₦airaland Forum

The same Malami that is comparing spare parts sellers to killer herders? That one na affidavit AGF

*At NBA Lagos Law week, VP suggests hybrid approach to legal education

*Adds: Innovation is a matter of urgency for the legal profession

*Calls for deterrent costs against dilatory tactics

The Nigerian judiciary must embrace technology and innovation, not only for the evolution of the profession and national development but also to ensure that the country’s justice delivery mechanism is run on a system of enforceable, discernible laws and efficient institutions, according to Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this in a pre-recorded speech on Monday as guest speaker at the 2021 Annual Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch, themed ‘Disruption, Innovation and The Bar’.

Speaking on how the country’s justice delivery system can support critical investments in today’s very dynamic economy, the VP noted that “questions also need be asked about the readiness of our profession to engage in new markets as presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area. Already Nigerian Banks and financial services are crossing borders in Africa, acquiring banks in several African countries. So, the AfCTA will open new trans-border commercial opportunities, and our profession should pay attention to the rules of engagement for legal services and how they may propel our business.”

According to the Vice President, innovation in Nigeria’s legal profession requires urgency in both thought and action, especially in a world which currently thrives on knowledge economy, and where some jobs, including legal jobs, are being threatened by digitization and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Citing the example of how continuous improvement in the quality of smartphone cameras disrupted global sales of digital camera, the VP observed that now “AI is commonly used to perform tasks such as legal research and due diligence, document and contract review, and the prediction of legal outcomes - these are tasks that would have been performed by lawyers.”

“With the continuing progress in technology, it is only a matter of time before the time capsule catches up with us in Nigeria,” he stated while calling for continuous improvement in the institutional capacity of judges, court registries, court staff, and court infrastructure.

He added, “As digitalisation has already disrupted other industries, it is possible to predict that AI will go further and disrupt the business model of the legal industry.

"For example, the AI legal service called ROSS is an AI system that can research and offer legal opinions about questions that may be posed by lawyers. And ROSS is then able to provide an answer; a properly considered legal opinion, taking into account the case laws and statutory authority in order to be able to come to that conclusion… So, providing predictive legal opinion is no longer the exclusive domain of lawyers, and as the years go by, it will become even more so.

“We are part of the global marketplace for investment and legal services. So, the extent to which we can attract business to our country depends in part upon investor perception of the quality of our justice delivery system. If we are seen as inefficient and ineffective, we would lose out to more efficient systems.”

Speaking on the issue of delay in the country’s justice delivery process, Prof. Osinbajo further noted that the country’s judiciary ought to find ways to tackle jurisdictional challenges, particularly delays in court judgments, among others.

“I argued an appeal at the Court of Appeal in 2013, only to learn yesterday as I discussed with former colleagues in the law firm where I worked, that the appeal at the Supreme Court is not even listed to be heard in 2021. As someone said; our problem is not access to justice, it is exiting the justice system with some credible result.

"Should we not be evolving a cost award system that recognizes the court as a finite public resource, and as such delays and other dilatory tactics are visited with deterrent costs?

Noting that the Law week, as well as future engagements, provided an opportunity for some reflections by legal practitioners, the VP raised pertinent issues that would spur innovation and growth in the country’s judiciary.

He said, “For example, our jurisprudence on jurisdiction - does it promote legal certainty or help to cloud the issues even further? Have jurisdictional challenges become a potent weapon that strike blindly in all directions? What is the quality of judicial thinking, is it a mere recourse to formulas, catchphrases, and clichés instead of a rigorous analysis of legislative intent and public interest adding some common sense? Are procedural and adjectival rules a bane or tool for justice and speed?

“How does a system explain to society that the current rule established by our apex court is that the signature of a law firm instead of that of an individual legal practitioner on a court process could negate or extinguish the substance of the rights of individuals and commercial parties to justice in a decade’s old case or even in a case that is much older?

"Or how does justice delayed at the convenience of legal practitioners or the benefit of litigants become justice attained?

Also highlighting the need for innovation in legal training and the necessity of virtual hearings, the VP stated that “change is happening quickly all around us in every sphere of life. A sentimental clutching on to traditions will not serve us well. We have seen already that there is nothing sacrosanct about proceedings taking place in physical courtrooms. Virtual hearings are efficient and speedy.”

He commended States, including Lagos, that have embraced innovation and issued practice directions that permitted virtual proceedings during the pandemic lockdown, which he noted was “in line with the commitment the Chief Justice of Nigeria made recently to a full-scale digital revolution in the judiciary that would guarantee electronic filing of court processes, virtual hearings and delivery of judgments.”

Particularly, the VP highlighted how the Supreme Court delivered some time-bound judgments by Zoom (video platform) during the recent strike by Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) strike.

Suggesting a hybrid approach to legal education in the country, the Vice President urged the Association to consider how innovation in technology would impact on legal education in the future.

He said, “aside from all the issues around moving firmly to clinical legal education and a more problem-solving teaching orientation, we must also decide the question of whether the Nigerian law school needs to be an in-person residential course or mostly online, including taking examinations online.

"Today it is becoming obvious that cramping thousands of students into a classroom for lectures at the law school is a suboptimal teaching and learning environment.”

He added that “even mock trials can be more effectively done online and courtroom processes can be put on videos and re-watched several times by students. Of course, we may still retain court and chamber attachments.”

The Vice President further stated that the legal profession needs to go a step further by institutionalizing these innovations, because “our justice delivery system, practice norms, and service levels must also show a propensity for innovation, for growth and evolution.”


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

Osinbajo is a blessing to Nigeria. I wish he is the president

Right: Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo meets a schoolboy, Bethuel, who mimics his mannerism, on Sunday, July 18, 2021. Photo: State House/Tolani Alli. Left: A teenage Bill Clinton shaking hands with President John F. Kennedy on July 24, 1963. Photo: Arnold Sachs/Getty Images

As Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made a warm touch with this young lad, Bethuel, so was young Bill Clinton then, as a student, just 16 years old, was able to meet with former US President John F. Kennedy, on July 24, 1963.
It was that brief interaction between JFK and Bill Clinton that inspired him as a teenager to a life of public service, and helped lead him to a fruitful lifestyle, willing to be useful for his country. And on that 1963 encounter with JKF, he rode on, until he, Bill Clinton, won his own election, and was sworn in as the US President 30 years later, on January 20, 1993.

This is how leaders can create hope and inspire excellence in the young ones. Leadership is all about influence.
Now, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is a beacon of hope for the Nigerian youth — against the battered past, he has this reassuring ambience in his carriage and how he identifies with the youth is soothing, with assuasive touch, that their tomorrow is full of today’s dreams fulfilled! It depicts a Nigeria that will be sought after by nationals across the globe. With his profound leadership style, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (PYO), a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has created a realisable hope for the Nigerian youth!
— Seyi Gesinde

https://www.legit.ng/1425992-opinion-osinbajo-a-beacon-hope-nigerian-youths.html

Health Management Organisation(HMO) AXA Mansard Health Limited, has emerged as the best Health Insurance Company in Nigeria, at the just concluded 2021 International Finance Awards.

AXA Mansard Health has a 24-hour call center, a team of highly trained and dedicated professionals, service portals at all AXA Mansard Welcome Centres nationwide and has deployed state-of-the-art technology to attain operational excellence while contributing to prompt service delivery and overcoming of challenges being encountered in the Nigerian health insurance industry. The Company is today positioned as the No 1 health management organization in Nigeria providing health related services to both individuals and corporate bodies.

Speaking on the award, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer, AXA Mansard, Jumoke Odunlami said, “We are indeed elated that our continuous strive for excellence is once again being recognised globally as it has always been here in Nigeria. At AXA, We Act for Human Progress by protecting what matters. At AXA Mansard Health, we have never been more convinced about this purpose (which we consider a higher calling) than during a period like this with the pandemic ravaging the world. Our Customers and Nations health and wellbeing will therefore always remain a major priority for us””

AXA Mansard Health Limited has several products to ensure that our Customers are truly protected by providing a world-class health cover for its customers.

The products are flexible enough to suit one’s needs whilst also providing other value-added benefits such as 24 hour dedicated Telemedicine service, home vaccination service, home laboratory service, free home delivery of special medications, partnership with healthy eating restaurants, smarter budget-friendly discounts on healthy meals and many more.

AXA Mansard Health Limited is the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) arm of the AXA Mansard group of companies. The HMO is geared to promote her members’ wellbeing. It is able to serve all clients across the country virtually and has established functional offices in Lagos (the head office), Abuja, Port-Harcourt, Enugu, with ongoing plans to open offices in other locations.

By Oluwafemi Popola
No need bringing Osinbajo into ‘weakening of Northern economy with privatisation plans’
Last week, I stumbled upon a news publication from online credited to Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) with its headline that says: “Don’t Weaken North’s Economy With Your Privatization Plans, Northern Coalition Tells Osinbajo.”
This allegation of sabotaging the northern economy to protect the interest of the southern region levelled against the cerebral Nigerian Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, by this northern coalition, is something that ignited my curiosity being an ardent follower of the 64 year old’s numerous activities that transcends beyond ethnic and tribal poles. The allegation as I summed it undermines the VP’s nationalism, numerous achievements and outstanding successes in the entire northern region.
The Group in the media report had said that the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s economic team was planning to weaken the economy of the northern region through his team’s recently approved privatisation plans of five power plants. They include Calabar, Ihovbor, Olorunsogo, Omotosho and Geregu power plants.
The group’s spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, was quoted to have described the plans “most dubious, unreasonable and unacceptable act of injustice” against northerners and in particular, asked leaders of the region to raise the alarm over the move.


In order to make sense out of this, it is either the group overrates the powers of the VP being the chairman of the National Council of Privatization (NCP) or the group was only being hypocritical or playing a tribal card on the VP.
The CNG must have issued that statement in swift reaction to the decision of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to sell these five National Integrated Power Plants (NIPPs) to prospective power investors.
As earlier read in news publication, the decision to sell these government’s properties had earlier been made known by the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the agency overseeing the privatisation of the five plants barely three weeks ago quoting the Federal Government as the major driver of the policy.
While it is true that Osinbajo is both the chairman of National Privatization council, (NCP) and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC), one is also aware that with the government’s formations, it should also be made clear that the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), is the only agency empowered without any interference from the member of the executive to oversee the privatisation of those five plants which also has a task of implementing government’s several privatisation programmes.


What this automatically mean is that the agency in charge of the privatization is an independent body and the VP doesn’t give them orders, like the way a high school teacher does with his students.


Although, the agency reports to his office which is a statutorily role and function but that doesn’t mean he calls the shot or dictates what is to be done that will now warrant him lording the privatization plans over the Director General of the agency in a bid to push a bogus southern agenda against its northern counterpart. So, dragging him into the privatization process as the major enforcer of the move is not only ridiculous but an outright display of chronic ignorance.
For clarity purposes, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) is the Federal Government agency tasked with implementing the government’s privatisation programme, as the Secretariat to the National Council on Privatisation (NCP).

The agency has evolved from the Technical Committee for Privatisation and Commercialisation (TCPC), which was established in 1988 to carry out the government’s privatisation programme.


The TCPC was transformed into the BPE in 1993, with a supervisory and technical board, although BPE retained the organizational structure and personnel of the TCPC and was made part of the public service.
BPE was recreated in 1999 as an independent body without a board, reporting only to the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), which is chaired by the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Director General of the BPE is also the member-secretary to the NCP, which is the policy agency charged by the President with overseeing the proper and effective implementation of privatisation.
Let’s not forget that Amperion Power Distribution Company Limited, a subsidiary of Forte Oil Plc owned by a southerner, Femi Otedola acquired the Geregu power plant 1 in 2013 and invested a whooping $94 million in the power plant, while also in 2014, the Federal Government handed over Olorunsogo Power Plc to SEPCO Pacific Partners Ltd, with another southerner as its Chairman Adedeji Adeleke.
It is not out of place for someone to think that some northern forces are not happy and comfortable with the manner at which all these power plants are falling into the hands of some rich southern private individuals, hence, the dragging, Osinbajo, being a Southerner into what can be taken as a “false campaign” of a Southern agenda against the North
Some of us and many others who have been keen observers of the Vice President’s significant contributions to national development and to humanity as a whole, would rise in his defense against any misrepresentation, falsehood, or statement that may sully his long years of selfless service to his country.
It is on record that, Osinbajo has championed and overseen a lot of projects in the Northern Nigerian more than what he has ever done in the South or even in his hometown, Ikenne, in Ogun State, where he came from and there are evidences to back it up.

It is in this spirit of nationalism that the Vice President, Prof Osinbajo, and his wife, Dolapo, built a state- of-the-art primary schools and learning centers for the orphans of those affected by the insurgency in the northeast region.
This is a testament and a reflection of Osinbajo’s humaneness and passion for the northern people, especially, Borno State, where he has personally raised funds to cater for the education of out of school children when many of the northern leaders looked the other way.
Due to his unassuming personality and his quiet life of not wanting accolades or recognition, some of these achievements have been underreported which explains his own kind of politician as opposed to the traditional Nigerian politicians that would deploy all the instruments of propaganda, even on a smallest project.
It would also be recalled that as Acting President in 2017, Prof. Osinbajo, in total disregard to safety concerns amidst security fears, visited Borno State a day after the terrorist Boko Haram attack.
Many Nigerians and security experts and stakeholders during that time said it was unsafe to do so, but he exhibited true service and commitment to not only the victims of the incident in Borno State, but to the entire nation at large, yet a civilian with no military training. That is bravery and unadulterated nationalism.
In a one-day working visit to Maiduguri, Borno State capital. Osinbajo flagged off the distribution of 30,000 metric tonnes of assorted grains for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), in the northeast. Coincidentally, this was a time the North-East and the entire region was facing a severe humanitarian crisis. That was a demonstration of love and real humanity.
In this same North, Vice President Osinbajo, in his bid to ensure stable power supply to better the lives of the people and their economy, he spearheaded the launching the Solar Power Naija programme in Jigawa State commencing with the Jangefe Community which will get 1,000 Solar Home Systems connections.
This gesture was still in pursuit of the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) of Buhari’s administration. And this flagging off which commenced the installation in Jigawa, is part of a 100,000 scheme with A-Solar, a local solar power company implementing part of the ESP Solar Power Naija’s planned 5 million connections across the country.
These and many others are the Osinbajo’s contributions to the economic development in the North. So, saying the otherwise is a ruse! Therefore, I can only advise the Northern Coalition Group to jettison politics and desist from attacking Osinbajo that many Nigerians see as a great nationalist, who believes in the progress of every region in Nigeria, which has been made manifest with his deliverables thus far.
Prejudice and logic they say are strange bedfellows. This display of vitriol and animosity directed at the Vice President by CNG is a distraction he can’t afford at the moment for the sake of national development.
* Popoola is a political analyst, content analyser and news aggregator


https://dailytrust.com/an-unfair-criticism-of-osinbajo

OSINBAJO TO ECOWAS TRADE PROMOTION ORGANIZATIONS: LET'S DRIVE INCLUSIVE TRADE TO BOOST SUB-REGIONAL ECONOMY

With the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, there is need to drive more inclusive trade initiatives and expand intra-regional trade in the ECOWAS sub-region, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this Friday evening in Abuja at the inaugural gala night of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Trade Promotion Organizations (TPO) Network.

The President of ECOWAS TPO Network is the Executive Director/CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Segun Awolowo; and the Vice President is the CEO of Cote d’Ivoire Export Promotion Organisation, Mr. Guy M'Bengue.

According to the Vice President, the TPO Network, which was established with the support of the International Trade Centre (ITC), “is a farsighted and insightful initiative of the ECOWAS, trade promotion organizations in the ECOWAS community.”

He added that the Network “must present a trustworthy platform for cross learning and the sharing of knowledge and information assets.”

The Vice President said, “the vision of our Heads of State and Governments in resolving to establish this network (TPO) is to build a more robust and broader economic space for trade and investment. A major part of that effort is that the network serves as a platform for businesses and trade promotion agencies in our sub-region to share knowledge and business opportunities, and develop trade capacity in our sub-region.”

According to the ECOWAS, the TPO Network is a public-sector led entity and will work in partnership with the ECOWAS commission to drive inclusive trade development initiatives within West Africa and beyond.

Prof. Osinbajo further said the Network has world class human resource capacity to succeed in achieving its set objectives.

“The combined experience of the TPOs that form the network is mind boggling. Second is our confidence in your resilience and commitment, which assures us that beyond the tunnel of those obvious challenges lies the bright light of a new era of trade prosperity for the people of the West Africa region and, indeed, the continent,” he said.

Commending the ECOWAS and the TPO network for the success of the launch and its First Annual General Assembly, the Vice President noted that “there is the imminent task of enabling our region benefit maximally from the AfCFTA and other intra and extra regional export opportunities.”

Dignitaries present at the event include the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo; Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Industry, Trade and Investment; Otunba Niyi Adebayo; his colleague Minister of State, Ambassador Mariam Katagum; Executive Director/CEO, NEPC, Segun Awolowo; the CEO of Cote d’Ivoire Export Promotion Organisation, Mr. Guy M'Bengue; the Vice President, ECOWAS Commission, Finda Koroma; among other senior government officials and development partners.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
18th July, 2021

Burden of leadership requires us to act in faith at all times
In the midst of adversity, leaders must and are expected to remain calm, so that the people being led will follow in their footsteps, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
He made this assertion today at the 25th year anniversary conference of the Redeemer’s International Leadership Academy themed: Winning in Adversity, organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Prof Osinbajo stated that “it is in times of adversity or difficulty, or hardship that leaders are most relevant and most needed.
“The leader cannot afford to lose his cool or his focus. He must calm himself down and calm the people down as well.”
According to the Vice President, “when all is well, there is no need for guidance, encouragement or instruction, but it is especially in the midst of wars, conflicts, insurgency, famines, danger, and fear, that people look to leadership.”
Referencing the story of Moses and the Israelites in the Bible, Prof Osinbajo noted that “Moses looked up to God for help and God spoke to Him. But note that Moses first gave the people confidence in the power of God to deliver and fulfil His promises.
“He had not yet heard from God on this particular problem, but because he knew the God he served, he was able to say this with confidence.”
In the virtual keynote address at the conference of the Redeemer’s International Leadership Academy, the VP stressed the need for leaders to remain unruffled because “in adversity, especially where the future looks bleak, people want to give up, retreat, go back and they certainly don’t want to go forward.”
Prof. Osinbajo himself an alumnus of the Academy then encouraged leaders, particularly Christian leaders, to act in faith and not fear when they are faced with crisis, especially existential crisis.
His words, “God knows all things; we must obey in faith even when we are afraid. This is the burden of leadership, especially leadership according to the principles of scripture.”
In attendance at the conference were Pastor A.A Bolarinwa, Assistant Continental Overseer, Research and Development of the RCCG, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, Intercontinental Overseer for Corporate Social Responsibility and Pastor in Charge, RCCG Region 20 and Pastor Banky Ladele, the Acting Rector RILA.
There were also business and secular speakers at the event including Mr. Kayode Pitan, CEO/Managing Director of the Bank of Industry; Mrs Ndidi Nwuneli, Managing Partner, Sahel Consulting; Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, Executive Director, Fate Foundation and Mrs Oluwatoyin Asiru-Balogun, the CEO TY Farm Place.


https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/why-leaders-must-remain-calm-in-crisis-osinbajo/

EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION WILL HELP ADDRESS SUB-REGIONAL SECURITY CHALLENGES - OSINBAJO*

_*Nigeria, ECOWAS sign MoU on implementing Early Warning mechanism, centre_
 
Since security threats confronting Nigeria and the rest of West Africa are becoming more violent, asymmetric, cross-border by nature, and spreading faster than before, the need for an effective sub-regional collaboration on early warning systems has become a necessity, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
 
Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the implementation of an Early Warning mechanism and for the establishment of a National Early Warning and Response Centre in the country.
 
The Strategic Framework for the establishment of National Early Warning and Response mechanisms was adopted by the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government at the 45th ordinary session which held in Accra, Ghana in July, 2014.
 
According to the Framework, the establishment of the early warning system is to provide real-time information on events or other incidents likely to affect social peace and security in the West African region. It also seeks to provide information on the occurrence of social and political events and climate change.
 
A major objective of a national Coordination Centre for the early warning mechanism is to strengthen the ECOWAS strategy for information sharing among Member States, so as to avert or reduce threats.
 
According to the Vice President, “I don’t think there is a better time for this process (than now) which will lead to full implementation of the Early Warning and Response System. We are at a time nationally, and sub-regionally, where the security threats that confront us are becoming more violent, they are asymmetric, spread faster than before, and they are cross border in their nature.
 
“There is no question at all that this is a moment when we really should be looking at how to collaborate in real-time and in increasingly more imaginative ways in sharing information, and also in sharing competence in order to confront our security challenges.”
 
Commending the sub-regional body for its foresight in the design of the regional warning system, the VP said “the clear expansion of the ECOWAS early warning and response network to include terrorism indicators is a very important thing.
 
“I think this has helped a great deal in not only focusing on terrorism, which is, today, possibly the most lethal threat that we face, but also in giving us an opportunity as a sub-region to bring the very best possible ideas and to be able to check these threats as quickly and as efficiently as possible.”
 
While assuring partners of the Buhari administration’s commitment to the programme, the Vice President said “the administration will ensure that the early warning and response system is implemented and we look forward to working with you – ECOWAS -in ensuring that it is fully implemented.”
 
On his part, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada, said the signing of the MoU was a consolidation of discussions held at different levels by ECOWAS leaders to find ways of containing threats to security in the sub-region.
 
Also in his remarks, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, said the signing of the MoU reiterates Nigeria’s commitment to promoting peace and security in West Africa.
 
He recalled that the regional early warning mechanism was set up by the ECOWAS 1999 protocol relating to the mechanism for conflict prevention, management, resolution, peacekeeping and security, and to support the region in anticipating, mitigating and responding to challenges of human security.
 
“In order to support member states in strengthening their capacity in preventing human security challenges, the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in 2014 signed a supplementary Act, adopting the policy framework on the establishment of national early warnings, and rapid response mechanism,” he added.
 
While commending the Vice President’s leadership and support, Brou appealed to Nigeria to sign an Executive Order to give legal backing to the planned National Centre for Early Warning and Response System.
 
Senior government officials present at the ceremony included the Ministers of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd.); Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr. Zainab Ahmed; Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq; Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen; and National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.), among others.
 
*Laolu Akande,*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,*
*Office of the Vice President.*
*14th July, 2021*

TheRareGem1:
On Sunday, the Nigeria basketball team, D’Tiger becomes the first African nation to defeat Team USA, although it was an exhibition but the defeat didn’t go well with Team USA Basketball fans.

In a recent development, the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo while delivering a speech at the send forth ceremony of team Nigeria for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the state House yesterday made a reference to the 90-87 defeat against the US team led by all-world forward Kevin Durant. ‘‘For anyone who thinks we are joking, maybe they haven’t seen the exihibition basket ball game on Saturday against the USA team, especially that amazing block by Precious Achuwa against Kevin Durant (KD) who is probably the best NBA player probably right now, so Precious, you are the real MVP’’, he said.


Following the development, American celebrity sports commentator, Kelvin Clancy had taken to his Twitter account to express disappointment that the United States had lost to Nigeria’s D’Tigers.
”’We lost to Nigeria in Basketball? Do they even have food?
”You know what am just gonna watch UFC,” he wrote.

Contrary to his opinion, the US coach Gregg Popovich said “I thought that the Nigerian team played very physically, did a great job in that regard and knocked down a lot of 3s,”.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klddV5_HJ-E

Osinbajo is the real MVP

MadamVanessa:
No darling.

My father can never be a uselessss vice president that has been religated to a mere commissioner position.

Not only ur father failed himself & failed in raising you, Bcoz what we are witnessing indirectly now is as result of his failure. Now that u ave refused making him proud, what's the assurance that ur kids won't regret having u as a useless as their coming father ��

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

FG’S DEPLOYMENT OF FALCON EYE SURVEILLANCE WILL SAVE NIGERIA BILLIONS OF DOLLARS LOST TO PIRACY, SEA ROBBERY, CRIMES – OSINBAJO

*VP commissions Navy’s maritime security architecture providing actionable intelligence

Nigeria’s deployment of the state-of-the-art surveillance system, Falcon Eye for maritime security will save the country several billions of US dollars, while effectively degrading piracy and other crimes around the Gulf of Guinea and beyond, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, who represented the President today at the commissioning of the facility.

The surveillance facility incorporates various sensors located along the nation's enormous coastline.

According to him, “it is estimated that Nigeria loses several billions of dollars annually to various forms of criminality particularly piracy and sea robbery.”

Also, he added that on account of “the escalated risks in some of our maritime areas, insurance premiums for commercial vessels coming to these areas have risen sharply making maritime trade an unattractive proposition.

“This underscores the need to enhance our maritime security architecture. Consequently, a critical contribution of the Falcon Eye System will be the provision of actionable intelligence for curbing maritime threats to our economy.”

Prof. Osinbajo noted that “the maritime industry occupies a prominent position in the matrix of our vital economic interests and it encompasses activities ranging from fishing and resource exploration to marine research and shipping among other endeavours.

“Of all these activities, shipping stands out as a critical link in Nigeria’s international trade engagements because it is the cheapest and most efficient means of moving large volumes of goods.

“Given our economic aspirations and our commitment to international trade, ensuring the security of shipping lanes within and proximate to our waters is in our national interest.”

Emphasizing the critical nature of the surveillance system, the VP said “the Falcon Eye System will serve as a force multiplier for our naval platforms tasked to effectively secure our maritime environment from external aggression. It will also enable the Nigerian Navy to effectively combat any maritime crime that could disrupt the conduct of maritime trade.”

He observed that the Federal Government has shown clear commitment in containing emerging threats around Nigeria’s maritime domain including the assent the President gave to the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences Bill on the 24th of June 2019.

According to the Vice President, last month, the President conducted the “launch of the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, otherwise known as the Deep Blue Project. The Deep Blue Project is a maritime security initiative of the Federal Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Defence implemented by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

“It combines air, land and sea assets with operational components constituted by the Navy as well as other branches of the Armed Forces, the security services and law enforcement.”

“Between these initiatives, we have significantly increased our national capabilities in the areas of maritime surveillance and criminal interdiction within our territorial waters.”

Earlier in separate remarks, the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo said the project will enhance Nigeria’s capability to ensure the security of vessels in and around the Gulf of Guinea.

The highpoint of the occasion was the commissioning of the project’s Command and Control Centre and a real-time interaction between the Vice President and field commanders on the operations of the Falcon Eye Project.

Present at the event were the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi; Senate Committee Chairman on Navy, Sen. George Sekibo; House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Navy, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi; the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor; representatives of the Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police; among others.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
13th July 2021

MadamVanessa:
A mere Erand STAR boy commissioner.

Can your father EVER

MadamVanessa:
A mere Erand STAR boy.

Errand boy that is greater than your lineage combined ���

More pix

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN on behalf of President Buhari Commissions The Falcon Eye Project at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja. 13th July 2021. Photos; Tolani Alli

https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/vp-osinbajo-on-behalf-of-president-buhari-commissions-the-falcon-eye-project-at-the-naval-headquarters-on-13-07-2021/

*VP charges team, recalling notable exploits of 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney Olympics teams



As Team Nigeria to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics prepares to leave the shores of the country, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has called on the team to replicate the outstanding performances of past Nigerian Olympians, noting that “you stand on the shoulders of giants.”

Recalling the exploits of past Nigerian teams, the Vice President added that “you will also carry with you the encouragement of the great exploits of Nigerian Olympians before you.”

Prof. Osinbajo stated this today at the send forth ceremony for Team Nigeria to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Presidential Villa. The event also marked the formal handover of the Nigerian contingent to the Nigeria Olympic Committee and the unveiling of the team’s official outfit and kit.

He reminded the team of “such legends as Chioma Ajunwa who won the gold medal at the 1996 Olympics for the long jump and became the first black African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event.

“The Super Eagles in 1996 who won the gold medal for football; that was the team that had the greats; Augustine Okocha, Celestine Babayaro, Daniel Amokachi (who was present at the event,) Sunday Oliseh, Taribo West, Kanu Nwankwo, Abiodun Obafemi, Emmanuel Amuneke, Emmanuel Babayaro, Garba Lawal, Joseph Dosu, Kingsley Obiekwu, Mobi Obaraku, Uche Okechukwu, Teslim Fatusi, Tijani Babangida, Victor Ikpeba, and Wilson Oruma —that was the year we defeated the world’s best footballing nations – Brazil and Argentina and we all held our heads high.”

Continuing, the VP said “in 2000, in Sydney again we beat the best in the world, we won the gold in 4×400 meter relay after the American team was disqualified for using performance-enhancing drugs. Our team then was Clement Chukwu, the late Sunday Bada, Enefiok Udo-Ubong, Jude Monye, and two other members of the team, Fidelis Gadzama and Nduka Awazie.

“And for anyone who thinks we are joking, maybe they haven’t seen our exhibition basketball game on Saturday with the USA team, especially that amazing block by Precious Achiuwa against KD – Kevin Durant, who is probably the best player in the NBA right now. So Precious, you are the real MVP!

“You stand on the shoulders of giants and with the quality and intensity of training you have received and your exploits during the qualification series for the Olympic Games, I am confident that by God’s grace, you will again make history and beat the best in the world.”

Urging the team to promote the Olympian ideals, Prof. Osinbajo said “Olympics is about fair play, honesty, teamwork, respect, and friendship. I trust that you will, as worthy ambassadors of Nigeria, represent our nation excellently.

“Fair play clearly enjoins every athlete not to use any prohibited substances or to cheat in any way. Half of the joy and satisfaction of victory is that it was won fairly.”

“Every one of you participating in the games is opening a page in history for yourself, your families, your community, and the nation.”

Prof. Osinbajo then assured the team of the prayers and support of all Nigerians as they compete with athletes from other nations.

His words: “Your performance at the games will inscribe your names in national and world sporting history. You carry the hopes and aspirations of millions as you compete in Tokyo. But you will in this endeavor, have the assurance of the prayers and best wishes of all Nigerians.”

While commending the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare for coordinating the various sporting Federations in preparation for the Games, the Vice President urged the athletes to make good use of facilities at its training ground in the City of Kizarazu to put themselves in proper shape ahead of the Games.

He urged the team to continue to observe all COVID-19 protocols and to strictly adhere to the IOC Playbook in order to safeguard their health and those of others around them.

Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, said the athletes were ready to do the country proud and presented to the Vice President, the made-in-Nigeria kits for the Nigerian contingent.

“I am happy to announce today that the complete kit for Team Nigeria to the Tokyo 2020 Games was produced with a heavy dose of local content. We thank AFA Sports, Africa For Africa, a local sports equipment manufacturing company for delivering on the production of uniforms for Team Nigeria. This is a veritable testament and commitment of the Buhari administration to support and grow local content and industry in all sectors of the Nigerian economy.”

On his part, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr Habu Gumel thanked the President and the Vice President for honoring Team Nigeria and assured that the contingent will not disappoint the country.

“I am happy to inform Mr. President that all the 15 athletes on Olympic Scholarships qualified for the Tokyo Olympic Games. Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, which slowed down the training momentum for the Games, we are still optimistic that the crop of Nigerian qualified athletes will do our nation proud at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

One highpoint of the occasion was the formal handover of Team Nigeria to the Nigeria Olympic Committee by the Vice President and the Sports Minister, and the unveiling of the official outfit and kit of the team.

Present at the ceremony were Federal Legislators, officials of the Japanese Embassy in Nigeria, 45 athletes and their coaches, officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, and the Nigeria Olympic Committee, among others.

https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/osinbajo-to-nigerias-olympics-team-you-stand-on-the-shoulders-of-giants/

Glory all the way

More pics

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN on behalf of President Buhari unveils Team Nigeria's 2021 Olympic Kit and attends the send forth ceremony for the athletes en-route the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games at the State House Banquet Centre, Abuja. 12th July, 2021. Photos; Tolani Alli

AXA Mansard MyAXA Plus App emerges as the Most Innovative New Digital App of the year

AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, a member of the AXA Group and global leader in insurance and asset management, is pleased to announce that it emerged as the winner of the Most Innovative New Digital App of the year in the Insurance section of the just concluded Annual Global Business Outlook (GBO) Awards 2021.

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

Speaking on the award, Chief Client Officer of the company, Mrs Rashidat Adebisi said We thank our highly esteemed customers for this prestigious award, the need to improve their experience and delight them drives the passion to enhance our services and engagement platforms.

MyAXA Plus has been very well received because it provides a much improved, seamless, and satisfying experience. The users are at the heart of every feature and action on the app.”
MyAXA Plus provides the following features:
- Get Protected: Buy health and life insurance policies to protect you and your loved ones from unforeseen circumstances.
- Make claims: Customers can make claims on their insurance policy, enabling fast reporting of incidents and payment of claims by the company.
- 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.
- Renew insurance policy: Customers, by providing their car plate number on the app, can also renew their motor insurance policy within a few minutes.
- Invest & 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 customer account is completed within 5 minutes via the app.
Data-driven advice: 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.
Whilst thanking the organizers, she said, Our team is set to work with all stakeholders to continuously provide superior customer experience and to develop more innovative and value-adding products and services that will serve the changing needs of customers. This is premised on our purpose, which is to Act for Human progress by protecting what matters.
@@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.
Global Business Outlook is a UK-based publication dedicated to covering vital industry sectors. Their goal is to be a leading information provider on critical events and developments in the world of business.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN chairs the inaugural meeting of the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy Committee at the State House, Abuja. 9th July 2021. Photos; Tolani Alli

STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

OSINBAJO HARPS ON REVIVING ECONOMY IN THE AFTERMATH OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC AT LAUNCH OF TRANSCORP'S NEW PRODUCT

A digital hospitality platform would not only provide a major avenue for other small businesses in the value chain to grow, but would help revive Nigeria’s hospitality industry in general, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
This was the summation of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, on Thursday night in Abuja where he was special guest of honour during the official launch of “Aura” by Transcorp Hotels PLC, described by its proponents as a digital platform designed to connect people to quality accommodation, great food, and awesome experiences in several places.

At the event, which was also attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN; Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige; the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Ade Ipaye; Chairman of Transcorp Group, Mr. Tony Elumelu; among other dignitaries, the Vice President stated that a digital innovation like Aura is a welcome idea.

In what was an immersive experience, the launching event featured delectable Nigerian cuisine, video presentations and life performances by leading Nigerian artists and celebrities including Tiwa Savage.
Prof. Osinbajo said, “yes, there are a number of digital hospitality platforms already, but I think the unique offering here is that Transcorp, possibly Nigeria’s foremost luxury hotel, is putting its huge reputation behind the service of helping customers choose the best accommodation restaurants, and experience tours available in Nigeria. The advantages of this service are varied.

“First, the customer can rely on the experience and judgment of world class personnel at Transcorp in choosing hotels and restaurants. Second, Transcorp helps to build other smaller hospitality businesses, and even those simply offering their apartments simply as short-let apartments, by recommending their accommodation to potential guests.

“A Transcorp recommendation is more or less an accreditation that the accommodation or other hospitality service meets the high standards for which Transcorp is known. This is great all around and will help revive the hospitality industry, especially since the downturn in the aftermath of COVID-19.”

The Vice President added that he found the app easy to navigate, with a copious offering of hotels, short-let apartments, experience tours.
“They lure you into it by showing you a photo of an incredibly mouth-watering meal, and I saw a few that almost convinced me to break my fast early. So, there was an amazing looking Chicken Cheese Pizza from Barnyard lounge in Asaba, some irresistible chicken meal – a 5-star chicken - from Platino in Lagos, and some 'carry go suya' spice prawns at 355 here in Abuja. So, from the photo of the meal that takes you to the restaurant itself, you have booking options, dine-in, pick up or delivery.”

The VP added that, “I think the feature many especially property owners will find most fascinating is the host feature; as this enables you to put up your own property. And there are terms and conditions you need to meet for your property to be accepted. Same for whatever other entertainment facility you may wish to put out there for letting.”

Prof. Osinbajo commended the Transcorp team, including Mr. Elumelu; Group CEO of Transcorp, Mrs. Owen Omogiafo; and CEO of Transcorp Hotels, Mrs. Dupe Olusola; for designing such digital platform at this time.

“This is an excellent innovation, a service that leverages smoothly on technology and one that will be a tremendous boost to the hospitality industry as a whole. And because I have checked it out myself, I can say that my Aura experience has been quite good,” he stated.
In her remarks, Mrs. Olusola noted that, “Aura is a digital hospitality platform that gives the opportunity to all our stakeholders and guests to actually be able to book accommodation and experiences just at their fingertips.

"Aura is an opportunity for us to diversify our economy, an opportunity to create jobs and employment, and to develop domestic tourism and leisure travel.”

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

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, attends the Aura by Transcorp Event as the Special Guest of Honour and launches the Aura Platform at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja on the 8th of July, 2021.

GENERATING $1B BY 2025, LEATHER INDUSTRY IS A GAME-CHANGER WAITING TO HAPPEN IN NIGERIA, SAYS OSINBAJO

*VP launches National Leather & Leather Products Policy Implementation Plan in Abuja

Being one of the highest producers of leather and finished leather products in Africa with a projected revenue of US$1 billion by 2025, the industry could become a game-changer for Nigeria’s economy by improving the country’s foreign exchange earnings, boosting growth, and providing employment for young Nigerians, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo, who stated this during the formal launch and sensitization workshop on the National Leather and Leather Products Policy Implementation Plan in Abuja today, added that with the right planning and strategy, optimizing the value chain, these goals could become reality soon.

He referenced a study carried out by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) which projected that the Nigerian leather industry has the potential of not only increasing its earnings by 70 percent but also generating over US$1 billion by 2025.

According to the Vice President, “there is no question that properly organized, the leather and leather products industry could become one of the major items in Nigeria’s export basket.

‘‘The leather value chain is extensive. It includes animal husbandry, tanneries, finished leather products, and leather products marketing. The leather and leather products industry currently employs over 750,000 workers with about 500,000 workers in the finished leather goods sector. About 11 leather exporting companies have been active at the upstream end of the leather value chain.

“Also, the export of leather has grown steadily, reaching a peak of $117 million in 2018. Exports fell in 2020 largely due to the pandemic, but to date, are in the order of $272m.”

Speaking further, Prof. Osinbajo explained that the country was yet to maximize its potential in the sector despite exporting millions of semi-finished and finished leather products to destinations including Italy, Spain, India, South Asia and China.

With the formal launch of the National Leather and Leather Products Policy Implementation Plan, the VP noted that Government now has ‘‘a real opportunity to address specific challenges and shortcomings of the leather sector with pragmatic strategies to permanently resolve these issues for optimal productivity.”

He asserted that “there is now a clear line of sight to our emergence as a major hub for the manufacture of leather goods with the refocusing of the leather sector to value addition from its previous focus on exporting semi-processed leather.”

Describing the Plan as all encompassing, Prof. Osinbajo noted that relevant Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and the organized private sector are assigned specific responsibilities for its various objectives and strategies.

He added that the Plan covers eight thematic areas, including intellectual property rights, governance, E-leather, environmental and social best practices, marketing, funding, critical infrastructure, and research and development.

Commending the initiative of the Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology (NILEST) regarding the plan, Prof. Osinbajo said the establishment of Nine (9) Extension Centres across the six (6) geo-political zones will help to train and develop young entrepreneurs in Nigeria as well as provide innovative research and development in the sector.

Noting that the Institute is also collaborating with the Military for research, development, design, and production of military footwear, the VP added that, “the very idea of an implementation plan is refreshingly innovative. It addresses the malignant problem of great plans but poor delivery that appears to bedevil many policies of government.”

“The next steps are clear and the stage is set for establishing the leather and leather products industry in Nigeria on a sure-footed and well thought out growth trajectory,” Prof. Osinbajo stated.

The Vice President commended the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, and his team for developing the Plan, as well as other relevant government agencies and international bodies such as the European Union (EU) and the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) who are partnering with the Federal Government in the implementation of the policy.



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

*Igboho*
Reactions have continued to trail the recent moves by the Federal Government to cripple agitations for secession in the Southeast and Southwestern parts of the country.

Some Nigerians who reacted to the developments were sceptical on why the security agencies are clamping down on ‘innocent’ agitators while “terrorist sympathisers” particularly Ahmed Gumi and the Miyetti Allah are allowed to go free despite indications of ties with bandits and other criminals.

Others, however, are of the view that the agitators have overstretched the limits in their actions and utterances.

Sunday Igboho has also debunked his arrest rumour.

In a viral video, he said, “Rumour has been circulating that I have been arrested at the Guru Maharaji. I am not at Guru Maharaji, I am in my house in Ibadan. Thank you very much.”

@sanni_suarez: "No juju is greater than FG, they just getting substantial evidence from you now. By the time they wish to arrest you, they will do that for once without being failed."

@cyrilemeka: "I recall during the time of Obasanjo when the DSS and police kept trying to arrest Gani Adams when he was then the head of OPC, just when they're about to get him, he vanishes mysteriously. I see the same happening for this guy. They can only try."

*YorubaNationRally*
Most of what trended on the Nigerian social media space today are rooted in this YorubaNationRally

Despite the ban on the rally announced by the Lagos State Police Command, some people still came out under heavy security presence to assemble at Ojota.

Some of the reactions on social media about the rally are seen below:

@AyowoleSanyaolu: "Today at the #YorubaNationNow rally in Lagos, it wasn't a Fulani man that ordered the shooting of live rounds that killed a young girl, it was a Yoruba Police Commissioner, working under the orders of a Yoruba Governor. Let that sink in!"

@realFFK: "A 14-year girl has been shot dead by the police during the Yoruba Nation rally in Lagos. So young! What was her crime? This is unacceptable. This is wicked. This is evil. This is barbaric. This is provocative. This is tragic. This is dangerous. I call for restraint."

@instablog9ja: "#YorubaNationNow: Police deploy water cannons, teargas against protesters in Lagos."

@SaharaReporters: "Yoruba Nation Rally: Heavy Police Presence In Lagos As Protesters Shun Venue."

@funshographix: "We're in Ojota now. People are here shouting Yoruba nation. More people are still coming from outside Lagos. Sunday Igboho is coming too. Self-determination is our right. Lagos is Yoruba land. We've every right to do Yoruba nation rally in our land. No going back on Yoruba nation."

@OgbeniDipo: "May the soul of the young girl who has reportedly died after being hit by a stray bullet in Ojota rest in peace. May God comfort her family and friends. The police should not be shooting at a peaceful protest or rally."

@Sawani47: "Let me get this straight: a Yoruba state govt is using its largely Yoruba police force to stop a rally for Yoruba Nation.

"If you kill your fellow Yoruba and attack your own Yoruba establishment, are you fighting for or against Yoruba?"

@Daddy_Morayo: "I would rather DO WHAT THE WORLD IS SCARED OF, than to participate in a protest. These people steal millions of dollars and you think you can just get through them via MERE protest. They will massacre anyone or just tag you WANTED."

@izymac247: "First step in making people slaves is to make them so poor that they can't say no to orders that are utterly ridiculous and inhumane.

"If the energy and effort Nigerian police and soldiers used to stop peaceful protests was channeled to combating crime Nigeria will be very safe."

@PulseNigeria247: "Despite huge police and military presence, Yoruba Nation agitators defy warnings, gathered in large numbers to demand a sovereign Yoruba state."

@firstladyship: "I’m so proud of those protesting in defiance. We are all Sunday Igboho & Nnamdi Kanu. But why is Tinubu Lagos always different? Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo protests was peaceful. Police just killed an innocent girl at Lagos rally. Another life wasted."

@thecableng: "Gunshots, teargas as police disperse Yoruba nation agitators in Lagos."

*Tinubu*
National leader of the All Progressives Congress Chief Bola Tinubu, trended alongside the Yoruba Nation Rally, as people questioning his continued silence over the agitation.

Some also say that Tinubu is being careful over what's unfolding in the Southwest so that his comments would not be used against him ahead of the 2023 presidential race.

*IPOB*
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) trended for various reasons.

However, attention was given more to this caption by @thecableng: "IPOB commander: How we killed 10 girls for rituals, attacked police stations in Imo."

Some of the reactions to the story are seen below:

@NakedNick: "Lies. I first saw it on Punch."

@bashir_1306: "If you saw it on another news platform yet you say it is a lie then you have the problem. Because they cant be reporting the same lies because they hate you despite some of them being owned by your people."

@eluke99: "Planting an electronic news publication before the trial commences… An after thought. Nonsense fabrications. Reports already have it that the CCTV footage of the prison break weren’t people from the region. Even the governor confirmed it."

@iyaboawokoya: "This point of yours will be a good defence for the man who confessed."

@Edward_Onoriode: "I doubted this news until I listened to this Audio from Nnamdi Kanu himself giving this order."

@Abdulla47763468: "Yet some MNK proxies defend these atrocities, refused to term it as an act of terrorism. I believe they're beginning to understand the language of bubu."

@OgbaraOlabode: "They will say na propaganda but we fail to realize that this is not the way to fight for a referendum."

@ReBrand_Human: "Buhari has made the Yorubas and the Biafrans more united than ever before. Good to see Yoruba nation and Biafra coming together to break this curse called Nigeria."

@Amaka_Ekwo: "For eight good days, the Kenyan Government detained Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and IPOB was not aware to stop them from taking MNK to Nigeria?"

@QDpaper1: "Every IPOB miscreants apologist now support Yoruba nation protest, is this how miscreants love Yorubas?"

*Buhari*
While President Muhammadu Buhari has become the topic in virtually all national discourses, for today's trend, these comments here form the basis:

@Emeka667917813: "The people shouting marginalisation are clamouring for another Hausa Fulani (Atiku) to be President. It makes me feel like it’s not really about marginalisation but about them not liking Buhari."

@WudiSnipper: "Constitution requires Buhari to crush Kanu, Igboho, says NBA Vice President."

@LAIDETOS: "So, now in what language will Buhari talk to the Yorubas asking for the #YorubaNationNow?"

@Nwankwo_03: "Buhari's Government Has Failed To Learn From Past Mistakes - Aisha Yesufu."

@distinguished09: "This is not it. It is not in the place of any govt to decide if the people can protest or not. That is firmly captured in the constitution. Buhari should simply respect the people’s choice. Unless we are no longer in a democracy."

@chickxk: "Full-blown war is bound to happen in this country before Buhari vacates office if the NA don’t do anything about it sooner."

*EndSARS*
@MobilePunch: "Yoruba Nation: Police deny killing 14-year-old girl, claim no shot was fired."

@starleeon_: "Who went to the protest ground with a gun?"

@oye_rapheal: "I wonder ohh... Who was shown with a gun on the camera."

@Caringfreeman: "Lekki toll gate: Army Denies firing at peaceful protesters

"Ojota peaceful protest: @NigeriaPolice denies shooting 14years old girl...

"They will kill anybody openly and deny it openly... Who wan probe them?
#KeepitOn #ojota"

@adahobehira: "This innocent girl would have been alive without today's event. My condolences to the family."

http://abuhamdalat..com/2021/07/social-media-trends-for-saturday-3rd.html

*VP graces coronation of Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero
Beyond its proud history and traditions, Kano is a melting pot of diverse tribes and cultures and a place that is home to all and for all Nigerians, where they can co-exist peacefully regardless of differences, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
Prof. Osinbajo stated this today in Kano, during the coronation of Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as the 15th Emir of Kano, where he represented President Muhammadu Buhari.
The event which drew dignitaries from far and wide featured, besides the administration of the oath, and the formal presentation of the Staff of Office to the Emir, traditional rites, prayers, recitals and speeches.
The Vice President, who conveyed the President’s warm felicitations and personal good wishes to the State government and people of Kano, described the coronation as ‘historic’, while noting that Kano is revered as a major commercial and economic centre in sub-Saharan Africa.
“It is only the tolerance of the culture of Kano, where opposite ideas can co-exist peacefully, that you could have a thriving free market economy, with several millionaires and yet also be the base of radical left of Centre political ideas. This is after-all the city of the socialist man of the masses, Mallam Aminu Kano and many of his disciples. Kano is also the home of the richest man in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote,” he said.
He added that, “we are all proud of this city; proud of its legacy of tolerance and warmth and very proud that it indeed remains home to all and for all Nigerians, regardless of tribe and ethnicity, and the melting pot of diverse tribes and cultures assimilated into a robust, vibrant and cohesive whole.”
Congratulating the Emir of Kano on his coronation, the VP said, “Your Royal Highness, it is this great city over which God has given you the good fortune of being Monarch, a privilege which you know comes with the obligation of preserving these rich traditions of brotherhood of all tribes and tongues.
“You inherit not only one of the most revered thrones in Africa, but on a more personal level your great father was known for his wisdom, courage and integrity. He loved his people and served them with honor and complete commitment. You have a goodly heritage but a particularly difficult act to follow. But we are confident that by the grace of God you will exceed the reputation of your illustrious forebears.
“So today, as you ascend the throne of your fathers, carrying with you the love and trust of your people. I can only offer you a prayer: I pray that this land will prosper in your reign, I pray that the Almighty God will be merciful to you and to the people of this land, and that his hand will be upon you to guide and direct you daily. Your family and tribe will increase, your days will be long, and as your days so shall your strength, your wisdom and your favour with God in Jesus name. Amen.”
While also congratulating Kano State Governor Umar Ganduje for “midwifing a generational change of guards that only a few will experience in their lifetimes,” Prof. Osinbajo added that “the swearing-in and handing over of the Staff of Office to the new Emir of Kano is in fulfillment of the extant law and practice of the installation of Emirs.”
Dignitaries present at the event included the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; several governors, including the Governors of Katsina, Aminu Bello Masari; Kebbi, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Bauchi, Bala Mohammed; Jigawa, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Kogi, Yahaya Bello; Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal; Zamfara, Bello Matawalle.
Also present were the Ministers of Aviation, Hadi Sirika; Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (Retd.); and Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono; as well as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Abubakar III, and other traditional rulers.


https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/why-kano-is-home-to-all-nigerians/

*Igboho*
Self-acclaimed Yoruba activist Sunday Igboho is still making the trend after the raid on his apartment by the DSS.

With the agency now declaring him wanted, Nigerians have again taken to social media to express their views.

@Joe_Blaze05: "No matter how strong you are physically or spiritually, when govt get your time forget it.

"You forget say na where your juju end another man own start. I like the guy but he's not bigger than the govt when they are ready for him."

@bee_qu1: "Dont mind them... He won't be the first... Government sef dey use jazz."

@clinton_edoka: "I swear when govt ready if you like be devil dem go catch you."

@mrfestusogun: "To be clear, the SSS lacks the power to validly declare Chief Sunday Igboho wanted without a court order or instituting an action against him. Benedict Peters v. EFCC & Others.

"We will restrict any attempt to intimidate lone voices in our national wilderness."

@_Oluchy: "You really think any of these works in this country at the moment? Buhari is now the judge, jury and prosecutor."

@Joysparkle24: "There's nothing like human rights in this country, just live your life and pray you don't get into the government bad books."

@OtunbaWarri: "I've said this so many times, all these rallies and protests won't change anything, the best all these guys can do is just to wait 2023 and make their vote count. People are just losing their lives to all these protests and rallies."

@naughtyibadan: "make everybody find one weapon on July 3rd rally. If army or police do anyhow, make una show dem anyhow, it's obvious the war has started since alot of assassinations happened in the last 2 months & now Nnamdi Kanu and Igboho are the next target. Igbo and Yoruba should merge & fight dem."

@Fakiaman: "They should not be in a haste... He will be present in Lagos rally and they won't be able to do anything to him because he has not committed any crime but DSS AND NIGERIA ARMY that have refused to protect Nigerians, wanted to assassinate him and his family in the midnight."

@emodi_ekene: "At this point in time we all should be working to leave this country not make it better."

@Yanjoo64: "But Gumi is in the house relaxing. Coming on live TV saying bandits are fighting for their rights, bandits are abducting & killing hundreds of people and he’s not a wanted man."

*Buhari*
Some of the comments collected on this trend are reproduced hereunder:

@cchukudebelu: "For some reason, this long, vocal debate on "human rights abuse" was swiftly abandoned when Jonathan handed over power to Buhari.

"(All the talk about "Leahy Laws" were abandoned with the Super Tucano sales)."

@SaharReporters: "Igboho Should Be Thankful Buhari’s Government Only Planted Guns, Not Bombs In His House—Activist, @adeyanjudeji."

@SodiqTade: "Buhari wants to round up Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho but ignores Sheikh Gumi that openly had a meeting with bandits because he is from the privileged tribe. And instead of arrest he was given the opportunity to do PR for bandits on TV stations. Same with Miyetti Allah. Observe!"

@GazetteNGR: "I’m deeply shocked bandits killed Zamfara lawmaker: Buhari."

@OgbeniDipo: "Someone on Clubhouse just said the next President will be worst than Buhari. I reject it in Jesus name and cover Nigeria with the blood of Jesus. If that happens, omo."

@Maybek: "Should we tell him? Well, this is why GEJ said stealing is not corruption to educate Buhari and his likes but people were too emotional to listen."

@OlorogunErnest: "Buhari is clamping down on agitators from the SE & SW while bandits are reaping billions off Nigerians in the North via kidnappings, rape, killings, terror attacks etc. All the FG does is to negotiate using Gumi.

"Now I believe Nigeria is currently led by a Northern cabal."

*Lagos*
Despite earlier reports on the postponement of the Yoruba Nation Rally, @DailyPostNGR and some online media came up with this caption and other related ones "Sunday Igboho: Yoruba Nation Lagos rally will hold - Co-organisers dare Police."

@MobilePunch: "Yoruba Nation: Hold police responsible if Lagos rally turns violent - Igboho's spokesman."

Some of the reactions on the above stories as they trended on social media are seen below:

@YeleSowore: "I totally and unequivocally support the Oduduwa rally scheduled for Lagos tomorrow, I urge organisers and participants to ignore the Nigeria Police Force and massively come out! Protest is NOT a crime. Tyrant @MBuhari must be defeated. #BuhariMustGo
#Revolutionnow."

@emekannaoma: “We want to confirm again that the Pro-Yoruba Nation rally scheduled to hold on Saturday July 3rd, in Lagos will proceed as scheduled,” Prof
Akintoye reiterated."

@CletusNwafor: "Democracy is fragile... It must always be defended... We must be ever vigilant.

"When will Nigerians arise to defend the erosion of our democracy by the despotic @MBuhari regime?"

@Godswillluv: "This is what we need from the Yoruba people, it’s time for those Oduduwas who truly believe in the course of the Oduduwa nation to stand and stand resolutely. It’s time for the entire southern region to unite and form resistance and alliance against tyranny."

@yorubaToUN: "We’re going to remove Nigeria flags on Oduduwa soil tomorrow and replace it with oduduwa flag and USA flag. We’re ready for what’s coming."

@chibest408: "We must! I repeat We must stand up and resist Tyranny! Speak up in the face of tyranny."

@Nwa_Onyemauche: "Igboho or no Igboho let the rally go on."

@wordforwar: "That's very good. We are born free, can't become slaves in our own land."

@derealAyoola: "We move, Ojota right?"

@CJInternationei: "It will hold no matter what."

@Justfight_X: "They cannot stop what's coming."

@okebobby: "Gani Adam's will be there, leading from the front."

*Fulani*
The fulanization narrative was pushed on the social media space with some prominent Nigerians indulging in what has now become a conspiracy theory.

The views on this trend are summarized in these comments:

@GovSamuelOrtom: "If the federal government has the capacity to arrest Nnamdi Kanu in a foreign land, they should exhibit the same zeal to arrest armed Fulani herdsmen who are terrorizing our country. The herdsmen have claimed responsibility for the killing of many Nigerians."

@segalink: "You clamp down on agitation from the SE & SW despite the understanding of the rationale for both, but culture & fund the impunity of Bandits & serial murders of Fulani Herders.

"How else do you hope to convince any Nigerian that we are not under a conquest that needs Resistance?"

@TemitopeSenator: "Obasanjo's revelation of Nigeria being fulanized is starting to take shape.
No matter the darkness, light will come forth, Nigeria will never fall!
Nigeria will survive this dark regime!!
Help is coming!!!"

@funshographix: "Awolowo was jailed by fulani govt

MKO was jailed & killed by fulani govt

Sowore is on restricted bail by fulani govt

Nnamdi Kanu was kidnapped into Nigeria by fulani govt

Sunday Igboho has been declared wanted by fulani govt

For how long our mumu will stop with one Nigeria?"

@vanguardngrnews: "Fulani leaders openly talk about their affinity to Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, boasting that any attempt to chase them away from Yorubaland will lead to more killings.”

@ChimaStephen2: "South east have not started. When we start the world will need to join hands with the north to be able to defeat us. Just like they have always did. Fulani have never won any war on their own. They always need foreign help."

@RealOlaudah: "An Igbo man was made to sign the press release by DSS on Sunday Igboho. In consonance with age-long Fulani strategy of divide and rule. Knocking southern heads together, to keep their divisions, while exploiting the cracks to continue their hegemony. 'Mene mene tekel upharsin."

@damonbarak: "Southerners have always been used against each other but they will never realize until it’s too late."

@ayemojubar: "Buhari govt via DSS declared Sunday Igboho wanted because he called for self-determination and a rally to avert the evil being perpetuated by killer Fulani herdsmen.

"So why are Yoruba elites and elders quiet on this, repeating the mistakes Hausa made when they were invaded?"

@GeneralOria: "Just understand Igboho doesn’t speak for Yoruba people.

"Yoruba are too sophisticated to follow Sunday Igboho dogmatically. We don’t cut off our head because we have headache."

@Adrianac123: "To every demand of NIGERIANS from #EndSARS to Biafra, Sunday Igboho, the reaction of the regime has been violent. But to the violence of Boko Haram, Fulani Herdmen, ISWAP and Bandits, the reaction of Buhari's regime has been peace, dialogue, ransom. A tipping point. @Gidi_Traffic."

@real_i_smart: "One Nigeria is a scam. We are tired of fulanilization."

@mrfestusogun: "When will these Fulani imperialists in power declare Fulani herdsmen wanted?"

@Enugu_: "The criminal silence we got from the Enugu State Government when terrorist Fulani herdsmen invaded and killed our people in May, is what we are experiencing again in the case of security agencies invading & burning homes, kidnapping our young people this week in Enugu."

@merrybola: "Terrorist Fulani herdsmen and their sympathizers like Sheik Gumi are no doubt being handled with kids' gloves by the Federal government."

*Nnamdi Kanu*
The engagements here and similar others constituted the bedrock of this trend:

@thecableng: "[TOP STORY] Wike to FG: Don’t discriminate — go after bandits like you did for Nnamdi Kanu."

@mikedavidxson: "Exactly what we're saying.
No insecticide for some.
and deodorant for others.
as I'm tweeting this. I'm yet to see any report of arrest made by this govt with regards to those who killed about 6 policemen in a bid to rescue Wadume from prosecution in Taraba state."

@adahobehira: "Wike hypocrisy will soon be expose."

@CJInternationei: "So Wike is now comparing Nnamdi Kanu to bandits. Well, you will get a taste of what you deserve when the time comes."

@OzoAnukwe: "Hence, it takes this Nigerian regime's kidnapping of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in a foreign land together with the killings of young people in the southern Nigeria for governor Wike to finally see the lack of fairness in this regime's handling of insecurity."

@sam7pb: "Nnamdi Kanu's ‘abduction’ from Kenya violates international laws— Family."

@TheGuildng: "Just In: Kenyan Govt. clears air on Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest, extradition to Nigeria."

@SaharaReporters: "Present Proofs That We Were Involved In Nnamdi Kanu's Arrest— Kenyan Authorities Tell Nigerians."

@todayng: "BMO: Nnamdi Kanu’s rearrest indicates no hiding place for troublemakers."

@EjioforBar: "Update,
Thankfully Our effort is yielding the desired result. We have just received a communication approving Our visit to Our Client- Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Shall keep the World posted on the outcome, immediately after the meeting, later in the Day. God is with Us."

@OdogwuNjabaOrlu: "So-called south east governors have not said a word regarding the issue with Nnamdi Kanu and unrest in alaigbo obviously triggered by fg."

@Infoxclusive89: "IPOB Members should pray for Nnamdi Kanu to survive, See the kind of torture he is receiving in DSS custody."

@CollinsIkpeba: "@BorisJohnson. Both Nigeria and Kenya undermine your sovereignty by arresting your citizen and you kept quiet. Give Nigeria terroist government ultimatum to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu hale and hearty, after that we will examine him, if there is anything... hmmmmmm God bear us witness."

*Malami*
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Abubakar Malami was trolled on Twitter after some online news platforms quoted him as telling the United Kingdom High Commissioner, that Twitter was banned to protect Nigeria’s interest.

Some of those who criticized the minister said the ban was not in the interest of Nigerians but that of the Federal Government.

Their reactions are captured here:

@molarasho: "But not Nigerians interest?!!"

@bright_r: "Which interest does Nigeria still have??"

@dj_jaysix: "And they will lift the ban before 2023 election to campaign on the platform."

@TwittarNg: "Some of these guys have ghost accounts and they pretend to be law-abiding SMH."

@manlikedray: "1- Malami can't speak for my interest.
2- Nigeria has no interest."

@Opeyemi_Tunde1: "We banned Twitter to protect Nigeria’s interest — Justice Minister Malami

"On what basis is this na... Bros you no get point you are only gagging the citizen and nothing more you wanna kill our freedom of speech."

Meanwhile, Mr Abubakar Malami has stated the reason he addressed a section of the media in Hausa following the arrest of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

In an interview as reported by Daily Independent, Malami's spokesperson, Dr. Umar Gwandu explained that his principal first addressed newsmen in English language but later spoke in Hausa following the request by international media stations like the Hausa-speaking service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

He said the stations had appealed to the Minister to also speak in Hausa language for the effect of the soundbite after the English language address.

Since yesterday the minister has been dragged and criticized for announcing Nnamdi Kanu's arrest in Hausa language. He is being accused of favouring an ethnic group above another.

*El'Rufai*
Many Nigerians, especially from the South, have blasted the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El'Rufai, for reportedly saying that bandits and terrorists are different from IPOB, hence should not be treated with the same swiftness that led to Nnamdi Kanu's arrest.

Those who reacted to the Governor's statement seemed to have misunderstood him.

A cursory look into the report showed that El'Rufai was emphasizing that different approaches should be employed in handling the different groups because according to him, bandits don't have a known leader, whereas the leader of IPOB is known and could be identified.

He also said that in the case of Boko Haram, Shekau was known as the leader and that he was always hiding and at the same time physically involved in guerrilla war, but Nnamdi Kanu was in oversea inciting people back home to take up arms against the government.

Here are some of the reactions:

@KeansoLala: "These men have one common agenda and that is what they are carrying out, they are never against their own, but the south is their common enemy."

@IdorenyiEtuk5: "But location of bandits & other fulani terror groups are well known to FG & its security agencies, even Gumi who acts as their spokesperson, spiritual father & advocate is well known. These killers are doing greatest damage to national security but FG pretends they're lawful agitators."

@obiagwupaschal: "@elrufai speak from both sides of the mouth and should not for any reason be taken serious. Because bandits are independent criminals, same energy used in kidnapping a freedom fighter like Nnamdi Kanu should not be deployed in arresting and kidnapping Bandits right? Akpuru otele!!"

@pdauda: "Usual suspects bending over backwards to quickly define and categorize bandits as the lesser evil. And he's your model for progressive leadership? This?"

@Operepete1: "@elrufai is there anything bad in leading IPOB?"

@Governo23340847: "The north will forever defend their children. Buhari has been rehabilitating terrorists since 2015. Pantami has shown loyalty to them on different occasions. Gumi is advocating for them."

@silas_essien: "They think of their evil which is the cause of all agitations in Nigeria as a lesser problem. It is careless talk like this one that turns all our problems into ethnic and religious war. If you call your evil good who will admit his is evil. Very disappointed @elrufai."

*Tinubu*
In summary, this trend captures the opinion of some Nigerians on Tinubu's 2023 presidential ambition, his chances against Atiku and also his stoic silence over the current situation in the country.

The views as expressed on the bird app are seen below:

@RealOlaudah: "For those hailing Tinubu in 2015 as the most powerful politician in the land, and in 2019 as a master strategist who's positioning himself for power, I hope the handwriting is getting clearer by the day. Or are you still hoping upon hope?"

@ayosogunro: "For all his machinations, Tinubu has totally lost respect in the South West and he will probably be the last person to realise this - and by then it will be too late for him."

@asemota: "I may not like Tinubu and you may not like Ibori but something was common to both of them and it is not corruption allegations. It is that they were able to stand up to OBJ who in my opinion is still our best President ever. Maybe there is something in defiance that helps."

@ADEBOWALE__: "I heard Tinubu's media guys have paid some of our influencers to be trending Tinubu and take advantage of Igboho's situation.

"Buhari is not good for us so is Tinubu not good either.

"I don't mind been ruled by an easterner if he does it well. My people have failed too."

@Magajibnw1: "Which Easter will contest against Tinibu and win? No way! Come 2023 we all shall choose between Tinubu or ATiku!"

@lollypeezle: "No one is even talking about carrying Tinubu along in anything. The Federal Government is not carrying him along. The Yoruba groups are not carrying him along. Bobo is just there with money and fame, no more power. Tinubu fell."

@shola_olushola: "If you see any Nigerian saying Atiku 2023, the individual does not care about Nigerians or Nigeria, but about his/her own greed. Nigeria will be going backwards if either Atiku or Tinubu becomes President."

@MasterKcee: "It irks me to see people still talking about voting Atiku or Tinubu. What was the purpose of the #EndSARS protest, truly we deserve what we are getting."

@Princeverest: "So Tinubu and his boy would stop a Yoruba nation rally in Lagos tomorrow all because of what he is eyeing that he knows the north will never give to him. If I were Tinubu, I will start retracing my steps. That is what can guarantee his 2023 ambition."

@Lopeziyke_: "Whether you cry about TINUBU's silence on the happenings in Nigeria or his silence on the harrassment of Sunday Igboho by the Nigerian govt, I tell you some ignoramuses from the SW, especially Lagos will still honour him with whatever he seeks for. Actually, some people never learn."

@InMassacre: "Tinubu refused to speak because he’s eyeing 2023. Please someone should inform him that there won’t be 2023 election."