Acting President Goodluck Jonathan dissolves cabinet

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday became more decisive in running the affairs of government when he ordered the immediate dissolution of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, bringing to an end lingering speculations on the existence of the former cabinet as constituted by the ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua.

Minister of Information and Communication, Professor Dora Akunyili, who took State House Correspondents through a very long briefing session, where she outlined so many contract memos that were approved by the dissolved council, said “the Acting President Goodluck Jonathan has dissolved the Federal Executive Council”.

According to the minister who could barely take few questions disclosed that “the Acting President did not give reason for dissolving the cabinet”; even as she added that “all ministers including myself are to handover to their respective permanent secretaries by tomorrow (today)”

She however pointed out that the dissolution of the cabinet also affect all presidential aides including special Advisers, Assistants and others stressing that “if they are form part of the cabinet it means they are also dissolved.

Although as unbelievable it may sound to many ministers who had engaged in the exchange of banters upon arrival at the Council Chambers of yesterday meeting, never expected that yesterday was going to be the last day in the Yar’Adua cum Jonathan led government.

Many of the ministers, against all protocol, abandoned their usual exit point from the Council Chambers, venue of the meeting, as they were seen taking different routs out of the premises; with some of them openly discussing how they intend to move swiftly to their office to collect their personal effects.

But as the meeting ended, visibly in disbelieve many ministers, particularly those loyal to Yar’Adua were seen in frowning mood as they refused to take questions from reporters; except the new minister of Labour, Alhaji Ibrahim Kazaure, who agreed to talk.

He said he want to thank both Yar’Adua and Jonathan for giving him the opportunity to serve his father land, adding that “I use to be the minister of Labour but now I am no more”.

On what he intends to do after being a minister he said “I am a politician and I will continue to be a Minister until I die.”

It was not however clear whether a chunk of the outgoing ministers and other cabinet members may be re appointed by the Acting President; even as it being speculated that some of them including those loyal to Yar’Adua are likely coming back.

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Dora Akunyili honoured in U.S.

The Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili has been honoured in the United States where she received an award as one of the 50 Powerful Women in an event organised by MEA Magazine at the Ritz Carlton Hotel Washington, D.C.

MEA Magazine, the organisers of the prestigious award has The Theme: "Women Going the Distance" for this year's award in which 50 most successful business leaders across the United States were honoured. This is the first time a Nigerian is being honoured.

In a statement signed by Debra Williams, Publisher of the magazine, Prof. Akunyili's efforts at Re-branding Nigeria is applauded. "I applaud Akunyili's efforts in re-branding Nigeria and for going the distance for success and excellence and her contribution to her country."

According to the group, these deserving women will be chosen from a pool of public nominations from the ranks of professionals. This is an occasion to celebrate women who have endured; gone the distance for success and excellence and have contributed to their communities. The group stated that the objective of the awards was to celebrate these women as role models for their hardwork, honesty, perseverance, resilience and integrity.

"I am honoured to be recognized as one of MEA Magazine's '50 Powerful Women in Business' said Akunyili. I could not have achieved this honour without God and Nigerians for whatever I am today I owe to Nigeria and the good people of Africa... I will not end my acceptance speech without mentioning that African women are good women and I will receive this honour on their behalf. The honour is to all of us."

In attendance were the Nigerian Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations Prof. U. Joy Ogwu and other important dignitaries amongst the African Americans. At the event the minister seized the opportunity in her speech to reinforce the Re-branding Nigeria project, and called on all Nigerians in the diaspora to join hands in moving Nigeria forward.

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Aliko Dangote makes Forbes rich men's list

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Nigerian born billionaire commodity merchant, industrialist has again made it on the list of the world richest men alive, according to a Forbes World Richest Billionaires released yesterday. But his friend and arch rival, Femi Otedola has, however, dropped out of the list probably due to the stock market crash that has gravely eroded his fortune.

Dangote has been in business for many years with interest in almost all sectors of the economy, including politics where he is known to be one of the financial backers of the ruling party, the Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP.

Dangote's net worth was put by Forbes at $2.1 billion. This is the third time the 52 year old Chairman of Dangote Group of Companies would be making the list. He was listed as the 463rd in the world.

Meanwhile some well known South African billionaires also made the list. Nicky Oppenheinmer, a citizen of Johanesburg, South Africa was listed as 154 in the Forbes list of world's richest billionaires in 2010. He runs De Beers, the world's largest producers of diamond. He accumulated his fortune from inheritance. He is married with a child, while his estimated fortune is put at $5.0 billion.

Patrice Motsepe, a self-made billionaire was listed as 421 with an estimated net worth of $2.3 billion. The South African is married to a beautiful lady who runs African Fashion International and together they have three children. His major business interest is mining.

Johann Rupert Family, another South African, also has an estimated net-worth of $2.3 billion. Also listed as 421 on the world's richest list 2010, is Johann who deals in luxury goods.

Meanwhile, Carlos Slim Helu, a Mexican-born billionaire has been declared the 2010 Forbes world's richest man alive, ahead of Bill Gates. He has a net worth of $50.3 billion. Bill Gates has $50 billion dollar as total net worth.

Mexico's Carlos Slim beat Bill Gates and Warren Buffett for the top spot on Forbes magazine's annual list of billionaires, becoming the first person from outside the U.S. to lead the rankings in 16 years.

The net-worth of Slim, 70, who built a telecommunications empire after buying Mexico's state-run phone monopoly two decades ago, rose $18.5 billion to $53.5 billion. Gates, 54, chairman of Microsoft Corp., fell to second as his net worth increased $13 billion to $53 billion. Buffett, 79, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., was third with $47 billion, a rise of $10 billion.

Slim is the first person other than Gates, last year's richest person, or Buffett to top the list since 1994, which was also the last time a billionaire from outside the U.S. led the ranking: Japanese real estate tycoon Yoshiaki Tsutsumi.

Asia's richest person, Mukesh Ambani, 52, of India, chairman of Mumbai-based refiner and energy explorer Reliance Industries Ltd., was ranked fourth with $29 billion, up from $19.5 billion last year, when he was seventh.

Lakshmi Mittal, 59, also of India, the chief executive officer of the world's biggest steelmaker, ArcelorMittal, rose to fifth from eighth. Mittal's net-worth increased $9.4 billion to $28.7 billion as shares of his company have almost doubled in the past year.

Larry Ellison, 65, chief executive of Oracle Corp., fell to sixth from fourth as his net-worth increased $5.5 billion to $28 billion. Bernard Arnault, 61, of France, chairman and chief executive of luxury goods maker LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, rose to seventh from 15th as his net worth jumped $11 billion to $27.5 billion.

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