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Jonathan Expresses Nigeria’s Commitment To AU Objectives
President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that Nigeria remained committed to the strategic objectives of the African Union.
Jonathan, who is attending the AU summit for the first time as President, gave the assurance while addressing the 15th African Union Ordinary Summit in Kampala.
He said that Nigeria would pursue and ensure the realisation of all programmes of action and the instruments of the AU.
Jonathan also used the occasion to condemn the July 11 terror attacks on an Ethiopian restaurant in Kampala in which 76 people were killed and 65 others injured.
He extolled the virtues of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua whom he called “my brother”.
“His demise remains a great loss to Nigeria and the continent, because of his love for justice and rule of law which AU stands for.
Jonathan also used the occasion to congratulate the South African government for the successful hosting of the 2010 World Cup.
Earlier, before the summit began, two minutes silence was observed for the late Yar’Adua and those killed in the July 11, terror attacks in Kampala.
In his address of welcome, President Yoweri Museveni called on the AU to condemn in strongest terms the activities of Al-Shabbab in Somalia.
“I reject in totality the new form of colonialism through terrorism.
“The AU should not accept anyone who has no respect for the union. Who are they? Who they represent?”
“Attacking AU combatants, manipulating and using children as canon fodder?, Let us rise in consonance and get them out of Africa,”
Museveni said.
He called on the AU not to depend solely on foreign loans for the development of infrastructures in Africa.
Speaking on the theme of the summit: Maternal, Infant and Child health and development in Africa, Museveni also said that Uganda had made considerable progress in obstetric care.
He said that Uganda has advocated for improved maternal and newborn health.
This method, he said, was in covering 54 districts and 553 health facilities and assessing the availability of trained midwives and doctors in child births.
The Summit tagged “Kampala 2010’’ is expected to focus on action plan to reduce mother and child mortality and take decisive and implementable actions to improve on maternal, infant and child health.
Thirty five leaders are attending the summit out of the 43 that indicated their intentions to attend.
The Summit is also expected to consider, among other continental issues, the proposal by the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi for the transformation of the AU into an African Union Authority (AUA).
It will be recalled that the 13th Ordinary Session of the AU held in July 2009 in Sirte, Libya brainstormed on issues related to the Union Government that culminated in a consensus to establish AUA to replace the African Union Commission.
Gaddafi, the then Chairperson of the AU and the proponent, contended that the transformation would bring stability to Africa as the continent would be speaking with one voice, defending common position in international negotiations.
The Summit is also expected to consider the African common position on the reform of the United Nations (UN) Security Council for full representation of Africa in all the decision making organs of the UN.
Tagged the “Ezulwini Consensus’’ on the Security Council, it was agreed that full representation of Africa in the Security Council means not less than two permanent seats with all prerogatives and privileges of permanent membership and five non-permanent seats.
The gathering of all heads of government from all the 52 AU member nations will also consider its earlier decision to put a definitive end to the scourge of unconstitutional changes of government in member nations.
The scourge the leaders consider as undermining the progress achieved in the on-going democratisation processes in the continent and constitutes a threat to peace and security in Africa.
In addition, the Summit will review its efforts on the Tripoli Declaration on the elimination of conflicts in Africa and the promotion of sustainable peace as well as the proclamation of 2010 as the Year of Peace and Security in Africa.
Other issues for considerations at the Summit are the integration of NEPAD into AU structures and processes, the Africa-Arab cooperation for food security in the continent, climate change and the implementation of the AU border programme.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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