Nigerian President, Goodluck E. Jonathan Inuaguration on SUN/29/MAY 2011

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan was on Sunday inaugurated at the Eagle Square, Abuja, the capital city.

At a colourful ceremony attended by 38 heads of governments, the Bayelsa State born politician who first became President after the death of the former President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua last year, promised to transform the country.

Photo: President Goodluck Jonathan(left) taking oath of office on Sunday. With him, Registrar of Supreme Court Mr Oladahunsi and Chief Justice of the Federation Justice Aloysious Kastina Alu at during the inauguration of the President at Eagle Square Abuja on 29/05/2011.

The President’s ceremonial oath taking and appending of signature preceded by that of his vice, Namadi Sambo were conducted between 12.45pm and ended 1pm.

The Nigeria President and the First Lady.

With corruption seen as the major obstacle to the growth of Nigeria, Jonathan pledged to fight corruption for the nation’s limited resources to be deployed for common growth and that he would actively promote the development of the Niger Delta region.

In his inaguration speech, he made case for technical and financial partnerships with global businesses and organizations. He said his administration portended a new era for Africa while Nigeria will lead the process for democracy and development in the continent.

“The moment is right. The signs are heart-warming. We are ready to take off on the path of sustained growth and economic development. In our economic strategy, there will be appropriate policy support to the real sector of the economy, so that Small and Medium Enterprises may thrive. Nigeria is blessed

with enormous natural wealth, and my Administration will continue to encourage locally owned enterprises to take advantage of our resources in growing the domestic economy. A robust private sector is vital to providing jobs for our rapidly expanding population. But this must be a collaborative effort,” he said.

“We must form technical and financial partnerships with global businesses and organizations. We live in an age where no country can survive on its own; countries depend on each other for economic well-being. Nigeria is no different. Returns on investment in Nigeria remain among the highest in the world. We will continue to welcome sustainable investment in our economy.

“We will push programs and policies that will benefit both local and foreign businesses, but we must emphasize mutual benefits and win-win relationships. The overall ongoing reforms in the banking and financial sectors are therefore designed to support the real sector of the economy.

All hail Nigeria's first family

Among the heads of governments who graced the occasion include the President of Uganda, Zimbabwe, Sao-Tome and Principe, Liberia, Senegal, South Africa, Republic of Niger, Sierra Leone, Trinidad and Tobago, Cote de’ Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Congo -Brazzaville Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea -Bissau, Gabon, Guinea -Conakry, Mauritania, Namibia, Rwanda, Saharawi Republic, Mali, Togo, Ghana, Gambia, Zambia, Benin and Chad.

The visiting vice Presidents include, the Federal Republic of Korea, Burundi, Gambia, Kenya and Tanzania and former Zambian President, Kenneth Kaunda.

Also present were the Prime Ministers of Swaziland, Georgia and Ethiopia The Mayor of Dallas in the United States of America was also present. Ghana former President, Jerry Rawlings and his wife were also present.

Former Nigerian presidents and Head of States, present were Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Shehu

Shagari, General Yakubu Gowon, Chief Ernest Shonekan, General Abdulsalami Abubakar as well as former Vice President Alex Ekuweme.

State governors across Nigeria also took their oath of office today. The governors of Imo and Ogun States, Mr. Ikedi Ohakim and Mr. Olugbenga Justin Daniel, did not attend the swearing-in ceremonies in their states having fled days before. ??In Oyo State, the outgoing governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, did not attend the swearing in ceremony of his successor in Ibadan, but reportedly made a surprise appearance in Ogbomosho, his home town, for a thanksgiving church service

Story by Victor Iluyemi (info@worldstagegroup.com)

Rita Dominic marvels during encounter with Nigerian president

Rita Dominic was amongst a select few celebrities and youth leaders invited by the Nigerian president for a lunch date. It was an event organized to bring various participants and stakeholders together to discuss and share ideas about the inundating challenges facing the Nigerian youth.
One after another, speaker after speaker took turns to express their opinions, discuss the issues at length and propose possible solutions. But none other speaker was more thrilling and composed than our truly Rita Dominic. She was absolutely confident and craved the audiences’ rapt attention with her breathtaking speech. Below is the full transcript:

“His Excellency Mr. President, Distinguished ladies and gentlemen;
I feel privileged to be living in a time where I can proudly say that young Nigerians are seriously advocating for a better Nigeria. Some people may disagree with me but I believe we may now have a President willing to listen to us and identify with our hopes and aspirations.
If you don’t agree, then you have to show me a past president of Nigeria who has actively pursued the youth vote? Show me a past Nigerian president who has used social networks utilized by our young people to reach out them? Show me a past president who has set aside a 200 million Dollar intervention fund dedicated to an industry that is one of the largest employers of young people in Nigeria…. I rest my case.
My name is Rita Dominic, I represent Nollywood!
I would like to thank Mr. President, for providing this low interest loan to galvanize our industry. Many young people who own production companies are depending on this loan to turn us from employees to employers, from unemployed to employed.

However, it is imperative that the people who will administer this fund understand the spirit behind your creating it in the first place. Some of us have applied for the loan but the requirement of collateral in the traditional sense is about to dash that dream. Sir, if the youth had enough collateral, we would not have needed the intervention in the first place. I respectfully request that you look into the litany of requirements that is making the loan inaccessible to the people it was created for.
One properly produced Nigerian film can involve hundreds of young people from various works of life. Apart from the actors and actresses, when making a quality film, we directly or indirectly hire production managers, accountants for budgeting and record keeping, electricians (Lighting specialists), costume designers (tailors), catering people (cooks), set and production designers, camera operators, publicity people, graphic artists, still photographers, make up people, hair stylists, production assistants who help on set but don’t forget each actor/actress will hire own PAs, film editors, boom persons and marketing companies. The list goes on and on.
Imagine that we have scores of productions going on in various parts of the country. The impact is simply amazing.
Mr. President, I am a witness to what an infusion of funds can do to elevate and empower the lives of young people. Traders in Onitsha and Aba started it 20 years ago and Nollywood became a reality, Globacom did it for 13 young people 2 years ago and it instantly increased the number of actors and actresses producing their own films. If managed properly, imagine what the 200 million dollar fund can do hundreds of young producers, what it can do for thousands of unemployed youth out there.
Let us make it happen. Continue to support youth programs. Giving such support means that you believe in the future of Nigeria. If you do, the youth will not forget for generations to come.
Thank you.”
Do you think Rita Dominic has a lot more up her sleeves than she has revealed so far?

Credit: Africanmoviesnews.com