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Aso Rock Network Problems Prevent Obama From Calling President Jonathan Twice – Report
Nov 25, 2012 – Aso Rock Network Problems Prevent Obama From Calling President Jonathan Twice – Report
Both Presidents Barack Obama and Goodluck Jonathan wanted to talk on phone, but twice calls from the White House to Aso Rock failed to make the connection.
Authoritative sources confirmed during the week that efforts by President Obama to personally speak with Jonathan to return his congratulatory message has been aborted at least twice by the failure of the telephone system in Aso Rock.
After Obama’ s second-term election victory three weeks ago, President Jonathan was among the first world leaders to congratulate him, offering him a hand of fellowship.
In response to the congratulatory messages, Obama on the Thursday of the same election week, started calling back some of the world leaders, who had congratulated him, to appreciate their letters and words of felicitation.
At least, three White House press statements by Press Secretary, Jay Carney, since the week of the election, have listed names of leaders Obama has been able to speak to in return for their congratulatory messages. Based on those statements made available to The Guardian, the US President has not been able to reach out to the Nigerian president.
But US sources confirmed that President Jonathan is one of those Obama was personally keen on talking to, in acknowledgement of their early congratulatory messages.
Specifically, on Monday November 12, according to US sources, White House officials, having coordinated with the US Embassy in Nigeria, and the Nigerian Embassy in the US, got a number to call Aso Rock, but, on two occasions on that day, both calls were simply not picked up, causing a diplomatic embarrassment for Aso Rock. The number had been given by Aso Rock officials to enable President Obama reach President Jonathan.
A source explained that what should have been done, as is normal in diplomatic etiquette, is for the Nigerian President to have a hotline to reach leaders of other countries that are strategic to the country, so that such important calls are easily facilitated.
Sources close to the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed the practice and put the blame squarely on Aso Rock telephone system and some of its operators and officials.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to the US, Prof Adebowale Adefuye, confirmed that the US President wants to talk to Jonathan since after the election, but stated that it is yet to happen.
But he quickly added that the plans were still being worked out to make it a reality. He explained further that during this past week, President Obama was away in Asia and then returned for the Thanksgiving celebrations, a big holiday, which Americans mark every third Thursday in November. In most cases in the US, the holiday starts on the preceding Wednesday (November 21) until the following week, which is Monday, November 26.(Source: The Guardian)
Abiakam Ephraim
November 26, 2012 at 12:12 AM
NawaO, when r we going to develope? A country at 52 years or age!! God help us
Musa Ado
November 26, 2012 at 1:29 AM
IT IS AN EMBRACEDENT TO ALL NIGERIN CITIZEN , IMAGINE THE WHOLE OF ASO ROCK WITH COMMUNICATION NETWORK ALLAH SHI KI YAYE!
dewizardz
November 26, 2012 at 5:38 AM
Tank God.shameless country
Joshua Tebu
November 26, 2012 at 6:40 AM
mr man nt 2 all nigerian bt 2 aso rock ok.
Henry
November 26, 2012 at 6:49 AM
Y obama wan even cal naija abi him wan just waste credit
mulikatcardoso
November 26, 2012 at 8:07 AM
Bad country, everything na…..u remmeber Idris song about Nigeria,where is that old OBJ ,what do u say now about idris music,is 120% true about Nigeria.we need new Nigeria new beging, we are going to clear all those old Amry general that first damage nigeria to die ,then their all politicias takeing our money to oversea to keep in their acct e.t.c,then new young educated nigeria without religion or tribes head ,come to rule.u will see things will move in good way,my obama.
Kanu Philip
November 26, 2012 at 10:46 AM
This is one of the failures of the Nigerian system.
eunice
November 26, 2012 at 11:36 AM
Abeg make d network no go we don’t no d plans of obama
Kc Famicom
November 26, 2012 at 1:42 PM
It a pity and a big disgrace to the image of Nigeria the whole of Aso rock know cummunication net work , why is it that Nigeria is always last in everything , big as Aso rock know hot line it a pity.
kakadu
November 26, 2012 at 2:29 PM
if almight aso rock has the problem, think about common nigerians? May GOD help the pen robbers 2 see.
lasisi mutiu o.
November 26, 2012 at 3:54 PM
nawa 4 nigeria telecomuication, those of nigeria telecoms are bad
Ijeoma Blessing
November 26, 2012 at 4:05 PM
Nawa o what a country.
Saka Azeez
November 26, 2012 at 6:50 PM
dis nigerian is a shameless to people. Nd the sametime am tired of lagos state all because of brf laws.
suegar sumani
November 28, 2012 at 4:28 AM
u da naijaz just fl in ya hrt d@ u hv d Obamic conglats bak,ntwk yapenga mpana kwa Igwe Jona?
So sory Naijaz!
petrock
November 29, 2012 at 9:03 AM
Oh! My lovely president Jonathan! What a great assignment u hav b4 u to do 4 dis our great and blessed country naija. May God help u 2 execute all ur positive plans and clear all other negatives off ur path in Jesus name. I bliv its a shame on all of us coz we all contributed 2 naija present situation. Bt it shud not hav been ASO ROCK.
Sunday Jude
March 21, 2013 at 1:39 AM
Me? I gbadu naija oo e de make me kolo. Obama won beg uncle Jonah money.hahaa dis tym e plan no go work.