President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan congratulated Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko on his victory in February 18, 2012 governorship elections in Sokoto State.

A statement by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, said President Jonathan welcomed Alhaji Wamakko's re-election for a second term by a clear majority of registered voters in Sokoto State as "a manifestation of their continued faith in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their satisfaction with the performance of the Wamakko Administration during his first term in office".

President Jonathan prayed that God Almighty will grant Alhaji Wamakko another successful term of office in the service of the people of Sokoto State and the nation.

Feb 18, 2012: Nigeria pledges to support Gulf of Guinea Commission on security

Vice President Namadi Sambo expressed Nigeria's readiness to assist the Gulf of Guinea Commission perform its statutory duties of policing the maritime environment and fight piracy within its Exclusive Economic Zone (ECZ).

Speaking when he received the Commission's Executive Secretary Mr. Miguel Trovoada, on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Vice President Sambo said considering the strategic economic significance of the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria will employ its resources to ensure that the Commission is able to effectively discharge that role to its member states.

The Gulf of Guinea which houses large volume of crude oil, fish and other aquatic elements is not only strategic to member countries but also considered as one of the richest economic zones in the world.

Its richness had in the past drawn the economic interests of countries such as the United States (US), China and the European Union, who at one time or the other volunteered to provide maritime security to police the vast territorial.

The eight member countries include Nigeria, Angola, Cameroun, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sao Tome and Principe (only the later was not an oil producing country).

Feb 17, 2012: VP Sambo inaugurates Presidential Committee on Restructuring the Police

Vice President Namadi Sambo directed the Nigeria Police Force to redouble its efforts to contain the rising incidence of terrorism, warning that government can no longer tolerate indolence in the Force.

Inaugurating the Presidential Taskforce on the reorganization of the ailing NPF, the Vice President charged the Police to brace up to the "ever increasing tactics and antics of criminals in our society" pointing out that a time has come where the whole Force should be re-examined and re-organized for efficiency and effectiveness.

Vice President Sambo lamented the current state of the Police and the loss of confidence by the Nigerian public on the Force; and warned the Panel that government will no longer tolerate indolence and lack of capacity as excuses for non performance.

Responding the Chairman of the committee, Mr. Parry Osayande, expressed concern that there was no time in the nation's history that the Nigeria Police Force had suffered the kind of indignity as it is currently being witnessed.

Mr Osayande who is also the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, pledged that the panel members would discharge their responsibilities diligently with a view to restoring the lost glory of the Nigeria Police.

Feb 16, 2012: FG endorses National Policy on Productivity

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a National Policy on Productivity which captured a vision to harness the productive capacity of Nigerians.

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku disclosed this in company of the Minister for Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu at a media briefing on the outcome of the FEC meeting chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja on Wednesday, February 15.

He noted that the policy which is the first for the country came after decades of planning and was approved after a rigorous and exhaustive debate, adding that a National Productivity Day, aside from the May 1st Labour Day, would be celebrated annually with the aim of drawing attention and awareness to national productivity.

He stated that it would be followed with the constitution of a National Council on Productivity to guide its day-to-day implementation using a multi-sectoral approach.

Explaining further, Wogu said the policy would develop the mindset of the citizenry and institutionalize the culture of productivity for the enhancement of service delivery and improvement in the quality of life.

Feb 16, 2012: President Jonathan receives regional leaders, mutes national dialogue

President Goodluck Jonathan said the necessity for consensus through a national dialogue informed the setting up of a committee of eminent persons by his administration.

The President spoke while receiving leaders from the South West and South-South geo-political zones, who paid him a courtesy visit.

He said that, "in recognition of the demands by Nigerians for a constitutional amendment, we set up the Justice Belgore Committee to bring up all those issues which have been agreed upon at previous national conferences, for presentation as bills to the National Assembly, and subsequent passage into law, while a larger body will meet on issues that are still controversial for a national consensus".

He thanked the elders for the visit and the support given to his administration in the task of moving Nigeria forward, economically and politically.

Earlier, Chief Edwin Clark leader of the South-South group and Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, leaders of South-West elders had presented a Communiqué from a meeting held by the two groups at Ikenne, Ogun State to the president for consideration.