ABUJA — The Presidency, Wednesday, chided the All Progressives Congress, APC, over its claim that President Jonathan is running the economy aground before handing over, saying “the allegation is immature, reckless and out of tune with the President’s desire and patriotic commitment to a peaceful transfer of power.”
Special Adviser to the President on
Political Affairs, Prof. Rufai Alkali, who reacted to APC’s allegation,
yesterday, urged the party to talk less and plan more as the nation moves
towards May 29 inauguration date.
Alkali reminded APC that “governance
is a serious business,” adding that “with the sudden and unexpected concession
of victory to them, it appears that the APC is beginning to face the full reality
of managing the great challenges of a complex nation.
“Their recent, frequent and
unnecessary attacks on the President clearly shows that they are losing their
nerves and are beginning to lay foundation to justify their failures in the
near future and we want to remind them that Nigerians are not ready to accept
any excuses for their failure. They promised to bring change, so they must
bring positive change to the well-being of Nigerians and urgently too.
Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali
“Nigerians will recall that shortly
after the results of the Presidential elections were announced, President
Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated a high powered transition committee to plan and
organise a hitch-free transition programme for the inauguration of the incoming
administration.
Surprisingly, it took the APC more
than three weeks to wake up to its responsibility to constitute its own
transition committee. How then can they turn round to accuse the government of
frustrating the transition programme?
“Since the setting up of the
committee, the President and the entire machinery of the Federal Government
have been put on the transition mood and all government officers have been
giving maximum cooperation to the incoming transition committee.
“By the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, President Jonathan remains in office up to May 29, 2015
when he formally hands over to the incoming President. The machinery of
government cannot be put on hold or frozen because the country is in
transition”
FEC approves draft National Policy
on Renewable Energy
Meanwhile, the Federal Executive
Council, FEC, yesterday approved a draft National Policy on Renewable
Energy and Energy Efficiency for the country even as the council offered
special prayers to mark the 5th anniversay of President Goodluck Jonathan in
office.
Addressing State House
correspondents after the meeting, Minister of Information, Mrs Patricia
Akwashiki and Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said the country was
blessed with vast hydro, solar, wind and other sources of energy, hence the
need for a policy for renewable energy.
According to Nebo, the policy would
promote increased access to electricity by Nigerians and improve energy mix as
well as energy security. He said the policy would also create jobs for the
nation’s teeming youths.
He said: “The overall policy
objective is to increase access using renewable energy mix, create new business
opportunities and new jobs, support global efforts towards green economies and
addressing climate change problems.
“I addition, the policy will also
promote and encourage efficient use of energy and energy conservation in
Nigeria.
“After due consideration, council approved the Draft National Policy on Renewable Energy and Efficiency for Nigeria.”
“After due consideration, council approved the Draft National Policy on Renewable Energy and Efficiency for Nigeria.”
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Special prayers to mark Jonathan’s
5th year in office
Meanwhile, the special prayers to
mark the 5th anniversary of President Goodluck in office, took most members of
the council by surprise as most of them, who did not remember the date, saw the
Minister of Labour, Chinedu Nebo, an ordained minister in the Anglican
Communion and Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, offering Christian
and Muslim prayers respectively.
President Jonathan was
sworn-in on May 6, 2010 by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloysius
Katsina-Alu, following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua.
Jonathan, who came into the council
chambers, announced the news of his swearing-in five years ago.
After the National Anthem and
National Pledge, Jonathan threw a poser at the ministers that one of them
was marking his birthday.
He said instead of the usual national prayer, two members of council, a Christian and a Muslim, should offer prayers for the council member before the meeting would continue with the day’s business.
He said instead of the usual national prayer, two members of council, a Christian and a Muslim, should offer prayers for the council member before the meeting would continue with the day’s business.
The ministers looked round at each
other in surprise, wondering who the celebrant was without any clue.
Jonathan then reminded them that May 6, 2015 marks his 5th year as substantive
President.
All cabinet members clapped joyfully
before Nebo, said the Christian prayer while Yuguda said the Muslim prayer.
After the National Pledge, Jonathan
said: “Today, we will not say the national prayer. Somebody is celebrating
birthday so we will offer special prayers for him. Two very Godly people will
pray, Nebo and Yuguda. Do you know the person?”
When they could not answer, he said:
“On May 6, exactly five years today, I was sworn-in as substantive President.”
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