₦airaland Forum

THE ILORIN "CULINARY STREET"

By Aliyu Olatunji Ajanaku

13th May 2021

It was never officially named Unilorin Road, but that name sticks well to it than any other. It's also called Tanke Road. Officially it's Tunde Idiagbon road by the Town Planning Authority but it's hardly applied by office and home owners on this street. I would like to rename it as CULINARY STREET. "Street awon Olowo Sibi". I doubt it if there is any other street in Ilorin that parades more eating outlets than this road.

Facing this road is Charcoal. Owned by a lawyer, the old Mr Biggs was bought over, knocked down and Charcoal emerged from its ruins. It boasts of the conventional eatery, a bakery that's still in embryonic stage, a booming sharwama joint outside and playground for children. Right beside it however is a joint that is going head to head with Charcoal. It sells all sorts of food, mostly local with continental touch. The big boys, bachelors or married men who enjoy dining out patronise them. They can sell till midnight. Their veggies is something else. If you have digestion issues, just buy their vegetables, your bowel would move easily the next day and you would be relieved. Of course I am talking from experience.

As if they knew you may have visited Charcoal, "FROOTIFY" is there to give you dessert the moment you enter Culinary street, just after the junction to Station road. You can buy your assorted fruits and smoothie from Frootify. But should you decide not to do business with Charcoal and Frootify, just move down about one and half kilometers and you would see palatial YAKOOYO, still on your right. This building took years to complete. They took their time, ensured everything was in place, including borehole and all before they opened. I understand YAKOOYO started this food business in Abuja. It's local food with modern touch. I hear you would have to have a fat wallet but your palate and belly would thank you for it.

The SA to the Governor of Kwara state on Community Development, Comrade Kayode Oyin Zubair, recently represented the Governor to commission REO CAKES. They are located almost diagonally to YAKOOYO on the opposite side. Culinary street welcomed this culinary giant a few months back to add to the line up. They specialize in pastries as well as regular meals. One peculiar thing about YAKOOYO and REO CAKES is that they don't have adequate parking space in front of their outlets.

After the old sawmill garage are the two lions of the jungle. Two competitors who can be said to own culinary street. I don't know who came first but a source told me T and K FOODS came before IYA YUSUF. That IYA YUSUF used to operate in Gaa Akanbi before she moved to culinary street, just before FAAB Petroleum. One thing I however know is that they have become household names on culinary street. The competition is something else. While T and K used to be on the left side of the street with massive advantage of parking space, IYA YUSUF is on the right. Both are selling Mama Put. Iya Yusuf more popular than T and K when it comes to Amala, while T and K is better when it comes to light food, with side dressings to complement it. They both sell the same things but one is known more for a particular speciality than the other. Recently however, IYA YUSUF carved out a Tuwo corner in her outfit. Unilorin students, civil servants, businessmen, toasters, dates etc would rather go to Iya Yusuf or T and K than any other joint on culinary street.

Modernisation came in and there is always the need to be more innovative. Modernized Mama Put operators are business giants in Ilorin these days. No longer would you have to eat in a smoke filled environment. IYA YUSUF would renovate her shop during each ramadan, ditto for T and K whever opportunity presented. While T and K could afford more elaborate renovations in their former place on the left side of culinary street, close to ABULENLA, the challenge they had was that the shop was rented. It was under a one story building with that ubiquitous RANTI CHEMIST in that premises. There was limit to what she could do there. Then she bought a piece of land and moved to the right hand side of the street, partly because she needed more space and then also to face the competition headlong. She came out with a classy outfit with a very enticing environment. They had guards who controlled traffic and the whole scene was pleasing to an incoming customer. This must have jolted IYA YUSUF who I hear bought her premises outright and knocked it down completely. Some architects went to work and came out with a beautiful design for her. Not to be outdone, T and K did likewise and went straight for a storey building which as I write is still under construction. Lobatan.

Who is paying for all of these? The customers of course. I don't think it necessarily changes the taste of their food anyway, but it increases the cost per meal. Almost all prices have gone up, including the price of ponmo. I must add that their fans are not complaining anyway.

In between these two giants is IYA ALFA NLA. It's a small place that's not so loud but you need to taste that woman's food to know that she can compete favorably with the giants.

Leave these competitors, leave FABB Petroleum and see a special moin moin and ewa agonyin spot at Tipper garage, Tanke. It's not a joint per se but their signboard is prominent. They can be said to be squatters anyway because before 7pm their loud signboards are gone but reappears again the next day. Their spot faces Tanke ile iwe junction. Also at Tipper garage, two fried and jollof rice specialists present their own packages in the evenings. For bachelors, bachelorettes, single mothers, married but single etc, these guys are there to help them. Instead of going home and thinking of the agony of what to eat, they can just buy from them. Most times, they sell with fried chicken. The fresh vegetable spot as well and meat stalls are here. Unfortunately, they complicate the traffic logjam at Tipper garage. Man must wack sha.

When you leave Tipper garage, you get to Peace Hotel and pick suya, ice cream, pop corn and all but you could also move further ahead and you would be standing in front of another show stopper on culinary street which is ITEM 7 GO.

This chain of drive-by eatery is a concept designed and run by a former student of Unilorin whose course of study had nothing to do with eatery. He was a member of the SUG Exco. Information at hand says, while in Unilorin, the guy reportedly understudied a restaurant operator on the campus. He then set up his own on thereafter. There was an abandoned PEPSI container from which he started his business in Unilorin. It was an instant hit with the students. This was followed by a tiny kiosk in Tanke Oke Odo. Tanke Oke Odo is an area with huge population of students. ITEM 7's speciality is what he calls Party Rice. He makes it tasty and simplified the packaging. While you would spend between N1000 to N1,200 at Tantalizer and Chicken Republic, he started his own with a price tag of just N400. You would get chicken but it won't be a whole lap or perhaps the broilers used are relatively young, though tasty. It's satisfying to the palate while not injuring the pocket. The trademark of ITEM 7 now is queues. Wherever they are located in Ilorin now, you must have long queues. This is a business model that's hugely successful. One lady passing in front of their Taiwo road outlet one evening saw a very long queue and remarked in Yoruba "Won fi ITEM 7 s'epe fun yin ni"? (Dem take ITEM 7 swear for una?".

They have small delivery buses that deliver their unique "party rice" at their different outlets. The outlets now number up to 7 and counting. They have also added ice creams and other confectioneries. Kudos to this innovation. On culinary street alone, ITEM 7 is at Candidate Hotel and Oke Odo. There's another outlet located off SANRAB petroleum junction at Bubu village. The price per plate is now N800, I am told and the beat goes on.

As if that's not enough, a brand new eatery outlet has just opened at Oke Odo, off culinary street. It's called CLAY POT. The building is huge and would definitely give ITEM 7 some competition.

After Candidate Hotel is another joint at ASMAU PLAZA. Colorfully decorated and specialize in solids.

There are some smaller ones too, like one cute stall that sells only beans and bread. Just imagine that. They are located in front of one events hall just before Bekind Petroleum. Of course, there are still old Mama Put joints with smoky rooms on culinary street. I expect that competition would drive them to modernity too.

One thing I noticed is that while the old warhorses like IYA YUSUF and T and K are doing their own things, younger generation of entrepreneurs are busy at theirs too. Tanke is a huge Community on its own and the catalyst is Unilorin. The multiplication of business outlets, food inclusive, benefited immensely from the policy of consistent academic activity whose foundation was laid by former Vice Chancellor, Professor Oba AbdulRahim. The former VC's policy was to discourage ASUU strikes that creates a situation where a student would never know when he would graduate because their lecturers could down tool at anytime for all kinds of reasons. This policy earned the school the tag, BETTER BY FAR. Unilorin became the University of choice for students and of course their parents. Student population boomed, private hostels multiplied on every corner in Tanke and of course, these students must eat.

The twin effects of covid19 and ASUU strike, which Unilorin has now joined anyway, really affected many of these businesses but they are bouncing back. YAKOOYO was opened after covid but I am sure they were ready to roll out before this pandemic put spanner in their works. Reo cakes came alive last month. Ditto for CLAY POT.

While most of them don't have adequate parking space for their customers, IYA YUSUF, CLAY POT and T and K have an edge as far as this matter of space is concerned. I want to believe that by the time T and K finish their construction, more room would be provided for parking.

The can do spirits of these young entrepreneurs must be commended. They know that the jobs are not there but with their creativity, they are identifying needs and filling the gaps. Kudos to the management of the Better By Far University. In the environment of Culinary street, there are online companies that do home delivery of soup. I just learnt about that.

I can bet that Kwara Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) would be in love with this street. I won't say more than that (giggles). Also officials of KWEPA should watch these outlets and ensure that disposal of food wastes is done properly. The open drainages should not serve for disposal of food wastes.

These entrepreneurs should try and give back to their community. I noticed that at some point ITEM 7 was fixing potholes with concrete around Candidate Hotel. Commendable but they can do more.

If you are a visitor in Ilorin and you need somewhere to eat good meals, come to the culinary street. You can thank me later.

©Ajax

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

*NIGERIA'S MANIFEST DESTINY AS AFRICA'S ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE CAN'T BE ABORTED, SAYS OSINBAJO*

*VP tours world-class smart card facility in Lagos

*Says FG is democratizing broadband connectivity


It's the first in sub-Saharan Africa and one of the three such cutting-edge facilities on the continent, with top prime global certifications for smart card manufacturing and it is based in Lagos, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, relished yesterday afternoon while touring SecureID company's premises, and affirmed Nigeria's extremely bright economic future, which he said cannot be aborted despite current challenges.

According to him, "the economic future of our nation is extremely bright. Yes, we have challenges today and they may look daunting. But let me assure you that these issues will be resolved. The march of this nation to its manifest destiny as Africa’s leading economic power will not be aborted. We are more than able to overcome."

An impressed Prof. Osinbajo said the Buhari Administration in "following the recommendation of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, has determined that manufacturing will be our main focus in bringing about dynamic growth, jobs and exports. This will mean retooling our business environment for greater competitiveness, especially with the take off of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement.

"We are rethinking our tax regimes, sorting out external and internal trade issues, getting our regulatory authorities; SON, NAFDAC, and even Customs, to see their roles more as business facilitators rather than policemen or revenue generators. Our environment must be friendly for local businesses first, foreign investments will follow enthusiastically."

Commenting on the efforts of the administration to position the country as a leading economic beacon on the continent, the VP also stated that the Buhari administration was ramping up efforts in improving the country’s infrastructure and digital space.

He said, “aside from the work we are doing with other infrastructure such as rail, roads and power we are committed to a plan of democratizing broad band connectivity. Our programme, which we have reiterated in our Economic Sustainability Plan, is broadband connectivity for all by 2023.

“The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy launched the National Broadband Plan which is designed to deliver data download speeds across Nigeria of a minimum 25mbps in urban areas and 10mbps in rural areas, with effective coverage available to at least 90% of the population at affordable prices by the target date. Broadband connectivity is as important as electricity in the digital age unlike electricity we do not have to make several mistakes before getting it right."

While commending the efforts of the founder and Managing Director of SecureID, Mrs Kofo Akinkugbe, Prof. Osinbajo described SecureID facility as a place of history, innovation and creativity.

He said, “This world-class manufacturing facility is reputed to be the first certified smartcard manufacturing plant in sub-Saharan Africa, the only smart card production and personalization plant in West Africa and one of only six on the continent and one of only 80 in the world.

"The facility serves 21 countries across Africa and is fully certified by major commercial card companies - VISA, Verve and MasterCard. SecureID has shown that this country can be at the cutting edge of development in technology and digital enterprises. The world in which companies like SecureID operates, providing comprehensive end-to-end payment, identity management and digital security solutions is one that thrives on innovation.

Continuing, the VP said, "the company has in these few years of her existence provided notable innovative offerings to the financial services sector, telecommunications, government, education, healthcare and private enterprises. Equally remarkable is the fact that with this facility, the company can produce all the payment cards, SIM cards, loyalty cards and the various identity management cards (residency cards, voter registration cards, drivers’ license and national identity cards) required here in Nigeria, with capacity to spare.”

"Congratulations also for your successes in getting the certifications that will help to meet the demands of customers, such as Global System of Mobile Applications (GSMA), Visa International, MasterCard Incorporated, Verve, Card Quality Management (CQM), and ISO 9001/2015 for Smart Card Manufacturing and Personalization of credit and debit cards.

"In particular, we must also congratulate SecureID for earning the GSMA certificate last year; this is a world class security requirement for SIM card manufacturing and personalization. Your rapid expansion is also worthy of commendation, especially as you have added a number of subsidiaries, one of which is the digital arm of the business: SID Digital, while the other is involved in transport payment infrastructure. This has put the company in good stead to provide services ranging from identity management to tax collection, school management systems, health management systems, digital cards for the banks and, of course, e-ticketing for all forms of transportation, including road, rail and water."

Speaking earlier at the event, the founder of SecureID, Mrs. Kofo Akinkugbe, highlighted the significance of the Vice President's visit, noting that the VP has come to see some of the much-touted potential being realized. She added that SecureID was a good entrepreneurial story of an abiding faith in God and the nation, proving the viability of investing and staying in the course.

Akinkugbe commended the federal government for establishing institutions and agencies to support and encouraged start-ups, MSMEs and other enterprises that had offered assistance to the company.

In his remarks, the representative of the Bank of Industry said he was excited to partner with SecureID, being a pioneer of world-class status in the industry, as well as making world class products, while generating foreign exchange earnings and creating jobs.

Others who spoke at the event were the Corps Marshall, Federal Road Safety Corps, Boboye Oyeyemi; Deputy Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Osoba.

Accompanying the Vice President were the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the Vice President, Mr. Ade Ipaye; Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada; representative of the Governor of Lagos State, His Lordship, the Anglican Bishop of Lagos State, Bishop Humphrey Olumakaiye and other government functionaries.


Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity
Office of the Vice President
12th May, 2021

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

ESP UPDATE:
OVER 2,000 HECTARES READY IN 24 STATES FOR FG’S SOCIAL HOUSING SCHEME AS 17 STATES SHOW INTEREST IN SOLAR POWER NAIJA PROGRAMME

*VP: We'll continue creating more jobs, improving access to power & affordable housing for Nigerians

*After Jigawa, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, Kano to pilot next phase of solar power initiative

*Titled documents secured for building of first set of 65,000 homes across Nigeria, very discounted cement prices set


Over two thousand hectares of land with titled documents have been given by 24 States for the Buhari administration’s Social Housing programme, while 17 States have indicated interest to participate in the Solar Power programme, both important elements of the ongoing Economic Sustainability Plan.

Equally agreement has now been reached with at least one major cement manufacturer in the country to sell at significantly discounted prices as low as N2600 per bag of cement for the social housing projects. This was after a meeting the Vice President held with three major cement manufacturers in the country namely Dangote Cement, Bua Cement and Lafarge Cement manufacturers.

These were some of the highlights emerging from a review meeting on the Economic Sustainability Plan implementation presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, at the Presidential Villa over the weekend.

Commenting on the implementation of components of the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP), Prof Osinbajo said the Buhari administration will continue to focus on creating more jobs, while improving access to power and affordable housing for majority of Nigerians.

Highlighting the progress so far, the Vice President assured that the Federal Government will ramp up efforts to so more Nigerians have access to electricity and affordable housing.

According to the presentation made by the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Alhaji Ahmad Salihijo, the Solar Power Naija team has had engagements with the 6 states who have identified private sector developers. The team has also selected Akwa Ibom, Ekiti and Kano as pilot states for the state-guarantee transaction model for the solar power programme.

He explained that REA is currently tracking transactions worth N55 billion potentially contributing the first two million connections in Nigeria and providing thousands of jobs

For instance, the programme is currently tracking four transactions in the commercial bank upstream channel contributing 3,500 jobs and 100,000 connections.

The MD added that 9 participants have submitted applications for over N4 billion of the N20 billion allocated with three companies close to receiving disbursements.

According to the MD, “Bleu Camel Energy with a loan amount of N3 billion is targeting to create 600 jobs; Sunking, another investor with a loan amount of N3 billion will create 1,500 jobs; Auxno Solar with N300 million loan amount targets 100 jobs while Emerald Industrial Co. is seeking N3 billion funding to manufacture 100,000 Solar Home Systems and smart meters.

On the other hand but in the same vein, the Managing Director/CEO of the Family Homes Fund Limited (FHFL) - the implementing agency for the Social Housing scheme, Mr. Femi Adewole, stated that 17,584 units across 16 locations are now on the pipeline.

“We are having a successful push in assembling land to feed the housing construction. So far about 2156.4ha have been assembled ready for development. This has the capacity to accommodate about 65,000 homes,” he said.

Adewole further said that under the ESP Social Housing programme, Nigerians would be given at least a 15-year period with a monthly payment at six per cent interest rate to pay for each housing units.

While the rates are significantly low, the MD noted that this period can also be extended through refinancing.

“This will help to improve access to housing for low income people in the informal sector who-(otherwise) will not have an opportunity to access a mortgage,” he stated.

He further said that in addition to the typical 2, 3 and 4 bedroom housing units, the FHFL was considering a “Students and Young People’s Housing – to address the needs of young people.”

An  agreement with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has now been finalized and signed by Family Homes Funds, he disclosed while drawdown is subject to a guarantee from the Ministry of Finance.

It would be recalled that the CBN had committed to a N200B facility with a guarantee by the FG via the Finance Ministry for the Social Housing scheme

Speaking further, the FHFL MD noted the agency has struck partnerships with Dangote Cement for the provision of cement at subsidized rates to construct the ESP homes, adding that “we expect to reach a similar agreement with the other two majors shortly.”

He added that the FHFL has signed an MoU with the ESP Solar Power project including 3 suppliers to provide low-cost solar panels to the homes.

Adewole stated that the delivery of the units would be through SME Delivery Partners – who are being encouraged to register on the Housing Portal.

He said, “So far about 7,333 SME groups and individuals are registered on the online portal. Up to 2,000 of these will be involved in current projects.

“We will be drawing from ongoing experience on our project in Yola where the construction of 3,600 homes are ongoing and a partnership between FHFL and the Ministry of Housing is implementing a large-scale youth employment scheme currently employing 1350 young people. The young people are manufacturing interlocking tiles, paving, screeding etc.

For the ESP Social Housing Adewole said “about 228 Manufacturers of Building Components have expressed interest in supplying inputs including doors, glazing, paint, roofing sheet etc. We are now engaging with these to secure bulk supply of key materials which in turn will provide opportunity to grow their production capacity.”

Already sites for early start projects have been identified in all the 6 geo-political zones in addition to the FCT. The sites include those in Ekiti and Ogun in the Southwest, Enugu, and Abia in the Southeast, Delta, and Edo in the South-south, Yobe, and Bauchi in the Northeast, Kaduna and Katsina in the Northwest and Nasarawa and Plateau in the North-central. Sites have also been identified in Abuja including at Dei Dei where the VP earlier visited to see the sample designs of the Social Housing homes.

Speaking specifically on the mass housing scheme, Prof. Osinbajo emphasized that the focus must be on providing affordable housing for the masses.

According to him, “if the Federal Government is going to intervene in housing, most of it should be social housing. Everybody else, including the private sector can build N9.6 million worth houses, but nobody else will do social housing.

“All over the world, when government intervenes, it is social housing...those who cannot afford housing are the ones we must focus attention on.

“I think that we have enough problems with finding homes for the vast majority of Nigerians who cannot find a home. The people who are poorest who have no houses, are the people we should target because that is what government should do. Let’s focus on this social housing.”

The Vice President added that the Federal Government will continue to collaborate with States to ensure more Nigerians benefit from the Social Housing scheme.

Under the Social Housing Programme, the Federal Government plans to support 1.5 million Nigerians to acquire low-cost houses through a mortgage options and also Rent to Own option. The scheme is expected to also generate 1.8 million jobs and deliver houses to about 1.5 million Nigerian families. The houses are to be priced around and about N2m and N4m each putting it within the reach of the low income earners, depending on the number of rooms. There are one, two and three bedrooms options.


Laolu Akande

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

9th May 2021

Reno has been in exile since 2015 due to his dirty past. He has every reason to be mad at Buhari.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

(UPDATED) IMPROVED COLLABORATION BETWEEN FG & STATE GOVTS, THE WAY TO GO, SAYS OSINBAJO

*VP lauds Delta Gov, commissions FRSC training school in Owa-Alero donated by State Govt

*Gov Okowa: Osinbajo is a completely detribalized Nigerian, true patriot

Effective collaboration between the Federal Government through its agencies and State Governments will bring about more dividends and improved service delivery for Nigerians, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this Thursday at the inauguration of the Federal Road Safety Corps Marshal Inspector Training School in Owa-Alero, Delta State. The Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration in the State built and furnished the school and donated it to the Federal Government.

According to the Vice President, the contribution “is an excellent exemplar of the benefits of collaboration between State Governments and Federal Government agencies. And as it should be, the ultimate beneficiaries are the good people of Delta State and the Country at large.”

He praised Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the construction of the modern, fully furnished buildings and noted that this "far-sighted and thoughtful contribution of the State Government is worthy of commendation.

“I am persuaded to encourage all levels of government to emulate Delta, Enugu, Plateau, and Oyo States which have exemplified this spirit of cooperation for development by their tremendous support for the Road Safety institutions within their jurisdictions.”

The Vice President also commended the cordial relationship between the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) and the FRSC which according to him “has led to the establishment of two additional training institutions in the last one year.”

Lauding the efforts of the FRSC management over the years, Prof. Osinbajo said “indeed the choice of Nigeria as one of the Centers of Excellence for road safety in Africa by the Africa Development Bank is a clear acknowledgment of the considerable contributions of the FRSC to the development of road safety in the region.”

“The Corps has continued to show appreciable determination to build staff capacity as a major requirement for the understanding of road traffic matters as well as tackling the associated challenges.

“These laudable efforts of the Corps are in alignment with the Policy thrust of the Present Administration in its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). Part of the critical focus of the ERGP is capacity building and skill acquisition interventions,” Prof. Osinbajo explained.


Prof. Osinbajo noted that “the Federal Government will continue to support organizations that demonstrate commitment to their statutory duties”, and appreciated the government and people of Delta State for the huge financial resources dedicated to the project.

“It is certainly an investment with long-term returns to the immediate community, the State, and the country in general. I wish to charge personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps to put this institution to the best of use”.

Earlier in his remarks, the Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa thanked the Vice President for taking a keen interest in the progress and development of Delta State.

His words: “Delta State is the VP’s adopted home. Since the inception of our administration in 2015, the Vice President has taken more than a keen interest in our progress and development as a State. He has made it his priority time and time again, to be part of what is going on here in our dear State.”

“Your Excellency, we greatly value your support, friendship, and partnership. You have shown yourself to be a true patriot, a completely detribalized Nigerian with abiding faith in the unity and progress of a country where justice, equity, and fairness reigns

“This project that is about to be commissioned is a good example of what can happen where there is understanding, cooperation, and synergy between the national and sub-national governments irrespective of political affiliations,” Governor Okowa noted.

Besides Governor Ifeanyi and the FRSC Corps Marshal, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, other dignitaries at the event included Minister of State for Labour and Employment Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN who accompanied the Vice President, the Obi of Owa-Alero, His Royal Majesty Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II, who is also the Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, among other top federal and state government officials.

Before commissioning the school, the VP paid a courtesy call on the Obi of Owa-Alero, where the traditional ruler commended the Vice President for his progressive politics that he observed transcends partisanship. He added that the people of Delta State "will work for the unity of this country."


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

henrysam:
Abi this man dey craze ni.

Na your papa dey craze

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday, celebrated the Nigerian internet sensation Ikorodu Bois, stating that their exploits are impressive.

The comic group made up of Muiz Sanni (15), Malik Sanni (10) and Fawas (13) are known for recreating and mimicking multi-million-dollar music videos, Hollywood film trailers and epic pictures with household items.

Recall that in April 2021, Netflix announced plans to feature the group of brothers in its Oscar Weekend Film Brand Campaign. According to Netflix, the campaign is targeted at celebrating fans for the important role they play — for watching, loving, discussing, and even recreating Netflix movies.

VP Osinbajo, shared a clip on his Instagram page, with the caption “The exploits of the @Ikorodu_Bois are impressive, especially for two reasons. The first, is the joy of watching them achieve such global acclaim with consistent effort from their humble corner in Ikorodu. The second however, is the urgency, an urgency that stems from the immediate need to keep up with our efforts to efficiently secure our kids, and ensure the opportunities for them not only to thrive tapping their talents, but to have the basic chance to get educated for starters, without risk nor distraction. I celebrate them,” he said.


https://www.instagram.com/tv/COhkVNLgD5o/?igshid=1ekzaljq5q9n0

Osinbajo has clear grasp of Nigeria’s challenges — Gbenga Daniel


A former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniel, says Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has a clear understanding of Nigeria’s challenges.


Daniel, who recently defected to APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), spoke with State House correspondents after a private meeting with Osinbajo on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said that there was need for all to join hands with the Federal Government in finding solutions to the nation’s challenges.

“You must be aware that I and a number of my colleagues recently joined the party; and part of what we have decided to do was to go round; we have seen the party, President and quite a number of the leaders.

“It is also incumbent; in fact, we were to see the vice president after the president; but we didn’t have the opportunity up until now; so, it is purely a courtesy call.

`Of course, we seized the opportunity to interrogate some of the challenges we have in the nation.

“We are quite excited that from what the vice president said, he has a clear grasp of the challenges and we are persuaded that efforts are being put in place.

“It is a very difficult period in the history of our nation and all hands must be deck.’’

The former governor said that part of the reasons he decided to move to APC was to join forces with people who were in power to see how things could be done in a better way.

Daniel said he defected with friends, colleagues, people who believed in the leadership and those who were excited about the move.

He also proffered solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.

“There are various angels to it; but ordinarily, the only way to tackle security challenges is to tackle poverty and to create employment.

“When a large section of the populace is gainfully employed, you now will be able to isolate people who are sabotaging and who have other sinister motives.

“But to the extent that we have not successfully been able to tackle unemployment, is for the main preoccupation of any administration,’’ he said.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/05/osinbajo-has-clear-grasp-of-nigerias-challenges-gbenga-daniel/

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE.*

*_WORKING TOGETHER, NIGERIA WILL REALIZE ITS TRUE POTENTIALS_* — *OSINBAJO.*

*Former Ogun Gov Daniel tells VP:* _We know your job is not easy, but we are proud of you._

Though Nigeria is facing diverse challenges, it will overcome the problems and realize its potentials especially if people who share progressive views continue to work together in the interest of the country, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this Wednesday when he received on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, members of a SouthWest Think-Tank known as IMODOYE led by former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel. (Imodoye means knowledge is valuable)

According to the Vice President, “I am very hopeful that this country will truly realize its potentials and I believe that all of us working together can make that happen. If the progressive ideas are put forward and we focus, then this country indeed will work.

“The country is ours, we should make it happen, there will be many challenges but I think that we must be prepared to face it until progressive views of improved welfare for the citizens that we represent, eventually prevail.”

Speaking on the efforts of the Buhari administration to address some of the challenges confronting Nigerians, the Vice President noted that “the best way out of where we are today is to have a massive plan for investment because that is really how to create opportunities for jobs, which is what we are hoping to achieve with the Economic Sustainability Plan, creating opportunities through the solar investments with 5 million connections, the Farms for Jobs Project and the Social Housing Scheme.”

The Vice President then reiterated that the welfare of the people and the progress of the country has always been and will remain the priority of the APC and the Buhari administration.

Earlier in his remark, former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, said the visit was to identify with and support the cause of Prof. Osinbajo whom he described as “intelligent, hardworking, articulate” and a very proud son of the Southwest region.

His words: “we want to let you know that you are appreciated, we are proud of you and the work that you are doing, we know it is not an easy job. We also want to let you know that we want to join you in nation-building, if there is anything, any assignment you want us to undertake, we are at your service, that is why we are here.”

Former Governor Daniel who is now an APC member led the Imodoye delegation which included some other new entrants into the party.
He said having joined the party he has visited the President, Governors, and other leaders including Chief Bisi Akande.

With him yesterday at the VP's office were Mr Dare Babarinsa, a veteran journalist; and Otunba Opeyemi Agbaje, a policy analyst. Others were, Mr Ayodele Olaoye, Mr Kole Omololu, Mr. Kole Abe, Mr Deola Sosanwo, Mr Steve Oliyide, Mr John Obafemi and Mr Demola Folarin.

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

A former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniel, says Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has a clear understanding of Nigeria’s challenges.


Daniel, who recently defected to APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), spoke with State House correspondents after a private meeting with Osinbajo on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said that there was need for all to join hands with the Federal Government in finding solutions to the nation’s challenges.

“You must be aware that I and a number of my colleagues recently joined the party; and part of what we have decided to do was to go round; we have seen the party, President and quite a number of the leaders.

“It is also incumbent; in fact, we were to see the vice president after the president; but we didn’t have the opportunity up until now; so, it is purely a courtesy call.

`Of course, we seized the opportunity to interrogate some of the challenges we have in the nation.

“We are quite excited that from what the vice president said, he has a clear grasp of the challenges and we are persuaded that efforts are being put in place.

“It is a very difficult period in the history of our nation and all hands must be deck.’’

The former governor said that part of the reasons he decided to move to APC was to join forces with people who were in power to see how things could be done in a better way.

Daniel said he defected with friends, colleagues, people who believed in the leadership and those who were excited about the move.

He also proffered solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.

“There are various angels to it; but ordinarily, the only way to tackle security challenges is to tackle poverty and to create employment.

“When a large section of the populace is gainfully employed, you now will be able to isolate people who are sabotaging and who have other sinister motives.

“But to the extent that we have not successfully been able to tackle unemployment, is for the main preoccupation of any administration,’’ he said.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/05/osinbajo-has-clear-grasp-of-nigerias-challenges-gbenga-daniel/

By Bright Okuta

Initially, when Femi Adesina called him a scoundrel, I said to myself that Bayo Oluwasanmi’s last name ought to redeem him. But after reading how he tried to shake Adesina down, it felt like this Oluwasanmi can never be associated with the illustrious Prof. Hazekiah Oluwasnami who was the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s ace man, as first Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, then University of Ife.

However, his latest titled, Pastor RUGA (Osinbajo): Religious Liar And Hypocrite By Bayo Oluwasanmi removed all benefits of doubt; this guy is surely what Femi called him.
This little fella has once again proved to be irresponsible with his pen, infantile with his behavior and, very unprofessional, even dishonest with his opinion.


I will hit on every dart he fired at Prof. Osinbajo, about whom he is obsessed and on whom he desperately wants to hang a tag of RUGA Pastor on. This time, his mental frame shook because the law professor is pushing for peace in the country.

To be sure these are challenging times for the President and the VP politically. It’s even more challenging for all of us as a nation. But such rudeness?

Bayo flagrantly called Prof. Osinbajo a liar. This is the same Vice President a lot of Nigerians including myself look up to as one of the most trustworthy politicians and clergymen of the day. It is this same  Osinbajo that the Emir of Daura described as ‘the most honest person and leader Nigeria has produced in recent times.”

It is this same Osinbajo that Speaker of the House Femi Gbajabiamila described as “a reliable human being and one of the most honest people he has ever met and has qualities worthy of emulation by Nigerians.”
Why should anyone take the word of Bayo over and above these other set of Nigerians?

The Vice President has repeatedly spoken against the state of insecurity in Nigeria. At different occasions, he spoke in support of state policing and he believes it is one of the solutions to the security problems in Nigeria. It beats my imagination that an adult like Bayo who has done nothing with his life so far except living illegally abroad, will attack decent personalities with pejorative words.

Punch Newspaper, is definitely not an ally of this government as there are countless articles to prove this. But even Punch could not diminish the truth in their 7 March 2021 headline that read, “Again, Osinbajo reiterates call for state police”

Without a doubt, the insincerity in Bayo’s twaddle cuts across bitterness and hate he has for the Vice President and the Buhari administration.
This is the main reason he is not to be taken seriously.

At this juncture, it is important I explained how he became Mr Scoundrel, a title he justly earned on 9th April 2020. Femi Adesina, the spokesperson of President Buhari in an article titled, “THE SCOUNDREL CALLED BAYO OLUWASANMI” exposed Bayo as an activist/columnist by day and hustler by night. He detailed how Bayo begged for appointment and did not get one. He explained how this infuriated Bayo and why he is on a failed mission to make the Presidency look bad.

In his latest spit, which is but another ranting of an attention-seeking scurrilous gutter snipe, Bayo questioned the position of Prof. Osinbajo in preaching unity. This is the height of insensitivity from Bayo who lives in the United States but is yet to write or even march against the killings of blacks in the US. His hypocrisy does stink.

Out of the blues, Bayo who is not known by any group or movement in Nigeria is calling for Yoruba Nation because certain people have managed to give him the money that has eluded him in the past. This is a guy who has made no reasonable contribution to the Nigerian state or the Yoruba people.

As Vice President, Prof. Osinbajo has exceeded the functions of his office and has often stepped out of his constitutional functions to ensure that Nigeria achieves its potentials and that the people, especially the ordinary people, are the beneficiaries of these schemes.
Only yesterday, the Vice President sealed a deal with Microsoft which includes training for five million Nigerians (5,000,000) and broadband penetration across the country.

In March, the Guardian UK described the Vice President’s activities in office like this “Osinbajo defies expectations as Nigeria’s Vice President” but again this eluded Bayo and his cohorts. If Bayo dares or has the capacity, I challenge him to a public debate so that the world can know who he really is.

Bright Okuta is a public affairs analyst and social commentator. He writes from Nigeria’s capital, Abuja

https://www.chronicle.ng/2021/05/the-scoundrel-spits-again-bayo-oluwasanmis-obsession-with-osinbajo/

*Microsoft President: We believe in the future of Nigeria
*Plan with global tech firm will equip 5 Million Nigerians with digital skills in 3 years
*Internet Connection also for under-served communities in 6 geopolitical zones
*Project, on its own, to create 27,000 jobs
Leveraging Microsoft’s experience in the utilization of technology as an enabler for the delivery of public and social good, the Buhari administration is partnering with the tech giant to accelerate Nigeria’s certain advance towards a more digital economy in line with the Economic Sustainability Plan.
In a dual announcement today by both the Federal Government and Microsoft Corporation, no less than 5 million Nigerians would benefit from a digital upskilling programme, and locations in each of the 6 geopolitical zones in Nigeria will also enjoy active internet connection and cloud services courtesy of this digital transformation plan.
The partnership with Microsoft Corporation anchored on connectivity, skilling and digital transformation followed discussions between both parties led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, and Microsoft President Brad Smith earlier in the year.
For instance in January this year, the Vice President had a virtual meeting with the Microsoft Corporation President, Mr. Brad Smith, where discussions covered areas of intersection between technology and governance to enhance Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Speaking in a formal video announcement of the partnership with the tech giant, Prof. Osinbajo said “our government is committed to leveraging innovation and technology to bring better outcomes across a wide area of governance concerns. Indeed, it is with this in mind that we have sought constructive partnerships that bridge the knowledge, skills and technology gap that exist in most of our communities.”
According to the VP, “this launch is indicative of our commitment to this and will involve collaboration with various Government agencies as implementing partners, including the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Nigerian Institute of Cultural Orientation, and various other local partners. We intend that these initiatives become institutions in their own rights and make a real impact in the lives of our citizens going forward.”
On the core areas of the partnership, Prof. Osinbajo said “this partnership will focus on two pillars: Connectivity & Skilling, and Digital Transformation.”
His words: “we plan to connect under-served communities in each of the six geo-political zones with access to internet and cloud services. This project is a critical component of our objective of expanding broadband connectivity, which is by itself, a major pillar of our Economic Sustainability Plan in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Working with Microsoft, we intend to upskill 5 million Nigerians through this increased internet access over the next three years in various digital skills which will increase both employability and entrepreneurship.
“The multiplier effect will bring opportunities in rural and urban areas to many young people and will help us deal with unemployment problems made worse by the pandemic.”
Using digital tools under the project, the Vice President said “we will pioneer innovative approaches in the fight against corruption, a major priority of this administration.”
Continuing, the VP said, “Leveraging Microsoft’s Technology tools which can be deployed to minimise governance risks and block loopholes, working with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), we will seek to use cutting edge analytical and case management tools to plug holes in our public sector system as well as confront white-collar criminality efficiently.”
“This pillar will also serve a vital social function. by using Microsoft’s Artificial Intelligence technology and resources to preserve and promote our major languages so we can revitalize these important aspects of our culture.
“Our focus is of course the Nigerian people. With over 80 million regular internet users, there is no question that Nigerians have fully embraced technology, the internet and their various uses,” the Vice President added.
On his part, the President of Microsoft Corporation, Mr Brad Smith said the “we believe in the future of Nigeria and we are excited as a company to add to our investments. It is a country we have had the opportunity to get to know better over the last few years.”
According to Smith “in 2018 we partnered with Tek experts to create a Customer Support Centre, a center in Lagos that employs over 1,600 people. And then we had another opportunity to broaden our investment even more by creating our African Development Centre. A centre that, by the end of this year, will employ over 200 software developers and engineers, people who are creating technology and Microsoft products to serve not only the people of Nigeria but the people of the world.
“All of these is giving us the kind of confidence to want to invest even more. And one of the things that we have recognized as a company is the need to grow with communities and countries and not just buying for ourselves.”
On the new partnership with the Federal Government, Mr Smith said “we are embarking on a series of broad-based, really multifaceted investments to better serve Nigeria in three areas of internet connectivity, digital skilling and digital transformation. We will be providing digital skills to 5 million Nigerians over the next three years, and along the way, creating 27,000 new jobs during the same period.”


https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/osinbajo-fg-microsoft-new-partnership-to-benefit-millions-of-nigerians/

Microsoft collaborates with the Nigerian government to accelerate digital transformation in the country

In a joint announcement with the Government of Nigeria, Microsoft has detailed several projects aimed at intensifying the nation’s move to become a more digital economy.
After extensive consultations with the government, Microsoft identified three key pillars that will help to build strong foundations for a digital economy in Nigeria: connectivity, skilling and digital transformation.
“We believe in the future of Nigeria, and we are excited as a company to add to our investments,” says Brad Smith, Microsoft President. “Together, we have an enormous opportunity to put technology to work, create jobs, to foster the technology ecosystem across Nigeria, and to use technology to preserve the best of the past and take us into the future.”
Research points to internet penetration in Nigeria of around 50 percent and while the pandemic has increased the pace of digitisation, much needs to be done to empower all citizens to take advantage of the opportunities of a digital economy. Microsoft’s Airband Initiative has succeeded in bringing high-speed internet connectivity to underserved communities around the world, tapping into the unused broadcasting frequencies of television white spaces. The technology is cheaper and faster to deploy than fibre and has the added benefit of being able to travel long distances and through forested terrain.

Following discussions with the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy and local partners, six regions in the country have been earmarked for the development of high-speed internet infrastructure. Microsoft’s Airband team will work closely with local partners to improve broadband connectivity in these communities while also assisting with the design and implementation of hyper-scale cloud services.
Technological infrastructure alone is not enough to ensure sustainable digital transformation, so Microsoft is committing to upskilling five million people in Nigeria over the next three years. To help reach this goal, 1,700 trainers will provide blended online and in-person training courses to the country’s youth as well as government workers. Government will also be given the tools to digitally transform skilling, education, and employment methods to match job seekers with the right employers. In doing so, we hope to create over 27,000 new digital jobs in the next three years.
“We are setting ourselves a big goal, to bring access to digital skills to five million people in Nigeria over the next three years,” continues Smith. “But this is not something we can do by ourselves. We will equip master trainers and, along with them, are committed to creating thousands of new jobs.”
The final pillar, digital transformation, will initially be made up of two initiatives. The first will address corruption, a major global challenge with economic losses totalling $3.6 trillion each year. By collaborating with local partners, Microsoft will support the design and implementation of cloud-based tools to further enable government’s fight against corruption. Microsoft will be partnering with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to apply technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning to help identify potential risk, highlight them, and reduce corruption.
The second initiative will help protect Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, as Microsoft will look to deploy artificial intelligence tools to safeguard these treasures for future generations. Through a newly formed partnership with the National Institute of Cultural Orientation, Microsoft will support the organisation’s efforts to preserve and revive Nigeria’s three major indigenous languages: Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. “This is one of my favourite projects that we pursue around the world. It uses the most advanced technology of the 21st century to nurture and keep alive the culture that has been so important for humanity from the centuries past,” concludes Smith.
A joint working committee will guide these investments, and will provide updates on the programmes announced, and new programmes that may follow.

https://news.microsoft.com/en-xm/2021/05/03/microsoft-collaborates-with-the-nigerian-government-to-accelerate-digital-transformation-in-the-country/?ocid=AID3019479_TWITTER_oo_spl100002040713181

I’m not a big fan of Farooq Kperogi, the Nigerian born university professor in Atlanta, United States, who writes a weekly column in the Nigerian Tribune. Although he has a good grasp of language, Kperogi’s style is a turn off for me.

I have resisted the urge to rejoin some of his previous articles until the one titled ‘’Pantami is my friend, but he can’t be defended’’ published in the Saturday Tribune of April 17, 2021. In it Kperogi attacked Isa Ali Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, for the incendiary utterances and inciting religious preachments he made before he became minister. Kperogi argued that he could not in good conscience defend the minister whom he described as a friend because of the minister’s past entanglements with terrorists groups and religious bigots. The piece would have been a perfect harangue for a cabinet member who had brought so much odium to the government in which he serves. But midway into the piece, the writer curiously brought in the Vice President and alleged that Prof Yemi Osinbajo is equally guilty of religious and ethnic bias. He said the VP’s staffers are mostly Yoruba and Christians, and most are members of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG. Suffice it to say that Kperogi’s assessment of the VP is faulty, wrong facetious.


Many others, including some Presidency officials, have since risen in stout defence of the VP. Dr. Balkisu Saidu, Special Assistant to the President on Legal, Research & Compliance Matters, Office of the Vice President, has gone further to publish names and positions of key staff in the VP’s Office to prove their religious and ethnic mixture. Although an ordained pastor in RCCG long before he became Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has never held extremist views or displayed an act of ethnic bias. Right from his days as a practicing lawyer, Osinbajo has kept a wide circle of friends across the country and built a network of personal associates in every corner of Nigeria. As Vice President in the last six years, his staff and the few political appointments he’s made reflect the diversity of our nation. His speeches, comments and public statements are in moderation. It is on record that the VP has never been provoked by the religiously inflamed mood of the times to express extreme statement. If anything, Prof Osinbajo has over time emerged, through actions and words, as the humane and compassionate face of the Buhari administration. He’s the one who goes around the country to comfort, condole and offer succor to the afflicted members of our besieged communities.
Faced with torrents of backlash since the column came out, Kperogi issued a rebuttal on an online platform in which he acknowledged that ‘’to his credit (the VP) hasn’t been associated with extremist and exclusivist religious rhetoric in his past homilies’’. It is notable that the platform soon yanked off the halfhearted rebuttal when the full picture of the VP’s unblemished records was presented to them. But the damage has been done. Kperogi has allowed his emotions to becloud his judgment. How could a scholar of Kperogi’s exposure not enquire to ascertain his facts before he dragged the VP’s name into the Pantami controversy?
Kperogi should left the Vice President out of the Pantami controversy. The VP is a decent, loyal public official who has carried himself so admirably well in the last six years. Rather, Kperogi should focus attention on how many other ‘Pantamis’ are in the government and how the DSS, our ever vigilant and eagle-eyed secret police, could have missed spotting them out during their background checks.


https://m.guardian.ng/opinion/farooq-kperogis-facetiousness-on-osinbajo/

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, will join other speakers at the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law conference.

According to a statement by the chairman of the NBA-SPIDEL annual conference committee, Monday Ubani, the event would hold between May 23 and 26.

The theme of the conference is, ‘The Role of Public Interest in Governance in Nigeria.’

Ubani, in the statement, said the governors of Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu,  Bauchi State Dr. Bala Mohammed, Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi would also be present at the event.

“The chief host is the NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata, while NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, Prof. Paul Ananaba SAN, is the host.

“Other speakers who have confirmed their attendance and participation include: The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, and the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde.

https://punchng.com/osinbajo-to-speak-at-spidel-conference/

In line with the company’s purpose to care for human progress, by protecting what matters to their health, AXA Mansard Health Limited, a member of the AXA Group and global leader in insurance and asset management has observed World Malaria Day, launched a Malaria plan.

World Malaria Day, which takes place on 25 April each year, is an internationally recognised day, highlighting the global efforts to control malaria and celebrating the gains that have been made. Since 2000, the world has made historic progress against malaria, saving millions of lives. However, half the world still lives at risk from this preventable, treatable disease, which costs a child’s life every two minutes.

In response to the urgent need of a ‘zero malaria world, AXA Mansard, a socially responsible organization, has designed an affordable product that provides the following covers: Malaria treatment, Outpatient Care, General and Specialist Consultation, Health tips on how to recover and more with as low as N450 only.

Speaking at the product launch, the Chief Operating Officer of the company, AXA Mansard Health, Dr Chidi Onyedika, stated that “One of the lessons 2020 left us with is that healthcare will always be the topmost priority to every individual, irrespective of the age, colour or gender. We must therefore constantly strive to create sustainable and innovative solutions to cater for people’s health care needs at every point in time. Therefore, we launched this plan as part of our contribution to controlling the effect of malaria in the country.”

By dialling USSD string *987#, people can conveniently enrol for affordable and robust health insurance plans from AXA Mansard, with access to over 1,000 hospitals nationwide for quality healthcare services.

He also stated that “the fight against malaria is not for individuals alone, we must all throw our weight to achieve a malaria-free world. At AXA Mansard, we care about people’s health and wellbeing, this is what drives us to constantly create and innovate new ways to better protect what matters to the customers we serve.”

AXA Mansard Health Limited is the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) arm of the AXA Mansard group of companies. The HMO is geared to promote her members’ wellbeing. The Company is today positioned to provide optimal and effective health risk management solutions and financial services to both individuals and corporate bodies.

VP adds: _“…every conflict is a result of elite failure to speak up._

Nigeria cannot afford a war and elites in the country should rise up, speak the truth against forces of division in order to preserve the unity of the country.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, stated this Tuesday evening in Abuja while speaking with All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders from the South-East, particularly chieftains and members from Anambra State.

According to Prof. Osinbajo, “we cannot afford a war in this country…it is the political elite that will determine what will take place. If we keep quiet, if we say nothing and hope that things will just normalize, we may be wrong. And we may find ourselves heading for something much worse than we are seeing today.”

His words: “if the political elite does not speak up, if we don't see anything wrong in what is going on, if we allow it to continue to slide, we will endanger ourselves and endanger the future of our country.

The VP noted that “I know that every conflict is a result of elite failure, the elite failure to speak up and tell the truth to their communities, that's the cause of every one of these civil conflicts.

“So, I would urge that we speak up. I would urge that we stand for something. Sometimes it’s dangerous to stand for something. But the greater danger of course, is to keep quiet.”

Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo cautioned that “the thing about the kinds of conflicts in these parts of the world is that it is usually a war without end. Everyone who thinks that they have some money stored up somewhere is wrong, you will eventually run out.

Recalling a personal experience he observed in Somalia in the 90s when he went there to work with the United Nations, the VP said he saw a Supreme Court Justice whom he had known before queuing up for food in the aftermath of civil conflicts in the country.

“Everyone who thinks they can go and hide somewhere, you won’t even find a place. In the end, everyone will suffer. Parents, children, young people, old people, will suffer.”

Speaking about the forthcoming primaries for the governorship election in Anambra State, the Vice President said a fair process or fairness of justice will be fundamental in ensuring victory for the party at the polls.

Prof. Osinbajo further noted that “to be fair and just is not the responsibility for spirits, it is the responsibility for men and women of our party, especially the leadership.”

Party chieftains present at the meeting included former Senate President, Mr Ken Nnamani; Minister of State for Mines & Steel Development, Mr Uche Ogah, Minister of State for Labour & Productivity, other party leaders and members from the South-East, and the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, among others.

*Laolu Akande,*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,*
*Office of the Vice President.*
28th April 2021.

The user should be outrightly banned and prosecuted

STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE*

*SIERRA LEONE THANKFUL TO NIGERIA, OTHERS AT 60TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY*

**Osinbajo:* _Celebrations worthwhile after W/A nation's 11 years of Civil War._

Nigeria and some other West African countries were appreciated yesterday by the Sierra Leonean government as the country marked its 60th Independence Anniversary at a series of events in the capital city of Freetown.

Before several other West African leaders including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio mentioned how Nigeria and other countries in the subregion have been helpful in the course of the peace and development of his country.

Historically, both Nigeria and Sierra Leone have shared cherished and cordial relations at least right from colonial times. The relationship has continued and evidenced in the socio-economic, technical and security cooperation over the years, including the deployment of Nigerian troops in Sierra Leone to uphold the peace and preserve democracy.

In a show of appreciation and gratitude yesterday, President Bio honored Nigeria and the other countries that he said have stood with Sierra Leone, a nation that survived an 11-year civil conflict from 1991 to 2002.

Bio, at the celebrations in Freetown, decorated a number of West African countries through their leaders that attended the celebration.

Besides the Nigerian Vice President, others decorated with Sierra Leone's insignia of honour and dressy tokens were the Presidents of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo; Guinea, Alpha Conde; Liberia, George Weah and Gambia, Adama Barrow.

Prime Minister Nuno Gomes Nabiam of Guinea Bissau and a Special Envoy of the President of Ivory Coast were also in attendance at the event.

Speaking with the press in Freetown after the 60th Independence Anniversary event, Prof. Osinbajo said it is a worthwhile celebration, "especially considering all of what Sierra Leone has been through in the 11 years of Civil War and they have emerged from that terrible experience, much stronger, a united country and developing everyday economically and socially."

According to the VP "it is a very happy event and we are all extremely proud of what the Sierra Leoneans have been able to do.

"We were very warmly hosted by President Bio and all the members of his cabinet and the good people of Sierra Leone. It has been a very exciting, warm and joyful event."

On arrival yesterday morning at the Lungi Airport in Freetown, Vice President Osinbajo was received by his Sierra Leonean counterpart, the VP, Dr. Mohamed Jalloh. Prof. Osinbajo returned to Abuja last night.

*Laolu Akande,*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,*
*Office of the Vice President.*
28th April 2021.

Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo has returned to Abuja after representing Nigeria at Sierra Leone’s 60th Independence Anniversary where Nigeria was honoured for contributions to our sister West African nation. Home & abroad we won’t relent. The hardwork that confronts all our challenges continues.
This was contain in a tweet by Mr Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity.

https://twitter.com/akandeoj/status/1387139140756688906?s=21

NaijaCuzin:
All these ones care about is travelling and travelling

You know nothing about diplomatic ties

Safe journey prof! The whole world appreciate your class

Sunnybay7:
The country is on fire stop running up and down.

Borrow small sense

Prof. Idris Bugaje on Wednesday assumed duty as the Executive Secretary (ES) of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

This is contained in a statement signed by the board’s Deputy Director, Public Relations and Media, Mr Jacob Abang, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.

NAN reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had on April 14 approved the appointment of Bugaje as the ES of the board with effect from March 16.

Until his appointment, Bugaje was the Rector of Kaduna Polytechnic.

According to the statement, Bugaje, while receiving the handover notes from Mr Abati Muhammad who headed the board in acting capacity, described his appointment as a “call to national service”.

He promised to transform the board to greater heights and unveiled his 3-point agenda focused on getting a new Scheme of Service, promoting Skills and the NBTE Spirit.

Bugaje said he would ensure a unified scheme of service in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector and ensure that staff of NBTE could exit the service at 65 and go on sabbatical to polytechnics.

“In the same vein, polytechnic staff will also come to NBTE on sabbatical. This will promote interaction and understanding among the stakeholders in the TVET sector.

“To equip Nigerian youths with relevant skills, the board will revive its Zonal Offices to carry out advocacies on skills and interface with industries and other agencies in the zones on skills development.

“The board will also collaborate with industries to establish model skills centres in the six geopolitical zones of the country.

“Also, the staff of the board will be trained to efficiently and effectively assess and verify skills of Nigerians,” he said.

Bugaje said efforts would be made to adopt the Moroccan model of skills, adding that he would advocate Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to be Nigeria’s Skills Ambassador.

He also explained that his administration would revive the NBTE Spirit among the staff to lead the board to new glory, as he would work with those that were ready to deliver results.

Bugaje equally called on the staff unions in the board to constructively engage the management in areas that would promote the overall interest of the board and the TVET sector.

“We will also make a case for the NBTE staff to benefit from Tertiary Education Trust Fund and sponsored training like other polytechnic staff.

“Such training will equip the staff to carry out their duties professionally and competently,” he said.

On internally generated revenue, Bugaje said that NBTE would register a consultancy company that will carry out training and other services to clients to generate funds.

According to him, the board would no longer ask schools to pay for accreditation, which according to him, influences the outcome of the exercise.

He added that the board would engage the Budget Office, Federal Ministry of Finance, and the National Assembly to make budgetary provisions for accreditation of schools. (NAN)

Obaseki must be high on cheap weeds

Mikehot:
Anytime this idiots see the heat in on their jihad they would bring osinbajo to pacify us.


This is stale and not working


If osinbajo is was not relevant to appoint IGP when buhari was in UK, is it a relevant meeting of importance he can preside over when buhari is back?

Stop disgracing your family

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo presides over the National Economic Council Meeting at the State House, Abuja.
22nd April 2021.
Photos by Tolani Alli

Osinbajo is a blessing to this country by all standard. He is an uncommon politician.