₦airaland Forum

NIPSS Lecture: Nigerians praise Osinbajo over call to end divisive rhetoric, prejudice

Nigeria's Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, has been lauded by many Nigerians over his speech that has now gone viral on social media where he frowned against political actors and leadership elites for stoking the embers of ethnic-religious sentiments and prejudice, which reportedly led to voter suppression in some parts of the country in the last general elections.

Prof. Osinbajo had given the warning on Monday, 17th April 2023, during his speech at the maiden Policy Making and Good Governance Lecture Series of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State.

Osinbajo, who warned that prejudices that tend to impede the progress of Nigeria must be avoided, said there must be a deliberate policy backed by elite consensus that bars Nigerians from using the nation’s diversity to negatively promote their ambitions.

He said Nigeria must prioritize its unity, social cohesion, and progress by jettisoning ethnic rhetorics and prejudices that have impeded the nation’s growth over the years.

The speech, however, has become a social media sensation after the 15-minute video found its way on the internet, with many social media users gasping at the whisk of the VP's eloquence and oratory wand.

Reacting to the video across all social media platforms, many Nigerians commended the Vice President for his candor and bravery in speaking the truth to power, while some political leaders, they said, pretended as if nothing unusual had happened during the general elections.

Many took to Twitter to express their views on the speech while others social media users on Facebook, Instagram and Nairaland commented on the speech and viral video uploaded by the VP himself on his official social media platforms.

Reacting to the post made by the VP on Instagram, @Josh.Olaade wrote, "I was almost in tears listening to him speak. You would see his sincerity and honesty in every word he spoke. I don't need an angel to tell me PYO means well for this nation and was ready to do everything possible to give us a Nigeria we all dream of, but then, Nigeria politics happened to us. I believe Nigeria will be great in my own time."

Also, another responder who commented via @Ancestor_071 wrote, "I still ponder over why they failed to give this man the chance to govern this country. A man who spoke for 15 mins without checking or looking through his tablets or diary. It is well sha."

Likewise on Twitter, a tweep with the user name, @AdewumiCollins wrote in an independent post, "The message in the banners is clear and simple. It resonates loud and clear. I have waited this long for someone in this govt to comment on this. Thank you VP Osinbajo for your courage."

https://twitter.com/AdewumiCollins/status/1648600286963826688?t=oFOKTJfqfvvazWkJVtmdFQ&s=19

Also commenting, a Facebook responder, Ogunmola Rotimi Emmanuel wrote, "Eloquent, prolific and intelligent.
The discuss well presented,
God bless you, Prof, sir."

Similarly, @Emeka V. Obi on Facebook, wrote, "God bless our Vice President. Very eloquent in speech, powerful oratory, excellent delivery. This is leadership. What we have been looking for all these years has been right before our very eyes but we were too blind to see due to our ethnocentric religiosity and entrenched cultural differences, bigotry, polemism and antipathies."

Also, Emmanuel Enobong on Facebook had this to say, "Very objective, intelligent, unbaised. One of the most intelligent, elders stateman that has grace the seat of power.
Always a pleasure listening to this Man."

"As long as this video seems to be,I couldn't blink. Was smiling while watching to the end.
God bless you erudite Prof, na man you be," @Avalumun Nenger-Shater wrote on Facebook

Another Facebook user, @Silver Fom wrote, "Unfortunately, the wickedness of our country and the greediness of our delegates did not allow them see man to be the presidential candidate."

"I always ask my self why we can't choose and elect the caliber of your type to be our president, but I know it's matter of time we need you daddy," wrote @Umar Nasi on Facebook.

"As much as I would love to meet with you in person on my birthday, I would also want to ask you just a question. Thank you for always challenging me Prof. I see myself becoming YOU someday. I know it will take a lot of work. I am watching closely," @Olalekan Olawale Taiwo wrote on Facebook.

"Osinbajo remains the most vocal,most dedicated, and most committed African leader to the #GreenEnergy campaign in Africa. He has been consistently vocal and pushfull, and I think he deserves to be the leader of Africa Union," @Kemisola Adekunle said on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/KemisolaAdekun1/status/1648415975597809667?t=A3pYt4qbk07KCiX00_jcIg&s=19

"Great speech. Thank you. I'm secure and little-minded people c!n often not see beyond colour, ethnicity and language, even when others are more capable for the job at hand," @Jumoke M. Akinniranye wrote on Facebook.

"#OsinbajoSpeaks about the voter suppression and ethnic bias that played out at the recently concluded elections. He is the ONLY one within the APC that has spoken out again this injustice! People have a right to live and vote from anywhere within their country!" @Olakunle wrote on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/OlakunleBankol5/status/1648623504365965312?t=Rjqr3DC3T4Rd4EYbUBN5rw&s=19

https://legit.ng/1531055-nigerians-applaud-osinbajo-promoting-national-inclusion-unity.html

floret23:
I don't know why people called this dull and boring man a motivational speaker or smooth talker. He has never impressed me with his words. Very irritating thing.

Compare him with your dad. Let's start from there.

*Directs NSIA to develop Nigeria Carbon Market Activation Plan

*NSIA, Vitol sign $50M carbon avoidance & removal initiative in Nigeria

*Stakeholders commend VP’s leadership on Energy Transition Plan
 

Given Africa’s status as the lowest emitters of carbon coupled with its young and vibrant population that is capable of effectively deploying green manufacturing on a large scale, the continent can become the first truly green civilization, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this Tuesday in Abuja at the official signing ceremony of the Carbon Vista Agreement – an initiative that aims to support Nigeria in meeting its net-zero targets by investing in carbon avoidance and removal projects.

Carbon Vista is a joint venture investment company established by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA and Vitol (a multinational energy and commodities company) – committing an initial sum of US$50 million for projects such as climate-smart agriculture, green industrial technologies, waste management, etc., cutting across several sectors, including agriculture, energy, and manufacturing.

According to the Vice President, “Africa can become the first truly green civilization – the first civilization on earth to use renewable fuel for purposes of a transformative economic journey.”

“How can we do that? First of all, we are the lowest emitters today, and if we are going to develop our industry for the rest of the world, we can start from where we are today, we don’t have to start from where the rest of the world is, especially the global North.

“If we are the least emitters and able to use green energy effectively, we are able to use the young population that we have, we are able to effectively deploy green manufacturing on a scale that would be required to become the global green factory and power of the world, we can indeed do something revolutionary and different.

“This is why what we are seeing today, this sort of collaboration between NSIA and Vitol is an important one because the pipeline of projects they are talking about are the sorts of projects that will make us a truly green economy and can cause us to realize that dream we are talking about,” the VP added.

Prof. Osinbajo further stated that Africa’s ambitions are also closely related to the talk about climate justice in the energy transition debate, stressing that “the transition must be a fair one, and fossil fuel is still required for several purposes, we must also agree that there is a new way by which Nigeria and Africa can benefit immensely from what is coming to us.”

Continuing, the VP commended the partnership between NSIA, Vitol and other partners, noting that “this sort of collaboration is only the beginning, we have to do a lot more and demonstrate that we are capable of being not just a victim in the climate change story, but an important catalyst and innovator for making our world greener and introducing to our own people, a prosperous economy based on the green initiatives that we have.”

Determined that Nigeria plays a global role in the voluntary carbon markets, the Vice President who is co-chair of the ACMI Steering Committee directed the NSIA to play an active role building the voluntary carbon market.

According to him, “the importance of an enabling environment is crucial for Nigeria to play a global role in voluntary carbon markets. This is why I would like NSIA to take the lead in developing the first Nigeria Carbon Market Activation plan and look forward to engagement on the plan.”

He expressed hope that the Carbon Vista Fund will be bigger adding that more investments are expected from other stakeholders. According to him, “this is such an incredible opportunity and we must not leave it to just be a $50 million fund.”

In her remarks at the event, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed commended the initiative noting that “Carbon Vista aligns with the several key priorities of the Federal Government of Nigeria including the quest to grow the country’s Foreign Direct Investment stock, develop a new market that enhances the economy and maximize the country’s abundant natural resources. These priorities are crucial to driving sustainable growth and development and also Carbon Vista’s commitment to these goals is commendable.”

On his part, the Managing Director and CEO of NSIA, Mr Aminu Umar-Sadiq thanked the Vice President for his exceptional leadership in spearheading Nigeria’s Energy Transition ambitions and for hosting the ceremony which officially launches the agency’s newest investment vehicle in the environmental sector.

Speaking about the Carbon Vista initiative, Mr Umar said “it aims to support Nigeria in meeting its net-zero targets by investing in carbon avoidance and removal projects in Nigeria, that deliver significant socioeconomic benefits to Nigerians and promote the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals.

On the partnership with Vitol, the NSIA MD said both organisations “have committed an initial sum of US$50 million to Carbon Vista for projects such as climate-smart agriculture, green industrial technologies, waste management, etc., cutting across several sectors, including agriculture, energy, and manufacturing.

“Over the next few months, we will roll out projects to set the standard for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investment in Nigeria. These projects will be carefully selected, partnering with local institutions that have proven track records of successfully delivering high-quality projects.”

Making reference to other partnerships for a smoother energy transition in Nigeria, Mr Umar-Sadiq noted that “beyond Carbon Vista, NSIA is working closely with the National Council on Climate Change, as well as the Africa Carbon Market Initiative, to support in developing the carbon market both on a national and continental level thus promoting sustainable investments by incentivizing projects that reduce Green House Gas, GHG emissions.

“These collaborations will facilitate the development and integration of Nigeria's carbon market with the broader African carbon market, thus creating efficient carbon trading systems and unlocking the economic potential of sustainable development in Africa.”

In his remarks, Vitol’s Global Head of Carbon and Environmental Products, Mr Michael Curran, spoke about the uniqueness of the Carbon Vista initiative, noting that “if you step outside the norm, people can criticize. The easiest thing to do is to stay within your tracks and not do anything new or any initiatives which are bold.”

His words: “We are prepared to do both things, the importance of doing this is simultaneously linked with climate change, the objectives of Nigeria for 2060 and the realization of the reality that commercial growth that benefits the population also has to take into consideration the transition, the desire to make sure that we can still grow, the people can have benefits but done in a sustainable manner.”

Government officials and other dignitaries present at the event were the Director General, National Council on Climate Change, Dr. Salisu Mohammed Dahiru; Country Head, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Mr Muhammad Wakil, and the Head of Office Energy Transition Office, Dr. Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, among others.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
4th April, 2023

To read more on the Vice President's activities, please visit https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/

The Role of Diaspora

I see the Diaspora as our vanguard for keeping up with the rest of the world (a secret weapon). They are a source of strength asides their remittances which is substantial, rising from 37Billion in 2010 to 96Billion in 2021.

We saw the contributions from the Ethiopian Diaspora that helped to fund the building of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Kenya has also licensed a Diaspora Investment Fund that will enable Kenyans living abroad invest safely at home.

Instead of lamenting the brain drain, Africa should organize itself to take advantage of its Diaspora.

https://twitter.com/ProfOsinbajo/status/1641491245510930434?t=9ZjY03EQIskUNVrP8XnlgA&s=19

On African Continental Free Trade Area.

While some parts of the world were reviewing or quitting regional integration agreements, African countries were building on the pan-African legacy of leaders like Kwame Nkrumah to establish one continental market.

The AfCFTA will overcome the constraints of Africa's small, fragmented markets and its impact on commerce within the continent both in goods and services will be profound.

https://twitter.com/ProfOsinbajo/status/1641488801750036497?t=9GUKSwjLZdOPe-4L4qZQHg&s=19

Africa is a force for good

In previous centuries, most wars were often linked to disagreements on boundaries. In 1963, African countries were barely out of colonial rule yet they agreed to respect colonially inherited boundaries.

Africa has shown good example in using regional integration arrangements to promote peace and security on one hand and trade and industry on the other hand.

The African Union and ECOWAS are great examples. ECOWAS sanctioned countries like Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali when they seized power by coup d'etat. The Africa Union backed these actions.

https://twitter.com/ProfOsinbajo/status/1641487102666743808?t=pSjEJSQR6g3h4bUkguvg5g&s=19

The Question of Insecurity.

There is some restiveness on the continent which is driven in part by poverty, alienation, environmental degradation and poor governance. The more pressing problem today is the encroachment by franchises of global terror groups in Africa.

Although many African countries have acted vigorously to tackle those terrorist groups but there is so much more that can be done.

The Sahel appears to be the worst hit. According to the 2022 Global Terrorism Index, the Sahel has become home to the most deadly terrorist groups.

The Index reports that Sub Saharan Aftica accounts for 48% of global terrorism deaths. The Sahel is also said to account for 500k internally displaced persons, 1.8million people facing food insecurity and 5.1 million people needing humanitarian assistance.

Given the scale of the problem, I think it is time for the global community to treat the menace of terrorism in the Sahel as a common challenge.

Great powers and emerging powers can set aside rivalries and work with ECOWAS and the African Union to stamp out terrorism in Africa.

https://twitter.com/ProfOsinbajo/status/1641364584681426945?t=HeHjbqG6JlCEwCqI618t7g&s=19

China Investment in Africa
In Mid-December, the US hosted the Africa-US summit, the last one was held in 2014. It appears the summit was meant to at least register the US's interest in being a more active player in Africa.

Most African countries are rightly unapologetic about their close ties to China.

China shows up where and when the West will not and or are reluctant.

Africa needs the loans and infrastructure. The memory of the destructive conditionalities of the Brenton Woods loans are still fresh and the debris is everywhere.

https://twitter.com/ProfOsinbajo/status/1641357842941722624?t=BU5tgsENLsCvSaQ5P8GEZA&s=19

On #ClimateAction.

Africa can lead a revolutionary approach to climate change. One that recognizes Climate Action as the job engine for Africa. James Mwangi and his colleagues at Climate Action Platform Africa have presented this compelling point of view.

They argue that instead of pushing the narrative of Africa as a victim and or insisting on business-as-usual growth which would make Africa a big future emitter.

Africa should instead take the lead in tackling climate change leveraging on its renewable energy potential, young workforce, green technologies, carbon removal and green manufacturing.

In other words, Africa can provide jobs for millions of its young people, prosper and lead in the fight against climate change by becoming the green or carbon free civilization.
And we have the comparative advantage to do so.

https://twitter.com/ProfOsinbajo/status/1641349765140033536?t=xfwUL2jtpACe5CLqNgDAcg&s=19

The Effect of the Russia-Ukraine War on African Countries


Africa can take full advantage of the global complexities we see today and thrive in the face of uncertainties and disruption.

The lines have never been more blurred in the various conceptual prisms through which we view the world.

Since the unipolar world of the 1990s, several centres of political and economic powers have emerged.

In addition to the United States, we now have China, Russia, the European Union, the United Kingdom, India and Brazil as dominant regional powers.

When we consider the on-going Russia-Ukraine war, asides from the consequences for international peace, African countries now have to steer their way delicately between major powers.

These price shocks and disruption of supply chains of various commodities across Africa led to high inflation at a time when most countries were struggling to overcome the economic and social fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic especially debt and foreign currency crises.

We are now in the process of working out a grain supply from Russia coordinated by the World Food Programme, and we recently accepted to provide a port space in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria for the distribution of grain from Ukraine to other West African countries.

The Economic fallout of the war should be an introspective moment on self-sufficiency in food.

Zimbabwe for example, through proactive measures shows us that African countries can turn this crisis into opportunity.

https://twitter.com/ProfOsinbajo/status/1641345775593504769?t=VbIUl04oSa_UumWG7d4COA&s=19

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in 2018 and later as Governor in 2019. No sooner had he settled to work as Lagos State Governor than COVID-19 and the #endSARS protests started in 2020.

These challenges regardless, Governor Sanwo-Olu implemented several initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of the people of Lagos State, such as the "Lagos State Employment Trust Fund" and the "Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme." He has also worked on improving infrastructure in the state, including the construction of new roads and bridges.

Sanwo-Olu’s administration saw to the establishment of export free trade zone and SME Hubs: The Sanwo-Olu administration the extablishment of the SEZ, including the Alaro City, another free zone, set on 1,000ha carved out of the bush. It too has an anchor client up and running, Ariel Foods. Around 40 companies now have purchased land here, with a handful already building their factories.

Against all odds, his administration saw the completion of the Lekki port. This is the largest seaport of Nigeria and one of the biggest in West Africa. Lekki port is to be expanded to have a capacity of handling around 6 million TEUs of containers and a significant volume of liquid and dry bulk uncontainerized cargoes. The port is to be equipped with ships able to transport over 14,500 containers.

The Sanwo-Olu administration established the state’s disaster Management Agency and strengthened the existing State Emergency Medical Services for risk mitigation. The body has successfully intervened in numerous cases and prevented so many major disasters in the state.

Waste management also received considerable attention from the Sanwo-Olu administration. The administration saw LAWMA commence construction of Transfer Loading Station (TLS) with organised Public Private Partnership (PPP).  The agency now has over six standard functional TLS in operation across Lagos. LAWMA made remarkable achievements Obalende which some people used to refer to as home of refuse.

In the health sector, Sanwo-Olu supported 15 families of Persons Living With Cerebral Palsy and Down Syndrome with financial assistance of N1million to N2.5million each. Activated one Oxygen Plant at Yaba for COVID-19. Established 10 Tri and Oxygen Centres.

Chidozie Emeagwali, a writer and public policy consultant,
sent this from Apapa, Lagos

Wednesday March 15,2023

By Mohammed Abdullahi in Dakar.

Nigeria’s reigning basketball premier league champions, Kwara Falcons have lost their second game at the ongoing Basketball Africa League (BAL) Sahara Conference taking place at the magnificent Dakar Arena in Senegal.

The Nigerian team unlike in their first game were very resilient as they lost by just four points, 78 to 74 in favour of Stade Malien of Mali.

All the four quarters of the game were keenly contested except the third where the Falcons fell short, trailing at some point with about 20 points before rallying in the 4th quarter to close the deficit but was a little too late for the Nigerian champions.

Coach Baba Jibril of the Kwara Falcons said the team is learning fast and there is significant improvement from their last game.

“We are learning very fast and you can see significant improvement in this game compared to our last game. We are still very hopeful to clinch a ticket to the playoff finals in Rwanda from the remaining three games,” Jibril stated.

Nigerian born NBA Academy Africa graduate and Washington State University star, Rueben Chinyelu played for the Stade Malien scoring 10 points in total to help the Malians defeat the Falcons.

In other games played, REG of Rwanda recorded their second consecutive win by beating ABC of Cote D’Ivoire 80 – 73. Kwara Falcons will face the BAL defending champions, US Monastir of Tunisia on Wednesday.

http://newsloungeng.com/kwara-falcons-suffer-2nd-defeat-at-basketball-africa-league/

$600M FOR YOUNG NIGERIANS IN TECHNOLOGY, CREATIVE SECTORS READY AS OSINBAJO LAUNCHES SCHEME

*Funding by AfDB, France, Islamic Devp. Bank, BOI for young Nigerians ages 15-35

*VP calls on African Governments, private sector to invest more in innovation, targeting job creation

*AfDB President commends VP’s dynamic leadership, says “you are an amazing leader in our nation, you are very focused, very determined…”

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, today launched a $600 million programme for young Nigerians in the technology and creative sectors with a call on African governments and the private sector to do more to support the growth of innovation in the continent.

The Vice President spoke at the presidential launch of the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) Programme, held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja. The programme will support young Nigerians ranging from ages 15-35 who are entrepreneurs and involved in early stages in creative, innovative and technology-enabled ventures.

“I think it is now imperative to commence a coordinated approach towards innovation on the continent, bringing together all stakeholders to coordinate efforts at scaling up investments and building programmes that provide the right enabling environment and produce talent pipelines that support the growth of innovation on the continent,” Prof. Osinbajo said in his keynote address at the event.

Under i-DICE, constraints such as access to capital, and capacity limitation of Start-ups would be effectively addressed. But according to the VP, more needs to be done to scale up such programmes.

In his words, “the government must provide more support for startups and small businesses, and investors must provide more funding. This is why the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises Programme is important.”

i-DICE is supported by funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB)-$170m, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)-N70m and the Agence Française de Développement-$116m. There is also Federal Government of Nigeria counterpart contribution of $45 million through the Bank of Industry loans for qualifying start-ups.

On behalf of the Nigerian government, the Vice President thanked the development partners for their collaboration.

Commending the efforts of the development partners, the Vice President noted that the programme’s design “supports innovation across very critical pillars including policy, infrastructure, access to finance and talent. These pillars have been identified as very critical to the growth and sustenance of innovation on the continent.”

The VP disclosed that “the total fund is $618 million, out of which the AFDB provides $170million, the Agence Francaise de development $116m and the Islamic Development Bank will provide $70 million in co-financing.” Another $271m is expected from private sector and institutional investors, he noted.

Similarly, Prof Osinbajo observed that the launch of the (i-DICE) Programme was a significant milestone by the Nigerian government in its continued efforts in harnessing the potential of its youth population and creating more jobs.

Beyond job creation, “the programme is a government initiative to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital tech and creative industries and especially targeted at job creation,” the VP added.

Speaking about the Buhari administration’s efforts in supporting the growth in the tech and innovation sectors, the VP noted that, “as a government, we have consistently provided support to the innovation ecosystem over the last 8 years. In 2018, we established the Technology and Creativity Advisory Group. The Advisory Group brings together stakeholders in the technology and creative industries, to contribute directly to policy formulation, articulation and the design of the technology and creative sectors of our economy.”

“The Group has influenced various government policies for the growth of the economy. For instance, the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, working with NITDA has established a Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, the Ministry has also led the coordination of our partnership with Microsoft to increase Nigeria’s technology talent pipeline by training 5 million Nigerians in various technology skills,” Prof. Osinbajo said.

The Vice President also recalled how President Muhammadu Buhari signed Nigeria’s Startup Bill into law, making it the Nigeria Startup Act and also highlighted the essence of collaboration between the private sector and government in scaling up such programmes.

He stated that there has been an influx of private capital which has enabled startups “to expand operations and create new jobs while contributing significantly towards overall GDP growth of the country. There are of course thousands of startups that have used private funds or debt that goes unrecorded.”

The VP referenced Disrupt Africa’s 2022 Tech Funding Report which indicated that “Nigeria was the best-funded country in Africa for the second year running, with a minimum of 180 startups, making up approximately 30% of Africa’s funded ventures, raising approximately $1billion - substantially ahead of all other countries on the continent on both counts.”

The Vice President commended development partners for their support, and also thanked the AfDB President, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, for his role in bringing the idea to fruition.

On his part, the President of the African Development Bank, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina commended the Federal Government’s commitment to the actualization of the initiative, particularly the leadership of the VP in creating “the enabling environment for the development of start-ups, as well as position Nigeria as Africa’s leading digital technology centre.”

He said “today, I will thank you, my brother, the Vice President. You have been an amazing leader in our nation, you are a very focused and very determined person, as your time ends, may God continue to be with you and guide you in whatever lies ahead of you.”

He added that the i-DICE Programme is “timely, strategic, and transformative as it will build the ecosystems to support more competitive entrepreneurs powered by digital technologies.

“That is why we like i-DICE: it is visionary, sees the future and prepares Nigeria for it. That future is here. Every aspect of life is being transformed digitally.“

Goodwill messages were delivered by the Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed; Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Science and Technology, Sen. Adeleke Mamora; Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; the representative of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy; the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Emmanuelle Blatmann; and the representative of the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Mr Olukayode Pitan.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the President
Office of the Vice President
14th March, 2023

https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/600m-for-young-nigerians-in-technology-creative-sectors-ready-as-osinbajo-launches-scheme/

The place of inspiration and imagination in the pursuit of personal or national fulfilment is not only pivotal but also irreplaceable and this is why people who can inspire must remain in front.

This view was expressed by the Vice President’s Spokesperson, Mr. Laolu Akande in a birthday message for the 66th anniversary of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN today March 8, 2023.

“What I have come to know about the VP is that he is an inspirer, and watching him do things is in itself an inspiration. People like that exists to inspire individuals, groups and nations to attain goals and objectives that advance their causes and lead irrevocably to greatness.

“He provokes something in people such that conduces towards excellence, endurance and emphaty, attributes that he himself exemplify.

“Excellence; so that people can reach into themselves to discover hidden capacities.
Endurance which enables people to sustain the pursuit of vision by imbuing patience and humility that creates perseverance.

And finally Empathy that reinforces a common bond of humanity by which individuals become an example of selflessness, rendering service and value on private and public levels, Akande says.
He continued “let me give just a few illustrations.

“It is the empathy that took him to Maiduguri in the early months of this administration where he led a charitable effort that produced the Learning Centre where orphans coming out of the insurgency have in the last 6 years now been receiving some of the best types of education available anywhere in the world.

“It is the endurance that kept him in place when all kinds of malevolent forces were bent on diminishing the effective delivery of public goods directly to the people of this nation in an unprecedented scale such as the Social Investment Programme of the Buhari Administration when some entrusted with leadership responsibilities wanted to privatise the process by sharing slots among the elites in a scheme meant to secure some social safety nets in a country fiercely battling poverty.

Finally, it is the excellence for instance that makes him interrogate his aides and people pushing laudable ideas in and out of government by demanding for scaling up the numbers. Afterall he would wonder “what’s the use of a government programme that reaches only a few thousands in a population of over 200m?

For him, Excellence says think, not just out of the box, but think big. Do the hard part, apply yourself, be relentless, work tirelessly at goals. I can disclose that in the past 8 years the average close time in the Vice President’s office is 8 or 9pm. Several times we have been at work past 12 midnight. Excellence spares no effort afterall.

So today as the Vice President turns 66, I wish him a happy birthday and many happy returns of the day. My dear boss, and Nigeria’s number 2 citizen, we pray that as your days so shall your strength, wisdom and favour be with God and man!

https://dailytrust.com/osinbajo-exists-to-inspire-says-laolu-akande-as-vp-turns-66/

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), presided over the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC), where he led Ministers in congratulating President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his election victory.

Today, Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, announced this via his verified Twitter handle.

According to Akande, Osinbajo also congratulated Vice President-elect Senator Kashim Shettima and First Lady-designate Chief (Mrs) Oluremi Tinubu.

Osinbajo wished them the best as they prepare to lead the nation.

https://youtube.com/shorts/_7xuxN0-0b4?feature=share

Where are the supposed structures?

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

Today while speaking at the Lagos rally, Tinubu never said that Osinbajo did not congratulate him.....listen to the video!

What Tinubu was saying was that he went to the President to nominate a Vice Presidential running mate for him just as he did in 2015 for the President. The President however refused but rather said he (Tinubu) knew Nigerians better and had more experience and so should choose his own running mate.

*Tinubu didn't not even mention* Osinbajo’s name and the reference to VP was to his own Tinubu’s running mate. Just watch the video.

Nigerian tweeps on Saturday, February 18, schooled the Afro hip-hop musician, Peter Okoye, popularly called Mr. P-Square about the contributions of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, to the nation.

They recall Prof. Osinbajo’s wealth of experience as a Professor of Law, a global statesman with a notable voice on many global issues besides his sterling record as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. The controversial entertainer, Mr. P, had earlier today raised a question on the role of the Vice - President amidst the present situation in Nigeria. Speaking via his verified twitter account, he tweeted “In all of these, where does the Vice President of the Federal Republic Prof. Yemi Osinbajo stand?”.

Many Twitter handles put out several banner headlines from media platforms showing what the VP had said about the matter and some of his contributions in the past. It begs the question whether the artist did any kind of inquiry before raising what many see as a partisan post.

In a swift response, Funmi Peters, with the handle, @funmi_peters56, said “He has been at the fore front of trying to find solution to naira scarcity. He stands with the people always”.

Another tweep took a swipe at Peter Okoye, a supporter of Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, asking Peter Obi to address the Biafra Agitators. Vincent with the Twitter handle, @vincent15260932, said “Please let's leave that aside and please ask president peter obi to address those guys in the Biafran land saying there won't be any election in those Biafran states. He needs to make peace with those guys that's the most important cos men those guys are strong”.

Quoting the Vice - President, Phillip Obin said “Our people just want food on their table, shelter over their heads, clothing on their bodies, health care and education for their children and themselves...

“So the good legislator or the good minister is not the one who is weaving the law and procedure adoptions.

@jonnysleek claimed that the Mr. P just copied and paste the content from @elkrosmediahub “Copy and Paste Vibes Isonu”.

Sharing the pains of Nigerians on the Naira Scarcity, VP Osinbajo in a statement released earlier this week during his meeting with FinTechs said “In Abuja how do you take ‘drop or along’ or use a Keke NAPEP without cash, or buy foodstuff on the road or in canteens, or even buy recharge cards?

“Parents with kids in public schools give money daily to their children for lunch, most commerce is informal, so you need cash for most things”. The nation’s second-in-command observed some FinTechs have mobile money licenses and should be engaged immediately. He said many of them have micro-finance bank licenses and already have a network of mobile money agents or human banks or human ATMs, and should utilize as many of them as possible.

https://www.legit.ng/nigeria/1520699-tweeps-school-p-square-asks-vp-osinbajo-stand/

In a church service laced with singing, & biblical ministrations, Nigerians from all walks of life joined Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, and the family to celebrate the grace of God in the life of VP's mother, Mama Olubisi Osinbajo as she turns 90 today in Ebute-Meta, Lagos.

VP Osinbajo this afternoon inaugurates the APC Legal Compliance Committee for over 1400 elective offices at State & National 2023 elections urging members to be proactive, confident they are up to the task across the country, while recalling notable achievements of the APC led FG.

OSINBAJO COMMISSIONS ODU'A HOUSING ESTATE BUILT BY UK-BASED DIASPORANS HE INSPIRED TO INVEST IN NIGERIA

*VP speaks on solutions to Nigeria’s housing deficit

A group of UK-based Nigerian professionals and investors who are partnering with the Odu’a Investment Company Limited to build a big housing estate in Ibadan, say they were inspired to come home and invest at a meeting in London years ago with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, even as he details required steps to address Nigeria’s huge housing deficit.

The VP spoke at the commissioning of the Westlink Iconic Villa - a joint venture project of Odu’a Investment Company Limited and Chapter Four Estates Management Limited owned by UK-based Nigerians, on the requirements for addressing the housing deficit in Nigeria. He said a more lasting solution lies in ensuring adequate housing finance, affordable mortgages and available social housing.

“There is a significant housing deficit, 17 million, which should ordinarily be a major economic opportunity not just for house ownership but also for the many jobs and manufacturing opportunities that housing brings. The missing link is not the market, neither is it the number of ideas for private development. Housing finance, affordable mortgages and social housing are what we need,” the VP noted.

Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo said “every developed economy has had to grow, usually, with government support, mortgage schemes. What needs to be done is that government must provide the capital to derisk single digit mortgage lending by banks.”

Citing examples in the US where government-sponsored enterprises have been instrumental to the growth of the housing sector, the VP said “the role of government is crucial.”

On the Federal Government’s efforts aimed at addressing the deficit in the housing sector, the Vice President said “we started that process in our housing for jobs programme under the Economic Sustainability Plan. The Family Homes Fund was the arrowhead for the first phase.

“CBN was to provide the intervention fund for mortgage finance through the Family Homes Fund. We are still working on the programme but there must also be affordable private sector funding for housing.”

The Vice President recalled a meeting held with the group of UK-based Nigerians in March 2015. “I encouraged them (diaspora business persons) to bring their skills and capital back home and to partner with the incoming APC government to develop Nigeria.”

“After the event I had a discussion with one of the leaders of the group of business persons, Mr. Shams Ogumuyiwa, who expressed a keen interest in coming back to Nigeria to invest in real estate. Some time after that meeting he and others came together to develop this project,” the VP added.

A recorded video of the VP meeting the diasporans in 2015 in the UK, was played at the event.

Commending the Odu’a Investment Company Limited for the feat attained, the VP noted that “the future is bright, if we stick to the vision of providing derisking funds supported with development finance funding such as Odu’a’s.”

Prof. Osinbajo added that “though the road to raising capital was rough they (investors) kept at it through the years. But the breakthrough appears to have come by way of another great story. The Odu’a Investments Company Limited.”

The VP acknowledged the contributions of Nigerians in Diaspora in the project, noting that “…the Nigerian diaspora has a crucial role to play in the Nigerian economy.”

In separate remarks, the Odu’a Group Chairman, Mr Bimbo Ashiru and the MD of Chapter Four Estates Management Limited, Mr Shams Ogunmuyiwa - representing the diaspora investors, paid glowing tributes to Prof. Osinbajo for laying the foundation for the project.

According to Ashiru “the Vice President deserved to be celebrated for encouraging citizens in the diaspora to invest at home which resulted in this project. It was the VP’s interaction with four UK-based Odu’a citizens that motivated them and set in motion the investment into the project.”

On his part, Ogunmuyiwa recalled that “it started in 2015 when the Vice President came to the UK. Sir, you may not remember everybody who met with you, but those of us who met with you will never forget that situation.

“You promised that your government will make ease of doing business a priority. We thereafter had one on one chat, that meeting inspired what set us up on this trajectory.”

The first phase of the project comprises 67 housing units located in Alakia, New Ife Road, Ibadan. The second phase will have more than 200 units added.



Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
9th February, 2023


To read more on the Vice President's activities, please visit https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN attends as the Special Guest of Honor the 13th National Labour Congress Delegates Conference at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. 7th Feb, 2023.

OSINBAJO DISTURBED OVER DIFFICULTY IN GETTING NEW NAIRA NOTES, SEEKS HUMANE WAYS TO IMPLEMENT CURRENCY CHANGE

* People need cash daily, most commerce informal

*VP wants more engagement of FinTechs, mobile money agents in distribution

Worried by the difficulty experienced by Nigerians in getting the new naira notes, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN today met with some players in the FinTech space, exploring possible ways of mitigating the hardship.

Specifically, he urged regulators and the banks to deploy more FinTechs and money agents to the hinterlands to address the worrying situation.

According to the VP “you need cash to pay for transport. For instance, in Abuja how do you take ‘drop or along’ or use a Keke NAPEP without cash, or buy foodstuff on the road or in canteens, or even buying recharge cards?

"Parents with kids in public schools give money daily to their children for lunch, most commerce is informal, so you need cash for most things,” Prof. Osinbajo pointed out.

During the interactive session with a number of FinTech investors and ecosystem players, the Vice President said that the Central Bank of Nigeria and the commercial banks should work with all FinTechs that have mobile money agents, not just some of them, in order to reach the farthest places in the country.

According to him, “it seems to me that banks must engage their mobile money operators – FinTechs with mobile money licenses and many of them have micro-finance bank licenses now and already have a network of mobile money agents or human banks or human ATMs (as they are sometimes called) who are responsible to them and they can supervise by themselves. They can do currency swaps and open bank accounts.”

The VP spoke just as the President in a meeting with some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors at the Presidential Villa, assured the nation that the challenges are being addressed and would be solved very soon.

Speaking further about some of the concerns arising from the redesign of the new naira notes, the VP stated that “more disturbing is the fact that after depositing your old notes, there are no new notes, so people everywhere in the urban areas and rural areas simply have no money.”

The Vice President acknowledged that “there are logistical challenges that have to be addressed by the CBN and the banks, especially from the point of view of the average Nigerian and those in the hinterland who hardly use any electronic platforms.”

He also observed that while there has always been a certain failure rate in online banking and money transactions, they have become even more difficult now with the increase in the number of transactions congesting the system.

His words: “so where in the past you used POS or any of the electronic platforms, you had maybe 20%-30% failure rate, now because everyone is trying to get on those platforms, obviously, the failure rate is much more and the problems are much more pronounced.”

He thanked the participants at the meeting for their commitment and contributions, noting that “it has really been revealing hearing all your thoughts about what is going on, our country just simply needs to have the quality of advice that I have received, today.

“We really need to make progress even as we make efforts to deal with some of these issues confronting us today.”

In separate remarks, some of the players made valuable suggestions on how to address the current situation in the country and offered to support government at all levels with the required expertise to address bottlenecks associated with the problem.

They suggested that USSD fees and the cost of data be reduced, while regulators should remove floor prices and called for relieving choke points in online transactions by cutting out some of the technical procedures.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
3rd February, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwXiP-psE-A

El Rufai has clarified that Osinbajo is not part of the “Cabal” in the Villa working against APC.
First, it was Babatunde Raji Fashola and now Gov El-Rufai

OSINBAJO INAUGURATES SOKOTO-BASED ACADEMY FOR FEMALES, SAYS SOCIETIES ADVANCE WHEN GIRLS ARE EDUCATED


The education of young girls should not just be a top priority, our children must also be taught the highest standards of honesty, piety, and hard work, in order to build a healthier, happier and more prosperous society.

These views were expressed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, today at the virtual inauguration of the school-based Management Board of Adawiyya Girls Academy, Minannata community, in Sokoto State.

Acknowledging the brainchild of the Academy, Hajia Rabiatu Adawiyya, from whose name the school is endowed, Prof. Osinbajo noted that despite the fact that she did not undergo formal education, she “understood a reality that even the best minds are only just realizing, that when you educate a girl, you educate a whole society.”

The Adawiyya Girls Academy, established in collaboration with Text Foundation - a digital and foundational literacy nonprofit organisation - is a state-of-the-art school designed to provide high-quality education to young girls from less privileged backgrounds with modern education using advanced teaching tools.

A section of the school, which combines science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in its teaching curriculum, is dedicated to training women in entrepreneurship.

According to the Vice President, “ignorance has no benefit, ignorance is darkness but education is the bright light of knowledge that can help us to live healthier, happier and more prosperous lives.”

However, he added that “education is dangerous without morals and uprightness,” emphasizing that “we must teach our children the highest standards of honesty, piety, and hard work.

“I am glad that the students of Adawiyya Girls Academy Sokoto have this great opportunity of being offered both conventional and religious education using the most advanced modern teaching tools available in our time,” the VP observed.

Speaking further, Prof. Osinbajo said Rabiatu Adawiyya was passionate about the education of girls from less-privileged families.

“Her dream is today a reality and has started a movement that will bring about the education of millions of girls from poor families across Nigeria,” he stated.

He further observed that the people of the Minannata, a low-income community, understood the importance of education, adding that “education is the ladder by which even the poorest can climb to the top in the society, but the ladder of education is a special ladder, it is not only the educated person who climbs, their family members and others around them can learn from them and also begin to climb the ladder to the top.”

Acknowledging the school’s STEM-based approach, he noted that “a lot of thinking has gone into designing the curriculum for the school and we have ensured that we have the best teachers anywhere in the country.

“Technology and technology tools for teaching and learning are a fundamental part of our pedagogy. The school’s technology facilities are state-of-the-art and the school, in keeping with best practice, has an intentionally optimized teacher-to-student ratio,” he said.

The Vice President thanked the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the Mutawalle of Sokoto, for the consistent support he has given to the school, especially in enrolling the teachers of the school into the State Civil Service.

He also commended the leadership of the Minannata community, especially the traditional chiefs led by Maigirma Ardo, Alhaji Aminu Garba Riskuwa, for his selfless service to the people.

“The parents and guardians of the girls have also been outstandingly cooperative, in some cases their enthusiasm and commitment to the education of their children has gone perhaps even beyond the call of duty."

The VP mentioned the example of Malama Zali Bala, the mother of Hafsat Bala, "who when teased about having only female children, will point to examples of great women from within the community and express pride and hope that, with education, Hafsat will one day join that same league of great amazons.”

Prof. Osinbajo also highlighted other parents like the 68-year-old father of one of the pupils, Hauwau Muhammad Danchadi, who he noted enjoyed walking his daughter daily to and from the school.

He also recalled his own experience saying "I value education and one of the things I enjoyed then was taking my young daughters to school.”

The members of the School’s Management Board include the Vice Chancellor, Uthman Dan Fodio University (UDUS), Prof. Lawal Suleiman Bilbis (Chairman), who was represented by UDUS Deputy Vice Chancellor - Academics, Prof. Muhammed Mahuta; Dr. Balkisu Saidu (Representative of the Family & Vice-Chairman); and Dr. Muhammad Lawal Maidoki (Representative of Sokoto State Government).

Others are Alhaji Aminu Garba Riskuwa, Maigirma Ardon Minannata (Representative of Traditional Rulers); Abdullahi Muhammad Babangida (Representative of Community); Mrs. Rahimat AbdulMalik (Head Teacher & Representative of Parents/Teachers Association); and Mr. Enajiyerin Anthony Enajite (Representative of Text Foundation & Secretary of the Board).

Alongside members of the management board, those present at the virtual event included teachers, students, staff of the school, and traditional rulers, who joined in from the School’s environs.

In her remarks, Dr. Balkisu Saidu, who is also the daughter of the endower (Adawiyya), thanked the VP for his selfless service to humanity.

Also speaking, the Secretary of the Board, Mr. Enajite, thanked the Vice President for his dedication and expressed his delight in the ‘historic’ inauguration and education of young girls in the Academy, having grown up as a young boy in the same community.

“I also enjoyed the free education being given to these young girls as a young boy at the age of six through the benevolence of the Sokoto State government. Based on this, you could understand how I feel when I see these girls and this gesture by the community and Text Foundation,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the Traditional Rulers and the community, Alhaji Aminu Garba Riskuwa, thanked the Vice President for his support, noting that they will continue with their efforts towards ensuring the development of the school.

Laolu Akande,
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity,
Office of the Vice President,
2nd February, 2023

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA), Media and Publicity to the President, Office of the Vice President, Laolu Akande, has bagged a 2022 Special Recognition Award.

The Award of Excellence was presented to Akande in his office at the Statehouse, Abuja, on Friday, January 27, 2023, by the representative of the World of UItes, the largest e-community of the University of Ibadan (UI) Alumni group.
Akande, who is the spokesperson of Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is an alumnus of the prestigious Nigeria’s premier University, UI, graduating in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, from the Department of History in the Faculty of Arts, and later completed his Master’s degree from Communications and Language Arts (CLA) in 1992, also in UI from the same faculty.

A thoroughbred journalist, editor, and scholar, Akande started his journalism career in 1989, 34 years ago in Nigeria, and later travelled to the United States, where he lectured for over a decade as a professor.
Also, before being named as Spokesperson to the Vice President in 2015, there in the US, Akande had founded and reported for Empowered Newswire, a news agency based in the US, and was also a former North America Bureau Chief for The Guardian (Nigeria) in New York, United States.
As someone who developed a special interest in news gathering, Akande was a founding member of The News magazine team in 1993 as Senior Writer, and also Tempo publication, when the military government of the day headed by General Sani Abacha, banned The News for its staunch pro-democracy stance and reportage.

In 1995, he joined the Nigerian Tribune as a Special Projects Editor and later became the Editor of the Tribune on Saturday title of the oldest newspaper in Nigeria, making him the youngest newspaper editor at the time.

While in the United States, Akande worked with Newsday (of New York) as an assistant editor. He wrote regular columns for several prominent online platforms at the time, including the then 7th biggest US newspaper- Philadephia Inquirer. He also freelanced for the Philadelphia Daily News and The News Journal of Delaware.

Akande is regarded as the only Nigerian journalist to have interviewed a sitting American president in the White House when he interviewed former US President George W. Bush, at a White House African Reporters Roundtable. He has also interviewed prominent personalities, including Billionaire Bill Gates in New York on different occasions; immediate past US President Donald Trump; former US Secretary of State, Colin Powell; and Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka.
It was his interview with Soyinka that preceded the literary icon’s eventual exile after Nigeria’s military rulers then in power declared him wanted for his pro-democracy views.

In 2002, Akande also worked as a Press Officer at the United Nations Headquarters, in New York, where he was responsible for writing press releases on the proceedings of UN main bodies including the General Assembly, and covered press briefings at the UN, as well as other assignments for the UN’s Department of Public Information.
He also worked as a media consultant for the enunciation and implementation of a Communications and Advocacy Campaign strategy for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, NEPAD.
In his relationship with his current principal, Akande is also very close to his direct boss, Vice President Osinbajo, both on a professional and personal level.
As his spokesperson, he also has the ears of the Vice President, as the VP regularly consults with him on a daily basis to seek his opinion on major issues of national and international interests.
Prof. Osinbajo trusts his judgement and invaluable experience as a thoroughbred professional. Suffice it to say that, you cannot work directly with a Professor of Evidence and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) if you don’t possess the requisite character, skills, expertise and gravitas for the job.
Akande is an inspiration to many professional journalists in Nigeria and abroad for his sterling qualities and professionalism.

https://thedailyleaks.com/laolu-akande-bags-2022-special-recognition-award/

VP receives Methodist delegation, Northern group at Presidential Villa

*Archbishop to VP: “we salute your visionary leadership, integrity, doggedness”

*Northern group says Osinbajo has “so much more to contribute, name written in gold”

Nigerian elites from the political, religious to business leaders, all good people and individuals with a vision must come together to make a great difference for Nigeria.

This was the central message Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN delivered in separate meetings today at the Presidential Villa first with the new Methodist Archbishop of Abuja, the Most Revd. Michael Akinwale and the leadership of the Northern Reawakening Forum led by Hon. Mohammed Kumalia.

According to Prof. Osinbajo, “the elite (religious, political, business) in this country have the same hopes and aspirations. But it is to this elite that the future of this country has been entrusted. It is what this elite does that will make a difference in the lives of the rest of the nation.”

The VP further noted that “I think that the church has a great responsibility indeed,” adding that “Christ said that we are the salt of the earth, the light of the world.”

According to the VP, “the first point of call is how the faith itself responds to the problems of the country. How does Christianity, how does the gospel respond to the problems of the society?”

“Once the religious elite accept that people can do whatever they like, enrich themselves in whatever way they wish, then it becomes the culture of society and everybody accepts it as such,” he added.

He thanked the Methodist Church for its prayers for peaceful coexistence in Nigeria noting that, “we are always very mindful of the fact that this country is upheld by prayers. There is no question at all that without prayers, we may not be where we are today. So, none of us is under the illusion that a country can survive without the prayers and supplications of the saints.”

He prayed that the Archbishop’s tenure will be of tremendous benefit to the people of Abuja and the country at large.

Earlier in his remarks, Archbishop Akinwale commended the Vice President for his “solidarity which you have always shown with the Christian community. We are also here to salute your visionary leadership, Godly character in governance, your Christian virtue which you have demonstrated over the years, your integrity in enhancing and sustaining the credibility of the Christian faith, your doggedness and commitment and tenacity of purpose.

“We have come to declare peace upon this land and our support for this government. We are convinced that as a church, our main duty is to continue to pray for our country. We are here to assure you that as a church we will continue to pray for the peace of this nation.”

Other members of the delegation include the Archbishop’s wife, Mrs Mopelola Akinwale, Sir Kayode Beckley (Rtd) KJW, Very Rev. Noble Azuonye, Very Rev. Dr. Friday Iroegbu, Very Rev. Dr. Engr. Vincent Asuquo amongst others.

In the meeting with the leadership of the Northern Reawakening Forum, the VP while affirming his belief “in the development of Northern Nigeria as being central to the development of Nigeria,” noted that “in the years that I have been here (in office), it is evident to me that this country has talents from everywhere.”

Continuing, he said “we have sound people in every state. People who are as brilliant as anybody anywhere in the world.

“We have also seen the necessity of building a safe, secure and economically inclusive Northern Nigeria and Nigeria and how that needs to happen. The last few years have shown us that this country is not just about North and South.

“It is about good people, individuals across this country who have a vision for this country. And that like minds across regions, across states must come together to do something about our country.

“We have been able to demonstrate time and time again that this country must benefit from all its talents and from its diversity. What this country needs is like minds across faith and states who have the vision of seeing that this country works,” Prof. Osinbajo added.

On his part, Hon. Kumalia noted that the visit was to strengthen the relationship between the group and VP, noting that “we want to continue to have this strategic relationship with you not only by virtue of your office but your person because we believe that there is so much that you can still contribute to nation building.”

He added that the VP “contributed so much to the development of this country but I want to assure you that you are not done with us yet, what you have done is noted and written in gold and we believe that you have a lot more to contribute.

“We congratulate you on your foray into politics and came here to encourage you to remain steadfast, stand for what you believe in and continue to pursue whatever objectives you set to achieve.”

Other members of the Northern Reawakening Forum at the meeting included the Forum’s Vice Chairman, Hon. Tajudeen Dantata; members of the Forum’s executive council, Hajiya Hauwa Abbas; Mr Iliya Stephen Mshelizah, and Jack Yakubu Pam, among others.

The Forum is made up of professionals, politics and business people from the North.



Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
19th January 2023

OSINBAJO TELLS YOUTHS TO LEARN FROM HISTORY AS LIBERIAN LEADERS, PEOPLE POUR ENCOMIUMS ON HIM

*It's more sensible to learn from history rather than experience - VP

*President Weah, former President Sirleaf welcome Osinbajo

*Liberian VP says he is most humble African politician, an inspiration

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has urged young people to learn from history rather than repeat it or allow it to jeopardise a better future, just as the Liberian President, his deputy and different Liberian groups welcomed, decorated him with traditional recognitions and awards at a youth forum yesterday in Monrovia.

The Nigerian Vice President was the Special Guest of Honour at a youth forum to mark the 60th birthday of the Liberian Vice President, Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor. But he was first received in Monrovia by President George Weah who held talks with him and welcomed him to the West African nation, expressing appreciation for the VP's one-day visit.

Later at the youth forum themed "Conversation with the Vice President and Young People," Dr. Howard-Taylor, in her welcome remarks, described her Nigerian counterpart as a humble and selfless leader who inspires hope for a better Africa.

Commending Prof Osinbajo, Dr. Howard-Taylor said, "he is the most humble politician in Africa” and noted that emerging leaders across the continent have so much to learn from his humility and commitment to service.

Also at the event, the Vice President was honoured with an award of Distinguished Service to Humanity - for his exemplary service to the development of Nigeria, Liberia, West Africa, and the rest of the continent - by Liberian youths, about 400 of whom were part of the event.

Presenting the award plaque to the VP, the co-host of the event and youth activist, Mr. Benjamin Sanvee, said the award was in appreciation of “all your service, everything that you have done and will continue to do.”

According to him, “this is in deep appreciation for years of stellar service to Nigeria, Liberia, to the ECOWAS region, the continent of Africa and the world at large. We, the youth of Liberia, and by extension, the youth of Africa, are proud to present to you this symbol of appreciation.

“You are a shining example of an exceptional, selfless and exemplary leader, who is quietly and steadily, not just a source of inspiration for Africa’s youths, but you have impacted the lives of millions around the continent in so many ways.

“You are a rare and outstanding leader and we thank you for all that you do and will still continue to do. I present this plaque to you, on behalf of young Africans, as one of Africa’s most outstanding leaders,” the youth leader added.

Furthermore, Prof. Osinbajo was decorated at the event with the traditional title of "Chief Flomo Barwolor" meaning “the light to the people.” This traditional title was presented by a Liberian Cultural group led by Ambassador Madam Julee Endee.

Fielding questions earlier during the conversation with Liberian youths, Vice President Osinbajo spoke on learning from past experiences.

According to him “every sensible person learns from history rather than from experience, because if you wait to learn from experience, you will suffer. What you are supposed to do with history and your past, is to learn from it and never let it repeat itself.”

He continued: “one of the most important things for young people is that you must bear in mind all the time that your history is not your destiny, it is just part of your story. Your destiny is what you have decided, where you are going and you will get there as long as you don’t allow the tyrant and oppressor of history to hold you back.”

Encouraging the young people in the hall, the VP urged them to leverage opportunities offered by emerging technologies to improve themselves educationally and economically, noting that the benefits of technological innovations are numerous.

For instance, when asked about the impact and prevalence of Social Media, Prof. Osinbajo said “I think that social media is a blessing for everyone, not just for politicians but the electorate and others. The platforms are so crucial in being able to communicate and it is also important to recognize that every generation has its own technology.

“It has its abuses and downsides, but you must make sure you maximize its real advantages. One of the main advantages is that for people like us born decades ago, to do simple research, you’d have to actually go to a library. Today, I can do all my research with just my iPad, while I am sitting down practically anywhere, as long as I have Internet connectivity.”

Prof. Osinbajo added that “young people are at the most advanced moment in human history. One of the interesting things is that your smartphones have more computing power than all the computing power that took the Apollo 11 spacecraft to the moon.

“In terms of advancement, this generation doesn’t compare to any before it. We, who are older than you, are enjoying your generation’s technology, and I hope and pray that you would take full advantage of it to expand your knowledge, and scope of activities, and for broadening enterprise and your communication with other people.”

The forum was also attended by the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Madame Fatima Maada Bio. She commended Prof. Osinbajo for his exemplary leadership, especially in promoting the cause of a better Africa for all. She also took questions and interacted with the young people at the forum, sharing the platform with the Nigerian and Liberian VPs.

Also, while in Monrovia, Prof. Osinbajo made a brief stop at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center For Women Development, to participate in the programme for the ECOWAS Human Rights Day, which also coincided with the 5th anniversary of Ms Sirleaf’s post- presidency.

In his remarks there, Prof. Osinbajo applauded the contributions of the former Liberian President to the development of the country both in and outside office, noting that “one of the things you have been able to show is not just that it is possible to serve well, but also to serve out of office and to do perhaps more.

“What you have done since you left office, has had perhaps more impact, especially around Africa, and we are really proud of the work you have done and your achievements. We pray that there will even be greater achievements in the future,” the VP added.

Former President Sirleaf welcomed the Vice President to Liberia and urged him to ensure there is more female participation in governance and politics in Africa.

Prof. Osinbajo was accompanied to the meeting with former President Sirleaf by his host and Liberian counterpart.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
17th January, 2023

Osinbajo is a perfect leader.

mbahdi:
Mumu man

Stop mistaking him for your papa

Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister commends FG’s stabilizing role in West Africa


Exploring the opportunities in the energy sector offer possibilities for a more robust relationship between Nigeria and Spain, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.


Prof. Osinbajo stated this today at the Presidential Villa when he received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain, Mr. José Manuel Albares, on a courtesy visit.


According to the Vice President, “Spain has been a very good friend of Nigeria. Aside from the economic connections, it has been the largest importer of our gas and the third-largest importer of crude oil.


“There is every good reason why we should consider that in good times and bad, Spain has remained a good friend. This is a relationship that is not just based on talk, but there is a lot of action.


“I am extremely optimistic that our relationship will become more robust in the months and years to come. Nigeria definitely feels that it has a strong partner and brother in Spain. And I hope that it stays this way and even better.”


Continuing, the VP said “the future, obviously is going to be interesting. For the next few years, we are going to be confronted with a challenging world. One of the issues will be energy. Both energy security and energy transition. These are two critical issues.


“There is no question at all that we must make alternative arrangements to assure energy security. And in our case, with the Climate Change agreement, we want to make sure that the transition from fossil fuels and other pollutants is as smooth as much as possible in the interest and development of our people.”


Speaking further, Prof. Osinbajo noted the possibilities for cooperation between Nigeria and Spain, noting that “there are companies in the power sector that are interested in doing business in Nigeria. In our Energy Transition Plan, we have a whole menu of projects in the power sector to show companies that are interested in investing.


“We hope this would interest private companies coming from Spain. I hope that this visit will be one where they will take a look at our energy plan and some of what we are trying to do, not just the short-term but the long-term issues that we are trying to resolve.”


Earlier in his remarks, Mr Albares thanked the VP for his support for Spanish business interests in Nigeria.


He also restated his country’s commitment to strengthening relations with Nigeria, stating that “Nigeria’s partnership with Spain in the energy sector is important.


“The relationship between our countries is mutually beneficial and we will continue to try our best,” pledging his country’s support for Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan especially sharing notes on best practices and implementing (renewable energy) projects in Nigeria.


The Minister commended the role of Nigeria in maintaining stability in the West African sub-region, noting that “I must commend your efforts in ensuring democracy and everything concerning good governance in the region,” and pledged Spain’s support to the fight against terrorism and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.


The Spanish minister was accompanied by the country’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Juan Sell; Director of Spanish Cooperation Agency, Mr Anton Leis, and the Director General for Africa, Mrs Alicia Rico.





Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
12th January 2023

https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/energy-sector-offers-more-robust-relationship-between-nigeria-spain-osinbajo/

VP commends Odu’a Investment Co.’s legacy, vision

Investment in technology is the way of the future, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, who spoke earlier today while receiving a delegation of the Odu’a Investment Company at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

While commending the legacy of the conglomerate and the vision that birthed it decades ago, Prof. Osinbajo said, “legacy and history have a powerful pull, but it might be that what the future calls for is even greater and this is why we must be investing in technology."

Continuing, the VP told the delegation led by the Group Chairman of the conglomerate, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, that they should “look at technology and see how to change and improve the (business) model.”

He had earlier commended the model where experts and players are allowed to lead in economic and business matters, saying “if the private sector runs businesses, it is far better because it will bring greater dividends."

He cited the example of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG) saying "the NLNG is making a lot of money because the private sector has a controlling share and is making money for the country.”

He advised that “there is a need to push the model of using smart and tested people from the private sector to manage enterprises and businesses that government has an interest in.”

Earlier in his remarks, Otunba Ashiru said the vision of Odu’a Investment Company now is to become a world-class conglomerate, known for its passion for business with a focus on agriculture and industrialization.

He explained further that the company is exploring international investments and partnerships.

For instance, he disclosed that the Premier Hotel located in Ibadan, Oyo State, one of the well-known businesses of the conglomerate is now going to be in partnership with an international brand. In the new arrangement, the hotel will be upgraded to a five-star hotel and will increase its rooms from 87 to 120.

Otunba Ashiru informed the VP that Lagos State has recently joined Odu’a Investment Company and has been presented its certification as a shareholder.

The Odu'a Investment Company is owned by the State governments in the Southwest of Nigeria.

Members of the delegation included Mr. Adewale Raji, Group Managing Director; other directors such as `Dr. Tola Kasali, Mr Seni Adio, SAN, and Otunba Adebola Osibogun.

Others were Mr. Babajide Arowosafe, the Managing Director, SWAgCo Ltd and Mr. Victor Ayetoro, Head, Branding and Communications at Odu’a.


Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
10th January, 2023

https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/investing-in-technology-is-the-way-of-the-future-says-osinbajo/

Says: that is the future of university funding

**Olabisi Onabanjo University VC commends VP’s selfless service to the institution*



Given that budgetary allocations alone cannot sustain the running of public universities, the future of the university system depends on the adoption of independent but creative sources of funding, including the establishment of an endowment fund, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.


Prof. Osinbajo was speaking on Thursday when he hosted a delegation from the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa. The team was led by the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola.


“Funding in the university system (public universities) has to be diversified. The system has to find a way to sustain itself. We really have to look carefully at how universities can make money independently. Whether it is an endowment or some other way, adopting a business model.


“All of the great universities around the world have endowment funds. Raising money through independent sources for funding university education is a serious thing,” the Vice President said.


The VP urged the management of OOU to adopt other approaches to funding its activities, noting that “depending on government alone or the Tetfund for development of infrastructure is not sustainable.


“I encourage you to create an endowment fund, in addition to the other approaches that you will adopt. Olabisi Onabanjo University can become a model for others but it has to have independent sources of raising funds.

“There should be serious-minded people running the endowment office. This is the future and way forward for the university system in Nigeria. If you do it well, the university will really excel.”


The Vice President recalled how he and two other academics from the University of Lagos’ Law Faculty were involved in teaching Law in the earlier years of the university.


The VP narrated how, for three years every Tuesday, he and the two other lecturers would travel with the then Dean of Law at the University of Lagos to Ago-Iwoye (where the institution is located), to take lessons and return to Lagos the next day.


Earlier in his remarks, Prof. Agboola thanked the VP for his selfless contribution to the growth of the University especially as a pioneer lecturer in the Faculty of Law, building it from the scratch.


He recollected how the VP mentored many law students at the University and his support in entrenching the culture of research at the institution.


The VC also made a presentation to the Vice President on the current state of the University, its challenges and projections for the future, seeking more support, especially in the area of infrastructure development.

Other members of the OOU management at the meeting were Dr Adekunle David from the Faculty of Engineering; Mr Joseph Osifeso, a Principal Assistant Registrar and Goodwill Ambassadors of the institution, Mr Michael Matthew and Mr Abah Adejoh.



Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
22nd December 2022

By Othman Alaga

The Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), Professor Shehu Abdul Rahman, has applauded the efforts of Mr. Mustapha Hanafi-Idiaro, describing him as a representtative of FULafia's core-values of Integrity, Innovation and Excellence.

The vice-chancellor made the commendation during a public presentation and book, titled: “Strategies in overcoming challenges by administrator in Nigeria's tertiary institutions.”

The venue of the book presentation was the Mallam Adamu Adamu Lecture Hall and Office Complex in the Permanent Site Campus of the University, in Lafia.

The book was authored by Mr Mustapha Hanafi-Idiaro, a staff of FULafia, and the Deputy Registrar in charge of Council Affairs, and General Administration.

Abdul Rahman, who was the chairman of occasion, said that the book was a contribution to knowledge, adding that it would go a long way in assisting administrators to understand the basic principles in administration.

While noting that public administrators were human, he called on them to always have interest of public at heart, saying: “As an administrator, you must always pursue national, institutional and personal interests.”

He recommended the book for reading to all administrators in FULafia, praising the author for defying challenges to write a book during the recently ended staff strike period.

Unveiling the book, at the event, the vice-chancellor advised staff to shun all forms of negative attitude and embrace spirit of teamwork to achieve set goals and objectives of FULafia.

Speaking, the reviewer of the book with the seven chapters and 82 pages, the pioneer registrar of FULafia and Senior Deputy Registrar (General Duties), University of Abuja, Dr. Idris Othman Jibrin, said that the author has “advanced the level of knowledge and understanding of basic principles, processes, procedures and practices involved in administration of tertiary institutions in Nigeria.”

Jibrin said that the book has discussed the challenges confronting administrators in the Nigerian tertiary education system such as “poor mentoring culture, little or no capacity development and lack of social skills as well as strategies to overcome them.

While recommending the book to all university administrators in Nigeria, he commended the author for doing a great job, saying: “Mustapha Hanafi-Idiaro has now joined the selected few proactive Nigerian university professional administrators that have taken the intellectual gauntlet to articulate and publish their thoughts on their chosen profession for the benefit of colleagues, public service and posterity.”

The book was launched by the Rector, Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic, Lafia, Dr. Justina Anjiode Kotso, alongside the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Shehu Abdul Rahman, the Vice-Chancellor of FULafia, the special guest of honor, the immediate past vice-chancellor of FULafia, Prof. Sanusi Liman, others.

In his closing remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of FULafia, Prof. Idris O.O. Amali, thanked Abdul Rahman for providing the enabling environment and encouragement to staff to contribute their quota to the development of the University.

Amali commended Hanafi-Idiaro, encouraging others to emulate him.

He said: “No one is too young or old to write book.”

The Registrar of FULafia, Malam Nuradeen Abdu, in his vote of thanks, applauded Hanafi-Idiaro for being the first FULafia administrator to publish a book.
He said the book would serve as a working tool for administrators.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02MB2yP51y1cx7KBJWmuo1BZ75GSUgXupoKwDCJPbKPukGLUgtk6CMdAGdfkisqcWPl&id=100040273667490&sfnsn=scwspwa

With all sense of humility and gratitude, I give glory to Almighty God, the beneficent and the most merciful, for His unfailing mercies on the victory recorded at the Court of Appeal, Ibadan, which upheld my candidacy as the All Progressives Congress flagbearer for Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency, in the 2023 General Elections.

With enormous gratitude in my heart, I extend my profound appreciation to, His Excellency, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun - MFR , the Executive Governor of Ogun State, for his sincere love and support during the period. You gave me a shoulder to lean on, indeed, you are a compassionate leader and brother.

Let me also, in a special way, acknowledge the support of our father, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele , Mr. Tokunbo Talabi SSG, and most importantly, the Honourable Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Oluwasina Ogungbade SAN.

The unwavering support and solidarity extended by the APC National and State Executives are well acknowledged and appreciated.

To our Legal Team, your efforts were outstanding. Thank you exceedingly.

The Leaders, Elders, and members of our GREAT party, APC Ogun West Senatorial District, and Yewa South/Ipokia Federal constituency have been so supportive; I appreciate you all.

To all my supporters, The Abiodun Akinlade Group, my family, friends, SWAGA executives, and the Media, I acknowledge your unique roles. I must also place on record the unwavering support I received from our Market Women, Artisans, Technocrats, League of Imams and Alfas, the Christian Associations, Student Bodies, Community Development Associations, Royal Fathers, Baales, and many more. Thank you all for your calls, prayers, and fasting. Your display of tenacity and capacity is unprecedented.

Our victory at the Court of Appeal is dedicated to Almighty God, all those that contested the primaries with me, and our loyal Party members.

The first hurdle has been crossed. With unity of purpose and togetherness, our victory at the General Election is certain by God's grace. I appeal to all and sundry to let us forget whatever misgivings, and let us work together as a TEAM and member of the same political family. If by an act of omission or commission, I have wronged anyone, kindly forgive, as perfection belongs to Almighty God alone.

My return to the GREEN CHAMBER, as a ranking Member of the Parliament, by God's grace, will guarantee more dividends of democracy, empowerment, developmental projects, and most importantly, as Baba Omokeke, more EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR TEEMING YOUTHS.

I implore us all to go out and campaign for all the Candidates of our great party, APC, in the forthcoming General Elections. We should join hands to defeat the opposition at the polls.

As always, I remain humble, passionate, and committed to the progress and prosperity of my people in Ogun West. I will continue to MAKE YOU PROUD.

Once again, I deeply express my profound gratitude to everyone. This victory is for ALL.

God bless the good people of Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency

Yours Sincerely,

Rt. Hon. Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade
Baba Adinni of Yewaland
All Progressives Congress House of Representatives Candidate,
Yewa South/Ipokia Fede

In a major push for funding and technical support for the Nigerian Energy Transition Plan, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, will be delivering the keynote address at a high-level meeting hosted by The Rockefeller Foundation in New York, with global agencies and potential financial partners in attendance to facilitate the activation of the Voluntary Carbon Market in Nigeria and on the African continent.

Participants at the meeting include the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, GEAPP; UN-Sustainable Energy for All, SEforALL; the UN’s Economic Commission for Africa and the U.N. Climate Change High-Level Champions, all of whom have been advocating and actively planning for the African Carbon Market Initiative.

The high-level meeting which holds on Friday will also be attended by officials from the US government and will explore potential opportunities which carbon markets offer to generate resources for clean energy transitions while accelerating economic growth in Nigeria and other African countries.

Ahead of the high-level meeting on Friday, Prof. Osinbajo will interact tomorrow with some of the agencies with whom the Federal Government has been engaging on the Energy Transition Plan and the activation of the Voluntary Carbon Market including GEAPP and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

An International Steering Committee is driving the activation of African Carbon Markets in Africa, under the auspices of the African Carbon Market Initiative. Members of the Committee include the Nigerian Vice President, former President of Colombia, Ivan Duque Marquez, officials of the United Nations, United States Agency for International Development, USAID; Gates Foundation among others.

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had announced "Nigeria’s commitment to net-zero by 2060 on the basis of a detailed Energy Transition Plan (ETP)," in his COP26 statement. At COP27 in a speech delivered on the President's behalf by Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Mohammed Hassan Abdullahi, he indicated that "the public finance urgently needed to fund energy transitions and climate action is lacking – a situation compounded by debt distress affecting many low and middle-income countries. We are therefore taking bold steps to pioneer innovative climate finance instruments such as debt for climate swaps; and championing the development of the African carbon market initiative."

According to the ACMI, launched last month at COP27 in Egypt, there are clear indications "that Nigeria could mobilize $600 – 800 million per annum in capital by 2030 (assuming the current average price of $20 per ton of carbon) from Voluntary Carbon Markets and potentially support 3-5 million jobs over the energy transition period.

Vice President Osinbajo is the Chair of the FG's Energy Transition Plan Working Group, a multi-ministerial team set up by President Buhari to implement the ETP.

In its statement on the high-level meeting in New York, The Rockefeller Foundation noted "Nigeria's leadership on the African continent and the global stage," and praised the Vice President’s "bold voice advocating for carbon market as a solution to simultaneously accelerate economic development and address the effects of Climate Change in Africa."

The Vice President departs Hanoi, Vietnam today on his way to the New York meeting.

Laolu Akande,
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,
Office of the Vice President.
7th December 2022

NIGERIA, VIETNAM TO DEEPEN RELATIONS IN DIGITAL ECONOMY, TELECOMS, AGRICULTURE, AS OSINBAJO MEETS VIETNAMESE VP

*Both countries sign defence cooperation agreement in Hanoi

In a determined effort to deepen the long-standing bilateral relations between Nigeria and Vietnam, both countries plan to work together more, particularly in the areas of digital economy, telecommunications, agriculture and trade, among others, for the mutual benefit of the citizens.

The need for improved collaboration between Nigeria and Vietnam was the focus of the bilateral meeting this morning between Vice Presidents Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, and Madam Võ Thị Ánh Xuân, his Vietnam counterpart, at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi.

The VP is on a three-day official visit to the Southeast Asian nation, the first high-level trip from the Presidency since 2005 when then President Olusegun Obasanjo visited.

Both Prof. Osinbajo and Madam Xuân acknowledged the countries’ great market potential generally and especially in digital economy, telecommunications, agriculture (especially cashew nut processing) and trade.

According to Prof. Osinbajo "there are vast opportunities that exist for cooperation and collaboration, especially in the area of digital economy and telecoms, and we look forward to the signing of some of the agreements that we have spoken about - the trade and investment agreements, trade projection agreements, double taxation agreements.

“We look forward to accelerating the process, ensuring that those agreements are signed because they are vital to the collaborations that we will see between our countries in the coming years,” the Vice President noted.

Continuing he noted that “another area I think we might be able to cooperate with you more is in the area of digital economy.”

He noted that despite the COVID-19 disruptions and other occurrences that affected the economy, Nigeria has built, over the past few years, six companies that are engaged in fintech and e-commerce, now described as Unicorns (companies that are valued over a billion dollars each).

“We think that there are opportunities for collaboration between Nigeria and Vietnam, especially in the Digital Economy space. We also have a growing telecoms market, possibly one of the deepest penetrations of telecoms in the developing world. We have close 120 million of our citizens who have put to use telecoms equipment or devices. And also, broadband connectivity is vastly improved. We hope that by 2025, we will have broadband connectivity for all of our over 200 million people,” he noted.

In the area of agriculture, Prof. Osinbajo said, “given the food crisis that the world faces today, and is likely to continue facing even in the coming years, I like to say that the way forward is for our countries to collaborate. For instance, establishing cashew processing plants in Nigeria. What has happened in the past was the export of raw cashew, but at this point, we are concerned about value addition. We will like to see value addition.

“This is an area where Vietnam obviously has significant advantage and experience in the area of cashew processing. If these cashew processing centres are established in Nigeria, we will be able to have an opportunity to add value to raw cashew. In that way, we will draw from the benefits that our countries can derive from the cashew value chain.”

On Vietnam’s quest to establish relations with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Prof. Osinbajo assured his Vietnamese counterpart that “we will certainly support Vietnam’s establishment of relations with ECOWAS, we think that it is a very positive thing indeed and we are very mindful of the opportunities that will be created with that kind of collaboration.”

“I just wanted to also add that Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa and this puts us at the centre of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, which opens up trade in what will become the world’s largest free trade zone.

“We think that Nigeria as the gateway to the rest of Africa is strategic, and we hope that with some of the collaborations that we will be able to sign - specifically trade and industry agreements, Vietnam will see the opportunity in using Nigeria as a staging post for entry into the African Free Trade Zone and for greater collaboration with Africa,” the VP added.

On her part, the Vietnamese Vice President commended Nigeria’s leadership role in the ECOWAS sub-region and in Africa generally, especially in the peaceful resolution of disputes based on international laws, and in the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She expressed confidence in Nigeria’s capability to resolve challenges confronting the continent and sub-region and sought the country’s support for Vietnam’s quest to establish relations with ECOWAS.

Madam Xuan also appreciated Nigeria’s support to Vietnam, especially in supporting her country’s candidates at multilateral forums, including United Nations, among others.

She spoke about the advance of digital transformation in Vietnam, and also stated the country’s commitment to the global energy transition, adding that her country would continue to work with Africa to meet its aspirations in agriculture, clean energy and digital penetration.

One of the highlights of the bilateral meeting between both VPs was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence cooperation between Nigeria and Vietnam. While Nigeria's Ambassador to Vietnam; Ambassador Hassan Adamu Mamani, signed for Nigeria; Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defence; Senior Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien, signed on behalf of his country.

Shortly before arriving the Presidential Palace, VP Osinbajo visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to pay respect to the late Vietnamese leader, Ho Chi Minh.

Prof. Osinbajo will later this evening be hosted to a State Banquet by the Vietnamese Vice President, Madam Xuan. Before that he would also hold a meeting with Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
5th December, 2022