday-John.

After almost half a year at the Centre , CRARN succeeded to reunite
the daughters with their mother. She regrets now that she left the
kids and swore that she would never see them again. “After barely a
half year at the Centre  CRARN succeeded  to reunite daughters with
their mother”
“I was misled by the church and the community, and I jumped on it
because I felt bad and nowhere to go. I regret it and hope my children
will forgive me,” says Mayen Sunday-John.
The small family has not been hit by an accident since reunification
in august last year. And this despite the fact that among the local
rumors that CRARN center has the ability to heal the children. The
Centre’s director, Sam Ikpe-Itauma, have a little more natural
explanation.
“We have no spiritual strength to do an exorcism on children who are
not witches in reality. We take care of the children who recover from
their trauma after a time,” says Sam Ikpe-Itauma.

Looks into the allegations
Today, Mayen Sunday-John looks behind the accusations of witchcraft.
“You start to believe in witches and wizards men when you do not have
any money. That is why the church has exploited people’s accidents,”
says Mayen Sunday-John.
Picture shows Sam Ikpe Itauma of CRARN revisiting the widow to offer
aids to her and her two kids.
– UNICEF Report

ACN Says Review Panel On Ekiti Judgment Aimed At Destabilizing

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The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has warned that the panel set up
to review the Court of Appeal
judgment on the Ekiti governorship election can only achieve one aim
– to discredit the judiciary and
destabilize the polity.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Monday by its National Publicity
Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the
party therefore called on all believers in the rule of law over the
rule of the jungle to intervene to stop what has
now become a circus show, simply because some honest and courageous
judges dared to rule against the
almighty PDP.

It recalled that on the basis of a petition by the disgraced
usurper-governor of Ekiti, Mr. Segun Oni, the NJC
had set up a panel of enquiry that absolved then President of the
Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, of any
wrongdoing.

”The questions then are: What do those who instigated the set up of
the review panel on the Ekiti judgement want
to achieve? Is there a precedent in this regard? Does it mean that
once a litigant is dissatisfied with any judgement, even
at the Supreme Court, he can get such a ruling to be reviewed once he
has the ‘right’ connections? At the time the
judgement was given, was the Court of Appeal not the final court in
the governorship election petition? And what will
the new panel say that the NJC has not said?” ACN queried.

The party said it is particularly worried that while Oni may be the
face of this unprecedented assault on the judiciary, he
is a mere puppet in a bigger circus show, and the puppeteers are the
PDP and the federal government it controls.

”Last week, we had a reason to warn against what seems to be a
calculated attempt to destroy the judiciary, an institution
that has been built over the years, just because the PDP lost two
governorship seats in Ekiti and Osun. We are compelled to
issue the same warning now over the panel set up to review the Court
of Appeal judgment in Ekiti.

”The fact that the PDP lost the governorship in two states where it
was found to have stolen the people’s mandate is not a
license for the party and its powerful backers to bring down the roof
and to seek to destroy the careers of forthright judges.

”Honestly, we at the ACN are not really bothered about Oni, who has
been behaving like a small boy whose toy was
taken from him (even such a boy is better than Oni because after he
must have cried, he will move on). But our real concern
are Oni’s masters, his puppeteers who are hell bent on using him to
humiliate judges who would not do their bidding, and
then destroy the judiciary in the process. This is why we are crying
out now,” ACN said.

The party said Nigeria is bigger than any individual or political
party, and must not be destroyed just so that an out-of-control
but ‘well-connected’ party can keep a stolen mandate.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed
National Publicity Secretary
Action Congress of Nigeria
Lagos, Feb. 27th 2012

PDP Wins Re-Run Election In Imo With 17,316

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The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives re-run election into the Ahiazu /Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency seat in Imo State, Hon. Nnanna Igbokwe has been declared winner.
Details of the results declared by the INEC returning officer for the election, Prof. Udo Herbert, are as follows:
PDP: 17316
APGA: 13514
LP: 1896
PPA: 1203
ANPP: 1053
ACN: 813
NTP: 115
CPC: 50
ADC: 51
SDNP: 33
DFPF: 25
VALID VOTES: 36080
INVALID VOTES: 2637
TOTAL VOTES CAST: 38447
NO of REGISTERED VOTERS: 136000
PDP WON 20 WARDS OUT OF 24 WARDS IN THE FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY
RESULTS ANNOUNCED EARLY THIS MORNING AT CHIOMA AJUNWA STADIUM IN AHIAZU MBAISE LGA

Jonathan Condemns JOS Violence

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It is with great sadness that President Goodluck Jonathan received the news of the suicide bombing, today, at the Headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) in Jos, Plateau state, and the mindless acts of reprisal that followed the incident.
    Mr. President conveys his sympathies and condolences to the victims of the odious acts. Those who seek to divide us by fear and terror will not succeed.  The indiscriminate bombing of Christians and Muslims is a threat to all peace-loving Nigerians.  Mr. President will continue to stand firm to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians while ensuring that the relevant institutions move against those who disregard the sanctity of life in the pursuit of sectarian ambitions.
    Government is gradually and firmly bringing justice to those behind these attacks and exposing their identities and dismantling their terror infrastructure. Those behind similar acts of terror in recent times have been arrested and are being investigated with a view to prosecuting them accordingly, as a deterrent to others. President Jonathan appeals to all residents of Plateau state to remain calm and be law abiding.
       As we mourn with today’s victims, let it be known that efforts are being redoubled to win the war against terror.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
Feb. 26, 2012

Jonathan Congratulates Former President Shehu Shagari at 87

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President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has congratulated former President Shehu Shagari on his attainment of the age of 87. President Jonathan describes the former president as ‘an elder statesman who has continued to make his wisdom and vast experience available to the nation’,adding that Nigeria has benefitted immensely from his selfless contributions.

He said President Shagari’s exemplary support for peace and national development is commendable and worthy of emulation by all well-meaning citizens. The President prays for continued good health and long life for President Shagari.

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Reuben Abati

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity

Feb. 26, 2012

Deputy Senate Speaker Commends Imo Re-run Elections

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Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha - with two Bishops
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, CON, has commended the electorate of Ahiazu/Ezinihitte federal constituency for re-electing Hon. Nnanna Igbokwe in the re-run election on Saturday.
Ihedioha said the outcome of the election reflected the wishes of the people whom he commended for coming out in their numbers to fulfill their civic responsibilities “in a peaceful, orderly and responsible manner worthy of emulation,” adding that they (voters) displayed sufficient vigilance to ensure that their votes counted in spite of veiled attempts by opposition forces to intimidate them.
He congratulated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the victory, noting that by this feat, it was only a matter of short time before the party reclaims its rightful position in Imo State as the frontline and popularly accepted political platform of choice throughout the country.
The Deputy Speaker also commended the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) for a job well done in ensuring that the electoral choice of the people prevails, noting that the electoral body’s rising credibility in recent elections across the country is a bolster to democracy in Nigeria.
He also praised security agencies for maintaining law and order in the Constituency throughout the elections while calling on Hon. Igbokwe’s opponents in the polls to accept the verdict of the people especially “since he won in about 90 percent of the polling units in the Constituency.”

Jonathan Congratulates Imoke

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President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan congratulates Mr. Liyel  Imoke on his victory in Saturday’s governorship election in Cross River State.
As he prepares to begin his second full term in office as Governor, President Jonathan urges Mr. Imoke to move quickly to establish a dedicated, purposeful and efficient administration that will help him to consolidate on the laudable achievements of his first term and boost the pace of socio-economic development in the state.
The President assures the returning governor of the continued support, cooperation and assistance of the Federal Government and urges him to work hard to justify the confidence reposed in him by the people of Cross River State by fulfilling their expectations of faster progress and development.
President Jonathan prays that God Almighty will grant Mr. Imoke good health and strength, and even more wisdom and courage as he returns to the service of his people and the nation at the helm of state affairs in Cross River State.
The President wishes Mr. Imoke a very successful second term.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media& Publicity

US-Iran stalemate may likely continue

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By Hua Liming (China Daily)

Although the US and Iran have stationed warships at the Hormuz strait, neither country really wants to start a war because military conflicts are not in their interests.Iran seems to continue flexing muscles amid tensions. It has been conducting manoeuvres and launching ballistic and cruise missiles, while two warships entered the Mediterranean Sea over the weekend. It also showed off its “breakthrough” nuclear program for “civilian use” ahead of nuclear talks on Monday. But the true purpose is to gain chips in bargaining.For the past two months, Iran has taken many measures to ease tensions. Besides renewing an invitation for IAEA experts, Iran also conveyed a message to the EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, saying that “returning to the negotiation table would be the best means to broaden cooperation between the two sides.”

On Feb 15, hours after its Islamic Republic News Agency warned it might cut off oil supplies to six EU countries, the Ministry of Petroleum denied the warning and said such a decision belonged only to the Supreme National Security Committee. On Sunday Iran cut off oil supplies, but only to the UK and France, which did not depend on it for fuelling their cars. The incident shows that the Iranian government is not being led by so-called “stubbornists” and does not want much trouble.

For the US, the war is not a good option either. The US economy is still suffering from economic problems and can hardly support any large overseas military operations with a high unemployment rate at home.

The Barack Obama administration could not afford to launch a war during the election year, especially as Iran has become a hot topic on the presidential campaign trail. Obama has received countless blame from Republicans for being too weak on Iran, but if he chooses a military attack he could expect to face more criticisms.

Therefore, domestic pressures would compel Obama to take harsher policies and sanctions against Iran, not war. The recent cancelling of a joint military drill with Israel best describes the US’ real stand. The US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey, said an Israeli attack on Iran would have grave consequences for the entire region and urged Israel to give international sanctions against Iran more time to work.

Although unwanted by both sides, this does not mean that war is impossible, because the two players do not control the situation only. The third party, Israel, is hawkish and might make the conflict out of control. Israeli politicians have never concealed their intentions of attacking Iran.

Nearly all countries involved, including Western allies, fear that Israel might launch a sudden attack against Iran. Last Wednesday when Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak visited Japan, he hinted at a military attack against Iran if sanctions fail, but Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda persuaded Israel not to resort to military action.

However, if a war really breaks out, the US would get involved because it has to ensure victory for its ally. Israel is the main uncertainty in the region.

Another uncertainty lies in Syria, where protests by the Syrian people against their president, Bashar al-Assad, have sparked into open and bloody conflicts. Today the country is on the brink of civil war and if Western powers continue to push on instead of trying to extinguish the fire, an all-out civil war may break out.

In some sense, as its only ally in the region, Syria’s civil war would put Iran in a dilemma. Militarily supporting Bashar might involve Iran in the Syrian conflict, thus giving Israel and the US formidable excuses to launch a war against Iran. But if Iran stands idle it might lose a strategic pillar and the only channel to heartland of the Arab world. That’s why Efraim Halevy, a former Israeli national security adviser, called Syria “Iran’s Achilles’ Heel”; in fact, more than one Western observer has talked about the possibility of overthrowing the two governments one immediately after another.

But this plot on paper could not be realized because Syria would not collapse in a quick manner. Unlike Muammar Gadhafi and his personal rule in Libya, the Assad family has accumulated great resources and military forces during its reign in Syria, which dims every hope of a quick and decisive battle to defeat them.

So once civil war breaks out in Syria, the US and Israel would find it tough to repeat the eight-month victory in Libya and push their first domino card down.

If the Syrian civil war comes to a stalemate that would offer Iran more choices than getting totally involved. It could just send material assistance without fighting troops to Syria and make the stalemate go on. The buck would be passed back to the US, which could afford everything but a lasting war.

Therefore, there are great uncertainties to the US-Iran conflict, but it is hardly possible for the US to bring Iran down by a blitzkrieg.

 

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