₦airaland Forum

We are anticipating

They did well in infrastructure

VP is very very intelligent

MURIC should go and park well

OSINBAJO REPRESENTS PRESIDENT BUHARI AT ECOWAS EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT ON POLITICAL SITUATION IN MALI

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, will be heading to Accra, Ghana today representing Nigeria at an Extraordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on the political situation in Mali and other parts of the sub-region.

At the summit, Prof. Osinbajo will join other leaders from West Africa to review progress made by Mali’s military junta on the return of the country to democratic rule.

The summit will receive and consider an updated report from ECOWAS Mediator in Mali, Former President Goodluck Jonathan who visited Bamako between March 18 to 20 to meet with the head of the junta. The Heads of State will also review the situations in the Republics of Burkina Faso and Guinea.

Having condemned the military take over of governments in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso, imposing sanctions on the military junta in those countries, ECOWAS leaders at their last meeting in February affirmed that only democratically elected governments would be recognised and supported in West Africa.

Since last year, President Muhammadu Buhari has been delegating his deputy, the Vice President to represent Nigeria at a series of ECOWAS leaders' summits on the particular issue of undemocratic, military takeover of governments in the region.

The Vice President will be accompanied by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, Special Adviser on Economic Matters, Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu and other top Nigerian officials. The VP, who departs Nigeria from Lagos, is expected back in Abuja later today.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
25th March 2022

FG TO STATES AT NEC:
REMOVE RIGHT OF WAY BARRIERS, SO WE CAN STRENGTHEN, EXPAND NATIONAL POWER GRID

**NEC receives update on recent electric power disruptions, national grid, COVID-19

**Over 11 million Nigerians vaccinated so far, 5 States top performers

*24 million Nigerians targeted to benefit in Human Capital Development Agenda

The Federal Government wants affected States to remove Right of Way barriers in order to fast-track the expansion and strengthening of the National power grid.

This way, some of the recent disruptions to electric power supply in the country could be avoided.

This was one of the deliberations of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting which held yesterday, where the Council was briefed on the current state of power generation in the country by the Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu. The Council was also provided with an update on COVID-19 vaccination across the country.

The Council’s 124th meeting was chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, with State Governors, Federal Ministers and other senior government officials in attendance.

NEC is composed of all 36 Governors, the Central Bank Governor and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory and other designated members of the Federal Executive Council.

The Minister of Power stressed the need for urgent attention on the issue of State Government’s approval on the Right of Way (ROW) which he disclosed has hampered billions of Naira worth transmission projects that are meant to strengthen and expand the grid for better supply of electricity in the country.

He stated that most of these projects were delayed because of gaps in the implementation of the Right of Way resolutions that State Governments are responsible for and there are currently 32 projects across multiple States stalled or that have been unable to begin post-approval.

Aliyu said the projects account for an investment of $137 million that the Nigerian public is unable to realise value from due to these intractable issues.

Also at the meeting, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib, updated the Council on COVID–19 vaccinations across the country. He mentioned that 11,309,080 Nigerians were now fully vaccinated, with five States - Nasarawa, Jigawa, Ogun, Kwara and the FCT - topping the list.

He said the target was to achieve 50% vaccination by March 24, 2022, adding that some States have reached this target.

While 58 million doses of the vaccination are now being administered, Dr. Shuaib noted that 48 million doses are expected before the end of the year. He stated that a website showing a State-by-State guide of how to locate a vaccination center and get vaccinated will be launched soon.

Below are other highlights from the National Economic Council meeting:

NEC OF THURSDAY 24TH FEBRUARY, 2022 (3RD IN 2022) 124th MEETING

FINANCIAL UPDATES:

THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FINANCE, BUDGET AND NATIONAL PLANNING GAVE COUNCIL AN UPDATE ON THE UNDERLISTED ACCOUNTS AS FOLLOWS:

1. EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT (ECA)

BALANCE AS AT 22ND MARCH, 2022 STANDS AT

$35,876,615.68

2. STABILIZATION ACCOUNT

BALANCE AS AT 22ND MARCH, 2022 STANDS AT

N31,298,533,315.68

3. DEVELOPMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ACCOUNT

BALANCE AS AT 22ND MARCH, 2022 STANDS AT

N55,539,568,212.67

PRESENTATION FROM THE NCDC ON STATE PERFORMANCE REPORT ON OUTBREAK OF COVID-19 IN NIGERIA

Situational report on the outbreak of COVID-19 in Nigeria as of 17 February 2022 showed the total number of cases at 254,091 while the number of cases tested was 4,233,363. The active cases are put at 20,493 while 230,457 cases were discharged and the number of deaths was put at 3,141.

*STATES SCORECARD ON PHC, ROUTINE IMMUNIZATION, POLIO AND COVID -19 VACCINATION BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NPHCDA


· Council was informed on the top five (5) performing States on Covid-19 vaccination as of 20th March 2022. Nasarawa, Jigawa, Ogun, FCT and Kwara.

· The target is to achieve 50% vaccination by March 24, 2022

· Some States have achieved these targets

· 58million doses of the vaccination is in the country and is currently being administered.

· 48million doses are expected before the end of the year

· There is a launch of a website on State-by-State guide of how to locate a vaccination centre and get vaccinated


POLIO UPDATES

• Update on circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2) Outbreaks and Responses in Nigeria.

• There is a circulation variant of the poliovirus

• A lot of work is already going on

• There are 13 cases found in 5 States

• 1,027 cases in 2021 were found in 204 LGA across 31 States

STATES PERFORMANCE REPORT ON COVID -19 BY THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL

*Nigeria: Snapshot as at 22nd March, 2022

• No of Cases = 255,190

• No of Cases tested = 4,726,096

• Active Cases = 2,572

• Discharged Cases = 249,476

• Number of Deaths = 3,142

*Cases have declined by 65.7% over the past week

· No death reported in the past week, Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) for week 11, 2022 is 0%

· No death reported the past week

· Cases in Nigeria have declined, especially Lagos and Rivers States

· Covid-19 has declined but people must still take caution

UPDATE ON SARS-CoV-2 Variants AS AT 20TH MARCH, 2022

• Global: 9,500,906

• Africa: 94,733

• Nigeria: 5,436


Lassa Fever

• Suspected Case: =3079

• Confirmed Cases = 630

• Deaths = 112

• LGAs = 87

• States =23

• Of all confirmed cases, 70% are from Ondo (30%), Edo (24%) and Bauchi (16%) States

• The number of confirmed cases has increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2021(191)

AOB

Minister of State Budget and National Planning informed Council that the 21st Edition of JBP is coming up on the 6-8 April in Ebonyi State. He urged State Governors to ensure that Honourable Commissioners of Planning attend the meeting.

UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS REPORT ON HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME BY THE COORDINATOR, HCD

The coordinator gave a presentation to the Council on Human Capital Development. It was reported that ECOWAS had adopted the Nigerian HCD Strategy Document as the proxy template for the development of Regional Integrated HCD Strategy

The presentation also included:
Program Update, Overview of HCD Strategy Document, and Public Expenditure Review and Highlights of Global view on HCD Finance

The Key Expectations from Governors include participating in the National launch of the Strategy Document on the 17th of May 2022, and setting up of State level HCD implementation plans.

The key message of the HCD Strategy is that it adopts a whole of the nation and people-centered approach and that the targets are interventions identified to be made across health, education and the labour force to benefit 24m Nigerians.



Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
25th March, 2022

Beautiful speech

E be like sei Prophet don shayo

We need to do more in our health sector

GREATER GOVERNMENT, PRIVATE SECTOR SYNERGY VITAL IN HEALTHCARE REFORM - OSINBAJO

*Says collaboration will improve access

*FG plans 100% health insurance coverage for the poor, vulnerable

There is a great need for synergy between government at all levels and the private sector so as to further improve access to healthcare services, especially for the vulnerable population, and ensure the general development of the nation’s primary healthcare system.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, stated this today in Abuja at the National Primary Health Care Summit organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), which held at the International Conference Centre.

“There is no way that healthcare funding can be paid for by government budgets alone,” the VP stated.

Prof. Osinbajo added that there was an urgent need for collaboration between governments at all levels to address “some of the drawbacks occasioned by the concurrent constitutional status of primary healthcare.”

He said “there is a great need for synergy, to prevent the Federal, States, Local Governments and private persons from duplicating primary health facilities,” while “encouraging and supporting serious private sector interventions.”

Further highlighting ways to reform and re-imagine the health sector, Prof. Osinbajo who is the chairman of the Health sector Reform Committee set up by the President, restated the importance of a compulsory health insurance scheme, especially one where “premiums for certain categories of vulnerable groups are paid by the government.”

“As the Honourable Minister of Finance has said, the target is 100% coverage for the poor and vulnerable in the short to medium term,” he said.

“Aside from funds, what the private sector should bring to the task are models of efficiency and cost-saving market-driven ideas,” the Vice President noted, pointing out a couple of private sector-led interventions, such as the Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede-led Adopt-A-Health-Facility Programme (ADHFP) - a private sector-driven initiative to provide universal health access for low-income citizens residing in rural and urban areas in Nigeria; and the EHA Clinics integrated health care service provider approach.”

The VP stated: “through its Reach Programmes, EHA has brought effective healthcare to over 11,000 people, in Kano alone. The effort leverages on partnerships with non-governmental organisations and pharmaceutical companies to negotiate treatment prices and also train community health extension workers to provide affordable primary healthcare services to people in the communities.”

Even as he urged for more interventions from the private sector to support government efforts in this regard, Prof. Osinbajo added that repositioning Nigeria’s healthcare sector to address major health indices remains a critical component of the Buhari Administration’s development agenda.

It would be recalled that in January 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the Health Care Reform Committee, which is chaired by the Vice President.

Recalling the mandate of the Committee, the VP noted that “the primary objective is to reengineer our healthcare delivery system such that it becomes, in the President’s words, people-centric, modern and virile; a healthcare system that addresses the depressing health indices frontally.

“Since I was asked to chair that committee, I have interacted with a broad range of institutions and individuals and it is evident that there is a great deal of excitement and expectation about what is possible.”

The VP also pointed out other government’s responses towards improving healthcare such as the “Basic Healthcare Fund seeking to address the cost of healthcare for the poor, Nigeria’s COVID-19 response measures, including the health sector component of the Economic Sustainability Plan, the establishment of Healthcare Sector Intervention Fund Facility which has already disbursed almost N80 billion to finance the acquisition and installation of critical medical equipment and the expansion of production lines in some pharmaceutical companies.”

He added that “there are also the WASH Initiatives, especially the ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet’ Campaign led by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources; the extensive work now being done by the National Council on Nutrition, and the National Food Systems Dialogues and special initiatives on large scale food fortification such as the Food Processing and Nutrition Leadership Forum Led By Alhaji Aliko Dangote.”

The Vice President noted further that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the developing world and global economies showed why a premium should be placed on building effective primary healthcare systems.

According to the VP, the Covid-19 pandemic revealed several key lessons for him, the most important of it being that “a health system is only as strong as its primary healthcare system.”

He explained: “The first is that a health challenge of sufficient enormity can cripple the global economy and severely worsen the circumstances of the weakest economies and most vulnerable groups. The second is how some of the wealthiest and most developed economies of the world were tragically unprepared to handle a public health crisis on the scale and uncertainty of Covid 19.

“The third is that when there is a global health crisis on the scale of the Covid-19 pandemic, we cannot expect any or much help from anyone. Every nation is on its own. The vaccine nationalism-first response of wealthier countries to the distribution of vaccines was certainly a wake-up call for poorer countries. Happily, things have improved with the greater availability of vaccines.

“The fourth is that despite infrastructural weaknesses, we have an experienced and robust public health system, peopled by some of the best personnel in the world. You heard Dr Faisal brag about how we maintained 56% in routine immunization. The fifth is a conclusion from the preceding points - a health system is only as strong as its primary healthcare system.”

Prof. Osinbajo commended the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire for his commitment towards advancing healthcare causes in the country. He also acknowledged the efforts of the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunimbe Mamora, as well as the Executive Director/CEO of NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, and his team.

Those in attendance at the hybrid event which had both physical and virtual participation included the Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of Nigeria’s Governors Forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed; Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor; Chairman Senate Committee on PHC, Senator Chukwuka Utazi; other National Assembly Members; Sultan of Sokoto, His Royal Highness Alh. Muhammadu Saad Abubakar, Commissioners of Health from different States; US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard; W.H.O Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti; Chairman, Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; Representative of Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou; Representative of Christian Association of Nigeria, Barrister Joseph Daramola, as well as other royal fathers and members of the diplomatic corps.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
24th March, 2022

I'm sha rooting for Osinbajo and Zulum 2023

Faruq is so stupid, this is not who Osinbajo is

Osinbajo is our man

TRUE LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT SERVICE TO PEOPLE, OSINBAJO SAYS AS NORTH-EAST CHILDREN'S TRUST MARKS FIFTH ANNIVERSARY

*Gov. Zulum, Sultan praise VP for setting up The Learning Center in Maiduguri

*The students and teachers are the heroes, VP says

Leadership is not just about holding exalted positions, but the real test is in the dedication and service to the people, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof Osinbajo said this yesterday night in Abuja, at the fifth anniversary celebration of the North East Children’s Trust (NECT) Learning Centre; a charity educational centre he envisioned in 2016 and which took off a year later in Maiduguri, for children orphaned by the insurgency in the North East.

The event which featured different performances by some of the students highlighted the changes that have occurred in the lives and circumstances of many of the orphans and had in attendance government dignitaries and traditional rulers from the North.

In his remarks before he led the cutting of the cake, the Vice President, who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, described the children and teachers of the North East Children’s Trust Learning Centre as real heroes, especially the children – orphans, who had overcome the trauma of the insurgency in Borno State and some parts of the North East.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum and the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa'ad Abubakar praised the Vice President for spearheading the initiative, as well as his dedication and commitment to the education and welfare of the children in the school since it was established.

The NECT learning centre, which boasts of some of the best facilities in terms of education, vocational education and digital literacy, now has 173 of its children now in secondary school.

According to the VP, he was very impressed when he met with the outstanding young men and women who passed through the Centre.

Commending the immediate past and current Borno State Governors: Kashim Shettima and Babagana Zulum for their roles in the development of the Center, the VP noted that “if you are not able to serve the people with everything that you have and with all your heart, then it would be irrelevant and perhaps even unjustified. So, I want to really commend Governor Zulum and his predecessor Governor Shettima for the great work they have done.”

He specifically praised them for their dedication to ensuring the best for the children. According to him, since “Governor Zulum took over from the former governor, he has also done incredible work, not just promoting the work of the centre, but also in advancing it.”

On the impact of teachers on the children’s education and well-being at the learning centre, the VP said: “these teachers are a special bunch of people, very special, and I explained to them what we are trying to achieve. This is not any ordinary school. We are trying to achieve and develop a school that would be a world-class learning centre.

"I said to them, that what we want from you (teachers) is a generous spirit; we want you to love and care for these children. And the teachers have been incredible and absolutely wonderful; they have done such a great job with everything you see today.

“These ladies and gentlemen are the real heroes of the story of the learning centre. And in the past five years, they have contributed in every way by just being there night and day, ensuring that they love and care for the children.

"We now have a situation where the learning centre has become a model, a centre where young boys and girls who have been traumatised in one way or the other, are now accommodated in a loving and caring environment and they are given the very best facilities in terms of education and care. And, of course, vocational education and digital literacy.”

Similarly, while thanking the NECT board, led by Mr. Jim Ovia, the management, and all who have contributed to the centre’s development, the VP, again, commended the Borno State government for also generally doing a lot of work in the area of education and building schools.

“I believe Borno State is possibly one of the luckiest States in this country, just going by the leadership that the State has had. Immediately after Governor Shettima, comes Governor Zulum. No State can ask for better than Governor Zulum, who had taken over from his dynamic predecessor, Gov Shettima.”

Similarly, in his remarks, Governor Zulum, “applauded the vision of Mr. Vice President to establish this very important school in Borno State.”

Stating the root causes of insurgency as the lack of education, increasing poverty, among others, the Governor highlighted the huge number of orphans and out-of-school children in the State.

But he noted that the establishment of the NECT Learning Centre, particularly in Maiduguri, will go a long way in reducing the number of out-of-school children in the State.

“One very important aspect of this learning centre is that it is critical to development. In addition to providing intensive literacy and numeracy to the children, this school also offers strong technical and vocational education; and strong digital literacy to the students.

"And I think, this is the type of education that we are looking for; because it will make the students become self-reliant,’’ he said.

Making reference to the Presidential Committee on the Repatriation, Returns and Resettlement of Displaced Persons in the North-East, which is chaired by the Vice President, Governor Zulum expressed confidence that the VP would ensure the objectives are met.

“I believe that Mr. Vice President will contribute his quota, because the President has inaugurated the committee headed by his humble self to look into the possibilities of repatriating Nigerians that are living in the Republic of Cameroon, Chad and Niger, in addition to the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons.”

In the same vein, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa'ad Abubakar, thanked the Vice President for his selfless service and “commitment and concern to such project” even as he urged other leaders and State Governors to take ownership and replicate such initiatives.

“I’d like to thank the Vice President to continue this initiative and many more. You will not lack committed people who will work with you and any other person to improve on this initiative and make it much better,” the Sultan said in his remarks.

The colourful event witnessed singing, dancing and stage performances by the children of the Centre to resounding applause from the audience, which included several dignitaries from Federal and State Governments, private sector and diplomatic corps.

Dignitaries at the event included former Borno State Governor Shettima; Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Prof. Sonni Tyoden; Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Pauline Tallen; Senator Ali Ndume; Chairman of Zenith Bank, as well as Chairman, NECT board, Jim Ovia; the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, other royal fathers and ambassadors, among other senior government officials.

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

And he will do more

Osinbajo/Zulum 2023

FG WILL CONTINUE TO DEEPEN BUSINESS REFORMS, PROMOTE PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN NIGERIA – OSINBAJO

*VP commissions Toyota Certified Service Centre in Lagos

*Excited cheering crowd of Lagosians throng motorcade outside venue of commissioning

In line with its objective of creating a more conducive business environment in Nigeria, the Federal Government will continue to deepen business reforms and partner with the private sector to ensure wholesome national development.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, stated this today at the commissioning of the state-of-the-art Toyota Service and Research Facility in Lagos State.

“It is important to restate that the Federal Government has committed itself to partner with the private sector, recognizing that the private sector is better equipped and resourced to lead the development of the economy,” Prof. Osinbajo stated.

The newly commissioned world-class facility is said to be among the first of its kind in West Africa with varied capacity for research, training and skilling.

Restating that this public-private synergy was the crux of the National Development Plan 2021-2025, the Vice President also noted the Buhari Administration remains committed to the reforms being driven by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

"The President has by several directives, approvals and executive orders set in motion and in many cases with the private sector, the most aggressive drive yet for appropriate infrastructure, power, roads, rail, and broadband connectivity. This includes ensuring that our ports work smoothly for trade purposes, building new port complexes and dredging of existing but disused ports, ensuring that government regulators facilitate rather than hinder business operations.

“It is this imperative of aggressively supporting private sector stakeholders that resulted in the 7th iteration of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council’s (PEBEC) 60-day National Action Plan (NAP 7.0), which commenced on the 7th of February and will go on till the 7th of April, 2022. NAP 7.0 aims to deepen the reforms delivered over the past 5 years with a focus on exports, process automation, improvement in regulatory practices, judicial reforms and Executive Order 01/ReportGov.NG compliance.”

On the National Development Plan 2021-2025, the VP said it is a collaboration between the government and the private sector, with an investment commitment of N348trillion.

“The private sector is expected to invest N298trillion or about 86% of the projected investments. This simply means that government must create the most conducive environment for private enterprise in Nigeria. This I am sure you have heard several times, but I must say that this is now absolutely existential for our economy,” he stated.

The Vice President also noted the ongoing development efforts of the Administration in different areas across the country.

“We have highlighted key action items in all of the focus areas to ensure that they do not unravel and to ensure that we drive sustainability. Yes, we have reported considerable improvements in the six years since our ease of doing business reforms began, but at the same time, there remains a lot of work to be done. We believe that diligent implementation of these reforms will encourage game-changing private investments such as this state-of-the-art service centre,” he noted.

He also highlighted other government interventions in this area, such as the Investing in Digital and Creative Enterprises programme(i-Dice), an over $600million facility by the AfDB launched by the President recently and the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP).

The VP added that while the i-Dice programme “will support young tech and creative sector entrepreneurs through the provision of finance, skills development and infrastructure,” under the NJFP, “20,000 graduates, after their youth service, will be given fully-paid internships that will last for 12 months in reputable private and public sector organizations across the country.”

He further said that the Jubilee Fellows programme, which will last for five years and is funded by the Federal Government, the UNDP and the EU, will help participants "gain relevant career and life skills that will enable them to transition seamlessly into professional, business or public sector careers, while also earning a living along the way.”

Speaking about the Toyota Certified Service Centre, the Vice President added that the Centre is more than just about providing quality after-sales service, to being “developed as a teaching, research and resource centre, to provide dealers with world-class, practical hands-on training.”

He added that the facility "has been built to standards comparable to the most sophisticated around the world, with the latest best-in-class equipment and modern technology designed to deliver superior, world-class services to vehicle owners in Nigeria. I think Toyota Nigeria deserves commendation for its focus on capacity development in the automotive industry.”

Highlighting the significance of the Toyota Service in harnessing technical and engineering skills, Prof. Osinbajo was of the view that reducing the skill gap in the populace will further boost the nation’s industrialization efforts.

“One of the chief problems in our industrialization effort is the skills gap, especially middle cadre technical and engineering skills. So, an intentional and aggressive public and private sector synergy in developing this type of capacity is crucial. Our work with the private sector at the Nigerian Industrial Policy and Competitiveness Advisory Council underscored and honed this approach,” he said.

While thanking the Managing Director, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo, as well as its board and management, for the landmark event, the Vice President also observed that Toyota became “by far Nigeria’s favourite car’ because of the foresight, commitment to high values and focused investments of Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, founder and CEO of Elizade Motors, the majority investor in Toyota Nigeria Limited.

“Chief Ade-Ojo has demonstrated that it is possible to be honest and principled and still be an outstanding local and international business success. All that alongside his outstanding commitments to philanthropy and provision of high-quality higher education, over the years. Congratulations sir. We pray that you will live much longer not just to see the continued success of your children and your businesses, but to see the Nigeria of your dreams,” the VP said.

As the VP's convoy drove out of the facility in Isolo heading back to the airport en route Abuja, his convoy was met by a throng of artisans and other categories of Lagosians who had amassed on the road hailing and cheering the Vice President. On seeing the massive crowd, the VP then came out briefly waving in return to the thunderous applause of the largely young people many of whom had their stations and work around the Isolo-Oshodi axis.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
21st March, 2022

senior Advocate of the Masses

Oni iro oshi

Well done sir

I don't believe this

Osinbajo is the man for us

FOR NIGERIA, ROAD SAFETY IS A PRIORITY – OSINBAJO

*VP meets with UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy, FRSC Corps Marshal

In line with its development objectives, the Nigerian government considers road safety a major development and economic priority for government at all levels, as it ensures the safety and protection of lives, and the well-being of the citizenry.

This was the view of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, on Thursday evening when he received on a courtesy call at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Mr. Jean Todt, who was accompanied by the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi.

““In terms of priority, road safety is critical to us. Just looking at the number of fatalities, more attention should be given to road safety issues because, certainly we will have far less fatalities…. we should try and keep the campaign going and adopt different approaches to these issues, so that we don’t have the kinds of huge fatalities,” the VP said.

Noting that road safety and welfare of citizens were crucial issues to government, the Vice President stated that this was a reason “why it is that we have done and continue to do as much as possible to promote the work of our federal road safety corps."

According to Prof. Osinbajo, public education campaign such as that provided by the FRSC traffic radio “is not just important, in terms of the fact that it is helpful in informing people about traffic and all that, but it is also a major means of educating the public about road safety issue.

“Public education is very important to ensuring road safety, because people need to be informed, especially about the simple easy-to-do things such as wearing seat belts, not using the phone while driving, not driving under the influence, and very simple, straight forward preventive measures that is central to people’s lives and their limbs are safe.”

While emphasizing why the Federal Government is promoting road safety issues, mentioning the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy II (NRSS II), the Vice President also noted that the Federal Government will continue to do more to ensure the safety of lives and property, explaining the economic benefits of road safety.

The VP then commended the UN Special Envoy, who visited Nigeria some few years ago, for “continuing the good work of road safety across the world." He also praised the FRSC Corps Marshal for his very extensive work in road safety matters in Nigeria.

“The President in particular has ensured that road safety is a development priority…. We look forward to more collaboration with the UN, and you can be sure of our commitment,” the VP told the UN Envoy.

In his remarks, the UN Special Envoy emphasized on the importance of road safety, especially in a populous country such as Nigeria, as well as raising more awareness on the need to prevent roads accidents in Nigeria and Africa.

“I commend the work being done by the FRSC and the strong commitment of the Nigerian government towards improving road safety in the country. “Road safety is an important issue and it comes at a huge cost,” said Mr. Todt.

Also speaking, Corps Marshal Boboye disclosed that Nigeria (alongside four other African countries; Ghana, Morocco, Namibia and South Africa), received the first-ever Kofi Annan Road Safety Award on Wednesday at a ceremony in Accra, Ghana.

At the Accra ceremony, which was attended by the UN Special Envoy, Nigeria was given the award for its efforts in curbing road accidents, among others.
.
Boboye also thanked the Vice President for his personal contribution to the issues, noting the improvements recorded in Nigeria in the area of road safety. He also acknowledged that the FRSC has been getting support from the United Nation Secretary General Special Envoy in the areas of capacity development and the implementation of the conventions.”

He said, “Your Excellency, you respectfully received Mr. Todt in 2018 and had a series of discussions with him, which immediately you activated. I want to say proudly today that most of the issues raised then have been fully implemented. The key issue you raised after the meeting was the ascension of Nigeria to the UN global conventions for road safety, which you directed, and this was done.”

“We are going to go back to the drawing board and see how we can implement the enforcement of the use of safety helmets in the country.”

At the end of the meeting, the visiting UN Envoy presented the Vice President with a prototype design of a safety helmet.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
18th March, 2022

Obviously, his the man for the job

WITH POLITICAL WILL, HARDWORK, AGRICULTURE CAN SOLVE INTERNALLY GENERATED REVENUE PROBLEMS, SAYS OSINBAJO

*VP receives delegation from development agency for South-West States at Presidential Villa


Amid tight fiscal revenue generation, especially in the States of the Federation, agriculture can be a significant contributor to government coffers, boosting resource mobilization. All it takes is the hardwork and dedication of all stakeholders in the sector.

This view was expressed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, while interacting with a delegation from the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, who was on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, today.

Prof. Osinbajo who spoke after listening to a presentation on the Commission’s framework for sustainable agricultural transformation in the states said, “agriculture can be the solution to a lot of our IGR needs and a lot of our resource needs; it has been proven so many times that it is possible.”

Making reference to what was obtainable in the 1950s and 60s in the agricultural sector in the then regional governments, the Vice President noted that “the truth of the matter is that the difference between then and now is the political will. There is no question at all that there is far more information today than there was then but someone has to have the will to do it.

"There is no question at all, that any part of Nigeria, if there is sufficient dedication and hard work, can feed the entire country. There are smaller countries not up to the size of one State in Nigeria that are producing enough and exporting produce to other parts of the world.”

The Vice President also acknowledged the importance of private sector collaboration in transforming agriculture but emphasized the need for stakeholders to focus on research and development, noting that the progress made by some countries of the world, especially in the area of commercial farming have been hinged on research.

According to him, “obviously, what will take us out of the woods and make us relevant in terms of export and even in terms of satisfying local demands is commercial farming.”

Addressing the concern raised about challenges in developing the agriculture value chain, the VP said “there must be a way of perfecting the value chain and ensure that the value chain actually works.

“Of course, it involves logistics, transportation, credit facility, etc. A lot more attention needs to be paid to how that value chain works. No matter how much you are producing, if you don’t work on the value chain, you will just be wasting a lot of the resources.”

With respect to government policy, Prof. Osinbajo said “we have been doing a lot of work with agro-export in particular. One of the problems that we are faced with is even with the whole process of exporting. We are addressing the problem, we have had several meetings with agro exporters. It is among the issues that we are trying to pay attention to.”

The Vice President then commended the DAWN Commission for its efforts, noting that “the work that the commission is doing is seminal. It is work not just for the present but perhaps for the future of the South-West region and of course of the entire nation.”

During the presentation by the delegation, the role of young people in agriculture was mentioned. The example of a young agric entrepreneur, who was part of the delegation, CEO of Smart Farm Nigeria, Ms Modupe Oyetoso, came up. Despite initial setbacks and personal tragedy, Oyetoso persisted and is now thriving in the agriculture sector.

Commenting, the Vice President praised her courage and commended “the great fortitude that you have shown. I must commend you and to say that we are all greatly encouraged by the work that you have done. I hope that many hearing your story and the successes that have followed will be encouraged to go into commercial farming.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Director-General of DAWN, Mr Seye Oyeleye, briefed the VP on the efforts made over the years, reporting that the commission has developed blueprints for the development of the health and education sectors in the 6 States of the South-West.

He also cited the revitalization of cocoa production and the framework for sustainable agricultural transformation in the region, among achievements recorded by the commission in the 9 years of its establishment.

In the presentation of the agricultural transformation plan, Mrs Abiodun Oladipo, a member of the delegation said the commission among other things, aims to facilitate the operationalization of existing Staple Crop Processing Zone (SCPZ) master plans as part of the broad objective of transforming farming in the region.

She said DAWN collaborating with private investors will also facilitate value chain development in the production of cassava, cocoa, maize, oil palm, and cotton.


Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
15th March 2022

NO COUNTRY IN THE WORLD CAN DEVELOP FURTHER WITHOUT CONTRIBUTIONS OF ITS SCIENTISTS – OSINBAJO

*VP harps on importance of business environment reforms, receives PEBEC mid-term report on National Action Plan 7.0


Due to their centrality, especially in the age of technology, Nigerian scientists should get adequate support in the drive towards national development.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, stated this on Monday when he received, on a courtesy call at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, a delegation of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Abuja, a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Health.

The NIRPD delegation, which was led by its Director-General/CEO, Dr. Obi Peter Adigwe, made a short presentation to the Vice President on its projects which focused on three thematic areas: uterine fibroids, prostate issues and men’s health, and sickle cell disorder.

Acknowledging the work being done by the Institute in the areas of medical research and pharmacology, the Vice President said he was proud of the amount of work being done by them.

“I’m truly proud of what is going on in NIPRD; the sheer amount of serious work that is coming out of there. And I am pleased that at least we are taking our scientists seriously. I don’t believe that there is any country in the world that can really appear to be doing well, not to talk of doing well, if they don’t take their scientists seriously.

“It is very evident that we must do something more serious about our scientists; and we must continue to ensure that they provide the leadership in terms of innovation, medical research, engineering and all of the various other areas that are important to our development.”

Referencing the inadequate access to COVID-19 vaccines for developing countries at the height of the global pandemic, the VP stated that “Africa needs to do a lot more in terms of developing capacity to solving our problems.”

This is one of the reasons why the VP commended the work being done by the Institute.

“Everybody at the end of the day will solve their own problems. And I think that we have all the capacity to do so, and that capacity is very well represented in NIPRD, in the excellent talents and experience that you have put together,” he noted.

The Vice President further observed that it is becoming increasingly important to provide requisite incentives to encourage and reward local scientists.

“Here in Nigeria, obviously, we need a bit more in terms of being able to manage and reward talents so that people remain and then are able to do the work,” he said.

Prof. Osinbajo praised the NIPRD team for providing solutions to local issues and being able to deliver on its mandate within the limited resources it has, while assuring them of the Federal Government's continued support in improving their capacity and infrastructure.

“We should continue, and push even more, in that direction,” he added.

The DG/CEO of NIPRD, Dr. Obi Adigwe, in his remarks, thanked the President Muhammadu Buhari administration for its continued support.

He also commended the Vice President for championing the progress and development of the Institute, noting that the VP’s remarks at the Institute’s conference in October 2021 was a major inspiration behind their ongoing projects.

Prof. Osinbajo had declared the three-day International Conference on Health Access and Socio-Economic Development Beyond COVID-19, which was organized by NIPRD.

Recalling the VP’s remarks during the conference, where he noted that Africa should find solutions to African problems, Dr. Odigwe said, “Your Excellency, we appreciate the role that you played in headlining the conference. As you identified during our meeting, we need to begin to take national pride in providing solutions to our problems. Thank you for your constant engagement, encouragement and support. We do not take it for granted.”

He added that the global recognition the Institute had garnered in recent years, as well as the milestones it has achieved so far, "is a demonstration of what can be done when we get the right political support to underpin what we do as scientists.”

While acknowledging the impact of the Buhari administration on turning things around at the Institute, the DG said, "prior to this administration’s interest in the Institute, we had suffered decades of neglect. But with its interventions, we have now received over 100 new equipment. This now means that the Institute has emerged as one of the reference points in various thematic areas in Africa for the analysis that we do.”

Earlier on Monday afternoon, also at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Vice President presided over the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) meeting, where he received the mid-term report of the Council’s 7th National Action Plan (NAP 7.0), which has a 60-day cycle.

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers, including the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo; Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema; Works & Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; and Police Affairs, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi.

Others include the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu; as well as senior officials/ representatives of federal government agencies.

At the meeting, the VP urged Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) of government to ensure the successful implementation of reforms under the Council’s NAP 7.0.

In line with the commitment to improving the business environment in Nigeria, the Council had commenced NAP 7.0 on February 7 to drive the implementation of these key reforms.

Referencing the commitment of the Buhari administration to improving the economy, the VP stated that implementing “these reforms are vital” towards further improving the country’s business environment

“This is why we must have these reforms. It is also important that all the procedure reforms can be put in place. At meetings like this, issues that should be resolved are escalated for onward resolutions; and those things that need to be done have to be done,” he said.

The Vice President commended the PEBEC team led by the Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business and Council Secretary, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, for their hard work and commitment towards ensuring the implementation of the reforms.

In his remarks after the presentation of the progress report, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment stated that the Council noted the need for a lot more work to be done by government agencies in implementing the priority reforms, in order to boost the country’s economy.

In her presentation to the Council, the Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, stated that there are 58 reforms for implementation under NAP 7.0, which will run from 7th February to 7th April 2022.

She added that as at March 8 – day 30 of the Plan – the reforms implemented stood at 26%.

The indicators for NAP 7.0 are focused on five broad areas for reforms, namely: agro-export, airport, automation, regulatory and Executive Order 1 (EO1)/ReportGov.NG reforms.

“So, we really need to drill down on those escalations, hold agencies accountable, and encourage them to push more to deliver these reforms for Nigerians,” she stated.

The National Action Plan is a signature homegrown 60-day accelerator and reform tool designed by PEBEC to coordinate the effective delivery of priority reforms of select ministries, departments and agencies annually.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
15th March, 2022

VP Osinbajo gas always been active.

GOVT AGENCIES MUST HOLD CITIZENS IN HIGH ESTEEM, BE RESPONSIBLE TO THEM – OSINBAJO

*VP receives WAEC delegation at Presidential Villa

Beyond core regulatory roles, Government agencies must always show that they are responsible to the people that they serve and that they hold them in high esteem, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Monday when he received at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, a delegation of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in town for the Council's 70th Annual Meeting.

“It is very important that we show respect for our citizens and show that we are concerned about them, that we are not just a regulatory body that feels that its role is just to be a policeman, and all of that. I think we must also show that we are responsible for the people that we serve and that we hold them in high esteem,” the Vice President said.

For instance, Prof. Osinbajo highlighted and praised the prompt response of the examinations body to the issue of some candidates having difficulties regarding the National Identification Number (NIN), where the body responded that due to the challenges with the NIMC portal at the time, the affected candidates could still sit for the exams.

“These kinds of quick responses show respect for citizens,” the Vice President stated, adding that he is also personally happy that the Examinations Council is responsive and aligning with the digital technology age in different areas.

“Just looking at the press reports and what WAEC has done, it has shown that it is very responsive to the needs of society. I was particularly impressed by the new digital certification that was announced some time ago, that if one lost his/her WAEC certificate, you can apply for the digital copy, which means your records are never lost.

"There is no need for the long and hard process of seeking for a certified (physical) copy. I think this is true response to the times. That is very good,” he said.

The VP also congratulated WAEC for its achievement since it was established about 70 years ago.

While highlighting the important role of the Council in the nation’s educational development, Prof. Osinbajo said many Nigerians have benefitted from the WAEC certification over the years.

“It (WAEC certification) is almost like a birth certificate,” the VP stated, underscoring the significance of the Council’s certificate.

“Everyone who has watched WAEC progress over the years would agree that WAEC is a huge part of our history as a nation. WAEC certification has that importance and it has been like that for 70 years. So, I think it is worthy of celebration and commendation, WAEC has done so very well through the years.

"So, I congratulate you, the Nigerian team, and the WAEC Council, not just for being given the special privilege of hosting the 70th anniversary, but also because we are clearly the largest contributor and beneficiary and this has been so for 70 years.”

In her remarks, the leader of the Nigerian members of WAEC, who is also the Director, Basic & Secondary Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, thanked the Federal Government of Nigeria “for the opportunity to host the 70th Annual Council Meeting, as well as the support to the Council over the years.”

She added that the Council is the highest decision-making body of WAEC with membership drawn from the 5 member countries – Nigeria, the Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Ghana.

She also disclosed that the Annual Council Meeting is used to deliberate on providing qualitative and educational assessment, encouraging academic and moral excellence, promoting human resource development, and promoting international cooperation among the five-member countries.



Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
14th March, 2022

He will declare after convention

For what reason o?

HIGHESTPOPORI:
I already knew they will come out to deny out. Fear fear people

Nice one