₦airaland Forum

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says Nigeria’s young generation can find solutions to present and future local and global challenges, with the right ideas, innovation and application of technology.

The vice president said that the Federal Government’s National Development Plan 2021-2025 was aimed at charting a path for the county’s future.

Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement in Abuja, said the vice president spoke at the 60th anniversary of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun. He told the graduands that the future belonged to them and urged them to pay attention to it.

The vice president, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the convocation ceremony, stood in for President Muhammadu Buhari as Visitor, and was accompanied by Gov. Gboyega Oyetola.
Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State delivered the Convocation Lecture at the event presided over by the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, as Chancellor of the University.

Osinbajo said that while young Nigerians, particularly the OAU graduands, stood on the shoulders of great men and women before them, the onus was on their generation to deal with the biggest issues that confronted the world and Nigeria.

“And it is big and innovative ideas that will solve those problems; you will have to confront the problems of climate change and a world moving away from fossil fuels, and you will usher in the age of renewable energy and green solutions.

“Yes, the challenges are huge, but you are well equipped to resolve them; and the evidence is there; since 2016, in spite of two recessions, young Nigerians have built six unicorns; a unicorn is a company that is valued at over a billion dollars.

“You will deal with the issues of feeding, educating, providing healthcare and jobs for the fourth largest population in the world in a few decades.

“We will need smarter agric solutions to feed the huge numbers, technology is already helping to crowd-fund Agriculture and develop more pr“You will confront the need to vastly improve our public and clinical healthcare; we must build on the work of the Genomic Centre at Ede, and the local vaccine production efforts going on already and make local drugs for hundreds of millions of Nigerians.”

In education, Osinbajo said that the sector needed several new solutions, including designing methods to teach millions even outside of classrooms.

According to him, there are many young men and women already doing great things using technology to reach children in far flung areas with education.

The vice president added that the use of technology and improvement in nationwide policing would further help the country address its security challenges.

“The insecurity problems we are experiencing, the rise of terrorism in several parts of this large country and access to modern weaponry by non-state actors tell us that we must be smarter in policing the country, using smart drones and surveillance equipment.

“The politicisation of importation of arms tells us that we must manufacture our own arms.
“Already Proforce, led by Ade Ogundeyin, is manufacturing APCs and MRAPS in their factory in Ode Remo and exporting
“So are Imperium, and the government-owned DICON (Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria) producing different types of munitions.

“The future is smart weapons benefiting from Artificial Intelligence and machine learning.”
Osinbajo praised the vision of the university’s founders and management in driving the academic excellence for which OAU was known for–an institution, which he said had produced great thinkers and leaders throughout its history.

According to Osinbajo, OAU is and continues to be very much a bastion of progressivism and innovation.

“And not surprisingly you will find the phrase ‘Aluta against all oppression’ in the Great Ife anthem.

“This progressivism is evident in the outlook of staff and students alike,” he said.

Present at the convocation were eminent Nigerians, government dignitaries, top officials, traditional rulers, academics, staff and students.

Afterwards, OAU’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eyitayo Ogunbodede, conducted the vice president and other dignitaries around an arts exhibition to commemorate the event.


https://editor.guardian.ng/news/young-nigerians-equipped-to-solve-local-global-challenges-osinbajo/

The gbongan people ,Osun State and Nigeria as a whole will miss late Justice Bolarinwa Babalakin for his contribution and service towards the development of our dear country,rest in peace papa justice

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, went down memory lane during his condolence visit to the family of the late Justice Bolarinwa Babalakin in Gbogan, Osun State yesterday, recalling the vital efforts he made to get President Olusegun Obasanjo to change his mind when his government withheld the local government funds of Lagos State in 2003.

Osinbajo’s visit to the Babalakin family occurred after he had delivered a speech at the 45th convocation of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, also in Osun State, where he lamented the security situation in the country, especially the rise of terrorism and access to illegal weapons by non-state actors.

Recalling the face-off between the Lagos State Government and the Obasanjo administration over the withheld local government funds at a time Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu held sway as the governor of the state, Osinbajo said: “When I heard about the passing of our father, Babalakin, I called Adewale when he was abroad. I told him that this is not just a loss for him and the family but a great loss for all of us his friend, the legal profession and even the Yoruba race. Baba was so credible.
“I remember in 2003 when we had a problem with Obasanjo in Lagos, he held unto our local government funds and it was after the Supreme Court had given us judgment and he refused to hand over the money.

“We were going back and forth on it, so we were looking for somebody who would be respected by both Obasanjo and ourselves, who we knew would be considered credible by both sides, and everybody agreed that Justice Babalakin would be the right person. He advised that ultimately, we would resolve the issue with a kind of negotiation.
“He spoke very frankly to Obasanjo because later on, we got feedback on how he spoke to him. In the end, we all left having the feeling that we had someone fair, just, frank with all of us.”
He added that Justice Babalakin was respected by the bar and bench, noting that he was trusted and straightforward.

“This is a big loss for our nation especially at a time when we need credible people who can negotiate a lot of the problems and issues that are confronting us as a nation,” he said.

Osun state governor, Gboyega Oyetola who was also in the company of Osinbajo prayed to God to give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

His counterpart from Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, also recalled that “we were groomed in the same branch of the Nigeria Bar Association in Ibadan.”

Speaking earlier at the 45th convocation of OAU, Vice President Osinbajo said the politicisation of our means of purchasing weapons should tell us that we must manufacture our own arms.
Osinbajo lamented the security situation in the country, especially the rise of terrorism and access to illegal weapons by non-state actors.

He said: “We must be smarter in policing the country using smart drones and surveillance equipment.

“The politicisation of our means of the purchase of weapons tells us that we must manufacture our own arms.

“Already, some Nigerian companies led by Profex, a Nigerian company, is already manufacturing APCs and exporting them to several African countries.

“Other companies and government-owned Dicom is manufacturing different types of ammunition.

“Yes, the challenges are much, but the means to resolve it and the elements are here already. Young Nigerians are rising to the challenges facing the country.

“It is however said, right here in Ife, that it is effective economic planning and even more, effective implementation that could help us to avoid a disaster and make phenomenal progress.

“And so our national development plan 2021-2025 is an attempt to chart a path for the future. The future belongs far more to you graduands, so you need to pay more attention to it.”

Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, delivering his convocation lecture titled “When is a Nation? Exploring the Socio-Political Crisis in Post Independence Nigeria”, said “the 1999 Constitution, as amended, is a document which lies against itself and cannot be relied upon to administer a country as vast and divergent as Nigeria.

According to him, “the over-centralisation of authority at the centre is at the root of the current crises in the country. No serious foundation for development can be laid on the fertile ground of mutual suspicion by the ethnic nationalities which form the country.

“No amount of coercion can pacify agitations for equity and justice in a country where the basis law militates against development such as the aberrant document known as 1999 Constitution.”

He noted that the south stands on producing the next president of the country, calling for the return to the regional system of government, saying that over-centralisation of authority at the centre is the root of the current crises in the country.


https://thenationonlineng.net/how-justice-babalakin-intervened-when-obasanjo-held-lagos-lga-funds-osinbajo/

I looked round and I discovered that no one else could be the president in terms loyalty, educative, dedicated, trustworthy and so on if not Osinbajo so I am in 100% in support of Osinbajo

Congratulations � to the graduands and I am happy � that Nigerian youths are strive

This is not even the issue group of people contesting for him but his good work speaks alot and because of this we are voting for him massively come 2023 by God grace.Amen

Osinbajo has done so many things and worthy to be the president come 2023

This is very good but the gas should be made available to all and at the cheaper rate

The polluting stoves have caused so much harms to so many households and I so much like the steps taking by this administration to wipe out the issue and increase the LPG

The polluting stoves have caused so much harms to so many households and I so much like the steps taking by this administration to wipe out the issue and increase the LPG

tamdun:
hnnn, make I no talk

Watin you wan talk

A man with bundle of knowledge, a man with vision and passion ,we believe in your capacity and always represent us well

Nigeria is expressing a dynamic and rapid growth under the leadership of Buhari/Osinbajo and that's why people do gather round Osinbajo wherever he goes

The issue of insecurity has so rampant in the country now and I think the best solution to adopt now is the issue of technology to solve it

Osinbajo is a man of good heart,open minded person

Honestly speaking and without being bias Buhari/Osinbajo is doing their best to curb the insecurity to the minimal level and God will make it happen

Ki Olorun te si afefe rere

Even the opposition party recognise Osinbajo's leadership and loyalty

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has assured the business community of Federal Government’s unrelenting efforts to restore the country to a path of economic growth.

He said on Friday in Lagos that the target was to make the growth rate higher than population growth rate.

Osinbajo gave the assurance at the 2021 Presidential Policy Dialogue organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and explained that the efforts would drive inclusive economic prosperity.

The vice-president said part of government’s plan was the creation of the National Medium Term Development Plan, the Economic Sustainability Plan and similar others to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He added that plans were underway to help the Nigerian economy to adapt to climate change and match the disruptions of digital economy and the fourth industrial revolution.

Osinbajo noted, however, that the appropriate regulatory environment was critical and urged for private and public sector partnerships to formulate and implement policies to drive economic growth.

“Nigeria needs to adopt value addition practices in order to create wealth that will accelerate economic recovery post-COVID-19.

“The medium-term development plan when implemented in full; the strategic orientation of becoming a value added economy will help to create a number of good paying jobs.

“Our aim is to focus on the development of the local industry

beyond crude oil with focus on technology so that we can create wealth value chains.

“The success of the plan is greatly dependent on the partnership between the public and private sectors, especially as huge investment inflow is required.

“It is important for the Nigerian youth to get necessary skills and key into the Nigeria Jubilee Fellowship Programme which seeks to engage 20,000 youths yearly over a five-year period,” he said.

In her remarks, Mrs Toki Mabogunje, President, LCCI, said the short-term outlook of key economic indicators looked fragile but bright.

She expressed the hope that recent policy interventions and economic reforms would drive the economy to turn the corner soon.

Mabogunje noted that in spite of several economic disruptions such as insecurity, liquidity crisis, amongst others, the Nigerian economy had some strong fundamentals.

“Our natural resources endowments are vast; the sustained rising price of crude oil, the domestic market is large, and our people are resourceful and enterprising.

“What is much needed are the enablers as times like these offer tremendous opportunities for innovation, creativity, export growth, and import substitution’’.

“These are the silver linings even as we expect to see the economy navigate an upward curve in its recovery journey,” she said.
The LCCI president charged government to focus on building a thriving and sustainable economy, enhance social inclusion and reduce poverty.

She also challenged government to enlarge agricultural output for food security and attain energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products.

Mabogunje also called for the expansion of transport and other infrastructural development, business growth, entrepreneurship and industrialisation, access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity.

“I would like to underscore the need for regular engagements and communication on policy issues to ensure quality feedback and enrich the policy-making process.

“This should cover macroeconomic and sectorial policies such as foreign exchange, trade, tax, energy, transportation, industrial, agricultural and ICT policy, among others.

“Regular engagement with relevant stakeholders in the various sectors will bring a great deal of value to the economic management process,” she stressed.

Earlier, the Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo – Olu lauded the chamber, noting that of part interest was in the area of ease of doing business. The governor who was represented by Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Sam Egube stressed the need to engage collectively to position Nigeria to transform its resources and huge potentialities into results.

Egube said Nigeria must raise commitment levels and harness potentials offered by the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to defragment Africa for global competitiveness.

“COVID-19 transformed business models and processes and we are faced with necessities to come up with ingenious strategies to ensure the wheels of commerce keeps moving.

“Africa remains at the lower rungs of the ladder in spite of its abundant natural resources and potentials for growth and development, but the AfCFTA would position the continent as a global competitor.

“We understand the importance of formulating policies to drive the business community and we are always ready to engage with it at all times,” the commissioner said.

He reiterated the state government’s strategic direction to harness public and private sector growth to create jobs, expand social services and provide then atmosphere conducive to business.

In his submission, Otunba Abimbola Ogunbanjo, Group Chairman, Nigeria Exchange Group, said promoting the right policies to advance the private sector, technological advancement and capacity building were critical to driving private sector development.

Ogunbanjo said this was important to assist the country’s recovery from COVID-19 in spite of the resilience it has shown with its exit from recession and current economic growth.

“As custodians of growth in the economy, we must recognise and promote right policies and outcomes that encourage and empower the sector in industry promotion and access to finance.

“The Nigeria Exchange Group recognises the importance of policies in shaping industries and we are keen on facilitating policies that can bring change for investment.

“We are actively involved to ensure an enabling environment for listings.

“Increasing attention must be paid to leverage technology which would be the driver of advancement for decades to come in areas of commerce, telemedicine, financial services and more.

“We must intensify efforts at capacity building

“The responsibilities fall on private and public institutions to provide the right education and training to develop and equip Nigerians with tools to evolve with the times for maximum delivery,” he said.


https://thenationonlineng.net/fed-govt-committed-to-restoring-high-economic-growth-says-osinbajo/

I cant tell for now ,so let the time come

Congratulations to the people of Delta

THE Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress, are preparing to outshine each other as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, pay a working visit to the state on Monday (today).

Osinbajo is scheduled to inaugurate the multi-billion naira 8.5MW Independent Power Project and the ultra-modern Chike Edozien State Secretariat Complex along Marian Babangida Way, both located in Asaba.

On his part, Omo-Agege is expected to be the guest speaker at the ongoing 90th anniversary of the sociocultural Urhobo Progress Union Worldwide to be held at the UPU Cultural Centre, Uvwiamuge, Agbarho, in Ughelli North Local Government Area.

Our correspondent gathered that in a move to showcase their respective popularity in the state, the two leading political parties have already mobilised their members and supporters to throng the events.

An APC leader, Nze Athan Iwuchukwu in a signed statement called on party men and women, especially non-indigenes across the state, to fully mobilise in their native attires, as early as 8am at Osubi Airport, to give the Deputy Senate President a rousing reception.
In a similar vein, the PDP, “urged Deltans to troop out in large numbers to welcome VP Osinbajo as he arrived in Asaba on Monday 29th November.”

According to PDP, the Vice President “truly deserves the best of Delta hospitality and care while in the state to perform these all-important official assignments”.

https://punchng.com/apc-pdp-strategise-for-popularity-as-osinbajo-visits-delta-today/

Each day is coupled with different activities, may God help professor Yemi Osinbajo to achieve his goal and to pilot Nigeria come 2023

A look at some of Vice President Osinbajo's official activities for last week

22nd November
Received in audience the University of Lagos Alumni Association led by its President John Momoh at the State House, Abuja.

• Attended as the Special Guest of Honor, the Coca-Cola 70th Year Anniversary Gala in Eko Hotels, Lagos State.

23rd November
Attended the launch of the World Yoruba Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State.

24th November
Joined the Federal Executive Council Meeting presided over by President Buhari.

• Received in audience a farewell Courtesy visit from the outgoing UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Edward Kallon at the Statehouse, Abuja.

25th November
Joined the National Security Council Meeting and together with the President decorated his Aide De Camp Lt. YM Dodo for the Promotion of the Rank of Colonel at the Statehouse, Abuja. The meeting was chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Received in audience on a farewell courtesy visit, the ED/CEO of NEPC Mr. Segun Awolowo at the Statehouse, Abuja.

• Also received in audience members of the Presidential Defence Reform Implementation Committee at the State House, Abuja.

26th November
Attended the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Presidential Policy Dialogue in Lagos, Nigeria.

The pandemic has caused a lot of havoc to our economy but yet we need to work hands in hands to knock the umemployed down by creating more jobs to allow the balance of economy

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday, said Nigeria needed to deepen value addition to aid job creation and growth of the commodities market.

To achieve this, Osinbajo said there was a need to build a resilient and competitive economy that would mitigate and adapt to climate change and relentlessly match the digital economy and fourth industrial revolution. Osinbajo gave the assertion at the 2021 LCCI Presidential Policy Dialogue Organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

According to him, the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a global health crisis that triggered socio-economic crises with macro-economic shocks that shrunk the size of the global economy thereby contracting GDP growth, shrinking employment, global oil prices and the hospitality sectors.

Osinbajo said plans were underway to boost supply chains and prioritise the export of goods and diversification of the non-oil sector to strengthen production outcomes and increase the GDP size under the Economic Sustainability Plan
Speaking on fintech and tech environment, he said technology and tech-enabled businesses would be a major focus in the coming years, adding that the fintech space, despite the global health crisis, had contributed to economic growth and development.

He posited that the right regulatory environment was critical to growing the sector, adding that this would bring together private and public sector partnerships to formulate policies such as banking policies and payment systems to accommodate the new tech enabled players.

He commended the efforts of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in expanding investment space for fintech to support digital and creative sectors while lauding the conceptualisation of the $600 million investment in digital and creative enterprise programmes.

Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, lauded the LCCI for its consistency in promoting harmonious relationship between government and the private sector, particularly in the area of ease of doing business.

The governor, represented by the Commissioner, Economic Planning and Budget, Sam Egube, stressed the need to engage collectively to position Nigeria to transform its resources and huge potentials into result to be among the global comity of nations.

Sanwo-Olu said Nigeria must raise commitment levels and harness opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for global competitiveness.

“COVID-19 transformed business models and processes and we are faced with the necessity to come up with ingenious strategies to ensure the wheels of commerce keeps moving.
“Africa remains at the rung of the ladder in spite of its abundant natural resources and potentials for growth and development but the AfCFTA would position the continent as a global competitor.

“We understand the importance of formulating policies to drive the business community and we are always ready to engage with it at all times,” he said.

He reiterated his administration’s strategic direction to harness public and private sector growth to create jobs, expand social services and provide a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.

LCCI President, Mrs Toki Mabogunje, said the short-term outlook of key economic indicators looked fragile but bright, expressing optimism that recent policy interventions and economic reforms would drive the economy to turn the corner soon.

Mabogunje noted that in spite of several economic disruptions such as insecurity, liquidity crisis, among others, the Nigerian economy had posed strong fundamentals.

“Our natural resources endowments are vast, the sustained rising price of crude oil, the domestic market is large and our people are resourceful and enterprising.
“What is much needed are the enablers as times like these offer tremendous opportunities for innovation, creativity, export growth and import substitution.
“These are the silver linings even as we expect to see the economy navigate an upward curve in its recovery journey,” she said.

The LCCI president charged the government to focus on building a thriving and sustainable economy, enhancing social inclusion and poverty reduction, enlarging agricultural output for food security and attaining energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products.

She also called for the expansion of transport and other infrastructural development, business growth, entrepreneurship and industrialisation, access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity and more.

On his part, Group Chairman, Nigeria Exchange Group, Otunba Abimbola Ogunbanjo, said promoting the right policies to advance the private sector, technological advancement and capacity building was critical to driving private sector development.

Ogunbanjo said this was important to assist the country’s recovery from COVID-19 in spite of the resilience it has shown with its exit from recession and current economic growth.


https://guardian.ng/news/osinbajo-others-harp-on-value-addition-commodities-market-development/

The Youruba artistes really missed a gem ,a comedian and someone who really make them laugh

This is very good but we appeal the government to establish a monitored implementation mechanism that will guarantee the delivery of positive impact of the plan made