President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed thanks to God for keeping him alive to witness his 54th birthday. Jonathan was speaking yesterday at the State House Chapel, after cutting a cake to celebrate his 54th birthday at the Aso Rock Villa Chapel in the State House, Abuja.'I thank God for keeping me alive to discharge the responsibilities of my office,' he stated, adding that, 'when I decided to contest for the position of Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, I prepared my mind for any eventuality, and God has been faithful to me,' he said.The President said most national issues were politicised, perhaps because Nigerian politicians can only succeed if they bring down the occupant of the office they want to occupy, adding that those who deliberately politicize issues are aware of the right thing.Giving the example of the National Honours presented last week, he said the GCON was awarded to Alhaji Aliko Dangote because he is the highest private sector employer of labour in the country, adding that the claim that the honour was previously reserved only for Vice Presidents was erroneous.'Before Aliko, over 75 distinguished Nigerians received the GCON', while Chief Obafemi Awolowo received the GCFR, though he was never President of Nigeria, he stated.President Jonathan said criticism and opposition were normal, adding that every leader who has made significant contributions to his people has faced stiff criticism and opposition, and called on Nigerians to continue to pray for the nation.Earlier, the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan had read the first lesson, while Navy Capt. Caleb Olu bolade, Minister of Police Affairs read the second lesson. The Chaplain, Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba preached his sermon on perseverance.The President's mother, Madam Eunice, his wife and children assisted the president in cutting the birthday cake....leaves for FrancePresident Goodluck Jonathan will lead a Federal Government delegation on a three-day official visit to France for meetings of the Honourary International Investor Council (HIIC) scheduled to hold between November 23 and 25.A statement by the president's spokesman, Reuben Abati, said the president would on the first day of the visit, attend a reception for African Ambassadors, organized by the Nigerian Embassy in Paris.He said on the second day, after Jonathan's opening remarks, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, and the Central Bank Governor, Mal. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi will brief investors on the 'Economic Environment of Nigeria,' while the Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, will present a paper titled, 'Increasing Foreign Direct Investment and Enhancing Nigeria's Competitiveness.'Jonathan is the Chairman of the HIIC, which works with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council and has the responsibility to take practical steps to attract foreign direct investment into Nigeria, while Baroness Lynda Chalker is Coordinator of the Council. Members of the Council are top-level international and local personalities who can authorize or influence investment decisions of companies and countries.Abati said during the afternoon session, Prof. Bart Nnaji, Minister of Power, would present a report on, 'Progress in the Power Sector,' while the theme: 'Internal Security Issues ' Realistic Options,' wouldbe addressed by Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, Interior Minister Comrade Abba Moro and National Security Adviser Andrew Azazi.He added that the third day of the visit would begin with a presentation titled, 'Agriculture and the Transformation Agenda' by Agriculture Minister Akinwunmi Adesina, while Mal. Mansur Ahmed, Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Council, would deliver a paper on, 'Driving Investment into Infrastructure Development.Before his departure for Abuja, Jonathan will be hosted to lunch by President Nicolas Sarkozy.Members of the delegation include Governors Kashim Shettima, Murtala Nyako, and Peter Obi of Borno, Adamawa and Anambra States respectively, and Sen. Esther Nenadi Usman, Hon. Ifeanyichukwu Mbadiwe, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investment, and Princess Stella Oduah, Minister of Aviation.Other Ministers accompanying the President are Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina ' Agriculture, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala ' Finance, Comrade Abba Moro ' Interior, Prof. Bart Nnaji ' Power, and Mrs. Diezani Allison Madueke ' Petroleum. Engr. Mustapha Bello, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council and Mal. Mansur Ahmed, Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission will also attend the meetings.
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