Nigerian Acting President gets more recognition, performs executive functions
The Acting President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, today February 11, swore in 17 permanent secretaries in the federal civil service, with a warning that his administration has zero tolerance for corruption. He told them that it is a privilege to be called to serve at a time the administration is going to the last lap of its life span and told them to bring their experience to bear to the job, and be prepared to accept responsibilities at all times.
He told them to bear in mind that as accounting officers of their various ministries, departments and agencies of government they must live above board and must not condone corrupt practices. After the oath taking, the new permanent secretaries, one after the other, signed the dotted lines as the Acting President watched them. He congratulated them for emerging the best in a selection that was described as competitive and rigorous. A departure from the past designed to ensure that only capable hands emerged describing it as a privilege.
Dr Jonathan told them to bear in mind that as the accounting officers of the various ministries department and agencies, they should shun corruption as well as give support to their ministers. Their appointment is coming when all efforts are geared towards moving the. Nigerian nation forward and the new permanent secretaries are reminded of the high expectations by the government and indeed Nigerians expectations that must not be cut short by selfish ambitions.
In stamping the authority of the Acting President, the leadership of the National Assembly today February 11, led by senate president, David Mark today paid a courtesy visit to the Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, in his office. The Senate President told state house correspondents that the visit was to assure the Acting President of their readiness to work with him. The Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan says that only a focused and committed National Assembly can move the nation forward.
Dr. Jonathan was speaking in his residence in the presidential villa when the leadership of the senate led by the senate president Mr. David mark paid him an informal visit. He said that the challenges facing Nigeria are enormous but that he is hopeful of receiving support from the law makers while he is holding brief for President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua. Dr. Jonathan said that separation of powers does not mean that lawmakers and the executive are not one but that they should complement each other.
The Acting President commended their spirit and pledged to work with them to move the nation forward. Earlier, the senate president David Mark solicited for correspondents from the Acting President pledging the willingness of the senators to work with him, conscious of the principles of separation of powers. The two chambers of the National Assembly had on Tuesday adopted a motion asking Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to act as President, pending the return of President Umaru Musa Yar'adua who's currently receiving treatment in a Saudi hospital.
Moreover, the newly appointed Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode has formally assumed office with a promise to always offer quality legal advice and support to the federal government. Speaking in Abuja while taking over from his predecessor, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode promised to put in his best to ensure continuity in the Ministry of Justice.
He commended Chief Aondoakaa saying the former attorney general of the federation tried his best in several challenging circumstances. In a brief ceremony witnessed by senior officials of the Ministry of Justice, the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Michael Aondoakaa handed over to his successor, who promised to assist the government with quality advice.
Meanwhile the former attorney general of the federation, Chief Michael Aondoakaa appealed to staffers of the ministry of justice to cooperate with his successor. He also appealed to the new AGF to ensure that the welfare of workers in the ministry is not compromised. Prince Adetokunbo Kayode became Nigeria's 19th Attorney General and Minister of Justice following his appointment.
However, information made available modernghana.com has it that the house of Representatives may next week summon the new/demoted Minister of Special Duties, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa, to substantiate the allegation of corrupt practices made against the Minister of Information and Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili, while serving as the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The House's decision followed a petition submitted on the floor of the chamber by a member, Honourable Dino Melaye, and two members of his constituency in Kogi State, even as the 360-member legislative tasked an ad hoc committee to investigate the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, and the police hierarchy, over allegation of extra- judicial killings in Maiduguri arising from Boko Haram episode. A foreign media, Al'jazeera Television, had last night aired footage of a film showing where the police were allegedly shooting to death, unarmed civilians, including women, children and the cripple on the streets of Maiduguri. The film came amid allegations by Amnesty International and human rights bodies, six months ago during the Boko Haram episode, that there were extra- judicial killings in Nigeria.