Abuja — Vice President Namadi Sambo taking Oath Of Office before the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Aloyious Katsina-Alu during the swearing in ceremony at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: ANAYO OPARA

Alhaji Namadi Sambo was yesterday sworn in as the Vice President. President Goodluck Jonathan promised to co-operate with him to avoid crises of confidence between the office of the President and Vice President.

The President called on Sambo to carry out his job without fear or favour. "I believe you will be supportive and carryout the duty of your office without fear or favour.

"I promise you full cooperation. The stories of crisis between president and vice president will not arise. I will make sure that we work together as a team. I have the confidence to say that because my history is well known by everybody. So I have a fair knowledge of areas of disagreement. I was a deputy governor before I became a governor, and I started as a vice president before I became the President."

President Jonathan, who said such co-operation was necessary so that the interest of the country would be projected both nationally and internationally, said they will work with all stakeholders to improve the economy of the country.

He said: "Today we are witnessing a brief ceremony but it is quite unique and important in the political history of Nigeria. As a country that is just coming out of a military government for about 11 years, we faced a major challenge that a number of people thought that democracy will be derailed. Fortunately for us with the hardworking Nigerians by the Grace of God the ceremony today has come to show that we have stabilised as a nation."

He thanked the media, National Assembly, governors and the military for making the historic event possible. He lauded the National Assembly for the speedy approval granted the nomination of the vice president.

He said he was not surprised that Sambo, whom he described as "a gentle man" was selected for the job, saying he had a reputation and a clear record as the immediate past governor of Kaduna State.

"He is somebody I have worked with before at the National Economic Council (NEC) and he has been a member of the committees that I chaired and I find him really worthy to hold this office. To me he is not coming to a new terrain, because one of the key responsibilities of the vice president is to chair the NEC and other related bodies and he has been a member, not just a passive member but very active member.

"Our challenge now is to improve the economy. You will be meeting with the economic team regularly to ensure that our promises to Nigerians are kept."

Vice President Sambo who was accompanied by his wife Amina, was also formally given the National Honour of Grand Commander Of the Order of the Niger (GCON) by President Jonathan.

Sambo who took the oath of office administered by the Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN), Justice Aloysius Katsina- Alu promised to bring his wealth of experience to bear on his new job.

He said: "I believe that my choice to occupy this office by Mr. president is hinged on the believe that I will bring my wealth of experience garnered over the years in the private as well as the public sector, to bare in the discharge of my duties and actualization of Mr. President's lofty programmes for our dear country."

He said having had course to work with the President, closely in NEC, national independent power committee, as well as other committees, the experience had been worthwhile.

He said providence and fate provided them with yet another opportunity to work closely in their current capacities, saying that it will be the beginning of a partnership that would be beneficial to Nigerians.

"We shall forge a common front to see to the realisation of a credible electoral reform, a sustained fight against corruption, and the rejuvenation of the power sector; peaceful and steady implementation of the blueprint for the resolution of the Niger Delta question and the need to enhance effective security in our dear country," he said.