₦airaland Forum

Letter to the Editor:

RE: THE TRIALS OF BROTHER OSINBAJO

Mr. Festus Adedayo’s article above is a sad descent into the gutter by this gentleman. When a professional columnist of Adedayo’s age and experience puts his reputation behind outright fiction and absolute mischief, usually it is a sign that the poor fellow is compromised. This is the sad reality we face today and it is truly troubling.

But let us give Mr. Adedayo the benefit of the doubt. Let us assume that he has some facts to support the reckless insinuations and innuendoes in his article.


He should then be able to answer the following questions.

He claimed that the Vice President, together with some Redeemed Church ‘accomplices’, gathered to pray at some place unstated in his home State of Ogun, at a date that was not indicated, for the purpose of interceding for the VP to become President, and by extension, hoping for, or seeking the death of the President.

So where exactly in Ogun State did this prayer session take place, and when? Was it in a church, in which case there would likely be an audio recording? Who are the prominent pastors or other persons involved that can testify to what transpired – what are their names? Who is the “strong Buhari ally” who made a surprise appearance at the gathering and brought the story back to Mr. President? If, as Adedayo claims, the VP has been hounding and haranguing this Buhari ally since then, why is it so difficult for him to cry out and publicize his strange discovery?
Festus Adedayo: A columnist gone rogue

November 13, 2019
President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during the launch of #NextLevel
President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

Letter to the Editor:

RE: THE TRIALS OF BROTHER OSINBAJO

Mr. Festus Adedayo’s article above is a sad descent into the gutter by this gentleman. When a professional columnist of Adedayo’s age and experience puts his reputation behind outright fiction and absolute mischief, usually it is a sign that the poor fellow is compromised. This is the sad reality we face today and it is truly troubling.

But let us give Mr. Adedayo the benefit of the doubt. Let us assume that he has some facts to support the reckless insinuations and innuendoes in his article.


He should then be able to answer the following questions.

He claimed that the Vice President, together with some Redeemed Church ‘accomplices’, gathered to pray at some place unstated in his home State of Ogun, at a date that was not indicated, for the purpose of interceding for the VP to become President, and by extension, hoping for, or seeking the death of the President.

So where exactly in Ogun State did this prayer session take place, and when? Was it in a church, in which case there would likely be an audio recording? Who are the prominent pastors or other persons involved that can testify to what transpired – what are their names? Who is the “strong Buhari ally” who made a surprise appearance at the gathering and brought the story back to Mr. President? If, as Adedayo claims, the VP has been hounding and haranguing this Buhari ally since then, why is it so difficult for him to cry out and publicize his strange discovery?

No robbery attempt at CBN in Benin – Police
Who primed Onnoghen to “package Buhari inside a judicial casket” during the 2019 elections? And to whose benefit? If, for any reason, the Buhari election was nullified by the judiciary, how would that benefit his running mate, since they contested on the same ticket?

These asinine stories put together by Mr. Adedayo betray a more evil motive. The Vice President’s commitment to the service of the Nigerian people under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is unrelenting. But there is a desperation in some quarters to create a division between the President and the Vice President. It appears that they need some well known press names who are prepared to write anything. But for what reward? One wonders. They clearly found one here, as the writer’s jaundiced article bumbled from the realm of baseless claims to outright fiction.

We do not expect an apology from Mr. Adedayo to the Vice President. This is the style of these professionals gone rogue. They are prepared to smear others and stick to their vile stories. Their conscience seems unperturbed by their reckleness. But, again, we give him the benefit of the doubt, let him answer the questions we have asked.

Laolu Akande

https://www.chronicle.ng/2019/11/festus-adedayo-a-columnist-gone-rogue/

Osinbajo is fine and there is no rift between him and the president.
No Vice President has performed better than him in Nigeria's history.

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
PRESS RELEASE

RAILWAY HOLDS MASTER KEY TO TRANSFORMING NIGERIA'S ECONOMY - OSINBAJO

*Adds: Its modernization by Buhari Administration will provide linkages, job creation, & more

*After riding the Lagos-Ibadan train from Iju to Kajola, VP performs ground-breaking of wagon assembly plant in Kajola, Ogun State

"This ceremony is not just another event, it is a historic turning point, for us, the railway is not just an alternative and comfortable mode of travel, it holds the master key to transforming commerce in Nigeria and across the continent.

"...the citing of the plant here in Nigeria and the commitment to hiring Nigerians and Nigerian businesses affirms the Presidents directives in Executive Order 5 on prioritizing Nigerians and Nigerian businesses in the innovation, production and procurement of engineering projects and services.

"The plant would offer an important platform for engineers, technicians, artisans and other professionals to gain the specialized skills required for the production and maintenance of rolling stock. This will invariably conduce to spin-off businesses in the region of operation in particular and across the country wherever rail networks are in existence. The plant is expected to generate about five thousand (5,000) direct and indirect jobs."

Below is the full text of the Vice President's speech.

ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE OFFICIAL GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY OF THE RAIL WAGON ASSEMBLY PLANT AT KAJOLA, OGUN STATE ON SATURDAY, 9TH OF NOVEMBER, 2019

It is my special pleasure this afternoon to perform the official ground-breaking ceremony of the Wagon Assembly Plant here in Kajola. The plant which is a private investment undertaken by Messrs CCECC. It is an important project for so many reasons. It is central in the production of rolling stock spare parts and maintenance equipment needed for the railway modernization programme being implemented by the administration of Muhammadu Buhari.

This ceremony is not just another event, it is a historic turning point, for us, the railway is not just an alternative and comfortable mode of travel, it holds the master key to transforming commerce in Nigeria and across the continent.

By linking our ports to rail lines and now, building the rolling stock locally, import and export business within and out of Africa’s largest market will be completely transformed. When completed, it is expected that the plant would produce some parts of the wagons for the Lagos – Ibadan and Abuja – Kaduna rail lines, but also for the central rail lines and to satisfy the needs of other rail operators within the West-African sub-region.

Secondly the citing of the plant here in Nigeria and the commitment to hiring Nigerians and Nigerian businesses affirms the Presidents directives in Executive Order 5 on prioritizing Nigerians and Nigerian businesses in the innovation, production and procurement of engineering projects and services.

The plant would offer an important platform for engineers, technicians, artisans and other professionals to gain the specialized skills required for the production and maintenance of rolling stock. This will invariably conduce to spin-off businesses in the region of operation in particular and across the country wherever rail networks are in existence. The plant is expected to generate about five thousand (5,000) direct and indirect jobs.

I have a message also for you from the President and this is to CCECC which is that we expect that you move on very quickly to the next phase of this project which is the assembly and construction of coaches and locomotives.

This for us will be a significant breakthrough and we look forward to hearing from you as quickly as possible when this will come into operation.

After completing the Abuja – Kaduna Railway project in July 2016, this administration commenced construction works on the Lagos – Ibadan Railway modernization project in March 2017, following which we initiated the rehabilitation and completion of the abandoned Itakpe – Ajaokuta – Warri rail line which was started over three decades ago.

Furthermore, last month, we signed an agreement with Messrs China Railway Construction Company International to construct the Itakpe – Ajaokuta rail line which will be extended from Itakpe to Abuja through Baro Inland Water Port in Niger State with a branch line to Lokoja in Kogi State. This rail line will link into the new Warri sea port being constructed under the agreement.

Also, we are optimizing the Lagos-Ibadan rail modernization project by extending it to the Apapa Port, the nation’s busiest port for the efficient movement of cargo from the port to various destinations. This will expedite import/export flows, decongest the ports, and depressurize our roads in the process.

Also, we are putting all mechanisms in place to achieve the swift completion of the Ibadan Inland Dry port which will off-take containers and cargoes from Apapa port through the Lagos – Ibadan rail line.

Let me take this opportunity to appreciate the support shown by the leadership of the host communities here in Kajola and around this environment, for this project and other relevant Federal and State government projects. The implementation of these projects is important. It is imperative that our host communities continue to support government’s efforts by effectively cooperating with the contractors in safeguarding and protecting these lasting investments so that we can ensure that all intended objectives and mutual benefits are attained.

Let me also commend the Federal Ministry of Transportation led by the very able and dynamic Hon. Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi or Chibuike Amaechi, (today he is Rotimi since we are in the South West) for the very hard work and commitment he has demonstrated from the inception of our rail modernization project. And also, to the Chinese government, particularly the investor, CCECC Nigeria Limited for this significant and strategic investment.

The vision you have shown and the initiative you have taken in the larger development journey of this great country will reap unparalleled rewards for you and great opportunity for our people.

In a few minutes, I will have the special privilege of performing the official ground-breaking ceremony for the establishment of this Wagon Assembly Plant here in Kajola Ogun State, and I hope that this will be only be the beginning of the development of the railway infrastructure, not only here in Ogun State, but across the country.

Thank you all and God bless.

Released by:
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
9th November 2019

Have they ever supported his candidacy?
What amazes me is Yinka Ifunmakin parading himself as Afenifere.
Osinbajo is not in need of their help, They are bunch of hypocrites

Twice, did God say that in King David he had found ‘a man after my own heart’ (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). David was one of God’s favourite. Just like it was in the old days, so it is now; Professor Yemi Osinbajo is God’s own.
The rise and rise of Professor Yemi Osinbajo, no doubt reflects God’s blessings, the result of hard work and loyalty, giving hope not only to the academia but also to professionalism in the nation. Nigeria’s political terrain has harbored the best script writers, actors and actresses whose precedents have almost put the nation on the path of political upheaval making us one of the most tensed up country across the world, owing to the sectionalism, nepotism all of which show that we are divided across various beliefs.
Osinbajo has since put the economy and the unity of the nation back on the right track especially with his supervision of the NSIP’s and the development of the MSMEClinics. He held fort when the President was ill and was found to be a faithful and loyal deputy. Yemi Osinbajo, has been quietly effective in addressing some of the crises affecting the country. Among other things, the VP met with stakeholders in the volatile yet oil-rich Niger Delta and addressed protesters demanding economic reform and an end to government corruption and this has led to the sustained peace being enjoyed in the region ever since.
The vice-president has never shied away from difficult topics. Visiting the Niger Delta Osinbajo said that young men in the region must be “properly engaged” to stop them falling into militant groups or participating in illegal refining of crude oil. Osinbajo also confronted rare public demonstrations in Lagos and in the capital, Abuja earlier in February, where hundreds of protesters decried the state of the country, and oppression by federal and military might.
Nigeria’s economy is striving to become less dependent on oil—which currently makes up more than 65 percent of our GDP and already some of the impact that the seeds sown by the VP are gaining ground. According to CNN last week, “Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, improved its ranking on the latest World Bank ease of doing business index.
The country now ranks 131 on the 2020 index, released last week. The Nation moved up 15 places from its 2019 spot and has been tagged as one of the most improved economies in the world for running a business. If we are to go by the records, the vice President deserves our gratitude and not humiliation.
Nonetheless, the cabals influence in Nigeria’s politics can’t be underrated as they perform more functions behind the scenes than most elected and appointed officials, some of these cabals surrounding the President have chosen to constantly undermine the Vice President. Rarely though would you see Osinbajo comment on this. Always showing maturity, professionalism and the humble figure he presents at home and in the church. The vice president has continually paid loyalty to his boss something which has paid off as his popularity keeps waxing stronger in the minds of the citizens.
Just recently, the powers around the President are out to prove that they have an axe to grind with the Vice President, always trying to undercut him at every political and nonpolitical setting. It has been said that Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to the President decides all that happens in the presidency, including the exclusion of the First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, from getting closer to her husband and access to her residential wing of the villa.
Over the weekend in Kastina, the Chief of staff was cautioned and reprimanded severely by the Emir of Daura for breaking protocol and occupying the seats reserved for the Senate President and the Vice President with his own entourage.
The latest of all is the purported sacking of the the Vice President’s aides. An online newspaper, Daily Nigerian, had earlier reported that 35 aides were sacked. Funny that these same persons were those whose appointments and transfers to various ministries were confirmed by the President just before he went on his trip.
While clarifications are needed as to the relationship between the Chief of Staffs and the various allegations, it will be good all truce prevails in the best interest of the country, seeing that now, there are already confrontations, stand offs and shouting battles between himself and the Secretary General of the Federation.
There really is no need to be scared of a professor, he is only interested in making Nigeria great again and he’s shown evidence that he knows his onions so lets all shield our swords, 2023 is still 4 years away.
Eniola Opeyemi wrote from Lagos State
[img][/img]

A photo journalists was beaten in the present of other photo journalists and none of them snap it, or video the beaten

Haba?

It's obvious you guys are being used to frustrate Osinbajo, but tell your pay master this one no enter!

We await the next fake news as usual!

When animals start behaving like journalist. Was he the only one in the hall?

There has been commotion at the seat of power, Aso Rock Villa over the sudden plan to disengage some of the presidential aides formerly in the Vice President’s office, outside the directive of President Mohammadu Buhari, who is currently out of the country

It was learnt that the current move being masterminded by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, is a knee-jerk reaction to weekend’s perceived vote of confidence passed on the embattled VP, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo by the Emir of Daura,  Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar

Informed sources hinted that while the President had already personally approved the appointment of all the 35 aides reportedly disengaged, he had also instructed their deployment to other ministries as part of a reorganization of the presidency proposed to him by the same Kyari, who is seen to be engaging the VP in a power tussle.

While the Emir of Daura, His Royal Highness Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar had spoken so highly of the VP at the installation ceremony of the President’s cousin, Musa Haro as the new Dan-Madamin of Daura last Saturday, the Chief of Staff was present and was reportedly pissed.

The Emir’s effusive praise of the VP, at the event on his loyalty to the president and commitment to project Nigeria was seen as a deliberate attempt by the Emir to smite the so-called Aso Villa cabal and rubbish all they have been doing to curtail and humiliate the VP in an attempt to orchestrate a tussle between the President and the VP.

The sources said the President had already approved all the aides of the VP and stipulated those to be in the villa, and those to be in the ministries.

But by Monday, two days after the Emir of Daura praised the VP’s loyalty and service, the Chief of Staff mounted pressure on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Alhaji Boss Mustapha, that all the aides deployed to the ministries should be disengaged.

He however exempted those sent to the new ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management & Social Development.

Top government sources added that the SGF was told it was the President who made the decision, causing confusion and raising doubts about such a claim, since it was same President that approved all the presidential aides in the office of the VP.

 The official correspondence between the President’s office and the office of the SGF specifies that President Buhari approved all he deployments only few weeks ago

But the SGF was prevailed upon,  after a shouting march between him and the Chief of Staff on claims that it was what the President wanted, even as there was no proof to such a claim.

An informed source last night said “it was the public admonition by the Emir that infuriated the cabal.

The buzz within government circle now is how an aide could possibly pervert a presidential decision that is written in black and white

Sources close to the President express concern that today’s development with the news of the alleged sacking of some of the VP’S aides might worry the President who had warned that some of the recent changes that affected the VP’S role are not misunderstood or used to embarrass him, ( the President), in the perception of the Nigerian public.

http://nigeriancurrent.com/2019/11/07/kyari-sgf-in-shouting-march-as-osinbajo-turns-down-sack-of-aides/

Never in Nigeria's history did we have an active VP like Osinbajo.
Whether they like it or not, stars don't struggle to shine.
There is no Buhari without an Osinbajo.

eTECTIV:
Director of Socials and condolence visits

Say something intelligent next time

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Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo SAN, attends The Turbaning ceremony of Danmadamin Daura in Daura, Kastina.

*As Egypt pledges support for Adesina's candidacy
*VP receives Speaker & members of the Egyptian parliament

A concerted action by countries around the world is crucial towards tackling terrorism in the Sahel region, as well as the challenges posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP in Africa, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo made this call when he received a delegation of members of Egypt’s Parliament (House of Representatives), led by its Honourable Speaker, Dr. Ali Abdel-Aal Sayed Hamad. The delegation also included the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Assem Hanafy Elseify.

Similarly, speaking on behalf of the government of Egypt, Hamad said Egypt shared the same view as Nigeria that concerted efforts was needed to combat terrorism in the Sahel region.

Prof. Osinbajo, who welcomed the delegation on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, noted that Egypt and Nigeria have enjoyed very good relations over the years.

“Since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, we’ve always had friendly relations and cooperation with the Republic of Egypt. We know that this very friendly and brotherly relations will continue.”

On the issue of security challenges on the continent, the Vice President urged for more concerted global action to prevent similar escalating situations in some parts of the Middle East as related to ISIS.

He said, “We would want to urge that Egypt joins us in calling upon the world, the international community, to immediately see the need for a concerted action against Boko Haram, Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP), and terrorist groups operating in the Sahel, in particular.

“We think that it is time for that kind of concerted action in the Sahel. And with such concerted action, we believe that we can prevent a situation as seen in some parts of the Middle East where damage to lives and livelihoods was done by ISIS.

The Vice President added that the world should not look away and hope that the problem would disappear, unless the international community come together to tackle it.

“Just as was done in Iraq, where the world powers came together to drive out ISIS, that is the sort of cooperation that we should have now to ensure that we’re able to deal with terrorism, especially terrorism in the Sahel,” he said.

Prof. Osinbajo also stated that Nigeria would continue to join hands with Egypt in promoting religious tolerance and tackling extreme poverty and challenges to social inclusion.

The Vice President further said Nigeria is open to Egypt for more investments, especially in the agri-business, agro-allied value chain, and also in light manufacturing and other such areas; just as he equally noted that Nigerian companies, particularly in the financial sector and industrial investments, are willing to do business in Egypt if given the opportunity.

In the same vein, the Egyptian Parliament speaker delivered a personal message from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to President Buhari and the VP, inviting him for the Africa Investment forum and the inaugural Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development in Egypt in November and December respectively.

The Vice President said he would convey the message to President Buhari. He also said President Buhari would be briefed on the request to mediate on the issue between Egypt and Ethiopia over the building of the Renaissance Dam project on the Blue Nile River.

“I would certainly ensure that I convey the strong feelings of the Egyptian government on this point to our president, President Muhammadu Buhari, and I believe that, within the auspices of the AU, we would be able to reach a just and fair conclusion. I’m sure that he would work within the AU to find a solution that is fair to all parties,” the VP stated.

Also, Hamad pledged the full support of the Egyptian government for the candidacy of Nigeria’s Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, who is running for a second term as president of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The Vice President had earlier stated that he (Adesina) has done quite well in the first term and that he would do better in the second term.

Speaking further, Hamad noted that, “Egypt and Nigeria are two big nations in Africa in terms of population and capabilities. We also pledge to put our expertise to foster and strengthen economic relations, especially in the economic and energy sector.”

Laolu Akande;
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
Office of the Vice President
28th October 2019

VP adds: Talent, hard work, innovation, integrity and being trustworthy citizens vital for success

“I have come to realize that trust or trustworthiness is fundamental to the success of practically everything you will do in life. In other words, if you can build your reputation in such a manner that you can win the trust of others, your bosses, co-workers, clients, business partners, you will be tremendously successful. If you cannot be trusted or people can’t make up their minds whether to trust you or not, you are already on the back foot and you are unlikely to succeed. Trust is the currency of successful business and social interaction. It is more valuable than money because it actually attracts money.” – Vice President Yemi Osinbajo


CONVOCATION LECTURE BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE 6TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY OF BAZE UNIVERSITY, ABUJA, ON SATURDAY, 26TH OF OCTOBER, 2019.

PROTOCOLS.

I am honoured to have been invited to this 6th Convocation Ceremonies of this unique citadel of learning and research, the Baze University. And I am deeply grateful to the Chair of the board of trustees, and my immediate predecessor in office, Arch. Namadi Sambo, for the honour of his personal visit to me, along with other members of the board of trustees, to invite me to this event.
The story of the phenomenal growth of this university in just about a decade is worth repeating. Beginning with 14 programmes in 3 Faculties, to 40 programmes in 6 Faculties, including Basic Medical Sciences, and a Teaching hospital, which is now in view. From structures covering a modest 3,000 square meters and now occupying 49,000 square meters, from 60 staff members to about 620 today and from 17 Students to 1,500 today, Baze University has indeed recorded remarkable progress.

While physical and numerical growth have been in leaps and bounds, so has been academic achievement, prolific research and the students of BAZE excelling in the market place and scholarships all over the world.

But BAZE’s story is also the story of the tenacity, innovativeness, and commitment to education of its founder, visioner and Pro-Chancellor, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, who in 2011, at the tender age of 41 years, established this university. His hard work and innovation continue to push this place of inquiry and learning to greater heights. I am, of course, especially partial to the University because your Vice Chancellor is a lawyer and as we all know lawyers make the best administrators! Apologies to Arch. Namadi Sambo and all other well educated but “unlearned” professionals here present!

But it is to the distinguished scholars and teachers in the faculties of the university to which the growing academic reputation of this university is owed. And we cannot take that lightly. It is to you that the awesome responsibility of mediating the thoughts and ideas of this and the coming generations belong. We must applaud your immense successes in the journey so far.

We celebrate also and perhaps most importantly, the reason why we are gathered, the graduating class of 2019. Congratulations! Your tassels are now turned to the left like those of us who graduated before you, you now belong to a tiny minority. For instance, according to the National Universities Commission (NUC), about one per cent of the Nigerian population form the total enrolment of students in the 164 universities across the country. Congratulations again.

Also, many congratulations to the parents, families, guardians, sponsors and loved ones of the graduands. This is a special day indeed and I congratulate you specially.

To the graduands, from here on you will be engaging the realities of life; the business of living by making a living. There are some timeless principles that have worked and continue to work through the years.

Permit me to share one with you, the principle of Trustworthiness or integrity. In my relatively modest experience in business, professional practice and, lately, politics, I have come to realize that trust or trustworthiness is fundamental to the success of practically everything you will do in life.

In other words, if you can build your reputation in such a manner that you can win the trust of others, your bosses, co-workers, clients, business partners, you will be tremendously successful. If you cannot be trusted or people can’t make up their minds whether to trust you or not, you are already on the back foot and you are unlikely to succeed. Trust is the currency of successful business and social interaction. It is more valuable than money because it actually attracts money.

The world’s economic systems were actually built on trust. So, giving credit or loans was built on trust. In giving a loan, most bankers will tell you that the first consideration is not your collateral, it is your integrity or trustworthiness, and this is why credit bureaus are developed, to determine the track record of repayment of any potential borrower.

I have said this story on several occasions, but I will repeat here. Many years ago, as a young student doing a post-graduate degree in the United Kingdom, I had a delay in the payment of my school fees. In those days, you had to process your school fees abroad through the Central Bank. I spoke to my counsellor in the University about the problem and she advised me to go to the bank for a loan. I thought, how does someone who has no money get a loan from a bank? But I went; explained myself to a lady across the counter, and to my pleasant surprise, I was given a 600 pounds loan. All I had to do was sign on a piece of paper that when my cheque came, it would be paid to the bank. That was in 1981. They believed my story and trusted me to pay back.

When my cheque came, I paid back. Trust. I was able to take personal loans and several other loans in the same bank. But a few years after this, it had become impossible for anyone carrying a Nigerian passport to open a bank account in a UK bank. Why? Because many young Nigerians had taken advantage of the trust and abused the trust, taking loans but not repaying. Some thought, “how foolish these oyinbo people are,” and so used credit cards to buy cars, furniture and electronics and ran back to Nigeria without honouring the trust.

In the past few years, many foreign banks have closed accounts of some Nigerians, because of the numerous attempts to defraud on those accounts. So, no matter how much you may have in your account, they just say, “we don't want your business” because it's just too much trouble to do business with people who cannot be trusted. So, because of the untrustworthiness of a few, a whole nation is painted black.

Developing trust also means that you must repay when you borrow. Whether it is from a friend, relation or a bank. Credit is the lifeblood of business. You are dead if your credit sources dry up. And they will if you prove that you will not respect your obligations.

In most economies, the sale of goods is by credit. Years ago, many foreign businesses offered credit to local businesses here. I remember a particular businessman who was importing and selling cars many years ago as a representative of a major car manufacturer. The cars were to be supplied to him on credit and the agreement was that he was expected to pay back in 120 days each time. He paid back a few times, then he stopped paying, he kept the money and lived large. I, a young lawyer at the time, had the onerous duty of running after him to recover some of the money. Not too long after, the credit stopped and the business collapsed.

But at around the same time, a businessman running a company called Elizade was doing the same business, buying cars on credit. He kept paying back. The foreign partners found him reliable and trustworthy and 40 years after, he is still in business, even now has an assembly plant. He is the chairman of the Nigerian subsidiary of the Japanese company that he was initially a distributor for. Trustworthiness built a business from nothing to a multi-billion Naira enterprise.

Many businesses today experience problems with dishonest staff. I was speaking to some owners of small businesses about their biggest problems, many mentioned dishonest staff.

A lady who owned a card store, where she made high-quality invitation cards one day was told by one of her customers that her cards were being sold cheaper at a store in another part of town. She discovered that two of her staff, two ladies, were stealing her inventory from the store where they were kept and had opened their own store selling the stolen cards.

Another lady who owned a cake shop complained that her staff would deliberately miscount the number of cakes that were brought in from the bakeries and then sell the excess they created and pocket the money. She said because she had to be physically present at her store all the time, she couldn’t open new branches, thus creating new jobs.

An entrepreneur who owned a small bar and left it in the hands of a manager said that he discovered that his drinks were not being sold despite the fact that several people were patronizing the bar. He later discovered that the manager and the barman were doing something funny. They brought their own drinks to the bar and sold their own instead of his own. So, when he checked his inventory his drinks were intact, but his manager and barman were selling their own drinks to his customers. He owned the bar, paid the rent, but couldn’t make money.


But there is an opportunity here because so many Nigerians and foreigners must do business here in Nigeria. The world is in search of the Nigerian of integrity, the trustworthy Nigerian to do business with or to employ. Everyone wants faithful partners or employees. Even thieves are in search of trustworthy people to keep their money with. Anyone who can show that he or she can be trusted cannot lack opportunities or profit.

There are good stories too; the story of a young Nigerian like you who turned anger to prosperity in Nasarawa State. Retson Tedheke was once a militant impatient with this country. Retson became convinced to renounce militancy in Delta State, he migrated from his native Delta to faraway Nasarawa to set up a farm.

But like most new entrepreneurs, funding was a big challenge for Retson. But a FinTech company called “Kia-Kia”, set up by young Nigerians, and another called Farmally, advanced him loans sufficient to start a small farm. From a mere initial capital base of N1.5m in 2017, Retson, last week, proudly conducted Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State and I, round what is now a vast 3,000 hectares farm worth about a billion Naira and employing 300 Nigerians.

When we visited him. I spoke to the companies that gave him the loans they all said they gave the loans because they could see he was trustworthy and had proved time and time again that he could be trusted. He built a successful farm, on credit without collateral, proving the point that integrity is the most valuable collateral.

Let me say that if you take nothing away from here, take this – your most valuable possession will be that you can be trusted by other people.

Let me again congratulate the graduating class of 2019. You have received excellent education and instruction. Your certificate reads that, “The senate has found you worthy in learning and character”. You are graduating at the most advanced moment in technology and innovation in the history of mankind; you are bound to succeed!

Remember that to whom much is given much is expected, the way up requires more than talent and degrees, hard work, innovation and integrity are crucial, but above all the grace of the Almighty GOD.

So, I pray for you that you will succeed beyond your best dreams and that the honours you receive today will be your least achievement in Jesus name. Amen.

God bless you, thank you very much.

Released by:
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity,
Office of the Vice President
27th October, 2019.

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VP Yemi Osinbajo SAN attends the UNILAG at 50 Alumni Award Dinner as the Special Guest of Honour where he’s also honored with The Golden Jubilee Recognition Award presented to him by Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila Speaker of The House of Reps, Governor of Ekiti State Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Governor of Osun State Dr. Gboyega Oyetola At
Intercontinental Hotel Lagos.

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Images from Kogi

VP Osinbajo at Baze University Convocation charged graduands: be trustworthy. Then to Kogi State representating the President to flag-off APC Gubernatorial campaign, urging voters to come along to the Next Level & then to his alma mater, UNILAG for the 50th ann. gala. Engaging

NIGERIA MOVES UP 15 PLACES TO 131 IN WORLD BANK DOING BUSINESS RANKING FOR 2020, NAMED GLOBAL TOP-10 IMPROVER FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THREE YEARS

Thursday 24th October, 2019 – The World Bank’s 2020 Doing Business Index (DBI) has ranked Nigeria 131 out of 190 countries, up 15 places from 146 position last year.

The report, which was released on October 24, 2019 also named Nigeria one of the top 10 most improved economies in the world for the second time in three years. Nigeria is one of only two African countries to make this highly prestigious list.
With this year’s leap, Nigeria has improved an aggregate of 39 places in the World Bank Doing Business index since 2016.
The Doing Business Index is an annual ranking that objectively assesses prevailing business climate conditions across 190 countries based on 10 ease of doing business indicators.

The index captures ease of doing business reforms that have been validated by the private sector, and offers comparative insights based on private sector validation in the two largest commercial cities in countries with a population higher than 100 million. The report consequently features Lagos and Kano for Nigeria.

While, briefing Mr President on the rankings, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and Vice Chair of the PEBEC, Otunba Niyi Adebayo stated that, “The steady improvement in Nigeria’s ease of doing business score and rank is a testament to the reforms implemented by this Administration over the past four years in line with the reform agenda being implemented at national and sub-national levels across the country since the establishment of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) by President Muhammadu Buhari in July, 2016.
The PEBEC works towards the fulfillment of the projections of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP 2017-2020), which is striving to deliver sustainable economic growth in Nigeria by restoring growth, investing in our people, and building a competitive economy as we work towards delivering Mr President’s mandate of bringing 100 million people out of poverty.

The 2020 Doing Business report from the World Bank has reaffirmed the commitment of the newly constituted PEBEC to making Nigeria a progressively easier place to do business and removing the bureaucratic constraints to doing business in the country as we forge ahead in this Next Level.”

The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, chaired by His Excellency the Vice President, with 13 honourable ministers as members amongst others, has through the Enabling Business Environment Secretariat collaborated with ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), the National Assembly, the Judiciary, State governments and the private sector to carry out over 140 reforms so far in a bid to remove bureaucratic constraints to doing business in Nigeria and make the country a progressively easier place to start and grow a business.
The report acknowledges reforms spearheaded by the PEBEC in the areas of operationalising a new electronic platform that integrates the tax authority and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

It also acknowledges reforms carried out in some of the World Bank Doing Business indicator areas such as starting a business, registering property, getting construction permits, getting electricity, enforcing contracts, and trading across borders.

“The CAC upgraded its name reservation platform and, in Kano, there is now an electronic platform for registering business premises online, eliminating the need to appear in person.
In Lagos, land administration was made more transparent following the digitisation of cadastral plans in a geographic information system; digital copies of cadastral plans are now easily obtainable.
Nigeria also made getting electricity easier by allowing certified engineers to conduct inspections for new connections. Initiatives also made commercial litigation of smaller cases more efficient.

The Chief Judges in Lagos and Kano issued practice directions for small claims courts introducing pre-trial conferences and limit adjournments. Finally, customs integrated more agencies into its electronic data interchange system, and port authorities launched an e-payment system, speeding up both exports and imports.”

Welcoming the announcement, the Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, noted that “the movement of 15 places to 131 as well as the recognition being given to Nigeria as one of the top 10 most improved countries, who have implemented the most reforms this year, is significant because we weren’t even able to achieve some of the key reforms we had pursued, but what we have done so far is being recognised.

This validation confirms that our strategy is working and we will continue to push even harder to deliver more impactful reforms.”
“The private sector remains the fulcrum of the ease of doing business interventions. We are committed to more engagement between reform-implementing organs of government and the private sector players and we are happy to see that this has resulted in a more favourable validation of the reforms by the private sector.

This result will serve as encouragement to sustain the deepening of these reforms and make it even more tangible for businesses and the citizenry.
The PEBEC is focused on delivering even more substantive reforms for the improvement of the general business climate.” she further stated.
Over the past four years, Nigeria’s score has steadily improved in the World Bank Doing Business Report, after years of decline in both score and ranking in the years preceding 2016.

It will be recalled that in 2017, Nigeria moved up by an unprecedented 24 places on the Doing Business rankings, and was for the first time ever, recognised as one of the top 10 reformers in the area of doing business that year.
With the impending ratification of the Companies and Allied Matters Bill and the introduction of the Business Facilitation (Omnibus) Bill, 2019 in view, along with other pending and ongoing regulatory, judicial and sub-national reforms, Nigeria is poised to meet its goal of being a top 100 ranked economy by 2020.

The announcement indicates that our mandate to move into the top 70 doing business destinations by 2023 remains achievable.
Signed,

Dr Jumoke Oduwole
Special Adviser to the President, Ease of Doing Business
Secretary, PEBEC

May his soul Rest In Peace

*VP receives 2019 Compliance Report on Executive Order 001 on promotion of efficiency in Nigeria’s business environment

The Buhari administration will continue its determined pursuit of reforming Nigeria’s business environment until the full attainment of the objectives, which will bring dramatic changes in the country’s economy, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo made the assertion while receiving at the Presidential Villa earlier today, the 2019 Compliance Report of the Presidential Executive Order 001 which was on the promotion of transparency and efficiency in the business environment.

The report was presented by the Minister of State on Industry, Trade and Investment Mariam Katagum and the Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole during the meeting of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC attended by a representative of the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Honourable Dolapo Badru, who is the House Committee Chairman on Industry, nine federal ministers, the Ag. Head of Service, Mrs. Folasade Yemi-Esan, and several heads of government agencies.

Besides, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, other Ministers at the meeting included the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN; Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Fashola, SAN; Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola; Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Mohammed Bello. Others are Police Affairs Minister, Mohammed Dangadi; Transport Minister of State, Gbemisola Saraki; and the Minister of State for Power, Godwin Agba.

According to the Vice President, “we will keep updating ourselves on the progress of the ease of doing business reforms,” while noting some of the progress already recorded in the last three years since the commencement of the ease of doing business reforms.

For instance, in 2017, in the World Bank Doing Business Ranking, Nigeria moved up 24 places and was also listed among the top ten reforming economies in the world. This year the World Bank also named Nigeria one of the top-20 improvers in doing business out of 190 countries.

Among the notable results of the reforms, besides the better ranking by the World Bank Doing Business Rankings and commendations include that the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, launched a centralized e-payment channels contributing to a 20% reduction in time businesses spent on documentation and payment of taxes, the launching by the Immigration authorities of a fully digitized e-visa process guaranteeing visa approvals in 48 hours, how the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, re-engineered registration processes and reduced processing time from 12 to less than 3 months, and how the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, improved user experience at airports by eliminating passenger service charge stickers and manual check-in bag searches.

Some of the other results recorded include how the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, simplified company registration processes, resulting in 50% reduction in processing time and the passage by the National Assembly of the Credit Reporting Act 2017, among others.

Commending the collaboration with the National Assembly on driving the reforms, and urging for the eventual attainment of all the other outstanding reform objectives, the Vice President noted that, “if we can clean up our business environment, the difference would be dramatic.”
https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/buharis-ease-of-doing-business-reforms-will-bring-dramatic-changes-to-the-economy/

Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN. Attends The NDIC 30th Anniversary Lecture and Book Presentation at The Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja. 21st October 2019.

The same man that claimed Osinbajo will be replaced by three shortlisted candidates. �����
FFK's mental illness is critical.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is a great leader, no amount of unreasonable wailing will change that.

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Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo SAN. Attends The Conferment of Sir Kensington Adebukunola Adebutu on conferment of the title ‘‘Odole –Oodua’’ October 19, 2019, by His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Arole Oodua – Ojaja II.
Other dignitaries present includes Lagos State Governor, Babajide SanwoOlu, Senator Remi Tin, among others.

Nigeria is a blessed country with abundant resources, therefore diversification is the way to go.

This is an entirely Nigerian story.
Edo State Farm Manager, on a farm coordinated by a Niger Delta man from Bayelsa on a Northern community.

A Nigerian story of national unity & integration: How ex- #NigerDelta miltant now turned farmer, Mr. Reston Tedheke, started a farm in Nasarawa State with N1.5m now worth over a billion naira.

Reston started with 3 hectares and is now operating on 3000 hectares.

Reston says he was inspired by President Buhari's focus on Agricultural diversification of the Nigerian economy.

We are in serious trouble with fake news in this country.

Bode George is a known thief and everyone knows that. What do you want Osinbajo to tell you?
He prefer to remain silent because silent is the best answer for a fool.