Construction of Second Niger Bridge Flagged Off Today

Today, President Goodluck Jonathan conducted the Ground-breaking Ceremony of the "Second Niger Bridge" Project. This has indeed been a long awaited dream come true especially for the Ndigbo Community of this country.
When this bridge is completed it would certainly advance robust economic activity in that region as the bridge will certainly enhance easy access there.
In his words of appreciation, the President of the Ndigbo Cultural Society of Nigeria (NCSN), Chief Udo Udeoganranya, stated that President Goodluck Jonathan has indeed redefined himself as a man with "exceptional integrity, striding on golden characters of dedication, devotion, allegiance, loyalty and total commitment to public service." He said that by this the President has proven himself true his words that, "a promise made, is a promise that must be delivered".
This regime will be remembered also for giving the Enugu Airport, International status, giving Anambra State an Oil-Producing State Status, and the Rehabilitation of the Lagos-Onitsha Highway, among other projects.
These strides are highly commendable. We heartily congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan and his team on these great strides! We also congratulate the Igboland!
God bless President Goodluck Jonathan! God bless the Ndigbo Community of Nigeria! God bless Nigeria! DOUBLE JUBILEE!!!

The President's Centennial Speech

In my opinion the speech of our president was very apt and inspiring. Kindly find below the speech culled from the Daily Post of yesterday:

The President’s speech reads: “I extend warm greetings and felicitations to all Nigerians as we celebrate our nation’s centenary; a significant milestone in our journey to nationhood.
“One hundred years ago, on the 1st of January 1914, the British Colonial authorities amalgamated the Southern and Northern Protectorates, giving birth to the single geo-political entity called Nigeria which has become our home, our hope, and our heritage.
“I have often expressed the conviction that our amalgamation was not a mistake. While our union may have been inspired by considerations external to our people; I have no doubt that we are destined by God Almighty to live together as one big nation, united in diversity.
“I consider myself specially privileged to lead our country into its second century of existence. And as I speak with you today, I feel the full weight of our hundred-year history. But what I feel most is not frustration, it is not disillusionment. What I feel is great pride and great hope for a country that is bound to overcome the transient pains of the moment and eventually take its rightful place among the greatest nations on earth.
“Like every country of the world, we have had our troubles. And we still do. We have fought a civil war. We have seen civil authorities overthrown by the military. We have suffered sectarian violence. And as I speak, a part of our country is still suffering from the brutal assault of terrorists and insurgents.
“While the occasion of our centenary undoubtedly calls for celebration, it is also a moment to pause and reflect on our journey of the past one hundred years, to take stock of our past and consider the best way forward for our nation.
“Even as we celebrate our centenary, we must realise that in the context of history, our nation is still in its infancy.
“We are a nation of the future, not of the past and while we may have travelled for a century, we are not yet at our destination of greatness.
“The amalgamation of 1914 was only the first step in our national journey. Unification was followed by independence and democracy which have unleashed the enormous potential of our people and laid the foundation for our nation’s greatness.
“In challenging times, it is easy to become pessimistic and cynical. But hope, when grounded in realism, enables and inspires progress. Therefore, as we celebrate our first century of nationhood and enter a second, we must not lose sight of all that we have achieved since 1914 in terms of nation-building, development and progress.
“Today, we salute once again the great heroes of our nation – Herbert Macaulay, Ernest Ikoli, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alvan Ikoku, Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye, Dr. Michael Okpara, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Malam Aminu Kano, Mokwugo Okoye and Chief Michael Imoudu, among others.
“We must be inspired by our past to overcome the obstacles we face in the present and honour our forebears by realising the promise of a Nigeria that is not only independent but also truly unified, prosperous and admired the world over.
“The history of Nigeria since independence is the story of a struggle to fulfill our great promise. The discovery of oil in our country in the late 1950s offered new hope of prosperity but we have not always been able to reap the benefits in a fair and equitable way.
“The situation was not helped by political instability and the frequent suspension of democracy by military coups. During the civil war, the very existence of our country was cast into doubt but through it all, the promise of a Nigeria that is united, free and strong remained in our people’s hearts.
“Thanks to the efforts of our statesmen and women, and millions of ordinary Nigerians, the union endured and flourished. I would like to specifically commend members of the Armed Forces for their contributions and sacrifices to keep Nigeria one.
“Gen. Yakubu Gowon had the wisdom and grace to declare that the civil war had seen “no victor, no vanquished” and welcomed “the dawn of national reconciliation.”
“It was in this spirit that Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo collected the instruments of surrender at the end of the war and later became the first military ruler in our country to hand over power voluntarily to a democratic government.
“While the Second Republic did not last, his fine example was later followed by Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar who paved the way for our current democratic dispensation which has lasted longer than the previous three put together.
“As we celebrate our centenary, I believe that it is vital that we focus our thoughts on the vast potential of a unified and progressive Nigeria; and build on the relative stability of the Fourth Republic to achieve accelerated national socio-economic development.
“I also believe that the future greatness of our country is assured by the favourable tail winds of a resilient population, ecological diversity, rich natural resources and a national consciousness that rises above our differences.
“We are a unique country. We have been brought together in a union like no other by providence. Our nation has evolved from three regions to thirty six states and a Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“We have transited from the parliamentary to a presidential system of government. We have moved our capital from the coastal city of Lagos to Abuja, at the centre of our country.

“Today, Abuja stands as a monument to our national aspiration for greater unity; it symbolises our dream of a modern nation unhinged from primordial cleavages and designed as a melting pot of our diversity.
“If, in our first century, we could build a new capital city, we can surely build a newer, stronger, more united and prosperous Nigeria in the next century that will be an authentic African success story.
“The whole world awaits this African success story. With our sheer size, population, history, resilience, human and natural resources and economic potential, Nigeria is divinely ordained to lead the African Renaissance.
“That is why I am confident that in the next 100 years, those who will celebrate Nigeria’s second centenary will do so as a united, prosperous and politically stable nation which is truly the pride and glory of Africa and the entire black race.
“The key to the fulfilment of that vision is our continued unity as a nation. Perhaps one of the most amazing stories of our political evolution in the last hundred years is that an ordinary child of ordinary parentage from a minority group has risen to occupy the highest office in our country.
“As we march into the next hundred years, it is my hope that mine will no longer be an extra-ordinary story but an accepted reality of our democracy that every Nigerian child can pursue his or her dreams no matter how tall; that every Nigerian child can aspire to any position in our country and will not be judged by the language that he speaks or by how he worships God; not by gender nor by class; but by his abilities and the power of his dreams.
“I am proud and privileged to have been elected leader of Nigeria and I consider it my solemn responsibility to act in the best interest of the nation at all times.
“Dear compatriots, in line with the thoughts of that great son of our continent, Nelson Mandela, let us not judge ourselves, and let not the world judge us by how many times we have stumbled, but by how strongly we have risen every single time that we have faltered.
“Even as we remain resolute in our conviction that our union is non-negotiable, we must never be afraid to embrace dialogue and strengthen the basis of this most cherished union. A strong nation is not that which shies away from those difficult questions of its existence, but that which confronts such questions, and together provides answers to them in a way that guarantees fairness, justice and equity for all stakeholders.
“My call for the national conference in this first year of our second century is to provide the platform to confront our challenges. I am confident that we shall rise from this conference with renewed courage and confidence to march through the next century and beyond, to overcome all obstacles on the path to the fulfilment of our globally acknowledged potential for greatness.
“I have referred to national leaders who did so much to build our nation in the past hundred years but nation-building is not just a matter for great leaders and elite alone.
“All Nigerians must be involved in this national endeavour. From the threads of our regional, ethnic and religious diversities we must continuously weave a vibrant collage of values that strengthen the Nigerian spirit.
“The coming national conference should not be about a few, privileged persons dictating the terms of debate but an opportunity for all Nigerians to take part in a comprehensive dialogue to further strengthen our union.
“I am hopeful that the conference will not result in parochial bargaining between competing regions, ethnic, religious and other interest groups but in an objective dialogue about the way forward for our nation and how to ensure a more harmonious balance among our three tiers of government.
“My dear compatriots, as we celebrate our centenary, the security situation in some of our North-Eastern States, sadly remains a major concern for us. Just yesterday, young students, full of hopes and dreams for a great future were callously murdered as they slept in their college dormitories in Yobe State. I am deeply saddened by their deaths and that of other Nigerians at the hands of terrorists. Our hearts go out to their parents and relatives, colleagues and school authorities.
“We will continue to do everything possible to permanently eradicate the scourge of terrorism and insurgency from our country. We recognise that the root cause of militancy, terrorism and insurgency is not the strength of extremist ideas but corrupted values and ignorance.
“That is why our counter-terrorism strategy is not just about enforcing law and order as we have equipped our security forces to do. It also involves expanding economic opportunities, social inclusion, education and other measures that will help restore normalcy not just in the short term, but permanently.
“I want to reassure Nigerians that terrorism, strife and insecurity in any part of Nigeria are abhorrent and unacceptable to us. I urge leaders throughout Nigeria to ensure that ethnicity and religion are not allowed to become political issues.
“I hope and pray that one hundred years from now, Nigerians will look back on another century of achievements during which our union was strengthened, our independence was enhanced, our democracy was entrenched and our example was followed by leaders of other nations whose ambition is to emulate the success of Nigeria; a country that met its difficulties head-on and fulfilled its promise.
“Finally, Dear Compatriots, as we enter a second century in the life of our nation, let us rededicate ourselves to doing more to empower the youths of our country. Our common heritage and future prosperity are best protected and guaranteed by them. We must commit our full energies and resources to empowering them to achieve our collective vision of greatness in this second century of our nationhood.
“That is the task before our country; that is the cause I have chosen to champion and I believe we will triumph.
“I wish all Nigerians happy Centenary celebrations.
“Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I thank you.”

FG to Invest N3.6 Billion on Agricultural Mechanization

‘The Nigerian Government has disbursed the sum of N3.6 billion to the National Agricultural Mechanisation Transformation Agenda, a public private partnership scheme towards addressing the low level of penetration of mechanised agricultural practise in the country,” the  Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwunmi Adesina revealed this recently in Abuja.

According to him, to commence the ongoing mechanisation intervention programme, the Federal Government has approved the release of an intervention fund to the sum of N3.6 billion which is domiciled in the Bank of Agriculture towards the establishment of an Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprise (AEHE). He also explained that in the first phase, the Federal Government will make available 400 units of tractors, 500 power tillers as well as harvest and post-harvest equipment towards setting up a minimum of 80 centres and will be replicated in the second phase. ‘In the third phase, he noted, 250 tractors will be made available.’
The Minister disclosed that the Federal Government has earmarked to bring in 1,050 units of tractors, 1,500 power tillers and 2,400 units of harvest and post-harvest equipment such as reapers, grain threshers, and cassava peelers at the end of the intervention scheme to set up 210 AEHE in demand-driven locations nationwide. “The intervention will create 6, 090 direct jobs for unemployed youths, mechanise a minimum of 488, 250 hectares of land, while 2, 441, 250 metric tons of food will be added to the national food output. Taking cognisance of the difficulties encountered by rural farmers, Government for a start will clear 6, 400 hectares of land nationwide for cassava production,” the Minister attested.
While noting that Nigeria needs to vigorously pursue the commercialisation of agricultural providers, he observed that in the short term, Government will provide 6,000 units of tractors and power tillers and about 13,000 units of harvest and post-harvest equipment as well as set up 1,200 AEHEs to render agricultural support services to farmers through the scheme.
This is another step addressing the clogs in the wheel of progress in the Agricultural sector. It is indeed an applaudable step too!
God bless the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Akinwunmi Adesina and his team! God bless Nigeria! Our future is bright!

President Goodluck Jonathan Launches Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan

Yesterday, Tuesday 11th February, 2014 will certainly mark a memorable day in the history of Nigeria, as President Goodluck Jonathan, launched the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), and the National Enterprise Development Programme.
The Plan is aimed at boosting the annual revenue earned by Nigerian manufacturers to N5 trillion, and to set the stage for a new era of industrial, micro, small and medium enterprise development in the nation.
The President described the NIRP as the most ambitious and comprehensive roadmap that would transform Nigeria's industrial landscape, boost skill acquisition, enhance job creation, and conserve foreign exchange.
In his words, ""As we celebrate our centenary, it is clear to us that the measures of the nation cannot be detached from the dependability of its economy and a great economy must based on a solid industrial sector with well diversified minds and sources of revenue and a vibrate micro and small medium enterprises sector to create jobs and provide leverages.

"The Nigeria Industrial revolution Plan and the National Enterprise Development Programme will help to fast track the attainment of these goals. They are targeted at transforming Nigerian businesses and changing the lives of the ordinary people. It will accelerate inclusive growth and job creation and save the drain on our reserve cause by importing what we can produce locally.

“The NIRP is the flagship industrialisation programme ever embarked upon by this country. It will fast-track industrialisation, accelerate inclusive economic growth, job creation, transform Nigeria’s business environment and stop the drain on our foreign reserves caused by importing what we can produce in locally.

This move by the President is move in the right direction. The future of the nation is indeed very bright!

God bless President Goodluck Jonathan! God bless Nigeria!

Individuals get 92 Percent of N9.4 Billion Agric Loans in 2013-CBN

Out of N9.4 billion loans disbursed by banks in the Nigerian agricultural credit guarantee scheme in 2013, individual borrowers got the largest share of N8.67billion, or 92 percent of the total facility.

A report of activities under the scheme from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that about 54,381 people across the 36 states got the sum of N8.67 billion agric loans from banks.

Other sectors that received the loans include 1201 co-operative groups which received the sum of N373 million; 629 informal sector groups with N182 million; and 66 companies that collected N197million in 2013, according to data published by the CBN last week.

The figure shows that a total of 56,277 loans were approved in the period under review.

Three states that got the highest amounts of the loans are Edo N854 million, Delta N758 million and Katsina N739 million.

The states with the lowest amounts include Borno N33 million, Nasarawa N42 million and Bayelsa with N58 million.

Based on loan size category, the banks disbursed N7.2 billion for those that required N100 million loans and above; N1.5billion for N50 to N100 million; N696 million for N20 to N50 million; N15.5 million for N5 million to N20 million and N500,000 for those below N5 million.

God bless CBN! God bless Nigeria!

(Culled from Daily Trust of 10/2/2014, reported by Hamisu Muhammed)

Abuja Methodist Church to Build School of Nursing and Hospital

The newly ordained Archbishop of the Abuja Archdiocese of the the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Joseph Oche Job made public the plan of the church to build a School of Nursing and Hospital in Abuja.
He said the vision of the church is that the medical centre will compete with any standard school of nursing, school of health technologies or hospital in Nigeria. He said the Certificate of Occupancy of the landed property has been acquired already, and work will soon commence in earnest.
The Archbishop stated that the Methodist Church is committed to being actively involved in providing health and educational facilities for Nigerians, along with its pursuit of its evangelical mission.
This move by the Methodist Church is a laudable one. Time has come in my opinion that churches should engage in developmental projects to impact their communities. This I believe is a way of expressing and translating the evangelical mission we are called to fulfill in the language the common man can understand.
God bless the Methodist Church of Nigeria! God bless Nigeria!

Strides in the Aviation Industry

Over the weekend once Minister of Aviation and Women Leader of the PDP, Mrs Kema Chikwe, applauded the efforts of the government in the remodeling of 22 airports in the country.
Princess Stella Oduah the Minister of Aviation stated that work is on full swing to see to it that the projects are commissioned before the end of the first quarter this year. She said that the focus of the Federal Government is to reposition the Nigerian Aviation Industry, and to see to it that Nigerians get a well deserved aviation system. The Minister revealed that there is still more to come in the pipeline to bring transformation to the industry, and Nigeria at large. She said, the Ministry of Aviation is very conscious of the role it has to play in the social and economic growth of the nation.
Those who frequent air travels through our domestic terminals across the nation can truly bear witness to the significant transformation in the industry. We commend the efforts of the Minister of Aviation and her team.
God bless the Ministry of Aviation! God bless Nigeria!