THE Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday held a valedictory session for the late President, Alhaji Umar Musa Yar'Adua, with the Federal Government announcing the naming of the ever-busy Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Road, currently under reconstruction to a 10-lane highway and the Katsina International Airport after the late President.
Also yesterday, former governors (1999-2007) from 19 states of the federation paid a condolence visit to President Jonathan, promising him total support.
President Yar'Adua died at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on the night of May 5, 2010 during a protracted illness.
Naming the highway, airport after him
The memo for the naming of the road and airport in honour of the late President was submitted by President Goodluck Jonathan and approved by the council.
The approval of the memo was at the council's session held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The session had begun at the normal start of council sessions at 10.00 a.m. and lasted over two hours.
It had in attendance former Ghanaian President, Mr. John Kuffour, current and former members of the council who served under the late President, permanent secretaries and other top government functionaries.
The President's memo, which was the only memo listed and deliberated upon for the day was presented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Yayale Ahmed.
Lists ex-president's achievements
The memo stated the various achievements of the late President, which include brokering of peace in the Niger Delta region through the amnesty programme and the banking reforms. President Jonathan then requested that the Council approve the naming of the Katsina International Airport and a major road in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after the late President.
Subsequently, President Jonathan called on some ministers to pay tribute to the late Nigerian leader.
Those who paid tribute to the president include the ministers of Agriculture (Prof. Sheik Abdallah), FCT (Senator Bala Mohammed), Information and Communications (Prof. Dora Akunyili), Petroleum Resources (Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke), National Planning (Dr. Samsudeen Usman), Police Affairs (Alhaji Adamu Waziri), Women Affairs (Mrs. Josephine Anenih), Transport (Yusuf Sulaiman), Defence (Prince Adetokunbo Kayode), Niger Delta (Godsday Orubebe), Sports (Ibrahim Bio) and Foreign Affairs (Mr. Odein Ajumogobia).
The ministers in turn eulogized the late president reeling out the modest achievements recorded in their respective ministries while Yar'Adua was President. They all backed President Jonathan's memo seeking to immortalise the late President.
Jonathan, while stating that Nigeria made giant strides under the late President, especially the landmark achievement of the restoration of peace in the Niger Delta, added that "in recognition of his contribution to national development, the airport road starting from the City Gate and Katsina Airport be named after him."
President Jonathan described the late Yar'Adua as an extra-ordinary man who was committed to peace in the Niger Delta and the country as a whole.
Kuffour, who also paid tribute to the late president, said he was honoured to be part of the exclusive council meeting to commiserate with the government, family and the people of Nigeria on the death of President Yar'Adua.
Recalling his dealings with the late president, Kuffour said he first met the late Yar'Adua before he became president, saying he made indelible marks within the short period he was in office, adding that he stood for African unity.
Kuffour, who also congratulated Jonathan on his elevation, expressed his confidence that his past experience should stand him in good stead to pilot the affairs of the nation in the right direction, saying: "I believe you are a man of destiny."
President Jonathan also called for a minute's silence after which the Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Remi Babalola and his Information and Communications counterpart, Labaran Maku, said the Moslem and Christian closing prayers.
Ex-governos visit Jonathan
Also yesterday, former governors from 1999 to 2007 from 19 states paid a condolence visit to Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, promising to give him 100 per cent support.
They also urged him to continue with the legacies of the late president, especially electoral reform and rejuvenation of the power sector.
The former governors, led by that State and a former chairman of the Governors' Forum, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, described Yar'Adua's death as a sober, tough and critical moment in the history of Nigeria's democracy. But the former governors said they are confident of President Jonathan's ability to deliver, having been one of them.
They had earlier paid similar condolence visit to the government and people of Katsina State.
Igbinedion told Dr. Jonathan that "we are proud of YarAdua's achievements. When you came on board in 2007, this forum gave you 100 per cent support. That we will extend to your administration.
"For us, it is the same administration. It is the same class 1999 to 2007 because you were marked present in our meetings. It is an enormous task. But with your listening ear, we are here to give you our support and as retirees we have enough time to drop by from time to time."
Igbinedion told journalists after the meeting that "the President should continue with the legacies because they had a manifesto when they were campaigning. He should complete what Yar'Adua started."
Asked if the former governors would back President Jonathan if he runs for the next presidential elections, Igbinedion said: "I have not heard o o o. I have not heard o o o," and walked away.
Jonathan had, while thanking the former governors for the support they gave him and his late boss, particularly recalled the support they gave their joint ticket in 2007.
According to the President, "I want to thank you because without you, we would not have been here in the first place. You supported our joint ticket and I am happy you are extending same to me. Our late dear President was one of you and I worked with you as a deputy governor and later as a governor. He had great vision for this country but unfortunately he was cut short by death."
Among the former governors who visited the Villa include Bayelsa State, Dipreye Alamieyesigha, Adamu Aliero (Kebbi), Sani Yerima (Zamfara), Joshua Dariye (Plateau), Rabiu Kwakwaso (Kano), Rasheed Ladoja (Oyo), Chris Ngige (Anambra), Chiwoke Mbadinuju (Anambra), Niyi Adebayo (Ekiti), Adamu Abdullahi (Nasarawa), Peter Odili (Rivers) and Saminu Turaki (Jigawa).
Others were Abubakar Audu (Kogi), Victor Atta (Akwa Ibom), Boni Haruna (Adamawa State), Achike Udenwa (Imo), George Akume (Benue), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi) and Burka Abba Ibrahim (Yobe).
President Jonathan also met with the 36 state chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
By Madu Onuorah, Abuja
Also yesterday, former governors (1999-2007) from 19 states of the federation paid a condolence visit to President Jonathan, promising him total support.
President Yar'Adua died at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on the night of May 5, 2010 during a protracted illness.
The memo for the naming of the road and airport in honour of the late President was submitted by President Goodluck Jonathan and approved by the council.
The approval of the memo was at the council's session held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The session had begun at the normal start of council sessions at 10.00 a.m. and lasted over two hours.
It had in attendance former Ghanaian President, Mr. John Kuffour, current and former members of the council who served under the late President, permanent secretaries and other top government functionaries.
The President's memo, which was the only memo listed and deliberated upon for the day was presented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Yayale Ahmed.
Lists ex-president's achievements
The memo stated the various achievements of the late President, which include brokering of peace in the Niger Delta region through the amnesty programme and the banking reforms. President Jonathan then requested that the Council approve the naming of the Katsina International Airport and a major road in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after the late President.
Subsequently, President Jonathan called on some ministers to pay tribute to the late Nigerian leader.
Those who paid tribute to the president include the ministers of Agriculture (Prof. Sheik Abdallah), FCT (Senator Bala Mohammed), Information and Communications (Prof. Dora Akunyili), Petroleum Resources (Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke), National Planning (Dr. Samsudeen Usman), Police Affairs (Alhaji Adamu Waziri), Women Affairs (Mrs. Josephine Anenih), Transport (Yusuf Sulaiman), Defence (Prince Adetokunbo Kayode), Niger Delta (Godsday Orubebe), Sports (Ibrahim Bio) and Foreign Affairs (Mr. Odein Ajumogobia).
The ministers in turn eulogized the late president reeling out the modest achievements recorded in their respective ministries while Yar'Adua was President. They all backed President Jonathan's memo seeking to immortalise the late President.
Jonathan, while stating that Nigeria made giant strides under the late President, especially the landmark achievement of the restoration of peace in the Niger Delta, added that "in recognition of his contribution to national development, the airport road starting from the City Gate and Katsina Airport be named after him."
President Jonathan described the late Yar'Adua as an extra-ordinary man who was committed to peace in the Niger Delta and the country as a whole.
Kuffour, who also paid tribute to the late president, said he was honoured to be part of the exclusive council meeting to commiserate with the government, family and the people of Nigeria on the death of President Yar'Adua.
Recalling his dealings with the late president, Kuffour said he first met the late Yar'Adua before he became president, saying he made indelible marks within the short period he was in office, adding that he stood for African unity.
Kuffour, who also congratulated Jonathan on his elevation, expressed his confidence that his past experience should stand him in good stead to pilot the affairs of the nation in the right direction, saying: "I believe you are a man of destiny."
President Jonathan also called for a minute's silence after which the Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Remi Babalola and his Information and Communications counterpart, Labaran Maku, said the Moslem and Christian closing prayers.
Ex-governos visit Jonathan
Also yesterday, former governors from 1999 to 2007 from 19 states paid a condolence visit to Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, promising to give him 100 per cent support.
They also urged him to continue with the legacies of the late president, especially electoral reform and rejuvenation of the power sector.
The former governors, led by that State and a former chairman of the Governors' Forum, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, described Yar'Adua's death as a sober, tough and critical moment in the history of Nigeria's democracy. But the former governors said they are confident of President Jonathan's ability to deliver, having been one of them.
They had earlier paid similar condolence visit to the government and people of Katsina State.
Igbinedion told Dr. Jonathan that "we are proud of YarAdua's achievements. When you came on board in 2007, this forum gave you 100 per cent support. That we will extend to your administration.
"For us, it is the same administration. It is the same class 1999 to 2007 because you were marked present in our meetings. It is an enormous task. But with your listening ear, we are here to give you our support and as retirees we have enough time to drop by from time to time."
Igbinedion told journalists after the meeting that "the President should continue with the legacies because they had a manifesto when they were campaigning. He should complete what Yar'Adua started."
Asked if the former governors would back President Jonathan if he runs for the next presidential elections, Igbinedion said: "I have not heard o o o. I have not heard o o o," and walked away.
Jonathan had, while thanking the former governors for the support they gave him and his late boss, particularly recalled the support they gave their joint ticket in 2007.
According to the President, "I want to thank you because without you, we would not have been here in the first place. You supported our joint ticket and I am happy you are extending same to me. Our late dear President was one of you and I worked with you as a deputy governor and later as a governor. He had great vision for this country but unfortunately he was cut short by death."
Among the former governors who visited the Villa include Bayelsa State, Dipreye Alamieyesigha, Adamu Aliero (Kebbi), Sani Yerima (Zamfara), Joshua Dariye (Plateau), Rabiu Kwakwaso (Kano), Rasheed Ladoja (Oyo), Chris Ngige (Anambra), Chiwoke Mbadinuju (Anambra), Niyi Adebayo (Ekiti), Adamu Abdullahi (Nasarawa), Peter Odili (Rivers) and Saminu Turaki (Jigawa).
Others were Abubakar Audu (Kogi), Victor Atta (Akwa Ibom), Boni Haruna (Adamawa State), Achike Udenwa (Imo), George Akume (Benue), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi) and Burka Abba Ibrahim (Yobe).
President Jonathan also met with the 36 state chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
By Madu Onuorah, Abuja
Comments
Post a Comment