₦airaland Forum

Jashub:
Osibanjo can only inspire the autistic and corrupt people in society . But let's pray his imaginary solar project will be taken seriously ,because Nigeria go collect poverty once the world enters zero emissions

And for those of you that love sucking Osibanjo's còck, Ogun and Amadioha will kill you and your family

The only difference between you and a donkey is tail. Same IQ, same mentality and stupidity

OPTIMISTIC ABOUT COUNTRY’S FUTURE, OSINBAJO SAYS YOUNG NIGERIANS WILL UNLEASH THEIR RESOURCEFULNESS ON THE WORLD

*VP adds: We only need to move few things around, invest more in the technology, creative industries & human capital development

*Cites resilience of private sector


With the energy of the youth, the resilience of the private sector combined with governments implementing the right policies, Nigeria will make the desired progress despite the challenges in the economy, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this Tuesday while rounding up his thoughts during an interaction at the closing of the 27th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja (NES #27) themed: Securing Our Future, the Fierce Urgency of Now.

According to the Vice President who also praised the strong will of the average Nigerian, “we can see that there is a will to do things, there is energy, resilience, resourcefulness. My take is that this country is one that is waiting to happen and it will happen. It will take all of our resources, and all of our effort to make it happen, and it will happen.”

He noted that “we must focus on what this country offers in terms of all the resources that we have, human, natural and everything that we have - the will, the energy, the innovativeness of the Nigerian.

“This sort of country, a country with all that we have, can simply not fail, and it is only a matter of getting things right and moving a few things around, and we will be well on the way to the kind of progress that we ought to experience as a country.”

Prof. Osinbajo explained that despite the limitations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic among other challenges, government was working hard to address defects in the system, and noted that recent results were indicative of recovery across different sectors of the economy.

His words: “I believe very strongly that all of the great ideas that we have, the young people waiting to unleash their energy and resourcefulness on the world, all of those are just waiting to happen.

“I believe very strongly that this country affords us the opportunity and the space to be able to achieve great things. We should keep our focus.”

He further noted that the Buhari administration was ramping up efforts in different sectors to improve development and the economy.

While urging state governments to do more, especially in the area of education, the VP stated that “we must emphasize Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM). This is an area where a curriculum is being redeveloped to accommodate that.

“It is important to note that basic education – primary and secondary education are under the control of the states. Federal Government does not handle primary or secondary education. Yes, we do have some unity schools, but these things are really the business of the states.”

Citing the work being done by the National Economic Council in developing the country’s human capital, the VP said, “at the level of the NEC, which I have the privilege of chairing, one of the things that we have tried to do with the whole human capital development space, we have a whole dashboard where we are looking at performances in the states.

“What the Federal Government tries to do is set the standards and then support in whatever way possible. But it is a huge enterprise and we are also finding a lot of entrepreneurial activities around it. We must just keep our focus on what we need to do namely, the curricular and teacher training.”

Prof. Osinbajo restated the commitment of the Buhari administration in ensuring inclusive growth through education leveraging technology, noting that the overriding theme for government was value addition.

He said, “I am a firm believer in the fact that government’s business must be to just take care of the macro issues – access to capital and good training. And we tried that with our N-Power programme where we gave tablets to beneficiaries and those tablets were loaded with material for entrepreneurial training etc. Many of them were able to benefit from this initiative. The opportunities are huge for training and getting a lot of the young people into that space.”

Prof. Osinbajo noted that the Buhari administration has prioritized investment in social amenities, social welfare, and development of the health sector.

He said that “social amenities are crucial, not just for attracting investment, but even for the standard of living of people who live there.”

The VP stated the importance of the national health insurance scheme, noting that “without compulsory health insurance, we simply cannot bring together the resources that are required to provide decent healthcare for 200 million people, growing by 5 million every year… I think the game-changer is health insurance.”

On developing the health sector and government’s ongoing reforms, the VP said, “We are at a point now with the healthcare reform committee, which I have the privilege of chairing, where we are looking at all these options. We are trying to see in what ways can we ensure that this will work.

“So, there are huge revolutionary changes that need to be made and I believe that they are entirely possible. And we are at a point where these things are accessible to us, with time we can do these things, I am certainly looking forward to some of the reforms that is possible.

Prof. Osinbajo however commended the successes so far recorded in public health in the country.

According to him “we have been able to set a standard for public health and that was seen in our COVID-19 response. Our response to the pandemic, a major public health challenge was probably one of the best anywhere in the world. Just in terms of response.”

Continuing, the VP explained that “we have had years of developing a public health system. We are familiar with how to deal with Lassa Fever, Malaria, Polio, we have done immunization on scale, so we have a lot of experienced hands in doing so. But clinical health is an area where we have deficiency.”

His words: “just a few days ago, we were opening a hospital in Lagos. What this hospital was able to show us is first of all the sheer number of doctors in the diaspora who are experts in their own fields and are coming home to work. The doctor who comes home to work is still available for work elsewhere.

“Even the way medical services are delivered today is so radically different from the way it used to be. It is possible now to get the best of help and while we were there in one theater, we were able to communicate with some other expert who was in the US and was able to talk to us. So, even telemedicine is possible, it is available, and there is a lot that we can do.”

In addition, the Vice President highlighted government’s efforts in creating the environment for the growth of technology and creative industry, noting the need for more investment in these areas.

“I spoke earlier about the Technology and Creativity Advisory Group and the creativity aspect of it is the Nollywood and entertainment and that whole industry, and there is support in terms of funding. But what I have found is (about) the infrastructure that is required.

“There is a major project that is going on at the National Theatre in Lagos, which is funded by the CBN and the banks and this is devoted entirely to creativity. This is a massive area where we certainly need a lot more investment.

The Vice President added that with regards to the 4th Industrial revolution, Nigeria “is in a good place leveraging technology and the creativity of the youth”, but noted that a lot could be done to achieve more results.

“We have the best advantage which is that we have young people, the majority of our population over 60 percent are under 25, they are energetic, creative and are ready to go. What we need to do is to see how we can support them, access to capital, training, and all of that,” he said.

Commending the contributions of the private sector, the VP noted that “the private sector in Nigeria (in terms of resilience and coping with challenges), has done very well, with what we have learned, even coping with the post-pandemic issues (business after the pandemic), the private sector has done well.”

“For example, transport went down 49%, and now they are back with 77%. The construction sector went down by almost 40%, and has returned to a much more modest positive,” Prof. Osinbajo explained.

On Climate Change, the VP said Nigeria’s position must be re-echoed at all forums of negotiations, and that the emphasis should be on fairness, justice in the transition from gas.

At the closing event of the 27th Nigerian Economic Summit, the Vice President engaged in a “Conversation” with Mr Kyari Bukar, a Director of the NESG, and Mrs Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye, the Country Director of the Ford Foundation in Nigeria.



Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
27th October 2021

CALLS TO HALT GAS PROJECT DEFUNDING PLANS GATHER MOMENTUM AS AfDB, US EXPERTS BACK NIGERIA

*VP Osinbajo has inspired us, says African Devp. Bank

A continental and international rally may have begun in support of Nigeria’s advocacy to halt plans to defund gas projects, just as the global community moves towards the 2050 net-zero emissions target under the United Nations Climate Change agenda.

Nigeria has been on the forefront of an international advocacy questioning the planned defunding of gas projects as one of the moves towards achieving net-zero emissions. Now, the continent-wide Africa Development Bank, AfDB, has thrown its weight behind the clamour during a meeting last week between Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, and a delegation of the bank. So also did a team of US experts recently in a widely published article.

The Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth at the African Development Bank, Mr. Kevin Kariuki, had led a delegation to pay the VP a visit on the 21st of October, and expressed the bank’s commitment and support for a just energy transition.

His words: “First thing I would like to mention is that you have inspired us a lot in the recent past, through your strong and very well-articulated position on the issue of gas as far as Nigeria and Africa is concerned.

“You clearly stated that gas must be seen to be a transitional fuel for Africa, which is a position that our bank also supports because we do understand that Africa needs to increase its energy access, and you can’t increase energy access without utilizing some of the resources and energy sources that we have. I believe that this position you have taken was also supported and stated by the Bank’s president (Mr. Akinwunmi Adesina) during the ministerial retreat.”

Prof. Osinbajo has, in recent times, advocated for a just transition to global net-zero emissions, particularly calling on multilateral agencies, and western countries to stop the planned defunding of gas projects in developing countries.

At different national and international forums, including recent meetings with a delegation of the European Union (EU), at the Africa Regional Heads of Government Commonwealth Roundtable, and also at different meetings in London at the High-Level United Nations event on the Energy Transition plan in Africa, among others, Prof. Osinbajo had maintained a firm stand against ending investments in gas projects in developing countries during the transition period.

Speaking at the meeting, Prof Osinbajo said, “we are looking at commercial options and climate finance facility is one that we are trying to pay attention to.”

On Nigeria’s energy transition plan, the VP disclosed that one of the components in the plan included “the use of renewables and bringing that into the general stream of things that we are doing. We have a #SolarPowerNaija project, where we are hoping to connect 5 million homes with solar power, which is part of our Economic Sustainability Plan.”

The Vice President welcomed AfDB’s support and stated that “we look forward to doing far more in the power sector and hope that we would be able to get your (AfDB) support going forward. We know that there are quite a few things that the bank has put resources into.

“Thank you very much for the great support we get from AfDB and also for your willingness and readiness at all times.”

Earlier on in his remarks, Mr. Kariuki mentioned that at COP26, the AfDB would “be making a strong pitch to developed countries to fulfill their promise of the $100billion per year” that ought to have started in 2020, “because the significance is that today, even if we wanted to address the climate challenge, we really cannot do so because the issue of climate finance needs to be addressed in a big way.”

In another development, a number of US-based experienced clean energy policy researchers have argued that "the blunt exclusion of all non-renewable energy projects from development finance is an inequitable and ineffective climate strategy that gaslights over 1 billion Africans."

In a recent article titled "Why banning financing for fossil fuel projects in Africa isn't a climate solution," scholars Benjamin Attia and Morgan Brazilian from the US Payne Institute submitted that "when it comes to carbon dioxide emissions, sub-Saharan Africa is collectively responsible for barely half a percent of all global emissions over time, while the US, UK, EU, Japan and Russia are responsible for more than 100 times that amount, or about 57%."

The experts referred to Prof. Osinbajo's advocacy on the issue. "Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo recently described “energy transition” as “a curious term” when applied universally, given the energy shortfalls in countries like Nigeria. He has argued for an energy transition in which Africa can develop quickly and grow."

They noted that indeed "increasing electricity in industrializing regions of sub-Saharan Africa would first power income-generating activities and public services, both drivers of economic growth."

The US experts concluded that "equitable and effective climate negotiations will require nuanced policy considerations that balance the priorities of alleviating energy poverty with urgent climate change mitigation and adaptation. A just energy transition would leave African governments to make and implement policies and deliver on their own national climate commitments under the Paris Agreement rather than shouldering the West’s."

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
27th October 2021

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN has commended an integrated waste management project of Kano State government which will transform waste to power, organic fertilizer, and other uses.

Prof. Osinbajo made the commendation of the Public-Private Partnership during a visit on Monday to the Presidential Villa by a delegation led by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and officials of Capegate, a private environmental services provider.

According to the VP, “I must commend the Kano State government for the sheer breadth of the project, and Capegate limited for its audacity because of the size of the project. It is not just a sanitation project, it is obviously one that is looking at an end-to-end waste management solution but also has strong components for contributions to our NDCs, and our whole de-carbonization ambitions for climate change.”

The Kano State Governor mentioned that the State has signed a 20-year concession agreement with the company for waste collection, waste transportation, sorting, and processing to produce electricity and organic fertilizer, among others.

“The whole package is very important for us as a government which is why I thought, the idea of bringing everyone together to have this preliminary discussion is important so that you can learn as you go forward,” Prof. Osinbajo observed.

He added that it is “important for it to be seen as something that we all need to work on. I think that it is the sort of project that could be a template for other projects across the country if it is done well.”

Expressing FG’s willingness to support the project, the VP noted that “…the approach that is taken here really has great prospects and we certainly must see how we can make this happen.”

Governor Ganduje had noted that the state government was encouraged to embark on the project because of the track record of the private sector investor (Capegate Investment Company Limited) which includes over 3 decades of experience in waste management, sanitation, recycling technologies, and renewable energy.

He solicited the support of the Federal Government in the actualization of the project aimed at creating wealth and ensuring a cleaner and sustainable environment.

Also present at the meeting were Minister of Power, Mr Abubakar Aliyu; his counterpart in the Ministry of Environment, Mrs Sharon Ikeazor; Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman Adamu; the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Mr Kayode Pitan; Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad; the CEO of Capegate Limited, Alhaji Bashir Jega, and other officials of the company, among others.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
26th October 2021

Nobody doubts that sentimentalism today overrides sensibility in our polity. For the sake of posterity, some people will have to speak out.
The acts the Bandits are committing now in NW have gradually over time become tantamount to terrorism because wherever innocent people are fatal victims it's pure terrorism. Yet, innocence these days is relative. We agreed if their children and women are also killed, they are guilty by association or collateral damage, so also the bandits may think the same way. It’s right for vigilantes to lynch Fulanis herdsmen or anyone that looks like them by profiling but wrong for the herdsmen to ransack villages in retribution. They are pushed to believe it is an existential war and in war, ethics are thrown to the winds.

Yet again, the only helpful part that is against Bandits is that no other than them are attracted to join them in the NW because of its ethnic tinge and coloration. However, the moment they are termed Terrorist – Islamic for that matter, the direct foreign Jihadist movements will set in in force. And many teaming unemployed youths may find it palatable and attractive. Shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ plus AK47 against a ‘secular’ immoral society where impunity reigns are the magnet for extremists and downtrodden – the majority of our youth. Already these deadly terrorist groups are fighting for the soul of these bandits. This will give criminality a spiritual cover and remove the stigma of discrediting them with such crimes since now they are fighting a ‘Jihad’ as they will claim. In such a situation, does the larger society -as it is- has the moral high ground to fight back? This is the most probable consequence, the price of which is not worth it. Nothing stops the kinetic actions from going on without the controversy of semantics.

NE is already and is still devastated by this madness for over 12 years. If we allow, terror, to set in into these raw naïve unexposed bandits, NW will be in ruins sooner than later. Already IPOB are destroying SE, and Igboho has set the ball of confusion rolling in SW. For those who want to destroy the NW, it’s a good recipe. Turn bandits into religious zealots. Tell me, what then remains of Nigeria?

I have started to get these raw bandits out of their misadventure but unfortunately, I have few helpers and a mountain of antagonists. The psychology in fighting natives is to induce a motive for their struggle if they don’t have one already, a motive that is manageable, and it is so managed. Unfortunately, reactions to threat in our nation is always slow and incoherent.

I hope another Igbo clergy goes into the IPOB militants likewise and talk sense into them, and another Pastor of Oduduwa land talks against the Igboho secessionist tribal movement by way of sensitizing people to the values of a cohesive nationalism that will guaranty freedom, equality, and justice for all. Religious forces can permeate hardened hearts where secular forces cannot.

Regrettably, people just sit down in the comfort of their rooms or parlors and make useless passing comments that only add fuel to the inferno of ethnic jingoism and bigotry. In the 21st century, Nigeria is hijacked by semi-illiterates and half-baked tribal heroes that have nothing to offer besides promoting tribal xenophobia. Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groupings, it’s not possible to divide such a nation into tribal enclaves. Nigeria is multi-religious, even with one same religion or sect there is no harmony and understanding that can build a prosperous unified nation where tranquility and development will flourish. We are tired of these bogus destructive fruitless slogans!

Nigerians are in a daydream so long they act by Nerval impulses not by the dictates of their cerebral cortex.

May Allah protect us all. Amin

By Ishola Ba’afemi

Let us be ready and expect more serious attempts to cause disaffection between Osinbajo and Tinubu. Truly there are many who can benefit from this.

It will come mainly through social media campaigns and possibly one or two press reports raising acrimonious questions such as that the VP did not visit Tinubu while in London, and all that.

Now this is what I know being a Lagos based journalist who has followed the former Lagos State Governor since 1998 when he was campaigning to be Governor. It was in the process of his 8-year Governorship that I started noticing Prof. Yemi Osinbajo himself and the incredible chemistry between this two people. But not everyone admires the synergy.

While the VP and Tinubu didn't get a chance to meet in London, there are those who can confidently confirm last that they both had phone calls while Tinubu was in London.

It has even been reported that it was practically impossible for the VP to travel for that purpose only considering Protocol and Presidential travel guidelines. And since the former Governor is back in the country there would be expectedly, usual interactions between the VP and his recuperating benefactor. What is undesirable is the activities of what the Yorubas call "Arije-ninu-mondaru."

In deed news reports had quoted the Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola as clarifying the matter after President Buhari visited Tinubu on August 12, 2021.

A report said "It was gathered that Buhari’s earlier visitation, prevented Professor Osinbajo, Fashola and Aregbesola from going to London to visit the APC leader. 
Speaking on the matter, Mr Sola Fasure, the Media Adviser to Aregbesola, said the minister was unable to visit Tinubu in London for protocol reasons.
Fasure said: “If the President has gone, no Minister, not even the Vice President, can go. Aregbesola’s relationship with Tinubu is mutually beneficial and reinforcing."

But not only are both the VP and the former Lagos Governor in touch, their aides have also been reportedly working together. This explains why the Presidential Political Adviser Sen Babafemi Ojudu released s statement last week.

In that statement Ojudu said "Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo are members of same party.  Osinbajo regards Tinubu as a respected leader of a political family to which he belongs and will therefore not for any reason endorse an endeavor that seeks to pitch them against each other.

"We are not unaware of some people who may want to foist a crack among our leaders. Such an attempt is abortive. Osinbajo and Tinubu's relationship dates way back and it shall continue to wax strong."

So before you read the next "esu ta po si" post on Social Media, be on the alert.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

*NIGERIA IS A COUNTRY WITH WORLD CLASS TALENTS & IDEAS, OSINBAJO SAYS*

_*VP commissions Reddington Hospital's new state-of-the-art health facility in Lagos_

_*Adds: Such investments can reverse trend of "doctors voting with their feet."_


Nigeria is not just a country that has world-class talent, world-class ideas and world-class execution of ideas, with more investments in its health sector, it will also make the country a destination of choice for medical tourists even from developed countries, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Friday in Lagos where he commissioned the Duchess International Hospital, a new facility under the Reddington Hospitals group. The event paraded a collection of world class medical experts and prominent Nigerians, including two State Governors: Babajide Sanwo-Olu - Lagos and Dapo Abiodun – Ogun; alongside the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and the Managing Directors of the Bank of Industry - Olukayode Pitan and Access Bank - Herbert Wigwe, and Dr. Yemi Onabowale, President and CEO of Redington Hospitals, among others.

According to the Vice President, the opening of the new hospital is a cause for celebration firstly because it shows that “ we have all it takes to become the place of choice for even medical tourists from developed countries looking to jump long queues for specialized procedures at home or simply shopping for more affordable fees for first class healthcare.”

Secondly, he said  "we have by far the largest number of middle- to low-income communities and individuals in sub–Saharan Africa who require affordable, high-quality healthcare.”

Prof. Osinbajo noted that the establishment of such facilities would not only further provide more Nigerians with excellent healthcare solutions, but it would also open more opportunities to the country’s high quality medical personnel.

“With investments like this seeking high quality medical personnel, we can even reverse the trend of doctors voting with their feet. The reasons for voting with their feet are obvious: better remuneration, better facilities. But again, only serious private sector investment in high quality healthcare services offering top compensation for its personnel could possibly create an attractive proposition to reverse the trend,” the Vice President said.

As the VP officially commissioned the facility, he noted that it was comparable to the best hospitals in the world both in medical and aesthetic standards.

“This hospital has bragging rights. It comes from the Reddington family, a clinical health brand that has earned a strong reputation for high standards in healthcare, top notch personnel, including many highly reputed Nigerian doctors in diaspora and best of all, it is all Nigerian,” Prof. Osinbajo said.

He described the event as an occasion that celebrates "the convergence of so many possibilities, and such great promise. I am extremely proud to be a part of this phenomenal achievement and the great future that it portends for health care services in Nigeria.

“It is, therefore, my great pleasure and privilege to officially commission the Duchess International Hospital to the glory of God and for the benefit of Nigerians and all those who may seek excellent healthcare from anywhere in the world.”

According to the Hospital management, the mission of the hospital “is to reverse medical tourism by delivering the highest standards of care, using the most advanced technology and treatments to give you the fastest, most convenient access to the best medical expertise available anywhere in the world.”

*Laolu Akande,*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,*
*Office of the Vice President*
*23rd October, 2021*

Rabi al-Awwal & Springs of Mercy - The Hadith of Abu Lahab

Urwah (ra) narrated, ’Thuwaibah (ra) was the freed slave girl of Abu Lahab whom he had freed, and then she suckled the Prophet (saw). When Abu Lahab died, one of his relatives [his brother al-’Abbas (ra)] saw him in a dream in a very bad state and asked him, “What have you encountered?” Abu Lahb said, “I have not found any rest since I left you, except that I have been given water to drink in this (the space between his thumb and other fingers) and that is because of my freeing Thuwaibah (ra) (out of joy as she informed him of the birth of the Prophet (saw))“’. [Bukhari]

When the Prophet (saw) was born, Abu Lahab’s slave girl Thuwaibah came and informed him of the birth. Out of joy at the news, he freed her, and she later suckled the Prophet (saw) and even became Muslim. Because of this, even Abu Lahab, the arch-enemy of Islam, receives water to drink whilst in the Hellfire every Monday in the hand he gestured with to free Thuwaibah (ra).

Thus, what would the reward be for believers when we show our gratitude for Allah sending us the Prophet (saw) by spending our wealth for His sake?

Sayings of Scholars Concerning Types of Innovation in Islam As for the claim that there is no such thing in religion as good innovation, here are some sayings of the brilliant scholars of Islam belying this claim.

Imam Nawawi said in Sahih Muslim (6-21), “The Prophet’s (s) saying ‘every innovation’ is a general-particular and it is a reference to most innovations. The linguists say, ‘Innovation is any act done without a previous pattern, and it is of five different kinds.’” Imam Nawawi also said in Tahzeeb al Asma’ wal Sifaat,

“Innovation in religious law is to originate anything which did not exist during the time of the Prophet (s), and it is divided into good and bad.” He also said, “Al-muhdathat (pl. for muhdatha) is to originate something that has no roots in religious law.

In the tradition of religious law it is called innovation, and if it has an origin within the religious law, then it is not innovation. Innovation in religious law is disagreeable, unlike in the language where everything that has been originated without a previous pattern is called innovation regardless of whether it is good or bad.”

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Hajar Al Asqalani, the commentator on al-Bukhari, said, “Anything that did not exist during the Prophet’s (s) time is called innovation, but some are good while others are not.”

Abu Na’eem, narrated from Ibrahim al-Junaid, said, “I heard Ash-Shafi`i saying, ‘Innovation is of two types: praiseworthy innovation and blameworthy innovation, and anything that disagrees with the Sunnah is blameworthy.’”

Imam al Bayhaqi narrated in Manaqib Ash-Shafi`i that he said, “Innovations are of two types: that which contradicts the Qur’an, the Sunnah, or unanimous agreement of the Muslims is an innovation of deception, while a good innovation does not contradict any of these things.”

Sultan al-`ulama, Al `Izz bin Abdus Salam said, at the end of his book, Al Qawa’id, “Innovation is divided into obligatory, forbidden, recommended, disagreeable and permissible, and the way to know which is which is to match it against the religious law.”

Clearly we see from the opinions of these righteous scholars, that to define innovations in worship as wholly negative without exception is ignorant. For these pious knowers, among them Imam Nawawi and Ash-Shafi`i, declared that innovations could be divided into good and bad, based on their compliance with or deviance from religious law.

Moreover, the following Prophetic saying as stated in Sahih Muslim is known even to common Muslims, let alone scholars: “He who inaugurates a good practice (sanna fil-Islam sunnatun hasana) in Islam earns the reward of it, and of all who perform it after him, without diminishing their own rewards in the least.

” Therefore, it is permissible for a Muslim to originate a good practice, even if the Prophet (s) didn’t do it, for the sake of doing good and cultivating the reward. The meaning of inaugurate a good practice is to establish a practice through personal reasoning (ijtihad) and derivation (istinbat) from the rules of religious law or its general texts.

The actions of the Prophet’s (s) Companions and the generation following them which we have stated above is the strongest evidence.

Those prejudiced against celebrating the Prophet’s (s) birthday have paved the way for their falsehood by deceiving the less-learned among the Muslims. The prejudiced ones claim that Ibn Kathir writes in his Al Bidaya wal Nihaya (11-172) that the Fatimide-Obaidite state, which descends from the Jew, Obaidillah Bin Maimoon al Kaddah, ruler of Egypt from 357-567 A.H innovated the celebration of a number of days, among them, the celebration of the Prophet’s (s) birthday. This treacherous lie is a grave insult to the scholarship of Ibn Kathir and the scholarship of all Islam.

For in truth, Ibn Kathir writes about the Prophet’s (s) birthday in al bidaya wal nihaya [13-136], “The victorious king Abu Said Kawkaburi was one of the generous, distinguished masters, and the glorious kings; he left good impressions and used to observe the honorable Mawlid by having a great celebration.

Moreover, he was chivalrous, brave, wise, a scholar, and just.” Ibn Kathir continues, “And he used to spend three hundred thousand Dinars on the Mawlid.” In support, Imam al Dhahabi writes of Abu Said Kawkaburi, in Siyar A’laam al nubala’ [22-336], “He was humble, righteous, and loved religious learned men and scholars of Prophetic saying.”

Sayings of the Rightly-Guided Imams Regarding the Mawlid Imam Al Suyuti
In Al hawi lil fatawi, Al Suyuti wrote a special chapter entitled, “The Good Intention in Commemorating the Mawlid,” at the beginning of which he said, “There is a question being asked about commemorating the Mawlid of the Prophet (s) in the month of Rabi’ al Awwal: What is the religious legal ruling in this regard? Is it good or bad? Does the one who celebrates get rewarded or not?’

The answer according to me is as follows: To commemorate the Mawlid, which is basically gathering people together, reciting parts of the Qur’an, narrating stories about the Prophet’s birth and the signs that accompanied it, then serving food, and afterwards departing is one of the good innovations; and the one who practices it gets rewarded, because it involves venerating the status of the Prophet (s) and expressing joy for his honorable birth.”

Ibn Taymiyya In his book Iqtida’ al Siratul Mustaqeem [Al hadeeth print, p. 266]. Ibn Taymiyya states, “As to what some people have innovated either to compete with Christians on the birth of `Isa u or for the love of the Prophet (s) and veneration for him, Allah might reward them for their love and ijtihad.”

As far as we are concerned, we commemorate the Mawlid for no other reason but what Ibn Taymiya said, “Out of love and veneration of the Prophet.”

May Allah (swt) reward us according to this love and effort, and may Allah (swt) bless the one who said, “Let alone what the Christians claim about their Prophet, and you may praise Muhammad (s) in any way you want and attribute to his essence all honors and to his status all greatness, for his merit has no limits that any expression by any speaker might reach.” [Imam al Busiri]

Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-Haythami In the same source previously mentioned, Suyuti said, “Someone asked Ibn Hajar about commemorating the Mawlid. Ibn Hajar answered, ‘Basically, commemorating the Mawlid is an innovation that has not been transmitted by the righteous Muslims of the first three centuries.

However, it involves good things and their opposites, therefore, whoever looks for the good and avoids the opposites then it is a good innovation.’ It occurred to me (Suyuti) to trace it to its established origin, which has been confirmed in the two authentic books: al Sahihain.

When the Prophet (s) arrived in Medina he found that the Jews fast the day of `ashura; when he inquired about it they said, ‘This is the day when Allah (swt) drowned the Pharaoh and saved Moses, therefore we fast it to show our gratitude to Allah (swt).’ From this we can conclude that thanks are being given to Allah on a specific day for sending bounty or preventing indignity or harm. What bounty is greater than the bounty of the coming of this Prophet(s), the Prophet of Mercy, on that day?”

“This is regarding the basis of Mawlid. As for the activities, these should consist only of things that express thankfulness to Allah (swt), such as what has been previously mentioned: reciting Qur’an, eating food, giving charity, reciting poetry, praising the Prophet (s) or on piety which moves hearts and drives them to do good and work for the Hereafter.”

These are the derivations that those opposed to Mawlid call false conclusions and invalid analogies.

Imam Mohammed bin Abu Bakr Abdullah al Qaisi al Dimashqi He wrote Jami` al athar fi mawlid, Al nabiy al mukhtar, Al lafz al ra’iq fi mawlid khayr al khala’iq, and Mawlid al sa`ada fi mawlid al hadi.

Imam Al `Iraqi
He wrote Al Mawlid al heni fi al mawlid al sani.

Mulla `Ali Al Qari He wrote Al mawlid al rawi fil mawlid al nabawi.

Imam Ibn Dahiya He wrote Al Tanweer fi mawlid al basheer al nadheer.

Imam Shamsu Din bin Nasir al Dimashqi
He wrote Mawlid al sa`ada fi mawlid al hadi. He is the one who said about the Prophet’s (s) estranged uncle, Abu Lahab, “This unbeliever who has been disparaged, ‘perish his hands’, will stay in Hell forever. Yet, every Monday his torment is being reduced because of his joy at the birth of the Prophet (s).

How much mercy can a servant expect who spends all his life joyous about the Prophet (s) and dies believing in the Oneness of Allah (swt)?”

Imam Shamsu Din Ibn Al Jazri
He wrote Al nashr fil qira’at al `ashr, `urf al ta’reef bil mawlid al shareef.

Imam Ibn al Jawzi Imam Ibn al Jawzi said about the honorable Mawlid, “It is security throughout the year, and glad tidings that all wishes and desires will be fulfilled.”

Imam Abu Shama Imam Abu Shama (Imam Nawawi’s shaykh) in his book al ba’ith ala Inkar al bida` wal hawadith (pg.23) said,

“One of the best innovations in our time is what is being done every year on the Prophet’s (s) birthday, such as giving charity, doing good deeds, displaying ornaments, and expressing joy, for that expresses the feelings of love and veneration for him in the hearts of those who are celebrating, and also, shows thankfulness to Allah (swt) for His bounty by sending His Messenger (s), the one who has been sent as a Mercy to the worlds.”

Imam al Shihab al Qastalani
Al Qastalani (al Bukhari’s commentator) in his book Al mawahib al ladunniya (1-148) said, “May Allah (swt) have mercy on the one who turns the nights of the month of the Prophet’s (s) birth into festivities in order to decrease the suffering of those whose hearts are filled with disease and sickness.”

There are others who wrote and spoke about Mawlid, such as Imam al Sakhawi, Imam Wajihu Din bin `Ali bin al Dayba’ al Shaybani al Zubaidi, and many more, which we will not mention due to the limited space available.

From these many evidences, it should be clear by now that celebrating the Mawlid is highly commendable and allowed. Surely we cannot simply shrug off as heretics the scholars and dignitaries of this nation who approved the commemoration of the Mawlid and wrote countless books on the subject.

Are all these scholars, to whom the whole world is indebted for the beneficial books they have written on Prophetic sayings, jurisprudence, commentaries, and other sorts of knowledge, among the indecent who commit sins and evil? Are they, as those opposed to Mawlid claim, imitating the Christians in celebrating the birth of Jesus? Are they claiming that the Prophet (s) did not convey to the nation what they should do? We leave answers to these questions up to you.

We must continue to examine the errors which those opposed to Mawlid utter. They say, “If celebrating the Mawlid is from the religion, then the Prophet (s) would have made it clear to the nation, or would have done it in his lifetime, or it would have been done by the Companions.” No one can say that the Prophet (s) did not do it out of his humbleness, for this is speaking evil of him, so they cannot use this argument.

Furthermore, that the Prophet (s) and his Companions did not do a certain thing does not mean they made that thing prohibited. The proof is in the Prophet’s (s) saying,

“Whoever establishes in Islam, a good practice….” cited earlier. This is the strongest evidence that gives encouragement to innovate whatever practices have foundations in religious law, even if the Prophet (s) and his Companions did not do them.

Al Shafi`i said, “Anything that has a foundation in religious law is not an innovation even if the Companions did not do it, because their refraining from doing it might have been for a certain excuse they had at the time, or they left it for something better, or perhaps not all of them knew about it.

” Therefore, whoever prohibits anything based on the concept that the Prophet (s) did not do it, his claim has no proof and must be rejected.

Thus, we say to the rejecters of Mawlid: based on the rule you have attempted to found, that is, that whoever does anything that the Prophet (s) or his Companions did not do is committing innovation, it would follow that the Prophet (s) did not complete the religion for his nation, and that the Prophet (s) did not convey to the nation what they should do. No one says this or believes this except a heretic defecting from the religion of Allah (swt). To the doubters of Mawlid we declare,

“Based on what you say, we convict you,” for you have innovated in the basics of worship a large number of things that the Prophet (s) did not do nor did his Companions, the Generation after the Companions, or the Generation after them. For instance:

Congregating people behind one Imam to pray salat al tahajjud after salat al tarawih, in the two Holy Mosques and other mosques. Reciting the prayer of completion of the Qur’an in salat al tarawih and also in salat al tahajjud.

Designating the 27th night of Ramadan to complete reading the entire Qur’an in the two Holy Mosques.

A caller saying, after Salat al-Tarawih, in the Qiyam prayer, “May Allah reward you.”

The saying: “Oneness of Allah (swt)s divided into three parts: Oneness of Godhood; Oneness of Lordship and Oneness of of the Names and Attributes.” Is this found in a hadith, the statements of the companions or the statements of the four imams?

Founding organizations which did not exist in the time of the Prophet, such as Islamic universities, societies for committing the Qur’an to memory, and offices for missionary work, and committees for enjoining good and forbidding evil.

We are not objecting to these things, since they are forms of good innovation. We merely list these innovations to point out that those who oppose Mawlid clearly contradict their own rule stating that anything that neither the Prophet (s) nor his Companions did is innovation. Since they claim that all innovation is bad, they themselves are guilty.

Yet another claim they make is to say that those who commemorate the Mawlid are mostly indecent and immoral. This is a vulgar statement and it only reflects the character of the one saying it.

Are all the distinguished scholars that we have mentioned, from the point of view of those opposed to Mawlid, indecent and immoral? We won’t be surprised if this is what they believe. This is a most serious slander. We say, as the poet said, “When Allah (swt) wants to spread a virtue that has been hidden, He would let a tongue of an envious person know about it.”

Those opposed to Mawlid, may Allah (swt) guide them, have confused some expressions, and claim that some religious scholars associate partners with Allah.

Take for example the plea of Imam al-Busiri to Prophet Muhammad (s), “Oh, most generous of creation, I have no one to resort to, save You, when the prevailing event takes place.” They must examine carefully the saying of Imam Al-Busiri: “`inda hulul al-hadith il `amami, when the prevailing event takes place.

” What is al `amam? It means that which prevails over the whole universe, and all of creation, in referring to the Day of Judgment. Imam Al-Busiri is asking intercession from the Prophet (s) on the Day of Judgment because on that day we will have no one to resort to or appeal to.

Imam Al-Busiri seeks his intercession to Allah (swt) through the Prophet (s), for when all other Messengers and Prophets will be saying, “Myself, myself,” the Prophet will be saying, “I am the one for it, I am for it [the Intercession].” It becomes even more clear now that the doubts of those opposed to Mawlid are unfounded, just as their charges of associating partners with Allah (swt) are unfounded. This is due to their blindness, both physical and spiritual.

Another similar example can be found in the well-known saying transmitted by the distinguished Imam al Kamal bin al Hammam al Hanafi, author of Fath il qadeer fi manasik al farisi, and Sharh al mukhtar min al sa`ada al ahnaf.

When Imam Abu Hanifa visited Medina, he stood in front of the honorable grave of the Prophet (s) and said, “O, most honorable of the Two Weighty Ones (humankind and jinn)! O, treasure of mankind, shower your generosity upon me and please me with your pleasure.

I am aspiring for your generosity, and there is no one for Abu Hanifa in the world but you.” Again, we must not misinterpret this entreaty, but realize its true meaning.

Yet another misconception those opposed to Mawlid hold can be seen in their statements such as these: “What occurs during Mawlid is mixing between men and women, singing and playing musical instruments, and drinking alcohol.

” I myself know this to be a lie, for I have attended many Mawlids and have not seen any mixing and never heard any musical instruments.

As for drunkenness, yes, I have seen it, but not that of worldly people. We found people intoxicated with the love of the Prophet (s), a state surpassing even the agony of death, which we know overcame our master Bilal at the time of his death. In the midst of this sweet stupor he was saying, “Tomorrow I shall meet the loved ones, Muhammad (s) and his Companions.”

To continue, those opposed to Mawlid say, “The day of the Prophet’s (s) birth is the same day of the week as his death. Therefore, joy on this day is no more appropriate than sorrow, and if religion is according to one’s opinion, then this day should be a day of mourning and sorrow.”

This kind of lame eloquence is answered by the Imam Jalal al Din al Suyuti, in Al hawi lil fatawi (pg.193), “The Prophet’s (s) birth is the greatest bounty, and his death is the greatest calamity. Religious law urges us to express thankfulness for bounties, and be patient and remain calm during calamities.

Religious law has commanded us to sacrifice an animal on the birth of a child [and distribute the meat to the needy], which is an expression of gratitude and happiness with the newborn, while it did not command us to sacrifice at the time of death. Also, it prohibited wailing and showing grief. Therefore, the rules of Divine Law indicate that it is recommended to show joy during the month of the Prophet’s birth and not to show sorrow for his death.”

Furthermore, Ibn Rajab, in his book Al lata’if, dispraising the rejecters of Mawlid based on the above argument said, “Some designated the day of `Ashura as a funeral ceremony for the murder of al-Hussein. But neither Allah (swt) nor His Prophet (s) commanded that the days of the prophets’ great trials or deaths should be declared days of mourning, let alone those with lesser rank.”

We conclude this article with a saying of the Prophet (s) which has been narrated by Abu Ya`ala, from Hudhaifa and about which Ibn Kathir said, “Its chain of transmission is good.” Abu Ya`ala said, “The Prophet (s) has said, ‘One of the things that concerns me about my nation is a man who studied the Qur’an, and when its grace started to show on him and he had the appearance of a Muslim, he detached himself from it, and threw it behind his back, and went after his neighbor with a sword and accused him of associating partners with Allah (swt)’. I then asked, ‘Oh, Prophet of Allah, which one is more guilty of associating partners with Allah, the accused or the accuser?’ The Prophet (s) said, ‘It is the accuser'

Completed, with all Praises to Allah,
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Dubai Fatwa: Should We Celebrate Mawlid – the Prophet’s (s) Birthday?

By: Dr. Isa al-Mani al-Humayri

Via: Anatomy Of Sufism TV �
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Contents

1 Question: Should We Celebrate Mawlid – the Prophet’s (s) Birthday?
1 Compiling the Qur’an
2 The Maqam of Ibrahim (as) in relation to the Ka`aba
3 Adding the first call to prayer on Friday
4 Salutations on the Prophet (s) composed and taught by our Master `Ali (r)
5 The addition to the tashahhud by Ibn Mas`ud:
6 The addition to the tashahhud by Abdullah Ibn `Umar (r):

2 Sayings of Scholars Concerning Types of Innovation in Islam
3 Sayings of the Rightly-Guided Imams Regarding the Mawlid
3.1 Imam Al Suyuti
3.2 Ibn Taymiyya
3.3 Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-Haythami
3.4 Imam Mohammed bin Abu Bakr Abdullah al Qaisi al Dimashqi
3.5 Imam Al `Iraqi
3.6 Mulla `Ali Al Qari
3.7 Imam Ibn Dahiya
3.8 Imam Shamsu Din bin Nasir al Dimashqi
3.9 Imam Shamsu Din Ibn Al Jazri
3.10 Imam Ibn al Jawzi
3.11 Imam Abu Shama
3.12 Imam al Shihab al Qastalani
Office of Religious Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Dubai Administration of Ifta’ and Research
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Question: Should We Celebrate Mawlid – the Prophet’s (s) Birthday? Yes we should celebrate it every year and every month and every week and every hour and every moment!

Nowadays, we find publications filled with lies and deception which mislead many Muslims into thinking negatively about the honorable Mawlid of the Prophet (s). These publications claim that to celebrate the Mawlid is an act of innovation that goes against Islam.

This is far from the truth, and it is therefore necessary for those who can speak clearly to help clarify and reverse the doubts surrounding this most blessed day. It is with this humble intention that I present the following proofs in support of celebrating our beloved Prophet’s (s) birthday.

The Prophet (s) said, “He who innovates something in this matter of ours that is not of it will have it rejected.” He also said, “Beware of innovations, for every innovation (kullu bid`a) is misguidance.”

Those opposed to Mawlid cite this saying and hold that the word every (kul) is a term of generalization, including all types of innovations, with no exception, and that therefore, celebrating Mawlid is misguidance.

By daring to say that, they accuse the scholars of Islam of innovation. At the top of the list of those they have accused, then, is our Master `Umar (r). Those in opposition to Mawlid quickly reply to this, “But we did not mean the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (s) .”

It follows, then, that the meaning of “every” (kul) cannot be taken in its general sense. Therefore, although the Prophet (s) may not have said to celebrate his blessed birthday, it is nonetheless not an innovation to do so. For, as the following examples show, there were many actions and practices instituted by his close followers after his time that are not deemed innovation.

Compiling the Qur’an
In a hadith, Zaid Ibn Thabit (r) related, “The Prophet (s) passed away and the Qur’an had not been compiled anywhere.” Then `Umar (r) suggested to Abu Bakr (r) to compile the Qur’an in one book when a large number of Companions were killed in the battle of Yamama. Abu Bakr wondered, “How could we do something that the Prophet (s) did not do?” `Umar (r) said, “By Allah, it is good.” `Umar (r) persisted in asking Abu Bakr (r) until Allah (swt) expanded his chest for it (Allah made him agree and accept these suggestions) and he sent for Zaid Ibn Thabit and assigned him to compile the Qur’an. Zaid said, “By Allah (swt), they had asked me to move a mountain, it would not have been more difficult than to compile the Qur’an.”

He also said, “How could you do something that the Prophet did not do?” Abu Bakr said, “It is good, and `Umar kept coming back to me until Allah expanded my chest for the matter.” This Tradition is narrated in Sahih Al Bukhari.

The Maqam of Ibrahim (as) in relation to the Ka`aba Al Bayhaqi narrated with a strong chain of narrators from A’isha, “The Maqam during the time of the Prophet (s) and Abu Bakr (r) was attached to the House, then `Umar (r) moved it back.” Al Hafiz Ibn Hajar said in Al Fath,

“The Companions did not oppose `Umar, neither did those who came after them, thus it became unanimous agreement.” He was also the first to build the enclosure (maqsura) on it, which still exists today.

Adding the first call to prayer on Friday
In Sahih Al-Bukhari, Al-Sa’ib bin Yazid related, “During the time of the Prophet (s), Abu Bakr (r) and `Umar (r), the call to Friday prayer used to occur when the Imam sat on the pulpit. When it was `Uthman’st time, he added the third call (considered third in relation to the first adhan and the iqama. But it is named first because it proceeds the call to the Friday prayer.)”

Salutations on the Prophet (s) composed and taught by our Master `Ali (r)
The salutations have been mentioned by Said bin Mansoor and Ibn Jareer in Tahzeeb al-Aathar, and by Ibn Abi `Assim and Ya`qoob bin Shaiba in Akhbar `Ali and by Al Tabarani and others from Salamah Al Kindi.

The addition to the tashahhud by Ibn Mas`ud: After “wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,” and the Mercy of Allah and Blessings, Ibn Masud used to say, “assalamu `alayna min Rabbina,” peace upon us from our Lord. Narrated by Al-Tabarani in Al-Kabir, and the narrators are those of the sound transmitters, as it has been mentioned in Majm`a Al Zawa’id.

The addition to the tashahhud by Abdullah Ibn `Umar (r): Abdullah Ibn `Umar (r) added the basmala at the beginning of the tashahhud. He also added to the talbia, “labbaika wa sa’daika wal khayru bi yadayka wal raghba’u ilayika wal `amalu” This is mentioned in Bukhari, Muslim, et al.

These are some of the developments instituted by the Prophet’s (s) Companions, the scholars, and the honorable members of his nation, which did not exist during the time of the Prophet (s), and which they deemed good. Are they, then, misguided and guilty of bad innovation?

TOP 10 THINGS OSINBAJO HAS DONE

1. VP’s involvement in TECH brought about the following:
***Google Inc. in July 2020 announced plans to establish its first Google Launchpad Space outside the United States in Lagos
***Facebook, in September 2020 made public its decision to open an office in Lagos as part of its planned expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa.
***HUAWEI on the other hand last November promised the Vice President that the company will position Nigeria as a technology centre for the African continent and give more jobs to young Nigerians.

2. #EndSars Protest
***VP Osinbajo influenced the President to dissolve SARS as a unit of the Police Force

***VP Osinbajo brought about the idea of judicial panels in all states of the federation to deal with cases of police brutality. This was adopted by State governors at the National Economic Council.

3. #EconomicSustainabilityPlan
With VP Osinbajo chairing the Economic Sustainability Plan, the country was able to exit recession faster than anticipated. Several beneficiaries have benefitted from the various tracks such as the Payroll Support Track with 296,032 Employees , Youth Beneficiaries – 242,746 – 82%. The Artisan Track:
166,00 Artisans, Youth Beneficiaries – 64,740 – 39%, Others – 101,260 – 61%

Formalization Support Track
100,000 Business Names Registered
Youth Beneficiaries – 92,000 – 92%
Others – 8000 – 8%

***VP Osinbajo launched the ESP Cash Transfer Scheme facilitated through a wholly technology-based approach called the Rapid Response Register with plans to give 1million households COVID-19 N5000 monthly Cash Transfer for 6 months.

4. #MSMEs
***MSME Clinics have been held in 27 States, twice in Ebonyi across the country including the FCT. 7 One-Stop-Shops for MSMES - Cross River, Kwara, FCT, Abia, Bauchi, Osun, Plateau.

***FG has also launched Shared Facilities for MSMEs in Oyo, Bauchi, Benue, and Lagos. This is to allow MSMEs without the financial capacity to own their equipment and the opportunity to go into a fully equipped cluster style facility to pay a token to use such equipment.

***Over 400,000 MSMEs have so far participated in the MSME clinics nationwide. About 300,000 new business names have been registered by the Cooperate Affairs Commission (CAC) at a reduced 50% price of N5000, down from the normal N10,000.


5. #Social Investment Programmes - SIPs (under VP’s Office) over 12million direct beneficiaries
***Homegrown school feeding programme in 35 states feeding 9.9million children. More than 107,000 cooks engaged.
***Over 500,000 graduates benefitted from N-Power scheme.
***Over 2.3million market women, traders, artisans, farmers across all 36 states of the country and FCT, under Government Enterprise & Empowerment Programme, GEEP.
***Over 3million poor and vulnerable households have registered on National Social Register and more than 1million families are currently benefiting from Conditional Cash Transfer.

6. VP Osinbajo has always stood for the rule of law and in the interest of all Nigerians, regardless of ethnicity. In his capacity as VP, it was VP Osinbajo (then as Acting President) who fired the former DG, SSS, when he violated the sanctity of the National Assembly and violated the Nigerian constitution. VP Osinbajo defended democracy and described the invasion as an assault on Nigeria’s democracy that should not be tolerated. Also, Osinbajo Saved the party, APC, from litigation by suggesting APC EXCO members become Caretakers.

7. #EaseOfDoingBusiness
The work of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (inaugurated by President Buhari in August 2016) and the Enabling Business Environment Secretariat (EBES) has resulted in Nigeria moving up 39 places on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings since 2016. In the last 3 years, Nigeria has twice been adjudged one of 10 Most Improved Economies in the Rankings.

8. #NigerDeltaNewVision
VP Osinbajo embarked on a peace keeping mission across the Niger Delta states engaging in strategic engagements with stakeholders and people in the region to ensure that peace and stability are maintained. This ended the series of pipeline explosions, restored the maximum oil productivity, and helped terminate the recession. The take-off of the Nigerian Maritime University in Okerenkoko, Delta State. The University was granted approval in January 2018 by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to commence undergraduate degree programmes effective 2017/18 session and commenced academic activities on April 12, 2018. President Buhari approved 5 billion Naira in take-off grant for the Maritime University.


9. #NationalLivestockTransportationPlan
The NLTP is a creation of NEC, chaired by VP Osinbajo and State Governors and is completely distinct from the now-suspended RUGA: The RUGA initiative was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2019. The VP had publicly rejected RUGA and instead articulated the NLTP which has six pillars through which it aims to transform the livestock production system in Nigeria, including through ranching along a market-oriented value chain while ensuring an atmosphere of peace and justice.



10. #EnergisingEconomies and #EnergisingEducation
Osinbajo approved the provision of solar power to markets around the country such as Ariaria in Aba, Sabon Gari in Kano, Sura in Lagos, etc, as part of the energizing economies initiative of the Rural Electrification Agency. VP Osinbajo also commissioned solar power plants in Universities such as Alex Ekwueme University, in Ebonyi, also Bayero University in Kano.

The VP is also canvassing for a just transition from gas to cleaner ways of energy for Nigeria and other African countries. He has also spoken on several occasions against the defunding of gas projects by international finance cooperations. He believes that Nigeria’s rich deposit of gas should be considered first as source of energy before we transition to cleaner energy.

Nothing but the truth. If you don’t join politics, your idea will just end on paper without implementation

SpatialKing:
The most useless VP ever

Your comment makes you look very foolish

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN presides over the National Economic Council Meeting in the State House, Abuja. 15th Oct, 2021. Photos; Tolani Alli

chatinent:
This slowmo should just shut up!

Comments like this shows how drugs have damaged the lives of our youths. Shame

Bains the existing shareholding structure as well as the shareholder value of each of our esteemed shareholders. We are positioned to continue delivering strong earnings with the support of all our stakeholders.”

Also, speaking on the development in the industry , the Chief Executive Officer, Kunle Ahmed, said “We are grateful for the continuous support of our shareholders during this process. We assure you of our dedication to the company's continued growth and profitability through the continual delivery of exceptional services to our customers. The fundamentals of the business remain extremely strong with an enviable financial capacity that supports our growth ambitions.”

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The AXA Group is included in the main international SRI indexes, such as Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) and FTSE4GOOD. It is a founding member of the UN Environment Programme's Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Principles for Sustainable Insurance and a signatory of the UN Principles for Responsible Investment.

WHY OSINBAJO ADVOCATES FOREX POLICY THAT CURBS ARBITRAGE & CORRUPTION, OFFERING NIGERIANS CHEAPER DOLLARS

Our attention has been drawn to statements and reports in the media mis-characterising as a call for devaluation, the view of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN that the Naira exchange rate was being kept artificially low.

Prof. Osinbajo is not calling for the devaluation of the Naira. He has at all times argued against a willy-nilly devaluation of the Naira.

For context, the Vice President’s point was that currently the Naira exchange rate benefits only those who are able to obtain the dollar at N410, some of who simply turn round and sell to the parallel market at N570. It is stopping this huge arbitrage of over N160 per dollar that the Vice President was talking about. Such a massive difference discourages doing proper business, when selling the dollar can bring in 40% profit!

This was why the Vice President called for measures that would increase the supply of foreign exchange in the market rather than simply managing demand, which opens up irresistible opportunities for arbitrage and corruption.

It is a well known fact that foreign investors and exporters have been complaining that they could not bring foreign exchange in at N410 and then have to purchase foreign exchange in the parallel market at N570 to meet their various needs on account of unavailability of foreign exchange. Only a more market reflective exchange rate would ameliorate this. With an increase in the supply of dollars the rates will drop and the value of the Naira will improve.

The real issue confronting the economy on this matter is how to improve the supply of foreign exchange, but this will not happen if we do not allow mechanisms like the Importers and Exporters window to work. If we allow this market mechanism to work as intended, we will find that the Naira will appreciate against the dollar as we restore confidence in the system.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
12th October, 2021

Osinbajo is today, in Nigerias political chess game, the most barraged and bruised person in the hands of familiar and unfamiliar folks who have their eyes on Nigeria’s presidency. These folks have forgotten that ALL POWERS BELONG TO GOD. His word cannot be broken!

Osinbajo is a man I respect so much

GLOBAL NET-ZERO EMISSIONS:
GAS PROJECTS SHOULD NOT BE DEFUNDED, SAYS OSINBAJO IN LONDON, AHEAD OF COP26 SUMMIT

*VP headlines UN High-Level event on Energy Transition, meets COP26 President-Designate

*Interacts with academic community at Imperial College, Global Energy Alliance

In its commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Federal Government is already making efforts to use large shares of clean energy sources, but "limiting the development of gas projects, poses dire challenges."

This is why the international community should understand that the plan to defund gas projects in the run up to the global Net-Zero emissions target would be unhelpful to developing countries like Nigeria.

This was the crux of the presentations Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, made on Friday at different meetings in London at the High-Level United Nations event on the Energy Transition plan in Africa with special focus on Nigeria.

The meetings included first, a closed-door session with COP26 President-Designate, Mr Alok Sharma, a cabinet rank British Minister and the Chair of the UK Government’s COP26 Energy Transition Council (ETC) at Whitehall. Then an interaction with the academic community at Imperial College followed by meetings of the Global Energy Alliance and presentations on the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan and Nigeria's Integrated Energy Plan.

Prof. Osinbajo observed at Imperial College that Africa as a continent is home to the world’s youngest fastest growing population and in order to create jobs and enable climate-smart industrialization, "the scale and quality of electricity services must increase significantly."

Continuing, the VP noted that the scaling up in the Nigerian context is based on clean energy, a reflection of the FG’s commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

He said this "means building sustainability into our economic planning, and so our Economic Sustainability Plan, includes a plan to provide 5 million homes with cleaner energy through its decentralized solar power programme. This means an estimated 25 million Nigerians would have access to solar power.

“The first phase of this plan is already underway, and we think that this sort of programme will very quickly ramp up our progress towards net-zero emissions."

But he explained that the moves to defund gas projects wouldn't help the "whole enterprise," which "requires gas, especially if we are putting it on the grid. We want to be able to put renewable energy on the grid, we need power for industry, and of course, we are looking at the significant cost of that.”

According to him, "limiting the development of gas projects, poses dire challenges for African nations, while making an insignificant dent in global emissions. Energy demand in Nigeria and across Africa is set to rise, as indeed it must, to deliver the industrialization, jobs and economy-wide progress people deserve.”

In addition, the VP explained that “the energy access element of the transition must be linked with the emission reduction aspect of the transition. For too long we have considered these to be parallel tracks. However, pathways to reaching net-zero by 2050 have to include first ending energy poverty by 2030.

“If energy access issues are left unaddressed, we will continue to see growing energy demand being addressed with high polluting and deforesting fuels such as diesel, kerosene and firewood.”

On current energy consumption patterns globally, Prof. Osinbajo noted that "energy consumption in developing countries has doubled in the last 15 years, and is expected to grow another 30% in the next fifteen years. So making capital available to fulfil the growing energy demand in these regions of the world is central to reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement.”

He highlighted the disparity in global energy investments, noting that “while representing just 15% of the world’s population, high income countries received 40% of global energy investment in 2018. Conversely, developing countries with 40% of the world’s population received just 15% of global energy investments."

The VicePresident said “Nigeria has already made a commitment to have 30 percent of our electricity supply from renewables by 2030. Also natural gas is currently used for industry, fertilizer manufacturing, and cooking – which are more difficult to transition than power generation."

He affirmed that Nigeria is "resolutely committed to all of our national determined contributions under the Paris Agreement, and we have in fact updated our commitments in our new Energy Transition Plan. So for baseline business as usual (BAU) projections, estimated BAU 2030 emissions are now at 453 MTCO2e (metric tons of Carbon dioxide equivalent), increasing 31 percent from a 2018 baseline of 347 MTCO2e.

“We are committed to the process and strongly believe the process has to be strong, fair, just and supported not just for Nigeria, but for most African countries and for many developing countries who have the same concerns that we have,” Prof. Osinbajo added.

Speaking about the expectations of Nigeria and other developing countries, the VP noted that “the ultimate goal of the global energy transition should be to achieve reliable net-zero-energy systems to power prosperous, inclusive economies.”

His words: “efforts are already underway in my country, and in countries across the continent, to include large shares of clean energy sources to fuel that growth. Renewables are the fastest-growing segment of energy today and will certainly be a key economic driver well into the future.

The VP then disclosed that Nigeria is about the first African country that has developed an energy transition plan that seeks to demonstrate its commitment to the global net -zero emissions.

Such a plan, according to Prof. Osinbajo "must be equitable, inclusive and just with a planet and people approach to the transition. As a practical matter that means transition plans that take into account the different realities of various economies and accommodate various pathways to net-zero by 2050.”

Prior to the engagement with the Imperial College students, the Vice President had met the President-Designate of COP26, Mr. Sharma, who is also the Chair of the UK Government’s COP26 Energy Transition Council (ETC).

The discussions were around issues regarding the 2050 global Net-Zero emissions target and the need for the international community to align on the key elements of a just and equitable transition for all.

Other dignitaries that accompanied the VP to the meetings and engagements were Minister of State for Environment, Mrs Sharon Ikeazor; Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Ambassador Adeyemi Dipeolu; Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Amb. Sarafa Ishola, and the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sustainable Energy for All (SE forAll), Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, among others.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
9th October 2021

Osinbajo is a man of honour and excellence. I love him

Nadaken:
This man is a disappointment no matter how much he tries to distance himself from the vegetable


I don't expect anything from him as president, the north knows how to box him in his political correctness cell

Shame on you for being a disappointment to your family

Enjoy the monster you enabled

WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY:
OSINBAJO HOSTS TEACHER OF THE YEAR AS FORMER STUDENTS SHARE 'SURPRISE' VIDEO COMMEMORATING VP'S 40 YEARS TEACHING ANNIVERSARY

*Say his teachings as university lecturer impacted their lives and careers positively

*VP sends greetings to all Nigerian teachers

In commemoration of the World Teachers’ Day - Tuesday, past students of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, have spoken about his contributions to, and impact on their lives and career paths, just as the VP himself welcomed the teacher of the year, Ms. Oluwabunmi Anani, to the Presidential Villa and sent a video greeting to all Nigerian teachers.

Several of Prof. Osinbajo’s law students, many of whom are today distinguished scholars and legal practitioners, unknown to their teacher, had produced a short video speaking glowingly of him; and many more among them also joined a virtual event celebrating the law teacher who started teaching in 1981 at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). Osinbajo himself was only 24 then.

At different periods spanning the 80s, 90s and 2000s, Prof. Osinbajo was a lecturer and then Senior Lecturer of Law at UNILAG, Professor of Law and Head of Department of Public Law at the University. He also taught Law at the Lagos State University.

In a heart-warming 5-minute video which trended on Tuesday on different social media platforms, Osinbajo’s former students and alumni of UNILAG, each recounted how his lectures made them better students and successful career professionals.

According to his students, Prof. Osinbajo was a brilliant and an excellent teacher.

The Vice President's old students recalled memories of how he taught the Law of Evidence, with most of them observing that the then young, charming lecturer delivered lectures, quoted legal authorities and citations without using notes.

Among some of the former students of the VP who spoke in the video and at the virtual meeting yesterday were Prof. Fidelis Oditah, QC, SAN; Supreme Court Justice John Inyang Okoro; Mrs Bimbo Akeredolu, SAN; Mr. Wahab Shittu; Major-Gen (rtd). Pat Akem-Vingir; Prof. Adesoji Adesugba; a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Iduma Igariwey; and the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Presidency, Mr. Ade Ipaye.

Others included Ms. Onikepo Braithwaite of Thisday Newspapers; Mr. Joseph Chiedu Ugbo, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC); Mr. Andrew Attah; Mr. Adekunle Awodiji; Mr. Bassey Ekwere; Mrs. Remi Ladega and Mr. Abdulrahman Abdurazaq, all legal practitioners.

There was also Mrs. Toyin Odusanya, who noted that Prof. Osinbajo also lectured her daughter. Ogun State Attorney-General, Gbolahan Adeniran, also spoke on the video, noting that the VP mentored and taught that it is the duty of Attorneys-General to ensure that "justice is placed at the heart of governance."

Earlier before the surprise video, the VP had earlier received the Maltina Teacher of the Year 2020, Oluwabunmi Anani, and members of the Nigerian Breweries Limited, NBL, who sponsored the award. While celebrating the teacher based in Adamawa State, Prof. Osinbajo told her, "you have done us proud, as teachers; by your passion and commitment. (Unlike you) many people end up teaching because they have no choice."

He continued "But teaching is the most important, because everyone is a product of teaching. We have to find a way to promote that notion, which is why the NBL initiative of the Maltina Teacher of the Year is good. We need more support for this kind of initiative so that teachers will be appreciated.

"We also have to invest more in teacher training and advancing the works of teachers in various ways. If a teacher is well-trained, he or she will have greater esteem and attract other people."

He added that while he shares the view that teaching is a calling, "we must find a way to make it more interesting."

The VP then said the Federal Government will do its part to ensure that teachers are better rewarded.

According to him “the President is concerned about improving the lots of teachers, but States have a role to play."

He disclosed that there were also moves to employ teachers into the public service starting from level 8 as against level 7.

Already, he said, “the Federal Government, on its part, has been doing a bit of work in trying to improve the lot of teachers. For example, there is a policy now, though not a law yet, it is still in the National Assembly, about moving the retirement age of teachers in the public service from 60 to 65. That’s an additional five years; then we are also looking at their remuneration.”

The VP then prayed for the Teacher of the Year, saying "God will help you as you help so many. You will not be disgraced in Jesus name."

The Maltina Teacher of the Year Award, which aims to recognize and celebrate exceptional teachers in Nigeria, is open to teachers in all secondary schools across the country. While State Champions that emerge from the 36 States and the FCT are recognised and rewarded, the overall National Winner is picked from these State Champions after further assessment.

Anani, the current holder of the title, was accompanied on the visit to the Presidential Villa by Uzodinma Odenigbo, Head of Public and Government Affairs, Nigerian Breweries Limited.

After receiving Anani and later watching the suprise video, Prof. Osinbajo expressed excitement at the gesture of his former students, saying that teaching was something he did effortlessly because of his passion for it.

“I certainly did not except to be celebrated in this way. Yesterday when I was doing a video recording for the Teachers’ Day, I was saying, well, I must be close to 40 years; I didn’t realize that it was 40 years since I started teaching.

“But I am deeply grateful to all of you for the very kind words; your very generous remarks about me, about my humble efforts to pass information to you.

In the VP's own video to mark the World Teachers’ Day, he recalled how his teachers and lecturers positively impacted his life and career.

Thanking all teachers for their contributions, he said in the video, “on this special day, the World Teachers’ Day, I’d like to thank all teachers in this nation, wherever you may be; whether you are in a village or in the city or in town, I like to wish you ‘Happy Teachers’ Day.’

“We are extremely proud of what you do, we are extremely proud of your work. We sincerely appreciate all the sacrifices that you make every single day. We regard you as a major pillar of our society. Happy Teachers’ Day. God bless you.”

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
6th October, 2021

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE


VP OSINBAJO TO REPRESENT NIGERIA AT SÃO TOMÉ AND PRINCIPE'S PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, will be representing the President today in São Tomé city for the inauguration of Mr. Carlos Manuel Vila Nova, the newly elected President of Sao Tome & Principe. He will be joining other Heads of State and government, especially from Africa.

The new President of the island Central African country was declared the winner of the run-off election conducted on the 3rd of September, 2021, and is taking over from the incumbent President, Mr. Evaristo Carvalho.

The Vice President leaves Lagos this morning and would be accompanied by the Foreign Affairs Minister of State, Ambassador Zubairu Dada. He is expected back in Abuja later today.


Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
2nd October, 2021

The list of winners of the long awaited MSME Grant from the Friends of Prof Osinbajo acting under the aegis of *the March 8th Initiative* has been released.

Readers will recall that young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18-35 had applied for these grants in March 2021 during the 64th birthday celebrations of His Excellency Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON.

According to the info contained on the group's website, a Panel of experts reviewed the applications totalling about 33,000.

Members of the Review Panel include:

Professor Onyeka Osuji – Director of the Commercial Law PGT Programmes, University of Essex, United Kingdom
Dr. Trevor Omoruyi – Senior Lecturer, Chester Business School, University of Chester, United Kingdom.
Associate Prof. David Acquaye – Head of Department of Accounting and Finance, Chester Business School, University of Chester, United Kingdom
Dr. Opeoluwa Aiyenitaju – Lecturer, Faculty of Business and Law, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom.

At the end of the verification process, a total number of 355 Applicants were shortlisted as winners of the 2021 Entrepreneurship Grants. This is broken down below:

My Big Idea Challenge (N100,000) - 200 Winners

My Business Support Challenge (N250,000) – 85 Winners

My Catalyst Support Challenge (N500,000) – 35 Winners

My Bold Innovation Challenge (N1,000,000) – 35 Winners

*As seen above, the total prize money is 93 million, 750 thousand naira*. These funds will, no doubt, go a long way in assisting these young entrepreneurs.

Check out the list of winners on www. march8th.ng

AXA Mansard Insurance Plc has announced the launch of its new “chatbot” called ‘Nikki’ is to provide a better, faster, and convenient transactional experience for its online customers.

The introduction, Nikki on the website, www.axamansard.com is aimed at providing interactive robot assistance to customers whenever they require any services through the website, customers do not have to wait in line to be attended to by human agents, even though they are at liberty to, should speaking with an agent be their preferred option.

Speaking on the new development, Chief Client Officer, AXA Mansard, Mrs. Rashidat Adebisi said, they are committed to improving customer's experience and making it easier for them to transact seamlessly.

However, with the new offering, customers are able to complete tasks in a moment looking for products and prices to assessing the different packages and offerings, whilst also enjoying interactive robot advice.”

Nikki will provide customers with 24/7 access to advice on their insurance investment and health needs.

Adebisi added that the new offering will guide customers on how to investing funds, renewing insurance policies with making claims on an insurance policy, others.

As part of its commitment to protect the environment and sustainable lifestyle, AXA Mansard Insurance Plc has determined to manage impact on the environment by reducing resource use and promoting climate change awareness throughout the world.

The Chief Customer and Marketing officer, AXA Mansard, Jumoke Odunlami, who spoke at an event tagged tagged ‘ AXA Week for Good’
Said protecting the environment is a major step towards keeping the wellbeing of people and all living creatures.

As the Global Corporate Responsibility week, we take conscious steps to reduce activities that impacts the environment negatively and protect the world we live in.”

In line with this, the company lined up several activities which it wrapped around the theme ‘Zero Waste and the Importance of Recycling’, as highlighted

To this end , beach clean-up exercise: AXA Mansard's employees joined AXA employees worldwide in clean-up activities. The staff of AXA Mansard, on Saturday September 25, 2021, in partnership with ‘Let’s Do It World’ carried out their clean-up activity in Elegushi beach, Lagos with the aim of increasing the cleanliness around the ocean and improving the coastal and ocean ecosystem. The gathered waste items were donated to a recycling company in Lagos for proper use.

Speaking about the beach clean-up exercise, the Country Leader, Let’s Do It Nigeria), Olumide Coker, noted “We understand that this 1-day event does not guaranty a continuously clean beach.

We however hope that the exercise would send a strong message to all Nigerians, that we all have a role to play in maintaining a sustainable environment for us to leave in.”

Indigent school partnership: The company will also be partnering with a notable school in the country to promote the use of recyclable materials as payment for school fees and help supplement additional cost for educational materials required by qualifying students. This is to encourage school children to start recycling from a young age aiming to change the future of the country by having the next generation of children to adopt the habit of the recycling.

SME Webinar: On September 22, 2021, the company held an open webinar for SMEs and the general public, enlightening them on 'Zero Waste and The Importance of Recycling'. This was a very insightful session, as topics ranging from E-waste usage to income generation through recycling were vastly discussed.

AXA Mansard therefore uses this opportunity to reiterate its commitment to:       

Reduce our energy consumption through a focus on energy efficiency solutions that optimize the usage in our buildings. 

Reduce our office paper consumption and minimize the use of paper for our marketing and distribution activities whenever allowed by local requirements and regulators. 

Reduce our water consumption in all AXA Mansard’s facilities, Reduce the emissions derived from our business travel by minimizing the number of long-distance trips of our employees, stimulating the use of alternative means of communication.

Seek suppliers that support us in this journey through their solutions and business practices following the guidelines set in our Responsible Procurement Strategy.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

*FAIRNESS, EQUITY, RESPECT FOR RIGHTS OF OTHERS FUNDAMENTAL TO PEACE, SECURITY, SAYS OSINBAJO*

_*Receives CAN award of excellence at body’s 45th anniversary, describes body as a force for peace, unity & social justice_

_*CAN honours Imam Abubakar Abdullahi from Barkin Ladi, Plateau State_

_*VP urges leaders to be relentless advocates of freedom of worship, justice & the rule of law_


In pursuit of a more united and peaceful society, Christian groups and leaders of faith in Nigeria must preach fairness and equity at all times and be relentless advocates of freedom of worship, justice and the rule of law, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo, who was honoured on Saturday evening in Abuja with the Christian Association of Nigeria's Award of Excellence at a Dinner and Awards night organized to mark the 45th anniversary of the association, also delivered President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government’s felicitations to the foremost Christian body on the milestone.

Also, in his remarks after receiving the award, alongside other honourees, the VP noted that “fairness, equity and respect for the rights of others are fundamental to peace and security,” hence Christian leaders at all levels must strive to promote those virtues despite the challenges.

His words: “we must continue to let the important truth be known that Christ did not come to establish a religion or to condemn men, but to show all men that his own righteousness, not our righteousness or performance, is the qualification for eternal life.

“That the gospel commands consideration for the views of others, treating them as we would wish to be treated; non-violent communication, that our words must be words of grace seasoned with salt.

“We must, as an organisation and as individuals, remain constant and relentless advocates of freedom of worship, respect for human rights, fairness, justice and the rule of law.”

Commending the works of current and past leadership of CAN in promoting religious tolerance, Prof. Osinbajo said “CAN has not only been continually faithful to its founding vision, it has become a veritable force for peace, unity and social justice.”

According to him, “pursuant to the gospel, CAN has consistently spoken up on behalf of the “least of these” in our society.

“Importantly, the current and past leadership of CAN have acted in full realization and recognition of their roles as pivotal stakeholders alongside the Government, private sector in nation-building.

“We are proud of the role of moral compass of society and interlocutor for peace among the different faiths that CAN has played and continues to play in our nation.”

Continuing, the VP noted that “we are also proud of the enormous work that the current executive of CAN, ably led by His Eminence, Rev. Supo Ayokunle, has done.

“I am aware of your collaboration with the leadership of the Islamic and other faiths, to reconcile where there are conflicts, to pacify where there has been offence, and to reprimand where there have been misdeeds. Well done and congratulations.”

Speaking on dousing religious and ethnic tensions in the society, the VP said “as we have seen in the past few years not just in Nigeria but all over the world, there is a growing religious and ethnic chauvinism.

“An almost intemperate, vehement and often violent dismissal of the views of people of other persuasions without adequate consideration. At the same time there is the rise of identity and cultural politics. Brethren, the answer to hate, intolerance and conflict is the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

On the call by CAN for the renovation of the National Christian Centre, Prof. Osinbajo gave a short presentation on renovation plan for the Centre, assuring that Christian groups and individuals would be mobilized to provide resources and complete the project.

Responding personally and also on behalf of other award recipients, Prof. Osinbajo said “I accept the award with great humility, being mindful that we are not necessarily the most deserving of Christians to be given any recognition. But that because of the special grace of God, by which we have been chosen to serve in the high capacities that we serve, we are in the advantageous position that our contributions will be more easily noticed.”

The VP dedicated the award to “the many who, daily, in different locations, distant and near, propagate this message of the love and reconciliation of the gospel of Jesus Christ in sometimes difficult, even life-threatening situations. And to the many who have suffered deprivation, and the families of those who have lost their lives by reason of their belief.”


Presenting the Award of Excellence to the VP, CAN President, Rev. Supo Ayokunle, said the honour was in recognition of Prof. Osinbajo’s outstanding performance in public service over the past years, both at state and national levels.

He said: “this Award of Excellence is conferred on you today in recognition of your invaluable contributions as an ideal Christian in the Nigerian political space and governance.”

Other award recipients include former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo; former Imo State Governor, Sen. Rochas Okorocha; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara; several State governors; faith leaders, including past Presidents and General Secretary of CAN.

The Imam that saved the lives of over 200 Christians in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, Abdullahi Abubakar, also received a special CAN recognition.

It would be recalled that the VP had received the Imam in the Presidential Villa in May 2019 and praised him severally in public for his acts of courage, sacrifice and tolerance when he stuck out his neck to protect Christians who were being pursued to be attacked during a conflict situation in Barkin Ladi on June 23, 2018.

Earlier on Saturday morning, the Vice President participated virtually in the 6th edition finals of the SimmonsCooper Advocacy Development (SCAD) Programme organized by SimmonsCooper Partners (SCP).

Speaking briefly during the event which was held live in Lagos, the VP congratulated the finalists of the SCAD competition as being among the best in Nigeria and anywhere in the world.

“Knowledge is so critical, and today, it is almost as if a completely new vista of knowledge has been opened, especially with technology and all of its various implications,” he said.

The event was attended by members of the Nigerian Bar Association, students of law and other disciplines from Nigerian universities, members of the Nigerian business community, among others.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
26th September, 2021