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INTEGRITY, HONESTY, TRANSPARENCY MAKE ECONOMIC SENSE, DISHONESTY UNDERMINES ENTERPRISE - OSINBAJO

*VP receives pioneer cohort of Public Leadership programme, says a well-trained public service can boost national development

*Aig-Imoukhuede commends VP, narrates how the programme was facilitated

In the age of digital technology and digital economy, it is imperative that Nigeria develops a well-trained, knowledgeable and well-motivated public servants for effective service delivery and excellent performance.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, stated this on Thursday evening when he received at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, 49 graduands of the pioneer cohort of the Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) & Oxford University's Blavatnik School of Government (AIG-BSG) Public Leadership programme, sponsored by the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation.

The inaugural in-country programme for talented, mid-career public servants, a partnership between the Federal and State governments, with the AIG and the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, lasted for about seven months. The participants were drawn from the civil service at national and subnational levels.

According to the Vice President, it is vital to provide cutting-edge training to public servants because “once public goods cannot be delivered effectively, development suffers, the commons are all at risk and the overall quality of life of the people is undermined.”

On the essence of developing Nigeria’s human resources, especially in the public sector, Prof. Osinbajo stated that “our governments have never been short of ideas, policies or roadmaps. Indeed, we have some of the best written and most insightful policies on practically all issues…but we sometimes fall flat on implementation. The reason is the quality of the human resources that we deploy in the public sector.

“Unlike in the private sector, where usually the profit motive makes it imperative to provide relevant and cutting-edge training to ensure that staff are well equipped to deliver on targets and KPIs, the public service usually has traditionally taken an approach, the result being a bureaucracy unable to develop, but more importantly deliver on government initiatives and programmes.”

The VP then spoke on the need to build values of integrity, honesty and transparency in public service.

“Recognizing that ensuring integrity in the work place is not a merely a moral issue, it is an existential issue for the country itself. Why do systems anywhere in the world uphold basic notions of honesty, transparency and integrity? It is because it makes economic sense; dishonesty undermines the entire enterprise,” he stated.

“We must also understand and disseminate our rules on governance in such a way as to make it clear that petty or grand corruption kills progress and will destroy the nation’s best,” he added.

The VP further noted that the AIG-BSG programme was crucial to developing the country’s public service, especially with global changes and technology.

According to Prof. Osinbajo, it is crucial to have “a bureaucracy that fully appreciates how to think, act and plan in a world so completely transformed in the last two decades, that almost every old assumption about commerce, lifestyle, gender issues, political ideology are now being upturned or, at least, being seriously challenged.

“The old notions of official secrecy, the sanctity of government information and communication are now cracking as it becomes easier to put out even hard copy public information for mischief. Every device has a camera; electronically stored information can be also be hacked. What are the new protocols that we must now adopt, what safe guards must be put into regulations?"

He further said: “some may remember the arguments back and forth about the regulation of crypto currency. Writing the rules for new phenomena, stuff that the whole world is trying to grapple with and doing so quickly and with understanding are the types of challenges that today’s public officer faces."

The Vice President commended the programme’s curriculum on strengthening public organizations, especially the question of goal setting, values and gauging criteria for high performance.

He noted that these were equally important as “the public service, especially regulatory agencies, generally tend to see their roles as policing or revenue generation.”

The VP emphasized that their real role must be "how to make life easier for the private sector, small and large businesses, individuals, those who create the jobs, create wealth and lift millions out of poverty. High Performance must then be determined by fidelity to those values.”

In his remarks, the Founder and Chairman of the AIG, as well as the Foundation, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede thanked the Vice President for inspiring, supporting and encouraging the Initiative from the start, especially during the period of teething challenges.

Aig-Imoukhuede said: “One day, I sought audience with His Excellency and I shared with His Excellency our plans and where we were. The Vice President said that, ‘I’m fully in support, but you need to change strategy a little.’”

At this point in time, the Federal Civil Service was thinking through a strategic reform.

He narrated how the VP told him, “’let me bring the Head of Service into the same room as you and have a conversation, and let us see what it would bring.’ Within a week or two, that meeting took place."

Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede once again expressed appreciation for the VP's behind the scene facilitation of the programme.

“I’ll like to really thank you for giving us the confidence, for encouraging us and making sure that we didn’t give up. But most importantly, I’d like to thank you for your action that has made all of the cooperation between the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and the Nigerian government possible. And please continue to support us, encourage us; continue to call me to account whenever you see me.”

On the overall objectives of the Programme, he noted that, “there is no nation that can build itself and perform for its citizen without a strong and virile public service. We have seen this when the Nigerian public service operated at its best, just prior to independence and in the period subsequent to that. We have also seen at the sub-national level, where investments in public service have been made and we have seen the impact. So, we have dedicated ourselves to try to change this narrative, and create a situation where we can make our public sector, which encompasses brilliant men and women, shine so they can sparkle like the public sectors of other countries.”

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
4th March, 2022

Integrity, honesty and transparency should be built in public service . God bless the VP

EVERY :oEVERY TIME NIGERIA WAS EXPECTED TO SINK, WE HAVE SOARED – OSINBAJO

*Adds: Nigeria accounted for 35% of $4billion in funding raised last year by over 564 startups across the continent

*At commissioning of Bankers House in Abuja, VP declares Nigeria set for great heights with the resilience, potential of its people

The Federal Government understands the critical role the private sector plays in delivering value to the Nigerian economy, and is, therefore, focused on leveraging collaboration opportunities to usher Nigeria into a more prosperous new decade.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, stated this on Thursday at the official commissioning of the Bankers House of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Abuja.

Prof. Osinbajo further noted that Nigeria is set for great heights, not only because it is “a nation of great dreamers and great doers,” but also for the resilience of its people and their great potential.

“With a population constituting the largest market on the continent, a swelling demography of ambitious, tech-savvy young people, accelerating regional integration and connection to new markets, Nigeria has been presented with an unprecedented opportunity to launch the country into a new decade of sustained prosperity. An opportunity we are fully committed, as a government, to translating into lived realities for millions of Nigerians across the country," the Vice President declared.

He added: “every time Nigeria has been expected to sink, we have soared and risen beyond our troubles. We have drawn joy from the depths of despair and found the courage to keep going, even in the most daunting of challenges. The Nigerian spirit remains unfazed and persistently bankable.”

The VP observed that “the realization of our country’s potential, at this crucial moment, will require the careful choreography of government policies that remove every impediment in the way of those determined to pursue their dreams and build businesses.”

Prof. Osinbajo highlighted the impact of government policies in this regard, including the work of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) towards improving Nigeria’s business environment and economy.

The Vice President noted that in the past six years, the Buhari administration, through PEBEC, has “aggressively pursued the creation of an environment that allows Nigerian businesses, at every level, operate without the bottlenecks and drawbacks that have come to characterize their interface with agencies and regulators.”

He added that the Administration is also “building on the progress of these reforms and aggregating lessons from some of the setbacks in its implementation,” with the launch of PEBEC’s 7th 60-day National Action Plan (NAP 7.0) on the Ease of Doing Business.

The NAP 7.0, which started on the 7th of February, is programmed to run until the 7th of April, 2022.

“We will consolidate on the achievements in removal of regulatory constraints around agro-exports, driving electronic filing of taxes and working closely with the States to make their own business environments friendlier,” the Vice President added.

He further restated the Administration’s commitment to follow through on its economic policies to better the lives of Nigerians.

Speaking further, the VP said, “this largely informs the zeal that has attended the ongoing implementation of our new National Development Plan, 2021-2025, a medium-term agenda that seeks to, among other things, generate 21 million full-time jobs and lift 35 million people out of poverty by 2025.”

Underscoring the importance of “a conscious reliance on private enterprise and initiative” in the successful implementation of the Plan, the Vice President said, “the plan commits the government, at all levels, to an investment of about N49.7 trillion, and envisages private sector investment of N298 trillion, making a total of N348 trillion.”

“The implementation of the plan is expected to be supported by a range of fiscal, monetary and trade measures, including more intentionally promoting productivity and value addition,” he added.

Further shedding light on the critical role of the banking sector in boosting the Nigerian economy, the Vice President explained that despite "several years of some of the most severe macroeconomic challenges - including the 2008 financial crisis, the oil crises that followed, and an unexpected pandemic, the Nigerian banking industry, owing largely to your outstanding professionalism, has continued to show incredible resilience and growth, contributing about N34.6 trillion to the country’s GDP in 2017, N37.8 trillion in 2018, N42.7 trillion in 2019 and N53.3 trillion in 2020.”

He also referenced the rise of Nigerian unicorns in recent years, stating that "in 2021 African tech startups raised over $4billion in funding, with over 564 startups across the continent solving critical problems in almost every sector. Nigeria accounted for 35% of this. Nigeria today has six unicorns, tech companies valued at over 1 billion dollars. All of them started after 2015, and have grown between two recessions."

Commending Dr. Bayo Olugbemi, the President/Chairman of Council, alongside the executive and management of the CIBN, the Vice President noted that the commissioning of the Bankers House was clear testament of the “towering expression of enduring commitment to excellence” and “power of a collective vision in driving significant accomplishment.”

“This is why we put such great premium on the resourcefulness and strength of our private sector,” he stated.

He added that “the CIBN’s role in the private sector cannot be overstated. In laying the parameters for professional and ethical conduct, healthy competition, and continuous professional development, it has helped to guide the evolution of a banking industry that has grown to become the envy of the continent."

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
3rd March, 2022 TIME NIGERIA WAS EXPECTED TO SINK, WE HAVE SOARED – OSINBAJO

*Adds: Nigeria accounted for 35% of $4billion in funding raised last year by over 564 startups across the continent

*At commissioning of Bankers House in Abuja, VP declares Nigeria set for great heights with the resilience, potential of its people

The Federal Government understands the critical role the private sector plays in delivering value to the Nigerian economy, and is, therefore, focused on leveraging collaboration opportunities to usher Nigeria into a more prosperous new decade.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, stated this on Thursday at the official commissioning of the Bankers House of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Abuja.

Prof. Osinbajo further noted that Nigeria is set for great heights, not only because it is “a nation of great dreamers and great doers,” but also for the resilience of its people and their great potential.

“With a population constituting the largest market on the continent, a swelling demography of ambitious, tech-savvy young people, accelerating regional integration and connection to new markets, Nigeria has been presented with an unprecedented opportunity to launch the country into a new decade of sustained prosperity. An opportunity we are fully committed, as a government, to translating into lived realities for millions of Nigerians across the country," the Vice President declared.

He added: “every time Nigeria has been expected to sink, we have soared and risen beyond our troubles. We have drawn joy from the depths of despair and found the courage to keep going, even in the most daunting of challenges. The Nigerian spirit remains unfazed and persistently bankable.”

The VP observed that “the realization of our country’s potential, at this crucial moment, will require the careful choreography of government policies that remove every impediment in the way of those determined to pursue their dreams and build businesses.”

Prof. Osinbajo highlighted the impact of government policies in this regard, including the work of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) towards improving Nigeria’s business environment and economy.

The Vice President noted that in the past six years, the Buhari administration, through PEBEC, has “aggressively pursued the creation of an environment that allows Nigerian businesses, at every level, operate without the bottlenecks and drawbacks that have come to characterize their interface with agencies and regulators.”

He added that the Administration is also “building on the progress of these reforms and aggregating lessons from some of the setbacks in its implementation,” with the launch of PEBEC’s 7th 60-day National Action Plan (NAP 7.0) on the Ease of Doing Business.

The NAP 7.0, which started on the 7th of February, is programmed to run until the 7th of April, 2022.

“We will consolidate on the achievements in removal of regulatory constraints around agro-exports, driving electronic filing of taxes and working closely with the States to make their own business environments friendlier,” the Vice President added.

He further restated the Administration’s commitment to follow through on its economic policies to better the lives of Nigerians.

Speaking further, the VP said, “this largely informs the zeal that has attended the ongoing implementation of our new National Development Plan, 2021-2025, a medium-term agenda that seeks to, among other things, generate 21 million full-time jobs and lift 35 million people out of poverty by 2025.”

Underscoring the importance of “a conscious reliance on private enterprise and initiative” in the successful implementation of the Plan, the Vice President said, “the plan commits the government, at all levels, to an investment of about N49.7 trillion, and envisages private sector investment of N298 trillion, making a total of N348 trillion.”

“The implementation of the plan is expected to be supported by a range of fiscal, monetary and trade measures, including more intentionally promoting productivity and value addition,” he added.

Further shedding light on the critical role of the banking sector in boosting the Nigerian economy, the Vice President explained that despite "several years of some of the most severe macroeconomic challenges - including the 2008 financial crisis, the oil crises that followed, and an unexpected pandemic, the Nigerian banking industry, owing largely to your outstanding professionalism, has continued to show incredible resilience and growth, contributing about N34.6 trillion to the country’s GDP in 2017, N37.8 trillion in 2018, N42.7 trillion in 2019 and N53.3 trillion in 2020.”

He also referenced the rise of Nigerian unicorns in recent years, stating that "in 2021 African tech startups raised over $4billion in funding, with over 564 startups across the continent solving critical problems in almost every sector. Nigeria accounted for 35% of this. Nigeria today has six unicorns, tech companies valued at over 1 billion dollars. All of them started after 2015, and have grown between two recessions."

Commending Dr. Bayo Olugbemi, the President/Chairman of Council, alongside the executive and management of the CIBN, the Vice President noted that the commissioning of the Bankers House was clear testament of the “towering expression of enduring commitment to excellence” and “power of a collective vision in driving significant accomplishment.”

“This is why we put such great premium on the resourcefulness and strength of our private sector,” he stated.

He added that “the CIBN’s role in the private sector cannot be overstated. In laying the parameters for professional and ethical conduct, healthy competition, and continuous professional development, it has helped to guide the evolution of a banking industry that has grown to become the envy of the continent."

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
3rd March, 2022

Okay now

Fake news

Many Happy Returns

Happy Birthday Sir

Many Happy Retyrns Sir

A TRIBUTE TO DADDY G.O AT 80:

PASTOR ADEBOYE'S HUMILITY NOT ALTERED BY HIS MANY ACHIEVEMENTS - OSINBAJO

As Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) clocks 80, a unique lesson for all and sundry remains his humility, integrity and exemplary behaviour despite his huge achievements, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

In a tribute, he personally signed on behalf of himself and his wife, Prof. Osinbajo said the leader of the RCCG (a church with representation in over 198 countries and territories around the world) has impacted many lives and overseen unprecedent growth of the church, yet these achievements have not affected his behaviour.

Below is the tribute verbatim, signed by the Vice President:

Dolapo and I are honoured to write this tribute to Daddy on his 80th Birthday.

Very few leaders will ever have the geographical and spiritual reach of influence that Pastor E.A. Adeboye has. He is neither the Pope nor the leader of the free world, but he heads a denomination that, since his assumption of office as its General Overseer, has established churches in over 198 countries and territories of the world.

He was, as early as 2008, listed by Newsweek, as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Earlier in 1998, the Holy Ghost Congress of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Lekki, Lagos, was reported to be one of the largest Christian gatherings ever, and every year, the RCCG Conventions and Congresses have live crowds breaking that record. Through the years, miracles of every kind have been commonplace in his ministry.

But the moral of the story is not in these achievements, but in how his behaviour has remained unaffected by them.

It was Mummy G.O. who said to us once, “see how God uses your father as a smokescreen to do the miracles He wants to do.”

This realization, that “apart from Him, you can do nothing” and that “no one can receive anything that is not given to him by God,” probably explains why a man so spiritually and intellectually gifted, so revered, so respected by the high and low alike, would still be so genuinely humble, so self-effacing and so unfailingly respectful, even of his subordinates.

His impeccable integrity, his measured speech and action at all times, his life of many challenges, many wars, his courage, his unshaken faith, his deep love for God, through phenomenal achievements and numbing personal tragedy, are all together the most persuasive evangelical message to all, even those of other faiths, of the grace and mercy of God in the life of the Saved.

For us, we are extremely proud that this man of extraordinary faith, courage and humility is one we can call our daddy.

Daddy, Happy 80th Birthday! As your days, so shall your strength, wisdom and favour with God in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN
Vice President
Federal Republic of Nigeria
2nd March, 2022

Incoming first lady

Walahi! Where is the lie? Best ever!

Mr Obi is not intelligent OGA BOSS

The Africa we want is one that addresses, amongst others, humanity's most pressing concerns of eradication of poverty, hunger and disease. God bless the VP

May God comfort his family

so sad! may his soul rest in peace.

NIGERIA, TANZANIA UNITED ON NEED FOR GLOBAL PUSH AGAINST UNCONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE OF GOVTS IN WEST AFRICA, JUST ENERGY TRANSITION

*Vice Presidents hold bilateral talks in Arusha ahead of Osinbajo's keynote at African Court tomorrow

*If Africans abandon gas energy, where do we go? – VP Mpanga

*Adds: Nigeria never abandons her brothers

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN and his Tanzanian counterpart Dr. Philip Isdor Mpango are united in their views regarding a just energy transition as the global community moves towards a net-zero emissions target and the need for greater international collaboration in deterring unconstitutional changes of government in Africa.

These are some of the issues discussed by both leaders at a bilateral meeting in Arusha this afternoon after Prof. Osinbajo arrived in Tanzania to speak at the inaugural session of the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights for the year 2022. The Vice Presidents discussed a wide range of issues of interest to both Nigeria and Tanzania, including infrastructure development, trade and investment, technology, climate change and democracy.

Speaking about the need to promote democratic governance on the continent against the backdrop of recent coups de’tat in West Africa, the Vice President emphasized the need for other regional bodies on the continent and others in the global community to support actions already taken by ECOWAS leaders.

According to Prof Osinbajo, “we in ECOWAS have experienced in just under a year, 4 coups de’tats including attempts and it is disturbing because we felt we had put those things behind us, and now they seem to be coming back.

“It is something that we think has to do with more cooperation. AU has been very forthcoming (in condemnation) in saying that we cannot tolerate unconstitutional seizures of power. But sanctioning these coupists without any proper “teeth” has not been particularly effective.

“There might be a need for us to reach out to some of the regional bodies, development financial institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, and the EU. The EU has been quite responsive but we think that we can do a lot more just in terms of cooperation, so there is an effective deterrent if everyone agrees that undemocratic change of government is unacceptable.”

On Climate Change and the attendant goal of net-zero emissions, Prof. Osinbajo observed that “the major challenge is that the wealthier countries are abandoning fossil fuels and gas and some of them are already defunding gas projects.”

According to him, “we in Africa will run into trouble because gas projects are important even for the transition. It is important for us to come together to oppose any situation where the wealthier countries insist that on account of going towards net-zero emissions in 2050, we should then abandon gas which is one of the major sources of energy for industry and clean cooking. We think that the wealthier countries are asking us to do what they didn’t do – use renewable energy for industry.”

The Nigerian Vice President however noted that “on the one hand, it is important for us to keep our focus on the transition to net-zero emissions, but it is also important for the world to know that we in Africa have two challenges – Climate Change and development.

“While we are interested in ensuring that we meet net-zero emissions target, we are also interested in ensuring that we develop.”

On the issue of the place of technology in economic growth, Prof. Osinbajo noted that “we believe very strongly that our growth would be technology-led," explaining that for Nigeria especially, since 2016, "there are about 6 Nigerian companies that have become UNICORNS – companies worth over a billion dollars.”

"All these companies started in 2016, including Flutterwave which was recently valued at over 3billion dollars. Technology is very important to us and we have investments in broadband infrastructure across the country and consider it to be fundamental to our economic growth.

“Even with what we have done, it is incredible how many new businesses in technology have come up, startups springing up every day. It is an exciting time for us, especially for those investing in technology startups across all sectors – education, health, and FinTech. There is also financial inclusion because there were many parts of the country that banks didn’t bother to go to, but with technology, we are able to reach all of those places.”

On his part, Vice President Mpango commended West African leaders for their efforts to halt the menace of coups de’tat in the sub-region and also agreed that Africa can achieve more working in unison, noting that Climate Change is an example of one area leaders on the continent need to work together to address.

"The apparent wish by developed countries to abandon fossil fuel is worrisome because we are still struggling to provide the basics. Our forests are disappearing because our people are still forced to use firewood for cooking, if we abandon gas energy, where do we go to?”

The Tanzanian Vice President thanked Prof. Osinbajo for accepting the invitation of the African Court to be the Guest Speaker at the formal opening of the Court’s 2022 Judicial Year holding tomorrow.

Both leaders also agreed that the relationship between their countries have been notable over the years adding however that there is room for much more improvement. For instance, it was agreed that arrangements to concretize the Joint Commission between both countries should proceed.

Dr. Mpango recalled Nigeria's role in the fight to end apartheid in Southern Africa, saying "Nigeria never abandoned her brothers and sisters in South Africa." He added that both countries have been working together and supporting each other internationally since 1962 including at the United Nations and in Africa.

Agreeing, Prof. Osinbajo said of the time Nigeria and other African nations stood up against apartheid, "we must revitalise the time, especially with the kind of forward-looking leadership currently in our countries."

He said Nigeria and Tanzania need each other adding that with the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement, arguably the largest free trade zone in the world, Africans "can open up the markets and enable ourselves to profit." According to him, the Agreement opens more opportunities for rule-based investments.

Vice President Osinbajo arrived in Arusha this morning ahead of his speech as Guest Speaker tomorrow at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights 2022 Court Opening event. His Tanzanian counterpart travelled from the nation's capital city of Dar es Salaam to hold the bilateral meeting with him.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
27th February 2022

Who will not like Osinbajo

Our own man

HOW GOVERNMENT, PRIVATE SECTOR COLLABORATION DRIVES ECONOMIC GROWTH, PROSPERITY – OSINBAJO

*VP commissions diaper manufacturing plant in Lagos, says it marks beginning of greater investments

*Highlights Government’s Ease of Doing Business reforms

Some core economic objectives of the Nigerian government include facilitating private sector collaboration, and adding value through diversification and growth of the country’s non-oil sectors so as to boost rapid economic growth, with jobs and prosperity.

This was stated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, on Friday at the official commissioning of the Kimberly-Clark Huggies Diaper Manufacturing Plant in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

With about seven million babies born every year in Nigeria, Prof. Osinbajo observed that the market is huge, and that the factory signaled the beginning of greater investments in this and other sectors.

According to the Vice President, not only would the plant provide thousands of good paying jobs - directly and indirectly - within the next three years, it is an important step in private sector collaboration with the Federal Government.

“For the Federal Government, every new manufacturing plant is an important step towards our belief that it is private investments, both local and foreign, that must be the pathway to rapid economic growth, with jobs and prosperity,” the VP stated.

Buttressing the importance of the FG’s National Development Plan 2021-2025 in this regard (Government-Private sector collaboration), the Vice President observed that “the success of the Plan depends greatly on a conscious reliance on private enterprise and initiative. So, it only makes sense that the private sector is given every encouragement to play that role.”

The VP noted that it is envisaged that an investment commitment of N348 trillion will be needed over the 4-year period of the Plan, with Government at all levels expected to provide about N49.7 trillion or about 14%, while the private sector is expected to invest N298 trillion or about 86%.

Prof. Osinbajo further disclosed that the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting and collaborating with the private sector “is expressed in the strategic objectives of the National Development Plan, which includes establishing a strong foundation for a diversified economy, investing in critical infrastructure roads, rail, power and broadband, enabling human capital development and improving governance and strengthening security.”

Explaining further, the VP said: “the implementation of the Plan is expected to be supported by a range of fiscal, monetary and trade measures, including more intentionally promoting productivity and value addition.

"This will, of course, also mean loosening generalized restrictions on trade. Blanket import restrictions are a dampener on economic activity because a lot of items that might be needed in the manufacturing process might be affected, with consequent negative impact on value addition in the economy.

“It would also mean moving away from our instinctive demand management approach, managing limited resources to producing and creating more in a competitive and sustainable manner. This is especially so for foreign exchange, where we all agree that a more market-driven, managed float approach will attract more dollars and relieve the pressure on foreign exchange.”

As one of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts towards improving Nigeria’s business environment, Prof. Osinbajo also highlighted the 7th 60-day National Action Plan (NAP 7.0) on Ease of Doing Business by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

The VP stated that the NAP 7.0, which commenced on 7th February and will last till 7th April, 2022, “aims to deepen the reforms delivered over the past 5 years, with a focus on agro-exports, process automation, improvement in regulatory practices, judicial reforms and Executive Order 01/ReportGov.NG compliance.”

He further noted that the Buhari administration has “highlighted key action items in all of the focus areas to ensure that they do not unravel and to ensure we drive sustainability.”

“Some of the targets include removal of regulatory constraints around agro-exports, driving electronic filing of taxes and publication of insolvency regulations pursuant to the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020," he added.

The VP further stated that “we are optimistic that a diligent implementation of the Plan, especially its underlying fiscal and monetary policy measures, will be a real game changer for business and commerce in Nigeria.”

On the manufacturing plant’s significance to the growing investments in Nigeria and the country's economic objectives, Prof. Osinbajo noted that Kimberly-Clark has invested over $100m in just about a decade.

He said, “Kimberly-Clark West Africa has grown from being just an investor in Nigeria to a formidable partner in the actualisation of Nigeria’s economic objectives by adding value through diversification from our non-oil sector.”

He also commended the group for making important social investments in the country, such as championing the cause for women and girls through its “She SABI” Initiative.

“I am also informed that the Kimberly-Clark Foundation has made an impressive investment commitment of USD$1 million dedicated to improving sanitation and hygiene in Lagos State. There has also been an effort to reach vulnerable girls in some of Nigeria’s poorest communities through the distribution of menstrual hygiene pads; one such outreach has been done in Bauchi State,” the VP said.

Also present at the commissioning were the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, some members of the National Assembly, and Federal Ministers, including the Ministers for Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen; and the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba.

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

Fake News Peddlers

HE Osinbajo, you no dey tire

Interesting

MAIDUGURI COMES ALIVE AS OSINBAJO DELIVERS PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE OF HOPE TO RETURNEES, LEADS REPATRIATION EFFORT, HEADLINES 30TH EDITION OF MSME CLINICS

*President Buhari approves Shared Facility for MSMEs in Borno

*VP visits Children Learning Centre, commissions State projects, commends Gov Zulum's vision

*Many reintegrated insurgency orphans now in Senior Secondary School, referred to as "Osinbajo children."

Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno State, was agog on Thursday during a one-day visit by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, who commissioned projects executed by the State Government and headlined the 30th edition of the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Clinic held in the State.

All along the road as the convoy passed through several streets in Maiduguri, the residents trooped out in excitement and large crowds turned out with placards and much cheer at all of the events. On the path to the palace of the Shehu of Borno and other destinations during the visit yesterday, different sets of school children lined the streets clapping and singing, displaying much affection for both the President and his deputy who was in town. There were drumming and dancing all over the place with much fanfare.

Prof. Osinbajo, who was hosted by the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, visited the holding camp of thousands of returnees who had fled the State during the worst days of the insurgency, where he interacted with them and delivered President Muhammadu Buhari’s message of hope and restoration.

The VP informed them that the President recently set up a Repatriation Committee which he was asked to Chair, with the Borno State Governor as Vice Chair.

According to the VP, the Presidential Committee "will take care of you and return you to your homes. We are going to do the best that we can so that you can continue with your life and do your work. By the grace of God, all will be well with you, God bless you."

This news attracted a wide applause from the returnees who had fled in the wake of the insurgency to neighbouring countries like Niger and Chad.

Earlier this month, the President had set up the Committee on the Repatriation, Return and Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North-East of Nigeria, and tasked it with the responsibility of activating a permanent solution for effective and practicable restoration of the returnees.

The President had directed members of the Committee to "dedicate more time to the conduct of field visits to regularly engage with state government, communities and key stakeholders."

At the MSMEs Clinic, the Vice President emphasised that in furtherance of its efforts towards providing infrastructure and improving the business environment, the Federal Government will continue to work with private sector partners to support the MSMEs sector.

The VP also commissioned a number of projects, including the Legacy Doctors’ Quarters and the Resilience Commercial Centre, a business hub facility.

Afterwards, he went to the Children Learning Centre, a school set up by the North-East Children’s Trust, a charity he had championed during his 60th birthday to support orphans who are victims of the insurgency in the North-East.

There, Prof. Osinbajo and the Governor interacted with the children who were obviously excited on seeing and meeting the VP, and were singing and chanting joyously all through the short visit to the school. In particular, the pupils were chanting, “welcome ‘Daddy Osinbajo!’"

From the centre, the Vice President went to the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai, El-Kanemi of Borno, to pay courtesy call on the paramount ruler, where he spoke about his visit to the State, thanked the Shehu for his fatherly support and also commended the visionary leadership of Governor Zulum.

He said: "I am always excited to come to Borno State; this State has proved so many things; it has proved what Nigeria can be; how resilient we are; how courageous we are; how committed we are to the Nigerian project.

"From the days of former Governor, Kashim Shettima, now Senator, I have seen a steady hand of progress here in Borno State; a commitment to development, a commitment to growth. And then over to Gov. Zulum, who has proved that it is possible to do incredible things with very little.”

In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai, praised the Buhari Administration for the restoration of peace in the State and the North-East in general, noting that the entire people of Borno were appreciative of government's efforts and Prof. Osinbajo's dedication to the cause of peace in the region.

While commending the Federal Government for ensuring the restoration of peace in Borno, Gov. Zulum thanked the VP for his personal commitment, stating that "we want to thank you for the enormous contributions that you have been making towards to the reinstatement of the displaced communities in Borno State."

The other projects commissioned by the Vice President before attending the 30th MSMEs Clinic include an ultra-modern senior secondary school, named after the late Alhaji Mai Deribe, and a 4.3km road project. Again, at the school commissioning some of the orphans who attended the Children Learning Centre and now mainstreamed into Senior Secondary School (SSS) in the State were on hand to show appreciation to the Vice President with a big greeting card signed by 171 of them. They narrated how it is that they are all being referred to as "Osinbajo’s children."

On arrival at the venue of the MSMEs Clinic, the Vice President inspected the exhibitions by participants. One of the products was an electric car, which the VP drove briefly, with the Governor sitting in.

In his remarks, Prof. Osinbajo announced the establishment of a shared facility for use by small businesses in the State to be completed within four months.

According to the Vice President, “the FG government working with our private sector partners will put up a world-class Shared Facility for MSMEs here in Maiduguri.

“Furthermore, Mr. President has directed that such facility, which must reflect the choices of the people of the State, must be commissioned within 4 months. With these marching orders, the relevant Federal and State Government agencies and the relevant private sector partners must get to work and quickly identify a viable cluster for the benefit of MSMEs in the state.”

Shared Facilities, the Vice President said, “are provided to MSMEs clusters by the Federal Government and involves installation of specialised machinery that can be used or rented for short periods by business owners. Such facilities spare MSMEs from the financial burden of having to purchase their own equipment while giving them access to the latest equipment.”

Prof. Osinbajo added that “in addition to its other interventions, especially in providing infrastructure and improving the business environment, the Buhari Administration is committed to supporting MSMEs because we know that the can-do spirit of Nigerians, when given necessary impetus, is a driving force for innovation and creativity, which are known catalysts for rapid economic progress.”

Speaking on the MSME Clinics and gains recorded over the years, Prof. Osinbajo explained that “they serve as a bridge between the Federal Government, State Government and small businesses in each State. It does this by bringing all relevant regulatory agencies - whose work impact on the business experience of MSMEs - together in one place to consult and solve problems over a one- to two-day period. The idea is similar to providing an opportunity for patients to consult doctors in a mobile clinic.”

Encouraging States to leverage opportunities created by the Clinics, the VP noted that “all the needs and queries of MSMEs cannot be met in a one-day period, which is why we also encourage State Governments to establish MSME One-Stop-Shops.

Reiterating the commitment of the Federal Government to the growth of small businesses in Borno and the country at large, the Vice President said people of the State had benefitted from other interventions by government.

"It is pleasing to note that MSMEs in Borno State benefitted fully from all tracks of the Survival Fund Scheme. The data shows that close to 30,000 MSMEs benefited across all its tracks with the total amount of N1.5 billion helping both business owners and employees alike.”

He commended Governor Zulum of Borno for the giant strides recorded in the state, noting that “the entire country has observed, with admiration, the dedication, commitment, compassion and integrity that you have approached your duties as a Governor of this State, at a time of such immense security and economic challenges.

“In the midst of the crisis, you have built 8,000 housing units, the first flyover in Borno State, several mega schools. You have demonstrated what is possible with clarity of vision (even with limited resources), and a love for the people you serve. Well done and keep it up.”

On his part, Governor Zulum thanked the Vice President for sparing time to visit the state and commission projects, aside from attending the 30th MSMEs Clinics.

He pledged the commitment of the State government to work in partnership with the Federal Government and other partners to improve the lives of the people.

The VP also stopped by the camp of surrendered insurgents and their families before departing the State on Thursday.

He was accompanied on the visit by some members of the National Assembly, including Sen. Abubakar Kyari; Hon. Muhktar Betara; Ministers of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Mariam Katagum; Agriculture, Mustapha Baba Shehuri; and some heads of agencies, among others.

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

Interesting

Zulum is really trying

Osinbajo 2023