Sunday, 31 May 2015

Special Thanksgiving for Dr. Goodluck Jonathan

The Bayelsa State Government has held a Special Thanksgiving Service for the immediate past President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
The service was held on Saturday at the St. Peters Anglican Church, Yenagoa, the states’ capital.
In a speech at the thanksgiving service, the former President appealed to the people of Bayelsa and the Niger delta to continue praying for him and his family.
It was a gathering of elders from both Bayelsa and Rivers State, singing and dancing in appreciation to the almighty God for what most of the guests described as a safe return of the former President to his people after his tenure in office.
Dr. Jonathan read the first lesson of the service, from the book of Luke 17;11-19 while his wife, Mrs Patience Jonathan read the second lesson from the book of Psalm 121. After reading the bible chapter, Mr Jonathan broke into a song.
In his address of welcome, the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, said the thanksgiving service was held to round off activities marking the “heroic homecoming of the hero of democracy”, Dr Jonathan.
The preacher at the service, quoting from the book of job, Reverend Uma Ukpai pointed out that any life without problem was useless.
“Problem is a pathway to promotion. Everyone must go through that other side of life. Sunlight becomes darkness, good health becomes sickness. Nobody remains on the sunny side of life. Every one of us will be tested. You can’t escape it. If you have not been tested, you can’t be a good soldier of the cross,” he said.
In a speech, Dr. Jonathan thanked members of his cabinet, who attended the service; the Bayelsa State Government and Ayo Oritsejafor, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria for their support while he was in office.
He also thanked the newly sworn-in Governor of Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike, who led a delegation of state officials and members of the Peoples Democratic Party in his state to the service.
The former President expressed his gratitude to the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr Diepreye Alamieseigha, without whom, he said, he would not have become president.
Dr. Jonathan handed over to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in a swearing-in ceremony that was attended by over 50 world leaders.

Newly elected President of the African Development Bank

The newly elected President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, has promised to work hard with all African governments to deliver more inclusive economic growth across the African continent.
Dr. Adesina made this promise in a statement on Sunday, May 31.
The former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture was elected on Thursday as Nigeria prepared for the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, May 29.
He beat seven other contenders for the top job in Abidjan, the capital of Ivory Coast, where the African Development Bank Annual General Meeting held.
Read the full text of Dr. Adesina’s statement below:
May 31, 2015 / Abuja, Nigeria
I am deeply humbled and honoured to have been entrusted with the great responsibility of leading the African Development Bank (AfDB) at a time that presents such great opportunities and also profound challenges for our continent.
The AfDB campaign and election has been an incredible experience, and I am grateful to all those who supported me along the way and to each and every person with whom I’ve met and exchanged ideas and hopes for inclusive economic growth on our continent throughout this process.
I am thankful to have been given the chance to travel to so many parts of the continent – small states, fragile states, and large states across Africa – to feel the pulse of African leaders and peoples. I met with young people and women – Africa’s greatest assets, with small- and medium-sized enterprises, and with Africa’s business leaders. From rural areas to burgeoning cities, I saw vast opportunities for a greater and more inclusive Africa. I am hopeful and excited about the prospect of building on the great work of President Donald Kaberuka at the AfDB.
Together, we can build a stronger and more prosperous Africa, with smart infrastructure, energy for all, a strong private sector, new economic opportunities that will deliver quality jobs and hope for millions of youths and women, revival of Africa’s rural economies to lift many out of poverty, and regional integration for shared prosperity.
The shareholders of the AfDB from African and non-African countries gave strong support, for which I am deeply grateful. Together, we will build a new Africa with inclusive and green growth.
I commend all my colleagues who contested for the position, their countries, and supporters. They conducted great campaigns. They are all great assets to Africa.
I am truly humbled by the support of many Presidents across every region of Africa. Africa is my home.
I would like to give my special thanks to a few people in particular without whom this success would not have been possible: former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for his nominating me, his confidence, and his steadfast, enthusiastic support; President Muhammadu Buhari for his strong endorsement and rallying support for us; and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for her vital role and tremendous effort in delivering this successful outcome. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, as Nigeria’s Finance Minister, worked passionately for our campaign, and our success would have been impossible without her tireless work shepherding support among many of the esteemed Finance Ministers and Governors at the AfDB.
Our leaders rallied behind us in a historic display of unity of purpose and common commitment. I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, former Vice President Namadi Sambo, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who worked determinedly to build support behind my candidacy among African leaders.
I would especially like to thank all the people of Africa for your prayers, your well-wishes, and your belief in me. I am truly humbled by the outpouring of support I have received from all across the continent. I promise to work hard with all African governments to deliver more inclusive economic growth across our beautiful continent.

https://twitter.com/IamAyobamidele

https://twitter.com/IamAyobamidele