*NEPZA working against direction of Buhari’s administration*

The vision of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is to make Nigeria the pre-eminent manufacturing hub in Sub-Saharan Africa and a major exporter of locally made products to West African sub-region, the rest of Africa and indeed the World.

To achieve this goal, Project MINE (Made in Nigeria for Export), a Presidential Initiative, under the supervision of the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment was developed to establish “world-class” Special Economic Zones (SEZs) across Nigeria and boost the manufacturing of ‘Made in Nigeria’ goods for export, regionally and globally.

Project MINE was designed to achieve some very important economic goals that would put Nigeria on the world map. What were the objectives of Project MINE? To increase manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP to 20%, create 1.5 million new direct jobs and generate over US$30bn annually in foreign exchange earnings by 2025, amongst others.

It was no surprise that a lot of Nigerians were elated at the establishment of Project MINE but if the manufacturing sector was going to achieve this goal, it needed a vehicle to drive the laudable export agenda.

With many projects ongoing, funds could be sparse to achieve Project MINE, so the Federal Executive Council (FEC), Economic Management Team (EMT) and Project MINE’s Steering Committee (including various stakeholders) endorsed Project MINE’s implementation strategy to use a sustainable Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to develop world-class SEZs across Nigeria.

It’s not the first time this PPP model had been used in Nigeria, other government units like Nigeria LNG, Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company Limited and Development Bank of Nigeria Limited have adopted similar PPP models.

To get the PPP into full gear, a special purpose public-private partnership (PPP) entity – Nigeria SEZ Investment Company Limited (NSEZCO) – was designed to enable institutional investors participate in Project MINE alongside the FGN, and to apply global best practices and processes to the long-term financing and development of SEZs.

In June 2018, the FEC approved NSEZCO as the vehicle for implementing Project MINE and for co-investment between the FGN, development finance institutions and other institutional investors. Given that NSEZCO is a PPP, it was incorporated at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), on 12 of June 2018 as a limited liability company under CAMA, with the FGN represented by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), holding 25% of the shares in NSEZCO at incorporation.

The remaining 75% shareholding was held in trust by A&O Secretarial Services Limited, the Company Secretaries, on behalf of Strategic Investment Partners including African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Bank of Industry Limited (BOI), Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and African Development Bank (AFDB).

With kick off in sight, the Federal Government released N14.3billion as its contribution. The money was domiciled in the account of Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) for Project MINE but then something happened.

*What Happened With NEPZA?*

For some reasons, NEPZA established by Act No. 63 of 1992 as an agency of government with responsibility for licensing Free Zones and regulating the Free Zone Scheme in Nigeria felt the need to overstep its boundaries and scurry more powers.

The agency wrote the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment quoting quoted Section 2(2) in which it falsely claimed that NSEZCO was a privately owned company that was trying to take over the functions of NEPZA. The agency urged the Senate Committee to halt the transfer of funds from its account to that of NSEZCO, the vehicle for Project MINE, even when it is on record that the money meant for Project MINE was only domiciled in the account of NEPZA on the order of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.

But it didn’t end there; NEPZA also sought some interpretation from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). In a letter dated 30 October 2018 and titled, ““Request for Legal Advise On The Propriety or otherwise of a directive to transfer funds appropriated in favour of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority for the execution of some capital projects under the 2017 and 2018 Appropriation Acts respectively into a private company’s account” the letter was signed by Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Jime, Managing Director of NEPZA.

In the letter, NEPZA raised two issues for legal advise; (i) Whether the establishment of the Nigeria Special Economic Zones Company (NSEZCO) Limited to take over the functions of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority is lawful.

(ii) Whether it is lawful for fund appropriated in favour of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority for the implementation of some capital projects in the Free Zones under the regulatory mandate of NEPZA can validly be transferred into the account of a private Limited Liability Company without any prior amendment of the respective Appropriation Acts as well as the NEPZA Act.

*Response of the Attorney General of the Federation*

The response of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation was explicit to say the least. In responding to NEPZA, the office of the AGF broke down the functions of the NSEZCO and that of NEPZA, stating categorically that, “NEPZA letter sought the advice of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation on: Whether the establishment of the Nigeria Special Economic Zones Company (NSEZCO) Limited to take over the functions of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority is lawful?

“It is imperative to state unequivocally that the NSEZCO was not established to take over the functions of NEPZA. The mandates of both entities are distinct with little or no area of overlap,” the AGF responded in its letter dated 6th February 2019.

The AGF then went further to state that, two critical factors that implicated the need for NSEZCO and they are *operational efficiency* and access to *international capital market* with limited or no direct burden on the Federal Government in like manner as NLNG.

The use of NSEZCO to implement Project MINE is to facilitate the creation of commercially-oriented, efficient and effective institutions in line with international standards.

The AGF pointed that NEPZA had claimed that “The Authority (NEPZA) shall be the *only* (the highlighted word is not part of the enactment) body corporate, with perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue and be sued in its corporate name and shall be capable of acquiring, holding, or disposing of any property movable or immovable for the purpose of carrying out its functions.”

The AGF further stated that in section 1(2), the NEPZA Act explicitly recognizes that an EPZ may be operated by any of three types of entities:
(i) public entity;
(ii) private entity; or
(iii) a combination of public and private entity.

The office of the AGF then raised a valid question in its submission, “If anything, the critical question is: were the provisions in the Appropriation Acts made for Project MINE or for NEPZA? The answer is unequivocal that the provisions were made for Project MINE. The funds were appropriated for the purposes of Project MINE, but domiciled in NEPZA at the specific request of the Honourable Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment.

*Money Domiciled in NEPZA should be appropriated to NSEZCO*

The AGF says another related question which ought to be answered is, is NEPZA the implementing entity for Project MINE? The answer is beyond doubt in the negative because the strategy for Project MINE requires a distinct vehicle that leverages the competencies of the co-investors in the vehicle, including sound governance practices and access to the international capital market to secure the success through sustainable performance. It is also needful to point out that Project MINE is not under NEPZA.

Finally, none of sections 2(2), 4(a) and 5(2) (a)-(c) of the NEPZ Acr individually or collectively give NEPZA exclusive rights to do everything relating to investing in, promoting and developing Zones inside Nigeria. If that was the case, then even Oil and Gas Export Free Zones will all be under the supervisory purview of NEPZA. Moreover, the focus of Project MINE is on Special Economic Zones – SEZs which is wider than EPZs that is the remit of NEPZA for purposes of regulation. SEZ is not coterminous with EPZ. Thus, it appears that NEPZA may have relied on a conceptual error.

AGF noted that the HMITI chose to collaborate with NEPZA in the furtherance of Project MINE. Against this backdrop, funding for Project MINE has been domiciled in NEPZA while NZESCO was in formation. In 2016, NEPZA was the domicile of the start-up grant from the President for Project MINE at the request of the HMITI. Project MINE was not a line item in the Appropriation Acts.

As a fact known to the management of NEPZA and the Budget Office of the Federation, all monies for activities of Project MINE were appropriated through NEPZA. The appropriations in 2017 and 2018 with respect to matters of Project MINE were only domiciled in NEPZA. They were not for purposes of NEPZA. NEPZA is not the implementing agency for Project MINE and the development of SEZs. Therefore, sums explicitly appropriated for SEZs under NEPZA are unequivocal indication of an understanding that NEPZA is the domicile for the appropriation and therefore should be stopped from denying this salient fact.

*NEPZA Flouting Presidential Order*
At the signing ceremony for the investment partnership between NSEZCO and its strategic investment partners on February 8, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari said: “When we decided to continue with the implementation of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan of the previous Administration and launched our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan to fast track implementation, we had a vision of Nigeria as the pre-eminent manufacturing hub in Sub-Saharan Africa and a major exporter to our immediate West African sub-region, the rest of Africa and indeed the World. Special Economic Zones have an important role to play in achieving this vision. Special Economic Zones (SEZ) offer investor friendly incentives, world-class infrastructure and ease of doing business in order to attract local and foreign investment and have been used as a catalyst for rapid and inclusive development, job creation, industrialization and diversified export earnings in several countries.”

ONNOGHEN: ANOTHER WIN FOR ANTI-GRAFT WAR - BMO



Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen’s resignation is yet another victory for the fight against corruption, and an endorsement of President Buhari’s dogged determination to cleanse the judiciary of corruption and bad eggs.



The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) described the resignation as a triumph of good over evil and a plus for the President’s unrelenting fight against corruption.



“Despite the delays, the games, the politicization and the sentiments that were unfortunately thrown into the space, truth has prevailed in this matter”, the group enthused in a statement signed by its Coordinator Niyi Akinsiju and the Secretary Cassidy Madueke.



“Justice Onnoghen’s resignation has affirmed that this was indeed not a witch-hunt, neither was it a political matter as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and indeed many naysayers had made it look like.



“This has also put to rest posters that questioned the evidence that was put forward with regards to the former Chief Justice's malfeasances, abuse of office and failure to declare his assets.



“It is, to all intents and purposes, a fitting starting point for a cleansing operation that will be the hallmark of President Buhari’s second term in office.”



BMO pointed out that the former Chief Justice has brought too much shame and disgrace to the Judiciary and the legal profession that his resignation was long overdue.



“We are of the view that this resignation is not even honourable. It was long overdue, a man who by his own admission had stated that he breached provisions of the Code of Conduct by not declaring his assets as mandated by law, should have sent in his resignation months ago.



"But he gave opposition elements the opportunity to try to ridicule President Buhari as one who was out to emasculate the judiciary, so much so that the international community bought into the unfortunate lie.



“It was so bad that the UN Special rapporteur on independence of Judges and lawyers, Diego Garcia-Sayan issued a statement lambasting the Presidency based on the disinformation spread by the opposition in collaboration with their allies.



“We are however thankful to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Code of Conduct Bureau and the Tribunal for not relenting despite the pressure by the former Chief Justice and moves to subvert the process through technicalities. The CCB remained consistent and dogged even when fake news and false media narratives tried to castigate their hard work.”



The pro-Buhari group noted that despite Justice Onnoghen’s resignation, it would be ideal for the CCB and the EFCC to pursue their cases against him to a logical conclusion.



BMO said: “This would enable the suspended CJN defend himself in a duly constituted court and give President Buhari enough ground to justify his suspension if found guilty, rather than create room for opposition elements to suggest that Justice Onnoghen was forced out of office.

“It would also send a clear signal to other bad eggs in the Judiciary about the Buhari administration’s readiness to clean the augean stable.”

REVEALED: HOW NEPZA TOP OFFICIALS PLOT TO CORNER N42BN FG FUNDS, FRUSTRATE INDUSTRIAL SCHEMES

A deliberate plot hatched by some top officials of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, NEPZA, to corner over N40 billion meant for the establishment of Special Economic Zones in the country has been unearthed, raising contrived dust over the Buhari administration’s plan to create Special Economic Zones targeted for the rapid industrialization of the country.

When recently the Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Dr. Okey Enelamah presented the ministry’s 2019 Budget details to the relevant Senate committee, questions where raised about the creation of a limited liability company with 25% FG interest, the retention of three FG officials as directors, and the allocation of government’s funds to the company.

But informed sources explained that the Senators involved were only acting on information provided by NEPZA officials to deliberately mislead them into concluding that the said funds belonged to NEPZA, and not to the limited liability company formed specifically for the purpose, ie the Nigeria Special Economic Zone Investment Company.

According to a top government official involved in what seems like a presidential review of the unfolding controversy, “the Federal Government adopted a model to speedily and rapidly develop the Special Economic Zones using a PPP model as was done in other countries like China and a number of African countries.”

Continuing, the source said, “the strategy involved the setting up of a limited liability company that included the FG and some institutional investors like African Development Bank, ADB, the African Finance Corporation, AFC, the Bank of Industry, BoI, AFREXIMBAMK, and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA in a 25% —75% FG and institutional investors ratio.

And to secure FG’S interest, three government officials were put forward in the interim as directors in line with the usual practice when such companies involving FG are set up.”

Said another industry source, “using government officials including aides is nothing to worry about since they are there to protect government interests at the take-off stage, pending when a proper board can be in place and the company ready to go full throttle.

Besides the people chosen as interim directors are those who are driving the project and are knowledgeable within the ministries involved being Finance on the one hand and Industry, Trade & Investment on the other.”

Besides, as is done elsewhere around the world, such government representative directors are not entitled to any beneficial interests in the company shares. “Bringing up the issue of these directors was simply a mudslinging attempt to mislead the public, but it has no fuel at all, considering that it is a global practice and the directors are interim and non- beneficiaries,” the source explained.

Investigations however revealed that the NEPZA immediate past Managing Director, Emmanuel Jime and the acting MD Engr. T.D Nongo, to whom Jime handed over, devised the entire plot to ensure that the N42B allocated for the development of the Special Economic Zones be controlled and disbursed by NEPZA instead of the Special Purpose Vehicle established by a Presidential directive straight from President Muhammadu Buhari’s desk.

But in order to ensure this, they needed support in the National Assembly. Said a top official of one of the investigating agencies of the government “this was how the top NEPZA hierarchy sold a carefully designed package of outright falsehood and suppression of relevant facts to the National Assembly and decided to smear the President’s plan in order to corner the funds and control disbursement of the money instead of allowing the limited liability company formed for that purpose to be in charge.”

According to that investigative agency source, “what we now know is that while Jime went to run for election in the last round of elections, for which he had to resign as NEPZA MD, the most senior officer to whom he handed over the reins of NEPZA is actually also one of the main fund-raisers/coordinators of his gubernatorial campaign.”

READ: Army wipes out Boko Haram terrorists in Damaturu

The source added that “therefore the campaign of calumny against the President’s industrial plan and against the Industry, Trade & Investment Ministry is being fueled by both Jime and Nongo. “At stake is the control of Project MINE”, – the name of the plan to speedily industrialize the country through the promotion of Made in Nigeria goods for Export, for which MINE is an acronym.

“They are both bent on controlling the N42B approved in the budget,” it was disclosed.

The NEPZA officials started with the argument that the agency is the one through which the FG can make investments in the Free Trading Zones.

So, the matter was referred to the Attorney-General of the Federation for legal advice. And it was after the AGF counseled that NEPZA was a regulatory agency and not the exclusive implementing agency for such projects that the officials, determined not to let go of the funds connived to develop a plot to smear the whole effort by raising questions and provoking sensational narratives around a model that is best global practice and that enjoys the support of major international institutional investors.

“If this were indeed fishy how do you think such institutional investors whose global operations depend mainly on their transparency and credibility be part of it, considering that the institutional investors are coming up with 75% of the money?, an industry source wondered.

Between the FG and the institutional investors, the investment company, the Nigeria Special Economic Zone Investment Company, NSEZCO, is expected to raise $500m in equity by 2023.

FOREIGN INVESTORS ARE WAITING
While many of the strategic investors have already signed on, the MINE project which the NSEZCO will be delivering has secured significant international partnerships already.

For instance Shandong Ruyi, the leading textile and garment group in China has already announced its commitment to invest $2B to the cotton, textile and garment industry for the Special Economic, (free trading) Zones the NSEZCO will put up in Abia, Kano and Lagos States.

Equally, CCCG Industrial Investment Holding Company, CIHC, of China, which is ranked 91st in Fortune 500 and is the third largest international contractor in the world, has also signed a letter of intent to invest in the forthcoming Special Economic Zone in Lekki, specifically in the areas of power, water, access roads and bridges.

“These are some of the critical and significant plans that few NEPZA officials are trying to scuttle, “ according to a government official aware of the presidential review of the controversy sparked last week when the Industry, Trade & Investment Minister briefed a Senate committee on the project.

Some of the Special Economic Zone projects are the much talked about Enyimba Economic City in Abia, the Lekki-Epe Model Industrial Park, Funtua Cotton Cluster, and several others being planned for Edo, Kwara, Sokoto, Ebonyi, and Benue States among others.

BMO TO ATIKU: SOLICITING VENEZUELA OPTION IS TREASONABLE FELONY

The security agencies have been urged to investigate the former Vice President Abubakar Atiku’s unholy romance with foreign bodies especially the United States of America, in pursuit of a mandate he never had.

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) also accused Atiku of seeking to destabilise the country in a bid to realise his failed ambition to be President.

This, it said, is the reason he had been lobbying the US authorities to recognise him as authentic President, even though he overwhelmingly lost the February 23 Presidential election to President Muhammadu Buhari.

BMO said in a statement signed by its Coordinator Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke that the step the former Vice President is taking is a treasonable act that has its dire consequences.

“We had in the past drawn attention to the desperation of the failed PDP Presidential candidate to rule Nigeria at all cost and it is becoming more obvious with his latest gambit.

“Not satisfied with pushing out cooked-up figures which he and his party claimed they got from the server of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and are using as the basis of their legal challenge at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, Alhaji Abubakar is now using lobbyists in order to con the United States to his side.

“We at BMO are not surprised because we had raised an alarm even before the election that PDP elements had been preparing ground for what they called a ‘Venezuelan option’ by instigating the international community against the President Buhari-led administration, and by raising all sorts of false alarms.

“And now that news has filtered out that Atiku has hired some prominent American lawyers to lobby the US Congress and the Executive to recognise him as President, it beggars belief that a man who rose to the position of Vice President could be engaged in acts that amount to treasonable felony, especially as the legally authorised body in election matters, INEC, declared that he lost the Presidential election," the group said.

It also pointed that some of the measures being taken by the failed Presidential candidate to win American support is the ploy that he is the man to prevent 'genocide, poverty, corruption and strife' in Nigeria.

BMO said: “We have seen how banditry has suddenly threatened to spiral out of control in Zamfara State and some other parts of North-Western Nigeria almost immediately after the election. These are places that were relatively peaceful before and during the election and which also had a reasonable turn out of voters.

“It should not be a surprise that this spectre of violence is deliberately orchestrated and coordinated as part of a game plan to make the incumbent President look helpless and win US support for the failed PDP presidential candidate who is not even known to be popular in that part of the country ".

The pro- Buhari group urged the US authorities to guard against being used by unpatriotic Nigerians to work against an election that their representative in the country had hailed as largely free and fair.

It said: “Even though Ambassador Stuart Symington had, in the run up to the election appeared to show some sympathy for the opposition, apparently based on media reports that had been deliberately skewed to present the incumbent in bad light, he was fair enough to rate the election as reasonably credible.

“We also need to remind the Americans that the main local election observer group they funded, the Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) validated Buhari’s victory as declared by INEC, using a Parallel Voter Tabulation (PVT) compiled by 3,030 observers.

“Aside from that, the European Union, UK, France and Russia have since congratulated President Buhari on his re-election with all of them hailing the process as credible and transparent.

“We now wonder why Atiku Abubakar would take his desperation to the extent of seeking a Venezuelan-style US intervention in an election that he lost overwhelmingly, and at a time he has filed a legal challenge to the outcome of the election".

BMO also urged Nigerians to be prepared to defend the mandate they freely and overwhelmingly gave to President Buhari in February.

SECURITY: WHY NIGERIANS MUST SUPPORT GOVERNMENT - BMO



There is need for Nigerians to support the various multilateral strategies of President Muhammadu Buhari in resolving the myriad of security challenges currently facing the nation.



According to the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, President Buhari and his Service Chiefs have orchestrated formidable and actionable strategies to combat the hydra-headed security challenges.



“This is clearly seen in the massive destruction and degradation of camps and logistics hubs of insurgents, bandits, and kidnappers.”



The group is of the opinion that the “Federal Government has closely studied the situation and taken careful and profound observations of the intricacies of the various scenarios before deploying intense and sustainable strategies to confront and tame these challenges.



“The Buhari-led adminstration has made huge investments in the procurement of platforms and security infrastructure with the sole objective of restoring peace, securing the country and making it a safe place for all.



“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has launched a formidable state -of-the-art Geospatial Intelligence Data Centre (GIDC). Images acquired from this hub would further enhance the gathering of actionable intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in tracking the movement of these non-state actors and would then be shared with other security agencies to deal effectively with these crises.



BMO noted that, “the synergy between the security agencies is navigating the onslaught against the criminals in a coordinated manner. NAF air assets, such as the Air Task Force (ATF) for operation Diran Mikita led to a decisive and successful blow on the bandits by OWN troops. This happenend over the weekend in Zamfara State and 25 bandits were neutralized, alongside their logistics base.



“The Federal Government is not complacent, but is actively engaged in protecting citizens and securing the country as enshrined in the Constitution of the country which the President swore to uphold, BMO stated.



“In a follow-up action from various security briefs, a Presidential directive to the Nigeria Police Force on the need for a re-evaluation of the security architecture and operational strategies was executed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP). In conjunction with sister security and intelligence agencies, ‘Operation Puff Adder’ was launched.



“Puff Adder is a holistic operation, aimed at reclaiming lost territories, securing key flash points and flushing out criminals who pose a threat to internal security across the country. Further to Operation Puff Adder, the Federal Government, acting on actionable intelligence, placed an immediate ban on mining activities in Zamfara and other red zone states and sternly threatened to revoke the license of companies found to disobey this order."



The Pro Buhari group also called on the host communities, traditional institutions, youth bodies and other relevant stakeholders to cooperate with the security agencies and assist them with credible intelligence in this endeavour. “As inhabitants in these theatre of operations - they play major roles in helping to rout these criminal elements.”



BMO urged members of the public to be wary of fake news shared on social media with the sole aim of misinformation, creating panic and overheating the polity. It also called on the public to follow the active handles of relevant security agencies online, to access the right information and warned fake news purveyors to desist from these dangerous shenanigans.

HOW AN EFFECTIVE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE CAN HELP HEALTHCARE DELIVERY IN NIGERIA, BY OSINBAJO

*Adds: Scheme Central in FG’s Next Level Plans

An effective National Health Insurance scheme remains the best panacea for the development of the health sector and an efficient healthcare delivery in the country, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Speaking while receiving a delegation of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, in his office earlier today, Prof Osinbajo said, “We have a good opportunity to do something about the National Health Insurance; it is obvious that government, both Federal Government and State Governments, cannot adequately provide healthcare for almost 200million Nigerian people.”

Citing India as an example, he mentioned that India has the most privatized healthcare system in the world, with individual States being responsible for providing healthcare.

In addition, VP Osinbajo emphasized the need for “Doctors to be remunerated properly regardless of their location, either rural or urban locations. We must find a logical way of addressing this issue.”

Continuing he said, “We must ensure that the states pick up their own part of the responsibility of providing healthcare in their States. With the National Economic Council, NEC, there is the opportunity to talk to State governors and one of the things we do is to look at the human development indices, especially for Primary Health Care.”

“There are States that are simply not doing enough and we must ensure that they step up to the plate. States must be held to account because a lot of the responsibilities are theirs.”

But he emphasized that National Health Insurance is the key in resolving a lot of the financial problems in the Health Sector, adding that this administration has made the National Health Insurance central to the plans for the healthcare system in APC’s Next Level document.

Speaking earlier, the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, mentioned the ministry’s strides in achieving the Universal Health Coverage towards the expansion of the National Health Insurance Scheme.

He thanked the Presidency for the presidential assent of the Appropriation Act, which for the first time, approved the release of the 1% for the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, and disclosed that the Ministry of Finance has released the first quarter allocation of N13.7billion.

In addition, the Minister of Health said the Basic Health Care Provision Fund would also help in fast-tracking the development of the National Health Insurance Scheme.

In his own remarks, the President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Francis Faduyile, congratulated the President and Vice President on their victory at the 2019 Presidential elections. He also acknowledged the administration’s efforts in the health sector, which includes the signing of the Residency Training Act, the release of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, as well as the recently improved Cancer Centre in Lagos University Teaching Hospital.


Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
Office of the Vice President
8th April 2019

BUHARI ADMINISTRATION REMAINS COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING NIGER DELTA - VP OSINBAJO

*Says Maritime University poised to become Centre of Excellence, as Institution celebrates 1st Matriculation ceremony
The Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, is proof of the unwavering commitment of the Buhari Administration to the development and progress of the Niger Delta.

This was stated by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, during the University's maiden Matriculation ceremony, which held on Saturday, April 6, at its take-off campus in Kurutie, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Prof. Osinbajo, who was represented at the event by Mr. Edobor Iyamu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President, on Economic matters, Office of the Vice President, noted that President Muhammadu Buhari "is a man of his words and he has made that clear over and over again with regards to the Niger Delta, in the last four years."

It would be recalled that the take-off of the Maritime University was actualized under the Buhari administration following the commencement of its operations in 2017.

The take-off of the Maritime University is in fulfilment of the Buhari administration’s commitment to develop the Niger Delta in line with its New Vision for the region.

The Vice President's speech, which was delivered by Mr. Iyamu, highlighted the determination of the Buhari administration to change the narrative of a region that had been neglected in the past.

He said, "The seriousness with which we view the Niger Delta informed the series of unprecedented engagements that resulted in the comprehensive development Plan known as the New Vision for the Niger Delta; with the goal of ensuring that the huge resources of the Delta are put to work for the good of the people of the region.

"That New Vision has guided us every step of the way, and is what has helped propel the Ogoni Clean Up to fruition, and helped birth this University in which we are gathered today."

Congratulating the management and staff of the University in his speech, Vice President then urged students of the institution to become excellent ambassadors of this University.

"I congratulate you all on the commemoration of this milestone occasion, the inaugural matriculation ceremony. Congratulations also to all of the matriculating students. As the pioneer set of students of this landmark institution, you are all standing on the threshold of history, and we rejoice with you," he noted.

"We have a vision that the Maritime University will come to be known around the world as a Centre of Excellence in Maritime matters, and a repository of expertise and knowledge on the Niger Delta," he added.

The Vice President further noted that the Federal Government is focused on developing the human capital of the Niger Delta in different sectors, noting that in the near future, the region would not only be known for its oil and gas potential, but also in the quality of its human capital resources.

"These and more are examples of how we are walking the talk in the Niger Delta region, which we view not in terms of its past, but in terms of its potential. And this is a potential that is not limited to oil and gas, but is actually focused more on the development of human capital. We are confident that the Niger Delta will sooner than later come to be defined, not by crude oil, but by the quality of its human resource, the abundance of its agriculture, its rich cultural potential, and so on," he added.

He also noted the ongoing Ogoni Clean-up/remediation efforts, the establishment of modular refineries in the Niger Delta and the Presidential Amnesty programme that has helped to maintain the peace and stability on the region, and the Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, aimed at ending gas-flaring in the region.

"And while the remediation is ongoing, there are also a lot of efforts aimed at ensuring that affected communities enjoy basic amenities like clean water, and that jobs and training opportunities are extended to them.

"Our Modular Refinery Programme is another important cornerstone of the New Vision for the Niger Delta. There are currently four modular refineries at different levels of completion, across the region.

"The Amnesty Programme has continued to receive funding and support from the Buhari Administration, because we understand just how important it is for the young people of the region. We will continue to ensure that it delivers on its mandate and responds fully to the needs and yearnings of the beneficiaries.

Prof. Osinbajo noted that the long-term impact of the administration's Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, would not just improve health and the environment, but also increase economic opportunities as it would "create jobs and wealth for citizens and communities in the region."

The Nigeria Maritime University commenced full academic activities for the 2017/2018 academic year in April, 2018, with a total of 370 students spread across 13 undergraduate programmes in three Faculties, namely: Transport, Engineering and Environmental Management.

Earlier, in her address, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Ongoebi Maureen Etebu, described the occasion as an epoch-making moment, praising the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for providing the fertile environment for the institution to come into being.

Etebu said the university is a ship set to sail, as the school now boost of three vibrant faculties.

The matriculation ceremony was held for all in-takes from the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 academic sessions.

The occasion was attended by the Acting Governor of Delta State, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro; representative of the Hon. Minister of Education; the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of the Governing Counciil, Nigeria Maritime University, Chief Timipre Sylva, Director-General/CEO, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, top government officials, traditional rulers from Gbaramatu Kingdom, amongst others.

Another highlight of the well-attended ceremony was the presentation of cash awards to some high-flying students, who have excelled in their respective course of studies, since the inception of the institution, with CGPA of 4.5 and above.

Released by:

Arukaino Umukoro
Special Assistant to the President,
Communication Projects/Niger Delta,
Office of the Vice President,
Federal Republic of Nigeria

PAY YOUR TAX WILLINGLY- BMO TASKS NIGERIAN ELITE



An appeal has gone to the Nigerian elite, especially high-net worth individuals, to be more patriotic and desist from shirking in tax payment, under whatever guise.

Making this appeal the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) said it is not proper for these “eminent” Nigerians to wait for the tax authorities to coerce them to perform their civic responsibilities.

In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, BMO said that the elite need to pay their taxes willingly and voluntarily rather than having to be coerced.

“We have a situation where people who are some of the greatest beneficiaries of government, regardless of party affiliation, are reluctant to pay taxes and levies on assets they have locally and in other jurisdictions.

“This has led the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to twice approve amnesty and immunity for defaulters who are willing to voluntarily declare those assets within a time frame, after which they would be liable to criminal prosecution and other punitive measures.

“The first was at the onset of the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) of which a sizeable number of wealthy Nigerians took full advantage of the amnesty window and for which the authorities realised N30billion.

“It also led to a five million increase in the number of tax payers in the country’s tax database which stood at twelve million before the introduction of VAIDS.

“And now, the government has made a similar offer to Nigerians with undeclared offshore assets under its Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularization Scheme (VOARS). It is almost certain that high net-worth individuals would take advantage of the immunity package to shield themselves from tax penalties on such assets,” it said.

In all these, BMO noted that the Buhari administration deserves commendation for coming up with creative initiatives to raise Nigeria’s woeful tax-to-GDP ratio to a level that is comparable to that of other countries.

This, the group said, is because it is the first administration in recent years to consider appropriate measures to improve on the country’s tax receipts.

“It is no longer news that Nigeria’s abysmal tax-to-GDP ratio, which stands at 6%, is one of the worst not only in Africa but also in the rest of the world in spite of the lifestyle choices that Nigerians are known for. Even Ghana that many are quick to compare to the country has a 16% tax-to-GDP ratio.

“And like President Buhari once said, it is not a thing of pride that a country with people who are so competitive and driven, would be one of the lowest performers in tax receipts especially among the elite.

“Is it not laughable that official records show that only about 214 Nigerians pay more than N20m in tax every year with all of them based in Lagos? How about a situation where fewer than 1,000 people pay N10m or more in tax annually? Yet this is a country with a demand for high end products and was in fact ranked as the biggest market for one of the world’s most expensive champagne!”BMO said.

The group also cautioned opposition elements against concocting and pushing false and inaccurate narrative on the Buhari administration’s move to ensure that high net-worth individuals regularise their offshore assets and pay the necessary taxes.

“We at BMO are surprised that leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said they are seeking more time to study the government’s amnesty package for Nigerians with offshore assets. This is a bit shocking considering that the party’s spokesman is used to attacking policies of the Buhari administration without fully comprehending them.

“We however know that a party that is pushing for a return to the status quo ante would find a way to attack the Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularization Scheme without a thought for the benefits that would accrue to the Nigerian state”.

BMO further urged wealthy Nigerians with assets abroad to key into the initiative and not view it as a punitive action targeted at the elite.

The UAE-based charity, Sharjah Charity International, in collaboration with the UAE Embassy in Abuja donated a wide-range of medical equipment and children’s toys to the Paediatric Department at National Hospital.

The medical equipment donated will ensure that the Paediatric Department staff has all the necessary tools needed to efficiently execute their roles in caring for sick children, while toys will serve as a distraction for the children dealing with physical ailments.

Medical equipment items donated include drug refrigerators, pulse oximeters, blood glucose devices, blood pressure monitors, thermometers, paediatric stethoscopes, gloves and cannulas which are used for administration of fluids. Various children’s toys donated to the department include play mats, bicycles, walkers, toy instruments, dolls, plastic cars, teddy bears and tricycles.

The United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Fahad Al Taffaq visited the hospital to present the gifts and meet with hospital officials including the Chief Medical Director, Dr Jafar Alunua Momoh. H.E was also given a brief tour of the recently renovated Executive private wing of the hospital and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Inpatient Paediatric ward.

This initiative is one of many ways the UAE continues to show its commitment to providing aid and assistance to those in need.

Sharjah Charity International is a voluntary humanitarian group that serves as one of many UAE charities aimed at providing support and aid to vulnerable populations.

The organization was established by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, a member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who aimed to launch a charitable edifice with a humanitarian purpose.

It was initially called Charity Association in 1989 before it was amended in 2000 to be named Sharjah Charity. Since then the organization has served 110 countries around the world, and continues to spread the culture of volunteering and humanitarian works in societies.

FG’S GOAL IS TO MOVE NIGERIA INTO TOP 100 ON 2020 WORLD BUSINESS INDEX, SAYS VP OSINBAJO

*Recounts FG’s efforts in reforming Nigeria's business environment

“In the past three years, Nigeria has implemented more than 140 reforms to make doing business in Nigeria easier. The World Bank also reported in 2018 that 32 states of Nigeria improved their Ease of Doing Business environment led by Kaduna, Enugu, Abia, Lagos and Anambra states.

“In 2019, PEBEC set a goal to move Nigeria into the top-100 on the 2020 World Bank Doing Business Index (DBI). To achieve this, we will be pursuing the continued implementation of reforms across all indicators, including the implementation of legislative reforms, specifically the passage of the new Companies and Allied Matters Act and the Omnibus Bills; the expansion of the regulatory reform program which started with NAFDAC and NAICOM; and now to include other regulators; the establishment of a National Trading Platform for ports; and the concession of our major international airports.”

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


REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, VICE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE 2ND PEBEC AWARDS, HELD AT THE STATE HOUSE BANQUET HALL, ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019


PROTOCOLS


It really is a pleasure to be here this evening to celebrate the phenomenal successes of the PEBEC and especially the reforms, but more importantly to recognize specially some of those who made it all possible. Our incredibly selfless and committed private sector partners and the sterling performance of many in the public sector.

In the past three years, Nigeria has implemented more than 140 reforms to make doing business in Nigeria easier. Some of the successful reforms include the ability to:

- Reserve a business name within 4-hours

- Complete the registration of a company within 24 hours online

- Apply for and receive approval of a visa-on-arrival electronically within 48hrs

- File and pay taxes online

- Access specialised small claims commercial courts in Lagos and Kano states.

The World Bank also reported in 2018 that 32 states of Nigeria improved their Ease of doing business environment led by Kaduna, Enugu, Abia, Lagos and Anambra states.

In 2019, PEBEC set a goal to move Nigeria into the top-100 on the 2020 World Bank Doing Business Index (DBI). To achieve this, we will be pursuing the continued implementation of reforms across all indicators, including the implementation of legislative reforms, specifically the passage of the new Companies and Allied Matters Act and the Omnibus Bills; the expansion of the regulatory reform program which started with NAFDAC and NAICOM; and now to include other regulators; the establishment of a National Trading Platform for ports; and the concession of our major international airports.

PEBEC has now commenced the fourth 60-day National Action Plan (NAP 4.0) on Ease of Doing Business. NAP 4.0 is running from the 1st of March to the 29th of April, 2019. It aims to deepen the reforms delivered over the past 3 years and drive institutionalization of the whole reform process.

We have highlighted key action items in all of the focus areas to ensure that they do not unravel, and to ensure we drive sustainability. Some of the targets achieved in the last NAP 3.0 include:

- Driving registration for utilization of the National Collateral Registry to facilitate access to credit for SMEs

- Clearance of all pending NAFDAC registration applications to improve efficiency; and

- Creation of a strengthened single joint cargo examination interface in all airports & seaports for import and export to reduce the time spent at the ports.

NAP 4.0 will focus on initiatives such as

- Enforcing compliance with SLAs across all indicators/focus areas,

- Driving the passage of the CAM Bill 2018 for improved effectiveness of company law in Nigeria (and as you have heard, what we are waiting for is the signing into law of the bill)

- Enhancing efficiency in the small claims court, and

- Enhancing the application and approval system for visas on arrival, to mention a few.

The Council will continue to work extensively with all MDAs, the National Assembly and other key stakeholders. All of us who have been involved in this incredible journey will agree that it has been both exciting and fulfilling even if admittedly sometimes frustrating. But that is the way of progress.

I congratulate you all for the great successes and thank you all for keeping faith with our joint vision. In particular we must commend the National Assembly for the great efforts they have made in ensuring the passage of very strategic and important bills. We must also commend our private sector partners who have contributed immensely to the technical output of the EBES through the secondment of professional staff to the secretariat.

Let me specially mention the KPMG Professional Services, Deloitte, Procter and Gamble, Banwo & Ighodalo, Aluko and Oyebode. The NBA-SBL was also particularly instrumental in the drafting of the omnibus bill. About 40 law firms worked pro-bono towards this effort. Our nation is truly grateful to you.

We must also specially commend the Hon. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okey Enelamah, for his focused and forthright leadership, and the incomparable and tireless Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and her team.

To the rest of us, I think we have demonstrated that the work of creating a world class environment for commerce will be done by like minds in the Nigerian private and public sectors, and these are the exceptional ladies and gentleman such as yourselves who form the PEBEC family. Well done, everyone,

Thank you and God bless you all.

Released by:

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
4th April, 2019

GOD’S GRACE DELIVERS, NOT HUMAN EFFORTS – VP OSINBAJO

REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE SPECIAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE AT THE BANQUET HALL, STATE HOUSE, ABUJA, ON MARCH 31, 2019.

PROTOCOLS


God is truly worthy of praise and thanksgiving. It is impossible to thank Him enough. I and my family, and so many of us here today have so many reasons to thank Him.

Occasionally, my wife and I reflect on how unlikely our journey here is. She frequently reminds me that all she wanted was a quiet life as one of the many families of academics living on the University campus. That was all that I promised, and that’s all that she really expected, but here we are.

If someone had said to me in 2013, “you will be campaigning across the country; attending rallies and that you would win the elections and become the Vice President of Nigeria”, I would, because I am generally polite, have said amen, but in my heart, I would have said what a crazy chap!

Anyone who knows how difficult it is to campaign for Local Government Chairman and win, will understand how difficult it is to accept that merely because someone said so, that you would be elected into any position. I’m sure many of us here today, also celebrating the success of the elections, national assembly members and governors-elect also, would accept that except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain who build it. It is impossible to know the outcomes of anything. It is the Almighty God who brings about the wonderful phase that we celebrate and thank Him for.

I realize that I have no special qualification to be here or to have enjoyed such an incredible promotion. Psalms 75:6 says for exaltation comes neither from the East nor from the West nor from the South, all the exaltations comes from God.

Psalms 75:7 says but God is the Judge; He puts down one, and He exalts another. I want to thank the Almighty God for exaltations. I want to thank Him also for all of us here present, and those believing God for exaltations. I believe the Lord God Almighty would promote you also in Jesus name.

On the 2nd of February 2019, God gave me and members of my family, friends and colleagues, even further reasons to know that if not for His mercies, we would have been consumed. We were going to Kogi for a two-day campaign tour, and then our helicopter crashed as we got in to land at Kabba. You know how it is when things happen, everybody becomes spiritual; everybody becomes a prophet, people saying why and how?

I remember in the split second when the incident occurred, for a second, there was absolute silence and nobody said anything. It was my brother who started shouting Jesus Jesus Jesus! But for a moment, there was complete silence in the helicopter.

On reflection, it occurred to me that if we had died, that is what would have happened, complete silence, nobody saying a single word. A few minutes later with all of the activities, all of us got out of the helicopter without a scratch. God is surely worthy to be praised!

I reflected over the various problems that would have occurred; the smaller problems would have been the rumours, how did it happen? Who did it? Why did they do it? With the way we are, I just felt sorry for so many people who would have been involved in conspiracy theories of things they knew absolutely nothing about. But God delivered them too because they would have had to explain themselves.

We bless the name of God that He not only wrought such a great deliverance, but that He did it in such a way that only He could take the glory. We give all the glory to Him!

I want to thank everyone who has supported in so many different ways, all through the campaigns and elections, so much support and prayers, so much love and kindness. I pray that the Almighty God would be kind to you also, you will never lack in support, you will never lack in care and affection, you will never lack the genuine prayers of those who want you to succeed in the mighty name of Jesus.

I pray that all of us will travel in aircrafts and the Almighty God will always deliver. It is by His grace that we are delivered. It is not by anything we do or we are careful not to do.

I recall that there was a gentleman who was talking about how it is always good to exercise, but another friend of ours reminded him that there was a particular gentleman who we all knew very well, who died while exercising. So I think that all we can depend on is the sheer grace of the Almighty God.

So we praise the Almighty God and I want each and every one of us who believes that the Almighty God is worthy of praise, shout one mighty halleluiah!

Thank you.

Released by:
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
Office of the Vice President
April 1, 2019

Fake News: Osinbajo Never Said Kogi Govt Will Be In Trouble


Vice President Yemi Osinbajo never said Kogi State government will be in trouble if he had died in a helicopter crash, transcript of his goodwill message has revealed.

Newspaper and online platforms had published reports that Prof. Osinbajo had claimed that the Kogi State Government would be in trouble if he had died in the helicopter crash.

Speaking at a special thanksgiving service at the Banquet Hall in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, Prof. Osinbajo thanked God for his live and for surviving the crash.


God is truly worthy of praise and thanksgiving. It is impossible to thank Him enough. I and my family, and so many of us here today have so many reasons to thank Him.

Occasionally, my wife and I reflect on how unlikely our journey here is. She frequently reminds me that all she wanted was a quiet life as one of the many families of academics living on the university campus. That was all that I promised, and that’s all that she really expected, but here we are.


If someone had said to me in 2013, “you will be campaigning across the country; attending rallies and that you would win the elections and become the Vice President of Nigeria”, I would, because I am generally polite, have said amen, but in my heart, I would have said what a crazy chap!

Anyone who knows how difficult it is to campaign for Local Government Chairman and win, will understand how difficult it is to accept that merely because someone said so, that you would be elected into any position. I’m sure many of us here today, also celebrating the success of the elections, national assembly members and governors-elect also, would accept that except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain who build it. It is impossible to know the outcomes of anything. It is the Almighty God who brings about the wonderful phase that we celebrate and thank Him for.

I realize that I have no special qualification to be here or to have enjoyed such an incredible promotion. Psalms 75:6 says for exaltation comes neither from the East nor from the West nor from the South, all the exaltations comes from God.

Psalms 75:7 says but God is the Judge; He puts down one, and He exalts another. I want to thank the Almighty God for exaltations. I want to thank Him also for all of us here present, and those believing God for exaltations. I believe the Lord God Almighty would promote you also in Jesus name.

On the 2nd of February 2019, God gave me and members of my family, friends and colleagues, even further reasons to know that if not for His mercies, we would have been consumed. We were going to Kogi for a two-day campaign tour, and then our helicopter crashed as we got in to land at Kabba. You know how it is when things happen, everybody becomes spiritual; everybody becomes a prophet, people saying why and how?

I remember in the split second when the incident occurred, for a second, there was absolute silence and nobody said anything. It was my brother who started shouting Jesus Jesus Jesus! But for a moment, there was complete silence in the helicopter.

On reflection, it occurred to me that if we had died, that is what would have happened, complete silence, nobody saying a single word. A few minutes later with all of the activities, all of us got out of the helicopter without a scratch. God is surely worthy to be praised!


I reflected over the various problems that would have occurred; the smaller problems would have been the rumours, how did it happen? Who did it? Why did they do it? With the way we are, I just felt sorry for so many people who would have been involved in conspiracy theories of things they knew absolutely nothing about. But God delivered them too because they would have had to explain themselves.

We bless the name of God that He not only wrought such a great deliverance, but that He did it in such a way that only He could take the glory. We give all the glory to Him!

I want to thank everyone who has supported in so many different ways, all through the campaigns and elections, so much support and prayers, so much love and kindness. I pray that the Almighty God would be kind to you also, you will never lack in support, you will never lack in care and affection, you will never lack the genuine prayers of those who want you to succeed in the mighty name of Jesus.

I pray that all of us will travel in aircrafts and the Almighty God will always deliver. It is by His grace that we are delivered. It is not by anything we do or we are careful not to do.

I recall that there was a gentleman who was talking about how it is always good to exercise, but another friend of ours reminded him that there was a particular gentleman who we all knew very well, who died while exercising. So I think that all we can depend on is the sheer grace of the Almighty God.

So we praise the Almighty God and I want each and every one of us who believes that the Almighty God is worthy of praise, shout one mighty halleluiah!

My Allegiance Is Supreme - *Sen. Lawan*

One of the front line aspirants for the position of Senate President in the impending 9th Assembly, Senator Ahmed Lawan has declared that his allegiance to the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is supreme.

Speaking to his supporters and associates in Abuja last night, Sen. Lawan reiterate his resolve to remain steadfast in obeying the directives of both Asiwaju Tinubu and the party chairman, Comrade Adam Oshiomole, who he described as the pillars of his campaign for the Senate Presidency.

"I should tell you that my allegiance as Senate President would be fully to Asiwaju and our party chairman. My allegiance to these two will be Supreme considering their strong devotion and support for my campaign for the office. I therefore urge all of you to remain prayerful as I'm confident that we've already secured the support of the two most important determinants of victory in the contest", Senator Lawan said.

WHAT WE MUST DO TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES FACING LEGAL PROFESSION IN NIGERIA, BY VP OSINBAJO


The adoption of a set of reforms that are hinged on reclaiming the traditions of virtuous ethics and entrenching personal and corporate integrity, among other things, are some of the requisites for addressing the many challenges facing the legal profession in Nigeria, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

The Vice President stated this in Abuja at the Body of Bencher Award Night where he was preferred to the prestigious rank of Life Bencher.


According to him, “the weaknesses that have recently been exposed in our profession, as disturbing as they are, have at the same time provided us great opportunity for deep introspection and self-assessment. This is an opportunity for reform and reclaim of that tradition of virtuous ethics; a tradition of moral inquiry and doggedness in the dispassionate and impartial application of law no matter whose ox is gored.

“Our professional practice and the courts must always measure up to the moral, ethical and statutory standards we subscribed to. Whether we sit at the Bar or on the Bench, we bear the responsibility for a fair and just society; a free, fair and impartial justice system that ushers in progressive reforms in governance and protects the social structure of our nation.”

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


REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, THE VICE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE BODY OF BENCHERS AWARD NIGHT HELD AT THE NATIONAL JUDICIAL INSTITUTE, ABUJA ON FRIDAY MARCH 29, 2019.
PROTOCOLS
It is a special privilege to be here at this special dinner with some of the brightest and best in our profession and many, whose contributions have decisively shaped the destiny of our profession and even our nation.

I would like to, first, commend this Body for the extraordinary leadership it has provided over the years. As the gateway for access into the Nigerian Bar and as the custodian of our ethics and values, this Body has borne the enormous responsibility of being the conscience, arbiter, judge and interlocutor for the legal profession and our administration of justice system.

I am deeply honoured to have been preferred to the prestigious rank of Life Bencher. It is humbling, but also exciting to be reminded that one still has more to offer. I owe gratitude to the remarkable men and women - teachers, mentors, partners and students, who have contributed to my professional experience. I accept this honour as a call to greater responsibility.

Perhaps, one should also seize this opportunity to salute all distinguished colleagues, seniors and juniors alike, who have internalised the application of the rule of law in the most difficult circumstances; stood for the helpless through advocacy; demanded transparency and accountability in all spheres; and pushed for positive reforms in the advancement of not just our system of justice, but also all the ramparts upon which our democracy is built, alongside our nationhood and common patrimony.

Today, our profession stands at a critical cross-road. Yet, the different possible paths that we could take have, to my mind, never been as clear as they are today. One path is the path of business as usual which of course means that we will face the extinction of our credibility soon enough.
The other is the path of renewal, the right path, a more courageous even if more difficult path.

The weaknesses that have recently been exposed in our profession, as disturbing as they are, have at the same time provided us great opportunity for deep introspection and self-assessment. This is an opportunity for reform and reclaim of that tradition of virtuous ethics; a tradition of moral inquiry and doggedness in the dispassionate and impartial application of law no matter whose ox is gored.

We owe the young and aspiring lawyers the duty to set the ground rules right and to lead by example. We also, as custodians of the law, owe our nation, at the very least, the duty to ensure the proper functioning of the justice system. Our professional practice and the courts must always measure up to the moral, ethical and statutory standards we subscribed to. Whether we sit at the Bar or on the Bench, we bear the responsibility for a fair and just society; a free, fair and impartial justice system that ushers in progressive reforms in governance and protects the social structure of our nation.

Our everyday practice of law has the potential to either strengthen or weaken our democratic values and institutions. The 'learned' that everyone ascribes to us, suggests amongst other attributes that we are- skilled not only in the art of our trade/calling, but also in the mechanics of a just society. That just society cannot be established by mere wishes or rhetoric. It can only be by deliberate action and sacrifice especially of those of us to whom our profession has so generously conferred membership of its highest body.

My Lords, distinguished members of the Body of Benchers: Our greatest debt at this point in our lives and careers is to the future. The future of this profession that has been so kind and generous to us and to this society that has yielded leadership at various levels to us. That debt is one which we must discharge faithfully. First by being worthy mentors to an ever growing number of legal practitioners, but more importantly by fearlessly insisting that the bedrock of justice and the rule of law is personal and corporate integrity.

I congratulate all the honorees tonight. An award from the most distinguished body of our profession is worthy of commendation indeed. I pray that you will go from glory to glory.
I thank you all.

Released by
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
30th March 2019

Ahmed Lawan: Before PMB Crowns An Enemy, By Abdullahi Suleiman

As the lobbying and skimming for the office of the Senate President in the 9th Assembly begins, the news of President Mohammadu Buhari backing a certain Senator Ahmed Lawan is one that should worry any progressive-minded individual who loves President Buhari and wants him to be successful in establishing a lasting legacy.

Perhaps those who are marketing Senator Lawan to President Buhari only mentioned the fact that he is a ranking senator with lengthy years of legislative experience. They also must certainly have reiterated his deceptive simplicity as a unique selling point. But that is as far as the good side of Lawal goes. Yet, anybody who wants to be first and among equals, especially in a volatile and combustible place like the senate with 109 members, needs a lot more to succeed.

To begin with, President Buhari is being sold a dummy with the image created of Senator Lawal as an open-minded individual who will provide the necessary legislative support in order to accelerate government programmes and policies. The truth, which has been cleverly hidden from Mr. President, is that Senator Lawal is merely a front for his masters who see him as a competent instrument to hold in case they lose favor in the sight of the President. Senator Lawal is merely contesting for the Senate President position on behalf of both Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the APC Chairman, Comrade Adam Oshiomole.

Although this is one of the best kept secrets since after the re-election of President Buhari for second term; insiders who are privy to the thinking and plans of Asiwaju Tinubu have shared this information with a number of people believed to be close to Mr. President. Whether or not the information has reached the President himself is an entirely new issue. However, for the unconditional love some of us have for PMB; I have taken it upon myself to warn the Presidency of the danger ahead of its chosen path with Lawal.

Information I have gathered from reliable sources within Asiwaju Tinubu camp indicates that Jagaban is not feeling secure since after the election. He felt that his inability to impressively deliver the South West for APC in the 2019 presidential election has significantly lowered his standing before President Buhari. He also suspects that PMB may begin to disengage from him immediately after his swearing in for second term in May. The absence of President Buhari at the yearly Bola Tinubu colloquium held yesterday, 28th March, 2019, even though the event took place in Abuja; was cited by some of Tinubu’s close political allies as a sign that Buhari is beginning to show Jagaban the red flag. To therefore prepare for what my source called ‘the imminent war’, Chief Bola Tinubu has decided to place the control of National Assembly firmly in the hands of his longtime associate, Senator Ahmed Lawan.

Already, Tinubu has secured the backing and cooperation of the party’s national chairman, Comrade Adam Oshiomole who has taken it upon himself to play the devil’s advocate around President Buhari while at the same time marketing the candidacy of Lawan to as many members of the party’s NWC as possible. The truth, which I have validated from more than three of my usually reliable sources, is that Tinubu is in alliance with Oshiomole to plant Senator Ahmed Lawan as the Senate President as a plan B option in case President Buhari begins to show Tinubu cold shoulders.

In desperation, Senator Lawan, who has been in the National Assembly since 1999, first as a member of House of Representatives and in the Senate since 2007 to date; has pledged to serve the interest of Tinubu and Oshiomole, two southerners who will not be affected by any irresponsible act that Senator Lawal may perpetrate when and if he becomes the President of the Senate. For someone like Senator Lawal who has been in the Senate for almost twenty years without any verifiable benefit to his constituency in Yobe State; pandering to the dictates of Tinubu and Oshiomole would not be a challenging thing to do. Moreover, Senator Lawal himself has told his associates that if he succeed in becoming the Senate President; then all praises and thanks should go to Asiwaju Tinubu who has committed himself to getting him (Lawan) into that office since 2015.

Indeed, the Senate President position is zoned to the North East. But of what benefit will a Senator Lawan be to the zone if he is micromanaged by southerners? Again, it is not as if Lawal’s long years in the senate have translate to deep experience; if one remembers that as Chairman of the 7th Senate Committee on public finance, all the financial atrocities that Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as CBN governor alleged under Goodluck Jonathan was traced back to the same Senator Ahmed Lawan. What would therefore be the justification for a PMB whose singular trademark is integrity to now be seen openly endorsing and canvassing for a tainted man to lead the senate. This is not something I think President Buhari can justify either to himself or his conscience.

If President Buhari is looking for a strong character to manage the senate, he needs to look beyond an enemy presently disguised as friend. If for any reason Lawal becomes the senate president, then PMB must know that he has handed over the legislative arm of government to Tinubu to control as he deem fit. If that happens, I guarantee that it is a gaffe that President Buhari would come back to regret in no distant time. I pray God opens the inner eyes of the President and his men to see beyond the dummies that is being sold to them about Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan.

*Moving on with TraderMoni*

The last 4 months really brought TraderMoni up close and personal to Nigerians at home, and even those abroad. This was because the main opposition party went to great lengths to describe the scheme as vote buying, alleging that the Vice President himself was doling out the said funds to the market women.

Now that the elections are almost over, the new rumours they are pushing around is that Prof. Osinbajo has suspended the scheme.

When stories like these start to make the rounds, one is initially tempted to just ignore, rather than help the ignorant drive up their traffic. However, when notable institutions like Punch Newspapers in the name of driving traffic to their site, decide to publish a story with such falsehoods and other absurdities, it becomes pertinent to exhume the truth for the people to see.

The notion that our media houses got fat on *brown envelope* journalism is well documented and as such, most of them don't really like the Buhari-Osinbajo stance of not "sharing the money".

Why that would now leave such deep-rooted institutions as Punch Newspapers and Thisday Newspapers to continually churn out stories with the aim of misleading the populace and smearing the person of the vice president is quite unreasonable and alarming.

Seeing as TraderMoni as a scheme was passed along side with its siblings MarketMoni and Anchor Borrowers Scheme, all were approved by the National assembly before their commencement, it will take more than the whims of the Vice President to actually suspend or stop the program.

What a lot of persons fail to realise is that the VP during his TraderMoni tours which seemed to coincide with the campaign season was only performing his duties as supervising minister to ensure that all federal government policies were being carried out as appropriate.

This is similar to the task he was again saddled with after the FEC meeting on the 20th of March 2019, to audit all policies enacted in the last 8 years and give a status report so that the federal government will know how to adequately move forward in the next dispensation.

So for final clarification purposes, TraderMoni which has never been suspended at any time since its inauguration, was approved by the 8th general assembly. It is fully handled by the Bank of Industry, and has since recorded 30000 new beneficiaries after the 2019 presidential elections.

The roles and powers of the vice president with respect to the scheme are only supervisory to ensure total compliance to the policies as stipulated and implemented by the federal government.

SENATOR OJUDU CONDEMNS PUNCH OVER FAKE NEWS



Contrary to the false publications by Punch online that the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has suspended his Tradermoni tour, the Senator representing Ekiti Central and also the Special Adviser to the President on Political matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu has openly debunked the rumor currently being circulated by the media house.



According to him, "this is falsehood, a man (Professor Osinbajo) who for three months traveled round the country campaigning, in the course of which he was involved in helicopter crash, went through an election which is not even over as there are supplementary elections in six states this weekend".



"Mr President has also made him the coordinator of a Committee to audit all the projects embarked upon by this administration and yesterday he and the President were in the Federal executive Council meeting from 9.00am till 6.00 pm and you are condemning him for not going to the market", he stated further.



Senator Ojudu also noted that, "Some other men would have gone to seek rest in some far away land, this we have asked him to do and he said there is so much to do here".



While stressing on the selfless nature of Prof Yemi Osinbajo, he said "Be rest assured that Osinbajo will never abandon the people, whether in the market, on the street or on the farm.It is who he is, the caring academics , pastor and politician".



Finally, Senator Ojudu condemned the Punch newspaper for pushing out a false narrative and also losing its credibility over time as they're now recently more involved in propaganda.



He said, "Our Punch, the Punch we adore is becoming something else. May our gold not rot".

30,000 PETTY TRADERS HAVE RECEIVED TRADER MONI LOANS SINCE AFTER ELECTIONS


*With repayments, some have started collecting 2nd (improved) loans of N15, 000

Contrary to speculations in some quarters, the TraderMoni scheme and other GEEP micro-credit products (MarketMoni and FarmerMoni) – a component of the Buhari administration’s Social Investment Programme, are still very much in operation, Mr Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the President (Office of the Vice President), has said.

Mr Akande disclosed this in a progress report on the GEEP micro-credit products (TraderMoni, MarketMoni, and FarmerMoni).

According to him, “So far, a target of 30,000 minimum beneficiaries per state has been achieved in majority of the 36 states and FCT since after the national and state polls."


Besides, he added that "what the implementing agency has been doing since the last phase of disbursements is generating the balance of program funding while ramping up on the states with shortages."

“Consequently, disbursements have continued to happen in the states; for instance, we have had over 28,000 disbursements across 10 states since after the elections. Our priority is ramping up these numbers in the balance of states before we move to phase two of the program after detailed reviews and structural enhancements for larger scale. Under the Next Level agenda, Trader Moni loans will target ten million petty traders, a significant ramp up from the initial target of two million beneficiaries.

On the role of the Ministry for Industry, Trade and Investment in the implementation of the scheme, he said, “it is actively involved in the project.”

Mr Akande said, “that ministry is, in fact the oversighting Ministry of Bank of Industry, which is the deploying agency. The office of the Minister executes the GEEP program via the Bank of Industry.

“The governance structure of GEEP includes the office of the Vice President (National Social Investment Office), The Ministry of Trade and Investment, and the Bank of Industry.”

Speaking on measures adopted to enhance repayments, the Presidential Media Aide said GEEP has pioneered innovative solutions to drive repayment compliance.

“Working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), we successfully piloted the concept of the BVN as digital collateral; and we saw repayment go up significantly on the MarketMoni and FarmerMoni loans.

“For TraderMoni, beneficiaries can pay back at any commercial bank in the country just like a NEPA or WAEC bill; all they need to provide the bank teller with is their phone number. We also developed and successfully piloted scratch cards as a repayment option for beneficiaries who stay kilometres away from the nearest banks in their community. The cards are loaded the same way Telco recharge cards are loaded, thus requiring no new learning curve.

“This improved repayment received compliance to the extent that in January, the Bank of Industry began second level disbursements - disbursements of N15,000 - to beneficiaries in Lagos, Borno, Ogun and Oyo states for trader who had successfully paid back their first N10,000 loans,” Mr Akande disclosed.

According to him, “GEEP's vision (in the long term) remains to empower the over 30 million MSMEs in Nigeria with interest-free, collateral-free loans.”

The GEEP programme, a component of the Buhari administration’s Social Investment Programme (SIP) has since inception about two years ago, impacted many lives, improved living conditions and expanded opportunities for ordinary Nigerians to do petty trading as well as small and medium scale businesses.

Under the Trader Moni scheme, an initial N10,000 loan is given to petty traders and once they repay within six months, they can receive a new N15,000 loan and when they repay that they can get another N20,000 loan until they get as much as N100,000


Media & Publicity Unit
Office of the Vice President
21st March 2019

Rigging is in PDP’s DNA - BMO

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of measuring President Muhammadu Buhari by the insidious standard of past PDP Presidents who never pretended to be averse to electoral manipulation.
This, it said, is the reason the opposition party finds it hard to believe that President Buhari would not interfere in the March 23 supplementary elections in some States to favour the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
BMO said in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke that PDP is used to having a sitting President manipulate the electoral process using the federal might, especially after winning Presidential elections.
“We have a party which has rigging and electoral manipulation ingrained in its DNA, and Presidents who never had second thoughts about foisting PDP candidates on Nigerians at re-run elections.
“Back then, it was unthinkable for the then ruling party to lose close elections after winning the Presidential election. That was when the words ‘bandwagon effect’ took root in the polity.
“So it is not a total surprise that a party whose Presidential candidate and his key campaign coordinators lost their immediate wards during the February 23 elections, would dismiss President Buhari’s assurances of a level-playing field for all parties involved in the forthcoming supplementary gubernatorial elections.
“The fact that PDP-era Presidents did manipulate the process to favour their party does not necessarily mean that this President would take that path of infamy", it said.
BMO also noted that the opposition party had never stopped accusing President Buhari of muzzling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) even when the Commission had consistently shown that it was truly independent.
It said: “PDP had been unrelenting in making all sorts of allegations against President Buhari but it conveniently forgot how INEC stopped the ruling party from presenting any candidate in Rivers state, and that it took a last-minute court ruling to prevent a similar scenario in Zamfara State.
“These are unprecedented actions by the election management body which could never have happened in the PDP era where the Commission acted more like a federal government parastatal.
“We at BMO have also seen how a number of decisions taken by the current INEC leadership have favoured the opposition, but PDP wants Nigerians to believe that President Buhari has the Commission at his beck and call".
On the election petition filed by the opposition party and its Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, the pro-Buhari group said the move would end up a wild goose chase because Nigerians never gave the PDP the mandate it claimed was stolen.
"They have the right to challenge the election outcome at the tribunal, but it would eventually be proved to be a frivolous petition", said the group.

Guber re-run: Buhari building a legacy of political correctness-BMO

President Muhammadu Buhari's non-partisan stance on the forthcoming supplementary elections in some States is a clear departure from what Nigerians had experienced between 1999 and 2014.
The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) said in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, that this is unprecedented and yet another reminder of the President's vow to leave a legacy of a robust and credible electoral process.
“It is unthinkable that a sitting President would issue a public warning to members of his own political party that they should not expect him to arm-twist the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to favour the ruling party in the March 23 supplementary election.

“Ironically, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had been vocal in accusing President Buhari of interfering with the Commission’s independence with a view to conferring undue advantage on the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“This is because the political class is used to the PDP-era situation where one man sits in the comfort of the Presidential villa and determines the fate of politicians across the divide with the active support of the INEC leadership.

“Only recently, a former Vice President who flew the party’s flag in the 2019 President election boasted on national television how he used his privileged position to stop the re-election bid of former Anambra State governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju, regardless of the wishes of the electorate!”

The pro-Buhari group also noted that it was embarrassing that any APC leader or member would expect the President to manipulate the process to ensure victory for the ruling party in any of the States where gubernatorial re-run elections are slated to hold on Saturday.

It said: “There is no party member who could have forgotten so soon that President Buhari had in the course of the political campaigns, told Nigerians to vote according to their conscience.

“And his advice to APC leaders in States where supplementary elections are holding to work hard to earn the peoples votes, shows that the President is a statesman who would not trade his integrity for partisan consideration.

“It would be ideal for them to heed the advice and go the extra mile to earn their victory on March 23, rather than expect the President to force INEC to allocate imaginary votes for them”.

BMO also urged members of the opposition to desist from heating up the polity with unsubstantiated allegations against President Buhari in the run-up to the supplementary election.

This, it said, is because the President has no reason to now go back on his pledge that INEC would be completely independent and be free from any interference throughout the elections.

*AFTERMATH OF AKANDE'S RIGHT OF REPLY: Nigerians mock Dele Momodu for blocking people on Twitter*

It is hypocrisy at its peak.
Dele Momodu has been mocked by many Nigerians for blocking them on Twitter after calling him out for fake news and lies that he peddles regularly.

It appeared that some Nigerians had had enough of the veteran journalist and were not going to allow him to continue to deceive people on social media anymore.

On Sunday Momodu, who has often been criticized and corrected for spreading fake news said he would block those who called him out for peddling lies against Mr. Laolu Akande, spokesperson to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

“My main tweet of the day... why do trolls get angry when you block them; they come on your TL, like mannerless people, rain insults at you, and expect you to say "thank you for abusing me..." Jokers!!!” he tweeted before going on a blocking spree.

Reacting to Mr. Momodu blocking him, Tracy Chels wrote, “Dele Momodu is PDP 100%. This is one of the characteristics of PDP members, blocking anyone who speaks the truth.”

Kemisola Adekunle tried to make Mr. Momodu see reasons why blocking people is not the most idealistic thing to do. “How would you get feed backs on your posts when you block people that don’t support your views? I'm sure those ones you block are those who don’t submit to your views.”

Ibn Hanbal says Mr. Momodu should act more upright. “It is so sad Dele that you block people. With your civility and education, I expect you to correct him.

“Perhaps he may live in future to be a version of you. Give people opportunity to learn from you. Don't block them because you famous. Fame is a gift,” he said.

David Olatunde posed a question to Mr. Momodu. “How many people would he block? He doesn't need to block anyone.”

There were others who blasted Mr. Momodu because he built his career on criticizing people and he was not blocked.

“The man is a joke, he should not be taken seriously at all. He has insulted a lot of respectable people in the past and was never blocked. He has lost any integrity he had left.”

RIGHT OF REPLY TO PENDULUM: DELE MOMODU’S OPEN LETTER TO THE VP

BY LAOLU AKANDE

My dear Bob Dee!

One could have easily made up his mind not to read or respond to anything you wrote after seeing the rather unprincipled queuing up behind Senator Bukola Saraki and then abandoning him, moving on to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and then deserting him as well. But I felt one should respond to your attempts to create a false narrative from the very hollow lamentation of the recent elections as the “worst in our history”.

In my view, those like your good self, veteran journalists, who have built a formidable platform in the public arena must strive always to use the platform for the larger public good. There have been several interventions from you that reflect such true public spirit, but some of us stridently disagree with what at times could be perceived as a self-serving journalistic conduct. Many would seem to agree that this was obvious in your recent open letter to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

But first, let me thank you for your gracious words of congratulations to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Vice President, and your admiration for the VP’s commendable performance in office. I am certain that your quest for public accountability derives from that admiration.

It is important to state that a citizen’s open letter to public figures or government authority is always welcome here and not necessarily a matter of right or exclusive access. For us, such matters of access for the people to their elected leaders is of normal cause and ought not to be a matter of exclusivity nor should we make a play of it as so special.

As is typical of your propaganda machinery, it begins with an outrageous lie by the principal then the operatives like yourself repeat it ad-nauseum. It appears you were not in this country when foreign and local observers accepted the results. Independent Foreign Observers commended the transparency and credibility of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Also, the Independent Election Monitor group, supported by the French Embassy, concluded that “based on the analysis carried out in this document as well as the actual observations of the election activities across the country, it is Election Monitor’s considered opinion that the 2019 Presidential Election results are consistent with the will of the majority of voters who took part in the elections notwithstanding the various infractions which also occurred as they were not on a scale significant enough to affect the overall outcome of the election.(http://electionmonitorng..com/2019/03/analysis-of-2019-nigerian-presidential.html)

YIAGA Africa’s Parrallel Voting Tabulation, relied on by international agencies, embassies and funders also said its "findings show that for the presidential election the All Progressive Congress (APC) should receive between 50.0 per cent and 55.8 per cent of the vote." And that “the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) should receive between 41.2 per cent and 47.0 per cent of the vote; these figures are consistent with the official results as just announced by INEC.

“For both APC and PDP, the official results fall within the PVT estimated ranges.” That YIAGA AFRICA results statement was based on reports from 1,491 polling units which are 98.4 per cent of sampled polling units. YIAGA AFRICA’s projections were reportedly also consistent with the officially announced vote shares for the other 71 parties who contested in the presidential election. It is also believed that the group’s projections were based on the results announced in the polling units and would have detected any significant manipulation occurring during collation at the ward, local government area, State and national levels. Also, "INEC’s official results for turnout and rejected ballots were also generally consistent with YIAGA AFRICA WTV estimates.” (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/02/yiaga-africa-verifies-election-results/)

These are empirical facts, my dear Bob Dee, especially if you put your analysis through any rigorous tests. Propaganda and falsehood only need a willing sponsor.

Yes, observers mentioned pockets of violence and some malpractices, but none felt that these were sufficient to affect the credibility of the elections or its results. Frequently cited is Ago Palace in Lagos. One unit in a city of 20 million! In any event, the real question is, how did the violence in the comparatively few places where it happened to favour the President? And how come the strong allegations of foul play by the likes of Godswill Akpabio in Akwa Ibom, George Akume in Benue and Ndoma-Egba in Cross Rivers State (all APC Senatorial aspirants!) escaped your eagle eyes?

It is sometimes forgotten, and Bob Dee, you chose to forget, that for the previous 16 years before 2015, the PDP governments had conducted elections. Everyone is familiar with the incredible excesses of the elections and the election-observer reports so poignantly describe some.

In the 2003 elections which gave Atiku Abubakar and his boss a second term, Wikipedia observes that “Millions of people voted several times. The police in Lagos uncovered an electoral fraud, finding five million false ballots."

But the 2007 elections got even worse reviews: “Following the presidential election, groups monitoring the election gave it a dismal assessment. Chief European Union observer Max van den Berg reported that the handling of the polls had "fallen far short" of basic international standards, and that "the process cannot be considered to be credible", citing "poor election organisation, lack of transparency, significant evidence of fraud, voter disenfranchisement, violence and bias." They described the election as "the worst they had ever seen anywhere in the world", with "rampant vote rigging, violence, theft of ballot boxes and intimidation". One group of observers said that at one polling station in Yenagoa, in the oil-rich South-South, where 500 people were registered to vote, more than 2,000 votes were counted.”

Your choice of words such as “theatre of war” to describe the presidential polls is not only inaccurate and questionable by and large, but also surprising considering the recent history of past presidential polls. And you have to tell us who described the elections as “the most dreadful and desperate?"

Besides these facts that you carefully chose to ignore, the contents of your letter read in part like a brief for the opposition, and, at other times, judgment of an electoral tribunal in favour of the opposition. And such bias undermines the credibility of the author such as yourself.

It could even render the write-up confusing rather than informing the readers. For good measure, Bob Dee, maybe we should just remind our readers that not only are you an active member of the opposition, you have also benefited from significant business relationships with some in the opposition circles. And this is entirely within your right.

But that certainly discounts your assessment of the direction of our administration. It also devalues your criticism of the narratives that hold those who raped this country in the past responsible for the consequences of their corrupt activities while in government.

One also wonders whether it is your well-known personal relationship with the opposition that has beclouded you so much that you seek to assail the anti-corruption efforts which ordinary and well-meaning Nigerians have embraced.

Let me make it clear that the facts show that while some old members of the opposition have joined APC, that has not shielded those responsible for corruption and graft. In any case, even if old PDP members are now APC members, the current leadership of the country under the APC stands out as it is made up of two gentlemen with impeccable integrity.

Old PDP members and all Nigerians are welcome just like sinners are embraced in the church, Inf act, the church was opened for sinners to be converted. And what is skewed about the anti-corruption campaign when the two governors who have now been convicted for corruption are both APC?

Having said that, be rest assured that the APC as a party will articulate its defences to any allegations. For the records, it is an obvious fact and this must be reiterated that the Buhari administration has a commendable record of respecting the independence of INEC, a clear departure from what occurred under previous administrations. This government also ensures that it provides all the support INEC requires, as well as respects the independence of the judiciary and has ensured that security forces act within the ambits of law. Even international observers have made their comments accordingly and positively.

As the Buhari administration always noted, every single loss of life is sad and lamentable. And previous elections have regrettably caused even far more losses. We must achieve an electoral system that doesn't result in any such loss of life. However, the record of improvement from the past is clear as it were.

To characterize the will of the people as Pyrrhic victory represents what exactly needs to change in and about our nation. Indeed, our privilege as elites imposes the responsibility of trustees of power, wealth, values and direction of and for a nation in the interest of the people upon us. To narrow this interest or substitute our amplified voices as the vocal minority for the silent majority is not only taking liberties a little too far, but also losing tune and touch with our national realities. As leaders, we must reflect introspectively on how we have prioritized the people, and how we must continue to do so going forward.

This is what President Muhammadu Buhari is known for and it is what played out in the elections. It is the voices of the few and the devices of the privileged that the Opposition regarded and expected to hold up. That did not happen.

We respect the right to disagree and exercise that right through the established mechanisms, but we reject any denigration and the diminishing of the electoral outcome which is the true voice and expression of the people of this country.

As you noted, the whole concept of sin in the worldly context is a violation of the law of the land, and in the spiritual context, a violation against God. That you judge either as a matter of law, or ecclesiastically when you by yourself determine that this administration is "committing sin" is a departure from what your letter identifies as its objective. Victory in an election is a nation speaking up, while the victor is the symbol of that nation's victory.

Both life, by its temporal nature, and the Constitution, by its term limitations and periodic elections, already ensure that we all know that everything but eternity is transient, and the example of that in our nation today is the rejection of the old order four years ago, and the most recent confirmation of that rejection by preferring the new and current order, and the Next Level of our national restoration and growth.

Finally, thank you for declaring your belief that the APC “would have won” a handsome victory because that was exactly what happened! It is your equivocation about Atiku’s loss expressed in the same letter where you said you expected an APC “handsome victory” that left me and other readers confounded. What are we to believe?

Again, thank you for your open letter. Be rest assured that the Vice President and the President would continue working for the good of all Nigerians in the Next Level.

*Laolu Akande is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President

BMO HAILS BUHARI'S FORESIGHT AS NON-OIL EXPORTS RISE 15%

The 15 percent rise in foreign exchange earnings from non-oil export is a vindication of President Muhammadu Buhari’s foresight in diversifying the Nigerian economy.

According to the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), the expansion in production of agricultural commodities for export, and mining of non-oil minerals is pulling in more foreign exchange for Africa’s biggest economy.

In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, BMO said that Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s latest figures on earnings from non-oil and electricity exports which increased by 15 percent to $1,034.59 million in Q4 2018 “is a clear manifestation of the wisdom in Buhari’s economic diversification effort.

“CBN statistics which indicate a favourable provisional Balance of Payments (BOP) for Q4 2018 with a surplus of $2.80bn is proof that Nigeria’s effort to reduce unnecessary imports and increase exports is working to our national advantage.

“We expect Nigerians to appreciate that it is a significant economic achievement for the country’s Current Account Balance (CAB) to have improved from a deficit of $1,544.41 million in Q3 2018 to a surplus of $1,104.57 million in Q4 2018.

“This achievement did not happen on its own, but a result of sound economic management by the administration and its agencies that are working in harmony to achieve the vision of President Buhari to reset the economy, sustain and deepen the status of our economy as the largest on the African continent.”

The pro-Buhari group specifically praised the CBN for its diligent management of the country’s foreign exchange chest and turning the nation’s financial account balance with assets of $2,327.91 million in the period under review against net financial liabilities of $4,615.17 million recorded in the preceding period.

“The impact of restriction on access to foreign exchange at official rates for the frivolous importation of certain goods has had a significant impact in checking leakages of the country’s foreign exchange reserves by increasing the surplus in the goods account.

“It is significant to note that the CBN says surplus in the Goods Account increased significantly to $6.794 billion in Q4 2018 from surpluses of $3.76 billion in the preceding quarter and $5.473 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2017.”

BMO said the decrease in the imports bills by 21 per cent to $9.862 billion, which is below the level recorded in the preceding quarter is proof that Nigerians are looking inward in their consumption pattern as this was as a result of 20 percent decrease in the import of non-oil products.

NIGERIANS DON'T ASK FOR TOO MUCH, VP OSINBAJO


*Recalls various Next Level campaign encounters with the people

*Says Buhari’s administration will connect more with the people in second term


REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF YEMI OSINBAJO, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE PMB/PYO VOLUNTEERS’ APPRECIATION DINNER, BANQUET HALL, ABUJA, ON THE 14TH OF MARCH, 2019.



PROTOCOLS


Just before I make a couple of remarks, we know that a few of our supporters lost their lives during the course of the campaign. I want us to stand for a moment and observe a minute of silence in honour of them. We thank the Lord for their souls and ask for comfort for all members of their family in Jesus name.


For me, this campaign was about the Nigerian people. One of the things I discovered, and I’m sure most of us know, is that our people are so trusting and supportive of their leaders everywhere. I think that one of the major characteristics of Nigerians is how supportive they are and also they don’t ask for too much. They never really ask for anything that is impossible to do.

For many of us, as we went around the country, we realised the tremendous amount of work that we need to do and our capacity to do so much work and what our people need. As a matter of fact, I don’t know any nation where the people are so generous no matter how poor they are.


I met a woman in one of the markets in Kwara State, and she gave us some vegetables and I thought she wanted to sell them, but she was actually offering it to us free. I thought to myself, here is this woman I should be giving something to and she is the one giving a gift instead. That is just a typical Nigerian. I was walking past another woman in Kogi while shaking hands with people there, she gave me N200. I thought to myself, I am the one meant to be giving her something.

There was another elderly woman here in Gwagalada, and that made the news, she pulled me aside and said, “Young man, you need prayers” and she prayed for me. People saw her holding my hands and praying for me, and I thought to myself, I am meant to be offering these people comfort and succour, but they are hopeful and offering the support, comfort, love and all of the things they thought at the time that we needed.

On behalf of all of us who are here, I want to say a very big thank you to the Nigerian people for their contributions to getting us back here.

We visited many homes across the country; we did the house-to-house campaign, visiting many homes and most of those homes were the homes of the poor. But they were still very hospitable and they would still ask, “What will you eat? What will you drink?”


I remember an encounter in Idanre, Ondo State, where we met a man; he was so excited we visited him in his home. He said, “This your government is the best I have ever seen.” He said all sorts of very nice things, then the Local Chairman of the APC in Idanre said to him, “But you are PDP this man.” The man then said, “How can you say I am PDP? Okay, I used to be PDP, but from now on, I am now APC!”


It struck me that what we need to do more is connect with the people that we govern. All that the people want are opportunities for us to interact more with them. Somebody who gave a speech earlier said that we should govern in this same way.

One of the complaints that people made about our government is that we didn’t communicate well enough and people didn’t even know what we had done. I think they were probably right, and we did very well in terms of our messaging during the 2015 campaign, but thereafter, we seemed to have slacked and over time, the opposition began to get the better of us, especially on Social Media and Radio. But all of that is definitely going to change.

I am going to take on everyone who has challenged us on this matter, including the gentleman who has offered his services for communication purposes because this has to be a joint effort in ensuring that we put across our point of view.

Everybody knows that this was not exactly an easy campaign but I believe that God saw, first the heart of Mr President. Here is an honest man, and as I said during the course of the campaign, even his worst enemies agree that he is a man of integrity.

In any event, there are many few Nigerians who would have been Minister of Petroleum, Governor of the whole of the Northeast, Head of State, not once or twice, but thrice, and still have just one home in Kaduna and some very modest place in Daura. Very few people are like that.

When I looked at his assets declaration form, I was checking it in 2015, I said to him, “Mr President, I am so much richer than you, it is an embarrassment.” He said, “I am only a soldier, you are a big lawyer so you should have more money than me.” I can tell you that he is perhaps; even poorer than he was in 2015 when I saw his declaration of assets form.

We are all grateful to God for this great victory, and the real heroes are you all seated here today, who went out every day to campaign and talk about what you believed about our government, what you thought this government could do for the Nigerian people.

One thing that is clear to me is that your belief and commitment were not wrongly placed. You are absolutely right that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is the appropriate and right government for Nigeria at this time.

And the simple reason why that is so is that today what our country needs the most is honest government, that’s what our country needs. And I’ll tell you why as I repeated many times in the course of the campaign; our country is not short of ideas, projects or money. What we are short of is integrity in office. Corruption is the major problem that our country has faced. And once we are able to deal with it effectively, and we will, we will be the great nation we ought to be.

I was saying to someone that this same President, President Muhammadu Buhari, of the four refineries that we have in our country today, he built three of them when he was Minister of Petroleum. Then he built 3km of pipelines, how much has been added to it since then?

So, you don’t need to be a great orator. And this is one of the responses I gave to people when they were saying - “oh the president doesn’t talk.” He doesn’t need to be an orator; all he needs to do is be a doer. And that is what he is doing today.

And what we’ve seen today is despite the fact that we are earning 60% less than the previous government, we are spending almost 8 times more especially for capital projects. Why? Because the president is not stealing the money, simple! That is why we are able to spend more.

And just in terms of achievements in infrastructure, the Lagos-Kano rail, we have just commissioned the first phase, which is the Lagos-Abeokuta-Ibadan, and we are going to complete the Lagos-Kano rail.

We completed the Itakpe-Warri rail after 5 years it has been completed. Even the Abuja Light rail that was started in 2005 has just been completed.

We put money aside to do the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, which had been practically abandoned; they would start and stop, they put it into the budget, but it would disappear. Today, the money is there to complete it.

Sometimes, I talk to my friends in the Southeast about the second Niger Bridge, which was commissioned in 2014, but it was not designed, it was just commissioned. How does anybody do that? Today, the highest amount of money as an immediate payment for any project we have ever done was for the second Niger Bridge, 33billion immediate payment for that bridge. That is the highest amount of money we have ever put for one single payment.

We’re going to start the Mambila Project, and have put money aside for it. All these projects are projects that the President himself not just negotiated, but supervises on a regular basis.

And that is the thing; a lot of work needs to be done in this country. Infrastructures we need to put in place will be put in place. And the reason why is because the President is not a thief. And that is to just put it very simply. Many believe that the government is very complicated, no. If the man who is in charge is honest, everything we want to be done will be done, just take a look at our Social Investment Programmes.

I was saying to some group of people that today we are feeding 9.2 million children every single day as part of our school feeding programme. We’re paying for 500,000 N-Power beneficiaries every month. We have given almost 2million traders TraderMoni loans, and almost 500,00 MarketMoni. Apart from that, we are giving N5,000 to the poorest of the poor per month, we are now approaching 500,000 and we are going to do a million.

All of that has still not cost us N300billion. Yet some people ran a programme called Sure-P, and we cannot find a single beneficiary and it cost N700billion. On everything I’ve said, we still haven’t spent N300billion in 2 years.

So, it’s not as if this business of doing the right thing is rocket science. The major thing is an honest man, as we have an honest man, everything we want to be done is what will be done.

And I believe very strongly with your support, all of what we wish and want for our country will be done.

And by the grace of God, every one of the infrastructure projects we want to be done will be done. Our economy will turn around and we will see prosperity in this great nation of ours.

Finally, let me just say that we are still not done with elections. On the 23rd of March, we still have some outstanding states. As you know, we are re-running in 6 States. All of the efforts that we need to put into those 6 States should be done, we cannot afford to slack up and say we are done; we still have some things to do.

APC SAC!

Thank you.

Released by
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
Office of the Vice President
March 15, 2019

ELECTION SUCCESS BOOSTS NIGERIA'S ECONOMIC OUTLOOK- BMO

The generally peaceful conduct of the 2019 general elections in Nigeria in which President Muhammadu Buhari was re-elected has restored confidence in the Nigerian economy, with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) growing and boosting the prospects of the largest economy in Africa.

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) says figures collated by its Economic Team and various credible sources indicate that the $16 billion traditional outflow reported by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in December 2018 on the eve of the elections has ended, with many of them returning, alongside other investors in the real sectors.

In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, BMO emphasised that the economic prospects for the country are excellent, based on internationally recognized indices.

“Analysts in various institutions including FocusEconomics’ panelists see GDP increasing 2.3% in 2019 on the back of the impact made by the country’s economic diversification, liquidity and prudent management of foreign exchange, which facilitates easy repatriation of profit by investors.

“Recent data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), shows that the Nigeria’s economic growth gained traction and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded 2.4% annually in Q4, well above Q3’s 1.8% increase.

“The 2.3 per cent growth in agriculture contributed to the north-bound trajectory of the GDP and general economic outlook. The proposed investment of $1.5 billion by Morocco’s OCP Group on three ammonia plants to boost fertiliser production will deepen the country’s agriculture-driven economic diversification.”

The BMO noted the report by FocusEconomics which says: “The services sector gained steam, with growth hitting a multi-year high in Q4 largely on the back of buoyant activity in the information and communication industries. Moreover, industrial output rebounded from the previous quarter, owing to stronger gains in manufacturing.”

The group also noted that economic growth in Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari is further aided by higher and stable oil production, a stronger policy on gas flaring and huge government spending on economic infrastructure – roads, railways, airports, water transportation, increased power generation and stronger electricity distribution network.

BMO thereby urged all Nigerians to redouble their efforts in agricultural and other economic activities to increase the economic growth, generate more wealth, lift more Nigerians out of poverty and raise their living standard on sustainable basis.

BMO to PDP: Stop whining, count your state election blessings

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is the biggest beneficiary of the 2019 elections and as such has no real reason to incite the public against the Presidency and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the outcome of the gubernatorial and state house of assembly elections.

The Buhari Media Organisation has said in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke that the opposition party’s stance is in continuation of a deliberate effort to discredit the electoral process even before it began.

“PDP knew what it was doing when it launched strident attacks on INEC with a view to blackmailing the leadership of the election management body in the run up to the 2019 election.

“We had then drawn attention to what was clearly a conscious drive to tarnish the image of national institutions involved in the process. The targets of the opposition elements from the outset were the Police and INEC.

“And while the party soft-pedalled on the police authorities after the exit of the former Inspector General Ibrahim idris, it was relentless in its attack on the INEC leadership to the extent that the Chairman Mahmood Yakubu had to take certain steps to reaffirm the Commission’s independence.”

The Pro-Buhari group says it is surprised that the complaints are persisting even after PDP retained control of six states while its governorship candidates were declared winners in two states that were strongholds of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

This, BMO said, shows that the opposition is only interested in destroying national institutions for selfish reasons.

“It is amusing that the party is not relenting in its effort to thrash the process as the worst in the country’s political history when majority of Nigerians know how bad PDP-era elections were.”

The group said it will keep “frustrating PDP’s attempt to rewrite history and will continue to remind everyone that there is still no public record of the state-by-state breakdown of the 2007 elections supervised by the man who incidentally was PDP and Atiku Abubakar’s technical consultant for the just-concluded 2019 elections.

“And do we still need to remind Nigerians how the same PDP- era INEC announced the party’s gubernatorial candidate in Delta state as winner in Abuja even when the collation of results was still going on in the state capital!

“So what moral right does the PDP have to condemn an election where its candidates won states with dominant APC presence and also force a rerun in states where it lost woefully only two weeks ago? Is the party saying that INEC and its personnel perform creditably in only the states it retained and the ones it won?

“These are real questions that Nigerians should ask these people who are accusing INEC of doing the bidding of the Presidency because it declared elections in five states inconclusive in line with extant laws of the land.

“We know for a fact that a PDP-controlled federal government would have hidden behind the infamous ‘bandwagon’ effect to claim victory in all the states where its candidates were declared victorious in the Presidential election like it did in most of the elections it supervised between 2003 and 2014.”

BMO maintained that contrary to PDP’s position, President Muhammadu Buhari did not interfere with INEC’s constitutionally-guaranteed independence during, before and after the Presidential election as well as that of the gubernatorial and state houses of Assembly.

It said: “We dare say that no one would have been talking about inconclusive elections in five states won convincingly by the governing party two weeks ago, in the PDP era- the party would have forced itself on the people regardless of their choice.

“But this President who is keen on leaving a legacy of free, fair and credible election is only interested in ensuring that votes count and that’s what PDP benefitted from on March 9.”

BMO hails Buhari’s neutrality in States’ elections

President Muhammadu Buhari will, at the end of his second and final term in office, bequeath to Nigeria a very robust democratic space that many Nigerians will be proud of.

According to the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), this is obvious from his deliberate non-interference in the just concluded governorship and States’ House of Assembly elections.

In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, BMO said Buhari did not go out of his way to ensure that the All Progressives Congress (APC) got undue advantage in last Saturday’s elections.

“It was unthinkable that a ruling party in Nigeria would lose crucial states so soon after winning a Presidential election.

“Nigerians are used to Presidents using their enormous powers to retain their party in power at state level at all cost, regardless of the people’s will, but President Buhari has shown himself to be different in spite of what his perennial critics want Nigerians to believe.

“Here is a man who won by a landslide in Kano, Bauchi and Sokoto states two weeks ago but did not lean on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure victory for APC candidates in last Saturday’s election in those states.

“The close contest in those states invariably led to some people questioning his margin of victory without considering the Buhari phenomenon which transcends party leanings and affiliations, especially in Northern Nigeria.

“Oyo is another hitherto APC stronghold which the party lost to the Peoples Democratic Party’s gubernatorial candidate by a big margin without the President making any effort to influence the outcome.”

The group says President Buhari deserves credits for this principled stand.

“We at BMO clearly remember how previous Presidents used federal might to retain states in which their candidates lost, but President Buhari has shown that he is a statesman with a different mindset”, it said.

The group pointed out that the President’s non-interference shows that he is a true democrat that keeps to his words.

“President Buhari is on record to have said that Nigerians were free to vote for political parties of their choice, at a time key APC members were openly expressing support for governorship candidates on the platform of other parties.

“So it is not surprising that the results so far announced by INEC officials largely reflected the will of the people, regardless of whether APC won or not.

“The era where elements of the ruling party would be given protection to write results is gone and we can also recall that in 2007, results for gubernatorial election in at least one state was announced in Abuja even when collation had not been completed in the state.”

Osinbajo: Celebrating Nigeria's 'Star Boy' at 62

By Abdullahi Yunusa ProfWills

I really have no idea of how or when the sobriquet, "Star Boy" became part of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo's name. But I know for a fact that the pet name is very popular among young people, especially on the social media, who are inspired by the erudite law professor's simple, exemplary and humble lifestyle.

There is absolutely something unique about Vice President Yemi Osinbajo's personality which endears him to many, especially the Nigerian youths. Given the way he freely interacts, relates and reaches out to Nigerians during most of his official outings, many see and regard him as a true friend of the common man.

President Muhammadu Buhari wasn't wrong when he entrusted his administration's Social Investment Programmes into his hands. His choice of Professor Osinbajo as the chief implementor of the scheme tells of the importance government attaches to it. Such an important and very critical assignment of ensuring that every Nigerian, especially the common people directly feel the impact of governance requires a man of impeccable character and integrity for it to succeed.

Professor Yemi Osinbajo has not only acquitted himself in the transparent manner he discharges his responsibility as the coordinator of SIP, but has displayed capacity, competence and accountability in the handling of the various components of the entire programme. The general consensus out there is that the SIP initiative which is principally targeted at empowering ordinary Nigerians is the most impactful, transparent and accountable social intervention programme ever introduced in our chequered political history as a country. Nigerians have since taken ownership of the various aspects of the SIP scheme which has for the very first time brought government closer to the people.

Professor Osinbajo, like his boss, President Muhammadu Buhari, is so passionate about the welfare of Nigerians, which he said occupies a significant position in the overall programme of the President Buhari administration. The Vice President has continued to reiterate government's resolve to touch the lives of all Nigerians through faithful implementation of all government programmes and policies.

The truth is, Nigerians, especially the youths are happy with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo's style of handling official matters. There is hardly a day that the Vice President isn't out there interacting with ordinary Nigerians on how best to meet their yearnings and aspirations. Apart from sitting to hold regular talk sessions with the youths, market women, artisans and petty traders across markets, Professor Osinbajo always welcomes suggestions, ideas, criticisms and opinions on how to achieve the Nigeria of our dream. One outstanding attribute of the Vice President is that he's a listening leader. He believes strongly in the fact that every Nigerian should have something to offer in our desire to develop our dear nation.

By now, Professor Osinbajo's security men have become so used to the huge crowd of Nigerians that often struggle to see or have a handshake with him during his numerous official outings. He's made himself very accessible and easy to locate. I've lost count of the number of youth-based programmes that Professor Osinbajo has graced and held frank discussions with young Nigerians. He's made it a point of duty to always honour such invitations himself, an indication of the fact he attaches much importance to issues that pertain to our youths.

Only recently at the 30th Biennial Conference of the Student Christian Movement of Nigeria held at the Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd, Enugu, urged youths to see themselves as key players in Nigeria's march to greatness, adding that contrary to the belief that the young people were the leaders of tomorrow, the time for the youths to showcase themselves was now.

Even when he hosted a delegation of Not-Too-Young-To-Run Movement, sometime ago he said charged them to remain steadfast and committed to the task of realizing our full potential as a country.

“My dear young people, we need your energy, passion, charisma and creative abilities in our march to greatness. The time has come for all of you be deeply involved in politics and governance".

Nigerians are always pleased to see the country's number two citizen visit towns, villages and cities to explain government's programmes and policies to the masses across markets, bus stations, campuses and social gatherings. This is a complete departure from the way and manner officials of past governments treated us. We now welcome top government functionaries to our homes, not the other way round.

This is one task the VP is so passionate about. He clearly understands the fact that it is the responsibility of elected and appointed government officials to keep the people abreast of developments, especially on issues of welfare and security.

It is our expectation that the Vice President, under whose office and supervision the SIP scheme is domiciled would continue to do his very best to ensure that the various components of the scheme like the N-POWER, Conditional Cash Transfer, MSMES Clinics, Trader Moni, Farmer Moni, Market Moni etc are meaningfully implemented in line with the change agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Once more, happy 62nd birthday anniversary to our dear VP.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT BUHARI FELICITATES WITH VICE PRESIDENT OSINBAJO AT 62

On behalf of his family and the Federal Executive Council, President Muhammadu Buhari heartily felicitates with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN on the occasion of his 62ndbirthday.

The President joins Dolapo, her children and Nigerians across the country and around the world to celebrate the erudite scholar, Minister of the Gospel and ‘‘very dependable deputy with whom I share a very special bond."

President Buhari is grateful to God for preserving the life of Prof. Osinbajo, who in the past four years has diligently championed the values of setting the foundation for the peace, progress, and stability of Nigeria, by working very hard to build a resilient economy while promoting transparency and accountability.
 
On this special occasion, the President extends special appreciation to the Vice President and wishes him many more years of robust health, happiness and fulfilment in his service to God, the nation and humanity.

He looks forward to sharing many special moments of celebration with his deputy as they take Nigeria to the Next Level in the years ahead.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President 
(Media & Publicity)
March 8, 2019

Abeokuta agog as Osinbajo campaigns for APC Ogun guber candidate Dapo Abiodun

*Urges people not to be intimidated, promising adequate security

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has dispelled fears of voters in Ogun State amid concerns that the State's sitting governor's support for the candidate of a rival party might raise tensions in the governorship polls on March 9.

There have been fears and concerns that the Ogun State Governor’s support for a rival party in Saturday's gubernatorial election in the State may have precipitated a security crisis regarding the election.

Prof. Osinbajo who embarked on an elaborate campaign rally in Ogun alongside Prince Dapo Abiodun, the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, assured citizens of a peaceful, free and fair election.

Prof. Osinbajo who was accompanied by former Ogun governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and other chieftains of the party in the state said the Federal Government was going to provide adequate security.

VP Osinbajo who began his tour in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital was received to an electric reception by the supporters and residents of Ogun state. The VP was near speechless as the crowd chanted his name and that of President Muhammadu Buhari endless.

On arriving Abeokuta, Prof. Osinbajo toured Ogun state visiting Kuto, Ibara, Lafenwa, Isala Igbehin, among other communities in the state.

At every stop, he was greeted by mammoth crowds who derived satisfaction at seeing him and Prince Abiodun, who is the party’s flag bearer at the 9 March governorship election.

On passing Ogun State Government House, the people thronged out in their numbers in what appeared to be a carnival-like campaign.

Addressing the people at Lafenwa, Prof. Osinbajo thanked them profusely for voting for President Buhari and himself. He assured them that they will deliver all their campaign promises.

“Those who are saying on Saturday they will not let us come out, that they will do this and that, let me tell you that it will not happen. Let me tell you that the Federal Government is in charge of security, we will ensure that there is adequate security for everyone. This election will be peaceful, free and fair.

“Please note that you should we are going to use our index finger to vote. Let me urge us to vote APC at all levels. For the House of Assembly, let us vote APC.

“Just the way you voted President Buhari and me, your son in, you should do the same for Dapo Abiodun because if we did not have votes from Lafenwa, we would not have been re-elected. Thank you so much for your support,” he said at the rally in Lafenwa.

As the VP arrived Kuto, the chants and cheers from the people became overwhelming to the extent that Prof. Osinbajo struggled to pass through the crowd. The chants were so deafening that it took Prof Osinbajo more than 30 minutes to get some decorum.

Prof. Osinbajo spent over three hours in Abeokuta and it was stunning as he got a heroic welcome everywhere he went. The acceptance and gladness of the people was spontaneous and original and it was authentic all the way.

A party chieftain, Bayo Asenuga told journalists that, “This party has been on for at least over three hours, and well over 10 miles if not 15,” he said.

He said he has not seen people so energetic at a campaign rally. “The people were not tired walking alongside the campaign train. This is a message that APC will win overwhelmingly in Ogun,” he said.

Onlookers in most part of Abeokuta caused a gridlock as they stared endlessly in public acceptance at the Vice President as he walked the major roads in Abeokuta and its environs.

GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS: ORTOM REPORTEDLY IMPORTING ARMS AND AMMUNITION TO BENUE

Reports have emerged that the Governor of Benue State, Mr Samuel Ortom has smuggled arms and ammunition into the state for use by militia during the state gubernatorial elections.

Intelligence reports have shown that the weapons are to be used to wreck mayhem in APC strongholds in the state through the Livestock Guards that the Governor has set up.

It is recalled that Governor Ortom is known to have a history connecting him with his former SA on Security and Coordinator of Benue State Livestock Guard, Alhaji Aliyu Tarshaku, who was responsible as the mastermind for the killings of the Catholic Priests,and other residents of Benue State.

It has also been alleged that Ortom also aided the escape of a notorious thug, and a suspected Boko Haram agent and one of Nigeria’s most wanted militia leader, Terwase Akwaza better known as Gana who had carried out attacks in communities and villages in and outside Benue state.

Meanwhile, there were speculations that the Amnesty Programme organized by Gov Ortom earlier in the state was a ploy to bring those thugs to limelight and have them recruited to his camp to do his dirty deeds.

Reports by some residents in the state have claimed that the police in the state may have been compromised and thus may not guarantee security during the upcoming gubernatorial elections.

When contacted members of the intelligence service stated that they have been informed and assured that they are on top of the matter.

*Prof. Wole Soyinka's tribute to Sen. Asiwaju Tinubu*

"I do not admire Tinubu because he is a saint.
I do not admire Tinubu because he is from the south
I do not admire Tinubu because he is a Yoruba
If I want saints, I will proceed to heaven not on earth
Every human is fallible
I admire Tinubu
because:
He saved Nigeria from the danger of falling into "one party state"
He has nurtured many renowned National successors
He listened to the voice of the masses to surrender his personal ambition at the most critical moment
He strategically terminated PDP 60 years life span in 16 years
The robust critic and critique we are enjoying today is because Tinubu aligned himself to the masses to return the power to them
Tinubu has the option of joining the PDP elites to hold us hostage for another decade but he gave his all to the masses to dethrone the elites.
Political juveniles believed that APC won because of the votes from the North. *No!!!*
APC victory was cemented the day PMB and Asiwaju resolved to work together
Asiwaju and PMB almost became a Nomadic by visiting every human that can help midwife Nigeria
salvation
Those Nomadic Almajiri walk later brought salvation to us
God willing, PMB is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Anybody, any cabal, *any Viju milk activist,* attempting to humiliate Asiwaju must have me to contend with
An average PDP man is sad with Asiwaju because he brought them to their kneels
If anyone thinks that bringing down Asiwaju is his project, that mission will not only crash but it will boomerang
Don't tell me he is
overbearing,
Your *"underbearing"* mentors were nowhere to be found when this Country was lying critically at the intensive care of the universe
Recall my first line
*Asiwaju is not a saint.*
Stop demonising what you admire out of envy
Even your mentors admire him.
*He owns Lagos!* I hear you!
Ask your grand father and parents how they acquired your so called "family land". Is it God that allocated it to them?
You are terrorizing your neighbours and village with your kpof-kpof kobo kobo yet you criticise a man that is naturally addicted to *technocrats* irrespective of their tribe or Religion.
Hmmmmm. I don talk am ooo, *Asiwaju is not a political office holder oooo*. Please let him be
*He is evil*, I agreed, but we need more of him than that your saintly specie.

Dear Asiwaju, *"the gentle stride of a tiger is not a symbol of a cowardice"*
.... Prof Wole Soyinka.