Jonathan leaves FEC intact after last session

Posted by admin Latest Politics Thursday, May 26th, 2011

THE Federal Executive Council (FEC) met for about two hours in its last session before Sunday’s inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan for a fresh term in office.

The ministers, who reviewed their tenure in office with President Jonathan, urged him “to keep his eyes on the gold to ensure that in the next four years, he continues with his humility yet with firmness and resolution to lead the country in the direction of change, development and prosperity for our children.”

In the next federal and state cabinets, professional bodies, aviation workers and women politicians have called for the engagement of competent Nigerians to fast-track the country’s development.

At separate fora in Lagos and Abuja yesterday, the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), aviation workers and women politicians, appealed to the President and state governors to include experts in their teams to effectively drive their programmes.

Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. Labaran Maku, who briefed journalists at the end of the FEC session along the two Ministers of Aviation, Education as well as the Ministers of State for Commerce, Finance and Health, said “the last Council meeting had been held but it has not been dissolved.”

Maku said the out-going ministers offered their views and expressed themselves about their experiences in government and in working with the President and in serving the people of Nigeria since their appointment. “Overall, the discussion centred on the appreciation of all members of the Council for the rare privilege we had to serve this nation in various capacities.

“Members of the Council gave gratitude to God for the opportunity the nation has given them to serve. As we all know, for every position that God has given you, there are people outside who are even better than you. It is not a right to be a minister. It is a rare privilege. It is not by qualification. It is by the grace and the favour of God. All members of the Council took time to thank God and Mr. President for having the confidence in them. Most members admitted that before the appointment, they didn’t have any relationship with the President but that he had accepted and appointed them meant that he
is a visionary leader and someone who is prepared to give opportunity to Nigerians from every part of the country no matter their background to serve the nation.

He added that one after the other, the Council members took turn to point out the sterling qualities of Jonathan, particularly his legendary humility and patience, and yet his deep judgment and wisdom when the nation was in crisis.

“Everybody admitted that this President has been acknowledged for less than his worth and service to the nation. But all of us together believed in him and we believe also that this nation has not made a mistake by giving him the near unanimous national mandate he has got to rule the country for the next four years.

“Members of the Council also advised the President on key national issues, which will not be subject of discussion in this briefing, but generally, Council members believe that our country is standing at the threshold of history, a moment for it to move forward as a nation.

“The Council members particularly gave gratitude to God for a successful election and indeed the honesty of Mr. President in allowing this nation for the first time to have a free and fair election in which citizens expressed themselves without fear or favour and in which many incumbents were unable to come back. This shows that with the right leaders in place and with commitment in the nation and with sincerity of purpose, it is possible to make Nigeria become a better country.”

At a forum organised by the Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), APBN urged Jonathan not to fall to the antics of politicians in the appointment of his ministers if he was prepared to move Nigeria forward.

APBN President, Mr. Segun Ajanlekoko, counsel the President to learn from countries like Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, and of late, Kenya, who preferred technocrats to drive governance, while politicians were confined to the role of law making and politicking.

The body also appealed to the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola to ensure that the bulk of his cabinet members come from professional bodies and technocrats, if he would be able to sustain “most of his lofty achievements.”

Ajanlekoko said professionals were ready to offer a selfless service to the nation by making useful suggestions to the government and urged those in authority to see the present political development and the just concluded elections as an opportunity to move the nation forward.

The President of NIA, Mr. Tunji Bolu, charged Fashola to provide the enabling environment for the theme of the forum, “Lagos 2.0-A Lively City (Next Level” is achieved.

Bolu said better planning alone can guarantee a liveable environment and appealed to the governor to ensure that his next team would be those who can consolidate on his achievements during his first term in office.

Fashola, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Mr. Taiwo Adedeji, said his administration was committed to the sustenance of a friendly environment, effective use of professionals to make the state a model mega-city in Africa.

Also at a press conference, aviation workers under the platforms of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), National Association Air Traffic Engineers (NAAE) and Aviation Round Table (ART), a pressure group, said they want professionals to manage the sector.

NAAPE National President, Isaac Balami, said what the unions in particular and the aviation industry in general want is that the President should appoint a professional as the minister of aviation if the industry must develop.

He said that the unions and stakeholders in the industry had been patient over the years when non-professional were appointed as the ministers of aviation to head an industry he described as hi-tech.

Balami said: “We need a professional to manage this industry. The sector was one of the peaceful in the country.

Lecturers and doctors, tanker drivers have gone on strike but professionals in the aviation sector have not gone on strike because of the critical nature of the industry.”

On what the unions would do if the President fails to yield their appeal, he said: “We may not guarantee the peace we have been enjoying in the industry.

Women who took part in the April elections as candidates at the state and federal legislatures have called on Jonathan state governors to include them in their appointments at all levels.

The women, under the umbrella of League of Female Contestants, noted that it was better to choose from a list of women who took part in the elections as candidates as they were equipped for governance and had made a lot of sacrifice to ensure a credible electoral process.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, the group’s coordinator, Mrs. Feyisayo Fajuyi, who contested for the Senate in Ekiti State, said that women’s empowerment should start from putting those who took part in the last elections in appointive positions. She also implored the President to fulfill his promise on the 35 per cent affirmative action in his new cabinet.

-Guardianwp_posts