₦airaland Forum

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STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

HOW FG WILL TAX PROFITS MADE BY GLOBAL TECH, DIGITAL GIANTS IN NIGERIA, BY OSINBAJO

*VP explains enabling provisions in Finance Act

*Interacting with Chartered Institute of Taxation members, Osinbajo says no tax increases contemplated for now

*CITN to VP: We acknowledge your great zeal

Nigeria is set to utilize its legal provisions that empower the Federal Government to collect taxes on profits made in the country by global technology and digital firms not based in the country, but with significant economic presence here.

While the Federal Government will not be raising tax rates at this time, based on the Finance Act 2019, it is already empowered to widen the tax net, including by collecting taxes on the Nigerian income of global tech giants with significant economic presence here, even if they have not established an office or permanent establishment and are currently not paying taxes in Nigeria.

In this regard, Section 4 of the Finance Act 2019, provides that “the Minister (Finance) may by order (of the President) determine what constitutes the significant economic presence of a company other than a Nigerian company.”

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, hinted at these issues and others while interacting with a delegation of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, CITN, led by its President, Mr Adesina Adedayo who visited him at the Presidential Villa on Friday.

According to Prof. Osinbajo, “we have had severe economic downturns which of course implies that we may not be able to collect taxes with the aggressiveness that would ordinarily be expected.

“I think the most important thing is that we must widen our tax net so that more people who are eligible to pay tax are paying. Several efforts have been made, and I am sure you are aware of the initiatives including the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) which was also an attempt to bring more people into the tax net, including those who have foreign assets.”

Continuing, the VP said “we have also recently taken a step with respect to a lot of the technology companies that are not represented here but who do huge volumes of business here.

“The Finance Act has shown that we are very prepared to ensure that these big technology companies do not escape without paying their fair share of taxation in Nigeria. Many of them do incredible volumes here in Nigeria and in several other parts of the region.

“We have drawn up the regulations and we are prepared to go, and I think that we are at least in a good place to tap into some of the tax resources we can get from some of these companies.”

Indeed, besides the FG, a recent Bloomberg news article reported that "Governments around the world are grappling with how to modernize their legal frameworks to account for the global reach of the digital economy, reshaping how policymakers think about issues as varied as monopoly power, taxation and workers’ rights."

Also, international talks are currently ongoing in Paris on global standard rules for governments to receive taxes from such digital and technology firms with significant economic presence in foreign countries.

In Nigeria, according to the Finance Act 2019, a company will pay taxes if it “transmits, emits or receives signals, sounds, messages, images or data of any kind by cable, radio, electromagnetic systems, or any other electronic or wireless apparatus to Nigeria in respect of any activity, including electronic commerce, application store, high-frequency trading, electronic data storage, online adverts, participative network platform, online payments and so on, to the extent that the company has significant economic presence in Nigeria and profit can be attributable to such activity.

“If the trade or business comprises the furnishing of technical, management, consultancy or professional services outside of Nigeria to a person resident in Nigeria to the extent that the company has significant economic presence in Nigeria”

Speaking further, Prof. Osinbajo noted that while the Federal Government has no plans to raise taxes now, there are those who argue that “our tax rates are too low, comparing us to other places in the region where the rates are much higher.”

“So we have had to balance all of these issues because clearly, higher tax rates can be a disincentive to businesses and investments. In terms of domestic resource mobilization, we are trying to do the best we can given the present circumstances and I believe that there is room for improvement.”

Actually, under the Finance Act 2019, the Buhari administration has reduced taxes for small companies – companies with less than N25 million in annual turnover are charged Zero Company Income Tax, CIT. Also CIT for Companies with revenues between N25 and N100m (described in the Act as “medium-sized” companies) has been reduced from 30% to 20%. Besides, Nigerians making minimum wage income are not to pay tax at all.

Under the 2020 Finance Act there is also an exemption of small companies from payment of education tax under the Tertiary Education Trust fund (TETFUND)-meaning companies with less than N25m turnover are eligible

Similarly, there is a 50% per cent reduction in minimum tax; from 0.5 per cent to 0.25 per cent for gross turnover for financial years ending between January 1st, 2020 and December 31st, 2021

INTERACTION ON OTHER ISSUES
Welcoming the delegation, the Vice President emphasized the need for regular interaction between the council and government to address issues bothering on tax legislation, noting that “there is need for continuous engagement with the National Assembly because engagement with government cannot be a one-off thing.”

Prof. Osinbajo added that the Federal Government has over the past few years, initiated programmes aimed at improving the growth of small businesses including the formalization of many of them. Under the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP), there is a formalization of 250,000 businesses.

He said the ongoing MSME Week has encouraged many businesses to register with regulatory authorities in order for them to benefit from the numerous programmes earmarked by the government for their growth.

Earlier in his remarks, the President of CITN, Mr Adesina Adedayo, commended the leadership of the Vice President in the implementation of key government interventions in the economy, stating that “we acknowledge your great zeal and commitment to Nigeria project.”

He said the visit became necessary given the enormous work the Buhari administration has done towards addressing the huge fiscal challenges in the polity, public financing reforms, and sustained efforts towards addressing infrastructural deficit across the country.

His words: “the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) and other measures implemented was a right response to the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic and were largely instrumental to creating buffers for the government at all levels in withstanding the pressures and waves created during the peak period and the aftermath of COVID-19.

“It is important that we sustain measures already being implemented to improve tax collection at all levels.”

Other members of the delegation included the Vice President of the Institute, Barrister Samuel Olushola Agbeluyi, past Presidents of the institute, Dame Gladys Simplice, and Dr. James Naiyeju, and Council members Prof. Muhammad Mainoma and Hon. Babangida Ibrahim. Mr. Adefisayo Awogbade, CITN Registrar/Chief Executive was also in attendance.

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

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

COMMEMORATING INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING, OSINBAJO ATTENDS PREMIERE OF NOLLYWOOD MOVIE, “THE SILENT BARON”

Lending his support to the global campaign against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, Friday evening attended the premiere of a movie titled “The Silent Baron”, a film produced by Mr Ifeanyi Ukaeru, in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to highlight the dangers of the abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.

Prof. Osinbajo was accompanied by the Executive Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd); the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, and other top government officials.

The movie premiere is part of activities marking the 2021 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking which falls on the 26th of June, every year. It is produced by Ekwe Nche Entertainment Ltd, the NDLEA, among other partners.

The movie features some internal challenges of agencies fighting drug barons and highlights how the couriers are recruited including by fooling ladies and their parents with false promises of taking the ladies abroad.

Starring some top Nollywood actors, the movie features the duplicitous life of a young man named Anselm, disguised as a foreign based professional who only visits Nigeria on short vacations. He lures young ladies with gifts, alluring words and under false pretences as couriers for his illicit drug trafficking business. In the end he was caught.

The movie brings to limelight, the commendable role of the NDLEA in the fight against drug trafficking especially at a time when the agency is aggressively exposing the menace with a significant number of arrests in the last couple months.

After watching the movie, a very delighted Vice President met some of the actors who were also present at the premiere, interacted briefly and took group photographs with the actors, movie producers and the production crew before departing from the event.


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

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

OSINBAJO MAINTAINS STAND, NIGERIA, OTHERS PLAN STOPPING MOVES TO DEFUND GAS PROJECTS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Maintaining the position that the funding for gas and fossil fuel projects in Nigeria and other developing countries be sustained during the global transition to net-zero emissions, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has said Nigeria will continue its frontline advocacy for a just transition.

He also asserted that Nigeria will play a critical role with other gas exporting countries to stop the defunding of gas and fossil fuel projects in developing countries.

This was the highlight of a virtual meeting on the subject presided over by the Vice President yesterday, with other top Federal Government officials in attendance; including the Ministers of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar; Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of State, Environment, Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor; Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Bitrus Bako Nabasu.

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had already declared in March that the country’s Decade of Gas “was a bold statement to demonstrate the Administration’s resolve that gas development and utilisation should be a national priority.”

Before now, Prof. Osinbajo had, at different forums in the past months, raised the issue of financing of gas projects in developing countries, especially Nigeria, advocating for a just transition and more effective engagements since the campaign for the Net-Zero Emission by 2050 resumed.

In March this year, at a meeting with a delegation from the European Union (EU) led by its Executive Vice President, Mr. Valdis Dombrovskis, the VP reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the global green energy initiative, but called for a just transition to zero emission.

At another meeting held earlier in February with the British Member of Parliament and COP26 President-Designate, Mr. Alok Sharma, Prof. Osinbajo restated Nigeria’s support and commitment to the Climate Change agreement, but cited the planned restrictions on financing of gas projects in African countries as a potential setback.

At the UN Dialogue on Food Systems, also in February, the Vice President stressed the need for the international community to consider as an option, the use of gas and other more environmentally friendly fuel sources, as against what he termed “defunding gas projects” on the basis of gas not being environmentally friendly enough.

Speaking at yesterday’s meeting, the Vice President noted that it was vital that the Forum of Gas Exporting Countries (GEC) join forces together to prevent the defunding of gas and fossil fuel projects, especially from developing countries, by international bodies and institutions.

According to the VP, concrete steps should be taken by the GEC Forum to stop further plans by international bodies and Western countries on defunding of gas/fossil fuel projects as it does not benefit developing countries especially.

He noted that it was vital Nigeria plays a significant role in achieving a consensus with the GEC Forum on these issues, even as the 26th United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) - which is scheduled to hold later this year - approaches.

In the same vein, the Vice President asked the Inter-ministerial committee on Climate Change, led by the Federal Ministry of Environment, to finetune Nigeria’s position for COP26, while the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources would focus on strengthening the country’s strategy, particularly in its initiative to use gas as a transition fuel.

Both the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, and Minister of Foreign Affairs were directed to work together, ensuring the GEC Forum reaches a consensus that reflects Nigeria’s advocacy on defunding of gas projects.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
25th June, 2021

Newspaper Frontpages for Friday 25th June, 2021
For more visit
https://abuhamdalat..com/2021/06/newspaper-frontpages-for-friday-25th.html

By Raheem Akingbolu

One flaw the Nigerian political class has committed over and over again is the lack of hindsight to fish out the leader the country deserves. Every day, we express the regret of not having a Nnamdi Azikwe or an Obafemi Awolowo, or a Maitama Sule as President when we had all the opportunities. Aside from the trio, the country has, in the last 60 years, consistently thrown away the opportunity of settling for visionary individuals with measured intellectual capacity as Presidential material.

However, the problem is not that Nigerians cannot identify a good material when they see one. We know the truth but unfortunately, we have stubbornly resisted being set free. But can we blame the commoners for the errors of the past? No. The truth is that, over the years, a group of powerful individuals, mostly military lords have remained at the forefront of anointing an individual for the exalted position of the President.

Ahead of the 2023 Presidential contest, the excuse that some powerful men and women have met and agreed on an anointed candidate may not be tenable as Nigerians are now more politically savvy and conscious of the type of leader they want. After 22 years of fresh democratic experience, one incontrovertible fact that has steadily reverberated is that many things are not working in the polity. Hence, there is a need for collective effort towards getting a leader that can help us out of this current political quagmire.

Expectedly, the jostle for the presidency is hot now but the beauty of it all is that Nigerians may not necessarily look afar of this time around to settle for the best. Though the current Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, hasn’t declared interest or given any sign that he would be vying for the presidency, the signs abound that he might be the ‘David’ we are earnestly looking for.

Yes, David, that young shepherd from the family of Jesse, who was not initially considered when Samuel was to anoint another king of Israel. He was far away in the farm while other children of Jesse were lined up to be considered for the kingship position.

According to the Bible, “He was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him amid his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

I was putting my thought on Osinbajo's candidacy together when a friend pointed my attention to our Oga, Femi Akintunde-Johnson’s Facebook post. Like many progressive minds who feel the way some of us feel, Mr. Akintunde-Johnson stylishly makes a wake-up call on Nigerians to think of Osinbajo. “In all of this hoopla…why isn’t the relatively, sanguine and sophisticated incumbent vice president not seriously considered as a strong contender for 2023 presidency?

Shouldn’t incumbency experience and unquestioned credentials matter? By the way, just in case it’s not clear, I’m referring to Prof. Yemi Osinbajo…seriously,” the senior journalist reverberated.

However, the calls on Nigerians to look in the way of the Vice President are not limited to a section of the country or particular demography. In fact, the first set of people that triggered the conversation was Northern Emirs and many elites from that zone, who to date use every opportunity to tell the world that Nigerians are blessed for having Osinbajo. From Daura to Lafia, Kano to Sokoto, the story remains the same; royal endorsement. Also, in the South-South and South-East, the Vice-President has in recent times, become a new bride because of his proactive manners in nipping in the bud, many crises that could have become national tragedies.

But perhaps the most instructive of such outings in recent time was the Vice President's visit to Sokoto and the speech he delivered at the Sokoto State University which summarily appraised the state of the nation, vis-a-vis the challenges and opportunities we are living with. Without mincing words, the Vice President charged ethnic and religious leaders to educate their followers to live together in peace and unity. He admitted that managing diversity can be politically and administratively tasking but was quick to add that diversity itself is economic strength and harnessing it properly is hugely rewarding.

It was also symbolical that the Vice-President was warmly received to the state by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, and other dignitaries. Though a People’s Democratic Party governor, Tambuwa didn’t hide his feelings towards the Vice President. At least, it was shown on the faces of both the governor and the Sultan that in Osinbajo, they saw a man they were so pleased with.

Giving a remark at the end of the lecture, the Vice-President said, “When a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation such as ours is buffeted by economic adversity, it is natural for fault lines and cleavages to come to the fore. There will be those who argue that survival and security can only be found in the narrow circles of our tribe or creed. Indeed, it is inevitable that at such difficult times, we hear these merchants of discord seeking to divide us in order to promote their selfish political interests. “This is not a phenomenon unique to Nigeria. The rise of xenophobia, nationalism, and other forms of chauvinism on the global scene indicates that the challenge of managing diversity is not a Nigerian or an African problem. Racial, ethnic, and sectarian tensions are common to diverse societies; they are intensified during extreme economic conditions such as a recession or a depression,” the Vice President had stated.

Since the day the lecture was delivered, not a few Nigerians, have attested to it as one of the most well-researched works on the current challenge the country is contending with. At a point, individuals and organizations, who felt Osinbajo understood both the problem and the solution started promoting it as an advertorial on various news platforms. Some opinion molders recommended it for Nigerian leaders who are keen on real and positive change.

Unassuming but focused, humble and brilliant, the Vice President appears to be well-positioned to take this country out of the wood. Having being in the government for years, he knows where the shoe pinches. As a university teacher, Osinbajo is intellectually endowed to provide a purposeful leadership for Nigeria. Since age and other considerations are at his advantage, it will be suicidal to again gamble with the opportunity to anoint the Vice President and allow him to lead us from 2023.

PRESIDENT BUHARI ALLOCATES HOUSES TO 1994 SUPER EAGLES SQUAD, WINNERS OF THE AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved allocation of 3-bedroom houses to the Super Eagles Squad that won the African Cup of Nations in Tunis, Tunisia, in 1994, making real a promise by the Federal Government.

Following a memo by Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, the President approved the allocations in their states of preference, noting that six players and three technical crews received their houses already.
The players are: Peter Rufai, Alloy Agu, Ike Shorounmu, Uche Okechukwu, Samson Siasia, Efan Ekoku, Sunday Oliseh, Benedict Iroha, Isaac Semitoje, Mutiu Adepoju, Emmanuel Amunike, Victor Ikpeba, Austin Eguavoen and Wilfred Agbonavbare (Deceased).

Others are: Uche Okafor (Deceased), Thompson Oliha (Deceased), Stephen Keshi (Deceased), Christian Chukwu, Dr Akin Amao, Stephen Edema, Col. A Asielue and B. Aromasodun.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 24, 2021

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

WHY WE DEDICATED A WEEK TO PROMOTE MSMES, HIGHLIGHT THEIR NEEDS - OSINBAJO


The initiative to dedicate a full week to the intensive promotion of MSMEs in the country and highlight their needs is meant to further boost the potentials and achievements in sector, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Thursday in remarks delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, at the opening ceremony of the maiden edition of the National MSME Discourse.

Aside the priority it has given to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in various ways including through the holding of MSME Clinics across the country over the years, the Buhari Administration dedicates this week to further build the profile of MSMEs and promote greater understanding of the sector.

Earlier this week the VP visited some MSMEs in Abuja and would be headlining the Annual MSMEs Awards on Sunday, among other events lined up for the week-long commemoration.

According to the Vice President, “given the priority it attaches to the MSME sector over the years, the Buhari Administration has supported MSMEs in various ways including through the MSME Clinics Initiative which is conducted through a partnership of relevant MDAs.

“The MSME Week is the latest initiative in this regard. Over the past few years, we have held a national MSME day in tandem with World MSME Day as declared by the United Nations. However, in order to further build the profile of MSMEs and promote understanding of the sector, we decided to dedicate the whole of this week to promoting awareness about the achievements of our MSMEs and highlighting their needs.”

Speaking on his participation in the week’s activities and other programmes scheduled to mark the occasion, Prof. Osinbajo said “two days ago as part of activities lined up during the week, I visited DLK Signature Limited which produces footwears, bags, and clothing, and also operates like a privately run shared facility. I also visited Roving Heights, an up and coming independent bookshop that combines a physical presence with an online presence.

“I was impressed by the vision, work ethos and organizational acumen of these outfits but my purpose was to encourage them and all other businesses in the MSME space and signal that the Federal Government is committed to supporting their efforts every step of the way.


“Other activities lined up for the MSME Week include an MSME Clinic in one of the States, this MSME National Discourse, a Fashion and Art Exhibition and National MSME Awards night.”

Recalling the Federal Government’s interventions in the sector, the Vice President said, the Clinics so far have been held in 27 States and the initiative has extended to encouraging States to establish one-stop shops and ‘Shared Facilities’.


Continuing, he said, “the Buhari Administration has also introduced a number of other schemes and initiatives aimed at supporting the operations of MSMEs.

"We have introduced arrangements in our development finance institutions to de-risk lending to MSMEs. Similarly, we have exempted small businesses with turnover of less than N20m from tax, while those with a turnover of less than N100m now benefit from a one-third reduction in the corporate income tax rate from 30% to 20%.

“Also equally notable is the support that the Federal Government extended to small businesses in the particular context of COVID-19 through the Economic Sustainability Plan. Through the Payroll Support Programme, we were able to help businesses across various sectors to keep their employees.

“In the same vein, artisans and transporters got support from the Survival Fund to help overcome the negative impact of the pandemic on their livelihoods. In similar vein are the MSME specific interventions in other ESP programmes like the Agriculture for Food and Jobs programme, the Family Homes Fund programme and the Solar Power Naija programme.”


“Taking the Family Homes Fund for instance, construction contracts with guaranteed off-take will be given to consortiums of young professionals in the building sector such as architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, builders, etc,” the VP added.

Commending the National MSMEs Secretariat for the initiative to hold a National Discourse on MSMEs, Prof. Osinbajo noted that the theme of the discourse - Little Beginnings: Huge Impact- is apt.

He said the theme "clearly underlines the potentials of the MSME sector. It inspires hope, signals growth, and anticipates success. Moreover, it provides an important platform for stakeholders in the economy (particularly as it relates to the MSME sub-sector) to review, assess, take stock, and proffer solutions to challenges facing micro, small and medium scale businesses in the country.”

He urged participants to give further insights and throw more light on salient issues affecting small businesses, noting that “it would be helpful to gain further insight into programmes that financial institutions have for MSMEs as well as suggestions on how to overcome the constant complaint by small businesses about the costs that they face in doing business.”

Other dignitaries at the event included the Minister of State Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Mariam Katagum; the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Mr Kayode Pitan; the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr Segun Awolowo; the Director General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph Ari; the Managing Director of Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Mr Tony Okpanachi, and representatives of Access Bank, NEXIM Bank, FIRS, NAFDAC, SMEDAN, SON, among others.


Laolu Akande

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

24th June 2021

The race to the 2023 presidential election has gathered more dust than we could have ever thought, the various indices playing on the various nation’s political field indicate a more complicated ride ahead.
While we hope for a credible election come 2023, it’s highly imperative that the Yorubas start to consider a better and a more viable option, while the various crops of politicians who have come out to indicate their interest for the presidency come 2023 holds various and obvious uncertainty hovering over their personality and candidacy, the Yorubas must take the presidency come 2023 more serious than ever.
In the wake of the various national issues which is currently militating against the growth of the nation and the it status as a sovereignty state, its quite important that the Yorubas start to consider an alternative for the presidency, a round peg in a round hole who has the much needed qualities to steer the affairs of the nation not just as a true Yoruba Man but also has a true Nigerian.
There is no better time than now, time has present us with another opportunity to rewrite our history and once again reposition the nation for good, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is a man who truly fits this description, he is one with a brilliant and impeccable personality. His records and antecedents are there for us to objectively check and examine.
A true professional and progressive to the core, he has never failed to live up to expectations when duty calls, he holds the best of qualities we can ever ask or hope for in a public officer. His sterling years of service with no scandal or controversies makes him a better choice.
We need not search for the hills and valleys to present a credible Yoruba Presidential Candidate, Yemi Osinbajo is right here, up for the taking. I hope we look above the mountains of sentiments to do the needful. The future is in our hands.

https://abujacityjournal.com/news.php?a=2023:-Why-Yoruba-need-a-better-Alternative--Kayode-Ajulo

AXA Mansard deepens insurance penetration in Nigeria, creates business opportunity

To further deepen insurance penetration in the country, AXA Mansard Insurance Plc., has announced the launch of its empowerment program that enables participants be their own boss.

This empowerment program entails partnering with highly motivated individuals who have experience in financial services and sales.

The program offers entrepreneurially minded individuals an opportunity to utilise their experience while leveraging on AXA Mansard’s strong brand.

According to the firm, the criteria for eligible participants include: Over 5 years sales experience, preferably in insurance or financial services, financial capacity to take up associated capital expenditure of an AXA Mansard agency office and access to a potentially large customer base or network of contacts.

Speaking on the development, the Head, Retail Division of the company, Adeola Adebanjo, stated, “Under employment remains a big challenge in Nigeria, our aim is to empower as many people as possible to achieve their dreams of owning their own businesses and ultimately become financially independent. It is our expectation that this program will provide a platform for entrepreneurially minded people to break free and become their own boss.”

The company has stated that interested participants can sign up by sending their credentials to partnershipopportunities@axamansard.com

Also speaking about the empowerment program, the Head of the Entrepreneurial Sales Group, Anthony Ode, stated that “the driving force behind the development of this program is AXA Mansard’s purpose which is to “Act for human progress by protecting what matters”. At AXA Mansard, we care about people and their businesses, therefore we constantly listen, think and innovate. This has made us offer the strength of our company for people to leverage on to build their own businesses.”

AXA Mansard is registered as a composite company with the National Insurance Commission of Nigeria (NAICOM). The Company offers life and non-life insurance products and services to individuals and institutions across Nigeria whilst also offering asset/investment management services and health insurance solutions through- AXA Mansard Investments Limited and AXA Mansard Health Limited, respectively. The parent company was listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange in November 2009.

PRESS RELEASE

TWITTER WRITES PRESIDENT BUHARI SEEKING RESTORATION OF ACCESS IN NIGERIA


* FG Approves Negotiations With Twitter Over Suspension

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the composition of the Federal Government's Team to engage with Twitter over the recent suspension of the operations of the microblogging and social networking service in Nigeria.

The approval was announced in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who will chair the team.

The Federal Government's team also comprises the Attorney General of the Federation and Honourable Minister of Justice, Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Honourable Minister of State for Labour and Employment as well as other relevant
government agencies.

Following the indefinite suspension of its operations in Nigeria, for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate
existence, Twitter wrote to President Buhari seeking to engage with the Federal Government over the suspension, with a view to charting a path forward.

Segun Adeyemi
Special Assistant To The President (Media)
Office of the Minister of Information and Culture
Abuja
22 June 2021

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN delivers remarks at the National Progressive Youth Conference at the ICC, Abuja.
21st June 2021.

At maiden Progressive Youth Conference, VP asks APC youths to recruit other young people to join politics

*Emphasizes essence of unity, urges young Nigerians to reject division

Nigerian youths will play even more critical roles in shaping the country’s political and economic future by becoming more active in politics and encouraging platforms for more constructive engagements on national issues, while driving conversations that will enhance national unity, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this during the maiden Progressive Youth Conference organised by APC Youth wing this afternoon at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

The Vice President, who was the guest speaker at the Conference themed, "the Future is a Decision, " said more political participation by majority of the country’s youths would, more importantly, help them to contribute to making meaningful changes which only those in government can can bring about.

According to the VP, “it is evident just from voter-turnout alone that the vast majority of young people either do not register to vote or do not vote. Those who even participate at all would rather engage within the very constrained space of social media platforms or join pressure groups. Neither of these is necessarily bad, but while media engagements and pressure groups may draw attention to the issues, they do not transform the lives of millions for good or ill.  So, if you are keen on how the future will turn out, you must be involved in politics.”

“Growing up, I was also in a number of pressure groups, concerned with corruption, human rights and democracy.  I wrote papers and argued at conferences but it was only in 1999 when the AD won elections in Lagos that I was able to serve as Attorney General, and working with several colleagues, we carried out a major reform of the justice sector in Lagos State. We had to participate politically, otherwise all our great ideas may never be tried.”

The Vice President added that it is crucial for young Nigerians, with like minds, already involved in politics to influence others to also participate.

He said, “while you all must be commended for joining and remaining a part of a political party, the major numerical force in our society, which you represent, is not engaged as yet.  You have a duty to persuade, evangelize and recruit them.”

Emphasizing that politics is majorly about dedication and service to the people, the Vice President urged youths not to be discouraged from joining politics because of negative sentiments associated with politics in the country.

He said, “Politics is about service to the people, but at the heart of that is that it is about ideas, and, of course, numbers.  Movements of every kind are activated around ideas, and numbers. The larger the number of those persuaded by an idea, the stronger the movement.

“So being involved and getting others involved is crucial.  The task then is to aggregate the majority of the party around your preferred point of view. That has to be done by standing firm on sound principles, but also being ready to give-and-take on methodology for achieving shared objectives and common causes.”

“We have a duty to raise the bar of political discourse and focus the minds of the public on the issues that matter most to the majority.”

Noting that young people have the numbers to run with bright ideas that could cause major positive disruption in politics, as there has been in other sectors like business, commerce and education, the VP stated that, “It is the strength of your ideas and the depth of organization that will retire those ahead of you, not your age.”

“You are in your prime, at your most creative and most prolific stage. You also have the largest numbers. Clearly, you underestimate your role and abilities if you do not see your role as taking over the ideological and intellectual direction of the party. The big ideas, the great solutions, the creative plans, must come from you. And this is your moment.”

More significantly, Prof. Osinbajo urged all Nigerians, young and old, to work for and project the unity of Nigeria, and avoid stoking the embers of divisions.

The VP stated that those waiting on the sidelines hoping that this country would disintegrated "will be very sorely disappointed and I'm very sure those of you sitting here today will prevent that from happening."

He added, “This country can take all of us, regardless of tribe, religion, gender or age, and I want to urge you to continually seek ways of making this union fairer and more just for the benefit of all,” he said.

Reiterating the country’s strength in unity in diversity, Prof. Osinbajo noted that, “Our people will be better served by a large, populous and diverse country. As with all big and diverse countries, our business is to make the union work. It is to give everyone a sense of belonging. It is to continue to balance the inequities and provide a socioeconomic framework that guarantees everyone a fair chance.”

He added, “an issue of existential importance to our nation is how to deal with the parochial tensions divisive and tendencies arising daily. Whatever your view, it has become the responsibility of your generation to fully advance the truth that we are created equal, that our aspirations are broadly the same and that we are all entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And that, it is the duty of the State to ensure that we are all treated fairly, justly and inclusively.”

“As Mr. President has said, we must also take advantage of the ongoing Constitutional reform process to get our position across. He also said in his June 12th speech that Government is willing to play a critical role in the constitutional amendment process without usurping the powers of the National Assembly. This opens the opportunity for more further engagement on these issues.”

Speaking on the challenges of security and unemployment, the Vice President stated that the Buhari administration would not relent in tackling the issues, while working to improve other areas such as healthcare and education nationwide.

He added that the Administration’s Social Investment Programmes remain a key pillar to provide welfare to the poor and vulnerable in society.

“These issues are the business of governments, and security and welfare of the people particularly are its primary responsibility. And as Mr. President has said we have the capacity to resolve them, and we will. In resolving these issues, the party and its think-tanks have huge roles to play.  We must contribute to the pool of ideas.”

Prof. Osinbajo added that States have a primary responsibility in collaborating with the Federal Government to meet the yearnings of Nigerians in these critical areas for national development.

“States have the primary responsibility for education and healthcare. So, the conversations we must promote in our State excos and legislatures today, is funding education and developing curricula that will prepare our young people for 21st century jobs,” he said.

*Laolu Akande,*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,*
*Office of the Vice President.*
*21st June 2021.*

AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, a member of the AXA Group and global leader in insurance and asset management, has announced its new “MyAXA Plus” mobile application will aid in speeding service delivery to customers across Nigeria and beyond.

The new launch, follow the company’s first mobile app in 2017 to further underscores the company’s desire to deliver delightful and relevant, cutting edge financial solutions to its customers and the larger society.

“MyAXA Plus” has been very well received because it provides a much improved, seamless, and satisfying experience that puts users at the heart of every feature and action on the app. Such as Make claims, on their insurance policy, enabling fast reporting of incidents and payment of claims by the company. Also book hospital visits HMO customers of AXA Mansard can receive care at over 1,700+ hospitals, and with MyAXA Plus, they can also pre-book hospital visits, reducing their wait time while also getting faster access to specialist consultations.

This will also allows customers can renew their insurance policy by providing their car plate number on the app, can also renew their motor insurance policy within a few minutes. Invest and liquidate funds: Investors, whether with high or low-risk appetite can find the right investment options on the app. Also, liquidation of funds and crediting of a customer account is completed within 5 minutes via the app.

According to the firm, the app users can make informed decisions by checking the market rates and trends before investing funds, reading articles by experts and interacting with a robo-advisor that uses information provided by the customers to suggest the right products and insurance cover in seconds.

In addition, MyAXA Plus allows registered and unregistered users to generate instant quotes of any product; use the BMI calculator; read blog articles; check investment trends & rates; calculate returns on investment; calculate the market value of any car; and contact sales agents for more information.

“After launching the first of its kind MyAXA the mobile app which gave customers a consolidated, single point of access to their general and life insurance; health insurance; assets and savings accounts in 2017, our team set out to build a more advanced solution to further empower customers to achieve their financial goals and access quality healthcare, wherever and however they choose” said the Chief Digital Innovation Officer, AXA Mansard, Bayo Adesanya,. “We are committed to achieving the singular goal of putting our customers first, in this instance, by building an app that incorporates their feedback on desired features and improvements, as well as including other market-leading innovations. We urge our existing and future customers to start using MyAXA Plus today.”

To download MyAXA Plus by AXA Mansard Insurance, visit App Store for iOS users and the Google Play Store for Android users respectively.

AXA Mansard is registered as a composite company with the National Insurance Commission of Nigeria (NAICOM). The Company offers life and non-life insurance products and services to individuals and institutions across Nigeria whilst also offering asset/investment management services and health insurance solutions through its two subsidiaries - AXA Mansard Investments Limited and AXA Mansard Health Limited respectively. The parent company was listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange in November 2009.

More pictures

ELECTRIC CAR ASSEMBLED IN NIGERIA IS A FANTASTIC INNOVATION, I CAN TELL BECAUSE I JUST DROVE IT, SAYS OSINBAJO.*

_*VP also inaugurates FRSC’s National Traffic Radio, gives live traffic update_

After driving Kona, the assembled-in-Nigeria electric car at the ongoing Made-in-Nigeria exhibition, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, concluded that the drive was fantastic and the making of the innovative car is a showcase of what is possible in our country.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this in Abuja today shortly after the unveiling of the Made-in-Nigeria fair featuring the exhibition of the first electric car assembled in Nigeria, among other locally manufactured products.

Aside touring the exhibition stands accompanied by top government officials, the Vice President drove the electric car alongside the Ministers of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr Jelani Aliyu.

Speaking to journalists shortly after a tour of the exhibition stands, and a ride in the electric car, Prof. Osinbajo said “it was a very good drive, fantastic. It just shows what is possible. I am glad to see that this is an assembled-in-Nigeria electric car. You can literally charge it anywhere. I think it is a very fantastic innovation; fantastic product, and I can tell because I just drove it.”

Other dignitaries at the event which is part of Nigeria’s 60th anniversary celebration include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Ministers of FCT, Mallam Mohammed Bello; and Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Right after the exhibition, the Vice President also visited the Federal Road Safety Corps’ headquarters where he inaugurated the National Traffic Radio, 107.1 FM.

There he described the radio as “an important and strategic initiative in several respects. The service will enable effective dissemination of relevant information on road safety and the provision of up-to-date information on road conditions, as well as traffic status and security to the public.”

According to him, beyond the core objective of enhancing the operations of FRSC personnel, the radio station will also be useful in reaching far flung areas for teaching and dissemination of public health advisories and general information to Nigerians.

Prof. Osinbajo then featured during the radio station’s traffic report programme where he gave live traffic situation report across the country particularly from areas in and around the FCT, Jos and Lagos. He was funny and jovial about it.

“Good afternoon wherever you are in this great country, this is Yemi Osinbajo, your always ready, always accurate traffic reporter, updating you on the traffic situation across the nation.

“So, let’s go the FCT. As of a few minutes ago, the Keffi-Abuja inward section, traffic from Nyanya under bridge to Kugbo, towards the city centre, is slightly free flowing, no impediments reported.

“Umaru Musa Yar’adua way, the situation is report shows that there is free flow of traffic on both sections of the expressway. Kubwa-Katampe, Wuse-Berger, traffic services unit reports affirm that there is seamless traffic flow with moderate movement of vehicles.

“Traffic update along Lagos-Ibadan expressway as at 11:45 am did say that the inward corridor and section of the expressway is experiencing very slow but moving traffic from the stretch of lotto to NASFAT, Chinese company around Magboro, Punch-Arepo inward, Warewa, due to high influx of vehicles and the narrowed lane around the construction area. The sharp bend coupled with picking and dropping of passengers, all that is causing some slow movement around that area.

“Traffic from Plateau State from about 12 mid-day. General traffic within Jos-Bukuru metropolis is free flowing. Jos-Hawan Kibo, motorists are admonished to be mindful of hills and steep bends around Hawan Kibo.

“Also, Jos-Bukuru-Vom is experiencing free flow of traffic while motorists are advised to be careful around Ganaruwa hill. Jos metropolis, road users navigating inwards Polo-Gada Biu through the metropolis should be mindful of heavy duty vehicles and drive with extreme care. At Hill station roundabout to Polo roundabout axis is a sloppy terrain.

“So, the general conclusion is that road users are enjoined to obey traffic rules, avoid dangerous driving and use the roads as responsibly as possible. All is going to be well today, this is going to be a great and exciting day. I am sure you are going to have some really good news. Thank you dear listeners, stay safe always.”

Dignitaries at the event include Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, FCT Minister, Mallam Mohammed Bello and the FRSC Corps Marshal, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi.

*Laolu Akande,*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity'*
*Office of the Vice President.*
15th June 2021

*Happening Now:* VP Osinbajo driving Kona, Nigerian made electric car at the #MadeInNigeria exhibition event at Eagle Square, Abuja.

With the VP is the DG of the Nigeria Automotive Development Council Jelani Aliyu and the Industry Minister Otunba Niyi Adebayo


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS8NXI3HBGc

Renowned labour unionist and elder statesman, Chief Frank Kokori, has recalled how he was appointed as the Chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund by the acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, in October 2017.
He, however, said when the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), returned from his medical leave in London, the powerful cabal in the Presidency reversed the appointment.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, later inaugurated his ally, Austin Enajemo-Isire, as the chairman after refusing to inaugurate Kokori for nearly two years.
Speaking with The PUNCH in a recent interview, Kokori, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, said people took advantage of Buhari’s old age to exploit the system.
He said, “Buhari has a limitation and that is age. I think that is one of his problems and those people around him—those we call the Presidency, the cabal or the mafia—are exploiting it. They do anything on his behalf and they would write ‘The Presidency says so.’
“They dispel positions, like when I was made the chairman of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund by the then acting president, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, when Buhari went abroad. When he came back, they felt that Kokori would be too strong in that position because that is where the workers’ pensions are warehoused and it’s a goldmine for corrupt people.
“In fact, at the last moment, they sold the position to their stooges and you know that struggle. The entirety of Nigerian workers and even the media were backing me, but (the late Chief of Staff) Abba Kyari was in charge. They took the job from me, even though Buhari told me on June 12 that year that ‘you will resume at the end of the week.’”

Kokori revealed that Buhari had signed off on his appointment and told Ngige to go ahead and inaugurate him but the President’s directive was disobeyed.
“He (Buhari) did everything, but for the cabal. And you can’t reach Buhari anymore; that is one of his weak points. He is one of the most inaccessible Presidents in the history of this country. Without his cabal, we don’t get to see him—except for his ministers who see him during the Federal Executive Council meetings. He does not come out, so you can’t see him,” Kokori added.
The activist, who led the Nigeria Union Of Petroleum And Natural Gas Workers during the days of military dictatorship, said whenever he tried to see Buhari, an appointment would be fixed but they would not allow him to see the President.
He stated that he would instead be referred to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
“I’ve never seen a man like that. I have seen every Nigerian president I have wanted to see since I was a young man in NUPENG. Even after I left NUPENG, I could see any president I wanted to see. But I can’t see Buhari up till today, apart from when people were campaigning for him in Delta State, he would come to meet us and we would take him round. After that, he would forget everybody,” said Kokori.
The APC chieftain said the President was surrounded by people who were not giving him good advice, adding that the cabal was more powerful than Osinbajo who is the second most senior member of the federal executive.
“And they have sidelined the Vice President who has brains but cannot use his powers. He has no powers. Even he can only have powers when the President gives him powers. It’s the cabal that runs the country; the cabal is more powerful than the Vice President. In other words, it is a situation where the Chief of Staff is more powerful than the Vice President and the SSG. Once you are in the cabal, you are more powerful than the Vice President and it’s a shame,” said Kokori.

https://punchng.com/osinbajo-appointed-me-nsitf-chairman-but-cabal-reversed-it-kokori/

We've never had a VP with so much finesse, total diligence, unflinching loyalty and complete competence as Professor Osinbajo. He remains an inexhaustible fountain of inspiration for youth who're aspiring to excellence.

Nigeria Needs Leaders Prepared To Unite Nigerians, Osinbajo Says At Oniru’s One Year Coronation Anniversary
**Traditional Rulers cannot be relegated, the future of Iruland is bright, VP adds
With the challenges affecting the country at this time, there is a need for proactive leaders who are prepared to bring Nigerians together.
This view was expressed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, in Lagos at the weekend during a courtesy visit to the palace of Oniru of Iruland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, on the occasion of the monarch’s first coronation anniversary.
Commending the Oba for being a leader to people of diverse socio-ethnic backgrounds, Prof. Osinbajo said, “our country needs all the leaders, the best leaders, the most proactive leaders, leaders prepared to bring the country together. Lagos is a microcosm of Nigeria, everybody is here, if things work out well here, things will be okay in the country.
Addressing the Oniru directly the VP observed that “I am sure your role here is that of someone who brings together communities not just Yorubas, but everybody. And I can see that from your choice of chiefs, you have gone to other parts, and I think this is the attitude of great leaders.”
While praying for the Oba for a successful reign on the throne, the Vice President said the progress of his kingdom and its people will be determined by the quality of leadership he provides, which is a yardstick to measure the role of traditional rulers in the country.
His words: “you should know that you are always in my prayers because I believe that your role is crucial not just for the development of this state, but for the whole country.
“Today you cannot relegate traditional rulers because of the exposure and education of those who occupy that position.”
On his part, the Oniru of Iruland thanked the Vice President for his leadership and commitment to the progress of the country.
While pledging the support of the entire kingdom for the Federal Government, the Oba said the Vice President’s leadership is an example for other leaders across the country to follow, noting that “you are a leader whose direction we will continue to follow”.
His words: “the relationship between the Vice President and I had been very cordial. We belong to the same school of thought. He calls and advises me on several issues.
“I want to assure you, Mr Vice President that I will not disappoint you, I will ensure the progress of this kingdom and I will be just.”
Also speaking later in an interview with journalists at the palace, Prof. Osinbajo said the future of Iruland is bright with an Oniru like Oba Abdulwasiu.
“I have known the Oniru for quite some time now. He is somebody who I have a great deal of respect for, and I know that the future of this community is bright with an Oniru like himself.
“He is not just someone who is thoroughly educated but a visionary. He is someone who sees the future and is ready in ensuring that he brings the future in a very short time,” the VP added.

https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/nigeria-needs-leaders-prepared-to-unite-nigerians-osinbajo-says-at-onirus-one-year-coronation-anniversary/

Let’s Focus On Empowering Our Compatriots Living With Albinism, Abandon Superstitious Beliefs – Osinbajo
*Calls for aggressive reversal of negative mindsets
* Organisers commend VP’s passion for the less privileged at virtual event celebrating World Albinism Day
As a people, and in our communities, it is paramount to have conversations around the safety and enablement of our citizens who live with Albinism according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
He made this known at a virtual event, attended by a number of distinguished personalities including diplomats such as the American Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, marking the World Albinism Day themed: “Strength Beyond All Odds”, on Sunday, 13th of June, 2021.
According to the VP, “there is a need to see it for what it is, a genetic difference not a contagious disease or a public health problem.”
In dealing with the various challenges faced by the albinism community, Prof Osinbajo stated the need to “have frank and robust conversations around the protection and empowerment of our compatriots that live with albinism.”
“These conversations will drive change on two levels – in the public domain, where sociocultural perceptions of Albinism that are rooted in ignorance and superstition can finally be laid to rest.”
The Vice President admitted that “this is not going to be an easy task because superstition and sociocultural issues take a while to deal with, but we must aggressively begin to present counter-narratives to the socio-cultural misconceptions about albinism.”
Secondly, interventions made “must be designed to improve the lives of people living with Albinism. The time is now to do more to reverse negative mindsets and socio-cultural stereotypes about albinism in our society. We must also go further to take deliberate steps as private individuals and public servants by giving them equal opportunity in the workplace and in social settings as well”, according to Prof Osinbajo.
While commending the convener of the event, Mr Jake Eppele, the Vice President noted that “he is one of the most eloquent and influential spokespersons for the rights, protection, and welfare of albinos in Nigeria and the world over.”
His words: “I think it is the hard work of people like Pastor Jake and in response to the numerous challenges faced by the Albinism community in the country that led to the adoption in 2012, of the National Policy on Albinism.”
He added that the objective of the policy was to assist persons with Albinism and provide them with as conducive an environment as possible for their self-actualization.
Subsequently, in 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the inauguration of a technical committee to review the policy in order to assess its success since implementation and facilitate the access of persons living with Albinism to social services, particularly education and healthcare.
In his remarks, Mr Jake Eppele commended the Vice President for making out time to attend the virtual event despite being on transit. (Indeed, the VP participated in the virtual event on landing in Lagos from Abuja yesterday, on his way to a number of events later in Lagos.)
Eppele told the VP “thank you for being a man of your words, even though you are travelling and in transit, you stopped over just to address us. It shows us how passionate you are about the less privileged.
“I also want to say that you have made history by becoming the first Vice President globally to address persons with Albinism on this day, and I have it on record.”
https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/lets-focus-on-empowering-our-compatriots-living-with-albinism-abandon-superstitious-beliefs-osinbajo/

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN virtually delivers a keynote address at the Albinism Conference in honour of International World Albinism Day. 13th June, 2021. Photos; Tolani Alli

As VP inaugurates Nigeria’s first thrift-for-charity- 'DASH ME STORE_

*Kemi Adeosun gets applause for new initiative supporting the vulnerable via grassroot charities
One factor responsible for the impactful implementation of the Social Investment Programmes of the Buhari administration over the years is the realization that you can’t reach Nigerians if you don’t have a plan for the grassroots, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

This realization then influenced the structure designed for the SIP and is largely responsible for the successes of the programme (which is now regarded as one of the biggest social welfare schemes in the continent).

Prof. Osinbajo stated this Sunday in Lagos at the inauguration of the Dash Me Store, an outfit of the Dash Me Foundation founded by the immediate past Finance Minister, Mrs Kemi Adeosun.

The store is established to mobilize resources for onward distribution to vulnerable people in the society via grassroot charities.

According to the Vice President, “I am excited to be here for several reasons, but most of all because of Mrs Adeosun’s commitment to the notion that all service to man is actually service to God, and she took that very seriously."

Prof. Osinbajo noted that “this is why, as Minister, she prioritized the Social Investment Programmes, when for the first time, the country voted almost N500B of our annual budget to welfare programmes which are called the Social Investment Programmes, which involved engaging 500,000 young men and women, and also giving microcredit to about 2 million traders and also a home-grown school feeding programme for 9.5 million children daily in public schools across the country.

“I am therefore really not surprised that she has decided to use some of her enormous talent and influence to establish an organization that raises funds and provides resources for indigenous grassroot charities working with orphaned and vulnerable children, disadvantaged youth, and victims of domestic violence.”

Speaking on the establishment of Nigeria’s first thrift-for-charity online store, Prof. Osinbajo said adding social enterprise to philanthropy with a structure that allows for resource mobilization for charity as well as creates the opportunity for people to earn a living in the process, should be the way to go.

His words: “what I think is happening here is that philanthropy is not like it used to be when all you needed was a good and kind heart and you didn’t need to plan or organize as you would a business for-profit.

“What Kemi and her team have done is to bring the new notion of social enterprise to this project. Philanthropy run with the discipline, attention to detail, and financial prudence of a successful business, and she can do all of that, and I am sure her team is imbibing that, given her background in finance in both private and public sector.”

Continuing, he said “the idea of this thrift-for-charity store is brilliant and the first of its kind in Nigeria. It is a unique model which does not just give to the needy in the conventional way of merely handing out donations.

“It is an innovative and structured way of aggregating donations to earn income to transform the lives of the vulnerable and needy while creating jobs in the process.

“I must say that your focus on funding grassroots charities is so crucial and I know that, having campaigned with you on behalf of our party, the APC all around Ogun and in every part of Nigeria, it is clear that you can’t reach Nigeria and Nigerians if you don’t have a plan for the grassroots.”

Earlier in her remarks, Mrs Adesoun said the idea of the store is to aggregate donations of different kinds for charitable causes, noting that Nigerians from different fields of endeavour and from across the country would be enabled via the online store to contribute to supporting the needy in the society.

She said the organization would work closely with charitable organisations in the grassroots to ensure that funds and other materials donated via the Dash Me Store get to actual beneficiaries.

*Laolu Akande,*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,*
*Office of the Vice President.*
14th June 2021.

As Nigeria celebrates the 2021 Democracy Day, the debate is raging on many social media platform as to how Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, should respond to the challenges in the country. But the discussions have overlooked an important constitutional point: A Vice-President does not exercise his own power independent of the President; and no matter how strongly he feels about a policy, it would be politically dangerous for him to break ranks with his boss. No doubt, the job of a VP under a Presidential system is probably the most frustrating in the world, even when the occupant understands his or her role clearly.
But despite the encumbrances, VP Osinbajo, in the last six years, has made a huge difference in practically every important agenda of this administration such as the Social Investment Program, Economic Sustainability Programme, Micro Small Medium Enterprises Clinics, Technology and Innovation Programs of the government.
Take the ESP as an example. This program was designed by the VP and a team the President put together last year to protect the economy against the negative fallouts of the COVID-19 pandemic. President Muhammadu Buhari asked the VP to serve as its Chair.

So far, there are over 465,820 beneficiaries of the Payroll Support element of the plan and many other beneficiaries of the Artisan Formalization Support Track of the Survival Fund under the ESP. In all, over 1.5million beneficiaries will be impacted.
For the most vulnerable, the Osinbajo led team launched a Cash Transfer Scheme facilitated through a wholly technology-based approach called the Rapid Response Register with plans to give one million households N5,000 monthly Cash Transfer for six months.
The Social Investment Programmes (under VP’s Office up till 2019) covered over 12 million direct beneficiaries nationwide, and this included Homegrown School Feeding Programme in 35 States feeding 9.9million children. More than 107,000 cooks are engaged to prepare these meals for the school children. Think of the jobs created for the cooks, the market created for the farm products, the added nutrition to the school kids and the enhanced school enrolments.

In the N-Power scheme, over 500,000 graduates have been employed, in addition to over 2.3million market women, traders, artisans and farmers across all 36 states of the country and FCT, under Government Enterprise & Empowerment Programme, GEEP. More than three million poor and vulnerable households have registered on the National Social Register and more than one million families are currently benefiting from Conditional Cash Transfer.
The administration has given unprecedented Support to MSMEs in the country. For example, the MSME Clinics have been held in 27 States, twice in Ebonyi, across the country including the FCT.
Over 400,000 MSMEs have so far participated in the MSME clinics nationwide securing significant support for their businesses. About 300,000 new business names have been registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission at a reduced 50% price of N5000, down from the normal N10, 000. Besides under the ESP almost 250,000 new businesses have been registered free of charge especially from young people.

In addition, seven One-stop shops have been established for MSMES in Cross River, Kwara, FCT, Abia, Bauchi, Osun and Plateau States.
The federal government has also launched Shared Facilities for MSMEs in Oyo, Bauchi, Benue and Lagos. This is to allow MSMEs which do not possess the financial capacity to own their equipment the opportunity to go into a fully equipped cluster-style facility to pay a token to use such equipment. This makes it possible for the small businesses to tap into economies of scale.
In the area of technology and innovation, Prof Osinbajo has also made significant contributions. He could be seen inspiring young people all across the country in that sector and mobilizing international technology giants to make things happen in the country.
The VP’s involvement in tech brought about the following:
Microsoft opened an African Development Center in Lagos in 2019 employing engineers building Microsoft products for global use. This was as a result of the meeting the VP had with the leadership of Microsoft on the 10th of November, 2015 where Microsoft promised a significant presence on the African continent and Nigeria in particular.
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. This should materialize this year.
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.

The business community has also acknowledged the administration’s initiatives on Ease Of Doing Business. The work of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (inaugurated by President Buhari in August 2016) and the Enabling Business Environment Secretariat has resulted in Nigeria moving up 39 places on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings since 2016. In the last three years, Nigeria has twice been adjudged one of 10 Most Improved Economies in the Rankings. Even though there have been some setbacks, no one can say by being there pushing for the reforms relentlessly, the business community is not better served by a VP such as Osinbajo.
As a constitutional lawyer, the VP is an active advocate and enabler of Rule of Law in government. While he is not the Attorney-General it is clear that for his own responsibilities, he has often stood for the rule of law and in the interest of all Nigerians, regardless of ethnicity.
It was 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. Osinbajo defended democracy and described the invasion as an assault on Nigeria’s democracy that should not be tolerated. There has never been a more vocal edification of democracy in Nigeria from a sitting government official in Nigeria, especially from the government in the center.
In the early days of the administration, it was Osinbajo that the President tapped to embark on a peace-keeping mission across the Niger Delta states. He met 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 2016 recession.

Today, the Niger Delta people are grateful for 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 to commence undergraduate degree programmes effective 2017/18 session. Academic activities started on April 12, 2018. President Buhari approved N5 billion in take-off grant for the Maritime University.
The National Livestock Transportation Plan is also a creation of NEC, which is chaired by the VP. Members include State Governors. I should note that NLTP is completely distinct from the now-suspended RUGA. The RUGA initiative was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2019. The VP had publicly and rather courageously 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.
Furthermore, Osinbajo through another initiative ensured the provision of solar power to markets around the country such as Ariaria in Aba, Sabon Gari in Kano, Sura in Lagos as part of the energizing economies initiative of the Rural Electrification Agency. He also commissioned solar power plants in Universities such as Alex Ekwueme University, in Ebonyi and Bayero University.
By all standards, I think Prof Osinbajo has been the most influential, consequential and impactful Vice President in our history. It is quite painful to some of us that the huge achievements of this administration and the immense contributions of some like the VP have been pushed to the background by security challenges. It is the little failures that seem to have drowned out the big successes, but quitting in the middle of the game is never the attribute of the bold and courageous. Prof. Osinbajo should weather the storm rather than leave in frustration, after all Nigerians elected him alongside the President. If he wins some confidence from the President but loses out in other areas, it is just the way life happens.
This is therefore not the time for Osinbajo to quit. The nation needs him in the years to come. His influence is good in the circumstances, that is the balance.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/06/democracy-day-yemi-osinbajos-fine-imprints-in-six-years/

ogbuefi677:
All these nonsense you wrote there to hype osunbade, yet d condition of the average man is worse with every passing day

Only if you could read

In the midst of the turmoil enveloping the country and the government’s inadequate response so far, some Nigerians are wondering if Vice President Yemi Osinbajo shouldn’t quit the government. They argue that the VP’s inability to influence the President to change his ways has rendered Prof Osinbajo otiose in the scheme of things. Across the nation, especially in the beleaguered communities in the middle belt and Southern Nigeria, the people are asking why Osinbajo cannot help to stop the violence.

In a social media chat room I belong to, a university teacher wrote recently: ‘’what is Prof Yemi Osinbajo still doing in the government? Are his views still being respected? Has he advised the President to run a more inclusive government’’? Others are suggesting that the VP should speak out against what they regard as the ills of the Buhari administration. ‘’I think the Vice President should be bold enough to challenge the President on the continued marginalization of a section of the country’’, writes Engr Emeka Nweke on his Facebook wall.

In many social media platforms, the debate is raging on how the VP should respond to the crisis in the land. But the discussions have overlooked an important Constitutional point: A Vice President does not exercise his own power independent of the President; and no matter how strongly he feels about a policy, it would be useless for him and politically dangerous to the nation for him to break ranks with the boss. The job of a VP under a Presidential system is probably the most frustrating in the world, even when the occupant understands his or her role clearly.

No matter how knowledgeable he or she is or how sound his or her ideas are, the occupant should stand by the actions of the government he serves, otherwise he quits in anger! There are those who think such anger is useful but only for their tunnel vision and one-sided outlook on things. And I mean even in the circumstances of the nation today.
The question then is: should this VP resign if he does not agree with certain unpopular actions of the government?

My personal opinion is that it would not serve any important purpose to the VP himself or Nigerians as a whole if Osinbajo quits the government out of frustration. He should continue in his work, especially in the economic front till the last day in 2023. Let me explain.
One, the office of the VP is a public trust and is bigger than the occupant, his personal interests and agenda. Even if some says he is not always consulted, the fact that he has secured some space to make certain happen in this country is an outcome that encourages his continued stay. Osinbajo will serve the greater interest of ordinary Nigerians for whom he is a voice within, if he remains in office.

Two, in the last six years, the VP has made a big difference in practically every important agenda of this administration such as the Social Investment Program (SIP), Economic Sustainability Program (ESP), Micro Small Medium Enterprises Clinics, Technology and Innovation Programs of the government.
Take the ESP as an example. This program was designed by the VP and a team the President puts together last year to protect the economy against the negative fallouts of the pandemic. The same President asked the VP to serve as its Chair.

So far there are already about half a million beneficiaries of the Payroll Support element of the plan and many other beneficiaries like Artisans and also the Business Formalization Support Track of the Survival Fund under the ESP. In all, over 1.5million beneficiaries will be impacted.

For the most vulnerable, the Osinbajo led team launched a Cash Transfer Scheme facilitated through a wholly technology-based approach called the Rapid Response Register with plans to give one million households N5,000 monthly Cash Transfer for six months.

The Social Investment Programmes (under VP’s Office up till 2019) covered over 12 million direct beneficiaries nationwide, and this included Homegrown School Feeding Programme in 35 States feeding 9.9million children. More than 107,000 cooks are engaged to prepare these meals for the school children. Think of the jobs created for the cooks, the market created for the farm products, the added nutrition to the school kids and the enhanced school enrolments.

In the N-Power scheme, over 500,000 graduates have been employed, in addition to over 2.3million market women, traders, artisans and farmers across all 36 states of the country and FCT, under Government Enterprise & Empowerment Programme, GEEP. 

More than three million poor and vulnerable households have registered on the National Social Register and more than one million families are currently benefiting from Conditional Cash Transfer.

The administration has given unprecedented Support to MSMEs in the country. For example, the MSME Clinics have been held in 27 States, twice in Ebonyi, across the country including the FCT. Over 400,000 MSMEs have so far participated in the MSME clinics nationwide securing significant support for their businesses. About 300,000 new business names have been registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) at a reduced 50% price of N5000, down from the normal N10, 000. Besides under the ESP almost 250,000 new businesses have been registered free of charge especially from young people.
In addition, seven One-Stop Shops have been established for MSMES in Cross River, Kwara, FCT, Abia, Bauchi, Osun and Plateau States.
The federal government has also launched Shared Facilities for MSMEs in Oyo, Bauchi, Benue and Lagos. This is to allow MSMEs which do not possess the financial capacity to own their equipment the opportunity to go into a fully equipped cluster-style facility to pay a token to use such equipment. This makes it possible for the small businesses to tap into economies of scale.
In the area of technology and innovation, Prof Osinbajo has also made significant contributions. He could be seen inspiring young people all across the country in that sector and mobilizing international technology giants to make things happen in the country.
The VP’s involvement in tech brought about the following:
Microsoft opened an African Development Center in Lagos in 2019 employing engineers building Microsoft products for global use. This was as a result of the meeting the VP had with the leadership of Microsoft on the 10th of November, 2015 where Microsoft promised a significant presence on the African continent and Nigeria in particular.
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. This should materialize this year.
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.
The business community has also acknowledged the administration’s initiatives on Ease Of Doing Business. 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 three years, Nigeria has twice been adjudged one of 10 Most Improved Economies in the Rankings. Even though there has been some setbacks, no one can say by being there pushing for the reforms relentlessly, the business community is not better served by a VP such as Osinbajo.
Besides, Nigerians cannot forget so soon the role of Yemi Osinbajo in the dissolution of SARS and advocacy for pro-people policing before and in the aftermath of the crisis of October last year. We all saw that it was VP Osinbajo who influenced the President to disband SARS as a unit of the Police Force. The VP also 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.
A constitutional lawyer, the VP is an active advocate and enabler of Rule of Law in government. While he is not the Attorney-General it is clear that for his own responsibilities, he has often stood for the rule of law and in the interest of all Nigerians, regardless of ethnicity.
It was 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. Osinbajo defended democracy and described the invasion as an assault on Nigeria’s democracy that should not be tolerated. There has never been a more vocal edification of democracy in Nigeria from a sitting government official in Nigeria, especially from the government in the center.
Also, Osinbajo saved the party, APC, from litigation and potential national crisis when he suggested APC EXCO members become Caretakers when an idea to dissolve duly elected party executives was whimsically put forward.
In the early days of the administration, it was Osinbajo that the President tapped to embark on a peace-keeping mission across the Niger Delta states. He met 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 2016 recession. Today the Niger Delta people are grateful for 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. Academic activities started on April 12, 2018. President Buhari approved N5 billion in take-off grant for the Maritime University.


The National Livestock Transportation Plan (NLTP) is also a creation of NEC, which is chaired by the VP. Members include State Governors. I should note that NLTP is completely distinct from the now-suspended RUGA. The RUGA initiative was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2019. The VP had publicly and rather courageously 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.
Furthermore, Osinbajo through another initiative ensured the provision of solar power to markets around the country such as Ariaria in Aba, Sabon Gari in Kano, Sura in Lagos as part of the energizing economies initiative of the Rural Electrification Agency. He also commissioned solar power plants in Universities such as Alex Ekwueme University, in Ebonyi and Bayero University.
By all standards, I think Prof Osinbajo has been the most influential, consequential and impactful Vice President in our history. It is quite painful to some of us that the huge achievements of this administration and the immense contributions of some like the VP have been pushed to the background by incessant sad news of killings and kidnappings. It is the failures that seem to have drowned out the successes, but quitting in the middle of the game is never the attribute of the bold and courageous. Prof. Osinbajo should weather the storm rather than leave in frustration, after all Nigerians elected him alongside the President. If he wins some confidence from the President but looses out in other areas, it is just the way life happens.
This is therefore not the time for Osinbajo to quit. The nation needs him in the years to come. His influence is good in the circumstances, that is the balance.
Etim, a veteran journalist formerly of The Guardian writes from Abuja

https://dailytrust.com/should-yemi-osinbajo-leave-now

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia said it will limit registration for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage to citizens and residents of the Kingdom in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
The ministries of health and Hajj announced Saturday that a total of 60,000 pilgrims will be allowed to perform the pilgrimage this year. 
It stressed that those wishing to perform Hajj must be free of any chronic diseases, and to be within the ages from 18 to 65 years for those vaccinated against the virus according to the kingdom’s vaccination measures.  


Hajj pilgrims should be fully vaccinated, or those who took one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before, or those who are vaccinated after recovering from coronavirus infection.
The decision is “based on the Kingdom’s constant keenness to enable the guests and visitors at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque to perform the rituals of Hajj and Umrah,” the ministry said. “The Kingdom puts human health and safety first.”
The hajj begins mid-July.


https://www.arabnews.com/node/1875271/saudi-arabia

God bless Nigeria

The president recently commissioned a task force on that recently and I hope they will do their jobs well

What is this one bayi. Posts like this should not be allowed to fly.

Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, has debunked negative social media comments attributed to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Akande, who made the clarifications on Thursday in Abuja, said purported comments on the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), farmers-herders conflict among others were fake news and deliberate deployment of falsehood.

According to him, the vice president is not known for making derogatory remarks about any ethnic group in the country.
The aide said that such comments attributed to the vice president in that regard should be ignored.


He said Osinbajo was focused on supporting President Muhammadu Buhari in creating opportunities for young Nigerians such as the 20,000 yearly jobs fellowship-the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP), soon to be inaugurated by the president.
“For quite a long time, there has been the deliberate deployment of falsehood against the vice president.
“I have seen, a number of times they put out stuff on WhatsApp, Facebook that says the vice president has said something to attack a particular group in the South-East, and this is what he said about the farmers-herders conflict, all of it untrue.
“What the vice president said about our brothers in the South East is that they are people of industry and that though there may be issues from different parts of the country, the whole essence of a union is to find very transparent, open ways to resolve the differences.
“And that he knows that people and leaders across the country whether from the South-East, South-South, South-West, North-East, North Central, all support the unity of this country.”

On the issue of justice, Akande said that the vice president, just like the president, had said very clearly that anybody that violated the law or engaged in violent conduct must face the law.
According to him, justice is an important requirement for humanity.
“The vice president is someone whose voice is very clear about the issue of Justice.
“So, when you read that hogwash about what he said about the herders-farmers clashes and all that, just know that it is just a lie.
“He is the one that said there must be justice and that we must live together, and that there is strength in our unity, there is unity in diversity.
“If you read anything that runs contrary to the virtues he espouses, just know straight away that it is not true, it is fake news and don’t pay any attention to it,’’ he said.
He said such fake news had become a recurring problem, adding that the people in the profession had a duty and responsibility to ensure that there was sufficient professional regulation aside government regulation.
On the NJFP, the presidential aide said it was in line with the job creation agenda of the Federal Government which was being implemented across different sectors.
He said that the scheme which was designed for fresh NYSC graduates would provide the enabling environments for them to develop job skills in important sectors.
Akande said the programmes would also enable them to garner the necessary experience required to get better paying jobs at the end of the scheme.

He said there were quite a number of other programmes being implemented at the moment under the Social Investment Programme and the Economic Sustainability Programme.
Akande also listed the Nigeria Innovation Programme, Nigeria Investment Fund, Public Works Programme as schemes geared toward creating job opportunities for young Nigerians.
On security, Akande said the Federal Government understood the challenges and was working toward overcoming them.
He said the president and vice president, alongside other leaders in the country, were working together to ensure that security agencies were properly resourced, and given clear mandates.


https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2021/06/03/osinbajos-aide-denies-negative-social-media-comments/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=osinbajos-aide-denies-negative-social-media-comments

- 472 cataract patients have benefitted from free eye surgeries and corrective interventions in Sokoto state - The initiative sparked an outpour of joyous emotions among the beneficiaries in the northwest state - The free exercise for residents witnessed a large turnout from Sokoto, Gudu, and many other areas

The exercise is organized by friends of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo under the auspices of the March 8th Initiative. The initiative which has impacted many Nigerians across different sectors over the years is one way the vice president has asked his friends and associates to mark his birthday instead of spending scarce resources on gifts and others.


Legit.ng gathered that 472 cataract patients got free eye surgeries with many others receiving free consultations, screening, and other corrective eye care interventions. Dr. Abubakar Dange, coordinator of the medical outreach in the state disclosed that the exercise will last for three days at the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto.


The exercise kicked off at the specialist hospital on Thursday, March 27 with many patients from within and outside the state capital presenting themselves for screening and treatment before a team led by the chief medical director of the hospital, Dr. Nuhu Muhammed Maishanu. Though 1,500 patients are targeted for treatment during the period of the exercise, members of the medical team told Legit.ng that they have so far conducted successful surgeries on 472 patients and thousands more received other corrective eye care interventions between Thursday, May 27 and Sunday, May 30.


For Aliyu Murtala, a farmer, he said:


“I came here because I could not see very well with both of my eyes but after the treatment here today, I can now see clearly. “Although I have not met the man responsible for all the good things that we are experiencing here today, I am told that the person is the vice president of our country. “I just want to thank him and all the other people supporting this gesture. I pray that Allah continues to bless and increase him in every aspect of life.” Other locations for the medical outreach across the State include General Hospital Illela and General Hospital Dogon Daji.

In a statement sent to Legit.ng on Wednesday, May 26, organisers of the initiative stated that 6000 eye surgeries will be conducted in six geo-political zones of the country within six weeks.

Recall that about 50 small-scale business owners in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital on Monday, March 8 got a one-off cash grant of N100,000 each to support their businesses courtesy of ‘Friends of Osinbajo.’ The gesture of the group was part of the activities it lined up to celebrate the 64th birthday of VP Osinbajo.


Read more: https://www.legit.ng/1418320-allah-elevate-beneficiaries-sokoto-free-eye-surgery-hails-osinbajo.html