₦airaland Forum

The spokesman of Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, Laolu Akande, has said that working closely with his principal for the past eight years is a matter of great honour and privilege to him.

He said having the opportunity to work under President Muhamadu Buhari’s government through the Office of the Vice President was an answer to the prayers he made when he left Nigeria for the United States in 1998.

Akande made this known on Friday, May 19, 2023, during an interview session, “Daily Politics,” on Daily Trust TV, where he reflected on his journey serving as a spokesman to the number-two man in Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria, just a few days to the end of their tenure on May 29, 2023.

The veteran journalist said it has been a “thrilling” experience for him saying he had always wanted to be part of people that would fix Nigeria and set its feet on the path of progress.

“It has been a very thrilling experience for me. I also consider it a great privilege, and a wonderful opportunity to be able to serve your country, especially at that level, for someone who had always wanted to be part of fixing the country.

“I remember when I left in 1998, to go to the United States, I had a prayer with God, I said I want to come back to Nigeria and work in a government if that government will be a government of serious reform. And when I got the opportunity to do that, I felt that it was an answer to my prayer. So, serving in this eight years at that level and with the Vice President and the President is a great privilege and honour,” Akande said.

Speaking on what made him leave the US and join the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign trail in 2014, the celebrated journalist said Osinbajo was the major factor saying, the VP’s reputation was ahead of him after his successful stint as Lagos State Attorney General for eight years between 1999 to 2007.

His words, “In 2013 and 2014, there was this clamour of somebody like General Buhari would be a very good candidate when they were forming APC, I was part of that hope, expectations and clamour pushing behind the scenes.


“But in 2014 when the candidate of the APC then picked the Vice President as his running mate, when I heard the news in New York, I tapped my wife in the bedroom and said you know what, I am going to support that guy.”

“I had met him just once before that time in 2012 in New York. Before that time, he had garnered a considerably great reputation as the guy that reformed Lagos judiciary when he was Attorney General from 1999 to 2007 and a lot of what he did became a model for the country.

“So, when I met him in 2012, his reputation was ahead of him. We probably had a five minutes discussion at an award ceremony for him by the Nigerian Lawyers Association in New York, that was our previous meeting.

“When he was picked as a vice presidential candidate, I said look, maybe your prayer is about to be answered, you have to go and support this guy, that was why I came to join the campaign.”

Reminiscing on his earlier career as one of the youngest editors in the 90s, Akande said he began his journalism career with the Guardian Newspaper at a tender age, where he did the one-year compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme after he graduated from the University of Ibadan (UI), and he was retained as a reporter.

“I started in 1989 as a freelance reporter for the Guardian, I was still in school in 1989, up to 1990, then I was posted to the Guardian for my NYSC, so I did my NYSC in Guardian, and they offered me a job even before I finished the NYSC sometime in March as a staff reporter and I was with them up till 1993 when I joined The News which later became the Tempo and maybe 1994 or 1995 and I went to Nigerian Tribune,” Akande said.

https://thedailyleaks.com/working-with-osinbajo-fixing-nigeria-for-8-years-great-honour-laolu-akande/

As activities of the Buhari administration gradually come to a close, details of the achievements of its National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS) – an initiative aimed at reducing poverty across Nigeria, are emerging.


Checks on the activities of the Steering Committee of NPRGS, chaired by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, indicated that by adopting a different approach based on a common-sense strategy, the committee’s interventions have impacted millions of Nigerians across different sectors in less than a year of operations.

Confirming the development, the spokesman to the Vice President, Mr Laolu Akande in a media update stated noted that “almost 2 million vulnerable Nigerians have been impacted by various projects implemented by the NPRGS Committee for the year 2022 in agriculture, rural roads construction and skills and vocational training.”

Mr Akande recalled that Prof. Osinbajo had noted in a meeting with committee members that “how the Buhari administration plans to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years will not be based on a business-as-usual approach, but a very simple, common-sense strategy that will deliver the results as the President promised.”


He explained that it was the approach adopted by the Committee led by the VP that resulted in the significant progress made by it within a very short period of time.

Findings indeed show that about 1.6 million smallholder farmers were impacted under the Agriculture for Jobs Plan alone, while 13,000 youths have been trained under a Technical and Vocational Education and Training programme in 6 States comprising Lagos, Ogun, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna and Nasarawa, while arrangements are underway to provide similar training for 2000 beneficiaries in Edo State.

Equally, more than 8,000 Nigerians were employed in rural roads construction under the Rural Roads programme which built 40 rural roads in 120 communities, covering about 57.3 km across the country.


According to the NPRGS implementation monitoring update Akande released, “ some of the programmes that have achieved 100% completion for the 2022 cycle include: Agriculture for Food and Jobs Plan (AFJP),and Construction of Rural Roads, among others.

“A total number of direct beneficiaries of the implemented programmes currently stands at 1,818,782 vulnerable Nigerians and a total of 9,527 Nigerians have also been directly employed through the implementation of the programmes so far.”

Mr Akande said the “Committee at its last meeting of the administration recently approved the sum N250 billion for the execution of projects for this year running.”

Some of the projects scheduled for implementation under the NPRGS for the year 2023 include,

• The provision of 100,000 homes for low-income earners which will create 1 million jobs directly and indirectly.

• The expansion of energy access by providing 1,200 solar street lights in rural communities and 6 mini-grids for high-capacity productive farming under the Solar Naija Programme.

• Creation of 4.5 million direct and indirect jobs through the Rural Roads programme which targets to connect about 750 rural markets.


• Provision of N9 billion support for over 1.6 million vulnerable smallholder farmers for the 2023 wet season farming under the Agriculture for Jobs Plan.

• The expansion of the National Social Register with additional 3 million households.

It would be recalled that Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State who is also the Co-Chair of the Technical Working Group for the Committee had in a chat with State House Correspondents at the end of Committee’s last meeting in April expressed optimism that despite challenges and issues associated with transition of governments, efforts were underway to touch each of the targeted areas of implementation.

Members of the National Steering Committee of Nigeria’s National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy include Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief of Staff to Mr. President, Governor of Ekiti State (South West), Governor of Delta State (South South), Governor of Sokoto State (North West), Governor of Borno State (North East), Governor of Nasarawa State (North Central) and Governor of Ebonyi State (South East).

Other members of the committee are: Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Minister of Labour and Employment, Minister of Education and Minister of Health.

https://dailytrust.com/how-buhari-osinbajo-poverty-reduction-with-growth-strategy-impacting-millions-report/

By Oluwafemi Popoola

Contrary to media reports indicating that President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, have amassed up to about N651.2 million hardship allowance in the last eight years, checks have revealed that the annual remuneration of the President and his deputy as indicated by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) states both leaders earn around N1,750,000 and N1,500,000 as their monthly salaries respectively.

Still, further checks revealed that both leaders have been earning 50 per cent of their salaries since they assumed office in 2015 as “hardship allowance,” against the backdrop of media reports claiming otherwise.

In essence, the monthly salary for the President has been N850,000, while the Vice President has been earning N750,000 as his monthly salary.

To douse the tension already created by the mischievous reports currently circulating in the media that the President and the Vice President have been enjoying a jumbo financial package that runs into millions of naira as hardship allowance in the last eight years, latest findings have claimed otherwise revealing that both leaders indeed gave up half of their official remuneration since 2015 thereby, invalidating the widely circulated story.

Citing a document obtained from the website of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission, the reports claimed that “President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo may have enjoyed about N651.2 million hardship allowance in the last eight years of the Buhari regime.”

https://thedailyleaks.com/buhari-osinbajo-earn-50-salaries-since-2015-no-jumbo-hardship-allowances-findings/

In what will transform the conditions of farming communities along the Kano River Basin, the Buhari Administration added another feather to its cap in the agricultural sector as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN today inaugurated the multi-billion-naira Kano River Irrigation Scheme, KRIS, which will touch at least one million lives.


The scheme, KRIS, is a component of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria Project (TRIMING).


Speaking at the commissioning of the scheme in Bunkure LGA of Kano, Prof. Osinbajo said "the Project is an innovative approach adopted by the Federal Government, which has opened access to life-changing opportunities for the farming communities that are involved with the Project.

"The Project also serves as a vehicle to effectively harness the potential of vast water resources infrastructure, some of which were built well over 40 years ago but largely remained either unutilised or grossly underutilised.

"The main beneficiaries of the Project include basin stakeholders, irrigation and drainage entities, water users' associations, farmers, and rural dwellers in the Project areas. Through the direct infrastructure investments covering about 37,500 hectares across six states, concurrent activities in agriculture and on-farm water management in these areas, approximately 140,000 farm families with about 1 million people are directly benefiting."

Continuing, the VP noted that "today's event is a clear demonstration of the Buhari Administration's commitment to transform the conditions of our people in the communities of our nation's bread basket.

He said optimizing water resources in such a way “will revolutionize the local agricultural economy and ultimately enhance the food security of the Nigerian people," adding that the practical advantages of "unshackling our farmers from the constraints of rain-fed farming and boosting their capacity for year-round farming cannot be understated. This is precisely what we are doing through this project."

On the objective of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria Project, the Vice President stated that "it is essentially to enhance the productivity of 140,000 farmers within and near the following four rehabilitated irrigation schemes in Northern Nigeria: Bakolori Irrigation Scheme in Zamfara State, Middle Rima Irrigation Scheme in Sokoto State, Kano River Irrigation Scheme and Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme in Jigawa state.

According to the VP, "the project provides technical assistance for farmers at each irrigation scheme and facilitates strong forward and backward linkages along the value chains."

Regarding the beneficiary communities, the VP noted that having "suffered the frustration of poorly maintained water distribution facilities with the attendant losses that have ensued, it is my hope that we will now see these facilities as yours and embrace a collective responsibility of preserving them and ensuring their sustainability."

Prof. Osinbajo then commended Governor Abdullahi Ganduje's tenacity and collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, comprising the Minister and his team, which ensured that the project was completed.

Earlier in his remarks, Governor Ganduje thanked the Vice President for his support and the Federal Government for its commitment to the actualisation of many impactful Federal Government projects in Kano State.

Citing roads, rail and airport projects, among others executed by the Federal Government, the Governor noted that Kano was being transformed into a centre of trade and commerce in West Africa, adding that the Irrigation Scheme would add value to farming communities and associated businesses in Kano State.

On his part, Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu commended the President and Vice President’s commitment to the actualization of many people-oriented projects across the country.

Other dignitaries at the event were the Minister of State for Works & Housing, Hon. Umar Ibrahim El - Yakub, Emir of Rano, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Kabiru Inuwa and the Managing Director of Hadejia Jama'are River Basin Development Authority, Alh Ma'amun Da'u Aliyu, among others.

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

The man Yemi Osinbajo is just too good, intelligent and caring. Nigeria has missed a great opportunity of making him the president.

By Oluwafemi Popoola

Nearly less than a month before the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, completes his tenure, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has lauded the unifying spirit of the Vice President, describing him as an emblem of national unity whose quest to bring all Nigerians together defines his unique leadership style.

The former Nigerian head of state made this revelation on Monday, May 1, 2023, during a virtual book launch ceremony held to honour Vice President Osinbajo by a group of 25 famous journalists and writers across Nigeria, who had rallied each other to write a book on the VP’s life from his childhood to career, politics, family life, and impact as Nigeria’s second in command.

The event was organized by the journalists and writers under the aegis of PYO Collective, a nonpartisan and multicultural group of Nigerians who are interested in good governance and economic development of the country.

As the book titled “Osinbajo Strides: Defining Moments of An Innovative Leader,” was unveiled to the general public, the Chairman of the occasion, His Excellency, General Gowon, in his speech described Prof. Osinbajo as a leader who brought a collaborative approach to governance.

“Vice President Osinbajo is known for his collaborative approach to governance which has enabled him to work effectively with different stakeholders in achieving common goals” General Gowon said.

The elder statesmen showered praises on Prof Osinbajo and thanked him for his service to the nation, saying, he has done very well and will leave the office as one of the most effective Vice Presidents the country has ever produced.

“As you all know, Vice President Osinbajo has been at the forefront of ground-breaking initiatives that have transformed Nigeria’s economy and its people.

“The Vice President has always exhibited passion for innovation and commitment to the development of Nigeria. Prof. Osinbajo is one of the most effective vice presidents Nigeria has ever had. And that is why I said congratulations to this government. The vice president has put in a lot of effort with the kind of work he’s done,” the former Nigerian helmsman said.

Also, at the virtual programme, video clips revealing some memorable moments of the Vice President, speaking at different fora were displayed on the screen at several intervals in what looked like a gracious and historic farewell celebration for Osinbajo given his successful eight-year Vice Presidency which ends on May 29.

In the same vein, the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, decorated the VP with sweet adjectives describing Osinbajo “As a complete detribalized Nigeria and the ‘Omoluabi’ poster boy of the current Yoruba generation.”

His words: “Our very own Professor, Pastor Yemi Osinbajo, our Vice President, I will describe as the Omoluabi poster boy of our generation. When you hear the word, Omolaubi, the first person that comes to mind is Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

“He has distinguished himself as a completely detribalized leader. A nation builder, a statesman, and a leader who has consistently advocated for the unity and strength of Nigeria’s diversity.

“Prof is a breath of fresh air in Nigeria’s political space. We will continue to watch and learn from him because he is a leader who is worthy of emulation in this our journey and resolve to build a New Nigeria. I have been trying to emulate the Vice President. I look at him as my role model.”

Likewise, former Emir of Kano State, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who was also an important guest at the event, spoke glowingly of the Vice President and described Prof. Osinbajo as an intellectual, saying he Is comfortable debating issues with him.

He said, “VP Osinbajo represents a perfect picture of what an ideal Nigerian leader should look like and added that his time as Acting President gave an insight into how his Presidency would be had he succeeded in his presidential bid.

“Osinbajo the intellectual, someone I will sit with and debate, and as you know, I have been very critical of some of the policies of the government, and he will debate. And he had the ability as we all know, to accept a superior argument. Sometimes, he will explain why it cannot be done, sometimes he will explain that it is something he agrees with but he hopes would take time to fix, sometimes he would outrightly not accept and would agree to disagree.”

“Osinbajo has this picture of a man who has the quality of a leader we need or how a leader should be. As Acting President, he gave us insight into how he would rule this country as President”

“I have seen first-hand his concern for the poor people of the country, the question of malnutrition and infant mortality, his commitment, year after year, to see improvements in the structure and the funding and the processes of the institution and I do hope that the work he has done would begin to see light in the near future.”

https://thedailyleaks.com/osinbajo-symbol-of-national-unity-brought-collaborative-approach-to-governance-gowon/

Members of the National Economic Council including all State Governors, and some members of the Federal Cabinet rose from the monthly NEC meeting today with words of commendation and praise for the Chairman of the Council, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

The Governors and other council members who were having a physical meeting in a long time rounded up their accolades for the VP when they all rose up singing "for he is a jolly good fellow" in unision and a round of applause at the end of the meeting today inside the Council Chambers in the Presidential Villa.

Speaking on behalf of all the 36 State Governors and under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal commended " Mr. Chairman and the Vice President for leading the council very very well and under your leadership, the NEC has been very regular and effective. You have managed the affairs of NEC with a sense of fairness and patriotism. NEC has been proactive and pragmatic under your leadership. Many atimes when the situation demands, NEC under your leadership has risen to the challenges of our national survival even beyond the scarce economic matters.

"And therefore Mr. Chairman and the Vice President, on our behalf, we congratulate you for raising the bar, for doing the nation proud and for doing very well and for serving this country in this capacity. We thank you for your leadership, you provided a level playing field for every one of us to make his contributions irrespective of our various and varying backgrounds devoid of partisanship but maintaining focus and fairly managed a platform of NEC.

"Thank you very much and we pray that God Almighty shall continue to guide you andmembers of your family as you continue with the journey, stepping aside. You remain indeed an asset, a reference, a rallying point for our country, as you continue to improve on issues of good governance and entrenchment of democratic action.

"Thank you very much. We thank God for your gift, we pray God continue to guide you as you serve out your term as the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Chairman of National Economic Council. On behalf of all of us, we thank you for your interventions, we thank Mr. President through you for his interventions especially at those very difficult times when states were battling a lot of challenges especially during the 2016 period when a number of states could not even pay salaries, bail outs and such other interventions really helped all of us, various states to really discharge our constitutional roles per state. The Vice President, Mr. Chairman, we thank you, we can’t thank you enough, we thank you very much."

Earlier, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El Rufai spoke at the meeting saying the 8 years that VP Osinbajo chaired NEC showed the Council as the best of all the executive bodies spelt out in the Nigerian Constitution.

According to him, "out of all the Federal executive bodies, only this functions according to the Constitution and this is because of the way the VP chairs the Council. I want to appreciate you and your leadership. God will reward your leadership in this country."

He was immediately joined by the Jigawa State Governor Badaru Abubakar who said "all of us" share the sentiments expressed by Governor El-Rufai. "We thank you for your patience, support and understanding"

In a similar vein, Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade commended the Vice President "for your spirit of tolerance. I have borrowed from your maturity."

Later at the media briefing on the outcome of today's NEC, Governors Bala Mohammed and Hope Uzodinma of Bauchi and Imo States respectively, again lauded the VP in glowing terms.

In his response at the end of the meeting, Prof. Osinbajo expressed his appreciation for the gesture.

His words: "Thank you very much. Your Excellencies, I’ll like to thank you very much for the singing of “He’s a jolly good fellow”. Thank you very much.

"I would like to thank Your Excellencies, members of the National Economic Council for your commitment and patriotism and the way that you have worked so hard to ensure that our country is not just properly advised by the Federal Government, but the country at all times is kept …

"I think that the stabilizing voice of the National Economic Council has already been very well acknowleged including by Mr. President himself on several occasions when he has had cause to comment on the work of the National Economic Council and your Excellencies, the governors.

"The National Economic Council has been advising especially the questions around subsidy, reports. There were also situations where the National Economic Council had to advise on very many matters concerning the economy of the country. And your advice is always objective, your advice is always genuine in the overall interest of the country.

"I must say that in very many ways, the National Economic Council in the past few years or 10 to 15 years has demonstrated that our country has quality leadership. Your political leadership has shown in very many ways, that we respect working together as a country.

"I must commend you for ensuring that in all our decisions, the unity of our country has played the most important role. So I’d like to thank you very much for working with us in the past 8 years or so and I pray that all of you, more than you think, will be rewarded by the Almighty God for your contributions to your states and to our nation.

“I also pray for those who are continuing, the Governors who are continuing and those who are coming in, that you will experience the best years yet of our nation and that our nation under you, and your states under you, will prosper and that the decisions we elect will be one that will be celebrated for years to come."

The Vice President also presented a Legacy Document of NEC in the last eight years at today's meeting.

According to him "The Legacy Document is a report of the activities of the National Economic Council from 2015 to 2023. It is of course a summary of all the activities including the major contributions of the National Economic Council from 2015 to 2023.

So on your behalf it is my very special privilege to officially present the National Economic Council Legacy Report of 2015 to 2023. Thank you all very much."

Also today at the NEC meeting the Finance Minister provided an update on the issue of fuel subsidy disclosing that the Council agreed on the need to remove the subsidy in an orderly and well considered way.

She said it had been decided at the Transition Council with members from the Buhari Administration and the incoming administration that the fuel subsidy would not be removed during the transition period.

NEC also had a section of the meeting to hold the Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority as the Governors are the members of the NSIA Governing Council.

The Chairman, Board of Directors of the NSIA Mr. Farouk Gumel and the Managing Director/CEO Mr. Aminu Umar-Sadiq made presentations to the Council. NEC then received the NSIA reports and approved Management prayers thus:

* Continued support to the growth of NSIA -such as injection of capital in NSIA & support NSIA to explore alternative sources of capital to further drive its mandates

*Continued support for the strengthened governance of NSIA.

The Council also received the NSIA Consolidated & separate financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 which was presented by a representative of the PWC which authored the statements.

Council also received presentations on the Ad-Hoc Committee of NEC on Flood Relief and from the NEC's Human Capital Development unit.

According to the Jigawa State Governor who chairs the Ad-Hoc Committee 16 States have sent in the required report of the extent of damage ocassioned by flooding across this country during the last raining season.

He said however a further extension of one week would be granted States who have not yet sent in their reports.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
27th April 2023

President Muhammadu Buhari will lead other eminent Nigerians to attend the virtual book launch of a book titled: "Osinbajo Strides: Defining Moments of An Innovative Leader," written by a group of 25 journalists and writers across Nigeria in honour of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, holding on Monday, May 1, 2023, at 5:00 pm.

According to a statement signed by veteran journalists, Richard Akinnola and Sadiq Abdullateef on behalf of the writers, it said President Muhammadu Buhari will be the Father of the Day, at the virtual launch of the book which is a reflection on the giant strides of Prof Osinbajo, who is completing his second term of eight-year in office as Nigeria's Vice President on May 29, 2023.

It also informed that the new date overrides the earlier announced date, Friday, April 28, emphasising that the event now holds May 1, with the theme: "Inspiring A New Nigeria."

According to the statement, also expected at the virtual book launch are: Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo; former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar; President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima; APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu and all State Governors; Senators and Members of the House of Representative, among others.

The statement also informed that the foreword of the book was written by His Excellency, General Abubakar, and former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, will chair the book launch, while the famed author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, will speak on the theme: "Inspiring A New Nigeria."

According to the statement, “The book is essentially a collection of essays written by journalists, writers and other persons from different walks of life. It periscopes the Vice President’s public service since he was Special Adviser to the Attorney-General of the Federation in 1988 to date."

The statement also informed that "The launch event is organized by PYO Collective, a nonpartisan and multicultural group of Nigerians who
are interested in good governance and economic development of the country."

It also noted that the book would be made available ahead of the public presentation and that proceeds from the sales of the book will go to charity organizations.

As earlier announced the 25 prominent journalists and writers from across the country who came together to write the book are Richard Akinnola, Azu Ishiekwene, Garba Mohammed, Etim Etim, Donu Kogbara, Sadiq Abdullateef, Fatima Mamman-Daura, James Akpandem, Mustapha Ogunsakin, Dayo Akintobi, Dr. Wale Adeduro, Columba Ogah, Haruna Abdullahi, Temilade Okesanjo, Arukaino Umukoro, Olaolu Beckley, Jude Zoho, Vitalis Obidiaghaa, Seun Bisuga, Seyi Gesinde, Faith Dafe-Joseph, Muritala Ayinla, Abimbola Olaniyan and Ibrahim Bature. Mr Jahman Anikulapo was the Editorial Consultant for the work.

"The launch event is organized by PYO Collective, a nonpartisan and multicultural group of Nigerians who are interested in good governance and economic development of the country. Its core values include ethics, professionalism, honesty, accountability and good governance.

"PYO Collective promotes unity and prosperity of our dear country. Our membership is drawn from across the country and includes writers of the essays in the book," the statement said.

Signed For PYO COLLECTIVE
Richard Akinnola
Sadiq Abdullateef
April 24, 2023

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN will today depart Nigeria for the United States of America where he is scheduled to deliver a Special Lecture at the University of Pennsylvania, UPenn in Philadelphia.

UPenn which is one of the eight private universities known as the Ivy League in the United States was initially established in 1740 as a charity school. It was later transformed into an academy in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin, a future founding father of the United States, who also served as the first president of the Board of Trustees of the University.

The Vice President's lecture on Monday will be themed around Climate Change and a Just Transition, and is hosted by the University's Center for Africana Studies.

It was founded through the merger of the Afro-American Studies Program and the Center for the Study of Black Literature and Culture at the University of Pennsylvania in 2015. The Center is hosting the Vice President’s Special Lecture in partnership with other faculties of the University such as PennCarey Law, Perry World House, Wharton Business School, Coalition for Equity and Opportunity and Perelman School of Medicine.

Besides the lecture, the VP will also participate in an interactive session with students and faculty coordinated by Prof. Wale Adebanwi, Presidential Penn Compact Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.

Prof. Osinbajo, a leading voice and strong advocate for a Just Energy Transition for Africa and the developing world, is currently spearheading efforts aimed at creating the African Carbon Market as one of the pathways of a just and sustainable transition.

Prof. Osinbajo is expected back in Abuja right after his engagements in Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania.


Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
22nd April, 2023

Nigeria has a crucial and strategic role to play in the transition to a more sustainable energy future for the continent and the rest of the world, even as Africa would need rapid industrialization to get millions of its people out of poverty, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo expressed these views in his remarks on Tuesday where he formally opened the exhibition of the Nigeria International Energy Summit, holding at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Speaking on the theme of this year's summit, Global Perspectives for a Sustainable Future, the Vice President underscored the significance of the theme for the socio-economic future of Nigeria, Africa and the world.

Drawing lessons from the work done in the last couple of years by the Federal Government’s Energy Transition working group, which he chairs, Prof. Osinbajo noted that “in that capacity and working with a strong inter-ministerial team and several energy sector players, it has become increasingly clear to me that Nigeria has a crucial and strategic role in delivering the sustainable energy future that Africa and indeed the world must have in the next few years.

“Second is that it is the key sector actors such as are gathered in this room who must do a lot of the heavy lifting to get us there. The truth is, no other sector of our economy is as crucial in the transition to a more sustainable future.”

The Vice President, who restated his view on Africa becoming the first truly green civilization in the world, noted that “the future is not in Africa as a victim, it is in our nation and our continent driving the next stage of global economic progress by becoming the first truly green civilization in the world.”

Continuing, he stated “the truth is, no other sector of our economy is as crucial in the transition to a more sustainable future. But what is that future? Let me say first what it is not. It is not a future with Africa at the bottom of the food chain in the brave new world of sustainable energy.

“But we must admit that today we have the largest number of individuals without access to power, the largest number without access to clean cooking options; we need rapid industrialisation to get millions of our people out of poverty, and we must do all without worsening global warming.”

As the VP noted, “the future is not in Africa as a victim, it is in our nation and our continent driving the next stage of global economic progress by becoming the first truly green civilization in the world.”

Highlighting the pathway forward for Africa in the transition to a sustainable energy future, the VP noted that Africa can only become the first truly green civilization “by recognizing the opportunity early and intentionally developing all the potential around our natural resources including natural gas, solar and biofuels.”

He further urged that “we must in particular leverage on our renewable energy potential, work actively on green technologies, carbon removal and green manufacturing. And we have a young resourceful workforce too. And quite frankly, it is the energy sector working with government that can muster the human and material resources to move the needle.”

Furthermore, Prof. Osinbajo stated that Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan was “a bold and innovative move that calls for the ramping up of solar deployment to about 5.3 gigawatts per year until 2060.”

The VP added that this also includes “the production of over 6 billion litres of biofuels annually to make green the transport sector on the path to e-mobility and the transition of at least 2 million Nigerian households to cleaner cooking fuels like Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and electricity every year.”

He highlighted the opportunities of initiatives around Carbon Trading, noting that “this holds important opportunities for our oil and gas sector.”

According to him “I have in the past year been working with a dedicated international committee named the African Carbon Market Initiative. The point is to open up the tremendous carbon trading opportunities in Africa. We are also simultaneously working on the Nigeria Carbon Market.

He referred to the recent initiative between the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and Vitol, a private firm, which is the CarbonVista joint venture and observed that the fund "would invest in carbon emission reduction projects in Nigeria and promote the Nigerian carbon market initiative."

While acknowledging that there was still a long way to go, the Vice President emphasized that Nigeria can achieve its sustainable energy goals.

“We have a long way to go, but we are well able to achieve all we have set for ourselves. For me, I think the private sector must also clearly articulate its own sustainable energy ambitions in alignment with our transition plan. Let us act quickly,” he stated.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
18th April, 2023

In the contest for power, leadership elites must not toy with prejudices that alienate or divide any section of the country, rather they should conduct themselves with a high sense of responsibility in order to build a new Nigeria where there is justice, equity and shared prosperity.

Besides, deliberate efforts have to be taken to deal with ethnic profiling and prejudices before they influence political contests.

These were some of the highlights of the speech delivered today by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, at the maiden Policy Making and Good Governance Lecture Series of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State.

According to the VP, “the leadership elites have a duty to conduct themselves with a high sense of responsibility even as they prosecute their contest for power.”

Explaining further, he noted that, “historically conscious and patriotic elites all recognize that, beyond what the letter of the law asserts, there are lines that cannot be crossed in the pursuit of political power.

"One of such lines is the willful exploitation of sectional sentiments and the invocation of ethnic antipathies to mobilize a political constituency. It is dangerous because it is an attempt that seeks to mobilize by fostering division and hatred.

Prof. Osinbajo outrightly condemned reported attempts in some parts of the country that denied some Nigerians their right to vote in the last elections.

“These elections witnessed the exploitation by political actors of the fears and anxieties of people about so-called outsiders. Any attempts to deny people the right to vote in any locality on the basis that they do not belong in that place is condemnable in the strongest possible terms,” he stated.

The Vice President also noted that “when ethnic or religious prejudices are weaponised for political purposes, we are confronted with a lethal potentially destructive situation.”

In a speech that also addressed the way forward in building a new Nigeria, the Vice President noted that “the most prosperous places are countries that have learned to harness diversity while building ever more inclusive institutions.”

He observed that “discrimination against people on the basis of their identity is explicitly condemned by most legal codes, including our own Constitution. But there is still a tension that exists between this new Nigeria and the old Nigeria as understood by a generation that is much more accustomed to political mobilization on the basis of identity. But we must ennoble and validate the Nigeria that our young people are consciously or unconsciously building. This is the future we want.”

According to him, "let us never forget that although we may speak different languages, belong to different tribes and profess diverse creeds; we are bound, above all else, by the language of a shared hope, by our common humanity as Nigerians, and a supreme faith in the possibility of our country."

Speaking further against any form of discrimination, the VP noted that “if we are truly committed to economic growth, then we must also be committed to creating inclusive communities and strengthening social cohesion. Put another way, the only thing that grows in a climate of tribal hatred is poverty. This is why justice, healing, and a stronger commitment to the ideals of integration are so important.”

Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo stated that “where the forces of primordial division and polarization are harnessed for the sake of electoral gain, the venom of such devices remains and continues to poison communal relations, setting neighbour against neighbour. We have witnessed the catastrophic consequences of the political weaponization of prejudice in places such as Rwanda.”

Emphasising the role of political elites, Prof. Osinbajo asserted that “elites have a responsibility to discipline themselves in the pursuit of their political ambitions and exercise of power to ensure that the fabric of our communities is not rent asunder.

“When elites fail to compete responsibly and moderately, they foster a sense that everything goes, which breeds instability. We have seen this dynamic play out time and time again in our history. A model of competition that recognizes no ethical limits or boundaries is a threat to our democracy. It is incumbent upon politicians to act and conduct their competition responsibly.”

Urging Nigerians to learn from the Rwandan genocide which claimed about a million lives, the Vice President also pointed out the lives lost in Nigeria’s civil war, which he observed was fuelled by bigotry, what he called the “exploitation of prejudice and the incitement of hatred against ethnic communities.”

He stated that “we talk about the civil war, but we seem to ignore the fact that it is the manipulation of ethnoreligious sentiment that eventually boiled over into that tragedy. The demons released by that bloody conflict among brothers are yet to be fully caged, and we pay the price of that healing process daily. This is not a chapter of our history that we should ever allow to repeat itself."

Emphasising the need for inclusion and unity across tribes and political divides, Prof. Osinbajo said urgent steps must be taken by the country’s elites and citizens to avoid the tragedies fuelled by bigotry and prejudices.

Proposing the implementation of laws to safeguard society from the dangerous manipulation of ethnic sentiments, the VP noted that “the Rwandese took deliberate steps to ensure that that tragedy would never be repeated, including even a memorial to the dead.

“But more importantly, the strict enforcement of laws against the use of ethnically or religiously charged rhetoric, and a raft of laws that criminalize divisive attitudes and behaviour. We also must do the hard work of providing and implementing a framework for fair, just, and unifying dealings amongst our people.”

He also observed that “people do not suddenly start hating each other during elections.

“While political actors may invoke ethnic or sectional sentiments in an election, these social and cultural antipathies exist, lurking beneath the surface. As we reflect on the takeaways from this election cycle going forward, we must also consider the prevalence of ethnic profiling and other forms of day-to-day discrimination that occur.”

Highlighting Nigeria’s uniqueness, Prof. Osinbajo noted that the country’s diversities should be harnessed for good and not for political gains and selfish motives.

“There is a recognition that sociocultural diversity while being a fact of life is neither a weapon nor a weakness. The most prosperous places are countries that have learned to harness diversity while building even more inclusive institutions.

“I believe that Nigeria is neither unique nor exceptional on account of her diversity. The genre of scholarship and public polemic that problematizes our country’s profusion of ethnicities and religions and characterizes it as a profound flaw is one with which I differ strongly. Our diversity is neither a liability nor a curse; it is, in fact, a blessing and an asset,” he said.

Prof. Osinbajo then called for a fair, just, and more inclusive society, noting that “inclusion is essential to prosperity,"

"So, is it possible to conquer ethnic or religious prejudice and build a unified nation? Yes, it is, but it is a journey, not an event; and it is perhaps the most important issue in nation-building," he buttressed.

The VP referenced countries such as Singapore, Tanzania and Rwanda which have tackled and overcome national prejudices, noting that Nigeria can equally do the same to address the underlying challenges brought about by all forms of prejudices in our society.

According to him, “leadership has been critical in all the countries that have been relatively successful in the journey to overcoming prejudice. He highlighted particularly the conduct of the elites of these countries.

“The elites of both countries recognized that cohesion and peaceful coexistence have to be intentionally prioritized and pursued. This is the challenge of leadership in our country. Elites have a responsibility to discipline themselves in the pursuit of their political ambitions and their exercise of power to ensure that the fabric of our communities is not rent asunder.

“We must recognize that if peaceful coexistence is sacrificed on the altar of partisan politics, then all will be lost.”

Exploring further the nexus between a country’s diversity and shared prosperity, the Vice President observed that “in the 21st century, the true wealth of nations is human capital.

"This means that places that have learned to attract and retain the most diverse pool of skilled human resources are easily winning the race for success."

Prof. Osinbajo submitted that diversity “also provides a broad range of cultural, philosophical, and intellectual approaches for solving problems.

“A state’s chances of growth will depend upon how much qualitative capital it can attract and the richer the human capital pool at its disposal, the more taxes it can harvest to fund governance and social services. In this scenario, the politics of division and tribalism will breed poverty because it can only alienate the human capital that a state desperately needs for growth.”

Proffering solutions, the Vice President noted that fairness and justice were crucial elements in moving the country forward.

Aside from the responsibility of the political elite in fostering unity, the Vice President also called on the media and civil society to act responsibly in projecting particular narratives.

“That burden is also on civil society, including and perhaps, especially the media. The media has a twofold responsibility. As an institution that is uniquely influential in shaping public perceptions and attitudes, it has to be extremely mindful of what sort of narratives it is projecting and how it frames disputes, especially in our multicultural and heterogenous contexts,” he stated.

Prof. Osinbajo recalled the surgery on his right femur in July 2022, in a Nigerian hospital to buttress his point.

He explained: “On the 16th of July 2022, I went in for surgery on my right femur at a hospital in Lagos. Of course, as I lay on the operating bed and I was about to be anaesthetised, a thought crossed my mind that I would be absolutely at the mercy of the surgeons, the paramedics and the anesthesiologist. I had to trust them with my life.

“One was from the South East, the head of the team was from Delta State, some were Muslims, some were Christians. In fact, I suspect one did not even believe in God. Yet it didn’t seem to matter. They were the experts.

“When we make the decisions that affect our lives and those of our children the most, somehow, we are able to ignore tribal or religious prejudices. This is the attitude we must adopt always to build the nation of our dreams,” he concluded.

During the interactive session with the NIPSS faculty and course participants, Prof. Osinbajo answered questions posed by participants about curbing ethnic and religious biases, ensuring policy continuity, and the imperative of building a new Nigeria, among others.

In separate remarks, Plateau State Governor, Hon. Simon Lalong, and the Gbong Gwom Jos, HRM, Jacob Gyang Buba, thanked the Vice President for his steadfastness and interest in the upliftment of academic standards at the National Institute, noting that since his assumption to office as VP, the institution has grown in leaps and bounds.

On his part, the Director General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, said the inaugural Policy Making and Good Governance Lecture Series is one of the many innovations of the institute that is inspired by Prof. Osinbajo’s visionary leadership and useful recommendations.

He assured the Vice President of the management’s commitment to always maintain the high standards set before them, especially in making the institute Nigeria and Africa’s foremost think-tank.

After the lecture, the Vice President accompanied by other dignitaries inaugurated the newly built quarters for Nigeria Army participants at the Institute.

Also present at the event were the Deputy Governor of Plateau, Prof. Sonni Tyoden; the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Yakubu Sanda; the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, and the General Officer Commanding, 3 Armoured Division, Nigeria Army, Maj. Gen. Abdul Khalifa Ibrahim, who represented the Chief of Defence Staff, among others.

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

Almost 2 million vulnerable Nigerians across the country have been impacted by projects implemented under the Federal Government’s National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS) for the year 2022.


A progress report presented at the NPRGS Steering Committee meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, on Wednesday also indicate that about 1.6 million smallholder farmers were impacted under the Agriculture for Jobs Plan.


Besides, 13,000 youths have been trained under a Technical and Vocational Education and Training programme in 6 States comprising Lagos, Ogun, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna and Nasarawa, while arrangements are underway to provide similar training for 2000 beneficiaries in Edo State.


Equally, more than 8,000 Nigerians were employed in rural roads construction under the Rural Roads programme which built 40 rural roads in 120 communities, covering about 57.3 km across the country.


According to the NPRGS implementation monitoring update presented by the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, “following the release of N50 billion, programmes that have achieved 100% completion include: Agriculture for Food and Jobs Plan (AFJP),and Construction of Rural Roads, among others.


“A total number of direct beneficiaries of the implemented programmes currently stands at 1,818,782 vulnerable Nigerians and a total of 9,527 Nigerians have also been directly employed through the implementation of the programmes so far.”


Additionally, at the meeting, the committee approved the sum N250 billion for the execution of projects for the year 2023. Projects scheduled for implementation under the NPRGS for the year include:

• The provision of 100,000 homes for low-income earners which will create 1 million jobs directly and indirectly.

• The expansion of energy access by providing 1,200 solar street lights in rural communities and 6 mini-grids for high-capacity productive farming under the Solar Naija Programme.

• Creation of 4.5 million direct and indirect jobs through the Rural Roads programme which targets to connect about 750 rural markets.

• Provision of N9 billion support for over 1.6 million vulnerable smallholder farmers for the 2023 wet season farming under the Agriculture for Jobs Plan.

• The expansion of the National Social Register with additional 3 million households.


Speaking to State House Correspondents after the meeting, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State who is also the Co-Chair of the Technical Working Group for the Committee said though implementation has not reached expected levels, efforts are underway to touch each of the targeted 15 areas of implementation.


According to him, “today, we just came to review the implementation and update on the spending on the projects so far and approval for this year’s projects for the same scheme.


“Based on what was received from the co-chair of the Technical Working Group, over N50 billion have been spent so far. The performance so far hasn’t reached the level we expected. But nearly every aspect of the 15 areas targeted is being implemented in one way or the other.”


Other members of the Steering Committee present besides Governor Sule and Budget and National Planning Minister, Agba, at the meeting were, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Mohammad Abubakar; Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire; and the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige who joined the meeting virtually.

The Permanent Secretary, Budget and National Planning, Mr Nebeolisa Anako and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Andrew Adejo who represented the Minister of Education, also attended the meeting.



Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
*Office of the Vice President*
*13th April 2023*

By Seyi Gesinde

There is no need to misconstrue his remarks. What Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), Nigeria’s Vice President, was saying in those viral videos where he responded to questions on whether a parallel government would be necessary in 2015 is simple: fascism should never be allowed to stand.

In simple terms, fascism is a movement that promotes the idea of a forcibly monolithic, regimented nation under the control of an autocratic ruler and government.

And as many experts put it, fascism can also be a mass political movement that emphasises extreme nationalism, militarism, and the supremacy of both the nation and the single, powerful leader over the citizens.


In 2015, President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party was in power. It was during the pre-2015 elections that Prof. Osinbajo spoke at a town hall meeting in Washington D.C., United States and later granted Seun Okinbaloye an interview on Channels TV, where he supported his party’s positions when asked about the question of forming a parallel government. Taking a critical look at his point of view as an opposition then and the APC Vice Presidential candidate, the matters and circumstances he raised are different entirely from the Labour Party’s position and situation today.


This is it: Osinbajo explained that when a party wins and “the government decides it is going to ignore the wishes of the electorate; when the government simply decides to override the wishes of the electorate,” that is “fascism” and that is when the winning protesting party can be talking of forming a parallel government to put pressure on the fascist’s government without calling anyone out for violence. More so, the All Progressives Congress later became the winner of the election in 2015 defeating the sitting President, Goodluck Jonathan, and his party, the PDP.

So, referencing the March 2015 video now being virally circulated on social media mostly by the supporters of Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Vice President Osinbajo, with no verbosity, looking at his words contextually, and in a straight tense with no ambiguity, spoke against FASCISM – it should not be misconstrued or be used to score any cheap political point now. It can’t also be used to support the stand of the Vice Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, who was recently chided for his uncomplimentary statements faulting the results of the February 25 presidential election.


Datti-Ahmed said: “As it is, Tinubu did not get 25 per cent votes in the FCT, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, did not get 25 per cent votes in the FCT, Labour Party is the only one that scored 25 per cent votes in the FCT; we had 61 per cent votes. As it is in Nigeria, there is no President-elect. An unconstitutional government must never be sworn in because that will be the end of democracy. This democracy will end on May 29 the way we are going. We came third according to the figures released by INEC, but in reality, we came first. It is unfortunate, tragic that all promises that were made were dashed,” he said.

Speaking live on a recent Channels TV’s national programme, Datti-Ahmed said that the Certificate of Return INEC issued to Tinubu was a “dead certificate,” claiming it was against the provisions of Section 134 of the 1999 Constitution, which states that anybody that would be declared President-elect must win 25 per cent of votes cast in at least two-thirds of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). As such, he warned that any attempt to swear Tinubu in as the substantive President is an end to democracy in Nigeria.

Recall, Tinubu, the President-elect, polled 8,794,726 votes to defeat PDP’s Abubakar who came second with 6,984,520 and Labour Party’s Peter Obi who polled 6,101,533 votes, came third. But, since Tinubu was announced the winner, both Obi and Datti-Ahmed have not stopped faulting the electoral process despite filing petitions challenging the election result at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. They insisted on the cancellation of the poll claiming it was characterised by rigging and violence.

Reacting to Datti-Ahmed on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, the Federal Government, through its Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, said: “Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, cannot be threatening Nigerians that if the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, of the All Progressives Congress is sworn-in on May 29, it will be the end of democracy in Nigeria.” Mohammed who gave the warning during his visit to Washington, United States, contended that Obi and Baba-Ahmed’s statements amounted to insurrection, maintaining that, “This is treason. You cannot be inviting insurrection, and this is what they are doing. Obi’s statement is that of a desperate person, he is not the democrat that he claimed to be. A democrat should not believe in democracy only when he wins the election.”

In the same vein, the Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, who is a social crusader and human rights activist, has condemned Datti-Ahmed’s outbursts. As a voice from the civil society, Soyinka likened Baba-Ahmed’s blowups to those made by former United States President Donald Trump “with his do-or-die provocation,” describing his statements as palpable intimidation of the nation’s judiciary, saying they were “fascistic, menacing and unacceptable in a democracy.”

Then, Obi in his reaction to the condemnations, especially to Mohammed’s accusations, said the allegation that he was stoking insurrection was “totally malicious and fictitious,” asserting that he has never discussed or encouraged anyone to undermine the Nigerian state and has never sponsored or preached any action against the Nigerian state. “I am on record as always, advocating for peace and issue-based campaigns and never campaigned based on ethnicity or religion. I am committed to due process, and presently seeking redress in court. I urge those engaged in this demarketing process to stop presenting Nigeria in a such bad light,” Obi said.

Similarly, there is no need for Obi’s supporters to start trending the video recorded over eight years ago, picking on Osinbajo’s words to paint him in a bad light by claiming he too should have been labelled as treasonable. He wasn’t toeing that path and his explanations didn’t suggest so at all. Prof. Osinbajo that we know is a refined democrat, whose compositional style of operation as a leader and public servant exemplifies the protection and the upholding of the rule of law.

Vice President Osinbajo is known to be a pure nationalist, patriot and democracy defender. And whether as a government or mass movement, he is not in any way disposed to fascism or anarchism. Throughout his life as a public servant, he has campaigned for the granting of fundamental rights to every human, most especially, Nigerians, as a national leader. And to date, he is a lone voice for the voiceless in the Buhari administration, while as the country’s No 2, he still speaks the truth to power.

Recall on August 7, 2018 when the fully armed masked operatives of the Department of State Services invaded the National Assembly complex, shutting out lawmakers and wholly putting democracy under threat, Prof. Osinbajo’s patriotism was put to bear, he didn’t let that undemocratic act go unpunished.

It was an opprobrium! And rising from this state of extreme dishonour, it was Prof. Osinbajo, then as Nigeria’s Acting President, who single-handedly rescued the situation to protect the country’s democracy. He did not wait for issues to be dragged before he ordered the termination of the appointment of the then “untouchable” Director General, State Security Service (DSS), Lawal Daura, with immediate effect. That is one of the many proofs of him being a true democrat.

So, for emphasis and clarity, back to Osinbajo’s words, the Labour Party is not the winner declared by INEC, but it came third and is in court to challenge the results of the election. Its situation is not relatable with what Vice President Osinbajo, an erudite Professor of Law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said in 2015. He was simply talking about if a democratic government won’t respect the constitution, hence, a winning party can legitimately protest against that. But the outgoing government led by President Muhammadu Buhari has said it will hand over to the President-elect and the new government and a transition committee has since been put in place. This settles it.

• Gesinde is an award-winning journalist, political scientist and social commentator

https://theeagleonline.com.ng/viral-videos-osinbajo-speaks-against-fascism-by-seyi-gesinde/

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN has felicitated with President-elect, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the ocassion of his 71st birthday, praying God to grant him more wisdom and strength in the years to come.

In a statement personally signed by the Vice President he stated that today's occasion "is unique, as it occurs as you prepare to take on your most significant assignment yet as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."

Below is the VP's message verbatim:

"Dolly and I rejoice with you, the family, friends and associates on this occasion of your 71st birthday.

We thank the Almighty God for his grace and enablement upon your life that has made possible your many years of service and contributions to Lagos State, our nation and our great party.

This occasion of your 71st birthday is unique, as it occurs as you prepare to take on your most significant assignment yet as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

All we can offer you in this solemn period is a prayer. That the Lord will help you in this assignment and give you good health, strength and wisdom to serve our people and our nation excellently.

Happy Birthday! God bless you.


Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN
Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
29th March 2023

The late Lt- General Donaldson Oladipo Diya, (Rtd) was a patriot who showed deep love and commitment to Nigeria during and after his service to the military and the nation, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.


In a statement he personally signed, the VP said "I received with sadness, the news of the passing of (rtd) Lt- General Donaldson Oladipo Diya, the former Chief of General Staff and number two official in the administration of the Federal Military Government of the late General Sani Abacha.


"General Diya was not only a distinguished Nigerian patriot, and an illustrious son of Odogbolu in Ogun State, he was also a statesman who showed deep love and commitment to our country even after his illustrious service to the nation.

"General Diya, GCON, LLB, BL, PSC, FSS, mni, was a forthright,  brilliant officer and a devoted family man," he added.


The Vice President stated that "his passing is a loss to the people of Ogun State and Nigeria. Our prayer is that God comforts the family, friends , associates and the people of Ogun State. May his memory always be blessed."



*Released by*
*Laolu Akande*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity*
*Office of the Vice President*
*27th March 2023*

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has commiserated with victims of the Thursday train-bus accident killing six people and left scores injured.

Osinbajo made his heartfelt sympathy known in a message sent to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while he prayed for the victims and their families for healing.

The Vice President expressing his sadness over the unfortunate incident on Wednesday, said: “We commiserated earlier today with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the unfortunate train accident that occurred this morning with the BRT bus. We pray for God’s comfort for the families that have lost their loved ones and a speedy recovery for those injured.”

Recalled six people were confirmed dead and 82 others were injured as a train crushed a Lagos State staff bus early morning on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

It was a black day for the residents of Lagos State, as they woke up to learn of the gory incident.


The unfortunate accident occurred at PWD Bus Stop in the state’s capital city, Ikeja, as a moving train rammed into a state bus conveying civil servants to work.

The six persons confirmed dead by emergency responders and 82 others injured were rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, while the bus has been evacuated.

Spokesperson of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, speaking on the incident said the bus involved in the crash was the same as the regular BRT buses in Lagos, but it was a staff bus of the Lagos State government.

Similarly, a spokesperson for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Nosa Okunbor who confirmed the casualty figures, earlier said, “two adult females and one male staff of the State Government lost their lives in the crash and 82 others injured and evacuated to LASUTH.” But three others were later confirmed to have died.

“The State Government staff bus was trying to cross the PWD/Sogunle rail crossing while the train coming into Lagos from Abeokuta trapped the bus on its rail.”

Recalled a similar incident was recorded in December 2022 when a passenger train from Kaduna to Abuja crushed a middle-aged woman to death on the rail track around the Kubwa area of Nigeria’s seat of government, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Meanwhile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has visited the accident victims at LASUTH, expressing his sadness over the unfortunate train-bus collision.

He said: “I am deeply saddened by the news of the train/bus accident . The vehicle was conveying staff of the Lagos state government, our staff who serve the state in different capacities,” the governor said in a statement.

“Let’s say a prayer for the families and a prayer of mercy and protection for our state. My thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu, said 85 passengers were involved in all, 42 with moderate injuries, 29 with serious injuries and eight have mild injuries.


https://thedailyleaks.com/osinbajo-commiserates-with-victims-of-lagos-train-bus-accident-prays-for-comfort/

The spokesperson to Nigeria’s Vice President, Laolu Akande, has described his principal as a rare personality who came to this world to inspire individuals, groups and nations to attain goals and objectives that advance their causes and lead irrevocably to greatness.

Akande expressed his views on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in a birthday message for the 66th anniversary of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Speaking on his principal, Akande said, “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 exist 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 empathy, 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.”

According to him, 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.

Continuing, Akande said, “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 six 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 on 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. After all, 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, and work tirelessly at goals. I can disclose that in the past eight years, the average close time in the Vice President’s office is 8:00 pm or 9:00 pm. Several times we have been at work past midnight. Excellence spares no effort after all.

“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://thedailyleaks.com/laolu-akande-says-prof-osinbajo-exists-to-inspire-as-vp-turns-66/

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has congratulated the standard bearer of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, on his electoral victory as Nigeria’s president-elect.


Prof Osinbajo, who lauded the victory of the former Lagos State governor, Wednesday, morning, March 1, 2023, wished him the best as he prepares to lead the nation.


Disclosing this in a tweet via his verified Twitter handle Wednesday morning, the Vice President’s spokesperson, Laolu Akande, said, Prof Osinbajo, who presided over the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting Wednesday morning, led other cabinet ministers in congratulating the President-elect Bola Tinubu.

He said the Vice President “congratulating President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory at the polls,” also wished him “the best as he prepares to lead the nation.”

Akande equally informed that the Vice President and FEC also congratulate Vice-President-elect Kashim Shettima and First-Lady-designate, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Presiding over FEC this morning, VP Osinbajo led ministers in congratulating President-Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory at the polls, wishing him the best as he prepares to lead the nation. VP & FEC also congratulate VP-Elect Shettima & First-Lady-designate Oluremi Tinubu. pic.twitter.com/2AUJUMtd8Q

— Laolu Akande (@akandeoj) March 1, 2023

https://thedailyleaks.com/osinbajo-congratulates-tinubu-on-electoral-victory-as-president-elect/

• The high and mighty in APC loosing their bases

As the results of the presidential election trickle in, many of the bigwigs within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have failed to deliver their polling units.

As a result, Nigerians on various social media channels have started laughing over the political 'structure' narratives that are constantly being peddled by these sets of politicians. These supposedly 'no structure' are now defeating the politicians who have always boasted they have a 'structure.'

Although Bola Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate, appears to be neck and neck with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, the race would have been easier if the bigwigs have delivered their polling units.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila were some of the biggest casualties as they both failed to deliver their polling units.

The APC national chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, also lost his polling unit. The director of the Tinubu/Shettima presidential campaign council and governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, lost his polling unit too.

It was not only the presidential election that the APC lost in Mr Adamu’s ward. The party also lost the senatorial and House of Representatives election in the unit.

In the same vein, the APC presidential candidate Bola Tinubu also lost his local council, Ikeja local government area, to Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

While Mr Obi scored 30,004 votes at Polling Unit 85, Ward 3 in Ikeja local government on Saturday, Mr Tinubu had 21,276. 

Similarly, James Faleke, the Campaign Secretary to the All Progressives Congress also lost his unit to Labour Party.

Similarly, even, President Muhammadu Buhari, as the leader of the ruling APC, though won his unit in Daura, overall, he lost in his home state, Katsina, to the opposition PDP.

President Buhari who also won in his unit, could not deliver his Katsina State to his party, APC.

This recent trend in our electoral game is a pointer to a sudden shift from what used to be obtainable in our democracy. This also proves that Nigerians have made a mess of the myth that a candidate must possess a political structure before he can win any election.

The new political reality stares us in the face. It is no doubt that the country is entering into another phase of advanced democracy where the people elect their preferred leader irrespective of their large political structure as long as they possess the requisite qualities of a good leader.

Our security need new strategies..

Safe trip

Osinbajo has always been representing the country well, We wish him safe trip.

The survival fund has seriously impacted lives positively. This is a kind of initiatives we need in Nigeria. COMMENDABLE!!

Elvictor:
6years gone Nigeria will be great without blueprint, oga illiterate prof., is greatness miracle that appear from nowhere?

you need to go and check your dictionary for the meaning of illiterate. You are calling a whole Prof illiterate!

I seriously believe Nigeria will experience drastic change for better. The promises of God will surely come to fulfilment.

hurryup123:
Is osinbajo part of the government?
He's floating to oblivion.
''mere commissoner

Hmmm..

mere commissioners but can preside over FEC meeting when the president is not around.

Mere commissioner but can chair NEC meetings

Mere commissioner but can Mastermind NSIP in which you and your family members benefited.

Guy you need to desist from this politics of hatred.

Osinbajo still remain the best VP ever.

Why should Obaseki come out with such fake news in the first place, after he is a serving Governor who supposed to know better. What a shame!

Obaseki should always get his information right before disclosure, CBN has debunked the claim of printing some amount of money.

Osinbajo deserve to be praised for all his activities towards taking Nigeria to the next level.

Fake news will never do us good in this country, it will only cause destruction.