₦airaland Forum

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

FG welcomes partnership with tech companies to build capacity, employ more Nigerians.

The idea of a partnership between the Federal Government and technology companies to develop an eco-system of competent Nigerians working in the service sector and even outsourcing their expertise abroad is a welcome development and a step in the right direction in job creation.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, stated this during a virtual courtesy call from Huawei Nigeria, led by its new CEO, Trevor Liu on Thursday.


 
According to the Vice President, “I think that Huawei and the Federal Government should work as partners, not just a business relationship, but a relationship that also takes employment into account, especially with our young population.”

Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo said, “we need to develop an ecosystem of competent Nigerians who can work locally and get international jobs as well, a business-outsourcing-type arrangement.”  

He acknowledged the work Huawei had done in the past with training of Nigerians but reiterated the need for employment opportunities that go beyond capacity building.
 
Prof Osinbajo explained that “every other technology company does training programmes, but that is not what I am looking for. I am looking at something that shows Huawei wants to be a partner with Nigeria, working together as a corporate organization that sees itself as a part of Nigeria’s future. There are loads of people who have done training but have no work”

He further went on to say “I want us to do something groundbreaking and different.” 

“Let’s see something that gives young people more than training, gives them some opportunity as well because this ecosystem will require a lot of people who see Huawei not just as a business but a brand that’s interested in them going forward” 

Responding, the CEO of Huawei Nigeria, Trevor Liu, said that the strategy of the company is indeed to focus on investing in young people in every country in which they operate, adding that the company has invested in a lot of young people in Nigeria but would also like to do more. 

He assured the Federal Government that Huawei would invest more resources in young people and give a progress update, adding that it’s the plan of the company to position Nigeria as a technology center for the continent.

Also present at the meeting were Otunba Lanre Odekunle, Deputy Managing Director of Huawei and Michael Zhuang, the General Manager of Huawei in Nigeria.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
27th November 2020


https://www.operanewsapp.com/ng/en/share/detail?news_id=e002ada6440a23ca7bacf06f2ecf1b2e&news_entry_id=s14927cfd201127en_ng&open_type=tanscoded&request_id=news_13b74d0a-a8e5-4cfb-b14e-b7a0279c03be&from=news

Statehouse Press Release | Office Of The Vice President

*HOW CLEAN NIGERIA CAMPAIGN IS CRITICAL TO FG’S POVERTY REDUCTION, SOCIAL INCLUSION & OTHER EFFORTS — VP OSINBAJO*

Aside the main goal of ending open defecation across the country, the Buhari administration is prioritizing the Clean Nigeria Campaign as its success contributes to key initiatives including, enhancing social inclusion; poverty reduction; business growth, and entrepreneurship; greater access to quality education and affordable healthcare, among others.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, stated this in his remarks delivered virtually at a ceremony organized to mark the first anniversary of Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign, today.

According to the Vice President, “the success of the Clean Nigeria Campaign will contribute to some of the key priority areas of this Government which include enhancing social inclusion and poverty reduction, expanding business growth and entrepreneurship; and expanding access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity of Nigerians.”

Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo said “we are aware that access to adequate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services is a critical factor in the socio-economic development of any nation and contributes to human capital outcomes such as early childhood survival, health and educational attainment. Access to WASH services is also one of the key preventive measures in the raging global COVID-19 pandemic.”

Speaking about the role of the private sector in the actualization of the objectives, Prof. Osinbajo stated that “the initiative of the Organized Private Sector in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (OPS-WASH) tagged ‘FLUSHIT’ which aims at promoting private sector-led innovative financial strategies in WASH, is a welcome development.”

He emphasized that “the role of the private sector is critical in building a virile sanitation economy which will drive the sustenance of the results being achieved under the Clean Nigeria Campaign.”

Restating the commitment of the Federal Government to the success of the campaign especially by appointing campaign ambassadors to support the process, Prof. Osinbajo said “in our desire to aggressively mobilize the entire country towards ending the practice of open defecation, we have identified Campaign Ambassadors to support the national drive towards open defecation free status.”

The Vice President explained that “these are citizens who have contributed to the existing successes achieved so far under the Campaign or have been identified as persons of influence who can significantly advance the Campaign.

“Clean Nigeria Campaign Ambassador will be required to provide leadership in advancing the objectives of the Campaign and engage in Campaign activities as may be initiated by you or other stakeholders.”

Giving further insights about what the Federal Government is doing to sustain current efforts, Prof. Osinbajo said “the Clean Nigeria Campaign is backed by Presidential Executive Order 009 which gives effect to its implementation.”

“The Executive Order provides that the National Open Defecation Free (ODF) Roadmap be put into effect towards meeting the national target of ending open defecation by 2025.

“It mandates the ‘Clean Nigeria Campaign Secretariat’ in collaboration with relevant government institutions to ensure that all public places including schools, hotels, fuel stations, places of worship, market places, hospitals and offices have accessible toilets within their premises.

“It also provides for the enactment of legislation appropriate sanctions and penalties to back up the fight against open defecation while ensuring that all developmental projects include the construction of sanitation facilities as an integral part of the approval and implementation process,” the Vice President added.

Prof. Osinbajo however noted that “ending open defecation is not just about access to toilets. It is about generating demand for toilets and changing people’s behaviour regarding toilet usage. The Clean Nigeria Campaign as a transformational and behaviour change campaign will require the contribution and commitment of everyone: government at all levels, civil society, private sector, development partners and the entire populace in building a new culture of safe sanitation.”

The campaign to end open defecation in Nigeria was launched about a year ago to galvanize efforts from both public and private sectors to promote water, sanitation and hygiene in the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the country. So far, 33 LGAs in the country are known to be open defecation free.

Aside the host, the Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman Adamu, other officials at the event include the Minister of State for FCT, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu; representatives of Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, and development partners and the organized private sector.

*Laolu Akande,*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,*
*Office of the Vice President.*
26th November 2020

Freestainworld:
which one have you guys been doing? Nigeria going into recession twice in 5yrs, shameless people in government.

You should be reasonable enough to know that recession is a global thing caused by Covid-19

A major feature of Nigeria’s economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic as indicated in the Economic Sustainability Plan currently being implemented, has been the openness to new and creative ideas, all in a bid to save jobs, protect businesses, and attract new investments, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Tuesday during a webinar with some French business leaders under the auspices of the Franco-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Vice President noted that part of what the Buhari administration had done in its response to the pandemic was to “build a business environment that will be supportive of domestic and foreign investors.”

According to Prof. Osinbajo, “it is important to recognize that the pandemic, which really is the cause of the downturn, not just in the Nigerian economy, but practically all of our economies, all over the world, except perhaps China, also provides incredible opportunities for doing all manner of very innovative, and creative things.

“And I think that we are in a season where we are ready to experiment and ready to do a lot more. And if you look at our Economic Sustainability Plan, which is our response to the pandemic, what we tried to do was to do a few things that we thought would be game changing.”

Continuing, he said “for example, one of the important things that we are trying to do with respect to renewable energy is with solar power. We are collaborating with several solar power companies to provide, within the next 12 months, 5 million Nigerian households with solar home systems.

“This is partly to address the issues with the national grid by providing more off-grid capacity and provide more opportunities in the renewable energy space. What we are doing is to get the financing through the Central Bank of Nigeria as part of the Economic Sustainability Plan.”

Speaking on the issue of backward integration and citing the example of Fan Milk Plc, Prof. Osinbajo said private sector commitment need to align to the Federal Government’s backward integration policy.

“I am glad to hear that you are already doing 1.5 million litres of milk in Ogun State,” Prof. Osinbajo noted adding however that there is still a lot more to be done.

The Vice President noted that “for us, the issue of backward integration is right, front and centre, and it has been so for many years. We believe that an aggressive pursuit of it is really important for us as an economic policy.”

He continued: “The most important thing, as I said, is that we are committed to backward integration. Unfortunately, over the years, many companies have committed to backward integration but have simply not been as diligent and faithful with those promises. So, we really want to see much greater commitment and a plan that is as aggressive as our own aspirations.”

Participants at the forum include Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; The Executive Secretary and CEO of Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Mrs Yewande Sadiku; the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Jérôme Pasquier; Chairman of the Board of the Franco-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Usman Mohammed, representatives of some French companies operating in Nigeria including Total Nigeria, Air France, Kwik Delivery, among others.

*Laolu Akande,*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,*
*Office of the Vice President.*
24th November 2020.

Juliusmalema:
Osinbajo is a con-artist

and your father?

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, says the Nigerian economy is on its path to recovery.

Laolu Akande said this while reacting to the report released by the National Bureau of Statistics which showed that Africa’s biggest economy entered a second recession in five years.

The NBS, in its report for the third quarter of 2020 released on Saturday, said the GDP, the broadest measure of economic prosperity, fell by 3.62 per cent in the three months up till September.

In his reaction, Akande said, “Let me say very clearly that if you look at the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) figures themselves, there is a clear indication of restoration. For instance, in Q2, the contraction was -6.1 but in Q3 which figures were just released, the contraction is -3. So, clearly, the Nigerian economy is on a rebound.

“To the question of when we will get out of this situation, the figures bear the truth that the Nigerian economy is on its way to recovery. This is going to be mainly because of the Economic Sustainability Plan that the President had put in place and asked the Vice-President to share its development and implementation.

“The economy is rebounding and this is mainly because of the preemptive action that the Buhari administration had taken even before now to ensure that the situation doesn’t get worse. We have the confidence that the Nigerian economy will bounce back very promptly.”

https://aledeh.com/2020/11/recession-osinbajos-aide-optimistic-about-recovery/

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Friday said the plans of the current administration to slash taxes is to make Nigeria’s business environment attractive to investors.
According to him, just like the Muhammadu Buhari offered a range of tax incentives to Nigerians through the Finance Bill later passed into law last year, it is again offering more this year through the 2020 Finance Bill so as to attract more incentives and make doing business in Nigeria more competitive.


Osinbajo gave this explanations at the third edition of the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit held virtually, which featured several Nigerians and prospective investors from the Diaspora.
 
Speaking specifically about how the Federal Government has been able to use the 2019 Finance Act to improve the business environment in the country, the Vice President said “what we have done in furthering our own economic policy is to attempt to make the fiscal environment as attractive as possible. What we have done is to use the instrumentality of the Finance Acts to make or propose significant reforms.”
He gave highlights of the tax incentives in the proposed 2020 Finance Bill to include: Reduction in duties on tractors from 35 to 10 per cent; Reduction in duties on motor vehicles for the transportation of goods from 35 to 10 per cent and Reduction of levy on motor vehicles for the transportation of persons (cars) from 35 per cent to 5 per cent.

Others are exemption of small companies from payment of education tax under the Tertiary Education Trust fund (TETFUND)-companies with less than N25m turnover are eligible; 50 per cent reduction in minimum tax; from 0.5 per cent to 0.25 per cent for gross turnover for financial years ending between January 1st, 2020 and December 31st, 2021; granting of tax relief to companies that donated to the COVID-19 relief fund under the private sector coalition (CACOVID) and introduction of software acquisition as qualifying capital allowance.”
Commending the contributions of the Nigerian diaspora community in the development of the country, the Vice President noted that “our diaspora is one of our most vital resources, a literarily endless reservoir for talent, trade, investment, tourism, education, culture and sport opportunities.”
“But perhaps more important is the sheer range of well trained, honed and experienced talents that our diaspora represents. It is that potential not remittances that make our diaspora network an endless source of economic hope and social aspiration,” Prof. Osinbajo added.
Acknowledging the efforts of the CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, particularly in harnessing the resources and talents of Nigerians abroad, Osinbajo said “the diaspora initiatives that we have, and all of your efforts are certainly appreciated and will result to a stronger economy for Nigeria and a better country.”
In her opening remarks, Dabiri-Erewa said: “The objective of this Summit is to establish a platform where Diaspora Investors can interact with potential sponsors, partners, collaborators and government agencies with a direct roundtable deals for mutual benefits.
“The Summit is an avenue to expose the Nigerians in Diaspora to key into the following investment sectors: Healthcare, Education, Agribusiness, Creative Entertainment and Sports, Telecommunication, ICT/Fintech and Manufacturing.”
On the benefits of the summit to Nigerians in Diaspora, she said “it will strengthen your investment profile, expand your business network, showcase your global best practices, provide opportunity to meet key decision makers and industry influencers, brand exposure and many more that will help you in contributing to National development.
“As we are all aware, Nigeria is our country and it is important to bring together all expertise from various fields especially from the diaspora to develop Nigeria.
The Summit Coordinator, Dr Badewa Adejugbe-Williams, said she was impressed that participants took time out to participate in this Summit regardless of the differences in time zone.
“This simply shows the resilience of Nigerians in Diaspora and at home in seeing a new Nigeria in bringing about national development to their country.
“This event is a culmination of an enormous effort which began in the year 2018 with the aim of actualizing the Federal Government Economic Recovery growth plan in encouraging multichannel investment options, and in recognition of the Diaspora as being one of the best groups to connect with when designing strategies for attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). From that moment, many institutions and individuals have contributed in one form or the other towards the organization and the success of this yearly summit. I should like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to this institutions and individuals, most especially His Excellency the President of the Republic for the constant firm support for this summit.
“The theme “Post Covid 19 Resurgence: Targeting Diaspora Investment” is apt, especially at this era when the Corona Virus Pandemic has affected both the human and material resources of all Nations. We need our Diaspora Community more than ever before because they possess the pertinent resources and are at the cutting edge of technology and development. There is no doubt therefore that our Nigerian Diaspora are an asset to their host countries and Nigeria in terms of their resources, skills and talents.
“The engagement of Nigerians in Diaspora in resurging the economy is more pertinent now as the post COVID-19 economy recovery plan requires global best practices for which the Diaspora are best suited.”


https://www.sunnewsonline.com/slashed-taxes-to-make-nigerias-business-environment-attractive-osinbajo/

*101,567 beneficiaries drawn from 16,250 businesses paid

As the implementation of its Economic Sustainability Plan, ESP, continues, and in furtherance of its commitment to support small businesses to cushion the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Buhari administration has commenced payment to beneficiaries of the payroll support scheme track under the MSME Survival Fund.

The MSME Survival Fund, a component under the ESP, is generally designed to, among other things, support vulnerable MSMEs in meeting their different obligations and safeguard jobs in the sector.

So far, 101,567 verified employees drawn from 16,250 businesses have received their first monthly payment from the Survival Fund’s Payroll Support Scheme, which is designed to support vulnerable MSMEs in meeting their payroll obligations by paying the salaries of their staff for a period of three months.

Verification is still ongoing as the payroll support scheme targets supporting 500,000 vulnerable MSMEs in meeting their payroll obligations of up to N50,000 per employee during the duration of 3 months, starting from October.

It would be recalled that registration for the Payroll Support had commenced on Monday, 21st September, for different categories of MSMEs - education, hospitality and other sectors (general); and ended on the 15th of October.

The requirements needed for the application include: the employees’ company must be registered in Nigeria under the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC; must have a BVN; the business have a staff strength of at least 3 persons with proof of monthly salary payment and must be owned by a Nigerian in Nigeria.

All successful applicants had received SMS and email verification with a list of requirements for the second stage of application, while applicants/businesses were required to upload their details and documents supporting their applications for verification.

The commencement of payment for beneficiaries of the Survival Fund payroll support follows that of the ongoing N30,000 one-time grant payment to artisans nationwide. The payments are being made to sets of verified beneficiaries of the Artisan Support Scheme, a track under the MSMEs Survival Fund. The Artisans’ scheme is paying one-time grants of N30,000 to a total of 333,000 beneficiaries across the country.

In the first stream of payments which started at the end of October, beneficiaries are being drawn from the FCT, Lagos, Ondo, Kaduna, Borno, Kano, Bauchi, Anambra, Abia, Plateau and Delta States. They form the first batch of applications for the scheme submitted between October 1 and October 10.

The Survival Fund grant has been designed to cushion the effect of the Coronavirus pandemic on the most vulnerable MSMEs across Nigeria, targeting 1.7 million individuals and entities across Nigeria.

The MSME Survival Fund is a conditional grant to support vulnerable micro and small enterprises in meeting their payroll obligations and safeguard Jobs in the MSMEs sector. The scheme is estimated to save not less than 1.3million jobs across the country and specifically impact on over 35,000 individuals per state.

The scheme made provision for a 45% female business participation and 5% participation of persons with special needs.

The MSMEs Survival Fund scheme is a component of the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan, NESP, which was developed by an Economic Sustainability Committee established by President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2020. The President asked his deputy, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, to head the committee which produced the plan and is overseeing its implementation.



Laolu Akande

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity

Office of the Vice President

18th November 2020

https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/fg-provides-additional-reliefs-for-businesses-individuals-in-proposed-finance-bill-2020/

*Let's expand umbrella of hope over all sections of society
*And rebuild morale of the Police, says VP



REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE LAUNCH OF THE REBUILD LAGOS INITIATIVE AND INAUGURATION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF REBUILD LAGOS TRUST FUND IN LAGOS ON THE 16TH OF NOVEMBER, 2020

PROTOCOLS

I bring you the warm greetings of Mr. President, H.E Muhammadu Buhari and he has also asked me to express once again, his sincere and deep condolences on the catastrophic events of the last few weeks. To that I add again, my own sincere commiserations to the government and people of Lagos State, this place of my birth, for the loss of lives of citizens, the injured and the colossal destruction of public and private properties, social amenities and infrastructure as we’ve heard and seen.

Never in the history of our nation has this former capital city, and our nation’s commercial nerve centre experienced such mindless acts of violence and the enormity of destruction that occurred.
Perhaps it is worth noting that the destruction and disruption of life and work in Lagos is a national tragedy and a major economic setback for the nation even as we face the most difficult challenges, perhaps in a generation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is the State that leads by far in the collection of non-oil revenues. The bulk of VAT is generated here. Of the 114 persons who pay self-assessed taxes of over N10million, 112 of them live and work here in Lagos. The Lagos port whose Marina office was attacked generates the most revenue and is the busiest in the Nation. The Lagos airport is the busiest in Nigeria. In so many ways, our fortunes as a nation are closely tied to the fortunes of this great State.

But even in the darkest of clouds, there is and will be silver linings. These trying times offer an invaluable learning opportunity, a teachable moment, and it is the lessons we draw from this period that will shape our path going forward.

We have seen how the most noble causes, such as the ENDSARS protests designed to call attention to a serious problem of brutality and extrajudicial killings, can be subverted leading to the exact opposite of its objectives; chaos, murder, looting and arson. So, we saw what can happen when the restraints of law and order are loosed and anarchy is given free rein.

In those difficult days when chaos swept from street to street, consuming lives and livelihoods, we learned that society is built on the balance between freedom and order. But we have also realized that order itself is a social construct sustained by the consent of the governed. Which is why it is important, as the Chairman of the Rebuild Lagos Trust Fund said, that we investigate and thoroughly interrogate the deep causes of the disenchantment that resulted in the chaos.

We recognize that our law enforcement agents who are tasked with keeping their fellow citizens safe do so under extremely difficult and challenging operational conditions; that while the dedication of the diligent officers among them is often overshadowed by the deviance and indiscipline of some of their comrades, there are undeniably a preponderance of competent officials who discharge their duties with a high sense of professionalism and patriotism. These good men and women in our police force and law enforcement agencies deserve our encouragement and support for standing in the gap between order and lawlessness.

At this point, let me pay tribute to the officers of the Nigeria Police Force who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty during the recent crisis. I offer my heartfelt sympathies to the families of the fallen. The task of serving and protecting the public is one of the noblest of professions and we are committed to upholding the dignity of all who do this work. Indeed, we recognize that the protests as well as the current national conversation they have inspired are ultimately about building a police force that will proudly represent our highest values. I will return to this point in a moment.

Your Excellencies, it is now time to rebuild. It is time for the painful and costly task of reconstruction and rehabilitation. It is now time for the private sector, our international friends and partners, and all who love this city and State, to make their contributions to the rebuilding and reconstruction effort. When Lagos works, it works for all of us.
For the Federal Government’s part, Mr. President has said that he will await a full report from Your Excellency, (the Governor) and I am sure that will be on hand soon so as to measure the sort of support that will be required.

We are also, of course, speaking with the National Assembly. I had a few conversations with the Rt. Honorable Speaker and we have also heard the representative of the Senate President, Senator Olamilekan Solomon, speak about the collaboration that must take place between the Executive and the Legislature and the National Assembly, in order to be able to do something that would make a difference in this reconstructive effort and of course, it is not just for Lagos, but for the rest of the country. But as we heard repeatedly, Lagos will clearly have to take the bulk of whatever effort that is put together.

For businesses that were destroyed, we also heard the CBN Governor speak about the CACOVID allowance and what the Bankers' Committee will do. They have been speaking about suspending existing facilities that business owners may have in banks and also offering lines of cheap credit to help them rebuild their damaged facilities and re-stock.

But it is clear that the task of reconstruction goes beyond physical infrastructure or brick and mortar. There is a moral, social and ethical reconstruction to be undertaken as well. We must rebuild trust between the government and the governed; the vast majority of who are young persons, rebuild trust between law enforcement agents and the communities that they are meant to serve.

Never again should law enforcement find itself on the opposite side of any conflict with society. We must in the process rebuild the morale of our police force, the gallant men and women who daily brave the elements to keep us all safe.

The process of reform has commenced. After 70 years of the Police Act, the President signed the new reformed Police Act 2020 into law. The new law contains in many parts, components of a charter of the rights of citizens even when they are questioned, or when they are detained, or whenever they have contact with the police or law enforcement agents under the purview of the police.

The President has also signed into law, the Police Trust Act, essentially to provide a source of extra funding for the police. Equally, the Police has also initiated its community policing programme aimed at reframing policing as an activity based on trust between law enforcement and the local communities. We recognize that our communities can be made safer when they are primarily policed by members of that same community who enjoy the trust of their neighbours. Which is why community policing involved recruitment of policemen from the local governments where these men and women live and they are required to remain in those local governments when they serve in the Police Force.

We must renew the ties that bind us together as a society. All of us who have a stake in a peaceful and prosperous Lagos must take upon ourselves, the task of expanding the umbrella of hope over all sections of our society.

We certainly cannot afford to alienate our young people who constitute the majority of our society and bear the burden of enterprise, resourcefulness and innovation required to propel our economy into the future. For their sake and ours, we need a broad-based and inclusive prosperity that creates opportunities on a scale commensurate with the aspirations of our population. Beyond restoring what we have lost, the task before us is nothing short of the reformulation of the social contract.

Let me extend my deepest sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives during the protests and to all those who have lost their loved ones or who have been affected by the actions especially of police brutality and brutality of law enforcement agents generally. Nothing can replace the life of a loved one and for that, I offer my deepest condolences.

These deaths should never have happened. It is now our responsibility to honour their memory and ensure that justice is comprehensively served.

Our State, like our nation, is in need of healing. We recognize that the balm for a wounded society is truth and justice. This is why the President has approved the setting up of Judicial Panels of Inquiry which has been established all over the country by the States of the Federation. Their mandate is to investigate cases of police brutality against citizens, where necessary recommend compensation for victims. Specifically, in Lagos, the mandate of the inquiry has been expanded to include the full investigation of the Lekki toll gate incidents. This process has begun in Lagos and you have seen already that all Federal Agencies and the armed services are participating actively in the proceedings of the judiciary inquiry. Mr. President said and I quote ''we will also ensure that all those responsible for misconduct or wrongful acts are brought to justice.”

This is why Judicial Panels of Inquiry have been established all across the country. Their mandate is to investigate cases of police brutality against citizens and where necessary compensate victims.

Specifically, in Lagos the mandate of the inquiry has been expanded to include a full investigation of the Lekki toll gate incidents. This process has begun and all Federal Agencies and the armed services are participating actively as Mr. President said and I quote ''We will also ensure that all those responsible for misconduct or wrongful acts are brought to justice.”

The pursuit of restorative justice, recompense for injury to innocents and a reckoning for perpetrators of abuse are essential components of the moral and ethical reconstruction of our homestead. I urge all of us to give this process a chance to work and to commit to the advocacy and participation that it will take to enable this process succeed.

We have been through a very difficult time but all our moral traditions instruct us that character is forged in hardship. The things that truly strengthen us are gained in seasons of adversity.

It will be severely remiss of me if I leave here without commending the outstanding leadership shown by the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo–Olu in what has been an immensely challenging season for the State.

First, Mr. Governor, you led your State’s efforts in addressing the COVID-19 Pandemic to both local and international acclaim with the sort of leadership you have shown. When State Governors under the auspices of the National Economic Council (NEC) resolved that States should establish Judicial Panels of Inquiry, Lagos was the very first State to constitute its inquiry.

Throughout this period, your actions have been an example of responsibility, creativity, sensitivity and resolve under pressure. I want to say that we are extremely proud of what you have done and what you are doing. Thank you very much.

In closing, let me on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria assure you that we stand with you and the great people of Lagos as you undertake this difficult journey of rebuilding. It is my conviction that Lagos and our nation at large will emerge from this crisis better and stronger.

Igbega ipinle Eko, ajumose gbogbo wa ni o.

May God bless the government and people of Lagos State and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you.

Released by:
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
17th November 2020

More sights

More pictures

"It's clear that the task of reconstruction goes beyond physical infrastructure or brick and mortar. There is a moral, social & ethical reconstruction to be undertaken as well." - VP Osinbajo

https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/vp-osinbajo-attends-the-launch-of-rebuilding-lagos-trust-fund-on-16-11-2020/

One of Nigeria’s main priorities now is getting the COVID-19 vaccine and this is a matter of utmost concern to the Buhari administration, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
 
 
Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Thursday at the opening session of the virtual edition of the Paris Peace Forum which featured presentations by some Heads of State & government alongside international organizations, on a collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
 
Stating what Nigeria’s priorities in its COVID-19 response are, the Vice President said “the priorities of Nigeria in the post COVID-19 era include improved healthcare and the economy. First, we need to keep the virus under control. While our guards are still firmly in place, getting the COVID-19 vaccine is a matter of utmost concern.”
 
 
According to him, “On this, we are encouraged  by the efforts of WHO and other international agencies working to ensure that vaccine delivery will be equitable across all countries, regardless of the priority of orders and ability to pay.”
 
 
Underscoring the importance of prioritizing interventions and investments in the healthcare system, the Vice President said “we are encouraging private investment to upscale our health sector, with emphasis on improved facilities and affordable universal healthcare.”
 
 
While appreciating leaders across the world for their prompt response and cooperation in controlling the spread of the COVID-19, Prof. Osinbajo said “the sheer scale of disruptions to our lives and livelihoods caused by COVID-19 certainly caught us all by surprise.”
 

Restating the call for debt relief for developing countries, the Vice President said “the pandemic underscores the need for adequate financial buffers to cope with the ‘black swan’ events.  For many developing countries, the debt burden makes this all but impossible.”
 
 
Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo noted “we call for debt relief for these countries, and the extension of the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) at least until the end of 2021 as well as commercial debt relief where needed.”
 
 
The Vice President had in previous international forums earlier in the year made a case for debt relief for developing countries, noting that “the Debt Servicing Support Initiative of the G20 is welcome and will no doubt bring some relief to relevant African countries.  However, it remains inadequate because it does not address the problem of commercial debt service obligations.”
 
 
He assured that Nigeria stands with all countries of the world, in the effort to eradicate the virus, and leverage experiences for a healthier and more prosperous world.


The Paris Peace Forum is an annual event that features leaders and actors from civil society around the world with a focus on challenges facing the world - climate change, terrorism, migration, cyber insecurity, and global governance issues among others.
 
 
 
Laolu Akande

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

12th November 2020

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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations Amina J Mohammed, Min of Finance Dr. Zainab Ahmed, Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, UNDP Resident Coordinator Mr. Edward Kallon launch The Nigeria UN Plus Offer for Socio- Economic Recovery 2020-2022 at the State House, Abuja. 9th Nov, 2020.

*VP cites FG, Germany, Siemens power initiative as model
In dealing with the disruptions caused by COVID-19 on economies and livelihoods, stronger international cooperation and collaboration among countries will be crucial in addressing the situation and expediting economic recovery, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Monday at the 8th German-Nigerian Business Forum which held virtually. The event featured presentations by representatives of the German and Nigerian business communities.

Emphasizing the importance of building stronger collaboration and cooperation post COVID-19, the Vice President said “as it turned out, the pandemic is no respecter of borders, and has forced us to ponder on the importance of collaboration and international cooperation in solving some of our most pressing problems”.

According to him, “2020 will probably go down as perhaps the most challenging year in recent global history. No one can be blamed for the circumstances that led to it. However, history will hold us responsible as individual nations and collectively if we do not see and seize the immense opportunities that the moment presents.

“Bilateral cooperation is a major plank of that effort. We must use the German Nigeria forum to snatch growth and prosperity for our countries from the jaws of the pandemic.”

Speaking specifically about the German-Nigerian business cooperation, the Vice President said “there are several reasons why Nigeria and Germany’s economic relationship is an important and natural one.”

“With its population of nearly 200 million people and as the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria is a natural partner of Germany, which is also the largest economy in the European Union and also its most populous country. Both countries have a shared experience of paving the way in their respective continents and serve as strategic entry points for investors across industries,” he added.

Prof. Osinbajo noted that “cooperation between our countries and between sectors, is now more important than ever and this forum is an essential platform for deliberating on the mutually beneficial ways that we can achieve our shared objectives as nations. And we already have an excellent example the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), a power infrastructure upgrade and modernisation programme, agreed to by the Nigerian government and Siemens AG of Germany, with the support of the German Government.”

“Under the initiative, the Nigerian government will on behalf of the other shareholders in the DisCos invest in infrastructure upgrades in the form of improved payment systems, distribution substations, transformers, protection devices, smart meters, transmission lines, etc.,” the Vice President added.

Stating the focus of government’s interventions aimed at addressing the fallouts of the pandemic, Prof. Osinbajo said the priorities we, as a government, have set for ourselves are centered around nine inter-related and inter-connected areas, which are”:
Stabilizing the economy

Achieving agriculture and food security

Attaining energy sufficiency especially in power and petroleum products

Improving transportation and other infrastructure

Driving industrialization with a special focus on SMEs;

Expanding access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity of Nigerians

Enhancing social inclusion by scaling up social investments

Building a system to fight corruption, improve governance

Strengthen national security.

Present at the event were Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; Germany’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Birgitt Ory; the CEO of Afrika-Verein, Christoph Kannengiesser, among others.


Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
9th November 2020

When you understand the role of a vice president and what it means to be honourable.
You will appreciate the person of professor yemi osinbajo

The vice president Yemi Osinbajo is not just a leader, but a leader with passion and positive impacts. He is the first VP to give meaning to the office of the Vice president in the history of Nigeria.

Osinbajo in 2020 brings Joy
Osinbajo in 2020 brings Love
Osinbajo in 2020 brings Favor
Osinbajo in 2020 brings Riches
Osinbajo in 2020 brings Miracles
Osinbajo in 2020 brings Success
Osinbajo in 2020 brings Blessing
Osinbajo in 2020 brings Greatness

Osinbajo will go down in history as one of the Greatest Vice President ever.
Osinbajo will be known as:
The VP who cared
The VP who fought for all
The VP who united millions
The VP who Made Promises & Kept promises. Osinbajo is a Fixer

There are 10 personality traits a great leader should possess.

God truly Blessed us with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who possesses all 10

1 Kindness
2 Intelligence
3 Integrity
4 Compassion
5 Empathy
6 Honesty
7 Humility
8 Strength
9 Courage
10 Loyalty

Why Omojuwa apologised, deletes tweet against Osinbajo

*Found out VP fighting to end police brutality & enforce rule of law

Social Media Influencer Japhet Omojuwa deleted his tweet attacking the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo because he found out that the VP has been an active advocate within government against police brutality and an inside force pushing for the rule of law even in dealing with the fallouts of the EndSARS protests, including the reported seizure of a passport belonging to Nigerian Lawyer and #EndSARS campaigner, Modupe Odele.


In the wake of the protest against police brutality, Osinbajo had met with the Inspector General of Police and immediately, a ban on the activities of Special Anti-Robbery Squad. The VP also met with journalists where he clearly spoke against police brutality and harassment of youths, after which he met again with the Police Chief, Director General of State Security Services among others to review further steps to take on conclusively addressing concerns of Nigerians on excesses of SARS.

Taking a bolder step, a meeting was facilitated with President Buhari, where the VP and the IGP gave reports on their findings and two days after that SARS was eventually dissolved.

The Osinbajo led National Economic Council, also directed governors to set up judicial panels of inquiry to interphase with protesters, investigate erring officers and provide compensation when and where necessary.

Just recently, NEC has also immediately started engaging Youths in all the 36 states and the FCT.

Meanwhile, Prof. Osinbajo has been attacked on various occasions for unverified news and his accusers have often returned apologizing for the false accusations made against him.

It could be recalled that Vanguard Newspaper, who published false news against the VP, apologized through its publication titled; “Retraction/Apology to VP Yemi Osinbajo” on September 25, 2019. Business day also issued an apology to Osinbajo over allegations of withdrawal of N10billion from TSA on 13th August, 2020, likewise WAZOBIA Radio management who also tendered an apology to Osinbajo and retracted a false story on N90b FIRS fraud, dated 15th October, 2020.

Omojuwa, in a series of tweets, explained that there was no malice in his earlier tweets which he has now deleted.

“I’d love to withdraw this tweet about the VP Osinbajo and also apologize for it. I have a better understanding of what happened and his effort to ensure the right thing is being done. My tweet was posted because of my own commitment towards respect for the rule of law.

Omojuwa, however, admitted that he has realized that the VP has continuously championed an end to police brutality.

Why Omojuwa apologised, deletes tweet against Osinbajo

*Found out VP fighting to end police brutality & enforce rule of law

Social Media Influencer Japhet Omojuwa deleted his tweet attacking the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo because he found out that the VP has been an active advocate within government against police brutality and an inside force pushing for the rule of law even in dealing with the fallouts of the EndSARS protests, including the reported seizure of a passport belonging to Nigerian Lawyer and #EndSARS campaigner, Modupe Odele.


In the wake of the protest against police brutality, Osinbajo had met with the Inspector General of Police and immediately, a ban on the activities of Special Anti-Robbery Squad. The VP also met with journalists where he clearly spoke against police brutality and harassment of youths, after which he met again with the Police Chief, Director General of State Security Services among others to review further steps to take on conclusively addressing concerns of Nigerians on excesses of SARS.

Taking a bolder step, a meeting was facilitated with President Buhari, where the VP and the IGP gave reports on their findings and two days after that SARS was eventually dissolved.

The Osinbajo led National Economic Council, also directed governors to set up judicial panels of inquiry to interphase with protesters, investigate erring officers and provide compensation when and where necessary.

Just recently, NEC has also immediately started engaging Youths in all the 36 states and the FCT.

Meanwhile, Prof. Osinbajo has been attacked on various occasions for unverified news and his accusers have often returned apologizing for the false accusations made against him.

It could be recalled that Vanguard Newspaper, who published false news against the VP, apologized through its publication titled; “Retraction/Apology to VP Yemi Osinbajo” on September 25, 2019. Business day also issued an apology to Osinbajo over allegations of withdrawal of N10billion from TSA on 13th August, 2020, likewise WAZOBIA Radio management who also tendered an apology to Osinbajo and retracted a false story on N90b FIRS fraud, dated 15th October, 2020.

Omojuwa, in a series of tweets, explained that there was no malice in his earlier tweets which he has now deleted.

“I’d love to withdraw this tweet about the VP Osinbajo and also apologize for it. I have a better understanding of what happened and his effort to ensure the right thing is being done. My tweet was posted because of my own commitment towards respect for the rule of law.

Omojuwa, however, admitted that he has realized that the VP has continuously championed an end to police brutality.

Found out VP fighting to end police brutality & enforce rule of law

Social Media Influencer Japhet Omojuwa deleted his tweet attacking the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo because he found out that the VP has been an active advocate within government against police brutality and an inside force pushing for the rule of law even in dealing with the fallouts of the EndSARS protests, including the reported seizure of a passport belonging to Nigerian Lawyer and #EndSARS campaigner, Modupe Odele.


In the wake of the protest against police brutality, Osinbajo had met with the Inspector General of Police and immediately, a ban on the activities of Special Anti-Robbery Squad. The VP also met with journalists where he clearly spoke against police brutality and harassment of youths, after which he met again with the Police Chief, Director General of State Security Services among others to review further steps to take on conclusively addressing concerns of Nigerians on excesses of SARS.

Taking a bolder step, a meeting was facilitated with President Buhari, where the VP and the IGP gave reports on their findings and two days after that SARS was eventually dissolved.

The Osinbajo led National Economic Council, also directed governors to set up judicial panels of inquiry to interphase with protesters, investigate erring officers and provide compensation when and where necessary.

Just recently, NEC has also immediately started engaging Youths in all the 36 states and the FCT.

Meanwhile, Prof. Osinbajo has been attacked on various occasions for unverified news and his accusers have often returned apologizing for the false accusations made against him.

It could be recalled that Vanguard Newspaper, who published false news against the VP, apologized through its publication titled; “Retraction/Apology to VP Yemi Osinbajo” on September 25, 2019. Business day also issued an apology to Osinbajo over allegations of withdrawal of N10billion from TSA on 13th August, 2020, likewise WAZOBIA Radio management who also tendered an apology to Osinbajo and retracted a false story on N90b FIRS fraud, dated 15th October, 2020.

Omojuwa, in a series of tweets, explained that there was no malice in his earlier tweets which he has now deleted.

“I’d love to withdraw this tweet about the VP Osinbajo and also apologize for it. I have a better understanding of what happened and his effort to ensure the right thing is being done. My tweet was posted because of my own commitment towards respect for the rule of law.

Omojuwa, however, admitted that he has realized that the VP has continuously championed an end to police brutality.

The development and sustenance of viable enterprises is no longer dependent on the size of the corporation and related factors but sound ethical practices imbibed by all stakeholders, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Tuesday at the virtual 2020 Conference of the Institute of Directors.

According to him, “The frequent clashes between conscience and wrongful behavior will eventually create a toxic work environment and destroy corporate objectives and visions. There is also enough history of how cutting corners and dishonesty ultimately bring down the whole enterprise.

This we have seen in the facts behind the collapse of many Nigerian financial institutions from the nineties to the more recent occurrences in 2009. Yes, it took a while for the institutions to unravel but the point is made that on the long run, unethical practices are unsustainable.

“Besides for quoted companies, the dangers of unethical behavior are much graver. Local and international investors have greater access to information and more options than ever before, the slightest whiff of scandal or malfeasance can destroy value built up over the years.

The local and especially the international examples of the collapse of companies thought to be too big to fail and brand names that had even once been associated with integrity and strong business ethics is a strong reminder of just how brittle edifices built on weak business ethics are.

“Today, every company’s stakeholders are far more than investors, management, or employees. They now include customers, clients, trade partners, suppliers, media, the general public, government and now, the environment.”

The event featured presentations personalities including Prof. Marc Le Menestrel, a professor of Decision Sciences; Chairman of Governing Council, Institute of Directors, Chief Chris Okunowo; and Dele Alimi, DG/CEO, Institute of Directors.

Below is the full text of the Vice President’s remarks:

REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE 2020 CONFERENCE OF THE INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS, ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 3, 2020

I am honoured by your kind invitation to join you this morning at the 2020 Annual Directors’ Conference of the Institute. The Institute takes the credit for the development of Nigeria’s finest breed of business executives and directors in the fulfilment of their legal and personal responsibilities to the corporate entities they serve and of course, to Nigeria as a whole.

I am particularly excited about the recent efforts of the Institute to standardize the practice of sound ethical values and lead by example with the introduction in August this year, of the IoD Code of Ethics 2020 for members and staff of the Institute.

I, therefore, congratulate the President, Chief Chris Okunowo, who many of you know, is from the best schools in the World, Igbobi College, and the Faculty of Law University of Lagos, for steering the course of the institute towards global best practices. (I am offering no prizes for guessing that the two schools I mentioned are also the schools that I attended).

My brief remarks will centre around a question that has occupied my mind for many years and led to my co-founding the Convention on Business Integrity with my friend and brother Soji Apampa in 1997.

How do you most effectively convey the truth to corporate entities, to companies, that integrity pays, that business ethics is as crucial to the bottom line and to everything else, as the other more obvious factors in delivering profitability and recognition of success for a company?

The question is complicated by the notion that business ethics is itself an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms how can you survive in the cut-throat survival of the fittest environment of business with any kind of concern for morality?

Besides, in countries where regulatory oversight and law enforcement is weak and or slow, there would seem to be, at least, in the short term, no particular advantage in choosing ethical behavior over profit.

But the arguments in favour of business ethics are much stronger. Aside from the more obvious connection between respect for obligations, sanctity of contracts, and reliability or trustworthiness and business success, clearly unethical accounting practices, false communication to shareholders or the public, (where it is sanctioned by the leadership) results in employee cynicism and defeats the commitment to corporate visions and objectives.

If the employees believes that the bosses are crooks or prepared to bend the rules, they also will seek ways of short-circuiting the rules for personal benefit.

Besides, the frequent clashes between conscience and wrongful behavior will eventually create a toxic work environment and destroy corporate objectives and visions. There is also enough history of how cutting corners and dishonesty ultimately bring down the whole enterprise.

This we have seen in the facts behind the collapse of many Nigerian financial institutions from the nineties to the more recent occurrences in 2009. Yes, it took a while for the institutions to unravel but the point is made that on the long run, unethical practices are unsustainable.

Besides for quoted companies, the dangers of unethical behavior are much graver. Local and international investors have greater access to information and more options than ever before, the slightest whiff of scandal or malfeasance can destroy value built up over the years.

The local and especially the international examples of the collapse of companies thought to be too big to fail and brand names that had even once been associated with integrity and strong business ethics is a strong reminder of just how brittle edifices built on weak business ethics are.

Today, every company stakeholders are far more than investors, management, or employees. They now include customers, clients, trade partners, suppliers, media, the general public, government and now, the environment.

These additional relationships have become, especially in an age of clearly excessive information flows, as important in the accountability matrix of companies as their traditional stakeholders.

This probably explains the new place of open corporate social responsibility efforts, and the strong environmental stewardship initiatives that many countries are adopting around the world. Companies must show that they are not only profitable but that they are good by measures of character and concern for the environment and society.

According to a study which I came across, by Nielsen, 55% of online shoppers in 60 countries would accept paying more for goods or services from companies that are focused on having a positive impact on society and the environment. And it is becoming more so. People are paying more attention to good corporate citizenship.

The empirical evidence is beginning to match our intuition more forcefully daily. However the key is leadership. Leadership that believes the evidence and realizes that business ethics are not just moral preachments but important foundations for profitable and sustainable businesses in the 21st Century.

Indeed, for Nigerian Business Leaders, the theme of this conference is a challenge to conquer in our own interest the new frontier in business ethics, ethical leadership and sustainability.

Let me thank the executives and members of the Institute of Directors for this opportunity. I wish you excellent deliberations and look forward to receiving your conclusions at the end of the conference.

Released by:

*Laolu Akande,*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,*
*Office of the Vice President.*
3rd November 2020

*Young federal parliamentarians commend VP’s interaction with youths in wake of protests

Engagement with the Nigerian youths has to be transparent and honest in order to build a progressive society and nation, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

This, according to him, was why the implementation of the Buhari administration’s Social Investment Programmes (SIPs) was not done on the basis of sharing slots between public officials or political chieftains, but in a manner whereby Nigerians who knew no one could benefit and did benefit.

The Vice President stated this on Tuesday when he received, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, the executive committee of the Young Parliamentarians Forum led by its Chairman, Hon. Representative Karu Simon Elisha from Kebbi State.

According to Prof. Osinbajo who was asked by the President to coordinate the SIPs at its commencement in 2016, “the first problem was everybody wanted a slot. I resisted it. Why? If I do that, we will destroy the programmes because the majority of Nigerians don’t know people who will take the slots.”

He continued: “It was not that one was being purist, but if young people can’t get the benefit except they know someone then we have failed the young people.”

Recalling how the President responded to the implementation of the SIPs, which was done openly giving everyone an equal opportunity to benefit, the Vice President said “one day the President called me that he was listening to BBC Hausa Service and he heard two young men-beneficiaries of N-Power – saying they didn’t know anybody but were being paid the N30, 000 monthly stipends. The President said that is what shows we are making a difference.

“And everywhere we went during the 2019 campaigns, we had these young people organizing themselves coming out supporting us,” the Vice President recalled.

“If people know they count, then they can trust us and they won’t destroy because they have a stake. Otherwise, people will never trust us,” he submitted, insisting that political leaders must make sacrifices in order to win the trust of the people.

Acknowledging that there are indeed important issues to be addressed while noting the crucial place of youths in building a successful nation, Prof. Osinbajo said the youths are not just a demography but they are in the majority, stating that “what we need to do for that vast majority is what we must do for our country. We must find a way so they are represented as effectively as possible.”

He welcomed the support of the House of Representatives members for the newly formed National Economic Council (NEC) committee set up yesterday to interface with youths, and other stakeholders on issues of employment, social safety-nets and national unity.

On his part, the leader of the delegation, Hon. Elisha, commended the Vice President’s sincere interaction with the youths over the years and especially in the wake of the #EndSARS protests across the country and called for improved interaction between youths and leaders at all levels.

In his contribution at the meeting, Hon. Luke Onofiok, from Akwa Ibom State, also commended the courage exhibited by the Vice President in honestly addressing issues in the wake of the nationwide protests.

He said “we appreciate the messages you sent to the youth during the protests. It doused tensions. You did the job of John the Baptist for the President ahead of his speech to the nation.”

The Federal legislator, a PDP member, added that “we want to thank you for the sincere and transparent communication.” He then called for a bipartisan approach to address the fallouts of the youth protests.

Other members of the forum at the meeting include Hon. Hafiz Ibrahim Kawu, Tarauni Federal Constituency (Kano State); Hon. Kabiru Tukura, Zuru/Fakai/Sakaba/D/Wasagu Federal Constituency (Kebbi State); Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi, Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency (Niger State); Hon. Taiwo Oluga, Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency (Osun State); Hon. Shina Abiola-Peller, Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency (Oyo State).

Elisha represents Kaltungo/Shongom Federal Constituency in Gombe State while Onofiak is from Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State.

https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/why-engagement-with-youths-has-to-be-transparent-honest-by-osinbajo/

Beneficiaries nationwide to receive one-time grant, with Lagos, Kano, FCT & nine more States in first batch

*Enumeration, verification still ongoing for Payroll Support Scheme

*Free CAC Business Names’ Registration for 250,000 MSMEs also commences

As the implementation of the Economic Sustainability Plan progresses, the payment of N30,000 one-time grant to 333,000 artisans across the country is now in progress.

The payments are being made to sets of verified beneficiaries of the Artisan Support Scheme, a track under the MSMEs Survival Fund.

In the first stream of payments starting today, beneficiaries are being drawn from the FCT, Lagos, Ondo, Kaduna, Borno, Kano, Bauchi, Anambra, Abia, Rivers, Plateau and Delta States. They form the first batch of applications for the scheme submitted between October 1 and October 10.

The MSMEs Survival Fund scheme is a component of the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan, NESP, which was developed by an Economic Sustainability Committee established by President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2020. The President asked his deputy, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, to head the committee which produced and is overseeing the implementation of the plan.

Under the ESP, the Survival Fund is generally designed to among other things, support vulnerable MSMEs in meeting their different obligations and safeguard jobs in the sector.

It would be recalled that applications for the Artisans’ Support Scheme under the MSMEs Survival Fund opened on October 1.

Meanwhile, the enumeration for the second stream of States under the Artisan Support Scheme has also commenced with enumerators in various States compiling the lists of artisans through their association leaders. All artisans are expected to liaise with their association leaders to document their details.

The registration of applicants for Stream 2 began on the 19th October 2020. States under Stream 2 are: Edo, Ogun, Ekiti, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Enugu, Ebonyi, Adamawa, Taraba, Bayelsa

In the same vein, enumeration and verification of the documents of applicants under the Survival Fund Payroll Support scheme is still ongoing. Dates for the commencement of payment would be announced in due course.

The application process for the payroll support scheme, which began on September 21, had ended on the 15th of October 2020. Accepted applications are categorized by industry sectors, including Education and Hospitality, among other sectors.

However, there may be an extension for applications for some States that have not met their quota on beneficiaries. The Artisan Support Scheme is to benefit about 9,000 Nigerians per State and FCT.

In addition, the formalization support under the MSME Survival Fund will also commence today. This involves free business names’ registration for 250,000 MSMEs nationwide by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

According to the CAC, 6,606 business names in each of the 34 states will be registered for free. In Abuja, there would be 7,906 free registrations, 9,084 in Lagos and 8,406 free business names from Kano.

Also, a date for the commencement of the Guaranteed Offtake Scheme under the Survival Fund will be announced soon. This scheme is designed to safeguard existing small businesses and save jobs while ensuring continued local production by guaranteeing off-take of priority products

The Offtake Scheme is a track specifically for MSMEs that are into production of items approved by the Steering Committee of the Survival Fund coordinated under the leadership of the Industry, Trade and Investment Minister of State Ambassador Mariam Katagum. The basic requirements include CAC certificate, valid BVN, SON or NAFDAC certification.

The N2.3 Trillion Economic Sustainability Plan consists of fiscal, monetary and sectoral measures to enhance local production, support businesses, retain, create jobs and provide succour to Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable.

*Laolu Akande,*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,*
*Office of the Vice President.*
27th October, 2020

“There is no revolution: There are only revolutionary moments. These, we have to perpetuate”- Horst Bienek.
The avid Nigeria observer would have been overwhelmed, if not confused by the conflicting narratives in the pushbacks by parties identified as trustees to what has now become the palliative patrimony. From a statement credited to the Chief Executive of First Bank, to the recent one issued on behalf of the Northern Governors Forum and the others by some state governors in between, there is yet to be enough coherence to rid ambiguity and affirm credibility in the fiery eyes of the hesitant, highly agitated Nigerian public. The separate statements have attempted to absolve the parties concerned for the mysterious unravelling of stored food items among other essentials, long after they were expected or assumed to have been distributed to beneficiaries.
For more days now counting, warehouses and other storage facilities are being profiled for onslaught in more states, with the tailback consequence of shutdown from imposed curfews to avert a breakdown of law and order, in others. Concerns are already rife that, in the days ahead, a new shift to gradual anarchy may follow the current wave of ‘revolution’ triggered originally by the EndSARS campaigns, weeks ago, if not adequately contained. After the initial movement transformed into a hunt for items meant for official distribution to less privileged persons, the appropriated ‘entitlement’ of forceful evacuation and sharing of COVID-19 relief items, from their storage locations across the country has opened up widespread looting of unrelated government entities and private investments of innocent persons including top politicians who have been targeted. A particular report of a rice miller in Adamawa, whose 10,615 bags of rice worth N188 million was lost to vandals, among many such occurrences throwing up victims in other parts of Nigeria, portend severe implications, including anarchy.
This ignominious shift, like the originally initiated movement from which it was inspired, does not represent the trappings of the much touted revolution. The notion of a mercantilist, greedy elite force being decimated or dislodged by a retributive force of reactionary ‘proletarian’ elements will still remain a myth for some time to come. Yet, the unfolding rogue model is diabolic in intent, evil in its purpose and clearly departed from any known ideals or doctrines of popular struggle. Robbing persons of their hard earnings or investments is not a radical tackling of class exploitation. Even in the ancient dialectical materialist conception of class struggle, social revolution is founded in productive social activity, not opportunistic, entitled stealing. So, the current wave of looting by so called deprived persons is only consistent with (and complements) the primitive accumulation from the larger, sustained and more entrenched plundering by the elite political class. While animals feeling the lack of food may instinctively seek it, we are clearly seeing man’s artificial desire to callously appropriate what is neither socially owned nor directly related to his immediate survival. Incidentally, this entitled theft is rationalized by a class of people once described by Spanish philosopher and author, Jose Ortega Gasset as ‘new barbarians’- “men, ever more and more learned, but less and less cultured”.
So, the entitled stealing or its rationalization by any means is neither the revolution nor the road to it. There will, in actual fact, be no revolution in the sense of the many erroneous meanings (Arab Spring or many like it) being generated regarding it; but revolutionary moments- depending on what we make of them, as German novelist and poet, Horst Bienek once asserted. Interestingly, even as the post-EndSARS wave has further exposed the weakening credibility of some of our political leaders in the perception gap imposed by the mysterious discovery of relief items; our elites may learn little or nothing ahead of this, and may only return to focus on their primordial priorities when the dust settles. To complement their nuances, the amnesia of the current army of reactionaries will also permit the sustenance of the sphere of influence of the political class over our lives, as we approach the next elections. The truth is, many young persons of self-entitled influence cannot draw their legitimacy from their local communities or sustain same, due to the greed or opportunism which may encourage ‘conspiratorial’ relationship with the same political elite group they claim to be currently up in arms against. At the heart of the consequent hopelessness is the critical question of culture, or in specific terms, value, for which a systemic revolution can be appropriately contextualized and advanced. In other words, we will have to begin to see revolution differently, away from the utopian ideas of armed or violent revolt against a particular class of society, to “a process of transformation of social beliefs by another, in which the former social values no longer have meaning” for us all, because we are almost all clearly the same. For, our culture influences our environment, even as our environment is influenced by it. The product of this interaction is what renowned political scientist, C.C Onu once acknowledged as “national character”, which is synonymous with political culture. Sadly, our profane lack of genuine patriotism is a major hindrance to obtaining a national character or evolving a goal oriented political culture. Beginning from when we entrenched a regionalization of nationalism, we have gradually declined in developing objective national feelings, opinions or judgments in our individual consciences and collective consciousness regarding issues that affect us all. Even more unfortunately, we have significantly declined in humanity.
Ahmed BS teaches at the Department of Mass Communication, Kaduna Polytechnic, and writes from Hayin Danmani, Kaduna.

This is very commendable.
I love the way Osinbajo is handling this matter.
Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo is doing a superb job in leading our nation through this trying time. There is no one else in Nigeria I would rather have doing so. He is the greatest Vice President of all time

There are obvious reasons why the #Endsars movement may not be the long awaited revolution, if any would ever happen in my generation.
Beyond the spontaneity that trailed its awakening, it suffered a larger deficit in conception, structure, strategy and tactics, and events of the last few days have proven so. The grounds have now shifted to arson, jailbreak, looting and other forms of criminality, including agony and death for innocent persons whose causes were thought as being advanced by the agitators.
With the 5 for 5 demands rising to seven and more, subsequently opening a floodgate for a disingenious call for regime change, there was no better way to predict a self-destruct, as the movement failed to critically situate the cause within a clearly predefined, identifiable and realistic mission.

So, this wasn't going to be easy on both sides. Dealing with a generation whose ideas of "constituted authority"is since liberated from the compelling mysteries we once knew; government's bigger challenge from the onset, was innovation and strategy. So, like the protesters, whose leadership remain inorganic and their model weakened by inadequate or poorly articulated strategy; the authorities they are standing up against have proven to be complementary to them in mutual failures, from the pictures emerging from Lekki in Lagos.
Why was it so clearly predictable that, the authorities, just as the protesters, will not end any differently from how events have finally unfolded?
How is it that, before the onslaught, there were heads up signalling it: allegations of transmitters being turned off and CCTV devices being dislodged at the Lekki Toll gate. Then a curfew, and then soldiers on a shooting spree, after. The morning after, even an enforced curfew has not tamed anarchy. NPA, TVC, BRT garage, among other vital assets have been targetted.
Some of us knew well enough, ahead of time that, the protests, however well intended, will be hijacked by hoodlums, rebranded by ulterior elements, appropriated by anarchists, and then fizzle out from the aftermath of the full weight of sustained lethal force by the machinery of state authority. We knew the last part well enough, because our authorities do not know or have a better approach to response over civil disobedience with lesser consequence. Sadly, our tradition of "popular" mass agitation overtime suffers poor conception in planning, consensus building and exit strategy. NLC, the Nigerian umbrella labour body has painfully been identified with this weakness.

The tough lessons to be learnt stare us all. I fear that, the protesters, for all the good intentions that may define their original engagement, may have lost a golden opportunity in the pursuance of this noble cause on our behalf. I fear that, government may have lost a unique opportunity to affirm its civility by its failure to bring novelty and innovation to bear on civic engagement, particularly in crisis response. It is preposterous to solve this with avoidable deaths.

Protesters under any guise, including the shielding by criminals, cannot carry on with unbridled violence, breakdown of law and order and threat to life. Even where proven to be genuine agitators, there is no wisdom in crossing the red line to test the will of government. More importantly, there is more wisdom in restraint on both sides, where threat to life is prevalent.

The failure on both sides affirm us. We pray more than we act, and whereas acting from a knowledge base will yeild more wins, we appear to be condemned to base, wilful indiscretion, made complicated by our many contending faultlines.

It will be noteworthy to hear from the Lagos state Governor how his proper handling of this issue from the onset suddenly took a new turn. It will also be assuring to evolve proper status briefing by the military over yesterday's incidents. Influencers and arrowheads of the #Endsars also need to do an immediate reevaluation of the eroding credibility of the struggle, including immediate debriefing of frontline agitators for strategy overhaul.

No life is too cheap to waste.