Day

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan says that Nigeria can be a better place to live in when those in authority utilize their positions and big names they bear in the interest of the nation.

The President made this statement while responding to the preaching by the senior pastor of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre, in Federal Capital Territory Abuja.

The president commended the church for interceding on behalf of the country in the midst of daunting challenges and asked them not to relent.

The pastor of the church, Dr. Paul Eneche said it is possible to be blessed in Nigeria by being upright.

In his goodwill message, the president said he appreciates the intercessory prayers from the church at a time when the nation is having its own fair share of challenges and on the message of the day the president said Nigeria can be a better place when people respect the names they bear

Dr. Eneche further prayed for greater strength upon the president as he leads a nation as diverse as Nigeria. “A country that is more generous in condemnation than in commendation” he added.

A fresh edition Presidential media chat will come up tomorrow.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the programme would be broadcast live on the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority, the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and the Voice of Nigeria by 7pm.

Abati said during the programme, President Goodluck Jonathan would respond to questions from a panel of journalists and media executives on current national issues and developments.

He urged all other radio and television stations in the country to hook up to NTA and FRCN to relay the programme to their listeners and viewers.

Sanusi Lamido

AFP

Suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria Lamido Sanusi described president Goodluck Jonathan as a simple man who meant well for the country but surrounded by incompetent and fraudulent aides.

Sanusi was suspended by President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday over alleged financial misconduct, a move seen by many analysts as politically motivated.

Sanusi has accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) of misappropriating $20 billion (14.5 billion euros), allegations that earned him powerful enemies across the government.

In an interview with News agency in Lagos, Sanusi said many of the people advising Jonathan are sycophants who do not speak frankly or honestly about the extent of corruption in government.

“When you sit with President Jonathan himself he appears a nice simple person who is trying his best to do his best,” Sanusi said.

“His greatest failing obviously is that he is surrounded by people who are extremely incompetent, who are extremely fraudulent and whom he trusts.”

Sanusi learned of his removal from office while in Niger on Thursday and immediately returned to Lagos, where agents from the Directorate of State Services (DSS) seized his passport.

On Friday, he secured a temporary protective order from the Federal High Court in Lagos barring Nigerian intelligence agents from the DSS or police from arresting him.

“I thought taking away my passport was the beginning of infringement on my fundamental human rights,” Sanusi told AFP, explaining why he had already sought court protection.

While no charges have been filed against him, Sanusi said he was prepared for whatever attacks may come.

“That we are here today means that I have taken the decision that I will face the consequences of whatever I do,” he said.

He said his “fierce independence” had been an annoyance to the government since 2009, culminating with his sustained, public attack on the NNPC, widely seen as the epicentre of corruption in Africa’s top oil producer.

“If I am sacrificed in whatever way, my freedom or my life… if it does lead to better accountability it will be well worth it,” he said