President Goodluck Jonathan has cancelled the emergency Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting which was billed to hold by 2.30pm yesterday.
The meeting which was scheduled and listed on the programme list for the day to hold after the launch of the emblem appeal fund for the 2013 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration was cancelled later in the day, with no reason given for its cancellation.
The meeting was said to be a platform for the president to evaluate the achievements of the ministers, following the Performance Agreement which they signed with him on August 22, 2012 and subscribed to by all civil servants.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the notice of the meeting which was served on all ministers created panic among them, with most of them tidying up their records.
For the past two weeks FEC meetings had been lasting longer than the usual time, as the sessions towards the end of the year are used by the President to evaluate and get a clear appraisal of the performance of the ministers.
According to report, the rating “might later determine the fate of the ministers either in terms of sack from the cabinet, redeployment to ministries where they have capacity, and or lead to a notice of caution to ‘wake-up’ as may be necessary”.
President Jonathan had in August said he would commence periodic assessments of the ministers in line with their performance bond.
Meanwhile, Jonathan, yesterday implored military personnel in the country to embrace unity and national cohesion irrespective of religion.
Speaking at the launch of the emblem appeal fund for the 2013 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja, the president said Nigerians must refuse to be divided by religion and ethnicity, as the country was more important than any individual.
According to Jonathan, issues that bind Nigerians together as a nation should be promoted above primordial sentiments.
He said, “The strongest message is that of unity. The men and women that we remember today were drawn into national service from all parts of Nigeria and they served gallantly regardless of differences of religion or ethnicity. They were united by the same purpose, to keep Nigeria secure. Their oneness of purpose and spirit remind us of the significance of national cohesion, together we can achieve a lot.
“Whatever may be our differences; religious, ethnic or personal, Nigeria is more important. We must be united in rising above our differences and promoting values that bind us together. We must refuse to be divided by those who impose ethnic and religious meaning on every national issue”.
Noting that Nigeria will soon celebrate 100 years of emergence as one country, the president said, “It is a heritage that we all must be proud of. The legacy of our past heroes is something we must cherish as we strive together to leave an even worthier legacies for future generations”.
In her welcome remarks, the Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, underscored the need to honour those who had laid down their lives for the unity of the nation. She pledged that the fund realised would be used to support the families and loved ones of the departed heroes.
Decorated with the emblem were former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; former President, Shehu Shagari; Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako; PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and Erelu Obada, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Service Chiefs.
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