₦airaland Forum

VP urges States to send EndSARS judicial panels’ progress reports
*Reconciliation reached regarding States’ repayment of Budget Support Facility
As plans for next year’s budget begins to gather pace, the National Economic Council (NEC) has endorsed the 2022-2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) which was presented to it at an emergency meeting of the Council today.
Besides the MTEF presentation, the NEC also updated its focus on the reports of the State Judicial Panels set up across the country after last year’s EndSARS protests. Today, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, urged States where the panels are still sitting to also send interim reports so as to measure progress.
According to the Vice President, the reports are now being received ahead of a Council meeting where presentations would be made on them, both for States where the panels have concluded their work and those that are still sitting.
These were some of the major highlights of the emergency meeting of the Council which held virtually and was presided over by the Vice President, with several State Governors, FCT Minister, Finance Minister, Central Bank Governor, and other government officials in attendance.
It will be recalled that the Council recommended the establishment of judicial panels nationwide to address complaints of police brutality after the President dissolved the Police SARS unit. Almost all States in the Federation set up the panels, including the Federal Capital Territory.
The Council comprises the 36 State Governors, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as well as other senior Federal Government officials.
During the presentation of the MTEF to the Council, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr. Zainab Ahmed, stated that the draft of the 2022-2024 MTEF/FSP was prepared against the backdrop of global economic recovery, amidst improved vaccination outlook and lower incidence of (COVID-19) infection.
She also said the Nigerian economy sustained a tepid recovery in first quarter of 2021 posting a Year-on-Year (YoY) GDP growth of 0.51%, consolidating the exit from recession in Q4 2020, reflecting the easing of COVID-19 induced restrictions.
The Minister recalled that the economy, which lapsed into recession in Q3 2020, after two successive quarters of negative GDP growth, promptly emerged from the recession with a positive 0.11% GDP growth in Q4 2020. She added that the Medium Term Fiscal Framework showed that there are continuing global challenges in the aftermath of the COVID-19.
The presentation to the Council by Dr. Zainab Ahmed today followed the public presentation of the paper yesterday and a forthcoming presentation to the Federal Executive Council soon.
Also at today’s meeting, Council was informed that the issue of the repayment of the Budget Support Facility has now been resolved after a meeting presided over earlier this week by the Vice President, Governor Kayode Fayemi, representing the States, the Finance Minister, and the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Under the new arrangement, the Central Bank of Nigeria has offered a fresh bridging financing to States as they resume the repayment of the FG-backed Facility.


https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/nec-endorses-2022-2024-medium-term-expenditure-framework-fiscal-strategy-paper/

By Oluwafemi Popoola

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, a Professor of Law, formerly the Attorney General of Lagos State, embodies the promises of a new moral order going by his long history of integrity as a public officer, which he brightly displayed in Lagos State politics, with an impeccable record when he led the legal reforms in the state, not to now talk of his attributes thus far as the Vice President of Nigeria, an office which offers him a constitutional role as the Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC) with brilliant deliverables thus far, writes Oluwafemi Popoola, saying, the opposition only used the NEMA, FIRS, and EFCC issues, where he has already been vindicated, as mere political contrivances intended to distract him.

Ever since Vice President Yemi Osinbajo assumed office after the historic 2015 election win, so much has been said on his integrity and personality which was the major selling point for the APC during their 2015 election campaign.

Prof Osinbajo, the former Attorney General of Lagos State, and a Professor of Law embodies the promises of a new moral order going by his long history of integrity as a public officer, this he brightly displayed in Lagos State politics, as his impeccable record when he led the legal reforms in the state is white as snow, not now to talk of his attributes thus far as the Vice President of Nigeria, an office which offers him a constitutional role of the chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC).

As expected, there has been a legion of commentaries and discussions by many observers, writers, political commentators, analysts and revisionists directed at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) pastor in a bid to dissect his faith, politics, philosophy and integrity.

In the Nigerian political context and possibly other climes, the moment an individual presents him/herself for a political post, his life automatically becomes a subject of pubic scrutiny. While one would expect that such scrutiny is inevitable as politicians anywhere in the world are expected to be accountable to their people, but the amoral politics of the Nigerian landscape presents a different reality.

Going by Nigeria’s chequered political history, many traditional politicians are generally viewed with distrust because they are sometimes seen as simply occupying public offices for occupying sake, rather than truly serving the people in their exalted position. This general assumption makes political offices in the country a no go area for persons with high moral value and decency.

While the Vice President has enjoyed a great deal of affection and praises by many commentators which is an alien experience for politicians in this country where they are generally held in low esteem, Osinbajo has also endured a furnace of persecution, denudation and name calling like “V.P. Academics” from his traducers, who believe he should not be treated differently. Well, life they say is a mixed bag and Osinbajo’s political career is no different. It has not entirely been a bed of roses for the sprightly 64-year-old, neither has it been a golgotha of thorns.

Osinbajo’s reputation and longstanding integrity was firstly put to the fire in a virulent manner at the backdrop of Tunde Fowler’s exit from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) due to corruption cases.

A letter from the late President’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, had surfaced on the Internet querying the FIRS boss on the discrepancy in their figures. The following day, the story came up that the VP allegedly took N90 billion from that same FIRS to fund the 2019 elections. It was the most confusing story of the year in 2019. There were a lot of insinuations and gossips. While some believed it was a knife fight in the APC party politics by some cabals who wanted to reduce Osinbajo growing influence, others posited that the purveyors of such malicious lie had planned it well by dragging Osinbajo to the Fowler’s corruption story due to their similar backgrounds and chummy relationship. Fowler was a childhood friend and a former classmate of the VP.

The apocrypha story trended in beer parlors and on various social media platforms for some days but the purveyors were having difficulty explaining to us how such huge amount of money was delivered.

With another intent to puncture the integrity of the former Law Professor, the Vice President was also dragged into the issue of the N5.8 billion National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) scandal this time by the opposition PDP.

The main opposition party had claimed that the Vice President had “failed to provide a cogent response to the report of the House of Representatives on the N33 billion NEMA fraud in addition to allegations that the N5.8 billion was withdrawn from the national coffers, while he was Acting President, without legislative consent and expended without recourse to extant due process, procurement and contract rules.”

Osinbajo’s only administrative iniquity was the immediate action he took when he approved funds for the emergency operations in the North East at the time the entire region was facing a severe humanitarian crisis. They claimed that the funds were from the consolidated Revenue Fund not budgeted funds. Although, it was later discovered that the funds approved were actually from budgeted funds, specifically the Rice Levy.

Babafemi Ojudu, the presidential political adviser while responding to the claim said, “Nowhere in the House of Representative Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness report was there an allegation of corruption against the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, and this is why claims against him from some quarters regarding the report are mere political contrivances intended to distract him.

“It is evident that the opposition are in search of company for their acts of grand corruption which brought Nigeria to its knees as of May 2015. They cannot find that company in the Vice President.

“First, there is nowhere in the politicised House of Reps report where the VP was accused of corruption or embezzlement of funds. I challenge them to quote any word or sentence that makes such an accusation.”

Again, the Vice President found himself enmeshed in another campaign of calumny. A renowned merchant of fake news, Jackson Ude, on July 8, 2020 through his media platform Pointblank News published a story with a headline that says “How Magu Embezzled N39 billion, Gave Osinbajo N4 billion, Begs for Soft Landing.”

For those who are not familiar with the fake news monger, here is a man who once worked with the former President Goodluck Jonathan government. He has a clear history of blackmail and false publications. The Mrs Oyindamola Amuka fraudulent story and the former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala blackmail he orchestrated are still fresh in our memory.

Jackson is a notorious fraudulent publisher, whose illegal activities have denied him a stay in the country. So, such publications against the person of the VP holds no water as none of the reputable news media published similar story.

Not only did the Vice President through his lawyer requested the Inspector General of Police to investigate Jackson and his malicious story, but it also defies human reasoning to imagine how Magu or the EFCC that doesn’t have a vault in its office or has a total control over the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), will dole out such fortune to the Vice President (that by law he is not answerable to).

Although the allegation would later disappear into thin air not only the report could not be substantiated but because there are some Nigerians who refused to be gullible. Those that can tell between facts and fictions and won’t mistake a monkey for a gorilla have since trashed the malicious fake news.

The coordination and the barrage at which most of these smear campaigns against the VP always hit the media space has raised a suspicion from some quarters who believe someone or an organised network of people was after VP Osinbajo ahead of the 2023 politics of scheming and permutation.

As Donald A. Adams put it: “To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.” I can confidently say that Osinbajo came to Nigerian politics with reputation and integrity. That is why up till now his loudest traducers have not come up with a valid corruption case against him. He is a man of honour and integrity. Everywhere he goes, he is lauded and garlanded for his virtues. What is bred in the bones they never goes out through the flesh.

A Renowned Professor of Law, Itse Sagay, while commenting on Prof Osinbajo said: “The Vice President is an incorruptible man of God, a man of high moral standing who is as clean as a whistle. He will not appropriate any money that doesn’t belong to him to himself.”

During a gathering of the All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters at a dinner sometime in 2019 after the victory of the re-election of APC government, Osinbajo said: “As I repeated many times during the course of the campaign that our country is not short of ideas, we are not short of projects; we are not short of money either; what we are short of is integrity in office.”

While all this scheming, politics, permutations, constant barrage against the person of the VP may not end anytime soon as clock ticks towards the 2023 general election, Osinbajo will continually remain a person of interest being a major asset of the ruling APC. The fight will get more belligerent if the APC party decides to give him a presidential ticket and Osinbajo should have nothing to fear. His integrity which has brought him this far will definitely not abandon him in the hands of his accusers.

• Popoola is a political analyst, content analyser and news aggregator with WEPUSH Media.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo presides over an Emergency National Economic Council Meeting at the Statehouse, Abuja. 2nd July, 2021.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

*HOW TO RESURRECT BURIED PROSPERITY THROUGH SUSTAINABLE MINING, BY OSINBAJO*

_*VP canvases effective collaboration between FG, States, Local Govts & communities as game changer in sector_

_*Adds: "We must discourage export of raw minerals"_

By effectively harnessing and maximising its plethora of wealth buried in the ground in various parts of the country through sustainable mining, Nigeria will not only become less dependent on crude oil as a major revenue earner, millions of job opportunities will be created for Nigerians, among other benefits to the economy, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Thursday at the maiden edition of the (virtual) Strategic Engagement on Sustainable Mining Titled: Resurrecting Our Buried Prosperity in Abuja.

In his recorded keynote address delivered at the Conference, the Vice President added that effective collaboration among all levels of government to ensure the proper regulation of mining activities will ensure that the country fully reaps the rewards from its largely untapped wealth.

Noting that mining revenues go to the Federation Account and is shared between the Federal Government, States and Local Governments, the VP said, “the Federal Government cannot effectively regulate mining without actively, and deliberately working with States, Local Governments and mineral-producing communities.

“The Federal Government, States and Local Government have to jointly develop working arrangements to ensure that mining is attractive to investors, profitable for States and Local Governments, not just from proceeds but also from personal income tax paid to States by mine workers and staff of mining companies.

“This engagement is one that could be a game-changer for mining in Nigeria, and it could mean a new era of huge earnings and prosperity for our people from our mining resources. But this will only happen if we adopt a collaborative and cooperative approach. If we work together, we will reap far more than we could ever gain by working alone.”

Making a case for the development of the Mining sector to drive national development, the Vice President referenced the huge iron ore deposits, gold, bitumen, tin, coal, among other precious minerals deposits in different parts of the country.

He stated that sustainable mining activities, will further help reduce the country’s dependence on crude oil to grow a productive and competitive economy, noting that with deposits in excess of 42 billion tonnes, Nigeria has the second-largest bitumen deposit in the world and almost twice the country’s oil reserves.

He added, “How about iron ore? We have the 12th largest iron ore deposit in the world, more than 3billion tons. Besides, the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) confirms that Nigeria has over 44 mineral deposits in commercial quantities in over 500 locations across the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. These minerals range from industrial and energy minerals, such as iron ore and coal, to gemstones, including sapphires, rubies, and emeralds.

“So buried in the ground in various parts of Nigeria are riches that could ensure that no Nigerian is unemployed, underfed, or neglected. And this is not mere speculation because, before the discovery of oil, Nigeria developed its infrastructure, roads, rail, dams, provided free education in the western region for example, from the proceeds of minerals, agriculture and taxes.”

“It is clear that unless we get the management of our solid mineral resources right, we would continue living in the terrible paradox of suffering in the midst of plenty. The problems are numerous but solvable. The principal issue is that of the challenges of implementing the regulatory framework,” he said.

Prof. Osinbajo added that the Buhari administration has taken some major steps to further develop the country’s Mines and Steel sector, including in the areas of security.

He said, “as part of the the Federal Government’s post-COVID-19 efforts to preserve existing jobs and create new opportunities, N6 billion was approved for the Mining Sector under the current Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP), for the development of Mineral Processing Clusters across the six geo-political zones of the country to promote large-scale investment in mineral exploitation.”

“On security in mining areas, as part of broad efforts to re-engineer the national security architecture to more efficiently confront our challenges, the President recently approved a raft of measures aimed at ensuring the security of mining concerns and mining sites.

The VP further said these measures, which will be driven by the Office of the National Security Adviser in concert with the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, “will be hugely significant in creating an enabling environment for the growth of the sector.”

He added, “There must also be a framework for ensuring that environmental degradation is remedied.

“We must discourage the export of raw minerals. Refining, processing, or beneficiation is the only real way to maximize our mineral wealth and create good-paying jobs and opportunities for our people.”

While commending the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, the Hon. Minister, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite; and the Minister of State, Mines and Steel, Dr. Uche Ogah, for driving the initiative, the Vice President urged that the strategic “engagement should lead to the production of or the fine-tuning of a clear working document that spells out with clarity the roles and responsibilities of each party, the FG, the States, the Local Governments, and the mining communities.

“Even where these roles and duties have been defined in existing legislation, this is an opportunity to simplify the language, explain the relationships, take input on implementation concerns, and get everyone’s buy-in,” he said.

The conference was organised by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.

*Laolu Akande*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity*
*Office of the Vice President*
*1st July, 2021*

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

GOVTS, COMMUNITIES COLLABORATION WILL BE A GAME-CHANGER FOR NIGERIA’S MINING SECTOR

REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE MAIDEN EDITION OF THE STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT ON SUSTAINABLE MINING TITLED: RESURRECTING OUR BURIED PROSPERITY ON THE 1ST OF JULY, 2021.

PROTOCOLS

As of 1940, Nigeria was already globally a leading producer of Tin, Columbite and Coal. Potential coal reserves are today estimated to be as high as 3billion tonnes. much of our coal is high-grade clean and bituminous with a low sulphur and ash content.

Even farther back in 1913, gold in commercial quantities had already been found in parts of Northern Nigeria and what is now Osun State. Bitumen was discovered as far back as 1900 mostly in the Southwest Zone, the bitumen belt covering what are now Ondo, Ogun, Lagos, and Edo States and today with deposits in excess of 42 billion tons we have the second-largest bitumen deposit in the world and almost twice our oil reserves.

How about iron ore? We have the 12th largest iron ore deposit in the world, more than 3billion tons. Besides, the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) confirms that Nigeria has over 44 mineral deposits in commercial quantities in over 500 locations across the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. These minerals range from industrial and energy minerals, such as iron ore and coal, to gemstones, including sapphires, rubies and emeralds.

So buried in the ground in various parts of Nigeria are riches that could ensure that no Nigerian is unemployed, underfed, or neglected. And this is not mere speculation because, before the discovery of oil, Nigeria developed its infrastructure, roads, rail, dams, provided free education in the western region for example, from the proceeds of minerals, agriculture and taxes.

But with the discovery of oil, these incredible riches have remained buried in the ground for decades. In many parts of the country, you find illegal miners with poor equipment essentially scraping the surface of these deposits. Some better-equipped operators are able to do more, but they largely exploit cheap labour, and pay next to nothing in taxes or royalties, and cause environmental damage that is never remedied.

It is clear that unless we get the management of our solid mineral resources right, we would continue living in the terrible paradox of suffering in the midst of plenty. The problems are numerous but solvable. The principal issue is that of the challenges of implementing the regulatory framework. While the Ministry of Mines and Steel has the legislative mandate to regulate mining in the country, many States and local governments have embarked on the imposition of their own rules and regulations on miners in their States, including issuance of Registration, Permits, Community Development Agreements (CDA) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on miners. Some State Governments, in a bid to shore up their revenues, impose illegal fees, taxes, and levies on foreign and local licensed mining companies and operators.

Enforcement of these taxes often leads to the frequent arrests and harassment of licensed miners and their workers, and closures of mining sites. This happens frequently. Regrettably, such actions by State Governments constitute a major disincentive to prospective investors in the sector and invariably jeopardize the efforts of the Government to deepen the mining industry in Nigeria. There is no way this will ever benefit the majority of our people. Then there are the huge security concerns that always develop in the struggle for control of mineral resources in poorly regulated, unregulated or ungoverned spaces. Almost invariably, these situations lead to criminal activities and particularly, the proliferation of weapons and armed groups. This is true historically and more evident now.

On the African continent, we have ample examples of how resource extraction can trigger an increase in criminality. Here in Nigeria, armed banditry hiring and equipping of armed groups by illegal but powerful mining concerns in many resources-rich areas is clearly fuelled by the chaotic regulatory environment.

It is for these reasons that this strategic engagement with the leadership of the 774 local governments is critical. It is apt and timely especially as the Federal government through the Ministry of Mines and Steel seeks to fully implement its robust and wide-ranging remit in policy and legislation.

This engagement will certainly help in explaining the regulatory framework to the governments at the community level where most of the mining activities take place. It will enable the ministry and other stakeholders to get direct feedback from the local government authorities and those who have to deal with these issues daily.

But where are we today? In 2016, the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development in collaboration with industry stakeholders formulated The Roadmap for the Growth and Development of the Nigerian Mining Sector Industry. The road map addresses some of the tensions between the Federal Government and subnational entities in relation to mining.

The Roadmap which identifies partnership with mining communities as one of the “critical levers of success” states that “success in Nigerian mining requires partnership across multiple communities, stakeholders and institutions” and also stresses that “the role of state governments as both co-investors and sector champions is critical.” It further asserts that “a sustainable growth model” for the sector can be found “only through government innovations and partner action e.g. community engagement mechanisms, shared investment and co-creation of opportunities.”

Section 19 of the Nigerian Mines and Minerals Act establishes the Minerals Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO). In each state which is composed of representatives of the Federal, State, and Local Governments and is designed to serve as a platform for fostering synergy in mining operations across all tiers of government.

Consequently, the Act accords communities the status of co-investors in the development of mineral assets. The Minerals Resources and Environmental Management Committees are important in bringing order, fairness, inclusion, and equity to mining and its value chains. Mr. President has also mandated the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD) to prioritize the orderly and efficient development of 7 strategic minerals in the Mining Roadmap namely Coal, Bitumen, Limestone, Iron Ore, Barites, Gold, and Lead/Zinc ore to support local industries and for export of processed mineral products.

The Ministry was further mandated to strengthen synergy with State Governments and relevant security agencies for the enhanced security and safety of mining areas. The Ministry is also expected to foster collaboration with the private sector in growing the mining industry in order to create employment opportunities.

Recently also, as part of the post covid efforts to preserve existing jobs and create new opportunities N6 billion was approved for the Mining Sector under the current Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP), for the development of Mineral Processing Clusters (MPC) across the six (6) geo-political zones of the country to promote large-scale investment in mineral exploitation. It is gratifying that the Ministry has recorded considerable progress on these Mining Process Clusters.

And on security in mining areas, as part of broad efforts to re-engineer the national security architecture to more efficiently confront our challenges, the President recently approved a raft of measures aimed at ensuring the security of mining concerns and mining sites. These measures which will be driven by the Office of the National Security Adviser in concert with the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development will be hugely significant in creating an enabling environment for the growth of the sector.

A few things emerge from the regulatory and policy framework that I have just shared and you’ve heard quite a bit about it in earlier statements made, and I will make some suggestions:

1. Mining is constitutionally under the Federal Government of Nigeria.

2. Mining revenues go to the Federation Account and is shared between the Federal Government, States and Local Governments. States where resources come from get 13% derivation in addition to their share.

3. The Federal Government cannot effectively regulate mining without actively, and deliberately working with States, Local Governments and mineral-producing communities.

4. The Federal Government, States and Local Government have to jointly develop working arrangements to ensure that mining is attractive to investors, profitable for States and Local Governments, not just from proceeds but also from personal income tax paid to States by mine workers and staff of mining companies.

5. The communities where mines are located must also have some direct benefits aside from jobs for their residents. We must find a formula for compensating the communities for environmental degradation and erosion.

6. There must also be a framework for ensuring that environmental degradation is remedied.

7. We must discourage the export of raw minerals. Refining, processing or beneficiation is the only real way to maximize our mineral wealth and create good paying jobs and opportunities for our people.

This engagement today should lead to the production of or the fine tuning of a clear working document that spells out with clarity the roles and responsibilities of each party, the FG, the States, the Local Governments and the mining communities. Even where these roles and duties have been defined in existing legislation, this is an opportunity to simplify the language, explain the relationships, take input on implementation concerns, and get everyone’s buy in.

We must commend the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, the Hon. Minister, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite and the Hon. Minister of State, Mines and Steel, Dr. Uche Ogah, for this initiative. I think the Ministry has been fortunate in having able, dynamic and farsighted ministers since we came into office in 2015. Well done indeed. I can only encourage you to continue to approach your role as the regulator and administrator of the nation’s mines and metals sector with open mindedness and flexibility especially in your collaboration with the States and local governments.

I must also urge all officers of the Ministry to rededicate themselves to the realization of the set target of a 6% contribution of the mining sector to the nation’s GDP by 2025.

FinaIly, let me say to all participants that this engagement is one that could be a game changer for mining in Nigeria, and it could mean a new era of huge earnings and prosperity for our people from our mining resources. But this will only happen if we adopt a collaborative and cooperative approach. If we work together, we will reap far more than we could ever gain by working alone.

It is now my special privilege and pleasure to declare open the maiden edition of the strategic engagement on Sustainable Mining by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development with Nigeria’s Local Government Chairmen and other critical mining stakeholders.

I wish you all fruitful engagements.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I thank you.

Released by:

Laolu Akande,
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,
Office of the Vice President.
1st July 2021

Suspected bandits have killed the lawmaker representing Shinkafi Constituency in the Zamfara House of Assembly, Muhammad Ahmad.

The Director-General, Press and Public Affairs, of the assembly, Mustafa Jafaru-Kaura, who disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday revealed that the gunmen also kidnapped the lawmaker’s son and driver.

According to him, the incident occurred on Tuesday at Sheme in Kastina State while Ahmad was on his way to Kano.

“He (lawmaker) was taking his son to a hospital in Kano. The lawmaker’s son and driver were kidnapped by the bandits,’’ Mr Jafaru-Kaura said.

http://abuhamdalat..com/2021/06/bandits-kill-zamfara-lawmaker-kidnap.html

It fits into Buhari’s plan to lift 100m Nigerians out of poverty, says VP



In line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda to lift 100m Nigerians from poverty within a decade and the globally acclaimed Sustainable Development Goals, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is leading the Federal Government’s collaboration with the United Nations to improve Nigeria’s food systems.

The effort is to attack the menace of hunger, combat malnutrition, reduce poor diet-related diseases among others.

The Federal Government and the United Nations had led series of public dialogues at national and sub-national levels that culminated today in the presentation of the Nigeria Food Systems mapping report to State governments across the six geo-political zones.

Prof. Osinbajo made the presentation at a Consolidatory Dialogue for the UN Food Systems Summit held in Abuja, attended by some State Governors, the Deputy Secretary-General of the UN, Ms. Amina Mohammed, members of the Federal Executive Council, Nigeria’s development partners, and other dignitaries from the academia, private and public sectors.

Speaking at the event, the Vice President said aside from the goal of realizing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and guaranteeing food security for a growing population, the sustainable food systems effort fits into the plan of the Buhari administration to eliminate poverty across Nigeria.

According to the Vice President, “for the government of Nigeria, our commitment to sustainable food systems is one of the key strategies for eliminating poverty across Nigeria.

“We know that our target of lifting a hundred million Nigerians out of poverty within a decade is only achievable if we focus on substantially improving agriculture and food systems which assure us of not just good food, but also jobs.

“This perspective on addressing hunger, malnutrition, and poverty runs through our policy frameworks, including our recently launched National Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy, and our Nutrition Policy that addresses the issues of a sustainable and nutrition-sensitive food system.”

The President had previously named his deputy, the Vice President as Chairman of the Steering Committee to oversee the implementation of the National Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy. The VP is also the Chairman of the National Council on Nutrition.

Emphasizing the need to develop more efficient food systems, the Vice President noted that “our food system must be resilient enough to significantly impact nutrition security, and our collective efforts must reduce the malnutrition numbers.

“We must realise that defining bold steps to improve food systems and by extension, food security ensures that children have improved health, early development, and increased intellectual and emotional readiness to learn.

“This translates to positive school engagement and improves the potential of children growing into healthy adults.

“On the other hand, imagine a generation of adults who suffer arrested physical and mental health, and the social and economic burden on their families, their communities, and the nation. Imagine the implications of approximately 50% of Nigeria’s population being at risk if we do not get it right.”

Prof. Osinbajo called on all stakeholders to translate the recommendations of the dialogues to prompt action, noting that “it would mean embracing the changes required in modernization of farming practices, mechanization, and reduction of post-harvest losses.”

“We must ensure that we practice environmentally sustainable production; we must empower our communities by creating jobs and livelihoods to sustain the food systems we desire,” the Vice President added.

Prof. Osinbajo said the call by the United Nations Secretary-General on sustainable food systems is apt and timely, noting that “it provides the opportunity to holistically re-examine all the elements of the Food System in Nigeria.”

He added: “I have no doubt that the 39 dialogues held nationally and sub-nationally have been accessible to all stakeholders and able to identify those challenges that still clog our wheel of progress especially in the relevant sectors.”

Other dignitaries at the event include Ministers of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Mohammed Nanono; Health, Dr Osagie Ehinare; Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed; Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, and the convener of the Dialogue, Mrs Olusola Idowu.

Also at the event, Prof. Kola Amigo from the Ahmadu Bello University presented the findings from the various UN Food Systems dialogues held in the country and a group of Nigerian children similarly voiced their views on the dialogues.

https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/osinbajo-leads-collaboration-with-un-to-improve-food-systems-in-nigeria/

The Federal Government has arrested the leader of the proscribed Indegeniuos People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, who made the disclosure to journalists on Tuesday, revealed that Kanu was arrested and brought back to Nigeria on Sunday.

He said the arrest followed a collaborative effort between security agencies in Nigeria and the Interpol.

Malami further disclosed that Kanu would be taken before the Federal High Court in Abuja for continuation of his trial on charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, unlawful possession of firearms and management of an unlawful society.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/06/breaking-fg-arrests-ipob-leader-nnamdi-kanu/?amp=1&utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter&__twitter_impression=true

*Buhari*
President Muhammadu Buhari's reaction over the threat issued by the Niger Delta Avengers has got some people talking on social media.

They noted the polite manner with which the President, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, addressed the militant group.

@YeleSowore: "TALE OF TWO LANGUAGES: When Niger Delta Avengers Treat Muhammadu Buhari in the language he understands, Buhari becomes humble and respectful."

@odue2004: "Niger Delta Avengers must hold their ground on the restructuring of Nigeria."

@IkumapayiJ: "The fear of avengers is the beginning of wisdom.

"That's a major problem of the Niger Delta people from top to bottom... But this statement released by Femi Adesina is different from others... No name-calling, very respectful, I didn't know the presidency can be this respectful."

@navy_guns: "Fear which avengers, they get paid and the poor masses continue to suffer. For how long do you think it will be sustainable?"

@Christo46071721: "Nigerian govt don't believe or submit to dialogue or peaceful protest, but force. That's why I support Nnamdi Kanu in every way."

@Kruptos6: "Cut their supply of wealth and watch them panic."

*Abuja*
Abuja was on the trend, notably after some news outlets reported the breakdown of an Abuja-Kaduna train.

Some of the captions tilted toward mischief, but the aim was defeated as many who reacted said it is not unusual for trains to breakdown. They said even in developed countries there are reported incidences of train failure while in transit.

@GbengaGOLD: "I took this train less than 48 hours ago. There's no forest between Abuja & Kaduna. And trains break down. They are machines, so they break down. A total of 338 trains completely failed in 2016 in the US. Imagine them doing a "JUST IN" each time that happened. End sensationalism!"

@Ad3ola: "You tell the media what should make their news now? This is the mindset that breeds the urge for media regulation.

"The media isn’t there to fan some sort of ego or make their piece palatable to you."

@Ernest33702470: "All these things are normal even here in Italy train can spoil sometime in underground. You can't do anything than to be patient. Must everything in Nigeria be on news blogs."

@ahmad_babs001: "Na bad news you guys dey always find. Train breakdown isn't a big deal. Abegii."

Other interesting comments on the trend are from:

@daily_trust: "The Federal High Court, Abuja has rejected the plea bargain application by the former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation (JAMB), Dibu Ojerinde in the N900 million fraud allegation leveled against him."

@SaharaReporters: "There May Be Bombing In Nigeria's Capital City, Abuja—Cleric Prophesies."

@josh_savage03: "There's actually nothing prophetic in this honestly. It's more like a probability... I mean a situation where you draw conclusion based on past occurrences... It might happen or not... Imagine me saying Fulani herdsman will attack in Lagos does that make what I said prophetic."

@JosWazirin: "People like me are already tired of these prophecies by our clerics..."

@oceemo: "That's a guess work, not a prophecy. We don't have may or may not in prophecies."

@Abbey06629889: "The gods never see anything good. Prophet of doom."

*Lagos*
The engagements below form the basis of this trend.

@SaharaReporters: "Planned Lagos Rally: Some People Threatening To Kill Us In Lagos—Igboho."

@AkinAdejola: "Same way the innocent Fulanis were threatened when Igboho & his arsonist group evicted them from Ibarapa and set their properties on fire. His supporter also illegally opened Nigeria's side of the Idiroko border as Igboho once said he'd do.
These are crimes Igboho will answer for."

@Aboki_RamanJago: "We don't have Fulanis in Lagos so we don't need your rally."

@MobilePunch: "Yoruba Nation: Igboho, Akintoye, others to attend Lagos rally July 3."

@Christophbongo: "The trans-Saharan route, which goes from Algiers to Lagos in Nigeria crossing 6 countries, is practically completed. According to the Algerian Minister of Transport by interim, Farouk Chiali, the last section of this corridor of more than 4,000 km will be delivered by end of June."

*Kaduna*
There were some media reports claiming that a student was killed during a protest in Kaduna State.

Although some doubted the veracity of the reports, others condemned the clampdown on students protesting against the hike in school fees by the Kaduna State Government.

@daily_trust: "A student of the Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has been shot dead."

@SaharaReporters: "BREAKING: Many Feared Dead As Security Operatives Shoot Students Protesting Tuition Hike In Kaduna."

@real_yudee: "Fake news. Security operatives cannot shoot students in Kaduna. I swear!"

@Arewa_Marines: "Some people are so bitter about Nigeria that they celebrate everything negative without verifying the source."

@AdekunleOla18: "Why must security operatives shoot the students protesting over their rights. I don't really understand what this nation is turning to."

@daily_trust: "The National Association of Nigerian Students is to relocate its national congress to occupy Kaduna to protest tuition increases in the state."

@Bahaushee: "Police authorities have confirmed that a student of COE Kafanchan has lost his life after a confrontation with soldiers as students protest against Kaduna state govt school fees increase."

@BakonDare2015: "The guys @SKIHouse need to reconsider their inhumane stance on the tuition fee increase. Looks like sensibilities have gone AWOL.
Let's pray for the repose of the deceased soul and KDSG should pay compensation to the family of the deceased, promptly too."

@mickytrio007: "No longer news. The only thing that is as free as air in the North now is DEATH!"

OSINBAJO @ 4TH MSMES AWARDS: WE ARE ENCOURAGED BY INNOVATION, RESILIENCE OF YOUNG NIGERIANS
 
The Federal Government is encouraged by the resilience and innovation of young Nigerians across different sectors and is committed to doing more to support their growth and prosperity, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
 
Prof. Osinbajo stated this last night at the 4th National MSME Awards held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja. Twelve (12) MSMEs across the country won awards in different categories, while Gombe State was recognized as the best State in the ease of doing business rankings.
 
The Awards ceremony was the climax of a week-long celebration of excellence, hard work and innovation in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector in Nigeria.
 
Reiterating the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to small businesses, the VP said, “we are encouraged by the innovation of young Nigerians and your resilience. We are on the right path.
 
“Let me leave you with President Muhammadu Buhari’s words of commitment to MSMEs in Nigeria: he said, “we will continue to stand by you, to support you and create opportunities for you to grow and prosper.”
 
The VP commended the creativity of the 2021 winners of the awards, noting that “the awards have inspired many young entrepreneurs to greatness and some of the stories are simply incredible.”
 
His words; “this year we also have a selection of outstanding winners. Our MSME of the Year, “Bold Artistry”, is a company with a team of young and creative artists working on improving the arts industry by introducing Polystyrene to their works. With this, they have created impressive artworks and are providing jobs for many budding artists.”
 
Talking about another outstanding MSME, Prof. Osinbajo noted that, "Osky Integrated has created its niche in the business of catfish farming. The founders are adding value to fish farming through processing for the local and export market.
 
“Other winners such as Vegas Gold and the Footwear Academy are promoting made in Nigeria products in the fashion and footwear industries respectively.”
 
Speaking on progress made in interventions targeted at supporting growth in the MSME sector, Prof. Osinbajo said the Federal Government was on the right path, having completed and inaugurated two Shared Facility projects for MSMEs in Benue and Lagos States, with the third located at the Ogbunike Leather Cluster in Anambra State ready for commissioning.
 
He disclosed that many others are in the works. According to him, "other Shared Facility projects ready for commissioning before the end of the year include Kaduna State Tomato Paste Production line and a Carpentry cluster in Edo State. Others are in Katsina, Kebbi, Ebonyi, Ogun and Kano States.”
 
The VP said government interventions in the MSMEs space over the years have been geared towards creating jobs, ensuring growth and making them more viable.
 
He expressed satisfaction with the interest shown in the Awards since its inauguration in 2018, noting that, “the National MSME Awards has grown in leaps and bounds. It has become a prominent feature in the annual event calendar of the MSMEs community in Nigeria, attracting thousands of prospective business owners, established entrepreneurs, regulators and financiers.”
 
His words: “In the first edition of the awards in 2018, 500 applications were received. I am told that over 10,000 entries were received for this year’s edition alone. Clearly, the interest shown in the awards by Nigerian entrepreneurs has been tremendous.”
 
The VP observed that though past winners in the different categories have gone home with various prizes that have impacted their businesses and profiles, the stakes are higher in 2021, stating that, “this year will be even bigger when compared to the limitations experienced during the 2020 edition due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
 
While congratulating all the finalists and nominated MSMEs across the country, the VP urged those who didn’t make it in this year not to give up, urging them to “keep innovating, keep working hard,” assuring that “your recognition and reward is inevitable.”
 
He thanked all Governors who hosted MSMEs Clinics in their States, supported the building of one-stop Shops for MSMEs, and also those who provided suitable buildings for the Shared Facilities for MSMEs.
 
Dignitaries at the event include the Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya; Deputy Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso; Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen; Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare; Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Mariam Katagum; among other dignitaries and numerous small business owners from across the country.
 
*Laolu Akande,*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,*
*Office of the Vice President.*
*28th June 2021.*

Read more here
http://abuhamdalat..com/2021/06/newspaper-front-pages-for-monday-28th.html

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