Extends olive branch to the opposition, *vows to change Nigeria’s foreign policy

By Daniel Idonor, Asst. News Editor
FROM the moment he left the Eagle Square venue where he was sworn in as Nigeria’s President on May 29, 2011 Dr. Goodluck Jonathan could well be said to have hit the ground running.

His first engagement after the oath-taking was the inspection of the Guard of Honour mounted by the Brigade of Guard at the venue of the inauguration ceremony. In a motorcade, the newly sworn-in Commander-in-Chief, was driven in the company of the Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General Emmanuel Atewe, his Aide-De-Camp, ADC, Lt. Col. Ojogbane Adegbe and his Chief Security Officer, CSO, Mr Gordon Obua.

Meets world leaders
The following day, May 30, Jonathan headed straight for the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, where he hosted some Heads of State and Government who witnessed his inauguration Those he met included Liberian President, Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Trinidad and Tobago leader, George Maxwell, Burundi Vice_ President, Gervais Rufyikiri Gervai and His Zambian counterpart.

Others he met were Special envoys from North Korea, Morocco, Kuwait and China.
At the meeting Jonathan informed them that Nigeria’s foreign investment policies would be overhauled as part of a deliberate attempt by government to grow the economy and generate employment for the youths.

Dissolves FEC
Aware of the legal implications of keeping presidential appointees beyond May 29 the President dissolved the Federal Executive Council, FEC, which he had presided over for about a year now.

President Goodluck Jonathan

In a statement which he approved, Jonathan declared that “in accordance with the appointment letters of members of the Federal Executive Council, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, and other political appointees, their appointments ended on May 29, 2011.

This brings to a close the former administration, and marks the beginning of the new one”. The President thanked all the outgoing ministers, advisers and assistants and other political appointees for their service to the nation. He particularly lauded their patriotism and dedication, and wished them God’s blessings in their future endeavours.

Appoints Anyim SGF
Equally promising for the new administration was the appointment on Monday of a former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF; and the reappointment of General Owoye Andrew Azazi as the National Security Adviser, NSA.

The following day, Tuesday, May 31 the President held a valedictory session with members of the dissolved cabinet.
While assuring the former ministers to see their exit from the Federal Executive Council, FEC, as another opportunity to contribute their quota to the ongoing transformation agenda for Nigeria, he explained that he would have preferred the ministers stay-on until a new cabinet is formed except for legal stipulation of the terms of their appointments which terminated May 29, 2011.

While thanking the former FEC members for their interest in serving the country at a very critical time of its history he wished them the best of luck in their future endeavour.

The former SGF, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed responded on behalf of the members of the former cabinet.
Also speaking, Vice President Namadi Sambo thanked the ministers for their contributions to national development in the last one year, saying that the government appreciated them for stabilising the polity when it mattered most.

He told the outgoing ministers to be grateful to God for the humility, patience and perseverance they must have learnt from his boss, the President, saying that “I find a teacher in you (President). It is only those who have opportunity to work with you that will understand what I am saying”.

From the Banquet Hall, Mr President proceeded to the council cambers of Aso Rock for the inauguration of the new SGF, Senator Pius Anyim. At exactly 12.20 pm, Anyim, the new SGF took his oath of office and thereafter took his seat at the Council Chambers at 12.24 p.m. from which minutes earlier, Yayale Ahmed had vacated.

Jonathan said the choice of Senator Anyim as the SGF was informed by his track record over the years, saying that the new SGF is to form part a critical team being packaged to champion and drive the transformation agenda initiative of the new government.

Meets party leadership
On Wednesday June 1, President Jonathan met the leadership of the mainstream political parties including the People Democratic Party, PDP, at the Banquet Hall of Aso Rock. The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, and Labour Party, LP, were among others that sent representatives to the meeting.

In attendance were Bello Mohammed, Chairman of PDP, Kao Baraje, Secretary of PDP and Olusola Oke, Legal Adviser, PDP, Bisi Akande, Chairman ACN, national leader of ACN Bola Tinubu, Chris Ngige, and George Akume. Others are Ogbonnaya Onu, Chairman ANPP; Lanre Amosu, ANPP Chieftain; Victor Ume, chairman, APGA, Tim Manakaya, APGA, and Dan Nwuanyawu, Chairman, LP, among others.

The President was accompanied to the meeting by Vice President Namadi Sambo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, and Presidential Spokesman, Mr Ima Niboro, and Special Assistant on Research and Documentation, Mr Oronto Douglas

There was however uneasy calm in Aso Rock Wednesday when unconfirmed reports in the media filtered into the air that the Chief of Staff to President, COS, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, had been removed from office.

The presidency immediately distanced itself from the reports; saying that the rumour that the incumbent Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Dr Godknows Boladei Igali, has been appointed Acting Chief of Staff is not only fake but unfounded.

The Presidency also gave reason why the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Ima Niboro, Special Assistant on Research and Documentation, Mr Oronto Douglas, and many close aides to the president have not been reappointed, citing a legal clause that requires a legislative approval. The constitution requires the President to seek the approval of the Senate for the number of Special Advisers to appoint. Upon the approval the president will proceed to announce the appointments into the category.

Before the close of June 1, President Jonathan also had another session with the leadership of Nigerian Economic Society, NES, led by its President, Dr. Kenneth Adeyemi. At the forum, Jonathan said he would soon appoint the President of the NES as Honourary Adviser to him on Economic Matters.

The President further said that the NES Chief Executive would also serve as a member of the National Economic Management Team, NEMT, when it is constituted soon. Jonathan said this will be an enduring tradition to enable the economic body interface regularly with government towards national economic transformation. For Jonathan it has been a beginning for his own efforts to stamp his legacy on the country.