₦airaland Forum

Osinbajo 2023�

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

*OAU AT 60: YOUNG NIGERIANS, GRADUATES ARE CHARTING NIGERIA'S BRIGHTER FUTURE – OSINBAJO*

_*VP adds: With innovative ideas, skills, this generation can find solutions to local, global challenges_

Even as the Federal Government’s National Development Plan 2021-2025 aims to chart a path for the county’s future, Nigeria’s young generation can find solutions to present and future local and global challenges, with the right ideas, innovation and application of technology, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo, who was speaking today at the 60th anniversary of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, in Osun State, also told the graduating class that the future belonged to them, urging them “to pay attention to it.”

The Vice President, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the convocation ceremony of the University, stood in for President Muhammadu Buhari as Visitor, and was accompanied by the Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola. While the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, delivered the Convocation Lecture at the event presided over by the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Dr. Yahaya Abubakar, as Chancellor of the University.

According to the VP, while young Nigerians, particularly the OAU graduands, stood on the shoulders of great men and women before them, the onus is on their generation to “deal with the biggest issues that confront the world, and our nation.”

“And it is big and innovative ideas that will solve those problems. You will have to confront the problems of climate change and a world moving away from fossil fuels, and you will usher in the age of renewable energy and green solutions,” the Vice President noted.

He added that this generation of young Nigerians are equipped and could proffer solutions in the areas of education, agriculture, health care and security.

“Yes, the challenges are huge, but you are well equipped to resolve them; and the evidence is there… Since 2016, despite two recessions, young Nigerians have built 6 unicorns; a unicorn is a company that is valued at over a billion dollars,” he explained.

The VP added, “You will deal with the issues of feeding, educating, providing healthcare and jobs for the fourth largest population in the world in a few decades. We will need smarter Agric solutions to feed the huge numbers, technology is already helping to crowd-fund Agriculture and develop more prolific seedlings.

“You will confront the need to vastly improve our public and clinical healthcare. We must build on the work of the Genomic Centre at Ede, and the local vaccine production efforts going on already and make local drugs for hundreds of millions of Nigerians.”

In education, while noting that the sector needed several new solutions, including designing methods to teach millions even outside of classrooms, the VP stated that “there are many young men and women already doing great things using technology to reach children in far flung areas with education.”

The Vice President added that the use of technology and improvement in nationwide policing would further help the country address its security challenges.

"The insecurity problems we are experiencing, the rise of terrorism in several parts of this large country and access to modern weaponry by non-state actors tell us that we must be smarter in policing the country, using smart drones and surveillance equipment. The politicization of importation of arms tells us that we must manufacture our own arms.

“Already Proforce, led by Ade Ogundeyin, is manufacturing APCs and MRAPS in their factory in Ode Remo and exporting. So are Imperium, and the government-owned DICON (Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria) producing different types of munitions. The future is smart weapons benefiting from A.I. and machine learning,” he said.

Prof. Osinbajo then praised the vision of the University’s founders and management in driving the academic excellence for which the Obafemi Awolowo University is known, an institution, which he said has produced great thinkers and leaders throughout its history.

Copiously quoting the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, for whom the university was renamed, the VP recalled that “Chief Awolowo, for many years Chancellor of the University, gave some of the most memorable and consequential lectures on the political economy of Nigeria; and addressed some of its most crucial problems, including the imperative of democracy, national economic development, ideology of governance and national census figures.”

He also observed that OAU was very much ahead of its time when it named its medical faculty, the Faculty of Health Sciences, and its engineering faculty, the Faculty of Technology.

Commending the achievements of several alumni of the university over the years, Prof. Osinbajo narrated how US-based Prof Oluyinka Olutoye, an alumnus of the faculty of health sciences gained "global recognition when he led a team of surgeons, to successfully take a 23-week-old baby out of her mother’s womb, removed a tumour and returned it to the mother’s womb where the injuries from her operation healed and she continued to grow until she was born, the second time at 36 weeks.”

He also observed that "not surprisingly, the early leaders in tech and tech-enabled businesses were alumni of OAU’s Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering; Segun Ogunsanya, CEO of Airtel Africa, and Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria. Another Great Ife Alumnus and product of this same department, Prof. Akintayo Akinwande, who teaches at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is one of the world’s most respected professors of electrical engineering and computer science.”

Most recently, according to the VP, "another alumnus of the Electronics and Electrical engineering department. Miss Funke Opeke, made global investment news when Equinix, the global conglomerate announced that it was acquiring MainOne, the company she founded, for $320 million.”

Continuing on the feats of OAU Alumni, Prof. Osinbajo recalled that he had "the pleasure of meeting with Professors Adesuyi Ajayi and Femi Babalola, both OAU alumni, when they undertook ground breaking research and clinical trials into the potential use of Ivermectin as a prophylactic and cure for COVID-19."

Other notable OAU alumni and lecturers mentioned in various fields of endeavours included Segun Osoba, Sesan Dipeolu, Toye Olorode, Oladipo Fashina, Segun Adewoye, G.G. Darah, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina (President of the African Development Bank), Dr. Okey Oramah (President of Afrexim Bank) and Prof. Toyin Falola, the distinguished historian now of the University of Texas at Austin, USA.

He also noted OAU’s new generation alumni, including Nairaland’s Seun Osewa; Jobberman’s Olalekan Elude, Ayodeji Adewunmi and Opeyemi Awoyemi, among others.

The VP added that “it was while still teaching here also that Prof. Wole Soyinka won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986. But less well known is the fact that he was also a lecturer at the University of Ife, Ibadan Campus, in the early 1960s.”

The Vice President congratulated the graduands, who were doctoral candidates bagging their Doctors of Philosophy degrees. He also congratulated the two honorary doctorate recipients at the Convocation: the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and well-known business tycoon, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo.

According to him, the calibre of honorary graduands at the ceremony was testament to the University’s high standards.

Paying tributes to the faculty of the university, the VP, himself a professor, paused "to celebrate my colleagues in academia, the great scholars, and fine academics who make up the faculties here at the OAU; you are the thought leaders at a historic moment, whose great task is to guide the present and inspire the future."

His speech also highlighted the strategic objectives of the National Development Plan 2021-2025 as including establishing a strong foundation for a diversified economy, investing in critical infrastructure, power and broadband, enabling human capital development and improving governance and strengthening security.

Incidentally, the VP also noted that “one of the crafters of the Plan, Ambassador Yemi Dipeolu, the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, is also an alumnus of OAU, while his father, Mr. Sesan Dipeolu of blessed memory, was Ife’s first African librarian.”

Prof. Osinbajo said "there is much to show and many stories to tell; stories of the institution itself and many of incredible successes of its alumni; stories of the triumphs of human endeavour, the primacy of ideas, the creative force of the introspective mind and the power of vision.”

In the opinion of the Vice President, “OAU is and continues to be very much a bastion of progressivism and innovation, and not surprisingly you will find the phrase “Aluta against all oppression” in the Great Ife anthem. This progressivism is evident in the outlook of staff and students alike.”

Present at the Convocation were eminent Nigerians, government dignitaries, top officials, traditional rulers, academics, staff and students.

At the end of the Convocation, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Eyitayo Ogunbodede, conducted the VP and other dignitaries around an arts exhibition to commemorate the event.

*Laolu Akande,*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity),*
*Office of the Vice President.*
11th December, 2021

Osinbajo is the one for me

Good one! Keep the ball rolling sir

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

*WHY LIQUIFIED PETROLEUM GAS SHOULD BE TRANSITION FUEL IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, BY OSINBAJO AT GLOBAL FORUM IN DUBAI*

_*LPG now designated fuel of choice in Nigeria as 20-million Cylinder Injection Scheme set-up_

_*Nigeria presents a unique LPG investment destination, VP adds_

"The world should not have to choose between energy poverty and climate change as this can be addressed with both natural gas and Liquified Petroleum Gas as transition fuels alongside other renewable sources."

This was the kernel of the lead keynote address delivered this morning by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where the World Liquified Petroleum Gas Association,  (WLPGA) is holding its week-long forum.

The  association's 2021 LPG Week brings together over 2,000 delegates from 72 countries, including major LPG companies, senior public sector officials, industry experts and other relevant stakeholders.

Speaking on the theme “Energizing Tomorrow” at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Prof. Osinbajo noted that it was “worrying that a growing number of wealthy nations have banned or restricted public investment in fossil fuels, including natural gas.”

“Such policies often do not distinguish between different kinds of fossil fuels, nor do they consider the vital role some of these fuels play in powering the growth of developing economies, especially in sub-Saharan Africa,” he stated.

“As development finance institutions try to balance climate concerns against the need to spur equitable development and increase energy security, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union have all taken aggressive steps to limit fossil fuel investments in developing and emerging economies.

“The World Bank and other multilateral development banks are being urged by some shareholders to do the same. The African Development Bank, for instance, is increasingly unable to support large natural gas projects in the face of European shareholder pressure.”

While he acknowledged that all countries have a part to play in the fight against climate change, Prof. Osinbajo emphasized that “a global transition away from carbon- based fuels must account for the economic differences between countries and allow for multiple pathways to net-zero emissions.”

The VP, who was accompanied to the event by Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, the Nigerian Ambassador to the UAE, Mohammed Rimi, among others, submitted that it should not be necessary to have to choose between energy-poverty nexus and climate change since both can be properly addressed simultaneously.

Noting that there were still close to 600 million Africans without access to electricity, Prof. Osinbajo observed that, “for developing countries, unlike the rest of the world, the transition to net zero emissions poses two... existential problems.”

Explaining the imperative for the global community to balance concerted efforts at addressing global climate crisis with energy-poverty issue in developing economies, VP Osinbajo said, “aside from the climate crisis, we have the problem of lifting millions out of extreme poverty. And access to energy is a huge part of that.”

“For the few with access to electricity, it is either unreliable due to lack of generating capacity and infrastructure, or unaffordable due to high prices. But a more important aspect of that problem is the 2.6 billion people globally without access to clean cooking solutions, including over 900 million in Africa.”

Continuing, he said, “in fact, this energy-poverty nexus has distinct gender characteristics. A report from the World Health Organization revealed that about 4.3 million people die annually from inefficient cooking practices using polluting stoves paired with solid fuels like charcoal and kerosene… So, clearly there is an urgent need to transition from these fatally hazardous fuels to cleaner energy,” he stated.

Citing Nigeria’s efforts at balancing energy security with environmental sustainability, Prof. Osinbajo stated further that the Federal Government has developed an Energy Transition Plan “which shows that achieving net-zero by 2060 will require investments of about $410 billion, above business as usual, and that natural gas will play a critical role in addressing the clean cooking challenge, as well providing grid stability to integrate renewables at scale.”

According to him, “Nigeria has also developed an integrated energy plan with a clean cooking model which shows the clean cooking opportunities across technologies such as electric- cooking and LPG.

“This model shows that there is an opportunity to transition at least five million households to LPG solutions, which will cut emissions by 30% compared to business as usual, reduce other pollutants by 90% or more and avoid 6.9 billion kilogrammes of forest loss from biomass collection.”

The VP added that "LPG remains an ideal fuel to support the journey to renewables, as it is easily stored, does not degrade over time, requires no heating or complex filtration to keep the fuel in a usable condition, and does not constantly boil off."

He said that for a gas-rich country like Nigeria with over 206 TCF of proven reserves and an additional 600 TCF scope to be proven, "it is evident that what makes the most sense from the point of view of balancing energy security with environmental sustainability is the use of LPG at least as a transition fuel."

Citing Nigeria as an example, Prof. Osinbajo said, “for countries such as my own, that is rich in natural resources but still energy poor - from the point of view of access, the transition must not come at the expense of affordable and reliable energy for people, cities, and industry. On the contrary, it must be inclusive, equitable, and just—which means preserving the right to sustainable development and poverty eradication as enshrined in global treaties such as the Paris accord.

The Vice President then made reference to Nigeria’s Energy Transition, observing that the plan is tied to adopting and domesticating all forms of cleaner energy.

“These cleaner energy systems include solar for electricity, waste to energy, wind energy, hydro power and natural gas.  which aims to adopt and domesticate all forms of cleaner energy sources from household use to commercial use,” he stated.

Buttressing his points, the Vice President highlighted other proactive policies and plans of the Federal Government put in place since 2017.

He mentioned particularly the implementation of Nigeria’s Domestic LPG expansion initiatives, including the LPG policy as part of its National Gas Policy; the National Gas Flare Commercialization Programme; as well as specific provisions in the new Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 that elevates LPG as the fuel of choice compared to other competing fuels.

“And we have established a 20 million Cylinder Injection Scheme; 5 -10 million of these are to be introduced in pilot States next year. We have also established an LPG Energy Fund in the order of $50 million, in its first phase, in partnership with AFREXIMBANK," the Vice President disclosed.

He also listed the mandated conversion of 58,000 Telecommunications cell sites from diesel to LPG due to identified emissions from the industry and an Autogas conversion scheme and capacity building in the 12 pilot States.

Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo explained that the FG has “consummated a collaboration with the EU through a study on CO2 savings based on the National LPG Expansion Implementation Programme for Clean Cooking. Also in the last three years, several LPG coastal terminals have been opened in Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar, with the latest one opening in Warri later this month.

"We also have a waiver of import duty on machineries, equipment and spare parts for the establishment of LPG plants for 10 years (subject to renewal) and a 5 - Year Tax holiday for investors in the LPG value Chain.”

While the Vice President stated the desire of the Federal Government to support investors, he noted that Nigeria’s “interventions would result in significant reduction in the rate of deforestation and create millions of direct and indirect employment opportunities for Nigerians.”

Aside from being an effective transition fuel, the VP asserted that "LPG is set to be part of the destination as it is being used as a precursor for green hydrogen with zero emission," adding that "an eventual move to bio-LPG will allow countries like Nigeria to keep existing infrastructure in place, capitalize on already existing supply and distribution chains and reach net-zero at far lower cost.

He said, “this also helps to overcome the concern of stranded assets. Consumers will not have to re-invest in expensive electrical solutions if their gas appliances can be re- purposed for zero carbon LPG.

“Our target is 5,000,000MT, and this requires at least USD$6 billion for the required LPG infrastructure roll-out to meet our target. From inland and coastal terminals to cylinder filling plants, bobtails, semi-trailers, valves and regulators, Nigeria presents a unique LPG investment destination for setting up manufacturing facilities and support services for the expanded LPG value chain in the National LPG Expansion."

Vice President Osinbajo was later conducted round the exhibition stands put up by different participants at the WLPGA Week.

Other speakers at the grand opening of the WLPGA week included the UAE Minister of Energy & Infrastructure, Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouel; the Deputy Director-General, International Renewable Energy Agency, Ms. Gauri Singh; and the CEO of the WLPGA, Mr. James Rockall.

*Laolu Akande,*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity),*
*Office of the Vice President.*
7th December, 2021

may her soul rest in peace

Nigeria shall be great again

*STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE*

*NEW NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN DEPENDS ON STRONG PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP - OSINBAJO*

*VP says collaboration key to success, highlights digital & creative sectors as future drivers of economy

*20,000 paid Jubilee Fellowships for graduates start January

*AfDB $600million Digital & Creativity funding also expected next year

As the Federal Government continues building a more resilient and competitive economy, the private sector's strong partnership has been restated, especially to drive the success of Nigeria’s new National Development Plan.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, stated this on Friday at the 2021 Presidential Policy Dialogue of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

While highlighting the importance of the private sector in driving Nigeria’s economy on the path of sustainable growth and job creation, Prof. Osinbajo noted that "the private sector on which so much depends and so well represented here, will rise up to help Nigeria achieve these noble objectives by working closely with Government.”

He disclosed that the collaboration of both government and the private sector "must promote productivity and value addition and move away from the despair of managing limited resources to producing and creating more in a competitive and sustainable manner."

The Vice President further said through the new National Development Plan, the Federal Government is placing particular focus on job creation, value addition, and promoting a business-friendly environment.

Explaining how the collaboration would be implemented, the VP stated that the Plan “envisages an investment commitment of N348trillion over the plan period of which it is expected that Government at all levels will come up with about N49.7trillion or about 14%, while the private sector is expected to invest N298 trillion or about 86%.”

In addition, the Federal Government has continued to take deliberate steps to encourage the private sector in improving the country’s business environment, by enabling more speedy transactions and removing bureaucratic obstacles.

“For instance, the very first Executive Order issued by this Government, EO 001 was on promoting transparency and efficiency in the business environment. Executive Order 003 promoting support for local content in public procurement had a similar objective in mind," Prof. Osinbajo recalled.

He then stated that when fully implemented, the National Development Plan’s strategy of becoming a value-adding economy will help create many jobs.

According to him “the strategic objectives of the Medium-Term Plan include establishing a strong foundation for a diversified economy, investing in critical infrastructure, enabling human capital development and improving governance and strengthening security. The implementation of the Plan is expected to be supported by a range of measures of fiscal, monetary, and trade measures, including reformation of subsidy regimes and a better functioning foreign exchange market.

“In terms of strategic direction, increasing productivity is the cornerstone. In practical terms, this means focusing on value addition as the guiding principle for all sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, solid minerals, digital services, tourism, hospitality, sports, and entertainment. In agriculture, for example, equal attention is given to primary production as well as other aspects of the value chain such as storage, transportation, processing, marketing, and exports.”

Prof. Osinbajo added that Government worked closely with the private sector to ensure Nigeria benefits greatly from the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreements.

In the same vein, he noted that the private sector “must contribute to the articulation of the National Trade Strategy, provide support to our negotiators in AfCFTA processes while taking full advantage of the opportunities provided by this free trade area.”

He added, “this government has always emphasised that the private sector has a key role to play in our efforts to build a more resilient and competitive economy. Private companies are engaged in design, construction, logistics and financial components of national infrastructural projects just as we are fully conscious that good infrastructure is vital to enable the private sector to be efficient and competitive.

“As things stand, negotiations on the Rules of Origin which are very important for boosting local production are at about 87.65% complete with outstanding work of about 10% on textiles and 2% relating to automobiles. In services, 41 countries have made offers but which are still to be verified. The Phase 2 negotiations on Investment, Intellectual Property, Competition are at early stages while talks on Women and Youth in Trade and Digital Trade are yet to start.”

The VP also highlighted the infrastructure development drive of the Buhari administration, including the Abuja-Kaduna railway, Lagos-Ibadan railway, and other major projects nearing completion such as the Second Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Abuja-Kano Expressway, and the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline.

Prof. Osinbajo stated that the country’s infrastructure will improve further when InfraCo, the N15 trillion infrastructure fund being set up in partnership with the private sector, fully takes off.

Speaking further on the Government’s proactive steps in mitigating the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19, the Vice President noted the far-reaching impact of the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) which helped Nigeria exit recession faster than most countries at the height of the global pandemic.

He also stated how the ESP helped in saving and creating jobs, with millions of Nigerians as beneficiaries of ESP components such as the MSMEs Survival Fund.

His words: “the resulting Economic Sustainability Plan emphasized rapid health interventions, keeping businesses going, creating and protecting jobs, boosting local production and providing social protection for the most vulnerable sections of society.

“The ESP also included a suite of macroeconomic policies including fiscal grants, tax breaks, regulatory forbearance to banks as well as reduced interest and moratorium on CBN intervention facilities amongst other things.

“These interventions paid off as we had a very short recession and we are now seeing a rebound in economic activity with GDP growth of 5.01% in the second quarter of this year and 4.03% in the third quarter."

The VP also stated the Federal Government’s interventions in reducing the country’s youth unemployment gap through job initiatives.

These include the N-Power scheme (where up to 1.5 million young Nigerians were recruited over two cohorts), and the Jubilee Fellows Programme - in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, the European Union, and other partners - a one-year work placement scheme for 20,000 young Nigerians set to kick-off in January 2022.

The Vice President observed that “while this was a scratch on the surface as well over two million young people enter into the workforce every year, there is no doubt that the Nigeria private sector has to thrive in order to create the number and kinds of jobs that we need but it is also important for the Nigerian youth to acquire the skills and knowledge of the workplace.”

This is a major reason why Government is ramping up its efforts to prepare Nigeria’s economy for the future by diversifying the economy, as well as creating a more enabling environment for the digital and creative sectors to thrive, the VP added.

“For instance, the Big Six Technology Companies Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft and now Tesla, account for up to half of the value of the NASDAQ 100 and had nearly $1trillion in revenues in 2019. By contrast, Nigerian GDP in 2019 was just about $450billion. What this shows is that as a nation, we have to embrace technology and learn to use it for our own developmental purposes.

“This is one of the reasons why the Advisory Group on Technology and Creativity which brings together public and private stakeholders articulated the need to strengthen the ecosystem of support to the digital and creative sectors.

“This resulted in the conceptualization of the $600million investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises programme (i-DICE) with the African Development Bank which we hope will become operational early in 2022," he noted.

The Vice President added that even as the country adopts measures to cope with the fall-out of the COVID-19 pandemic, it also has “to factor in the need to mitigate and adapt to climate change and the relentless march of the digital economy and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”

*Laolu Akande,*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,*
*Office of the Vice President.*
27th November 2021

*STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE*

*WITH FOCUS ON NON-OIL EXPORTS, ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION ON COURSE - OSINBAJO*

**VP commends outgoing NEPC CEO, Segun Awolowo on Zero-Oil Plan foresight*

**Export Development Fund activated for the first time through Buhari’s ESP - Awolowo*


Focusing on non-oil exports, with the Zero-Oil Plan actively promoted by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigeria is on the right path to economic diversification, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo, stated this today during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa by a delegation from the NEPC led by its outgoing Executive Director/CEO, Mr Segun Awolowo.

According to the Vice President, “we are set on the right path and I like the fact that we are focused on non-oil exports, and we are facing the challenges and we are facing them head-on.

“In the next few years, those of us who are policymakers and looking at the future, must, today, have a plan. In fact, we have set ourselves on an inevitable course of a zero-oil plan.”

The VP then commended the outgoing NEPC CEO for his foresight, stating that “I really want to commend you for your foresight for putting in place a plan that is very well-structured and detailed.”

Said the VP, “it is very important to note that we are certainly getting away from the oil and gas era. In the past, we used to think that it will still take a while but today, with the circumstances and all of the various factors around the world (less dependence on oil, Climate Change, and COP), it is inevitable.”

He added that “public investments from the EU, from the multilateral organizations for oil and gas, are fizzling out.”

Speaking on the efforts put in place by the NEPC to ensure that the objectives of government were realized, the VP noted that “the Export Expansion Facility Programme (EEFP) is a natural progression for the Zero-Oil Plan.”

“If you say you have a zero-oil plan, then you must have a way of improving exports in particular because oil is our major foreign exchange earnings. So, if you are going to replace it, then you must have a robust plan, and I think that the EEFP is an incredibly wide door for exports in our country,” the VP added.

Prof. Osinbajo however tasked stakeholders in the sector to brace up for the challenges ahead, stating that “the years to come will test our resolve even more because we are going to be challenging ourselves the more.”

Earlier in his remarks, Mr Awolowo gave an overview of the EEFP which he said has been crucial to the economic diversification agenda of government, disclosing significant increase in non-oil revenues at over one trillion naira which is now 15% above target.

Mr Awolowo praised the support the Council enjoyed from the President and the Vice President in the discharge of its mandates and noted that it enabled the “NEPC to significantly re-energize the country’s non-oil exports.”

According to him, “for instance, the Export Development Fund of the NEPC has been activated for the first time under the Buhari administration through the Economic Sustainability Plan.”

He said that through the activities promoted by the Council, Nigeria is on track in growing its non-oil sector, and urged all stakeholders not to relent in their efforts.

Mr Awolowo who is completing his tenure as NEPC’s ED/CEO was accompanied on the visit by the management and some staff of the Council.



*Laolu Akande*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity*
*Office of the Vice President*
*25th November 2021*

*STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE*

*ENGAGING WITH THE PEOPLE & THEIR NEEDS REMAIN OUR MAJOR CONCERN, OSINBAJO SAYS*

**Outgoing UN Resident Coordinator to President, VP: I am impressed with your leadership*

**Retired Generals tasked with defence & armed forces reform visit VP for counsel*


For those fortunate enough to be elected to lead the people, engaging with them is not only an important concern but an aspiration.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN said this yesterday during a farewell courtesy call at the Presidential Villa by the outgoing United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon.

Before that, members of a Presidential Defence Reform Committee had interacted on Wednesday with the Vice President, briefing him on the progress so far made by the Committee which has now reached the implementation stage in the reform process.

The Committee including its Chairman, retired Major-General A.J Kazir who led the delegation is composed of several former military chiefs including retired Lt. Generals C.I Obiakor, L.O Adeosun, A.F.K Akale, retired Major-Generals L.P Ngubane, A.T Jibrin, S. Wali, retired Brigadier-Generals J.N Temlong, retired Rear Admiral J.A Ajani, and Group Captain S.G Shehu, among others.

In his meeting with the outgoing UN top official in Nigeria, Prof. Osinbajo stated that “constant engagement on issues of justice, peace, security, and social contract cannot be let to fall through the cracks, these are critical issues.

“You cannot avoid engaging with the people (there is need to engage) in such a way that you are trusted, and on an ongoing basis, people (should) see that you are committed enough to their concerns.

“People must feel that government is committed to their welfare, security and especially on issues of healthcare and education of their children. So, a social compact is crucial. As a matter of fact, it is both a current concern and aspiration for those of us who have been fortunate to be elected into positions in government and in the politics of our country.”

The UN Resident Coordinator had raised with the VP the issue of the importance of a social contract between the people and their government while recounting his experience during his more than five years stay in Nigeria, adding that maintaining peace and security is crucial.

Prof. Osinbajo also commended the support and partnership of development partners particularly under the auspices of the United Nations system, coordinated by Mr Kallon over the years, noting that “we certainly enjoyed the work that you did as UN Resident Coordinator for Nigeria for the past few years”.

Recalling some of the efforts of Mr Kallon, Prof. Osinbajo said “practically, on every occasion where we have had to look at serious issues, you have been available which I think is very important.

“We found that you were very hands-on, you were everywhere, you attended major meetings that we have had and you were all over the country.

“Your being available and ready to engage is really commendable and very helpful for us as a government. It also gave you a clear insight to what the issues are and it made your presentations to the UN system clearer and more nuanced.”

On his part, Mr Kallon thanked the President and the Vice President for the support he enjoyed during his tenure as Coordinator of the UN in Nigeria, especially in addressing some of the concerns around humanitarian assistance.

He praised Nigeria’s COVID-19 response dubbing it a miracle, and commended the Vice President’s personal commitment and leadership of the economic recovery initiative, noting that “I am really impressed with your leadership in addressing the impact of COVID-19 in Nigeria.”

Mr Kallon said Nigeria’s efforts remain a model as to how a well-coordinated national response can deliver positive results and urged government to explore opportunities in the country as well as creatively manage the risks therein.

“While the government continues exploring the vast opportunities in this country, it is also critical that this great nation manages its risks in a sustainable way to ensure peace security, and stability,” the UN Resident Coordinator added.

At the previous interaction with the Defence Reform Committee, the Vice President observed that "the choice of Committee members is wise and informed, because your experience is what is required. You are clearly the ones who can tell us this is what to do."

According to the Committee Chairman, rtd. General Kazir, " the purpose of our visit is to appraise you of the work we have done so far and seek your counsel for a seamless implementation."


*Laolu Akande*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity*
*Office of the Vice President*
*November 25, 2021*

Osinbajo please, next case�

Osinbajo/Zulum

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

HOW AN INDEPENDENT, PROFESSIONAL JUDICIARY ATTRACTS MORE FOREIGN INVESTMENTS, BY PRESIDENT BUHARI

*VP represents President at All Nigeria Judges' Conference

*Deterrent costs against dilatory tactics advocated, Courts commended for effective response to pandemic

*Osinbajo is a "very solid part and parcel of us" - CJN

The Federal Government will continue to support efforts and reforms that safeguard the integrity of the Nigerian Judiciary, its independence from all forms of interference, and ensure it maintains the highest level of responsiveness and professional standards.

Also, because Nigeria is a major part of the global marketplace for investment and legal services, more foreign investors are attracted to the country because of a judiciary that maintains the highest professional standards and integrity.

These were the views of President Muhammadu Buhari, in his speech at the 2021 Biennial All Nigeria Judges’ Conference, which held at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja.

According to the President, “the extent to which we can attract business to our country depends in part upon investor perception of the quality of our justice delivery system. If we are seen as inefficient and ineffective, we would lose out to more efficient systems.”

Acknowledging that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man, the President, who was represented at the event by his deputy, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, noted that “a trusted, well-resourced and well-functioning Judiciary is therefore essential to the entrenchment of rule of law.”

He added that “to maintain this revered position, and retain greater public confidence by the citizens, the Judiciary must be independent of all forms of interference and must maintain the highest level of responsiveness, professional standards, and integrity.

“We will continue to partner with you in ensuring that the Judiciary is financially independent; and effectively and sustainably retains a preeminent position in the quality of jurists manning our courts and the jurisprudence that develops from their collective premier reasoning.”

The President recalled his 2019 address to the Judiciary body, where he emphasized the need for implementation of measures that will ensure speedy dispensation of justice in the country through the dual-track of removing administrative bottlenecks in the judicial process and adopting modern time-saving technology.

In the same vein, President Buhari also commended the Nigerian Judiciary for “rising to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, by adopting innovative approaches.

He noted that these approaches, “in addition to ensuring compliance with the Covid-19 protocols, have ensured that the wheels of justice continued to move unhindered – in some cases even faster than what was obtained during physical hearings.”

The President pointed out that, “Practice Directions were issued by several courts for remote hearing of cases, electronic filing of court processes, service of hearing notices via email addresses and mobile phone numbers of counsel, and e-payment of filing fees; with relevant devices installed.

“Speed, efficiency, and effectiveness were attained. It aided in the decongestion of cases, did away with the obsolete method of physical filing, and ensured structured use of both judicial and administrative time and resources. Travel time to-and-from the court for litigants, counsel, and witnesses was no longer an issue, effectively minimizing the need for adjournments.”

According to the President, a universal application of these approaches nationwide will greatly enhance access to and speedy dispensation of justice.

President Buhari further said, “as My Lords are aware, delay in the dispensation of justice coupled with the increase in the number of cases in our courts have remained subjects of grave concern. As someone said, “our problem is not access to justice, it is exiting the justice system.”

“And I know that delays are not necessarily the fault of judges, lawyers are often responsible. Should we not then as been suggested by some, be evolving a cost-award system that recognizes the court as a finite and expensive public resource? And as such delays and other dilatory tactics are visited with deterrent costs?”


Again, emphasizing the importance of judicial integrity, President Buhari stated that “in my humble view, nothing is as important as for judges to be trusted for honesty and integrity.”

While he acknowledged the number of challenges that he said was “slowing the pace of transformation in our administration of the justice system,” President Buhari urged that “more needs to be done to strike a sound balance between a high level of productivity, the quality of judicial decisions, and careful consideration of cases.”

In his view, “men and women who have the power over the lives and livelihoods of others are not like the rest of us, we must place them on the highest scale of probity. I would like to urge that your Lordships must not allow a few to undermine the respect and trust both local and international that our Judiciary has built up in over a century of its existence.”

Highlighting some of the measures taken by his administration, through the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the National Judicial Council, in resolving challenges in the Judiciary, the President noted the development of strategic infrastructure to provide ease in case management in courts, and the enhanced welfare of judicial officers.

The development of strategic infrastructure includes “the electronic recording of proceedings to replace the tedious longhand recording currently practiced in the majority of our courts,” the President stated.

He added, “advancements in courtroom technology (E-Court systems) have increased the level of efficiency in the justice system in the areas of speed of documentation, accuracy, security, and accessibility of records.

"Enhanced welfare of judicial officers, especially in the area of conditions of service – salaries, allowances, and retirement benefits for Judicial Officers. Provision of comprehensive medical insurance. On this, I wish to commend the National Judicial Council for the institution of the NJC Health Insurance Programme, which provides comprehensive international insurance for all members of the Federal Judiciary as well as comprehensive local coverage within all the States of the Federation.”

Also, the President commended the leadership of the Judiciary and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, for its proactive stance, “in tackling some of the recent issues that emerged, especially in the area of conflicting court orders by courts of coordinate jurisdiction; and My Lord’s disposition in revolutionizing the process of selection and appointment of Judges.”


In his remarks, the CJN, Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, thanked President Buhari and the VP for their efforts towards supporting the judiciary.

“Let me publicly acknowledge and thank the President of the federation, through his Excellency, the Vice President, for his complete obedience to the Constitution of the Federation in relation to the funding of the Federal Judiciary. The negotiation driven by the Ministry of Labour, between JUSUN and the Governors Forum under the directive of the President is quite commendable, we appreciate this support.”

Hon. Justice Muhammad also thanked Prof. Osinbajo for honoring their invitation on behalf of the President.

Describing the Vice President as “a very solid part and parcel of us,” the CJN said, “luckily enough for us, the man seated with us happens to not only be one of us but very knitted into us. He knows the court very well, not because of a few years ago, but he has been appearing before us. We talk with him and we are sure he is ever ready to continue to listen and assist us.”

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
15th November 2021

WOW! I'm waiting for interesting gist from my sister.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

*WHY WE ARE COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABLE SANITATION, HYGIENE FOR ALL NIGERIANS - OSINBAJO*

_*Additional 33 LGAs now Open Defecation Free, 36 States launch End Open Defecation campaign_

Even as the Buhari administration remains committed to the delivery of sustainable sanitation and hygiene services to all Nigerians, effective collaboration among all levels of government and the private sector will ensure the country achieves its goal to end open defecation by 2025, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this today at the virtual meeting of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Steering Committee to review progress report of implementation of the ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet’ Campaign under the national programme to End Open Defecation in Nigeria.

Speaking at the virtual meeting of the Committee, its first this year, the VP stated that, “If we work conscientiously, we can really make our country open defecation free by 2025. It is entirely possible, and we must not rest on our oars as we push for the delivery of sustainable sanitation and hygiene services for all Nigerians.”

The Vice President further said the current momentum should be seized to ensure speedy deliverables by the campaign.

According to the VP, “we are at the cusp of real acceleration if we seize the current momentum. So, it is time to align our efforts at all levels and commit ourselves to using all of our spheres of influence in advancing the objectives of the campaign; we must continue strong advocacy to policy makers and the general public, and of course, the ever-present issue of increased funding that is needed practically at all levels.”

While commending the progress recorded so far in the campaign, the Vice President noted that more needs to be done to ensure all the goals and objectives are achieved.

The Vice President commended the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, and his team “for their commitment and hard work, and for the effective coordination of the several programmes.”

Prof. Osinbajo further said that the National Economic Council (NEC) will continue to find ways to work with State governments to improve results, noting that “there is a great need for us to engage even more with the states.”

He also pointed out the need to also engage more with the private sector in meeting with the objectives of the campaign, while noting that, so far, input of civil society organisations, private sector, development partners and the media have been invaluable.

“We must pay more attention to the way we leverage more on the private sector; this is absolutely important. There are so many who could consider this a low hanging as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) measure if we want to get them even more interested in this. Somehow if we can find a way to involve them much more, we might be able to get increasingly better results,” he noted.

During his presentation, the Minister of Water Resources, Engr Adamu, stated that there has been a surge in the number of States that have launched their State campaigns from 19 in 2020, to 36 in 2021.

The Minister also noted that between January and May 2021, an additional 33 LGAs have achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, while an estimated 15 million persons across the 774 LGAs nationwide have been reached with key campaign messages, in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

“The whole campaign is focused on encouraging citizens to take sanitation as a personal responsibility,” Engr Adamu stated.

The virtual meeting was attended by the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu; Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola; Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor; Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan; the National Coordinator, Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (OPS-WASH), Dr. Nicholas Igwe; UNICEF’s Chief of WASH Nigeria, Jane Bevan; the World Bank representative, its operations Manager, Kathy Whimp, among others.

*Laolu Akande*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity*
*Office of the Vice President*
*11th November, 2021*

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

WE 'LL ENSURE CONCORD BETWEEN ARMS OF GOVT, PARTY, OSINBAJO SAYS AT APC ENLARGED TRIPARTITE COMMITTEE MEETING

REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE MEETING OF THE EXPANDED TRIPARTITE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE OF THE EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE AND APC LEADERSHIP AT THE BANQUET HALL, PRESIDENTIAL VILLA ON THE 9TH OF NOVEMBER, 2021

PROTOCOLS

It's my pleasure to welcome you to this meeting which has, in addition to the usual members of the Tripartite Committee established by his Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, we also have representatives of the APC Governors as well as members of our Party in the National Assembly.


The Tripartite Committee as we know was conceived by his Excellency, the President, as a way of ensuring a cordial and beneficial relationship between the Executive, Legislative branches of the government on the one hand, and the Party on the other hand.

The whole idea was to ensure that whenever there are issues that require deliberations, perhaps, thorny issues, we are able to discuss them as a Tripartite Committee before taking them any further. If there's any issue to resolve at that time, we can simply resolve it and we can move on.

We've had several meetings of the Tripartite Committee and many of these issues have been resolved to the benefit of our Party and to the benefit of our government.

But at about a couple of meetings, about three previous meetings of the Tripartite Committee, the issue of the proposal first by the House of Representatives and then the Senate, to restrict the conduct of primaries of parties to only direct primaries came up.

The reason as it emerged from our discussions at the Tripartite Committee was that some legislators felt that party congresses had been completely taken over by State Governments and other legislators and they, as stakeholders stood no chance of a fair contest in the primaries if all potential delegates and actors have already been spoken for.

We then decided at the last meeting of the Tripartite Committee, (because these issues, problems, and sides were laid before us) to call an expanded meeting where the leadership of the National Assembly, Governors and all other stakeholders that are present here would be able to deliberate on those issues and hopefully find solutions that would be acceptable to all, but, most importantly, that would work in the interest of our Party especially as we go into the elections come 2023.

Other speakers after me will elaborate further on the issue but I want to urge all present that in the course of our discussions today we should seek to find solutions highlighting the pathways to an amicable resolution.

Most of us who are here are probably familiar with what the problems are, what we really want are solutions. If everybody takes time to speak again about all the issues and rehash everything, we won't leave here. I really think that it's important that we're able to get quickly to the issues and resolve them in a way that would be satisfactory.

I think at this period more than ever, we need peace and concord within our Party and I hope this meeting would mark a new beginning in that direction, and I hope at the conclusion of this meeting we'll only have good things to report to Mr. President.

Thank you all very much for taking the time to come.

Released by:
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
10th November 2021

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

NIGERIA PLANS “OPERATION FEED YOURSELF” TO COUNTER MALNUTRITION

*How FG, States can encourage establishment of small urban farms at homes, schools, others - Osinbajo

*UN, development partners to support transformative national food system pathways

*UN Dep. S.G commends leadership, focus of VP, Dialogue Convener
As part of other efforts to address malnutrition and related challenges in the country, the Federal Government in collaboration with States is considering under the auspices of the National Economic Council and the National Council on Nutrition, an “Operation Feed Yourself” initiative to encourage the establishment of urban farms and small home gardens, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this late Monday at a High-Level Meeting on Nutrition attended by United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Mrs Amina Mohammed, State Governors, representatives of development partners including UNICEF, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Aliko Dangote Foundation, and convener of the UN Food System Dialogue, Mrs. Olusola Idowu who is also the Permanent Secretary, Budget and National Planning Ministry.

The plan for “Operation Feed Yourself” is one of three major plans arising from the UN-backed Food Systems Dialogues, to advance the fight against malnutrition. Others are providing support to farmers across the country, especially by providing useful weather and soil pattern information that will improve farming yields, and also encouraging State Governments to ensure prompt release of budget for nutrition and related activities.

At the meeting, presentations were made by the Deputy Secretary-General, the Dialogue Convener, Oyo State government which already has an integrated farming model, and the Director-General, Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) on how weather information can be helpful to farmers.

According to the Vice President, “there are practical steps that can be taken by the States and Federal Government in the next 12 months.

“I think that some of the suggestions are important, especially those that have come from the UN Food System Dialogue.”

The VP listed the different stages as; the establishment of Agribusiness Investment Hubs or farm settlements; the establishment of urban farms and homestead gardens by individuals and schools; the adoption of weather information to support farming; leveraging the support of the UN agencies and other partners for nutrition activities, and the call on MDAs and States to release funding for nutrition activities.

“States and the FGN will promote what the convener has described as “Operation Feed Yourself”. This is more of the establishment of urban farms and homestead gardens. This is simply something that we think should be a mass appeal to citizens in the States, and the encouragement we can give them so that individuals and schools develop their own farms or homestead gardens,” the VP noted.

“This obviously not only helps individuals and families but the excess can be sold to others and generally improve food security.

“The establishment of Agribusiness Investment Hubs or farm settlements or farm estates or any variety of those kinds of integrated farming arrangements will improve food and nutrition security. What we are recommending is the sort of model that Oyo State has or any of the variety that States have. That sort is obviously recommended because of the way that it is structured and the obviously good result that they have been getting.”

Speaking specifically about the funding of nutrition and related activities by MDAs and States, the VP noted that “this is something that we have made a point of importance even at the National Economic Council meetings.

“It is one of the action points as defined in the food transformation pathways which we already have issued and we are hoping that these budget releases will be specifically directed at the action points defined in the transformation pathways because these are ways by which we have identified that we can gain maximum traction in food security.”

“We urge the States to budget adequately for nutrition. Each MDA and State should adopt the national priority list, make budgetary provisions for those who haven’t concluded their 2022 annual budgets. I think there is still time to make adequate budgetary provision for nutrition in the 2022 budgets,” the VP added.

Prof. Osinbajo urged State governments to adopt partnerships that can be effective in scaling up nutrition and related activities.

He said “it is also clear that we can leverage on the support of the UN Agencies and other partners like the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the World Bank as well as our development partners, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Aliko Dangote Foundation.

“The Aliko Dangote Foundation was able to show what they have been doing especially with de-risking facilities that could be used by farmers in the various localities all over the country.”

Acknowledging the leadership of Nigeria to the UN agenda 2030 and the Africa Union agenda 2063, Mrs Amina Mohammed said the solution to many of the challenges associated with malnutrition “lie in Nigeria’s recent commitment through the Food Systems Summit process.”

Her words: “I will like to pay tribute to the leadership of the Vice President, Prof. Osinbajo, and to the efforts of the Mrs Olusola Idowu, as the national convener of the virtual engagement by His Excellency at the pre-summit and clear, focused, ambitious national pathways that were published ahead of the Food Systems Summit in September.”

She added that “at the Summit itself, His Excellency the President made decisive and inspiring commitments, and all these efforts of the emerging pathways, Nigeria has demonstrated a holistic approach to the Food Systems transformation which really underpins that transformation that it is about climate, it is about nutrition and about an inclusive economy.”

On his part, the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi said despite dwindling financial resources, the States will continue to “push on the frontier of improvement in nutritional issues.”

Also in a brief remark, the Chairman of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, His Royal Highness, Sanusi Lamido urged relevant authorities to leverage technology to address the challenge of shortage of rainfall to boost farming activities in parts of the country.

Aside from the Convener of the Food Systems Dialogue, Mrs Olusola Idowu, the DG of NiMet, Prof. Mansur Matazu, and the Executive Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on Agriculture, Dr Debo Akande, the representatives of the FCDO and the Aliko Dangote Foundation also made presentations at the meeting.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
9th November 2021

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

ECOWAS IMPOSES SANCTIONS ON MALI, MAINTAINS MEASURES AGAINST MILITARY TAKEOVER IN GUINEA

*We insist UN, EU, others support impositions of sanctions, says Osinbajo in Accra

An ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government held yesterday in Accra, Ghana to review the political situations in Guinea and Mali, has decided to maintain the sanctions imposed on Guinea and impose similar ones against the Mali Transitional Government.

The Communique at the end of the 3rd Extraordinary Summit on Guinea and Mali attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN on behalf of the President, stated that "the Authority decides to uphold the suspension of the Republic of Guinea from all ECOWAS governing bodies as well as the travel ban and freeze on financial assets imposed on the members of the CNRD and their family members until constitutional order is restored," in the country.

Similarly, regarding Mali, the ECOWAS leaders at a meeting presided over by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana and Chair of the ECOWAS Authority resolved that in "conformity with the decision taken on 16th September 2021, the Authority decides to impose sanctions with immediate effect against individuals and groups who have been identified, including the entire transition authorities and the other transition institutions.

"These sanctions will also be imposed on the members of their families. The sanctions include a travel ban and a freeze on their financial assets. It further instructs the President of the Commission to consider and propose additional sanctions at its next Ordinary Session on 12th December 2021, should the situation persist."

The ECOWAS Summit attended by leaders from 13 countries then called “on the African Union, the United Nations, and the bilateral and other multilateral partners to endorse and support the implementation of these sanctions."

Speaking to the media at the end of the Summit, Prof. Osinbajo noted that African countries have gone far beyond military coup as a means of changing political actors and that coups are unacceptable.

He added that ECOWAS Heads of State and Government will continue to prevail on the military juntas in Guinea and Mali to return their countries to democratic rule.

According to the VP, “one of the important points that the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government make is that coups and coups de'tat generally are just completely unacceptable....and that we cannot continue to have a situation where they are tolerated for the simple reason that in Africa, West Africa in particular, we’ve gone way beyond military coups as an answer to the question of change in political actors.”

Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo said, “there is a very strong feeling amongst the Heads of State that we must insist, that other international bodies: the UN, EU, and other regional groups must support the impositions of sanctions on individuals and groups that choose not to follow the democratic process of change of government and choose to go by way of coup de‘tat.”

Referring to the situations in Guinea and Mali, the Vice President said “it appears from all indications that much progress has been made in Guinea, although we are still concerned that there ought to be much more clarity on transition.

“But Mali is a much more difficult situation, there is much concern because very little progress had been made."

President of Ghana and Chair of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, had earlier briefed the meeting on the outcome of a high-powered delegation led by himself to Guinea and Mali on the 17th of September and the 17th of October respectively, as part of the resolutions of the previous Summit held on the 16th of September this year.

At the end of the Extraordinary Summit, the ECOWAS communique stated that “the Authority endorsed the main recommendations contained in the memorandum on the political situation in the Republic of Guinea and the report on the political situation in the Republic of Mali.”

They decided as follows:

A. On the political transition in the Republic of Guinea
- The Authority reaffirms its demand for the unconditional release of President Alpha Condé.

- The Authority takes note of the recent developments in Guinea, particularly the adoption of the Transition Charter, the appointment of a civilian Prime Minister and the formation of the Transition Government.

It urges the Transition Authorities to urgently submit a detailed timetable of activities to be carried out under the transition towards the holding of elections, in accordance with the decisions of the Extraordinary Summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government held on 16th September 2021.

- The Authority decides to appoint H.E. Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas as Special Envoy to Guinea with a view to strengthening dialogue with the Transitional authorities towards a successful and short transition process.

B. On the political transition in the Republic of Mali
- The Authority remains concerned about the deterioration of the security situation in Mali, as a result of the heightened political uncertainties in the country. It calls on the Transition Authorities to intensify their efforts to improve the security situation, especially by ensuring effective state presence in the affected areas.

In this context, the Authority calls on the neighbouring countries to step up security presence along their borders with Mali and instructs the ECOWAS Commission to deepen the ongoing discussions with the African Union Commission with a view to enhancing the security situation in the Sahel.

- Furthermore, the Authority calls for a more robust and offensive mandate and enhance the operational capacity of MINUSMA to deal with terrorism challenges in Mali. ECOWAS will accordingly request the United Nations Security Council to make the necessary amendments to the mandate of MINUSMA.

- On the political front, the Chair of ECOWAS informed the Authority of the official notification by the transition authorities of their inability to meet the transition deadline of February 2022.

The Authority highly deplores the lack of progress made in the preparations for the elections, including the absence of a detailed timetable of activities for the conduct of elections on the agreed dates.

- The Authority reiterates the need to adhere to the transition timetable in respect of the elections scheduled for 27th February 2022 and calls on the Transition Authorities to act accordingly to ensure an expeditious return to constitutional order.

Accordingly, the Authority calls on the International Community to take the necessary measures to ensure that the transition authorities respect their commitment to an expeditious return to constitutional order.

- The Authority condemns the expulsion of the ECOWAS Permanent Representative to Mali in this critical context and calls on the transition authorities to uphold the spirit of dialogue and collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission to ensure a successful transition.

- The situation in Mali and Guinea will be reviewed at the Ordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on the 12th of December 2021.

The Authority reaffirms its adherence to all the ECOWAS normative frameworks, particularly the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

Besides the President of Ghana and Nigeria's VP, the Summit was attended by 4 other Presidents from Ivory Coast, Senegal, Niger and Guinea-Bissau, 1 other VP from Benin Republic, the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, 3 Foreign Affairs Ministers from Gambia, Liberia and Togo, and 2 Ambassadors from Sierra Leone and Cape Verde.

The session was also attended by Dr Goodluck Jonathan, Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS Mediator for Mali, Mr. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Mahamat Saleh Annadif, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mr El-Ghassim Wane, Head of MINUSMA and Mr Maman Sambo Sidikou, Special Representative for MISAHEL, representing the President of the African Union Commission.

The Vice President was accompanied to the Extraordinary Summit by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd) and the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Dr Adeyemi Dipeolu.


'Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
8th November, 2021

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

VP OSINBAJO TO REPRESENT NIGERIA AT 3RD ECOWAS EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT IN ACCRA ON POLITICAL SITUATION IN GUINEA, MALI

President Muhammadu Buhari would be represented by his deputy, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, at an Extraordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government today in Accra, Ghana on the political situation in the Republics of Guinea and Mali.

Today’s Extraordinary meeting, which will be the third on the same agenda this year, will assess previous resolutions and further review the political situation in the Republics of Guinea and Mali.

Prof. Osinbajo had participated at the 2nd ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit on the political situation in Guinea and Mali held on 16th September in Accra, Ghana. Before that, he also attended a virtual ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit held on 8th September on the same agenda.

ECOWAS leaders in the communique issued at the end of the last special summit in Accra had, amongst other resolutions, decided to freeze the financial assets of members of the military junta, place a travel ban on them, while also demanding that the junta return Guinea to constitutional rule within six months.

Nigeria’s position on the situation in Guinea had been restated by Prof. Osinbajo at the summit, urging for the unconditional release of President Alpha Condé and calling for more pressure to be put on the country’s military leaders to return the nation to democratic rule.

Equally, the Vice President had commended the efforts of stakeholders in Mali and re-emphasized the need to strictly respect and follow the electoral timetable for transition to civil rule.

At the virtual summit earlier, Prof Osinbajo proposed punitive measures and proactive preventive steps towards addressing military intervention in civil rule in the region, which includes that the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), Commonwealth, and other relevant or related financial institutions act in unity simultaneously "to suspend a country, where there has been seizure of power, from these bodies."

He also proposed engagement with the military junta and all stakeholders in Guinea and the enforcement of necessary “punitive measures that will ensure that the military junta does not overstay in power."

The Vice President also restated Nigeria’s position calling on all leaders to always respect the principles of democracy and the constitutions of their respective countries.

Vice President Osinbajo, who leaves Abuja this morning, would be joined by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, and is expected back in Abuja later today.

'Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
7th November, 2021

Sahara Reporters, fake news mogu

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

IKOYI HIGH-RISE COLLAPSE:
OSINBAJO SADDENED, CONDOLES WITH AFFECTED FAMILIES & DEBUNKS DESPICABLE LIES IN SPONSORED ONLINE REPORT

*VP has no interest whatsoever in said property
*All his property, assets already publicly declared



Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is saddened by the events that occurred in Lagos on Monday, 1st of November 2021, where a high-rise building under construction on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, collapsed. He condoles with the families and relatives of all those who have died, were injured or affected in the collapse. Prof. Osinbajo considers this painful loss of lives a horrible tragedy.

Also, the attention of the Vice President has been drawn to an obviously sponsored falsehood regarding the recently collapsed building published by Sahara Reporters on November 4th, 2021, to the effect that:

1. The VP owns the land upon which the collapsed building in Ikoyi stood.

2. That the said land was sold to him by Chief Michael Ade. Ojo, Chairman of Elizade Motors; and

3. That the Vice President, at some point, intervened with the regulatory authorities in Lagos State to unseal the said property. 

Let it be made absolutely clear that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo does not own and has never owned the said land.

He has also never been involved, in any shape or form, in the development of this or any other land since he became Vice President.

At no time whatsoever did the VP buy this or any other piece of land from Chief Michael Ade. Ojo, or entered into any transaction for the sale of that land or any other piece of land from Chief Ade. Ojo or anyone for that matter.

All property and assets owned by the Vice President have been publicly declared.

Also, the Vice President has never spoken to the Governor of Lagos State or any other official of the State Government regarding the unsealing of the said building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, which subsequently collapsed. He has, indeed, never acted to influence any other regulatory action on the collapsed building, or any other building for that matter, in Lagos State.

The Vice President restates categorically that he has no interest whatsoever, and has never had any interest, either legally or beneficially, in the land, the building or development.

The wickedness and viciousness of a lie that seeks to utilise a tragedy where so many people have lost their lives, even as rescue efforts are ongoing, and in wanton disregard to the feelings and untold grief of their loved ones for political gain, reveals a dangerous desperation, as well as the heartlessness of the perpetrators of such despicable lies.

Sahara Reporters were undoubtedly well rewarded for their criminal and inhumane conduct. Typical of a hatchet job and deliberately irresponsible journalism, the publication was not signed by anyone.

The Vice President has referred this disgraceful publication to his lawyers for prompt legal action.

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

_Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, founder of Elizade Motors has dismissed reports by SaharaReporters that he sold his landed property to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo._

_The notorious online blog had on Thursday claimed that Osinbajo owns the collapsed Ikoyi building, adding that, Chief Ade. Ojo sold him the piece of land._

_In rejecting the lies told by SaharaReporters, Chief Ade. Ojo said he has never sold any land to Vice President Osinbajo and does not intend to sell the land to anyone._

_In a letter titled, “Statement by Chief Michael Ade-Ojo in response to SaharaReporters false publication”, the business magnate said, “It has come to my attention that a publication by online news website SaharaReporters is in circulation claiming that I owned the land on which the high-rise building in Ikoyi that collapsed earlier this week was built._

https://www.chronicle.ng/2021/11/saharareporters-lied-i-did-not-sell-my-ikoyi-land-to-osinbajo-chief-michael-ade-ojo/

They said truth shall be revealed, Osinbajo is innocent lasla. The devil is ashamed.

Our own man, he relates with the youths freely. God bless you sir

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

*YOUNG NIGERIANS’ TALENTS REASON TO BELIEVE IN NIGERIA - OSINBAJO*

_*VP is a man of the youths, we’ve heed call to ‘move on’, say skit comedians_

Even as the Federal Government will continue to create an enabling environment for the growth and development of youths in the country, the creativity and talents of Nigeria’s youth population is enough reason to believe in the future of this country and building a new Nigeria that every Nigerian would be proud of, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

The Vice President stated this on Wednesday when he received on a courtesy call at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, a delegation of young Nigerian (comedy) Skit Industry practitioners under the auspices of the Nigeria Skits Industry Awards (NSIA), led by its promoter, Hon. Bimbo Daramola.

The delegation included Maryam Apaokagi, popularly known as Taooma; Josh Alfred (Josh2funny); Ayo Ajewole (Woli Agba); Adebamiro Adeyanju (Mr. Hyenana), Adeoye Adeyemi Elesho (Yemi Elesho), among others.

Commending the creativity of the Nigerian youths, the Vice President said, “I strongly believe that what our young people are doing and what they are capable of, is what will lead our country to where we are meant to be. The future is not tomorrow, it is already here and we can see it from just everything you are doing, the global acclaim that you are getting; young people like yourselves, doing something good.”

Noting that he has watched some of their skits, the VP added, “I think that we have incredible talent and we must do something about it …enable these talents, and we must ask ourselves questions on setting realistic goals that can enable these talents flourish. I must say that just based on the sheer creativity around this, I don’t think that anybody anywhere is as funny as Nigerian comedians,” he said.

Prof. Osinbajo urged the young skit comedians to use their huge following on social media and on the Internet to promote issues for social good and impact, stating that, “everyone with a large following also has a responsibility to draw attention to these issues.”

On the support of government for the creative industry, the Vice President highlighted the work of the Technology and Creative Advisory group in shaping policies to encourage the growth of the sector.

“Why I think this engagement (with skit comedians) is important is because this is the way to go. Let us sit down and look at all the issues and come out with realistic positions that can then become policies, and what sort of support will be required,” he stated.

The Vice President also addressed a couple of issues that was raised by the youths, including the Twitter ban, the harassment of youths by the police and law enforcement officers and the need to improve the country’s public education system.

On the issue of public education, the VP noted how the FG, through the National Economic Council (NEC), is working in collaboration with state governments to improve public education, including primary and secondary schools which fall under the auspices of state governments.

The VP noted that the Federal Government is already making efforts to address these issues, including resolving the Twitter ban, ensuring that young Nigerians and all Nigerians are protected and their rights respected by law enforcement officers.

Among efforts of government to ensure police reforms, through the mandate of the National Economic Council (NEC), which the VP chairs, state judicial panels were established nationwide to address issues of police brutality and extrajudicial killings, while also providing compensation to victims.

In his remarks, Hon. Daramola thanked the Vice President for receiving the delegation, noting that Prof Osinbajo identified with young people. He described the VP as a man of the youths.

“Your Excellency, this visit shows that you have a heart for young people, and you have changed the dynamic to show government listens to the youths,” he said.

One of the skit comedians, Yemi Elesho, told the VP, “You are a man of the youths. I heard your speech on Monday asking the youths to move on, this is our movement,”

Also speaking on behalf of the skit comedians, Taooma, Woli Agba and others commended the VP for his support of the development of young Nigerians, further commending his youth-centric connection.

The Vice President was later presented with the Awards insignia.

*Laolu Akande*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity*
*Office of the Vice President*
*3rd November, 2021*

We are on the move!!!

Osinbajo2023�

We shall keep moving and Nigeria will be great again.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

*DESPITE COMPLEX SITUATIONS, OUR COUNTRY'S FUTURE REMAINS BRIGHT, SAYS OSINBAJO*

_*VP attends PFN Thanksgiving in Jos, back in Abuja commends unity of Kuje community as people of different faiths celebrate church anniversary_

_*Osinbajo is an uncommon man, always collaborating with the masses - President, Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria_

Despite the challenges the country is currently facing, Nigerians should not lose hope as it remains a nation with great promises and a bright future, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo who has on different occasions affirmed his faith and firm belief in the country’s great future and immense potential of its people, declared this again on Saturday in Jos, Plateau State, where he was special guest at the Annual Thanksgiving Service of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) chapter in the State.

In the same vein, on his return to Abuja yesterday afternoon, the Vice President also attended the 2021 Annual Convention of the Kings Palace Church International, in Kuje, where he observed that the people of Kuje are an example of Nigerian unity, with different strands of the community and faiths; including the Muslim traditional ruler of Kuje, the Gomo of Kuje (paramount ruler of Kuje), Alhaji Haruna Jibrin Tanko, gracing the anniversary of the church held at the Town hall. The Gomo welcomed the VP and lauded the contributions of the church in the community.

The VP commended the gathering in Kuje and noted that it was a show of unity.

Speaking at Kuje, Prof Osinbajo said "we must be united. Our country is better and stronger as one than separate. Other countries are trying to be bigger. Nobody is trying to be smaller. We will not be smaller in the mighty name of Jesus. The Lord God Almighty will help us to grow in understanding, and to treat each other with fairness and with justice.”

Earlier in Jos, he urged Nigerians to speak positively about the country, to stir up faith among citizens in its future. And personally, the VP affirmed that he “is completely convinced that the future of our nation is very bright indeed.”

"This is a nation that God's hand is laid upon... a nation with many great promises. We have so many expectations from God as He leads us by His Spirit," he stated.

The VP further noted that despite the complexities of some national issues, “our God is the God of complex situations. He steps in when things get really complicated, He is not a man whose options are limited, He has no limits, no boundaries, no quotas, He is God; which is why from the very beginning of creation, He demonstrated that He is a God of the most complex and difficult situations.”

Giving an example with the story of creation in the Book of Genesis, the VP said, “Even at creation, there was confusion; the earth was without form, it was bleak, dark and void, there seemed to be hopelessness and despair. But in all the confusion, the same verse says that God was right there, the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."

He noted that what happened next was that God spoke and transformed the situation.

"The word He spoke transformed the darkness, the insecurity, the fear, the conflicts, to light, peace and joy. He spoke, and the situation was transformed…. if we want our personal circumstances to change or we want our country to be at peace, and to prosper, we, the saints of God, must declare it. We must speak the reality we desire,” the VP stated.

Continuing on the importance of speaking positive words about the country and praying for its prosperity, the VP admonished that, “the people of God cannot speak like the people of the world (and say) ‘...the country is bad, this Nigeria is not working, this country will break up…’ that is death not life. We carry life, we carry liberty from evil and oppression.

“So, we will speak blessings unto our land, our communities and our families, we will use the blessings,” the Vice President affirmed, while urging Nigerians to have faith in the country’s rising, despite its challenges.

The VP also used the analogy of the biblical story of the valley of dry bones as "God’s metaphoric depiction of the helplessness and hopelessness of a nation; and God’s ability, just by the spoken words of a man, to bring back life and hope. God is there. Then He speaks, as He is doing now.”

Speaking directly to the PFN and church leaders, Prof. Osinbajo said, “we, who are the sons of God, priests, must speak the power and grace of God to our nation; (we must speak the power and grace) to fear, to insurgency, to banditry. And the church must not fear, we are the ecclesia, the called-out ones, a people of promise. We are indestructible...The word of God now reminds us that the glory of the latter temple shall be greater than the former.”

Earlier on arrival at the Yakubu Gowon Airport in Jos, the Vice President was received by Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, as well as the State’s Deputy Governor, Sonni Tyoden; PFN leaders in the State and other dignitaries.

Meanwhile, in his remarks at the Kuje event, the VP reiterated his faith and hope in a new Nigeria, noting that “there is a better tomorrow.”

He commended the church’s clergy, Rev. Samuel Ogbodo and Pastor (Mrs.) Gloria Ogbodo, for “16 years work of ministry.”

While praying for the Kuje community and the church in the area, the VP reiterated his earlier call on Christians to pray for the prosperity of the nation.

On his part, the Senior Pastor of the Kings Palace Church International, Rev. Samuel Ogbodo, thanked the Vice President for his humility and commitment to the service of the people, noting that his visit to the church and community was the beginning of a new era.

Also at the Kuje event, the National President of the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Dr. Iyke Odo, praised Prof. Osinbajo’s patriotism, passion for and commitment to the progress of the country, describing the VP as a perfect and worthy Vice President of the country.

His words: "We are very privileged to have this uncommon man. A man very unusual, very unique in his ways of adapting and collaborating with the masses of this country.

"The man we are seeing is a professor in Law, but because of what we have seen him do, his performance, his physical and mental agility, his connection to the problems of this country and the passion he has shown in every step and by every move, his intellectual sagacity is unquestionable.”

"Our Vice President would have been a professor in any other calling; he is a great man."

Apart from clergymen from churches in Kuje, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), FCT chapter, Rev. Jonah Samson and the Gomo of Kuje, Alhaji Tanko, there were several other community and religious leaders, alongside professionals in the area who filled the Kuje Town Hall to its brim at the event yesterday.

*Laolu Akande*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity*
*Office of the Vice President*
*31st October, 2021*

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE


ENERGY TRANSITION PLAN:
WHY DEVELOPED COUNTRIES SHOULD CHANGE DIRECTION TO FAVOUR AFRICA @ COP26 - OSINBAJO

*Gas should be a transition fuel, says Tony Blair

*VP explains Nigeria's plan

*Joins Tanzanian President, Former UK Prime Minister, UN ECA official to discuss Africa and Climate Change


A few days to the commencement of the COP26 holding in the United Kingdom, Nigeria's expectation is that more developed countries will change the direction of the conversation around energy transition in favour of Africa at the global summit, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

He stated this yesterday at a virtual panel discussion on “A Just Transition: Balancing Climate Mitigation with Africa’s Development”, organized by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.

With him on the panel were the President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, the former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair and the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Dr Vera Songwe.

The COP26 summit, scheduled to hold in Glasgow, Scotland, from October 31 – November 12, will bring the global community together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Talking about the expectations, Prof. Osinbajo noted that conversations at the forthcoming Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, must be tilted in favour of Africa, as “the conference will be an opportunity to engage and change the direction of the current conversation especially as it affects Africa.”

According to him, “it is an opportunity to talk, to engage, and I think that we really need to engage. I think we need to just change the direction of the conversation especially as it affects Africa and then talk in concrete terms about what the implications of net-zero emissions by 2050 or whenever, will mean for Africa and the world.”


The Vice President also explained that Nigeria already has a plan for the transition. "We drew up an energy transition plan and we are probably one of the few developing countries to have drawn up a plan and try to cost the plan. This is why we have the figure of $400 billion.

“If you look at what can work, we are looking at Nigerian Climate Change Finance Facility. There’s one which we are working on at the moment with the African Finance Corporation, AFC, and ARM Harith; we are trying to create that facility. We think that we could mobilize up to $10 billion to finance local green projects.”

Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo said, “the Federal Government is also on the verge of operationalizing an InfraCo, a N15 trillion Infrastructure Fund which could have a dedicated green finance component as well as projects to reduce emissions from main pollutant activities in Nigeria.”

“There are other initiatives that we are working on, and one of those is being able to exploit our gas resources for as long as it is possible because it is an important issue for us and thereafter, a diversified economy, especially around technology. That would help us a great deal in being able to secure a significant amount of money,” the Vice President added.

Earlier in his submissions, former UK Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair called for a new partnership with Africa on Climate Change, noting that “it is going to be necessary to use gas as a transitional fuel, and doing that is essential, not only for development but also for the environment.”

He said the partnership will also “help put the projects for clean energy and development in Africa on an investable footing. When people invest in Africa, the rates of returns are very good and the risks are not as great as people think they are.”

Aligning his thoughts to views expressed by Mr Blair, the VP said “it is an important forum to talk about what we really could do in concrete terms.

“I really like the idea of a new partnership with Africa on Climate Change because a lot of the conversations going on about climate change are over the heads of many of us in Africa because the issues that concern us are not on the table.”

Speaking about a plan that would work for Africa, Prof. Osinbajo said “if we say the current arrangement isn’t going to work, what practical plans do we have on the table, how will it be funded?

“Some of what has been said already, especially about investible projects and making sure that we are able to tie this to investments so that it makes business sense, and makes commercial sense. And it is not just a situation where people are being asked to make significant commitments at a time when everyone is a bit irritated by the aftermath of the pandemic and people are being asked to make commitments that they won’t leave up to.”

Regarding financing for African countries to transition to cleaner energy, the President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan stated the need for developed countries to keep their commitments. According to her “we are expecting the world to come to our aid for financing so that we can implement the adaptation processes with climate change.

“Tanzania has been severely hit by effects of climate change, but then the adaptation process needs a lot of money that developed countries have not given to developing countries like ours. We have been trying to do adaption from our own funds and with the little funds that we have been given under bilateral agreements, but there is a big gap not only for Tanzania but the whole of Africa… The developed countries have to be transparent on financing.”

While commenting on Africa’s contribution to global emissions, Executive Secretary for UN Commission for Africa, Dr Vera Songwe, observed that “Africa’s population is 17% of the global population and only 3.8% of the emissions comes from Africa; 15 times more emissions come from the United States, 7 times more emissions in China.”

She went on to say, “we do need to look at what Africa can do differently… For us to have a just, equitable and inclusive transition, I think it is important for Africa to take a seat at the table and say, yes, we deserve to have this transition space for gas.”

Dr. Songwe also noted that “if we (Africa) were to double our energy generation, which means every African will have access to electricity, we would increase global emissions by 1%. However, by increasing global emissions by 1%, we can then move to the multiplication of solar and wind investments by 38%. As we do more of the 38%, we would be doing less of gas.”

The event was moderated by Kamissa Camara, Director of External Affairs & Policy, Africa, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. There were also other virtual attendees.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
29th October 2021

The love is genuine

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

BUHARI TO PARLIAMENTARIANS' NETWORK:
AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS MUST RENEW SOCIAL COMPACT WITH THE PEOPLE

*VP represents President at African parliamentarians’ forum, urges for more continental integration

*Adds: Promoting inclusive security, prosperity, will help governments tackle security threats


It is vital for governments to renew its social compact with the citizenry so as to improve governance, development and build institutions that promote inclusive security and prosperity, which the Buhari administration is actively pursuing to ensure that no segment of the Nigerian population feels alienated and marginalized.

This was one of the highlights of the address by President Muhammadu Buhari today at the 5th Conference of the Network of African Parliamentarians for Defence and Security Committees of the House of Representatives. The speech was delivered by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, who represented the President at the event.

The Conference is a strategic platform that brings together lawmakers from across Africa, as well as representatives of the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the European Union (EU) to exchange ideas, share experiences and deliberate on common approaches to addressing threats to the continent’s collective security.

Speaking on behalf of the President, Prof. Osinbajo stated that, “mobilizing the full spectrum of our national assets also means engaging the broad expanse of our societies. In order to do this, we must renew the social compact that binds governments and the governed and build institutions that promote inclusive security and prosperity. We recognize that having large segments of our population feeling alienated and marginalized is a critical vulnerability.”

He added that “the challenge then is for us to develop measures through policy and legislation that create an umbrella of human security over our people and thereby prevent the forces of destabilization from weaponizing the frustrations of the marginalized. In doing this, we will also ensure that the human and material resources that we should be deploying for growth and development are not consumed in conflict.”

Noting that the Conference was timely, the President urged African governments to have more strategic collaboration to tackle existential threats across the continent.

According to him, “governments across the continent are dealing with multiple threats ranging from terrorism and piracy to transnational organized crime and insurrectionary challenges to the very legitimacy of our nations.”

President Buhari highlighted the efforts by the Nigerian government to address its security challenges, particularly terrorism and insurgency.

“As part of our efforts in responding, we have prioritized our commitment to the constitutional imperative of guaranteeing the security and the welfare of the people. We have embarked upon an ambitious programme of reforming critical law enforcement institutions while sustaining consistently increased investment in our defence and security sectors.

“However, we recognize that the threats we face in this borderless age are often both local and transnational. We recognize that an insurrection or conflict in one country can spread like an infection across borders to destabilize neighbours and create even greater threats that jeopardize regional security and stability. This is why strategic multi-dimensional partnerships are essential to guaranteeing the peace, stability and prosperity of our nations and our continent.”

In addressing these collective security challenges, the President told the gathering of parliamentarians that they have a crucial role in leading domestic advocacy for vital security partnerships in their respective countries.

He also noted that all levels of governments should engage more in partnership with the civil society and development partners to address critical issues on the continent.

“The threats confronting us – whether occasioned by climate change-induced conflict or by hostile armed non-state actors - require us to deepen our cooperation and strengthen the cross-cutting bonds between our defence and security institutions,” he stated.

Speaking further, he said, “I am gratified to note that the newly established European Peace Facility advances the cause of defence and security partnership between the African Union and the European Union notably by paving way for bilateral military cooperation. This facility will significantly enhance our capacity to promote peace and stability on the continent.

“Beyond this, the partnerships we are required to engage in will take various forms and be actualized along different axes. In building a common front against the forces of destabilization, the principle of human security must be the central animating impulse of our response measures.

“At a time that non-state actors are violently challenging the fundamental legitimacy of our countries, it is of utmost importance that governments engage in partnership with civil society. This approach must necessarily encompass not just all of government but all of society.”

Applauding the Network’s objective of deliberating on common approaches to address threats to collective security, the President noted the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in promoting continental integration through trade and commerce.

He said, “The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) is the most recent manifestation of our resolve to open our borders, increase intra-African trade and grow the continent’s economy.

“It has long been established that deepening the trade links between our nations would serve as a propulsive engine for driving Africa’s growth. But these objectives would be undermined by unchecked destabilization and insecurity. In the light of this, it is clear that this Network has a key role to play in securing our collective prosperity.”

Reiterating Nigeria’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations as a member of ECOWAS and the AU, President Buhari said Nigeria, being “a leading economy on the continent also remains committed to the cause of African integration and all collaborative endeavours that promote that cause of which this august Network is a fine example.”

The President commended the leadership of the Network and the organizers, urging the parliamentarians to identify gaps, particularly in analyzing the prospects of the European Peace Facility, the ECOWAS Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, Goods and Services, and other relevant Conventions, that will form the basis of legislative and policy actions by countries represented at the Conference.

Dignitaries at the event included the Senate President Ahmed Lawan; the representative of the Speaker of the House of Representatives; Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha; FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, and the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sa’ad Abubakar.

There were also participants at the conference who are parliamentarians and security chiefs from Ivory Coast, Angola, Republic of Benin, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Ghana, among others.


Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
28th October 2021