There
was outrage yesterday after over N6 billion was donated in Lagos at the fund
raising in aid of St. Stephen’s Anglican Deanery and Youth Development Centre,
Otuoke, Bayelsa State, home town of President Goodluck Jonathan.
was outrage yesterday after over N6 billion was donated in Lagos at the fund
raising in aid of St. Stephen’s Anglican Deanery and Youth Development Centre,
Otuoke, Bayelsa State, home town of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The
event attended by the president held at the high brow Civic Centre, Victoria
Island. The highest donation was given by Prince Arthur Eze, a business tycoon.
He donated N1.8 billion.
event attended by the president held at the high brow Civic Centre, Victoria
Island. The highest donation was given by Prince Arthur Eze, a business tycoon.
He donated N1.8 billion.
Governor
Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State made a donation of N230 million on behalf
of the newly-formed PDP Governors Forum .
Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State made a donation of N230 million on behalf
of the newly-formed PDP Governors Forum .
He was
recently made chairman of the forum which was created as a separate body from
the Nigerian Governors Forum headed by Governor Rotimi Amaechi. Another
N100million was donated by Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State on behalf
of South- South state Governors.
recently made chairman of the forum which was created as a separate body from
the Nigerian Governors Forum headed by Governor Rotimi Amaechi. Another
N100million was donated by Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State on behalf
of South- South state Governors.
Governor
Seriake Dickson pledged to build the nursery school and cancer diagnostic
centre components of the project at Otuoke as the contribution of Bayelsa.
Seriake Dickson pledged to build the nursery school and cancer diagnostic
centre components of the project at Otuoke as the contribution of Bayelsa.
The
church came into national consciousness in April last year when Gitto
Construzioni Generali Nigeria Limited, an Italian construction firm donated the
multi-million dollar building to President Jonathan’s home church. The donation
of the building provoked a hail of criticism against the president with many
calling on the anti-graft agencies to step into it.
church came into national consciousness in April last year when Gitto
Construzioni Generali Nigeria Limited, an Italian construction firm donated the
multi-million dollar building to President Jonathan’s home church. The donation
of the building provoked a hail of criticism against the president with many
calling on the anti-graft agencies to step into it.
Several
PDP governors were said to be unaware, last night, of the donation made on
their behalf by Akpabio.
PDP governors were said to be unaware, last night, of the donation made on
their behalf by Akpabio.
Their
spokespersons said their bosses were not consulted on the donation.
spokespersons said their bosses were not consulted on the donation.
Speaking
at the fund raising, President Jonathan urged wealthy Nigerians to contribute
meaningfully to the development of poor communities in the country.
at the fund raising, President Jonathan urged wealthy Nigerians to contribute
meaningfully to the development of poor communities in the country.
This,
according to him, will go a long way in empowering youths.
according to him, will go a long way in empowering youths.
Jonathan
noted that the only way to ensure that one’s memory is kept alive is to make
positive impact in the lives of the people.
noted that the only way to ensure that one’s memory is kept alive is to make
positive impact in the lives of the people.
He
said: “We are all mortal beings, we are all biological specimen so we will all
die but when you die, what will you be remembered for, what will you leave
behind? I used to tell people that even the house I was struggling to build in
the village, these days in this global age, how am I sure that my children will
even stay in my root.”
said: “We are all mortal beings, we are all biological specimen so we will all
die but when you die, what will you be remembered for, what will you leave
behind? I used to tell people that even the house I was struggling to build in
the village, these days in this global age, how am I sure that my children will
even stay in my root.”
“They
want to go to West Indies, they want to go to Latin America, so I was even
joking with people that if I look at the behaviour of my children and if I
don’t see any of them that will patronize the village, even my house I will
donate it out before I die.”
want to go to West Indies, they want to go to Latin America, so I was even
joking with people that if I look at the behaviour of my children and if I
don’t see any of them that will patronize the village, even my house I will
donate it out before I die.”
Jonathan,
said that the project for the St. Stephens Anglican Deanery and Youth
Development Centre in his home town was so dear to him.
said that the project for the St. Stephens Anglican Deanery and Youth
Development Centre in his home town was so dear to him.
He
spoke of his determination to ensure that the younger generation of Nigerians
pass through a better system of education different from the one he experienced
while growing up.
spoke of his determination to ensure that the younger generation of Nigerians
pass through a better system of education different from the one he experienced
while growing up.
“I feel
the only thing I can do is to make sure that from Nursery School to Primary and
Secondary School, there should be a standard educational facility and youth
programme, so that it gives opportunity for the younger ones to grow even if we
die in the next 100 years, people will remember that those before them have
something for them”
the only thing I can do is to make sure that from Nursery School to Primary and
Secondary School, there should be a standard educational facility and youth
programme, so that it gives opportunity for the younger ones to grow even if we
die in the next 100 years, people will remember that those before them have
something for them”
He said
that the Youth Development Centre was put under the control of the church
because of the long history of churches using funds effectively for development
and that they had been able to ensure that such developmental projects endure.
that the Youth Development Centre was put under the control of the church
because of the long history of churches using funds effectively for development
and that they had been able to ensure that such developmental projects endure.
Speaking
earlier, Akwa Ibom State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum,
Godswill Akpabio said that the project was part of the vision of President
Jonathan to ensure that the youths of Otuoke have better education and secured
future.
earlier, Akwa Ibom State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum,
Godswill Akpabio said that the project was part of the vision of President
Jonathan to ensure that the youths of Otuoke have better education and secured
future.
Governors
Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta) and Peter Obi ( Anambra) and Liyel Imoke (Cross
Rivers) lauded the initiative, saying that they would replicate such initiative
in their states.
Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta) and Peter Obi ( Anambra) and Liyel Imoke (Cross
Rivers) lauded the initiative, saying that they would replicate such initiative
in their states.
Present
at the occasion were Chairman of Visafone, Mr.Jim Ovia; Chairman Capital oil,
Chief Ifeanyi Uba; Chairman of A-Z Oil, Chika Okafor, Chairman Arik Air, Sir
Joseph Arumemi–Ikhide,Mr. Oba Otudeko and Tony Elumenu.
at the occasion were Chairman of Visafone, Mr.Jim Ovia; Chairman Capital oil,
Chief Ifeanyi Uba; Chairman of A-Z Oil, Chika Okafor, Chairman Arik Air, Sir
Joseph Arumemi–Ikhide,Mr. Oba Otudeko and Tony Elumenu.
Others
who attended the occasion included Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN), Tunde Lemo, some Ministers, Senators, members of the House of
Representatives and prominent indigenes of Otuoke.
who attended the occasion included Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN), Tunde Lemo, some Ministers, Senators, members of the House of
Representatives and prominent indigenes of Otuoke.
Critics
said yesterday’s fundraising was reminiscent of the much-criticised launching
by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to raise funds for his presidential
library. The event held in Abeokuta on May 14, 2005 realised about N6 billion,
but was widely condemned as public extortion.
said yesterday’s fundraising was reminiscent of the much-criticised launching
by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to raise funds for his presidential
library. The event held in Abeokuta on May 14, 2005 realised about N6 billion,
but was widely condemned as public extortion.
Reacting
to the donations, renowned constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay, said
the development shows the abysmal level that ethical standards in governance
had fallen in the country.
to the donations, renowned constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay, said
the development shows the abysmal level that ethical standards in governance
had fallen in the country.
He
said: “This is not the first time such a thing has happened. Remember former
President Olusegun Obasanjo also did a similar thing to raise money for his
library.”
said: “This is not the first time such a thing has happened. Remember former
President Olusegun Obasanjo also did a similar thing to raise money for his
library.”
Describing
the president’s action as morally wrong, Sagay continued, “It amounts to
extorting money from sycophants who are unjustly benefiting from government. As
far as I am concerned, the development fell below ethical standard and was not
supposed to happen.”
the president’s action as morally wrong, Sagay continued, “It amounts to
extorting money from sycophants who are unjustly benefiting from government. As
far as I am concerned, the development fell below ethical standard and was not
supposed to happen.”
Former
member of the House of Representatives, Dino Melaye also condemned the huge
donation.
member of the House of Representatives, Dino Melaye also condemned the huge
donation.
“The
truth of the matter is that those who made the donation did so not because they
love God, but rather President Jonathan. Ask these people if they have built
any church in their localities and the answer will be no,” he said.
truth of the matter is that those who made the donation did so not because they
love God, but rather President Jonathan. Ask these people if they have built
any church in their localities and the answer will be no,” he said.
Melaye,
who is also the Convener, Anti Corruption Network, added, “Not only is this
action morally wrong, it is an open display of open corruption that has over
the entire fabric of this country.”
who is also the Convener, Anti Corruption Network, added, “Not only is this
action morally wrong, it is an open display of open corruption that has over
the entire fabric of this country.”
A
chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Dr. Usman Bugaje, also
faulted the donations.
chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Dr. Usman Bugaje, also
faulted the donations.
He
castigated governors who donated at the event, saying it is criminal to embark
on such frivolous spending when millions of their supposed voters are
languishing for absence of basic necessities of life.
castigated governors who donated at the event, saying it is criminal to embark
on such frivolous spending when millions of their supposed voters are
languishing for absence of basic necessities of life.
According
to him: “Are the monies appropriated in the budget? If they are properly
appropriated, is the donation in the best interest of the public?
to him: “Are the monies appropriated in the budget? If they are properly
appropriated, is the donation in the best interest of the public?
“Are
the monies from their private pockets? It is criminal to ignore the dire lack
and infrastructural shortcomings in their states to donate such monies.
the monies from their private pockets? It is criminal to ignore the dire lack
and infrastructural shortcomings in their states to donate such monies.
“There
are people dying because they cannot afford N500 drugs in their states and the
governors are busy spending public funds as they like”.
are people dying because they cannot afford N500 drugs in their states and the
governors are busy spending public funds as they like”.
The
former member of the House of Representatives added: “It is a height of
irresponsibility and insensitivity to spend public funds on such frivolities
just because the President is involved.
former member of the House of Representatives added: “It is a height of
irresponsibility and insensitivity to spend public funds on such frivolities
just because the President is involved.
Human
rights lawyer, Festus Keyamo, condemned the use of public funds for private
enterprises.
rights lawyer, Festus Keyamo, condemned the use of public funds for private
enterprises.
He said
the church is a private organisation that should never benefit from public
funds.
the church is a private organisation that should never benefit from public
funds.
Keyamo
stated: “It is a gross mismanagement of the public funds. It is also against
the anti-corruption laws, especially a public official like the President
soliciting for donations from private individuals and government contractors
like Chief Arthur Eze.”
stated: “It is a gross mismanagement of the public funds. It is also against
the anti-corruption laws, especially a public official like the President
soliciting for donations from private individuals and government contractors
like Chief Arthur Eze.”
On his
part, Chief Chekwas Okorie, expressed shock at the organisation of such fund
raising bazaar in Lagos, “My immediate reaction to this news is that it is
quite indecent for Mr. President to preside over such a fund raising bazaar. It
is indecent for him to gather contractors working for government and government
officials superintending over state funds, and using his position as president
to extract such huge resources for a village church.
part, Chief Chekwas Okorie, expressed shock at the organisation of such fund
raising bazaar in Lagos, “My immediate reaction to this news is that it is
quite indecent for Mr. President to preside over such a fund raising bazaar. It
is indecent for him to gather contractors working for government and government
officials superintending over state funds, and using his position as president
to extract such huge resources for a village church.
“In
fact, for him to even contemplate this fund-raising bazaar shows his level of
insensitivity on matters of using executive influence to extract the peoples’
resources. I think it is not too far from extortion though the people and the
governors that donated were not openly forced to do so. Given his position as
the President and Commander-In-Chief, it is doubtful if the invited donors had
any choice not to give so generously.
fact, for him to even contemplate this fund-raising bazaar shows his level of
insensitivity on matters of using executive influence to extract the peoples’
resources. I think it is not too far from extortion though the people and the
governors that donated were not openly forced to do so. Given his position as
the President and Commander-In-Chief, it is doubtful if the invited donors had
any choice not to give so generously.
“Also,
since no village church would cost up to N6 billion, Nigerians will want to
know how President Jonathan will utilise the balance. The whole thing is
baffling,” he said.
since no village church would cost up to N6 billion, Nigerians will want to
know how President Jonathan will utilise the balance. The whole thing is
baffling,” he said.
In his
reaction, Chief Ayo Adebanjo said, “This type of uncaring attitude is now
synonymous with these people. It goes a long way to show their brazen display
of nonchalance towards how the people feel. How can you explain the fact that a
single individual donated nearly N2 billion? It is unimaginable. Before such a
person will cough out that much, he must have benefitted about ten times of
that from the system either by award of contract, oil blocks or even undue
waivers. I just hope they will stop this because it has a way of infuriating
the people. I’m a Christian but I believe Christians too should be above
board.”
reaction, Chief Ayo Adebanjo said, “This type of uncaring attitude is now
synonymous with these people. It goes a long way to show their brazen display
of nonchalance towards how the people feel. How can you explain the fact that a
single individual donated nearly N2 billion? It is unimaginable. Before such a
person will cough out that much, he must have benefitted about ten times of
that from the system either by award of contract, oil blocks or even undue
waivers. I just hope they will stop this because it has a way of infuriating
the people. I’m a Christian but I believe Christians too should be above
board.”
Source: The Nation
