Reuben Abati will now take your questions

[admin]

Hi everyone,

As part of NVS efforts to constructively engage with the government, and make communication a true two-way affair, Dr Reuben Abati - the Presidential Adviser on Media, will start a weekly/bimonthly engagement with villagers here on NVS - yes exclusively on NVS.

What this means is we will open a thread every week for questions that you want addressed by the Government, Dr Abati will take these questions up with the right quarters and provide us feedback on a weekly/bi-weekly basis. Also, as often as he can - maybe once a month (still need to work the kinks), he may join us for a LIVE Podcast along with relevant government officials.

Please post your first set of questions here.

Note: This is no thread for uncivil language or insults please.

[Auspicious]

-

Question:

(More to come..)

Sir, what was your biggest motivation to accept President Jonathan's invitation to be his chief communications officer..and, so far, how has the experience of working with him played out for you? How fulfilling has it been?
--

[Mikky jaga]

Is there any place for personal opinion in the job of presidential spokesman. Or is the spokesman just a megaphone that broadcasts anything that comes from the oga, whether he believes it or not.

[First-lady]

When is the president going to start the job of being president?

[I Love Nigeria]

1. Would President Goodluck Jonathan Embark On Massive Public Works Projects to Generate Employment Nationwide?

Nigeria's Security Situation is Predicated on an economy which has been comatose for far too long

Unemployment in Nigeria is said to be 21% ?

2. What Will President Goodluck Jonathan Do to ENHANCE the value of our national currency, the NAIRA?

Nigeria is not a major exporter of manufactured goods and services, except for crude oil, and a few crops ... what is the purpose of having a devalued national currency for 30 years as federal government policy?

We import toothpicks, toothpastes, cars, computers etc and all these are multiplied and determined in foreign currency and in real terms, we now need truck loads or lorry loads of NAIRA to exchange into dollars for basic or simply items imported into Nigeria. Whose interests does an aggressively devalued NAIRA serve?

[emj]

1.What informed the govt's choice of Mrs Roli George as the Lagos State representative in the NPC...National Population Commission?

The constitution is clear that appointments to such commissions as the NPC, which are not for the Federal Government but for the federation, must first be tabled for discussion at the National Council of State in case governors from the states from which such appointments were being made had any objection.

''First, Part 1 Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution as amended lists all the Federal Executive Bodies established by section 153 of the said Constitution, and the National Population Commission is listed under item 23 of the said schedule, which said the National Population Commission shall comprise of the following members: (a) chairman and (b) one person from each state and the Federal Capital Territory.

''Secondly, the Guiding Principles and Formulae for the Distribution of all cadres of posts in all federal bodies is to be found in the Federal Character Act 1997, Laws of the Federation Volume 6 at 7.12. The relevant provisions of the Act state as follows: Each state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory shall be equitably represented in all National Institutions and Public Enterprises and Organisations; and the best and most competent persons shall be recruited from each state of the Federation or the Federal Capital Territory.

''The Act further provides under its Definition section as follows: An indigene of a state means a person who is an indigene of one of the local governments in the state, provided that no person shall lay claim to more than one state or to a state and the Federal Capital Territory. On the position of a married woman, it states that a married woman shall continue to lay claim to her state of origin for the purpose of the Federal Character at the national level

''Section 5 of the Act on Public Political Offices at National Level says that as far as practicable, the appointment to the various categories of political offices shall be done on the basis of equitable representation of the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory or zones as appropriate using the relevant formula. The political offices concerned include: (a) Ministers of cabinet rank, (b) Ministers of State, (c) Special Advisers to the President, (d) Non-career heads of Nigerian Diplomatic Missions and (e) Chairmen and members of Statutory

The confirmation violate the relevant provisions of the Constitution, the Federal Character Act and the NPC Act.

2. When will the ship of real governance set sail?

3.Is it possible to have a quarterly appraisial of various Ministries and Ministers made public?

Thanks and Happy Holidays

[ikoyiesho1]

Ah! Hope this is not a trap for Mr Abati.
Whatever he says here might come to hunt him years coming.
I can see some very civil but wicked questions already - particularly that from Auspicious.

Ok my question for Mr. Reuben Abati Phd
[B]
Sir, do you think that the government of Mr. Jonathan is efficiently managed. If so how? If not why?

Second, do you think the subsidy removal is justified? What do you have to say about it?

Third, you have since changed your position on many issues since you became part of the present government.
Sir, does that mean you will still change when you're not part of the government. Please explain.

[Auspicious]

Is there any place for personal opinion in the job of presidential spokesman. Or is the spokesman just a megaphone that broadcasts anything that comes from the oga, whether he believes it or not.

Your question is very important on several levels, Mikky.

This is more so because one of the main points that folks use (on behalf of Dr. Abati) in fending off criticisms of his person in his position as the president's spokesperson is something of the sort of "he is just a spokesman..all he does is communicate the president's decision..he's not a policywonk or policymaker.." (and as such cannot be held liable in leadership decisions and its consequences). I'm interested in hearing what Dr. Abati has to say in response to this all-important question.
--

PS @ Ikoyiesho's first question above:

That is an example of why it is important for me to get an answer to MikkyJaga's question;

I wonder if it is not foolhardy for one to expect Dr. Abati to give a forthright answer to such question.

[MsMak]

1) What criteria does the President use in the appointment of Ministers and Ambassadors to their respective posts? How important are relevant experience and past performance in that field or industry to producing positive results in the future?

[Enyi]

Considering the current level of insecurity in the nation, high cost of governance and cries of marginalization, has Mr. President considered the following alternatives:
1) Reverting to the Parliamentary System
2) Re-structuring the nation to reflect the multi-ethnic and multi-religious nature of the country
3) Devolution of more powers to the “regions”

[Auspicious]

-

Sir, what informed President Jonathan's decision concerning the following actions:

1]. Throwing into the arena of national discourse, the issue of political term of office for governors and the president; in particular, what influenced the president's choice of timing for initiating this debate, and how does he justify such choice in the face of other important priorities?

2]. The process of appointment of persons into positions of leadership, particularly as it affects women; how does the president justify his obvious preference (from what is evident of his selection) for spouses of powerful men, as opposed to women who're qualified in their own right?
--

[I Love Nigeria]

It is Time for State and Local Police (apart from and other than, federal police) What Is President Jonathan's view on Local and State Police?

In view of current insecurity, internecine violence and low level conflicts in parts of Nigeria.

The advantages outweighs the disadvantages (having local and state police, that is)

[First-lady]

like his answers will mean anything to anyone or change anything
anyway let us enjoy the fruitless exercise
what is my own

[Auspicious]

It is Time for State and Local Police (apart from and other than, federal police) What Is President Jonathan's view on Local and State Police?

In view of current insecurity, internecine violence and low level conflicts in parts of Nigeria.

The advantages outweighs the disadvantages (having local and state police, that is)

I think the president recently addressed this, by saying that the 'moment isn't right' for Nigeria to operate such.

And that therefore leads to my next question for Dr. Abati: are you, Sir, by any chance aware of the president's views on the right of Nigerians to decide for themselves on such important issues as their critical choices or preferences - or, as we have in the case at hand, the right to decide what type of policing they consider best for their communities?

Better said, why can't we subject such preferences to a plebiscite of sorts, as opposed to one man (in this case the president) simply telling an entire multi-ethnic country of over a hundred million people what is best for them?

[Auspicious]

like his answers will mean anything to anyone or change anything..

Well it MIGHT give us further inkling into the mindset of the president and his aides..
--

[PatrickIroegbu]

Dear Dr. Abati,

1. NVS is an engaging forum for Nigerians, including you and President Jonathan. Soon as you accepted the position of the media adviser to the presidency, volumes of write ups were put out - some prasing and some blaming. Up to today, you did not make effort to respond to those genuine, comparative and exploratory write ups at least to promise your followers and advaseries that you went to do a national call up service or duty. Do you not consider that as dumping those whom your critical journalism inspired? What would you now do differently with respect to that failing? Also could you tell us how much influence the views in NVS have on the presidency on policy making and on the day-today running of the affairs of the nation? How does the president capture views from Nigerians in NVS?

2. The appointment of Dr. Ngozi Okinjo-Iweala and her co-ordinating activities since then seem not to be as active as we anticipated in comparism with her first term in office under President Obasanjo. How is this Minister doing her job of Co-ordinating and what are the outcomes of her co-ordinating of other Ministers in Nigeria today? For example, Nigerians seem to dislike the politics of Oil subsidy removal because the burdern will fall on the vulnerable poor. What changes have been made to respond to the feelings and fears of Nigerians under her co-ordinating in this apsect as the Finance Minister?

3. The current Same-sex marriage ban by a recent bill by the Federal Law Makers is taking a radical turn around among Nigerians in all most all parts of the world where Nigerians live, school and work. Some have gone to the extent of confronting agencies and governments in places where they live. The consequences of the ban following the global cultural influence of America and its allies is not easy to fashion out. Is there any diplomatic educational strategies Nigerian government has put in place to liaise with Nigerians in the Diaspora to understand this bill and its benefits? In Igboland, there is a culturally practiced female-to-female marriage custom. What is the impact of this bill on that marriage system?

4. My final question is on the death of Chief Odumegwu Emeka Ojukwu. What is the package role of the Federal Government towards giving him a unique and benefitting burial? What discussions are there in place at the presidency toward imortalizing him as a national hero? The recommendation of his wife, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu as an Ambassador under the special category was wrongly timed as many Nigerians see it. Why did the presidency choose to do that when his widow, Bianca, is deeply sorrowing, mourning and involved in the preparations and burial of Ojukwu. Many Igbo people see it as an insult on the unburied sacred body and soul of Ojukwu. Why did not the president see it that way before annoucing the nomination? Was that a secret pack waiting for the passing on of Ojukwu to placate the family and the Igbo people in order to sustain their favour to the presidency? Why and why not?

Thank you.
Dr. Patrick Iroegbu
Author of Marrying Wealth, Marrying Poverty (2010) and Healing Insanity: A Study of Igbo Medicine in Contemporary Nigeria (2010).

[I Love Nigeria]

Auspicious wrote quite correctly, rightly that

I think the president recently addressed this, by saying that the 'moment isn't right' for Nigeria to operate such.

I am of course aware of his pronouncements on the subject, it was front page news, but, just as you have further stated, this is too important a matter for the president to fly-solo on, after all, we are a federation and a democracy at that.

Here is my "dated" Humble-brag on the issue of state and local police for Nigeria
The Imperative Of Local Police, State And Federal Police In Nigeria Aug 18, 2003
The Imperative Of Local Police, State And Federal Police In

https://www.google.com/#pq=state+and...w=1440&bih=799

[blissfully]

like his answers will mean anything to anyone or change anything
anyway let us enjoy the fruitless exercise
what is my own

FL I agree with you 99% . I was asking myself some questions. What was the outcome of the "i have no shoes " interactions on facebook and other media with Oga. What happened to the extensive discussions on the fuel subsidy issue and the exposures still going on at the national assembly. What happened to the projections in the 2011 budget. What happened to the electoral promises. What happened to the observations of concerned citizens and governments in respect of some controversial appointments. Oga will always have his way. I just love the guy. He is not a lion and neither is he a General because he has risen above such feeble titles. Oga's heroes are Hitler, Pinochet and our own Maradona. Oga is steadily metamorphosing into a one-man riot squad.

Anyway to assist Reuben with his book which will certainly be written someday let us field questions which might be included in that book. This is the concluding 1%,

And dont forget to tell Reuben that Oga has made up his mind so he is just wasting his time.

[Big-K]

Folks, You don't have to be on this thread. If it's a waste of YOUR time, move to the next fruitful one. If you find this thread worthwhile, post your questions. Thanks!

[Auspicious]

Folks, You don't have to be on this thread. If it's a waste of YOUR time, move to the next fruitful one. If you find this thread worthwhile, post your questions. Thanks!

LOL!

Biiiiiig KaaaaaY!

Khai, when you have an itch, you must scratch.

I know how it feels (at least this time, I know..)

But allow us soldier-ants haggle while you take the back seat.

When you talk, you give voice (and height) to the Zacheeuses amongst us.

Uuuungh! What are we ever gonna do to make you see things this way, ahn?!
--

[justan234]

On Security:

The president merely stated as his main grouse against community policing (I'm not for state police that has the same unitary structure as a federal police) that they'd be misused. Since the police are being and have always been misused Nigeria, isn't the problem balance?

By that I mean Having a peace office in every town/city populated by peace officers resident in that town/city/village already decentralizes the structure and consequently the ability to abuse/misuse the force (assuming bribery, you have to go town by town and bribe each force a possible exercise in futility).
A smaller augmenting force at the local government level to aid the towns in emergencies should also exist but should not supersede the town peace office except in particular situations and should only be temporary i.e. can only be allowed in increments of 7/15 days and should also require a vote of personalities drawn from the judiciary in that town, the council chairpersons, teachers union etc In essence you ensure that about 15 people from completely diverse settings are on that board and all they do is come together and vote on this particular issue when the time comes, the rules establishing it should ensure it's not another committee that should meet regularly and wastes taxpayers' money.

Same thing for the state peace office, that should be a even smaller force than the local government's and does a similar thing i.e aids local governments and towns as needed and has jurisdiction over. Secondly the judiciary should have a small force attached to them that's not answerable to the state governor but a state judicial council and they should only be concerned with fugitives, witness protection etc (in essence protecting the integrity of the judiciary). This stuff is not rocket science, I guess my problem is that let's have a detailed response not just a glib "we're not ready"

Same thing should go for fire service, let towns come together to form a charter of sorts if they believe they can't provide these services individually. This is how our ancestors operated so I'm a bit confused by the whole "we're not ready" meme. When will we be ready? What are the indices by which we measure our readiness?

Also isn't it about time to review the 1959 firearms act? The rights one can't defend one does not possess is a truism that anyone that has thought about social contracts etc knows. It's another thing that should be put to a referendum vote to devolve the powers to determine firearms rights and castle doctrine laws on a state by state basis. There's no reason why folks who wish to defend themselves by means other than prayers should not have such means available to them, if open carry were legal in Owerri (I'd leave concealed carry to cops for now until we get used to the idea) maybe Dr. Amako and a host of talented Nigerians whose lives have been wasted would be alive helping to solve problems today. I'd like to hear the ruling class's thoughts on these

[Tola Odejayi]

My question:

The wisdom of removing a fuel subsidy that is unsustainable is very clear, especially if the money saved from removing such a subsidy are channelled into infrastructure projects with multiplier effects for the economy, and entrepreneurs are encouraged to invest in the oil sector.

But instead of selling this primarily as a infrastructural development program to be funded by the gains from removing the fuel subsidy, and detailing exactly how and when infrastructure will be built, the government has chosen to present this primarily as a fuel subsidy removal program. Because this has been presented many times to the public in the past, and because it has always ended up with fuel prices being increased without the subsidy being removed, this is very unpopular.

How much responsibility do you bear for the poor presentation of the government's goals in this respect?

[Big-K]

suggestion, folks - please use the thanks button as a voting mechanism, so we can prioritize the questions.

[Bill Carson]

Dr. Abati Phd,

With all due respect, when will Dr. Jonathan Goodluck vacate Aso Rock for a serious person to take the mantle and start solving the enormous problems of Nigeria that are clearly beyond GEJ ability to solve?.

[Ewuro]

Does president Goodluck Jonathan have the boldness and what it takes to conveign a Sovereign National Conference? If he does not, how does he intend to solve or answer the Nigerian question? - How we wish to be governed and the relationships among the ethnic nationalities and religion? Is the president satisfied that the Nigerian state can survive using the Abacha constitution as the basis?
How could the president solve the internal security questions? Boko haram? Police Brutality? Kidnapping? Armed Robbery? rape? Paedophilia?

[Auspicious]

..the Abacha constitution..

A Very Apt Tag.

One that should have been deployed into use long before now.

IF those in denial must be successfully assailed to bend down to see Aba,

Calling the current constitution by its truest name would come in more than handy!
--

[Anioma777]

Question:

What incentives does the FG plan to provide for Nigerians abroad who want to return home to invest. Whilst I understand there are incentives for foreign investors and rightly so, does the FG not feel it also needs at the very least provide a level playing field. Nigerians is the country's biggest asset.

[ikoyiesho1]

Where is Dr. Abati?
Abi na is coming we dey?

[purple]

Will Mr Goodluck Jonathan consider a Marshall Plan for Nigeria as a matter of urgency?

[Auspicious]

Will Mr Goodluck Jonathan consider a Marshall Plan for Nigeria as a matter of urgency?

Hmm...


One of a number of posters created to promote the Marshall Plan
in Europe. Note the pivotal position of the American flag. The blue
and white flag between those of Germany and Italy is a version of
the Trieste flag.