May 29, 2015 : Samuel Awoyinfa

The Archbishop of Remo, Ijebu, Yewa and Egba, Methodist Church Nigeria, Luke Odubanjo, has called on the incoming President, Muhammadu Buhari, to tackle unemployment and corruption.

He made this call on Thursday in Abeokuta while briefing journalists on the apostolic visit of the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Chukwuemeka Uche, to Ogun State, beginning on Sunday, May 31.

The cleric said the incoming administration should provide jobs for the teeming unemployed youths and block all the channels through which the nation’s commonwealth was being siphoned so that the country could witness a new dawn.

He said, “The Muhammadu Buhari’s administration should tackle the problems of unemployment and corruption. No parent prays to spend so much to send his children to school and those children still return and still depend on that parent.

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“Again, corruption starts from the family. So, the President, governors, and legislators must all decide to end corruption by blocking all the channels through which corrupt practices are exhibited. They all must serve the people sincerely and kick corruption out of the system.”

He advised Buhari not to discriminate against any religion or political party, but to carry everyone along in the interest of the nation.

Odubanjo, who said the Prelate would be in the state for seven days, asked that the church be allowed to partner government in the area of provision of education as government alone could not fund the sector.

He said there was the need for government to address infrastructural decay and declining education quality in the nation’s institutions.

The cleric called on the state government to return missionaries schools to their founders, adding that this would bring back discipline and moral values into the education sector.

He said, “No government runs education alone. In so many climes, the government allows individuals and churches to run education. We are appealing to government to return all mission schools to their founders.”

Odubanjo, who called on members of the church in the state to give the Prelate a rousing welcome, said His eminence would also pay courtesy visits to the state Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and the paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo.

May 29, 2015 : 

Adegbite, Isaac and Ikponmwosa

President Goodluck Jonathan in his handover speech on Thursday said his administration has done its best to “intervene robustly and impact positively on key aspects of our national life.” In this piece, Nigerians, however, rated the President as having underperformed

Of course President Jonathan will never agree with anyone that his government failed. Before our very eyes, during the reign of President Jonathan, students of tertiary institutions were home for almost a year because of strike. And we had a President with an academic PhD! It’s quite unfortunate.

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Those who wear the shoe know where it pinches them. Ask any ordinary Nigerian today what he feels about the outgoing administration; you will be shocked at what he will tell you. The litany of his woeful performance is endless. It’s my hope that President Muhammadu Buhari will go in there and get the job done.

–Dayo Williams

I will say many of us living outside the country know that Jonathan has done little compare to the weight of trust reposed in him. I will say emphatically that the instability in power supply is nothing to write home about no matter the presentations of the outgoing president.

The administration also failed to strengthen the authority to fight corruption. Inability to prosecute corrupt government officials is a huge failure on his part.

–Fagbamigbe Victor

If he claimed to have met the expectations of the Nigerian people, that is a fraud of gargantuan proportion. It is absolutely untrue that Jonathan did well for Nigerians. You can imagine the terrible economic legacy he is leaving behind. Is it the hardship or hike in fuel price we should focus on? Or how he left us groaning in hardship in December? I didn’t get both November and December salaries so I could not reunite with my family even as a federal civil servant here in Abuja. interestingly, I shall only remember President Jonathan for his unflagging   support for the development of sports.

–Olalekan Faseesin

Although the outgoing president tried his best during his tenure, his best was far below what Nigerians expected and he ended up disappointing us. We had high expectations and that was why we elected him as the President but from the beginning of his tenure, the country witnessedg serious problem in the petroleum industry. The country witnessed the highest level of corruption during Jonathan’s time. We believed that he would bring us good luck but he turned out to bring bad luck in abundance. He has failed the nation as far as I am concerned.

–David Olorunsogo

Of course Jonathan has performed beyond our expectation. One of the major things he laid emphasis on during his campaign was that he had no shoes.

During his tenure, apart from getting shoes for himself which I am sure he did, he also did some good works.

He renovated and revived our rail stations and renovated roads too, among others. He has done more than buying shoes by creating ways for the shoes to be used. He is right.

–Tola Adegbite

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan tried his best for Nigeria, although many people may criticise him, those people should understand that it is not easy to lead a large country as Nigeria.

Boko Haram did not start with Jonathan government. Today, his administration and the military have shown them pepper. The government has reduced the effect of insurgency.

Also Jonathan provided many good roads across the country. He also ensured peace and stability of the country by accepting his electoral defeat.

–Abdulganiyu Adesina

He did not meet the expectations of Nigerians. If not for the people that surrounded him and gave him problems, he probably would have done better. To be a leader is not an easy thing.

He tried his best. But the issue of corruption really affected his administration. I will score him 50 per cent.

–Pastor Ojo S.P.

In the area of sports which is my jurisdiction, Jonathan tried a lot by rewarding excellence unlike his predecessors. In his six years in charge, sportsmen are now proud owner of houses and cars.

Although some directors in the National Sports Commission abused by underpaying these sportsmen and sportswomen due to the lacuna in the system.

He has been a failure.Initially, we thought he was an angel but he turned out to be something else. Now he is leaving Nigeria worse than Sanni Abacha left it.

–Oni Afolabi

Jonathan is not a bad man. I believe he was a successful President despite those challenges.

I have never seen a President that will be as bold as to concede defeat in the election. He also gave us a free and fair election.

–Olawale Majolagbe

Although he rode to power in the most unusual of circumstances, his administration can be summed up as a total failure except for those persons who still measure performance based on yardsticks such as ‘our son’ or ‘our brother-in-faith’.

–Modiu Olaguro

Compared to the previous Peoples Democratic Party administrations, President Goodluck Jonathan performed. But there were some grey areas in his administration, like power and unemployment, which I think the new administration should focus on.

–Benjamin Ikponmwosa

Nobody will say that his mother’s soup is not sweet.

But as far as I’m concerned, I will give him a weak pass because we cannot deny the fact that he did much, as far as education is concerned.

–Achilike Njoku

Jonathan has performed lower than the people’s expectations. I was not expecting this performance from Jonathan looking at his academic profile. He ought to have worked better to justify how he emerged.

Looking at the education sector, there was a major setback during his tenure. The lecturers were on strike for more than eight months and one of them even died during a protest.

Also on security, Nigeria lost a lot of soldiers during this administration in the failed fight against terrorism. On employment generation, the youths are also disappointed.

–Olakunle Samuel

Goodluck Jonathan ‘s administration is a flop. He promised a lot of things most especially during the subsidy removal in January 2012.

He said his administration would build refineries and use the savings from the subsidy to do some investments but we hardly see any.

I was a staunch supporter of Jonathan before but I realised he makes decision without proper planning.

The removal of subsidy was an instance. My hope is that with the incoming government, poor planning, maladministration and corruption will end.

–Benedict Nyere

It has been a wonderful experience. The world itself is full of deceit and people with different opinions and mentality. For me, Jonathan’s administration is the most transparent democracy ever in this country.

The man (Jonathan) has the mental strength to take Nigeria to the next level but he was not given the opportunity. He has done his best possible. His legacy will not be felt until he leaves the office. The northerners benefitted from his administration a lot.

But come to think of it, they initiated Boko Haram. If not for that, he would have executed the seven points agenda of the late (Umar) Yar’Adua very well. He has everything at his disposal but northerners did not give him the opportunity.

“What I consider to be his weakness is that he allows his ministers to make major decisions for him and he is not quick to react to issues. He takes things lightly which is not supposed to be. He allows some ministers to take irrational decisions for him. As the number one citizen of this country, you should stamp your authority.

–Ukpenetu Emmanuel

He has tried his best. All of us know that there is no best way of managing a country. Everybody must contribute his own quota until we arrive at that point.

President Jonathan has contributed his best as the leader. I agree with the President when he said he has tried his best.

Take a look at the railway system that has died long ago, he has done a lot to revamp it.

We expect the incoming President to also contribute his own quota.

By so doing, at a point, we will meet up. It is not possible to turn Nigeria to Dubai in four years. (Muhammadu Buhari) cannot achieve that within four years.

I know that he (Buhari) will try his best like Jonathan, but he cannot transform Nigeria within four years.

–Churchill

I didn’t expect him to say that he has not done well. Jonathan started very well. But he messed it up because of his ambition.

–Tosaýusuanlele Ovoramen

The Jonathan administration is an example of an inept leadership.

He lacked the political capital and will to redefine the country on the path of success.

Little wonder his regime was an abysmal failure.

–Adebayo Hezekiah Olusegun

Goodbye to a President with so many advisers, yet foolish policies! Sorrow,tears and blood. May we not witness such a clueless government like GEJ in Nigeria again.

Despite the chronic fuel scarcity, no meaningful word from our President, this was exactly how Boko Haram took over. What manner of transformation!

–Abiola Isaac

One good thing that can be ascribed to Jonathan is his conduct of a free and fair election and smooth transition.

Also in the automobile industry and agriculture, I think he also delivered.

But generally, I would rate him 30 per cent. He has done fairly well. He has not met the expectations of many Nigerians.

–Akinwande Olawale

Jonathan would have been one of the country’s best Presidents, except for the corruption in his administration. Jonathan did well in areas like agriculture.

He got it wrong in the area of security.

He did not fight the terrorism war as he should and the opposition actually used this against him.

–Tunde Fadipe

The truth is that President Jonathan has tried his best. Sponsoring youths for training in the amnesty programme is a good achievement.

Some of the beneficiaries that I know of are now able to pay their bills with what they benefitted from the training.

He (Jonathan) has achieved a lot, but because there is so much pressure on him, many people will not realise it now.

–Abraham

I can’t explain GEJ’s thought process; I don’t understand the reasons for his actions and inactions. He alone can explain that. He sat in that office long enough to have brought the desired transformation but he didn’t. During his reign, corruption festered and there were lots of financial mismanagement. His administration so failed that the electorate just wanted a change at all cost.

–Opeyemi Ibraheem

Well, personally, I’ll neither describe GEJ as a success nor a failure. He had his good sides and bad sides as the president. He had the privilege to be the most revered leader in Nigeria but he was too timid to step on some toes.

So much was entrusted to him, he did his bit though, but they weren’t just enough to win the hearts of the masses. To get the hands of the people, you must first get their hearts. Since he couldn’t win their hearts, those same hands voted him out!

–Solomouth Wilfred

In some aspects well we might consider him a success such as the FOI bill signed into law. Again in the construction of some major federal roads – an instance of that is the Lagos-Ibadan expressway and some others in the East. Moreover, in his work of equipping the Almajiris educationally and exposing some of them to the light of knowledge.

However, on the whole President Jonathan’s administration has, from a quick look, failed woefully. He hasn’t touched the lives of Nigerians largely. See Nigerians are thirsty of the dividends of democracy. 1999 till date, we have moved through administrations of selfish leaders who lured us into voting for them with their empty promises that were unaccomplished.

Now when it got to the time of Jonathan, we thought because he had the background he claimed to have, we thought he would know what it means to suffer. But we were wrong! No development in the real sense or I just don’t see it. I wouldn’t know if anyone does.

–Akintayo Oluremi    

Unruffled by corruption and thrusting luck, religious and ethnic sentiments forward, Goodluck Jonathan and his acolytes tricked Nigerians, took the country backwards and brought it to the present precipice.

May 29, 2015 : Ramon Oladimeji 

A Federal High Court in Lagos has barred the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission from giving effect to its proposed increment in electricity tariff.

Justice Mohammed Idris made the order on Thursday after a Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Toluwani Adebiyi, had moved an ex parte application to that effect.

The Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, had at a recent press conference in Abuja, disclosed the plan by the commission to implement an upward review of electricity tariff payable by Nigerians.

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The proposed increment, Amadi said was billed to commence from June 1, 2015.

But Adebiyi, who claimed that the proposed increment would “foist further hardship on Nigerians,” had appeared in court on Thursday with a motion ex parte praying the court to stop it.

Amadi, while canvassing argument before the court, contended that any increment in tariff was unjustifiable in the face of poor or erratic supply of electricity by the distributing companies.

According to the lawyer, if the proposed increment was allowed, most electricity companies would retain the N750 fixed charge.

Justice Idris, after hearing the application, ordered that the status quo be maintained pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The judge ordered the plaintiff to serve the motion on notice and other processes in the suit on the NERC.

Justice Idris also granted leave to the applicant to serve the originating summons, the affidavit in support, list of exhibits and the written address on the defendant in Abuja.

The judge adjourned further hearing till June 11, 2015.

In the main suit, the plaintiff is seeking an order restraining the NERC from implementing any upward review of electricity tariff without a meaningful and significant improvement in power supply to at least 18 hours in a day in most Nigerian communities.

He also wants an order restraining the NERC from foisting compulsory service charge on pre-paid meters not until “the meters are designed to read charges per second of consumption and not a flat rate of service not rendered or power not used.”

He also wants the service charge on pre-paid meters not to be enforced until there was visible efficient and reliable power supply like those of foreign countries from where the idea of service charge was borrowed.

Adebiyi is further asking for an order of court mandating the NERC to do the needful to generate more power to meet the electricity need of Nigerians.

According to him, the needful included but not limited to a multiple long-term financial approach, sourced from the banks, capital market, insurance and other sectors to power the sector.

The lawyer is asking the court to mandate the NERC to make available to all Nigerians prepaid meters within a maximum time frame of two years.

This, he said, would curb “the throat-cutting, indiscriminate estimated bill, which must be devoid of the arbitrary service charge, but only chargeable on power consumed.”

May 29, 2015 : Yetunde Adeyi 

A non-governmental organisation, Femi Fafowora Foundation, has asked inmates serving various jail terms in the Ikoyi Prison to be hopeful and look beyond the walls of the prison.

The President of the group, Mr. Femi Fafowora, said as long as there was life, there was hope of a better future for them.

Fafowora spoke during a medical outreach by his foundation to the inmates on Thursday.

He said, “Be optimistic and hopeful. There is hope for you if you don’t give up or lose heart.”

Fafowora said the foundation was formed in 2013 to win souls for Christ, treat diabetic patients and support small scale businesses.

He said the foundation had already started a programme in Kogi and Lagos states to help prison inmates, and was also in partnership with the UK Diabetes Association.

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He said, “Diabetes is a silent killer. People are not aware and are therefore treating it ignorantly. We focus on giving drugs and treatments to diabetic patients for as long as possible.”

He added that prisons were meant for the reformation of the inmates and not their destruction, saying they deserved better treatments.

The foundation conducted diabetes tests on the inmates and prison officers during the programme.

May 29, 2015 : Chukwudi Akasike

Rotimi Amaechi

FOLLOWING the lingering judicial crisis in Rivers State, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Mr. Worgu Boms, was on Thursday suspended by the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt branch.

The NBA took the decision to suspend Boms and declare him a persona non grata during the association’s meeting in Port Harcourt, presided over by the Chairman of the branch, Mr. Dennis Okwamkpan.

The NBA explained that the actions and declarations of the state attorney general had been detrimental to the welfare and survival of lawyers in the state.

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Ninety-two members of NBA had voted in favour of sanctioning the Justice commissioner while 18 voted against the decision. Twenty persons were, however, absent at the meeting.

It will be recalled that the courts in the state had remained under lock and key since June 9, 2014, a development that had made it impossible for litigants to take their grievances to court while the accused have not been able to defend themselves in court.

Okwamkpan explained that parts of the resolutions at the meeting were, “That the Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Worgu Boms, is hereby declared a persona non grata.

“That Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice,. Worgu Boms, is hereby suspended from all the activities of the NBA, Port Harcourt branch, for the time being.

“He was suspended for his gross insensitivity to the plight of lawyers in the state following the closure of courts since June 9, 2014. He was also suspended from the NBA for his actions and declarations, which are detrimental and impacted negatively on the welfare of lawyers in Rivers State.

“He was suspended for his questionable role in the closure and continued closure of the courts in the state. We see that his role in the continued closure of the court is questionable.

“We feel that as an attorney general, he has not lived up to the expectations of that office and he did not do what was expected of him as a stakeholder in the justice sector, that is why the courts have remained shut.”

May 29, 2015 : Samson Folarin

The Federal Road Safety Corps has called on motorists in the country to be safety conscious in the interest of children, who usually suffer the most.

The Unit Commander, FRSC, Ota Unit Command, Matthew Olonisaye, stressed the importance of the Child Safety Education in school curriculum to ensure adequate education of children against attacks.

Olonisaye made the remarks on Wednesday during the annual Children’s Day celebration in Ogun State.

The FRSC boss, who addressed teachers and students from selected schools in the state, urged motorists to drive carefully and parents to be vigilant.

He said, “It is true that the young ones are more vulnerable to attacks and incessant crashes on our roads which are usually caused by a multiplicity of factors, in which human errors take the lead.

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“In view of the foregoing, parents and guardians are charged with the responsibility of ensuring the safety of their wards, while drivers must drive carefully being mindful of other road users to save lives, time and property.”

Olonisaye said parents and guardians should be mindful of the domestic staff they employ to look after their wards, adding that private drivers should particularly be properly educated.

He advised children to also be safety-conscious and raised the alarm whenever their security is compromised.

He said, “Parents and guardians should consistently educate their drivers to be wary of security agents on routine checks and ensure they are not being trailed to and from school, church or any other place. Children, on their part, should be watchful and vigilant while on transit.

“Continuous study of drivers, cooks and house helps is also advised. This is because most recent kidnappings involving children have been traced to the domestic staff. Parents should ensure proper reference by a reputable guarantor, before employment.

“Discipline of child or ward on some moral behaviour — choosing the right friends, and guide against any form of social vices — are equally important. Notwithstanding, parents should always communicate with their children and respond to their needs to ensure contentment.”

May 29, 2015 : Olaleye Aluko

 

The Lagos State Police Command says it will deploy 1,563 officers in the venue of the inauguration of the state Governor-elect, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Onikan.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, who disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent on Thursday, said the over 25,000 officers in the command would also be placed on red alert in their respective divisions.

Nwosu added that the police would ensure that there was no breach of security at the venue, and in any part of the state.

He said, “The Lagos State Police Command is ready for the inauguration. The Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, did assure the people that we would ensure a safe atmosphere during and after the election. The people can attest that we delivered on that.

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“The CP has again reassured that the inauguration will be calm and hitch-free. We are deploying 1,563 officers in the venue to ensure that there is no breach of security. This is in addition to the over 25,000 policemen in Lagos who will be placed on red alert in their respective divisions.

“We are doing all that are necessary not only to ensure a safe inauguration, but also to give one that Lagosians will always remember. Since it is a scheduled programme, we have done all our rehearsals, and our officers in their special uniform will roll out.”

The police spokesperson, who noted that some areas around the stadium would be cordoned off, added that the only group of people who were not expected at the inauguration were trouble makers.

He said, “We have put all the security architectures in place, which include all our combat teams. The Police Mobile Force, the Anti-Terrorism Unit, the Mounted Troops and others will be there. We are going to dominate the environment, and be very open, but firm.

“We assure all attendants of adequate security, and in conjunction with the state government, there have to be areas around the venue where movement will be restricted. Whichever area this concerns shall be made known. The only category of people that are not expected at the TBS are those who want to foment trouble.”

May 29, 2015 : Ade Adesomoju 

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, on Thursday affirmed the directive of the National Judicial Council, banning further launching of books in honour of serving judges.

The CJN, who is also the chairman of the NJC confirmed the ban on such act while swearing in a new Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Ishaq Bello, at the Supreme Court complex in Abuja on Thursday.

The PUNCH had exclusively reported on May 21, 2015, that the NJC had at its meeting on the previous day directed judges not to accept such honours any longer while they were in service.

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The NJC had yet to make public the said directive which was disclosed to our correspondent by a source in the council.

Our correspondent had learnt that the directive by the NJC followed a report, ‘Donations in honour of judges raise ethical questions’ published in the May 18, 2015 edition of The PUNCH.

Earlier before Thursday, The PUNCH had reported on May 26, 2015 that the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, had shunned a book launch which was originally planned in her honour in confirmation of the directive issued by the NJC.

The CJN, who was billed to be the chairman of the occasion was also absent.

Justice Mohammed said on Thursday that such event could expose judges to allegations of corruption.

The CJN said, “Judges must understand that by launching such books while in service, they potentially submit themselves to the publishers and the so-called launchers, while opening themselves up to allegations of corruption.

“Accordingly, it is now clear, judging from the public’s reaction to these book launches and the resultant negative media coverage of same, that our ability to be impartial and indeed honest in our judgments, is now regarded with scepticism.

“To argue otherwise would be academic while some of our Judges are perceived, whether rightly or wrongly, to be not absolutely clean.

“My lords, we should not give the public any cause to doubt our integrity or our sincerity of purpose as public confidence once lost is hard to regain.

“It bears reminding that even if the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers does not expressly prohibit this sort of extra-judicial conduct, it is certainly inappropriate and portrays the Nigerian judiciary in a bad light and should therefore be avoided.”

The CJN who described the act as a “worrisome trend” added, “It is further regrettable to note that some petitions received at the National Judicial Council were written in respect of books launched by or on behalf of Heads of Court and being attended by litigants in their courts, who have also acted as chief launchers or indeed guests of honour at the occasion.”

May 29, 2015 : Daniel Gbabo 

 

 

Gabriel Suswam

The outgoing Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, has said that he is leaving behind a dept profile of N9.2bn for the incoming administration of Samuel Ortom.

Suswam stated this at the Banquet Hall of the Government House Makurdi shortly after presenting his handover notes to Ortom.

He said, “I am leaving behind a total debt profile of N9.2bn for the incoming administration.”

The outgoing governor also regretted that he did not take the state to a greater height having spent eight years as a governor.

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“Surely, we did not take Benue State to a greater height but that doesn’t mean that we didn’t do our part as a government,” Suswam declared.

He maintained that he had remained a fulfilled man having provided the needed platform for the incoming administration to thrive.

He appealed to the media to extend the same gesture of goodwill to the incoming administration both in the state and at the federal levels.

Suswam revealed that he had instructed his lawyers to withdraw a lawsuit he earlier instituted against Senator Barnabas Gemade at the election tribunal.

The outgoing governor had sought to represent Benue North-East Senatorial District at the red chambers but failed during the general elections.

Suswam pleaded with the people of the state in particular and Nigerians in general to forgive him for some of the decisions he might have taken that were contrary to their wishes.

May 29, 2015 : Friday Olokor 

Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Larmode.

The Transition Monitoring Group on Thursday called on the incoming administration of Muhammadu Buhari to embark on “a total cleaning up and overhauling” of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and sack its present leader, Mr. Ibrahim Larmode.

The TMG said Nigerians had lost confidence in the ability of the EFCC to prosecute the fight against corruption.

According to the organisation, the agitation became necessary because the EFCC currently had little or no value in the reckoning of Nigerians.

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Several telephone calls to the spokesperson for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, for response were not replied.

The Chairman of TMG, Mr. Ibrahim Zikirullahi, made the position of the organisation known in Abuja, while presenting the findings of a survey the organisation conducted on governance and the expectations of Nigerians on Buhari’s administration.

He said, “What we have here today as EFCC is more or less a political structure the government of the day determines the area to go. We want a new leadership in EFCC.

“All we see is that the more the money that is given to the EFCC, the more corruption we see in Nigeria. So, as far as we are concerned, we are calling on the incoming administration to overhaul the EFCC. In fact from beginning to the end, there should be a serious cleaning of the EFCC.

“We need people with sound mind, people that are intelligent, people that are courageous, people with the will, people that are ready to put their lives on the line to do the needful to make sure that Nigeria is rid of corruption. These are the people that can take Nigeria to the promise land, because any system that encourages corruption is doomed.

“The EFCC must be put in the first line charge, so that the issue of money will not be a problem in tackling corruption in this country. But those that we are putting there must also be examined to know that they are not corrupt.”

Zikirullahi said the governance survey focused on broad-based citizens’ expectations in relation to the thematic issues that the incoming administration should focus on.

He added that despite the high expectations of Nigerians, they know that the incoming government could not solve all the problems confronting the system in one fell swoop.

Zikirullahi said the survey was based on dominant opinions expressed by 774 LGAs supervisors concerning the most discussed issues in their localities.

The data generated from respondents, he said, showed that the dominant thematic areas were unemployment, corruption, electricity, security, and education in that order.

The TMG also called on the incoming administration to open up alliances with credible civil society organisations to foster the participation of the ordinary Nigerian in the entire gamut of governance.

“From tomorrow (today), Nigerians will be moving into a future filled with so many promises, and they hope to see those promises becoming real in their daily lives. At TMG therefore, we are not under any illusion that the road will be easy. It will be tough, but we call on all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe and tongue, to get set to be a part of the journey towards a great and new Nigeria,” Zikirullahi stressed.

May 29, 2015 : aljazeera 

The aid agency MSF says it has evacuated 42 of its staff from the Dadaab refugee camp for Somalis in northeastern Kenya, citing “deteriorating security conditions.”

Al-Shabab, the Somalia-based al-Qaeda-linked group, has carried out deadly raids in villages in northern Kenya in recent weeks.

“The current security situation is severely limiting the ability of our medical staff to provide humanitarian aid to people who desperately need it,” Charles Gaudry, head of the Kenya mission of MSF, or Doctors Without Borders, said on Thursday.

“Refugees and medical staff are bearing the brunt of the deteriorating security conditions,” he said.

Kenya’s government has hosted refugees from Somalia since 1991 when civil war tore the country apart.

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Since then Dadaab has grown into the world’s largest refugee settlement, with over 350,000 residents.

MSF said “the precautionary measure” has had a direct impact on its ability to provide much-needed medical care to refugees, with two out of its four health posts closed.

MSF called on “armed groups to guarantee respect for medical facilities, patients and staff.”

In April al-Shabab fighters attacked a university in the nearby town of Garissa, killing 148 people including 142 students.

Last week al-Shabab ambushed a police patrol in the village of Yumbis, about 70km north of Garissa, killing at least one officer and injuring several.

May 29, 2015 : Olalekan Adetayo

Outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan formally dissolved his cabinet midnight Thursday.
Shortly after the presidential inauguration dinner held inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja, last night, he and his ministers proceeded to the Council Chambers tea room.
A toast was proposed in his honour by one of the cabinet members a few minutes before 12am.
Jonathan thereafter said the cabinet stood dissolved by midnight

May 29, 2015 : Olalekan Adetayo, Adelani Adepegba, Okechukwu Nnodim, Ade Adesomoju and Sunday Aborisade

 

Muhammadu Buhari

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Global attention shifts to the world’s most populous black nation on the planet, Nigeria, where the country’s fifth democratically elected president, Muhammadu Buhari, will be inaugurated on Friday (today).

Contrary to speculations, indications emerged on Thursday that the outgoing President, Goodluck Jonathan, will attend the historic occasion which would mark the first time a sitting president would hand over power to a victorious challenger.

The event expected to be witnessed by many world leaders will take place at the Eagle Square, Abuja, the nation’s hilly capital city.

As of the last count, no fewer than 20 world leaders have flown into the country in readiness to attend the ceremony.

Activities at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, peaked on Thursday as Presidents and representatives from many countries landed at the facility and were subsequently driven to their various hotels.

The PUNCH learnt that Jonathan, whose administration had earlier expressed the wish to hand over power to Buhari a day before the May 29 official date, has decided to attend the event in demonstration of his sportsmanship.

It was gathered that the outgoing President would fly the flagship of the presidential fleet codenamed “Nigerian Air Force 001” or “Eagle One” in an official capacity as President for the last time today.

After the inauguration, the aircraft will fly Jonathan to the Port Harcourt Airport, Rivers State, from where he is expected to be flown in a helicopter to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, en route a homeward journey in a convoy of cars to Otuoke, his hometown.

Speculations were rife that Jonathan might shun the inauguration ceremony owing to the acrimony that greeted the election.

But a top Presidency official, who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent that Jonathan would attend the event.

He said if Jonathan failed to attend the event, he might end up portraying himself as a bad loser despite the fact that he conceded defeat to Buhari shortly after the election.

The official, however, expressed the hope that the leaders of the All Progressives Congress would prevail on their supporters not to do anything to humiliate the outgoing President at the event.

The official said, “Immediately after the inauguration, the outgoing President will travel to his state on Air Force 001 for the last time.

“As a former President, any of the smaller aircraft in the presidential fleet can be made available to him on request, but not the 001. The only reason why he can fly that aircraft again is either if he becomes the President again or if he is to accompany a sitting President on a trip.”

Jonathan out, Buhari in

Jonathan is leaving office after a five-year stint as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Jonathan, who became the President in May 2010 following the death of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, finished the one year remaining in his former boss’ administration and went ahead to contest the 2011 presidential election which he won.

He contested the March 28 presidential election but his re-election bid was thwarted by Nigerians who chose Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress.

Jonathan and his handlers believe that as he is bowing out of office, he is leaving a legacy that is unparalleled in the nation’s history.

The government’s programmes were centered on what he called Agenda for National Transformation.

His administration prided itself as having succeeded in the areas of electoral reform, revamping of the railway system, remodelling of airports, privatisation of power sector, agriculture, and rule of law, among others.

Critics of Jonathan are, however, of the opinion that his administration aided corruption and impunity.

This has fuelled the calls on Buhari to probe the outgoing administration, especially the oil sector, where the allegation of missing funds was rife.

Buhari will be taking his Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office today before Nigerians and friends of the nation with a burden to run his government differently in accordance with his party’s “change” mantra.

10 world leaders arrive for inauguration

It was learnt that before 5pm on Thursday, the aircraft of over 10 African countries had touched down at the tarmac of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Our correspondent gathered that the two recently inaugurated lounges for pilots and international protocol officers located close to the international wing of the airport, were beehives of activities as some guests were received at the new facilities.

Officials at the NAIA stated that the Presidents of the different nations were sighted at the presidential wing of the airport while countries, whose Heads of State could not show up, sent representatives.

The flags of the visiting countries were displayed on the airplanes.

“Some of the countries whose Presidents or representatives are now in Nigeria include Mali, Sudan, South Africa, Namibia, Chad, Morocco, Burkina Faso, Senegal, the Gambia and Guinea,” an official of NAIA said.

The President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, was sighted at the airport, according to our source, who added that the advance teams of France and the United States were on the ground as of the time of filing this report.

The official stated that the flight of the US government was scheduled to land around 3am on Friday.

Our source said, “Other countries whose Presidents or representatives also arrived Abuja airport on Thursday included Togo, Angola, Lesotho, France, Ghana, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Brazil and Saudi Arabia. More are still coming, going by the manifest that we have.”

Obama sends Kerry, Olajuwon

The United States President Barrack Obama has detailed the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, including basketball icon and Olympic Gold medallist, Hakeem Olajuwon, to the inauguration. Other members of the delegation are the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, and the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Department of State, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

Also in the delegation are Commander, U.S. Africa Command, General David Rodriguez, and the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs, National Security Council, Grant Harris.

Court dismisses bid to stop Buhari’s inauguration

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed an application seeking to stop the inauguration.

A non-governmental organisation, Advocacy for Societal Rights Advancement and Development Initiative, had on Tuesday filed a suit as well as an ex parte application seeking an interim injunction restraining the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, from inaugurating Buhari on Friday.

The application was adjourned till Thursday for hearing following the failure of the representative of the plaintiff or its lawyer, Mr. Philip Ekpo, to show up in court on Wednesday when the application was initially fixed for hearing.

After hearing the plaintiff’s lawyer on Thursday, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, dismissed the application for lacking in merit.

He held that the urgency which the application was predicated on was self-induced because the election in which Buhari emerged as president had held about two months before the suit was filed.

Justice Ahmed held, “The presidential election in which the 1st defendant (Buhari) emerged winner took place on March 28, 2015; today is May 28. It is now two months the election took place. Now, I sincerely ask, how can a court grant an interim injunction on the issue?”

“Where was the plaintiff/applicant before and after the election? Is it that the applicant did not know about the presidential election of March 28 or what?

“The inauguration of the 1st defendant will be held tomorrow (Friday) and the applicant is talking about urgency.

“This motion ex parte is a clear case of self induced urgency. Therefore this application is devoid of merit and accordingly dismissed.”

The judge subsequently adjourned the suit till June 24.

Buhari’s counsel, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had earlier asked the court to hear the application but the request was rejected.

The court agreed with the plaintiff’s lawyer’s submission that Order 26 rule 9 of the Federal High Court forbade him from being heard in such an application filed as an ex parte.

Buhari, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, are the 1st to the 3rd respondents in the suit respectively.

The plaintiff is seeking an order restraining the CJN from inaugurating in the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday, May 29.

The suit also seeks an order nullifying the Certificate of Return issued to Buhari by INEC.

The plaintiff hinged the suit on the allegation that Buhari did not qualify to contest the presidential election on the grounds that he gave a false information about his academic qualification to INEC.

Between January and February 2015 there were about 10 cases instituted by various plaintiffs challenging Buhari’s eligibility to stand for the polls on the grounds of his academic qualification controversy. But after he won, the cases were withdrawn.

In the fresh suit filed by its lawyer, Mr. Philip Ekpo, the group alleged that Buhari did not meet the qualification enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act to stand for the March 28, 2015 presidential election.

The plaintiff is seeking an order of interim injunction restraining the CJN “or any person acting in his capacity” from swearing in Buhari as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 2015 or any other date thereof pending the determination of the Motion on Notice.

Police assure of security

The Nigeria Police Force has assured Nigerians and foreign dignitaries of adequate security for the inauguration.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, in a telephone interview on Thursday, explained that the police had deployed an anti-bomb squad as well as thousands of riot and conventional policemen nationwide.

According to him, operatives had been dispatched to various strategic parts of Abuja, including vulnerable areas, hotels and shopping plazas to ensure a hitch-free transition.

He said, “Our men are on the ground nationwide to ensure a successful inauguration programme in Abuja and the states. The different squads and units have been deployed and we want to assure Nigerians and our international guests that adequate manpower has been deployed and the security of everyone is guaranteed.”

When asked to give the number of personnel that would be on duty for the inauguration, Ojukwu declined, saying he could not do that for strategic security reason.

“I can’t give you the number of personnel that we have deployed, but I can tell you that adequate manpower had been deployed nationwide to protect lives and property and to ensure a smooth inauguration ceremony,” the spokesman stated.

NSCDC deploys 55,000 operatives

In a related development, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps said it had deployed 5,000 officials in the Federal Capital Territory and 50,000 others across the states.

The NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Okeh, told our correspondent that sniffer dogs and surveillance vehicles would be on duty throughout the period of the inauguration.

He said, “We are deploying 55,000 personnel nationwide as well as sniffer dogs and other units. Five thousand operatives would be on duty in the FCT while the rest would work in the states in collaboration with our sister agencies.”

Abuja hotels

Meanwhile, the major hotels in Abuja have been playing host to foreign dignitaries and diplomats who are billed to attend the inauguration.

Foreign visitors including journalists from different countries were seen checking into the Transcorp Hilton and Sheraton hotels on Thursday.

As part of measures to make the visitors comfortable, the Transcorp hotel had reserved two lifts for VIPs.

Respect rule of law, Mark tells Buhari

Senate President, David Mark, on Thursday, urged the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to adhere strictly to the rule of law and respect human rights while discharging his constitutional responsibilities.

He specifically appealed to him to “do the needful for citizens and anchor his actions on adherence to rule of law, respect for human rights, freedom of expression, equity and justice.”

The senate president said he anticipated an egalitarian society under the new government where all citizens would be safe and protected to live and carry out their legitimate duties without fear of molestation or harassment in any part of Nigeria.

Mark, who stated this in his goodwill message to Nigerians on the occasion of Democracy Day celebration, also said, “All hands must be on deck as everyone plays his or her role to ensure that our democracy endures.”

May 29, 2015 

Wadata House, the National Headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party, Abuja

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There was confusion at Wadata House, the National Headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday in Abuja, as angry police officers, led by one Sergeant Reuben Onu and a staff of the party, physically assaulted workers of Twinkles World Limited who were protesting against unpaid debts estimated at N360m.

The company handled the contract for the decoration of the PDP presidential campaigns in all states of the federation in the last general elections.

During the protest, the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Tunde Agarawu, and Project Coordinator, Mr. Awonaiya Olayemi, were physically assaulted.

While the managing director was slapped by Onu and an unidentified employee of the PDP, Olayemi was pelted with sands on his head by same officers.

The police team later reinforced, coming with many other police officers to scare away the protesting workers numbering over 30.

But a police officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the MD was assaulted because he did not heed the advice to channel their grievances to Legacy House, the office of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization.

The firm reiterated its decision to drag President Goodluck Jonathan and the party to court over the unpaid debts.

Already, their lawyer had issued a seven-day ultimatum to PDPPCO to offset the debt or face an action in court.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions like, “PDPPCO is owing us for the service we provided them”, “Prof. Jerry Gana, pay us our money now!”, “Dr. Ahmadu Alli, DG of PDPPCO, pay our money now”, “Mr. President, Prof. Jerry Gana is yet to pay Twinkle World Limited,” and “Nigerians: PDP is owing Twinkle World.”

Agarawu said since Jonathan lost the presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari, he and the PDP hierarchy had failed to pay most debts incurred for the campaigns.

He alleged that a former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, and other members of the PDPPCO deliberately withheld their money, even though a directive has been given by the immediate-past chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, that the debts should be cleared.

In an interview with journalists at the PDP secretariat, Agarawu said there was no going back in the pursuit of the management to get the money.

He said, “It is a battle of no retreat, no surrender.”

According to him, the complaints have reached President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said the President was shocked that the money has not been paid, despite the overwhelming evidence that it has been released to the PDPPCO.

“President Goodluck Jonathan is not happy. We have been told that the man is embarrassed because he also gave money to the PDPPCO and yet he is hearing these stories about debts running into billions of naira. The President told somebody close to us that he is not owing us because he was just a presidential candidate of the PDP and that if there is anybody owing us, it is the PDPPCO”, Agarawu said.

While several efforts made to get Gana for response were not successful, calls and text messages to his Personal Assistant, Mr. James Agbo, over the same matter were not replied.

The PUNCH recalled that Agarawu said no mobilisation fund was given to them before the commencement of the project, adding that banks and corporate bodies where they sourced loans to execute the project were already demanding for the payment of their funds.

He had said, “We are constrained to make this urgent request to the leadership of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization and Prof. Jerry Gana with a view to pleading for prompt intervention for the payment of the nationwide venue beautification and publicity with inflatable for the Presidential campaign.

“We have resorted to taking this last step after exhausting every strenuous potential avenue of getting the matter resolved to no avail. At the moment, we believe strongly that only your personal, compassionate, humane, fair and just nature could help save this embarrassing situation that is capable of tarnishing and eroding further the good name and image of all concerned.

“The fact of the case was that on January 7, 2015, Twinkle World Limited was contracted to execute a nationwide presidential campaign venue beautification project in all of the 36 states of the federation. We are also expected to provide the awareness and publicity venue support services throughout the PDP nationwide presidential campaign from January 8 to February 6, 2015.”

May 29, 2015 

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina

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The immediate past Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, on Thursday emerged as the new President of the African Development Bank.

The 55-year-old Adesina, who until yesterday (Thursday) served the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan as a minister, defeated seven other contestants from across the continent by scoring 58 per cent of the votes cast in an election held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, where the AfDB is based.

He contested against Chadian Finance Minister, Kordje Bedoumra, who secured 32 per cent of the votes, and his counterpart from Cape Verde, Cristina Duarte, who got 10 per cent.

The AfDB said on its Twitter feed that Adesina would take over from Donald Kaberuka of Rwanda on September 1 as the 50-year-old body’s eighth leader.

“It went very well. We are really elated and grateful we have delivered this for Nigeria. We had a great candidate and a lot of support,” the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, told Reuters after the result was announced.

The bank, which was founded in 1964 to provide capital to foster economic development and alleviate poverty in its member states, is financed by both African nations and shareholder countries outside the continent.

Among other things, analysts say Adesina will have to guide the bank through the continent’s increasingly complex financial environment, where nations are turning to non-traditional partners like China and international debt markets.

Adesina was said to have been recommended to Jonathan by the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi, having reportedly impressed Sanusi with his work on programmes to improve agriculture credit.

Bloomberg quoted Adesina as saying that the AfDB needed to focus on promoting investment by businesses.

“He is an example of a leader in the Nigerian political space who has done well,” Ebenezer Essoka, vice chairman for Africa at Standard Chartered Plc, told Bloomberg.

He becomes the AfDB leader at a time when falling prices of oil, copper and other commodities dim the outlook for economic growth and investment in Africa. The AfDB’s loans and grants amounted to $7.8bn in 2014, 22 per cent more than the previous year.

Despite being a prominent member of Jonathan’s cabinet, the newly sworn in President Muhammadu Buhari supported Adesina’s candidature for the AfDB position and personally campaigned for him.

Shortly after he defeated Jonathan in the March 28 presidential election, Buhari sent former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as a special envoy to President Jacob Zuma of South Africa pleading for his support for Adesina to become the AfDB president.

As agriculture minister, Adesina tried to revitalise farming after decades of neglect following the discovery of oil in Nigeria in the 1950s. He has been praised for bringing more transparency to fertilizer subsidies, a programme riddled with corruption in the past.

The Federal Government had estimated that food production increased by 21 million metric tonnes during his tenure.

May 29, 2015 :

Goodluck Jonathan

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Soldiers guarding Goodluck Jonathan’s house in Otueke in Bayelsa, on Thursday harassed and arrested a PUNCH journalist, Simon Utebor, for taking pictures of the sprawling edifice.

Utebor, who is the newspaper’s correspondent in the state, had arrived in the sleepy community in the early hours of Thursday to ascertain the level of preparedness ahead of Jonathan’s homecoming on Friday after six years at Aso Rock as President of the country. While on the mission, the journalist was arrested by men of the Joint Task Force operating in the area, who handed him over to the Bayelsa police.

Work was still ongoing on the building when Utebor visited and there was heavy security presence in the area ahead of Jonathan’s arrival later on Friday after he would have handed over power to Muhammadu Buhari, the country’s new president.

The spokesperson for the Joint Task Force, Isa Ado, a lieutenant colonel, while confirming the incident, initially said an order for the release of the journalist had been issued.

But it was learnt that Utebor was transferred to the state CID where he made a statement on the incident.

Despite his explanations that he was a journalist on an official assignment, Utebor was thrown into a cell by the police operatives.

A journalist with one of the national dailies, who spoke with our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, expressed surprise that Utebor could be clamped into the cell when the impression given by the police was that he would be taken to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Paul Okafor, after making a statement.

“I was surprised to hear that Utebor had been pushed into the cell. That was not what they told me initially. When I spoke with Utebor, he said he would soon be allowed to go, but he is in the cell as I speak with you.

“The police gave me their assurance that he would soon be released and that it was not something we should worry about. But that has not happened as of 10.07pm that I’m speaking with you now. Utebor was only trying to snap those constructing the fence of a building before he was arrested by soldiers.

“They arrested him and took him to Kolo Police Station in Ogbia Local Government Area. From there, they took him (Utebor) to the Bayelsa State Police Command. The IPO took him to the state CID where he was asked to write a statement.

“Instead of the IPO to take Utebor back to the CP around 6pm, they detained him and later pushed into the cell,” the journalist said.

L-R: Outgoing President, Goodluck Jonathan and incoming President, Muhammadu Buhari, when Jonathan presented the handover notes to Buhari in Abuja...on Thursday.
| credits: AFP

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Outgoing Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday took a critical assessment of his administration in the last four years and returned a verdict that he had done his best for the country.

He said his administration had impacted positively on key aspects of national life for the benefit of the citizens.

Jonathan said this in his remarks shortly before presenting his handover notes to the incoming President, Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The event, which was held inside the Council Chambers and witnessed by the All Progressives Congress’ chiefs, took place shortly after Jonathan conducted Buhari round the seat of power.

Vice President Namadi Sambo had also similarly conducted the Vice President-elect, Yemi Osinbajo, round his wing of the villa.

Jonathan presented an executive summary of his handover notes and a copy of the report of the National Conference to Buhari.

He expressed the hope that the notes would give the incoming administration an idea of his administration’s mission statement and the commitment of his government for the past five years.

He however said the report of the National Conference was more important to him than the handover notes because it was compiled by Nigerians.

He said if the report was implemented, most of the grey areas of national development would be resolved.

Jonathan said, “There is another document that I will hand over to you. To me, this is more important than the handover notes. The handover notes are the activities of an administration, they show where we started, where we are going; in some of the cases you will follow, in other cases you may take other angle.

“But this is a document that was compiled by Nigerians, the report of the National Conference 2014. We gathered almost 500 Nigerians from all walks of life, they were not influenced by government in any way.

“Most of the recommendations here, if they are followed, most of the grey areas even in our politics will be smoothened out.

“Most of the areas where people complain bitterly: corruption and others, this document deals with them. Some people here were members of that great body of about 500 eggheads.

“We were unable to implement the report because of the shortness of time. We have sent a copy to the National Assembly but it is a document that we are very hopeful your government will look into and give it the attention it requires.”

In assessing his administration’s performance, Jonathan said he had impacted positively on national life.

While admitting that challenges still abound, he expressed the conviction that they were surmountable.

He said as he handed over the reins of government, he believed that the nation is secure with its democracy stable and a bright future.

He added, “Our administration has done its best to intervene robustly and impact positively on key aspects of our national life.

“There is no doubt that challenges still abound, but they are surmountable and overwhelming national transformation remains realisable with continuity, commitment and consistency.

“Nigeria is blessed with citizens that will always remain faithful, firmly committed to national unity, accelerated political, social and economic development.

“As we hand over the reins of government, I believe that our nation is secure, our democracy is stable and the future is bright.

“Let us work together and with greater resolve, continue to build a stronger and more prosperous nation.”

He had earlier listed his administration’s achievements to include the success recorded against Boko Haram lately, the eradication of the Ebola Virus Disease, improved revenue mobilisation, agriculture, power sector privatisation, massive road construction, railways and aviation, anti-corruption fight, education, sports and foreign policy.

Jonathan recalled that the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System introduced by his administration had succeeded in weeding out 60,450 ghost workers in 359 out of 425 Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

He said the exercise had yielded N185.4bn in savings to the Federal Government.

Buhari, in his short remarks, said he would not be able to make any strong statement until after reading and digesting the handover notes.

He however commended Jonathan for conceding defeat in the March 28 presidential election, saying his decision changed the course of Nigeria’s political history.

He said the President could have made things difficult if he had wanted to do so.

He expressed delight that rather than taking any action that would be at the expense of the lives of Nigerians, Jonathan took the path of honour.

Buhari said, “What I will say is that since the telephone call you made (to me), you have changed the course of Nigeria’s political history.

“For that, you have earned yourself a place in our history, for stabilising this system of multi-party democracy system and you have earned the respect of not only Nigerians but world leaders.

“All the leaders that spoke to me and congratulated us for arriving at the point we arrived, mentioned this and I could understand a lot of relief in their voices that Nigeria has made it after all and this is largely owed to a situation.

“If you had attempted to make things difficult, you could have made things difficult and that would have been at the expense of the lives of poor Nigerians; but you chose the path of honour and may God help all of us. Thank you very much, Your Excellency.”

The proof is in the pics.

Published: May 20, 2015  |  By Ashley Oerman

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Guinness World Records

Your body is really freaking awesome. It can propel you through a tough workout, grow another human, and look straight up sexy in a swimsuit. It's also capable of setting mind-boggling world records, as these 10 incredible people's bodies have done. Behold, the coolest world records, brought to you by the human body:

1. The Widest Unstretched Mouth
Francisco Domingos Joaquin from Angola has a mouth measuring almost seven inches wide. That's big enough to fit a Coke can sideways in his grill. You have to see it to believe it:
RELATED: This Woman Drank Her Own Breast Milk to Survive in the Wilderness

2. The Largest Natural Breasts
If most bras look like areola holders to you, you'll be happy to know that your boobs are probably pretty petite compared to Annie Hawkins-Turner's 70-inch bust. Apparently, Annie's tatas started growing when she was about 9 years old, according to Guinness World Records. By the time she was in third grade, she was wearing a bra made for adult women.

3. The Longest Female Legs
Svetlana Pankratova from Russia has legs measuring 51 inches (that's 4.25 feet) long. While it's probably pretty awesome to have legs the size of a 7 year old, that's a lot of shaving. Just sayin'.

4. The Longest Nose on a Living Person
The nose that measures 3.46 inches from bridge to tip is on the face of Mehmet Ozyurek from Turkey. We wonder if this large schnoz comes with a superior sense of smell.
RELATED: This Artist Uses Period Blood in Her Work—See the Stunning Images

5. The Stretchiest Skin
A rare condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome helped Garry Turner from the U.K. become famous for his skin—which stretches 6.25 inches away from his body. The disorder affects his skin's collagen, which is responsible for elasticity, making his skin loose and crazy stretchy. Check it out for yourself:

7. The Hairiest Teenager
Five years ago, Supatra Sasuphan from Thailand landed a spot in the record book for her fuzzy skin. Though it probably isn't easy dealing with all of that hair, Supatra tells the Guinness World Records that she doesn't feel any different than anyone else and has a ton of friends at school. "Being hairy makes me special," she says. You go, girl!

8. The Longest Fingernails on a Female's Pair of Hands
This might make you want to throw up a little: Christine Walton's record-setting nails are a combined length of 23 feet and 11 inches long. She hasn't cut them since 1990, according to the Guinness World Records. Watch this video about previous nail record holders and how they live their lives with crazy long claws:
RELATED: Grey's Anatomy's Most WTF Medical Cases—Analyzed and Ranked

9. The Widest Female Tongue
The tongue measuring 2.89 inches wide belongs to Emily Schlenker. Fun fact: Her dad is the record holder for the widest male tongue. His tongue is just over three inches wide. This amazing human feat is brought to you by genetics.

10. The Farthest Eyeball Pop
When it comes to eyeball popping, Kim Goodman is beyond talented. Her eyeballs come out .47 inches past her eye sockets. Seriously, how is this possible?