₦airaland Forum

The long time problem can be solved if only we come together and believe in ourselves and that's how we can reach our goal on time

Seplat Energy Plc says it is set to host its second edition of the Seplat Energy Summit expected to be declared open by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

In a statement made available to our correspondent on Monday, the company said it was committed to energy transition and intended to be a major player in the renewable energy space.

According to the statement, the summit which will hold on October 7, is timely as the world tilts towards energy transition with climate change and policy changes dominating most energy conversations.

Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Energy Plc, Roger Brown, said the summit would bring dynamic leaders in their fields to examine the various aspects of energy transition.

Brown said, “Nigeria will chart its energy transition journey, but improving access to energy will be essential to its economic growth.

“Given Nigeria’s increasing importance in Africa, the success or failure in addressing this challenge will have global implications.
“The sun is Nigeria’s most abundant natural resource and the advancement in technology is improving its cost competitiveness and efficiency in power generation.
“It is noteworthy that Nigeria’s off-grid solar has an expected market growth capacity compound annual growth rate of 26 per cent between 2020 to 2040 and is projected to be worth nearly $17bn by 2040.”

Brown added that Seplat Energy would launch its new energy brand at the summit.

https://punchng.com/osinbajo-to-open-seplat-energy-summit/

REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE LAUNCH OF SENATOR BABAFEMI OJUDU’s BOOK TITLED: ‘POLITICS THAT WORKS – WHAT SCHOOLS AND SEMINARS WON’T TEACH YOU ABOUT WINNING ELECTIONS’, AT THE NAF CONFERENCE CENTRE, ABUJA ON 4TH OCTOBER, 2021

PROTOCOLS

I took the time to mention those who are former governors and former senators to continue to make the point that has been made earlier, these people don’t want to go anywhere.

Senator Femi Ojudu and Mr. Alex James, thank you very much for your kind invitation to be a part of the launch of this very important work - Politics That Works – What Schools And Seminars Won’t Teach You About Winning Elections. This is a book co-authored by the two gentlemen.

But I think that two important promises are contained in this whole effort. The first is that this book will teach us what we don’t know already about winning elections. And it is the sorts of things that are not taught anywhere. And frankly for those who are here, I can name a few who can teach us so many things about what no one has yet taught you about winning elections.

As a matter of fact, when I came into politics, I really thought I knew all that could possibly happen in politics, having been in one way or the other involved. I can assure you that the past few years has taught me that there is so much that you cannot even be taught in any book, no matter what the book may say because there are too many wonderful things that happen. Of course, those of us who are participants will tell you that there are too many wonderful things that can happen.

The second is that this is an inter-generational effort. One between a sixty something year old Senator Femi Ojudu and a twenty something, (I believe) year old Alex Adekunle James. Both are trying to teach important lessons here, that the best way that this could work is where there is an inter-generational handshake, the young and the old, as opposed to any attempt to defile the tenets of liberal politics, by saying that it is one group or the other.

The type of politics that most of us will prefer is liberal politics, free enterprise, democracy, individual freedom. It means that there can be no discrimination either on the basis of age, gender or political persuasion. So, that is why we negotiate our way through these things. And I think the point was made by some of the speakers.

So, in liberal democracy, it is about negotiation. There will be negotiation on the basis of gender; women will say we don’t have representation, young people will say we don’t have representation. And then we start talking about quotas or affirmative action or some solution or the other. The simple reason is that the very basis of liberal democracy is that everybody is invited to the table. How you get there (and I like some of what has been said), whether you bring your chair there yourself or get there through the window, however you get there, get there.


I am very strongly of the view that everyone must be invited to this party. The important thing is that we have, as well as possible, a level playing field. The problem also with liberal politics is money. Who has the resources? Because resources will, to a large extent, determine who can play the game.


For example, somebody who has a major company, who has the resources will probably be able to get to the game faster than a 60-year-old man with all his experience but no money. So, there are barriers.


I think what is important is to see how we can remove those barriers as much as possible so there is a level playing field. What I have experienced serving in the position as Vice President in the past few years and having the opportunity to bring on board young people, some elderly people in relative terms, is that the quality of the contributions is not necessarily defined by age. And that is the honest truth, and I have so many brilliant people working with me and they are not intimidated, (I must tell you) by anybody older than them.

So, the youngest person working with me was just 22 years old, she just came out from the University and was very brilliant, and very assertive, she knew her onions. And Ahmad who is 37 years old is Special Adviser on Infrastructure, I have a Special Adviser on Political Affairs who is 60 years old, or the Economic Adviser, Ambassador Dipeolu who is over 60.

There are so many young people, Balkisu Saidu who is SSA Legal, she has an interesting history – she was married off at the age of 13, had her first child at the age of 14. Through all of that, her mum made sure she had her education. And she is a professor today, and she is still under the age of 40, with her three grown children.

The truth of the matter is that she comes to the job with a lot of experience that nobody else has. She comes to the job with a variety of ideas. There is Tola Johnson, many of those who are here.

I think we must focus our minds, a little more on what people bring to the table. I don’t engage on the basis of age. I met Rauf for the first time when we were in the transition committee of Lagos State in 1999, he was barely 42 years old and I was just about the same age). He was campaign manager for Bola Ahmed Tinubu at that time, he was 42 but he ran all the campaign at the time, but he has been at it since then. I had been adviser to the Attorney General of the Federation when I was 31, so I had some experience coming into this.


So, there is a place for preparation, a place for getting ready. There is no point saying that I have become Minister of Finance at the age of 25 because I am a smart kid. It takes more than that. If you are going to get in, in the Nigerian system, in this system of ours, to walk through all that is required, I think you need some experience, a bit of it, you don’t have to be very old. But it helps if you have served in one capacity or the other as a Special Adviser or Special Assistant, all of those positions are very central positions. I don’t agree that a Special Assistant or Special Adviser is not a somewhat serious position.

Every Special Assistant or Special Adviser that I have, take very important decisions, and they take those very important decisions on their own. And the truth is that, the way governments are set up, everybody there can play a very serious role, it depends on how very serious you are. My experience is that there is such a variety of talents, some are old, some are young, male or female.

I really will like us to zero in on the real needs of our nation. I think this country needs the best minds. If you look at the variety of talents that we have, we have everything that it takes for a great country, but it is the coming together of like minds, coming together of people who agree on the same things, old or young. I don’t think we should divide ourselves along ethnic lines because this country can be great, but we need that coming together of the best minds whether male, female.

For me, my central concern is how do we get the very best people to work in the interest of this country, how do we get the best people to project the image of the country. I must say that politics, especially partisan politics has not necessarily delivered on a lot of the promises that we expect from partisan politics. What you find is that many times you are disappointed by even just the results, and what happens, the whole process, those who are able to get the chance to go forward. Sometimes you are just disappointed, but that is the nature of democracy.


My view is that we must continue to work at it, we must continue to make the sacrifice that is required to be able to get our views across and we must continue to organize to do so. We can’t give up, we can’t say things are so difficult, it is so difficult to enter the space. If we keep at it, one day, we will get the right result, we will get the right mix.


Every country deserves excellent leadership; it deserves the best it can get. But excellent leadership doesn’t come by accident, it doesn’t come by lack of effort, you just have to keep making the effort.
I was speaking the other day to someone about our police, and I was saying that a country (the UK) dissolved its police force three times - just dissolved and started all over again before they got it right. So, a country evolves, people evolve, ideas evolve, so we mustn’t be afraid of even where we are today.

When people look back and say that things are so difficult that they have never seen this kind of situation, always be careful about people who are always talking about the good old days. They either have a loss of memory or there is something else wrong with them. (People will say that in the past things were so great, they talk about the good old days, in fact, sometimes you wonder if you were not in the same country with them.)

We mustn’t give up and we mustn’t keep looking back. The challenges of today are meant for those of us who are here and alive today, and they are meant to be solved by young people, and as I always say, there is no better time to be alive. This is the best time to be young. This is the best time in Nigeria to be young. Those who are young today have the best opportunity ever. In my own day when I was a professor, if I had to research to write an article, it will take me weeks. Today if I just take my iPad, I can get on to any library anywhere in the world and get all the information and write my article in hours instead of weeks, months or years.

It was Fareed Zakaria, who was saying that our smartphone which we carry today, carry a hundred times more computing power than the Apollo Space Rocket that took men to the moon.


Our generational challenges have the generational solutions, let’s stop complaining, let’s just face the issues and solve them. Whether we are in government or planning to get into government, however we want to do it, let’s just get to the table and solve the problem.

I’d like to thank the authors of this book, I have had the opportunity to look at the book and I think it is going to be very worthwhile reading it for those of you who haven’t seen it or read the book, especially for those who want to go into politics. It promises (as the authors have said) to be a manual for being able to not just get nominated, but being able to win. I am also looking forward to studying the book more closely because we still have elections in 2023.


Thank you very much.

Released by:
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
5th October 2021

This is an era of choosing a deligent ,trustworthy and hardworking man and forget about the issue of " DIBO KO SE OBE" Meaning vote and collect money

Werey dey disguise

The exchange is very Paramount in the Agricultural sector but the most major problems are the loss of agricultural land and the decrease in the varieties of crops and livestock produced ,therefore all these need to look at so that we can have food in surplus

There is a need to focus on developing our agricultural value chain, particularly the business of guaranteeing the creation of a proper commodity market with the right logistics that would be mutually beneficial to farmers and consumers, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

He made this assertion on Monday while receiving a delegation from Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange, a Kano State based private company that provides a specialized organized market, operating efficient transaction and delivery of agricultural, solid minerals, and energy-based commodities. The delegation was led by the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Muhammad Rabi’I Elyakub.

Prof Osinbajo stated that “we need all the focus that we can on developing our agricultural value chain, especially the business of ensuring that we create a proper market so that there is value," adding we must make sure that "we are able to resource that chain well.”

The VP acknowledged that in Nigeria, “we are top producers of so many different agricultural products as well as minerals.

"It is in adding value, ensuring the value chain works effectively, ensuring that we can process, store and trade, that’s really where the missing link is.”

Elaborating on the importance of the agricultural value chain, Prof Osinbajo reiterated that “I don’t know of any society that has been able to develop the whole value chain from farm to table without a very vibrant commodity exchange.”

He lauded the idea of a private commodity exchange noting that “a private commodity exchange is very important. I am a strong believer in the private sector’s involvement."

Prof Osinbajo then commended the commodity company for having made “very quick progress in a very short time," adding that the company has covered substantial ground.

He continued, “I’m impressed with what you have done so far. I think the idea is that there is only one way to make agriculture profitable for the average farmer and that is by creating a market that is systematic and recognizes value and you can’t do that without establishing a proper market."


While giving a presentation, the Chief Financial Officer of Gezawa Commodity Exchange, Dr. Abdullahi Ya’u highlighted the importance of having a commodity exchange market.

He stated that without an exchange “it would take Nigeria ages for the farmers, producers, traders in commodities to discover their potential, but with the exchanges, we can be easily globally seen and standardize based on international best practices. I believe this is one of the core anthems of this government.”

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
5th October 2021

You guys should know that this visit is telling us that our future is bright and no other candidate for presidency except Osinbajo

adesegun121:
Yimu

Why Yimu?

This is a kind of book for all to read and the youth must take charge in politics, so let the old retire and allow us to take over

Safe trip sir and we have trust in you to represent us well

I will be glad to see APC using Osinbajo as a presidential candidate

100% preferable

Today's FEC meeting will be interested because so many things to discuss about for the conclusion of last meeting

The Economy Sustainability plan is a good innovation through the VP osinbajo and it helps millions of Nigerians to survive and I am a living witness

This is very good achievement in Buhari Osinbajo administration, right now I am enjoying that of Lagos-Ibadan railway

This is highly commendable and the Social protection is not only about social development but it is also contributing to economic transformation, increasing the purchasing capacities of the poorest households and boosting economic growth by stimulating and increasing demand for food and other goods and services.

Wilson2013:
We can be sure of quality leadership if Osinbajo is given the chance in 2023 but those who have hijacked the APC party structure won't let that be.

The alleged "gang of four" in APC is the most powerful right now. A lot of drama will unfold as we get closer to 2023

Nobody does it better as that of Osinbajo

I have looked round the geographical zone ......south, west ,east and North and couldn't see someone like Osinbajo or who is capable, hardworking ,loyal, humble and dedicated as is his, therefore I have no reason for not voting for him come 2023 for president

2023: As Nigerians now beat drums for Osinbajo presidency

The struggle to claim the most celebrated political seat in Nigeria has become intense. Rumours have been flying. Interesting permutations by supporters, insinuations by elder statesmen and other political enthusiasts are also ongoing. The 2023 general elections still almost two years away have already begun before it even starts.

Though he has not declared his interest to contest yet, one of the most celebrated choices from different quarters is incumbent Nigeria's Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, as many Nigerians gear up for the next election cycle.

The discussion among Nigerians has centred on the prospect of flying the Osinbajo card despite the Vice President's continued denials of nursing any ambition. Osinbajo has issued several rebuttals against various social and political groups that have been mobilizing for support for his undeclared presidential candidature.

According to his spokesman, Mr Laolu Akande, "Osinbajo is rather focused on working in his capacity as Vice President in the current administration to address all the compelling issues in the country and concerns of Nigerians, including finding effective and lasting solutions to the security challenges."

But, interestingly up North, the Northern elders have also been part of these categories of Nigerians flying the Osinbajo 2023 card. Analysts from different backgrounds have also spoken, with most of them highlighting the virtues and ideals of Professor Osinbajo which include outstanding leadership, competence and commitment to one Nigeria.

These qualities have commanded the respect of all, irrespective of tribe, language, religion and political party affiliations.

Only recently, the Vice President, who was in Kaduna State, in Nigeria's Northwest, was applauded by a mammoth crowd who trooped out to welcome him as a special guest of honour to the state, for the KADINVEST 6.0, where he commissioned the solar power plant at a market in Kujuru Local Government community of Kusuwan Magani.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai addressing the crowd said: "Vice President Osinbajo has provided excellent leadership that even the opposition party's governors commend him for that."

His words: "You care for people, you care for Nigerians and you care for unity in diversity. You care about differences in religion and ethnicity and you always promote peaceful coexistence."

"This community, Your Excellency, needs an apostle like you to bridge unity and peaceful coexistence."

Earlier before Osinbajo visited Kaduna, he was in Nasarawa State at Nigeria's North-central, where the state governor, Abdullahi Sule, described him as a "sellable product."

Governor Sule said: "We have the opportunity of having a gentleman that is a total party person, loyal man to Mr President. And I believe you are selling him earlier than he is selling himself, which is the way it is supposed to be.

"So, if you are going in that direction to sell this gentleman (Osinbajo), not every product is sellable, but Osinbajo is a sellable product,” saying, if the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would be willing to field him as their candidate, he has earned his support.

Besides, Friday, last week, Professor Osinbajo also was a guest of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, in the Southeastern part of Nigeria, who had invited him for the inauguration of the 21-storey Dakkada Tower, in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of the state.

There, while addressing the people who had gathered to witness the ceremony, Governor Emmanuel, welcoming his visitor, described Osinbajo as the “pride of Nigeria,” while extolling the virtues of the Vice President who flew in from Abuja to join the Akwa Ibom people for the commissioning of projects in celebration of the state's 34th anniversary.

Just in the morning of Tuesday, September 28, 2021, were posters of Vice President Osinbajo seen at strategic locations in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, in Nigeria's Southwest, as many residents woke up to witness the strange reality. This was not the case up until Monday night.

All these and many more appear to be the sole factor for Osinbajo's all-around endorsement and it will be a lot interesting to see what unfolds in the coming months. Now, all the somewhat approvals of Osinbajo for the Presidency cutting across different divides in the country, even, before his eventual declaration, are enough reason to wonder: will Osinbajo emerge as a consensus candidate?

https://thedailyleaks.com/2023-as-nigerians-now-beat-drums-for-osinbajo-presidency/

Osinbajo is the best candidate to present come 2023

Let the government made it a realistic to inaugurate chamber of commerce in order to work for the benefit of Nigerian businesses and Russian investors

Happy born day in advance sir, many happy returns

I like this statement and that is what a true follower of christ should emulate and base his/her doctrine upon “I will continue to do the best I can to uphold the principles of justice, love, equity, mutual respect, industry and the fear of God which epitomise the church of Christ until there’s no breath left in me.”

By Luminous Jannamike

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said there can be no peace in the country without justice and equity.
Osinbajo stated this, as former President Olusegun Obasanjo promised to continue to fight for humanity till he dies.

This is even as former governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, charged clerics to tone down their criticism of leaders to avoid derailing them.

The trio spoke as they received the Sapphire Award of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Abuja weekend.

Other recipients include Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Pastor Enock Adeboye, Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, Chief Arthur Eze, Mummy Esther Ajayi, while kidnapped Dapchi school student, Leah Sharibu was given the Young Christian Achiever’s award.

Osinbajo, who spoke on behalf of other recipents, said: “As we have seen in the past few years, there’s a growing ethnic and religious chauvinism, and almost intemperate, vehement and violent dismissal of the views of people of other persuasions and faith without adequate consideration.

“At the same time, there is also the rise of cultural and identity politics. The answer to hate and intolerance and conflicts is the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must believe enough in it, to live it out as our article of faith.

“The gospel commands consideration of the views of others, treating them we would wish to be treated. Our words must be of grace, seasoned with salt.

“We must remain constant and relentless advocates of freedom of worship, respect for human rights, fairness, justice, rule of law, because they are fundamental to peace and security. We cannot talk of peace and security without fairness and justice, and compliance with the rule of law.”

Speaking at the event, Obasanjo, who was represented by the Secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, and served as special guest of honour at the awards, said the award was significant in that it would encourage other citizens to serve humanity.

“I will continue to do the best I can to uphold the principles of justice, love, equity, mutual respect, industry and the fear of God which epitomise the church of Christ until there’s no breath left in me.”

In his remarks, former Imo State governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, who noted the dire financial condition of the umbrella Christian organisation in the country, advised clerics to tone down their criticism of those in authority.

He said: “I just want to caution some Christian pastors concerning the way we use our pulpit and the kind of fire of insults and abuses that come from there. When you abuse those who will give you money, where will you get the money?
The Bible says ‘pray for those in authority’. You need to draw your leaders close. When you draw us closer and tell us what your problems are, it will energise us to help. Money will flow more than you need.”

In his welcome remarks, CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, said the award was instituted to celebrate men and women who had contributed to the growth of the church in Nigeria and humanity in general since the inception of apex Christian body in 1976.

“The award is a catalyst that is expected to reinforce awardees to serve humanity more and more. It is a a subtle way of telling them that they should be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in good work. For as much as we know, your labour is not in vain,” he said.

I have never seen a week without tangible things been done by Prof Yemi Osinbajo, he's a man with bundle of vision

*20th September*
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo received in audience the Chairman Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) Mr Abdulrazaq Isa and his team at the Statehouse, Abuja.

He also received a delegation of the Financial Market Dealers Quotation (FMDQ) group led by its CEO Bola Onadele.

Still on the 20th, VP Osinbajo received in audience the President-elect of Sao Tome and Principe Mr. Carlos Manuel Vila Nova at the Statehouse, Abuja.

The Vice President also virtually launched the United Nations Global Compact Africa Strategy - an initiative of the United Nations to galvanize private sector participation in the actualization of the SDG's.

*21st September*
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo received a delegation of the Southwest Attorney-Generals led by Ekiti State Attorney-General Mr Olawale Fapohunda at the State House Abuja.

He charged them to leverage their network and individual positions to effect the desired changes in the justice sector.

*22nd September*
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo presided over the Federal Executive Council Meeting at the State House, Abuja.

*23rd September*
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo attended the Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit (KADINVEST 6.0).

VP Osinbajo also commissioned the Kasuwan Magani Ultra-modern Market, Power Solar
Plant in Kajuru Local Government, Kaduna State.

*24th September*
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo flagged-off the Dakkada Towers and the construction of the lbom Luxury estate in Akwa Ibom state as part of events marking the state's 34th Anniversary.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

NIGERIA AT 61: THE VISION UNDEFEATED, BY VP OSINBAJO

*(FIND BELOW: FULL TEXT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH)

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has observed that even though there are current security, economic, religious, and ethnic challenges, the collective vision of a united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria, where righteousness abounds, still abides.

This was the summation of Prof. Osinbajo's remarks at the 61st Independence Anniversary Inter-denominational Church service and the 45th anniversary service of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which held at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja today.

The event tagged 'Together, Come Let Us build', was attended by several dignitaries, especially representatives of the National Assembly, Judiciary, and members of the Federal Executive Council including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

There were also eminent religious leaders, including the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E.A Adeboye; CAN President, Rev. Supo Ayokunle; among others.

According to the VP, "we have since become the most educated and most entrepreneurial nation in Africa. Ten of our 36 States have larger economies than at least 15 African countries. From our ranks, we have the most accomplished men and women, in the arts, the sciences, in sports, in technology and commerce."

Prof. Osinbajo added that "our current trials cannot draw the curtains on our story, because the vision is for an appointed time and because this country is greater than the sum of its parts and the sum of its mistakes; and because the God we serve is greater than the sum of our collective hopes and imagination, our nation will surmount our current travails and emerge in victory."

Below is the full speech of the Vice President titled "Nigeria: The Vision Undefeated."

SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE 61st INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY INTER-DENOMINATIONAL CHURCH SERVICE AND THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY SERVICE OF THE CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (CAN) ON THE 26TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2021

PROTOCOLS

Let me begin by delivering to the Christian Association of Nigeria, the warm felicitations of Mr. President, President Muhammadu Buhari on this occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Association. He has asked me to commend the work of CAN especially within Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, NIREC, to ensure brotherliness and peace amongst all Nigerians regardless of faith. Congratulations today on behalf of Mr. President.

I have titled my remarks today - The Vision Undefeated.

61 years ago, our founding fathers laid out a vision, that the many nations and ethnicities, North and South of the Niger, 300 languages or more, differing tribes, and religions, would by the grace of God become one Nation. That their diverse strengths and gifts would coalesce into a formidable economic and regional force. And that these united nations may become the largest aggregation of black people on earth. A beacon of hope to all peoples of African descent, long bruised by the afflictions of slavery and colonial exploitation. Nigeria will be the reaffirmation of their dignity and a tonic to their spirits.

The Lord blessed the vision and prospered the land with richness in oil, in gas, in minerals of every hue. In fruit trees, in palm trees, in crops of every kind, in savannahs and forests, arable land, seas, rivers, and the riches embedded in them.

That vision of our forebears inheres in the words of our National Motto: Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.

Through the years, we worked that vision, through thick and thin. From subjection to colonial monarchy, to a sovereign republic, to civil rule to military rule. We fought a bitter war amongst brothers that cost millions of lives, and though we still wear the deep scars of those wounds, the Lord preserved the Republic.

We have since become the most educated and most entrepreneurial nation in Africa. 10 of our 36 States have larger economies than at least 15 African countries. From our ranks, we have the most accomplished men and women, in the arts, the sciences, sports, technology, and commerce.

But today, yet again, our path has been dogged by conflict; religious and ethnic, economic challenges, insurgencies and banditry, much darkness, many valleys, and many thorns. And so many ask, “can the vision of the nation united, the nation peaceful, the nation righteous and the nation prosperous yet abide?"

But the vision is not destroyed because of the many trials and tribulations, nor is the vision denied by the days when the fig tree does not blossom, or when there is no fruit on the vines; nor is the vision nullified when the labor of the olive fails, neither is the vision defeated because the flock is cut off from the fold, leaving no herd in the stalls.

The Lord God, our strength, He will yet make our feet like the feet of the deer, and we, who had been in the valley, He will make us walk on our high hills (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

Neither hailstones nor hellfire can destroy the vision because the Creator of the universe is the visioner, the One who gave the vision is the Lord of dreams. And indeed even after we have suffered for a while, this God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle us. (1 Peter 5:10)

Our current trials cannot draw the curtains on our story, because the vision is for an appointed time. Our today is not our tomorrow because the vision is for an appointed time.

This country is greater than the sum of its parts and the sum of its mistakes, and because the God we serve is greater than the sum of our collective hopes and imagination, our nation will surmount our current travails and emerge in victory.

(Habakkuk 2:3) For indeed the vision is yet for an appointed time; though it tarries. But at the end, it will speak, and it will not lie. We will wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

May the Lord prosper this land, and its peoples forever, Amen.

Congratulations to CAN at 45 and happy anniversary Nigeria at 61.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. God bless you all.

Released by:
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
26th September 2021