Posted by By Ihuoma Chiedozie, Abuja on
A delegation of Northern youth leaders, on Tuesday, visited the Presidential Villa to show solidarity with Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
A delegation of Northern youth leaders, on Tuesday, visited the Presidential Villa to show solidarity with Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
The youths, under the aegis of the Union of Northern Youths, said the vice-president remained their role model, despite the allegations levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Abubakar said the greatest challenge facing Nigeria was the sustenance of the country‘s young democracy.
He said while democracy might not be perfect, those who believed in it must be prepared to defend it at all times.
He advised youths to be patient and persevere, and promised that the future would be bright.
Abubakar, also on Tuesday, commended the Chinese Government for its interest to invest in Nigeria.
Abubakar made the commendation at a reception for the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. XU Jianquo, in Abuja.
"It will be a great thing to see Chinese invest in the private sector. This will further open up the sector," Abubakar said.
The vice-president noted that "the climate is conducive for foreign investment and so many prospects can be exploited."
Jianquo, who is also the Chinese Ambassador to the Economic Community of West African Countries, praised the Federal Government for its reforms and economic policies.
Meanwhile, it was gathered on Tuesday that President Olusegun Obasanjo has dropped the only aide of the vice-president on the national honours list.
Investigations revealed that Mr. Olusola Akanmode, the deputy chief of staff to the vice-president, was listed among awardees and had forwarded his curriculum vitae as requested by the Chief of Staff Office in the last lap of documentation for the award.
However, when the honours list was finally released, Akanmode‘s name was absent.
The list, however, included 18 of Obasanjo‘s personal aides.