₦airaland Forum

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
PRESS RELEASE

*Adds: Responsible fatherhood helps in nation-building

The responsibility of fatherhood in families and society is very crucial in setting good examples for future generations, as it would guide them in the right path to lead exemplary lives, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Sunday after a special Father’s Day service at the Aso Villa Chapel, Abuja.

On the Next Level agenda of the Buhari administration, the VP said power and infrastructure would improve, and there will be progress in the economy, security, and in the fight against corruption.

Speaking to the press, the Vice President wished every father in the country a Happy Father’s Day.

While noting that men should honour and love their wives and recognize their roles as partners, not just in families but in society, he said that it was equally important for them to teach young men to also honour and respect all women.

The Vice President said, “Fathers, as you know, have very important role to play in any human society or setting. I think it was (former US) President Barack Obama who said that it’s not the ability to father a child, or the ability to have a child that makes you a father, it is the courage to raise one. That’s really what makes you a father.

“I think that the responsibility of fatherhood is absolutely immense, whether one is a biological father to children or one who wants to take care of other children. All of us have a role to play, not just in the lives of our children, but so many others; those who have no fathers, even some who have fathers; to whom we have a responsibility to set examples to lead exemplary lives. And to bring them up, as the scriptures says, in the way of the Lord.

“So, the responsibility of the father is incredible indeed. One of the most important things is to teach our young men growing up that they must honour women, not just their wives. Of course, you must honour and love your wife, but I think it is also very important that we honour women. We shouldn’t treat them as subordinates; they are not. They are created equal to men. But most importantly, we must honour them and recognize their roles as partners, not just in families, but in society as well."

Also present at the Father’s Day service at the Aso Villa Chapel were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege; other senior government officials and private sector chieftains, including the President/Chief Executive Officer, Coscharis Group of Companies, Dr. Cosmas Maduka.


Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
Office of the Vice President
16th June, 2019

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE





The Presidency has welcomed the report of the European Union (EU) on the 2019 general elections in Nigeria, promising to analyse it fully and act on the recommendations.

The Presidency notes that the EU observers had been invited to the country by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and welcomed by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

This was a clear indication of the administration's good intentions, commitment to a pure democratic process, and desire to improve for the next elections.

The EU noted in their report that there were marked improvements from previous elections, although stating that more work needed to be done.

The administration of President Buhari will work with all Nigerian citizens, state institutions, parties, civil society, the media and other experts to make sure that the improvements recommended by the EU are implemented, and that these areas of concern are addressed.

It is noteworthy that INEC is in receipt of a number of recommendations that form a part of the EU report.

The Presidency assures that the Commission is in safe hands and happy that they are currently engaged in root and branch reviews of the 2019 general elections and will input lessons learned into its recommendations for electoral and constitutional reforms.

We believe that the commission conducted a good election and will continue to improve on its processes and procedures.

While it is regretted that the elections in a few parts of the country witnessed some violence, among other shortcomings highlighted by the EU, we note however that none of these hitches affected the overall outcome of the elections.

Thankfully, EU did not question the results of the presidential election.

This is further proof that the polls reflected the overall will of Nigerians, and that the world is solidly behind the election of President Buhari for a second term.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 15, 2019

On page 3 in its Executive Summary:

According to the EU report, “positively the elections were competitive, parties were overall able to campaign and civil society enhanced accountability “



INEC made a number of improvements, including making electoral participation more accessible through simplified voting procedures. INEC made efforts to strengthen electoral integrity by issuing regulations making smart card readers mandatory.

On page 4

The elections were competitive with a large number of candidates for all seats although competition was primarily between the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.

Parties and candidates were overall able to campaign, with freedoms of assembly, expression and movement broadly respected

Page 5
EU EOM media monitoring over 46 days showed federal government-owned Radio’s commitment to balanced election coverage

Positively in almost all observations Party agents received copies of the results forms.
The national collation Centre for the presidential election was open to party agents and observers, and was continuously televised

Again on page 37
The national collation Centre for the presidential results was open to party agents, observers and the media with each state’s results projected on a large screen. There was continuous live television coverage and the media published the results as announced by INEC, thereby increasing access to results information.

Page 41 under section RESULTS AND STAKEHOLDER REACTION
EU SAID:
YIAGA Africa announced that the results were consistent with its parallel vote tabulation that INDEPENDENTLY projected the results based on a sample of 1,515 polling units. The two leading parties won 96.8% of the valid votes between them

The European Union Election Observation Mission in Nigeria, 2019, has stated that Nigeria has made significant improvements from previous elections in the country.

The EU Election Observation Mission led by Marie Arena, its Chief Observer, while presenting its final report with recommendations for electoral reform at Transcorp Hilton today, and reacting to questions from journalists highlighted that lots of recommendations the Observation Mission had made in 2015 had been addressed by the current administration in the 2019 elections.

The European Union Election Observation Mission in Nigeria had since 1999 observed all general elections in Nigeria. Previous reports had highlighted serious issues with the electoral processes in the country.

In 2003 the EU Election Observation Mission had stated in its final report that the elections held by former President Olusegun Obasanjo were “marred by serious irregularities and frauds. In a number of States the minimum standards for democratic elections were not met. EU EOM observers witnessed and obtained evidence of widespread electoral fraud …”

In 2015, the European Union Election Observation Mission had stated that the highly competitive elections were marred by incidents of violence, abuse of incumbency at state and federal levels, and attempts at manipulation.

The final report had made 7 priority recommendations which included the development and maintenance of a more robust voter registration process, the merger of the accreditation and voting processes for ease for voters, amendment of the constitution for independent candidacy, strengthening of the NBC as a regulatory authority, among others.

Marie Arena had stated while answering questions from journalists during the presentation, that Nigeria had addressed some of the priority recommendations and most of the general recommendations from the 2015 Election Observer Mission’s Final Report.

Some of the prominent items that were recommended and have been implemented are the development and maintenance of a functional voter register, the merger of the accreditation and voting processes for ease for voters, improving the sanction powers of INEC, increasing the number of polling units, immediate display of results in collation centres, more involved participation of civil society and citizen observation among others.

The EU Electoral Observation Mission was invited by the Independent National Electoral Commission to observe the elections from the 5th of January to the 7th of April 2019.

The Mission had 91 observers in 20 locations and visited all states in the country to finalise its report.

Its report has however been criticised by Nigeria’s prominent activist and senior lawyer, Festus Keyamo SAN for not coming to a definite conclusion on the entire elections, as it focused only on the anomalies from a small representation of the whole.

In an interview granted to journalists after the report was presented Festus Keyamo SAN had stated that “the results reflected the overall wishes of Nigerians. That was the report of so many observers. If you are an observer you should come to a definite conclusion.” He stated.

Our attention has been drawn to a video on social media showing a police officer saying he was duped by an Internet fraudster allegedly using the name of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.


This is a brazen act of defamation and fraud by criminally minded individual(s) carried out on a Nigerian police officer who was oblivious of their dubious intent. Such shady fellows are not only lacking in character and conscience, but also have no regard for the person and office of the Vice President.


The Vice President does not and will not condone any such acts of illegality. He has never asked, and will never ask anyone to carry out such brazen extortion in his name.


The security agencies have been informed and investigations are ongoing to ensure that the perpetrators of this crime are dealt with.


Nigerians should disregard such brazen acts of impersonation and fraud and be wary of  scams carried out by dubious individuals for their selfish gains.

Laolu Akande

OBASANJO – Having lost the last election as the kingmaker of the PDP saw it as a humiliation that the Buhari administration did what he failed to do as President for eight years.

JONATHAN – Was going to attend but was quoted as saying “he was afraid of Obasanjo”, hence his reason not to attend June 12 celebrations.

BABANGIDA – Who annulled the June 12 elections and has not been sighted at any public function for years feared the backlash that would trail his action and decision 26 years ago.

GOWON – Who gracefully attended the inauguration ceremony on May 29 fell ill and was unavoidably absent.

SHONEKAN – Who largely benefitted from the 1993 election knew that Nigerians will mock him for his role in ensuring MKO Abiola was denied his mandate.

ABDULSALAMI – Did not attend the June 12 Democracy Day celebrations because the elected president (MKO Abiola) who died under questionable circumstances under his watch.

The truth is that none of the past Presidents or Head of States can do anything about June 12 as Democracy Day. The man who they have called names and labeled as dictator is the one who re-wrote the history books and restored honour to Nigeria. Plus, he has also strengthened our democracy.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is just being petty and mischievous with his latest tirade against President Muhammadu Buhari on the occasion of the maiden celebration of June 12 as Democracy Day in the country, the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has said.

The group is of the opinion that the former President is bitter that President Buhari took measured steps to immortalise the late Moshood Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12 1993 election.

BMO said in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke that it was a major reason the former President opted to launch another attack on President Buhari to coincide with the celebration.



"First, it was his infantile Islamization agenda claim, now Chief Obasanjo who, many Nigerians agree, was the biggest beneficiary of the democracy that Abiola paid the supreme sacrifice for, has opted for a disjointed attack on Buhari mainly to divert attention from the celebration of the man he probably hated more than the President.

“How else can anyone describe a situation where a former President who literally rode to the Presidency on the back of millions of Nigerians who were relentless in demanding a return to civil rule, but could not as much as acknowledge President Buhari’s efforts to atone for the damage done to the polity with the annulment of that election.

“But even as Obasanjo chose the day to launch another puerile and incoherent attack on the President, Nigerians, from all indications, are united in praising Buhari for going beyond the investiture of Abiola, his then running mate Baba Gana Kingibe and the foremost human rights crusader Gani Fawehinmi with national honours few months ago, to renaming the Abuja National Stadium as Moshood Abiola Stadium.

“This incidentally is one act that the former President bluntly refused to do in office even after the Senate, in 2003, unanimously passed a resolution for the just constructed stadium to be named after the national icon.

“It is on record that he once stunned the nation by declaring that the late Abiola was not the messiah that Nigeria needed. This more than anything spoke volumes about why Obasanjo failed to grant official recognition to June 12 or honour the memory of the man who personified the day that has since 1993 been described as a watershed in Nigeria’s democracy.

“So it cannot be a surprise that he attempted to water down the celebration of a man he hated, by another one that he equally hates, for not allowing him to have his way.”

Urging Nigerians to expect more attacks from the former President Obasanjo in the coming months, BMO posited that Obasanjo would not be able to contain his frustrations on seeing the Buhari administration doing better than he expects.

“We at BMO were really not surprised to read yet another doomsday prediction from a former leader that thinks and acts like the repository of knowledge on everything from politics to the economy.

“In that interview that expectedly went viral, he questioned ‘ a situation where three top officials of government would be from only two northern zones(North West and North East), perhaps in furtherance of his Islamization agenda claim.

“We wonder if he would have raised the same poser if Senator Ali Ndume who was the choice of his friends at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Senate Presidency had defeated Ahmad Lawan.

“And on the acting Chief Justice being from the North, Is Obasanjo, by any chance, suggesting that President Buhari should have ignored hierarchy in the Supreme Court after the former occupant of the seat ran afoul of the law? Yet, he claims to be a democrat!

“On the economy, the former President claimed that the Buhari administration had 'wasted the gains of the past administrations’ but we also know that the self-acclaimed father of the nation said similar or worse things about the past administrations of the late President Umaru Yar Adua and former President Goodluck Jonathan when he fell out with the two men he literally hand-picked for that position.

“We however need to remind him that Nigeria under Buhari has witnessed eight quarters of positive growth in the economy and our GDP is projected to grow by 2.7 percent this year. Since Obasanjo believes he knows far more than anyone, he is free to compare these figures with that of South Africa with better infrastructure!

"In terms of security, we cannot recall at any other time in the country than under Obasanjo that a serving Attorney General of the Federation was brutally murdered right in his bedroom.

“ And nothing could be more preposterous than his claim that Buhari had ‘corrupted’ the fight against corruption, when it is common knowledge that the former he, Obasanjo, used the anti-graft agencies as his attack dog in his two terms in office to whip errant state governors in line. He may also reel out statistics of high profile convictions, if any, on his watch,” BMO added.

The pro-Buhari group said it was fitting that Obasanjo again reminded Nigerians of his true feelings about MKO Abiola by attempting to divert attention away from the June 12 celebrations with his sanctimonious attitude.

Shunning June 12 Democracy Day celebrations is the clearest indication that most of our past Presidents and Heads of States were only about their selfish goals and not about Nigeria. They will do everything possible to make Nigerians know they are sulking; this includes shunning Democracy Day celebration.

The skewed thinking of many Nigerians and their joy that former Presidents and Head of States did not attend the Democracy Day celebrations is a pointer to our problems. Not only is their joy misplaced, it is very ridiculous.

As past Presidents and Heads of States who have claimed at different times that the June 12 election was wrongly annulled, one would expect that even if they failed to declare June 12 as Democracy Day, they will at least grace the maiden celebration.

But not our past Presidents and Heads of States, they have their own agenda and they do not want to see Nigeria celebrate anything. What is more appalling is that some of them have claimed to be true democrats, how can this be?

Their actions and utterances show that they were never democrats, speak less, leaders. A leader is a person who defines and exhibits moral and ethical courage and sets an example for everyone else. What kinds of example have this lot set?

It is often said that true leadership is all about developing people and helping others reach their full potential, please how have our past Presidents helped Nigeria to reach its goals? The election is over, the case is in court, that does not mean that they should carry their hate and divisive embryo everywhere they go.

Nigeria is much more than an election and Nigeria is in dire need of true leaders, leaders who do not politicize everything. What is more painful is that African leaders graced the occasion that our own past Presidents shunned. What an irony, Nigeria who claims to be the ‘Giant of Africa’ displaying its problems in open glare.

I think it is a shame on all the past leaders save for General Yakubu Gowon who I believe was unavoidably absent. As for President Goodluck Jonathan who many applauded for his big heart in the 2015 election, I think he might be losing the plot. We know who Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is and we have seen how he is trying to drag Nigeria down because of selfish reasons.

Only yesterday Babagana Kingibe confirmed that Obasanjo was one of the architects of the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
President Jonathan should not go down that route. He should not allow the same democracy that he preserved remember him in the negative. He is the reason why President Muhammadu Buhari can declare June 12 a Democracy Day.

*Ladidi Mohammed in Abuja*

Dokpesi and AIT need to wake up to responsible broadcasting. I don't join misguided populist positions which simply play to the gallery. People who go to equity must go with clean hands.

The NBC over the years has encouraged AIT to be irresponsible as a broadcast outfit. The NBC, over the years, cannot be excused of being manned by persons who are incompetent, unpatriotic and compromised. The details are unwritten all over the public space. The NBC must at all times uphold the law on standards of radio and television broadcasting in Nigeria without political considerations.

AIT was the pride of African broadcasting. It is currently a shadow of itself compared to where it ought to have been. SABC learned from AIT when the new South Africa began. You cannot compare both of TV stations today.

It is only lazy TV production that will create the quality of a programme like 'Kakaki Social'. There is a whole world of difference between Professional TV production and broadcasting and, the application of the unruly social media space.

A comparison with Aljazeera's ' *Stream* ' or BBC's ' *Outside Source* ' with 'Kakaki Social' would show the difference in responsible use of social media contents in television broadcasting.

I don't know why we often tolerate sloppy standards for primordial reasons and to make scapegoats of our inept and selfish public servants?

Even though, I wished and still wish to live a very private and quiet life with my love circle of family and friends, I have been forced into advocacy because of the dysfunctional society I found myself. Therefore, I will not fail to appreciate the prominence AIT has given to my advocacy since 2010 until I began to join the clamour that it should honour its labour obligations to its former staff.

I cannot be expected to refuse to take action in the face of oppressive refusal to pay workers' salary. I must act on behalf of those struggling citizens who often climb three floors to my office to cry about how oppressed they feel about Dokpesi and AIT, concerning their unpaid emoluments and other entitlements. I didn't care if AIT blacklisted me. After all, I never really cared about being popular. It was never my goal in the first place. My goal is love for the human person because I love myself. I actually only care about God's approval. Let Him protect and provide for me. If He doesn't, so be it. He is still God Almighty, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

Therefore, I owe it a conscientious duty to such an organisation to demand from it that it does what is right and just at all times, especially to persons who committed their entire career life to the organisation as broadcast journalists.

The law is both prescriptive and punitive. AIT should follow the standards while NBC should enforce those standards according to law without kowtowing to political and populist pressure. Let us be a people committed to standards. It is for the ultimate public good and improvement of the society that we strive to live and operate according to set standards.

*Frank Tietie*
Lawyer, Human Rights Defender and Executive Director, CASER.

_In response to interview questions by Victorson Agbenson of Radio Nigeria in Abuja_

One would imagine that business papers like economic success stories; apparently not. Instead, they feast and thrive on negatives. Financial Times, for instance, is worried about a government policy that is enabling boom in rice production in Nigeria. And the Economist is panicky about toothpick manufacturers springing up following tariffs that protect local manufacturers to get off the ground and compete globally.

Both papers only see negatives. Specifically, Economist dwells on out-of-date statistics. Deliberately it turns away from the positives as it will complicate already tailored narratives. Some foreign correspondents keep the storyline simple: Africa is home for all bad things: poverty, disease and crime. And unremitting bleakness lives on the continent, and success is the aberration.

Since only negative reports on Africa make it to the international media, a backward picture of a nation is painted succinctly and efforts at growth in different ramifications, both investment and diplomacy are ignored. From the content of these stories, readers must be baffled that Nigerians know toothpicks, let alone be able to manufacture them.

The fact remains that with squeeze in media budgets there are not enough knowledgeable foreign correspondents based on the continent to report accurate news and uphold journalistic standards. And the parachuting style clearly defies ethics and quality. To cut cost, many media houses rely on the expedience of technology. The highly revered and sacrosanct fact-checking skill of journalism slips as a result. Anyone with a laptop is trusted as credible source. Cogent arguments no longer have a place, instead we have jumbled and emotive criticisms.

For instance, the Financial Times declares proudly that President Buhari failed to spur rice growing, whilst stating that production was at record levels up 60 per cent in 2018 from what we had in 2013. The Economist talks about overdependence on oil, yet criticises policies such as subsidies or financial incentives that allow local businesses to compete and diversify the economy. It frowns at power shortfalls, but turns around to attack Alhaji Aliko Dangote – the man building the world’s largest oil refinery and improving power infrastructure in Nigeria.

Fundamentally, the foreign correspondents fail to appreciate context – understandably if they have to cover a large “patch’’ with shoe-string budgets, but never-the-less it is impermissible as facts must remain sacred. The Economist states that the economy was “sputtering’’ when President Buhari’s first term began in 2015, and still concluded he made a “bad situation worse”. “Sputtering’’ sounds euphemistic. The reality is that the economy was on its knees. The overdependence on oil, paired with impending global commodity crash, made the entry into recession at the beginning of the term inevitable. Now, however, the first quarter growth of 2019 has been the strongest.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently said analysts and onlookers must recognise “how deep the shock” was to the economy. As a famous American business magnate observed: “Only when the tide goes out do you discover who's been swimming naked.” Indeed, Nigeria had been awash in oil dollars (over $100 a barrel), yet previous governments failed to add muscle to the economy.

Since the recession struck (crude oil went below $40 per barrel), the government has taken measures to redress weaknesses in our economy. The IMF goes on to praise the strong diversification in the economy and welcome the focus on public investment. For instance, the government has spent record figures on infrastructure in the past two years and capital expenditure is now around 30 per cent of the budget, rather than inadequate 10 per cent in 2015.

There has also been a drive to self-sufficiency where possible. It makes no sense for Nigeria to import rice, yet foreign shipments were dumped to maintain dependency. Farmers needed help: strategic tariffs were applied to allow for initial competition, whilst the Central Bank of Nigeria financial initiatives allowed growers to access capital for fertilizer and equipment. Over the past three years, production has risen year-on-year. Nigeria, as of 2018, is Africa’s largest producer of rice. Self-sufficiency has almost been attained.

From reading some foreign articles, you would be surprised to find these success stories mentioned; amazed that anyone would cheer the decision on tariffs to ward off desolation. And the failure to see or present any achievement perpetuates stereotypes that serve as disincentives to Foreign Direct Investment and partnership.

Granted, there are challenges in Nigeria. The country is a large and diverse nation with structural challenges that have been passed down through decades. But foreign reports ignore the complexity, and instead offer platitudes as solutions. This diminishes the difficulties facing those in governance: they must merely “stamp out corruption” or “improve governance” – common advice amongst those quick to criticise, but barren in tangible and measurable solutions.

Similarly, we are told to “harness the vim of Nigerians’’ – which is true. But this seems obvious as to even need mentioning. It is – to be sure – how you do that. We in governance have no illusion about this. Vim is harnessed when a nation has decent infrastructure that connects the economy, and thousands of miles of road have been constructed, as well as the expansion and upgrading of colonial-era railway network. When children have good education; we are currently ensuring 9 million free school meals daily across the nation and it has boosted enrolment and attendance. And when business reforms create enabling environment; already Nigeria has gone up 24 places in Ease of Doing Business ranking since 2018, and the country is currently one of the top 10 global reformers, which is good news!

Garba Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media & Publicity.

President Muhammadu Buhari has again praised Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, for his competence and dedication to the service of the country.

The President made the remarks on Tuesday during a special occasion to mark the Id El-Fitr celebrations at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

Noting that Vice President Osinbajo connects with all Nigerians, President Buhari said the VP helps in sorting out complex things in the Presidency.

President Buhari said, "After the Vice President’s speech, I won’t have much to say. In a way, you must understand his difficult position. As constitutionally the number two man of the country, he is always being seen *but not being heard. On special opportunities, he appeals to you* *because he knows what he is going through, very quietly and very competently*

"I am very pleased because he is such a competent lawyer, and he has some experience. So I am exploiting his very fervent constituency through him to see us through in the many complex (things) in the Presidency."

It would be recalled that President Buhari oraised the VP a few weeks ago for the impact of the adminstration's National Social Investment Programmes (N-SIP), which is supervised by the VP.

*What we have done in Kano – NSIP


Beneficiaries of the National Social Investment Programmes (N-SIPs) in Kano, on Monday came out in large numbers at Murtala Mohammed Library to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo over their success at the 2019 polls.



The special prayer organized by the beneficiaries themselves witnessed a large turnout of people led by different Islamic scholars, officials of the programme and thousands of beneficiaries.



Shortly after the prayer session, participants at the event separately paid tributes to President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo for the success of the programmes, urging them to sustain the schemes.



Speaking to newsmen on behalf of beneficiaries at the prayer event, Mr. Maitala Bawa, thanked the ‎President and the Vice President for the introduction and implementation of the National Social Investment Programmes, acknowledging the impact it has had on many individuals, families and communities.



He said that the various components namely: N-Powerjob scheme, the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer, and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP)schemes - TraderMoni, MarketMoni and FarmerMoni, have been very helpful to many poor Nigerians.



Mr. Bawa also commended the efforts of the coordinators at all levels and urged them not to rest on their oars in the Next Level of the Buhari administration.



Earlier at the event, Barr. Ismaeel Ahmed, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SIPs, said “the National Social Investment Programmes have impactedmany lives across the country and plans are underway to improve on the gains recorded in the past three years”.



He said several persons have been engaged or empowered through the various components of the administration’s social welfare programme, noting that all aspects of the scheme would be improved upon in the Next Level.



“N-Power scheme currently engages 18,594 graduates in Kano State, while 1,043,014 children are being provided meals in public primary schools across the state,” he said.



According to him, “the Cash Transfers initiative has 51,350 households as beneficiaries spread across a total of 1,651 communities in Kano. Over 180,000 traders are currently benefitting from the Trader Moni programme and we are hoping to engage more people in the state.”



“In the next four years we will escalate the numbers especially for N-power we are recruiting another 120, 000 or more. We know that Kano being the largest state is going to receive the lion share as well.



“To round-up our programme for the conditional cash transfer from 15 local government, we are going to spread to all 44 local government areas of the state this year to make sure that every nook and cranny of Kano that are devastated with poverty are touched.



“The TraderMoni too is going to be increased, because we intend to give another 2 million people loans this year,” he added.



Ahmed urged all beneficiaries, including those in Kano,to pray for the success of the programme in the Next Level and for President Buhari, noting that “the President needed prayers, not only for good health, but for divine guidance and protection to succeed in his second term”.



According to him, “Nigerians, irrespective of their religion or political inclination must continue to pray for the President, noting that the nation is undergoing positive changes under his leadership.”

Just read a letter Reno Omokri wrote to Osinbajo on Leah Shiabu. I agree the govt should double efforts on her release especially because she is the only christian still in captivity. I price Leah Shiabu's tenacity to her Christian faith and acknowledge her as my hero. I know some children of perdition have got opportunity to build their lie on islamization agenda that is real only in their figment of imagination. These enemies of Nigeria are out to destroy our well price democracy using religion and ethnicity as a facade to cover their rapacious greed and primitive spirit of wealth acquisition

However before I get confused, was Reno not an aide to GEJ when Chibok girls were captivated? Common why is the complacent Reno taking this Leah Shaibu case so serious now? Or is Reno activism and religiosity a product of the frustration of losing elections? I see Reno a man that gets bitter after each electoral victory. His bitterness began after GEJ lost elections. Maybe he is calculating the lost of an opportunity for a private jet if looters where still in power. His bitterness has surfaced after the Dubia plan has failed and Buhari has been legally inaugurated after all efforts to criminally stop the inauguration

Forget Reno when he carries the Bible and pretend before you, forget a man with double standards. I am the last to take this greedy demon with the Bible serious. If you want to take Reno serious, you are at your peril.

Let me not be too hard, Reno sarcasm accelerate to a geometrical level after electoral victory. The Dubai promise Atiku made for him have been defeated again by PMB victory so expect more of a paranoid Pastor Reno. I am expecting more criticism from Reno, politics appears to have been his soul source of hope to participate in the sharing loots by the corrupt friends he surrounds himself with. He chose corruption and worked with the most corrupt. Abeg leave Reno because everything he does is in accord with anything belle face.

Joseph Odok PhD Esq

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
PRESS RELEASE


“We are grateful to the almighty God for His grace by which this was possible and the Nigerian people for trusting us yet again; that trust will not be betrayed.


“And so on behalf of Mr. President, please accept our deepest gratitude for your support and presence here this evening. The best years of Nigeria begin today, and by the Grace of God all of us will live to enjoy the coming years and many more.”


REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, VICE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE INAUGURATION DINNER HELD AT THE STATE HOUSE BANQUET HALL ON WEDNESDAY MAY 29, 2019

PROTOCOLS


First, let me thank you one and all for making the time to attend this inauguration dinner. Many have come from different parts of the country and a good number from abroad.

Your coming to the inauguration is proof of your friendship but more importantly your belief in the democratic process and your support for the outcome of this process: the decisive victory of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari, at the presidential polls.


Something interesting happened earlier today. I am a lawyer and a law teacher and I like to test and interrogate legal scenarios.


At one minute past midnight today. The four-year term of Mr. President and I ended by effluxion of time. So, from one minute past 12 of last night, May 29 to about 10:30 am when we were sworn in for a second term there was no President or Vice President.


Interestingly nothing went wrong, all was okay. When such a situation arises it is the Senate President who acts as President. So, when I arrived at Eagle Square this morning some may have noticed that the Senate President and I were enjoying a joke. He said to me jokingly “you better be careful you know I am the acting President now”. So, we thank Mr. Senate President for not doing anything funny.


As you know, our campaign slogan was ‘Next Level’. And you know that very few people forget campaign promises, even those who are closest to you. My cook in Lagos as soon as he saw me after we won the elections started to sing “everything to the Next Level”. I didn’t know how to respond because I knew that the chap was thinking of a next level salary.


By the way, it is not just junior staff who are always talking about the Next Level. General Gowon, a few minutes ago was telling me that he asked Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the APC Chairman, why he was not wearing his customary Khaki shirt and trousers and of course the Comrade pointed out that this is Next level.


But the worst example of this Next Level is a rude fellow who said to me “you people promised change when you came and after you resumed office you started saying change begins with you. Let me warn that Lai Mohammed, if he tries Next Level begins with you...I will kidnap him”.


The beauty of democracy is the orderly and civilized process of transition. But perhaps more importantly is the sanctity of and respect for the will and choice of the people.


On February 23rd the Nigerian people freely made a choice to re-elect President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office. It was that choice that we celebrated with pomp and pageantry this morning.


We are grateful to the almighty God for His grace by which this was possible and the Nigerian people for trusting us yet again; that trust will not be betrayed.


And so on behalf of Mr. President, please accept our deepest gratitude for your support and presence here this evening. The best years of Nigeria begin today, and by the Grace of God all of us will live to enjoy the coming years and many more.


God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria


Thank you.


Released by

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President

30th May 2019

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT 


PRESS RELEASE


 

Ahead of the oath-taking ceremony slated for tomorrow, 29 May 2019 and in compliance with the requirement of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has submitted his assets declaration forms to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).


The submission by the Vice President follows right after President Muhammadu Buhari submitted his forms.


The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Research, Legal and Compliance Matters, Office of the Vice President, Dr. Balkisu Saidu, submitted the completed forms to the Chairman of the CCB, Professor Mohammed Isa, on behalf of the Vice President. 


Compared with the assets Prof. Osinbajo declared in 2015, the forms show no significant changes in his assets; as there are no new real properties, shareholding or bank accounts.




Laolu Akande 

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity

Office of the Vice President 

28 May 2019

It is appalling and unfortunate that the Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari has decided to needlessly upbraid the Social Investment Programmes of the President Buhari administration, for the fact that she did not get the opportunity to super-impose her will in nominating beneficiaries for the programmes, GEPIn has said.



Mr. Bernard Okri, the President of GEPIn in a statement released in reaction to Mrs Aisha Buhari’s comments stated that her attempt to politicise and ethnicize a noble programme and smear it shows that she misses the point for which the programme was set up.



“One would expect Mrs Aisha Buhari to, like her husband, commend the programme. That for the first time in Nigeria’s history, Nigerians can apply for a government programme and be picked strictly on merit without knowing anybody in government. This is a far departure from our recent immoral past where the reverse was the case; and we should be proud of it, not deride it.”



“The programmes were meant to touch lives, and they are doing just that. We have conducted independent surveys and have met real beneficiaries in rural areas in the Northern and Southern parts. All states have been covered. The N-Power programme for instance has beneficiaries in all the 774 Local Governments of the country. At least 80% of the States have all the programmes fully running in all Local Government areas, and still counting.”



“It is shocking that the Wife of the President without doing any proper survey makes an attempt to drag the programmes and its managers in the mud. For whatever reason this is being done, it is unkind and unfair.”



GEPIn faulted Mrs Aisha Buhari’s conclusions stating that they were derived from her singular encounter with one man and that was wrongly used to conclude on the entire programme in the North.



“She cannot sit in the comfort of Aso Rock and tell the impact of the Social Investment Programmes from her single interaction with one 74 year old man. That is a very faulty methodology. To then use this faulty standard to deride an entire programme in the Northern parts of the country is unfair and amounts to playing dirty sectional and ethnic politics that divides the country needlessly.”



“I expect better from the Wife of the President: to come out and criticise one of the most successful programmes of her husband’s administration is sad and unfortunate. This smacks of politicisation and is beneath her person.”



The group stated that only last week President Buhari was full of praise for the programme, commending the Vice President for its successes and how the programmes had impacted lives.



“If the President had last week poured adulation for the successes of the programmes on his Vice President who oversees the Social Investment Programmes, how come his wife is coming out to say the opposite. She should know better than play politics with this humanitarian project.” The statement read.

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

PRESS RELEASE


Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, will be representing Nigeria at tomorrow’s inauguration of South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria.

Prof. Osinbajo would be joining several other heads of State and Government from Africa and beyond who are expected at the swearing-in ceremony in Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

The Vice President who leaves Abuja this evening would be accompanied by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama and he is expected back in Abuja tomorrow evening.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
PRESS RELEASE



“I understand that today, 10 of you will be walking away from this Summit with N1 million each, courtesy of the Federal Government of Nigeria and 12 months Personal Mentorship Programme courtesy of the Tony Elumelu Foundation. Another 10 will win 12 months Mentorship Programme (bringing the total to 20 mentorships).

“The truth is that a lot of these initiatives are not on scale. We have several initiatives and several thousands have benefitted but to make the kind of impact that we want to make we simply have to do something that can deal with hundreds of thousands of people as opposed to a few thousands.

“And that is the reason why in the next four years it is our intention to take a more active look at how to scale up the interventions of the Federal Government, which is why we are setting up an Entrepreneurship Bank which is one of the key ways by which we can directly finance entrepreneurship. At the moment a lot of entrepreneurship activities are built around the CBN or the BOI and several other banks, but we think that we need to devote a whole financial institution to look at how to develop entrepreneurship and how to encourage small and medium size enterprises.”

Below is the full text of the Vice President’s speech:

REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, VICE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE NATIONAL YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT HELD IN ABUJA ON THURSDAY MAY 23, 2019.

PROTOCOLS

First let me say how very excited I am to be here. I don’t think there is any place that is better to be than here in this place today, where there is so much talent, so much energy, and so much enthusiasm, I am really pleased I was able to make it.

I am also delighted to have been invited to this summit - this National Youth Entrepreneurship Empowerment Summit, which as you know is an activity that has been put together in celebration of the Presidential Inauguration 2019.

The specific objectives of this gathering as you are aware by now, was to amongst others, contribute to building your capacity as entrepreneurs in various businesses on the one hand and also providing information to you on the various government interventions and purpose-built programmes, specifically designed for start-ups, and also for small and medium sized enterprises.

The Federal government has in the past four years sought to prioritize initiatives designed to improve the capacity of entrepreneurs and small businesses. These include: Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme; Growth and Employment Project; the Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme and many more spearheaded by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Bank of Industry and the Federal Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment.

The truth is that a lot of these initiatives are not on scale. We have several initiatives and several thousands have benefitted but to make the kind of impact that we want to make we simply have to do something that can deal with hundreds of thousands of people as opposed to a few thousands. And that is the reason why in the next four years it is our intention to take a more active look at how to scale up the interventions of the Federal Government. This is why we are setting up an Entrepreneurship Bank which is one of the key ways by which we can directly finance entrepreneurship. At the moment a lot of entrepreneurship activities are built around the CBN or the BOI and several other banks, but we think that we need to devote a whole financial institution to look at how to develop entrepreneurship and how to encourage small and medium size enterprises.

In the past three days, you have been taught by some of the best in various businesses, most of them with very compelling stories. The subtext of every one of the testimonies you have heard is that it doesn't matter what challenges you face, with steadfastness, courage and innovation your business will succeed.

Let me add to your store of ideas. If you have what everyone is looking for you will succeed. What are people looking for? I will tell you three things that everybody is looking for.


The first is: People love excellence, even if they themselves are not excellent or cannot produce excellent things, they want excellence. A well-crafted work; well-laid tiles, (if you lay tiles); well-tailored clothes, (if you are designer); straight lines in a building, if you are a builder, it entails spending time, bringing whatever you do to a level of excellence. Excellence is the difference between great success and the ordinary.

Two: People want trustworthy individuals to do business with. Everybody wants to do business with a man or woman of integrity. So, ensure you can be trusted. A man or woman who you can entrust with money and who will not steal it or cheat you, those kinds of people are the long distance runners, they always make it to the end. Once you can be trusted you have opened the doors of great opportunities.

Finally, people are in search of hardworking persons, people who make no excuses for late delivery, or non-performance. There is nothing more annoying than a person who is offering a service and is full of excuses for not delivering the job promptly.

If you have these three attributes, I guarantee you that money will run after you, for the world is in search of men and women of excellence, integrity and hard work.

We truly believe that our nation is as strong and prosperous as those of you in this room, your skills, talents and hardwork are what nations require to become great. And so, we are deliberate in evolving plans, programmes and initiatives to promote youth development.

I understand that today, 10 of you will be walking away from this Summit with N1 million each, courtesy of the Federal Government of Nigeria and 12 months Personal Mentorship Programme courtesy of the Tony Elumelu Foundation. Another 10 will win 12 months Mentorship Programme (bringing the total to 20 mentorships).

In the area of skills acquisition, the best 7 in skills set, will win the sum of N200, 000 each, courtesy of the Federal Government, to help kick- start your businesses.

I congratulate all the winners and commend all of you for recognizing the need for continuous education and networking for business success. Let me sincerely thank the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the Heirs Holdings for their support in this programme, the mentors they provided to judge the submissions and hand-hold 20 businesses for the next 12 months.

We are also grateful to the Jimi Tewe Company, for the line-up of great young Nigerians who have excelled in various businesses and that have poured themselves without holding back into you all, for the growth of our nation. So also Eventti Planners for the coordination and logistics of pulling this off.

Let me also specially commend the 2019 Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in particular for this very important initiative.

To all our young entrepreneurs and business people, I wish you good fortune and God's favour as you grow your businesses to the next level.

Thank you and God bless.

Released by:
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
24th May 2019

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
PRESS RELEASE

*VP chairs special NEC meeting, urges members to do more for the welfare of Nigerians

*Governors commend VP for leadership & robust NEC group

At a special valedictory meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in the first term of the Buhari administration, the Council, chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, today presented the legacy document, which highlights of the activities of the Council and its resolutions between 2015 and 2019.

The Vice President noted that the legacy document was "important, not merely because it chronicles sector debates and resolutions, but because it ensures that the next NEC is given a chance to implement or complete implementation.”

During the meeting, Prof. Osinbajo thanked members of NEC, comprising of Governors of all the States of the Federation, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and others, for their solid support and cooperation over the past four years; and their commitment to the socio-economic development of Nigeria regardless of party or geopolitical zone.

The Vice President further urged Nigeria’s political elite and leaders to do more to advance the country’s unity and its future prosperity.

He said, “The privilege of executive leadership at this level is one that only a few can have. Thirty-six governors and deputies, One President and one Vice President; 74 men and women of a nation of 200 million people. On this elite group rests the destiny and future of all our people.”

“In the next few years, our population will double with the attendant challenges of jobs, education, healthcare, hard infrastructure and security. Every nation that has moved its people from misery to prosperity has depended heavily on its political elite; you and I. Our people have nowhere else to look or to go. It is at our collective table that the buck stops.

“Because you have led your States for these many years, no one can advise us on the importance of unity or the importance of tempering our utterances with wisdom, moderation and concern for those who are the usual victims of fratricidal or religious conflict. The ordinary Nigerian has no problems with his brothers and sisters of different tribes or religions; they share the same issues to a decent existence, food on the table, good shelter, and security of life and livelihoods. Unfortunately, frequently our political elite sometimes out of advancing selfish political agendas or seeking relevance, recklessly stoke the fires of ethnicity and religious conflicts. We must, as leaders who have a duty to keep the peace and welfare of our States must not only rise above the temptation to take advantage of fault lines, but openly condemn and restrain those who do.

“To those departing this Council let me say that your task is not done. Use your influence and reach to the advantage of the Nigerian people. You have seen and heard the enormity of our National problems your advice, counsel and actions will always help. Do something in your States, or other States by way of advocacy and action on education and healthcare or jobs.”

In their remarks, Council members representing each geopolitical zone, including Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, commended the Vice President for his chairmanship and leadership style, and humility, noting that the VP treated all equally regardless of party affiliations,

The Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, noted that the VP “led a strong team through various areas requiring attention in the economy. He made robust efforts in security giving direction, confidence and comfort.”

In the same vein, the Borno State Governor said, the Vice President “provided leadership and in the past 4 years, he exhibited humility, giving everyone a sense of belonging.”

Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode said VP's leadership produced a “robust and purposeful NEC group, consistently stayed together pursing same goals, adding that subsequent governors would have to emulate their predecessors.” He also thanked the VP for the payment of backlog of salaries when they just got into government.

“Governors never had cause to be known by party lines, because VP provided quality leadership and encouraged freedom of expression. He accommodated every comment made, contributions in the past four years. The Unity in the council is unprecedented. He showed concern during the pipeline vandalism, brought peace and happiness in the region and his visit back then is still fresh in their memories. Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria is also a success recorded by the Council,” added the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel.

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha said the VP “is a patriotic Nigerian, who smiles over issues when one expects him to react negatively. The humility he displays is very rare. There's great difference between NEC of the past and NEC under VP's leadership. The speed with which issues regarding the country were handled were second to none. NEC became a family under the leadership of the VP.”


Below are highlights of the 94th NEC MEETING - THURSDAY, 23rd MAY, 2019

A.
HIGHLIGHTS ON ACTIVITIES OF NEC AND RESOLUTIONS, 2015 - 2019
Highlight on the activities were given the Senior Technical Assistant to the President, Office of the Vice President, on Policies/NEC as follows:

Agriculture
In Agricultural Sector, NEC noted that agriculture must be an all-year round activities, otherwise it cannot carter for the Nigeria and Central African population. It therefore gave resolution to prioritise:

1. The initiative for national self-sufficiency in rise production
2. Re-position Bank of Agriculture to enhance its capacity to finance agriculture
3. Create an appropriate framework to provide intervention funds for the Agricultural Sector
Solid minerals
> Complete and present the solid minerals development roadmap (this framework should address issues of illegal mining, licenses taxes and royalties by 31st March, 2016)

> Engage State Governments on the roadmap ad are amendments that may be required by 30th June, 2016

B.
Investment Climate, Industrialisation and Enabling Monetary Polices

Infrastructure and Services
Investing in our People

>Develop social protection collaboration framework (to ensure all tiers of Government work collaboratively towards he sustainability of the school feedings and other social protection programmes)

>Develop Teacher Corp implementation framework with key activities, timelines and responsibility matrix (to facilitate cooperation between the States’ Ministries of Education and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEBs) for the Teacher Corp Program

>Engage State Government support for artisan training, scoping and support for existing artisan cultures

>Develop a comprehensive database of poor and vulnerable people for safety net programs (government, donor agency, organisation and/individuals)
C.

FAAC UPDATES:

REPORT ON EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT (ECA)

Honourable Minister of Finance reported to the Council that the balance that the balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) as at May 20, 2019 stands at $182, 772, 509.87

UPDATE ON STABILIZATION FUND ACCOUNT:

Honourable Minister of Finance reported to the Council that the current balance in the Stabilization Account as at as at May 20, 2019 stands at N21, 889, 026, 329.21

UPDATE ON NATURAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT FUND:

Honourable Minister of Finance equally reported to the Council that the current balance in the Natural Resources Development Fund as at as at May 20, 2019 stands at N 72, 870, 652, 208. 77


Released by:

‘Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
23rd May, 2019

VP Osinbajo has never made any statement threatening that IPOB must be “crushed by fire by thunder.” It is not even in the character of the VP to make such statement or the manner in which it was said. The alleged statement is all lies.

The Vice President has always called on all Nigerians to unite and build this country. Osinbajo is concerned about the security of lives of all Nigerians, and ensuring that security agencies protect all Nigerians.

Nigerians, please ignore the fake news mongers and lie merchants! Below are ACTUAL statements from the VP on these issues.

ON IPOB

“In all our previous engagements with Northern and South-Eastern leaders, we all came to the consensus that Nigeria is stronger and better together.” - VP Prof. Osinbajo

ON FULANI HERDSMEN KILLINGS:

“We must condemn killings of any kind. It doesn’t matter whether these killings are by herdsmen killing villagers, or whether it is villagers who in one way or the other have killed others, including herdsmen. I think it is important that we condemn these killings. There is no reason at all why anyone who commits these offences will escape.” – VP Osinbajo

The Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo never condemned IPOB in a divisive and controversial manner nor supported any act of the Fulani Herdsmen attacks on innocent citizens, which some mischief makers fabricated in a statement on the social media.

The Vice President has always been a peace maker and lover of all Nigerians.
The malicious statement was only aimed at damning his reputation and love for the Igbos and Fulanis.

Nigeria is a great country and no one should ever support any form of divide by spreading fake news in a bid to stair hatred and violence.

*Commences emergency clean-up of the Apapa gridlock

*Trucks, tankers to vacate Port Access Roads within 72 hours from this morning


A Presidential directive has been issued for the immediate clearing up of the Apapa gridlock and the restoration of law and order to Apapa and its environs within 2 weeks. The directive mandates the immediate removal of all trucks from the bridges and roads within Apapa and all adjoining streets leading into the Apapa axis.

To facilitate this important assignment, operators of trucks and tankers have also been directed to vacate the Port Access Roads within the next 72 hours.

This directive follows an emergency meeting convened by President Muhammadu Buhari and chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, on the 25th of April, 2019. The meeting proffered lasting solutions to the gridlock around the Lagos Ports, as the traffic congestion has continued to restrict all operations and livelihood in the area.

At the meeting were key heads and representatives of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, including the Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola; Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu; representative of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral B.E.E Ibe-Enwo; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Salaam Taiwo Olufemi; and the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Sokonte Davies, among others.

Consequently, a Presidential Taskforce, chaired by Vice President Osinbajo was established to restore law and order to the area within 2 weeks. The Taskforce, which will report directly to the President, has included on its Terms of Reference the development of an efficient and effective management plan for the entire port area traffic, including the cargo, fuel distribution and business district traffic; enforcing the permanent removal of all stationary trucks on the highway, and the development of an effective manual truck call-up system, pending the introduction of the electronic truck call-up system. It also includes the implementation of a workable Empty Container Return and Export Container Truck Handling Policy, amongst others.

Members of the taskforce include Mr. Kayode Opeifa, former Commissioner of Transport in Lagos State, as the Executive Vice Chairman; a representative of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC); the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); and the Nigerian Shippers' Council (NSC).

Other members include a special unit of the Nigeria Police Force led by a Commissioner of Police, representatives of the Truck Transport Union, the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and other relevant MDAs.

The Nigerian Navy and all other military formations have also been mandated to withdraw from traffic management duties in and around the Apapa axis, while military and paramilitary checkpoints in front of the ports and environs are to be dismantled.

In addition, LASTMA has been authorised to move into Apapa as the lead traffic management agency, while the NPA is to commence the immediate use of the Lilypond Terminal and Trailer Park A as a truck transit park. The directive further mandates compliance by all security personnel and MDAs, while heads of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, and all other security operatives are to ensure their officers’ adherence to the new directives.


Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
Office of the Vice President
22nd May 2019

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT


*VP commissions projects executed by State government

Following the signing into law of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) Act, the rebuilding of communities devastated by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East will receive priority attention in the Next Level of the Buhari administration, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.


Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Tuesday at the Palace of the Shehu of Borno, His Eminence, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, during his visit to Borno State where he commissioned some projects executed by the State government.


According to the Vice President, “the concerns over the rebuilding of the North-East remain possibly the most important challenge that we have as a government and we want to assure you that it remains on the front burner of the Federal Government.



“Recently Mr. President signed into law the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) Act. We now have a law which backs the vehicle for the renewed development and rehabilitation of the North-East.



“And with the commitment of those who have been appointed to run the affairs of the NEDC, we are bound to see a great deal of improvement in the pace of rehabilitation and construction of the North-East, especially Borno which is the worst hit by the insurgency.



“Your eminence can be at rest that we will do our very best and continue to give all of our support and help to rebuild Borno.”



The Vice President also commended the leadership of Governor Kashim Shettima and his commitment to the welfare of the people despite challenges posed by the insurgency.



He said “the commissioning of works completed by the government of Kashim Shettima is a tribute to his dedication to the people of the state and to the most worthy cause of all, which is the cause of humanity.


“He has demonstrated that empathy and the sort of commitment that we want to see in our leaders all over this country.



“President Buhari has frequently commented about the good fortune of the people of Borno State, that they have a governor such as himself (Shettima) at a time of the greatest challenges that the state has been confronted with. And I am sure he has laid a solid foundation for his successor in office to do even better.”



Earlier, Governor Shettima thanked the Vice President for his concern for the people of Borno which, according to him, had been demonstrated by his frequent visits to the state and the construction of a school for children orphaned by the Boko Haram insurgency.



On his part, the Shehu of Borno, His Eminence, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, thanked the Vice President for the visit and appealed more slots to be allotted to indigenes of the state in recruitments into Federal agencies and parastatals.



Some of the projects commissioned by the Vice President during the visit include the reconstructed Ibrahim Damcida Primary School, the newly constructed GSM Complex, the Asheik Jarma Primary School, the dualised Damboa road, the reconstructed Usman Gaji Galtimari Estate, the Maryam Abacha Women & Children Hospital, and a new complex at Government College, all in Maiduguri metropolis.


Prof. Osinbajo also visited and interacted with children at the Learning Centre – a school built for children orphaned by the Boko Haram insurgency under the North East Children’s Trust.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
22nd May 2019

1. Hope for Nigerians (through the Social Investments Programmes): Vice President Yemi Osinbajo oversees what is regarded as the largest social investments programme in sub-Saharan Africa. The National Social Investment Programmes (N-SIP) comprises of the N-Power Programme, currently employing 500,000 graduates; the GEEP loans (Market Moni, FarmerMoni andTrader Moni), providing credit to over 3 million Nigerian traders, artisans and businessmen; the Home Grown School Feeding Programme, feeding over 9.5 million children in public schools in 31 states nationwide; and the Conditional Cash Transfer programme, putting disposable funds in the hands of over 300,000 of the poorest families in Nigeria.

The Social Investment Programmes are the most successful social investment programmes ever implemented in Nigeria. Designed, promoted and managed by Vice President Osinbajo, they have lifted millions of Nigerians out of poverty. Indeed, the N-SIPs are giving hope to millions of Nigerians nationwide and helping them to improve their lives.

It is not surprising that only a week ago, President Muhammadu Buhari commended him for the success of the programmes - like the World Bank and many more. The commendations are evidence of hard-work, transformational policies and dedication. They are deserved as well.

2. Improving the Economy: As a recession seemed inevitable in 2016 - giving the absence of any savings by previous administrations, falling of the price of oil in the international market, the destruction of Nigeria’s oil assets by militants, and the monotonic nature of Nigeria’s economy - Nigeria needed a team to steer the ship out of the storm. And Prof. Osinbajo provided the lead of this team.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is the head of Nigeria’s Economic Management Team. His leadership was able to bring the country out of its worst recession to hit it in decades. Since the country’s exit from the recession, he has overseen the economy grow from negative, and headed to a double digit, even beyond the predictions of the IMF and the World Bank. The journey with his captainship has been a steady and sure rise: diversification has been successfully pursued, with increased inputs now being seen from the non-oil sectors in our GDP and revenue; the country’s foreign reserves have doubled in just four years; the minimum wage increase is set for implementation despite Nigeria’s low earnings from oil; these and more show a focused, dogged, resilient and witty economic management team – led by Professor Osinbajo.

The Niger Delta New Vision, which is the blueprint of the Buhari administration to develop the Niger Delta, is being spearheaded by the Vice President on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari. His leadership and forthrightness to ensure development was clear for all to see during his tour of the region and meetings with Niger Delta elders. Osinbajo’s leadership acumen has not only helped rebuild the trust of many who had been skeptical of the Federal Government’s New Vision, it has also contributed in no small measure to the peace and stability in the region. This has greatly helped to improve oil revenue that had suffered greatly from past restiveness, and so the country’s economy.

Also, the Vice President is chair of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), which was inaugurated in July 2016, as the administration's flagship initiative to reform the business environment, attract investment and diversify the economy to reduce the nation's reliance on oil. Since its setup, PEBEC has spearheaded reforms that have improved the nation’s economic environment through its Ease of Doing Business reforms. This ensured Nigeria moved up 24 places on the World bank’s Ease of Doing business index and earned the country commendation as one of the top 10 reforming economies in the world. Also, the Vice President has helped launch the administration’s Energizing Economies project which provides solar power to markets and economic clusters for small businesses and petty traders and so, drives economic growth.


3. Leadership: Seen as youthful, agile, contemporary and versatile, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo stands out as the significant link between Nigeria’s young population to the President Buhari administration. And he doesn’t stop at that. He is a mentor to hundreds of young Nigerians through his platform, Act Now Group. His aides are comprised mostly of a tech-savvy generation of young upwardly mobile youths. Osinbajo gladly welcomes opportunities to mentor young people to become excellent in their respective fields and contribute their quota to nation-building. He walks the talks and is a bridge-builder, for both the young and old generations.

As Nigeria’s number two citizen he has taken positions that prove his deft appreciation of leadership: he took the role of mending the fence of feuding members of his party APC. As Acting President, he took hefty but pertinent decisions: he appointed a Chief Justice where there was a vacuum, he unflinchingly sacked a recalcitrant head of Nigeria’s security services, he signed Executive Orders to improve Nigeria’s business community. As a lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, he is a leader of thoughts who has left indelible marks of astute thoughts in Nigeria’s jurisprudential space. His prominent role as Head of Nigeria’s Economic Management Team needs no second mention.

Just recently, in demonstration of true leadership, the Vice President temporarily delayed his trip to the airport for an official assignment to engage with some Abuja residents protesting on the highway over alleged land grabbing by members of the Nigerian Army. He subsequently met with leaders of the community and also Nigerian Army to ensure the issues are resolved amicably. Osinbajo has displayed such exemplary leadership on many occasions.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo means leadership to Nigeria today – cutting across professions, ethnic groups and age demographics.

4. Bringing people closer to government: From Oyo to Owerri, Maiduguri to Yenagoa, everywhere he goes, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has a way with people that instantly magnets them to his inborn charm and aura of personality. Whether in the wide corridors of power, in the narrow passages in marketplaces or wading through flooded areas around Nigeria, Professor Osinbajo is at home with both the high and mighty, as well as the low and ordinary Nigerians. Simply put, Osinbajo’s deep connection with people goes deeper than the surface. It is neither for the camera or for the klieg lights or for photo-ops, just the epitome of a man whose life and career has been built on the foundations of championing social causes well before his university days, and giving back to society through his talents, skills, and resources.

Recently, during the launch of the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme in Ekiti State, the Vice President was pictured sitting with one of the schoolgirls in her classroom while the pupils enjoyed their meal. Like a dotting father, Osinbajo leaned closer to listen to what the little girl was saying at the time. Later that day, he tweeted, “She spoke, I listened. She was the boss of me today �.” It felt like a photo-op moment, but it was more than that. It succinctly captured a man devoid of airs, one who embodied the essence of true leadership driven by compassion and genuine concern for people’s welfare. Everywhere he goes, his connection with people is evident. Everywhere he goes, it is evident that people, Nigerians, simply love this man. Sometimes, the crowd is so overwhelming, that Osinbajo’s security and protocol struggle to contain them. True compassion cannot be masked in photo-ops. Osinbajo is the real deal. He brings a human face to governance like never seen before from one holding the Number 2 position in Africa’s most populous country.

At countless events, despite his busy itinerary and schedules, and retinue of security, Osinbajo takes out time to listen to a child, a young or old man or woman, who wouldn’t have had a whiff of opportunity to come close to him in any situation. He listens to everyone, regardless of status or social class. Whether it was that woman that was moved to pray for him in the market, or a group of three generations of a grateful family he visited during one of his family chats, or the excited mai suya who couldn’t believe his eyes that Nigeria’s Vice President actually stopped by his stall to engage him in a conversation and then purchase his wares, or those group of starry-eyed kids who surrounded him and listened with rapt attention, or those excited young men and women who just wanted to take selfies with this great man; Osinbajo’s deep connection with people shines through.

Osinbajo brings that quality of compassion into political leadership and governance, he goes to meet the people where they are, bringing government closer to ordinary people. He loves to be there, to feel the pulse of the people, with the people, so that he could help them to make their lives and situations better.

Nathaniel C.Adoji

Security operatives in the United Arab Emirates have questioned Nigeria’s former Vice President Atiku Abubakar few days after he was placed on a watch list covering all seven emirates.

This was after the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had held a meeting with individuals known to have close links with the leadership of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP).

A joint team of counter-terrorism operatives from the UAE State Security and the Police Special unit questioned Mr Abubakar on his meeting with ISWAP facilitators at a time the Nigeria Army had raised alarm over plans by some unnamed politicians to induce terrorists with funds and logistics to derail the upcoming inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office.

A security source who confirmed to Khaleej Times that the Nigerian politician was questioned, explained that UAE operatives had to move in because of the country’s zero tolerance for terrorism.

He said: “As you know we recently put in place a counter-terrorism measure that involved monitoring and eventual blocking of illicit terror funding networks. So when we received Intel on the possible link between the former Vice president and the local IS affiliate in his country, we placed him on a terror watch list and began tracking his movement.

“We are aware of a meeting in Abu Dhabi with some people who were flown in from Senegal in a private jet and we duly invited Mr Abubakar for questioning during which he admitted that there was indeed a meeting but insisted that they were his business partners from Africa.
The security source added that the Nigerian politician who had been in Dubai for some weeks now was however not detained after the session with counter terrorism operatives.

“He was granted administrative bail but remains on our watch list because of the seriousness we take issues relating to terrorism finance ever since we entered into an agreement with the US on the matter.

“Mr Abubakar would however need security clearance before he could travel out of the UAE because he may still be required to turn up for further questioning,” he added.
It is not clear if the opposition politician was interrogated at the behest of the Nigerian authorities as the country’s Embassy officials failed to respond to email inquiries and neither did they return our correspondent’s call after they had promised to call back.

SITE, a website known for tracking global terror activities has meanwhile confirmed in an email that UAE State security operatives grilled an unnamed Nigerian politician on possible links to ISWAP.

It could not say what role Nigeria’s security officials played in the run up to the interrogation but noted that both countries have had to share several intelligence reports on the involvement of politicians in ethnic and sectarian violence in Africa’s most populous nation.

Security agents from the two countries have been working closely since the ratification of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty on tackling terrorism and illicit flow of funds signed by Crown Prince Zayed Al Nahyin and the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari when the latter visited Abu Dhabi in 2016.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cannot appreciate good governance because it spent its 16 years in government mismanaging the country and entrenching wrongdoing as the norm, according to the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO).



The group, in a statement signed by Niyi Akinsiju and Cassidy Madueke, its Chairman and Secretary respectively, stated that the PDP during the 16 years it ran the affairs of the country, up-ended normalcy and adopted irregularities as the norm, hence its inability to understand good governance under the President Buhari administration.



“We are not surprised to read the statement from the PDP throwing tantrums and accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC) of everything possible and for anything happening in the country; the statements smack of the party’s inability to see and appreciate good governance and strong institutions.



“For instance, the investigation by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) of Senate President, Saraki Bukola is a simple case of an institution doing its work. If Saraki, a member of the PDP, has a case to answer, let him do so. An innocent man with no skeletons in his cupboard has nothing to fear. Nigeria has institutions with the mandate of investigating fraud and financial malfeasances. If they find a person to be a suspect in the breach of any of our laws in this regard, they would act accordingly, investigate and prosecute where necessary.



“It is unfortunate that the PDP is not used to seeing institutions working and is consequently confused by the sight of them working without being teleguided.



“President Buhari respects institutions and does not interfere with their work. He believes that institutions must be allowed to do their work and not be meddled with.



“The PDP is not used to this as, during its 16 years in government, it employed government institutions as tools for bullying critics and silencing opposition.”



The group stated that President Buhari would not bastardise government institutions, and because of his respects for our Federalism, he would not interfere with the domestic affairs of States.

“President Buhari respects Nigeria as a constitutional Federation, he would not be found interfering with how States run their internal and domestic affairs. Events that have taken place in Kano State are purely local and domestic, he may have his opinion on them but would not in any way tacitly or overtly interfere with the way and manner the State manages its domestic affairs.



“This is in sharp contrast with the PDP, who throughout its 16 years in power employed draconian and unlawful tactics to impeach Governors, destroy institutions and remove National Assembly leaders who were not in good terms with the party leaders.”



The group stated that the era of the PDP administration was one marked with the lowest levels of respect for institutions and provided the worst models of governance.



“With the unfortunate and chaotic manner the PDP ran Nigeria in 16 years, we are not surprised it is finding it hard to appreciate good governance and institution building.”

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of embarking on a fruitless ego trip with its criticism of the Federal Government’s decision to schedule some Inauguration Day ceremonies for June 12 2019.

The group described the opposition party as mischievous for suggesting that President Muhammadu Buhari would be inaugurated for a second term in office on the day, as opposed to May 29, which the Constitution recognises as the inauguration day for a new political dispensation.

BMO said in a statement signed by Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke that it was amused that a party that outrightly refused to recognise the sanctity of June 12 for 16 years now wants to be seen as the defender of Nigeria’s democratic culture.

“Here is a party that is today speaking on what it described as sanctity of a day that it has the temerity to term as ‘our Democracy Day’. Yet, it was in total control of the Executive and Legislature at the centre for all of 16 years during which it had three different Presidents but failed to do anything to accord official recognition to a day that it now agrees is important in the annals of Nigeria’s political history.

“We are indeed shocked that the party whose members were the biggest beneficiaries of June 12 sacrifice now remembers that Moshood Abiola ‘stood and died for democracy’, but did everything possible to stop him from being immortalized while it rode roughshod over Nigeria and Nigerians.

“It is therefore nothing more than an ego trip to nowhere for PDP to criticise the federal government’s decision to move some second term inauguration ceremonies to June 12 and yet seek to claim the day as ‘our democracy day’.

“But we need to let opposition elements know that whether inauguration ceremonies are held on May 29 or June 12, the President did enough in his first term to earn the trust of the majority of Nigerians that cast their ballots on February 23,” the group said.

BMO also accused the PDP leaders of attempting to revise recent history with their claim of a stolen mandate which it insisted only existed in the imagination of their members and a group of political elite that is used to living off government patronage.

“We wonder how long PDP would continue to live in a fool’s paradise with its constant refrain of a stolen mandate in an election that all its key campaign spearheads lost in their polling units, just like their presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar was unable to muster enough votes in his immediate constituency in Adamawa State to defeat President Buhari.

“Many of their allies across the country, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the factional Afenifere leadership were also roundly rejected in their polling units, wards and states by the mass of Nigerians who were clearly averse to a return of the rapacious PDP years.

“We at BMO again want to remind the party and its leaders that the February 23 Presidential election conferred 100% legitimacy on the President for a second term with a margin that is more than the combined population of Swaziland, Equatorial Guinea and Mauritius.

“We are convinced that the Presidential election Petition Tribunal would consign their claim, which is predicated on fake INEC server result, to the dustbin of history where it rigthly belongs."

The group also expressed hope that the next set of National Assembly members would take the necessary legislative action to establish June 12 as the National Democracy Day.

President Muhammadu Buhari will not relent in his efforts to ensure that Leah Sharibu regains her freedom soon even as she marked her 16th birthday in Boko Haram captivity, the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has said.

The group says it finds nauseating and regrettable, a false narrative of the Buhari administration’s disinterest that is being circulated by some individuals.

In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, BMO said that it is disheartening that some people are giving the impression that the President was not concerned that Leah remains in captivity 420 days after her schoolmates were released by their captors.

“It is a regrettable fact that it is more than one year since Boko Haram fighters held back Leah Sharibu after releasing 109 other students of Government Girls Science Secondary School, Dapchi, Yobe State who were abducted on February 19, 2018.

“It is also on record that the insurgents freed the other girls following the Federal Government’s intervention while Leah was held back for her alleged refusal to renounce her Christian faith.

“We hail her perseverance and strength of character at such a young age and as she marks her 16th birthday, we are reaffirming what Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said about a month ago; President Buhari has not abandoned Leah and the others still being held by Boko Haram.

“We recall that as at when the President assumed office for the first time in 2015, 276 school girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State had almost spent one year in Boko Haram custody after they were abducted from their dormitory on April 14, 2014.

“But in line with his pre-election promise, he has so far succeeded in bringing back 107 of the girls even after groups like the Amnesty International had given up hope on the release of the girls on the grounds that they may have been sold off,” it added.

BMO expressed surprise that some Nigerians had even insinuated that the President was not keen on Leah Sharibu’s release because of her Christian faith.

“Nothing can be more preposterous like the suggestion that President Buhari had not been concerned about Leah’s plight because of her refusal to renounce her faith.

“All the abducted Chibok girls were Christians but it took a President who knows that he is the President of both Christians and Muslims to ensure that the first set of the school girls-21 in all-were released on October 13 2016, which was more than two years after the abduction that shook the world.

“President Buhari also approved negotiations that led to the release of 82 others from their Boko Haram captors about seven months later in May 2017. All those girls that have now been re-integrated into the society are Christians, so there’s no reason for the President to refuse to push for the release of the lone Dapchi girl still in custody on the basis of her faith.

“We make bold to say that just as the President has not forgotten Leah, he would not abandon the remaining Chibok girls as well as other Nigerians who are still in the hands of the insurgent group.

"And as Garba Shehu assured in the statement last month, on behalf of his Principal, there is progress on efforts to get the lone Dapchi girl out of captivity, we also know that President Buhari will not rest until Leah and others held against their will by the insurgents are reunited with their families".

BMO urged Nigerians and concerned members of the international community to exercise a little more patience and allow the Buhari administration to complete what it had been working on since the Dapchi abduction.

:-XThe Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has described as false and misleading the allegation of reckless spending against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Public Account’s Committee (PAC), Mr. Kingsley Chinda of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, BMO said that the PDP is deliberately misleading Nigerians by linking the Buhari administration, which was elected in 2015, to a report from the Auditor-General of the Federation(AGF) covering 2010 to 2014 when the PDP was in power.

“The PDP is so desperate in trying to cover its heinous and infamous era of abusing and recklessly misdirecting national resources for the benefit of a tiny clique by blaming the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration falsely and pretending that Muhammadu Buhari was in power between 2010 and 2014.

“Attributing the 2010 and 2014 report of PDP-led Federal Government’s reckless spending to the Buhari administration is akin to insulting the intelligence and dignity of Nigerians, who have been clearly taken for granted by the PDP and its agents like Mr. Kingsley Chinda.”

The BMO said that it is unfortunate that whenever the misdeeds of the PDP were exposed to the public, the ‘dying political party’ would shift the blame to the current administration, simply because President Muhammadu Buhari is not given to joining issues with a political party that has lost all decorum and sense of self-worth after its crushing defeat by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 and 2019 general elections.

“The obvious manipulation of its failure and shifting blames by the PDP to deflect attention and public scrutiny from its failure to ensure the well-being of Nigerians is both shameful and politically wrong,” the BMO emphasised.

The group recalled that the Buhari administration had the political will to implement the Treasury Single Account (TSA) system, traceable e-payments for all its financial transactions, and the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit to enhance transparency in public expenditure, eliminate phony payments and end the era of ghost workers on federal staff payroll.

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

PRESS RELEASE


President Patrice Talon of the Republic of Benin has sent a Special Envoy to Nigeria to deliver a message to President Muhammadu Buhari on the country’s political situation.


Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, received in audience, the delegation from the Republic of Benin led by Mr Pascal Irenn Koupaki, the special envoy of President Talon who delivered the correspondence.


Mr Koupaki was accompanied by Mr Aurelien Agbenonci, the Beninese Minister of Foreign Affairs and other officials.


In his remarks, Prof. Osinbajo said Nigeria looks forward to a peaceful and amicable resolution of the political situation in Benin Republic.


Prof. Osinbajo assured the delegation that he would convey the message from President Talon to "his brother."


He said: “ President Buhari looks forward to a peaceful and amicable resolution of the ongoing political issues in Benin Republic.”


Earlier, Mr Pascal Irenn Koupaki said the delegation was at the Presidential Villa to present two memos from President Patrice Talon to his Nigerian counterpart, President Muhammadu Buhari on the issues surrounding the general elections in Benin Republic.


He said the Beninoise leader sent the message to the Nigerian leader "as a big brother that deserves to know what is happening next door.”


Also present at the event was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mustapha Suleiman, other officials at Nigeria and Benin Republic’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity
Office of the Vice President
15th May 2019

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

PRESS RELEASE



*Recounts FG’s efforts in tackling grand corruption

*Adds: Next Level is to create environment for closer collaboration among government agencies, civil society & other stakeholders


“And since 2015 much has been done in this battle against corruption. But we are not even slightly deluded into thinking that we have won the battle, certainly not. We are still very far away but we must admit that we are much closer to finding solutions than when we began.

“Our policy was to tackle grand corruption first. By this i mean the stealing of huge public resources directly from the treasury, usually at the behest of the highest levels of executive authority. And the stealing of budgeted funds through various schemes.

“How did we go about this - the enforcement of TSA, the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit, and even ensuring that most civil servants are on the IPPIS electronic platform (which simply is our way of ensuring that there are no ghost workers by putting all public officials including those in the Armed Forces and the police on the electronic payment platform) and this has greatly reduced ghost workers and ensured that all of our human resources are accounted for electronically.

“The judiciary also moved a little in recent times. The Supreme Court in a lead judgment of Akaahs JSC, recently held that forfeiture under Section 17 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act is a civil matter. So, it neither requires the criminal conviction of the property owner nor his innocence. This opens the door for forfeiture of assets that the purported owner cannot explain, whether or not there is an allegation of corruption.”

Below is the full text of the Vice President’s speech:

SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, VICE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE SUMMIT ON CORRUPTION ORGANISED BY THE PRESIDENTIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGAINST CORRUPTION (PACAC) ON TUESDAY MAY 14, 2019 AT THE TRANSCORP HILTON HOTEL, ABUJA.

PROTOCOLS


The Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) certainly deserves our commendation, not just for their sterling, innovative contributions to the fight against corruption but for regularly setting the agenda for important conversations on the subject. This meeting, called to discuss "A collaborative approach to eradicating the evils of Corruption" is notably one of such.

For years, corruption has been by far, Nigeria’s most devastating problem. A recent PRICEWATERHOUSE COOPERS (PwC) study titled the Impact of Corruption on the Nigerian Economy made the following general findings and conclusions on the effects of corruption.

1. Corruption has a dynamic impact, which is felt more by poorer households and smaller companies.


2. Countries with higher corruption are associated with lower tax revenues and lower expenditures as a percentage of GDP in the most important indicators of human development namely; health and education.


3. Corruption is associated with erosion of talent in public institutions and therefore, government's effectiveness is eroded.


4. Corruption usually needs the creation of unnecessary bureaucracy, to enable further opportunities for bribes. This means that enforcement of contracts and property rights are hindered and weakened by corruption.


5. Corruption is associated with lower investment; and higher prices and barriers to entry for businesses.



6. Corruption is associated with lower average standard of living, education levels and greater inequality in society.


7. Nigeria’s 2030 GDP can be up by at least USD 534bn if we reduce corruption. And they said that if we reduce corruption by about 20%, we can actually have higher GDP. So, it really doesn’t matter how much revenue a country makes or how transformative its plans are. If it allows corruption to thrive; if it ensures that the majority of the people do not benefit from all of the revenues or all that the country is able to produce; or simply truncates the plans of the nation. Which is why despite the highest oil revenues in our history (the period between 2010 and 2014) debt doubled and poverty figures rose.

It is for these reasons that President Muhammadu Buhari famously warned that if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us. Which is why a major pillar of our government’s socio-economic agenda is the fight against corruption. And which is why perhaps one of first bodies to be set up in 2015 by the President was PACAC.

And since 2015 much has been done in this battle against corruption. But we are not even slightly deluded into thinking that we have won the battle, certainly not. We are still very far away but we must admit that we are much closer to finding solutions than when we began.

Our policy was to tackle grand corruption first. By this i mean the stealing of huge public resources directly from the treasury, usually at the behest of the highest levels of executive authority. And the stealing of budgeted funds through various schemes.

How did we go about this - the enforcement of TSA, the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit, and even ensuring that most civil servants are on the IPPIS electronic platform (which simply is our way of ensuring that there are no ghost workers by putting all public officials including those in the Armed Forces and the police on the electronic payment platform) and this has greatly reduced ghost workers and ensured that all of our human resources are accounted for electronically.

The judiciary also moved a little in recent times. The Supreme Court in a lead judgment of Akaahs JSC, recently held that forfeiture under Section 17 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act is a civil matter. So, it neither requires the criminal conviction of the property owner nor his innocence. This opens the door for forfeiture of assets that the purported owner cannot explain, whether or not there is an allegation of corruption.

We are now poised to deal with the wider problem of systemic corruption, especially where the average person interacts with government. It is that level of corruption that affects our people the most – where the average person is doing some business or is seeking some favour or some discretion from government. Corruption for example in the issuance of contracts, licenses and other government approvals. There is no reason why any Nigerian should have to pay bribes to law enforcement agents for obtaining drivers licenses or passports, or to clear goods at our ports.

All of the relevant government agencies have shown a serious commitment to eradicating these forms of corruption, our next level is to create the environment for collaboration between our agencies, civil society and other stakeholders.

But the most enduring solutions to ending corruption are those that take into account the fact the most potent weapon that corruption has, is its acceptance as the norm in any society. A situation where even the natural custodians of societal morality and values acquiesce in it, a situation where, in particular, religious pulpits, are silent about it.

An enemy configured in such complexity cannot be defeated by solely a law and order approach. It requires whole new national and individual re- orientation, a focus on attitudinal change. It must involve the collaboration of government, civil society especially the leadership of faith communities, school teachers and professional and other interest groups. This is why this meeting’s objectives are of great importance.

Finally, let me again congratulate PACAC on their landmark achievements in the past four years. Establishing PACAC was the first major action President Buhari took in the anti-corruption fight.

Since then, under the courageous and uncompromising leadership of one of the enduring sages in the legal profession and civil society, Professor Itse Sagay, PACAC has moved from strength to strength. Professor Sagay’s interventions on various critical issues of governance, the rule of law and corruption have definitively pointed opinion in the morally and legally just direction.

We must also congratulate PACAC on the recent Senate confirmation of your former Executive Secretary Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye as Chairman of the ICPC.

Our struggle against corruption is one for the soul and substance of our Nation. The battle must be a collective one, corruption fights back with venom, guile and force, it is relentless and unashamed we who fight it must meet it with greater resolve and force. We can only win by working together with a common vision.

While thanking you for listening it is now my pleasure and privilege to formally declare this meeting open.


Released by

Laolu Akande

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President

The Buhari Media Organization (BMO) has called on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to desist from its perpetual politics of ‘if we can’t rule the nation we will destroy it’.


The organization is particularly miffed about what it calls “the constant harassment of the judiciary and senior judicial officers by the PDP, especially when the party feels that a particular matter in court would not be in its favour.”


In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, BMO said that PDP’s constant haranguing of Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, President of the Court of Appeal to recuse herself from the Presidential Election Tribunal is a case in point.


"PDP wants her out of the tribunal on account of her husband’s membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC). However, we say without equivocation that there is nothing in the Constitution, nor is there any law that prevents any judicial officer from sitting on a tribunal on the basis of a relative's political affiliation."


Pointing out PDP’s double standards in targeting Justice Bulkachuwa’s credibility, BMO said, “it is on record that this is not the first time a judge with relatives in political parties will sit on a political case.


“We have seen in the past where several Justices in the judiciary who are related to top members of the PDP sat on political cases. These include Justice Mary Odili, Justice Kekere-Ekun and Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, to mention a few. At no time did APC ever call on them to recuse themselves or call them out not to carry out their Constitutional duties, simply because of the affiliation of their relatives to the PDP.

"Since its colossal loss at the just concluded 2019 presidential elections, the PDP has not relented in its effort to cause disaffection and heat up the polity with different accusations and outright fabrications and has taken on a toga of destroying the country and the institutions of government, all in an attempt to paint the Buhari administration in bad light.

"In the interest of the collective good of our nation which should be the concern of every Nigerian, we wish to advise the PDP to rise above political self-interest and mischief."