Jonathan moves into President’s office
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- Category: Politics
- Published on Tuesday, 11 May 2010 06:23
- Written by Admin
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President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday officially resumed work at his new office at the Presidential Wing of Aso Villa, Abuja, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Jonathan was sworn in as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 6, a day after the death of former President Umaru Yar’Adua.
NAN reports that Jonathan reported at his former office at the Vice President's wing of the Aso Villa at 11.20 a.m. on Monday, and held a brief meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed.
Shortly after the meeting, the President, accompanied by his Principal Secretary, Mr Mike Oghiadome, his other aides, Ahmed, and the Chaplain of the Aso Villa Chapel, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba, walked down to the Presidential wing.
At the Presidential wing, Onwurumba offered prayers to God before Jonathan officially occupied the Presidential seat at 12.20 p.m.
The President left the office for Aguda House after spending about 30 minutes in his new office.
NAN recalls that as Acting President, Jonathan operated from the Vice President’s office at the Vice President's wing of the Villa.
NAN also recalls that even after he was sworn in as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces on May 6, Jonathan continued to receive visitors at the Aguda House, the official residence of the Vice President.
It was gathered that Jonathan may, in the interim, move into the First Lady’s wing in the Presidential Villa, pending the conclusion of renovation works in the President’s residence.
Staff of Julius Berger Nigeria Limited, the firm that maintains the Villa, were seen cleaning, repainting, changing furniture, and carrying out sundry repairs in the apartment.
A source in the company said that renovation works in the First Lady’s wing commenced on Saturday and lasted till Monday.
He said the President gave Julius Berger three days to conclude the renovation in order to enable him move in before the appointment of a new Vice-President.
The source explained that it was not unusual for a President to initially reside in the First Lady’s wing before fully moving into his house in the Villa.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo did the same when he arrived in Aso Rock in 1999.
