International Collaborations Crucial For Timely COVID-19 Recovery, Says Osinbajo

*VP cites FG, Germany, Siemens power initiative as a model

In dealing with the disruptions caused by COVID-19 on economies and livelihoods, stronger international cooperation and collaboration among countries will be crucial in addressing the situation and expediting economic recovery, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Monday at the 8th German-Nigerian Business Forum which held virtually. The event featured presentations by representatives of the German and Nigerian business communities.

Emphasizing the importance of building stronger collaboration and cooperation post-COVID-19, the Vice President said “as it turned out, the pandemic is no respecter of borders, and has forced us to ponder on the importance of collaboration and international cooperation in solving some of our most pressing problems”.

According to him, “2020 will probably go down as perhaps the most challenging year in recent global history. No one can be blamed for the circumstances that led to it. However, history will hold us responsible as individual nations and collectively if we do not see and seize the immense opportunities that the moment presents.

“Bilateral cooperation is a major plank of that effort. We must use the German Nigeria forum to snatch growth and prosperity for our countries from the jaws of the pandemic.”

Speaking specifically about the German-Nigerian business cooperation, the Vice President said: “there are several reasons why Nigeria and Germany’s economic relationship is an important and natural one.”

“With its population of nearly 200 million people and as the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria is a natural partner of Germany, which is also the largest economy in the European Union and also its most populous country. Both countries have a shared experience of paving the way in their respective continents and serve as strategic entry points for investors across industries,” he added.

Prof. Osinbajo noted that “cooperation between our countries and between sectors, is now more important than ever and this forum is an essential platform for deliberating on the mutually beneficial ways that we can achieve our shared objectives as nations. And we already have an excellent example the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), a power infrastructure upgrade and modernisation programme, agreed to by the Nigerian government and Siemens AG of Germany, with the support of the German Government.”

“Under the initiative, the Nigerian government will on behalf of the other shareholders in the DisCos invest in infrastructure upgrades in the form of improved payment systems, distribution substations, transformers, protection devices, smart meters, transmission lines, etc.,” the Vice President added.

Stating the focus of government’s interventions aimed at addressing the fallouts of the pandemic, Prof. Osinbajo said the priorities we, as a government, have set for ourselves are centred around nine inter-related and inter-connected areas, which are”:

Stabilizing the economy
Achieving agriculture and food security
Attaining energy sufficiency especially in power and petroleum products
Improving transportation and other infrastructure
Driving industrialization with a special focus on SMEs; Expanding access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity of Nigerians
Enhancing social inclusion by scaling up social investments
Building a system to fight corruption, improve governance
Strengthen national security.
Present at the event were Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; Germany’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Birgitt Ory; the CEO of Afrika-Verein, Christoph Kannengiesser, among others.

*Osinbajo is Nigeria’s Joe Biden, let’s make it happen*

There are many similarities between the US President-Elect, Joe Biden and the present Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo but nothing shouts out than their zeal to want to unite and give people opportunities to succeed.

As Vice President, they were both restricted by the constitutions of their country; they had to flow with the agenda of their bosses and they are both very loyal.

When Biden was going to run for President, Obama was his number one surrogate and he aggressively campaigned for Biden in swing states like Michigan and Florida.

Many in Nigeria would expect President Buhari to back and campaign for his deputy if he does declare for Presidency in 2023. As of now, Osinbajo has stayed away from politics of 2023 and has concentrated on his job.

He has tried to ensure that #EndSARS protesters are given the justice they demand because they are not only citizens of Nigeria but they are the future of Nigeria.

He directed governors of the 36 states and the Minister of FCT to set up Judicial Panel of Inquiries and to compensate the victims of police brutality.

He was the first to summon the Inspector General of Police to his office on a Sunday, telling him to ban SARS before taking him to the President to make it official.

He is a man of empathy; he is the people in Aso Rock. He is the man who set up a committee of governors to interface with the youths and who has stated that he will also meet with youths.

His time as Acting President was when I got a glimpse of how an Osinbajo-led administration will be. I think four or eight YEARS of Osinbajo as President will bring unbelievable change to Nigeria.

Only God knows if this will be but as for me, I see no man better than Osinbajo for the future.

Statehouse Press Release | Office of the Vice President.

*WHY SOUND BUSINESS ETHICS IS CRUCIAL TO BUILDING VIABLE ENTERPRISES – OSINBAJO*

The development and sustenance of viable enterprises is no longer dependent on the size of the corporation and related factors but sound ethical practices imbibed by all stakeholders, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Tuesday at the virtual 2020 Conference of the Institute of Directors.

According to him, “The frequent clashes between conscience and wrongful behavior will eventually create a toxic work environment and destroy corporate objectives and visions. There is also enough history of how cutting corners and dishonesty ultimately bring down the whole enterprise.

This we have seen in the facts behind the collapse of many Nigerian financial institutions from the nineties to the more recent occurrences in 2009. Yes, it took a while for the institutions to unravel but the point is made that on the long run, unethical practices are unsustainable.

“Besides for quoted companies, the dangers of unethical behavior are much graver. Local and international investors have greater access to information and more options than ever before, the slightest whiff of scandal or malfeasance can destroy value built up over the years.

The local and especially the international examples of the collapse of companies thought to be too big to fail and brand names that had even once been associated with integrity and strong business ethics is a strong reminder of just how brittle edifices built on weak business ethics are.

“Today, every company’s stakeholders are far more than investors, management, or employees. They now include customers, clients, trade partners, suppliers, media, the general public, government and now, the environment.”

The event featured presentations personalities including Prof. Marc Le Menestrel, a professor of Decision Sciences; Chairman of Governing Council, Institute of Directors, Chief Chris Okunowo; and Dele Alimi, DG/CEO, Institute of Directors.

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

REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE 2020 CONFERENCE OF THE INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS, ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 3, 2020

I am honoured by your kind invitation to join you this morning at the 2020 Annual Directors’ Conference of the Institute. The Institute takes the credit for the development of Nigeria’s finest breed of business executives and directors in the fulfilment of their legal and personal responsibilities to the corporate entities they serve and of course, to Nigeria as a whole.

I am particularly excited about the recent efforts of the Institute to standardize the practice of sound ethical values and lead by example with the introduction in August this year, of the IoD Code of Ethics 2020 for members and staff of the Institute.

I, therefore, congratulate the President, Chief Chris Okunowo, who many of you know, is from the best schools in the World, Igbobi College, and the Faculty of Law University of Lagos, for steering the course of the institute towards global best practices. (I am offering no prizes for guessing that the two schools I mentioned are also the schools that I attended).

My brief remarks will centre around a question that has occupied my mind for many years and led to my co-founding the Convention on Business Integrity with my friend and brother Soji Apampa in 1997.

How do you most effectively convey the truth to corporate entities, to companies, that integrity pays, that business ethics is as crucial to the bottom line and to everything else, as the other more obvious factors in delivering profitability and recognition of success for a company?

The question is complicated by the notion that business ethics is itself an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms how can you survive in the cut-throat survival of the fittest environment of business with any kind of concern for morality?

Besides, in countries where regulatory oversight and law enforcement is weak and or slow, there would seem to be, at least, in the short term, no particular advantage in choosing ethical behavior over profit.

But the arguments in favour of business ethics are much stronger. Aside from the more obvious connection between respect for obligations, sanctity of contracts, and reliability or trustworthiness and business success, clearly unethical accounting practices, false communication to shareholders or the public, (where it is sanctioned by the leadership) results in employee cynicism and defeats the commitment to corporate visions and objectives.

If the employees believes that the bosses are crooks or prepared to bend the rules, they also will seek ways of short-circuiting the rules for personal benefit.

Besides, the frequent clashes between conscience and wrongful behavior will eventually create a toxic work environment and destroy corporate objectives and visions. There is also enough history of how cutting corners and dishonesty ultimately bring down the whole enterprise.

This we have seen in the facts behind the collapse of many Nigerian financial institutions from the nineties to the more recent occurrences in 2009. Yes, it took a while for the institutions to unravel but the point is made that on the long run, unethical practices are unsustainable.

Besides for quoted companies, the dangers of unethical behavior are much graver. Local and international investors have greater access to information and more options than ever before, the slightest whiff of scandal or malfeasance can destroy value built up over the years.

The local and especially the international examples of the collapse of companies thought to be too big to fail and brand names that had even once been associated with integrity and strong business ethics is a strong reminder of just how brittle edifices built on weak business ethics are.

Today, every company stakeholders are far more than investors, management, or employees. They now include customers, clients, trade partners, suppliers, media, the general public, government and now, the environment.

These additional relationships have become, especially in an age of clearly excessive information flows, as important in the accountability matrix of companies as their traditional stakeholders.

This probably explains the new place of open corporate social responsibility efforts, and the strong environmental stewardship initiatives that many countries are adopting around the world. Companies must show that they are not only profitable but that they are good by measures of character and concern for the environment and society.

According to a study which I came across, by Nielsen, 55% of online shoppers in 60 countries would accept paying more for goods or services from companies that are focused on having a positive impact on society and the environment. And it is becoming more so. People are paying more attention to good corporate citizenship.

The empirical evidence is beginning to match our intuition more forcefully daily. However the key is leadership. Leadership that believes the evidence and realizes that business ethics are not just moral preachments but important foundations for profitable and sustainable businesses in the 21st Century.

Indeed, for Nigerian Business Leaders, the theme of this conference is a challenge to conquer in our own interest the new frontier in business ethics, ethical leadership and sustainability.

Let me thank the executives and members of the Institute of Directors for this opportunity. I wish you excellent deliberations and look forward to receiving your conclusions at the end of the conference.

Released by:

*Laolu Akande,*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,*
*Office of the Vice President.*
3rd November 2020

_STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE | OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT_


*PAYMENT OF N30,000 GRANTS TO 333,000 ARTISANS UNDER ESP BEGINS*

*Beneficiaries nationwide to receive one-time grant, with Lagos, Kano, FCT & nine more States in first batch

*Enumeration, verification still ongoing for Payroll Support Scheme

*Free CAC Business Names’ Registration for 250,000 MSMEs also commences

As the implementation of the Economic Sustainability Plan progresses, the payment of N30,000 one-time grant to 333,000 artisans across the country is now in progress.

The payments are being made to sets of verified beneficiaries of the Artisan Support Scheme, a track under the MSMEs Survival Fund.

In the first stream of payments starting today, beneficiaries are being drawn from the FCT, Lagos, Ondo, Kaduna, Borno, Kano, Bauchi, Anambra, Abia, Rivers, Plateau and Delta States. They form the first batch of applications for the scheme submitted between October 1 and October 10.

The MSMEs Survival Fund scheme is a component of the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan, NESP, which was developed by an Economic Sustainability Committee established by President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2020. The President asked his deputy, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, to head the committee which produced and is overseeing the implementation of the plan.

Under the ESP, the Survival Fund is generally designed to among other things, support vulnerable MSMEs in meeting their different obligations and safeguard jobs in the sector.

It would be recalled that applications for the Artisans’ Support Scheme under the MSMEs Survival Fund opened on October 1.

Meanwhile, the enumeration for the second stream of States under the Artisan Support Scheme has also commenced with enumerators in various States compiling the lists of artisans through their association leaders. All artisans are expected to liaise with their association leaders to document their details.

The registration of applicants for Stream 2 began on the 19th October 2020. States under Stream 2 are: Edo, Ogun, Ekiti, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Enugu, Ebonyi, Adamawa, Taraba, Bayelsa

In the same vein, enumeration and verification of the documents of applicants under the Survival Fund Payroll Support scheme is still ongoing. Dates for the commencement of payment would be announced in due course.

The application process for the payroll support scheme, which began on September 21, had ended on the 15th of October 2020. Accepted applications are categorized by industry sectors, including Education and Hospitality, among other sectors.

However, there may be an extension for applications for some States that have not met their quota on beneficiaries. The Artisan Support Scheme is to benefit about 9,000 Nigerians per State and FCT.

In addition, the formalization support under the MSME Survival Fund will also commence today. This involves free business names’ registration for 250,000 MSMEs nationwide by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

According to the CAC, 6,606 business names in each of the 34 states will be registered for free. In Abuja, there would be 7,906 free registrations, 9,084 in Lagos and 8,406 free business names from Kano.

Also, a date for the commencement of the Guaranteed Offtake Scheme under the Survival Fund will be announced soon. This scheme is designed to safeguard existing small businesses and save jobs while ensuring continued local production by guaranteeing off-take of priority products

The Offtake Scheme is a track specifically for MSMEs that are into production of items approved by the Steering Committee of the Survival Fund coordinated under the leadership of the Industry, Trade and Investment Minister of State Ambassador Mariam Katagum. The basic requirements include CAC certificate, valid BVN, SON or NAFDAC certification.

The N2.3 Trillion Economic Sustainability Plan consists of fiscal, monetary and sectoral measures to enhance local production, support businesses, retain, create jobs and provide succour to Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable.

*Laolu Akande,*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,*
*Office of the Vice President.*
27th October, 2020

FOR SOCIAL MEDIA TRENDS, WE MURDERED HUMANITY
By Haruspice

You see one thing about me? I am never swerved by popular opinion. That everyone is holding on to a particular viewpoint does not make it right or true. I once watched an episode of Frank Edoho's 'Who Wants To Be a Millionaire ' A question was thrown to the audience , 99% gave a particular answer but the guy on the hot seat refused to follow the audience and held obstinately to his instinct. When the result showed, everyone else was wrong, only the guy got it right!

The ugly events in the last few days have shown how fragile we are with social media. With the rate we are going, this tool may be our doom as a people. So traumatized I was that I couldn't sleep on the night of the alleged lekki shooting. Almost everyone was reporting the ugly incident , this time , not as witnesses but amplifiers. It came with very acerbic venom with everyone cursing anyone with sympathy for Buhari.

Time has a way of revealing the truth and in less than two days, those who started the lekki story are now recanting their stories and even apologizing for misleading the people. Unfortunately, apologies won't bring back the dead or restore properties destroyed. From the comfort of our homes, we have rendered people fatherless, motherless , childless, orphans and widows!

Our refusal to be guided by instinct has caused us so much that anguish pervades the land as we are more fragmented than ever with tribes living in frightening distrust.

Those gifted with the tool of influence fell for the popular demand and failed to use their influence in the interest of humanity but for its destruction. Omojuwa is recanting, Kadaria is remorseful, Linda Ikeji is helpless, Burna Boy is gritting, DJ Switch has reduced the number of deaths from 78 to 15, Mr Macoroni is confused for their refusal to verify before disseminating. Those of us who refused to tow the popular lane were branded cowards, sellout and asslickers. Today we stand clean from the blood-stained of the innocent Nigerians killed by security forces, murdered by hoodlums and the security personnel clubbed to death.

Again, may we not stand in testimony of what we didn't witness. Insets are some of the traces of those who discarded emotional intelligence for ephemeral social media likes, comments, retweets and traffic. For all this, we lost our humanity.

Sadly musing

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

HOW ENDSARS PROTEST WAS HIJACKED; MISDIRECTED, PRESIDENT BUHARI TELLS FORMER HEADS OF STATE

It is unfortunate that the initial genuine and well-intended protest of youths in parts of the country against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was hijacked and misdirected, President Muhammadu Buhari told former Heads of State and Presidents of Nigeria, Friday in Abuja.

In a virtual meeting with the former leaders, President Buhari reiterated that the Government will not fold its arms and allow miscreants and criminals continue to perpetrate acts of hooliganism in the country.

At the meeting were all living past leaders, including: Gen. Yakubu Gowon, President Olusegun Obasanjo, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Gen. Abulsalami Abubakar, and former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The President recounted the initial concessions made by his administration on the demands of youths protesting against the excesses of some members of the SARS.

He recalled that the youths had demanded that the squad be disbanded, and further articulated the additional demands, including:

''The immediate release of all arrested protesters.

''Justice for deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families.

''Setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of Police misconduct within 10 days.

''Psychological evaluation and re-training of all disbanded SARS officers before they can be re-deployed; and increase in Police salary.''

The President declared: ''We accepted all the demands and proceeded immediately to scrap SARS and started the process of addressing the other demands.

''Unfortunately, the protesters refused to call off the protest and engage the Government to address their grievances. Instead, they became emboldened and gradually turned violent.''

President Buhari expressed concern that in the mayhem that ensued, many lives have been lost, a number of public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalized.

Reiterating his pledge to Nigerians from the nationwide broadcast Thursday, the President reaffirmed:

''We will continue to improve good governance through our democratic process including through sustained engagement.

''We shall also continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected. Here, I want to also reaffirm our commitment to preserving the unity of this country.”

The President thanked the former Heads of State for attending the meeting and their invaluable comments, observations and advice, adding that ''Nigerians expect nothing less from responsible statesmen.''

Each of the former leaders commended President Buhari for steps taken so far to restore calm and order to the country and also applauded the presidential broadcast of Thursday as detailed and soothing to the country.

''I commend the speech of last night. The nation had been waiting. You made points that I believe need to be commended. Peaceful demonstration is part of democratic practice. The demands of the genuine protesters were accepted, and you are working on implementation. We commend you,'' former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said.

The former heads of state were unanimous in their view that generation of employment and growing the economy including through direct foreign investments were critical to checking youth restiveness.

They also expressed their condolences to the bereaved families of civilians, policemen and soldiers killed as a result of the violent protest, and reaffirmed the commitment to respect the fundamental rights of citizens, including for peaceful protest as enshrined in the Constitution.

The former Heads of State also condemned the divisive and inciting pronouncements of separatists, and were of the opinion that such acts should be stopped.

Equally, the former Leaders commended the actions taken by Governors to address the demands of the ENDSARS protesters and their efforts to check the excesses of those who perpetrated violent acts and conduct.

Finally, they called on youths to pursue peaceful means, in seeking redress through engagement with Government and encouraged further conversation with the youths and other stakeholders in the country.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 23, 2020

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE | OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

OUR POLICE REFORM AGENDA IS A GAME CHANGER TO END IMPUNITY – OSINBAJO TELLS US DELEGATION

The plan of both the Federal and State Governments to investigate police brutality and prosecute erring police officers, create new State-based Security and Human Rights Committees, as well as providing compensation to victims of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police units, would be a game-changer in ensuring an end to impunity, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Thursday when he received at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, an American government delegation including the US Assistant Secretary, Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Bob Destro; US Assistant Secretary, Bureau for Conflict Stabilization Operations, Denise Natali; the Counselor of the US Department of State, Thomas Ulrich Brechbuhl; and the Charge d’Affairs, US Embassy, Kathleen FitzGibbon. Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama was also at the meeting.

According to the Vice President, at least 13 states in the country including Lagos, have since established Judicial Panels “to seek justice and to compensate those whose rights have been breached.”

The VP also disclosed that the President has already supported the decisions of the National Economic Council.

It would be recalled that on October 12, the Council, which is chaired by the VP with all State Governors and FCT Minister as members, resolved on the immediate establishment of State-based Judicial Panels of Inquiry across the country to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality or related extra-judicial killings to deliver justice for all victims of the dissolved SARS and other police units.

According to Prof. Osinbajo, NEC also agreed on the provision of monetary compensation to victims and prosecution of erring officers.

While responding to the concerns of the US government on instances of impunity in the country, the Vice President noted that these efforts are part of the Nigerian government’s commitment to implement extensive police reforms adding that the establishment of Judicial Panels of Inquiry nationwide will further ensure that the Police and other security agencies ensure the protection of human rights of citizens.

He said, “The concerns around impunity are some of the concerns that informed the establishment of Judicial Panels of Inquiry across states. Each state is now required to establish judicial inquiry that will look into cases of impunity, excessive use of force, extrajudicial killings etc., especially by law enforcement agents.”

“Aside from two representatives of Civil Society groups, these Judicial Panels will have youth representatives and a representative from the National Human Rights Commission, among others. Each State is also required to have what is called the Special Security and Human Rights Committee to ensure that law enforcement and security agencies protect the Human Rights of citizens.”

“Government is paying attention. The point we are making is that protests are a means to an end, but they cannot be the end. We are very optimistic that what we have put in place would eventually yield the best possible results for us,” Prof. Osinbajo stated.

The VP also highlighted what he termed false narratives about Nigeria, including the herder-farmer crisis, especially in North Central states, and the politics behind the allegations.

According to the VP, the herder-farmer crisis was exacerbated mainly because of land and resources struggle than from the misinterpreted Christians-versus-Muslim narrative.

Members of the United States delegation from Washington DC offered to collaborate with the Federal Government on these issues, a suggestion welcomed by the Vice President hoping that such cooperation will create better understanding of the issues.

*Laolu Akande,*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,*
*Office of the Vice President,*
23rd October 2020.

WE ARE HUNTERS AND NOT GUARDS IN NIGERIA

 By Abdullahi O Haruna Haruspice

Ordinarily, President Muhammadu Buhari is supposed to join the protest going on in some parts of the country because what the people are protesting against is what the man has been struggling to correct.

For everything, he does to free the system of saboteurs, the people trusted with responsibilities turn around to frustrate it. When he came hard on those who looted the arms’ money, he was tagged an oppressor who was out to persecute opposition elements.

When he went after corrupt judges, he was called a despot with no respect for the rule of law. Collectively, we unite to undermine the wheel of governance by our actions and inactions.



Now let’s go practical, take your local government chairmen, for example, assess their life from 2015 till this moment; what has changed in them? Are they still living in the same house of 2015?
Riding on the same car of 2015? I can bet with my life, everything about them has changed. Same with your House of Assembly and National Assembly members, same with your governors and their appointees, same with your ministers, director-generals etc!
Everything about them has changed for the better but not for once have you queried them on why this change in their lives isn’t getting to the people around them?

Now let’s beam our searchlight on President Buhari; has he changed his house in Daura or Kaduna? How come everyone around him, in his government, in the states, in ministries, in parastatals and agencies are swimming in fortune at the detriment of the people but the man remains true to himself?

Because you don’t give what you don’t have! Buhari is who he is and others are who they are? And this is our ethos until we change it; we are where we are perpetually.

You will argue, how come he is not wielding the big stick? The law, unfortunately, does not empower him to wield the stick on local government chairmen, assembly members, governors, etc in a democratic setting.
The regulatory authorities are also collaborators in the ruination of the system. We are hunters and not forest guards in Nigeria.

Again, when was the last time you ask about the allocation that comes to your state? Get your answers from your local and state leaders; the constitution has forbidden the president from helping you to ask certain questions from your leaders at the state.

Like you, Buhari is constitutionally handicapped.
But Baba Buhari, you have the power
to control those under your close reach. Your ministers aren’t inspiring, only a few give flickers of hope. We don’t even know half of them neither do we feel their vibes. Kick their ass if they aren’t gyrating. They bring more scorn to your government than even the opposition. Lastly, what is the explanation exactly in having your personal aide sent as INEC commissioner- nominee?
What an indefensible reality here Mr President!

What makes a nation fail needs no theoretical explanation, we are the summation of our failure. I will tell you how! The policemen on the roads extorting, begging and stealing from motorists are not Ghanaians but full-bloodied Nigerians like you and I.
In fact, they worship as Muslims and Christians and speak to our different ethnicities. What would make a policeman given a gun to protect the people turn around and use the same gun to oppress the people? So disgusting that policemen in Nigeria would force an innocent citizen to the ATM point and extort money from him.
I ask again, who are the civil servants in government? They are people born, brewed and groomed in Nigeria’s water.

That we are where we are today is to the ingenuity or otherwise of these ‘patriots’. Traditional rulers with the touch of royalties lowered their robes and became launchpad for criminal elements – aiding kidnappers, giving them cover while they unleash their venom on fellow Nigerians.

The people elected and appointed into government are people flowing with the Nigerian blood, but what we get from them are what we all complain of. So if these persons from different representations of Nigeria are in government, how come we
are still not doing well?
Have you gone around our individual
communities to see the rots and ruins of our personal decisions? When it rains, we rush out to empty our refuses in the waterways instead of taking them to designated dumpsites. When the rains come with its furies, it floods into our homes and stays put as temporary destructive guests, that time, we now come online to blame the government. And who the hell is this government if not you and I?

Do you know the irony of this lethargy? All the Nigerians mentioned above are quick to echo how bad Nigeria is, why nothing is working and how our leaders have failed us. And I dare to ask who exactly are these leaders?

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

NEC TO GOVS:
TAKE CHARGE OF POLICE TACTICAL UNITS

*JUDICIAL PANELS OF INQUIRY FORMED TO INVESTIGATE POLICE BRUTALITY IN ALL STATES, FCT
*PANEL HAS 6 WEEKS TO COMPLETE ASSIGNMENT
* COUNCIL ALSO DIRECTS SPECIAL FUND IN ALL STATES TO COMPENSATE VICTIMS OF BRUTALITY

Rising from its monthly meeting the National Economic Council has directed the immediate establishment of State-based Judicial Panels of Inquiry across the country to receive and investigate complaints of Police brutality or related extra judicial killings with a view to delivering justice for all victims of the dissolved SARS and other police units.

The Council specifically resolved that State Governors and the FCT Minister should take charge of interface and contact with the protesters in their respective domains.

At a meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, and attended by State Governors, the Judicial Panels which would be set up in all the States would include representatives of Youths, Students, Civil Society Organizations and would be chaired by a respected retired State High Court Judge.

The Council also directed that State Governors should immediately establish a State-based Special Security and Human Rights Committee to be chaired by the Governors in their States, to supervise the newly formed police tactical units and all other security agencies located in the State.

The idea of the Special Security and Human Rights Committee in all States of the Federation and the FCT is to ensure that police formations and other security agencies in the State consistently protect the Human Rights of citizens.

Members of the Special Committee would also include Representatives of Youths, and Civil Society. The head of Police tactical units in each of the State would also be a member of the Committee.

Regarding the Judicial Panel of Inquiry, each State Government is to set up the Panel, chaired by a retired High Court Judge, with other members selected by the State Governor as follows:
*Two representatives of Civil Society groups
*One Retired Police Officer of high repute
*One Youth Representative
*One Student Representative
* One Representative of the State Attorney-General Ministry and a representative from the National Human Rights Commission.

The terms of reference for the Judicial
Panel is to -
*receive and investigate complaints of Police brutality or related extra judicial killings;
*evaluate evidence presented/other surrounding circumstances, and draw conclusions as to the validity of the complaints; and
*recommend compensation and other remedial measures, where appropriate.

The Panel’s assignment should be concluded within a maximum of six (6) months, unless it shows convincing reasons why the State Governor should allow an extension.

There would also be Human Rights Public Complaints Team of between 2 to 3 persons to receive complaints on an ongoing basis. That team would be established by the Special Committee on Security and Human Rights.

It was resolved that each State Government shall also set up such a Complaints Office to which members of the public can relate by telephone or social media channels.

It shall be the duty of the officers of the Complaints Office to liaise with the leadership of security agencies, attempt resolution of complaints or otherwise guide the complainants.

Also NEC directs all State Governors to immediately establish a Victims Fund to enable the payment of monetary compensation to deserving victims.


OTHER HIGHLIGHTS OF TODAY'S NEC MEETING

Council also received update on Nigeria’s COVID-19 response efforts from the Director General of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu.


According to the report, state performance in testing in the last month showed that state testing in September compared to August recorded decline in 18 States and improved testing in 19 others.

The NCDC DG also listed priority intervention areas as, strengthening States’ Health Security Architecture (Strong State Epidemiology team, Functional EOC, Functional Molecular Lab, Defined Treatment Centre, Response Vehicles, Communication equipment, Resources to deploy) and the establishment and sustenance of sample collection sites.

Other highlights of the meeting are as follows:

UPDATE ON ACCOUNT BALANCES

The Honourable Minister of State for Budget and National Planning reported to Council that the under listed accounts as at 14th October, 2020 are as follows:

a.
Excess Crude Account -$72,409,346.76

b. Stabilization Account -N47,193,630,556.96

c. Development of Natural Resources Account -N154,330,148,020.34


PRESENTATION ON STRATEGY FOR GROWTH OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMES) AND JOB CREATION BY MINISTER OF INDUSTRY, TRADE AND INVESTMENT



Council received a presentation from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment titled Strategy for Growth of Micro, small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES) and Job Creation.

· The objective of the presentation is to bring NEC up to speed on Ministry’s Term Goals and Projects and seek NEC’S support in the resolution of key challenges to achieving our goals.



· The presentation noted that part of the mandate of FMITI is to accelerate the growth of the industrial sector and enhance productivity and boost the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as engine of economic growth, etc.

Council was invited to:
Establish land banks in each state earmarked for investment in agriculture and agro –processing;

Ensure fair compensation for land, standardize and ensure clarity in compensation rates in each state;
Adapt the 2015 approved list of taxes and levies;
Set up and investment promotion agency/one stop shop for investment-related issues including facilitating investment linkages
MSME Council should be set up in each states. These Councils should build a database of the residents MSMES which can be used to facilitate the integration of local MSMEs into the supply chains of large resident corporate.

PRESENTATION ON THE 2021-2023 MEDIUM-TERM EXPENDITURE FRAMEWORK AND 2021 FGN BUDGET PROPOSAL BY THE HONORABLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR BUDGET & NATIONAL PLANNING

According to the presentation, disruptions in the macroeconomic environment caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, necessitated Mr. President’s presentation of a revised 2020 budget on 28th May, 2020, which was signed into law on 10th July, 2020.

▪ The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the revised 2021-23 Medium Term Expenditure Framework & Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP), as well as the 2021 FGN Budget, on the 30th of September, 2020.

▪ In response to the developments affecting the supply of foreign exchange to the economy, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) adjusted the official exchange rate to N360/US$1, and more recently to N379/US$.

▪ The projected aggregate revenue inflow into the Federation Account (Main Pool) is N6.77 trillion, while N1.70 trillion is the projected inflow in the VAT Pool Account.

▪ Out of the Main Pool Account, FGN is projected to get N3.54 trillion while States and Local Governments are projected to get N1.80 trillion and N1.39 trillion, respectively.

▪ From the VAT Pool Account, FGN is projected to get N255.46 billion while States and Local Governments are projected to get N851.52 billion and N596.07 billion, respectively.

CONCLUSION

▪ Several measures are being instituted to improve government revenue and entrench a regime of prudence with emphasis on achieving value for money. The goal of fiscal interventions will be to keep the economy active through carefully calibrated regulatory/policy measures designed to boost domestic value-addition, de-risk the enterprise environment, attract external investment and sources of funding, etc.





Laolu Akande

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity

Office of the Vice President



15th October, 2020

*STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE*
*OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT*
 
OSINBAJO TO ANTI-SARS PROTESTERS:
GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO PROSECUTION OF RIGHTS VIOLATORS, HOLISTIC POLICE REFORMS

*VP adds: We must all stay focussed & committed, restates disbandment of SARS only first step in process*

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has said that government is not only committed to full-scale police reform but also ensuring that wrongful acts are duly investigated and prosecuted.
 
The Vice President gave the assurance when approached by State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa on Monday, just after the President assured Nigerians that “the disbandment of SARS is the first step in our commitment to extensive police reforms in order to ensure that the primary duty of the police and other law enforcement agencies remains the protection of lives and livelihood of our people”.
 
According to Prof. Osinbajo, “the President also spoke, few minutes ago, about the prosecution of all those (law enforcement agents) who have committed wrongful acts. I think, all these are commitments that have been made. But we must also understand that it is a process. It is not an event. Reform is a process. We must show commitment. Everyone must be interested, and we must stay focussed on the issues.”

Addressing the concerns of protesters still on the streets, the Vice President said “I think the clear message is that there is a government commitment to ensuring that the process of reform is done and those who have committed wrongful acts are duly investigated and prosecuted.  And whatever replaces SARS is something that is acceptable, first of all, in its compliance to all the tenets of the rule of law and human rights.”

Continuing, the Vice President said “these are all issues that we are very deeply worried about. All of us are deeply concerned about it. Many young people have complained to me. I have also been involved in many cases trying to resolve these kinds of conduct.”

Prof. Osinbajo added that “I think it is a very good moment for the Police Force, a good moment for law enforcement and for all of us. This is the time for reform, a time for change and we are all committed to it.

“Everyone is committed to seeing a Police Force and also Law Enforcement that will meet the expectations of the Nigerian people. The purpose of law enforcement, the purpose of policing, is for the safety of lives and livelihoods of Nigerians. So, we are all committed to that, and I think that everyone is committed, we are all very committed to it.”

The Vice President said “the most important thing is that SARS has been disbanded and the IGP has committed to ensuring not only that it is disbanded but also that whatever takes its place has the full participation of civil society groups and all other stakeholders.”
 
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
12th October 2020
 

Copyright ©️ 2020, Office of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, All rights reserved

Ondo Decides: PDP Reps Member, Akinjo arrested with Guns at Okitipupa


A Member of the House of Representatives representing Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, Hon. Kolade Akinjo has been arrested by men of the Nigerian Army at Okitipupa.


Akinjo, a Chieftain of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) was arrested with Guns on his way entering the headquarters of Ikale Land.


Details later.

PDP currently sharing #150,000 per polling unit to capture Ondo - YOPROF


A Research and Advocacy Group, Young Ondo Professional Foundation (YOPROF) has urged the people of Ondo State to shun politics of money and vote for their conscience as they decide on who becomes the next Governor of the State tomorrow 10th October, 2020.


The group, in a statement on Friday evening, said intelligence report available before them shows that the opposition's People's Democratic Party (PDP) is currently mobilising their ward chairmen with #150, 000 each to win each polling unit across the 203 wards of the state.


The statement, signed by the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the group, Mr. Oloruntoba Akintan, urged the electorate to shun politics of money and vote for a purposeful leadership and development.


"We have confirmed that the PDP is currently sharing #150, 000 to each of their unit Coordinators through their ward leaders with the aim of capturing Ondo State. The funds, shared under the supervision of one Segun Showumi from Ogun State, was moved into Ondo State from Ibadan, Oyo State and Yenogoa, Bayelsa State.


"Well, our only appeal at PMG is the people of Ondo state should not allow our State head to the Golgotha. The #5,000 that would be given to you by these locusts cannot even cook a good pot of soup.


"Remember, when you collect money to vote, you lose your right to demand for dividends of democracy from the government. Please, reject vote-buying democracy in Ondo State", YOPROF, said

Ondo 2020: Jegede, Ajayi's Thugs now Attacking Our Members across the State - PMG

Friday 9th October, 2020

A political advocacy group, Pentagon Movement Group (PMG), has raised an alarm that armed thugs and militants loyal to the governorship candidates of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Mr. Eyitayo Jegede and Agboola Ajayi respectively, are currently unleashing violent attacks against its members who are holding simultaneous meetings at the moment in all the 203 wards of the State.


The Group, led by the Son of the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Akeredolu, also accused the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde ,of importing thugs into Ondo Town in Ondo West Local Government Area of the state to scare PMG members away where they are holding meetings this afternoon.


In a statement made available by the group's Coordinator in Ondo State, Mr. Lulu Fawehinmi, PMG called on security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities in the interest of peace and integrity of the election holding tomorrow.


"In Ondo Town, thugs brought in from Ibadan by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State went to the Yaba Area of the City to attack our members where they were holding strategic meetings. Our people, fortunately, were able to chase the thugs away with the support of the locals.


"Similar things happened in Oke Ijebu area of Akure this afternoon, our members were intimidated, it took the intervention of the police on routine check before the thugs could be chased away.


"In Ese/Odo and Okitipupa LGAs, thugs loyal to Agboola Ajayi of ZLP unleashed terror against our people who were holding meetings, strategizing on how to support the candidate of their choice peacefully tomorrow but knowingly they have been rejected by the people, these locusts, descended on the people gathering peacefully but we thank God there was no casualty.


"From Intelligence report available at our disposal, we can say very expressly that the opposition are embittered and totally sad over the total acceptability of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu across the state. They are terribly sad that their candidates have been rejected by the people, hence, their resort to violence against lawful people.


"We sympathise with these impending bad losers. However, we wish to put them on notice that he who makes peaceful coexistence impossible, makes violence inevitable", Fawehinmi, said.

*POLICE VIOLATIONS OF YOUNG PEOPLE'S RIGHTS UNACCEPTABLE, ANNOYING — VP OSINBAJO*

*Adds: Those involved would be investigated, prosecuted & exposed

*Commends Civil Society activists and those who call attention to the problem

_"I am very concerned, in fact, very angry about what I see, happening to young men and women who are arrested, in some cases maimed or killed by men of the police force."_

Those were the words of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, when State House Correspondents approached him at the Presidential Villa on his way going out of the residence this afternoon.

Prof Osinbajo was asked mainly about the economic challenges facing the country and Nigerians, and also the reported recent upsurge in the activities of FSARS regarding harassment of people alongside different violations of the rights of especially young Nigerians by some police officers.

In his response, the VP who had earlier held a meeting with the Inspector General of Police today at his residence said the President and himself had discussed the matter on a number of occasions noting the President's displeasure about such reports and his resolve to ensure reforms.

According to him, such violations are "completely unacceptable because these are individuals who are meant to protect Nigerians. The arrest, maiming or killing of young people or anyone at all, is completely wrong. It is unlawful and illegal, and anyone involved in this act ought to be investigated and prosecuted."

The VP said, "today, I had a meeting with the Inspector General of Police, we reviewed several of these issues. The President and I have had discussions on this, he is very concerned about it. He wants to see a reform.

"You are probably aware that the IGP has issued a statement looking at all these issues, in particular, the warning against the use of these tactical units such as SARS for purposes of doing anything other than anti-robbery.

"For example, and I think in his statement, he specifically said that you cannot have a situation where SARS says, they are investigating Cybercrime by arresting young men and women carrying their laptops and phones. Cybercrime is an electronic crime. I don’t see how you can investigate that by seizing people’s phones in a taxi or in their cars.

"It is very obvious that this is a major concern, a few bad eggs in the police force are causing all of these problems because it is all over the place, in different states. There is a need to take serious action.

"The IG’s statement today, is a good first step. He has said clearly that police men must wear police uniforms. You cannot say that because you belong to a tactical unit, you can dress in your casual clothing and be armed, because people can’t even tell the difference between robbers and the police, if you are not properly dressed in police uniform. So, clearly, a reform is in the offing.

"So, I will like to encourage civil society activists, young men and women, who bring this regularly, by the way, to the attention of government and the police. And I think that activism is important because they have been able to bring a lot of these issues to the attention of the police and government, and that is an important part of the process of the reform.

Continuing, he said “It is very obvious that this is a major concern. A few bad eggs in the police force are causing all of these problems. It is all over the place, in different states. There is a need to take serious action. The IG’s statement today, is a good first step.

“He has said clearly that officers have to dress properly. You cannot say that because you belong to a tactical unit, you can dress in your casual clothing, armed in a car. People can’t even tell the difference between robbers and the police, if you are not properly dressed in police uniform.”

Urging that all hands be on deck to effect reforms, the VP said “I think that we all have to work together to ensure that the police and law enforcement agents, do what their duty is and their duty is to protect us, protect our society and livelihoods and homes.

“By the way, many of them are doing their duties excellently well, but there are some of them who are engaged in these activities. So, we must see this as something we all must work together to achieve, as individuals, to bring to the attention of the police and government, where there have been violations.

"And on the part of government and the police: to ensure that every one of those allegations is properly investigated and those found responsible are prosecuted and publicized so that people know that prosecution has taken place and this is the consequence. I am very confident that we will have a reformed police force and that process has already begun.”

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

WHY MERIT IS CRUCIAL TO ECONOMIC GROWTH, BY VP OSINBAJO

*Our value system must conduce to development

Nigeria’s desire and pursuit of economic growth and sustainable development is best achieved through the adoption of merit as a national value, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

The Vice President made the remarks in a keynote address delivered at the Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI) webinar series themed: "A National Conversation on Rebuilding our National Values System".

“Meritocracy is crucial in an economically viable value system because it rewards talent and enterprise. And it is talent and enterprise that would drive sustainable growth”, Prof. Osinbajo affirmed.

Stressing the point about the importance of merit to sustainable growth, the Vice President said, “Economic growth rests upon the substructure of values. The basis of the entire credit system as we know it, is trust. Indeed, the word credit is derived from the Latin word “credere” —to believe or to trust. For a credit facility to be extended to a person, trust is placed in the borrower and his or her willingness and ability to repay.

“When we say that there is a credit crunch, we are referring to a lack of trust. This has significant implications for the economy. Banks cannot lend to people when fraud is widespread, and enterprise and industry cannot flourish without credit.”

Explaining further, Prof. Osinbajo said “financial institutions may also be reluctant to lend because they cannot trust that the government will remain consistent with regulatory policies. For the same reason, investors may be discouraged from investing. When we speak of investor confidence, we are merely describing the level of trust investors are willing to place in an environment.

“Citizens who do not trust that their taxes will be embezzled due to official corruption are unlikely to see any value in paying their taxes. If people stop trusting the media, they are more likely to fall prey to merchants of fake news which can have a destabilizing effect on a nation. Where everyone is self-seeking there can be no trust and without trust, it is impossible to sustain an open society. The significance of trust for the workings of the economy and society are far-reaching.”

In a speech that clearly proposes that merit can also be worked into the implementation of the Federal Character Principles, the Vice President submitted that stakeholders must focus their attention on merit as a crucial factor for society’s economic survival, social justice and in having an economically viable value system.

According to him, “Meritocracy is crucial as a value in and of itself. The moment that we depart from meritocracy, we cannot tie our value system to development in any meaningful way. Our public institutions must be equipped to provide opportunities, regardless of tribe, religion or gender, but the primary criterion must be merit.”

The Vice President noted that the nation’s value system must provide “a causal connection with our economic development. In other words, we must be able to say that these sets of values conduce to economic development in a particular way. And it must also be one that is capable of showing us or the individual, that a happy society, a community of people that are prepared to live and work together, is possible on account of this value system.”

“While inequalities may be addressed by affirmative provisions such as Federal Character, the primary consideration should be merit,” Prof. Osinbajo noted.

Providing more insights, he said “time and time again, we get arguments around the question as to whether the dominant principle in appointments to public institutions should be Federal Character. The dominant principle should be merit, Federal Character is essentially affirmative. What it seeks to do is to create a balance. But even if we are to create that balance, it should still be based on merit.


“For example, if we say that a particular zone should produce a particular candidate for whatever position, that zone should be able to produce the best. What you find, repeatedly, is the situation where the choices are not based on merit, and everything goes around the question of trying to create a balance.”

Situating the values system in the context of society’s development aspirations, the Vice President said: “shaping our discussion on values as a fundament of development is also important because it helps to focus the individual and communal mind on survival especially economic survival which is dear to the heart of all.”

He said “the value system that we need is one that promotes national development, especially economic development and especially socio-economic development. And it must be capable of engendering unity and a shared vision. It must provide a causal connection with economic development. The end result is the creation of a happy society.”

Continuing, he maintained that “for purposes of national unity, for example, we must accept that unity and peace are important outcomes, but the condition predicate for both unity and peace is justice (both legal and social justice). So, in our context, justice includes the notions of fairness, equity, and equality.

Citing relevant portions of the Nigerian Constitution to explain the relevance of merit in a viable value system, the Vice President said: “in our context, justice includes the notions of fairness, equity, equality and it is significant that our Constitution is actually replete with references to these themes”.

“Our Constitution affirms that "the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a state based on the principles of democracy and social justice”, and it also asserts that “the State social order is founded on ideals of Freedom, Equality and Justice.” So, it is obvious that the mandates of our public institutions must be to transparently ensure that there is fairness in the availability of opportunity to all regardless of tribe, religion or gender, or any other considerations.”

Underscoring the importance of the rule of law to the subject matter, the Vice President said “the administration of justice, is at the heart of the beneficial value system. The uncompromising prosecution of criminal activity, the fair and just adjudication of civil disputes, are fundamental to any notion of a strong value system.”

He noted that “institutions that must deliver these values, must themselves be deliberately invested in, both in terms of material infrastructure and the quality of personnel. Where the institutions for the resolution of conflicts and disputes are trusted and judicial outcomes are preponderantly fair and predictable, unity and stability are more likely. And this is very important especially with respect to judicial institutions.”

On his part, former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon (Rtd) emphasized the need to re-engineer the National Youth Service Corps scheme and reinvigorate the studies of History in schools, to reclaim lost values in the society.

He said the nation’s reward system should be linked to a renewed national value system, noting that Nigerians should be defined by established core values.

In the same vein, the President of the Senate, Sen. Ahmed Lawan, pledged the support of the National Assembly in ensuring curriculum alignment to the value rebuilding processes and called for a re-engineering of family ethics to support the entire reconstruction process.

Other speakers at the event include former Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr Christopher Kolade; Chairman of First Bank, Nigeria, Mrs Ibukun Awosika, among other notable Nigerians.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
4th October 2020

Sadly, not many people know the true story behind the lighting up of the Burj Khalifa by UAE to celebrate Nigeria’s independence.

A few months ago the UAE suspended granting visas to Nigeria (shortly after the arrest of Hushpuppi and co during Covid lockdowns).

For the sake of one criminal and a few miscreants the UAE made that move unilaterally to discriminate against all Nigerians without consulting with the Nigerian government or considering diplomatic impact. There were also reports of Nigerians being maltreated in the UAE.

After lockdowns ended and flight resumed, the UAE reopened its borders to other countries but maintained the visa ban on Nigerians and said nothing about the maltreatment of Nigerians in the UAE during the covid lockdown period.

The Nigerian government (much to my surprise) refused to take that insult sitting down. The typically redundant government swung into action and issued an immediate ban on all Emirates flight from Nigeria (which happens to be the 3rd biggest revenue stream for Emirates airlines).

From the 23rd of September the Nigerian government refused to allow any Emirates plane touch Nigerian soil and banned flights from many other country’s airlines who do not regard Nigerians with thesame courtesy that we regard them.

7 days later, the UAE reversed the Visa ban and yesterday announced that they will now allow Nigerians visa access to UAE in the hopes that Nigeria restores Emirates flights. The lighting of Burj Khlaifa was a symbol of goodwill to appease Nigeria.

I'm not often proud of the Nigerian government. But on this one, I say kudos.
That’s the story behind the lighting of the Burj Khalifa.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

ONGOING REGISTRATION OF NIGERIANS FOR N60B SURVIVAL FUND SCHEME IMPRESSIVE, SAYS OSINBAJO

*1.7m to 2m MSMEs to benefit overall from Survival Fund & other schemes
*Half a million to benefit from Payroll Support alone
*333, 000 Artisans & Transport workers to get grants
*250,000 free Business Name Registration
*Over 300,000 MSMEs to get another 15B in Guaranteed Off-take


As more Nigerians and small businesses register for the recently launched Survival Fund scheme of the Federal Government, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has described progress recorded in the first three days of the registration of applicants as massive and impressive, reiterating the commitment of the Buhari administration to ensure effective implementation of all the schemes.

The Vice President stated this yesterday during a virtual interactive session by the Africa Report magazine which focused on Nigeria’s post-pandemic recovery plan also referred to as ‘Bouncing Back’.

Responding to a question on the implementation of the various schemes under the ESP for small and medium businesses, the Vice President said the response by Nigerians to the recently launched Survival Fund was massive and assured that the government remained committed to effective implementation of the scheme.

More and more potential beneficiaries are going online to access the N60 billion Survival Fund whose registration started on Monday.

According to him, “a couple of days ago, the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment launched the Survival Fund. The Fund includes a Payroll Support for about 500, 000 beneficiaries and the plan is to take qualifying businesses who have a minimum of 10 employees and pay salaries of those staff for three months.

“The portal was opened about three days ago and there has been massive response to it. Payroll Support is one important way that we intend to support small scale businesses. We are also giving artisans and transporters, grants to support their businesses and it will cover about 333, 000 of such artisans and transporters.”

Continuing, the Vice President said “there is also a free business name registration that we are doing for 250, 000 persons who wish to register their businesses.”

Referring specifically to the expected impact of the schemes on MSMEs, the Vice President said “we are looking at 1.3 million beneficiaries under the Survival Fund and under the artisans and transporters grants. Then we have a Guaranteed Off-take Scheme. Under this programme, basically, if you manufacture certain items and food products, we will buy them from you. Our target is about 300, 000 of such producers of foods. Both schemes will benefit about 1.7 million individuals and small businesses.”

Speaking further about the effective implementation of the schemes, the Vice President said measures are being put in place to ensure that the target beneficiaries are impacted positively.

In the implementation aspect of the programme, the VP said "we are trying to get everything going. The financing is not the immediate problem, the important thing is organizing the beneficiaries and ensuring that the support gets to them. It is more the nitty-gritty of ensuring that this money gets to those for whom it is meant.”

Responding to another set of questions about the agriculture component of the plan, the Vice President said the Agric programme is on course as 2 million farmers across the country have already been certified to benefit from the programme which aims to create jobs and guarantee food sufficiency.

“We are hoping that we can become a net exporter. At the moment we are the biggest producers of yam and cassava in the world. And through this Mass Agriculture programme, we hope to become a net exporter of some of the products that we are focused on.

“So, a key factor of the Mass Agriculture Programme is that there is guarantee off-take for farmers,” Prof. Osinbajo added.

On the housing component of the plan, the Vice President said the goal is to create opportunities for local builders, architects and other professionals and artisans in the building industry.

He said “we have a target of 300,000 housing units in this plan. It is a huge target but when you break it down, it means that each state will build something in the order of 8,300 or so housing units in each of the 36 states and that will come to under 400 houses in each Local Government Area. The whole idea is to engage young men and women who are builders, architects and all that, forming small companies that can take these housing units in lots.

“What we expect to happen and what we have planned is that in each site you would have block making going on, you would have door manufacturing, window manufacturing and all of that. In other words, we're trying to ensure that local materials are used in the building of these houses.”

On the funding of the stimulus package, the Vice President said N500 billion is provided in the budget out of the N2.3 trillion while the balance is being mainly funded through structured loans from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).


Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
25th September 2020

(UPDATED)

*OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT*
PRESS RELEASE

*FG COLLABORATING WITH INVESTORS TO IMPROVE NIGERIA’S DIGITAL SECTOR, SAYS OSINBAJO*

*VP engages Facebook VP and former UK Deputy PM, Nick Clegg, in fireside chat

*Tech giant announces new office in Lagos, outcome of 2018 VP-led FG delegation's visit to Silicon Valley
 
Just as global Social Media and technology giant, Facebook was informing the Federal Government about its decision to open a Nigerian office in Lagos, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN has restated the determination of the Buhari administration to keep boosting the nation's technology sector and digital economy.
 
Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Friday during a fireside chat with Facebook's Vice President on Global Affairs and Communications, former UK Deputy Prime Minister, Sir Nick Clegg. The chat focused on the digital economic pillar of the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan, NESP.
 
Clegg and other Facebook officials, including Ebele Okobi, Facebook’s Head of Public Policy, Africa, had informed the Vice President about the decision to open its second African office in Lagos possibly by the end of this year or next year.
 
It would be recalled that a delegation of the Federal Government led by the VP and including the Communications & Digital Economy Minister, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, had visited Silicon Valley in 2018 and one of the issues on the table then was how such global tech giants like Facebook could have full representation in the country, including a Nigerian office.
 
According to the Vice President during the fireside chat on Friday, the focus of the Nigerian government on the digital sector is crucial in various socio-economic aspect of national life, from education, e-commerce, social investments programmes to the activities of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government.
 
He said, “The NESP is our response to the economic crisis caused by the (COVID-19) pandemic. Our focus on the digital sector is really because practically everything we are doing centres around expanding our reach in the digital sector.
 
"For example, financial inclusion is critical for us because we are spreading and extending our social services, payment of cash transfers to the poorest and most vulnerable and other manners of such payment; and sometimes to the farthest flung places in Nigeria. So, we certainly need to expand our reach in order to do so. Of course, technology is critical to that."
 
The VP also noted that the Federal Government is collaborating with the private sector to fund, establish and expand e-learning and education platforms, and other areas of digital technology growth.
 
“Practically everything is now being done remotely. Earlier on today, I did a virtual commissioning of the MSME clinic in Lagos, sitting in my office in Abuja. So, for us, the digital space is very important, which is why the focus was on the digital economy in the Economic Sustainability Plan.
 
“We are led by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, which is the ministry fully devoted to all of what we do in the digital space. We have NITDA, an agency responsible for Information technology (policy implementation); as well as the private sector.”
 
Recalling the trip to Silicon Valley and Facebook campus in the US in 2018, the VP stated that the tours helped to boost government’s digital drive, while leading to significant improvement in the country’s digital sector.
 
“The tours were extremely successful. In Silicon Valley, Nigerian start-ups got a chance to pitch their products to tech sector investors, that was very good. In fact, before we left Silicon Valley, one of our venture platforms was able to sign a deal worth about $10m with the Nigeria-US Council. Since then, we’ve seen tremendous activity post-trip. The visit helped in showing our seriousness about the technology sector, and also the entertainment industry. We held a few meetings also with the entertainment industry.
 
“As of 2018/19, we’ve gotten about $377m in investments in the tech sector. Although, it still scratches the surface if one considers the size of our economy and country. But there were very significant gains, and I’m very happy to do that. I think we’ve started off a series of interactions that have been very useful and we will continue to engage.”
 
On the issue of regulations to ensure smooth collaboration between government and the private sector, the Vice President stated that the Federal Government will continue to engage with the private sector to boost development of the tech and creative sector.
 
“With regulation, we are dealing with uncharted territory, because quite a few of what we are seeing are entirely new. And I must say that the regulatory authorities have done quite a decent work, trying to grapple with the newness of some of what they are seeing... So, what has happened is that the collaborative efforts of govt and the tech sector, even the entertainment sector, worked on this. We had set up a technology and creativity advisory group; these are young entrepreneurs, innovators etc, who worked with us in the Industrial and Competitiveness Council to craft some of these regulations and to think through some of the problems,” Prof. Osinbajo said.
 
According to him, “we are trying to work with practically everyone who is interested in the Nigerian digital sector. By way of preparation, one of the critical issues for us is improving our broadband infrastructure. We’ve heard the exciting stuff that Facebook is doing, especially by way of subsea cable that is being launched.
 
"But we also have a Nigerian National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 recently launched by the Hon. Minister of Communication & Digital Economy. There is a presidential committee which has just been inaugurated to work on this. These are broad objectives, and for us, creating that infrastructure is crucial, and we are happy to see the partnerships from Facebook and from some of the other tech companies.”
 
The Vice President further said government is also working to ensure access to credit for innovators.
 
“We’ve talked a bit about foreign investments in innovation in Nigeria, but more importantly, the work that the Bank of Industry is doing. The Bank of Industry has a technology fund. The Central Bank of Nigeria has also recently established a technology fund. Also, we are working with the African Development Bank (AfDB), which has a $500m fund; at the moment we are at the final stages, trying to bring that into existence.
 
"So, there is quite a bit of activity to ensure that there is access to funding, while we are improving the business environment and the environment for technology companies to operate,” he said.
 
On his part, Sir Clegg noted that he was impressed with Nigeria’s broadband goals and what Government is doing to improve the digital sector.
 
He said "Let me say how excited I am, on behalf of the whole of Facebook and all of our teams, of the emerging ambitions that we see in the broadband space in Nigeria, particularly with the Economic Sustainability Plan led by His Excellency, the Vice President. What a huge pleasure for me to hear directly form the Vice President about these ambitions.”
 
At the chat also attended by the Communications and Digital Economy Minister, Facebook announced that it will be opening an office in Lagos, Nigeria. This would be its second office on the African continent as the tech giant officials explained that the opening is part of its continued commitment and ongoing investment in Africa.
 
According to Facebook officials, this is aimed at supporting the entire Sub-Saharan Africa, adding that the office is expected to become fully operational in 2021. The Facebook Nigeria office will be the first on the continent to house a team of expert engineers building for the future of Africa and beyond.
 
According to Facebook, the "office will be home to various teams servicing the continent from across the business, including Sales, Partnerships, Policy, Communications as well as Engineers."
 
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
19th September, 2020

*OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT*
PRESS RELEASE

*6 MONTHS AFTER LOSS OF VP'S ESCORT RIDER, GUI COMMUNITY TAKES DELIVERY OF NEW CLASSROOM BLOCKS*

*New house also donated to late Police Inspector Gomina's family*

Barely six months after the District Head of Gui (a community in the Abuja Municipal Area Council of the FCT), Alhaji Alhassan Yusuf, called the attention of authorities to the lack of adequate education facilities in his community, the Federal Government has responded with the completion of six blocks of classrooms for the community.

The project executed by the Presidency, through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs), will cater for their educational needs, especially the secondary school the community had long yearned for, according to the Gui District Head.

The District Head had, on March 14, 2020, drawn the attention of authorities to the state of infrastructure in the community’s only school when Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, visited the area to commiserate with the community on the loss of one of their sons, Ali Gomina, who was a police escort rider attached to his office.

Speaking to journalists on Saturday after a tour of the newly completed blocks of classrooms, the visibly elated community leader reserved special commendations and prayers for the Vice President, at whose prompting the project was completed within a short time.

According to Yusuf, “I really appreciate our Vice President who has bailed this community out of the poverty of education.

“This community is 6 kilometres away from the only secondary school in this area, located at Sauka, along the main expressway, and the road is really bad. During the raining season, our children find it difficult to go to school at Sauka because of the bad road.

“So, when we lost our son, Ali Gomina, and the Vice President came to condole with us, I raised the issue of a secondary school for our community, and a day after I made that request, the project was approved. Work started on the project barely six months ago and it has been completed already.

“What is left now is for the Ministry of Education to come and supervise the operation of this school. With the number of classrooms in this school, we hope to have both junior and senior secondary classes in this school.”

Expressing his sincere gratitude to the VP, Yusuf said, “Once again, on behalf of Gui community, I sincerely thank the Vice President for what he has done. We pray that God will continue to protect him both in and out of office.”

On the sideline of Saturday’s tour of the school project was the donation of a 3-bedroom bungalow and a store to the family of late Police Inspector Ali Gomina, an escort rider attached to Vice President’s office.

The presentation of the building was in fulfilment of an idea conceived when the Vice President paid a condolence visit to the deceased family and Gui community in March 2020.

Amidst praises and cheers from elders and members of Gui community, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Mr. Ade Ipaye, presented the new house to the family of the deceased police officer.

Fielding questions from journalists after the presentation, Ipaye said, “it is a welcome outcome for the family and the community.”

According to him, “they suffered a great loss when one of their rising stars, their son, was unfortunately killed in a motorbike accident earlier in the year. He left behind a large family. His Excellency, the Vice President was here to commiserate with them and during that occasion, the issue of a building for the family was mooted and His Excellency kept that in mind and ensured that it has become a reality.

“I see that the District Head, the family and community are happy with this. Not only does the family have a bungalow, they also have a shop where they can do some trading activities and be able to sustain themselves. We thank God that this has come to pass.”

Also speaking after the tour of the project, a representative of the OSSAP-SDGs, in the Presidency, Mr Danjuma Dauda, said the project was executed in line with the Goal 1 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is targeted at eradicating poverty and improving the quality of education.

Gomina, 45, was killed in a motorbike accident on March 13, 2020, while leading the Vice President’s motorcade enroute the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

For the late officer’s son, Husseini, the donation of the house by the Vice President, brings back joy that has overshadowed the family’s grief.

According to him, “on behalf of our family I want to sincerely thank the Vice President for what he has done for our family since we lost our father. Joy has overtaken my grief and sorrow. We are very happy for this new house and for the many other things done for our family by the Vice President. May God continue to bless him.”

With the Deputy Chief of Staff during the visit and presentation were the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande, and the Special Assistant-Community Engagements, Ms. Toyosi Onaolapo, among other top government officials.

*Signed:*
Arukaino Umukoro
Special Assistant to the President on Communication Projects
Office of the Vice President
13th September, 2020

AfCFTA, veritable platform for trade negotiations — Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that one of the ways by which Africa can maximise benefits is to ensure that trade negotiations with the rest of the world are based on the free trade agreement.

The vice president said that the continent should explore the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement in trade discussions rather than deals separately endorsed by regional economic blocs.

Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement in Abuja, said the vice president delivered a  keynote at the 61st annual conference of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES) on Friday.


The theme of the virtual event is, “African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Post COVID-19 Era: What Next for Nigeria?”

“One important objective of the AfCFTA is to overcome the economic fragmentation of the continent by bringing the regional economic blocs together in a common arrangement.

“This being the case, African countries should look to negotiating trade treaties with other parts of the world on the basis of AfCFTA rather than through arbitrarily designed regional blocs.


“African countries should not allow themselves to be lured into arrangements which do not serve their long-term development objectives.

“We must, of course, continue to bear in mind, especially here in Nigeria that the AfCFTA is not a magic wand that automatically brings about growth and prosperity.”

“The reality is that if care is not taken, trade liberalization can expose the Nigerian economy to unfair competition and sharp trade practices, with adverse consequences for our producers who might have to close down their businesses, and for our workers who would then lose their jobs.”


According to him, successful implementation of the AfCFTA requires financing to address various implementation challenges and to promote arrangements in support of integration.

He said that in addition to making up for potential losses of tariff revenues, African countries would face implementation costs, including undertaking reforms, establishing new trade-related bodies, improving and upgrading existing facilities.

“Finding the resources to undertake these activities at a time like this when we lack fiscal space will, of course, prove to be very difficult for Nigeria and other African countries.


“Our economists should accordingly help to come up with innovative financing solutions for our economies.

“Apart from reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus and mitigating its effect on the domestic economy, Nigeria must have an interest in promoting an AfCFTA that catalyses regional value-chains, enables free movement of people, attracts investments and improves the continental payments system.

“As we seek to use the opportunities, we should remain alert to the need to create conditions that will enable our businesses to be able to compete and thrive within the AfCFTA.


” We can no longer plan without fully considering the AfCFTA; all planning and budgeting documents must take it into account.

” This explains why the current successor plan to the ERGP has the AFCFTA as an important reference,” he said.

On the Federal Government’s N2.3 trillion stimulus package, Osinbajo said the plan was designed to mitigate the shock, tackle the vulnerabilities, create and protect jobs, as well as rescue businesses and reposition the economy.


Prof. Sarah Anyanwu, NES’ President, in her remark, commended both President Muhammadu Buhari and the vice president.

According to her,  Osinbajo is a friend of the society because he understands economic development.

The event attracted a host of Nigeria’s leading economists.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE



DON’T GIVE A KOBO FOR FOOD, FERTILIZER IMPORTS, PRESIDENT BUHARI DIRECTS CBN



As the Federal Government rolls out the Economic Sustainability Plan and sets goal for National Food Security, President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria ''not to issue a kobo'' of the country’s reserves for the importation of food items and fertilizer.



At a meeting of the National Food Security Council at the State House, Abuja, President Buhari restated his earlier verbal directive to the apex bank, saying he will pass it down in writing that ''nobody importing food should be given money.''



Emphasizing the need to boost local agriculture, the President said:



''From only three operating in the country, we have 33 fertilizer blending plants now working. We will not pay a kobo of our foreign reserves to import fertilizer. We will empower local producers.''



Furthermore, President Buhari also directed that blenders of fertilizer should convey products directly to State governments so as to skip the cartel of transporters undermining the efforts to successfully deliver the products to users at reasonable costs.



The President advised private businesses bent on food importation to source their foreign exchange independently, saying ''use your money to compete with our farmers'', instead of using foreign reserves to bring in compromised food items to divest the efforts of our farmers.



''We have a lot of able-bodied young people willing to work and agriculture is the answer. We have a lot to do to support our farmers,'' President Buhari said.



The meeting, chaired by the President with other key members of the Council in attendance, was briefed on the food security situation prevailing in the country.



Notably, the Vice Chairman of the council and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and a Governor from each of the six geo-political zones – Jigawa, Plateau, Taraba, Ebonyi, Lagos and Kebbi, made presentations.



The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, outlined measures introduced by the administration to tackle the unprecedented challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic on the nation as contained in the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP).



Among others, the Minister highlighted that the government will facilitate the cultivation of 20,000 to 100,000 hectares of new farmland in every State and support off-take of agro-processing to create millions of direct and indirect job opportunities.



She also listed the creation of 774,000 direct jobs for a minimum of 1,000 young Nigerians in each local government, the construction of 300,000 homes every year to give a boost to jobs through the construction industry, as well as the connection of 25 million new users of electricity with the installation of Solar Home System (SHS) targeting 5 million households.



Dr Ahmed also briefed on the joint investment with the World Bank to provide intervention fund to States to improve health infrastructure.



She said to ease existing financial hardships among the people, the government is also coming up with low-interest loans for mechanics, tailors, artisans, petty traders and other informal business operators.



The Minister added that the Federal Government will equally provide support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to help them keep their employees and boost local manufacturing.



Dr Ahmed explained that from the recently approved N2.3 trillion stimulus recommended by the NESP, there will be expansion of broadband connectivity to boost job opportunities in the digital economy, a planned expansion of the National Social Investment Programmes including increase in the number of beneficiaries such as the cash transfer beneficiaries, N-Power Volunteers, the Market Moni and Trader Moni schemes.



In his presentation, the Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Sabo Nanono told the Council that the nation expects a bumper harvest of food items despite floods in the north and drought in the south.



He quoted the latest market surveys to show that the recent hike in the price of commodities is being reversed.



On his part, Mr Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, reported the negative impact of the pandemic on the lives and livelihood of citizens, while the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col Hameed Ali (Rtd) expressed the hope of an early reopening of the partially closed borders given the progress made with neighbouring States in joint border patrols - one of the key conditions by Nigeria for reopening of the borders.



Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)

September 10, 2020

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
PRESS RELEASE

VP to Ministers at Retreat: THE N2.3TRN STIMULUS PACKAGE MUST BE IMPLEMENTED QUICKLY

*Adds: We must put money in peoples hands now

•N637.2B for Agric ESP to create 5m jobs
•N152.4B for Solar projects to power 5m homes, covering 25m Nigerians & creating 250,000 jobs
•N217.3B for 300,000 Mass Housing, & 1.5m jobs
•N52B Public Works for 774,000 jobs
•N100B to create half a million MSMEs jobs
Though the Federal Government has commenced the implementation of the N2.3 trillion stimulus package, the economic distortions and hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic require the relevant ministers and stakeholders to expedite action on the plan adopted to mitigate the effect of the crisis on the economy, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Emphasizing the need for a quick implementation of the plan, the Vice President said “everything that we are doing has to be done immediately.”

Continuing, he said "we are already in 'Day 67' since the plan. Nothing is going to happen by magic, we have to simply do this stuff. We got to ensure that we have the money and ensure that day by day, we are measuring our achievements and trying to ensure that we do the things that we need to do. And we simply are not favoured by time, every single day the poverty situation and the economic distortions deepen.”

In a presentation which ended with the headline "The Urgency of Now," the Vice President stated this on Monday while presenting an overview of the Economic Sustainability Plan at the First Year Ministerial Performance Review Retreat organized for Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and top government functionaries. Prof. Osinbajo made his own presentation after delivering the President’s opening speech. The 2-day retreat ends today.

According to Prof. Osinbajo, “… everybody recognizes that the only way out of this particular problem is to ensure that we fund production, enable consumer spending so that people can go and buy things, and we have to put money in people’s hands.”

For instance, the Vice President noted that “the Mass Agriculture programme is one where we envisaged that we will be engaging many farmers. So far, we have enumerated at least 4 million farmers. So, these are farmers who are tied to their lands and we have the geo-statistics that shows where their land is and we have about 4 million of them. And we expect that with each state contributing acreage for farming, we will be able to do significant numbers. The plan is designed in such a way that in each one of the programmes, we are engaging as many Nigerians as possible.

“The expected outcome for Agriculture, even if each farmer employs an additional person, this will result in an additional 4 million jobs and even more jobs along the value chain. We also will be looking at developing rural roads to reduce post-harvest losses.

“Then guaranteed off-take of the produce. The way the programme is designed is that we have anchor farmers who are big farmers. They engage several thousands of farmers and they ensure that these farmers have all of their requirements and they guarantee the offtake of their produce. We have done the survey and it is very evident that so long as there is funding, we will be able to do this programme.”

For the Mass Housing Programme, the Vice President said “…the programme is one where we are looking at building 300,000 homes across the country. We are looking at ensuring that the price of those homes do not exceed N2 million. We already have models which have been put up in Borno State by the Family Homes Fund where the figure is at about N2 million. This is the social housing scheme.”

Continuing, he said “there are two tracks to the housing programme. There is one which is ongoing by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, and the one under the Family Homes Fund is also supervised by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

“The strategy is one that ensures that we use local materials as much as possible on each site. So, on each site, block making is going on. The making of doors, windows, tiles are going on. The whole idea is to make sure that we patronize the local industry and engage many of the young men and women who are at the moment out of work.

“One of the critical success indicators for us will be the number of young engineers, builders who are engaged in these projects. So, we are opening up the space for them and ensuring that they are able to bid for the jobs so that the jobs are not given to big contractors who will take it all up. There will be some big contractors who are supervising smaller businesses and builders.”

He added “we are looking at funding from the structured loans of the CBN and the expected funding is about N217 billion. We look at the demand, 1.5 million doors, 1.8 million windows, 7.8 million hinges, for 300, 000 homes. This is huge by any standards and if we are able to focus on the local industry, we can actually start a major revolution in building in our own country and patronize local industry and ensure that our people get the jobs and the experience that they require.”

For the MSMEs and Solar Power components of the plan, the Vice President said “the solar power and MSMEs strategy are also focused on creating jobs.”

For the Solar Home System, Prof. Osinbajo said “the Solar Power strategy is also focused on creating jobs. What has happened for Solar Power energy in our country is that, for those who have been following, in the past few years, we have been able to demonstrate that if we enable the private sector to install solar power in homes and businesses, government itself does not have to worry about any of these things, unlike what is happening today, where whatever happens in the power sector almost invariably becomes the problem of government.”

“If you look at the projects that we have done in Ariaria Market for example, or Sabon Gari in Kano, where these solar systems have been installed in shops, and in other establishments, there have been no default in payments. The private sector people who put these systems there, receive their pay constantly. In Sokoto also where the project has been implemented, people are happy to pay. Jobs are created, the installers, those who are servicing the system, those who are running the payment systems, these are jobs for so many Nigerians.

“So, using that same strategy, we will be enabling about 5 million solar home systems to be installed across the country. What government will do is to provide the loans through the CBN supported structured loans to the manufacturers of these solar home systems, and many of them are assembled locally. We are already working with these providers of the facilities. One other point is that the World Bank is working closely with us, and supporting the scheme so that once we are able to get fully out there, if we are able to do all of the 5 million homes, we should be able to provide 250,000 new jobs in low and high skilled categories, 25 million individuals with new or improved access to electricity. We are looking at 5 individuals per home,” the Vice President added.

The MSMEs sector, the Vice President said, is one important area of supporting job creation and productivity in the economy.

He said “We have the MSMEs support which has many aspects. But the Survival Fund which the President spoke about in his speech, is the Payroll Support and the Guaranteed Offtake, and then registration of new businesses. Guaranteed Offtake of products will support continued production of priority items and benefit 100,000 SMEs and sustain 300,000 jobs.

“I think that the MSMEs support and the support for businesses is particularly important because we are looking for payroll support for MSMEs which will include payment to teachers of private schools, private businesses for a period of 3 months, just to ensure that people do not lose their jobs. We also expect that the MSMEs support will be one that will enable industries like the hospitality industry, especially the lower cadre to benefit.”

Highlighting specific funding requirements and the expected outcomes in the plan, the Vice President said “Agriculture requiring N637.2 billion funding will provide 5,000,000 jobs; the Solar power project funding requirement is N152.4 billion is expected to provide 250,000 jobs; the Mass Housing programme with a funding requirement of N217.3 billion is expected to create 1,500,000 jobs; while Public Works funding is N52 billion to provide 774,000 jobs: and N100 billion is required to provide 500, 000 jobs in the SMEs.”

Speaking further about the importance of implementing a stimulus plan, the Vice President said there was no other way of correcting the distortions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said, “I think that if we are able to implement this faithfully, if we are able to ensure that we bring in the resources, then we certainly will be able to turn around, the economic fortunes of Nigeria.

“The truth is that, if you look at stimulus packages all over the world, what has happened is that, in many economies that have been able to lessen the impact of COVID-19, the funds have been provided and they have been provided at great pains.



Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
8th September 2020

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

PRESS RELEASE



HONEST IMPLEMENTATION OF IDEAS CAN MAKE BETTER SOCIETIES POSSIBLE - OSINBAJO




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.”



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



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

Fani-Kayode’s Gaffe and the Rot in the Media, By Gidado Shuaib

Of late, the Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has come under heavy media flogging from various persons, journalism unions and top columnists, condemning his attitude towards a Daily Trust journalist, Eyo Charles, during a press conference.

Without attempting to belabour the issue, I wish to recall how the incident happened as well as the attendant media backlash. First, it is instructive to know that a press conference, in other words, is a platform on which a journalist and newsmaker interact through a question-and-answer parley. It is a form of drilling to which a newsmaker is subjected for onward transmission to the public.

However, Fani-Kayode, during one of such parleys, turned down a journalist’s question and, as if that was not enough disservice to the intent of the platform, this fellow had the effrontery to call this benign journalist all sorts of names. Well, thanks to Social Media. Fani-Kayode’s assault against the journalist would have been history.

An archetypal precedent has long been set. Although, it was not in our clime. At a press briefing in the White House last year, US President Donald Trump used somewhat unprintable adjectives to describe and 'disparage' the personalities of both the CNN and NBC White House Correspondents.

Both Peter Alexander of the NBC and his CNN colleague, Jim Acosta, were not spared the verbal 'missile' of the utterly-rambunctious US Number One citizen.

Mr Trump repeatedly blasted the two US reporters, reminiscent of the Femi Fani-Kayode and Eyo Charles’ 'fiasco' in Calabar penultimate week.

Trump never minced words in telling the CNN reporter, at a point: "You are very rude, and a terrible person. CNN should be ashamed of having you as their reporter."

As for Fani-Kayode, who is a self-acclaimed activist, his reaction only exposed him as not being different from every other person he condemns.

On the heels of the sad incident, one of the foremost Civil Society Organisations in the country, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), came out to unequivocally condemn Fani-Kayode’s belligerent assault against the reporter, reiterating that press freedom and freedom to do journalism could not be joked with, especially at this time when COVID-19 had taken its toll on the journalism practice.

“While we are not unaware of the Fani-Kayode’s regular antagonistic reaction and response to issues, we uphold our position that Press Freedom and journalism must be respected and protected at all levels.

“We express total discomfort not only in thoughtless use of the word “stupid” but also reported threat and intimidation of the journalist during and after a press conference held in the state.

“We also find the reaction of the Former Aviation Minister worrisome and tantamount to silencing the media freedom; as he is known to hitherto leverage the media in expressing a personal view and opinion on issues without fear or intimidation,” CISLAC’s Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, had said in a statement.

Now, although Fani-Kayode has regretted and apologised for the public gaffe—an afterthought anyway; what remains befuddling is the fate of journalism in Nigeria. Remember that the journalist, after the incident, had come out bruised and tattered. Nobody was saying anything about him, not even a word of encouragement to make him stay put in the course of objective journalism pursuit.

Sadly, we live in a society where journalists are constantly killed, harassed and intimidated for doing their job, but little or no care has been shown to address this rising menace.

It should be noted that most journalists in the country are either unpaid or underpaid, leaving most of them to be bootlickers of one politician or the other. Until media owners pay journalists well and promptly, enforcing the ethics of the profession will remain a major problem.

As at this moment, only a few publishers constantly pay what can truly be described as a take-home package. Many Nigerians are now discouraged from joining the profession, thereby now exploring other sectors they find lucrative.

Recent reports have revealed that newsroom employment has significantly decreased. The COVID-19 outbreak has also led to a rapid scaling back of advertising spending, which has inadvertently led dozens of newspapers to cut budgets and furloughs.

Similarly, a dozen media think-tanks in the country like the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, Enough is Enough, International Press Centre, the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, and Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism had commissioned surveys, following perceptions that journalists were being exposed to danger in the course of covering the pandemic.

One of the surveys, filled by 463 journalists – correspondents, reporters, editors, freelancers, and presenters from 73 print, broadcast and online media across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory – revealed that there had been poor attention to the needs, safety and welfare of journalists covering the pandemic.

Drawing from these responses, media proprietors were urged to prioritize the welfare of their reporters.

The media, especially in Nigeria, and at this particular juncture, must step up its game by doing everything necessary to protect the inalienable rights and privileges of members of the fourth estate in the country.

Against this backdrop, it is my humble submission that media owners should come up with innovative ways to generate revenue for their platforms as the present advertising model can no longer work, in as much as such finances are needed to sustain the business.

Also, as far as I am concerned, it will not sound too ambitious for politicians and other elites in the country to emulate the best practices of developed nations and begin treating journalists like kings and not dregs.

Only then, will the media and Nigerian journalists take its pride of place in the heart of the masses, and even become society's true watchdog.

Gidado Shuaib, a media researcher, is the editor of The News Digest. He can be reached on giddyshuaib@gmail.com.

_________
Gidado Yushau Shuaib ANIPR
Editor, The News Digest & Youths Digest
www.NewsDigest.ng
MA Media, Campaigning and Social Change (Hons)
University of Westminster
Organiser, Campus Journalism Awards & Dialogue
Delegate, Youth Assembly at the United Nations 2015

The Man Behind Nigeria’s Edicts

- Eden Finn


At the centre of Mr Buhari’s fight against corruption is a fine gentleman from the city of Kebbi, Northern Nigeria. A soft-spoken lawyer who rose to the pinnacle of Nigeria’s legal profession, the distinguished Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Mr Abubakar Malami is his name. On the pages of the newspapers and online mediums today he is not new to being talked about — most recently for his memo that indicted the Economic and Financial Crime Commission’s Boss, Ibrahim Magu for grave misadministration of resources entrusted with him. This event has only put Mr Malami at the fore of national discuss. Unearthing him to both criticism and accolades. But this should be no worry for a man who is responsible for fetching in billions of recovered funds, once looted, back to the coffers of the Nigerian purse, he will no doubt earn for himself unhappy enemies. And they will fight back, like Mr Magu says: “dog eat dog.”

Nigeria has lost billions of dollars to the hands of criminals who have put their hands into the purse of government and stolen recklessly. President Buhari, a man known and revered for his character of integrity and honesty, who no friend or foe can point to, and say “you stole this, or that” won his election, and even re-election, on the solid trust of the Nigerian people that he would not just recover funds stolen by the petty thieves who had left the oil-rich country dry and poor, but put those men in jail.

Years before his coming, the Nigerian government was a bazaar. Share this, share that. Zero accountability. And these fleecers had an alibi: a weak prosecuting and judicial system. No doubt, Mr Buhari, on coming to office nagged at a conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia that his biggest headache was the judiciary. It really has been.

A strong Attorney General, who doubles as the Minister of Justice in Nigeria was needed to make the war against corruption and the battle for the soul of Nigeria victorious. Abubakar Malami, was billed for the task. He did not just bring a no-nonsense mien to the table, but also an understanding that to tackle the corruption problem that Nigeria faced, it needed to start with the root of our laws, our processes and our anti-corruption prosecutorial system.

This birthed the National Judicial Policy. Its mandate was to bring about a direction and coordination in Nigeria’s justice sector. This was made possible through continued engagement with the various stakeholders of the country’s justice system: from the Nigerian Bar Association, to the National Judicial Council among others. This has not just yielded a much more defined justice sector but this interaction has brought about the weeding of the bad eggs from the system.

Mr Malami SAN plays a critical role for the running of President Buhari’s government: he is the mind and brain behind the legality of each and every of the President’s decisions. Being the Attorney General, Mr Malami is consulted on any action the President must take. More recently was the opinion he gave on the status of who was indeed leading the All Progressives Congress — President Buhari’s ruling party. His decision led to the eventual dissolution of the party’s National Working Committee and the setting up of a National Caretaker Committee that has been more celebrated than frowned on, compared to its predecessor.

He has also been instrumental to critical bills that have become law under this President; especially those that have provided bulwark to President Buhari’s fight against corruption. The famous Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, the Proceeds of Crime Bill, are a few to mention that have the ink of the Attorney General in their drafting.

The regulations and guidelines his office has introduced have made better the coordination of the country’s fight against corruption. The National Anti-Corruption Strategy document and its guideline for implementation are masterstrokes. The Asset Tracing, Recovery and Management Regulations make the process for recovering looted funds coherent and the outcome accountable.

This guideline has ensured that there is better coordination of inter-agency investigation and proper maintenance of the data of recovered loots and assets — things Nigeria did not have in its system before hand.

At many occasions, supporters of President Buhari do not hide their joy in celebrating masterstroke decisions he makes. The depth and scope of these decisions are telling of a master-strategist. Behind the veil of these deft moves is an Attorney General who has brought structure, precision and orderliness to the way the government’s decisions are made.

Mr Malami may not be the darling of many, but when it comes to engineering fine technical decisions and preparing the needed legalese for the smooth sail of President Buhari’s work, he is no doubt the darling of his boss.

Eden Finn is a researcher on justice reforms and open governance.

*STATE OF THE NATION THROUGH THE CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC BY VP YEMI OSINBAJO*

Our key worry was how this would affect jobs. Through the Economic Sustainability Plan, the FG's focus is to save jobs and create new ones. Similarly, there is a survival fund and payroll support for artisans, private school teachers & small businesses.

We are currently compiling the data, the criteria is already set. There are plans also for other sectors including the hospitality and aviation sector.

*ON THE ECONOMY*

Economics like politics is local. In comparison to other economies we have fared better. We however recognize that there is a severe decline. The Economic Sustainability Plan is our response to that and we will focus on local industry, local resources and local production.

*ON AGRICULTURE AND HOUSING*

For the Agriculture, we have registered farmers using the GIS system, tied them to big agric businesses, provided some financing and Government will be final offtakers for their produce. This is to ensure that local production goes on.

As regards Housing, 11 State Governments have provided land and these houses are to built by young engineers, architects and artisans. We hope to build thousands of 2-bedroom apartments for about 2 Million Naira each.

*ON 2023 PLANS*

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve Nigeria and right now I am focused on doing just that. There are issues to be tackled and that has my undivided attention.

*ON THE LIVES LOST IN KADUNA*

First, my heart goes out to everyone who has lost someone or has been a victim in Southern Kaduna. I am so sorry for everything you have experienced.

Let me say that I have been involved in the resolution of issues in Southern Kaduna since 2001 through a Non-Governmental Organization and I think these issues have gone on far too long.

*WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT DOING AS REGARDS TO THE SOUTHERN KADUNA SITUATION?*

First, we have improved security in Kaduna. We now have a military base, we have airforce surveillance, the combined military team from the army and the navy to take care of the volatile situation there.

The President has also held security meetings and I have attended all of them where the issues have been discussed. Possibilities of engagement have also been looked at.

I have similarly engaged with community leaders in Southern Kaduna and I have also engaged with the Governor to look at what peace keeping efforts are possible to deal with the perennial issues that have resulted in the disgraceful human conditions there.

In addition, those responsible for the mayhem must be apprehended and prosecuted so impunity doesn't reign.

*CAMA*

On the reviewed CAMA - The legislation is huge and has over 800 sections and covers a wide range of issues on companies.

There is a small portion that is for incorporated trustees. That section regulates charities. Churches and Mosques are regarded as charities.

My view is that for anyone who has concerns, they can aggregate those concerns as a proposal and present that proposal to the National Assembly for amendment.

The issue has generated controversy but the solutions seem quite evident.

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
PRESS RELEASE


SOUTHERN KADUNA CRISIS:
“WE WONT SWEEP UNDERLYING ISSUES OF JUSTICE, MARGINALIZATION UNDER THE CARPET” --OSINBAJO

*Concerns about CAMA can be addressed through NASS amendment, VP adds

To effectively deal with the Southern Kaduna crisis, the Buhari administration will not sweep the major issues underlying the conflict under the carpet, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

According to him this includes "ensuring justice, fixing economic marginalization and the prosecution of persons responsible for these murders -this is to ensure that the impunity doesn't worsen."

Prof. Osinbajo spoke at the ongoing Nigeria Bar Association Annual General Conference during a Special Conversation featuring him and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila.

The Vice President also urged those who have concerns about the recently signed CAMA legislation to approach the National Assembly for possible amendments, since "we are in a democracy."

Speaking on the way forward in the Southern Kaduna conflict and making reference to his personal experience, the Vice President said, “I have been involved since 2001 through the work of the Macedonian initiative, an NGO that focused on providing relief materials to displaced persons in Southern Kaduna and several other places especially in North Central part of Nigeria. There have been judicial commissions and all sorts, but the problem remains. So, there is the need to address the underlying issues. You can't sweep under the carpet, justice and the cries of economic marginalization.

“The fact is that we must prosecute persons responsible for these murders or otherwise impunity will worsen. And also support those who have lost their bread winners.”

Continuing, the Vice President said “the mindless callous killings in Southern Kaduna are heartbreaking. And again we must condole those who have lost loved ones and those injured or who have suffered loss of property. These tragedies are unacceptable and they are avoidable.”

Highlighting what the Federal Government has done and is currently doing to deal with the situation, Prof. Osinbajo said, “First is the improvement of security in Southern Kaduna. Now, we have a military base there, for the first time. We also have a lot of Air Force surveillance.

“We have about 500 conventional and Mobile Policemen in Zangon-Kataff and Kaura Local Government Areas and then the combined military team of the Army and the Navy who are also on ground 24 hours. This is basically to just take care of the volatile situation there.”

Continuing, the Vice President said “the President has also had several Security Council meetings and I have attended all of those, where the issues were discussed and the possibilities of engagement have also been discussed.”

On a personal note, the Vice President added “I have also engaged with community leaders in Southern Kaduna and also I have engaged with the governor to look at what peacemaking efforts are possible.”

The Vice President expressed optimism that the issues would be resolved noting that “some of the peacemaking efforts have been fairly successful” as recent peace efforts between the Zangon-Kataff and the Fulani communities would yield positive results.

He said “but there is also a lot of work going on to ensure that some of these fundamental issues are being addressed and it's an evolving situation, but it's something we can't afford to ignore and it's gone on for far too long and it's redressable and possible for us to resolve.”

Responding to the issue of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, the Vice President said the solution to the concerns is evident, noting that an amendment to the CAMA Act could be sought by those expressing concerns about sections of the law.

He said “we have a process by which this can be redressed. Whatever the proposal for amendment may be, whatever the view of the leadership of the church may be, regarding the question of how the trustees, whether they are interim trustees or not, can be put into a proposal that will be brought to the National Assembly for consideration for amendment to the law, that is the process which is entirely opened and ought to be pursued.

“We are in a democracy and there is a process by which things can be done and that process is the one where you bring forward amendments to the National Assembly and they will do whatever is considered useful in the circumstance.”

Speaking on the Federal Government’s reaction to the contraction of the economy as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related issues, Prof. Osinbajo said the Buhari administration’s response is robust and focused on local production using home-grown resources.

Citing the example of specific efforts of wealth and job creation using local resources, the Vice President said under the agriculture component of the National Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP-AGRO), 5 million farmers whose produce would be off-taken by government have been registered.

He added that progress is also been made under the housing component of the plan known as NESP-HOUSING with 11 State governments already given land and more states expected to join with the target of building about 100, 000 housing units, including 2-bedroom apartments at between N1.8 - N2 million cost, and in the process, engaging young architects, builders, among others.

Commenting on the other aspects of the stimulus package, the Vice President said, the Federal Government has, as part of the NESP, a survival fund and payroll support for artisans, private school teachers and small businesses.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, spoke about the collaboration between the Executive and the Legislature under the Buhari administration in addressing some of the critical issues facing the country.

He said the actions of the House of Representatives would continue to be guided by the legislative agenda adopted by the House at its inauguration in 2019 which is in line with the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari.


Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
27th August 2020

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
PRESS RELEASE

OSINBAJO TO CHURCH LEADERS:
CONCERNS ABOUT CAMA CAN BE ADDRESSED THROUGH AMMENDMENT BY NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

*VP adds: “We are in a democracy, there is a process by which things can be done”


In an effort to allay fears expressed by the leadership of the Church about the recently enacted Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN has said concerns can be processed through possible amendment of the contentious section of the law through a proposal to the National Assembly.

The Vice President stated this on Thursday during a special conversation at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference.

Responding to a question about reactions to CAMA, the Vice President said “what can be done is that, whatever the proposal for amendment may be, whatever the views of the leadership of the church may be, regarding the question of how the trustees, whether they are interim trustees or not, can be put in the form of a proposal that will be taken to the National Assembly for consideration for amendment to the law, that is the process which is entirely opened and ought to be pursued.”

Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo said “we are in a democracy and there is a process by which things can be done and that process is the one where you bring forward amendments to the National Assembly and they will do whatever is considered useful in the circumstance.”

Further clarifying the CAMA law, the Vice President said “it is a massive legislation that covers a wide range of issues on companies - general meetings, appointment of directors etc. Now, there is a small portion of it called the Incorporated Trustees Section, that small section of it is the section that regulates charities.

“Churches, Mosques and church organizations are regarded as charities. It is the Incorporated Trustees Section of the Companies and Allied Matters Act that has become controversial. And because churches are charities, the provisions in the incorporated trustees section obviously affect the churches.”

Speaking about the fears expressed by the Church, the Vice President said “what the Churches are concerned about is a provision that says that in the event that some wrong-doing is found to be perpetrated by the trustees of the particular organization or Church, the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) can go to court and get an order to appoint interim administrators or interim trustees for the Church or whichever charity organization and manage the organization.”

“The concern of the Churches is that it could lead to a situation where practically anybody could be appointed as a trustee to oversee the Church and a Church or a Mosque is a spiritual organization and if you do not share the same faith with the Church or Mosque, you may be the wrong person and if a wrong is appointed, you may create more trouble for the organization,” the Vice President added.

When asked by the moderator (Nduka Ogbeibena) if pastors are, by their actions, unwilling to be accountable in the management of their organizations, the Vice President said the issue is rather the fear of abuse of the law than avoiding accountability.

According to Prof. Osinbajo, “As a general position, I do not think it will be right to say that pastors don’t want to be accountable. I believe that several Christian organizations and pastors are willing to be accountable. The problems that they may have is ensuring that processes are not abused in such a way as to compromise the entire organization. And I think that if all that is required is some process of accountability, I think it will be easier for organizations to accept that.”



Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
27th August 2020