Abati Explains Why President Jonathan Missed Talking At The A.U Summit Recently In Addis Ababa.

Special Adviser to the President on Media, Dr. Reuben Abati, said yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan's inability to speak at the plenary session of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopa was occasioned by a bilateral meeting on infrastructure in West Africa held on the sidelines of the summit.
"It is perfectly normal for Presidents to meet on the sidelines of any international meeting, and as the AU plenary went on yesterday (Saturday), many Presidents stepped out to hold bilateral meetings, and return to the hall," Abati told THISDAY inside the AU building in Addis Ababa.
According to him, it was incumbent on the minister standing in for the president to seek for another speech slot to enable his principal return to the hall or go ahead and read the prepared speech but Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, chose to read the president's speech.
"President Jonathan was perfectly in order. He did not abandon his duty post. He was in fact busy at work on behalf of Nigerians. I see the mischief that has suddenly erupted around this matter as a classic case of much ado about nothing." Abati said.
The statement added that President Jonathan was an accomplished diplomat under whose watch, Nigeria's relationship with other countries has continued to grow strong.
"We are witnessing under this administration, a truly golden and glorious moment in Nigeria's foreign policy process, an achievement which President Jonathan cherishes," he concluded.
Meanwhile, the president, in his speech read by Ashiru at the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity/AU with the theme, "Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance", said the continent could take justifiable pride in the fact that the objectives the founding fathers set for themselves have largely been achieved.
"Their foresight and action have translated an ideal into reality. The theme of this special Summit, Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance, is indeed both profound and apt. It captures the essence of our Union, its ideals, its aims and its aspirations," he said.

According to him, political independence has been won and colonialism, apartheid and minority rule have been defeated even as Africa was yet to overcome the challenges of neo-colonialism, poverty, disease, violent conflicts, environmental degradation, under-development and economic dependency.