The Executive Council of the federation yesterday received the report of the six-man cabinet delegation that was sent to Saudi Arabia to see the Nigerian president before his unannounced departure from the Arab country last week. The team included Mr. Ahmed; Ojo Maduekwe; Rilwanu Lukman; Adetokunbo Kayode; Babatunde Osotimehin, and Abba Sayyadi Ruma.
The Council, however, kept mum on the issue of whether a team should be raised to visit the president who is receiving medical aide in the presidential villa.
While briefing journalists after the weekly meeting, which was chaired by Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan, after so much controversy about who to chair the meeting, the minister of information, Dora Akunyili, said the council did not discuss anything about President Yar’Adua.
The meeting, which lasted for about two hours, showed some form of calm returning to the council, which had been divided over the ailing president.
The report, which contained eight points and was dated March 1, 2010, was signed by the head of delegation and secretary to the federal government, Yayale Ahmed. A copy was presented to each of the ministers during the meeting.
The ministerial report
The report, titled, ‘Report of the visit by the six-man cabinet delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,’ however, provided scanty information on the movement of the team to and from Saudi and its conversation with the authorities of the oil rich nation.
It reads: “Recall that on the 17th of February council constituted a six-man cabinet delegation to visit President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who was hospitalised in Saudi Arabia. They were to convey the appreciation of the government and the good people of Nigeria to the Saudi Monarch for the care and support given to our President.
“Preparatory to this visit, the Acting President had addressed a letter to the Royal Majesty, Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, introducing the delegation as a special envoy from the presidency. In the letter, the Acting President conveyed the profound appreciation and deep gratitude of the government and the entire people of Nigeria to the king, for the kindness, hospitality, fraternal care and excellent facilities extended to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.”
The delegation reported that they departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, early hours of Tuesday, 23rd February 2010, some minutes after midnight. On their arrival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, they were received by the Nigerian Ambassador, Abdullahi Aminchi and the Royal Protocol Personnel and driven straight to the Conference Palace, where they were accommodated.
Prior to their arrival, the Nigerian Ambassador had secured appointment for them to be received by His Highness, Saud Al-Faisal, Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs at 18.00 hours on the 23rd February, 2010.
“The Foreign Minister received us on behalf of the Saudi King and re-affirmed the commitment of the Saudi Government to promote good relationship with Nigeria. He also assured the delegation that the health of President Yar’Adua was improving.
The delegation thanked the Saudi Foreign Minister for the warm reception and the hospitality which the kingdom accorded to them and delivered the Acting President’s letter to him, for onward transmission to His Royal Majesty, King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud.”
Thereafter, the Nigerian Ambassador, Abdullahi Aminchi, informed the delegation that he had received information that President Yar’Adua had been discharged and was on his way back to Abuja. From all indications, the President must have departed Jeddah Airport at about 10pm, Saudi time, on Tuesday 23rd February 2010.
With the news that the President had left Saudi Arabia for Nigeria, the delegation did not consider it necessary to proceed to Jeddah, where the President was hospitalised. Accordingly, they decided to return to Nigeria. The delegation was said to have departed Riyadh at about 5.30am on Wednesday February 24, 2010 and arrived Abuja at about 10.30 am.
Nothing on Yar’Adua
Meanwhile, the minister of information refused to answer any question on the president’s health, prompting speculations that she might have bowed to pressure to refrain from comments on the issue.
The Governor’s Forum had, two days ago during a meeting with the Acting President, deliberated on her comments and cautioned her against making remarks so that passions would not be further inflamed.
Sources also confirmed she was also, during the council meeting, asked by her colleagues and the Acting President, to be mindful of what she says to the media, in reference to her current media interviews.
Signed contracts
The council approved the construction of the 15 kilometre Dengi-Jarmai road in Plateau State at the cost of N1.5billion. The road, to be co-handled by the Federal Emergency Road Maintanance Agency (FERMA), will be funded under the ecological fund project of the government.
A consultancy services contract for the Obiakpo-Obeng gas pipeline was also approved in the sum of N236.8 million.
It involves project studies and technical surveys, among other technical supervision duties for the project.
The council also approved the reconstruction of Owerri-Elele road linking Imo and Rivers State, as part of the post-amnesty programme aimed at enhancing accessibility and creating employment opportunities. An additional consultancy service for the project is valued at N469.73 million.