North, South Korea to hold rare talks next week

Kim Jong. Photo credit rappler

North and South Korea agreed Friday to hold rare talks next week, aimed at setting up a high-level dialogue that might provide the foundation for a sustainable improvement in cross-border ties.

The talks, to be held on November 26 in the border truce village of Panmunjom, will be the first inter-governmental interaction since officials met there in August to defuse a crisis that had pushed both sides to the brink of an armed conflict.

That meeting ended with a joint agreement that included a commitment to resume a high-level dialogue, although no precise timeline was given.

Seoul’s Unification Ministry said talks proposals sent to Pyongyang in September and October had failed to garner a response.

Then on Thursday, the North’s official KCNA news agency said the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea, which handles relations with the South, had sent Seoul a notice proposing the November 26 meeting.

“We have accepted,” a Unification Ministry official said.

Under the terms of the August agreement, Seoul switched off loudspeakers blasting propaganda messages across the border after the North expressed regret over recent mine blasts that maimed two South Korean soldiers.

The South interpreted the regret as an “apology” but the North’s powerful National Defence Commission has since stressed that it was meant only as an expression of sympathy.

– Diplomatic shifts –
Next week’s talks come amid diplomatic shifts in the Northeast Asia region that have left North Korea looking more isolated than ever, with Seoul moving closer to Pyongyang’s main diplomatic and economic ally China, and improving strained relations with Tokyo.

Earlier this month, the leaders of South Korea, China and Japan held their first summit for more than three years in Seoul.

Although the focus was on trade and other economic issues, the three declared their “firm opposition” to the development of nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula.

North Korea is already under a raft of UN sanctions imposed after its three nuclear tests in 2006, 2009 and 2013.

It has also come under increasing pressure on the human rights front, following a report published last year by a UN commission that concluded North Korea was committing human rights violations “without parallel in the contemporary world”.

A UN General Assembly committee on Thursday condemned those “gross” violations in North Korea, in a resolution adopted by a record majority.

The resolution, which will go to the full General Assembly for a vote next month, encourages the Security Council to consider referring Pyongyang to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

Such a move would likely be blocked by China, which has veto power in the council.

– Summit hopes –
Last week, South Korean President Park Geun-Hye had reiterated her willingness to hold face-to-face talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un — but only if Pyongyang showed some commitment to abandoning its nuclear weapons programme.

“There is no reason not to hold an inter-Korean summit if a breakthrough comes in solving the North Korean nuclear issue,” Park said.

“But it will be possible only when the North comes forward for a proactive and sincere dialogue,” she added.

The two Koreas have held two summits in the past, one in 2000 and the second in 2007.

The United Nations is also understood to be in discussions with North Korea over a visit by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon — possibly before the end of the year.

Ban had been scheduled to visit in May this year, but Pyongyang withdrew the invitation at the last minute after he criticised a recent North Korean missile test.

Guinea president sacks minister, officials over violence

Guinean President Alpha Conde on Thursday sacked his interior minister and two other government officials for “gross misconduct,” for their handling of deadly violence that broke out at a religious gathering last weekend.

Interior Minister Mahmoud Cisse, Secretary of State for Religious Affairs El Hajd Abdoulaye Diassy and his deputy Aboubacar Fofana were dismissed, according to orders from Conakry, which gave no further explanation and did not name any replacements.

A source in the presidency told AFP that “President Conde blames his now former colleagues for the catastrophic event management at Touba”, a popular Muslim pilgrimage site where violence broke out last week.

Two people were killed, many wounded and vehicles and buildings torched when rival groups clashed over the construction of a large mosque in the city, which lies some 250 kilometres (155 miles) north of Conakry in the Gaoual prefecture.

“Authorities deployed security forces to maintain order in the region after the destruction,” and an investigation has been opened, Court of Appeals prosecutor Cherif Moundjour told state media on Wednesday.

“At this time, 13 people have been arrested” and are being held in Gaoual, he said.

“They are being prosecuted for murder, criminal conspiracy, destruction of private property and intentional injury.”

The violence comes after Conde was reelected for a second five-year term last month and is due to be sworn in on December 14.

Some 85 percent of Guinea’s 12 million people are Muslim, about one in 10 are Christians and others follow traditional spiritual beliefs.

Dollar dips in Asia as stock markets extend gains

The dollar sank against emerging market currencies and the yen in Asia Friday after seeing sharp losses on Wall Street while stocks picked up in later trade to extend the previous day’s rally.

The upbeat performance was a far cry from the start of the week, which was overshadowed by the deadly Paris attacks last Friday, which raised fears about security in Europe and its effect on the economy.

Minutes Wednesday showing Federal Reserve policymakers are confident the US economy is strong enough to withstand a December interest rate hike fuelled buying across global markets and sent the dollar up against its major rivals.

However, while equities held their gains, the dollar’s strength dissipated through the day as investors acknowledged the fact that any increase in borrowing costs will be slow.

“Traders are pulling back from their long dollar trades for now, given speculation that the Fed’s tightening cycle may be more gradual than the market had previously priced,” Imre Speizer, markets strategist at Westpac Banking in Auckland, told Bloomberg News.

The greenback fell to 122.87 yen in New York Thursday from 123.59 yen the day before. The Bank of Japan’s refusal to ramp up its stimulus — despite the country being in recession — also provided support to the yen.

The euro jumped to $1.0735 in New York, from $1.0660 on Wednesday.

– ‘Recovering confidence’ –
The US unit continued to face headwinds from emerging market currencies, with the upbeat Fed outlook providing dealers with confidence to buy risker, higher-yielding assets.

The South Korean won rose 0.7 percent, Indonesia’s rupiah added 1.3 percent and the Malaysian ringgit put on 1.7 percent. The Australian dollar and Thai baht also pushed higher.

Emerging units have taken a beating against the dollar for most of the year on long-running expectations the Fed would lift rates before the end of 2015 — causing investors to move their money to the United States looking for better, safer returns.

In share trading Tokyo reversed earlier losses to end on a high, while Sydney and Shanghai also closed the week on a positive note.

Chinese investors finished in the black despite a recent spate of data reinforcing concerns about a growth slowdown in the world’s number two economy.

The Shanghai market has had a tumultuous week, with the imminent restart of initial public offerings causing fears about liquidity while also bolstering confidence that stability is finally returning.

“The market is holding rather well, with volatility remaining at reasonable levels, considering all the recent developments such as soft economic figures,” said Gerry Alfonso, a sales trader at Shenwan Hongyuan Group in Shanghai.

“This would seem to indicate investors are gradually recovering confidence in the long-term performance of the equity market.”

Key figures around 0710 GMT
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 0.1 percent at 19,879.81 (close)

Shanghai – composite: UP 0.4 percent at 3,630.50 (close)

Sydney: UP 0.3 percent at 5,256.10 (close)

Hong Kong: UP 0.2 percent at 22,536.95

Euro/dollar: DOWN to $1.0718 from $1.0735 in New York

Dollar/yen: DOWN to 122.83 yen from 122.87 yen

Euro/yen: DOWN to 131.70 yen from 131.90

New York – Dow: DOWN 0.02 percent at 17,732.75 (close)

New York – S&P 500: DOWN 0.11 percent at 2,081.24 (close)

New York – Nasdaq: DOWN 0.03 percent at 5,073.64 (close)

58 quotable quotes of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan @ 58

Fifty-eight years ago, former President Goodluck Jonathan was born in Otueke, a predominantly fishing community, presently in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Ex-President Jonathan casting his vote in the March 28, 2015 Presidential election. He lost to General Muhammadu Buhari, but called him shortly to concede defeat and congratulate him.

On that fateful Wednesday of November 20, 1957, baby Jonathan was born into the family of Mr. Lawrence Jonathan. His mother is Mrs Eunice.

Rising from what he (Jonathan) has always described as a journey from ‘grass to grace,’ the son of canoe makers, rose from a Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State to becoming Nigeria’s President, the highest office in the country.

Jonathan, who held sway as the country’s No. 1 citizen for 60 months/24days (5 May 2010 – 29 May 2015) is many things to many people.

For instance, recently, Jonathan who led the Commonwealth international observers team to monitor the Tanzanian general election held on October 25, 2015, was described as ‘a hero of free and fair election in Africa,’ having contributed largely to the successful conduct of the election which was declared peaceful, free, fair and credible by international observers.

Basking in the euphoria of the high respect they have for Jonathan, particularly for making that unusual and unprecedented sacrifice to concede defeat to his opponent, General Muhammadu Buhari (now President), The Daily News of Tanzania, in an editorial before the election, titled, ‘Salutary lessons for Tanzania from Nigeria’s latest elections,’ paid glowing tributes to Jonathan.

The newspaper commended him for taking his defeat in the last presidential election “in all magnanimity,” stressing that, “Jonathan may very well have averted bloodshed that is characteristic of incumbent leaders who cling in power tooth and nail, fang and claw! What lesson is there in this for us in Tanzania, pray?”

The paper maintained: “It is generally admitted that the election in Nigeria was unprecedentedly free, fair and transparent, whereby the opposition candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, won the Presidency. What is more remarkable is that the incumbent president who sought re-election, Goodluck Jonathan, … most graciously accepted the results promptly!

“Oh, I don’t know beyond the fact that Tanzania could tragically do worse if it fails to dedicatedly take a leaf out of Nigeria’s newest book on elections!”

Similarly, the Guardian of Tanzania, in its own editorial entitled, ‘High profile figures among observers will add credibility to poll process, results’, poured encomiums on the former Nigerian president, describing him as a democrat who has pointed the way forward for the rest of Africa.

The Guardian further wrote that “Jonathan’s voluntary handover of power to the opposition wrote a new chapter for Nigeria’s democracy, given the fact that it is rare for sitting presidents in Africa to hand over powers to winning opposition parties.”

Against this backdrop, Vanguard captures 58 quotable quotes of Ex-President Jonathan as he clocks 58.

Quote 1

The stronger the boat of (democracy), the more it is able to meet the challenges of its voyage and deliver on its promise to citizens.

Quote 2
The air of freedom we breathe today is the result of the sacrifices of thousands of pro-democracy activists, human rights campaigners and others who organised as civil society.

Quote 3
My political ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.

Quote 4
No minister will be allowed to go on a mission of endless search for solutions.

Quote 5 
In the comfort of our offices, let us not forget that majority of our people live below the poverty line.

Quote 6

Terrorism has no conscience and spares no one.

Quote 7
Any society or country that closes the vital valves of its democratic space cannot develop at a reasonable pace

Quote 8

Where there is no opportunity for one man one vote, there will be no accountability and no responsibility.

Quote 9

Democracy is a journey that every nation mindful of advancing the liberty of its citizens must undertake.

Quote 10

Nobody’s political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.

Quote 11
Our votes must count! One man, one vote! One woman, one vote! One youth, one vote!

Quote 12
Nobody should rig for me. I am assuring Nigerians that though I am contesting, nobody must manipulate votes in my favour. Our votes must count.

Quote 13
I congratulate the candidates of the other political parties. I regard them not as opponents but as partners.

Quote 14

In presenting myself for service, I make no pretense that I have a magic wand that will solve all of Nigeria’s problems or that I am the most intelligent Nigerian.

Quote 15
I have come to launch a campaign of ideas, not one of calumny. I have come to preach love, not hate. I have come to break you away from divisive tendencies of the past which have slowed our drive to true nationhood. I have no enemies to fight. You are all my friends and we share a common destiny.

Quote 16

Democracy calls for sacrifice and tolerance an open ear and a strong voice.

Quote 17 
For the PDP family, the contest for party offices does not produce winners and losers.

Quote 18
I believe in the politics of give and take.

Quote 19
Separation of power is not separation of government.

Quote 20
We are all Nigerians and I will be a President to all. This is the new dawn we crave

Quote 21
Our unity is firm, our purpose strong, our determination unshakable.

Quote 22
Being a Nigerian is a blessing (and) a great responsibility.

Quote 23
We have a duty to be loyal to our country.

Quote 24
If God did not will it we will not be Nigerians.

Quote 25
Our founding fathers… did not dream of a country where neighbours and friends would exchange bullets in place of handshakes.

Quote 26
I prefer to see the silver lining in the dark cloud rather than the dark cloud in the silver lining.

Quote 27
We may not have overcome our challenges, but neither have our challenges overcome us.

Quote 28
We are not sworn enemies… We are neighbours who sometimes offend each other, but can always sit down to talk over our differences.

Quote 29
Over-dependence on oil has put an unpleasant bracket in our national economic freedom.

Quote 30
Economic diplomacy does not need to be a zero-sum game where the gain of partner automatically translates to the loss of the other.

Quote 31
Peace and security are the barest irreducible conditions for social and economic development.

Quote 32
I am loyal to Nigeria’s economy. I don’t have accounts or property abroad. All my children live and school in Nigeria.

Quote 33
The time of lamentation is over. This is the era of transformation. This is the time for action.

Quote 34
Cynicism and scepticism will not help our journey to greatness. Let us all believe in a new Nigeria.

Quote 35

The goal of achieving positive macroeconomic stability is no end in itself.

Quote 36

I have no intention to inflict pain on Nigerians. To save Nigeria, we must all be prepared to make sacrifices.

Quote 37
While we may not have landed a spaceship on the moon or developed nuclear technology, our inventors and innovators have made globally acknowledged contributions

Quote 38

Transformation in my view simply means taking what you have and making the best of it and in so doing produce results that can bring about a paradigm shift.

Quote 39
I want to assure Nigerians that crude oil is not our ‘Black Gold.’ The real ‘Black Gold’ of Nigeria are her people and they can grow in value from gold to diamond via education.

Quote 40

We must quickly move away from partisan battlegrounds and find the national common ground.

Quote 41
Let me put you on notice: the assignment of offices is not an allocation of privileges.

Quote 42
Nigeria is a nation of resilient people. We will never yield to the forces of darkness. Nigeria will never ever, disintegrate.

Quote 43
The quality of governance is as good as the quality of the civil service.

Quote 44
The best advertisement for good governance is its positive expressions of happiness in the lives of the governed.

Quote 43 
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags. I carried my books in my hands but never despaired; no car to take me to school, but I never despaired. There were days I had only one meal but I never despaired. I walked miles and crossed rivers to school every day, but I never despaired. Didn’t have power, didn’t have generators, studied with lanterns, but I never despaired. In spite of these, I finished secondary school attended the University of Port Harcourt and now hold a doctorate degree.

Quote 44
I was not born rich and in my youth, I never imagined that I would be where I am today, but not once did I ever give up.

Quote 45
As the most populous black nation on earth it seems our manifest destiny is to champion the cause of African emancipation and integration.

Quote 46
African renaissance remains an unfinished business, but the work that remains should not stop us from focusing on new priorities and challenges.

Quote 47
I am happy that the black man has put the shame of dispossession behind him and is moving on.

Quote 48
The dark patches in the Niger Delta will give way to light.

Quote 49
On the football field, nobody cares who scores for Nigeria. You can be a Musa or a Moses; you can be a Christopher or a Mustapha, nobody cares.

Quote 50

We have a duty to stand firm against those who threaten the sovereign integrity of the Nigerian state. Our will is strong, because our faith lies in the indivisibility of Nigeria.

Quote 51
Nigerians are peace-loving people; these sad events perpetrated by those who do not wish our nation well have not changed the essential character of our people.

Quote 52
No matter what it takes, we will win this war against terror.

Quote 53
Africa must declare an end to the era of self-inflicted wars and conflicts.

Quote 54
Africa must turn its begging bowls into baskets of prosperity and opportunity.

Quote 55
It is the supreme task of this generation to give hope to the hopeless strength to the weak and protection to the defenseless.

Quote 56
We must develop a democratic culture in which the will of the people will be treated as sacred and be immune to subversion by anti-democratic elements.

Quote 57
As we strive to advance our democratic development, there will be times when our will shall be tested, our patience provoked and our belief questioned.

Quote 58
The beauty of democracy is that its practice is never final and always has room for improvement no matter how old a democratic society may be. Where we falter we must not fall. When we are weak, we must not 

Korede Bello goes Back to School – Find out what he’s studying!

Although he became a ‘mega superstar’ this year, clinching a telecoms brand endorsement and releasing one of 2015’s biggest hits in Nigeria – GodWin, Korede Bello is going back to school!

The Mavin Records musician just matriculated for the Higher National Diploma (HND) at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ).

We did a little digging, and according to the Institute’s website, their only HND program is for Mass Communication, and we bet Korede will take the part-time route because of his busy performance schedule.

This move will definitely encourage his young fans AKA #Bellovers to stay in school!

Here are photos from the matriculation today –

Korede’s Caption: “Going back for my HND #StayEducated #NIJ Matric No. M3GA”

Korede’s Caption: “Congrats to my people Proudly #NIJ”

Okowa Salutes Former President Jonathan at 58

Former president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, has extolled the virtues of former president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, describing him as a committed patriot.

The governor who personally wrote to congratulate the former leader on his 58th birthday said the present administration in Delta State will continue to count on the former president’s support.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, noted in a statement on Thursday that Okowa wrote to felicitate with former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on the occasion of his 58th birthday which comes up on Friday November 20.

According to him, Governor Okowa prayed that Almighty God will continue to bless the former president with good health and long life.

Aniagwu quoted the Governor as saying: “It is with profound joy that I write on behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta State, to express very warm felicitations to you.

“I join your family, friends and well-wishers to thank Almighty God for His continued guidance, protection and provision for you in the past 58 years of a life of forthrightness and outstanding patriotism with which He has blessed you.

JUST IN: Mali hotel 'attacked by gunmen' in Bamako

Gunmen have launched an attack on the Radisson Blu Hotel in the centre of Mali's capital, Bamako, witnesses say.

"Apparently it's an attempt to take hostages. The police are there and are sealing off the area," a security source told Reuters news agency.

Automatic weapon fire could be heard from outside the 190-room hotel, AFP reports.

BBC Afrique's Abdourahmane Dia says the hotel is popular with expats working in Mali.

In August, suspected Islamist gunmen killed 13 people, including five UN workers, during a hostage siege at a hotel in the central Malian town of Sevare.

Ekiti seals off banks, telecoms firms over alleged tax evasion

EKITI State Government has sealed off the business premises of some banks and GSM service providers over an alleged non-payment of Business Premises Tax to the state government.

The Commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives, Mr. Michael Ayodele said the affected business outfits owed the state government money running to millions of naira.

Ayodele, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, said some of the affected firms had not paid the said tax in the last three years.

The commissioner, who led officials of his ministry to seal off the premises, said the government took the action following repeated warnings to the organisations to fulfil their financial obligations to the state.

He wondered why corporate bodies, making a lot of money from the state, would find it difficult to fulfill their civic obligations to the state.

“People and business outfits must be alive to their civic responsibilities. It is not good when an organisation operates in a state and makes money and refuses to pay the necessary taxes to the state government.

“We all know that the current economic realities require the blocking of all financial leakages and looking inward for the government to generate funds.

“The administration of Governor Ayodele Fayose is delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of the state and it is money the government needs to execute its programmes and we appeal to all to cooperate and pay levies, taxes and dues promptly and fully,” he said.

He added that the state government would not hesitate to seal off any erring firm in the state.

In another development, tipper lorry owners in Ekiti State yesterday began an indefinite strike to protest N1,000 haulage fee per trip and a fine of N50,000 on any defaulter by the state government.

They disclosed that members of the union had been paying levies to the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals including N20,000 yearly renewal fee; N9,000 royalty levy and a processing fee of N10,000.

Acting under the aegis of the Union of Tipper and Quarry Employers of Nigeria, Ekiti State chapter, the group described the imposition of the levy as “unacceptable” and the fine of N50,000 imposed on any member who defaults in paying the tax as “outrageous.”

Government had through a letter dated November 12, 2015, marked EK/MRDA/11/78 and signed by the Commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives, Michael Ayodele, communicated its desire to impose the tax of N1,000 per trip which it described as “haulage fee.”

The letter reads in part: “The meeting deliberated on the current financial position of Ekiti State vis-à-vis the need to provide social amenities for citizens.

Nigeria slumps in global budget rankings

Buhari

NIGERIA may have extended its frontier in negative indices with another poor showing, this time in the global ranking of budget processes- transparency, inclusiveness and implementation, from 2012 to September 2015.

Quite worrisome is also the low level of performance among African countries, with South Africa at the top, followed by Sierra Leon, Ghana, Liberia and São Tomé and Principe, while Nigeria could only beat Equatorial Guinea.

This was part of the report unveiled yesterday at the launch of the Nigerian Open Budget Survey 2015, in Abuja, by the International Budget Partnership (IBP), in collaboration with BudgIT, Centre for Social Justice, the Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre and Socio-Economic Research and Development Centre.

The Open Budget Index, operated by IBP, is the world’s only independent and comparative measure of budget transparency and currently tracks 102 countries, under 109 budget-related indicators.

Specifically, the indicators subsumed in the three major heads- Transparency, Public Participation and Budget Oversight- which the country failed, were pointing to the lingering mismanagement of public funds, poor implementation of budget and oversight and rising level of poverty as well as inequality.

While the country scored 24 out of 100 points assessment and a general average expectations of 45, Sierra Leon scored 52; Ghana, 51; Liberia, 38; and São Tomé and Principe, 24, while Equatorial Guinea got four.

The representative of IBP, Elena Mundo, while unveiling the report, said budgets are more or less imposed on the people instead of being a product of public engagement in the process and that government failed to make reports available for public, but kept them for internal use, while audit oversight function is limited.

“Nigeria scoring 25 out of 100, against 61 taken as sufficiency level, tells of a pretty bad situation. But it doesn’t mean that there is no opportunity to reverse the ugly development. Government must begin to make its budget document open to the public for input and in timely manner.

“Of course, making documents and information available can eliminate covering of real issues, even the media will be able to determine how public finances are actually used. Citizens should be in the know, that is the way to go,” she said.

A World Bank’s Senior Governance Specialist, Roland Lomme, in a goodwill message, said: “Budget transparency is an essential accountability mechanism that will show how resources are spent and for the good of the people. Although the report is poor at 24, but Nigeria increased the budget transparency from 16 in 2012.

We only need consistent improvement now.

“The issue of subsidy, the operations and the cost to the country are challenges. Transparency in public finance is important if the country must rise to the anticipated and assessable potentials,” he said.

The Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele, who was represented by the Director of Finance, Mrs. T.O. Image, said budget stands as the instrument of control and cannot taken for granted, because any budget that is not followed is as good as non-existent.

Why Obasanjo’s third term bid failed, by Jonathan

Obasanjo

Nigeria’s immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan in Washington DC faulted former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s claim that he did not actually push a third term bid.

Instead, Jonathan said the former president agitated for a third term in office but failed to actualise it. Jonathan was a guest of the U.S National Democratic Institute (NDI) in the United States on Wednesday.

According to him, the strong resistance of the National Assembly at the time (between 2006 and 2007), made the bid to fail.
 
“Of course, I was a governor at that time, but due to strong resistance from the National Assembly, the third term bid failed.”

According to Jonathan, Africa needs strong parliaments to checkmate sit-tight presidents who influence parliaments to consider amendment to the constitution that would extend their stay in office.

“Changing constitutions to eliminate term limits in order to favour incumbents is inconsistent with democratic principles and reduces confidence in democratic institutions.”

He warned: Repressive actions by some of these leaders is setting “a disturbing precedent for the region and continent.”

Jonathan said it is not a sustainable path and the reason he is setting up a Goodluck Jonathan Foundation to address these issues and mediate in the continent.

The former President, who recently led an international observer delegation of the Commonwealth to the Tanzanian national elections, shared his views on the elections and their significance in the consolidation of democratic progress in Tanzania. 

He said that the election in Tanzania was an improvement from previous elections held in the country and revealed that the only weakness is that once the electoral umpire has declared a winner, the loser cannot contest the results in a law court or election petitions tribunal.
Jonathan also used the opportunity to educate the audience on the problems in Zanzibar and how he is mediating in the dispute.

He said: “Corruption is now used for political campaign; during the first visit of President Buhari to the United States he said that about $150billion was lost to corruption, though he didn’t mention me, he said by previous administration.”

“The figures are staggering and untrue, another governor said someone stole a million barrels of oil per day.”

Monarchs protest power outage in Osun communities

ABOUT 15 traditional rulers representing various communities in Ayedade, Irewole, Isokan and Ife North local councils of Osun State have staged a peaceful protest to the Osogbo Office of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) due to non-availability of electricity supplies to their communities.

The monarchs said their subjects have been giving them sleepless nights over poor supply of electricity which has thrown the entire areas into
perpetual darkness.

Led by the Olufi of Gbongan, Oba Adetoyese Oyeniyi Odugbemi, ‎the traditional rulers including the Olumoro of Moro, the Saalu of Edunabon, the Alakinlalu of Akinlalu, the Akire of Ikire, Onikoyi of Ikoyi, Oniwaro of Iwaro, lamented that residents in the areas could no longer cope living in darkness while artisans in the communities also suffered untold hardship for lack of electricity to do their work.

The royal fathers said they took the decision as a last resort to incessant complaints and restiveness by residents in their various domains who are agitating for a quick restoration of power to their communities.

They claimed that youths in the areas have threatened to attack their palaces and make the communities ungovernable if the monarchs failed to prevail on the electricity authorities to take urgent steps to restore light to enhance socio-economic activities in the areas.
One of the traditional rulers said that the youths refused to go back to their various domains without a concrete promise from the power company.

Expert urges Buhari to tap maritime potential

President Muhammadu Buhari

A MARITIME expert and consultant, Engineer Emmanuel Ilori has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to take advantage of the ample opportunities in the maritime sector to diversify the economy.

Ilori, who is a consultant in maritime engineering and management with over 20 years international experience, said if the sector is reformed, Nigeria has the capacity to be a global player in the industry.

In the recent past, experts had ascribed the industry’s poor performance to statutory instruments, but Ilori said it is not peculiar to Nigeria.

According to him these instruments are essentially Maritime Technical Development Regulations that require technical expertise for their effective utilization and implementation.”

Ilori explained that it is called Home Trade in the United Kingdom, and it addresses trade, technical and human capacity, while in the United States, The Jones Act was designed to protect existing maritime industry and prepare it for growth.

Relating it to Nigeria, he noted that the most populous country in the African continent has the benefit of two excellent instruments in the Local Content Act and the Cabotage Act.

“The first was adopted based on the internal technical local content gaps identified within the oil and gas industry. Its modest positive impact is largely due to its implementation by technical experts with thorough understanding of the industry.”

Ilori argued that “The Cabotage Act is the most important instrument that is capable of transforming the Nigerian maritime sector; both technically and economically.

Presently, he disclosed that an initial $200 million is available in the CVFF, emphasizing that it is a great impetus for Nigerian engineers and technicians to build ships locally.

Manufacturers laud Agip over LC initiative as PETAN advocates patronage

Nigerian Agip Oil Company

LOCAL contractors have the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) for sustaining its local content initiative geared at assisting industries in boosting productivity.

Some of the contractors, including Topline Pipeline and Process Engineers, Elshcon Nigerian Limited, Lamesco Limited among others, gave the commendation yesterday during the oil firm’s vendors’ exhibition in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Spokesman of Topline Engineers, Opeyi Ounsanya, said, the initiative has enabled the firm to carry out hottap jobs without any record of accident and as well, empowered several Nigerians.

Meanwhile, The Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria ( PETAN), Emeka Ene, have advocated for patronage of local companies who have proven records.

Ene who spoke at the vendors Exhibition event, argued that Value added local content reduces cost.

He explained that, for major projects to succeed in a low oil price enviroment, cost must be considered.

Ene said, “ there are 100 of proven Nigeria companies who have been working, who are experienced and willing to do the works, foreign companies does at a very competitive price, so it makes sense that these companies be given proper priorities within the context of Local Content act”

“For major projects to work within a 40 dollar per barrel of oil, you must include proven Nigerian companies to do the work, it makes common sense because, it cost more to bring in foreigners to do works here”.

He called for more focus on Nigerian companies ,noting that it would not only create employment, generate revenue but would rapidly improve the economy .

Vice Chairman and Managing Director of NOAC, Massimo Insulla,said, the company has continued to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the NOGICD Act by issuing internal guidelines that makes it mandatory for all departments involved in the contracting processes to liaise with its Nigeria Content department in order to cross check full adherence to the provision of the Act.

Norway donates $4 million to IDPs in Borno

File Photo

THE Norwegian Government yesterday donated the sum of $4 million to the Borno State government as assistance in the “rehabilitation and resettlement” of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) sacked by Boko Haram from their various communities in 20 local councils of the state.

Presenting the cheque at the Government House, Maiduguri, the Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Rolf Ree, said the international community will continue to assist Borno State government in resettling displaced persons currently living at Bakassi camp and others in the metropolis.
His words: “The Norwegian government has been very much concerned about the plight and increasing number of displaced persons at various camps in the metropolis.

“My official visit to Maiduguri was to interact with IDPs, who are mainly children and women, hear what the children say about their displacement from conventional schools and homes and see how they could be assisted to return to their respective communities.”

He said the financial assistance, will also complement Borno State government’s efforts in rebuilding destroyed communities, before the displaced persons could return to their homes.

Responding, Governor Kashim Shettima commended Norway for being a leader in supporting the state government and its affected citizens, since the Boko Haram insurgency that has claimed many lives and property.

“For the past seven years, the Norwegian government has been assisting Borno State government in ‘cash and kind’ by building housing units at the Bakassi camp on Damboa Road.”

He assured the ambassador that the Boko Haram insurgency will soon end and become a thing of the past.

“In the next few weeks or months all the destroyed communities in 20 councils will be rebuilt and rehabilitated for some of the displaced persons to return and continue with their normal lives,” he assured.

He also announced that the Day Secondary Schools in Maiduguri metropolis will be reopened next week Monday, November 23, 2015, while boarding schools in the state will gradually resume for academic activities.

Police return 30 rustled cows to owners in Yobe

THE Yobe State Police Command Wednesday presented 30 recovered cows from Boko Haram cattle rustlers to their genuine owners.

Presenting the recovered cows at the Damaturu cattle market, the Damaturu Area Commander of the police, Mr. Yemi Samuel, who represented the police commissioner, Zannah Ibrahim, said he was happy the police did its rightful duty by protecting people’s lives and property.

He promised that the police would continue to work assiduously for the maintenance of law and order in the state and the country as a whole.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Toyin Gbadegesin said: “Three weeks ago, the members of the Joint Task Force arrested three Boko Haram rustlers and recovered 159 Cows, 266 Sheep, 19 Goats and a Horse. The recovered livestock, according to him, was made public leading to the release of the 30 cows to the rightful owner.’’

He however noted that: “the process of getting the rightful owners involved several witnesses drawn from village heads and community leaders to ensure that the animals were really owned by the persons claiming ownership.

Shettima woos Chinese investors

THE Borno State Government is to partner with the Republic of China to harness and develop the state’s rich agricultural and solid minerals resources, create and raise more job opportunities and income to improve the living conditions of the people in the next three years.

Speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri, Governor Kashim Shettima said: “The main purpose of my trip to China was to woo Chinese investors and other firms to come Borno State. We visited some of its factories, companies and organizations for a concrete and genuine partnership towards raising people’s living conditions that have been affected by Boko Haram insurgency for over six years.

The partnership, according to Government House sources in Maiduguri, will also address the rising rate of poverty and unemployment among the teeming youths in agricultural, commerce and solid minerals sectors of the economy.

Group, elders reject tribunal’s ruling on Taraba

A group under the aegis of Taraba Mandate Group (TMG) has condemned the election petition tribunal judgment, which overturned the election of Governor Darius Ishaku, saying the judiciary can be accused of double standards.

Also, Abuja based political elders of Taraba State extraction have rejected the judgment of the state governorship election petition tribunal.

Rising from a meeting in Abuja, the elders said “the judgment of the tribunal is capable of throwing the already volatile state into an unwarranted chaos,” because of the political awareness of the people of the state who hardly give away their mandate anytime it was freely decided at the polls.

TMG took side with Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose’s comments that the judiciary is guilty of double standards considering that in Benue and indeed many of the All Progressives Congress (APC) states, there were no primaries.

In a resolution sent to The Guardian by its spokesman, Gani Bako, after their meeting in Abuja, TMG noted that the tribunal’s verdict was akin to wishing the peoples’ mandate freely given to Ishaku away.

TMG added, “In fact, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue even said he did not do a primary. Today, he is still governor because he is in APC. Thank you Fayose for standing on the popular side of truth.

“The Taraba people therefore urged the Appeal Court to set aside the judgment and uphold the election of Ishaku in the interest of the people, fairness and justice.

“We humbly appeal to all Nigerians of goodwill to prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari and all stakeholders to do the needful to respect the wishes of Taraba people.

“The tribunal’s judgment was uncalled for. It is almost like the annulment of June 12, 1993 Presidential election won by late business mogul, Chief M. K. O. Abiola.

“Senator Aisha Alhassan of the APC is our daughter and sister. But in the case of the 2015 governorship election, Tarabans voted for Ishaku. No court or tribunal should invalidate the will and wishes of our people.

“This is a clarion call to save Taraba. We need peace and development. We can avoid the crisis and confusion by restoring the mandate of Ishaku.’’

Former Nigeria’s envoy to Trinidad and Tobago, Ambassador Musa John, faulted the tribunal’s ruling, saying that as a former PDP governorship aspirant, he was aware that the party primary held in Abuja where he actively participated when the security situation in Jalingo, the state capital could not be guaranteed for such an event.

Further, he said the tribunal erred in law by awarding Aisha the seat when as a matter of fact, she never suffered any injury arising from the PDP primaries, adding that after all, the APC won in only five out of the 16 local government areas of the state and could not have been declared winner when she did not satisfy the two-third of the majority votes cast in the election as enshrined in the 1999 amended Constitution.

Also, the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) candidate during the election, Alhaji Kabiru Dodo, said the judgment does not augur well for the peaceful atmosphere existing in the state, noting that power belongs to God and whomever He chooses to give it to should be supported instead of the current bickering in the state.

Former Nigerian Ambassdor to Cameroun, Mr. Emmanuel Njuwa, wondered what the judgment was set to achieve in view of the fact that Gov. Ishaku got the overwhelming votes of the people even when INEC called for a re-run in some local councils and wards after the main election was decided in his favour.

Committee to discuss improvements to Africa’s productive integration, free trade area

map of africa-positivewww

DESPITE the growth and relatively good performance during the past decade, African economies lack industrialisation and integration. Academic evidence from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Union Commission (AUC) shows this recent growth has had no impact on the underlying structural design of these economies and to diversify its economies, the continent must reverse its dependence on merchandise exports dominated by raw and unprocessed commodities.

In a statement on Tuesday by the ECA, the ninth session of the body’s Committee on Regional Cooperation and Integration (CRCI) will, therefore, convene in Addis Ababa from December 7 to 9, 2015, to discuss means of promoting and accelerating productive integration through trade and market integration, economic diversification, competitiveness, infrastructure, regional and continental value chains development, and the financing and investments needed to meet implement these policies.

Studies, including the recent ECA Economic Report on Africa (ERA), suggest that to improve intra-African trade, the continent must address its overall weak productive capacities and lack of competitiveness and technological sophistication. The studies cite infrastructure as one of the key impediments to productive integration in Africa. An insufficient infrastructure has adverse effects on supply and value chain linkages, not only in the agriculture sector on which the majority of Africans depend, but also in manufacturing and other sectors of the economy. It also affects growth, the creation of jobs and eventual elimination of widespread poverty.

With infrastructure in place, intra-African trade and regional value chains can effectively facilitate Africa’s industrialization and eventual entry into global value chains, the report suggests.

World’s second-largest diamond ‘found in Botswana’

Photo; BBC

THE world’s second-largest gem quality diamond has been discovered in Botswana, the Lucara Diamond firm says.

The 1,111-carat stone was recovered from its Karowe mine, about 500km (300 miles) north of the capital, Gaborone.

It is the biggest diamond to be discovered in Botswana and the largest find in more than a century.

The 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond was found in South Africa in 1905 and cut into nine separate stones, many of which are in the British Crown Jewels.

“The significance of the recovery of a gem quality stone larger than 1,000 carats, the largest for more than a century… cannot be overstated,” William Lamb, the CEO of Lucara Diamond, a Canadian diamond producer, said in a statement.

Lucara says two other “exceptional” white diamonds – an 813-carat stone and a 374-carat stone – were also found at the Karowe mine.

“I am truly at a loss for words.

U.S. House to vote to restrict refugees’ entry

REPUBLICANS in the United States (U.S.) House of Representatives are preparing to vote on legislation that would place new restrictions on the resettlement of Syrian and Iraqi refugees in the U.S.

Democrats say that the bill constitutes grandstanding, while Republicans say the public is demanding greater protection from terrorism.

President Barack Obama has said he will veto the legislation.

The bill follows the attacks in Paris that left 129 people dead.

Seven of the perpetrators died in the attacks, and one of them is thought to have been a Syrian who entered Europe via Greece with migrants.

The bill would require the head of the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence to sign off on each refugee as being “not a threat to the security of the United States,” following an FBI background check.

The bill reportedly does not contain provisions that would screen refugees based on religion – a contrast to proposals offered by presidential candidates Jeb Bush and Ted Cruz, who have said that preference should be given to Christians.

‘Private varsities abroad thrive on patronage of Nigerian students’

MANY private universities abroad are sustained through the high patronage they enjoy from Nigerian students, the Vice Chancellor, Veritas University (VUNA), Abuja, Prof. Michael Kwanashie has disclosed.

He also insisted that some of those institutions in neighbouring countries and in other parts of the globe would close shop if Nigerian students studying there were to pull out.

Kwanashie, who spoke recently in Abuja, said the emergence of private universities in the country was in response to the quest for better access to education, adding that the inadequacy of public universities in the country was one of the factors that compelled Nigerian parents to send their children to foreign private universities.

The vice chancellor, while reacting to claims that these private institutions were elitist and expensive, maintained that such assertions do not apply to faith-based universities such as Veritas.

According to him, a student does not need to come from a rich family before attending his university, as the institution was not profit-oriented, but established to render service to humanity.

“Private universities in Ghana, Malaysia and Eastern Europe are thriving on the basis of Nigerian students.

Even in Britain, many private universities thrive on Nigerian students. That is why they always come here to recruit. So, that was why we said to ourselves, why can’t we set up private universities here and give students the same thing they get abroad,” he stated.

The university administrator who said the school was ‘creating the same environment where every student matters’ as obtained abroad, added that: “Some of those universities would fold up if Nigerian students are withdrawn. It is important that we create the supply to meet the demand for private universities.’

Okorocha counsels PDP to play credible opposition

Okorocha

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to rise to the challenges of remaining a credible opposition party than fighting the All Progressives Party (APC), dissipating energy.

Okorocha stated this yesterday in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, noting that in recent times, comments coming from some officials of the party attacking his APC-led government in the state, was not advisable.

Okorocha said the PDP should remain a credible opposition party to the benefit of the Imo citizens, adding that he would not subscribe to the party going into extinction.

The statement advised two groups of the party led by a former Legal adviser of the PDP in the state, C.OC. Olisa, a lawyer and a former lawmaker in the state, Nze Ray Emeana, to be upright for the good of the state.

Imo decries dearth of NDDC projects

Okorocha

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has urged authorities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to step up commission’s presence in terms of infrastructural projects in the state.

Okorocha, represented by his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere, said this during a conference themed Collaborative Effort for Stimulating Investment on inclusive economic growth, held in Asaba, Delta State.

He regretted that despite Imo State being a major player in the oil production in the country, there is nothing much to show for its status, demanding that the commission should urgently site more projects in the state.

Saraki’s counsel faults Falana, others over Supreme Court ruling

COUNSEL to Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, Prince Ajibola Oluyede, has faulted the condemnations that have trailed the Supreme Court ruling, which ordered a stay of proceedings in the trial of the senate president at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The lawyer said the reactions are clearly misconceived.

Renowned lawyers such as Chief Adegboyega Awomola (SAN), Femi Falana (SAN) and Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) had faulted the decision, saying it was against the provisions of the law.

But Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Oluyede are of the view that the Supreme Court decision is in order.

Ozekhome had stated that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) is inconsistent with section 6(6) and 36 of the 1999 Constitution.

In a statement titled: ‘The Supreme Court and the mob hysteria’, Oluyede, who made a particular reference to comments credited to Falana and Sagay , noted that the perceptions of the eminent lawyers on the ruling were wrong.

Falana was quoted to have said: “It is unfathomable that the Supreme Court decided to return the country to the status quo ante in a rather brazen and bizzare manner”, while Sagay in his opinion noted that, “what the Supreme Court has done is illegal and it is shocking that the Supreme Court would indulge in illegalities”.

Soludo urges declaration of national emergency on industrialisation

Photo: thenigeriabusiness

A former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Charles Soludo has called for a declaration of emergency on industrialisation in the country, as a strategic measure for economic diversification and job creation, on a sustainable basis.

Besides, Soludo urged the present administration to establish a new regime of competitive federalism; build and empower the nation’s institutional framework; create an efficient and competitive market economy with a human soul; fix the broken public finance and evolve a developmental exchange rate strategy.

The former CBN boss, in a paper delivered at the third anniversary of RealNews magazine in Lagos yesterday, warned the Federal Government against its current avowed focus on agriculture and solid minerals for economic diversification and job creation, as the emphasis on the two sectors “is misplaced.”

Rather, “the new ‘Buharinomics’ must articulate the five big ideas/programmes to drive the vehicle of change. Where are the iroko trees of the change mantra? Let me suggest that one of them should be a national emergency action on industrialisation.”

He argued that “agriculture and solid minerals are all primary commodities, subject to extreme volatility. If job creation is the central objective, both sectors won’t deliver much over the medium term.”

Soludo, who spoke on “Can a New Buharinomics Save Nigeria,” stressed that inasmuch as the country needs to maximise the potentials of every sector in job creation, “including the hitherto dormant solid minerals sector and then accelerate the transformation of agriculture, the overarching emphasis of the APC manifesto on solid minerals and agriculture as its own ‘new economy’ is misplaced.

An Igbo proverb says that a person who sells a dog and buys a cat still has a squatting animal in his house. Indeed, as we modernise agriculture and its productivity rises, total employment in the sector declines. Manufacturing and services remain the key for the future.”

According to him, “Nigeria’s urbanisation rate at 5.2 per cent per annum is one of the highest in the world, and with a rapidly growing population and millions entering the labour market every year, creating value-adding jobs for these clustering urbanites will be a fundamental challenge.

“China is now running out of its rural cheap labour and manufacturing wages are beginning to rise. To continue to compete, Chinese firms will have to relocate to cheaper cost locations just like Japanese firms relocated to many East Asian countries in a phenomenon called the ‘flying geese model’.

Nigeria must position itself to be the preferred location for these flying geese. We need bold targets, a plan, and actions.

“Indeed, emphasis on solid minerals and agriculture could become integral part of the industrialisation strategy—- as we should aim to export only processed minerals and agricultural produce.

“For example, can APC (All Progressives Congress) set a 20 year audacious agenda (2035) for Nigeria to achieve manufacturing as share of GDP in the region of 30 per cent, and for manufactured exports to account for at least 20-25 per cent of exports?

“It is a doable target, requiring activist governments at all levels as promoters. To work, Nigeria would have to unleash state and regional competition. Attempt to drive it from Abuja will fail as usual. The starting point is to constitute urgently a team of out-of-the box thinkers to come up with a seemingly ‘crazy plan’.

TMG tasks Buhari, APC, INEC on Kogi polls

President Muhammadu Buhari

Chairman of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Ibrahim Zikirullahi, has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari, All Progressives Congress (APC), Inspector General of Police and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to walk their talk on delivering free, fair and credible elections in Kogi State.

Speaking during a pre- election media interaction in Lokoja yesterday, Zikirullahi said all eyes are on Nigeria concerning Kogi election which is the first under the new government, as a litmus test that President Muhammadu Buhari must pass.

According to him, “the history of the Nigerian democracy has been replete with bastardized electoral process, when leaders talk about change it has to start with the electoral process. Any change without getting the electoral process right is not real.”

He said fact that Nigeria is still in the tradition stage of getting its electoral process right is the reason for serious emphasis of security.

The TMG chairman noted that in the developed democracies, election has become a normal process that would not need heavy security for voting to take place.

‘Long arm of law caught up with them’

Ahmadu Giade NDLEA chairman

THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Wednesday said it has seized a total of 13,498 kilogrammes of illicit drugs, comprising cannabis sativa, also known as Indian hemp, in Edo State.

The State Commandant of the agency, Wakawa Buba, disclosed this where he also said that no fewer than 72 suspects had been arrested in connection with the exhibits.

The commandant, who explained that the suspects were arrested between September and November 17, 2015‎, also noted three motorcycles used to convey the narcotics from the hinterlands to the city and other states.

“The most popular drug of trafficking in this zone (South-South) is the cannabis sativa, which is locally called Igbo or Indian hemp. These drugs are planted very deep in the forest under rugged terrains, not accessible by road.”

“So when they harvest, they use these motorcycles to bring them out closer to where they can use the vehicles to load and transport. We have made reasonable seizures,” he added.

Thirteen of the suspects, who were paraded by the agency included a physically-challenged woman, Patience Onisuru, who was nabbed on November 14, with 10 bags of cannabis sativa ‎at Utese-Okada Road, in Ovia North-East Local Council of Edo State.

The 47-year-old mother of four said that the drugs were being conveyed to the South-East to be sold at N15, 000 per bag, before she was arrested by officers of the agency.

“I was introduced to this business when I did not have anything to do. The person said that he would buy one bag at N15, 000 each. I do not feel fine about my arrest. I beg for forgiveness. I will not try in again; this is my first time.”

Others suspects identified by the commandant include Victor Okon, Osaro Uwaifo, Igelenya Dennis, ‎Ehimare Ikhalea, Osagie Ibhawese and Anakarizu Henry.

Also paraded were Sunday Ineh, Frederick Nwose, Festus Ossai, Sunday Ohenhen and Obazu Ahigbe‎.

Buba also said that the agency’s operations would be improved with the launch of the four-year National Drug Control Master Plan, beginning in 2015.

He stated: “We want to sound a stern warning to those who are involved in these illicit activities that Edo State is a hostile environment for them. We are not going to tolerate anybody who is not law-abiding to bring the name of the state to disrepute.”

“We will ensure that we bring anybody involved in illicit drug to justice; the long arm of the law will definitely catch up with them.‎”

Best of our wishes (Naija True Info) to Dr Goodluck Ebele Azikwe Jonathan.

#Hero@58

He worth being Celebrated. Lets just do this for the true Hero of our Democracy.   

Jonathan symbol of democracy in Africa – Carter

Former United States President Jimmy Carter has poured encomiums on Nigeria’s former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The 39th US President described Jonathan as a symbol of democracy on the African continent.

He made the remark while receiving Jonathan at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum located at the Carter Center in Atlanta.

They were said to have held a fruitful meeting at the Carter Center where they held a wide-ranging discussion on global issues and shared views on how to promote peace, democracy and good governance in Africa and the world.

Speaking on Jonathan’s time in office, Carter said: “President Goodluck Jonathan is the symbol of democracy in action. You set an example that other African leaders should follow.”

The former American President also praised Jonathan for organizing a transparent election and easily conceding defeat and handing over to the opposition.

By so doing, he said that Jonathan showed his deep democratic commitment.

Responding, Jonathan said that his actions while in office were informed by his belief in a peaceful, transparent and people-oriented governance, adding that Africa can only move forward through democracy and good governance.

He commended President Carter for the exemplary manner he had in his post-presidential life, adding that he was inspired by Carter’s commitment to causes that advance the path of humanity.

Jonathan and Carter share a common experience as one term Presidents and have both retired involuntarily from politics while rededicating their lives towards making the world a better place.

They both agreed that peaceful and stable government increase foreign direct investment and sustainable development.

The Carter Center is a nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter and guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering.

It seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health.

Jonathan has been visiting many strategic pro-democracy institutions where he had been invited to share his experience in office as a promoter of democracy and advocate of good governance in Africa.

He had so far been hosted by the Presidential Precinct in Virginia, John Kennedy School of Government, King Center as well as the Carter Center.

While visiting the Presidential Precinct in Charlottesville Virginia, last week Jonathan assured the international community that African leaders were displaying more commitment to democracy and good governance, as a means of engendering sustainable development an improving the lives of the people.

He is scheduled to speak a long side with Former US Secretary of State Johnnie Carson about elections, peace and democracy at the National Democratic Institute, and Howard University in Washington DC.