He cares alot

Our own intelligent VP

The best leader

Help me ask them o

All the best

Osinbajo! Best of all

OSINBAJO FLAGS OFF NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL’S ‘TORCH OF UNITY’

*Says FG’s progressive agenda for sports yielding results

Going by the recent performances of Nigerian athletes at international competitions, it is obvious that the progressive agenda of the Federal Government in the Sports Sector is yielding desired results, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this Tuesday afternoon in Abuja at the flag-off ceremony for the movement of the ‘Torch of Unity’ for the 21st National Sports Festival scheduled to hold in Delta State in November 2022.

The Vice President said, “we are still basking in the euphoria of the outstanding performance of Team Nigeria at the just concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

“The performance of Team Nigeria clearly demonstrates that the progressive agenda of the Federal Government for the sports sector is yielding the desired results.

“We are committed to rendering continuous support to the sports sector to sustain the heights already attained, as well as realise our overall goal of using sports as a veritable tool to meaningfully engage our teeming youth population,” the VP added.

Citing examples of successful Nigerian athletes discovered at previous editions of the festivals, the Vice President said, “the National Sports Festival is a crucial activity in the sporting life of our country. It is the breeding ground and an engine room for the production of the very outstanding talents that will go on to become world champions.”

He recalled the exploits of some “great champions who were discovered at various National Sports Festivals, including Blessing Okagbare, a world medalist in the 200 metres; Olympic and World Championships Medalist in the Long Jump. Chioma Ajunwa, notable for being the first Nigerian to win Gold at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and first black African woman to win an Olympic Gold medal in a field event.

The VP also mentioned the likes of Olusoji Fasuba, Lucy Ejike, Enefiok Udo-Obong and current world record holder in the women’s 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan.

Prof. Osinbajo noted that “Olusoji Adetokunbo Fasuba was the African record holder and gold medalist in the 100 metres event with 9.85 seconds, until Akani Simbine broke it in July 2021 with a time of 9.84 seconds.

“Enefiok Udo-Obong is the only Nigerian male athlete to have won two Olympic medals (winning silver - later elevated to gold- in the 2000 Olympics 4x400 metres relay; and bronze in the 2004 Olympics 4x400 metres relay).

“Lucy Ejike, a gold medalist and world record holder at the Paralympic Games (between 2000 and 2016, Ejike competed at five Paralympic Games, winning three golds and two silvers). And of course, the now legendary Tobi Amusan, the current World, Commonwealth and African champion in the women's 100 metres hurdles. She is also the record holder in the three competitions.”

The Vice President then commended the Delta State government for accepting to host the event and for the efforts it was making in delivering a truly successful festival.

Earlier in his remarks, Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa noted the state’s preparedness to host athletes, officials and other guests to the 21st edition of the games.

He said sporting facilities and other relevant infrastructure for a successful festival would be in place before the opening ceremonies for the festival on November 28.

On his part, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, said the Ministry has made efforts to deliver a successful festival, assuring that more world champions will emerge from the 21st edition, tagged Delta 2022.

The highpoint of the event was the handing over of the festival torch tagged “torch of unity” to the Vice President by the Sports Minister, before the torch is taken on a symbolic journey across the country, until it reaches Delta State, where the games will be held.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
26th October, 2022

Savage

A good leader

Nice one

OSINBAJO LAUNCHES SPECIAL AGRO-INDUSTRIAL ZONE PROGRAMME, SAYS AGRIC SECTOR TURNAROUND IN SIGHT

*AFDB, IsDB, IFAD partner with FG

*Kano, Imo, Kaduna, Cross River, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun & FCT benefit in first phase

*VP receives Islamic Development Bank President at Presidential Villa

With the launch of the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme, Nigeria can, in less than a decade, banish food insecurity, while radically improving export earnings from agriculture, creating millions of lucrative agro-industrial jobs and opportunities for its citizens.

This was stated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, when he represented President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday at the Official Launch of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones in Nigeria, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.

Prof. Osinbajo noted that the launch of the SAPZ programme heralded a “profoundly important moment in our agricultural odyssey.”

“If the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programme delivers on its objectives and we have no doubt that it will, then we would in less than a decade deal a fatal blow to food insecurity, create millions of good paying agro-industrial jobs and opportunities and radically improve export earnings from agriculture,” the Vice President stated.

According to him, the Programme was “a clear plan for the industrialization of agriculture, the deliberate development of value chains in the crops farmers grow and a pathway to net exportation of their produce.”

Highlighting the significance of the SAPZ programme to Nigeria, the Vice President noted that “the programme is now a critical component of our agricultural strategy, which is to accelerate the industrialization of our agricultural sector with the objective of being ahead of our constraints in providing food, nutrition and wealth for the largest population in our continent.”

“The Nigeria Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programme (The SAPZ programme) is a government-enabled and private sector-led initiative that will to mobilize private sector investment to develop value chains for selected strategic crops and livestock in the Participating States. Nigeria will implement the first phase of the SAPZ programme with co-financing from the African Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB),” he added.

The Vice President, who noted that the SAPZ programme was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council, stated that the programme “is a major cross-cutting value chain investment effort driven by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in alignment with the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy of the Federal Government to incentivise agro-industrialization for private sector development.

“The SAPZ programme is a five-year programme, being implemented by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), state governments and private investors, in seven (7) participating states (Kano, Imo, Kaduna, Cross River, Kwara, Oyo and Ogun) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”

In the first phase, the VP noted that the programme is expected to achieve significant milestones, including reducing the country’s current food import bill through Import Substitution, boosting revenue from agricultural exports, creating wealth for rural farming communities, and creating new sustainable jobs, especially for women and youths.

He added that the programme will also “stem rural-urban migration, boost rural livelihoods and revive stranded public and private sector funded assets; and decisively improve food security.”

SAPZ will also “vastly improve the business environment for agro-industrial processors as it will improve their productivity and enable value addition for inclusive, adaptive economic growth.

“In the next phase, we will bring on board another 18 States. The SAPZs also stand to benefit from two salutary developments: technology and innovation, and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA),” the Vice President added.

On the opportunities that AfCFTA will offer, the Vice President said the Agreement would open up for Nigeria to be the breadbasket and the agri-business hub of the region.

“This convergence of resource and opportunity is certainly auspicious for the great impact that we look forward to from the SAPZs. The operation of the SAPZs will also leverage other Federal and State programmes including the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP: 2019 – 2028), and the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP),” he stated.

Further highlighting the importance of agriculture to Nigeria’s economy, Prof. Osinbajo noted that “The agricultural sector was pivotal in pulling our economy out of recession and is the single largest employer of labour, so we must incentivise agriculture through greater investments and an enabling environment for private sector participation, and to advance our national agro-industrialization drive.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria is profoundly proud of the strategic relationships with the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Food for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Islamic Development (IsDB) over the years in building long-term national prosperity for our country through agriculture. And we thank them for their steadfast support through the years.”

The event also featured remarks (delivered virtually) from the President, the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.

The AFDB president noted that despite its massive agriculture potential, Africa still faced huge challenges in meeting its food needs, with 283 million people that go hungry annually.

“Agriculture is critical for the survival of any nation. The most important role of any nation is to feed its people. Food is a fundamental human right,” he said, adding that the African Development Bank is also supporting Nigeria, through Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) to produce more wheat, rice and maize."

“This support will allow Nigeria to cultivate by next year 900,000 hectares of rice, 250,000 hectares of wheat and 107,000 hectares of maize,” he added.

The Presidential launch also featured remarks by representatives of IFAD and the Islamic Development Bank as well as the Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr. (Mrs.) Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed; and the Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, among other senior government and regional representatives.

In another development on Monday, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the relationship between Nigeria and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), was helpful, noting that the bank “understands the nuances of countries in the global South and for that reason, you (IsDB) are able to be more creative and more sensitive to our needs when you consider requests coming from us.”

Using the example of the funding request for the Nigerian-Moroccan Pipeline project, the VP said “if given all of the considerations today with the global North Development Finance Institutions, we (Nigeria) will not be considered favourably for the facility because of the talk about defunding fossil fuel projects and all that. But it is evident that we cannot do without fossil fuels at least for the next several decades and we have fossil fuels, this is a natural resource for us and it is available not just for industry alone but also for cooking.”

“I think that we are fortunate that we have IsDB, they are there… if we were to be subjected to the policies of the global north DFIs, we will be in serious trouble. So, I thank you again, and to say that the collaboration between the Bank and Nigeria is a strong one and one that we respect greatly,” Prof. Osinbajo added.

Earlier in his remarks, the President and Chairman of the IsDB, Mr Muhammed Al Jasser said Nigeria is one of the bank’s most valued partners, noting that the relationship between Nigeria and IsDB will continue to grow stronger.

Mr Jaseer reiterated the bank’s commitment to support the Federal Government’s economic diversification efforts, especially through agricultural industrialization.

Accompanying him to the meeting was the Nigerian-born Vice President of the bank, Dr Mansur Mukhtar. The Finance Minister, Mrs Zainab Ahmed and the FCT Minister of State, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani were also at the meeting.

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

This is not true

Congratulations to them

VP OSINBAJO WELCOMES COLLABORATION AS SIEMENS SEEKS PARTNERSHIP WITH FG ON ENERGY TRANSITION

*CEO of German energy firm applauds Nigeria’s Plan

The Federal Government looks forward to partnering with energy companies and other key stakeholders around the world in delivering its Energy Transition Plan, ETP, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo said this late Thursday when he received a delegation from Siemens Energy led by the CEO, Christian Bruch at the Presidential Villa.

According to him, Siemens Energy “has shown itself to be a good partner with the Presidential Power Initiative,” and a lot more can be achieved “if we work together with the groups and teams we have already, to take this forward,” referring to the ETP.

While addressing one of the major issues about the call for transitioning to renewable energy, the VP reaffirmed that gas would be necessary for Nigeria’s transition.

"We have gas and it is not just an answer for power, but also for clean cooking. Clean cooking is a major component of our National Development Contributions and we are trying to transit from rural areas where kerosene is used, where firewood is used to Liquified Petroleum Gas, LPG.”

The Vice President added that besides technical discussions in implementing the plan, there’s a “need for political discussions which is why COP-27 is important for us. For African Countries, we have the Kigali Communique which addressed many of the important issues for us.

“One of the important issues is that energy access is key. We can’t talk about net-zero by 2060 without addressing the fundamental question of energy access for millions of our people who don’t have access. This is tied to poverty and development.”

Prof Osinbajo then acknowledged that Siemens Energy’s “expertise and technology will be helpful in the process we are undergoing and I look forward to your input. We look forward to collaborating with Siemens and your cooperation would be appreciated.”

In his own remarks, Mr Bruch sought to work with Nigeria on the ETP and applauded the Vice President's role in championing Plan.

He noted that Siemens Energy is “fully committed to supporting Nigeria’s discussion on Energy Transition” adding that the company has a lot of technology to bring to the table “with around 26,000 patents around technology.”

According to him, “energy transition is a relatively complex matter which combines affordability, sustainability and security of supply. We have learnt that every region and every country must have a different plan because conditions are different. Diversity in the plan is required, also diversity of solutions. There is no silver bullet to drive the energy transition. It requires people coming together to discuss plans and solutions.”

Other members of the delegation include the Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar as well as the Director-General, Climate Change Council, Dr. Salisu Dahiru.

From Siemens’ Energy, Ms. Nadja Haakansson, Managing Director for Siemens Energy Hub Africa; Seun Sulieman, Managing Director for Siemens Energy Nigeria; Sean Manley, Project Director for the Presidential Power Initiative as well as other top executives.

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

No wàhálà

WHY AGRIC, FOOD PROCESSING IS KEY TO NIGERIA’S WEALTH, BY OSINBAJO

*VP restates FG’s support for farmsteads affected by flood

*Launches Olam Agri’s “Seeds for the Future Foundation/Education Grant”


Aside from the extractive industry, agriculture and food processing especially, the export of manufactured and processed food, is really where the potential and wealth of Nigeria lie.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, stated this on Friday in Abuja at the launch of the “Seeds for the Future Foundation/Education Grant”, an initiative of Olam Agri, where he also expressed the Federal Government’s concern over the recent flooding of farmsteads in parts of the country, restating support to the affected farmers.

Prof. Osinbajo commiserated with Olam and other agricultural companies over their losses occasioned by the flooding across the country.

He said “the flooding of the Olam rice farm in Nasarawa State, is obviously a huge loss not just to Olam but also a big blow to food security in our country, as the farm is one of the single largest rice farms in the country.

“We as a government are obliged to work with you to restore that important agricultural resource. And I’m sure that as we engage, we will be able to find the opportunities and ways by which we can assist in bringing that resource back to full service.”

“Only yesterday, the National Economic Council, which I have the privilege of chairing agreed to constitute a special committee on flooding especially as it relates to food security.

“We are going to be looking at all of the ways by which we can work with farms and agricultural companies and how they are affected by flooding. I think that Olam’s situation is one that will come before us and we will consider how exactly not just to support now, but to prevent these sorts of occurrences in the future and of course, how to advise the President on what steps to take,” the VP added.

Praising the work of the agro-based company, the VP said, “let me commend Olam Agri for your hard work and commitment to agriculture and food processing in Nigeria, especially in the areas of Wheat Milling, Rice Farming and Milling, Tomato Farming, Hatchery, and Soya Beans Processing, and your leadership in agriculture export - cocoa beans, cashew nuts and sesame seeds.”

Continuing, the Vice President noted that “one of the very important things that we have learned from the hard work that you have put into agriculture and food processing is that this is really where the potential and the wealth of our country lie, not just in the extractive industry, but more in the agriculture value chain, especially export of manufactured and processed food. We have a very strong advantage and Olam has shown that aside from oil and gas, Olam comes a close second in terms of export.”

On the “Seeds for the Future Programme”, Prof. Osinbajo commended the board and management of Olam Agri, noting that the launch of the programme gives us “several reasons to be hopeful and to celebrate”.

According to the VP, “the seeds you plant by investing in the whole agriculture value chain from research to people, especially disadvantaged women, that has attracted even greater attention leading to the National Productivity Order of Merit Award which was presented to you by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The planting of these seeds shows your strong belief in the future of our country and its innovative and hardworking people. And how it is that the story of our country will ultimately yield fruits of prosperity, peace and decent livelihoods for all.”

The Vice President also noted the company’s “very highly successful and award-winning Wheat Seeds Trial project, which I am told, achieved its first-year milestone of producing 10kg of pre-multiplication wheat seed varieties and was showcased at the UN Climate Summit and nominated for an international grant.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Country Head, Olam Agri, Mr Ashish Pande, said the initiative was the company’s way of deepening its impact in the education sector as it has done in the agricultural sector over the past years.

He said the company will continue to support the Federal Government’s aspiration of developing the agricultural sector by building the value chain to improve food exports as well as create more jobs for Nigerians.

The high point of the occasion was the unveiling of the “Seeds for the Future” memorabilia by the Vice President.


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

NEC SETS UP COMMITTEE TO REVIEW MODALITIES FOR STATES’ REPAYMENT OF FG’S BUDGET SUPPORT FACILITY

*Also to compose Committee on flood mitigation

*Endorses revised National Social Protection Policy

*Commends vaccination of 46 million Nigerians by NPHCDA

In a move to explore how to provide further financial succor for States regarding repayment of the Federal Government’s Budget Support Facility, the National Economic Council (NEC) has decided to review the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) plan to commence deductions from State governments’ share of the monthly federal allocations.

At a meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, the Council resolved to set up a committee with representatives of the Federal Government and the States to review the matter.

According to the Vice President, “bearing in mind all of the financial difficulties, we take the position to review the plan to commence the deduction for the loan.”

NEC resolved that representatives of the Governors’ Forum, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, among others, meet to review modalities for the imminent deductions of funds from States by the Central Bank of Nigeria, to repay the Budget Support Facility granted to States by the Federal Government.

It noted that the decision was in consideration of current difficulties experienced by State governments in fulfilling their financial obligations.

Another resolution of today's Council meeting is the endorsement of the revised National Social Protection Policy presented by Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed. The policy will now go to the Federal Executive Council and from there to the National Assembly.

When passed, the new policy will replace the “2017-2022 National Social Protection Policy.”

The Minister said the 2017-2022 National Social Protection Policy “was reviewed in consultation with all States and other stakeholders and it is to be subjected to review every five (5) years for update and accommodation of some emerging issues including Pandemics, insecurity and shock responsive Social Protection as well as new institutions.”

She added that the expected benefits of the revised NSPP includes among others, “reduction of multi-dimensional poverty; promoting social justice, equity and inclusive growth; reduce unemployment, social and economic vulnerabilities, and other threats to sustainable development.”

NEC also resolved to constitute a committee of the Federal Government and State governors to liaise with other relevant stakeholders to find immediate and long-term solutions to flooding problems across the country.

Regarding this, the Vice President noted that the committee liaising with critical stakeholders, will support efforts, whether short, medium or long term, in mitigating the impact of flooding as well as finding lasting solutions to the issue.

Council also commended the efforts of stakeholders including the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) in the vaccination of more Nigerians against COVID-19.

According to the presentation of the COVID-19 Scorecard by the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shaibu, “over 127 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been procured and administered through collaborations by the Federal Government and other partners since the inception of the exercise.

“Additional 10.5 million doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccines have been procured by the Federal Government and is being expected in the country before the end of the year.”

Dr Shaibu added that 46 million persons have been fully vaccinated, representing 42 percent of the total eligible population targeted for the exercise.

He commended Nasarawa and Jigawa State governments for their efforts in ensuring take off of the accelerated COVID-19 vaccination exercise in their states.

The decisions were among resolutions reached by the Council on Thursday at the end of its 128th meeting with Governors and other Federal Government officials in attendance virtually.

The meeting also had in attendance the new Ekiti State Governor, Mr Oyebanji Abiodun.

Other details and highlights of the meeting are as follows:

PRESENTATION ON STATE PERFORMANCE REPORT ON COVID-19 BY DR JOHN OLADEJO, NATIONAL CENTRE FOR DISEASE CONTROL

Globally, the number of new weekly cases decreased by 6% during the week of 10-16 October, 2022 as compared to the previous week with over 2.9 million new cases reported. The number of new weekly deaths decreased by 17% as compared to the previous week with about 8,300 fatalities reported

(WHO COVID -19 EPIDEMIOLOGICAL UPDATE).

· NO OF CASES – 265,741
·NO OF CASES TESTED - 5,593,537
· ACTIVE CASES – 3,593
· DISCHARGED CASES – 258,993
· NO OF DEATHS – 3,155

Council was informed that there was a high burden of cases in 2021 compared to the same period in 2022.

· PCR testing declined significantly in 2022 to compared to 2021
· More of ROT testing in 2022 compared to 2021
· No death reported on the past week
· Case fatality ration (CFR) for week 41,2022 is 0%
. The presentation also noted that there is an ongoing review of the COVID-19 protocols in the country.

WASH – WATER SANITATION AND HYGIENE PRESENTATION BY THE WATER RESOURCES MINISTER, ENGR SULEIMAN ADAMAU

The presentation updated the Council on the current situation of the WASH Campaign. For instance, the presentation noted that 28 out of 36 States have urban water utilities with 16 States being fully functional. Only 11% of schools in the country have basic water supply, sanitation and hygiene services.

The presentation urged governors to endorse the WASH Pledge Card which is a commitment to make Nigeria Open Defecation Free by 2025. The presentation also prayed that governors should prioritize the WASH Campaign.

Council welcomed the prayers.


Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
20th October 2022

Well done sir

Lack of access to finance remains the biggest challenge for accelerating action on energy access and climate goals in Africa.”

ENERGY TRANSITION A DEVELOPMENTAL OPPORTUNITY, BUT AFRICA NEEDS TO ENGAGE CRITICALLY, VOCALLY – OSINBAJO


The current global energy transition is both an opportunity for the preservation of the earth and a vehicle for unlocking the development potential and livelihoods of millions of people, especially those in developing countries.

However, the transition must also be fair and sensitive to Africa’s peculiarities and priorities, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, when he spoke virtually at the 2022 Standard Bank Climate Summit themed, “Africa’s Path to Carbon Neutrality.”

Prof. Osinbajo focused on “how to manage the energy transition to net-zero in the context of Africa’s unique challenges, such as energy poverty.”

“The current energy transition is an opportunity like none other for the preservation of the planet, but it can also be a vehicle for unlocking the development potential and livelihoods of millions of people. There is no reason why we cannot have both,” the VP stated.

He said the global community must account for diverse realities and accommodate various pathways to net-zero, “particularly for African nations which need financial and technical support as well as the flexibility to develop as swiftly as possible. This will ensure a fair and balanced energy transition that leaves no one behind.

“How we manage the global energy transition must be sensitive to Africa’s priorities. The global energy transition must place energy access for both consumptive and productive uses at the heart of climate action,” he added.

The Vice President however noted that “to ensure a global energy transition that is favourable to us, African nations need to engage more critically and vocally on this matter.”

Making reference to Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan as a leading light, Prof. Osinbajo said “the value of having a nation-specific, data-driven plan as the basis of our activities and engagements cannot be overemphasized,” adding that “the plan provides a clear financial estimate for the achievement of Nigeria’s energy access and transition goals.”

“Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan finds that an additional $10 billion over business as usual is required annually till 2060 to shift the entire economy to a net-zero pathway. We hope to see more of such plans on the continent,” the VP noted.

Citing another example of efforts to have a pan-African position on energy transition, Prof. Osinbajo said “this is underway with certain countries including Nigeria developing and signing on to the Kigali Communiqué which came out of the Sustainable Energy for All Forum in June, and outlines principles for a just and equitable energy transition.”

According to him, “we must take ownership of our transition pathways and design climate-sensitive strategies that address our growth objectives. We must clearly and thoroughly articulate our priorities, strategies and needs.”

Justifying Africa’s stand for a just and balanced energy transition, the Vice President noted that “though Africa’s current unmet energy needs are huge, future demand will be even greater as populations expand, people move into the middle class and rapid urbanization continues.”

Specifically, the VP observed that in 2020, “Sub-Saharan Africa had 568 million people without access to electricity. This represents more than three-quarters of the world’s total unelectrified population. On the other hand, most developed nations have 100% energy access. Surely, the race to net-zero must not leave people in the dark.

“Also, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the only region in which the number of people without access to clean cooking fuels and technologies is rising. 19 of the 20 countries with lowest clean cooking access rates are in Africa.”

Prof. Osinbajo argued that “limiting the development of gas projects, as a critical energy transition pathway for Africa, violates enshrined principles of equity and justice, and poses dire challenges for African nations while making an insignificant dent in global emissions.”

He said “Africa has contributed the least of any global region to greenhouse gas emissions and currently emits under 4% of global emissions. Under no plausible scenario are Africa’s emissions a threat to global climate targets. Unfounded predictions should not serve as excuses to limit our energy technology options.

“Limiting financing of gas projects for domestic use in Africa would pose a severe challenge to the pace of economic development, delivery of electricity access and clean cooking solutions, and the scaleup and integration of renewable energy into the energy mix.”

On financing energy transition, Prof. Osinbajo said “a balanced and just approach to the energy transition recognizes that finance is key. Lack of access to finance remains the biggest challenge for accelerating action on energy access and climate goals in Africa.”

The VP restated the call on developed countries to bridge the disparity in energy investments, noting that “of the $2.8 trillion invested in renewable energy from 2000 to 2020, only about 2%, $60 billion, came to Africa.”

“It has been estimated by the International Energy Agency that Africa will need around $133 billion annually in clean energy investment to meet our energy and climate goals between 2026 and 2030.

The Standard Bank Group which hosted the event on Tuesday, has itself committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions from its own operations for newly built facilities by 2030, for existing facilities by 2040, and from its portfolio of financed emissions by 2050.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
20th October 2022

No lies

No hard feelings

Osinbajo is the man

He always deliver

Commendable

Our very own intelligent VP

"We are now told that the first phase of it is ready - over 369 hectares of that is ready. This is to be a purpose-built fully resourced manufacturing and industrial processing hub, designed to accommodate 10 mega factories. The project is important for the value-added functions of the factories and accretion to both internal and national revenue and the jobs that it will create -10,000 direct and 100,000 indirect jobs,” he said

Congratulations to the people of Gombe

OSINBAJO AT GOMBE INVESTMENT SUMMIT:
NIGERIAN FEDERATION BENEFITS OUR PEOPLE WHEN FG, STATES, PRIVATE SECTOR COLLABORATE

•Adds: improving the business environment is critical to the prosperity of our great country

* States must approach development as sovereign to boost economic growth"

Effective collaboration between Federal and State Governments with the private sector is a sure catalyst for boosting economic growth, economic diversification and improved productivity, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo, who stated this on Friday at the closing of the maiden Gombe State Investment Summit, also noted that improving the business environment is critical to "the prosperity of our great country.”

He added that State Governments can further boost economic growth and investments in their respective States by approaching development like a Sovereign State while improving the business environment for small businesses to thrive.

“The future of our country rests in the hands of business owners, the entrepreneurs, all over this State and all of our country.

“The successes that we have seen here in Gombe are substantially on account of the effective collaboration of the private sector, the States and the Federal Government. Our Federation benefits our people when the States and Federal authorities alongside private actors think and work together.”

The VP, who highlighted significant improvements recorded by the Gombe State Government in this regard noted that “as a progressive government, we remain committed to policies and reform efforts that are geared towards economic diversification and improved productivity.”

Speaking specifically on the Nation-State nexus in development, using Gombe as an example, the Vice President noted that it was “fascinating that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has approached the development of the State by thinking as a Sovereign State as opposed to thinking as a sub-national.”

In the VP’s view, the Governor’s vision to draw up a 10-year development plan - Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), and determination towards creating an enabling business environment, were key pivots to economic growth.

“And this is as it should be. Gombe could rank very easily as a Sovereign State; its GDP is almost three times the GDP of Gambia and it is almost at the same level as the GDP of Liberia. So, when you compare this State to actual Sovereign States, you will see clearly that the only way to plan the growth of this State is to plan it like you would plan the growth of a country. And I am very happy that Governor Inuwa Yahaya is doing that,” Prof. Osinbajo further said.

The State has already started reaping the rewards of its approach towards development, the VP noted.

“One of those is the remarkable feat of attaining the first position in the Sub-national Ease of Doing Business Baseline Survey Report of 2021. I am also informed that Gombe State was recently invited by the world-renowned Royal Institute of International Affairs, popularly known as the Chatham House, to share its experience implementing the State's health system reforms. These validations from different bodies, local and international could not have come by accident."

Commending the State Governor for his strong leadership and commitment, the Vice President added that Governor Yahaya also commissioned a Needs Assessment Survey, which he noted was “a vital first step towards developing a solid roadmap of reforms and programmes for the progress that we see today.”

Speaking on the State’s investments in human capital and physical infrastructure development, the Vice President stated that these investments “are the strong foundations for the rapid development led by small and medium enterprises.

“We are proud of the giant strides that Gombe State has recorded so far, but more importantly, we are confident of the successful results of the programmes currently being implemented by the State Government and those that are underway in the areas of health, industrialization, and agriculture,” he added.

The VP also disclosed that Gombe State is at the centre of the business enabling reforms, "which informs your standing as the number 1 State in the sub-national Ease of Doing Business Survey Report ranking. As captured by responses from the private sector in the report, Gombe leads the frontier in Infrastructure and Security indicators, as well as in Skills and Labour indicators."

Particularly, the Vice President emphasized that Gombe’s progress was evidence that “government must catalyze economic growth with both policy measures and brick and mortar.”

Explaining further on rewards of investment in human capital and infrastructure, Prof. Osinbajo noted the commencement in 2021 of the 1000-hectare Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park in the State, which the VP also visited before he left.

“We are now told that the first phase of it is ready - over 369 hectares of that is ready. This is to be a purpose-built fully resourced manufacturing and industrial processing hub, designed to accommodate 10 mega factories. The project is important for the value-added functions of the factories and accretion to both internal and national revenue and the jobs that it will create -10,000 direct and 100,000 indirect jobs,” he said.

The Vice President also urged for government and the private sector to leverage the opportunities with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

Prof. Osinbajo performed the ground-breaking ceremony of the Domagric Integrated Rice Mill, which is located inside the 1000-hectare Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park.

Governor Inuwa had led a delegation of top officials of the State, traditional rulers and other dignitaries to receive the Vice President at the Gombe Airport. The VP was also accompanied on the visit by Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.

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

The best of all

Nigeria shall prevail