EFCC Press Release

EFCC Charges CSOs to Monitor Social Investment Programmes

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has asked civil society organizations in the country to pay more attention to the implementation of social investment programmes in the country  to ensure that the benefits get to the people that the programmes are meant to serve. Wilson Uwujaren, the Commission's head of Media and Publicity, gave the charge on Tuesday September 24, 2014 in goodwill message at the 15th Anti- Corruption Situation Room organised by Human and Environmental Development Agenda, HEDA, in Kaduna, with the theme, corruption and its threat to peaceful coexistence
Mr. Uwujaren who represented the acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu observed that the Commission's anti-corruption effort was driven by an overarching commitment to peace building, by ensuring that resources meant for public good are not stolen.

He however observed that the Commission had received complaints about the implementation of the social investment schemes, noting that there was a case in the Anchor Borrowers Scheme investigated in the Gombe office of the Commission in which sand were  bagged and supplied in place of fertilizer. He said, in order not to create 'crises from a crisis situation,' it is important for civil society organizations play more active roles in tracking the implementation of the programmes so that the people can get the full benefit.

According, to him, the nation cannot afford a situation in which these programmes go the way of the Niger Delta Development Commission, an international agency whose impact is yet to be fully felt by the people of the Niger Delta despite huge resource allocation over the years.

Wilson Uwujaren
 Head, Media & Publicity
24 September, 2019

STARBOY, even if you don't want to be the next President of Nigeria, it's too late to change your mind.


You are just the right man for the job in 2023


Nigerians know you are the best


The Politicians know you are the best


But in their usual manner they like to destroy their best


But one with God is a majority


They will try to bring you down Starboy


But the more they try, the more we are convinced that you are the best man for the job after Baba


We tested your capacity, we know your capacity


Your capabilities were tested, OK


We love your loyalty to the Nation and to Baba


We understand your passion


We love your tenacity


And we know that you are genuinely commited to the development of this great nation


That is why Starboy, even if you don't want to be the next president, it is too late now


All the allegations, we know its because of your wide spread acceptability


Reason they have resolved to bring you down quickly


But Nigerians are waiting for your emergence as the flag bearer of our party the APC


The statistics favours your candidacy and they know it


That's why they needed to de-market you with lies


But their actions is like standing in front of a moving train. It will consume them and destroy them


The same Nigerians that fought and stood for/with Baba are more than ready to stand and also fight for you, Starboy


Many of the politicians thought they are very popular or that they brought Baba Buhari to power, but no! The resolve of the Nigerian people to make this country great did it. But they are yet to understand


It was the collective resolve of the Nigerian people that brought Baba to power and also sustained his government


Baba Buhari did not spend a dime to get those votes


Nigerians don't need a cent from you either


Our only demand is your genuine love for this nation. 


That is all we need and Nigerians will do the needful




May NIGERIA succeed.

TIMI FRANK’S TISSUE OF LIES
RE-Osinbajo in trouble over N90billion FIRS election fund – Timi Frank

The attention of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, has been
drawn to publication in some online and daily newspapers by a certain
Comrade Timi Frank, the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of
the All Progressives Congress (APC), who claimed that the FIRS
supported the`APC, through the  Vice President Yemi Osinbajo with a
phantom N90 billion.

The FIRS wishes to state as follows:

1.      That  the entire allegation being spread by one Frank  Timi  that
the  Federal
          Inland Revenue Service spent N90billion to fund the last election is
          mendacious, wicked, malicious and a calculated attempt to
smear the image
          of the Service and that of his Excellency, the Vice
President, Prof. Yemi
          Osinbajo. This campaign of calumny and villifying false claims are
          entirely, libellous, unfounded in fact, irresponsible and a
brazen assault
          on the integrity of the Service as a responsible and accountable
organisation and demonstrates an abysmal ignorance of the budgetary
and expenditure process of the FIRS.

2.      That in the last four years since Mr. Tunde Fowler has supervised
operations at the FIRS, the agency had not received  up to N100
billion, per annum,  as Cost of Collection from the Federation
Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC. FAAC is a public institution,
whose records are open to the public.
3.      That it is from the remittances from FAAC—which had never grossed
up to N100 billion, PER ANNUM, that FIRS pays the salary and
emoluments and trains it’s over 8000 staff, runs over 150 offices and
provides for other needs of the Service.
4.      That given the above, IT IS NOT PLAUSIBLE nor DOES IT MAKE ANY
SENSE that FIRS will commit its resources to a phantom campaign of N90
billion as suggested by Mr. Timi Frank and FIRS does not fund
political associations.
5.      That FIRS is a creation of statute and its activities are governed
by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and financials
regulations and thus, IT IS NOT PLAUSIBLE, that its funds could be
expended in such a cavalier manner as suggested by Mr. Timi Frank.
6.      That FIRS Budget and expenditure approval processes pass through
the Budget Office and the Ministry of Finance, before such are
presented to the National Assembly for Appropriation into Law. The
National Assembly committees, consisting of all parties and
inclinations exercise oversight function on all agencies of the
Federal Government to ensure agencies keep to the letters of the
Appropriation Act. Thus FIRS’ operations are subjected to
Scrutiny and close monitoring by the National Assembly, the Federation
Accounts Allocation Committee and the Ministry of Finance.

7.      It is therefore unthinkable, malicious and irresponsible for the
said Frank to insinuate or infer that N90 billion or any part thereof
could be spent illegally and without budgetary approval.


8.      It is equally alarming to note that this injurious falsehood and
blackmail could find space in our mass media without proper scrutiny
particularly with the availability of the Freedom of Information Act,
which broadly allows Nigerians access to information on expenditure of
public funds by government agencies. This all goes to show an
orchestrated and invidious decision by paid agents to discredit the
Service in order to achieve their diabolical ends, which is at
variance from the interest of Nigerians.

9.      We ask members of the public to ignore the claims of Mr. Timi
Frank, with the ignominy it deserves as the former  Deputy National
Publicity Secretary of the APC is seeking for cheap popularity and
relevance.


10.     It is in the light of the foregoing observations, the FIRS
demands an unequivocal apology from the said Mr. Timi Frank and a
well
publicised public apology in three major and leading newspapers within
the    next 24 hours. The FIRS shall pursue claims for aggravated
damages in libel and injurious falsehood against the said Mr. Frank if
he fails to meet these conditions in the next 24 hours.

11.      This invidious publication is targeted as  derailing the revenue
generation efforts for  the three  tiers of government in the nation.
This is calculated economic sabotage and hereby referred to the Office
of the Attorney General of the Federation  officially.


12.     We finally wish to assure all Nigerians that the FIRS did not spend and
           could not have spent taxpayers money for political ends.
For the avoidance
           of doubt, every kobo paid by taxpayers goes straight to the
Federation
           Account domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria and that
the FIRS does not possess the constitutional right to touch the said
account or appropriate any kobo there from to itself.

The FIRS wishes to reassure members of the public that the FIRS is a
PUBLIC TRUST, which the agency operates on behalf of Nigerians.
Taxpayers money-including the operational funds of the Service- are
sacred.  FIRS remains committed to public accountability and
transparency in the sacred mandate of tax collection and public
expenditure.







Nigerian Navy Boss *SMD Usman* Threatens Aspirants Over Race For President Of Abuja Estate Residents

The Director of Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate, at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja, Rear Admiral SMD Usman, is in an alleged plot to oppress residents and aspirants after declaring interest to contest for the President of Dantata Housing Estate Residents Association in Abuja.

SMD Usman, who allegedly own mansions in the estate located in Kubwa, Abuja, is reportedly conniving with the Chairman of the Caretaker Election Committee to ensure elections do not hold.

According to report put forward by a resident within the Estate, he narrated that the Real Admiral as the outgone President of the association, had on different occasions, called for meeting in his house but turned down by the residents. Owing to the need to re-elect new Excos for the Estate, SMD Usman, again called for another meeting at his home, which was attended by some residents. At the end of the meeting, he constituted a Caretaker Committee, headed by Alhaji Salisu Saad, to conduct election in two weeks.

While residents were awaiting date for election, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, ignored calls from residents and two days to the expiration of the set deadline, announced the last day of the two weeks period as election day.

As the D-day called, aspirants seeking to vie for position bought forms and campaigned round the residents with the expectation that election would hold on the announced date and time. However to their dismay, the committee chairman announced that the Dantata Developer wrote to the Committee to suspend the election on security grounds.
This, infuriated the Estate residents, and queried why a Developer, who has since sold and rented apartments to the residents should interfere in the activities and election of the residents.

“If truly there were security concerns as claimed by the developer, what should be done is to write to the security agency to deploy their men on the day of election so as to maintain peace and order, or invite all aspirants to the Police Station to write an undertaken, but none of these was done and the Committee Chairman expect us to belief this crap?”
Further dig revealed that Real Admiral SMD Usman, is allegedly behind the plot to stop the election exercise, raising concern what his interests are in the estate.

While it is unclear if the Nigerian military permits officers to stand for elections like this while in service, residents are beginning to express fear at the handling of the estate election by SMD Usman.

A resident, who spoke under anonymity disclosed that residents may not be able to utter their displeasure should SMD Usman finally win the race.

“It is clear that the shenanigans going on with this residents election is orchestrated by SMD Usman. It is even more crystal clear that he is in connivance with the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, who is dancing to his tunes,” she said.

Another resident who expressed her disgust at the current situation of event stressed that she won’t want a serving senior military officer to head the residents. She further questioned why a serving military officer would indicate interest in such election, saying it is “uncalled for” and “unheard of.”

An aspirant who confined in this reporter pleaded that the Nigerian Navy call Real Admiral SMD Usman to order and stop using his position to harass and oppress aspirants.

“If within an Estate, we are experiencing this undue harassment from SMD Usman, just because he wants to become President of the Estate Residents, then I think he has mistaken Dantata Estate to Sambisa Forest.

“SMD Usman claimed he wants to lead yet he is going about using boys to harass and intimidate us, we will not allow this to continue. I am using this opportunity to call on the Nigerian Navy to call SMD Usman to order and urge him to quit from this election,” the aspirant said.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Nigerian Navy proved abortive as his lines were enraged till the time of going to press.

THERE IS HOPE FOR NIGERIA, WE ARE BOUND TO SUCCEED---OSINBAJO

*Adds: Nigeria's development key to Africa

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has again stated the conviction that Nigeria has great hopes towards development and its development is key for Africa.

Prof Osinbajo said this while delivering the 8th Convocation Lecture of the Osun State University this morning in Oshogbo.

According to the Vice President "my message to you today is that there is hope. This country is bound to succeed. We will get there.

"Our founding fathers were all right even though they had not even then seen Nigeria’s true potential Nigeria. And  indeed as Nigeria goes so  does Africa."

The VP is speaking on topic: "Six Decades of Chequered Nationhood: Nigeria Still Holds Key to Africa's Development."

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

PRESS RELEASE



HOW NEC, NEWLY FORMED EAC WOULD WORK TOGETHER BY VP OSINBAJO

In response to a request for clarification by members of the National Economic Council regarding NEC’s relationship with the newly announced Economic Advisory Council, EAC, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has said both councils are for the benefit of the President.

Prof. Osinbajo spoke at the 97th NEC meeting today at the Council Chambers.
“If NEC want to be briefed regularly by the Economic Advisory Council, EAC, we will request the President to do that,” the VP explained to the Council observing that such interaction will promote synergy.

Below are highlights of NEC deliberations:

NEC (5TH IN 2019) 97TH NEC MEETING – THURSDAY, 19TH October, 2019

UPDATE ON THE NATIONAL LIVESTOCK TRANSFORMATION PLAN BY THE GOVERNOR OF EBONYI STATE, DAVE UMAHI, CHAIRMAN OF NEC TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON THE NLTP

The chairman reminded NEC that the Committee was to address the
Farmer/herder crisis
The Committee presented a National Livestock Transformation Plan 2019 – 2028.
The Plan is not targeted on only cows but a holistic strategy to address animal husbandry.
The Plan has six pillars:
Conflict Resolution
Justice and Peace
Humanitarian Relief and Early Recovery
Human Capital Development
Cross cutting issues
Economic Development
The Committee proposed an implementation guideline to guide FG and States
N100 billion has been budgeted to support the project.
FG is to contribute 80% in grant to support States, while States will contribute land, project implementation structure, personnel and 20% cost of the project.
Council Resolution
Need to look at the Trans-Human West Africa Regional Protocol – because the country cannot allow such movement of cattles without registering and monitoring them
Council emphasised the need to established the fact that NLTP is a creation of NEC and State Governors and is completely distinct from RUGA.
NEC adopted the National Livestock Transformation Plan on January 18, 2019. It is a creation of the National Economic Council.
States will determine, whether or not they are willing to participate, as FG did not impose this plan. Participation remains voluntary.
The role of the FG is to coordinate, monitor and help implement the plan.

UPDATE ON ACCOUNT

Honourable Minister of State for Budget and National Planning reported to Council that balances in the underlisted accounts as at 17th September, 2019 are as follows:
EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT (ECA) = USD 274, 583, 856 .78
STABILIZATION ACCOUNT = N23, 796, 349,487.76
DEV. NATURAL RES. ACCT FUND = N105, 135, 613, 817.27
UPDATE ON BUDGET SUPPORT LOAN FACILITY
The Honourable Minister of State also briefed in the Budget Support Facility that State Governments are expected to start servicing the loan from September 2019 and repayment is over 240 months
Council resolved that Governors should meet with the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Nigeria to sort out the details of repayment modalities and the Vice President will ensure same and ensure the meeting between the Governors, CBN and Finance Ministry in order to facilitate the speedy resolution of the matter.
UPDATE ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ENABLING BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL (PEBEC)
The Secretary of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Dr. Jumoke Oduwole gave an update on building an Enabling Business Environment. She informed Council that
There is currently a reform wave in African countries, as contained in the African Development Bank (AFDB) Economic Outlook Report released in January, 2019.
That in the 2019 World Bank ease of doing business ranking, Nigeria is ranked 146 with Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) making up to 90% of Business in Nigeria.
That the Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020, which has three broad objectives; which includes restoring growth; Investing in people and Building a competitive economy has positioned Nigeria in the path of building a competitive economy.
That PEBEC is mandated to make Nigeria’s ranking to top 100 in the 2020 World Bank Doing Business index.
Achieve the required political buy-in across all arms and levels of government.
Furthermore, she told NEC that PEBEC has in the past 3 years achieved the following:
Moved up 24 places in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business ranking
32 Nigerian states, led by Kaduna, Enugu, Abia, Lagos and Anambra states have improved in their ease of doing business environment.
An independent EODB survey adjudged Nigeria’s reforms as impactful in terms of reduction in time, cost and procedures of doing business.
REPORT OF THE AD-HOC COMMITTEE ON CRUDE OIL THEFT,
PREVENTION AND CONTROL PRESENTED BY GOVERNOR EDO STATE

-The 13 member Ad-Hoc Committee which is chaired by the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki in their report, told the Council that the Committee is constituted to address:
i. Impact of vandalism, oil theft and illegal bunkering on oil production;
ii. Effectiveness of the activities of the JTF and other Security Agencies
iii. Consider the set-up of Special Courts to prosecute offenders, among others.
The Terms of Reference of the Ad-Hoc Committee is to include:
· restoring and sustaining the three major pipelines;
· assessing the challenges and draw up a roadmap to guide further actions towards finding a lasting solution to the problem;
· co-opt individual or corporate body to facilitate the work of the Committee and update the Council regularly.
- The Ad-Hoc Committee in its findings discovered that there were losses. NNPC reported a loss of 22.64 million barrel of crude oil valued at USD 1.35 billion for 2019 half a year and possibly UDS 2.7 billion for a full year at a global oil price of USD 60 per barrel, if not checked.
- The losses were recorded on the following pipeline:
a. Nember Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) 9.2 million barrels
b. Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) 8.6 million barrels
c. Trans Forcados Pipeline (TFP) 3.96 million barrels
d. Trans Escravos Pipeline (TSEP) 877 Thousand barrels.

- Absence of governance structure for the pipeline such that no one is held accountable whenever there is a breach on the lines.
- Slow and inadequate prosecution of oil thieves, despite numerous arrests and seizures.
- Absence of petroleum products filling stations in most of its oil producing Communities that make them resort to illegal bunkering and refineries
- Huge internal and external markets of stolen crude oil which include Ghana as well as some neighboring countries.
-The Committee made the following recommendations to the Council:
i. The need to restructure the maintenance of all pipelines as a way of tackling the perpetrators of oil theft. ii. Have a legal framework that will ensure every criminal is duly prosecuted, imprisoned and all assets confiscated.
iii. Setting up Special Courts to try offenders, set-up of Legal Task Force to coordinate the prosecution of arrested offenders as well as train special judges to handle cases of oil theft.
iv. NNPC to engage the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to identify markets for the stolen products.
v. Governors of the oil producing states to step up actions to develop their communities with their 13% derivation allocation as well as implement programmes that will be impactful to make life easy for the people. They should also create employment opportunities for the youths in these regions.
vi. Propose a funding arrangement to be jointly funded by the Federal, State Governments and oil companies.

Council Resolution
Council resolve as follows:
Recommendations given will be presented to the President who is also the Minister of Petroleum for the final decision and implementation.
The Chairman of Council also asked NNPC to make a presentation to the Council on the state of PMS and smuggling across the borders.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Governors requested clarification from the Council Chairman on the relationship between NEC and the newly formed Economic Advisory Council. The Vice President explained that both Councils are advisory for the benefits of the President, while NEC is established by the Constitution. The Vice President added that NEC could be briefed regularly on the activities of the newly found EAC with the permission of the President.

Released by

‘Laolu Akande

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
19th October, 2019

Is the Vice President doing something wrong in helping the poor. Didnt God said love you neighbors as yourself? I think the VP is practicing everything he is preaching. So please drop this post and have regard for God

GidifeedNews:
A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to beg God and seek forgiveness of Nigerians over the role he played in sharing the N10,000 Tradermoni used to deceive most people before the last general elections.

Frank said Osinbajo, a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) pastor allowed himself to be used is now facing humiliation from the same people as a reward.

Reacting to the reported bitter experience the Vice President and his aides are currently facing in government, Comrade Frank, through a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, said Nigerians should not feel sorry for Prof. Osinbajo unless he apologise for being one of the major causes of the sufferings of Nigerians currently.

The Bayelsa-born activists reminded Nigerians how Osinbajo in far away New York “lied to the world that the reported cases of kidnapping in Nigeria was being exaggerated,” adding that nemesis has caught up with the Vice President.

Frank wondered how a Prof. of law will go so low to embark on the sharing of valueless N10,000 as Tradermoni in a crisis ridden economy like that of Nigeria?

“It is said that when you eat with the devil, use a long spoon, Osibanjo has been eating with the devil with his bare hands and that is why he can’t say anything to defend the masses.

“He was used to commit electoral fraud through Trader Moni, now that his services are no longer needed, he has been made irrelevant.

“For Osibandjo, it is ok for Nigerians to suffer and wallow in penury so long as he is allowed to eat with the devil. He has been rewarded for his hard work of Trader Moni by being dumped and made irrelevant.”

The statement also accused Osinbajo of ‘wicked silence when APC government abused Nigerians through wrong and clueless policies, police and military brutality that have put over 70% of Nigerians in poverty and sent some more to their early grave.

“Christians are being slaughtered by the Fulani herdsmen, yet it does not bother pastor Osibanjo. He did not issue a statement or sympathised with Christians community, not even the late redeemed female pastor that was beheaded in Abuja but now the table has turned, let him enjoy his meal with the devil.

“He should beg Nigerians and God for forgiveness otherwise more disgrace awaits him, the evil that men do, live with them.

“Osibanjo should bear his cross in silence and the cabal should also take note that every day is for the thief but one day is for the owner. Today it is Osibanjo, tomorrow may be their turn as God will weed out the evil and corrupt government very soon,” Frank stated.

Source: https://ngg.ng/2019/09/19/osinbajo-apologise-to-god-nigerians-over-tradermoni-timi-frank-says-vp-used-and-dumped-by-cabal/

You don't know anything. You poor mind.

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

Is the Vice President doing something wrong in helping the poor. Didnt God said love you neighbors as yourself? I think the VP is practicing everything he is preaching. So please drop this post and have regard for God.

TemmyT002:
Some 'rich people' do not understand what 10k can do in the lives of other people. These are the same 'rich people' who cannot give common 1k to those who really need it.
The government is doing it now and they are complaining.
Where I used to work before, I know two old women who earn 10k monthly and they have their own small houses.

#VPChairsNEC - A Throwback

NEC is the National Economic Council and is chaired by the Vice President. This is the Nigerian VP's major executive duty. Under Osinbajo, the NEC has held over 40 meetings since 2015, passing over 175 resolutions.

It was NEC under the chairmanship of the VP that approved the National Livestock Transformation Plan, a scheme aimed at putting a final solution to the infamous farmer-herder clashes.

Solution has come no more problem between farmers/herder clashes.The decision was reached during the NEC meeting presided by VP Osinbajo.

NEC approved the commissioning of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Clinics to help MSMEs with access to loans with a reasonable repayment plan and make the process of doing business easy.

The NEC passed a resolution on expanding the economy through agriculture, by disbursing over N200 billion in loans through the Anchor Borrower Programme. This is directly under the supervision of the Central Bank.

NEC under the leadership of VP Osinbajo has passed 173 resolutions in 38 meetings.

Some of the resolutions include the approval of $650 million seed funding as the Federal Government established Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund.

NEC Investing in people

The National Social Investment Programme created (N-SIP) to reduce poverty and improve livelihood of vulnerable groups such as the unemployed youths, women and children...

NEC ensured that the Federal & State govt work collaboratively to ensure sustainability of the school feeding & other social protection programmes which are:

1.N-power @npower_ng
2.National Home Grown School Feeding Programme @NHGSFP
3.Conditional Cash Transfer..
4.Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programmes
•TraderMoni
•MarketMoni
•FarmerMoni

Previously, NEC presided by Prof. Osinbajo urged prompt action in the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of terrorist acts, kidnapping and purveyors of hate speeches which birthed "community policing".

National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the establishment of Federal Project Coordinating Unit on flood prevention, mitigation and preparedness programme
after a two hours meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

NEC in 2018 presided over by Acting President Prof Osinbajo, approved the constitution of a committee to be headed by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to come up with recommendations on fresh moves to decentralise the Nigeria Police.

VP Osinbajo said there is need for more effective coordination between the security and intelligence agencies to build a security community.

REPORT INSINUATING VICE PRESIDENT DIDN'T FOLLOW DUE PROCESS IN SUPERVISION OF AGENCIES UNDER HIM IS FALSE


(Re: Buhari directs Osinbajo to seek approvals for agencies under him)


Our attention has been drawn to a sensational report by The Cable which claims that His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, has directed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, to seek approvals for agencies under him.

The report suggests, falsely, that agencies under the supervision of the Vice President do not normally comply with established rules where presidential approvals are required. 

This is obviously misleading and aims only to plant seeds of discord in the Presidency while attempting to create unnecessary national hysteria.

The agencies in question are established by law and the Vice President has always insisted on due compliance with the enabling statutes and other established regulations. 

Depending on the particular scope of activity in question, agencies may require management approval only, at the level of the Director General or Chief Executive Officer.  In this category falls the great majority of their day-to-day activities. 

However, other activities, or procurements, with value exceeding a certain threshold, require Board approval. These may get to the agency Board chaired by the Vice President. In a few cases where Presidential approval is required, the Director-General must seek such approval from the President, through the Vice President. These rules have always guided the activities of statutory agencies and the ones under the Vice President’s supervision have always been so guided.  

To claim that in the first term of the Buhari administration, agencies of government have not been complying with the provisions (of getting final approvals from the President) is false, and the attempt to suggest the Vice President’s complicity in such irregularities is simply mischievous and reprehensible.

The effective and mutually respecting relationship between the President and the Vice President is well known to Nigerians and it is futile to insinuate otherwise. 

Even though the Vice President has a statutory role as Board Chairman of some government agencies under his office, with appropriate approval limits, which often do not include contract approvals; it is ludicrous to even insinuate that a Board Chairman approves contracts.

Evidently, the Federal Executive Council, which oversees Federal Ministries and agencies of government, is chaired by the President, and it is in its purview to approve or ratify award of contracts within the prescribed threshold. 

The Vice President remains committed to the service of his fatherland and will continue to do so despite the purveyors of fake news. We urge
media organizations, as gatekeepers to uphold truth, balance, fairness and objectivity in their reports.

LAOLU AKANDE
Senior Special Assistant to the President
Office of the Vice President
Sept 17, 2019

The Media is our strong partner – VP Osinbajo


Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo says the media is a strong partner of government, as it carries out its responsibility to Nigerians.

He made the remark on Thursday night at a dinner event with representatives of media organisations in the country.

Addressing the group of journalists, which comprised of heads of both government and private media organizations, including their editors, the Vice President said: “I want to say how very thankful I am, for all support we get every day from the Press and to say that for good and for ill at all times, whether you report nicely or not so nicely, you will always be friends and partners.”

Social Media

Osinbajo said media practitioners in the country must do something about the spread of fake news, before it consumes the nation.

Making particular reference to an old video that recently went viral, where people were seen jumping through the window from a high-rise building, purported to be Nigerians based in South Africa running from xenophobic attacks, the Vice President said:

“I thought somebody in the media; may be radio, may be TV, could seize the initiative and correct the fake news. I think that we as media people, all of us are now media people on social media, print, TV must begin to do something serious about fake news before it consumes us all.”

Professor Osinbajo, who also sighted an example of how the media was awash with the story of President Muhammadu Buhari’s certificate saga form Cambridge University, admonished the media to always cross check and report the facts, to save the country the agony of believing what is wrong, only to later discover it was fake.

“Because nobody bothered to find out or didn’t want to find out, the public believed a lie for so long even after the President had brought his certificate form Cambridge West African School. So, with the anonymity of the social media, every day the problems of a free Press are becoming more and more complex and even more dangerous,” he lamented.

The Vice President, who thanked media practitioners for their support, said he has always been very fascinated by the media.

Good Job

In a good will message, President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, who was represented on the occasion, thanked the media for always supporting all arms of government, adding that the media did a very good job during the country’s general election and the election of principal officers of the 9th National Assembly.

Earlier, Secretary to Government of the Federation, (SGF) Boss Mustapha, thanked the Nigerian media for its massive support.

He noted that the Muhammadu Buhari led administration runs a very accountable and transparent government, thus laying the foundation for a sound economy.

“We have run a government that is accountable to the public by all standards. The Buhari Administration has laid a solid foundation for Nigeria’s economic development through massive investments in agriculture, power, transportation infrastructure and manufacturing. We believe that tangible investments in these priority areas will drive the nation’s economic diversification programmes, curb inflation and shore up foreign reserves,” he said.

Mustapha also highlighted the successes recorded by the administration in the fight against terrorism and corruption but solicited more support from the media, as he assured them of the needed freedom to operate in any part of the country.

He said: “The anti-corruption fight is upbeat. The control measures to tackle leakages

in public resources have saved us billions of naira, while those who stole our common patrimony are being made to return what they illegally acquired for themselves and their cronies through the legal process.

“To our media partners, I want to stress that in the determination of this administration to place Nigeria on the path of rapid growth and sustainable development, we will always count on your role as the watchdog of the society, partners in progress, and the conscience of the nation.

“The Buhari Administration will not muzzle the Press as you perform the important work of providing the public with reliable and quality information. We acknowledge that no real democracy can exist anywhere in the world without freedom of the press.”

Sincerity of Partnership

The Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, who responded on behalf of the heads of media organizations, thanked government for recognizing the contribution of the media towards sustaining democracy in the country.

He assured government of more support, as it pilots the affairs of the country.

“We have been appreciated here on three or four counts but let me mention only two; that the federal government of Nigeria, under President Muhammadu Buhari had underscored that we were one of the builders of the democracy in which we are today. This is a testimony that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government recognizes the immense role the Nigerian media is playing in the development of this country.

“The government as well, for appreciating us today has demonstrated that what we have witnessed in the past four years, that all the flowers had to blossom, that we cannot most of the time speak with one voice, that throughout history and in every country of the world, media stands to do the oversight function outside that done by the National Assembly or the parliament., that our oversight function is not out of malice but the only way to remind those in government that there are groups that are left behind and those left behind have to be covered with the commonwealth of the State,” he stated.

Mr Okechukwu thanked the Nigeran government for the honour done to media practitioners, which he said showed the sincerity of the partnership existing between government and the media.

He described the Nigerian media as one of the freest in the world, adding that the media would remain constructive in trying to advice the federal states and local governments on what it thinks is best for the nation.

The VON Director General said the media was in full support of the federal government’s decision to transmit funds meant for local governments direct to them, saying doing so will enhance development.

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

PRESS RELEASE

FG WILL TAKE 100M NIGERIANS OUT OF POVERTY IN 10 YEARS BY GOD’S GRACE, SAYS OSINBAJO

Below are excerpts of Vice President’s remarks during a visit Thursday afternoon at the palace of the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar in Kebbi State.

I want to thank you very much for hosting us today, we are here for several things; the MSMEs, look at the new markets that have been rebuilt after the fire and for some of the schemes that have taken place. One of the very important schemes is what is called the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, which has the TraderMoni and MarketMoni. TraderMoni is the scheme where we give petty traders, N10,000, and when they pay back, N15,000, then N20,000 and it goes on and on to N100,000.

The President’s desire for this programme is that every hard-working citizen of this country should be able to have some support from government, no matter how little their inventory.

Today, at the market, I passed a woman who was selling vegetables and I asked her how much her whole inventory was, the whole thing was N500. It is for such people, such petty traders that the TraderMoni N10,000 is meant, so that they can buy more.

The President has promised that by the grace of God, we are going to take 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years and I believe very strongly that we are going to achieve it, but we can only achieve it with the able support of the State Governments.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
Office of the Vice President
12th September 2019

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

TRIBUNAL JUDGMENT IS VICTORY FOR NIGERIANS, SAYS PRESIDENT BUHARI


President Muhammadu Buhari says the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on the February 23, 2019 poll, is victory for Nigerians who trooped out to overwhelmingly elect him for a second term in office.

“Good conscience fears no evil report. I was unperturbed all along, because I knew Nigerians freely gave us the mandate. We are now vindicated,” the President declares.

He dedicates the victory to God, and to Nigerians, while also commending the judiciary for “dispensing justice without fear or favour.”

President Buhari extends a hand of fellowship to those who had felt aggrieved at the outcome of the election, and went to court, noting that it was within their democratic rights.

He notes, however, that with the pronouncement of the judiciary, “it is time for the country to move forward as one cohesive body, putting behind us all bickering and potential distractions over an election in which Nigerians spoke clearly and resoundingly.”



Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
September 11, 2019

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON NATIONAL LIVESTOCK TRANSFORMATION PLAN (NLTP)

1. What is NLTP?
• A holistic plan developed from the recommendations of the extensive national policy dialogues conducted by the FMARD in 2016/17 on modernizing the livestock subsector and the findings of extensive stakeholder consultations by the National Economic Council (NEC) Farmer-Herder Crises Committee on the drivers of the conflicts in 2018.

2. What are the pillars of NLTP?
• The plan has 6 pillars in order to systematically address the concerns of livestock modernization as well as resolve farmer-herder conflicts sustainably. Pillars: Conflict Resolution, Justice and Peace, Humanitarian Relief and Early Recovery, Human Capital Development; Crosscutting Issues of (Research, Youth and Gender) and Economic Investment (cattle production along the value chains).

3. How is NLTP different from RUGA?
• NLTP was developed from recommendations based on extensive stakeholder consultations by the National Economic Council (NEC) Farmer-Herder Crises Committee on the drivers of the conflict in 2018 and the plan was approved by all 36 governors in January 2019. This is different from RUGA; the plan was to finalize on design and procurement process, before engagement with States and Local Governments for identification and provision of sites while the Ministry of Interior would be engaged to finalize the logistics and modalities of mobilizing the Agro- Rangers for the provision of security.
• While RUGA focuses only on livestock, NLTP caters to the concerns of both pastoralists and crop farmers for a mutual coexistence.
• RUGA will provide amenities such as basic water, shelter, health and security infrastructure as well as feed sources and pasture, while the NLTP addresses the concerns of livestock modernization through the following six pillars: Conflict Resolution, Justice and Peace, Humanitarian Relief and Early Recovery, Human Capital Development; Crosscutting Issues of (Research, Youth and Gender) and Economic Investment (cattle production along the value chains).

4. What is the fate of RUGA?
• RUGA has been suspended indefinitely by President Muhammadu Buhari

5. Who owns the land?
• The State governments own the lands. Federal Government will never impose themselves on State Government’s land.

6. Is this a land grab?
• No, it not.

7. Would there be any displacement of people who already occupy grazing reserve areas?
• People who already occupy the lands will not be displaced, rather there will be an agreement between them and the State Government on portions of land that can be used for ranching and crop farming. The ultimate goal is peaceful co-existence for all stakeholders.

8. Role of Federal Government?
• The co-ordination of the NLTP will be carried out at the Federal level by the NEC NLTP Steering Committee through the Project for Agriculture Coordination & Execution (PACE) Secretariat to be domiciled in the Office of the Vice President. In phase one, the PACE Secretariat will initially support the development of pilot ranches in each of the 7 pilot states (Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara). States can also opt-in with private land provisions to help shape the success of the pilot phase.


9. What is the role of Governors/States?
• Each State Governor is responsible to put in place a suitable delivery mechanism for the NLTP. Project for Agriculture Coordination & Execution (PACE) office domiciled in the Office of the Vice President, will support them. Governors would have the State Steering Committees (state livestock office) sitting in their offices and approve and manage the budgets for the state livestock project management teams (SLPMO)

10. How is this plan being implemented?
• Over 95 pilot ranches are to be built in partnership with the State Governments, private investors and development partners within gazeted grazing reserves only. 6 state governors have identified 28 gazetted grazing reserves for the project.


11. Why is Federal Government concerned about herders/livestock farmers?
• Because of the need to sustainably resolve the farmer-herder conflicts through an integrated approach that addresses the concerns of pastoralists and crop farmers.
• The need to urgently address the negative impacts of climate change on the limited resources of land, water and pasture within the grazing reserves via landscape approach that integrates crop-livestock-forestry production system.
• The urgent need to address the security, human and economic crises created by these conflicts as well as develop the human capital necessary for driving modern crop and livestock agriculture.

12. Who are the stakeholders working on NLTP?
• Federal Government, State Government, Private Investors, Pastoralists, Crops Farmers, Traditional Rulers.



13. Is NLTP for Fulanis?
• The plan does not speak of Fulani settlements, but rather how to provide focused integrated support to pastoralists and crop farmers to modernize their farming activities in an atmosphere of peace and mutual coexistence.

You're just an oponu. Tell Nigerians instead, not only Buhari. Nonsense!

Smartjeezy:
You don't mean it. Our own pastor? Buhari must to hear this...

You're asking the VP such dumb question? Is it not obvious he is seeking attention. He should have hug himself sef. That would have been more better than this article.

backnbeta:
You would have died a painful death or ended up bedridden for life if you had attempted that suicide in Netherlands

But Mr Osinbajo, what did the man take from you na?

What relevance are you to this country except bad comments. What has the VP got to do with this? You guys will just see news and comment rubbish. Is this a relevant news to now? Please you guys should go and sleep.

Davash222:
Now, osibanjo is just like a figure head. No relevance except to go share tradermoni or condolence visits.

Vice President can't be silent over nothing. This article is irrelevant as far as I am concern.

Sunofgod:
Don't worry.......osinbajo has been silenced and put back in the basement!

All these attention seekers. What relevance is this now? Mtcheew

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE



XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS: PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES REPORT OF SPECIAL ENVOY TO SOUTH AFRICA, DIRECTS ON NEXT STEPS



In the wake of the xenophobic attacks by South Africans against other Africans including Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari sent Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (DGNIA) as his Special Envoy to South Africa, to convey a Special Message to his counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa. The Special Envoy, who was in Pretoria from Thursday, 5th to Saturday, 7th September 2019 conveyed:

· The deep concern of President Buhari and Nigerians about intermittent violence against Nigerians and their property/business interests in South Africa.



· President Buhari stressed the need for South African Government to take visible measures to stop violence against citizens of brotherly African nations.



· President Buhari is worried that the recurring issue of xenophobia could negatively affect the image and standing of South Africa as one of the leading countries on the continent, if nothing is done to stop it.



· The Special Envoy conveyed the assurance of President Buhari that the Nigerian Government is ready and willing to collaborate with the South African Government to find a lasting solution to the involvement of few Nigerians in criminal activities, and to protect the lives and property of the larger groups of other law abiding Nigerians and indeed Africans in general, against all forms of attacks including xenophobia.



· President Buhari further assured that the Nigerian Government will guarantee the safety of lives, property and business interests of South Africans in Nigeria.



· On his part, President Ramaphosa agreed that the violence was most disconcerting and embarrassing, adding that his government completely rejects such acts, which undermine not only the country’s image but also its relations with brotherly African countries.



· President Ramaphosa reaffirmed his stand against criminality and committed to do everything possible to protect the rights of every Nigerian and other foreign nationals in the country.



· The Special Envoy also interfaced with his South African counterpart, where they reviewed the situation of foreign emigrants in general and Nigerians in particular. They agreed to work together to find a permanent solution to the root causes of the recurring attacks on Nigerians and their property.



· President Buhari has taken note of the report and instructed the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs to continue to engage with appropriate Authorities on the concrete measure the South African Government is expected to take.



· President Buhari has also given instruction for the immediate voluntary evacuation of all Nigerians who are willing to return home.





Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

September 9, 2019

PDP AGENTS TRAVELLED TO CAMBRIDGE TO CHECK OUT  BUHARI’S CERTIFICATE


*How they were disappointed by verification 



As the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal kicked off few months ago, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sent a team of lawyers and other party agents to the University of Cambridge to confirm the authenticity of the West African School Certificate (WASC) of President Muhammadu Buhari.

A Cambridge source said that the opposition party did not only send a delegation but also made a request seeking potential evidence, citing doubts about the authenticity of the President's WASC results.

The source said that the PDP representatives who visited Cambridge were stunned to discover that the President did write the examination, passed and were even dumbfounded when they cited the well kept records of the Cambridge University.

The source said even the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and associates requested Cambridge provide them with a confirmation of his certificate. 

“Cambridge Assessment International Education had to issue a certifying statement that indeed President Buhari sat for his examinations in 1961. It was because the institution was inundated with requests for the verification of his result.”

The source said the institution is surprised that the opposition party still claims that the President does not have a certificate even after it had demanded for it and was handed evidence.

This revelation from Cambridge is coming amid the circulation on Friday of a pre-2015 election video, slanted to give the impression that the President's certificate is still a contentious issue.

In a press statement on Friday by Oladele Peter, the Secretary of Initiative to Save Democracy (ISD) said it is sub judice for the opposition party to continue to make attempts at preempting the judgment of the Presidential Election Tribunal.

“The desperation of the PDP is frightening, very frightening to say the least. They will stop at nothing and I expect Nigerians to be aware of their antics by now. They have peddled all kind of falsehood against the President especially the claim that he does not have a certificate but have always failed."

He noted that the first attempt to ridicule the President was in 2014 before the 2015 elections, stressing that, if they have any evidence contrary to what has been presented in court and what they themselves discovered at Cambridge and which was tendered in the open court, they should present it.

“The PDP is free to present its counter-evidence if there is any but they know that there is no such document or evidence. They are only playing on the emotions of Nigerians by peddling fake news; a 2015 video deliberately slanted. It is  time Nigerians become more aware of this,” he said.

Mr Peter said it is another signal of desperation that the opposition party has even gone to the extent of populating an old video in which the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed was deliberately taken out of context.

“This is a very old video, for those of us who watch Channels TV we were stunned to see the video making the rounds, it’s old and ridiculous. If you watch the video, you will find that Mr. Mohammed never said they should pardon the President, instead he said if someone does not find his or her certificate after 53 years they could be pardoned.

According to him, "it is unbelievable how the opposition party and its backers continue to push a media campaign hoping to confuse everybody, yet in the court of law, their case was clearly shown to be hopeless and baseless."

Besides the Cambridge University Certificate the President's lawyer, Wole Olanipekun also presented in court class photos of the President and his classmates. The Cambridge University Certificate was obtained personally by the President’s Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari who travelled to the UK to secure it in mid-July.

While Malam Suleman Mai-adua, Buhari’s classmate in Katsina Provincial Secondary School presented to the court the group photograph of the school’s class six of 1961 set.

ATTACKS ON NIGERIANS RECKLESS, RUN AGAINST IDEALS SOUTH AFRICAN LEADERS FOUGHT FOR, SAYS OSINBAJO
*VP adds: the violence unfortunate, recalling Nigeria's role in pulling down apartheid

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, spoke to reporters in Kano, just now, answering questions on the xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa. Below are his verbatim comments:

"Let me say first that these recent attacks are condemnable. It is very sad and very unfortunate that the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians living in South Africa are once again being destroyed with such wantonness and with such carelessness and recklessness.

"It is unfortunate because Nigeria and Nigerians invested a great deal in the pulling down of apartheid. Besides, these acts of bigotry are entirely contrary to the very ideals that all the great South African leaders, including the present President fought for, and for which many gave their lives.

"Mr President has already spoken about this; and obviously we are very concerned and certainly intend to take this up with the authorities in South Africa in order to ensure that this sort of thing does not repeat itself. This is absolutely unacceptable and unconscionable."

Released by:

Laolu Akande,
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
Office of the Vice President
3rd September, 2019

Reno Omokri: Social Media’s Rogue And Demagogue
By Moyosore Andrews

The internet continues to shape several aspects of our lives, it has undoubtedly caused a paradigm in how we communicate and share information regardless of proximity or existence of facts. There are many benefits of the web and its role in today’s world, but it should come as no surprise that the internet has also spawned a resurgence of misinformation or what we call fake news. For a country like Nigeria where internet penetration and literacy is still low, it is becoming increasingly easy to disperse news based on ethnic, political or religious bias for the purpose of swaying judgments and emotions. The problem is that information on social media doesn’t have to be vetted, investigated, or confirmed before it escalates, and this leads to misinformation and rumors spreading like wildfire online.



Reno Omokri, an ex-aide to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is widely known for his half-baked nuggets and untruths, propagated trolling and mostly serves as the mouthpiece of the opposition on social media, although he never admits the latter. Since the emergence of the Buhari-led administration, Reno has taken a bullish approach to countering everything the government is seen to be doing and is constantly in the business of promoting hate and disinformation.



The self acclaimed author and questionable clergyman does poor work in his research and facts before taking to his Twitter account to attack the President Buhari administration with funny yet acerbic hashtags to push his narratives. He seems to have taken it upon himself to feed Nigerians with hearsay and jumps at every opportunity to discredit the government with shallow points and pure hate under the disguise of social activism. The pervasiveness of his tantrums and political bigotry on social media, from the distribution of disinformation to organized social media attacks is low and lacks dignity. But it is without doubt, that Reno is a fire starter, and many times it is always for the wrong reasons or because of his lack of constructive intellect.



Not too long ago, Reno argued on his social media platforms that the reason why President Buhari wasn’t invited to the G-7 summit was because of his “misrule and poor leadership skills”, adding that the President’s visit to Japan was meant to distract attention from a G-7 snub. Guardian was first to call out this fake news with a fact check post. Since when did Nigeria become part of the G-7? This is a gathering of the world’s super powers and they decide who they want to have partake in their meetings given global trends and issues dominating their agenda. Back in 2015, President Buhari earned a seat at that table. He was invited to engage with members of the G-7 on the pressing challenges of Nigeria especially security in the North East. Where was Mr. Omokri then? For someone who brags much about once being in the corridors of government this knowledge should have been easy stuff. It appears that there is more that he does not know - save he is being deliberately mischievous, which seems likely. But if we pretend that he does not know much about international politics and how these relationships work, he should learn these things rather than use illiterate tactics to prove his points.



Reno continues to use his social media platforms to make many unsubstantiated claims made against the government. Many unsuspecting Nigerians have unfortunately bought into his lies and falsehood without fact-checking him. His constant attack on Vice President Yemi Osinbajo does not just irritate, it questions Mr Omokri’s assumed sanity. It seems clear to any social media observer that this is his new point of duty. His latest trend, #RenoMoni, was created to mock the efforts of the Social Investment Programmes’ TraderMoni and MarketMoni. In this faux attempt to mock the genuine micro-credit scheme, he doles a few thousands to some of his followers persuading them to believing that the government’s Market and Trader Moni schemes are fake and dubious unlike his own twitter jamboree.



But just recently, the Vice President was in Nasarawa state to assess ongoing disbursements of loans and interact with the beneficiaries. During his visit, he highlighted the progress of the initiative and the government’s plan to reach more states across to country. Significant too was the testimony that more traders were paying back their loans and getting access to bigger loans. Before now, we have seen men and women tell their stories about how the program has impacted their lives and businesses. Yet Reno, who lives in California, USA is relentless about misleading people and preying on doling cheap money to his elite followers to get them to buy his faux logic.



And this is not the first or last of his shenanigans. He is well known for attacking people who are not on his side or more intellectually sound than he is. He is swift to block any one who shares the truth to his Social Media timelines. His concoctions of stories and religious sentiments are deliberate to ignite outrage and discredit others. Evidently he derives joy in pushing fallacies and harmful propaganda for attention. The same man who is quick to question other people’s integrity shies away whenever he’s called out concerning his credibility and other dubious campaigns he has been involved in.



What people like Reno Omokri fail to realize is that communication should enhance democracy, rather than endanger it. Instead of acting ignorant or tirelessly attacking the government, we should help the public air their concerns rather than manipulate them. Reno should think less of himself if he is as concerned as he wants us to believe, because rogue activism is undermining democracy, making it very hard for ordinary citizens to decipher truth from his falsehood. His constant bombardment of conspiracy theories, and other misinformation fuels cynicism, and citizen fatigue. His presence on social media has made the arena a danger zone, not because he claims to be an activist that puts government on its toes, but because he endangers truth, the most fundamental tool in information management.



Moyosore Andrews is a journalist and social media commentator.

CLOSURE OF SEME BORDER IN NATIONAL INTEREST- BMO


The recent closure of the Nigeria-Benin border has been described as a desirable measure taken by the Federal Government to save Nigeria's economy and enable the Nigerian Customs Service(NCS) restore sanity to the activities at the Seme border.

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) said in a statement in Abuja that the closure was aimed at boosting Nigeria’s economy by saving our agricultural products like rice, and enabling farmers and other manufacturer reap from their labour.

In the statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, the group noted that the closure would also help to improve the security of the country as illegal arms and ammunition are being smuggled into the country through our porous borders.

"There was no doubt that time had come for necessary measures to be taken by the Federal Government to protect Nigeria’s local manufacturers so that their products would have value and flourish without undue competition.

"It is on record that the porous borders were being used to smuggle poorly-finished goods into Nigeria and this has had adverse effects on the country."

The group said it was certain that the partial closure of the Seme border is temporary and is aimed at ensuring that the border is no longer used to smuggle all sorts of products from our neighbours into Nigeria, thereby hampering the economic well-being of the country.

It also advised critics of the border closure to note that under President Muhammadu Buhari's administration, no stone would be left unturned to ensure that sanity is restored to the porous Nigerian borders, "considering the security and economic implications they pose to the country.

"While we acknowledge that such measures come with some unavoidable inconveniences to the citizens, it is important to note that it will serve the larger interest of the country in the long run.

"Meanwhile, we enjoin Nigerians to rally round President Buhari in his efforts to save Nigeria from the illegal activities going on along our borders."

BMO recalled that Nigeria’s leading industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote had lamented the influx of smuggled goods in the country as it ‘’poses a threat to the economy and jobs of thousands of Nigerians.’’ Dangote had cited a World Bank report which put the cost of goods smuggled into the country from Benin Republic at N1.45 trillion annually.

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
PRESS RELEASE

OUR POLICY INTERACTIONS WITH BUSINESSES ESSENTIAL FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, SAYS OSINBAJO

*NECA praises VP’s disposition towards private sector

The Federal Government would continue to support the private sector as it plays an important role and contributes to the growth of the economy, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Thursday when he received a delegation from the Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association (NECA) led by its Director-General, Mr. Timothy Olawale, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

NECA is the umbrella organization of employers in the organised private sector of Nigeria to provide the forum for the Government to consult with private sector employers, especially on socio-economic and labour policy issues.

The Vice President explained the policy interactions between Government and the organized private sector, describing it as essential.

Prof. Osinbajo further said the Federal Government would keep exploring ways to improve the economy through its policies and reforms.

He said, “Our interaction is a very important one, because it is really part of our policy as a government to ensure private sector participation in the economy. We think that the private sector has a very important role. For us the private sector is essential to the growth of the economy so we must continue to encourage the private sector in every possible way.”

Prof. Osinbajo further assured that matters of concern that require government attention would be decisively tackled through the Ease of Doing Business initiatives to improve the business environment and ensure growth of local businesses.

“We want to continuously engage NECA and the private sector because it is central to what we are doing in respect to the economy,” the Vice President said.

Commending the Vice President for his leadership, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), which is chaired by the VP, and the Ease of Doing Business reforms; the NECA DG remarked that the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo was an outcome of their sterling performance in the first term.

In his remarks, the NECA DG said the organization has actively supported and championed government’s efforts at job creation, while he commended “the giant strides made by the Buhari administration in fostering an environment that is hospitable for businesses to thrive through the Ease of Doing Business initiatives.”

He said, “We specifically recognize the passion with which you (VP) have driven the relationship between government and organized businesses in the past four years through your interventions and leadership that you have provided, which have translated into the activities of PEBEC, the ERGP and the Presidential Quarterly Business Forum, which you preside over.

“We have no doubt that the solid foundation that has been laid in the first four years would be built upon and Nigeria would be better for it.”

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
Office of the Vice President
29th August, 2019

Doyin Okupe To Omokri And Others: You Are Wrong, Buhari Is Right With The Office Of The Chief Of Staff

In a short piece published by former President Goodluck Jonathan’s media aide, known for being a critic of President Buhari, Doyin Okupe lashed out on Nigerians who criticized President Buhari’s instruction to his Ministers to go through his Chief of Staff as the conduit of communication and scheduling meetings, stating that this is the right and proper way to do things.

He also takes a swipe on the Jonathan government, saying that he witnessed the shameful abuse of this administrative procedure by some persons who bypassed the Chief of Staff and went directly to the President.

Below is his write up:


MINISTERS REPORTING TO ABBA KYARI

by Doyin Okupe

I have read several comments on the above subject matter. I am amazed at the level of passion this pronouncement has generated.

The internet is a great thing. But while it brings news from every and all quarters, it also exposes ignorance from all nooks and crannies of the society.

The capacity to issue statements and posts on the internet in copious volumes help create the impression that those who write or criticise on the internet also have understanding. Yet, to be literate is not the same as being knowledgeable.

Ministers are constitutional aides of Mr President in their respective ministries. Whereas the Chief of staff is a trusted personal aide of the President and the supreme head of the administration in the Presidency.

His responsibilities include hour by hour and day to day administration of the villa and every detail of the programmes of the President. This sacred job is done exclusively by the COS or any one designated to do it on his behalf.

The office of the President is the highest office in the country and it must have strict even though elastic schedules to accommodate emergencies.

It will easily be understood that for the integrity of the schedules of Mr President, which may include diplomatic, foreign missions, organisations, institutions, bilateral talks,visitations by other heads of states, conferences and other special events, very important domestic affairs, it therefore becomes imperative that only the office of the chief of staff is designated to handle all presidential appointments to avoid confusion and shoddiness at the highest office in the land.

Any minister who is desirous of seeing the President must of necessity pass through the only official channel which supretends over schedules and appointments of Mr President.

A minister who does not know the scheduled programmes of the President for the day cannot just impose his presence on the office of the president to disrupt the plans and protocols for the day or unnecessarily divert the attention of Mr President and cause him to delay other previously planned schedules with similarly important dignitaries.

Personally I have witnessed this shameful embarrassments in the past just because we failed to go by laid down procedures. This is often too common with us politicians who considers the President as a colleague or personal friend or associate of long standing, with whom there should not be any bureaucratic barriers even in spite of his new exalted office as the head of state.

However, for the Presidency to run efficiently with a dignified administrative regime, a stratified arrangement of protocol need to be put in place and applied to those who need to see the president officially.

May be the President needed not to have announced it publicly. A simple memo from the office of the chief of staff , written clearly as a directive from Mr President would have sufficed.

I have served in the Presidency twice and I hold the above views sacrosanct.

Doyin Okupe To Omokri And Others: You Are Wrong, Buhari Is Right With The Office Of The Chief Of Staff

In a short piece published by former President Goodluck Jonathan’s media aide, known for being a critic of President Buhari, Doyin Okupe lashed out on Nigerians who criticized President Buhari’s instruction to his Ministers to go through his Chief of Staff as the conduit of communication and scheduling meetings, stating that this is the right and proper way to do things.

He also takes a swipe on the Jonathan government, saying that he witnessed the shameful abuse of this administrative procedure by some persons who bypassed the Chief of Staff and went directly to the President.

Below is his write up:


MINISTERS REPORTING TO ABBA KYARI

by Doyin Okupe

I have read several comments on the above subject matter. I am amazed at the level of passion this pronouncement has generated.

The internet is a great thing. But while it brings news from every and all quarters, it also exposes ignorance from all nooks and crannies of the society.

The capacity to issue statements and posts on the internet in copious volumes help create the impression that those who write or criticise on the internet also have understanding. Yet, to be literate is not the same as being knowledgeable.

Ministers are constitutional aides of Mr President in their respective ministries. Whereas the Chief of staff is a trusted personal aide of the President and the supreme head of the administration in the Presidency.

His responsibilities include hour by hour and day to day administration of the villa and every detail of the programmes of the President. This sacred job is done exclusively by the COS or any one designated to do it on his behalf.

The office of the President is the highest office in the country and it must have strict even though elastic schedules to accommodate emergencies.

It will easily be understood that for the integrity of the schedules of Mr President, which may include diplomatic, foreign missions, organisations, institutions, bilateral talks,visitations by other heads of states, conferences and other special events, very important domestic affairs, it therefore becomes imperative that only the office of the chief of staff is designated to handle all presidential appointments to avoid confusion and shoddiness at the highest office in the land.

Any minister who is desirous of seeing the President must of necessity pass through the only official channel which supretends over schedules and appointments of Mr President.

A minister who does not know the scheduled programmes of the President for the day cannot just impose his presence on the office of the president to disrupt the plans and protocols for the day or unnecessarily divert the attention of Mr President and cause him to delay other previously planned schedules with similarly important dignitaries.

Personally I have witnessed this shameful embarrassments in the past just because we failed to go by laid down procedures. This is often too common with us politicians who considers the President as a colleague or personal friend or associate of long standing, with whom there should not be any bureaucratic barriers even in spite of his new exalted office as the head of state.

However, for the Presidency to run efficiently with a dignified administrative regime, a stratified arrangement of protocol need to be put in place and applied to those who need to see the president officially.

May be the President needed not to have announced it publicly. A simple memo from the office of the chief of staff , written clearly as a directive from Mr President would have sufficed.

I have served in the Presidency twice and I hold the above views sacrosanct.

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 Olaleye, 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.

Osinbajo: of Federal Appointments, Near Death Experience and the trumpet of Mischief.


There is a piece circulating in the media space mocking the vice president Yomi Osinbajo of losing out in the recent ministerial list inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari. Nothing is more mischievous than the antics of meddlesome interlopers creating bad blood even where exist wonderful relationships.
To start with, the author of the above is nameless. The only inference from the silly anonymity is that he or she is unsure of the concoction passed off as an article.

It would have been needless reacting to a bilious article with an anonymous author but for the simple fact that the article which is a figment of the arid imagination of the author is capable of misleading some unsuspecting members of the public who may consider it an article of wholesale truth.

That said, it is a known fact that both Professor Yemi Osinbajo and Muhammadu Buhari ran on a joint ticket in the 2019 presidential election as vice presidential and presidential candidates on the platform of the All Progressives Congress(APC). Therefore, whatever electoral input the Vice President must have made in the course of the tortuous campaign was his own contribution to the election from which he and Buhari emerged as victors. And it was not in vain.

Perhaps if Osinbajo had not campaigned vigorously across the length and breadth of the country, selling the Next Level agenda to Nigerians while also restating the modest successes of the administration between 2015 and 2019 to the electorates, the election outcome might have gone the other way which implies that he won't be the number two man in the country today!

Besides, the near air mishap the VP and his entourage encountered in Kogi State while on a visit to campaign was part of the risks involved in any hustle. It is only those who dare to take risks who win. Osinbajo understands this aspect of life clearly and that was why he still went ahead, unencumbered by the near death experience, to carry out with the activities slated for that day. Thank goodness he did not die. He is living to enjoy the fruits of the risks he took. So let the author bury his unwanted sympathy for Osinbajo does not need the sympathy of cynics.

In case the nameless author does not know, those who are familiar with the political trajectory of the cerebral Professor of Law know that he is not a typical Nigerian politician who sees politics as a means to personal aggrandizement and thus will begin to count imaginary losses when the game is only just unravelling.

Elections are over. It's time for governance. And that exactly is what Osinbajo is doing. He has a lot on his plate already. The management of the economy virtually rests on his shoulders in addition to superintending the all-important Social Investment Policy of the Buhari administration.

If the hooded writer wants to lament because Senator Ibikunle Amosun is believed to be getting political jobs meant for Ogun State where the VP hails from for his cronies, what about the 500,000 otherwise unemployed Nigerian youth who are engaged today across the country via the N-Power Scheme which the office of the VP is driving?

What about the over 2 million petty traders and small scale business owners who are receiving collateral free, interest free loans? Is it not the same Osinbajo who is driving the programs impacting their lives? The public-spirited person that he is, the VP is not motivated to serve because of perks or largesse of office which explains why he has chosen to touch the lives of the mass majority of Nigerians through the instrumentality of the FG-driven social programs that can impact positively on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

For the education of the masked author, all federal appointments are at the mercy of the President who dispenses to whomever he is pleased with. Osinbajo is not the President and will never do anything to drag leadership and patronage distribution with his principal. A former VP who tried to take the shine off his boss is still struggling today to redeem his once illustrious political career.

By the way, as afar as Ogun State and its people are concerned, the most important political position that has a direct bearing on the lives of the citizenry is that of the Governor. It is on record that VP Osinbajo contributed significantly to the election that brought His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun to power in the state.

Osinbajo has not lost anything and is not losing anything. Just yesterday, the President ratified the appointments of those who worked with the VP between 2015 and 2019. A President who does not like his VP would have imposed unknown persons on him.

Abdullahi O Haruna Haruspice

WHY OBLA IS IN TROUBLE WITH THE PRESIDENCY


Activities and conduct of the Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel for the Recovey of Public Property, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla has been under critical review for sometime in the Presidency and his outright dismissal and prosecution is imminent, a top government official has disclosed.


Specifically the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister had earlier recommended to the Presidency, among others "that a thorough investigation be conducted into the allegations of forgery levelled against Mr. Obono-Obla," while also proposing suspending him from office."


The Presidency has also received more recently an indicting report on the Panel Chairman bordering on acts of forgery and misconduct.


According to the Office of the Attorney-General, Obla has been accused on various issues "ranging from abuse of office, intimidation and unauthorized malicious investigations, financial impropriety, administrative misconduct, and allegations of forgery/falsification or records, to mention but a few."


In fact late last year, the matter of the madate of the Panel became an issue of judicial interpretation at the Appeal Court in the case of TIJJANI MUSA TUMSAH V. FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.


In that case, the Appeal Court held that the Panel headed by Obla lacks prosecutorial powers and cannot seize properties belonging to anyone or obtain forfeiture orders against any public official.


The Court also held that the duty of the Panel upon conclusion of an investigation is to submit its report to the head of government and that the Panel, as against the conduct of the Chairman, cannot act outside its enabling Statute, the Recovery of Public Property Special Provisions Act of 1984.


Actually once when confronted with some of his alleged misconduct and other allegations, Obono-Obla pleaded profusely and was  made to sign a written undertaking to mend his ways. However, no sooner he signed that he abandoned the undertaking and continued singularly violating the law and regulations in place in the conduct of the work of the Panel.


According to an authoritative source, "following a series of violations for which he was queried, Mr. Obla submitted a written undertaking to the effect that the panel under his leadership would only act on a written mandate received from the Presidency, and will seek authorization from the Presidency to undertake fresh mandates in accordance with extant laws of the Federation."


The main grouse against the Panel Chairman was that while the Panel was supposed to investigate only cases referred to it by the government, according to the law establishing the panel, the Chairman has single-handedly taken on cases outside of its mandate and in gross violation of Rule of Law, including violations of people's fundamenetal human rights.


Said the source, "inspite of the specificity of the mandate of the Panel, the FG has been inundated with complaints against Mr. Obla. These include complaints of violation of the specific mandate of the Panel, human rights abuses and conduct unbecoming of an official of Government, which conduct and actions had a number of times subjected the Panel and the Government to ridicule.”


Matters however came to a head when the other four members of the 5-man Panel wrote a petition against Obla, asking for urgent action to curtail the "several identified unlawful conducts of the Chairman of the Panel.


According to the Panel members, while two cases involving NEXIM Bank and CBN, Finance Ministry, Nigeran Ports Authority were referred to the Panel, the Chairman single-handedly took on over 50 cases outside the mandate of the panel.


They also stated that "contrary to the fact that the Panel is an investigative panel by its enabling law, which lacks prosecutorial powers, Mr. Obla has unlawfully engaged lawyers to file charges against suspects without recourse to the Attorney-General's office."


"The man has been busy extorting money running into millions from suspects and engaged in excessive behaviour towards individuals, government agencies, private companies and even foreign missions in Nigeria," another government source noted.


For instance after an illegal secondment of over 100 policemen to himself, Chief Obla attempted to arrest the Executive Secretary of TETFUND "with a truck of mobile policemen which led to the petition written to the Attorney-General's office over the incessant illegal harassment."


Among several petitions against Obla which has caused considerable concern in the government is the one by the Human Rights Writers Association bordering on allegations of forgery of WAEC result used for admission into the Law Faculty of the University of Jos.


The Office of the Attorney-General in its recommendation to the Presidency also mentioned Obla's "unauthorized investigations of several judges initiated by Mr. Obla through the issuance of notices to them to declare their assets, an obligation which these Honorable Jugdes had hitherto complied with through the authorized agency-the Code of Conduct Bureau."


It was also stated that Obla had used the Panel to arrogate the powers and functions of the EFCC and the ICPC.


“In the circumstances, the Government is left with no choice than to review his appointment and possibly prosecute him for allegations of forgery and possibly also for criminal extortion, “ a source noted.

This is the most dumb news ever. Why call out Daddy G.O. I don't think you have home training. Iranu