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Nigeria ’ll Not Split, 2015…Jonathan Assures On Eid-el-Fitri…IBB, Sultan, Others Urge Prayers, Peace
L-R:The Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed; Vice-President Namadi Sambo; National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki; Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim; IGP, Mohammed Abubakar and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore, during the Eid-el-fitr prayer in Abuja , yesterday. Leading the prayer is the Chief Imam of National Mosque, Alhaji Musa Mohammed
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday frowned at those predicting the disintegration of Nigeria by 2015, saying such people or organisations would be disappointed.
Jonathan said this when, Vice President Namadi Sambo and other Muslim faithful, paid him Sallah homage at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to him, some of the problems the country is experiencing are temporary and largely being fuelled by some selfish elites.
“Let me use this opportunity again to also reassure you, Moslem brothers, and indeed, the whole country that myself, the vice president and our team will do our best to reposition the country.
“Christians and Moslems are brothers and sisters and we must live together. Those who are predicting that this country will separate based on our frontlines as at the time of amalgamation by 2015, they will know that those predictions may not be true.’’
He said that Nigeria would continue to remain one indivisible country, noting that Nigeria’s uniqueness was borne out of its position as “a deeply religious people of Christians and Muslims”.
“For us, we cannot imagine a Nigeria without Muslims and Christians. You can call it another name, but not Nigeria.
“So it is a blessing that this is one country that you have significant population of Muslims and Christians and this religious diversity will enhance our development because we can get across the whole world wherever we go we are accepted.
“That helps us in so many ways. We are not even exploiting our diversity because of the myopic views of the elites about our situations,’’ he said.
The president, who also joined the Muslim community in observing the fasting for 29 days, congratulated all Muslims for the successful fasting.
“My brothers and sisters assalam alaiku. Let me first and foremost use this unique opportunity to congratulate all Muslim brothers and sisters from this great country, and indeed, all over the world for going through this tempting period, in this month of Ramadan in the Holy month that the Qur’an was revealed to humanity.
“Sometimes, when you are not involved in fasting, you will think it is an easy thing to go through. My trousers are just pulling out from my waist.
“So you should know that it is not easy to forego food for a reasonable time within 24 hours of the day.
“For you to have gone through this is worth congratulations, so I congratulate you.”
Jonathan called for more prayers not just for peace in the country, but in the world, saying that “there can be no development without peace.
“Today is a unique day, and I urge our Muslim brothers and sisters that they should continue to pray for peace not just in Nigeria but all over the world.
“If you watch television these days, more than 60 per cent of the time is spent on showing crises all over the world.
“And for the world to move ahead and for Nigeria to move ahead, for us to develop first and foremost, there must be peace and security.
“Nobody will come and invest in an environment where you are not sure of your workers and investment.
“As a nation, for our children to get where we want them to be, we must create a very peaceful environment for them.
So, they can develop mentally and be focused and use their brains in a manner that will bring economic changes to us.
“In Nigeria, we are very religious people and we believe in one Almighty God and we will continue to pray, God will see us through,’’ he said.
Jonathan reiterated the commitment of his administration’s determination to reposition the country for better.
Earlier, in his remarks, Sambo thanked Jonathan for providing the required leadership in the country.
He said Nigerians had started witnessing the fruitful results of the ongoing transformation agenda of the government.
“We are here again this morning after the Eid prayer to pay homage to your Excellency and to thank you for all you have been giving to Nigeria.
“We appreciate the fatherly nature you have continued to hold us, the brotherly nature that you have been a teacher and a leader to all of us and we are learning about.
“We continue to pray that the transformation agenda which already is showing effect in this country particularly when you look at the area of power supply, the area of transportation.
“Today we have railway that is moving in this country after over 40 years.”
In Minna, Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, former military Heads of State, were among the Muslim faithful, who worshipped at the Minna main Eid prayer ground.
Abubakar urged Nigerians to imbibe the lesson of the Ramadan fasting by living peacefully with one another irrespective of difference in religion and ethnic grouping.
In a sermon, Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Bahago, called on people to support government programmes, especially the polio campaign by allowing their wards to be immunised.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, also called on Islamic and Christian clergy to preach with the absolute fear of God in the country.
The Sultan said this in his Sallah message to the Muslim faithful in Nigeria to mark the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations.
Abubakar said the clergy should fear Allah and live above their own selfish interests while preaching to their followers.
The monarch also said that it was not right for a non-Muslim to interfere in the affairs of the Muslims and Islam or to impose his views on the religion he did not profess.
Abubakar also commended the Federal Government for constituting the committee on the security challenges in the north.
He pledged that the Sokoto Sultanate Council would continue to partner with the three tiers of government with a view to further improving the living standard of the people.
Governors Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, and the Speaker of Niger, Alhaji Adamu Usman, called on citizens to use the opportunity to reflect on love and compassion for mankind.
Oshiomhole also prayed God to accept the supplications made by the faithful during the Ramadan and bestow unparalleled blessings on the people.
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun admonished Muslims not to go back to sin after the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State urged Muslims to use the Eid-el-Fitri celebration to pray for peace, unity and economic emancipation of the state and the nation.
Ajimobi in his Eid-el-Fitri message issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Festus Adedayo, also urged Muslims to imbibe the teachings of Prophet Mohammed on the essence of Ramadan fasting.
Similarly, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, called on the people of the state to continue to pray for the sustenance of peace and stability in the state and the country.
Bayero told Muslims faithful at his Palace after the Eid-el-Fitri prayer at the Central Mosque, Kano, that no society could achieve any meaningful development in an atmosphere of rancor and uncertainty.
Represented by Wamban Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, the emir warned the people, particularly Kano residents, to desist from indiscriminate building of structures on water ways to avoid flood disaster.
The Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Sunusi, prayed for peace and mutual co-existence among the people in the country, and advised Muslims to consider the fasting as a period of repentance and sober reflections.
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DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.