₦airaland Forum

The Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, will on Tuesday, January 12, 2016, proceed on an official visit to China and Indonesia.
The trip will enable the Honourable Minister hold discussions with his counterparts in both countries with the aim of seeking and strengthening areas of co-operation and technical assistance to drive the new initiative on Science, Technology and Innovation in Nigeria.
The Minister will visit facilities at both the China Academy of Space Technology and the China Space Corporation in Beijing.
He will also visit the Launch Site as well as witness the Launch of the Chinese Satellite in Xichang on January 15, this year.
Dr Onu will later hold talks with leading Chinese and Indonesia businessmen in an effort to attract Direct Foreign Investment to stimulate growth in Nigeria’s Science and Technology Sector.
He will also discuss with Nigerians in the Diaspora in these two countries on efforts being made by the Buhari Administration to reposition and strengthen Science and Technology in the country as a way to encourage them to invest in Nigeria’s development process.
The Honourable Minister will be accompanied on the tour by the Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency, (NASRDA), Prof. Seidu Mohammed and the Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, (NASENI), Prof. Mohammed Haruna.
He is expected back in the country on Thursday, January 21, this year.


Sunny Onyeukwu
Special Assistant to Hon. Minister
January 12, 2016


http://www.ogbonnayaonu.com/press-release-china-indonesia-12-01-2016.php

PRESS STATEMENT

The attention of His Excellency, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has been drawn to a seeming orchestrated campaign apparently originating from the social media to smear his hard earned reputation.

On Saturday, August 28, this year, a Facebook broadcast titled “SGF; OGBONNAYA ONU AND VAINGLORIOUS NIGERIANS” allegedly at the instance of one Ajayi Temitope was circulated in the social media without his knowledge and consent.

In it, Dr. Onu was falsely and perhaps maliciously credited as having told an unnamed friend of Mr. Ajayi Temitope in a 35minute telephone conversation that prior to the announcement of appointments into the offices of Chief of Staff to the President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, among other positions, he (Dr.) Onu was informed by Mr. President of his intended action and why he would not be chosen for appointment as SGF.

The Facebook broadcast further falsely credited Dr. Onu with expressing regrets about how his Abuja residence had become “a mecca of sorts” for those seeking patronage from him in anticipation of his appointment as SGF and lamented that soon after the announcement was made without his being appointed to serve in the exalted capacity, his residence became deserted.

For the avoidance of doubt, it has become important to state in strong terms that Dr. Onu never expressed the views credited to him in the Facebook broadcast as no such conversation ever took place between him and our respected Mr. President. He could not have, therefore, communicated a nonexistent conversation to another person, more so an unnamed individual on telephone. Accordingly, it is false, cheap and utterly in bad faith. Already, Dr. Onu has personally issued a rebuttal on the matter which has been circulated in the social media in a Press Statement dated August 30, 2015.

However, it has become necessary to issue the foregoing clarification in view of ongoing efforts in some sections of the print and electronic media to further allude to the same phony Facebook broadcast without verifying the proof of its authenticity. Needless to add that such is capable of misleading the general public and by implication, injure the well-known integrity and honour which Dr. Onu holds sacred and guards jealously.

At this juncture, it is important to recall that soon after the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari on May 29, this year, the social media was awash with the purported “news” of his “appointment” as Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Specifically on May 31, this year, a spurious Twitter account surfaced in his name where he was quoted as having “thanked God and the good people of Nigeria for this opportunity to serve”. This was despite the fact that Dr. Onu does not own or operate a personal Twitter account, thus prompting him to disclaim the broadcast in a Statement dated June 1, 2015, which was circulated in the social media.

As one of the founding National Leaders of All Progressives Congress, APC, it is his conviction that nothing should be done to injure the rights of citizens to free speech, especially in a democracy. However, in the exercise of such rights, care and respect must be observed to ensure that it is done within the ambit of the law, guided by respect for the truth, good conscience and sincerity of purpose.

It is hoped that in all circumstances, more so in a democracy, the truth should not be twisted to serve pre-determined ends nor should the rights of individuals be muzzled to score cheap political points.

Finally, Dr. Onu reaffirms his faith in our democracy as the immutable vehicle of popular choice for a new Nigeria, where though tribe and tongue may differ, as brothers and sisters, united in the pursuit of a common destiny, we must continue to stand firm, resolute and together.

Sunny Onyeukwu
Former Chief of Staff to Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu
August 31, 2015.



http://www.ogbonnayaonu.com/media/news-release/re-SGF-OGBONNAYA-ONU-AND-VAINGLORIOUS-NIGERIANS.php

Disclaimer:

My attention has been drawn to a publication on the Facebook social media
platform of one Ajayi Temitope Carter titled “SGF, OGBONNAYA ONU AND
VAINGLORIOUS NIGERIANS”. I wish to make it clear that the said views as
credited to me are false and did not emanate from me. Accordingly, I urge
that it should be disregarded by all as it contains no truth whatsoever.
Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, August 30, 2015.

http://www.ogbonnayaonu.com/disclaimers/SGF-OGBONNAYA-ONU-AND-VAINGLORIOUS-NIGERIANS.php

The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) has resolved to give the  ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) a fight of her life, if there should be free and fair elections, come 2011 general elections.

The reoccurring ugly experiences of  average Nigerians when it comes to electioneering processes and governance, has put ANPP in a position as the leading opposition party, to take charge of the fight of ensuring that the people of Nigeria are well informed about what free and fair elections entail.

ANPP has concluded arrangements to this effect, through the inauguration of her 2010 National Convention Committee. ANPP is urging all Nigerians irrespective of party affiliation, to join in the fight to ensure that come 2011, there should be free and fair elections. This way, we can be sure of credible leaders that can reasonably pilot the affairs of this Nation at various levels of governance.

Frankly speaking, the issue isn't the INEC chairman. It all has to do with the interest of incumbent. If President Goodluck Jonathan, wishes for the nation a free and fair election, he will put every thing in place to achieve that; else the cry for a reputable person to head INEC will be a futile one. I will urge Nigerians to see politics and democracy as institutions that require proper tutelage for someone to really qualify to render services to humanity, because you don't give what you don't have.