₦airaland Forum

Anyone who thinks that Prof. Osinbajo will stoop so low as to beg anyone in this circumstances DONT KNOW this man at all!
VP Osinbajo did not go to beg Abba Kyari or anybody. FOR WHAT? The VP is too busy doing his work for the good of the country. He performed well as acting president and even President Buhari thanked him for that. TraderMoni beneficiaries are already paying back the N10k loan to collect N15k.

Millions of petty traders are all benefitting from this loan scheme nationwide. TraderMoni is helping ordinary Nigerian traders. Osinbajo is not involved in any fraud. Ignore fake news broadcast.

There’s nothing we won’t see in people like Timi Frank who has reduced himself to a barking dog.

Osinbajo will forever be remembered in Nigeria for driving social investment Programme that lifted us out of poverty.

So he has made himself SSA to God. Timi Frank needs therapy, he is sick.

Who are you to say such about your fellow human?

JONNYSPUTE:
He was never a pastor. Its all about eye service.

Reno’s Misguided Advise To Osinbajo Show How Poorly The Jonathan Government Was Run - ISD

A former Jonathan’s media aide who has recently launched an attack on Nigeria’s Vice President has been described as lacking wit and exposing the weakness of his former’s boss’ poorly run government by the Initiative to Save Democracy.

In a statement by its newly appointed publicity secretary, Peter Oladele, the group faulted the call by Reno Omokri that the Vice President should stand up against the President because the President had asked that his Ministers pass correspondences and meeting proposals through the Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari.

The group stated that making such a call did not only show that Mr Omokri lacked an understanding of governance at the Presidential level, but it also reflected the way and manner in which the Jonathan government was run without any institutional practices and order.

“We have read Reno Omokri's constant attempt to politicise governance processes, especially his recent tirade at the Vice President. In our view, Omokri has opened himself, the government of Jonathan where he served and his party up to the perfect counter-uppercut.

“Because by lambasting the President's instruction to streamline administrative processes in adherence to global democratic executive standards, they are once again exposing and celebrating their own wayward governance systems of old in which presidential governance was a jungle-like wilderness in which everyone who could whisper to the President could adjust his actions or inactions which is largely responsible for the massive corruption and underdevelopment known of their administration which we are still dealing with.”

The Initiative to Save Democracy went further to state that the instruction given to Ministers to have all correspondences and schedules for meetings go through the Chief of Staff was to ensure there was order and guided flow of the President’s activities.

“Does one expect the President to receive his Ministers anytime and whenever they wanted to? Would that not be a recipe for chaos and insanity?” The group asked.

“There must follow a pattern in every institution, in which the head of the institution is accessed, correspondences sent and meetings scheduled. This was clearly not the case with the Jonathan administration. If we recall, it was during that administration that rumours flew round about how top government officials were going to the Central Bank with notes from the President to collect hard currencies for campaign activities. Reno Omokri’s recent comment only confirm this.”

ISD also stated that Reno’s attempt to pitch the Vice President against the President was not just foolishness but gave a clue as to one of the reasons why the PDP government had always failed in all its activities, noting that the PDP was renowned for running a disharmonious and uncoordinated government.

“The constant attempt to turn Vice President Yemi Osinbajo against President Buhari is a failed effort to confer on Vice President the same foolishness and rebellious, power hungry spirit with which Reno's boss, Atiku used to impose himself against a sitting President in Obasanjo which stalled government activities and also rendered PDP a political cog in the nation's wheel of progress. Osinbajo will not be goaded into foolish dysfunction as patented and trademarked by Reno's boss.” The statement read.

*Meet Prof. YEMI OSINBAJO, a man driven by Passion, Honesty, Integrity and commitment to the masses*


Ever since 1992 gave us a good idea of what true leadership and politicking was, I have never met a leader more committed to the entity Nigeria than Professor Yemi Osinbajo (PYO), a man with so much commitment, dedication, Confidence, Passion and such a good Communicator he almost rivals Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO) and Lt. Col. Odumegwu-Ojukwu.


Professor Yemi Osinabjo is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a Professor of Law and the current Vice President of Nigeria since 29 May 2015.


As vice president, his roles and constitutional powers include; participation in all cabinet meetings and, by statute, vice chairmanship of the National Security Council, the National Defence Council, Federal Executive Council, and the Chairman of National Economic Council.


Although the vice president may take an active role in establishing policies in the Executive Branch by serving on such committees and councils, the relative power of the Nigerian vice president's office depends much upon the duties delegated by the president.


With the above limited executive functions accorded a vice president of Nigeria, Osinbajo has established policies that are more masses oriented and beneficial to the general public.


Unlike past vice presidents, Prof. Osinbajo has won the trust of the President and the masses alike with his integrity and passion for a better nation.


Osinbajo's poverty and hunger fighting policy (NSIPs) have earned him accolades from far and near including President Muhammadu Buhari, who on the 8th march, 2019, described Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as a “very dependable deputy” with whom he had established a special bond.
The president further said that professor Osinbajo has in the past four years diligently championed the values of setting the foundation for peace, progress, and stability of Nigeria, by working very hard to build a resilient economy while promoting transparency and accountability.


Prof. Osinbajo has shown he is not only a VP for Christians, APC or Yoruba's alone but also, a VP for all religions, political parties, tribes and all geo-political zones in Nigeria.

When you think he is most popular in the south south, a video of him visiting States in the south east will appear, then the argument immediately becomes that he is more popular in that region. In the north and south west, it's the same level of euphoria.

This earned the VP respect of all past governors of the last administration, given that, he is the chairman of the National Economic Council, NEC.


The Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed (a PDP governor), noted that, Chairman (VP Osinbajo) led a strong team through various areas requiring attention in the economy. He made robust efforts in security giving direction, confidence and comfort.


In the same vein, the Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, said "Osinbajo provided leadership and in the past 4 years, exhibited humility, giving everyone a sense of belonging."


The 36 governors said the vice president treated everybody equally regardless of their political parties.


Professor Osinbajo has been nicknamed the *Star Boy* by the public especially by those on social media yet his popularity has not come without its negative sides.


Some people have sponsored lots of hate and false news campaigns against a man committed to fighting poverty and hunger in Nigeria with his National Social Investment Programmes (NSIPs).


Ask me or any other non-partisan Nigerian of a hardworking and committed political leader and we would all point to Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

It gives me great joy that he is a Nigerian and one that has stood out in all his ways.

*Oladele Peter, a psychologist and social commentator*

How Buhari’s Social Investment Programmes Are Tackling Poverty - Richard Ogundiya

Nigeria’s population swells at an annual increase rate of 3.75%, indicating a doubling of the population every 22 years. The World Poverty Index estimates that 46.7% of 197 million Nigerians live in acute poverty and the numbers are still on the rise. Improving quality of life for those under the extreme poverty line, while at the same time caring for peculiar problems of vulnerable groups, particularly children, women, the elderly and youths are challenges which require effective policies as well as focus on sectors that drive development such as health, education, agriculture and entrepreneurship.

Led by Maryam Uwais and Ismaeel Ahmed, the National Social Investment Office (NSIO), which is strategically hosted within the Office of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo provides a sustainable, long-term foundation and responsive national social security system for at-risk population with the purpose of delivering inclusive, pro-poor growth across the country. Since it’s establishment in 2015, the initiative has made significant investments for children, seniors, lower-wage workers and other resistless Nigerians. The rationale is that if families invest money they receive from the government, they will gradually build the capacity to fund petty businesses, farming and attend to other basic needs.

The Overseas Development Institute (ODI) released a report in 2016 that showed direct transfer payments of money to eligible people, can show direct growth in the economy, school attendance, health care and dietary diversity. The ODI concluded that cash transfers, when invested correctly, can lead to an increased amount of income in the future and achieve both social welfare and livelihood promotion objectives. There is also a sense of loss of an opportunity to prove something bigger: the radical notion that poverty, long viewed as an intractable policy problem, can be solved by putting money in the pockets of those who have the least. This is what the Conditional Cash Transfer seeks to do.

For some, N5,000 may not seem too exciting but to many Nigerians under the poverty line, it is a great sum of money to keep things moving. The National Cash Transfer Programme is designed to deliver timely and accessible cash transfers to beneficiary households and build their capacities for sustainable livelihood. This scheme is predicated on the idea that poor people, not governments or nonprofits, know what they need best. Rather than enrolling them in complicated social assistance programs that presume the kind of help they need, basic income trusts people to make their own financial decisions.

To ensure beneficiaries establish a sustainable means of livelihood before graduating the programmes, they are continuously supported and mentored to form savings groups and cooperatives by trained Cash Transfer Facilitators in every local government ward, who pay them weekly visits to provide capacity building on life skills and basic financial knowledge. Since January 2016, 394,430 vulnerable households have been paid in 25 states, including households in Internally Displaced Camps in Borno.

The National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) is a government-led school feeding programme that aims to improve the health and educational outcomes of public primary school pupils. It uses farm produce locally grown by smallholder farmers to provide children nutritious mid-day meals on every school day. The program aims to improve the enrollments in primary schools and reduce the current dropout rates estimated at 30% and also address the poor nutrition and health status of many children who have been affected as a result of poverty; it has also affected the learning outcomes of the children. At the start, the federal government set out to feed 5.5 million pupils but its successful implementation has broadened the vision and the numbers are currently at 9,817,568 pupils. As part of the value chain, NHGSFP also empowers 106,074 cooks and provides sustainable income for small holder farmers, thereby stimulating growth and productivity around the communities in 32 states.

Of all the initiatives under the NSIO umbrella, the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) is the most fascinating because of the role it plays in stimulating the economy from the grassroots. Under the Bank of Industry (BOI) supervision, the Programme aims to provide micro-lending to 2.5 million small traders including farmers, women cooperatives, market women, agricultural workers and entrepreneurs. MarketMoni, FarmerMoni and TraderMoni loans range between N10,000 and N350,000 with a 6 month loan tenor and a moratorium of two weeks. In many cases, the tenor can be extended depending on the nature of the business. What makes it more captivating is that no collaterals are involved but BOI charges a 2.5% and 5% administrative fee which is used to finance recruited agents and aggregators who make sure that all loans are recovered when due. MarketMoni, FarmerMoni and TraderMoni has funded 330,568 women, 1,712 farmers and 1,805,171 traders respectively, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 2,136,911 Nigerians.

The overall success of the government’s social investment scheme is still very much dependent on the collection and use of data to improve the target structure and effectiveness. The National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO) uses ‘Poverty mapping’, ‘Community based Targeting’ and ‘Proxy Means Test’ as methods of validating payment basis for grantees. These techniques provide authentic data that helps the government identify the poorest in local governments and rank households according to their means, thereby eliminating the more affluent in the actual payment exercise. As of now, 1,132,675 households comprising of 4,531,118 individuals from 32 states have been documented and paid, with women leading the curve at 50.8% engagement.

When poverty strikes, it must be met with an equal strike at the very least. At the very best a counter-strike must double the dose. The strength of its blow is when it is left unmatched. India bragged once as the world’s poorest country. That status is no more today. Why? Because the Indian government put in place, structures, programmes and targeted policies that were aimed at tackling the menace of extreme poverty facing its population. They worked. Now Nigeria stands atop the list - not because it did anything, but largely because it did nothing. Now an ambitious Buhari administration seeks a reversal of this shameful status through its Social Investment Programmes.

With over 40 Million Nigerians who have benefitted in one way or the other, and two million Nigerians who have ben lifted from the claws of extreme poverty, Buhari’s social investment programmes have taken on the fight to poverty’s doorstep. Victory is in the offing.

Richard Ogundiya is a journalist and researcher resident in Lagos.

Charleys:
Too many lies closed the account.

You that is a saint and have yours active, what problem have you solved for us?

BlackfireX:
Midget


Lying pastor


Condolence specialist


#10,000 distributor

You’re a big fool o!
Name any Vice President that has performed excellently well in terms of impact, I’ll wait.
This foundation which he has laid will definitely favour our economy and our future in this country.

immhotep:
Did he remember to blame GEJ before he closed the Twitter account?

sarrki come and see oh

cc gaskiyamagana yarimo deomelo olawalesmarter0 gandollar lzaa afamed amatarasha nkemchukwudi ngeneukweunu adaibeku rekhina gwarotango

Twitter generally have a problem with accounts.
Stop fooling yourself by ridiculing the situation. Osinbajo is not your mate. Just watch the account reappearing before tomorrow.

Twitter has problem. It’s not the first time it’s happening. You people should not be rushing into conclusions.

Obasanjo Reverses Self On Fulanization, Seeks Dialogue

It’s never too late to do the right thing; I think finally, former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo appears to understanding this as well as his role as an elder statesman.

On Saturday, he met with Fulani cattle breeders in the Southwest as well as Kogi and Kwara States in order to address the scuffle between the nomadic herders and the resident farmers.

Obasanjo told Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN) that Yorubas wanted unity, peace, harmony, wholesomeness and progress in the region, stressing that the time had come for everybody to acknowledge that “bad things are happening” in the Southwest and which have been attracting bad names to the Fulani in their midst.

This is a clear departure from Obasanjo’s reliance on writing only letters in the past. The former president appears to be putting his money where his mouth is, he finally seems to understand that actions speak louder than words. Meeting face to face with Fulani cattle breeders is completely different from writing an open letter.

If one reads the communiqué from the meeting, Baba seems to have gotten some firsthand information on the most recent shape of the farmer/herder clashes across the country and the reasons for such happening in the Southwest.

Like President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo have done in the last few weeks, Chief Obasanjo has embraced dialogue over explosive statements that could cause the country more harm. We all know that Baba loves Nigeria and that he wants peace but this can best be achieved through diplomatic channels.

A proof of this was the swift rescue of five persons abducted in Ogun state. The police force deployed geo-tagging technology and other technological know-how to track the kidnappers and arrest five culprits.

These are the kind of engagements that is required and expected of our leaders and I am happy Baba is adding his voice to this newly adopted strategy.

Copied.

Bola Ahmed Tinibu And His Commonsense Revolution

PDP rigged 2003 Election so much that some states had bulk figures that never tallied with collated figures from polling units till date. Even, the son of INEC Chairman then was contesting election under the PDP.

But if you think 2003 was bad, 2007 was worse, it was written and results were declared before election ended. People were on the queue when they heard, from their transistor radio, the results of elections they were about to conduct. Alas!!!, Obasanjo was reckless when it comes to brutal power.

But then, Tinubu decided to challenge the status quo.
It was a suicide mission for a mere Governor who just finished his tenure to challenge the Supremacy of the PDP, he would be crushed beyond minimum recognition. But someone has to reject this impunity and free the rest of us from OBJ's imperialism!!! Jagaban entered the Ring!

In doing so, and knowing the dangerous game of power, having seen how Abiola was killed in detention and how Obasanjo 'inherited' him(Imagine), how Ige was murdered in his bedroom and how PDP took over SW, how Adesanya was shot many times, with his car riddled with bullets, Jagaban decided to embark on a Revolution that is permitted by the law. He consulted Lawyers of immense knowledge, elders and peers from near, far and very far...... He challenged the PDP and 2007 election at the Tribunal.

Just like when Noah was building the Ark, people laughed at Jagaban, wondering the kind of joke he was cracking. "You have won Your Lagos, why don't you just hide your head. PDP machinery will crush you"....

Tinubu didn't just fight for AC alone, he also helped LP of Mimiko. He brought thousands of witnesses to court, he brought Forensic Experts from London and America. It was a massive revolution that took away Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun away from the PDP. Unprecedented!!!!

PDP fought back with maximum venom. They removed the powers of Court of Appeal as final destination for Gubernatorial elections and gave it to Supreme Court, by this, they hoped, no one would be able to stop their rigging again.

They removed the President of the Court of Appeal Justice Ayo Salami. They docked Jagaban himself on allegations of Code of Conduct. They said he had Foreign Accounts. Investigation revealed that the foreign account was opened when he was working in Mobil and now dormant with less than 200 dollars in it....Jagaban never operated a foreign account as a Governor. Case dismissed!!!!

That is Democratic Revolution and Price was paid, and the Prize was won for all progressive Nigerians.

All these little children must realize that you don't need to do press ups, run kilometres and engage in physical training before you can drive a Car, all you need is the knowledge and skill to drive. Learn from those who know the way and stop your foolish blabbing.

Credit : Ayekooto Akindele

WHY NIGERIA NEEDS TO IMPLEMENT THE NATIONAL LIVESTOCK TRANSFORMATION PLAN

Not too long ago, news about the Ministry of Agriculture’s proposed ‘RUGA Settlements’ broke, evoking outrage sparked by tribal and religious sentiments that fueled misconceptions, debates and misunderstanding of what the program was set to achieve.

The nomenclature seemed to be part of the problem: Ruga is a Hausa word that means “a Fulani settlement”. With a raging sentiment founded on ignorance and ethnic division, an internal form of xenophobia, against the Fulani ethnic group, more or less because President Buhari is one, the term Ruga it seemed would not fly in many parts of the country. Yet the concept, though inchoate, if well thought-out, planned and deployed was aimed at placating clashes between herders and farmers. Herders and their cattle are accused – and most times rightly so - of illegal grazing activities on farmers’ farmlands. This has been scientifically blamed on environmental and demographic forces, especially desertification caused by climate change and population explosion. The proliferation of small and light weapons in the intense competition for land and resources have further aided criminals and marginalized groups to capitalize on the conflicts; thus there has been the consequent rise in cattle rustling, kidnapping, armed robbery, insurgency, rural banditry and ethnic militia. Given that host communities (including farmers) have access to sophisticated weapons, minor disagreements or provocation often degenerate into violent clashes causing widespread destruction of property and human casualties.

According to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI, 2018), nearly 1,700 violent deaths have been attributed to clashes between herdsmen and farmers between January and September 2018, six times more people than those killed by the terrorist group Boko Haram in that same year.

Land scarcity, the over use of resources, and climate change have dried up fertile land in many parts of Northern Nigeria which the Fulani have historically used for grazing, driving many of these pastoralists into other states inhabited by farmers; crop yields of Nigeria's middle belt and southern-based farmers are threatened due to the increased presence of cattle roaming on farmlands. The Fulani herders are mostly ascribed the Muslim identity, while the farmers are predominantly ascribed the Christian identity, seamlessly adding a religious dimension to the conflict over resources. These farmers, especially those in the southern parts of the country perceive the influx of “Muslim” herders as an Islamization drive. Hate speech has also become an accelerator of violent conflicts alongside the phenomenon of fake news worsening its negative impact. As such, the insecurity and unavailability of land in both Nigeria's northern and southern states has the long-term potential to disrupt the country’s agricultural and livestock economy.

But it has always been a looming crisis. Back in 1965, the Northern Region Government created a ‘Grazing Reserve System’ with over 417 grazing areas across the north. Under this structure, the government provided space, water and vaccinations for the livestock while the herdsmen paid taxes in return. However, the discovery of oil and subsequent exploration made Nigeria an oil rich economy, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s spawning an abandonment of the project. As a fallback, herdsmen began to resort back to their traditional and seasonal grazing routes which had been interrupted by industrialization, urbanization and other natural factors marking the beginning of a decades-long conflict between farmers and host communities. Till date, these clashes have been on the increase and now constitute one of the major threats to Nigeria’s national security.

As part of measures to end the persistent friction that has claimed lives and properties, states like Benue and Taraba began enacting legislations prohibiting open grazing within their borders. This, they hoped would reduce the risk of herdsmen destruction of farm lands and the associated attacks causing displacement and loss of many lives. But little or no progress has been made; while the clashes seem to rear its head every now and then.

The contest has thus created 2 key gaps in Nigeria’s agricultural practice - first, an inability to meet domestic food requirements and second, an inability to export at quality levels required for market success. One of the Federal Government’s approaches to curb this dilemma and protect lives as well as the nation’s food security is the development of the National Livestock Transformation Plan, which many still confuse as RUGA. [ Recall that the Ruga Model Settlement was suspended by the President, as it was said not to have been in accordance with the already approved plan by the National Economic Council, the National Food Security Council and the Federal Executive Council’s National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP). It was also a unilateral implementation by the Ministry of Agriculture.]

The NLTP commissioned by the National Economic Council which Vice President Yemi Osinbajo chairs is a blueprint that will support and strengthen the development of market-driven ranches in the livestock ecosystem for improved productivity through breed improvement, pasture production, efficient land and water capacity enhancements. The scheme seeks to provide a similarly conducive habitation for nomadic herders and those who rear livestock using a private public partnership model for its set up. It is designed to create a basis for leading agribusiness companies to emerge along the lines of Brazil’s JBS, The USA’s Perdue or the Sino - American Smithfield. Most importantly, the scheme will, to a great extent, stop the spread of violence and insurgency in the affected regions, by simply keeping herders away from the farms of farmers. It potentially would aid significant boost in Nigeria’s agricultural productivity, a sector that currently employs about 38% of the total working population and accounts for a large share of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is killing two birds with a stone; restore peace in the region and create more wealth for the those in the line of farming and livestock business.

Contrary to speculations, NLTP benefits all involved, from the farmers to those in animal husbandry and not just cattle herders; with no intent of enforcing the project on any states, as states are not just at liberty to adopt, they are expected to develop their own home grown plans for implementation. The FG’s Plan is to settle them in an organized place with basic amenities like schools, hospitals and veterinary clinics, thereby adding value to meat, diary and other animal products. The project is voluntary for all 36 States, with options of presenting their unique delivery mechanisms according to their respective challenges. To be clear, while a number of states in the conflict zones will receive high levels of attention, the purpose of NLTP is to catalyze a transformation in livestock production systems across Nigeria in a defined and effective manner. However, the process will continue to require an expansion of the role of private capital and investors, accelerating the rate of formation of small and medium sized enterprises and improvements in overall condition of doing agribusiness.

Recent estimates puts Nigeria’s livestock population at 19.8 Million cattle, 43.4 Million sheep, 76 Million goats and 213 Million poultry, all under traditional pastoral management - the reason our productivity is amongst the lowest globally. Thus the need for commercial ranching models for a country with 250 million people by 2030. Nearly 60 percent of the ruminant livestock population is found in the country’s semi-arid zone and mostly managed by pastoralists. Domestic production of livestock products is far below the national demand, resulting in large imports of livestock and its products. The annual expenditure on food exportation amounts to USD 3-5 Billion annually putting pressure on the National foreign exchange with milk importation alone amounting to USD 1.3 Billion per annum. Except for eggs, the domestic production of animal products is less than half the demand for beef mutton and goat meat, while for milk and pork products it is less than quarter the demand.

The livestock industry development is constrained by low productive breeds, inadequate access to feeds and grazing lands, lack of processing facilities, low value addition and technical inputs in the management of the animals, diseases and conflicts.

The NLTP’s agenda is to to create new opportunities for farmers and provide more affordable and healthier diets for future generations. Managing this growth also requires a complex institutional response that can stimulate income and employment opportunities in the rural areas, protect the livelihoods of small farmers, improve resource-use efficiency at all levels of the value chain, minimize negative environmental and health consequences, and ensure adequate access by the poorer sections of society to the food they need to live healthy lives.

NLTP plays an integral role in revolutionizing how livestock farming is practiced and its effect on the nation’s economy, social well-being of its citizens and huge export capacity. Its implementation strategy identifies five main pillars as priority areas: Conflict Resolution, Justice and Peace, Humanitarian relief, Human Capital Development and issues on Gender, Youth, Research Information and Strategic Communication.

As the decades old conflicts between farmers and pastoralists surface and resurface every now and then, a sustainable solution must be designed, one that equally looks at the big picture that caters for the economic opportunities that come with pastoralism and husbandry, while also developing the needed human capital for the long term. This is what the National Livestock Transformation Plan ultimately seeks.

The needless sentiments that followed the RUGA scheme must be put aside as the Federal Government looks into the implementation of this programme alongside willing states. Ethnic, tribal and bigotry-defined points of view must be set aside to accommodate the NLTP’s long-term solution. Needed stakeholder consultations have been made through the National Economic Council, with input from traditional rulers and relevant stakeholders of cattle breeders and farmers associations. It is expected that Governors and these stakeholders carry the message of peace, reconciliation and development that the NLTP brings to their states and their local communities to ensure there is understanding and buy-in of it before acceptance. This is where Ruga failed. Nigeria needs the NLTP as much as it seeks peace, stability and development.

Richard Ogundiya is a journalist and researcher, and writes from Lagos.

OSINBAJO’S RISE AND CLIMB: Through The Hearts Of Nigerians, And Through Our Rough Political Waters

For most of the country’s democratic sovereignty, there’s been enough disparagement about the weakness of the nation’s second office. However, one gripping fact from the 2019 general elections is the rising power of the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the public’s increased interest for his job more than in other election cycles.

Six years ago I sat in a room filled with young professionals and graduates who claimed to be interested in national politics, only 3 people knew who the Vice President of Nigeria was at the time, Namadi Sambo. It wasn’t so strange, the same goes for Atiku Abubakar, President Buhari’s strongest contender in the 2019 general elections; not a lot of people can point out to his deeds and accomplishments as the Vice President of Nigeria between 1999 to 2007, save allegations that haunt him to this day. By his own conduct, Professor-turned-Politician, Yemi Osinbajo, a central across-the-board figure, exercising his shrewdness and mild suaveness in his service as Buhari’s deputy provoked this sudden outburst for credo. While many argue that the VP office is like the human appendix, a vestigial organ on the body politic - unnecessary, Prof as he is fondly called has broken the jinx; he is arguably Nigeria’s most industrious VP on record. Since assuming office in 2015, he has worked with relevant departments and agencies to identify problems and recommend solutions regarding economic development, healthcare, foreign exchange policies, poverty alleviation and food security.

With vast experience in international law practice and academia, the VP has served in several positions of authority and contributes to the national discourse even before his foray into active politics. As Attorney General of Lagos State, he is credited with undertaking far-reaching significant judicial reforms, addressing critical areas as judges' recruitment, remuneration, training and discipline as well as access to justice for the poor by establishing appropriate institutions in the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) and the Citizens Mediation Centre (CMC). He solitarily founded the Orderly Society Trust (OST), an excel literacy programme that aims to provide children in public primary schools with the same level of training in English as is available to their counterparts in private schools. His drive for getting the average Nigerian child quality education doesn’t stop at that, he organized the Liberty Schools Project that still provides free primary school education with free school lunches to poor children. The Project currently has three sites, one very close to where I live in Lagos.

In 2016, when the nation’s economy hit a nosedive, the VP alongside the National Economic Council which he chairs presented ‘59 strategies for implementing the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). The efforts of the NEC were instrumental in defining Nigeria’s policy direction and prudence that saw Nigeria ushered out of a recession quicker than economists predicted. Policies such as the unpopular ban of FOREX provisions to 41 items made significant impact in managing our scarce Dollars at that time.

On the President’s directive, he plays a significant role in the ‘Niger Delta New Vision’ plan - a set of promises, solutions and initiatives the President Buhari administration has set in place for the restoration of peace and ensuring the region benefits maximally from the nation’s oil wealth. The programme has fostered security in the creeks and enabled an increase in production and hitch-free flow of crude to the international market. Along with 12 Federal Ministries and state governments, Professor Osinbajo launched the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Clinic (MSME), a scheme addressing the plethora of challenges affecting the growth and productivity of growing businesses to bring about significant and sustainable GDP growth, employment generation and increase in local productivity.

Osinbajo’s claim to fame can be traced back to May 2017 when he was conferred the Acting President of the Federation during President Buhari’s medical leave. Unlike his predecessors, President Buhari vested all legal powers to him in accordance with the constitution. As Acting President, Osinbajo exhibited fearlessness and charisma, taking decisive and perhaps dramatic actions. He ordered the overhaul of SARS - the Police’s notorious anti-robbery squad and demanded quick investigation of numerous allegations of assaults by the unit. He sacked Daura, the DSS Chief, describing his actions as ‘unacceptable and a gross violation of constitutional order, rule of law and all accepted notions of law and order’. Indeed, he knows his stuff. In that interlude, when he wasn’t leading FEC meetings, he was engaging the 36 states with a keen interest in grassroots politics, women affairs, agriculture and young people. He has shown a mastery of communication and responsibility; like President Buhari, he is still actively engaged in the fight for the return of kidnapped girls and the welfare of their families; during the campaigns, he held numerous town hall meetings across the country and participated in youth-led initiatives clamouring for change. In less than 5 years on the national scene, he has gained good popularity among the Nigerian people for his achievements and dexterity in handling national issues.

In the cyberspace, the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has gathered the most likes, comments and engagements, grossing over 500,000 likes on Facebook, 2 million followers on Twitter and 500,000 Instagram subscribers and social strength of 16 million, he is the second most-followed Nigerian politician after his boss President Muhammadu Buhari. For the first time in a long time we are witnessing a proactive and dynamic 62-year-old man - petite, eloquent, tech-savvy, and an unassuming leader.

While a vice presidential pick has never been solely credited with swinging an election, it can leave an indelible impression about the judgment of a would-be president or help address something that is lacking at the top of the ticket; whether it be a regional appeal, ideological purity, religious sentiments or a gap in their resume. Sometimes, it's all of the above.

His role in the country’s technological ecosystem cannot be easily undermined. From being part of a tech tour around hubs and start-ups across Nigeria to facilitating the 2016 Aso Villa Demo day, a platform meant to promote innovation and provide opportunities for entrepreneurs and start-ups solving local problems. Interestingly, Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg made his first trip to Africa and was also part of the pitch competition to which the VP played host. At the Google For Nigeria 2018 event, Osinbajo assured that Nigeria will partner with Google to boost internet connectivity nationwide. You’ll also catch the VP at creative events and spaces where Nigeria’s new age is being celebrated. Whether it’s at the Ake Book Festival, Art Summits or Fashion Week, he appeals as a desirable model of what a progressive leader should be.

Many also love him for his religious ties, prior to his role as VP, Professor Osinbajo served as a top pastor in the Redeemed Christian church of God, Nigeria’s largest Pentecostal Church body, but beyond this, his sheer honesty, intellectual acuity and genuine delight has caused him to be loved by all and sundry. His rise to the heart of the Nigerian people has been an easy climb.

Richard Ogundiya is a Journalist covering technology, politics, development and culture in Africa.

OSINBAJO LEAVES FOR THE US TODAY, TO MEET VICE PRESIDENT PENCE,  COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS, OTHERS


Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, will be visiting the US where he will be meeting with his United States counterpart, Mr. Mike Pence and other key groups and interests in the country.


Ahead of his meeting with the Vice President of the United States in Washington D.C on Wednesday, Professor Osinbajo will be meeting with the Council on Foreign Relations on Monday in New York.

In his meeting with his American counterpart, VP Osinbajo would be discussing matters of mutual interests between Nigeria and the US, while he would be speaking on Nigeria's economic prospects and other related matters in his meeting with the Council on Foreign Relations. 

The Vice President leaves for US this afternoon and is expected back in Abuja on Thursday.



Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President
Office of the Vice President
June 22, 2019

https://punchng.com/just-in-osinbajo-jets-out-to-us-to-meet-mike-pence-others/amp/

PRESIDENCY WELCOMES IRI/NDI REPORT ON 2019 ELECTIONS WITH RESERVATIONS

The Presidency welcomes, with reservations, the joint report of the International Republic Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) on the 2019 general elections in Nigeria and recommendations for the 2023 general elections.

It is instructive that President Buhari clearly won this vote and the report in no way disputes that fundamental fact.

President Buhari won by almost 4 million majority, with a 14% margin.

However, the most important thing in an election is that it reflects the will of the people which in our circumstances was acknowledged to have been a success by ECOWAS Observer Mission and YIAGA AFRICA whose parallel vote tabulation verified INEC’s presidential election result as announced. This we achieved.

We have developed a tradition of improvements in our electoral process through enforcement of our electoral law which resulted in the prosecution and conviction of electoral officers that were found wanting in compromising our electoral process.

We, however, agree notwithstanding, that there are improvements that must be made in the process for the future. The sheer size, terrain and remoteness of certain regions do pose serious logistical challenges.

They also pose a problem for electoral observers: across a country of over 190 million, only 40 observers were deployed to observe just 16 states + the Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria has 36 states).

It was unfortunate that the election was postponed yet imagine if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had gone ahead unprepared. The delay undoubtedly resulted in a lower turnout.

Because they are registered to vote in their place of birth, and not where they live, many Nigerians could not make arrangements to travel back again.

But the fact still remains that major democracies of the world have equally recorded worst turnout in modern history.

The effect of voter turnout, at any rate, is a two-way traffic that affected both sides equally.

To pretend otherwise is wrong considering that in 2015, the INEC postponed the election by six weeks under a PDP President, whom – as an incumbent – it was said to help at the time. It didn’t make a difference. Similarly, neither did it aid the sitting President in 2019.

It is amazing that the electoral observers recommended that electoral laws are enforced, and perpetrators of crimes punished and at the same time implicitly criticise the removal of the Chief Justice of Nigeria for failing to disclose his assets as required by law. Which would they prefer?

The law is a matter of principle that takes its course regardless of time and circumstances. It is never a matter of convenience and indeed remains functional, operational and enforceable without due regard to the electioneering process.

As we have already said, we are committed to reviewing our electoral laws and processes, like every democracy across the world should.

We intend to build on the innovations of this election that facilitate inclusiveness and participation, such as providing braille for blind people to cast their votes among other innovations.

This election was won by the candidate who received the most votes. We value the report’s recommendations. We can assure they shall be assessed and evaluated.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 18, 2019

TRADERMONI, MARKETMONI WIN AFRICA’S MOST IMPACTFUL FINANCIAL INCLUSION AWARD IN EQUATORIAL GUINEA

TraderMoni and MarketMoni are the most impactful financial inclusion programmes in Africa
TraderMoni and MarketMoni are the most impactful financial inclusion programmes in Africa
TraderMoni and MarketMoni, two of Federal Government’s Social Investment Programmes have won the Most Impactful Financial Inclusion award in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

The programmes under the Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme, GEEP was described as most impactful financial inclusion programme in Africa.

The award was given to the Bank of Industry (BoI) at the African Bankers Awards, which was hosted by African Banker magazine in conjunction with Business in Africa Events and held during the Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

According to the award organisers, the African Banker’s Award, the financial inclusion award is for the organization, product or program that has best succeeded in delivering financial products and services to wider parts of society, particularly to the most disadvantaged and low-income segments, ultimately contributing to financial inclusion, development, and growth.

The Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme (GEEP) which was launched as a product of the Social Investment Programme (SIP) has benefited over 2 million local entrepreneurs across the 3 GEEP projects: MarketMoni, FarmerMoni, and TraderMoni; this makes it the largest government-led microcredit program globally. These 3 programs empower micro-enterprises with interest-free and collateral-free loans to grow their businesses.

MarketMoni targets small businesses with soft loans from N50,000 to N100,000 while FarmerMoni targets local smallholder farmers with loans starting at N250,000 and a buy-off guarantee on there produce. TraderMoni having the widest reach due to the target demography has given loans starting at N10,000 to over 1.8 million beneficiaries.


The awards event featured financial institutions and projects from all 54 countries in Africa, as well as the international community. Other award categories and winners at the event include: Investment Bank of the Year (ABSA Capital), Best Retail Bank in Africa (Ecobank ETI), Innovation in Banking (KCB – Kenya), Regional Bank of the year (East Africa – KCB, Kenya; West Africa – Orabank; North Africa – Banque de l’Habitat (Tunisia); Southern Africa – Mauritius Commercial Bank; Central Africa – BGFI, Gabon), Central Bank Governor of the Year (Tarek Amer, Central Bank Governor– Egypt) among others.


Of the over two million beneficiaries of the GEEP, the vast majority of these micro-enterprises are petty traders, merchants, enterprising youth, and agricultural workers in over 1600 clusters and markets across all 36 states of Nigeria, and the federal capital. These traders and artisans are financially marginalized, having no access to corporate financial services like a savings account, mobile banking, loan facilities, and the likes. The GEEP, especially the TraderMoni programme, is designed to adequately cater for this majority of the nation’s economy by simply using their mobile numbers as simple means to access all the above listed financial facilities.

Apart from easy access to these loans, TraderMoni beneficiaries are given a proper and convenient payback plan. For example, beneficiaries of the first tranche of the loan, which is N10,000, are given a payback plan of N430 weekly for 6 months. This repayment does not necessarily have to be done in a commercial bank. The Bank of Industry has designed repayment vouchers sold by TraderMoni agents across all markets listed on the programme.

So far, thousands of impact stories have been recorded from with beneficiaries narrating how the GEEP has empowered them to expand and sustain their businesses while significantly increasing their incomes.

SOME QUOTES FROM THE EU ELECTION OBSERVER REPORT RELEASED TODAY:

On page 3 in its Executive Summary:

According to the EU report, “positively the elections were competitive, parties were overall able to campaign and civil society enhanced accountability “



INEC made a number of improvements, including making electoral participation more accessible through simplified voting procedures. INEC made efforts to strengthen electoral integrity by issuing regulations making smart card readers mandatory.

On page 4

The elections were competitive with a large number of candidates for all seats although competition was primarily between the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.

Parties and candidates were overall able to campaign, with freedoms of assembly, expression and movement broadly respected

Page 5
EU EOM media monitoring over 46 days showed federal government-owned Radio’s commitment to balanced election coverage

Positively in almost all observations Party agents received copies of the results forms.
The national collation Centre for the presidential election was open to party agents and observers, and was continuously televised

Again on page 37
The national collation Centre for the presidential results was open to party agents, observers and the media with each state’s results projected on a large screen. There was continuous live television coverage and the media published the results as announced by INEC, thereby increasing access to results information.

Page 41 under section RESULTS AND STAKEHOLDER REACTION
EU SAID:
YIAGA Africa announced that the results were consistent with its parallel vote tabulation that INDEPENDENTLY projected the results based on a sample of 1,515 polling units. The two leading parties won 96.8% of the valid votes between them

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENCY WELCOMES EU AND OTHER SUGGESTIONS ON IMPROVING ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA



The Presidency has welcomed the report of the European Union (EU) on the 2019 general elections in Nigeria, promising to analyse it fully and act on the recommendations.

The Presidency notes that the EU observers had been invited to the country by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and welcomed by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

This was a clear indication of the administration's good intentions, commitment to a pure democratic process, and desire to improve for the next elections.

The EU noted in their report that there were marked improvements from previous elections, although stating that more work needed to be done.

The administration of President Buhari will work with all Nigerian citizens, state institutions, parties, civil society, the media and other experts to make sure that the improvements recommended by the EU are implemented, and that these areas of concern are addressed.

It is noteworthy that INEC is in receipt of a number of recommendations that form a part of the EU report.

The Presidency assures that the Commission is in safe hands and happy that they are currently engaged in root and branch reviews of the 2019 general elections and will input lessons learned into its recommendations for electoral and constitutional reforms.

We believe that the commission conducted a good election and will continue to improve on its processes and procedures.

While it is regretted that the elections in a few parts of the country witnessed some violence, among other shortcomings highlighted by the EU, we note however that none of these hitches affected the overall outcome of the elections.

Thankfully, EU did not question the results of the presidential election.

This is further proof that the polls reflected the overall will of Nigerians, and that the world is solidly behind the election of President Buhari for a second term.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 15, 2019

PUBLIC DISCLAIMER ON VIDEO OF POLICE OFFICER DUPED BY INTERNET FRAUDSTERS USING THE VP'S NAME


Our attention has been drawn to a video on social media showing a police officer saying he was duped by an Internet fraudster allegedly using the name of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.


This is a brazen act of defamation and fraud by criminally minded individual(s) carried out on a Nigerian police officer who was oblivious of their dubious intent. Such shady fellows are not only lacking in character and conscience, but also have no regard for the person and office of the Vice President.


The Vice President does not and will not condone any such acts of illegality. He has never asked, and will never ask anyone to carry out such brazen extortion in his name.


The security agencies have been informed and investigations are ongoing to ensure that the perpetrators of this crime are dealt with.


Nigerians should disregard such brazen acts of impersonation and fraud and be wary of  scams carried out by dubious individuals for their selfish gains.

Laolu Akande

*IRRESPONSIBLE BROADCASTING AND INEPT REGULATION*
_By Frank Tietie_

Dokpesi and AIT need to wake up to responsible broadcasting. I don't join misguided populist positions which simply play to the gallery. People who go to equity must go with clean hands.

The NBC over the years has encouraged AIT to be irresponsible as a broadcast outfit. The NBC, over the years, cannot be excused of being manned by persons who are incompetent, unpatriotic and compromised. The details are unwritten all over the public space. The NBC must at all times uphold the law on standards of radio and television broadcasting in Nigeria without political considerations.

AIT was the pride of African broadcasting. It is currently a shadow of itself compared to where it ought to have been. SABC learned from AIT when the new South Africa began. You cannot compare both of TV stations today.

It is only lazy TV production that will create the quality of a programme like 'Kakaki Social'. There is a whole world of difference between Professional TV production and broadcasting and, the application of the unruly social media space.

A comparison with Aljazeera's ' *Stream* ' or BBC's ' *Outside Source* ' with 'Kakaki Social' would show the difference in responsible use of social media contents in television broadcasting.

I don't know why we often tolerate sloppy standards for primordial reasons and to make scapegoats of our inept and selfish public servants?

Even though, I wished and still wish to live a very private and quiet life with my love circle of family and friends, I have been forced into advocacy because of the dysfunctional society I found myself. Therefore, I will not fail to appreciate the prominence AIT has given to my advocacy since 2010 until I began to join the clamour that it should honour its labour obligations to its former staff.

I cannot be expected to refuse to take action in the face of oppressive refusal to pay workers' salary. I must act on behalf of those struggling citizens who often climb three floors to my office to cry about how oppressed they feel about Dokpesi and AIT, concerning their unpaid emoluments and other entitlements. I didn't care if AIT blacklisted me. After all, I never really cared about being popular. It was never my goal in the first place. My goal is love for the human person because I love myself. I actually only care about God's approval. Let Him protect and provide for me. If He doesn't, so be it. He is still God Almighty, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

Therefore, I owe it a conscientious duty to such an organisation to demand from it that it does what is right and just at all times, especially to persons who committed their entire career life to the organisation as broadcast journalists.

The law is both prescriptive and punitive. AIT should follow the standards while NBC should enforce those standards according to law without kowtowing to political and populist pressure. Let us be a people committed to standards. It is for the ultimate public good and improvement of the society that we strive to live and operate according to set standards.

*Frank Tietie*
Lawyer, Human Rights Defender and Executive Director, CASER.

_In response to interview questions by Victorson Agbenson of Radio Nigeria in Abuja_

KANO SIP BENEFICIARIES HOLD SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR BUHARI, OSINBAJO


*What we have done in Kano – NSIP



Beneficiaries of the National Social Investment Programmes (N-SIPs) in Kano, on Monday came out in large numbers at Murtala Mohammed Library to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo over their success at the 2019 polls.



The special prayer organized by the beneficiaries themselves witnessed a large turnout of people led by different Islamic scholars, officials of the programme and thousands of beneficiaries.



Shortly after the prayer session, participants at the event separately paid tributes to President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo for the success of the programmes, urging them to sustain the schemes.



Speaking to newsmen on behalf of beneficiaries at the prayer event, Mr. Maitala Bawa, thanked the ‎President and the Vice President for the introduction and implementation of the National Social Investment Programmes, acknowledging the impact it has had on many individuals, families and communities.



He said that the various components namely: N-Powerjob scheme, the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer, and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP)schemes - TraderMoni, MarketMoni and FarmerMoni, have been very helpful to many poor Nigerians.



Mr. Bawa also commended the efforts of the coordinators at all levels and urged them not to rest on their oars in the Next Level of the Buhari administration.



Earlier at the event, Barr. Ismaeel Ahmed, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SIPs, said “the National Social Investment Programmes have impactedmany lives across the country and plans are underway to improve on the gains recorded in the past three years”.



He said several persons have been engaged or empowered through the various components of the administration’s social welfare programme, noting that all aspects of the scheme would be improved upon in the Next Level.



“N-Power scheme currently engages 18,594 graduates in Kano State, while 1,043,014 children are being provided meals in public primary schools across the state,” he said.



According to him, “the Cash Transfers initiative has 51,350 households as beneficiaries spread across a total of 1,651 communities in Kano. Over 180,000 traders are currently benefitting from the Trader Moni programme and we are hoping to engage more people in the state.”



“In the next four years we will escalate the numbers especially for N-power we are recruiting another 120, 000 or more. We know that Kano being the largest state is going to receive the lion share as well.



“To round-up our programme for the conditional cash transfer from 15 local government, we are going to spread to all 44 local government areas of the state this year to make sure that every nook and cranny of Kano that are devastated with poverty are touched.



“The TraderMoni too is going to be increased, because we intend to give another 2 million people loans this year,” he added.



Ahmed urged all beneficiaries, including those in Kano,to pray for the success of the programme in the Next Level and for President Buhari, noting that “the President needed prayers, not only for good health, but for divine guidance and protection to succeed in his second term”.



According to him, “Nigerians, irrespective of their religion or political inclination must continue to pray for the President, noting that the nation is undergoing positive changes under his leadership.”

Just read a letter Reno Omokri wrote to Osinbajo on Leah Shiabu. I agree the govt should double efforts on her release especially because she is the only christian still in captivity. I price Leah Shiabu's tenacity to her Christian faith and acknowledge her as my hero. I know some children of perdition have got opportunity to build their lie on islamization agenda that is real only in their figment of imagination. These enemies of Nigeria are out to destroy our well price democracy using religion and ethnicity as a facade to cover their rapacious greed and primitive spirit of wealth acquisition

However before I get confused, was Reno not an aide to GEJ when Chibok girls were captivated? Common why is the complacent Reno taking this Leah Shaibu case so serious now? Or is Reno activism and religiosity a product of the frustration of losing elections? I see Reno a man that gets bitter after each electoral victory. His bitterness began after GEJ lost elections. Maybe he is calculating the lost of an opportunity for a private jet if looters where still in power. His bitterness has surfaced after the Dubia plan has failed and Buhari has been legally inaugurated after all efforts to criminally stop the inauguration

Forget Reno when he carries the Bible and pretend before you, forget a man with double standards. I am the last to take this greedy demon with the Bible serious. If you want to take Reno serious, you are at your peril.

Let me not be too hard, Reno sarcasm accelerate to a geometrical level after electoral victory. The Dubai promise Atiku made for him have been defeated again by PMB victory so expect more of a paranoid Pastor Reno. I am expecting more criticism from Reno, politics appears to have been his soul source of hope to participate in the sharing loots by the corrupt friends he surrounds himself with. He chose corruption and worked with the most corrupt. Abeg leave Reno because everything he does is in accord with anything belle face.

Joseph Odok PhD Esq

VICE PRESIDENT OSINBAJO SUBMITS ASSETS DECLARATION FORMS

 

Ahead of the oath-taking ceremony slated for tomorrow, 29 May 2019 and in compliance with the requirement of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has submitted his assets declaration forms to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).


The submission by the Vice President follows right after President Muhammadu Buhari submitted his forms.


The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Research, Legal and Compliance Matters, Office of the Vice President, Dr. Balkisu Saidu, submitted the completed forms to the Chairman of the CCB, Professor Mohammed Isa, on behalf of the Vice President. 


Compared with the assets Prof. Osinbajo declared in 2015, the forms show no significant changes in his assets; as there are no new real properties, shareholding or bank accounts.




Laolu Akande 

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity

Office of the Vice President 

28 May 2019

Over 40,000 Adamawa traders enroll for FG’s loan scheme

More than 40,000 traders in Adamawa State have benefited from the Federal Government’s ‘TraderMoni’ loan scheme. This was disclosed at the official launch of the scheme at the Jimeta Modern Market in the capital city, Yola.

Ignatius Gabriel, National Enumerator of the Federal Government’s Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) said the programme is the micro-component of the economic growth and recovery plan of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

Outlining conditionalities and procedure for accessing the loan, Gabriel said: “To register, a trader needs to provide his name, date of birth, address and phone number. Those who qualify for the programme would receive a text message and a four-digit personal identification number to enable the transfer of the fund to their bank accounts.

“Prospective candidates are to fill a form indicating a selected business to carry out, then N10,000 will be credited to their account. After repayment, they qualify for N15,000, then N20,000, N50,0000 and N100,000, with a moratorium of six months. And it is flexible enough for one to pay as little amount as N430 weekly remittance,” he said.

Manager of the programme, Taiwo Akorade, noted that the programme was designed by the president to revive the country’s economy and does not have a specific time limit.

One of the beneficiaries, Mallam Ahmad Adamu, a cosmetics trader, lauded the programme as according to him, “it will grow my business in six months. Instead of engaging in unlawful activities, this loan is something the youth can use to start something small and build on it.”

AISHA BUHARI MISSES THE POINT ON SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMMES - GLOBAL ECONOMIC POLICY INITIATIVE (GEPIn)

It is appalling and unfortunate that the Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari has decided to needlessly upbraid the Social Investment Programmes of the President Buhari administration, for the fact that she did not get the opportunity to super-impose her will in nominating beneficiaries for the programmes, GEPIn has said.

Mr. Bernard Okri, the President of GEPIn in a statement released in reaction to Mrs Aisha Buhari’s comments stated that her attempt to politicise and ethnicize a noble programme and smear it shows that she misses the point for which the programme was set up.

“One would expect Mrs Aisha Buhari to, like her husband, commend the programme. That for the first time in Nigeria’s history, Nigerians can apply for a government programme and be picked strictly on merit without knowing anybody in government. This is a far departure from our recent immoral past where the reverse was the case; and we should be proud of it, not deride it.”

“The programmes were meant to touch lives, and they are doing just that. We have conducted independent surveys and have met real beneficiaries in rural areas in the Northern and Southern parts. All states have been covered. The N-Power programme for instance has beneficiaries in all the 774 Local Governments of the country. At least 80% of the States have all the programmes fully running in all Local Government areas, and still counting.”

“It is shocking that the Wife of the President without doing any proper survey makes an attempt to drag the programmes and its managers in the mud. For whatever reason this is being done, it is unkind and unfair.”

GEPIn faulted Mrs Aisha Buhari’s conclusions stating that they were derived from her singular encounter with one man and that was wrongly used to conclude on the entire programme in the North.

“She cannot sit in the comfort of Aso Rock and tell the impact of the Social Investment Programmes from her single interaction with one 74 year old man. That is a very faulty methodology. To then use this faulty standard to deride an entire programme in the Northern parts of the country is unfair and amounts to playing dirty sectional and ethnic politics that divides the country needlessly.”

“I expect better from the Wife of the President: to come out and criticise one of the most successful programmes of her husband’s administration is sad and unfortunate. This smacks of politicisation and is beneath her person.”

The group stated that only last week President Buhari was full of praise for the programme, commending the Vice President for its successes and how the programmes had impacted lives.

“If the President had last week poured adulation for the successes of the programmes on his Vice President who oversees the Social Investment Programmes, how come his wife is coming out to say the opposite. She should know better than play politics with this humanitarian project.” The statement read.

Why we are Setting up an Entrepreneurship Bank – VP Osinbajo


“I understand that today, 10 of you will be walking away from this Summit with N1 million each, courtesy of the Federal Government of Nigeria and 12 months Personal Mentorship Programme courtesy of the Tony Elumelu Foundation. Another 10 will win 12 months Mentorship Programme (bringing the total to 20 mentorships).

“The truth is that a lot of these initiatives are not on scale. We have several initiatives and several thousands have benefitted but to make the kind of impact that we want to make we simply have to do something that can deal with hundreds of thousands of people as opposed to a few thousands.



“And that is the reason why in the next four years it is our intention to take a more active look at how to scale up the interventions of the Federal Government, which is why we are setting up an Entrepreneurship Bank which is one of the key ways by which we can directly finance entrepreneurship. At the moment a lot of entrepreneurship activities are built around the CBN or the BOI and several other banks, but we think that we need to devote a whole financial institution to look at how to develop entrepreneurship and how to encourage small and medium size enterprises.”

Below is the full text of the Vice President’s speech:

REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, VICE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE NATIONAL YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT HELD IN ABUJA ON THURSDAY MAY 23, 2019.
PROTOCOLS
First let me say how very excited I am to be here. I don’t think there is any place that is better to be than here in this place today, where there is so much talent, so much energy, and so much enthusiasm, I am really pleased I was able to make it.

I am also delighted to have been invited to this summit – this National Youth Entrepreneurship Empowerment Summit, which as you know is an activity that has been put together in celebration of the Presidential Inauguration 2019.



The specific objectives of this gathering as you are aware by now, was to amongst others, contribute to building your capacity as entrepreneurs in various businesses on the one hand and also providing information to you on the various government interventions and purpose-built programmes, specifically designed for start-ups, and also for small and medium sized enterprises.

The Federal government has in the past four years sought to prioritize initiatives designed to improve the capacity of entrepreneurs and small businesses. These include: Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme; Growth and Employment Project; the Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme and many more spearheaded by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Bank of Industry and the Federal Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment.



The truth is that a lot of these initiatives are not on scale. We have several initiatives and several thousands have benefitted but to make the kind of impact that we want to make we simply have to do something that can deal with hundreds of thousands of people as opposed to a few thousands. And that is the reason why in the next four years it is our intention to take a more active look at how to scale up the interventions of the Federal Government. This is why we are setting up an Entrepreneurship Bank which is one of the key ways by which we can directly finance entrepreneurship. At the moment a lot of entrepreneurship activities are built around the CBN or the BOI and several other banks, but we think that we need to devote a whole financial institution to look at how to develop entrepreneurship and how to encourage small and medium size enterprises.

In the past three days, you have been taught by some of the best in various businesses, most of them with very compelling stories. The subtext of every one of the testimonies you have heard is that it doesn’t matter what challenges you face, with steadfastness, courage and innovation your business will succeed.

Let me add to your store of ideas. If you have what everyone is looking for you will succeed. What are people looking for? I will tell you three things that everybody is looking for.

The first is: People love excellence, even if they themselves are not excellent or cannot produce excellent things, they want excellence. A well-crafted work; well-laid tiles, (if you lay tiles); well-tailored clothes, (if you are designer); straight lines in a building, if you are a builder, it entails spending time, bringing whatever you do to a level of excellence. Excellence is the difference between great success and the ordinary.



Two: People want trustworthy individuals to do business with. Everybody wants to do business with a man or woman of integrity. So, ensure you can be trusted. A man or woman who you can entrust with money and who will not steal it or cheat you, those kinds of people are the long distance runners, they always make it to the end. Once you can be trusted you have opened the doors of great opportunities.

Finally, people are in search of hardworking persons, people who make no excuses for late delivery, or non-performance. There is nothing more annoying than a person who is offering a service and is full of excuses for not delivering the job promptly.

If you have these three attributes, I guarantee you that money will run after you, for the world is in search of men and women of excellence, integrity and hard work.

We truly believe that our nation is as strong and prosperous as those of you in this room, your skills, talents and hardwork are what nations require to become great. And so, we are deliberate in evolving plans, programmes and initiatives to promote youth development.

I understand that today, 10 of you will be walking away from this Summit with N1 million each, courtesy of the Federal Government of Nigeria and 12 months Personal Mentorship Programme courtesy of the Tony Elumelu Foundation. Another 10 will win 12 months Mentorship Programme (bringing the total to 20 mentorships).

In the area of skills acquisition, the best 7 in skills set, will win the sum of N200, 000 each, courtesy of the Federal Government, to help kick- start your businesses.



I congratulate all the winners and commend all of you for recognizing the need for continuous education and networking for business success. Let me sincerely thank the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the Heirs Holdings for their support in this programme, the mentors they provided to judge the submissions and hand-hold 20 businesses for the next 12 months.

We are also grateful to the Jimi Tewe Company, for the line-up of great young Nigerians who have excelled in various businesses and that have poured themselves without holding back into you all, for the growth of our nation. So also Eventti Planners for the coordination and logistics of pulling this off.

Let me also specially commend the 2019 Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in particular for this very important initiative.

To all our young entrepreneurs and business people, I wish you good fortune and God’s favour as you grow your businesses to the next level.

Governors praise Osinbajo’s leadership, problem-solving skills

Vice President Osinbajo has been commended for his excellent leadership skill as the NEC chairman - The governors said the vice president treated everybody equally regardless of their political parties - Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria was listed as one of the successes recorded by the NEC Governors have described Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as a man with great leadership skill as the chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC).

Osinbajo, who presided over the NEC on Thursday, May 24, appreciated members of the council, which included the whole governors of the federation and governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for their cooperation, The Nation reports. The vice president said that they were committed to socio-economic development irrespective of their political party affiliations.

Nasir El-Rufai, Kaduna state governor, and other members of the council praised the vice president for his humility and great leadership style. Abdulfatah Ahmed, the Kwara state governor, also noted that Osinbajo “led a strong team through various areas requiring attention in the economy. He made robust efforts in security giving direction, confidence and comfort.” Kashim Shettima, the governor of Borno state, said the second citizen of the country gave everyone a good sense of belonging, while Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos state governor, said he gave council a sense of purpose.

Udom Emmanuel, Akwa Ibom state governor, said the ease of doing business in Nigeria was improved with the leadership quality of the council. “Governors never had cause to be known by party lines, because VP provided quality leadership and encouraged freedom of expression. He accommodated every comment made, contributions in the past four years. “The Unity in the council is unprecedented. He showed concern during the pipeline vandalism, brought peace and happiness in the region and his visit back then is still fresh in their memories. “Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria is also a success recorded by the Council,” he said.

1. Hope for Nigerians (through the Social Investments Programmes): Vice President Yemi Osinbajo oversees what is regarded as the largest social investments programme in sub-Saharan Africa. The National Social Investment Programmes (N-SIP) comprises of the N-Power Programme, currently employing 500,000 graduates; the GEEP loans (Market Moni, FarmerMoni andTrader Moni), providing credit to over 3 million Nigerian traders, artisans and businessmen; the Home Grown School Feeding Programme, feeding over 9.5 million children in public schools in 31 states nationwide; and the Conditional Cash Transfer programme, putting disposable funds in the hands of over 300,000 of the poorest families in Nigeria.

The Social Investment Programmes are the most successful social investment programmes ever implemented in Nigeria. Designed, promoted and managed by Vice President Osinbajo, they have lifted millions of Nigerians out of poverty. Indeed, the N-SIPs are giving hope to millions of Nigerians nationwide and helping them to improve their lives.

It is not surprising that only a week ago, President Muhammadu Buhari commended him for the success of the programmes - like the World Bank and many more. The commendations are evidence of hard-work, transformational policies and dedication. They are deserved as well.

2. Improving the Economy: As a recession seemed inevitable in 2016 - giving the absence of any savings by previous administrations, falling of the price of oil in the international market, the destruction of Nigeria’s oil assets by militants, and the monotonic nature of Nigeria’s economy - Nigeria needed a team to steer the ship out of the storm. And Prof. Osinbajo provided the lead of this team.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is the head of Nigeria’s Economic Management Team. His leadership was able to bring the country out of its worst recession to hit it in decades. Since the country’s exit from the recession, he has overseen the economy grow from negative, and headed to a double digit, even beyond the predictions of the IMF and the World Bank. The journey with his captainship has been a steady and sure rise: diversification has been successfully pursued, with increased inputs now being seen from the non-oil sectors in our GDP and revenue; the country’s foreign reserves have doubled in just four years; the minimum wage increase is set for implementation despite Nigeria’s low earnings from oil; these and more show a focused, dogged, resilient and witty economic management team – led by Professor Osinbajo.

The Niger Delta New Vision, which is the blueprint of the Buhari administration to develop the Niger Delta, is being spearheaded by the Vice President on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari. His leadership and forthrightness to ensure development was clear for all to see during his tour of the region and meetings with Niger Delta elders. Osinbajo’s leadership acumen has not only helped rebuild the trust of many who had been skeptical of the Federal Government’s New Vision, it has also contributed in no small measure to the peace and stability in the region. This has greatly helped to improve oil revenue that had suffered greatly from past restiveness, and so the country’s economy.

Also, the Vice President is chair of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), which was inaugurated in July 2016, as the administration's flagship initiative to reform the business environment, attract investment and diversify the economy to reduce the nation's reliance on oil. Since its setup, PEBEC has spearheaded reforms that have improved the nation’s economic environment through its Ease of Doing Business reforms. This ensured Nigeria moved up 24 places on the World bank’s Ease of Doing business index and earned the country commendation as one of the top 10 reforming economies in the world. Also, the Vice President has helped launch the administration’s Energizing Economies project which provides solar power to markets and economic clusters for small businesses and petty traders and so, drives economic growth.


3. Leadership: Seen as youthful, agile, contemporary and versatile, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo stands out as the significant link between Nigeria’s young population to the President Buhari administration. And he doesn’t stop at that. He is a mentor to hundreds of young Nigerians through his platform, Act Now Group. His aides are comprised mostly of a tech-savvy generation of young upwardly mobile youths. Osinbajo gladly welcomes opportunities to mentor young people to become excellent in their respective fields and contribute their quota to nation-building. He walks the talks and is a bridge-builder, for both the young and old generations.

As Nigeria’s number two citizen he has taken positions that prove his deft appreciation of leadership: he took the role of mending the fence of feuding members of his party APC. As Acting President, he took hefty but pertinent decisions: he appointed a Chief Justice where there was a vacuum, he unflinchingly sacked a recalcitrant head of Nigeria’s security services, he signed Executive Orders to improve Nigeria’s business community. As a lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, he is a leader of thoughts who has left indelible marks of astute thoughts in Nigeria’s jurisprudential space. His prominent role as Head of Nigeria’s Economic Management Team needs no second mention.

Just recently, in demonstration of true leadership, the Vice President temporarily delayed his trip to the airport for an official assignment to engage with some Abuja residents protesting on the highway over alleged land grabbing by members of the Nigerian Army. He subsequently met with leaders of the community and also Nigerian Army to ensure the issues are resolved amicably. Osinbajo has displayed such exemplary leadership on many occasions.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo means leadership to Nigeria today – cutting across professions, ethnic groups and age demographics.

3. Bringing people closer to government: From Oyo to Owerri, Maiduguri to Yenagoa, everywhere he goes, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has a way with people that instantly magnets them to his inborn charm and aura of personality. Whether in the wide corridors of power, in the narrow passages in marketplaces or wading through flooded areas around Nigeria, Professor Osinbajo is at home with both the high and mighty, as well as the low and ordinary Nigerians. Simply put, Osinbajo’s deep connection with people goes deeper than the surface. It is neither for the camera or for the klieg lights or for photo-ops, just the epitome of a man whose life and career has been built on the foundations of championing social causes well before his university days, and giving back to society through his talents, skills, and resources.

Recently, during the launch of the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme in Ekiti State, the Vice President was pictured sitting with one of the schoolgirls in her classroom while the pupils enjoyed their meal. Like a dotting father, Osinbajo leaned closer to listen to what the little girl was saying at the time. Later that day, he tweeted, “She spoke, I listened. She was the boss of me today �.” It felt like a photo-op moment, but it was more than that. It succinctly captured a man devoid of airs, one who embodied the essence of true leadership driven by compassion and genuine concern for people’s welfare. Everywhere he goes, his connection with people is evident. Everywhere he goes, it is evident that people, Nigerians, simply love this man. Sometimes, the crowd is so overwhelming, that Osinbajo’s security and protocol struggle to contain them. True compassion cannot be masked in photo-ops. Osinbajo is the real deal. He brings a human face to governance like never seen before from one holding the Number 2 position in Africa’s most populous country.

At countless events, despite his busy itinerary and schedules, and retinue of security, Osinbajo takes out time to listen to a child, a young or old man or woman, who wouldn’t have had a whiff of opportunity to come close to him in any situation. He listens to everyone, regardless of status or social class. Whether it was that woman that was moved to pray for him in the market, or a group of three generations of a grateful family he visited during one of his family chats, or the excited mai suya who couldn’t believe his eyes that Nigeria’s Vice President actually stopped by his stall to engage him in a conversation and then purchase his wares, or those group of starry-eyed kids who surrounded him and listened with rapt attention, or those excited young men and women who just wanted to take selfies with this great man; Osinbajo’s deep connection with people shines through.

Osinbajo brings that quality of compassion into political leadership and governance, he goes to meet the people where they are, bringing government closer to ordinary people. He loves to be there, to feel the pulse of the people, with the people, so that he could help them to make their lives and situations better.

Nathaniel C. Adoji

UAE security operatives grill Nigeria's former VP over alleged links to terrorism financing

Security operatives in the United Arab Emirates have questioned Nigeria’s former Vice President Atiku Abubakar few days after he was placed on a watch list covering all seven emirates.

This was after the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had held a meeting with individuals known to have close links with the leadership of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP).

A joint team of counter-terrorism operatives from the UAE State Security and the Police Special unit questioned Mr Abubakar on his meeting with ISWAP facilitators at a time the Nigeria Army had raised alarm over plans by some unnamed politicians to induce terrorists with funds and logistics to derail the upcoming inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office.

A security source who confirmed to Khaleej Times that the Nigerian politician was questioned, explained that UAE operatives had to move in because of the country’s zero tolerance for terrorism.

He said: “As you know we recently put in place a counter-terrorism measure that involved monitoring and eventual blocking of illicit terror funding networks. So when we received Intel on the possible link between the former Vice president and the local IS affiliate in his country, we placed him on a terror watch list and began tracking his movement.

“We are aware of a meeting in Abu Dhabi with some people who were flown in from Senegal in a private jet and we duly invited Mr Abubakar for questioning during which he admitted that there was indeed a meeting but insisted that they were his business partners from Africa.
The security source added that the Nigerian politician who had been in Dubai for some weeks now was however not detained after the session with counter terrorism operatives.

“He was granted administrative bail but remains on our watch list because of the seriousness we take issues relating to terrorism finance ever since we entered into an agreement with the US on the matter.

“Mr Abubakar would however need security clearance before he could travel out of the UAE because he may still be required to turn up for further questioning,” he added.
It is not clear if the opposition politician was interrogated at the behest of the Nigerian authorities as the country’s Embassy officials failed to respond to email inquiries and neither did they return our correspondent’s call after they had promised to call back.

SITE, a website known for tracking global terror activities has meanwhile confirmed in an email that UAE State security operatives grilled an unnamed Nigerian politician on possible links to ISWAP.

It could not say what role Nigeria’s security officials played in the run up to the interrogation but noted that both countries have had to share several intelligence reports on the involvement of politicians in ethnic and sectarian violence in Africa’s most populous nation.

Security agents from the two countries have been working closely since the ratification of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty on tackling terrorism and illicit flow of funds signed by Crown Prince Zayed Al Nahyin and the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari when the latter visited Abu Dhabi in 2016.