GEJ hosted by Invest Africa billionaires in London

GOODLUCK JONATHAN HOSTED BY INVEST AFRICA BILLIONAIRES

Following his epic speech and interview at Bloomberg TV studios in London, former President Goodluck Jonathan was on Monday feted to an executive Lunch in London by Rob Hersov, CEO of Invest Africa. The lunch had several investors who had invested in Africa. At the lunch, Dr. Jonathan encouraged his hosts to invest in Nigeria. He also used the opportunity to discuss his foundation’s goals which are to deepen democracy in Africa through free and fair elections and respect for its outcome irrespective of the outcome. The Right Honourable Mark Simmonds, former UK Minister for Africa, gave the vote of thanks. 

Below are few of the pictures from the event.  

A cross section of some of the guests at the lunch.

Michael Moszinsky presenting former President Jonathan with a gift of music records from Nigeria. 

 

Dr. Jonathan with Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, Right Honorable Mark Simmonds, Michael Moszinsky and Bassim Haider. 

 Dr. Jonathan in discussion with billionaire businessman,

Bassim Haidar (CEO of Channel IT group)

"I’m Under Investigation for Corruption", Jonathan Confesses. Gives Reasons Why He Conceded Defeat 

The immediate past President, Goodluck Jonathan, has said he is being investigated for corruption by the adminstration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

In an exclusive interview with Bloomberg Television, in London Jonathan said: “I cannot say the country from the beginning of our independence, that there was no corruption, yes there has been corruption.

“I did very well also, to curtail corruption.

“My approach to corruption, was ‘don’t make money available for anyone to touch'.

“We made sure that area of fertiliser subsidies was cleaned up, and the whole corruption there was removed.

“I tried to do the same in the oil industry, but the very people that were accusing us of corruption, were the same people frustrating it, it's unfortunate.

Asked if he was being investigated for corruption, Jonathan answer in the affirmative.

“Obviously, I’m being investigated”.

Asked if he would be found guilty of corrupt practices, Jonathan said “I wouldn’t want to make certain comments because, when a government is working, it's not proper for immediate past President to make certain statements.

“I will allow the government to do the work it is supposed to do.

“I wouldn’t want to make serious comments on that, it's not proper.

“After all these investigations, the whole stories will be properly chronicled.

“I’ve just left office, and I should allow the President and his team to do what they believe is good for the country.Giving reasons why he conceded defeat easily, exPresident Goodluck Jonathan said: “I said before the last election that my political ambition was not worth the blood of one Nigerian.

“I was true to my word when on March 16, 2015, just after the election, when the results were still being collated by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, I called my opponent, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), to concede, in order to avoid any conflict and ensure a peaceful transition of power.

“This was without precedent in my country and I am proud that it achieved my goal of no conflict arising from the result of the election.

“Some may think, it is ironic that perhaps my proudest achievement was not winning the 2015 presidential election.

“By being the first elected Nigerian leader to willingly hand over power via the ballot box, to the opposition party; without contesting the election outcome, I proved to the ordinary man or woman in the country that I was his or her equal.

“That his or her vote was equal to mine and that democracy is the government by the will of the people, and that Nigeria, and indeed Africa is ripe for democracy. It is my sincerest wish that democracy is being consolidated in the continent of Africa and it will even get better.

“For it has always been my consistent desire to help consolidate peace and cultivate democracy in Nigeria and across the continent.

“In fact, it was the key foreign policy objective of my administration when we were able to help broker peace and restore democracy in Niger, Mali, Guinea Bissau and Cote d’Ivoire”,

he said.

By Lashley Oladigbolu, London.