₦airaland Forum

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT


PRESS RELEASE

Despite the increasing pressure on scarce resources amidst other emerging challenges, an honest implementation of ideas by a focused leadership can improve the fortunes of societies and make them better, according to Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.


The Vice President stated this on Tuesday at the virtual public presentation of three books on Policy, Politics and Governance written by Mr Simbo Olorunfemi.


“But the other point is in my respectful view, the error of assuming that the failures in governance is on account of professionals and other decently engaged people leaving the space to career politicians.”


REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF BOOKS ON POLICY, POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE WRITTEN BY MR SIMBO OLORUNFEMI ON TUESDAY SEPT. 1, 2020



Let me first say how honoured I am to join you at this presentation of books by Mr Simbo Olorunfemi. Simbo Olorunfemi has emerged as one of the most important thought leaders on politics and governance in Nigeria.


He has through the years and in very many articles and sundry commentaries ranging from the economy, to development, international relations and partisan politics, consistently applied rigour, deep thought and scientific discipline to his analysis of the people, the events and the policies that have shaped these issues, and the societies and publics that they impact.


I think his strength is in his capacity to take on the big issues, the complex ideas such as ethnicity and cultural politics and also the more retail questions around the daily disputes on rightness or wrongness of government policy or their efficient or sloppy implementation, all with the same clarity of thought and presentation.


His projections on political outcomes are eerily accurate, and his prescriptions are practical and clearly thought through even if controversial. His three latest works ‘The Devil is not in the Politics’, ‘Politics is not a Game for Gentlemen’, and ‘Every day for the Goliaths’ (what manner of democracy is this), is a successful attempt to put in print his thoughts in various interventions under broadly descriptive titles. And I think an incredibly insightful review of the books have been done.


We are by the way he has put this together, been able to follow and argue with his thoughts on the dynamic interaction of politics, policy and governance. Central to his analysis is leadership.


As the events of the last few months around the world have proven to us, leadership is indeed consequential. If there was any doubt about the fact that the quality of leadership is central to the fortunes of society, this pandemic has established that to us in plain terms.


It may literarily mean the difference between life and death. If leadership is that consequential, it must then suggest that politics, may be, belong in the same existential category, being the production line for leadership.


Simbo Olorunfemi strengthens the point by the metaphor of politics and policy being Siamese twins, intertwined and interlocked; one being a propeller, the other the engine.


Success for a political leader, he submits, involves a smart fusion of both, such that policy drives politics and policies are strategically framed, pursued and executed without losing sight of one for the other.


Perhaps one may add that this is where the purpose of politics is the attainment of power for the prosecution of the public good not as an end in itself or for personal or other parochial interests. And this may be no small matter as one sees time and time again the tragedy of self-absorbed, self-seeking leadership.


Some have argued that one of the challenges that we have faced as a nation is that of reluctance of our best minds to get involved in politics, leaving it to the second eleven, as they say.


A chapter from which the book ‘Politics is not a Game for Gentlemen’ derives its title, speaks to the point. Simbo argues that puritanical idealism can only take one so far in politics, and that to be successful and be in a position to attain power or influence policy direction, a bit of pragmatism is needed, founded around strategic thinking, and in acknowledgment of the fact that all politics is local.


To be successful, it is necessary, he says, to approach it at the retail level and not with a wholesale mentality. Indeed, this is true. But clearly, where the rubber hits the road is the crucial collision of theory and praxis. How much compromise is too much or what is too little. I will leave the argument for another day.


But the other point is in my respectful view, the error of assuming that the failures in governance is on account of professionals and other decently engaged people leaving the space to career politicians.


I fear that this sort of analysis is factually incorrect because as a matter of fact very many of those who hold political office are actually qualified in some discipline or the other. And as Simbo points out in ‘Every day for the Goliaths’ (one of the pieces there) that the decay extends to the judiciary, the banking sector etc. must tell us that the problem is deeper.


The question, in my view, is what the elite consensus is? The elite in most societies determine that direction even if the primary purpose is self-preservation. I think that the problem we have is that there is so much concern with narrow parochial interest. The Nigerian elite is unable, even out of self-preservation, to find a consensus, not only to move the nation forward but also to prevent itself from destruction.


I had the privilege of working with Simbo and several others a few years ago on political strategy and tactics for our party, the APC. His commitment and passion for nation-building was always so evident. His taking the trouble to detail his thoughts in writing and put them out for debate and analysis is a commendable but, I must say, sadly disappearing activity.


In the era of the mindless tweets, and other digital enablers of lightning-speed communication and the puerile attention span they nurture, the space for critical thinking on public affairs is narrowing and the public intellectual is fast becoming an endangered category which is why Simbo’s latest efforts deserve all our commendation.


I am therefore honored to invite you to join me in presenting these books to all who seek better societies and know that they are indeed possible by the honest implementation of the thoughts and ideas of men and women who, like Simbo, apply their talents to finding answers to the myriad issues of development.


Congratulations Simbo, thank you very much.


Laolu Akande

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President

1st September 2020

Osinbajo is always the man of people.

This is a great blessing to Nigeria

#OsinbajoTheFixer. He will be a better president indeed

Osinbajo you're ever the best, thank you for your hard work

This is commendable, great idea.

1. Hope for Nigerians (through the Social Investments Programmes):

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo oversees what is regarded as the largest social investments programme in sub-Saharan Africa. The National Social Investment Programmes (N-SIP) 

2. Improving the Economy:

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


3. Leadership:

The ever agile, contemporary, youthful and versatile, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo stands out as the significant link between Nigeria's young population and the President Buhari administration. 

4. Bringing people closer to government:

From Oyo to Owerri, Maiduguri to Yenagoa, everywhere he goes, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has a way with people that instantly magnets them to his inborn charm and aura personality.

This is indeed commendable ,

This is why I love to hear to my VP speak, he always speaks with wisdom.

God will continue to strengthen you sir.

Some we in this country are thinking outside down

Great say

God has bless Osinbajo with wisdom, and he has spoke very well

Ever in Action. We strongly believe that peace will soon be restored in Southern Kaduna

Things are getting better everyday by day

This is indeed great news

Wow! This is commendable

Best, Great, and wonderful moment for the conference days.

Our Justice system really needs to be refused, it is the key to democracy and the government

we really need reforms in the judicial

FFK is a scam

17th August
Vice President Osinbajo presided over the National Council On Privatization (NCP) meeting.

VP Osinbajo also partook in/delivered special remarks at the virtual inauguration of the Nigeria History Fund organized by James Adekunle Ojelabi Foundation.

18th August
VP Osinbajo delivered a keynote address at the Virtual Conference on Nutrition convened by the Aisha Buhari Foundation, with its partners; the Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and the Nigerian Health Watch.

It was themed: Harnessing lnnovative Financing Options for Nutrition-unraveling the bottlenecks.

19th August
Vice President Osinbajo partook in the virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja

20th August
VP Osinbajo virtually presided over the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the State House Abuja.

22nd August
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, delivered remarks at a webinar by Wole Olanipekun & Co Justice Summit themed; Developing an Institutional Concept of Justice in Nigeria.

Bayo I hope you have gotten the attention now.

The team of this call Jackson Ude , Femi Fani Kayode, Timi Frank and Co are the problem of this country with their lies and spreading of fake news

It very great step by the VP bringing back history to school curriculum. It will really help in understanding our guide line

You this man you have come again, you're hungry I know that, I can see you have nothing to say, and please keep that your hungry mouth one side, stop saying what you know nothing about

All the three arms of government will be needed when talking on the reforms, Great speech

Nigeria is bless with this great VP Osinbajo

Great leaders of our time

Osinbajo the man if great wisdom

With all your evil plans Osinbajo will never go down

Spreading fake news has now become your morning and afternoon food, the government need to make some people suffer

Interesting! This is great development