₦airaland Forum

It was the great Greek sage Aristotle that posited and I hereby paraphrase him ‘’if you want to avoid criticism then do nothing in life and be nothing’’. This is true of the place of Professor Yemi Osinbajo in today’s Nigeria, where some disgruntled individuals pummel him with criticisms based on unsubstantiated claims and allegations.

There is also the common saying that uneasy lies the head that wears the crown and so the false claim by Reno Omokri in his article in Thisday of 12th May 2018 that Professor Yemi Osinbajo has not been speaking out against the killing of Christians in Nigeria, runs contrary to the truth and the clear headed measures which the Buhari/ Osinbajo administration has been taken to stop further killings.

For the avoidance of doubt, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has always spoken against the killings in the country notwithstanding the religion or ethnicity of the victims. The loss of any life through the mindless killings by Boko Haram, cattle rustlers or armed bandits is always a source of concern to him and President Muhammadu Buhari, and he has on several occasions and at different fora condemned such killings and disclosed the measures being taken to forestall more attacks.

It is indeed regrettable that some armchair critics will not engage in seeking for the true position of things, but rather are quick to draw conclusions about leaders and go to town with fake news.

While the orgy of killings in Nigeria is regrettable and condemnable, at the same time there is need to laud the federal government for the efforts they have been making to put an immediate stop to the senseless killings. For instance, the vice president had informed the nation about how the ‘’President and security council was reengineering the security architecture in order to meet the challenges of the mindless killings in some parts of the country, including the threats of marauding herdsmen, cattle rustlers and armed bandits.’’

Let me also quote the vice president in one of his speeches regarding the killings: ‘” While the security agencies continue to work relentlessly to hunt down the perpetrators of these evil acts and to bring a permanent end to all of the killings going on in the name of Boko Haram, or in any other name, we as a body of Christ must not lose focus.’’ This portion of his speech is a clear testimony that contrary to the views expressed by Reno Omokri in his article in Thisday that Professor Yemi Osinbajo has been speaking against the killings.

As painful as the killing may be, we must realise that the vice president was elected to serve all Nigerians and not people of any particular faith. Again we must bear in mind that Nigeria is a secular state and the vice president swore an oath to be fair to all manner of persons irrespective of their religious beliefs or ethnic affinity.

Similarly in a speech he delivered at the inauguration of the Deeper Life Bible Church Headquarters Building in Gbagada Lagos state on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 the vice president said: ‘’Anyone who has seen the viciousness of the killings, and the wantonness of the damage of property, is bound to be stupefied by the horror. I was in Dong village in Adamawa, where herdsmen had attacked the village and killed many. But the vicious killing of Fulani women and children in the same local government in Adamawa state is worthy of mention.’’

The vice president had also in response to the question of what the federal government had done to check the incessant killings explained that detachments of police mobile force , army, air force and other security outfits have been deployed to the restive areas in Adamawa, Benue, Taraba and Zamfara states. The command and control structure of the Army formations and units in Benue and contiguous states have also been reorganised to cope with the emerging challenges.

From the foregoing it is crystal clear that the vice president ‘’did not go to sleep while Rome burnt’’, rather he has been playing a very active part in finding lasting solutions to the killings. He has not shirked in his responsibilities to the Nigerian Christians or Nigerians of other faith. As a leader he has always remained committed and focussed to ensuring the safety of all Nigerians wherever they live and in doing this he has received tremendous support of the President.

He has also been a bridge between Christians and Muslims; Niger Delta agitators and the federal government; North and South and government and the people. So there is no basis to accuse him of neglecting or abandoning any section of the country as his major concern is the happiness of all Nigerians and the development of the country. His altruism is legendary and patriotism is unequivocal.

On the accusation of the vice president always defending President Muhammadu Buhari, it is important to remember that they won the election on a joint ticket and it will amount to a disservice for any right-thinking person to expect Professor Osinbajo to be vacillating in his faith about their commitment to solving the myriad of problems confronting Nigeria. By standing solidly behind President Buhari, the loyalty and relationship will affect Nigerians positively and the benefits are innumerable.

From his antecedents, Professor Yemi Osinbajo is playing the role of a bridge builder and this is required in a heterogeneous society like Nigeria.



By Chukwudi Enekwechi

An Abuja-based Journalist

Kwechis19@yahoo.com

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT 


PRESS STATEMENT 


THE FACTS OUT ON GRAND CORRUPTION OF PAST PRESIDENCY ONLY A TIP OF THE ICEBERG

*(Statement attributable to the Vice Presidential Spokesperson)


WE have read reports attributed to  “a media office of  former President Goodluck Jonathan”. It is clear from the foul language of the authors that the statement could not have come from the former President, but from the motley group of loud and rude characters whose brief seems to be to deny all and anything said against the former PDP government and to do so in the crassest possible language.


The alleged spokespersons of the former President say that  facts long in the public domain, some even being used to prosecute several corruption cases are lies and that those of us in government restating these well known facts are liars. 


They accuse Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, of lying against the former President or his government citing their  involvement  in the stealing of three billion dollars, while speaking recently at The Platform event on the 1st of May.

 

Just for clarity, I quote the Vice President  “Grand corruption remains the most enduring threat to our economy. Three Billion US dollars was stolen in what was called the strategic alliance contacts in 2013, three Nigerians were responsible, today three billion dollars is one trillion Naira and our budget is 7trillion! ....”  ..( link)  


Two issues emerge. First, no mention is made of the former President. 


Second, the story is not only true, it has been in the public domain for almost three years and it is the subject of criminal investigation and trials both here and in the UK.

The spokespersons also say that the allegations of corruption against the PDP government are mere lies. For clarity, the facts are laid out as follows:


 

As the Vice President said, $3B was stolen in the so- called  NNPC Strategic Alliance Contracts.  The three persons involved  are   Jide Omokore, Kola Aluko and the former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison- Maduekwe.  The companies of both Jide Omokore and Kola Aluko lifted Nigerian crude oil  and kept the proceeds.  The total sums converted is in excess of three billion dollars including royalties, taxes and fees unpaid for the asset from which the crude was taken.  The case is the subject of a trial in Nigeria, and criminal investigation in the US and UK, and the assets of all three individuals have been forfeited in Nigeria, the US and the UK.


2. The criminal diversion and theft of sums in excess of $2.5 billion meant for purchase of arms to prosecute the war against Boko Haram: The first phase of the investigations revealed several sordid details, many of the assets of culprits have been seized from them and they are facing trial.


3.The release of the sum of  $289m  in cash on February 25, 2015: Documents including cash vouchers indicate that the the sum of  $289,202,382 was taken  from the Joint Venture (JV) Cash Call Account No. 000-0000-11658-366 of the NNPC/NAPIMS with JP Morgan Chase Bank, New York, USA.


 4. N70 billion was released in parts from the national treasury between January 8 and February 25, 2015. 

5.In another illegal disbursement,  25th August 2014,   N60B in cash in tranches of N40billion and N20billion:   The sum was not tied to any project or procurement and was then shared between two security agencies under the supervision of the then NSA. Most of these sums ended up in the hands of senior PDP members some of whom have returned parts of the loot. Some are standing trial for these offenses. These facts are in the public domain.


6. There was yet another set of illegal fund withdrawals under one week between January 8and 16, 2015, where the sum of N1.5 billion was released in three tranches of N300m, N400m and N800m respectively. This money was released from the MEA Research Library Account .


7. Another document showed that N10 billion was released to the Office of the National Security Adviser by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on September 15, 2014. The money was 

released in tranches of foreign exchange of $47 million, $5 million, 4 million Euros and 1.6 million Euros. A letter from the Office of the NSA in November 2014 further showed that the monies were released as ‘funds for special services’. This particular  release of N10B was sourced in November 2014 from a N40 Billion CBN released funds meant for Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR. Investigators showed that  this money was released for the  PDP Presidential Primaries. 


8. Lamido Sanusi,  then CBN Governor was sacked for speaking up about the over $20billion missing from oil proceeds.  


These cases of grand corruption and open looting of public resources pauperized Nigeria and left us with little or no savings in the years when oil was selling at 100 to 114 dollars a barrel and we were producing 2.1 million barrels a day. When  in 2015 oil prices went even as low as between 28 and 35 dollars a barrel and oil production fell to less than one million barrels a day we had no buffer, no savings, to tide us through.

  

The amount released from CBN in cash on a single day, ie the US$289M ( N88.1Bn) is  enough to  fund 244,000 N-Power graduates for a year, or pay for  1.2Billion school meals or  complete half of Lagos -Ibadan or half of Abuja -Kaduna -Kano roads. 

 

 

The Vice President also made the point  that in 2014 with oil prices as high as 120 dollars per barrel,  the total capital released for Power, Works, Housing, Defence, Transport, Agriculture and Defence were just N152Billion for the whole year.  


By contrast, the Buhari administration committed N578Bn to the same Ministries in 2016 with oil prices as low as US$28 per barrel as part of the strategy to end the recession. The government was able to do more with less by stopping grand corruption and impunity.


Recently, the Minister Coordinating the economy in that administration has written a revealing book : Fighting Corruption is Dangerous: The Story Behind the Headlines. Who knows, perhaps her stories too are all lies!



Laolu Akande 

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity 

Office of the Vice President 

7 May 2018

let the Reno Mockery know these facts. He is just too daft to see anything good in this administration.

Respect Baba VP.

Thank you

HOW VP'S SPOKESMAN BECAME A TARGET AS CORRUPTION FIGHTS BACK

Mr. Laolu Akande is the latest target in the seemingly determined fight back of the defenders of our national commonwealth.

He is no slouch in media matters, being an accomplished reporter and leading journalist who became a national editor way back in 1997 before his 30th birthday. His last reportorial assignment was at the US where he represented The Guardian newspaper including reporting from the White House and the UN. Since he left the paper is yet to fill the vacuum he filled for very many years before returning to Nigeria in 2015. Laolu Akande’s journalism credential is sterling and he has brought this to bear in the way he relates with reporters and media practitioners on his present job.

If one newspaper reporter chooses to isolate himself when most media practitioners have always commended his way of handling thorny media issues, then it’s unfortunate and shows something else including bad belle is at play here.
The art of information management requires that synergy exists between reporters/media and the government. It does not necessarily imply that a frosty relationship must exist between the media and government. The basic knowledge we acquire in mass communication class is the need to communicate so that the society will continue to develop and not to use the power of the pen to destroy. This does not obviate the watchdog role of the media.

To the best of my knowledge, Laolu Akande has in the course of his duties passed the integrity test and indeed surpassed the expectations of many Nigerians in his job performance. In discharging his assigned duties he has always been calm and collected. His human relations has remained a source of pride to many of his colleagues in the journalism profession.
A close contact with Mr. Laolu Akande will prove to any discerning mind that his humility is disarming and sense of judgement inspiring. For many people Laolu Akande has utilised any available opportunity to mix well with his colleagues and he does not have a record of begrudging people, even his adversaries.

In the estimation of many Nigerians Mr. Akande’s decision to leave America and return to serve in the present administration is a mark of patriotism and it is only deserving that we avail him of our support as he continues to serve the nation in his present capacity.

Nigeria is at a stage when all hands must be on deck to support the Buhari administration in its efforts to reposition the country, and this can only be realised with the cooperation of all Nigerians including the media. It does not augur well for practitioners in a strategic sector like the media to be pulling apart when they can work together for the interest of the ordinary Nigerian.

As a proof of the impression most Nigerians have about the Vice President's spokesman Mr Laolu Akande, here are some of the reactions on social media:
'' I am interested in knowing Laolu Akande, the man; quietly being an indispensable figure at the villa, for good reasons'' - Alexander Nochie Onukwe (@nochieonukwe).
'' When you are good, you are good! Laolu Akande, Welldone Sir....'' - Siraj (@sirajabdsamiu).
'' I can't but admire the candour with which Laolu Akande is reporting the activities of the Acting President" Son of David (@osy_suave).
The above randomly selected quotes aptly speak for themselves about the person of Laolu Akande and his job rating. I rest my case.

By Chukwudi Enekwechi (JP)
An Abuja-based Journalist
Kwechis19@yahoo.com

Muslim faithfuls gathered at Eagle square, Abuja to mark the Moulid celebration of Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass.
The crowd was massive.

Millions of worshippers gathered at Murtala Square today for the 32nd National Moulid of Shiekh Ibrahim Inyass (RTA).

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

PRESS STATEMENT

PRESIDENTIAL WEEKLY TELEVISION/RADIO NEWS FEATURE PROGRAMMES "FROM THE VILLA" NOW AIRING


A weekly television and radio news feature programmes on the policies,  programmes and activities of the Buhari administration is now airing on a number of network television and radio stations  across the country.


 Designed to promote the policies, programmes and initiatives of the Buhari administration, the 30-minute weekly news feature programme will highlight the progressive strides of this administration and the beneficial impacts being recorded in the lives of our people.             


Members of the public are invited to watch the programmes on television:

Channels TV on Monday - 4:30pm

Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Network on Monday - 6:30pm

Core TV news on Saturday - 12:30pm

TVC on Monday - 6:30pm


On radio, it will be airing:

FRCN network - Monday at 2:30pm

Raypower FM - Monday at 3:00pm

Bauchi Radio - Monday at 1:30pm

Heartland FM - Saturday at 10:30 am

Rainbow FM (Ogun) - Saturday at 8:00am

Capital FM - Saturday at 1:30pm

Liberty Radio - Sunday at 10:30am

Choice FM - Sunday at 6:30pm

Rivers Radio - Sunday at 9:30pm




Abiola Olusola 

 Deputy Director (Media)

 For: Senior Special Assistant (Media & Publicity)

 In the Vice President's Office

11th April, 2018

PDP should respect our opinion too.
Return our loot and Buhari should prosecute them ASAP.

There is something incongruous about the Editor of the Guardian Newspapers, a paper once known for its strident advocacy against abuse of power and corruption, to excoriate a Vice President who repeatedly calls out perpetrators of grand corruption. Even more astonishing is the fact that the Editor, Mr. Abraham Ogbodo abdicates the investigative role of his newspaper when there are allegations of corruption, but works hard to disparage both the information supplied and the informer. While it is clear that the Editor is a rabid PDP apologist, and this is obvious from the direction that he has taken the newspaper since he assumed the role, one would have thought that, even if only to give an appearance of fairness in the great tradition of a newspaper celebrated for balance, (and "the best tradition and ideals of republican democracy") he would still not descend to the use of abusive language against the Vice President.
Laolu Akande

greatermax77:
Go back to school op,
Any person alleged to have committed offence is not guilty of that offence, unless declared by a court of compitent jurisdiction.
Suspicion no matter how strong can never make a proof.

Go back to court, get conviction for these people, then come back and give us list

It's either you are not educated at all or you have reasoning problem.

LIST OF THOSE INVOLVED IN CORRUPTION
According to a PACAC annual report (Aug. 2016 – July 2017), a total of One hundred and ten (110) petitions were received and processed to relevant law enforcement agencies or the Presidency during the period. Breakdown as follows – Twelve (12) petitions on Judiciary and justice sector, subversion of justice, delay in court process, forgery of court documents and fraudulent acts of lawyers; twelve (12) petitions from individuals alleging unfair dismissal, unfair employment practices and victimization of whistleblower; Forty three (43) petitions received on corruption and manipulation of the public procurement process; Thirteen (13) petitions against anti-corruption agencies viz. EFCC, ICPC, CCB, Police alleging corruption, extortion and failure to prosecute; four (4) petitions relating to Abacha loot, OPL245 and the Halliburton bribery scandal; twenty four (24) petitions on other government institutions and MDAs alleging fraudulent award and inflation of contracts, abuse of public trust financial impropriety, bribery and corruption.
Below is a list of some the cases being prosecuted:
​​​​​
S/N
NAME
ALLEGATION
1. Patience Jonathan – Former first lady
Probe for alleged $20million fraud, claiming ownership of $15.5million, N3billion in her sister’s bank account, N2.1billion linked to her late mother.
2. Azibaola Robert – Cousin to former president
Probe for alleged $40million fraud
3. Diezani Alison-Madueke – Former Minister of Petroluem
Various offences – diverted $115m to different people
4. Jumoke Akinjide – Former Minister of State of the FCT
N650million money laundering allegation
5. Bashir Yuguda – Former Minister of Finance
N450million fraud
6. Amb Aminu Wali – Former Minister of Foreign Affairs
N950million fraud
7. Dr. Nurudeen Muhammed – Former Minister of State, Foreign Affairs
N500million fraud
8. Col Sambo Dasuki - Former National Security Adviser
$2.1billion arms money disbursed
9. Musiliu Obanikoro – Minister of State - Defence
Returned N100million to EFCC
10. Sen Bala Mohammed – Former Minister of FCT
Under probe for corruption charges bordering on abuse of office and money laundering. Laundered over N1.1billion
11. Abba Moro – Former Minister of Interior
Under probe for alleged N676million recruitment fraud
12. Anastacia Nwobia – Former Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Interior
Under probe for alleged N676million recruitment fraud
13. F.O Alayabami – Deputy Director
Under probe for alleged N676million recruitment fraud
14. Femi Fani-Kayode – Former Minister of Aviation
Under probe for N4.9billion fraud
15. Danjuma Yusuf
Under probe for N4.9billion fraud
16. Stella Oduah – Former Minister of Aviation
Under probe for diverting N3.9billion out of the N9.4billion meant for the installation of security devices at 22 airports.
17. Prof Viola Onwuliri – Former Minister of State II, Foreign Affairs
Under probe
18. Mohammed Adoke – Former Minister of Justice, Attorney General of the Federation
Under probe for his role in the Malabu $1.1billion shady deal.
19. Sen Joel Danlami – Former Minister of State – Niger Delta Affairs
Under probe
20. Godsday Orubebe – Former Minister of the Niger Delta
Was under N1.9billion contract fraud but was acquitted
21. Ibrahim Shekarau – Former Minister of Education
Under probe for N23billion campaign fund fraud
22. Waripamowei Dudafa – Former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs
Under investigation for his involvement in sharing of N10billion to delegates during the December 2014 PDP presidential primaries.
23. Hassan Tukur – Former Principal Secretary to the President
Under investigation for stealing $35million out of $40million belonging to Boko Haram for the release of about 200 Chibok girls.
24. Reuben Abati – Former Special Adviser to the President
Under investigation for alleged N50million Fraud
25. Doyin Okupe – Former Senior Special Assistant
Under investigation for N1.6billion Fraud
26. Kingsley Kuku – Former Adviser on Niger Delta
Arraigned over criminal conspiracy, false declaration of assets & fraudulent acquisition of property of about N55million
27. Col Ojogbane Adegbe – Jonathan’s Aide-de-Camp
Under investigation for the disbursement of more than N10billion oil proceeds to PDP.
28. Gen. Jones Arogbofa – Former Chief of Staff to Jonathan
Under investigation for stealing over N27billion from deceased staff of the defunct PHCN and purchased a N585million house.
29. George Turnah
Charged to court over N3billion fraud misappropriated form the NDDC
30. Ngozi Olojeme – Former Chairman of NSITF
Accused of N5billion fraud
31. James Bala Ngilari – Former Governor of Adamawa
Sentenced to court for 5years for awarding contract of N167million
32. Alhaji Sule Lamido – Former Governor of Jigawa
Alleged for receiving N1.3billion from Government contractor
33. Gabriel Suswam – Former Governor of Benue
In detention for possession of unlawful items
34. Babangida Aliyu – Former Governor of Minna
Charged for misappropriating N4.5billion
35. Umar Nasko – Former Chief of Staff - Minna
Charged for misappropriating N4.5billion
36. Alex Badeh – Former Chief of Defence Staff
Charged for enriching himself with N3.9billion
37. Olisa Metuh – Spokesman of PDP
Implicated on $2.1billion arms deal amongst several other fraudulent dealings
38. Emeka Mba – Former Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission
Arrested by the anti-graft agency over an alleged N15 billion fraud.
39. Jide Omokore - Chairman of Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Nigeria Limited.
Got multibillion dollar worth of public assets without due process by the Jonathan government in 2011.
40. Tom Ikimi - Former Chieftain of APC and Ex-minister of Foreign Affairs
Allegedly involved in the $2.1billion arms funds scandal.
41. Ricky Tarfa. SAN.
Arrested by agents of the EFCC in Lagos for allegedly obstructing justice.
42. Air Vice Marshal R.A. Ojuawo
Involved in the controversial $2.1bn arms deal was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his way out of the country by the EFCC
43. Nenadi Esther Usman – Former Minister of Finance
Under investigation for N4.6billion fraud
44. Air Marshal Adesola Amosu
Charged for his involvment in N22.8b fraud while serving as Chief of Air Staff
45. Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko
Reportedly stole N40b from the coffers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
46. Raymond Dopkesi
Being prosecuted for allegedly collecting N2.1b from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the orders of the former National Security Adviser (NSA).

47. Senior judicial officers including some Justices of the Supreme Court
Allegation of bribery and corruption, discovery of huge sums in local and hard currencies in their various residences.
48. Patrick Akpobolokemi
The former boss of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) also made his mark as one of the most reported former government officials who stole money. Akpobolokemi reportedly looted over N12b from NIMASA, using various companies.
49. Gen. Emmanuel Atewe
Charged for N8.5 billion fraud
50. Orji Uzor Kalu
N2.9 billion fraud trial
51. Senator Ayo Adeseun
N650 million money laundering charges
52. Rashidi Ladoja
N4.7 billion fraud charges

Since he assumed office on 29 May 2015 as the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osibanjo never left anyone in doubt as to what he intends to do while he remains the number two citizen of the country.

Professor Osinbajo as the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has the mandate of overseeing the economic planning team and report, as well as make recommendations, to the President who takes the final decision. 

During his election campaigns, the then Vice Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, now the ruling party, among other things made it clear to the electorate the promise to tackle two major things in Nigeria if elected: improving the lives of the common man and provision of job for teeming unemployed Nigerians. 

Even though the government inherited a depleted economy with low foreign reserve, weak investments and uncoordinated economic policy which plunged the country into recession sooner, the Vice President was able, with his economic management team, to come up with programmes and policies that pulled Nigeria out of the recession and steadied the economy with millions of jobs created .

One major leap towards pulling Nigeria out of recession was the launch of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, ERGP, in April 2017.

The Economic Recovery and Growth Plan is an economic plan which builds on the 2016 Strategic Implementation Plan, SIP, a short term plan aimed at tackling corruption, improving security and rebuilding the Nigerian economy . 

However, the ERGP seeks to build on the SIP by restoring growth, investing in people and building a globally competitive economy .

In restoring growth, the plan focused on macro-economic stability and economic diversification. Macro- economic stability, it is further projected , would be achieved by undertaking a fiscal stimulus through the manipulation of fiscal instruments such as tax and government spending. 

Diversification, on the other hand is being achieved through the diversification into the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, solid minerals, services, etc.

With the ERGP, a global competitive economy would be built in Nigeria by investing in infrastructure, improving the business environment and promoting a digital- led growth. This is already underway.

It is also important to note that these broad objectives would be achieved by ensuring macro-economic stability, agriculture and food security, energy, transport infrastructure and driving industrialisation focusing on small and medium scale enterprises. The Buhari administration has evidently shown it is on the right track with these.

Apart from the launch of the ERGP which implementation led to Nigeria exiting recession last year, VP Osinbajo has undertaken other engagements, initiated policies, and programmes aimed at revamping the economy, creating jobs and improving the living standard of Nigerians. 

Following its launch by President Muhammadu Buhari in April 2017, the implementation of the ERGP has seen the country’s economy record significant strides, including its exit from recession last year and improved stability in the fiscal and monetary markets.

For instance, in sustaining the gains made by ERGP, the Vice President on 5 February, 2018 launched the Economic and Growth Recovery Plan (ERGP) Focus Laboratories on Power, Agriculture and Manufacturing to Fast-Track economic growth.

During the launch, the Vice President said that the newly inaugurated Focus Labs would further boost economic growth and ensure that Nigeria continued its journey of building a competitive economy. 

Adding that “The labs will operate by bringing together all private and public sector officials to achieve the ERGP’s objective of reaching seven per cent economic growth by 2020."

The laboratory groups brought private/public sector participants and potential investors together to think through the implementation of their specific areas of focus.

It is stating the obvious that it was based on the ERGP policy that agricultural sector alone was able to create six million jobs in the country within the past couple of years.

Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo in January this year led the Nigerian delegation to Davos, Switzerland for the 48th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. At the forum, apart from presenting Nigeria's view point on the theme of the event “Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World ”,  Osinbajo held a number of bilateral meetings with representatives of other countries, international business interests and development partners.

The VP also held a special forum with Development Finance Institutions and Global Institutional Investors in support of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan of the present administration. One fact about VP's economic policies is that they are friendly, implementable and have engineered a total turn around in nigeria's economic growth.

On 13th February, 2018, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo launched the National Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, MSME clinic in Kogi State as part of the Federal Government's social investment programme geared towards helping the people engage productively in the economic life of the nation. 

During the launch, Professor Osinbanjo highlighted that the programme was aimed at giving the people a better life, and that Nigeria’s future economic growth will be driven by small and medium-sized businesses.

The VP who also launched the MSME programme in Oshogbo, Osun State, said that the Buhari administration will continue to support small businesses nationwide through its economic initiatives.

The Vice President has continued to stress that there are enough resources to go round if the country and its people use its resources well, while urging Nigerians to tap into the potential in their communities to create wealth through entrepreneurship and MSMEs.

It is pleasing to know that over 4,250 participants registered to take part in the Oshogbo MSME clinic while nearly 206 exhibitors across the ago-allied, manufacturing and retail sectors participated.

The small business is the engine of growth of any nation. And Vice President Osinbajo understands this. 

Indeed, VP Osibanjo has demonstrated the ingenuity and astuteness required to tackle a fledgling economy like Nigeria’s.

His giant strides both in policy initiation and implementation has set a roadmap for the brighter future of Nigeria 's economy. 

Amaechi Agbo is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja.

Reading through Abraham Ogbodo's malicious and mischievous article about the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo in the Guardian Newspaper, I was seriously bothered and disturbed. I was disturbed not because of the baseless article itself, but the fact that it emanated from someone who is an editor of the Guardian Newspaper. The question then is: if an editor of a paper that is hitherto respected in Nigeria decides to throw investigative journalism into the dustbin by casting aspersions on the Vice President over falsehood, then, we are in trouble.
When my late father told me that the war against corruption is the most difficult task that any government could dabble into, little did I know he was right. But, today looking at the antics and various ways corruption is fighting back, I now believe what my father saw then.
Just like other sponsored writers who have in one way or the other benefited from the corrupt past, and never want to hear the truth about the past, this editor Abraham Ogbodo has shown that after all, he never forsook his pay masters.
Now, let me take on his point one after the other:
He said the country was not as chaotic as it is now compared to when he Prof Yemi Osinbajo was the Acting President, the assertion I see as self-conflicting to his calculated intention to denigrate the Vice President. The question here is why condemn the Vice President even when you have exonerated him in your malicious disposition? This is enough to question his integrity.
The writer also in his myopic thinking, refused to appreciate the effort of this present government and specifically, the yeoman job by the Vice President in the area under his direct watch. It is obvious hatred and envy may have blindfolded Abraham Ogbodo from not being able to see the giant stride of this present government. For the avoidance of doubt, let me outline few of the achievements of this present government from the list of 57 earlier released by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Office of the Vice President, Laolu Akande:
Release of 106 Chibok girls, as well as over 16,000 persons in Boko Haram captivity.
Recovering 14 local governments and territories previously under Boko Haram control in the North East, rebuilding lives of citizens there; about one million displaced persons in the North East have returned to their communities in two years of this administration.
Purchase of 12 Super-Tucano aircrafts worth $600 million to aid the Nigerian military’s current operations in the North East.
Ensuring continued peace in the Niger Delta through consistent funding of the FG amnesty programme for ex-militants.
On economy, the achievements are being implemented in the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) to aid economic recovery, taking the country out of her worst recession in 29 years, despite fall in oil prices.
Effective implementation of the Treasury Single Account, and increasing government revenue by over N3trillion as well as entrenching transparency and accountability.
Implementation of the Bank Verification Number (BVN), thus tackling corruption by plugging loopholes for siphoning of public funds and tracking of illicit funds through multiple accounts.
Implementing reforms in the civil service which has led to the elimination of over 30,000 ghost workers, thereby saving the country billions of naira monthly.
Massive investments in agriculture, e.g, Anchors Borrowers Programme to improve local produce, improving fertiliser distribution and access across states through the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative.
Reduction in rice imports as a result of government’s policies that has encouraged massive rice production across Nigeria.
Improving transport infrastructure (rail and road); construction work ongoing on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, renovation of Abuja International Airport runway, completion of Abuja – Kaduna Railway among others.
Social Investment Programmes (SIP): N-Power Volunteer Scheme creating jobs for over 200,000 (and still counting) unemployed graduates in all the 36 states and the FCT.
SIP: Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme, under which about 25,000 less privileged Nigerians so far are now being funded with the monthly N5,000 stipend in 9 pilot States (Bauchi, Borno, Cross Rivers, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Osun and Oyo). More beneficiaries are expected to be added in more states.

The take-off of the 2nd Niger Bridge.
Improved power generation nationwide adding $500million to Nigeria’s sovereign wealth fund and about $87million to its excess crude account.
The creation of the N30billion Solid Minerals Development Fund.
Encouraging the patronage of local contents and increasing export in agriculture.
Bailout of cash crunch states; about N689 billion to 27 states of the federation to pay salaries in 2015.
Complete refund of Paris loan deductions to states (unprecedented).
Reforms in the airports (reconstruction of the Abuja airport runway and ongoing work at the Lagos airport).
Eleven of the dead 33 fertilizer plants have been resuscitated while four others are to be revived shortly and this has profound impact on the ongoing revolution in the agricultural sector.
For the first time in more than 45 years, the Mambila Power Plant is set to take off with the allocation of $5.6billion for its realization and an expected 3,050 MW output upon completion.
Increasing external reserves to a 13 month high of $44 billion from $29.13 billion which has surpassed the ERGPs target of $30.56 billion despite global low oil prices and production challenges.
Release of N2 billion take off grant for the Maritime University as part of measures to address agitations in the Niger Delta region.
Anti-corruption war: Prosecuting alleged corrupt public officers and recovering billions of naira of stolen public funds; the successful establishment of the whistle-blower policy.
Establishment of PACAC – a think-tank that has provided leadership, direction and also built capacity of personnel in the fight against corruption.
This Vice President that we know, from my careful observations and analysis is not outrageously power intoxicated as alluded by Abraham Ogbodo. He has shown that he is the most liberal and active Vice President ever in the history of Nigeria. It is still fresh in our memories when the President was on Medical vacation the level of patriotism and selflessness displayed by him was legendary. He never behaved like someone who is desperate for power, he did his work diligently. He is not after power, but, the progress and development of this country.
The writer’s comments about Dolapo, the wife of the Vice President has also shown the desperate move to cajole the Vice President knowing fully well his popularity and acceptability in the South Western region and Nigeria at large. Thank God, Abraham Ogbodo could not, but appreciate the modesty life style of our dear Vice President and his wife.
On the issues of southerners dominating Buhari's governments, the Vice President did not just wake up to explain that, but, it was a response to a question from an online journalist, JJ. Omojuwa. Is it that some of these sponsored writers expected the Vice President to take the position of falsehood? His comments to my knowledge are backed with verifiable facts.
The writer in his usual belligerent manner, misrepresented the Vice President on the issue of the money spent by the last government weeks to the election, the Vice President's position was backed with verifiable evidences, if the writer has not yet seen the approval letter signed by the former Minister of Finance during Jonathan; he is covered under the freedom of Information Act to get one himself. As for the position that the government is not moving on, that is an unforgivable mendacity from an elder like this man, because the vice President made it very clear that the present government is achieving a lots despite the low in the price of crude oil because the government has been able to block loopholes of corruption.
Finally, Professor Yemi Osinbajo is the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not the Vice President of a particular zone or religion, most of us voted for APC because of his combination with Muhammadu Buhari, and they have not disappointed us.
God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria
Yahaya Wada

Someone should please tell Reno Omokri, an ex-aide to an ex-president that no amount of malicious outburst on Vice President Yemi Osinbajo can shrink the respect Nigerians have for a man who is touted as one of the most venerated public office holders in the chequered history of Nigeria’s democracy. Omokri, instead of brandishing his envenomed guilt without remorse or debasing a government that has repositioned the country for greater prosperity, should throw tirades at those ghosts that perpetually haunt him and his principal as a result of the debaucheries perpetuated by them.

Nigerians don’t understand why Omokri does not see anything good about a government that has achieved within three years, what his principal could not in six years. As one of the spokesmen to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, a man who superintended a government that reeked with filth and sleaze, each time Omokri writes, his ink ventilates foul smell in form of brazen lies that often lack lustre. Recently, he has gotten for himself a new job and that job is to throw random, vapid vituperations on the person of Vice President Osinbajo.
Nigerians were very much aware how Goodluck’s regime birthed fashionable corruption and christened it a new name. It was an era where stealing was not regarded as corruption. Corruption during Jonathan’s regime was like an abandoned public lavatory, it was riddled with maggots of different sizes, and when opened, it oozes nauseating smell. Nigerians should therefore understand why Reno Omokri cannot freely breath each time one of the chimneys to the lavatory is open. Recently, Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, opened the tiniest vault to the lavatory and as expected, Reno Omokri could not stand the unpleasant smells it ventilate. Laolu had said: “We have a situation where a former first lady came out openly to claim over $171m found in her accounts and you think Nigerians will simply overlook that.”
Reacting, Omokri in his usual demeanour, threw a pointless dart into the air, thinking that his enemies were domiciled in the sky. In his bid to defend a government that was known for buffoonery and corruption, Omokri keeps ridiculing himself and revealing the inherent mutability of character of a man who arrogated himself the status of a Pastor. He spewed thus: “First of all, there is no former First Lady from the Jonathan administration that has claimed $171 million in a bank account. Upon a promise of a suit for libel, I challenge Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to name that person.” Even if Omokri has lost all his senses due to the fact that he benefitted enormously from a regime that was notoriously unpopular, but popularly notorious for its corruption, the remnant of his senses should remind him that there was only one first lady during Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s regime, and that was Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan.
Omokri, admitted that Vice President Osinbajo mentioned the discovery of $43.4 million, a money starched in one of the rooms at the Osborne Towers in Ikoyi, Lagos by Ambassador Ayo Oke. Someone should please remind the Defender General of Corruption (DGC) that Ambassador Oke was one of the seeds of corruption planted by former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and if anything, Omokri should applaud the current regime for their tenacious and daring commitment towards removing all the vestiges of corruption planted by the past regimes. For record purpose, Ambassador Oke, the sacked Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) was appointed by Goodluck Jonathan on November 7, 2013 but was sacked by President Buhari on October 30, 2018 following his bounteous involvement in the Osborne Towers scandal.

Did Omokri equally accuse Professor Osinbajo of being ‘silent’ about the alleged corrupt case involving the immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal? Someone should please activate Omokri’s memory. Vice President Osinbajo was the Chairman of the Panel that recommended the immediate sack of Babachir, how else does the overtly benighted and disillusioned Omokri want the Vice President to exercise his eloquence on anti-corruption? Curious minds would ask why Babachir has not been charged to court. We should not be oblivious of the fact that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria defines how certain powers are exercised. It should be noted that neither the President nor the Vice President has the right to interfere or hinder any investigation as the constitution does not offer them such power. The onus of prosecution lies with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); where and when they have reasonable grounds to charge former and serving officers to court under laws, they do not require the permission of the President or his Vice to do so.
There are indications that the Buhari-led administration is committed to fighting corruption, and he is winning where Omokri’s principal had failed woefully. Omokri who served the most corrupt regime in our history lacks the locus standi to even run any form of commentary on corruption because his principal is a symbol of how not to fight against corruption. Figures published by the EFCC, reveal that N738.9 billion was recovered in just two years of Buhari’s regime and bulk of these monies were siphoned by the same government Omokri is striving hard to defend, forgetting that it is always impossible to carve a good image out of rotten wood.
Those who know Omokri, understand how desperate the self-ordinated pastor could be. Instead of dissipating energy to burnish the battered and plummeted image of his principal, Omokri now finds solace in throwing tactless tirades on the Vice President and the government that is working so hard to repair all that they destroyed. In order to give dog a bad name so that he can be hanged, Omokri had quoted Aisha Yesufu, who described Professor Osinbajo as her ‘greatest disappointment’.
Few background information will explain why Aisha, the co-founder of BringBackOurGirls is greatly disappointed with Vice President Osinbajo and the Buhari-led administration. Students of history would recall that Aisha rode to stardom on the account of failure of the past regime in tackling the menace of Boko Haram. However, the commitment of the present administration to fighting terrorism has hauled her to the back seat of activism, thereby deflating the undeserved relevance she garnered during Goodluck’s regime. One option to Omokri and Aisha, his co-traveller will suffice – they should go get themselves decent jobs. Specifically, Aisha should change the direction of her activism because majority of the girls that were kidnapped by Boko Haram during Goodluck’s regime have been brought back.
No amount of worthless diatribe and gibberish from Reno Omokri and his ilk, can stop the revolution being championed by President Muhammadu Buhari and his co-rider, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. The Change Mantra is like a moving train, nothing can stop it.

Nigerians have taken to social media to express their utter disgust at Reno Omokri’s divisive comments made on Twitter on Friday, 23 March.
The former social media aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan urged Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo to speak up for the Christian community sparking a religious divide in the country.
Omokri was reacting to the refusal of Islamist sect, Boko Haram to release Leah Sharibu, one of the Dapchi schoolgirls who refused to convert from Christianity to Islam.
“Vice President @ProfOsinbajo, a Pastor, is quick to publicly speak lies against @GEJonathan and others. Yet this same man has not thought it wise to even say one word of comfort to the parents of Leah Sharibu and the Christian community who are in deep anguish over her ordeal!” he tweeted.
Responding to Omokri on Twitter, Sam Ayorinde urged him to leave religion out of the abduction of Dapchi girls. “Ogbeni, stop dragging Christianity into politics just because you want to make a point.”
Remi Oyebisi shared a similar view. “The President has already spoken, when the president speaks, it covers the entire presidency. So the prayers of @Mbuhari for the return of Leah, is also is the wish of @ProfOsinbajo.”
Dele One Naija’s position was rather stern. “Foolish man! I pity those that listens to you. Where will calling out the Vice president lead you? Even the Bible said thou shall not judge. So who is the real God fearing person here? Nonsense!”
Victor Anyawu told Omokri not to politicize every happening in Nigeria. “How do you guys sleep at night? Must everything be political? You can’t just focus on Leah and pray for her safe return without attacking someone else. Such a shame.”
Mike Amobeda tutored Omokri on the difference between the Christian Association of Nigeria president and Vice President of Nigeria. “Reno the judge of all saints. Before you mislead your followers please remember that @ProfOsinbajo is today the Vice President of Nigeria and not the Vice President of CAN. Isn’t there a distinction anymore or you just don’t see it?”
Odunola Success, a follower of Omokri described him as a let down. “You have disappointed me on this your tweet that is just geared toward criticising the Vice President. I used to have deep respect for you but for this, Omokri you really fall my hand.”
Babatunde Idowu tried calling Omokri to order on his tweet. “Reno! Reno!! Reno!!! Will you keep quite!!! Must you politicize everything, what are the lies against GEJ?” he quizzed.
Sir Fregs urged Omokri to stop lying. “You have so much negativity in you and you tell too much lies. I am blocking u man!
Isaacwemmy Wemmy tweeted, “I suggest you become his (Osinbajo) spokesman. That is if he find you fit”.
Asiwaju Fans wrote, “Pastor @renoomokri when will you stop being bias and be true to the word of God you claim you hold on to? You call yourself a pastor but an iota of the doctrine doesn’t reflect in your life. I would advise you to stop bringing shame to the gospel and the doctrines.
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the family of Leah and Nigerians of her safe return in a series of tweets.
“It is disheartening that one of the girls, Leah Sharibu, remains in captivity. Let me assure that I am as committed to her freedom as I was to the girls’ freedom when all 110 of them were in captivity.
“We will do everything in our power to bring Leah back safely,”
“My heart goes out to Leah’s parents, who must watch other parents rejoice while their own daughter remains in captivity.
“It is my responsibility, under the Constitution of Nigeria, to protect all Nigerians—and I will always strive to do that. Leah will not be abandoned,” Buhari added.

He is better than everybody in your generation.

Abimbola Adelakun’s opinion ‘Osinbajo confirms Buhari’s impotence’ in The Punch newspaper got me laughing until I dropped a tear. It was no different from Donald Trump’s position on Climate Change, ‘a hoax’.
Don’t get me wrong, it is her opinion but its that of a kid to say the least. It is an opinion without facts and figures, and one with very little intelligence put into it.

For starters, even the ‘Father’ of all critics, former president Olusegun Obasanjo admitted in his rather long open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari that the incumbent president has fought corruption since he emerged as president in 2015.
To think that one Abimbola, would blame her anger, failings and inadequacies solely on the government is a shame and should be taken with a pinch of salt. Her opinion was very one-sided, her choice of topic deceptive and her content was very flat.
To go about saying Buhari has not fought corruption is a joke, a big one at that. Even kids in Nigeria could not help laughing when the former PDP spokesman, Olisa Metuh turned up in court on a stretcher and wheel chair. The anti-corruption fight by Buhari had made him sick.

But he’s not the only one who has fallen ill or has been down with some form of ailment or disease since Buhari’s anti-corruption began.
Add to the list, former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode; former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke; former minister of finance (state) Nenadi Usman; former NNPC GMD, Andrew Yakubu; former Chief if Air Staff, Umar Dikko; former head of service Stephen Oronsaye; former special adviser to Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Kingsley Kuku to mention a few.
That does not include those who have fled the country like the former minister Diezani, Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs Service Abdullahi Dikko Inde and others like him.
If Buhari have failed to fight corruption, how exactly was Ibrahim Magu, acting EFCC chairman able to state categorically that the agency recovered a whooping N473 billion in 2017 alone. He even gave a breakdown of how the monies were recovered and in what currencies.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and President Muhammadu Buhari
“Magu added that other funds recovered in foreign currencies were $98.2m; £294,851; Dirham 443,400; and South African Rand 70, 500.”
He told the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes that final forfeiture of N32bn and $5m recovered from the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, had been secured for the Federal Government.
He added, “Recovery and final forfeiture of N449m discovered at Legico Plaza in Victoria Island, Lagos. Final forfeiture of $43m discovered in the Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos; recovery of over N329bn from petroleum marketers by the commission’s Kano office; withholding tax recovery of over N27.7bn from banks; recovery of over €6.6m from the Nigerian Port Authority; recoveries of about N1.1bn on behalf of AMCON and recovery of subsidy fraud of over N4bn.”
To show his intent to bring corruption to a halt, Buhari’s government introduced a sweetener, the Whistleblowing Policy. In 2017, Finance minister, Kemi Adeosun said the Nigerian government has paid more than 20 whistleblowers since the policy was introduced in 2016 as part of initiatives against corruption.
She said the government released about N375.8 million for payment of 20 whistleblowers who provided information that led to the recovery over N11.6 billion. If that is not fighting corruption, what is?
To refresh your memory, I will mention some corruption cases that took place during Buhari’s administration while you were sleepwalking.
Patience Jonathan – The former first lady claimed ownership of five Skye Bank accounts with billions of naira deposited in them. She even went to court to order the EFCC to un-freeze the bank accounts, adding that it was a violation of her fundamental human rights. But there’s a new sheriff in town, President Buhari, the anti-corruption fighter. You can Google how that story went, that’s away from hanging out with Peter Pan.
Many have falsely claimed that Buhari’s anti-corruption fight have been directed solely at the opposition but even the Senate President, Bukola Saraki is caught in the web of his cleansing campaign. Saraki is still facing the law for false assets declaration. Saraki tried to fight it but the Supreme Court dismissed Saraki’s application challenging the jurisdiction of the CCT to try him.
And there is Sambo Dasuki. The former National Security Adviser (NSA) was said to have diverted and supervised the disbursement of over $2.1b to various individuals for the reelection of Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. The funds however were meant for the purchase of arms for the Nigerian Army to prosecute its war against Boko Haram.
Alex Badeh has also been tried for anti-corruption given his role in plundering the country. The former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) bought a N320m house for his 28 year-old son and another N260m for his first son in the highbrow area of Wuse in Abuja. The houses are just part of the many properties Badeh used the over N800m which he siphoned from the military coffers, to purchase.
The former CDS willingly gave up $1million found in his bedroom by EFCC officials at the heat of the anti-corruption trial.
The anti-corruption beam fell on Patrick Akpobolokemi as well. The former NIMASA boss was one of the most reported former government officials who stole money. Akpobolokemi reportedly looted over N12b from NIMASA, using various companies to perfect his trade. He has been forced to give up some of these monies and his case his ongoing.
Media mogul, Raymond Dokpesi was picked by the EFCC for his role in enjoying the largesse of the national treasury. According to reports, N2.1b was paid to Dokpesi by the Central Bank of Nigeria on the orders of the former National Security Adviser (NSA).
Abimbola Adelakun needs to stop living in Peter Pan’s world. The anti-corruption fight is real and I will advise that people like Abimbola and their cronies watch their back because the anti-corruption train is gliding through town.
Felicia Obasa-Adejuwon wrote in from Ibadan

Congratulations

Congratulations to the latest couple

Very Vibrant Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo clocks 61 today.
Oluyemi Oluleke "Yemi" Osinbajo(born 8 March 1957) is a Nigerian lawyer and politician who is the current Vice President of Nigeria, in office since 29 May 2015. He is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Professor of Law and until his inauguration as Vice President, a Senior Partner with SimmonsCooper Partners, a commercial law practice.

MARRIAGE AND PERSONAL LIFE
Yemi Osinbajo was born into the family of Opeoluwa Osinbajo on 8 March 1957, Creek Hospital, Lagos. Osinbajo is married to Dolapo (née Soyode) Osinbajo, a granddaughter of Obafemi Awolowo. They have three children together.

EDUCATION
Yemi Osinbajo was educated at Corona primary School, in Lagos. Between 1969–1975, he attended Igbobi College Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. From 1975–1978, he studied for his undergraduate degree in Law at the University of Lagos, where he was awarded a LLB Law degree. From 1979–1980 he attended Nigerian Law School. In 1981, he was awarded a Master of Laws after attending the London School of Economics.

LEGAL CAREER
From 1979–1980, Osinbajo served the compulsory one year youth service as a legal officer with Bendel Development and Planning Authority (BDPA), Bendel state.
In 1981, he was employed as a law lecturer at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. From 1983 to 1986, he was Senior lecturer of Law at the University of Lagos. From 1988 to 1992, he was an Adviser (legal advice and litigation) to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Bola Ajibola. Osinbajo began lecturing at the age of 23.
From 1997 to 1999 he was made Professor of Law and Head of Department of Public Law, University of Lagos. From 1999 to 2007, Osinbajo was Member of Cabinet, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, also Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
From 2007 to 2013 Osinbajo was once again employed as a Professor of Law, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos. In 2007, Osinbajo was made Senior Partner, Simmons Cooper Partners (Barristers and Solicitors), Nigeria. Osinbajo was also a Senior lecturer at the Lagos State University.
Other past roles include:
* Staff Member, United Nations Operations in Somalia, Justice Division, UNOSOM II.
* Member, United Nations Secretary General’s Committee of Experts on Conduct and Discipline of UN, Peacekeeping Personnel around the globe, Member, 2006.
* Partner in Law Firm of Osinbajo, Kukoyi & Adokpaye.
* Senior lecturer at faculty of law, Lagos State University Lecturing public law.

POLITICAL CAREER
After the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013, Yemi was tasked, with other notable Nigerians, to design and produce a manifesto for the new political party. This culminated in the presentation of the "Roadmap to a New Nigeria", a document published by APC as its manifesto if elected to power. The highlights of the Roadmap included a free schools meal plan, a conditional cash transfer to the 25 million poorest Nigerians if they enroll children in school and immunise them. There were also a number of programs designed to create economic opportunities for Nigeria's massive youth population.
On 17 December 2014 the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, retired General Muhammadu Buhari, announced Osinbajo as his running mate and vice-presidential candidate for the 2015 general elections.
On 31 March 2015 Buhari was confirmed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the presidential elections. Thus Osinbajo became the Vice President-elect of Nigeria. They were both sworn in on 29 May 2015.

AWARDS
Osinbajo, has received several awards, they include:
* State Merit Award 1971
* the School Prize for English Oratory, 1972
* Adeoba Prize for English Oratory 1972–1975
* Elias Prize for Best Performance in History (WASC) 1973
* School Prize for Literature (HSC), 1975
* African Statesman Intercollegiate Best Speaker’s Prize, 1974
* President Goodluck Jonathanconferred on Osinbajo the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger on May 28, 2015.

Why hating our amiable Vice President when these are verifiable facts. Get your facts right.
Most of your read headlines only because you have reading problem.

Prayer is key here.
At least she is not like Patience Jonathan who denied the incidence of the Chibok girls. The military are already on their search mission and the president has set up a committee to investigate the Dapchi girls scenerio.
What we need now is prayers.
I stand with Dolapo Osinbajo.

Jokerman:
Awon wo South west nibo... the way Buhari will lose here.... ko ni derun....

Abeg, who go beat am for the pole. People are ingrates. Where were the South West when the ineffectual Buffon was in power, there were crying WE ARE BEEN MARGINALIZED.
We will vote for Buhari again in the south west.

Qsscruz:
Are the spokesperson for the south-west? No body is happy to have a terrorist sympathizer as a President. Speak for yourself young man.

Compared to previous administrations, haven't South west been treated better ?

nototribalist:
Say you and your family,. No generalized South West, we can't all be Zombies at the same time

During GEJ's administration, the south-west were relegated to zero politically. They are no where near top 4.

During the last administration, the leaders of the south west are tagged Motor park touts.
What was the cry during the previous administration, We have been marginalized.
Why are you no longer wailing that you are marginalized?

South-West are happy to have Buhari as President.

The Protest by the South-West against brazen marginalization by the past government made the zone to embrace President Muhammadu Buhari whole heartedly.

Aftermath the 2015 general elections, the South-West have to regretted their decision to massively usher in President Buhari.

PMB has brought out some of the best of South-West and entrusted them with key assignments and responsibilities.

Keys ministries like Power, Works, Housing, Finance, Mines and Steel development, Communication and health portfolios were allot to the South-West.

When it comes to siting of projects, South-West had been favoured. The Lagos-Ibadan dual carriage way which eluded even the attention of OBJ and GEJ has been re-awarded.
More so, PMB made Lagos - Ibadan rail project a starting point for railway development in Nigeria. Similarly, the Lagos - Kano rail line will pass through Ekiti state.

No regrets voting for PMB.
God Bless Nigeria.

Why should Osinbajo resign?

Why should the Very Vibrant Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo resign, when he is making such a tremendous impact in governance today?

If you are in doubt, ask the Governors who continue to praise his handling of the economy through the National Economic Council where all Governors meet monthly under the VP's Chairmanship.

Osinbajo has been driving states right deep and boldly pushing the principles of devolution of powers and fiscal federalism even as a Very Vibrant Vice President.

Nigerians today are certainly celebrating Osinbajo for his astuteness, integrity, sense of dedication, hard-work and unflagging loyalty to his principal. He is setting a record that glows in grace and honor.
Nigerians are indeed proud of him.

The call for resignation of a Very Vibrant Vice President is a call for anarchy. It is a call for the stabilization of the government that means well for Nigeria. It is a call for the Yoruba to lose their pride of place in the present cabinet for no better alternative.

Nigeria has never produced an amazing Vice President like Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).

Ride on sir, don't listen to distractors. You a doing a great job.

Sure he did, people like Pa Adebanjo were beneficiary of the Jonathan's regime that milked Nigeria dry. What do you expect him to say?

Pa Adebanjo again: The Off-Mark Antics of a Tired Old Political Opportunist against Buhari, & Osinbajo

Adefemiwa Oluwole

Reading through the acerbic remarks against President Muhammadu Buhari and his deputy, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, by Pa Ayo Adebanjo, a
chieftain of Afenifere, published by Sunday Punch evokes a feelin that time is fading fast on the old man on his knowledge of events and
the strong values that these two leaders represent for Nigeria at the moment.

By his viewpoints on the government of President Buhari, Pa Adebanjo has not been good to his rating as an elderstateman normally credited with wisdom and knowledge of political history of Nigeria and as an otherwise notable leader of Afenifere.

It is understandable that Pa Adebanjo, an old horse in the struggle for Yoruba interest in national Politics is at his game again, but he should be reminded pointedly that his spurious attack on the person's of the President and his deputy at this point in time, is misdirected, jaundiced and lacking depth whichever way we dice it. For the good that both President Buhari and Professor Osinbajo hold for Nigeria since 2015 can hardly be gainsaid or so easily dismissed by the old partisan, political & ethnic operative.

If Pa Adebanjo had kept within the realms of noble conduct of public commentary, many would have welcome his views. But his forays into cash and carry political advocacy which he championed under the Jonathan administration is the stain that taints his rather reputable past and association with some of the sages of Lord.

For instance, Adebanjo sat by, watching and getting patronized by a regime that made nonsense of the Yorubas repeatedly in the 5 to 6 years of the Jonathan years! He found his voice again when more progressive Yoruba forces took the bull by the horns and delivered Nigeria from the waste and wanton national disgrace that PDP & Jonathan had brought Nigeria to. Except that Pa Adebanjo took sides with the enemies of that progressive and triumphant movement.

Having lost the election Pa Adebanjo is yet to recover, but continues to do the bidding of those who turned Yorubas and their interest into 3rd rank.

To start with, Pa Adebanjo should not forget that President Buhari assumed office in 2015, meeting a near collapsed state of governance in which case phenomenal looting by government officials rendered the economy literally prostrate, reeling into recession, almost immediately. It was worst for the same government that was left with an immediate option to fight insecurity and festering agitations for regional self-determination, within a little time.

By the omissions of the past government, Boko Haram terrorism became a major concern, taking over vast portions of the entire landscape of the north eastern zone of Nigeria, even threatening the Federal Capital Territory and adjoining states.

President Buhari, a man he has chosen to simply misunderstand, has been correcting the ills and the rots met on ground, while Nigerians and the rest of the world are aware of the onerous tasks involve in doing just that.

The integrity and sincerity of purpose brought in by the President has made him an overcomer, though to the chagring of his opponents, most especially members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) whom he crushingly defeated almost three years back at the polls. Pa Adebanjo is one of the major supporters of that political party, noted to have driven Nigeria ruefully to the edge of a cliffhanger. Papa should be feeling rather lucky that Nigerians are not charging him for his shameful support of a decadent regime that raped our nation and bled it almost dry!

Under President Buhari, it is no longer business as usual. This painful reality makes PA. Adebanjo's most recent wailing and vituperation very understandable.

All the same, it is germane to point out to armchair and implacable critics like Pa Adebanjo that in addition to taking Nigeria out of recession, against which even the opponents groaned, the Buhari administration returned peace to the Niger Delta and the south-east, decimated Boko Haram in the north-east with terrorism brought to its knees, and took Nigeria out of economic recession and many more.

Coming closer home to Adebanjo, President Buhari has been good to the South-West contrary to claims by the septuagenarian. When compared to the last PDP regime which patronized Adebanjo and which he in turn supported, Buhari has brought out some of the best of Southwest and entrusted them with key assignments and responsibilities.

Pa Adebanjo should be mindful that the government of former President Jonathan in which he has been investing much sympathy, had thoroughly neglected the southwest. Pa Adebanjo should not have forgotten in a hurry that the protest by the south-west against brazen marginalization by the past government made the zone to embrace President Buhari whole heartedly returning in his favour overwhelming votes. Therefore, to think that the government of President Buhari has not been good to the south-west zone amounts to playing the ostrich, as available evidence points to the contrary.

The commitment of the President to south-west made the President to allot three key ministries, Power, Work And Housing in care of the former governor of Lagos State, Raji Baabatunde Fashola, in recognition of his capability and capacity to deliver. He has not been disappointing, all the same. The President also gave Southwest the Finance, Mines & Steel Devp, Communications & Health portfolios. What did Adebanjo manage to get for Southwest in his rabid support of PDP & Jonathan? Well, that is besides the personal patronage he enjoyed then?

In the siting of Projects also, President Buhari has also been good to Pa Adebanjo’s geo-political zone. Besides the siting of more power projects in the south-west, the present government has been gracious in re-awarding contract for reconstruction of Lagos-Ibadan dual carriage way which eluded even the attentions of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and that of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

More importantly, the Buharis’ administration deemed it necessary to start its comprehensive plan for railway development in Nigeria from the southwest, making Lagos-Ibadan rail project the starting point.

Need we mention that the project, which has kicked off, is scheduled for completion next year. The Lagos- Ibadan rail line alone, as planned is designed to turn around the economy of the south-west wholly. In this regard, south-west will emerge as the major economic hub of not only Nigeria, but the entire sub-region of West Africa.

Notwithstanding the sustained criticism by the governor of Ekiti State of the government of President Buhari, act of magnanimity and open mind made the President to even veered the construction of Lagos-Kano rail line to Ekiti State, for economic benefit. The gesture from the President came up willingly and not borne out of criticisms he received often from loud but baseless hardliners like Pa Adebanjo.

Pa Adebanjo has now touched on the sensitive nerves of well meaning Yoruba people by his call on Vice President Osinbajo to resign. He could not have meant well coming to that conclusion. One thing that will unite many well meaning Nigerians today is that Professor Osinbajo is giving a good account of himself as a worthy deputy both in service, and commitment, not to talk of loyalty. I have seen several instances and aware of much more occasions where the people of the zone have lavished praise of the law professor for his hardwork and exemplary showcasing the Yorubas as top public administrators who remain loyal and committed to duty. Why should he resign, when he is making such a tremendous impact in governance today?

If in doubt ask the Governors who continue to praise his handling of the economy especially through the National Economic Council where all the Governors meet monthly under the VP's chairmanship. If you ask the Governors especially those who served while the PDP were 8n charge of the Federal Government you would be told that Osinbajo has been driving State rights deep and boldly pushing the principles of devolution of powers and fiscal federalism even as VP. What has PA. Adebanjo done for restructuring besides hos loud cacaphonous rantings?

Indeed, Yoruba today are certainly celebrating Osinbajo for his astute Ness, integrity, sense of dedication, hard work and unflagging loyalty to his principal. He is setting a record that glows in grace and honor. Nigerians are proud of him, not just The Yorubas alone.

All people of goodwill, in the Southwest and across the country know well enough to discountenance tired and jaundiced voices like that of 1Pa Adebanjo whose politics is founded on pull him down syndrome, as long as they are not the ones in contention. In essence, the call for resignation of Professor Osinbajo by Pa Adebanjo is a call for anarchy. It is a call for the destabilization of the government that means well for Nigeria. It is a call for the Yoruba to lose their pride of place in the present cabinet, for no better alternative.

Lastly, if Pa Adebanjo has nothing to contribute
to the advancement of governance by offering time tested suggestion and wisdom, he should not call out Nigeria for destruction. He should desist from politics of opportunism for which they he has been noted, and start leaving good political legacies for the upcoming younger generation.

Normally it is from the elders that wisdom comes. Alas we must counsel Adebanjo after reading his outrightly error filled interview. May error not mark the twilight!