Nigeria’s truly national newspaper
Boko Haram has links with al-Qaeda NEWS
Page 4
•US General warns of danger ahead
Mikel’s dad: Abductors demand N20m NEWS – Page 6
•Police investigation still continues http://www.thenationonlineng.net
VOL. 7, NO. 1856 THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011
TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH
N150.00
Why Okonjo-Iweala is back, by Jonathan NJC in dilemma over Salami
Minister to lead 24-member Economic Team
F
INANCE Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala yesterday pledged to make job creation her priority. But she admitted that there is no magic wand or quick fix to turn around the economy. The former World Bank President took the oath of office shortly before the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. She is to coordinate the 24-man Economic Team announced yesterday. President Goodluck Jonathan said OkonjoIweala would not be paid in dollars, contrary to speculations. “Let me announce to Nigerians that she accepted to serve, just like any other minister, and indeed others who came from the diaspora have not asked us for dollar salary. “They are going to receive salary and allowances like
From Yusuf Alli, Abuja
From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja
T
others in the cabinet. They are coming to serve the country and are not coming because of their personal aggrandisement,” the President said. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala arrived for the ceremony at about 09.55am. She was the cynosure of all eyes as she stepped into the council chambers. Ministers scrambled to take photographs with her. President Jonathan said: “Let me thank you for accepting to come and serve because considering the position you were holding at the World Bank, it is difficult for you to come back to serve as minister in a country. “And I am saying this with all pride because when your name was made known and it entered the media, everywhere I went, Heads of State and Government were wondering why you would even agree to come and they were appreciative of me, especially the African Presidents, that I did well to pull you back home to help to solve the African problems because they know your worth in the Continued on page 2
•Dr. Okonjo-Iweala taking the oath of office ... yesterday
PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN
Ex-Vice President Aikhomu dies at 71 P2
•The late Admiral Aikhomu
Jonathan, IBB pay tributes to ex-Naval chief
HE National Judicial Council (NJC) is facing a dilemma over who should preside over its session on the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, today. The Deputy National Chairman of the council, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, has travelled out for the lesser Hajj. But the main opposition coalition, the Congress of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), yesterday described the refusal of the NJC to accept service of a court process filed by Justice Salami as crude and unethical. The President of the Court of Appeal has filed a suit at the Federal High Court, asking for a perpetual injunction to restrain the NJC from acting on the report of the Auta Panel it raised to review the report of a Fact-Finding Committee headed by Justice Umaru Abdullahi. Although the notice of Justice Salami’s suit was served under a difficult circumstance, the NJC is adamant in going ahead to take action on the President of the Court of Appeal. It was learnt that the NJC members are in a dilemma over who will preside at the meeting. It was learnt that while the CJN, who is an interested party, cannot preside over a matter in which he is involved, the Deputy National Chairman of the Council, Justice Musdapher has traveled to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj. Continued on page 60
•POLITICS P17 •SPORTS P23 •EDUCATION P25 •NATURAL HEALTH P47