₦airaland Forum

Over the years, friends and associates have come together to reflect upon the sterling qualities that define Vice President Yemi Osinbajo's personal and leadership style and have for his traditionally low-key celebration.

THE MARCH 8TH INITIATIVE

(FRIENDS OF PROF)

ANNOUNCEMENT OF 2021 PROGRAMME

The March 8th Initiative is organised to inspire and promote communal, entrepreneurial and public-spirited endeavours within Nigeria in honour of the birthday of His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON. Last year, 100 young entrepreneurs received business-defining grants that helped grow and advance enterprise.

This year, the March 8th Initiative is expanding in terms of reach and scope. First, the Entrepreneurship Programme has been reorganised into 4 categories providing more opportunities for young Nigerians between 18 and 35 years old.

In addition, the March 8th Initiative recognises health workers nationwide who, in an extremely difficult time, continue to exhibit compassion, diligence, hard work and professionalism in carrying out their duties. Individuals are requested to nominate any health worker who has shown these qualities for a reward of N1 Million under a Health Grant Reward Category that acknowledges their invaluable service to our communities.

The March 8th Initiative’s MSME Grant for Small Businesses which kicked off last year with over 26,000 applications is back again this year to give one-off business grants, between N100,000 and N1,000,000 to small businesses in Nigeria.

Following its tradition of entrepreneurial empowerment, this year’s instalment of the March 8th initiative will spotlight growing businesses, supporting various stages of their entrepreneurial growth with funding to help their business take flight.

This Entrepreneurial Programme features four broad categories that cover varying stages of small business growth as follows: Big Idea Business Challenge, Business Support Challenge, Catalyst Support Challenge to Bold Innovation Challenge.

Entries open at 12.00am on Monday, the 8th of March, 2021 and close at 11:59pm on Sunday, the 14th of March, 2021.

All entries except those for My Big Idea Business Challenge must be submitted at www.march8th.ng.

Submit according to the category you are applying for.

So, hurry over to www.march8th.ng for more information, and to nominate the deserving health worker of your choice, as well as to apply for any of the grant categories that is applicable to your business stage.

Sobriety - if not austere aloofness - would ordinarily appear the chief trait that defines a varsity professor. This probably explains why far less public attention is paid to his other proficiency: master of spontaneous humor.
Answering a question during a campaign town-hall meeting in Benin City in 2015 ahead of the March 28 presidential elections, petite vice presidential candidate Yemi Osinbajo literally brought down the roof by describing himself and gangling General Muhammadu Buhari as “the long and short of the matter”.
Such witty facility was again very much on display years later during a gala night hosted in Port Harcourt by the Rivers State Government in honour of visiting Vice President.
During the event, which has since been entered as part of Nigeria’s social media’s folklore, popular comedian, Klint Da Drunk, had sought to blackmail the guest after handing him N5,000 by quoting the Bible that “When you give, you’ll receive back, full measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.”
Well, the solicitous comedian didn’t have to wait for too long to confirm his lottery. The Vice President soon replied him thus: “Everything has been going well until Klint Da Drunk gave me an expensive N5000. I’ve kept it close to His Excellency, the Governor (Nyesom Wike), in case he asks for it back because he can say that ‘I was drunk when I gave you the money’. I must remind him that the scripture that he referred to which suggests that if you give, you’ll be given more, is when you give to God and not to an Ijebu man.”
The hall erupted in rapturous laughter.
Of course, in Yoruba-speak, parsimony is thought to be cultural to the Ijebu.
No less memorable was Professor Osinbajo’s masterclass at the state banquet held to mark the nation’s 58th independence anniversary in 2018. That night, guests were held spellbound as the Vice President gave a command performance in stand-up comedy on “Nigerian Swag” with the virtuosity only a few among even professional comedians could have mustered. For several minutes, the high-ceilinged banquet hall at Aso Rock literally quaked with delirious laughter, passed on to several millions of viewers at home through the live telecast of the event.
It was a chronicle of the dancing skills of some of Nigeria’s political and business leaders, backed with videos.
“No one dances like us,” he started by teasing sarcastically. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re the distinguished senator representing Kogi West or the distinguished senator representing Osun west.”
What began as knowing giggles across the gallery soon exploded into a big laughter when the giant screen on cue showed Dino Melaye and Ademola Adeleke gyrating giddily, as usual, in flowing Agbada to Sunny Ade’s music. Followed by Aliko Dangote’s own swing in business suit. We also saw a clip of President Buhari’s rare public dance - a shy shuffle - in response to some praise-singing at a campaign rally. Followed by ex President Olusegun Obasanjo’s wild z-zag that appeared completely out of tune with the drumbeats.
Indeed, Prof’s capacity to give is evenly matched by the ability to receive. When, for instance, Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna named him as the “President of Short Peoples Association of Nigeria” and Adams Oshiomhoke as PRO at a public event, the television camera caught him laughing heartily.
But joking is only a pastime. Only when the Vice President steps onto the lectern in the lecture circuits or chairs a typical executive meeting are folks reminded of the profundity of his thoughts. Just above that facade of geniality and conviviality surely towers a prodigious mind equally at ease with the most complex ideas and turgid concepts.
Such duality of gifts - being free without being loose, to be simple yet profound - is what ultimately defines the enigma of Professor Yemi Osinbajo and distinguishes him as arguably one of the few most engaging leaders in the nation’s history. Which partly explains why he is widely hailed as “Starboy” today. Through him, we learn elegance in simplicity; and that ideas, while being easily accessible, can still be profound without being pedestrian.
Rigor is simply second nature to him. As close aides will attest, no one is ever sure of the final draft until Oga had finished speaking. Even while the event has started, he often continues to wrestle quietly with the speech on his I-pad, sometimes updating and clarifying the copy in light of matters arising, until invited by the master of ceremonies to speak.
Such is the intensity of his sense of spontaneity and clinical attention to details.
At he turns 64, Prof surely means different things to different folks. To the immediate past Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi (Sarkin Kano), he “has remained humble, caring, forgiving, honest and loyal”. Scholar and gifted international orator, Professor P.L.O Lumumba, had this to say on the occasion of his 63th birthday: “Men invariably rhapsodize fellow men in death and vilify them while alive. I choose to lionize you for your contribution to Nigeria and the world.”
According to Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, Chairman of First Bank: “An excellent child of God, an excellent leader in character, integrity of purpose and diligence in his assignment and so much more.”
Hear Dr. Ola Brown, CEO of Flying Doctors: “I’ll like to really thank him for inspiring every young person in Nigeria.”
Varied as perceptions of Prof might be, there is however one point almost everyone is agreed: he brings scholarly anchor and clarity to bear in policy formulation and execution by the administration.
Indeed, long after the Abuja bureaucrats had closed for the day, the No. 2 citizen will often be found dissecting files in late hours in the halo of reading lights in the office, pince-nez balanced precariously on his nose’s tip. Those who, therefore, measure the stress of office by how rapidly his hair has turned grey may not be too far off the mark.
Nowhere is that brilliance and diligence more poignant than in his leading the team that fashioned the economic blueprint that bailed the nation out of a crushing recession, far earlier than projected by financial experts. Frighteningly enough, the 2020 recession descended barely two years after the nation limped out of an “economic pestilence” inflicted by the steep crash in global commodity prices in 2014/15, described as the “worst since 1982”.
The committee set up by President Buhari following the outbreak of Covid-19 last year had proposed a N2.3trillion stimulus programme named Economic Sustainability Programme (ESP).
In conception and execution, ESP followed the Keynesian model propounded by British economist, John Maynard Keynes, following the Great Depression of the 1930s. In short, ESP set out to reflate the economy aggressively by putting money in people’s pocket through a variety of measures ranging from cash handouts to the most vulnerable to soft loans to small and big businesses.
It is a measure of the efficacy of its prescription and a great tribute to the leadership provided the economic team by the Vice President that Nigeria’s economy recorded a marginal recovery of .11 percent growth for the last quarter of 2020, having suffered negative growth in the two preceding quarters consecutively.
Indeed, miracles don’t happen in economics; the trophies are earned. Clear-thinking must be backed up with scrupulous execution and diligent follow-up.
Why Nigeria’s recovery is particularly significant is that it came when almost all the big economies around the world (except China) are still in severe dire straits caused by C-19 pandemic, with many thinking their earliest possible date of recovery will be next year.
In a way, ESP’s relative success must be bad news to Prof’s traducers who had interpreted the setting up of the presidential economic advisory council in October 2019 as a diminution of his powers as the statutory head of the national economic council, blissfully ignorant of the uncommon chemistry between the President and his deputy. Rather than be distracted, the Vice President simply kept his eyes on the ball, thus demonstrating practically that nothing could come between him and his boss as far as achieving the administration’s objectives is concerned.
On a final note, a character sketch of Prof will be incomplete without due reference to his instinctive compassion. While visiting blighted communities in insurgency-ravaged Borno early in the life of the administration, he was sufficiently moved enough to personally undertake the mobilisation of funds thereafter from friends to set up a charity body devoted entirely to taking care of orphans.
The initiative is called North-East Children Trust (NECT) and has been involved with establishing learning centres providing comprehensive support to children between ages of five and eighteen years made vulnerable by the conflict in the North-East.
When in March 2020 the outrider of his motorcade, Inspector Ali Gomina, died in a fatal accident on the road to the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, the distraught Vice President instantly cancelled the trip and personally visited the deceased’s home to console the family he left behind. Six months later, he fulfilled his promise by handing over the keys to a brand-new bungalow he built for the grieving family in their community, Gui, in the Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory. The community also received a gift of six blocks of classrooms.
Happy birthday!, Prof.

Getting COVID-19 may offer some natural protection, known as immunity. But experts do not know how long that immunity lasts, and the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. It’s good to get vaccinated

Ending the COVID-19 pandemic will halt the growing negative impact the virus is having on education, the economy, health care and countless other activities of a functioning society.

Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools we have available. Wearing masks and social distancing help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others, but these measures are not enough. Vaccines work with your immune system, so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed.

obonujoker:
Lol.... Antichrist 666 VP..... We've already watched you on YouTube that you are a NWO member... Although I'm not a conspiracy theorist

you need help

The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, (NPHCDA) Dr. Faisal Shuaib has hinted that President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will on Saturday be taking the COVID-19 vaccine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92ot-bnVB5o

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

OSINBAJO TO PENTECOSTAL FELLOWSHIP:
WE ARE PURVEYORS OF JUSTICE, VOICES OF PEACE

*Conveys President Buhari's congratulatory message to outgoing PFN President
*VP thankful for solidarity visits that "encouraged me", honoured with award

At a defining moment in the history of the country, the church must stand as the light of the nation, and Christians as the purveyors of justice and voices of peace, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo gave the admonition yesterday at the 16th Biennial Delegate Conference of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) held at the Michael Okpara Square in Enugu, Enugu State.

Speaking on the theme of the conference “the unquenchable light”, Prof. Osinbajo said “we must bear this gospel of Jesus Christ knowing that it is the beacon of hope and succour for our nation. As bearers of the gospel we are the reconcilers-in-chief.”

According to the Vice President, “we are the salt to the wounds of a nation, we are the voices of peace and unity where division and strife have arisen. We are the purveyors of justice, for all of those who are disempowered. The good news is that this light is unquenchable.”

Explaining the point, the Vice President said “what is this light? It is the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the son of God, who came to this world to pay the price for our sins so that we can attain eternal life in peace and joy. This gospel is the power of God for the healing and transformation of men and nations.”

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. It is the Wisdom of God,” Prof. Osinbajo added quoting the Scriptures.

The Vice President had earlier conveyed the felicitations of President Muhammadu Buhari to the outgoing PFN President, Revd Felix Omobude on the successful and glorious completion of his tenure in office and congratulated the incoming President, Bishop Francis Wale Oke.

Prof. Osinbajo also thanked the out-going President, Rev. Omobude for his invaluable service to the PFN especially in the manner he handled the affairs of the body “with impeccable integrity, fatherly understanding, maturity and Godly insight.”

On the stewardship of the outgoing PFN leadership, Prof. Osinbajo said “under your able leadership and in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria led by our brother, Rev. Dr. Supo Ayokunle, I received several solidarity visits. I am eternally indebted to you for those visits which greatly strengthened and encouraged me."

Commending the smooth transition in the leadership of the PFN, Prof. Osinbajo said “I must commend the smooth electoral process leading to the emergence of the President and his deputy unopposed.”

“This is as it should be. The PFN certainly has a lot to teach us, politicians. We pray that the Lord will give this executive good success in Jesus name,” he said.

In acknowledgment of his stand and support for the Christian faith and exemplary service to humanity, the PFN conferred on the Vice President a special award of the Defender of Faith.

Accepting the award, the Vice President thanked the PFN for the recognition, noting that “there can be no more coveted preferment than that conferred by one's brethren," and adding in prayer that "you all will receive not just honour from men here on earth but in the end also from the Lord God Almighty, in Jesus name.”

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State also received the PFN award of the Defender of Faith at the event.

Aside Bishop Wole Oke who was elected as PFN President, Archbishop John Praise Daniel, the Presiding Archbishop of the Dominion Chapel International Churches was also elected Vice President.

The Vice President who had attended the Federal Executive Council meeting before traveling to Enugu yesterday, returned to Abuja last night.


Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
Office of the Vice President
4th March 2021

With the Presidency, in recent time, assigning more sensitive and economic stimulating functions to the office of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the nation's well-loved and duly elected second-in-command is definitely in the reckoning as the legacy of President Buhari’s administration is being shaped, write  Fatimah Bala and Blessing Ekpo.
This subtle and gradual ascension that positively impacts economic and policy will entrench one of Nigeria's most charismatic political figures as the custodian of President Muhammadu Buhari's legacy.
The first four years of this administration saw President Buhari and his second-in-command, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, working hand in hand to accelerate national growth, development, and cohesion. 
While the first four-year term lasted, President Buhari didn't hide his love for his deputy in words and deeds. At various fora, the President would be quick to refer to Osinbajo's loyalty and peerless commitment to serving the nation.
No wonder, Osinbajo, and his team were in charge of the administration's Special Intervention Programmes (SIPs) during the period. The SIPs include the Home-grown School Feeding Programme, Government Economic Empowerment Programme, N-Power, Trader Moni, and direct cash transfers to the "poorest families. The programmes then attracted an annual N500 billion budgetary vote. The Vice President also credibly led the Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC), which Buhari commended and described as a "National Plan". The President had emphatically stated that the administration would focus on implementing ESC recommendations, including massive Federal Government support for local production, manufacturing, significant support for the informal sector and MSMEs, and the expansion of the Social Investment Programme to provide succour to more Nigerians.
Under the Vice President, the various Special Intervention Programmes (SIPs) were so impacting that the ruling party had to leverage it in the build-up to the Presidential election. It worked wonders at the grassroots level. At the peak of the campaign, President Buhari was so impressed that he admitted that his deputy's activities through the house-to-house campaign and market activations were boosting the All Progressive Congress and its candidates' popularity.

Paradigm shift...
But the honeymoon didn't last. Following a night of long knives and cudgels, an insider coup happened in the early months of the administration's second term, which slightly turned the tables against the Vice President. Though he denied being pushed aside, political pundits are yet to be convinced that Osinbajo didn't yield to various political permutations and maneuvering, which made him surrender some of his functions to the newly established Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development. 
While some contended that the decision to move the SIPs and other economic-driven activities away from his table was a politically far-reaching step to weaken the influence of the Vice President in government, others suspected that it was a gimmick to clip his wings ahead of the 2023 Presidential election.

It would be recalled that President Buhari had suddenly dissolved the Osinbajo-led economic management team and announced an Economic Advisory Council, EAC, to fill the gap.
The advisory council replaced the Economic Management Team, EMT, which then headed by Osinbajo. Despite the little shakeup in the Presidency, the Vice President remained statutorily, the chairman of the governing boards of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Boundary Commission (NBC), and the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA). He is also the statutory chairman of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) board of directors, a limited liability company owned by the federal government and Niger Delta states.
Beyond performing excellently well while overseeing some of the functions above, the Vice President also acted for the President while he was away with diligence.

And the new beginning…
Signals that President Buhari's trust in his Vice President is yet to wane have continued to resonate in recent times. Of course, the Vice President's profile and his scope of responsibilities have quietly been rising since the beginning of last year, after multiple crises hit the country.
On the back of the COVID crisis and consequent recession, the President gave him the responsibility to coordinate Nigeria's response in the form of the Economic Sustainability Program, which has since helped Nigeria surprise most economists and exit faster from recession in less than three quarters.
For instance, President Muhammadu Buhari had, on March 30, 2020, set up the Economic Sustainability Committee(ESC) to develop a clear economic sustainability plan to run through 2023. At the maiden meeting of the committee, which Osinbajo chaired, it was spelt out that ESC was set up to address the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The committee was tasked with identifying fiscal and monetary measures to enhance oil and non-oil revenues in order to fund the plan, develop a stimulus package, and come up with measures to create more jobs while keeping existing ones. Other committee members are Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and others.
With the recent news that Nigeria has exited from recession, experts were quick to point out that the ESC team's activities made the journey smooth. The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, also admitted that Nigeria's prompt exit was a key indicator of the success of the ongoing Economic Sustainability Plan approved by the Federal Government.
He said Nigerians should expect more as the implementation of the plan was gathering momentum.
Akande said this in a statement titled "Presidency: FG poised to do much more through the ESP" which he made available to journalists.
"Like we explained late last year after the release of the third-quarter figures, the Economic Sustainability Plan, which was a calculated intervention by the Buhari Presidency, is driving the Nigerian economy in the right direction-upwards, and Nigerians can expect more because the administration is unrelenting in its determination to pursue the steady recovery and growth of our economy," Akande noted.
Sequel to this, the President at the beginning of 2020, gave Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo the responsibility to coordinate the power sector reform program to improve Nigeria's power supply and encourage investments. Since his leadership, Nigeria launched the free metering program, launched the 5M Connections program to connect 5 million Nigerians currently off-grid in a 145 billion program now being launched this quarter, and implementing tariff reforms that have seen more than 100 billion naira in new investments in the sector for generation and increasing collection by power companies and stability in the power supply. On Feb 28th, 2021 Nigerians Woke up to the news that the nation’s grid wheeled over 5600 MW for the first time in history and this has continued to improve. 
Another major signal was the approval of the establishment of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) styled Infrastructure Company named Infra-Co with an initial seed capital of one trillion naira, whose Steering Committee first initiation and set-up the President asked his Vice President to chair. That task was initiated in February 2021 and will see Nigeria attracting 15 trillion naira in new investments in roads, bridges, dams, railway, airports, and ports alongside better commercial operation to avoid the debt and poor management trap of the past that destroyed prior infrastructure development. 
According to a statement issued by the Presidency to announce the partnership, it was envisaged that the entity would grow up to N15 trillion in assets and capital over time. The Infra-Co was designed to be one of Africa's premier infrastructure finance entities and will be wholly dedicated to Nigeria's infrastructure development. The entity has been developed with concept designs from the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The entity's initial seed capital will come from the CBN, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and the Africa Finance Corporation.
It has also been proved that the credit of the permanent restructuring of DisCo debts and structure of remittance of their revenue to the power ecosystem that has seen the first 100% remittance of debt owed to GenCos and TCN in January 2021 should also go to the Vice President with the support of relevant authorities under the work he leads in the Power Reforms Committee. 
In a way, the Power Sector Reform Committee's success gave the President the confidence to approve to implement the Infrastructure Fund program that emerged from the National Economic Council chaired by the VP.
Meanwhile, in a continuation of this trend,  at the February 24th, 2021 Federal Executive Council, the Presidential Economic Advisory Council delivered a presentation on the implementation strategy for the President's vision for pulling 100 million people out of poverty in 10 years. The VP was recommended and accepted again to lead the charge through the National Council on Poverty Reduction
At the meeting, President Buhari admitted that this ambitious program of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty is a challenging but achievable one. He said the administration's ambitious policy of raising 100 million Nigerians out of poverty did not come by accident or "something we just bumped into," but a deliberate one that will be pursued with remarkable grit and determination.
President Buhari agreed with the council that the country required a poverty reduction strategy to usher in a "rapid, sustained, sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
It will appear that the Vice President's continued endorsement by the President to lead his domestic agenda is solidifying his inevitable emergence as the guardian of the President's legacy of remaking the country from the grounds up. No doubt, the VP is emerging as the default flag bearer of the Buhari progressive era for years to come.


https://abujacityjournal.com/news.php?uin=acj03032153548

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

DON’T BLOCK FINANCING FOR GAS INVESTMENTS YET, OSINBAJO INSISTS IN DIALOGUE WITH EU

*VP adds: “Our commitment to energy transition is firm”


The forthcoming deployment of the 5 million solar power connections, targeting 25 million households across the country under the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP), reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to the global green energy initiative.

“A just transition to net-zero emissions, probably one where gas as a fossil fuel is still supported, especially for those of us in this part of the world, is absolutely important, especially as it will enable us to phase-out more polluting fuels such as coal and diesel”, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo made the submissions yesterday during a meeting with a delegation of the European Union (EU) led by its Executive Vice President, Mr Valdis Dombrovskis, maintaining the advocacy that the international community should preserve financing for gas projects in Nigeria and other developing countries, during the transition to net-zero emission.

Discussions at the meeting held virtually focused on bilateral investment agreements between Nigeria and the EU cutting across diverse areas including technology, intellectual property rights, research and innovation, humanitarian assistance, energy access, and renewable energy.

According to the Vice President, “a point which I think we can talk about is the sort of support that we hope to get from the EU especially with respect to ensuring that we meet our commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050.

“Our commitment to energy transition is firm, and we think that for us, it is an area of comparative advantage. So, we are hoping to leverage that. I think that we will again be very happy to work on improving the investment environment to ensure that we are able to work as much as possible with the EU partners.”

Emphasizing the need to leverage opportunities to build a stronger partnership with the EU in the gas sector, the Vice President said Nigeria will explore the caveat in the EU green energy financing instrument to seek better ways of financing for gas projects in the country.

He said: “What we see is a growing trend among development financial institutions to withdraw from fossil fuel investment and recently, the World Bank’s decision to cease funding for upstream oil and gas development. The new restrictions on financing downstream developments appear to be considered by some countries in the West.

“We believe that well-intended as some of these actions may be, it is clear to us that they would disregard the importance of gas as a means of urgently addressing energy poverty for us and countries such as ours.”

Prof. Osinbajo recently has been raising the issue of financing of gas projects in Nigeria and other developing countries, advocating for more effective engagements since the campaign for the Net-Zero Emission by 2050 resumed.

At a meeting with the British Member of Parliament and COP26 President-Designate, Mr. Alok Sharma, last month, 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.

Also at the UN Dialogue on Food Systems 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.

The Vice President also referred to the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) a Federal Government’s initiative to address one of the fallouts of climate change, promote sedentary livestock farming and address clashes between herders and farmers.

On his part, the Executive Vice President of the EU Commission, Mr Valdis Dombrovskis spoke on the importance of reviewing investment agreements between Nigeria and the EU, disclosing the commission’s plan to increase its external investment capacities.

On the Vice President’s call for sustained financing of gas investments in the country and beyond, the EU chief said the decision to phase out investments in fossil fuels was in line with the organization’s policy on promoting green energy initiatives.

He however urged authorities in the country to explore the caveat in the financing instruments to seek other ways of attracting investments for projects in the gas sector.

Officials present at the meeting include the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffery Onyeama; Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Amb. Ketil Karlsen; and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Mrs Yewande Sadiku, among others.


Laolu Akande

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
3rd March 2021

By Inyali Peter

This morning, Nigerians woke up to yet another smear campaign against the very hardworking indefatigable Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN by a charge and bail lawyer, Olusegun Bamgbose who is said to be the National Coordinator of an obscure organization, the Concerned Advocates for Good Governance, CAGG.

As reported by some online blogs and in the social media, Olusegun in his vile campaign of calumny against the Vice President and the President Muhammadu Buhari 's administration, maliciously claimed that the Vice president has been Sidelined by the President in the schemes of things.

For anybody who is familiar with the happenings in this country, such claims are laughable, unconscionable, malicious and a figment of the wildest imagination of Olusegun and his antics. In fact, there are better imagined.

At Olusegun's age, Osinbajo had made name for years as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a Professor of Law. Even as a charge and bail, one expects that he should know better but how wrong we all were.

To start with, how can a Vice President of Prof. Osinbajo standing be Sidelined when the responsibilities of the office of the Vice President are clearly defined by the constitution? with Prof. Osinbajo 's background, isn't it unimaginable for any right thinking member of the society to insinuate such balderdash?

It's common knowledge that with what Prof. Osinbajo has done since assuming office as the Vice President of this country in 2015, he has set the bar so high that whoever will come after him may struggle to fulfill.

A Vice President who is the Chairman of National Economic Council, a body responsible for the policy framework of this country cannot in anyway be said to be Sidelined.

A Vice President who is championing economic recovery as Chairman of Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP), cannot be said to be Sidelined.

It's an insult to insinuate that a Vice President who is leading the chant for the bridge of electricity gap through renewable energy is Sidelined.

A Vice President, entrusted with the responsibility of reorganizing the ruling APC as the Chairman of Tripartite Committee of the Executive, Legislature and Party by the President cannot be said to be Sidelined.

A Vice President who's playing key role in the reformation of the Nigeria Police is too involved in the administration to be Sidelined.

Mention any sector of the economy or strata of government and Osinbajo 's contributions have been very bold for all to see.

May be Olusegun and his likes are confusing the functions of the Vice President to those of an Acting President that Prof. Osinbajo served efficiently and effectively for considerable number of months during their first tenure. If that's the case, he's excused but advised to check his constitution again.

For the record, no Vice President in recent time has done half or undertaken half of the responsibilities the incumbent has and is undertaking. If not that some opposition elements consider it an abomination to appreciate good work, what Osinbajo needs now is appreciation and encouragement to do more and not blackmail and cheap lies to gain undue publicity.

Sheikh Gumi posted on his Facebook page this morning justifying his stance about negotiations with bandits as against military actions.

*VP tasks participants to ``unlock mystery of failed or poorly implemented policies and projects``*

``So, your task is already well cut out for you. Perhaps Course 43 will be able to unlock the mystery of failed or poorly implemented policies and projects, but more importantly, promote a practical, nitty-gritty guide to implementing projects and policies. This is a body of knowledge that is desperately needed today.``



Those were the words of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, earlier today while inaugurating the Senior Executive Course 43 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).



Speaking on the theme of the Course 43 programme titled “Getting Things Done: Strategies for the Implementation of Policies and Programmes in Nigeria”, the Vice President noted that “this year’s theme goes to the heart of what is generally considered the bane of development in Nigeria, poor implementation.“



According to him, “the proverbial gap between intention and results; between policy and stated outcomes; delivering on campaign promises or even just doing what the well-articulated policy papers say. For many serious-minded policymakers, the frustration is the same, yes we know all about think-tanks what we need now are do-tanks.“



While commending the commitment and contributions of NIPSS to critical national issues through policy briefs, policy advice and other strategic interventions, Prof. Osinbajo assured staff, participants and management of the Federal Government’s continued support to the institution especially in the upgrade of facilities but tasked the NIPSS management to be innovative in addressing its problems.



``While Government will continue to do its best to support the National Institute, I should stress that budgetary provisions alone will always be limited given competing needs and responsibilities of government. It is therefore imperative for NIPSS to be even more pro-active and creative in seeking alternative sources of funding,`` the Vice President added.



Commiserating with the management and staff of NIPSS on the demise of its Director-General, the late Prof. Habu Galadima, the Vice President recalled the late DG’s hard work and dedication particularly to the growth of the institute, describing the late DG as a ``passionate advocate for the transformation of the Institute``.



As in the previous programmes, participants of Senior Executive Course 43 are drawn from the private sector, the public service, including paramilitary organizations and the armed forces.



Present at the event were Plateau State Governor, Mr Simon Bako, representatives of the Service Chiefs, among others.





Laolu Akande

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

1st March 2021

*VP tasks participants to ``unlock mystery of failed or poorly implemented policies and projects``*

``So, your task is already well cut out for you. Perhaps Course 43 will be able to unlock the mystery of failed or poorly implemented policies and projects, but more importantly, promote a practical, nitty-gritty guide to implementing projects and policies. This is a body of knowledge that is desperately needed today.``



Those were the words of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, earlier today while inaugurating the Senior Executive Course 43 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).



Speaking on the theme of the Course 43 programme titled “Getting Things Done: Strategies for the Implementation of Policies and Programmes in Nigeria”, the Vice President noted that “this year’s theme goes to the heart of what is generally considered the bane of development in Nigeria, poor implementation.“



According to him, “the proverbial gap between intention and results; between policy and stated outcomes; delivering on campaign promises or even just doing what the well-articulated policy papers say. For many serious-minded policymakers, the frustration is the same, yes we know all about think-tanks what we need now are do-tanks.“



While commending the commitment and contributions of NIPSS to critical national issues through policy briefs, policy advice and other strategic interventions, Prof. Osinbajo assured staff, participants and management of the Federal Government’s continued support to the institution especially in the upgrade of facilities but tasked the NIPSS management to be innovative in addressing its problems.



``While Government will continue to do its best to support the National Institute, I should stress that budgetary provisions alone will always be limited given competing needs and responsibilities of government. It is therefore imperative for NIPSS to be even more pro-active and creative in seeking alternative sources of funding,`` the Vice President added.



Commiserating with the management and staff of NIPSS on the demise of its Director-General, the late Prof. Habu Galadima, the Vice President recalled the late DG’s hard work and dedication particularly to the growth of the institute, describing the late DG as a ``passionate advocate for the transformation of the Institute``.



As in the previous programmes, participants of Senior Executive Course 43 are drawn from the private sector, the public service, including paramilitary organizations and the armed forces.



Present at the event were Plateau State Governor, Mr Simon Bako, representatives of the Service Chiefs, among others.





Laolu Akande

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

1st March 2021

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

Cryptocurrency:* “There is need for regulation and not prohibition of Cryptocurrency” - Vice President Yemi Osinbajo speaking at the CBN Bankers’ Forum today, 26th February 2021.

"On the very topical issue of blockchain technology, digital assets, and cryptocurrencies let me say two things. First is that there is no question that blockchain technology generally and cryptocurrencies, in particular, will in the coming years challenge traditional banking, including reserve banking, in ways that we cannot yet imagine so we need to be prepared for that seismic shift. And it may come sooner than later. Already remittance systems are being challenged. Blockchain technology will provide far cheaper options for the kind of fees being paid today for cross-border transfers.

I am sure you are all aware of the challenge that the traditional SWIFT system is facing from new systems like Ripple which is based on the blockchain distributed ledger technology with its own crypto tokens. There are, of course, a whole range of digital assets spawned daily from blockchain technology.

Decentralized finance, using smart contracts to create financial instruments, in place of central financial intermediaries such as banks or brokerages are set to challenge traditional finance. The likes of Nexo finance offer instant loans using cryptocurrency as collateral. Some reserve banks are investigating issuing their own digital currencies. Clearly, the future of money and finance, especially for traditional banking, must be as exciting as it is frightening. But as we have seen in many other sectors disruption makes room for efficiency and progress.

Secondly, I fully appreciate the strong position of the CBN, SEC, and some of the anti-corruption agencies on the possible abuses of cryptocurrencies and their other well-articulated concerns. but I believe that their position should be the subject of further reflection. There is a role for regulation here. And it is in the place of both our monetary authorities and SEC to provide a robust regulatory regime that addresses these serious concerns without killing the goose that might lay the golden eggs.

So, it should be thoughtful and knowledge-based regulation, not prohibition. The point I am making is that some of the exciting developments we see the call for prudence and care in adopting them, but we must act with knowledge and not fear." - VP Osinbajo's thoughts on Crytocurrency

NPA'S MD COMMENT ON PRESIDENCY MISCHIEVOUS

Although the Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman, has accused other FG agencies of violating presidential directives, investigations have revealed that the NPA itself delayed for over a year, in obeying presidential directives.

Sources close to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council disclosed that a presidential directive to institute an electronic call-up system for the ports in April 2017 was only announced for implementation plans recently.

Besides, while NPA according to the MD, complied with the executive order for all port operations to be coordinated at one point, the agency itself did not cooperate with the presidential task team on Apapa according to the report of the panel before its disbandment.

While the NPA MD may be correct that agencies did not obey presidential directives, observers think her calling out the Vice President may be mischief since the Vice President does not have any executive authority of enforcement.

Although the Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman, has accused other FG agencies of violating presidential directives, investigations have revealed that the NPA itself delayed for over a year, in obeying presidential directives.

Sources close to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council disclosed that a presidential directive to institute an electronic call-up system for the ports in April 2017 was only announced for implementation plans recently.

Besides, while NPA according to the MD, complied with the executive order for all port operations to be coordinated at one point, the agency itself did not cooperate with the presidential task team on Apapa according to the report of the panel before its disbandment.

While the NPA MD may be correct that agencies did not obey presidential directives, observers think her calling out the Vice President may be mischief since the Vice President does not have any executive authority of enforcement.

*VP commends UBA, Sterling Bank, First Bank, Fidelity Bank, for leading off-grid financing in Nigeria
Designed to boost ongoing efforts to fix Nigeria’s energy supply challenge, the 5 million homes solar installation plan under the Buhari administration’s Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) will be a game-changer in the renewable energy space, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
This is because, besides the installation of the 5 million solar-home system and mini-grids, the initiative will also generate significant employment through the development of local capacities for the manufacture and maintenance of solar components and equipment.
Prof. Osinbajo stated this Thursday at a virtual engagement with stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Solar Power Naija Initiative.
Under the arrangement, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) will drive the implementation while private companies will install and manage the home systems, drawing funding from a low-cost loan facility from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
According to the Vice President, “Our Solar Home System was designed to be a game-changer in the renewable energy space, in other words, it is not just a programme to provide off-grid power alone, but one that creates opportunities for the development of the local capacities in the assembly, manufacture and even maintenance of equipment.
“We have seen quite a bit of interest already from international and local players across the off-grid solar value chain, there is indeed a lot of interest that we are seeing.”
Under the Solar Home System of the ESP, the Federal Government is connecting 5 million households to solar systems and servicing 25 million Nigerians who are not connected to the national grid.
Under the scheme, there is an option of outright ownership by beneficiaries possibly at a rough estimate of N4, 000 per month for a period of 3 years. Also, there is the value addition to the economy in the area of job creation for at least 250, 000 persons and the ramping up of local content in solar equipment manufacturing systems installation and maintenance.
Emphasizing the Federal Government’s commitment to the project, Prof. Osinbajo said, “we are open and ready to partner, let’s go out there and ensure that we are able to do this 5 million connection in record time.”
“The banks that are keyed into this have already shown a great deal of interest and leadership in this particular area and we commend them for what they have done so far. We hope that we will be able to work closely with them as we go ahead. And same with all of the assemblers, manufacturers of off-grid systems,” Prof. Osinbajo added.
Citing the example of A-Solar’s 100,000 connections project as an effective public-private partnership in delivering reliable off-grid energy to underserved communities, and developing the entire value chain, the Vice President said “one of the innovative deals that I like to highlight as part of what is going on is the A-Solar 100,000 connections transaction which is supported by Sterling Bank and the NDPHC.”
His words: “The transaction is interesting, and in some sense, it is exemplary because it combines not just the deployment of a 100,000 systems but also the setting up of two local assembly factories by A-Solar. So, it really does capture what we are trying to do here. We are trying to not just deploy systems, off-grid capacities but we also want to create opportunities for local assembly and eventually manufacturing, and this particular transaction captures that.”
While calling on commercial banks to support the Federal Government’s drive to develop the local capacity for the entire solar energy sector, the Vice President commended Sterling Bank for its stand financing off-grid power projects in the country.
“I like to highlight Sterling Bank’s continued support for the Off-grid space in partnership with the CBN’s development finance group. We have seen a couple of these huge transactions and we are hoping that we will be able to see more of these kinds of transactions and we are hoping that all our friends and partners will be able to collaborate with us.
“This programme, of course, can’t work without the commercial banks, and I will like to thank the UBA, Sterling Bank, First Bank, and Fidelity Bank for being at the forefront of off-grid financing and I will like to encourage you to be our anchor banks to drive the transactions at an accelerated but structured manner.
“As you know, the CBN is committed to this, and we hope that this partnership will be one that we will be able to leverage to achieve great things in the coming months. Please leverage on the funding opportunities that have been offered and all of our internal people are willing to work to ensure that you succeed,” the Vice President stated.
Corroborating the Vice President’s views about the potentials of the Solar Home System, in his contribution at the meeting, the Minister of State for Power, Mr Godwin Jedy Agba said the 5 million solar connections will usher in more investments in the off-grid space, creating more jobs for Nigerians.
Stakeholders present at the meeting include the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Mr Ahmad Salihijo; the representatives of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Sterling Bank; First Bank of Nigeria; United Bank for Africa (UBA); Fidelity Bank; Pan Africa Solar; Auxano Solar; Blue Camel Energy; Lumos Nigeria; GVE Projects Limited; and ENGIE Energy Access.

https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/our-solar-power-initiative-is-a-game-changer/

Osinbajo will go down as the best Vice President ever

For the sake of Allah, for the sake of the Prophet, For the sake of Allah, for the sake of the Prophet, Fulani! Please cover our secrets.
We are being driven away as if we are not Nigerians. Subhanallah

All evil deeds, people committing evil deeds, their names are not mentioned except your names. Because of this, you didn’t inherit these atrocities you are committing.

No matter how little you people are among evil doers, you will be exposed since you never inherited it. Please fix our battered image instead of spoiling the name of Fulanis.

You are the armed robbers, you are the bandits, we (Fulani) are the evil doers and all what we never inherited.

May Allah protect us and protect our religion.

Journalist: What advice will you give authorities or Govt in separate approach from states to local government and the country at large?

SDUB: I’m drawing the attention especially the Fulani people not to ever enter something closer to kidnapping. I fear for them not to join Izala again. Let not the Izala tell them they will do something for them. Let it not be that they left kidnapping and join Izala. That implies, they left religion completely and became haters of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH).

What makes people dislike Izala, she (Izala) don’t see the worth of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH).
Here, if someone enters it, what someone enters I more dangerous than banditry. Because banditry is oppressing people but hating the prophet (PBUH) is going out of the religion.

You should beware, don’t join Izala, shun robbery, shun kidnapping. All these are evil deeds.

Look elsewhere for other people to join but not these ones. Don’t permit those who rustled your cows to come back to kidnap you, to spoil your character, to spoil the way you think, to teach you robbery, to teach you arms, to teach you how to kill people, to teach you evil deeds. May Allah protect us, May Allah protect our Fulani clan, May Allah protect all Muslims together.

I will repeat again, don’t leave banditry and join Izala. If you join Izala, that’s all, you have join what is even worse.

Initially, you were in the mud, you left it and then fall into feaces.

May Allah protect us, I’m warning you, don’t join Izala. It is not in your behaviour. The Fulani man, no matter how you tried, you can’t detach him from the prophet, no matter how you tried. You will see a poor man not praying, he doesn’t know what religion is but since he inherited Islam, you will hear him saying “An Nabiyyu, An Nabiyyu” (The Prophet, The Prophet). You can’t detach him from Prophet Muhammad(PBUH).

If you leave banditry and join Izala, then you have joined what is worse than banditry because banditry is fraudulent, it is oppressive but hating the Prophet is infidelity. May Allah protect us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-Mdd83rrEc

Nigeria’s topmost independent economic commentator, Mr Alfred Rewane has attributed the prompt and unexpected exit of Nigeria from recession to the successful implementation of the Buhari-Osinbajo Economic Sustainability Plan.

Speaking on Channels TV twice in the last 24 hours, the internationally reputed economist says “the recession happened because of the Economic Sustainability Plan with an intervention of almost N3/N4trillion and it was programmed to end in 12 months. Has it achieved its objectives? Yes.“

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had asked his deputy, Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo to lead the development of an Economic Sustainability Plan after the economic fall out of the pandemic, including a total economic lock down for months. Osinbajo delivered on the assignment and the President further requested him to supervise the implementation of the ESP.

Extra-Judicial Killing: How Osinbajo’s Intervention Led To Conviction Of Dismissed SARS Operative

Joseph Omotosho, a dismissed operative attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), has been sentenced to death over extra-judicial killing.
Omotosho, a former police corporal, and four others, who were found guilty, all served with the now defunct SARS.

Reacting to the ruling by a Benin High Court,  Mr Laolu Akande, Spokesman of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, tweeted, “We welcome this important court ruling where 5 DISMISSED SARS officers were convicted and one already sentenced to death, we commend police authorities for earlier dismissing the convicts. We expect more of such because indeed “justice is the first condition of humanity.”‘
Omotosho and four other police constables were found guilty by the court following their trial on an eight-count charge of conspiracy, murder and stealing.
On Friday, a State High Court in Benin City, Edo Sate, had sentenced Omotosho to death for conspiring with the four other constables, (alleged to still be at large) to kill a car dealer, Benson Obodeh, in 2015.
The late Obodeh was suspected by the police to belong to a criminal gang.
The four other dismissed constables – Adeleke Adedeji, Abena John, Oniyo Musa, and Henry Shobowole – were also convicted but not sentenced because they were not present in the court.
According to court documents, they were said to have escaped while on trial from one of the Medium Security Correctional Centres in Benin City during the October, 2020 jailbreak, in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests.
Specifically they were invariably freed amongst other suspects who were then undergoing trial in Benin when the protest got hijacked and violent
Osinbajo is publicly known to be an ardent advocate in government working to ensure the Police Force took the necessary administrative actions to reduce cases of police brutalities with th2 necessary political support of President Buhari.
The VP met the Inspector-General of Police alongside the President which led to the first Presidential Address during the EndSARS in 2020.
It is believed that these court ruling has been encouraged by the advocacy and insistence of some top officials in the government, including Osinbajo on the need to ensure that there is justice for victims of police brutality
It will be recalled that at least two different National Economic Council  (NEC) meetings presided over by Professor Osinbajo in October 2020 led to the implementation of the protesters’ main demands in the shortest possible time.
In addition to setting up Judicial Panels by the states, NEC further directed that the states maintain an up-to-date database to set up a Victims Support Fund to compensate those who have suffered from police brutality, especially SARS.
Osinbajo also reassured Nigerians and the international community at a meeting with the US Department of State delegation on 23 October 2020 of the plan of both the federal and state governments on police reform that the reforms will be a “game-changer in ensuring an end to impunity” and that the measures put in place so far will yield the “best possible results” on police reform in Nigeria.


https://dailytrust.com/extra-judicial-killing-how-osinbajos-intervention-led-to-conviction-of-dismissed-sars-operative

Extra-Judicial Killing: How Osinbajo’s Intervention Led To Conviction Of Dismissed SARS Operative

Joseph Omotosho, a dismissed operative attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), has been sentenced to death over extra-judicial killing.
Omotosho, a former police corporal, and four others, who were found guilty, all served with the now defunct SARS.

Reacting to the ruling by a Benin High Court,  Mr Laolu Akande, Spokesman of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, tweeted, “We welcome this important court ruling where 5 DISMISSED SARS officers were convicted and one already sentenced to death, we commend police authorities for earlier dismissing the convicts. We expect more of such because indeed “justice is the first condition of humanity.”‘
Omotosho and four other police constables were found guilty by the court following their trial on an eight-count charge of conspiracy, murder and stealing.
On Friday, a State High Court in Benin City, Edo Sate, had sentenced Omotosho to death for conspiring with the four other constables, (alleged to still be at large) to kill a car dealer, Benson Obodeh, in 2015.
The late Obodeh was suspected by the police to belong to a criminal gang.
The four other dismissed constables – Adeleke Adedeji, Abena John, Oniyo Musa, and Henry Shobowole – were also convicted but not sentenced because they were not present in the court.
According to court documents, they were said to have escaped while on trial from one of the Medium Security Correctional Centres in Benin City during the October, 2020 jailbreak, in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests.
Specifically they were invariably freed amongst other suspects who were then undergoing trial in Benin when the protest got hijacked and violent
Osinbajo is publicly known to be an ardent advocate in government working to ensure the Police Force took the necessary administrative actions to reduce cases of police brutalities with th2 necessary political support of President Buhari.
The VP met the Inspector-General of Police alongside the President which led to the first Presidential Address during the EndSARS in 2020.
It is believed that these court ruling has been encouraged by the advocacy and insistence of some top officials in the government, including Osinbajo on the need to ensure that there is justice for victims of police brutality
It will be recalled that at least two different National Economic Council  (NEC) meetings presided over by Professor Osinbajo in October 2020 led to the implementation of the protesters’ main demands in the shortest possible time.
In addition to setting up Judicial Panels by the states, NEC further directed that the states maintain an up-to-date database to set up a Victims Support Fund to compensate those who have suffered from police brutality, especially SARS.
Osinbajo also reassured Nigerians and the international community at a meeting with the US Department of State delegation on 23 October 2020 of the plan of both the federal and state governments on police reform that the reforms will be a “game-changer in ensuring an end to impunity” and that the measures put in place so far will yield the “best possible results” on police reform in Nigeria.


https://dailytrust.com/extra-judicial-killing-how-osinbajos-intervention-led-to-conviction-of-dismissed-sars-operative

Kagara Abduction: Niger Governor Orders Immediate Closure Of Boarding Schools

The Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, has ordered the immediate closure of all boarding schools in the bandit ravaged areas of the state.

Governor Bello gave the directive on Wednesday while meeting with heads of security agencies in the state at the Government House following the Kagara school abduction.

The Governor said the action is necessary to save the life of the students as the areas have already been taken over by bandits.

Details coming…

Benjamin Doma has been identified as the student of Government Science Secondary School, Kagara, Niger State, who was shot dead when gunmen invaded the school on Wednesday morning.
Daily Trust had reported how gunmen broke into the school in the wee house of the day, abducting students and staff.

Doma was gunned down while trying to escape and some students and staff were whisked away after the gunmen held them hostage within the school premises for a while.

A source told Daily Trust that while the number of abducted students had not been accounted for, two teaching staff, one clerk and 12 family members are among those abducted.
The kidnappers are yet to make contact with family members or school authorities as of the time of filing this report.

The incident happened barely 48 hours after some persons were abducted while heading to Minna, the state capital.

https://dailytrust.com/unveiled-the-identity-of-student-shot-dead-during-invasion-of-niger-school

President Muhammadu Buhari has received reports of the brazen attack on Government Science College, Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, following which a yet to be ascertained number of staff and students have been abducted by gunmen.

Following these reports, the President has directed the Armed Forces and Police, to ensure immediate and safe return of all the captives. The President has also dispatched to Minna, Niger State a team of security chiefs to coordinate the rescue operation and meet with state officials, community leaders, as well as parents and staff of the College.

President Buhari has assured of the support of his administration to the Armed Forces in their brave struggle against terrorism and banditry and urged them to do all that can be done to bring an end to this saga, and avoid such cowardly attacks on schools in the future.

“Our prayers are with families of the victims of this attack,” said the President as he condemned as cowardly the attack on innocent school children.



Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media and Publicity)

February 17, 2021

* VP Says: We must deal with criminals according to law & not an ethnic conflict

* Urges for peace between Northern traders and Southwest people

( Below are comments by the Vice President today in Lagos when reporters asked him about the situation in Ibadan. He had just paid a condolence visit to the Jakande family in Ilupeju.)

I have heard about the unfortunate mayhem and the tragic loss of lives at the Shasha market in the past few days.

Shasha market has been a melting pot for traders bringing foodstuff from the North to the Southwest for decades.

For decades traders from the North have done business with their brothers from the Southwest and they have lived in peace and even inter-married. Shasha is a place of unity.

So when a disagreement arises between individuals or a criminal act is committed by one against the other we must ensure that we see it for what it is, a criminal act, which must be punished according to law. Not an ethnic conflict.

Every Nigerian has a constitutional right to live, work and enjoy their lives in safety, peace under the law.

It is the duty of government through the police and other law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute any person who commits a crime against a citizen of this nation. It is the role of the citizen to assist the police to identify the criminals. We must never take the law into our own hands, if we do we will be promoting chaos, and a breakdown of law and order, and all of us especially the most vulnerable amongst us, will be at risk. I urge all community leaders to work together to preserve the brotherly co-existence that our people from different parts of the country have enjoyed in Shasha market for several decades.

I commend the governor for his swift and decisive action and all the law enforcement agencies for their prompt intervention.

President Buhari Approves Formation Of Trillion Naira Company To Address Infrastructure Deficit

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of a Public-Private Partnership styled Infrastructure company named Infra-Co with an initial seed capital of N1 Trillion.
It is envisaged that, over time, the entity will grow to N15 Trillion in assets and capital.
Infra-Co will be one of the premier infrastructure finance entities in Africa and will be wholly dedicated to Nigeria’s infrastructure development. The entity has been developed with concept designs from the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The President had asked Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, to chair a Steering Committee tasked with setting up the company.
The initial seed capital for the entity will come from the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA, and the Africa Finance Corporation.
The board of Infra-Co will be chaired by the Central Bank Governor and include the Managing Director of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, President of the Africa Finance Corporation, as well as representatives of the Nigerian Governors Forum, and the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning. The Board will also have 3 independent directors from the private sector.
To address Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit, the Buhari Administration continues to explore innovative options, including through financing initiatives such as the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) designed to cater for the 2nd Niger Bridge, the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway, and other projects.
There is also the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme which is being used for the funding of the Bodo-Bonny Bridges and Road (with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG), and the Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki Expressway (with Dangote Group), among others.
Infra-Co will finance public asset development, rehabilitation, and reconstruction as well as invest in cutting-edge infrastructure projects for Roads, Rail, Power, and other key sectors.


https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/president-buhari-approves-formation-of-trillion-naira-company-to-address-infrastructure-deficit/

* Nigeria’s plan is to reduce carbon emission by 20% by 2030 as FG commissions another university-based solar plant

*VP also chairs inaugural meeting of Cabinet Committee to review Draft National Transport Policy


With the commissioning of yet another solar hybrid power plant by the Federal Government in one of its universities, Nigeria’s energy transition plan to renewables is on course.

And this is in line with the globally endorsed Climate Change agenda and the Buhari administration’s effort to connect more communities to off-grid power and reliable energy sources, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Thursday in a message delivered virtually at the commissioning of a 1.12 MW Captive Solar Hybrid Power Plant at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.

The project executed under the Energizing Education Programme (EEP), an initiative of the Federal Government, is aimed at providing 37 Federal Universities and 7 Teaching Hospitals with captive energy solutions that will ensure sustainable and reliable power for students and faculty.

According to the Vice President, “renewables are the fastest growing segment of energy today and will certainly be a key economic driver well into the future.

“Indeed, Nigeria intends to have 30% of its electricity supply from renewables by the year 2030. Our future workforce therefore need to be ready for this energy transition. The training centers constitute a critical additional benefit of this project.”

Continuing, he noted that “besides, this programme reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to global best practice as we transition to cleaner sources of energy in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

“These projects being implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency are strategic to fulfilling our commitments to the agreement as they strive to reduce Nigeria’s carbon footprint.

“The leveraging of renewable energy technology is in line with the Federal Government’s mandate and related activities. Nigeria’s plan to reduce carbon emission by 20% unconditionally and 45% with international support by 2030, aims to limit the damaging effect of climate change.”

Speaking on the benefits of the EEP, Prof. Osinbajo said “already, 22,000 students and faculties across the country are connected to completed projects in Kano, Ebonyi, Benue and of course, now in Bauchi. But apart from providing a reliable source of captive power for these institutions, each institution will have a renewable energy workshop and a training center to provide training for students on renewable energy.”

He said “the project also entails the installation of street lights and the electro fitting of existing ones for better illumination and provision of security on the campus and its environs. And there is provision for on-the-job training for 20 female students undergoing STEM courses in the beneficiary institutions. The training focuses on the design and installation of various components of the project.”

While commending the implementing agency, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for its hard work and resourcefulness in the implementation of the programme, Prof. Osinbajo charged the agency to redouble its effort in “rolling out the Energizing Education Programme with speed and quality across the country”.

In the same vein the Vice President acknowledged and commended what he described as “a strong display of partnership between the Federal Ministries of Power, Education and Environment, the National Universities Commission and the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission”, in making the project a reality.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government, under the EEP has inaugurated 3 solar off-grid hybrid power plants in 3 universities located in Kano, Ebonyi and Benue States.

In August 2019, through the Rural Electrification Agency, the Federal Government completed and inaugurated the first plant under the  EEP, a 2.8MW first solar hybrid power plant at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI) in Ebonyi State. The project also included lighting of 7.5 KM of solar powered street lights in the university.

In September of the same year, the Buhari administration commissioned the largest off-grid solar hybrid power plant in Africa at Bayero University, Kano (BUK). The project which is providing students and faculty with constant electricity supply also includes provision of 11.41 kilometres of solar-powered street lights as well as a world-class renewable energy training centre.

In the same vein in December 2020, the Federal Government commissioned a 8.25M Solar Hybrid Power plant at Federal University of Agriculture (FUAM), Makurdi, Benue State. As a result, FUAM students and faculty now have access to electricity supply from the solar power plant. The project also includes installation of 13.23km solar powered streetlights for illumination and safety on the University campus.

All universities, under the programme are also provided with world-class renewable energy workshops and training centres.

In another development the Vice President presided over the inaugural meeting of the Cabinet Committee for the Review of the Draft National Transport Policy.

The terms of reference of the Committee include the determination of "which ministry or agency has statutory authority to administer tolls on Nigeria roads," and to determine the "appropriate roles of the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the Ministry of Works and Housing vis a vis the Ministry of Transportation in respect of the Road Fund proposed by the policy."

Committee members at the meeting held at the Presidential Villa include the Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, Works and Housing Minister Babatunde Fashola and Budget and National Planning Minister of State Clem Agba who represented the Finance Minister.


Laolu Akande

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

11th February 2021

*VP says the people are the party at APC membership & revalidation exercise in Ikenne
 
*Adds: State Police will improve security
  
"We must resist any attempt to destroy the unity of this country. Our people have lived and worked together for decades, even centuries. While we must attend to the cries of communities, and the cries of our people for justice, equity and fairness, we can do so within this same union. Ultimately we are stronger together than apart.”
 
These were the words of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, while addressing our nation's challenges of insecurity and criminality in Ikenne, Ogun State, where he participated in the ongoing APC Membership and Revalidation exercise.
 
According to him, despite the security challenges, the values of justice, equity and fairness across communities nationwide can be addressed within the Nigerian union.
 
Prof. Osinbajo, who was received by party leaders and members led by Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, urged Nigerians to “resist any attempts to destroy the unity of this country, adding that, “Our people have lived and worked together for decades.”
 
Speaking on the efforts of the Buhari administration to tackle the country’s security challenges, Prof. Osinbajo noted that greater emphasis is being placed on technology for surveillance, intelligence gathering and attack.
 
He explained that with the appointment of new Service Chiefs, the nation’s security approach has “fresh set of eyes, intellect and skills and a fresh look at strategies against the insurgency in the North East, as well as banditry and kidnapping elsewhere.”
 
The VP stated that the establishment of a State Police structure and stronger collaboration between the security agencies and Justice ministries will help to improve security nationwide.
 
He said, “we must speed up and strengthen the community policing structures, States must continually train, educate and formalize their local security structures so that they complement the Federal law enforcement agencies. Policing must be a collective effort, from the Local Government to the State Government, and all the way up to the Federal Government.
 
“We must ensure the prosecution of all those who have been arrested for kidnapping, banditry. There must be evidence that justice is being done. This is achievable by stronger collaboration between the police, States Ministries of Justice and the Federal Ministry of Justice.
 
“We are in government at one of the most challenging times in history. The pandemic has not helped matters, and we also have had security challenges that have stretched our law enforcement capacities all over the country. But we remain the best party to solve these problems.”
 
Expressing his delight to participate in the APC’s membership & revalidation exercise, the VP commended the smoothness of the process in the State. He said the exercise was important for the party to have a credible roll call of members and to reach more Nigerians, especially at the grassroots.
 
“Permit me to welcome you all to Ikenne, my home town, and more importantly, the home town of Papa Obafemi Awolowo, the father and progenitor of the great movement that we call "the progressives movement" today. It is on the broad shoulders of the social democratic philosophies of the maximum happiness and well-being of all the people that we, in our great party, the All Progressives Congress, stand firmly and confidently today,” he noted.
 
Prof. Osinbajo added that the Social Investment Programmes (SIPs) and Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) were proof of the Buhari administration’s focus on the welfare of Nigerians.
 
He said, “Because of our grassroots orientation, we have and continue to put in place the best programmes for the welfare of our people. Our focus on jobs for our young people is a resolute commitment of our party. Aside from the various microcredit schemes, Payroll support scheme (under the MSME Survival Fund), we have the N-Power (under the SIPs), and now the 774,000 jobs programme and N75B Youth Fund. We also have a mass housing scheme, mass agriculture scheme, and solar home systems for 5 million homes (under the ESP). All of these things are programmes and policies of a progressive party.”
 
“The people are the party and the party is the people. Ours is a grassroots party; a party of the people. Our focus is on the welfare, prosperity and well-being of all our people. Party members must understand their importance in the scheme of things. They must fully understand party’s philosophy and programmes; they must be actively mobilized to participate in, propagate and support government policies and programmes.”
 
Besides the Ogun State Governor, the event was also attended by the Niger State Governor, Sani Beĺlo, Senator Lawan Shuaibu and the former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba. The Chairman of the APC Ikenne Ward One, Prince Segun Awomuti, who hosted the event, endorsed the Vice President's membership registration.
 
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
9th February, 2021

https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/we-must-we-will-attend-to-cries-of-communities-for-justice-osinbajo/

Star boy. APC is ready