murecool: Group flays attempt at disparaging Osinbajo over Tinubu decisions on ministerial appointment, sack of agency boss
The Era Of Change (EOC), in a statement on Sunday, September 3, 2023, condemned recent attempts by those it addressed as "faceless individuals hiding under the media guise to disparage the immediate former Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, over recent decisions of Tinubu administration to drop a ministerial nominee and the sack of an agency head.
The national coordinator of EOC, Amb. Yahaya Umar noted that the party politics within the APC should not be used to target the former number two citizen he said had already received global applause for the meritorious services he rendered to his fatherland, which recently fetched him an award of Africa's "Peace Icon," by Peace Ambassador Agency Worldwide, among others he had been given after he left office on May 29, 2023.
The political group referring to the recent pre-ministerial appointment's schemings which saw to the president's withdrawal of the ministerial nomination of Maryam Shetty from Kano and replaced her with Dr Mariya Mahmoud, faulted what it called an "unverified and unfounded claim" that she was reportedly dropped for being an ardent supporter of Osinbajo as circulated in a section of the media.
Similarly, it described it as "a wicked fabrication," news circulated over the weekend that Dr Bashir Gwandu, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), was sacked by President Bola Tinubu and replaced by Khalil Suleiman Halilu “with immediate effect,” because he (Gwandu), "was recommended for the position by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is not in the good books of the current administration, even though they’re all members of the same party."
The said news story which was only attributed to a "source," the group said was "a mere speculation and fabrication from the figment of the imagination of the writer who was not bold enough to name any credible source, which obviously is nonexistent."
Dismissing the reports, over the withdrawal of Shetty's nomination as a minister attributed to her support for Osinajo during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries, the Era Of Change, said, "We think some people are simply trying to create bad blood within the party and they will stop at nothing to achieve their goal. Prof. Osinbajo has served Nigeria meritoriously and would not interfere with the new government, why drag him into matters he has no business in?" the group quizzed.
"It is important to note that some people who worked for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to emerge as President were not appointed; would that be attributed to Prof. Osinbajo too?"
EOC noted that Prof. Osinbajo is a staunch APC member and will continue to be committed to the party irrespective of what traducers say. "Osinbajo has global engagements and appointments and he is more concerned about giving his best to Nigeria and Nigerians through these engagements, he should be left out of this weak politics."
"Those behind this petty rumour should desist, the APC as a party has worked to do and every member of the ruling party should pour their energy into this course.
"We wish President Tinubu well as he works tirelessly to steer Nigeria in the right direction. All hands should be on deck as the party delivers on campaign promises," the group said.
Also, on Gwandu's sack, the group said the President as the head of the government has the right to decide on who he retains and who he sacks especially as he is forming his direct team after assuming office as the country's helmsman.
"President Bola Tinubu is now the boss of everyone. And by his constitutional mandate, he has the power to appoint and sack anyone without prior notice, that is what makes him the Commander-in-Chief. It is his time, let him decide as he likes in the national interests. Don't bring the name of Osinbajo, who has served creditable well into the mainstream of activities. Let the current government decide on the best way forward for the country," the group warned.
Group: Era Of Change.(EOC) Coordinator: Amb. Yahaya Umar
The lies should continue his good work is speaking and he will not be distracted.
Thunder1010: The Immediate Past Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, has reaffirmed his commitment to the ruling Party, APC, even as he expressed his regrets for his inability to attend the caucus meeting of the Party scheduled for Wednesday 2nd August 2023.
In a letter of apology addressed to the Acting Chairman of the Party, the former VP explained that he was already abroad for engagements to which he had long been committed when he received the invitation to the meeting.
He had in fact cancelled some of his engagements abroad to be available for the two previously scheduled caucus meetings of the Party which had to be postponed due to exigencies.
While wishing the APC fruitful deliberations, he expressed his fidelity to the Party and his availability for future meetings and activities.
Media Office of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON Vice President (2015-2023) 2nd August 2023
Two weeks after Prof Yemi Osinbajo left office as Vice President, I have noticed an undue attention on him. Since these unwarranted attacks have the same theme, I am pretty convinced that they are sponsored from the same source with bile, pettiness and envy as the motives.
Unless you are a man of great evil inclinations, you’ll never find any genuine reason to vilify someone like Osinbajo. For eight years, he did his job very well to the admiration of many Nigerians and several foreign dignitaries; within the limits of what the Constitution permits a VP, and the extent to which the principal delegates. The man has never been accused of corruption, abuse of office, sexual irresponsibility or any unethical behaviour, for which many a politician is notorious.
He stood by President Buhari solidly; with remarkable counsel even if not known to many and not in the public domain, it is clearly the case. He offered his best to the nation and left honourably in a blaze of glory. He now deserves his rest in the company of his beautiful and equally amiable wife. But some resentful and bitter elements are not contented to let him.
The first venomous piece was written by Bob Majiri Oghene Etemiku and was entitled ‘’Buhari’s blood runs through Osinbajo’s white agbada’’. Published in The Guardian of May 24, the article was livid in rage that the then Emir of Kano, His Royal Majesty Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, had stated that Nigeria had lost a good opportunity in not choosing Osinbajo as its President. Sanusi made the remarks on Labour Day at the launch of a book written by 25 writers and journalists in honour of the former Vice President. I am honoured to be one of the 25 authors of the book.
Sanusi’s remark is a truism many still hold dear till today. If it has turned out to be a painful axiom to some, we have no apologies. Vitalis Obidiaghaa (another of the 25 writers) has already written a befitting rebuttal to Etemiku’s diatribe which The Guardian published on June 8.
Just yesterday, I saw another piece of convoluted tirade with the title ‘’Will Osinbajo rue missed opportunities?’’, written by Bolanle Bolawole, a former editor of The Punch newspaper who later served as the Chairman of the paper’s Editorial Board. At the end of the long drivel, Bolawole advertises a lecture he would be giving at the University of Ibadan on the task before President Bola Tinubu. That’s when I realized his motive. In his wisdom, he thought that the best way to presage his fawning lecture on President Tinubu is to be nasty to the man who contested for the job with him. This has become the basic tactic of some of today’s fortune seekers who parade themselves as opinion writers. Just hack down the perceived opponents of the king, and your invitation to the palace would be ready! And we have seen this kind of tactic pay out in many ways in our clime.
As usual with his ilk, Bolawole is questioning why Osinbajo dared to contest in the APC primary. This is a staple query of all anti-Osinbajo elements in Yoruba land. For them, it is the easiest way to denigrate the former VP and reach out to the new sheriff in town. But I won’t dignify the writer with even the most mundane reference to the Constitutional right of all adult Nigerians to pursue their political ambition. Nor would I wonder why he carefully left out the meeting of Southwest elders of the APC led by Chief Bisi Akande where the matter was properly discussed with a resolve ahead of the primaries that it was entirely in order for Osinbajo and others like Amosun, Fayemi to run in the primaries side by side with Tinubu.
Bolawole then asks what Prof Osinbajo got from the Buhari administration for the South West; what role did the former VP play in resolving ASUU strikes; Did Osinbajo confront former Attorney General Abubarkar Malami; what did Osinbajo do when Christians were being victimized and what advice did he give to the President on resolving Boko Haram attacks. Did Osinbajo speak out after the lynching of Deborah Samuel at College of Education Sokoto?
The only query Bolawole did not raise in his article is why the former VP did not prevent the sun from setting! Suffice it to say that no Vice President ever comes out to berate his boss for not taking his advice. I am sure Senator Kashim Shettima won’t do it. But I know for sure that the former VP offered in all circumstances the best advice, counsel and suggestions on how best the nation could be governed. And in all cases he queried, the immediate past VP is known by insiders to have risen up with the right advice to the President and rebuke where necessary to certain ministers. But these matters not being public does not mean they didn't happen, and I expect more details from people like Laolu Akande now that the VP is out of office.
And yes the then VP is also bound by the overall decisions of the government, irrespective of what his views are.
It would amount to a disingenuous ingratitude for anybody to ask what the Buhari administration did for the South West. The Lagos-Abeokuta-Ibadan rail service; the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; the concrete refurbishment of Mile Two-Gbagada expressway in Lagos are major federal investments. Without the administration’s FX subsidy and other supports, the Dangote Refinery in Lagos would have been a stillbirth. The honour to MKO Abiola; the recognition of June 12 and Tinubu’s election are all due to Buhari. The total overhaul of the National Theatre is also a very important federal intervention. I challenge Bolawole to tell us what the South-South region, the nation’s treasure base got in the period under review.
In Ikenne LGA, no one you ask would mince words to detail the impact of the VP. And a simple Google search will reveal state of the art hospitals in Iperu and Ikenne towns, solar powered lights on the roads and hundreds more model classrooms in several of the schools among tonnes of other infrastructural and Human Capital Development impacts.
The coldblooded murder of Deborah Samuel last year is a painful reminder of the impunity of Islamic fundamentalists in our midst. Prof Osinbajo vociferously condemns these tendencies. But why is Bolawole not calling out Sokoto State government for its refusal to prosecute the murderers? Why is our former editor so silent on the divisively sectarian and patently inciting messages of Nasir el Rufai in that viral video?
As the new President is settling down, many pundits are working hard to attract his attention. I get that. But I should caution that there is so much for the new President to do; so, all these obsessions with Osinbajo are actually a distraction. It is therefore counterproductive for the new administration and the height of meanness to keep dredging up old tales against the former VP.
May be people like Bolawole who is an operative in the intellectual public sphere in our country should get a copy of the book "Osinbajo STRIDES" so he can properly acquaint himself with the impact the VP has made, not just in the Villa, but since the '80s when he was Special Adviser to the then Attorney-General Prince Bola Ajibola. Afterwards, he can then return to make informed commentary on Prof. Osinbajo. What he wrote in that article is certainly filled with baseless insinuations and claims which Bolawole would have tongue-lashed a reporter for in his days as newspaper editor![/quot They should keep being obsessed with him they will remain where they are and Osinbajo will be making waves. Two weeks after living the office the are indirectly selling him again
Nearly less than a month before the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, completes his tenure, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has lauded the unifying spirit of the Vice President, describing him as an emblem of national unity whose quest to bring all Nigerians together defines his unique leadership style.
The former Nigerian head of state made this revelation on Monday, May 1, 2023, during a virtual book launch ceremony held to honour Vice President Osinbajo by a group of 25 famous journalists and writers across Nigeria, who had rallied each other to write a book on the VP’s life from his childhood to career, politics, family life, and impact as Nigeria’s second in command.
The event was organized by the journalists and writers under the aegis of PYO Collective, a nonpartisan and multicultural group of Nigerians who are interested in good governance and economic development of the country.
As the book titled “Osinbajo Strides: Defining Moments of An Innovative Leader,” was unveiled to the general public, the Chairman of the occasion, His Excellency, General Gowon, in his speech described Prof. Osinbajo as a leader who brought a collaborative approach to governance.
“Vice President Osinbajo is known for his collaborative approach to governance which has enabled him to work effectively with different stakeholders in achieving common goals” General Gowon said.
The elder statesmen showered praises on Prof Osinbajo and thanked him for his service to the nation, saying, he has done very well and will leave the office as one of the most effective Vice Presidents the country has ever produced.
“As you all know, Vice President Osinbajo has been at the forefront of ground-breaking initiatives that have transformed Nigeria’s economy and its people.
“The Vice President has always exhibited passion for innovation and commitment to the development of Nigeria. Prof. Osinbajo is one of the most effective vice presidents Nigeria has ever had. And that is why I said congratulations to this government. The vice president has put in a lot of effort with the kind of work he’s done,” the former Nigerian helmsman said.
Also, at the virtual programme, video clips revealing some memorable moments of the Vice President, speaking at different fora were displayed on the screen at several intervals in what looked like a gracious and historic farewell celebration for Osinbajo given his successful eight-year Vice Presidency which ends on May 29.
In the same vein, the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, decorated the VP with sweet adjectives describing Osinbajo “As a complete detribalized Nigeria and the ‘Omoluabi’ poster boy of the current Yoruba generation.”
His words: “Our very own Professor, Pastor Yemi Osinbajo, our Vice President, I will describe as the Omoluabi poster boy of our generation. When you hear the word, Omolaubi, the first person that comes to mind is Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
“He has distinguished himself as a completely detribalized leader. A nation builder, a statesman, and a leader who has consistently advocated for the unity and strength of Nigeria’s diversity.
“Prof is a breath of fresh air in Nigeria’s political space. We will continue to watch and learn from him because he is a leader who is worthy of emulation in this our journey and resolve to build a New Nigeria. I have been trying to emulate the Vice President. I look at him as my role model.”
Likewise, former Emir of Kano State, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who was also an important guest at the event, spoke glowingly of the Vice President and described Prof. Osinbajo as an intellectual, saying he Is comfortable debating issues with him.
He said, “VP Osinbajo represents a perfect picture of what an ideal Nigerian leader should look like and added that his time as Acting President gave an insight into how his Presidency would be had he succeeded in his presidential bid.
“Osinbajo the intellectual, someone I will sit with and debate, and as you know, I have been very critical of some of the policies of the government, and he will debate. And he had the ability as we all know, to accept a superior argument. Sometimes, he will explain why it cannot be done, sometimes he will explain that it is something he agrees with but he hopes would take time to fix, sometimes he would outrightly not accept and would agree to disagree.”
“Osinbajo has this picture of a man who has the quality of a leader we need or how a leader should be. As Acting President, he gave us insight into how he would rule this country as President”
“I have seen first-hand his concern for the poor people of the country, the question of malnutrition and infant mortality, his commitment, year after year, to see improvements in the structure and the funding and the processes of the institution and I do hope that the work he has done would begin to see light in the near future.”
Is anyone ever reading or believing @renoomokri, one of Nigeria's worst boys, who ran out of the country because of his shady deals after serving as an errand boy to Goodluck Jonathan, the worst President in Nigeria's history.
Reno Omokri is a rabble-rouser, recalcitrant, diversionist, #fakenews merchant, paid agent provocateur and an abysmally irresponsible Nigerian cyber thug, commissioned to disparage Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, an advocate of global repute, who is best Vice President in Nigeria's democratic history.
Not only that, Prof Osinbajo is the only Vice President to officially assume the role of an Acting President, also in the country's democratic history, and he performed excellently well than the former Presidents, especially Reno's boss, Jonathan, who recorded abysmal failure after he corruptly emptied the national treasury, where Reno and his other colleagues who benefitted and ran out of the country are still being looked for by security agents to answer charges.
Also, you will remember how an American woman in 2014 accused Omokri, Jonathan’s errand boy of impersonation and identity theft.
Precisely in February 2014, Omokri wound up in a scandal after the digital footprint of an article that tried to link the spike in Boko Haram attacks to the suspension of Mr Sanusi as CBN governor was traced to him.
To cover for his fraud, he allegedly used the pseudonym, Wendel Simlin, in the article circulated to bloggers and journalists but the document's digital signature was identical to previous documents Omokri had sent to Premium Times.
The Califonia- based woman, Deborah Campbell, then later told Sahara Reporters in a series of emails and telephone conversations that her son, based in Hercules, California, is the real Wendel Simlin.
She explained that she is married to Mr Omokri’s brother-in-law and that the president’s aide exploited the relationship to perpetrate forgery.
“I am the true Wendell Simlin’s mother here in the States. Appalled to find out my son has been a victim of identity theft, judging from the articles I recently read in your newspaper. Reno met my son after I married his wife’s brother,” she said in an email.
“There are pictures on my Facebook of Reno’s wife, kids and my ex-husband Godwin Melle. He is Reno’s wife’s brother,” the real Wendel's mother said.
As we can see, this Reno is a real fraudster! Since he ran away in 2014, he has never visited Nigeria. Security agents want him badly at home. Report him to the nearest police station if you spot him abroad, in the US or his other hiding places! He is a fraudster!
So, please, disregard the NONSENSE post of this irresponsible boy!
*VP OSINBAJO'S SURGICAL PROCEDURE SUCCESSFUL, HIS DOCTORS SAY*
Doctors who performed the surgical operation on Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, to treat the recurrent pain caused by a fracture in his leg have concluded the procedure and it was successful.
Also, the VP is alert and well.
Below is the statement released by the Duchess International Hospital, Lagos:
"SUCCESSFUL MEDICAL TREATMENT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
“The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, was admitted to the Duchess International Hospital GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, today on account of a fracture of his right femur (thigh bone), possibly related to a longstanding injury associated with a game of squash.
“He had a surgical operation performed by a team of specialist doctors, including Dr. Wallace Ogufere (Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon); Dr. Om Lahoti (Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon); Dr. Babajide Lawson (Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon); Dr. Ken Adegoke (Consultant in Anaesthesia & Critical Care); Dr. Oladimeji Agbabiaka (Consultant Anaesthetist); and Dr Adedoyin Dosunmu-Ogunbi (Consultant Physician & Medical Director).
“The operation was successful, and he is expected to be discharged within the next few days.
Signed by: Dr Adedoyin Dosunmu-Ogunbi Medical Director, Duchess International Hospital, Ikeja."
Released by: *Laolu Akande* *Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the President* *Office of the Vice President* *16th July, 2022*
Prof Yemi choose to act differently. He trusted his life in the hands of Nigerian medical doctors and went under the knive and anaesthesia by Nigerian medical doctors. Those that seek to make a difference must act differently.
My the soul of Daborah rest in peace. Sokoto State government and police should do the needful by apprehending the perpetrators every single one of them and should face the full wroth of the law. Nobody has the right to take life of his fellow human.
murecool: Although not many people take him serious but United States-based Nigerian professor, Farouk Kperogi has earned for himself a reputation of one with undisguised bile, not just for anything Buhari but also the nation, and he has added a few more enemies to his long list. Recently, Kperogi has become a self-appointed enemy of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and he's relishing the appetite of his equally undiscerning and mischievous readers with fabricated falsehood. Against all intents and logics, even when it has been disputed by people who should know, Kperogi kept alleging that Osinbajo, should he be trusted with power and Nigeria's president, will Christianize Nigeria. Laughable as this sounds, it beats imagination that anyone would get drowned in Kperogi's narrative, with his unscholarly eavesdropping and beer parlour gists, and when he did at all, clinging only to hearsays. However, against all his pretences and disguise, the hatchet writer has been unveiled to be doing the bidding of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi. Amaechi, who eyes the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, this newspaper can reliably gathered, is bankrolling Kperogi to advance vicious and damaging propaganda to tarnish the reputation of the Vice President with the intent to sow hatred against him from among the Northern population. The plot, this newspaper learnt, was to twist the faith of Osinbajo, who is a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, and recent creation of the political directorate by the Church, to blackmail the Vice President. Kperogi's paymaster, has for some time detailed a team to search out Prof Osinbajo to see the possibility of nailing him on corruption allegations, but having failed to lay hand on any of such, resolved that turning the Northern population against him would be fait accompli to make him unattractive to the Muslim voters. Although he has not yet declare interest to run for the 2023 presidential election, notwithstanding, the Vice President has become a subject of bitter attack from contenders within the ruling party and beyond, especially from those that believe that his interest would pose a major threat to their chances should he throw in the hat to contest. And Kperogi has become a willing tool. Political observers believe that the Osinbajo campaign team has to brace up for more attacks from the likes of Kperogi. This, they opined will get messier and fierce as the chances of Osinbajo become brighter, so also will the desperation to rein him in and jerk him to surrender, regardless of how unfounded the allegations might be. The Minister's handlers had narrowed down on Kperogi's choice for the hatchet job sensing that he would not be easily suspected, in view of his past attacks on President Muhammadu Buhari with whom he was similarly fixated in the past.
We all know who Rotimi is when he want to get something he always play dirty, dragging the VP into this will not qualify him to be the next Presidential candidate. Prof Osinbajo was not the only one in the FEC how can a contract of billions of naira be given to a company that is only two years in the business that is a fowl play. And why did Amechi did not come to prove that memo on how that very company can do the Job. In fact that company Belongs to Rotimi Amechi.
Markroam234: Kperogi's hatchet job reflects a patently biased reading of the Memo he talked about. It appears to me as blackmail to force Osinbajo out of the presidential race. There is no way Osinbajo can win based only on Christians' votes. Neither do I think Osinbajo nor the church is naive enough to believe so. I believe Osinbajo stands head and shoulders over many of those who are in the race and that has nothing to do with his church. In the 2023 Presidential contest, of those who are being speculated as interested, I agree with OBJ (a man I believe is the most hypocritical leader of all) on their one score: most of them should be in jail. The others frankly have major chinks in their armour. There are no saints.
I believe Nigeria will benefit from the intellect of Osinbajo, Peter Obi and of course Moghalu. Moghalu unfortunately has no structure to get him there. Both Obi and Osinbajo will need to make compromises with the devils strewn over our political landscape to get there. Short of a revolution from ground up, Nigeria has very little chance of getting on a trajectory of years of good governance to close the gap between our Asian comparatives of the 1960s - South Korea, Malaysia etc.
Kperogi's bogey of RCCG people around Osinbajo has been disproved many times and the hint of abuse of office around the social investment scheme headed by a Northern lady who has not been indicted is nothing but Kperogi’s deliberate over-reach to tar Osinbajo. If Kperogi's interest is in good governance, he should have noted the allegations of corruption against the Minister for whom the Ministry was created. He of course did not remember the Saudi "Dategate". Before I drop the casualness of using the corruption bogey to tar Osinbajo. I remember all the allegations of the use of FIRS and NEMA by Osinbajo. So far no credible evidence has been adduced to the allegations. They were as it seems smokescreens to replace the Chaiman of FIRS and hang the brazen corruption in NEMA perpetrated by the DG on the VP who heads the Board.
Finally, I think Pastor Odeyemi who wrote that Memo was a little too loose in his language and allowed mischief makers room to make the kind of insinuation that Kperogi deliberately stretched out to create to fit his deep-seated bias against RCCG and Osunbajo. I worship in RCCG but I am certain my vote is not going to be directed from any man's pulpit. Indeed, like many Christians, my vote will be directed by my convictions of what each party and their candidates represent for Nigeria and the welfare of Nigerians which will also determine mine. It is impossible to corrall all RCCG members into one party or their votes for one candidate. It is infantile to suggest so. All parties are represented in RCCG, just like Presidential candidates have supporters amongst RCCG members. That however should stop the church or any group to encourage their members to participate actively in the politics of their nation.
Kperogi should stop this campaign if tagging Osinbajo's rumoured and undeclared candidacy an RCCG project. It is not, cannot be and will never be no matter how much some people may desire it or would like people to erroneously believe it is.
Kperogi is a distraction. Lets get a restructured, secular Nigeria led by people imbued by values focused on delivering the greatest good for the greatest number of citizens. As we were saying . . .
How I Overcame Toronto Certificate Scandal —Tinubu
Posted by Maku Loremikan
Former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu, has attributed his victory over allegation of certificate forgery to the brilliance and firmness of former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
Tinubu said, at the launching of a book, “Contemporary issues in Nigerian constitutional law,” a series of essays compiled in honour of Osinbajo on Friday, that but for Osinbajo, his political career would have nosedived.
According to Tinubu: “The capability and firmness of Osinbajo in my time of travail made me to triumph against every plan by my detractors to destroy my image and career.”
It will be recalled that the late human rights lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, prosecuted Tinubu over certificate forgery during his first tenure as governor between 1999 and 2003.
However, while speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the book launch, Tinubu said that he would have been nailed for the offence he did not commit if Osinbajo was not available to defend him.
“Osinbajo brought his knowledge of constitutional law and stood by me even at the time when some of my commissioners were planning to resign from the cabinet. He indulged my politics and allowed it to flourish in the face of detractors,” he said.
He added that Osinbajo was the best decision he ever made in his political career, describing him as the biggest weapon in his political armoury.
“Osinbajo encouraged me to create 37 Local Council Development Areas with his astounding knowledge of constitutional law. I could challenge the Federal Government because of the capability of the professor of law,” Tinubu said.
murecool: LET’S TAKE BOLD, BIG DECISIONS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR CIVIL SERVICE, SAYS OSINBAJO
*VP adds: Every Civil Servant deserves to live in their own home
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, wants a reform of the Nigerian Civil Service and in order to achieve that “we need to do something bold and big that will make a difference.”
Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Thursday at the Presidential Villa when he received a brief on the Federal Civil Service Strategy & Implementation Plan 2021-2025, presented by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan.
The meeting is a Presidential Level Briefing of the reform process of the Federal Civil Service which has been on since 2017. The reform is being led by Steering and Implementation Committees with membership drawn from the public and private sectors with the engagement of development partners.
Yesterday's meeting was attended by the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami; Ministers of Labour & Employment, Dr Chris Ngige; Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed; Ministers of State, Budget & National Planning, Prince Clem Agba; and Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu. The Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu, some of Nigeria’s development partners including officials of the World Bank and the President of the Africa Initiative for Governance, Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, (a private sector representative and member of Steering Committee) was also present.
Speaking after listening to Dr Yemi-Esan’s presentation and subsequent contributions by ministers and other participants at the meeting, the Vice President noted that “it is evident that perhaps, for the first time in a long time, some very serious attention is being paid to all of the various issues in our civil service.”
According to the VP, “I think that we should really do something that is bold, big and that will really make the difference in order to address some of the issues especially that of accommodation for civil servants.
“We can do much more with mass housing. We have a target now of 300,000 houses under our ESP social housing scheme. CBN has allocated N200 billion, but we have seen that we can provide mass housing, and we can make civil servants beneficiaries of the scheme.”
“Though the housing scheme is very modest, it is the sort of thing that we can at least do, to begin to take into account, the fact that everybody who worked for the civil service deserves to live in their own home. There must be a strategy for giving everybody a place to live in,” the VP added.
Making the point about access to affordable homes being one of the easiest ways to get people out of poverty, Prof Osinbajo said “it is a vital part of what we are trying to do”, noting that “we must address it. A civil servant ought to be able to own a home, and justify to his family the reason why he went for the job”.
Relating his experience while serving as Attorney General in Lagos State, Prof. Osinbajo said that like what was done with the reform of the Lagos State Judiciary, fixing the welfare of federal civil servants would be key to addressing challenges associated with productivity and corruption.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation also presented a report on the implementation status of the Federal Civil Service Strategy Plan 2017-2021.
Earlier in her presentation, Dr Yemi-Esan identified staff welfare particularly, remuneration and housing as areas that require better focus and urgent intervention by the Federal Government.
She appealed for improved support, particularly in funding the implementation of successive strategy and implementation plans to overhaul the service for better productivity.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation said the current reform in the Federal Civil Service has enabled government to save huge sums through the verification of personnel payroll and digitization of some operations, among others.
The Head of Service would continue to lead the reform process as the 2021-2025 plan goes forward to the Federal Executive Council for approval.
Yesterday's meeting featured comments and observations on the proposed plan tabled on behalf of the Steering Committee chaired by the Head of Service.
Laolu Akande Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity Office of the Vice President 13th August, 2021
murecool: Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, has debunked negative social media comments attributed to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Akande, who made the clarifications on Thursday in Abuja, said purported comments on the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), farmers-herders conflict among others were fake news and deliberate deployment of falsehood.
According to him, the vice president is not known for making derogatory remarks about any ethnic group in the country. The aide said that such comments attributed to the vice president in that regard should be ignored.
He said Osinbajo was focused on supporting President Muhammadu Buhari in creating opportunities for young Nigerians such as the 20,000 yearly jobs fellowship-the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP), soon to be inaugurated by the president. “For quite a long time, there has been the deliberate deployment of falsehood against the vice president. “I have seen, a number of times they put out stuff on WhatsApp, Facebook that says the vice president has said something to attack a particular group in the South-East, and this is what he said about the farmers-herders conflict, all of it untrue. “What the vice president said about our brothers in the South East is that they are people of industry and that though there may be issues from different parts of the country, the whole essence of a union is to find very transparent, open ways to resolve the differences. “And that he knows that people and leaders across the country whether from the South-East, South-South, South-West, North-East, North Central, all support the unity of this country.”
On the issue of justice, Akande said that the vice president, just like the president, had said very clearly that anybody that violated the law or engaged in violent conduct must face the law. According to him, justice is an important requirement for humanity. “The vice president is someone whose voice is very clear about the issue of Justice. “So, when you read that hogwash about what he said about the herders-farmers clashes and all that, just know that it is just a lie. “He is the one that said there must be justice and that we must live together, and that there is strength in our unity, there is unity in diversity. “If you read anything that runs contrary to the virtues he espouses, just know straight away that it is not true, it is fake news and don’t pay any attention to it,’’ he said. He said such fake news had become a recurring problem, adding that the people in the profession had a duty and responsibility to ensure that there was sufficient professional regulation aside government regulation. On the NJFP, the presidential aide said it was in line with the job creation agenda of the Federal Government which was being implemented across different sectors. He said that the scheme which was designed for fresh NYSC graduates would provide the enabling environments for them to develop job skills in important sectors. Akande said the programmes would also enable them to garner the necessary experience required to get better paying jobs at the end of the scheme.
He said there were quite a number of other programmes being implemented at the moment under the Social Investment Programme and the Economic Sustainability Programme. Akande also listed the Nigeria Innovation Programme, Nigeria Investment Fund, Public Works Programme as schemes geared toward creating job opportunities for young Nigerians. On security, Akande said the Federal Government understood the challenges and was working toward overcoming them. He said the president and vice president, alongside other leaders in the country, were working together to ensure that security agencies were properly resourced, and given clear mandates.
murecool: ‘Friends of Osinbajo’ Sponsor Free Eye Surgeries in Ogun State, to Conduct 6000 Across Nigeria
- 500 Nigerians in Ogun state have benefitted from free eye surgeries and corrective interventions - The initiative which sparked an outpouring of joyous emotions among the beneficiaries, is the brainchild of a group known as 'Friends of Osinbajo' - There are also plans by the group to conduct 6000 eye surgeries in six geo-political zones of the country within six weeks.
Associates of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN under the auspices of 'Friends of Osinbajo' have assisted 500 Nigerians in Ikenne, Ogun state in conducting free eye surgeries and corrective interventions within 48 hours. The initiative which sparked an outpouring of joyous emotions among the beneficiaries is also expected to move round the country. In a statement sent to Legit.ng on Wednesday, May 26, organisers of the initiative stated that 6000 eye surgeries will be conducted in six geo-political zones of the country within six weeks.
Legit.ng gathered that many Nigerians have continued to receive free consultations, screening, and other corrective eye care interventions in Ikenne community and beyond, courtesy of the medical outreach. The March 8 Initiative kick-started as a mark of honour for Osinbajo on his birthday and it has been sustained by the associates of the vice president since the, Osinbajo had asked his friends not to spend money on gifts or public congratulatory messages in the media for his birthday but rather use such funds to touch the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Having impacted the lives of many Nigerians over the years through various initiatives, the March 8th initiative, on Monday, May 24 flagged off a nationwide medical outreach focusing on eye surgeries, general eye treatment, giving out free eyeglasses. The outreach scheduled for locations across the country kicked off at the General Hospital Ikenne, and was formally flagged off by Ogun state commissioner of health, Dr Tomi Coker.
Many beneficiaries who regained their sights after the free eye surgery expressed gratitude to the organizers and thanked the vice president and his friends, noting that the impact of the initiative on Ikenne community and in their individual lives cannot be quantified. According to the organisers, the aim is to conduct 6000 eye surgeries within the 6-week period of the medical outreach to be held in phases across the 6 geo-political zones. The organisers also disclosed that the second phase of the exercise has been scheduled to hold between Wednesday, June 30 and Friday, June 2 at the General Hospital Idi Iroko, while the last phase of the outreach in the state will hold on Monday, June 7 and end on Wednesday, June 9 same month at the General hospital, Owode Egba. The Ogun medical outreach is organized in collaboration with the state government and the National Eye Center.
The medical outreach would be flagged off on Thursday, May 27 in Sokoto state and will be held in other parts of the country in the coming days. Recall that about 50 small-scale business owners in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital on Monday, March 8 got a one-off cash grant of N100,000 each to support their businesses courtesy of ‘Friends of Osibanjo.’ The gesture of the group was part of the activities it lined up to celebrate the 64th birthday VP Osinbajo. Meanwhile, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, on Wednesday, March 3, conferred on VP Osinbajo, a special award of the ‘Defender of Faith’. The award was conferred on VP Osinbajo at the 16th Biennial Delegate Conference of the PFN held at the Michael Okpara Square in Enugu state.
A NEW NIGERIA IS EMERGING FROM THE CLOUDS, & THE ALMIGHTY WILL TAKE THE GLORY - OSINBAJO REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST EVENT THEMED: THE BIRTH OF A NEW NATION, AT NAF CONFERENCE CENTRE, KADO, ABUJA, ON THE 21ST OF MAY, 2021
PROTOCOLS
I bless the name of the Lord for this prayer breakfast meeting dedicated to the prophetic birthing of a new nation. And I thank the organizers the Coalition of Intercessors, and the Christian Association of Nigeria, and in particular, our leader and father of the Nigerian Prays Movement, General Yakubu Gowon, for the kind invitation and for his continuous commitment and dedication to this nation from his youth, when he was Head of State when he led the fight to keep Nigeria one, to his later years as an elder statesman where his well-seasoned words uttered in Godly wisdom have counseled our nation’s leaders for decades.
The theme of this prayer breakfast “The Birth of a New Nation”, is an important one. It comes at a time of great travail and tribulation for the nation. In the throes of a pandemic for well over a year, leading to a severe economic downturn, loss of jobs and livelihoods, and as we climbed out of the recession, we have been faced with an unprecedented scale of insecurity, in different zones of the nation. But for us who are gathered here today, children of God, we see the invisible we know that every time that a nation where the children of God live is challenged, it is God’s call to His people to take action, it is an opportunity for God to demonstrate that He is God over the Nations, that He is the creator of the heavens and the earth, that He knows the beginning from the end.
But God also wants us to know that He has ordained us to speak concerning the things that we want to see. Most of us are familiar with the scripture in Jeremiah 1:9-10:
“9 Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant.”
Everywhere you look in scripture, the destiny of nations is in the hands of his children from Zerubbabel to Nehemiah, we see ordinary men and women building nations at the direction of God and by prophetic action.
Permit me to ground my remarks in a particular story in 2 Kings 2:19-22: “19 Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please notice, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the ground barren.” 20 And he said, “Bring me a new bowl and put salt in it.” So, they brought it to him. 21 Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘I have healed this water; from it, there shall be no more death or barrenness” 22. So, the water remains healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.”
So, scripture has consistently shown us that children of God are central to the birth of a new nation, the rebirth of Nations. They must desire the change, they must cry to God, be ready to make the sacrifice of repentance
In this story, the men of the city told the prophet of God Elisha - see this our city is a nice, pleasant prosperous place, but we cannot enjoy this our community because the water is bad, life is unsafe, and the ground is barren. They did not go to an expert on environmental disasters or politicians, they went to God. God directed His prophet who asked for a fresh, new bowl, put salt in it and went to the source of the water, the root of the problem, and poured in the salt, and God spoke. I have healed this water; from it, there shall be no more death or barrenness, and so it shall be for our nation in Jesus’ name.
Let us unpack some aspects of the story, salt is crucial to the birth of a new nation. Matthew 5:13 - “You are the salt of the earth.” So, the salt is actually the children of God. As far as God is concerned, the responsibility for birthing the nation belongs to those who are called by His name which is why He said in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
The word of God does not agree with logic or with our thinking. God is saying here that it is not the nation that repents. It is His own people who are called upon to repent and turn from their evil ways.
As we are the salt, we are also the light. The light ends the darkness, it marks the end of the night of weeping and marks the glorious sunlight of the morning of joy.
The pouring of the salt into the source of the water, the source of the problem is the prophetic act we perform today. We the salt are also poured today by prayer and prophecy into the source of our nation’s problems.
As we pray and prophecy, a new nation will be birthed, one where like the city to which Elisha went, the land was healed, the people prospered and peace and joy prevailed.
I speak these words also to our nation, “Thus says the LORD: ‘I have healed this water; from it, there shall be no more death or barrenness.’
And after the healing of the land, we are told in verse 22, that the water remains healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke. We say the same words for our nation as well that there is a birthing of a new nation, and the nation has already been birthed. There is no question about it.
The way God reveals things depending on who it is can be in pictures, forms or visions. From my bedroom, I can see Aso Rock clearly, but there are times when it is completely covered by clouds, such that if I open my window, I cannot see it at all. As a matter of fact, if I had come into that room on a day when I didn’t know that the rock was there, I would have assumed that there was no rock, big as the rock is.
That metaphor is the same for our nation; the new nation is birthed already but covered by a cloud, but the cloud will clear and God Almighty will take all of the glory for the birthing of this nation.
Thank you very much, God bless you.
Released by: Laolu Akande Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity Office of the Vice President 21st May, 2021
Yes at the end of it all we shall return all the glory to God
Even in a normal day, Yemi Osinbajo’s schedule is quite frenzied. He is not your typical sedate Vice President. But in the two weeks that the President has been away on medical vacation, the VP’s workload has understandably increased many times over.
The sheer intensity and rigor of his work and the breath of issues he covered within the period speak to his capacity and mental energy. In the days of Abba Kyari, especially, many Nigerians liked to talk of how sidelined and relegated to the background he was, but nobody has ever doubted his capacity to deliver on assigned tasks and responsibilities. In this troubled times, the nation requires a leader of great vigor to meet the moment. In a little over a week, the VP traversed the nation, moving across the length and breadth of the land, covering a wide spectrum of issues ranging from managing Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME) to herdsmen killings. He visited Gombe and Ebonyi States where he made three stops in each State and Imo (four stops).
Last Thursday, he attended the First Lady’s book launch in the morning and in the afternoon; he dashed into Lagos for another book event organized by former journalists of The Guardian newspaper to honour their late publisher. The following day he was in Jigawa promoting a clean energy programme, with a 5m Solar connections target across the country in mind.
The flurry of events began on Tuesday, March 30, the very day the President left. The VP went to Gombe to attend the 27th edition of MSME Clinic – a federal government platform where the regulatory authorities, such as NAFDAC, SMEDAN, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Corporate Affairs Commission and other regulatory bodies are brought together under one roof to meet some micro, small and medium businesses.
These categories of businesses employ over 60% of Nigeria’s working population, but they are vulnerable to a wide range of challenges. They include tailors (fashion designers), carpenters (furniture makers), and all sorts of mom and pop enterprises.
I recall that the VP had attended a similar clinic in Calabar in 2017 where a friend who makes toothpicks from bamboo was a star attraction. By bringing the regulators and operators under one roof, the Clinic hopes to solve some problems at a one-stop platform.
At the Gombe Clinic, Prof Osinbajo was concerned with how the federal government could help the MSMEs to lower the costs of doing business. “Perhaps we can look at the possibility of Shared Facilities for some aspects of the agro-processing value chain that you are already doing.
The national MSME clinics program has facilitated the establishment of Shared Facilities for MSMEs in Benue, Bauchi, and Oyo State, with others to be established in Kaduna, Kebbi, Anambra, Ogun, Ebonyi, Edo, and Katsina State over the next year,” he announced. These Shared Facilities will provide fully equipped cluster style spaces that MSMEs can use at a reasonable cost, thus sparing them the financial burden of having to buy their own equipment. Where possible, these Shared Facilities will be pre-certified by the relevant regulatory agencies.
A good example is the 200,000 capacity yam storage facility for micro small and medium enterprises in Benue State at the Zaki Biam International yam market. The storage facility is designed to address the problem of post-harvest losses, which is one of the greatest impediments to actualizing the immense potential of the agricultural sector. Nigeria produces 17 million tons of yams annually but loses almost 40% of this yield due to the lack of storage.
In Ebonyi State four days after, the mood was far more somber and dismal. Eighteen people, including a priest, have been killed by herdsmen in cold blood. The President had asked the VP to visit the communities and condole with the heartbroken Governor David Umahi and the citizens.
The VP, who has already assumed the role of the chief comforter of the federation, visited four communities and held a Town Hall meeting in Abakaliki. He condemned the horrific killings, condoled with the government and people of Ebonyi and asked the law enforcement authorities to investigate the crimes and bring justice to the victims and the criminals.
In addition, the VP asked for the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to send help to the displaced communities. But despite the noble efforts of Yemi Osinbajo, and the promises of the President, the tragedy of our nation is the absence of rule of law. How could these killer herdsmen be walking around free after committing these heinous crimes?
How come no single herder has ever been brought to face the law? It is the shame of a nation that no killer herdsman has been prosecuted since the President was elected in 2015. And if there has been any, it means that it has not been well communicated to us. My heart bleeds for all the aggrieved communities who have fallen victims to coldblooded murderers.
On April 6, two days after the solemn event in Ebonyi, the VP returned to the South East to commission roads and some infrastructure projects built by the Hope Uzodinma administration. Gov Uzodinma had just celebrated his first anniversary in office and had pulled out all stops to impress the august visitor. But a day before the VP arrived – in the early morning – terrorists assaulted the prison and police headquarters in Owerri, and made attempt to breach the Government House nearby. The VP’s schedule had to be modified to include assessment tours of the torched facilities. Prof Osinbajo praised the governor for the huge infrastructural developments in the state, and then turned to the attacks of the previous day saying that ‘‘an attack on the critical institutions of law enforcement, police stations and prisons, is an attack on the safety, security, and wellbeing of the citizens. It is not merely an assault on law and order; it is a mindless attack on the people and the way of life of the people.
When you attack police stations and free dangerous criminals, you put men, women, children, and their possessions and livelihoods at risk. Whatever the motives of the perpetrators, their action is egregious and atrocious in the extreme and all men and women of goodwill must openly condemn this assault on the way of life of the good people of this State’’.
At the heart of these mindless attacks is that some of the young people of Igboland believe that federal authorities are too hard on them (mostly members of IPOB, while killer herdsmen who go about molesting, raping and killing people are left untouched.
Next on Osinbajo’s diary was the launch of the First Lady’s book at the State House, Abuja and the launch of the book, The making of the Flagship – the story of The Guardian in Lagos. I have written extensively on the book launch event in Lagos.
The week ended with a trip to JANGEFE community, in Roni LGA (KAZAURE EMIRATE), Jigawa State where the VP launched 100,000 Solar Power Home Systems and graced the turbaning of the Water Resources Minister Suleiman Adamu as Galadima.
The visit afforded Prof Osinbajo the opportunity to meet with the Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Dr Najib Hussaini Adamu, who was his Law School classmate in 1979. If there was a personal reason for why this sleepy village was chosen to flag off the power scheme, its overall impacts cannot be ignored.
The Solar Power Homes project is a clean energy project of the Buhari administration in which five million homes across the country would be connected to off-grid electricity. It is an ambitious effort to ensure that every Nigerian has access to electricity.
To achieve this, the federal government is decentralizing power supply to include solar sources. With the costs of solar installations falling, this is an opportune moment for the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the NDPHC to electrify homes in the rural communities. The multiplier effects are enormous.
The VP’s demanding schedule in the two weeks he held sway reveals his high-value work ethics and deep commitment to the vision of the President. He deserves our applause.
*INNOCENT CHUKWUMA WAS A THOROUGHBRED SOCIAL ACTIVIST, OSINBAJO SAYS IN TRIBUTE*
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has expressed deep sadness over the passing of the Director of Ford Foundation, West Africa, Innocent Chukwuma, who died on Saturday, April 3.
Prof. Osinbajo also commiserated with the family members, friends and associates of the late civil society leader, noting that Nigeria has lost a "thoroughbred social activist" whose "relentless pursuit of justice and the common good will be an enduring legacy."
In a personal tribute on Monday, the Vice President described the late Chukwuma as a "friend and collaborator of many years."
He said, "I was greatly saddened by the news of the passing of Innocent Chukwuma, a thoroughbred social activist, my friend and collaborator of many years. Innocent, then in CLEEN Foundation, was a crucial resource in Police reform in support of our justice reform efforts in Lagos State in my time as Attorney-General.
"Also, as Ford Foundation Lead in West Africa, he was first amongst others to support our work in the Office of the Vice President, OVP, in the setting up of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC, and most recently, in the Police reform efforts of the Federal Government.
"His thoughtful, knowledge-driven, Ybdrama-free, but relentless pursuit of justice and the common good will be an enduring legacy.
"We pray for God’s comfort for his wife, family and loved ones, and blessings on his memory and legacy always."
*Laolu Akande* *Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity* *Office of the Vice President* *5th April, 2021*
As Christians all over the world celebrate the Easter season, Nigerians should have great hope that things are going to get better for the country, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
Prof. Osinbajo stated this during a brief chat with journalists after the Easter Sunday service at the Aso Villa Chapel earlier today.
"I just want to thank God for our nation, and pray that our nation will experience the grace and mercy of God in so many different ways that we are expecting His grace and mercy. All will be well in Jesus name," the Vice President said.
While wishing Nigerians a Happy Easter celebration, the VP added that the message of Easter is a message of the special and exceeding love and grace of God.
He said, "God's plan for humanity was that Christ will die and will resurrect. The resurrection is evidence of the fact that those who believe would be saved eternally and would live eternal joy and peace with the Almighty. And that promise is open to every single person.
"Whoever you are, that promise is open to you. That is, if you subscribe to that plan, if you accept that Christ died for you and rose again, and that the plan is fulfilled in the resurrection."
Prof. Osinbajo further stated that the Easter season was one "of great joy because we celebrate the evidence of the plan of God. In some way, God has given us a receipt of our salvation and it's really exciting."
Laolu Akande Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Office of the Vice President 4th April, 2021
We trust and believe in God that Nigeria will be great.
TMSMedia: Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo this morning presided over a virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House Council Chambers, Abuja, IgbereTV reports.
murecool: You have spearheaded key economic reforms in this country, Emir of Gombe tells VP
BELOW ARE THE REMARKS BY THE EMIR OF GOMBE, ALHAJI ABUBAKAR SHEHU ABUBAKAR III, DURING THE COURTESY VISIT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT, PROF YEMI OSINBAJO,SAN, AT THE EMIR’S PALACE ON THE 30TH OF MARCH, 2021
Your visit today affirms the commitment of the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, and the support that you give our people.
I would like to commend the Federal Government for its compelling efforts towards the economic development of our people especially in the area of agriculture and small-scale businesses. Gombe is an agrarian State and also a hub of trade and commerce in the Northeast.
I believe what you see today will avail you the opportunity to see firsthand, the impact and nature of our people and the numerous successes of our businesses.
We are on board with the National Livestock Transformation Plan which you chair.
Your presence here today is in line with your role as the “economic driver” of the country. Through your role as the Chairman of the National Economic Council, you have spearheaded important reforms in the area of ease of doing business, enhancing ICT innovation, as well as economic policies to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This demonstrates your own role in the Buhari administration and a lot of confidence that Mr. President reports on you.
We in the North are closely following your steady achievements; first as a successful legal professor, a religious leader and now as the Vice President of Nigeria.
We are studying your humility and grace; we appreciate you and we pray for more success in your journey.
I feel particularly honoured by your visit to us and to Gombe for the MSME clinic. This demonstrates your respect for the traditional institution and the strong bond of friendship between yourself and the good people of Gombe.
No doubt the Buhari /Osinbajo lead administration has made it a priority for MSMES to trival in our economy.
murecool: STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
PLANNING AN ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR ALL NIGERIANS, BY OSINBAJO
*VP adds: Mr President’s priority is how to lift 100m Nigerians out of poverty
In order to bring about a society and econommy that works for all especially the poor and vulnerable, Nigeria’s national development plans must among other things, promote economic diversification, be modern, ambitious, realistic, flexible enough to absorb shocks and adapt to swiftly changing national and international conditions, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Friday in a keynote address delivered virtually at the 19th meeting of the National Council on Development Planning themed “National Development Planning in Nigeria: Issues and Challenges”.
According to the Vice President, “It is generally agreed that the primary purpose of planning in our economy is to accelerate growth and development outcomes that will improve the lives of Nigerians.
“To be meaningful, our planning processes must lead to tangible outcomes in the form of growth that exceeds population growth. Indeed, our plans must bring about an economy and society that works for all Nigerians.”
Referencing the Buhari administration’s Social Investment Programmes (SIPs) as an example of deliberate efforts aimed at ensuring inclusive growth, the Vice President said that an aspect of national planning that is often overlooked is how to manage distributional outcomes in a rapidly changing economic environment.
“This point is readily understood if we recall that the strength of feelings on issues like the national minimum wage or indeed the deregulation of PMS prices is related to their expected impact on the poor segments of society.
“It is accordingly important when drawing up national plans to take account of the interests of the more vulnerable members of society. This is why social investment and social protection are at the heart of the Buhari Administration’s policy interventions.
“Indeed, top of mind for Mr President is how to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in this decade as we radically re-engineer the productive base of our economy in agriculture, manufacturing, mining and the digital and creative sectors,” the Vice President explained.
Summarizing the core objectives and targets of a desirable national development plan for the country, the Vice President emphasized that “our development plans must be inclusive and promote economic diversification”.
His words: “They must promote coordination among the various tiers of government as well as coordination between ministries, departments and agencies at all levels.
“Our plans must also be modern and ambitious and yet realistic and flexible enough to absorb shocks and adapt to swiftly changing domestic and international conditions
“Our plans must accelerate domestic resource mobilization and build capacities for planning, implementation and must create the best possible environment for the private sector to invest and operate
“At the core of thinking in our planning must be the aggressive incremental eradication of poverty and the creation of wealth and good-paying jobs. Our planning must be capable of meeting the aspirations and opportunities for a huge and growing youth population.”
The Vice President also tasked stakeholders to work hard to overcome challenges of implementation and coordination in the execution of the development plans noting that “implementation remains the Achilles Heels of our planning efforts. And another make or break issue for planning is coordination.”
Participants at the meeting include the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed; the Minister of the FCT, Alhaji Mohammed Bello; the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Mr Clem Agba; Commissioners for Budget and Economic Planning from the 36 States, among others.
Laolu Akande Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity Office Of the Vice President
This is the government that always have the best for the people and the nation
The payroll support track under the FG MSMEs Survival Fund has paid a total of 283,023 employees across the 36 states including the FCT. Some states have fully enumerated and paid the shortlisted employees of companies that meet with the requirements. Some states are still open for enumeration.
Find below a State-by-State breakdown of beneficiaries of the Payroll Support track in the North Central region
*Abuja* has a total beneficiary of 13,014 employees, enumeration has currently ended and has a female inclusion of 49% and male participation of 51%.
*Benue State* - Total beneficiaries so far are 13,014 employees, the state enumeration status is closed, with a female inclusion percentage of 41% and male participation of 59%.
*Plateau State* - Total beneficiaries are 13,003 employees, the state enumeration status is closed, with a female participation of 45% and male participation of 55%.
*Nassarawa State* - Total beneficiaries are 12,564 employees, enumeration process is still open. There is also a female participation of 45% and male participation of 55%.
*Niger State* - Total beneficiaries are 12,095 employees. Enumeration is still ongoing, with a female participation of 42% and male participation of 58%.
*Kogi State* - Total beneficiaries are 4,966 employees. Enumeration is currently ongoing, with a female participation of 48% and male participation of 52%
*Kwara State* - Total beneficiaries are 5,013 employees. Enumeration is currently ongoing, with a female participation of 49% and male participation of 51%
Nice one I can see my states on is still on going.
murecool: *Emir of Lafia says: We will follow you wherever you go *VP describes State's infectious diseases centre a landmark, proof of Nigeria's greatness *Attends state’s Job fair, urges youths to leverage on technology for development
*Pays condolence visit to wife of late APC State chairman
Just after the Nasarawa State Traditional Council conferred on him the title of Madagun Jihar Nasarawa meaning the Leader and Captain, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo proceeded to commission what is considered a world class infectious diseases diagnostic and research in the State.
According to him the conceptualization and completion of the world class centre for infectious diseases diagnosis and research, wholly by indigenous experts is a landmark achievement and yet another proof that Nigeria can be ranked among great and prosperous nations.
Prof. Osinbajo made the observation Monday in Lafia at the inauguration of the Nasarawa State Infectious Diseases Diagnostic and Research Centre, which was part of activities scheduled for his one-day visit to the State.
According to the Vice President, “the Nasarawa Infectious Diseases, Diagnostic and Research Centre is a landmark achievement. There is no question at all that, anywhere in the world, this type of achievement deserves to be celebrated. This is not just some Mickey mouse, tiny club achievement. This is a phenomenal achievement in technology terms, and it was done and fulfilled by Nigerians, and done here in Nigeria.”
Speaking about the significance of the new diagnostic and research centre, the Vice President said, “perhaps, the most important lesson is that this country has everything that it takes to be the best anywhere in the world. We have everything it takes. We have the talents. We have men and women of vision, and we have all of the resources that it takes to be just as good as any country, anywhere in the world.”
Continuing, he noted that, “as we have heard, the centre here comprises a bio-safety level-three laboratory, a molecular biology laboratory and infectious diseases isolation unit, and an epidemiology unit as well. And we are told that these are top of the class, first-rate facilities that you could find anywhere in the world.”
Urging Nigerians not to despair, but to remain faithful as the President remain committed to addressing present challenges, Prof. Osinbajo assured that Nigeria will overcome the problems, noting that “just as the scripture says that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning, I am very assured and continually assured by the people of this country, by the kind of leadership that we have in our President, President Muhammadu Buhari, who is focused. I want to say that I am reassured that the dawn for this country is coming.
“Our greatness is only hidden slightly now by the clouds, but these clouds will clear. And what we will see for ourselves, is a great nation, the nation that God has purposed us to be. And one of the things that tells us that so eloquently is what we are here to commission today.”
Prof. Osinbajo also stated that the Buhari administration will continue to make efforts to improve security in the country, even as he condoled with victims of the recent terrorist attack on a farming community in Borno.
“It is a major tragedy; it’s a very unfortunate thing and our hearts are with the family of those who were killed in such a terrible manner. We are very confident and the Federal Government will continue to do what it needs to do especially in terms of trying to ensure security in the Northeast and all over Nigeria,” the VP stated when accosted by reporters earlier on his arrival in Lafia.
Earlier on arrival in Nasarawa State, the Vice President, on a courtesy visit to the Palace of the Emir of Lafia, was conferred with the traditional title of Madugu Jihan Nasarawa by the Emir, HRH, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad.
While commending the Nasarawa State traditional council for the honour of the title, Prof. Osinbajo noted that though “our country is in a period of great challenges because of the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and also on the aspect of security, this is a time of great opportunity; everywhere we look, the potential is there and we surely can reap this potential.” He noted that his visit to Nasarawa State was in support of the State’s realization of its aspirations of becoming a better place.
His words: “We are here to do a number of things just as the governor has said. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have realized the importance of healthcare and there is no gainsaying the fact that we need more sophisticated institutions, better equipped medical facilities; we just need more and more.”
In his remark, the Emir stated the traditional title conferred on the Vice President followed due consultation with the state traditional council, describing Prof. Osinbajo as worthy recipient of the title.
He said: “After due consultations with all brothers that are seated, we have decided to confer on you a traditional title, please accept it. And the title that is carefully selected, in Hausa, it is called Madugu Jihan Nasarawa.
“Madugu means a leader and a captain. Today, you are the captain of Nasarawa State; as you pilot the affairs of Nigeria, you also pilot the affairs of Nasarawa State as the captain of the state.
“As from today, we will continue to follow you wherever you go as our leader and the captain of the state. Thank you for accepting this honour and I will take this singular privilege to decorate you a little with some part of this traditional title conferred on you.”
At the graduation of 80 participants of the Nasarawa State ‘Job fair for employability and entrepreneurship’, the Vice President, while commending the state government and the participants, advised the beneficiaries to leverage the opportunities offered by the training especially in adding value in whatever they would be involved in.
Prof. Osinbajo encouraged youths in the state to always leverage technology in their attempt to find solutions to challenges facing them. The Vice President accompanied by Governor Abdullahi Sule, former Governor Tanko Almakura and others, also paid a condolence visit to the wife and family of the slain APC State Chairman, Mr Philips Shekwo, assuring the widow that “we will have you and the children in mind.”
On the Vice President’s entourage to Nasarawa State were former governors, Tanko Almakura and Abdullahi Adamu; Minister of State, Science and Technology, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi; Political Adviser to the President, Sen. Babafemi Ojudu, among others.
The VP is a man of great Valour and humility a man loved by all sir everywhere you go we will follow you.
murecool: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that Nigeria has the resources to be great. He said this Tuesday, while commissioning the Nasarawa State Infectious Disease and Research Centre (NASIDRC) in Lafia.
He said: “Nigeria has all it takes to be the best in the world; we have the talents, men and women, vision and the resources it takes to be great.
“Governor Abdullahi Sule has shown leadership qualities by continuing the work initiated by his predecessor, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, behind Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), Lafia. “Nasarawa State is not by any means the wealthiest state in the country. In fact, if you look at what Nasarawa State earns and what is allocated to it, it certainly doesn’t come anywhere near the top one third. I call for the policy to be sustained.” Earlier in his speech at the occasion, Governor Abdullahi Sule said, “The centre will serve as research hub, crucible for innovations and operational research that will provoke policy initiation. It will conduct clinical trials for vaccines, drugs and other products, in compliance with ethical standards, as well as support trainings in public health and researches at all levels. “It will also provide scientific guidance for the local production of vaccines, diagnostic kits and other related health products. I am happy to state that the centre is one of the best diagnostic centres in the country.”
[quote author=murecool post=96623688]VP Osinbajo arrives at the Emir of Lafia's palace with Gov. Engr Abdullahi Sule for a one day official tour for:
* JOB FAIR
** OPENING "Nasarawa State Infectious Diseases, Diagnosis and Research Centre"
***DISCUSS SECURITY CHALLENGES VP honoured with Nasarawa traditional title of Madugu Jihan Nasarawa which translates to leader and captain of Nasarawa.
Politics / Re: Group Flays Attempt At Disparaging Osinbajo Over Tinubu Decisions by Atejila1: 8:18pm On Sep 04, 2023 