Connect with us

News

Updated: Dignitaries converge on Abuja as Goodluck Jonathan Foundation marks 10th anniversary today

Published

on

Please Kindly Share This Story

By Bonaventure Phillips Melah

 

High profile speakers from Nigeria and other parts of Africa are expected to gather at the Ballroom, Palm Beach Hotel, Central Business District, Abuja on Thursday, November 20th 2025 as the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) marks its 10th anniversary.

Guests at the event are to reflect on the organisation’s decade-long contributions to peacebuilding, democratic governance, and inclusive development in Africa.

 

The anniversary, themed “Legacy of Impact: Celebrating Our Journey”, will draw participants from government institutions, civil society organisations, the diplomatic community, development partners, and professionals from various fields, underscoring the broad coalition of actors that have engaged with and supported the Foundation’s work over the years.

A statement from the Foundation’s Communications Officer, Wealth Dickson Ominabo, notes that former President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, will serve as Chief Host, while His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ooni of Ife (Ojaja II), will be Royal Father of the Day.

The statement also indicates that a “major highlight of the commemoration will be a keynote address by Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, former President of ECOWAS, former Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), and a prominent member of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF).

Dr Chambas, who has collaborated with the Foundation on several mediation and preventive diplomacy engagements, will reflect on GJF’s role in promoting electoral integrity, supporting peaceful transitions, and fostering partnerships that strengthen governance across the subregion.

Speaking ahead of the anniversary, Executive Director of the Foundation, Ms. Ann Iyonu emphasised the significance of the milestone as a moment for reflection and recommitment.

According to her, “For ten years, the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation has championed constructive dialogue, supported credible elections, and facilitated mediation efforts during political transitions and conflicts across Africa. Our work with regional bodies, civil society actors, and community leaders has contributed to reducing tensions, deepening democratic norms, and amplifying the voices of those committed to stability and development. The anniversary gives us an opportunity to reflect on these achievements and strengthen our resolve for the years ahead, instilling hope for a more stable and developed Africa.”

Over the past decade, the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation has convened high-level dialogues, promoted the participation of women and youth in governance, and leveraged its networks to support peaceful elections and conflict resolution processes in West Africa. Through its peace and democracy programmes, the Foundation has provided platforms for early warning engagement, preventive diplomacy, and post-election reflection, contributing to stability and consensus-building at critical moments.

The 10th Anniversary serves as both a celebration of progress and an invitation to deepen collaborative efforts towards a more peaceful and democratic Africa.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Supreme Court to rule on ADC, PDP cases Thursday

Published

on

Please Kindly Share This Story

The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.

According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.

While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.

 

Continue Reading

News

Tinubu to reconstitute NHRC board, retains Ojukwu as ES/CEO

Published

on

Please Kindly Share This Story

President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.

Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.

Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.

Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.

The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.

He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.

If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.

Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.

 

 

 

 

Continue Reading

News

Breaking: EFCC investigates Pastor Jerry Eze over alleged money laundering

Published

on

Please Kindly Share This Story

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.

Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.

According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.

“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.

“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.

“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.

The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.

He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.

“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.

“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.

The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.

He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.

The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.

 

Continue Reading

Trending