…As Okupe slams Jonathan’s critics
From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, and GODWIN TSA Abuja
Clear indication of imminent emerged yesterday after a media report quoted Transparency International of denying President Goodluck Jonathan’s independence day claim that it rated Nigeria second, next to the United States in the fight against corruption.
Daily Sun Investigations revealed that the President, was embarrased by reactions that has trailed his annoucement of the purported TI’s rating with many outrightly calling him a liar, had ordered his media team to produce evidence of the nation’s rating by the global group, which rating is seen as the gospel truth on corruption. In his Independence Day Address to the nation, President Jonathan had quoted Transparency International has rating his administration’s fight against corruption as second only to America.
President Jonathan, in his independence anniversary speech had said: “In its latest report, Transparency International noted that Nigeria is the second most improved country in the effort to curb corruption”, he said. Also on Sunday, during the 52nd Independence Anniversary Interdenominational Church Service, held at the National Christian Center Abuja, President Jonathan had also averted, “On corruption, Transparency International that has never spared Nigeria, admitted in its latest rating that Nigeria is second to America in her commitment to fight of corruption.
God willing we shall overcome it”. However, Transparency International had in response to an email from Premium Times, denied the claim stating: “Transparency International does not have a recent rating or report that places Nigeria as the second most improved country in the fight against corruption.” Investigations further revealed that what was meant to be an internal memo between the office of the Minister of Information, that of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity and that of the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, requesting them to explain where the rating emanated from, apparently in response to a query from the presidency, was leaked to some online media.
The supposed statement posted on the official website of the Federal Ministry of Information, http://fmi.gov.ng/mr-presidents-statement-was-based-on-notorious-facts/, and simply by one Reno, said that the president‘s claim was based on “notorious facts” published by Nigeria’s BusinessDay Newspaper. An official statement is usually signed with the officer’s full names and his designations clearly stated. The Reno, who signed the statement, is believed to be Reno Omokri, President Jonathan’s Special Assistant on New Media. The Statement reads: “Mr. President’s statement was based on notorious facts “Our attention has been drawn to reports from some opposition leaning media houses alleging that Mr. President made some false claims about Nigeria’s standing in this year’s Transparency International anti corruption rating.
“As is the practice worldwide, we accept the premise that whatever is published in the media and goes unchallenged is the truth. On this issue, the media published their synopsis of the most recent Transparency International report and BusinessDay, a well respected newspaper with a bias for business reporting in its headline on the 12th of September 2012 ‘FG’s anti-corruption initiative impacts Nigeria’s global perception’ said
“The survey on global corruption perceptions for 2011 versus 2001 showed that the third best improvement in the world was in Nigeria, with its score improving by 1.5 points.” “The above comments were relied upon in coming to the conclusion that Mr. President honestly came to, in good faith. To this day, Transparency International has not disputed the findings of BusinessDay. “For a section of the opposition to now cast aspersions on the integrity of the President when he relied on notorious facts (anything published in the press and which remains unchallenged is a notorious fact) is proof positive of the now obvious fact that they lack ideas on how to move Nigeria forward and would rather snipe at efforts of the President to move the nation forward for which any patriot would do.
“In conclusion the President acted in good faith and his statement was based on notorious facts and are evidenced by recent breakthroughs in fighting corruption in the oil industry where subsidy fraud suspects are already facing trial as well as in the Agricultural Sector where decades old corrupt practices in the fertilizer distribution network have been eradicated via the voucher system which cuts off the middle man. Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Doyin Okupe yesterday took a swipe at the critics of the president describing them as un-cerebral and indolent politicians who have nothing positive to offer Nigerians.
Throwing more vibes at the opposition, Okupe stated “Iit is only the wicked of the blind or the totally jaundiced people that would say the president is not working on his transformation agenda.” While calling on Nigerians to dump the opposition, Dr. Okupe who was analyzing what he tagged the “salient policy statements contained in the Independent Day broadcast of the President noted that the present crop of opposition in the country were incapable of leadership positions as they had nothing to offer other than abuse the president. Okupe who made special reference to the Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN], Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Chief Bisi Akande declared “this opposition cannot run the country because they have nothing to offer and it will be dangerous for Nigerians to entrust them with the leadership of this country.
Nigerians should dump them as they have nothing to offer except abusing the president.” On the President’s statement with regards to Transparency International, Okupe said “Transparency International does not have a recent rating or report that places Nigeria as the second most improved country in the fight against corruption,” the Berlin-based organization told this newspaper. The president‘s claim was based on “notorious facts” published by Nigeria’s BusinessDay newspaper.”
The president’s 18 minutes’ broadcast also received criticism from several other Nigerians including former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir el-Rufai, who described the 18 minutes speech as “full of false claims of accomplishments no one can see or feel, and promises that no one believes will be fulfilled.” Meanwhile, Dr. Okupe said President Jonathan is not a boasting or dramatist President but he is working hard to deliver on his transformation agenda.
He disclosed that by December or early next year, Nigeria will generate over 7000 megawatts of electricity and many communities will enjoy uninterrupted power supply for 16 hours per day and more. In addition, he said the president has turned Nigeria into a preferred investment destination in Africa and the country is favoured with over 20 percent of total foreign Direct Investment in the sub region.
Figure head President without an independent mind. When will Nigeria be rescued from the strong hold of these daredevils called leaders? A President that cannot scrutunize a script given to him. Shame and Shame on this imbecile of a President.
Okupe, you want to foolish this one too. Any govt in power.
When a president surrounds himself with political jobbers like Okupe and co, this is the result. Why the so much investment info. Tech when all Mr president media this, media that can not research and get up- to- date information or simple research for an important speech on an independent day ‘ private’ celebration broadcast to an informed and highly sophisticated citizens. Okupe should cover his head in shame that he his not doing his job well. Instead of going on air to insult pole he should be working hard for the president. This is embarrassing to our Nation. The like of Okupe working for Mr President feels they are smart but they are been exposed daily as educated but lazy. Maybe they are part of the saboteous in the corridors of power Mr president is talking about. God help our Nation
It is a shame that our leaders are all educated illitrates, Imagine Okupe who has soild his hands with contracts left undone in Benue state still talking.
Untill PDP is pulled out from Nigeria, Ngerian will not mean anything to the rest of the world.
Our President sorrounds himself with half baked men who are political jobbers and not economic and social experts. Is shame what Aso Rock is doing to Nigeria
i see nothing mr president did wrong in presenting what a newspaper published as a fact. All the same, since he was misinformed by ‘square peg in round hole’ advisers, he should work tooth and nail to achieve his dreams without paying much attention to dat notorious fact. No one is perfect.
Is Okupe still talking? Its only in a country like Nigeria his type can still be heard. Shameless toad
i see nothing mr president did wrong in presenting what a newspaper published as a fact. All the same, since he was misinformed by ‘square peg in round hole’ advisers. No well educated mass communication grduate wl fail to verify the source of his information b4 accepting it as a fact. All the people working with GEJ are educated illiterates. Infact, appointing such a people is a corruption itself. But mr president, never mind, u should work tooth and nail to amend this costly mistake by fighting corruption. No one is perfect.
Mr.Green re u interested in nigeria or in political parties that re busy trying to sales them self for us nigerians,from my own point ot view i think no body want to be insulted but our so called busy body politicianare busy insulting mr. President are they perfect?they shound not fool nigerians because we are wise nowthe youth hould think about the feature not about the old politician that are busy using our money to establish companies for there children and grand children.
May God give this President the courage to do the right thing for himself and the nation. This is an ebrasement to all Nigerian at home and abroad, he can fool his fellow men and women because of their ignorant but not international community. Mr. President is the only who is doing himself , he choice to verify any document or information pass to him from his advisers. Sir next time do yourself a favor by cross checking information from those advisers .May God give you wisdom to rule the country to the promise land, may He let you know that you are worthy of this post and do everything to change your direction about how you govern us. God bless Nigeria.
It is a great shame that Nigeria is still being so damaged (managed ?) by a group of people who have really shown that they have nothing to offer for the good of the citizenry. Instead of bowing their heads in shame, these hawks & vultures in Aso Rock have the courage to justify their deceit of lies & want Nigerians to hail them. In truth, Goodluck Jonathan needs to undertake a comprehensive re-examination of those surrounding his govt. if he wants Nigerians to hence see him as a President indeed.
This shows absolute incompetence on the part of Mr President’s aides in charge of information. They are so limited in their thoughts that it appears that they did not know the speech would be accessed worldwide. Why would they depend on the so-called ‘notorious facts’ rather than confirm from the TI. I think they really decided to embarrass Mr President and Nigeria.
It is a fact that this present government has not done much in tackling corruption. And this is obvious. It took us months before those involvd in d oil probe to be arraigned. Farouk and otedola are also doing well. The nse and pension probe are stil there o. And we are praising ourselves.
Why are they busy trying to defend the indefensible. GEJ lied with his so called ‘notorious facts’ information. It’s a shame for a president of a great nation like nigeria to go press without verifying his facts beyond reasonable doubts. Perhaps we’ll need to privatize the art of governance in Nigeria.
The present leadership is a big let down!It’s very unfortunate that we have corruption riden men like Okupe advising the President.Okupe and his team could not even do the minimal in checking the source of that terrible lie Mr President told us on our independence day and instead of resigning,he is busy insulting well intentioned Nigerians.It’s only in Nigeria where men like Okupe,who abandom contracts given them,running away with tax payers money can still be given appointment by the president.Nigeria still remains an old FOOL with this present crop of “leaders”(LIARS)!
So in the midst of all these corruption reign ravaging Nigeria somebody think that he has the impetus to applaud this weak, unvisionary leadership in its fight against corruption, “which corruption?” truth remains that there is no diffrence between this ADMINISTRATION and CORRUPTION, Okupe for your information constructive criticism through opposition guarantees good governance and every sensible is happy with ACN rather than hoping on Motion without movement pattern of PDP Demonic leadership.
I know for sure that one day will be one day when monkey will go to the market and never return. One day, Doyin Okupe would be made to account for all the lies he has made and your innocent children including Rolayo would be made to pay for your sins. You are a bastard that does not want anything good for this country except you are your foolish family. Hell will you spend you eternity if you do not repent. Agba iya, oloshi.
NIGERIANS MUST BE CAREFUL HOW THEY TREAT THEIR PRESIDENT. THE HATRED THESE OPOSITION FROM THE NORTH IS EMITING OUT WILL IN THE END CONSUME THE COUNTRY AND MANY WILL PAY FOR FOR IT. SHOW RESPECT FOR OUR PRESIDENT.
If okukpe want us to believe that the president is fighting corruption,he okukpe should resign.He is part of the corruption we are talking about.Infact okukpe is corruption.
Despite the rating of the TI which is human’s, to you critics what do you say about the effort of the President in fighting corruption comparing to previous leadership? Let your conscience do the judgement for you, and not just being irrational. It is said,”All men will proclaim his own goodness, but a faithful man, who can find.” Note, those who love to criticize by assassinating others character will do worse if given same opportunity. Is either you believe it or not, ‘is a thing of the conscience’. The Good Book puts it clear to us in Romans 2:1-3. A must read for all irrational critics.
It is quite demonic that PDP has nothing to offer us only selfish acquisition of common fund..Nigeria can never progress until we are out of POP. Our leaders are political jobbers
kelvin, u are just a common gold digger.for u okupe,how do u think Nigeria is fighting corruption when u at the helms of Nigeria’s affair are all corrupt? hav u refunded de over #800MILLION U DUPED KOGI STATE IN DE NAME OF EXCUTING ROAD CONTRACT?
All the politician are corrupt.
I laugh when i read all these false stories coming out of this country by the false prophet of doom who want to score a political point. We know them better than before, PDP this is time to pack your load. We want a change ok
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Every statement made by Mr President is always being criticised by the so called opposition, that Mr President had to make a statement that he is Nigerian most criticised Leader. My question is. Is there nothing Mr President has done right since becoming the President of this country?. Please these criticisms are distractions to Nigeria and Mr President. Critiques Please advise the President on the way forward if you have anything to offer. Nigeria belongs to all of us not to Mr President alone.