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Nigerians Hail Jonathan On National Confab
Some Nigerians yesterday commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his endorsement of a National Conference.
Our correspondent reports that President Goodluck Jonathan announced the approval of a National Conference yesterday while addressing the nation on the country’s 53rd independence anniversary.
The President said that a committee on the National Conference was being set up.
Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr Muda Yussuf, said it was a good development.
“It will give Nigerians the opportunity to talk and this is another expression of the fact that our democracy is getting stronger.
“Freedom to discuss on how we live together is a good development, but what is more important for our country at this time is good leadership,” Yusuf said.
A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa, commended the President for the initiative, adding that it must be geared towards meeting genuine aspirations of the people.
“What Nigerians are yearning for is a conference that will see to the resolution of the fundamental problems of our nation.
“The Federal Government must confer with civil society organisations and various other entities and get their various representatives to form consultative committee to pilot the birth of this National Conference.
“Nigerians should be involved. We have gone through this road before and we didn’t get anywhere.
“I believe we should be saved from that scenario, it should be a fruitful conference,” Olu-Adegboruwa said.
The National Coordinator, Publish What You Pay, Mrs Faith Nwadishi, said that it was a welcome idea, but advised that decisions taken at the conference should be implemented.
”It is now time for people to elect those that will represent them at the conference, we shouldn’t just sit back if we want our objectives to be met,” she said.
In Enugu, the Executive Director of the African Heritage Institution (AHI), Dr Ifediora Amobi, also commended the President for hearkening to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.
According to him, this is the first time a President will appreciate Nigerians from all walks of life for their support in spite of the numerous challenges facing the country.
“It was a reassuring and promising speech. It shows that he is really concerned about the plight and needs of the people.
“The setting up of the committee is quite a surprisingly welcome development. This is something we do not hear often, rather we hear of all the things government has done,’’ he said.
Amobi, who is also marking his 53rd birthday with the country, however, advised the President to ensure that the committee comprised credible people from the public and private sectors.
The Director-General of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Mr Emeka Okereke, expressed optimism that the effort would provide the needed space to reshape the country.
“It is a welcome development as long as it will provide the needed tools to retool and rework Nigeria,’’ he said.
The National President of Nigeria Association of Women Entrepreneurs (NAWE), Princess Ada Ozongwu, also commended the president for setting up the committee, and called for inclusion of women in the committee.
“I have always felt there is a need for us to sit and talk about issues that affect us. The President is putting a right foot forward by setting up a committee.
“He should go the extra mile to ensure that the women take their pride of place in terms of numerical strength in that committee.
“They should be women who will make solid contributions that will benefit us,’’ she said.
A lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Dr Ukoha Ukiwo , said that the Federal Government’s decision was a victory for Nigerians.
He said government’s decision was an indication that it was listening to yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.
‘’ In retrospect, government has admitted that the existing institutions for representation that we have seem not to be truly representing the interest of Nigerians and that Nigerians need another vehicle.
‘’ Also, the existing mechanisms that we have, the national, state and local assemblies, seem unable to address some fundamental issues that need to be tabled within the platform of the National Conference,’’ he said.
Ukiwo, however, said it might be too early to jump into conclusion on what the committee’s recommendations on the proposed conference would look like.
He said the political reform conference convened by the Federal Government in 2005 ended without achieving any tangle objective.
‘’ I think that, in as much as we acknowledged that government has shifted ground, we want to hope that unlike in previous dispensation, Nigerians will be allowed to go through the logical conclusions
”Kudos to government for acknowledging that need and shifting ground and beginning to think of a possibility of convening such a conference,’’ Ukiwo said
A woman leader in Akwa Ibom, Obonganwan Edith Etete, said that President Jonathan’s decision to hold a national conference was a welcome development.
Etete, who leads the yearly anniversary of the 1929 Women Riot in Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom, said that the dialogue would be an opportunity for Nigerians to discuss their problems.
‘’It is a worthwhile exercise to listen to ourselves, our challenges and the way out,’’ she said.
The 2011 gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Akwa Ibom, Mr David Ekanem, said that such conference was necessary in a democracy.
Ekanem said that the problem confronting the nation had always been the lack of political will to do what is right.
‘’It is not that we don’t know what our problem is; we have had several conferences in the past, what has become of them?’’
Ekanem said that the proposed national conference would afford the different ethnic and religious groups the opportunity to come out and state their grievances.
Dr Aniekan Brown, a don, advised that the proposed national dialogue should not be ‘’another time-buying device’’.
Brown, who teaches Sociology at the University of Uyo, urged the Federal Government to show commitment towards implementing the recommendations of the conference.
He prayed that God should guide Nigerians on to the right path, while wishing the country a bright future.
The Akwa Ibom State Chairman of All Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Mr Linus Udofia, expressed regret that Nigeria was still grappling with teething problems of nationhood at 53.
He called on the Federal Government to create an environment for all ethnic groups to state their problems at the envisaged national conference.
Udofia advised that the proposed national conference should be a sovereign one.
Officers of the Nigerian Air Force have met with senior officials of the United States Government and representatives of Messrs Bell Textron to fast-track the acquisition of 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters.
The meeting took place during a Programme Management Review meeting led by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, from 5 to 6 January 2026 in San Diego, California, United States.
A statement by the NAF spokesperson, Ehimen Ejodame, yesterday, said the meeting focused on assessing the status of the helicopter acquisition and measures to ensure the timely delivery of the 12 AH-1Z platforms.
According to the statement, Aneke said the review was aimed at strengthening programme oversight, accountability and adherence to agreed timelines and budget.
“In a strategic move to enhance the operational capacity of the Nigerian Air Force, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, led a Programme Management Review meeting with senior United States Government officials and representatives of Messrs Bell Textron from 5 to 6 January 2026 in San Diego, California, USA.
“The engagement focused on fast-tracking the acquisition of 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, a critical capability enhancement aligned with the CAS’s Command Philosophy of building and sustaining a highly motivated, professional, and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in synergy with surface forces for the attainment of national security objectives, ” the statement partly read.
Aneke expressed appreciation to the United States Government and Messrs Bell Textron for their continued cooperation, professionalism, and transparency in the execution of the helicopter acquisition programme.
He noted that the structured review reflects the NAF’s deliberate emphasis on programme discipline, accountability, and results.
“We deeply value the professionalism and openness demonstrated throughout this process, and we remain fully committed to working closely with our partners to ensure the timely and successful delivery of these platforms,” the CAS stated.
The CAS further emphasised that the acquisition of the AH-1Z helicopters represents more than a platform upgrade, describing it as a reflection of the enduring defence cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
According to him, the programme underscores a shared responsibility for regional and global security, built on mutual trust, shared values, and a common vision for peace and stability.
“This partnership speaks to our collective resolve to confront evolving security challenges through collaboration and sustained capability development,” he added.
Reaffirming the NAF’s sense of urgency and commitment, Air Marshal Aneke assured the US team that his administration would take all necessary measures to ensure the helicopters are delivered in the shortest possible time.
He also charged the programme management team to work smartly and proactively to complete production on schedule and within budget.
“Timelines and standards must be met concurrently. We must remain focused, innovative, and solutions-driven,” the CAS stressed.
The CAS expressed profound gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, for his unwavering support to the Nigerian Air Force.
He noted that the acquisition of the AH-1Z helicopters would significantly enhance the NAF’s combat capability, operational efficiency, and mission readiness, thereby strengthening the Service’s ability to deliver decisive airpower in support of national security and stability.
He added that the advanced capabilities of the helicopters would enable the Nigerian Air Force to conduct highly precise operations, minimise collateral damage, and provide timely and effective support to ground forces, ultimately saving lives and protecting property across affected communities.
The CAS reassured Nigerians of the NAF’s unwavering commitment to eliminating terrorist and criminal threats with professionalism, restraint, and accountability, while sustaining public trust and confidence in the Service’s operations.
Recall that Nigeria’s purchase of 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters was first approved by the United States government in April 2022, when the U.S. State Department, through the Defence Security Cooperation Agency, cleared a possible Foreign Military Sale of the helicopters and related equipment to the Government of Nigeria.
According to Military Africa, the formal production and delivery contract for the 12 AH-1Z helicopters, valued at $455 million, was awarded to Bell Textron on 12 March 2024 by the U.S. Department of Defence.
The Niger Delta advocacy group, the 21st Century Youths of Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience (21st CYNDAC), has called on the National Assembly to expedite consideration and approval of the 2025 budget of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to enable the Commission accelerate its development programmes across the region.
In a statement issued yesterday by its Coordinator, Izon Ebi, the group said swift passage of the budget would empower the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, to fully implement his renewed developmental strategy and extend projects to all target communities in the Niger Delta.
The group recalled that the NDDC, on December 30, 2025, presented a ?1.75 trillion budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year to the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Explaining the proposal, Ogbuku had noted that the 2025 budget is about nine per cent lower than the ?1.985 trillion proposed and appropriated for the 2024 fiscal year.
He said the ?1.75 trillion estimate comprises ?776.5 billion as Federal Government contribution, ?752.8 billion from oil companies, ?109.4 billion as revenue brought forward from 2024, ?53.67 billion as recoveries from Federal Government agencies, and ?8.35 billion as internally generated revenue.
The group praised Ogbuku’s leadership, describing him as having transformed the NDDC into “a beacon of renewed hope” for the Niger Delta region.
The group said it was impressed by what it called Ogbuku’s charismatic leadership, grassroots engagement and developmental drive, which it noted align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the group, Ogbuku’s consultations with traditional rulers and stakeholders across the Niger Delta have helped identify priority needs of communities, strengthened collaboration in the fight against crude oil theft and contributed to a noticeable decline in criminal activities in the oil and gas sector.
The statement also highlighted the Commission’s partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) on health insurance and medical outreach programmes, improved monitoring and supervision of projects, and the deployment of solar-powered streetlights across communities, which it said has enhanced security and economic activities at night.
The group urged lawmakers to act swiftly on the budget, stressing that timely approval would further boost development, peace and stability in the Niger Delta.
It also announced that it had conferred on Ogbuku the award of “Extraordinary Leader of 2025 in the Niger Delta Region.”
Port Harcourt based media practitioners under the aegis of Port Harcourt Press, have urged the Rivers State Police Command to arrest and prosecute all suspects involved in the recent attack and harassment of Arise TV crew in Port Harcourt.
The media practitioners, at a World press conference in Port Harcourt, described as dangerous the continuous harassment of journalists by various political actors in the ongoing political crisis in the State.
The text of the briefing which was read by a former State Commissioner for information and Communications and federal lawmaker in the State, Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, described as condemnable the attack on the Arise TV crew by suspected political thugs in Port Harcourt, while conducting an interview with Dr Leloonu Nwibubasa, a former commissioner in the State.
According to him, “That harrowing event of Friday, January 2, where the Arise TV crew were brutally attacked by armed men in a hotel in Port Harcourt while conducting interview with Dr Leloonu Nwibubasa, former Honourable Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment, smacks of nothing but act of intimidation, threat to both the Nigerian media and human lives especially in the forceful carting away of broadcast equipment.”
The group further noted that the attack was not only an insult on the press freedom but on the larger society.
The group regretted the inability of the Police to arrest and bring to book the perpetrators of the act till date, warning that it may be forced to boycott police activities if those involved are not arrested and brought to book.
“From all indications, the police appear to be playing to the gallery. While the broadcast equipment were reportedly recovered, no definite arrest have been made. This body, therefore, demands an urgent and thorough investigation of this matter and those find culpable brought to justice within two weeks.
“Failure to address this issue with the urgency it requires and not carrying out satisfactory actions as required in their prosecution will attract sanctions such as withdrawal of coverage of all police activities in Rivers State by media organisations and journalists as we stand in solidarity with the NUJ,” the group warned.
John Bibor
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