VIce-President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday said the much-criticised $1bn that state governors asked the Federal Government to withdraw from the Excess Crude Account was not meant for the fight against insurgency alone.

He said the sum was meant for all security challenges being experienced in all the states of the federation.

Osinbajo gave the clarification at the opening of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation/Secretaries to State Governments’ retreat at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

It will be recalled that the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Abdulaziz Yari, had, at a meeting of the National Economic Council last Wednesday, announced that the governors had asked the Federal Government to withdraw $1bn from the ECA to fight insurgency.

The decision had attracted criticisms from groups and individuals, including the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose; and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

But Osinbajo explained that the state governors resolved to approve the money for national security after a national security summit organised by the National Executive Council about two months ago.

He said the summit considered various security challenges across the country, including kidnapping, small arms trafficking, terrorist activities of Boko Haram in the North East, clashes between herdsmen and farmers as well as cattle rustling.

The Vice-President said, “It was on account of the security summit that the governors at the Governors’ Forum subsequently decided that they would vote a certain sum of money, which has become somewhat controversial, the $1bn, to assist the security architecture of the country.

“It was to assist all of the issues in the states, including policing in the states, community policing, all of the different security challenges that we have.

“It was after the security summit that the Governors’ Forum met across party lines, again I must add, in order to approve and to accept that this is what needed to be done to shore up our security architecture.”

Osinbajo’s explanation was however in contrast with the statement made by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, whole addressing State House correspondents at the end of the NEC’s meeting.

Obaseki was clear in his presentation that the $1bn was approved for the fight against insurgency.

He had said, “Pleased with the achievements that have been made till date in the fight against insurgency particularly in the North East, the governors of Nigeria through their chairman announced at the NEC meeting that the governors have given permission to the Federal Government to spend the sum of $1bn on the fight of insurgency.

“This money is supposed to be taken from the Excess Crude Account.

“As you know, the issue of security particularly as regards to the North East is very comprehensive response by federal forces.

“So we expect that the contribution of the states to these efforts will cover the whole array of activities required to secure the country and counter insurgency.

“We expect that the amount will include but not limited to purchase of equipment, procuring intelligence and logistics and all what is required to ensure that we finally put an end to the scourge of insurgence.”

Meanwhile, the Vice-President has observed that there would be no visible progress if relevant state government agencies do not work with the Federal Government to achieve the country’s developmental objectives.

He said the role of the Secretaries to State Governments “is clearly central to cascading the action points and conclusions of the MDAs in their states.”

He noted that all policies of the Federal Government in agriculture are programmes of the states since lands belong to the states.

“So, the agricultural policy of the federation is actually the agricultural policy of all of the states,” he stated, pointing out that the federal government controls no land outside of Abuja.

He said greater engagements between the SGF’s office and the SSGs would lead to better understanding of the management of the Ecological Funds and the National Emergency Management Agency both of which are hosted by the office of the SGF.

Earlier, the SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha, said the retreat was aimed at providing a forum where balance could be achieved to allow for full, effective and efficient function of the state structure.

He said the office of the SSG is an important part of the executive arm of government at the states, which “plays the role of clearing and forwarding house of all government decisions, policies and general administration.”

“It is therefore imperative that we strive to achieve synergy at this level of governance between the federal, state and local government structures,” Mustapha said.

He called for greater collaboration and interdependence between the federal and state governments irrespective of political party affiliations.

Cc: lalasticlala, Mynd44

http://punchng.com/breaking-1bn-not-for-anti-boko-haram-war-alone-osinbajo-says/

I know it's part of the so called public servants largesse to be shared amongst themselves...

This administration and play with words! call them the 'wordplayers'. So callous and uncouth.

Osinbajo...the best vice president Nigeria ever had.

We know right from the beginning that a fifth of that money won't be spent on the bokoharam war. So save your energy for other things. Don't explain.
So, how much of the money will be used for clearing grass in IDP camps?

I always maintained that this Osinbajo is a grossly over rated,propaganda version of former VP,Namadi Sambo.
He is trully being pulled around and used as a puppet like only"the mere commissioner" he once taunted to be could be used,by his cabal masters.

We already know. Campaign money join for inside. Osinbajo had better just stay out of this shot if he doesn't want to end up like Dasuki because I see another Dasukigate loading.

Here we go again. Shifting the goal post whenever they are exposed

" But Osinbajo explained that the state governors resolved to approve the money for national security after a national security summit organised by the National Executive Council about two months ago."



thats a line of a lying person ...APC has demolished this country, where we will find ourselves in 2019 will be terrible. from fake promises to corruption.

And also 2019 elections abi

lalasticlala

this man have turned to a lier. probably because he has been promise the president 2023. his popularity has dropped among the Christians.

We already know what it is for. 2019 loading

to hide from justice buhari want to do another 4 years. everyone knows that he doesn't have any reason or tangible achievement that should merit peoples support.

this administration is more corrupt and clueless than the previous which Nigerians accuse Jonathan on.

people from the west like Tinibu, Tunde Bakare and El-Rufai from north fought Jonathan day and night for been corrupt and clueless.

every day Jonathan this, Jonathan that. i am not here to defend Jonathan but if we are not seeing people like bakare to come out openly to criticize this administration i will take it that it was only personal hatred that Jonathan was from southern minority. and fact still remains that obasejo is the most corrupt elected president Nigeria has ever had and no one from the south south or south east attack or citizens obasenjo like they did to Jonathan and the same thing is repeating itself.

since buhari came onboard its only Jonathan administration that is corrupt no other else.

buhari now is seeking another term that will probably kill him, make this he will unlikely comes out alive from this one probably from the election stress. i doubt if he would be able to campaign around the country without fainting. reason he has not traveled to UK for treatment is mainly because of election.

the plan is to install osibanjo for another 8 years after him to cover his corruption cases while he leaves office.


tinubu and south west are no longer talking of corruption, electricity or restructuring they are use to. but now supporting buhari the corupt and clueless for another 4 years because he promised them presidency 2023. just like that and Nigerians should endure for another wasted 4years. now why didn't they endure Jonathan for just 4 years.


Nigeria can never be one. i pity the members of bakare church who must be suffering the hardship and also paying tithe to the church why bakare eat fat. God will judge all of you.

Nutase:
We already know what it is for. 2019 loading

.

Believe anything that come out of the mouth of a Nigerian politician and see death. Even some of them who claim they are 'pastors'

Run when they tell you to stop and stop when they tell you to run

And ur pockets na

Mumu

Story story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Storyyyyyyyyyy

C

This same news has been on frontpage already.

Lack of news today I guess.

For Book and Duara?

Give us evidence

Twice?

They

My pastor is now living in the shadow of Lie Mohammed.......
Damage control