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Nigeria, Not ailed State, Says Jonathan …Inaugurates Exco
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday, in Abuja dismissed insinuations that Nigeria was a failed State.
President Jonathan, who was speaking at the official inauguration of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), noted with delight that Nigeria was blessed with talented and hardworking people.
“Our nation has been described by certain persons as a failed state, but we are definitely not a failed state.
“We are a country of talented people who have the capacity to address whatever challenges our country may be facing now.
“Other nations have passed through their own trying moments. In no way is our experience peculiar.’’
Jonathan told the ministers that they were carefully selected to serve at a most trying and challenging period of the nation’s history.
According to him, some of the ministers are returning to their old portfolios to ensure not just continuity, but also the consolidation of projects and processes embarked upon in the administration.
He charged them to give proper account of their stewardship to the people at all times.
He noted that service to the nation was a patriotic duty that every citizen must look up to, and support, saying: “There is no greater responsibility than service to the nation.’’
He challenged the ministers to be the change agents that Nigerians craved.
He said: “We are expected to stabilise power supply in the country as a minimum pre-condition for strengthening national productivity.
“We are expected to generate employment for our unemployed youth; we are expected to revolutionise the agricultural sector and ensure food security for the people.
“We are expected to sanitise the oil and gas sector; the people also want good roads, a more qualitative public school system as well as more efficient public health and transportation systems, and so on.
“These expectations cut across all sectors. Most importantly, we are expected to protect life and property and guarantee the welfare and happiness of all Nigerians.’’
President Jonathan warned that his administration could not afford to disappoint the people.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that his administration would conduct a comprehensive audit of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) of Federal Government beginning from June 2007 to date.
Jonathan stated this in his remarks at the swearing-in ceremony of the last set of nine ministers and the inauguration of his cabinet at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The President said the decision was in line with his administration’s zero tolerance for corruption and his resolve to remove the country from the embarrassing rating in the global corruption index.
“Corruption is therefore the monster that we need to confront and defeat, in order to raise the country’s integrity profile. The war against corruption in this dispensation will start at the centre.
“The anti-corruption agencies have been directed to beam their searchlights on the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government, and also focus on the states and local government areas, in order to send out a clear signal, that no form of abuse will be tolerated,’’ he said.
He asked members of the cabinet not to see their position as a reward for status, but as an opportunity to serve the people of Nigeria and to be an agent of transformation agenda of his administration.
Jonathan also told the ministers not to compromise their integrity but ensure that the ministry they head serves the interest of public good and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct.
While promising the ministers that everything would be done to provide the enabling environment for them to function, the President reminded them that the tasks ahead would be arduous and tasking.
Jonathan restated his commitment to the transformation of the country and to deliver democracy dividends to the people while asking the ministers to be committed along the line of his agenda.
“Our task is to address the issues which preoccupy Nigerians. We must act quickly while at the same time, working on sustainable responses to long-term challenges.
“This is the debt we owe the electorate who turned out in large numbers in the April 2011 elections to make a statement with their votes.
He charged the Ministers and Ministers of State to work together as a team, eschew rivalry and one-upmanship that has been a problem in the past.
He also reiterated on his campaign promise to run a transparent government and ensure significant improvement in the economy.
The nine ministers who were sworn in include, Dr Mohammed Ali Pate (Bauchi), Chief Edwin Duke (Cross River), Mrs. Omobola Johnson (Ondo), Hajia Adiza Mailafia (Kaduna) and Dr Nurudeen Mohammed (Jigawa).
Also sworn in are Mrs Sarah Ochepe (Plateau), Ms Amma Pepple (Rivers), Mr Ezeilo Nweke (Rivers) and Dr Akinwumi Adeshina (Ogun). The ministers have yet to be assigned portfolios.
Our correspondent recalls that Jonathan had on July 2, sworn in the first group consisting of 14 ministers while the second set consisting of 17 ministers were sworn in on July 8.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene