Over 200 Achievements Of President Goodluck Jonathan, yardstick to the Buhari administration

LIST OF COMPLETED & ONGOING, PROJECTS AND POLICIES OF THE GOODLUCK JONATHAN’S ADMINISTRATION BEFORE MAY 29TH 2015. IT WAS SAID TO BE FOUR YEARS OF UNPRECEDENTED TRANSFORMATIONAL AGENDA IN NIGERIA

The outlined is expected to be the yardstick for the Buhari administration.

1) CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW ABUJA – KADUNA RAIL TRACK: President Jonathan’s administration has constructed the new world class infrastructural project; the Abuja-Kaduna Rail is ready. [WATCH VIDEO ON YOUTUBE)

2) OPERATION AQUILA: Operation Aquila under President Jonathan has helped reduce up to 20 million litters a day in PMS subsidy fraud by using technology to track the movement of petroleum around Nigeria.

3) DRY SEASON FADAMA FARMING: Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the release of N26 billion for the 2015 dry season farming in the country, the scheme was launched in 2012 and has provided thousands of jobs. According to Mr President, ”not only is food produced, we are now processing food. Food production is rising rapidly and thousands of jobs are being created for our young people.”

4) FIRST EVER N970 BILLION CUSTOMS REVENUE: Over Nine Hundred and Seventy Billion Naira (almost N1 trillion) was realised by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2014. The highest any custom regime has ever collected and declared in the history of Nigeria. This was against the eight hundred and thirty-three billion made in 2013.

5) N120 MILLION NAIRA GRANT TO YOUNG FARMERS: One hundred and twenty two million naira grant has been disbursed to twenty seven young farmers, under the Youth Employment Agricultural Programme, YEAP on 2015, according to The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adeshina.

6) DEVELOPMENT OF A SATELLITE FOR SECURITY AND MINERAL DEPOSIT: National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) is developing an indigenous Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellite which will be helpful in the area of security, mapping out our solid minerals deposit and, also to monitor the coastal areas of Niger Delta.

7) ZERO CASE OF POLIO SINCE JULY 2014: Nigeria has not reported any case of wild polio virus (type one), since the last case was reported last July 2014 in Kano State as revelled at the Expert Review Committee meeting in Abuja.

8) WOMEN EMPOWERMENT & ICT; 2,000 WOMEN TRAINED UNDER G-WIN: 2,000 Women have been trained in ICT under the scheme G-WIN-by Minister of of women Affairs and Social Development – Hajiya Zainab Maina. PROPOSALS/ PLANS; The Nigerian government has unveiled a new Information and Communication Technology, ICT, paradigm for women. It would lead to a greater number of women and youths having unhindered access to IT knowledge for wealth creation and improvement of their socio-economic well-being.The process will provide available infrastructure for women and youths to have easy and strategic access to e-commerce, e-government, e-education and e-society, infrastructure .

9) CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS: The Kashimbilla/Gamovodam is part of the over thirty dams that have been constructed in this administration. Fed Govt has constructed dams to boost water supply across the country – by the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe.

10) SOKOTO- YAURI- KONTAGORA ROAD: The Federal Government said has awarded contract for reconstruction of the 655-kilometre Sokoto-Yauri-Kontagora road.

11) GREAT GREEN WALL PROJECT: Curtailing decertification under the Great Green Wall Project (GGW) launched in Kebbi State by Mr President.

12) GRAINS SILO: Construction of 100metric tons of Grain Silos in Kebbi State.

13) REVIVAL OF COTTON INDUSTRY IN ZAMFARA STATE: Fed Govt. has resuscitated the moribund cotton industry in Gasau in Zamfara State. Fed Govt has built 15 ginneries in the State, the grinneries can hold up to 2,000 tons of cotton.

14) N320 BILLION RICE ECONOMY: Local rice production contributed 320 Billion Naira to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country in 2014 – the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina ( Source Fed Min. Of Info )

15) RICE PRODUCTION 760,000 JOBS CREATED: Rice production has created 760,00 jobs, according to the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina ( Source Fed Min. Of Info )

16) FIRST EVER 2.9 MILLION METRIC TONS OF RICE PRODUCTION 2013: Based on the 2013 production of 1.9 Million Metric Tons of rice, the projected production for the 2013 farming season is expected to be about 2.9 Million Metric Tons of high quality rice milled from local sources. 202) Nigeria produces over 9m, making us 85% rice sufficientIn 2009, Nigeria was producing below 5 million tonnes of rice, today we are 85% rice sufficient. ?We are going to be the Thailand of Africa?. Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina ( Source Fed Min. Of Info ).

17) ESTABLISHMENT OF 13 NEW RICE MILLS: Miva Rice Mill is in Benue State, it is one of the thirteen rice mills that have been established under this administration. Before the launch of the Agricultural Transformational Agenda (ATA) in 2011, only one integrated rice mill was functioning in the whole of the country With the recent establishment of the 60,000 Ton Olam Farm due to be commissioned in June,2014, this will bring to 13, the number of local rice mills so far established by this administration. ( Source Fed Min. Of Info ).

18) ESTABLISHMENT OF GROWTH ENHANCEMENT SUPPORT SCHEME: This has ensured that rice is not just harvested but is also milled in Nigeria and sold directly to Nigerian consumers. Thus, it can be seen that the Federal Government under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan has been putting in place both policies and the enabling environment for the production of small, medium, and large-scale production of rice. This falls directly under the purview of the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GES) for the increase of value chain in the rice producing area of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda. ( Source Fed Min. Of Info ).

19) N25.32 BILLION LOAN TO FARMERS: Again, the Federal Government has come to the rescue, by providing access to funds, grants, loans and other assistance notably through the Bank of Industry (BOI) which was recently given a grant of N25.32 Billion for 986 enterprises to offset its expenditure, service farmers and industries with loan facilities, all in a bid to boost rice production. ( Source Fed Min. Of Info)

20) THE FIRST EVER AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT HIRING SERVICES (AEHE): Local farmers can obtain mechanised services through a scheme by the Fed Govt called the Agricultural Equipment Hiring Services (AEHE) for planting, weeding and harvesting. ( Source Fed Min. Of Info )

21) NIGERIA’S GAS SUPPLY HITS 2 BILLION CUBIC FEET PER DAY: The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says Nigeria has grown its gas supply market from 300 million to two billion cubic feet per day (cfpd).The Group Executive Director, Gas and Power, NNPC, Dr. David Ige, stated this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja. Ige attributed the achievement to successful implementation of the Nigeria Gas Master Plan by the Government of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. (source Voice of Nigeria)

22) NIGERIA ONE OF THE LARGEST PRODUCERS OF FERTILISER: Nigeria’s growth in her gas supply market from 300 million to two billion cubic feet per day (cfpd), has already positioned Nigeria to be the largest producer of fertiliser by 2018 and a major exporter.

SURE-P & ROAD CONSTRUCTION:

23) ROAD CONSTRUCTION- DUALIZATION: Dualization of five (5) key arterial roads – Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja Highway.

24) DUALIZATION: Kano-Maiduguri Highway,

25) RECONSTRUCTION AND DULAIZATION: Onitsha-Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

26) RECONSTRUCTION AND DUALIZATION: Benin-Ore-Shagamu Expressway.

27) RECONSTRUCTION AND DUALIZATION: Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Expressway.

28) CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES: The new Loko-Oweto Bridge over River Benue linking Nasarawa and Benue States.

29) CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES: The Second Niger Bridge in Onitsha/Asaba linking Anambra and Delta States.

30) COMPLETION OF 62 ROADS ACROSS THE NATION: Oturkpo-Oweto Road (Section in Benue State

31) Completion of Otukpa-Ayangba-Ajaokuta-Okene Road in Kogi State

32) Completion of Ningi-Yadagumgume-Fuskar Mata Road (Phase II) in Bauchi State

33) Completion of Yana-Shira-Azare Road in Bauchi State

34) Completion of Wukari-Takum Road in Taraba State

35) Completion of Benin-Ofosu Expressway in Edo States

36) Completion of Enugu-Abakaliki Road in Enugu/Ebonyi States

37) Completion of Ogoja Junction-Ikom Road in Cross River State

38) Completion of Ado-Ilumoba-Agbado-Ikare Road in Ekiti State

39) Completion of the Dualization of Ibadan-Ilorin road section I (Ibadan – Oyo) in Oyo State.

40) Completion of the Reconstruction of Vom-Manchok road in Plateau State.

41) Completion of the Repairs of 3rd Mainland Bridge (Phase II), covering additional works for the replacement of 8Nos. Expansion Joints in Lagos State.

42) Completion of the Dualization of Onitsha-Owerri Road (Section I) and Onitsha Eastern Bypass, in Anambra State.

43) Completion of the Rehabilitation of Uba-Mbalala road in Borno State.

44) Completion of the Rehabilitation of Funtua-Gusau-Sokoto road (Section II: Gusau-Talata Mafara) in Zamfara and Sokoto States.

45) Completion of the Rehabilitation of Obiozora-Uburu-Ishiagu Road in Enugu and Ebonyi States.

46) Completion of the Access Road to Kaduna Refinery in Kaduna State.

47) Completion of the Construction/Rehabilitation of Gbogan-Iwo road in Oyo State.

48) Completion of the Rehabilitation of Owerri-Aba Road in Imo and Abia States.

49) Completion of the Rehabilitation of Katsina-Daura road in Katsina State.

50) Completion of the Rehabilitation of Ijebu Igbo-Ajegunle- Araromi-Ife-Sekona Road (Section II), in Ogun State.

51) Emergency reinstatement of collapsed section of Gombe-Potiskum Road, (at Km 12) in Gombe State.

52) Rehabilitation of road Spur from Onitsha-Owerri road to Okija-Ihembosi-Afor Ukpor-Ebenator-Ezenifite in Anambra State.

53) Construction of 15km Interstate road from Aiyegunle-Akoko Edo in Ondo and Edo States.

54) Completion of the Rehabilitation of access roads to Warri Refinery in Delta State.

55) Completion of the Dualization of Access Road to Onne Port in Rivers State.

56) Construction of Gombe-Bypass in Gombe State.

57) Rehabilitation of Odo Oba-Takie-Gambari-Otte-Oyo State border along Ibadan-Oyo Ogbomosho-Ilorin road in Oyo State.

58) Emergency Reinstatement of collapsed section of Wukari-Mutum Biyu road in Taraba State.

59) Reinstatement of Washouts at km6+750, km30+400 and km35+325 along Onitsha-Enugu dual carriageway in Anambra and Enugu States.

60) Emergency reinstatement of Washout/Gully erosion at KM127+000 at Auchi along Okene-Benin road and Km14+000 along Auchi-Agenebode road in Edo State.

61) Construction of Langtang-Lalin-Tunkus-Shendam Road in Plateau State.

62) Rehabilitation of old Oyo-Ogbomoso road in Oyo State

63) Rehabilitation of Omuo-Ifaki road in Ekiti State.

64) Rehabilitation/Reconstruction of Lafenwa Bridge in Abeokuta in Ogun State.

65) Rehabilitation of Gombe-Numan-Yola road section II: Numan- Gombe in Adamawa and Gombe States.

66) Rehabilitation of Otta?Owode road in Ogun State.

67) Rehabilitation of Mararaba-Pambeguwa-Saminaka-Jos road section I (Mararaba-Panbeguwa) in Kaduna State.

68) Rehabilitation of Anka-Daki Takwas-Gummi road in Zamfara State. Reconstruction and Pavement Strengthening of Ikom-Mfum Road in Cross River State.

69) Reconstruction of Abakaliki-Mbok (Ogoja Junction) in Ebonyi and Cross River States.

70) Rehabilitation of Okija-Uli-Oguta Road in Imo State.

71) Rehabilitation of Asphalt Overlay of 2km Access Road to the Federal Science & Technical College in Edo State.

72) Rehabilitation of Hadejia-Nguru Road, Phase I (Hadejia-Kirikasama Section) in Jigawa State

73) Rehabilitation of Benin-Ofosu Highway in Edo State

74) Construction of 2 No. Bridges alogn Auchi Polytechnic-Ekperi- Agenebode Road in Edo State

75) Rehabilitation of Access Road to Ejigbo NNPC Depot in Lagos State

76) Rehabilitation of Apapa-Oshodi Expressway (Section I) in Lagos State

77) Rehabilitation of Ipele-Ishua Road in Ondo State

78) Periodic maintenance of Jebba-Lafiaji Road in Niger State.

79) Periodic maintenance of Takai-Albasu-Gaya Road in Kano State.

80) Periodic maintenance of Nafada-Gombe Abba Road in Gombe State.

81) Periodic maintenance of Hong-Mubi Road in Adamawa State.

82) Periodic maintenance of Okpala-Igwurita Road in Imo State.

83) Periodic maintenance of Ado-Ilumoba-Agbado-Ikare Road Section A in Ekiti State.

84) Periodic maintenance of Dingaya-Galambi-Rungo Road in Sokoto State.

85) Periodic maintenance of Rumukurshi-Chokocho Road in Cross River State.

86) Periodic maintenance of Akure-Owo Road in Ondo State.

87) Periodic maintenance of Ado-Ilumoba-Agbado-Ikare Road Section B in Ekiti State.

88) Periodic maintenance of Kurfi-Chiranchi Road in Katsina State.

89) Periodic maintenance of Lafiagi-Mokwa Road in Niger State.

90) Periodic maintenance of East-West-Odi Road in Bayelsa State.

91) Periodic maintenance of Lafia-Doma Road in Nasarawa state.

92) Construction & Rehabilitation of Vandeikya-Obudu Cattle Ranch Road,

Phase I in Benue State.

93) Construction of Abriba-Arochukwu Road, Phase I in Abia State.

94) Rehabilitation of Makurdi-Gboko Road, Phase I: Wunnune-Yendev Section in Benue State

95) Construction of Ohafia-Oso Road in Ebonyi/Abia States.

96) Rehabilitation of Section 1A of Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega- Kontagora-Makara Road, Phase I in Sokoto/Kebbi/Niger States.

97) Reconstruction of Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Kontagora-Makara Phase I, Section I in Niger State.

98) Reconstruction of Kunya-Kanya-Babura-Babban Mutum Road Phase I in Jigawa State.

99) Construction of Zing-Yakoko-Monkin Road in Taraba State.

100) Rehab. of Alkaleri-Bauchi Road in Bauchi State.

101) Construction of Aguoba-Owa-Mgbagbu Owa Ebenebe (Anambra State Border) with Spur to Aaha-Iwollo Road in Enugu State.

102) Constr. of Offa By-Pass at Offa in Kwara State. 31.87%

103) Construction of Ikot Ekpene Border-Aba-Owerri Road, Section I, Phase I in Akwa Ibom/Abia/Imo States. 21.95%

104) Rehabilitation of Calabar Ugep-Ogoja-Katsina Ala Road, Section I (Calabar-Ugep) in Cross River State. 53%

105) Reconstruction and Expansion of Lagos-Ibadan Dual Carriageway, Section I (Lagos-Shagamu) in Lagos/Ogun States -11.0%

106) Reconstruction and Expansion of Lagos-Ibadan Dual Carriageway, Section II (Shagamu-Ibadan) in Ogun/Oyo States -8.93%

107) Construction of Yenegwe-Okaki-Kolo Road in Bayelsa State -46.05%

108) Rehabilitation of Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Section II, Phase II in Lagos State.

50.53%

109) Rehab. of Mokwa-Bida Road in Niger State-25%

110) Rehabilitation of Akure-Ilesha Road in Osun/Ondo States-20%

111) Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway, Section I (Lokpanta-Umuahia Tower) in Abia State – 8.02%

112) Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway, Section II (Umuahia Tower-Aba Township Rail) in Abia State-3.5%

113) Under Water Inspection, Assessment of Pilings, River Bed, Bathymetric Survey, Profiling and Echometric Test of Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State-100%

114) Construction of Kankara-Gurbi Road in Katsina State-0.1%

115) Construction of Isoko Ring Road in Delta State -0.78%

116) Rehabilitation of Yashi-Duguri-Digare-Yalo Road (Yashi-Duguri- Digare Section) in Bauchi State -2.52%

117) Constr. of Jarmai Bashar Road in Plateau State -0%

118) Rehabilitation of Wukari-Akwana Road in Taraba State.5%

119) Construction of Ajase-Ipo-Offa-Erin Ile-Osun State Boundry in Kwara State-12%

120) Construction of Takum-Dogon Gawa Road (Katsina Ala-Takum) in Taraba State -3.12%

121) Construction of River Ebba Bridge at Cheche, Katcha in Niger State -2.73%

122) Rehabilitation of Amanwaozuzu-Uzoagba-Eziama Orie-Amaohia Road in Imo State-12.03%

123) Construction of Bida-Sacci-Nupeko Road in Niger State- 0.2%

124) Reconstruction of Nung Udoe-Etinan-Ekom Road in Akwa Ibom State-0.74%

125) Construction of Benin-Adumagbae-Egba-Akure Road in Ondo State – 0.70%

126) Rehabilitation of Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa-Birnin Gwari-Kaduna Road (Ilorin-Jebba Section) in Kwara State – 0.67%

127) Rehabilitation of Ilorin-Kabba-Obajana Road in Kwara/Kogi States-1.00%

128) Rehabilitation of Mubi-Maiha-Sarao Road with Spur from Mubi-Bukula in Adamawa State-1.5%

130) Rehabilitation of Tumu-Pindiga-Kashere (Gombe State)-Futuk-Yalo (Bauchi State)-Bashar-Dengi (Plateau State) in Bauchi State-4.93%

131) Dualization of Kano-Katsina Road Phase I: Kano Town at Dawanau Roundabout to Katsina State Border in Kano State-0.27%

132) Completion of Igboile-Okin Connector Road in Surulere LGA, Oyo State-12.20%

133) Construction of Ihiala-Orlu Road in Isseke Town- Amafuo-Ulli with Spur (Ihiala-Orlu-Umuduru Section) in Anambra State-1.54%

134) Constr. of Ikemba Drive with Spur on Oba- Okigwe Road, through Permanent Site of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Anambra State-8.41%

135) Rehabilitation of Amugo Uno-Oriemba Market ? Amugo Isiorji Onuani Road in Enugu State-16.44%

136) Rehabilitation of Amanwaozuzu-Uzoagba-Eziama-Orie-Amaohia Road in Imo State-12.03%

137) Construction of Overhead Pedestrian Bridge in Mosogar and Oghara in Delta State-34.60%

138) Rehabilitation of Abalamabe (Allison Hart) 65m Bridge in Bonny, Rivers State – 1.01%

138) Construction of Access Road to Federal Facilities at Antorun-Temidire in Ogbomosho, Oyo State-2.36%

139) Rehabilitation of Burnt Marina Bridge and Maintenance of Eko (Akpongbon) and Iddo Bridges in Lagos State-7.5%

140) Emergency Repairs of Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway in Lagos State-100%

141) Emergency Repairs of Existing Niger Bridge at Onitsha/Asaba in Anambra/Delta States-5.4%

142) Acquisition and Utilization of Multi-User License and Satellite Imagery of Nigeria (for Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation)

143) THE NEW NATIONAL BIOMETRIC SYSTEM: Under Goodluck Jonathan the New National Biometric system has detected and deleted over 73,000 Ghost/Fake pensioners from the Head of Service and police pension office! With the ELIMINATION of ghost workers over N162 billion naira has been saved.

144) CONSTRUCTION OF 35 ALMAJIRI SCHOOLS: The Fed Govt under Dr Goodluck has constructed 35 Almajiri Schools in the North to educate destitute children that roam the streets to beg. Federal Government target is to build 400 of such schools in the North.

145) NATIONAL CONFERENCE: The Nigerian National Conference was organized in 2014,.There were about 492 delegates that represented a cross-section of Nigerians including the professional bodies group. The Conference was headed by retired Chief Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi. The conference recommended a two-tier structure of Federal and State governments that vests the responsibility of the administration of the existing 774 local governments in the states. It also approved the creation of state police and the drafting of state constitutions, all of which are in response to many years of agitation to permit the states greater autonomy in local administration and in the maintenance of law and order.

146) NEW UNIVERSITY BUILT BY PRESIDENT JONATHAN: Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State. ?North Central.

147) NEW UNIVERSITY BUILT BY PRESIDENT JONATHAN: Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State. ??-North Central.

148) NEW UNIVERSITY BUILT BY PRESIDENT JONATHAN: Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State.? North East.

149) NEW UNIVERSITY BUILT BY PRESIDENT JONATHAN: Federal University, Wakari, Taraba State. ?-North East.

150) NEW UNIVERSITY BUILT BY PRESIDENT JONATHAN: Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.-North West.

151) NEW UNIVERSITY BUILT BY PRESIDENT JONATHAN: Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State.??-North West

152) NEW UNIVERSITY BUILT BY PRESIDENT JONATHAN: Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State. ?South South.

153) NEW UNIVERSITY BUILT BY PRESIDENT JONATHAN: Federal University, Ndufe-Alike, Ebonyi State.-South East.

154) NEW UNIVERSITY BUILT BY PRESIDENT JONATHAN: Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State.- (Source 148 – 156www.nollywoodmagazine.com)

155) Promotion and practice of true democracy by creating an enabling environment where people from diverse backgrounds and with divergent views and opinions can be accommodated. Under the watch of Goodluck Jonathan administration, the APC was registered by INEC as a mega opposition party big enough to challenge the PDP at both state and national levels. This would have been unthinkable some years back.

156) Conduct of free and fair elections in the country, including the 2011 poll which was adjudged to be the most credible election of its magnitude that has ever been conducted in the country, though it was not without its flaws. Unlike in other administrations, the Goodluck Jonathan administration has given a free hand to the country’s electoral umpire, INEC, to perform its statutory duties.

157) Relative non-interference with electoral and judicial matters. This is evident in the number of governorship elections that have been won both at the polls and in the court by opposition parties in Anambra, Imo, Osun states, among others.

158) Liberalization of the press and guaranteeing the freedom of speech in a country where the stifling of the press and suppression of the citizens’ right to freedom of speech used to be the norm, a legacy of over 30 years of military rule. The existence of vocal anti-government media houses and critics would have culminated in some high-profile assassinations some years back, but today citizens are free to air their views whenever and wherever they like just like any other sane country.

159) Opening up of Nigeria to the global business community and becoming Africa’s number one destination of foreign investors. In the first six months of 2014, a total of US$9.70 billion or N1.51 trillion flowed into the national economy as foreign direct investments (FDI).

160) Under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, Nigeria rebased it’s GDP for the first time in over a decade to become the largest economy in Africa, overtaking South Africa and Egypt in the process.

161) Proceeds from Nigeria’s non-oil exports rose to 2.97 billion by the end of 2013, up from 2.3 billion in 2010.

162) Initiation of the YOUWIN program in 2011. The Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YOUWIN) program aims to generate over 100,000 jobs for innovative unemployed youths across the country in the course of three years. It is currently in its third year.

163) Nigerians are now a step closer to being fully integrated into the international e-commerce community with the approval and re-inclusion of Nigeria as one of the Paypal-compliant countries after being banned from using the service at the peak of the advanced fee fraud (419 scams). With Paypal, Nigerians can now pay for goods and services online from anywhere in the world.

164) Goodluck Jonathan administration is the one behind the revival of the dead automotive industry in Nigeria. Global auto giants like Peugeot, Nissan and Hyundai now either assemble or wholly manufacture small cars, Sport Utility Vehicles, trucks and buses at various locations in Nigeria. In addition to that, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company (IVM), Nigeria’s flagship indigenous automaker, has begun the sale of their first made-in-Nigeria cars and SUVs in August 2014.

165) Under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, Nigeria became the first country in West Africa to host the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2014. It was also the most successful World Economic Forum for Africa (WEFA) in history, boasting of a global reach of 2.1 billion people according to estimates.

166) Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote’s net worth increased from US$2.1 billion at the start of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration to US$23 billion in 2014, making him Forbes’ richest black person in the world and the overall 26th richest in the world. He attributed this mammoth increase in his monetary worth to Goodluck Jonathan administration favourable economic policies.

167) Revival of the comatose railway system of transportation in the country is happening under the current Goodluck Jonathan administration.

168) Remodelling, beautification and standardization of airports across the country. In addition to that, aircraft from Nigeria are now allowed to fly directly to the United States of America instead of going through many stopovers in Amsterdam and some other European cities along/in the route. The Akanu Ibiam Airport in Enugu was upgradede into an international airport, directly connecting the South-East region of the country to the outside world for the first time since independence.

169) Computerizing education in the country with the introduction of the computer-based test (CBT) which will be mandatory for all UTME candidates from 2015.

170) Arresting the outbreak of the deadly and highly contagious Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in record time, though it unfortunately claimed some lives at the onset.

171) Nigeria has reduced its food imports by over 40% as of 2013, moving the country closer to self sufficiency in agriculture.

172) Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava with an output of over 45 million metric tonnes in 2014 according to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

173) Due to favourable economic policies, Internet penetration in Nigeria has now increased from about 45 million in 2011 to 63 million in 2014, overtaking countries such as the United Kingdom and France in the process. What this means is that more people now use the internet in Nigeria than in the UK and France.

174) As of the second quarter of 2014, the number of registered active telephone lines in Nigeria stood at 130 million out of a total of over 170 million telephone lines.

185) Introduction of the Nigerian electronic identity card (e-ID card), one of the most secure in the world d the largest in Africa. The e-ID card serves as both an international identification module and an electronic payment solution.

175) Introduction of the cashless system which aims to encourage the use of e-payment systems in the country and reduce the volume of physical cash in circulation.

176) Unbundling of the dysfunctional Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) into about 18 profit-driven successor companies.

177) Under the watch of President Goodluck Jonathan administration, Nigeria won the African Cup of Nations for the first time in 19 years in South Africa in February, 2013.

178) Nigeria ended up with 11 gold , 11 silver and 14 bronze medals at the recently concluded 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, finishing 8th in the overall ranking.

179) 35% Affirmative Action Women in politics have been given more prominent roles in the current President Goodluck Jonathan administration. A large number of the federal appointees of the Goodluck Jonathan administration are women. They include, but are not limited to, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Miriam Aloma Mukhtar, Nigeria’s first female Chief Justice; Diezani Alison-Madueke; ex-aviation minister Stella Oduah, Joy Ogwu, Nigeria’s representatives at the United Nations; Sarah Jibril; and Viola Onwuliri. (Source 157 – 187 Internet – “My Charter For Lagos” )

180) REFINERY REHABILITATION: Rehabilitation of Kaduna oil refinery after 15 years

181) RENOVATION OF AIRPORTS ACROSS THE NATION: Muritala International Airport

182) RENOVATION OF AIRPORTS ACROSS THE NATION: Kano Airport

183) RENOVATION OF AIRPORTS ACROSS THE NATION: Benin Airport

184) RENOVATION OF AIRPORTS ACROSS THE NATION: Yola Airport

185) RENOVATION OF AIRPORTS ACROSS THE NATION: Enugu Airport

186) RENOVATION OF AIRPORTS ACROSS THE NATION: Port Harcourt Airport

187) RENOVATION OF AIRPORTS ACROSS THE NATION: The Lagos MMA2 Airport

188) RENOVATION OF AIRPORTS ACROSS THE NATION: Asaba Airport

189) RENOVATION OF AIRPORTS ACROSS THE NATION: Calabar Airport

190) RENOVATION OF AIRPORTS ACROSS THE NATION: Dutse Airport

191) RENOVATION OF AIRPORTS ACROSS THE NATION: Ilorin Airport (Sources 190 – 200, LYNAIJA)

192) MASSIVE EROSION / DRAINAGE WORKS: Akwa Ibom State, Ravine, Dominic Utuk Avenue, Uyo

193) CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW RAIL TRACK AJAOKUTA: These include: Ajaokuta – Warri line of 277km;

194) REHABILITATION OF RAIL TRACK AFTER 53 YEARS: Lagos to Kano, this train service is currently in operation. The main line will run from Lagos to Kano (1,126km ? an existing metre-gauge route) and a branch loop is to be provided via the capital Abuja which currently has no railway. This is to be the first phase of a 20-year scheme which foresees a standard gauge network of about 8,000km. (Completed)

195) REHABILITATION OF RAIL TRACK AFTER 53 YEARS: Port-Harcourt – Jos – Maiduguri (Ongoing). The second phase of the project will consist of a new line from Port Harcourt to Jos (about 770km). Minister of State in Nigeria’s Transport Ministry Mallam Mohammed Aliyu signed jointly with CCECC president Lin Rongxin. Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo was present at the signing ceremony – See more at:http://www.railwaysafrica.com/?/?/09/09/nigeria-china-sign/?

196) SUPPLY OF NEW TRAIN LOCOMOTIVES: Under Good luck Jonathan the Federal Executive Council has approved the immediate purchase of 25 units of C25 EMPD standard gauge diesel-powered locomotives for the Nigerian Railways Corporation at a cost of N114 billion ($$US76.2 million), preparatory for the concession of the corporation to OPS billed for June next year.?

(Source Nigerian Railway Corporation Online)

197) 14TH LARGEST PRODUCER OF COCOA IN THE WORLD: Mr. President?s Agricultural Transformational Agenda has positioned Nigeria again as a tending producer of cocoa. In the 60?s Nigeria was number one but slipped in the 70?s, 80?s and 90?s and witnessed declining fortunes in cocoa production. The new emphasis has seen a revival in cocoa production.

198) CONSULTANCY & CONSTRUCTION OF IBAKA DEEP SEA PORT.: Under President Goodluck Jonathan consultancy on Ibaka biggest deep sea port. has been completed. Construction will commence in 2015.

199) THE GROUNDNUT PYRAMIDS ARE BACK: Under Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Groundnut pyramids in the 50 & 60?s have made a comeback through the Agricultural Transformational Agenda. Groundnut pyramids can once again be seen in Kano.

200) WORLD BANK POVERTY RATE IN NIGERIA HAS DROPPED FROM 35.2 % IN 2010 TO 33.1%: In 2013 poverty rate in Nigeria has dropped from 35.2 % in 2010 to 33.1% in 2013.Under President Jonathan’s leadership, World Bank poverty rate in Nigeria has dropped from 35.2 % in 2010 to 33.1% in 2013.

201) FERTILISER SOLD DIRECTLY TO FARMERS: The age-long chronic corruption in the gov’t subsidized fertilizer procurement & distribution has been completely wiped out.

202) INSURANCE POLICY HOLDERS FROM 500K IN 2009 TO 1.5MILLION IN 2014: President Jonathan’s smart policies have boosted insurance policy holders from 500k in 2009 to 1.5million in 2014.

203) NIGERIA #1 DESTINATION FOR FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN AFRICA: Under President Jonathan Nigeria became the #1 destination for foreign investment in Africa, attracting $7 billion in 2013.

NIGERIA THE 3RD FASTEST GROWING ECONOMY IN THE WORLD: CNN declares Nigeria the 3rd FASTEST growing economy in the world, thanks to President Jonathan’s leadership.

204) 1.6 MILLION JOBS UNDER JONATHAN’S GOV’T: The bulk of 1.6 million jobs Jonathan’s gov’t has created are in agriculture, housing manufacturing, and creative industries.

Euphemia Udoh

**Buhari must start working instead of lying

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By Rexino Ejembi

Most of the exotic promises of a quick and comprehensive change in the polity made during the electioneering campaigns are yet to be fulfilled by the new inheritors in the state .Rather ,many months after inauguration ,the old system of business as usual that ousted the PDP ,state old business networks of cronyism and cabalism are reasserting themselves under new guises.

Ironically, this is happening despite the Devine doctrinal proclivity of the change apostles and the stated reformist agenda of the new clan. Despite their efforts at attempting a solution to the problems of the state and a well oiled propaganda apparatus , they seem to have irredeemably failed to thwart the resistance and distaste of the people for the administration.The standard explanation for the seeming stagnation in the performance of the administration, which borders on the callous attitude of the past administration even though contains a degree of truth, has become a monotony. The recent publication by an online media ,Zebra Reporters which gave a graphic details of the elaborate structure of corruption in the present dispensation was horrifying .But supporters of government in their response said the past corruption networks are fighting back and that the past habits and structures of corruption in the state are still alive and strong.Nothwithstanding, the emerging consensus in informed circle is that the new leadership in the state is not as transformational as the people had envisaged.But apologists of government believes the past carnage in the state and the enduring economic turmoil in the country is responsible for the perceived ineptitude of the administration.Whether the government has the capacity to surmount this problems will be tested in days to come as payment of salaries to civil servants in the state is proving difficult.

Another Achilles heels of this regime is the recent brutal invasion of parts of the state by very deadly Fulani herdsmen.So many lives and properties have been lost in this renewed killings by this Fulani bandits.The worst hit is Agatu area of the state where scores of people have been massacred and thousands have been displaced.The authorities seems helpless in the face of this genocidal program and no form of articulated response or relief materials have been supplied to the affected areas.The opposition in the state have effectively made a mince meat of the government over this terrorist attacks.They alleged government’s indifference to the deteriorating plight of the Agatu victims may not be unconnected with the defeat of the ruling party in the area during the just concluded senatorial rerun election in Benue south.Worryingly,the attacks are taking place barely few weeks after a peace meeting between the governor and his Nasarawa state counterpart,Almakura a known sympathizer of the invaders.

The Agatu crisis and other related challenges like non payment of salaries and allowances to public office holders have put the Ortom regime in a trilema.But there can be away out of this situation if the man of God can embrace a genuine reconciliation of the people of the state.No government can thrive in an atmosphere of mutual suspicion and antagonism.Those that don’t wish Ortom well will always term all views about his administration as antagonistic of his administration ,no ,many wish him well by their constructive criticisms of his policies.He can use back channels to dialogue with opposition figures,that is politics and he is a politician..

………………………………..2

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Nigeria and the State of Qatar on Sunday in Doha signed Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) to pave way for direct flights between major cities of both countries.

Both countries also signed an agreement to avoid double taxation and tax evasion on the sideline of President Muhammadu Buhari’s state visit to Qatar.

The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, representing President Muhammadu Buhari, signed the air services agreement on behalf of the country while Qatar’s Minister of Transportation and Communications, Jassim Bin Saif Alsulaiti, signed on behalf the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hammad Al-Thani.

The agreement which was signed in the presence of both leaders is expected to pave way for more direct flights between major cities of both countries on the principle of reciprocity by the designated airlines on behalf of the country.

Sirika said after the signing of the agreement that the accord would promote trade, commerce, tourism and travel between both countries.

“Qatar is the richest country in the world at the moment in terms of per capita income, their economy is strong and their national carrier, Qatar airlines, is one of the most viable and most focused in the industry.

“They (Qatar airlines) presently fly to Nigeria but they want to fly to more cities and with the focus of the present administration in Nigeria on establishing a national carrier, we have commenced discussions on how we can partner with countries like Qatar in our quest to establish a national carrier”.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, who signed the agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes income with her Qatari counterpart, Ali Shareef Al Emadi, expressed delight that the agreement which was negotiated since February 2015 has been finalised.

“What is symbolic in this agreement is that the Qataris who are already investing heavily in Nigeria will bring in more investments because the earlier lack of an agreement to avoid double taxation was a stumbling block to some of the investors.

“I am very confident that the signing of this agreement will bring much more investment and business between Qatar and Nigeria,” she told reporters after signing the agreement.

In his remarks to journalists, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geofrey Onyeama, said President Buhari and Sheikh Al-Thani had fruitful discussions on security, oil price stability, and the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

“The Qatari leader acknowledged that President Buhari has really created an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the country.

“The Emir made the point on the war against corruption in Nigeria and the progress President Buhari is making in that front and they are of the opinion that if that problem is addressed with focused polices, the country will progress.

“The Emir also made it clear that the Qatari’s are ready to invest in Nigeria in a big way”, he said.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity)

February 28, 2016

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday in Doha emphasised the need for member states of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC members to cooperate and find a common ground to stabilise crude oil prices.

Speaking at a bilateral meeting with the Sheikh Tamim Bin Hammad Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, President Buhari described the current market situation in the industry, which has seen oil prices plummet by 70 per cent since mid-2014, as “totally unacceptable.’’

“As members of OPEC and Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), our relations in the areas of oil and gas, which our two nations heavily rely on, need to be enhanced and coordinated for the benefit of our people.

“The current market situation in the oil industry is unsustainable and totally unacceptable.

“We must cooperate both within and outside our respective organisations to find a common ground to stabilize the market, which will be beneficial to our nations,’’ the President said on the second day of his state visit to Qatar.

The President used the occasion of his address to the Emir to commend the existing cordial bilateral relations between both countries and invited prospective Qatari investors to take advantage of the abundant opportunities in Nigeria and invest in the key areas of energy, agriculture, real estate development, banking and finance.

He assured prospective investors of government protection of their persons and investment, noting that in the course of his visit, the delegations from Nigeria and Qatar would formalise at least two bilateral agreements to boost economic cooperation between both countries.

President Buhari also weighed-in on the situation in the Middle East, commending the role Qatar is playing in resolving the present Syrian crisis, the Palestinian cause and efforts in reconstructing Gaza.

“The conflicts in Yemen and Syria with their attendant humanitarian crisis need genuine international effort to solve. Nigeria as a peace loving country identifies with the State of Qatar in all her peace efforts in the world to end terrorist activities.

“Nigeria is a victim of terrorism. It is with heavy heart that I stand before you and say activities of Boko Haram have led to loss of many lives and displacement of innocent people in our dear nation.

“We, however, take pride to inform you that since our coming to power, Boko Haram has been systematically decimated and are in no position to cause serious threat to our development programs.

“I wish to reiterate that Nigeria rejects violence and extremism in all their ramifications, and assure your Highness that we are with the State of Qatar in your efforts to fight terrorism and injustice in your region and in the world at large.’’

President Buhari also called for a lasting solution to the Israeli – Palestinian conflict , saying “we in Nigeria, like the State of Qatar, favour a ‘Two State’ solution, with the State of Palestine living side by side with the State of Israel.

“I want to assure you that we will stand side by side with you, until our brothers and sisters in Palestine achieve their desired objectives.

“Our support for various Security Council resolutions restoring and respecting 1967 boundaries with Jerusalem as capital of Palestine is firm and unshaken,’’ he said.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media& Publicity)

February 28, 2016

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By Nat Apir

Wole Soyinka it was that first raised an alarm some time this Month that, the economy is on a cliff and he advocated for an emergency economic summit to prevent the collapse of the economy. Joseph Sanusi a former CBN Governor has also come out to say that the economy is in tail spin! Lamido Sanusi another former CBN governor and now, Emir of Kano , was also on BBC talking about how the economy is hemorrhaging and that propping up the Naira is a near impossible task. Emeka Anyaoku a very prominent Nigerian is also on the same page with this eminent Nigerians. But, I cannot remember anyone calling for an emergency economic summit under GEJ! And that is because he had a strong economic team – Adewunmi now President ADB, Arunma now VP world Bank, Ngozi now with the world Bank. Toh where’s PMB’s economic team?

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THE Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 600 personnel to provide security coverage for the 2016 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) starting today in all centres across the state.

This was contained in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Kareem Olanrewaju, made available to Saturday Tribune on Friday.

The statement had it that the command also deployed motorised patrol vehicles to strategic places to ensure quick response to any emergency or distress from any of the centres. Security agencies were also urged to cooperate and work in line with security arrangements on the ground.

The command warned all parents and guardians to stay clear of the centres by 200 metres

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By

Leonard Karshima Shilgba

Lee Kuan Yew wrote in his book, From Third World To First: The Singapore Story (1965-2000), the following insightful words: “After years of disheartening trial and error, we concluded that Singapore’s best hope lay with American Multinational Corporations (MNCs). When the Taiwanese and Hong Kong entrepreneurs came in the 1960s, they brought low technology such as textile and toy manufacturing, labor-intensive but large-scale. American MNCs brought higher technology in large-scale operations, creating many jobs.”

Nigeria, like the nations of Israel and Singapore (of the 1960’s), is surrounded by a plume of isolation and hostility (against our economy and people) within the African sub-regions and continent. We have and are still suffering from invasions by African belligerents—both economic and militant terrorists—including home-grown, who, for various reasons, have imagined their personal interests to lie in taking up economic (e.g. currency manipulation, smuggling, black-marketing, etc.) and military arms against their nation. Nigeria is fast losing her attractiveness as a destination for business investors. We are generally not attractive, except for various exploitations by external predators, who work hand-in-gloves with strangely deranged brethren.

In the midst of erratic pendulum-like swings of the naira, plummeting of global oil prices and resulting low external reserves, gargantuan corruption that has sunk its teeth into our educational, economic, religious, and social menu, and security challenges, some Nigerians have called for an emergency economic conference. And President Buhari has responded by approving an Economic conference, which according to reports, shall hold in a matter of weeks from now. There we go again! Like Singapore, we have suffered years of disheartening trials and errors—organizing yearly economic summits, conferences on political and socio-economic Nigeria (We just concluded one expensive National conference in 2014, whose proposals or recommendations are still gathering dust on Buhari’s office shelves; that is if his government has not already binned them). We talk and talk, without meaningful and serious actions! If President Buhari’s government cares for the advice of a “non-consequential university professor”, let me offer one: Nigeria does not need to waste money on a national Economic conference. No Nigerian government has ever lacked sound advice; rather, what Nigerian governments over the years have lacked, is sound courage, selfless will, prioritization vision, and altruistic commitment to the good of the Nigerian people. Advice alone does not make a great leader, timely and right actions do. After receiving many pieces of advice, the leader is his last counsel before actions are taken; and he is responsible for them, he alone.

In order to overcome both the geographical disadvantage and the disadvantage of size and paucity of natural resources, Prime-Minister Lee Kuan Yew came up with two broad strategies:

To leap-frog his city-state (of only two million people at the time) over its neighbors, and build strategic alliances beyond its stifling and hostile neighborhood.

To bring First World standards to a Third World environment. In Mr. Yew’s words, his strategy was to “create a First World oasis in a Third World region.”

With regard to the first strategy, Lee Kuan Yew chose to reject the fear mongers of “dependency school” economists, whose alarmist theory of neocolonialist exploitation sought to alienate the Third World from the First World. He reckoned that since Singapore had no natural resources to be exploited by neocolonialists a strategic alliance with America’s MNCs would not hurt. All Singapore had were “hard-working people, good basic infrastructure, and a government that was determined to be honest and competent.” I guess that only very few scholars will disagree that of the three ingredients, Nigeria presently lacks only the one in the middle—good basic infrastructure. I don’t think we need an Emergency Economic Conference (EEC) to arrive at this diagnosis. The big question is, do we have the resources and will to provide the good basic infrastructure to both turn our hard-working citizens into smart-working fellows, and reduce production cost? I think Buhari’s proposed budget and his government’s ongoing global engagements all answer in the affirmative. His government is looking for both internal and external funds for the development of good basic infrastructure such as roads, railways, electricity, public water, etc. I have already written copiously on how to turn around our education sector (I don’t need to bore you with that here). I must affirm, however, that we have done great damage to our physical environment, and are paying dearly for this. I hope the ministries of environment at the national, state and local levels across Nigeria, will come up with nifty waste- and erosion-management strategies, engage in beautification of the environment, and create many leisure parks that enervate the brains. Our cities, towns, and villages are too dirty, being the capitals of garbage, eye-sores that can make your thought process to be clogged! And in building profitable alliances, we must avoid branding such as “Islamic”, “Neocolonialism”, etc. We must identify our interests clearly, and build a colony of friends based on equality and equity. And we must not sacrifice our interests in order to accommodate “foreign investors.”

The underpinning philosophy for the second strategy was that if Singapore was only as good as its neighbors, there was no need for businesses to seek to establish base in the city-state. Mr. Yew was determined, therefore, to establish First World standards in health, education, transportation, telecommunication services, and public and private security, believing that if achieved, Singapore would become a “base camp for entrepreneurs, engineers, managers, and other professionals who had businesses to do with the region.”

To bring this about, Mr. Yew embarked on aggressive training and equipping of his people with skills and habits to provide First World standards of service. Hear Mr. Yew: “I believed this was possible, that we could re-educate and re-orientate our people with the help of schools, trade unions, community centers, and social organizations. If the communist China could eradicate all flies and sparrows, surely we could get our people to change their Third World habits.”

I find the Singapore experience and its conscious and insightful leadership endowment a veritable learning scenario for Nigeria and her constituent states. Buhari’s government’s mantra of “security, economy and corruption” sounds good to the ears; however, when it comes to specifics on the economy, I only hear of diversification through emphasis on “Agriculture and Solid Minerals.” Mr. President is still incoherent on human resource development—functional education (re-education and re-orientation are required; you may read my proposals in my education series: Re-engineering Nigeria’s Education Sector) and engagement with ethnic leadership groups such as Ohaneze Indigbo, Mzough u Tiv, Afenifere, Ijaw Youth Council, Arewa Youth Council, etc., and social and labor unions, through education agencies and the National Orientation Agency. The people matter. If the government encourages service providers such as electricity DISCO’s and telecommunication companies to rip-off Nigerians through outrageous bills, its objectives will be defeated. More than two years after the defective “privatization” of our electricity commonwealth and questionable doling out of our billions of naira to the new owners as bailout, things are not positively different, and Nigerians are told to pay more for darkness! We the people matter. After “privatization” of our electricity commonwealth, many parts of Nigeria have been suffering from “load-shading” because those DISCOs cannot provide new transformers. For instance, in our area in Gboko, Benue State, where I own a house, for more than two years, the Jos DISCO has placed us on “load-shading” because they claim “the transformer cannot take everyone in the area,” yet, they have not provided the right transformer, and the bills keep climbing up; and Buhari’s government has approved hike in electricity bills! We the people matter. All I am saying is that in order to develop Nigeria’s economy, the people must be developed in mind and cared for and protected by their government.

In General Topology in mathematics, we learn of a kind of topology (place study) that Nigeria requires if we are going to free up states to compete and develop. Particular Point Topology (PPT) is the topology where open sets all include a particular point in the under-study set. If we agree to restructure Nigeria in such a way that all federating units must accommodate residents, who do their businesses there and pay their taxes, as “indigenes” with full rights, then we can make progress as a people. When we talk of the economy, we refer to the people, not only physical infrastructure.

One Republican presidential aspirant in USA has not hidden the fact that if he becomes president, he will “protect” America, engage in “smart” trade deals for his country, tighten immigration to his country, and re-define “free trade” in a way that favors America. The present occupant of the Oval office has since weaned America from foreign oil and stopped buying Nigeria’s crude oil (we are all feeling the impact of this). Do we think, if this fellow becomes America’s president and starts making good his promises, Nigeria and Nigerians will not be affected, even as China shall surely get the short end of the stick? What counter measures are we putting together? What strategies are we putting in place to reduce or discourage education and medical tourism that are both a drain on our foreign reserves and economy; do we have better home-grown alternatives? Do we have plans to attract back home the needed intellectual skills with good basic infrastructure and remuneration?

Let me conclude with this: Our needs are basic and not sophisticated. Our problem is not lack of money. Nigeria has not lost money, it is still with Nigerians. The confidence of many Nigerians in their country remains shaken, and that is recipe for social and economic decay and unrest. The people do not feel or believe their governments care enough for them to protect them from the unscrupulous business world; in fact, they are victims of the oppression of government agencies. We dread our government officials. In their imperious disposition towards the people, we, the people, have none to turn to, except to the supreme God, who is being poorly represented today in our country by very proud and equally imperious “men of God.” I have been so discouraged lately about Nigeria, and refused to write about her for a long time. But I could not resist the urge to write this piece. I weep, O, I weep for my country. We don’t have a nation yet.

shilgba@yahoo.com; 08055024356.

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Three years after the formation of the All Progressive Congress (APC), President Mohammadu Buhari has on Wednesday reportedly accused some members from the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the party (APC) of budget manipulation and padding, affirming that those to whom the budget racketeering might be traced shall never go scot free.

APC as a political party which was formed on 6th February, 2013 in anticipation of the 2015 elections, comprised of Nigeria’s three biggest opposition parties- the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

In similar development, some leaders of the defunct ACN were in the Aso Villa on Wednesday where issues relating to their hands in the controversial 2016 budget and the incoming congress of the APC among others were discussed.

According to sources, the leadership of the defunct ACN berated President Buhari over their alleged involvement in budget manipulation and overloading, saying it was uncalled for and at the same a calculated attempt to terminate the mutual relationship that has long time existed among the unified party, APC; adding that, “the diplomatic moves by the president’s kinsmen to hijack the structure of the party in totality at the forthcoming congress shall not only be resisted but rejected.

“I want to believe we’ve not travelled too far as a party. Therefore, those inciting the president against factions in the progressives should entertain a rethink before their actions and inaction boomerang.”

It was learnt that the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed had in Lagos on February 19 said, “Let me make it clear that nobody can ever accuse this government of padding any budget. The total of all ministries put together has not exceeded N6.08 trillion that was submitted. It is factually incorrect to say that the budget was padded.”

In a counter claim which has started generating controversy within the progressives, President Buhari in Saudi Arabia on February 23, said, “My budget is not what is being debated at the National Assembly. What they have was heavily padded. Never heard of budget padding all my life. It is very embarrassing and disappointing. We will not allow those who did it to go unpublished.”

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who led other party leaders to the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in the Villa, has vowed to continue supporting the present federal government administration until he’s either directly or indirectly prevented from doing so.

He said; “Ever since the formation of APC three years ago, there has never been a moment of regret for me or my men. Therefore I want to believe the president was quoted out of context. He has no moral right to describe us as budget scammers.

“Again, since Lai Mohammed has been appointed the Minister of Information, it has been noted that the image of our party hasn’t been well painted in the public as it used to be. We need another able hand to relieve him, and we can’t afford zoning such a sensitive post among others to the academically retarded region in the country.”

He pleaded with his men not to dwell on the accusation and assured them of transparent processes in the election of the party’s executives.

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The senator representing Ogun-East Senatorial District and the Founder of Omoilu Foundation,Senator Buruji Kashamu has urged members of the foundation to remain loyal and support the body in its efforts towards eradicating poverty across the state.

He spoke at a meeting held on Sunday,28 February,2016 in Ijebu-Igbo in Ogun State where members across the twenty local government areas were in attendance.

Kashamu assured members of his readiness to support the masses with his God-given resources.

He praised the people for their constant support and promised not to let them down.

His words, “Let me begin with the fact that without your commitment, constant support and prayers, we will not be where we are today.

“Today, I must recognise the sacrifices that have been made by you all, the understanding and above all your working together to ensure I was victorious in the last National Assembly election. I equally urge you to do more.

“I want you to ensure that the entire process of selecting the first batch of beneficiaries of the interest-free micro loan across the 20 local government areas is completed and must be implemented in a transparent and democratic manner by reputable micro-finance banks in our different localities.”

Senator Kashamu announced the donation of 13 vehicles and 20 motorcycles for immediate release to the beneficiaries.

He also announced that 163 sewing machines and 180 generators are ready for distribution as part of his empowerment programme for his constituents.

Senator Kashamu declared that as the only PDP senator in the state, he cannot restrict himself alone to his immediate constituency, hence he announced that 150 generators and 200 sewing machines will be distributed across Ogun Central and Ogun West senatorial districts within two weeks at 75 generators and 100 sewing machines per senatorial district.

“I am glad to announce to you all that 163 sewing machines and 180 generators are ready for distribution as empowerment to the people of Ogun east senatorial district while 100 sewing machines and 75 generators shall also be given to each of Ogun central and Ogun west senatorial districts as empowerment in the two zones also.

“For those saddled with the responsibilities of coordinating the distribution of the items from the state to the ward levels, I urge you to be transparent and avoid being sentimental.

“Omoilu Foundation has always taken the lead as a pacesetter in terms of improving the well-being of the people of Ogun State, and it must retain the position of being the world model for social responsibility,” Senator Kashamu added

The State Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engr. Bayo Dayo said Senator Kashamu is consistently working towards the well-being of the people of the state.

He said, “Empowerment of this magnitude will no doubt contribute immensely to the the standard of living of the people of Ogun State.

“This act of philanthropy, if emulated by other political office holders, will ease the suffering of the masses.

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The emir of Kano, Malam Sanusi Lamido II has ordered the Sharia Commission in the state to liaise with office of the Deputy Inspector General of police, zone 1 to immediately commence process of repatriating the a 14-year old teenager, Ese Oruru allegedly abducted in Bayelsa state.

Ese was allegedly kidnapped by one Yunusa in Opolo, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, in August, 2015.

He reportedly renamed her Aishat on arriving Kano State.

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, former minister of finance Obi Ezekwesili as well as the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Hajia Aishat Al-Hassan have shown interest in Ese’s case, demanding her immediate release.

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Immediate past president of the Senate Senator David Mark has stated that his victory at the Benue South rerun election is a renewed mandate to continue to serve God and humanity without blemish.

Senator Mark said this when he received his certificate of return at Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) headquarters today in Abuja.

His words: “for the confidence, trust and love for me , I will continue to serve honestly with all my heart. My actions will always be guided by the fear of God”.

Senator Mark expressed appreciation to the people of Benue South and Nigerians alike for the support and prayers that ensured his success at the polls.

” My election is unique. I hold this certificate in trust and for the service to my people and Nigerians alike. I will serve honestly and with the fear of God”, he stressed.

Senator Mark praised INEC for a good job so far but craves for improvement in future polls.

He believes that the electioneering process should be less cumbersome to enable more qualified Nigerians participate.

Handing over the certificate to Senator Mark, INEC national commissioner Chief Lawrence Nwuruku assisted by his colleague Prince Solomon Soyebi said the certificate is a confirmation that he won the Benue South Senatorial rerun election according to the rules and regulations guiding the conduct of elections.

He reminded elected public officers that election is a process towards rendering services to the society and making life much more easier and meaningful to the ordinary man.

Senator Mark is the only Nigerian till the date who has contested Senatorial election six times, won six times and received certificate of return six times.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja Monday remanded the immediate past Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, in Prison custody over his alleged roles in the N676million immigration recruitment scam.

Justice Anwuli Chikere, ordered that Moro be remanded at Kuje prison after the former Minister pleaded not guilty to an 11-count criminal charge that was preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The court however granted an administrative bail to the 2nd defendant, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia, who was the ‎Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Interior when the alleged fraud was committed. Daniel-Nwobia, nursing a baby, had through her lawyer, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, sought the permission of the court to allow her go home and take care of her baby.

Also remanded in prison custody was ‎a Deputy Director in the Interior Ministry, Mr. F. O Alayebami

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Immediate past president of the Senate, Senator David Mark has stated that his victory at the Benue South rerun election is a renewed mandate to continue to serve God and humanity without blemish. Senator Mark said this when he received his certificate of return at Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) headquarters today in Abuja

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• Nwafor (in hat) and his supporters being received by Nwoga in Amafor Ugbawka…yesterday.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Enugu State, Anthony Nwafor, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Also, party executives in Nkanu East and West councils and their supporters, joined the fray.

Nwafor said: “I am happy today that I am joining the APC. I chose to join the APC for several reasons; the least being that our people decided to join APC. This is a game of people; if your people say they want you to go here, it is best to go with your people.

“But aside that, the most important reason for joining the APC is because of the wind of change blowing. I seem to have fallen for most of their tenets and aspirations, as well as their aims and objectives; I love it.

“I love the fight against corruption; that alone drew me to admire the party because it is in tandem with my stance, having been a member of the anti-corruption fight in Nigeria.”

On hand to receive Nwafor and his supporters were the state Chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye, and the Southeast Chairman, Chief Anike Nwoga.

Nwoye assured them that there was no discrimination between old and new members, noting that every member has equal rights and privileges

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Long queues of vehicles have returned to filling stations in Lagos. No thanks to fuel scarcity.

Many filling stations did not open for business. Others that opened and sold fuel at the official pump price of N86.50 were observed deducting N50 or N100 from buyers, depending on the quantity of litres they bought.

When The Nation visited some filling stations in the metropolis, the queues of residents buying in jerry cans were longer than that of motorists.

The situation was compounded by poor power supply.

The queues created gridlock along the routes housing filling stations and the highways, especially at the Omole junction to Berger on Lagos-Ibadan road.

A Keke Marwa operator in Agege, Timothy, said he bought 10 litres of fuel and the fuel attendant collected N100 as bribe from him.

He said: “When will I stop to suffer in this country. I couldn’t even say a word when she deducted the money because I was on queue for over six hours. I just needed to work today because we don’t pay for any ticket on Sundays.”

A resident in Oshodi, Mr. Jobi Atobatele, said he had to leave his house to buy fuel because he could not stand the heat.

“I sent my son last night to buy fuel, but he said the queue was long and that they only attended to area boys. I am out today and I must say the situation is not better.

“I will make sure I buy fuel because we hardly have light these days. I refuse to adapt to things like this because it is painful. Everything changed in the country within weeks. Where is the problem from?” he lamented

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The Secretary to Rivers State Government, Hon. Kenneth B. Kobani, led a delegation of top PDP leaders in South East Senatorial District to Yeghe community yesterday to condole with families of the victims of the military raid in Yeghe, Bori and other communities in Khana LGA.

Speaking at the occasion, Hon. Kobani condemned in strong terms what he considers as a politically induced calculated attempt by the military to decimate the Ogoni population in order to further impoverish them politically. He emphasized that the recent action of the military in Ogoni Communities without the knowledge of the Governor who is the Chief Security Officer of the state was totally unacceptable. This was purely a condolence and humanitarian visit to his people who were still traumatized by the military invasion of their land.

He stressed that the magnitude of the destruction in Ogoni the harvest of innocent souls to death is not something that one sits in the comfort of one’s office and merely comment on. Hon. Kobani added that this made necessary for him and other PDP members in Rivers South East Senatorial district to visit the bereaved.

He encouraged the bereaved families to put their hope in God and co-operate with the Rivers State Government which is practically doing its best to unravelling the reason behind the military invasion in Ogoni.

Hon. Kobani advised the youths of Ogoni to eschew violence and embrace peace. He enjoined them to remain law-abiding and co-operate with the government in the state in its task to delivering on all its campaign promises. Hon. Kobani ended by re-emphasizing that it is incumbent on all Ogonis to renegotiate for a peaceful co-existence among themselves as an indivisible ethnic nationality and in their relationship with strangers.

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THE Corps Marsha of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi has engaged with the Dangote Industries Limited over frequent cases of road traffic crashes involving the company’s articulated vehicles.

The meeting it was learnt culminated into adoption of a workable roadmap between FRSC and Dangote company towards reduction of crashes on the highways.

One of the things agreed on, was for the company to immediately commence removal of all its broken down vehicles on the highways across the country while ensuring faithful implementation of the resolutions reached at the interactive session.

Speaking at the end of the meeting with members of the Management of the company, the Corps Marshal reiterated that government would be more vigilant in monitoring the activities of the drivers of the company to determine its compliance with the safety roadmap drawn, saying the meeting was called to brainstorm on the increasing rate of road traffic crashes involving the company’s vehicles.

Head, Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC, Mr Bisi Kazeem, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, the Corps Marshal said FRSC has observed that Dangote Group operates one of the largest number of fleet of articulated vehicles in the country.

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