Well deserved! Congratulations Prof

Nigeria shall prevail

Nigeria shall prevail

NIGERIA’S FUTURE WILL BE GREAT, OSINBAJO PRAYS AT 62ND INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY SERVICE

*VP adds: It will be “a nation of opportunities, of equity and justice, a secure and prosperous nation, a nation of laws & righteousness”

Despite its challenges, the future of Nigeria will be far more glorious and peaceful than her past, and the nation’s lights will shine bright, with opportunities, equity, justice, and righteousness, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Sunday at the 62nd Independence Day anniversary service, which held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja. The Service was held to mark Nigeria’s October 1 Independence Day.

The VP, who brought warm greetings from President Muhammadu Buhari to the congregation, declared that “the future of Nigeria will be far more glorious, more peaceful than her past, and so it shall be for you too. Every year will be happier for you, more glorious, more prosperous and more peaceful, in Jesus' name.”

According to the Vice President, “we stand at the gates of a new nation. And we see its lights shining bright. The nation of God’s promises. A nation of opportunities, of equity and justice, a secure and prosperous nation, a nation of laws and righteousness.

“Even if what we see today seems bleak, and dark, we are confident that God who owns the heavens and the earth will fulfill His promises concerning this nation.”

Below are the full remarks of the Vice President at the Anniversary service.

REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE INDEPENDENCE DAY ANNIVERSARY SERVICE, AT THE NATIONAL CHRISTIAN CENTRE, ABUJA, ON THE 25TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2022

I bring you all the warm felicitations of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, on this occasion of the interdenominational service to mark the 62nd Independence Anniversary of our Republic.

Let me also congratulate His Eminence, Dr. Daniel C. Okoh, the new President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, and all the new members of the Executive of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). I pray that your tenure will bring blessings, light and encouragement to our nation in Jesus' name.

In a few days, we will celebrate the 62nd birthday of Nigeria. But Nigeria is not a natural person, it is made up of people, of men, women and children who are Nigerians. So, when we say that celebrate the birthday of Nigeria, we are in fact celebrating the birthday of the Nigerian people wherever they may be in this great and vast nation. So, every prayer and every blessing that we pronounce today on Nigeria, we also pronounce on every Nigerian and all our friends.

So, this evening I will pray for Nigeria and the Nigerian people. My favourite prayer for people on their birthday is found in Deuteronomy 33.25(b): “as your days, so shall your strength be.”

What does this prayer mean: as your days so shall your strength be? It means the older you become, the stronger you will be in various ways.

The first is that you will become physically stronger and healthier as you grow older, in Jesus’ name. The Bible says in Deuteronomy 34:7, it says that Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died. And his eyes were not dim, nor his natural vigour diminished.

For the average person, as you grow older you become slower and less fruitful and even barren. But the Word of God to Nigeria today is that it shall not be so with you. Even as you grow in age, you will be more fruitful. You will not be weaker with age. And for every Nigerian, you will be more fruitful as you grow in age, and you will be stronger day by day in Jesus’ name.

The Word of God says in Psalms 92:13-14: it says: “those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing.” That shall be so for you and all you hold dear in the mighty name of the Lord Jesus.

Another implication of the blessing: ‘as your days so shall your strength be,’ is that every day, God’s promises will be renewed in your life. God said to Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3: “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you; And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. And I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you, all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

Let me repeat these blessings for Nigeria, and for you who are here, and every Nigerian because God added in that promise that in Abraham, all the nations of the earth will be blessed. So, you will be a great nation, and God will bless you, and anyone who blesses you will be blessed, those who curse you will be cursed; and through you, this nation and the world will be blessed, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Yet another implication of this blessing: as your days so shall your strength be, is that every day, every month, every year, you will be greater, better, happier, more prosperous, and more joyful than the previous one. And concerning this nation, the Word of God says in Haggai 2:9: “The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace’ (in this nation, I will give peace), says the Lord of hosts.”

The future of Nigeria will be far more glorious, more peaceful than her past, and so it shall be for you too. Every year will be happier for you, more glorious, more prosperous and more peaceful, in Jesus' name,

“As your days so shall your strength be.”

Another implication of this blessing is that your strength physically, mentally and spiritually and even financially will be sufficient and adequate for every new season, every new situation and every new challenge. You will have more than you need for every new season in your life in Jesus' name.

Brethren, we stand at the gates of a new nation and we see its lights shining bright. The nation of God’s promises; a nation of opportunities, of equity and justice, a secure and prosperous nation, a nation of laws and righteousness.

Even if what we see today seems bleak, and dark, we are confident that God who owns the heavens and the earth will fulfill His promises concerning this nation. Indeed, He says in Joshua 21:45: “not a word failed, of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.”

And we pronounce concerning this nation, that not a word will fail regarding any good thing which the Lord had spoken to Nigeria. All will come to pass in Jesus’ name.

Finally, to every citizen of this nation, and every family that is represented here, we declare that in the name of Jesus, your best days are yet to come. Every promise that God has made to you will come to pass in Jesus’ mighty name.

Happy 62nd anniversary!

Released by:

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

I commend the VP, his doing well

As it should be

Well detailed

Best thing to do! Osinbajo never disappoint

Well deserved

No big deal

Women should be given higher positions in political offices

“Given the escalating debt situations of many developing countries, including Nigeria, especially in the aftermath of C0VID-19 and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, we should also bring Debt-For-Climate Swaps into the climate finance mix."

WHY PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IS CRUCIAL IN NIGERIA’S ENERGY TRANSITION PLAN – OSINBAJO

*Adds Solar space in Nigeria “becoming one of the most exciting in the world”

*VP advocates for energy companies, restates Debt-for-Climate swaps

More private sector participation in Nigeria’s transition to green energy is crucial as it would help the country achieve its objectives in the implementation of its Energy Transition Plan, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Thursday night in Lagos while delivering the keynote address at the 60th Anniversary Dinner of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

Speaking on the topic: “Nigeria: Transitioning to Green Energy”, the Vice President highlighted the Energy Transition Plan as “a comprehensive, data-driven and evidence-based plan, designed to deal with the twin crises of climate change and energy poverty.”

“We anchored the plan on key objectives, including lifting 100 million people out of poverty in a decade, driving economic growth, bringing modern energy services to the full population and managing the expected long-term job loss in the oil sector due to global decarbonization.

“The Private sector must up its participation in the transition to Green energy journey,” Prof. Osinbajo stated, adding that this includes “greater involvement in the crucial conversations about what an economically just transition to zero emissions should be,” he said.

Buttressing the need for more private sector participation in the Energy Transition Plan implementation, the VP pointed out that the off-grid Solar space in Nigeria “is becoming one of the most exciting in the world.”

According to the Vice President “we have programmes such as the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Solar Power Naija (under its Economic Sustainability Plan), the Nigerian Electrification Programme with the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank, and also the Rural Electrification Fund providing almost $1 billion in financing and subsidies to drive 10 million connections. We are also working on clear guidelines for on-grid Solar before COP-27 to initially provide the structure for the rollout of at least 1,000MW.”

Adding that the private sector should also get involved in climate finance, especially the voluntary carbon markets, among others, Prof. Osinbajo urged the OPTS “to take the lead in Solar to help drive improvements in our energy mix and also accelerate the transition to having “energy” companies, not just oil companies.”

“We are particularly pleased with the good work that All-On and Konexa have been doing all with funding from Shell (a key OPTS member). We also have NNPC partnering with the Rural Electrification Agency to rollout Solar Mini-grids and Solar Home Systems across the country,” he further said.

Aside from the need for more private sector participation in Nigeria’s energy transition plan, the impact of climate change on the African continent, need to support fossil fuel projects in developing countries, and debt-for-climate swap deals were major highlights of the Vice President’s speech at the event.

Speaking further on the topic, the Vice President noted that climate change may likely be the most consequential subject globally in the next few decades, even as the significance of reducing global emissions to zero come to the fore.

Noting the effects of global climate crisis such as floods, desertification, rising water levels and record high temperatures, Prof. Osinbajo stated that the developing countries are faced with two challenges; climate change and extreme poverty.

Restating the importance of using gas as a transition fuel for Nigeria and others developing countries, he highlighted six aspects in reducing global net emissions to zero, as it relates to the developing world.

He said, “Most countries, including Nigeria, agree that we must reduce global emissions to zero, in our case by 2060. We are major victims of the effects of climate change, but there are a few important issues that we have flagged to our wealthier brother-countries in the global north.

“The first is that we, in the developing world, are faced with two, not one crisis. One is climate change and the other is extreme poverty, the cause and consequence of which is energy poverty; or the fact that lack of access to electricity for millions is a cause of deepening poverty.

“The second is that African countries are the least emitters of carbon today - less than 1 percent of cumulative C02 emissions, and even if we triple electricity consumption in African countries (aside from South Africa) solely through the use of natural gas, this would add just 0.62% to global emissions. So, a lot of the flooding and adverse weather events that we are experiencing here are from emissions caused by the wealthier countries.

“The third is that the defunding of gas projects in order to force gas-rich countries like Nigeria to stop using gas and use renewables instead is faulty. These proposals to ban the funding of fossil fuel projects make no distinction between upstream oil and coal exploration; and gas power plants for grid balancing. Also, no economy in the world has been known to use renewables solely to industrialize. Solar power simply does not have the base load capacity yet for industry.

In addition, the Vice President emphasized that stopping the use of gas could lead to deforestation and increase in pollutants.

“Stopping the use of gas means that we cannot use LPG for clean cooking stoves to replace the use of kerosene, firewood and charcoal, which are dirtier fuels that are widely used for cooking and other domestic purposes particularly in the rural areas. The use of firewood means deforestation, cutting down trees and, of course, desertification and then the loss of our carbon sinks,” he noted.

Faulting the double standards that wealthier countries have adopted on this issue (defunding of gas projects in developing countries), the Vice President noted that "in the wake of the energy crisis, many European nations have made recent announcements to increase or extend their use of coal-fired power generation through 2023 and potentially beyond.

“This is in violation of their climate commitments, and all analysis suggests that this will raise power sector emissions of the EU by 4%- a significant amount, given the high base denominator of EU emissions.”

Speaking further, Prof. Osinbajo emphasised that “the sixth and perhaps most crucial point is that we must take quick and informed actions in our national interest. We must take the threat of no investments in fossil fuels, including gas, seriously.”

“For example, many European and other global North countries are setting aggressive targets for use of electric vehicles and the banning of combustion engine vehicles. Soon, there may be only a few countries using combustion engines.

"It is also evident that while the Russia invasion of Ukrainian has shown the double standards in not allowing public funding for fossil fuel projects, the wealthier nations are still of the view that this is the correct policy and that, even if public funding is to be allowed, financing should not go beyond 2035."

Also restating his advocacy for Debt-For-Climate swaps and greater participation in global carbon market for African nations, the VP noted that “Given the escalating debt situations of many developing countries, including Nigeria, especially in the aftermath of C0VID-19 and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, we should also bring Debt-For-Climate Swaps into the climate finance mix."

The Vice President then commended the OPTS “for its outstanding role in the growth and development of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria, and for the numerous social development projects undertaken by your members through the years.”

The event, which was attended by notable personalities in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, as well as the public and private sectors, also featured remarks from top government officials, NNPC Ltd, the executives of the Oil Producers Trade Section of the LCCI, among others.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
23rd September, 2022

Everyone knows Prof Osinbajo is a great leader

NEC GETS BRIEFINGS ON FLOOD MITIGATION, RESPONSE & IMPROVING GOVT SERVICE DELIVERY AT STATE LEVELS

*Outgoing NGF chair, Gov. Fayemi commends VP Osinbajo’s leadership of Council

In its meeting today, the National Economic Council (NEC) received briefings on the need for States to adopt strategies to step up service delivery in the grassroots and also on how to mitigate flood disasters this season.

These were some of the highlights of the Council’s meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Also, at the meeting, outgoing Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), lauded the Vice President, stating that with the VP as NEC Chairman, the Council has done a lot to ensure that the country is a true federation, while expressing his appreciation to the Council, the VP and the President.

It was the 127th NEC meeting, and it held virtually with State Governors, some Deputy Governors and key federal ministers in attendance.

According to Dr. Fayemi, having served in previous NEC and longer than most current members, he can affirm that the VP's leadership has been outstanding, adding that the Council has never had the kind of leadership that Prof. Osinbajo has provided. He hoped that such leadership of NEC would be maintained going forward.

In his remarks, the Vice President commended the outgoing Ekiti State Governor, who was attending his last NEC meeting today.

Below are details and other highlights of today’s NEC meeting:

NEC (6TH NEC 2022) 127TH MEETING

A.

NCDC Presentation on COVID-19 and Monkey Pox

*COVID:

• That the Global caseload is stable

• High burden of cases in 2021 is comparable to 2022 so far

• Test Positivity Rate in Nigeria is 16.9% as at 36th week

• No death in past week

• 6 States returned no testing at all

• Trends show that COVID-19 cases have increased by 3% across the States & FCT.

• It noted that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over

The NCDC therefore urged the States:

1. To commit more testing, including routine testing and frequent testing for health workers

2. It urged that Private health institutions be encouraged to do more testing.

MONKEY POX SITUATION REPORT FROM JAN 1-SEPTEMBER 4, 2022

• Confirmed Cases: 318 in 30 states

• Suspected Cases: 815 in 36 states

• Deaths: 7

B.

NPHCDA Presentation on Vaccination

1. Nigeria reached 43% of Vaccination target with Vaccination of 49 million. Agency set to achieve 70% by December 2022.

2. Some States come tops in the Vaccination drive: they are Nasarawa, Jigawa, Kwara, Osun, and Kaduna.

3. 1.4m child immunization have occurred during Vaccination exercises

NPHCDA urged the States Governors:

1. To convene LGA meetings, including officials, traditional and religious leaders to mobilize for Vaccination

2. To make Vaccination an agenda at State Exco meeting to review progress on targets

C.

PRESENTATION ON THE NIGERIA SOVEREIGN INVESTMENT AUTHORITY NEW DIRECTOR-NOMINEES BY FINANCE MINISTER

Council noted that the NSIA (Establishment) Act, 2011 provides that all appointments of individuals into the Board of Directors “shall be made by the President on the recommendations of the Minister of Finance, who shall consult with the National Economic Council (NEC).”

Council was also called to note that following the notification of the expiration of the tenures of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Directors, the Honorable Minister constituted the Executive Nomination Committee (ENC) to fill the vacant positions;

Council then noted that the outgoing Managing Director/Chief Executive officer will expire on the 30th September, 2022.

Action:

Finance Minister presented the outcome of the search to fill the positions of NSIA MD/CEO and 2 Executive Directors which are becoming vacant with the expiration of the terms of the current holders.

The names of the nominees were presented, and NEC gave its endorsement to the President for his approval.

D.

SERVICOM AT STATE SUB- NATIONAL LEVEL:
BY NNENA AKAJEMELI (MRS.) NATIONAL COORDINATOR/CEO, SERVICOM, from the FGN

It is an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria conceived to promote effective and efficient service delivery in Ministries, Departments and agencies (MDAs) to ensure customer satisfaction and to manage the performance-expectations gap between Government and citizens, as well as other members of the public on issues of service delivery.

OBJECTIVES

The overriding aim of this program is to ensure improved service delivery to the citizens by making service delivery process and systems much more open, accountable, citizen centered, transparent at the grassroots by pitting systems and mechanisms in place that would provide quality service to the people.

EXPRECTED OUTCOMES

A commitment to improving service delivery for citizens, with support at the highest levels of state government.

Establishment of a SERVICOM office to operationalise these commitments; co-ordinate their implementation; monitor and report of progress; survey customer satisfaction; and support the implementation of service charters.

PRAYER

That States collectively drive improved service delivery at the grassroots level for a better Nigeria.

Council welcomes the presentation

E.

COUNCIL ALSO RECEIVED MEMO FROM:

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS, DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (FMHADMSD)

AND

NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (NEMA) FLOOD RISK REDUCTION EFFORTS

· Development of country-wide Hazard Risk Analysis

· Community Mobilization and Engagement

· Media Campaign

· Developing emergency response assets to NEMA Zonal, Territorial and Operation offices covering states and LGAs at risk of floods

RESPONSE STRATEGIES

- Operationalization of NEMA call centre

· Identification of equipment and personnel

· Emergency Relief Intervention: Food and Non-food items to impacted communities

· Compiling records of sudden onset disaster nationwide

PRAYER

· Implement measures in the National flood emergency preparedness and response plan

· Equip NEMA, SEMA and other response agencies with necessary resources for the emergency response to communities and persons affected by flood

· Strengthen States and LGAs institutions for flood preparedness, Mitigation and Response, etc.

Council welcomed the presentation.

F.

AOB

The Vice President, on behalf of the NEC, praised Governor Fayemi especially in his role as Chair of the NGF and noted his "informed and patriotic contributions" to the work of the NEC.

The VP also commended the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning who serves as Council Secretary, Mrs. Olusola Idowu as she retires from public service. According to the Vice President "we like to commend her leadership and great contribution to make the Council work orderly and well-resourced over the years."

He also prayed for her, that she would continue to render great service both nationally and globally.

Earlier Governor Fayemi had commended the VP for ensuring as NEC Chair that the Council has done a lot to ensure we are a true a federation and expressed his appreciation to the Council, the VP and the President.

Also, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Mr. Moses Frank Ekpo, also commended the VP’s leadership of the Council and paid tributes also to the outgoing NGF Chairman for leading the Forum so ably. He also thanked the outgoing Council Secretary for a job well done.

The Vice President agreed with him that, indeed, the NEC & NGF are ensuring that the country moves as a nation even more towards a true federation, not just in words but in action.

He then prayed for Dr. Fayemi that he would continue globally and nationally to rise in every way.

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

*WHY NIGERIA NEEDS MORE WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN GOVERNMENT, POLITICS, BY OSINBAJO*

_*Says more female representation is an economic imperative, not a concession by men_

Just like the example of the education of the girl-child, a more effective and balanced female representation and participation in politics and government will have major impact on the country’s socio-economic future and overall national development, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this today as the Special Guest of Honour at the 2022 Women Directors’ Conference.

Speaking in a pre-recorded message on the theme of the Conference: Facing Forward - The Evolving Nature of Boards in a Rapidly Changing World, the Vice President advocated for more female representation in leadership positions in government and across different sectors, “as an economic imperative and not a moral duty of men or mere concession by men.”

Said he, “a country that keeps down half of its productive demography is bound to perform sub-optimally. But the issue is not just board representation, it is about representation in politics and government this is where major decisions affecting our lives are made. But perhaps, most importantly, it is about education of girls.

“The high levels of female illiteracy is dangerous from all possible standpoints. If half your population is uneducated, it means that development and being competitive in a knowledge-driven world will not happen or will happen too slowly to be of much use.”

Highlighting further the importance of girl-child education to national development, Prof. Osinbajo stated that “educated women means educated children, and this is the pipeline for women who will become CEOs, legislators, government officials and bureaucrats. Female representation must not be reduced to representation by a few elite women who have the good fortune of education.”

Urging for more efforts by governments at all levels in improving girl child education, the Vice President said, “there is a much larger fight for the future of a large majority of girls who are not even represented in primary schools. We must talk to State Governors. The States of the Federation control primary and secondary education; they must be engaged in the advocacy and persuasion efforts.”

While he noted the two-sided arguments on the levels of performance between men and women in the same positions, Prof. Osinbajo highlighted how a study on the Lagos judiciary showed the significance of female representation in driving positive societal change and reforms.

“I think a question that always seems to pop-up in conversations on the subject is: Do women do better than men in the same positions, or are men better performers on the job than women? The arguments will go on and on,” he added.

Recalling his experience as Attorney-General in Lagos State, the VP said, “when I was appointed Attorney-General in Lagos in 1999, one of the major problems with the judiciary was corruption. We conducted a study of 200 lawyers who practice in the in the High courts of Lagos State, 89% of them said that judges were notoriously corrupt.

“We started a reform which involved compensation and discipline. But also, a deliberate head-hunting of female lawyers, many of whom had no previous courtroom experience, but were outstanding as academics, corporate lawyers and solicitors.

“When we announced our list of new appointees of 52 judges, seventy five percent of them were females. In 2007, when the World Bank joined us in our survey of 200 lawyers, we asked the same question on perception of corruption in the judiciary as we asked in 1999; this time, zero (0) per cent said judges in the high court of Lagos were corrupt.”

The VP further stated that although many of the judges had not been in practice, “they have turned out to be easily amongst the most outstanding judges in the country.

“Now there are many variables here, and we cannot say categorically that women make better and more honest judges than men; but the Lagos judiciary has shown that there may be a point in thinking that way,” the VP added.

Prof. Osinbajo also highlighted global studies which showed the influence of women in improving society.

He noted particularly three studies from the Centre for Economic Policy and the World Economic Forum; research from Macquarie Business School by Dr Farida Akhtar, and Deloitte’s 2021 Women in the Boardroom Report.

The first study, an analysis on the handling of Coronavirus in 194 countries, showed that countries led by women had “systematically and significantly better outcomes than countries led by men.

“These leaders include Germany’s Angela Merkel, New Zealand’s Jacinda Arden, Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, Taiwan’s Tsai Ing-wen and Finland’s Sanna Marin. The study confirmed that all the female-led countries locked down earlier and suffered only half as many deaths as countries led by men. The policy responses of the female leaders were more proactive and coordinated.”

The Vice President further noted that the Macquarie study, which did a peer reviewed research of listed companies on the S&P index from 2000 to 2015, showed that “companies with female CEOs perform better than companies with male CEOs and the same goes for companies with a substantial female representation on their boards.

“Also, other research shows that Fortune-500 companies with more female directors on their boards have been reported to show a 42% stronger return on sales and 53% higher return on equity than companies with lesser women on their boards,” he stated.

The Deloitte study, the VP said, showed that companies with female Board Chairs or CEOs are usually more diverse and more gender-balanced than companies with male Board Chairs and CEOs.

“Deloitte’s 2021 Women in the Boardroom Report shows that the worldwide average of Women on Boards is now 19.7%. Only 6.7% are Board Chairs, female CEOs are 4.4%,” he further observed.

While the VP pointed out that “Nigeria beats the world average by over 3%, which shows clearly positive movement in the male dominated boardrooms,” he noted that more needed to be done to increase the number of women’s representation in government positions.

“Only last year an attempt to pass legislation mandating women to fill 35% of appointed positions in government and 35% of elective positions failed in the National Assembly. After considerable local and international criticism, it appears the matter is being reconsidered by the legislature,” he noted.

Declaring open the Conference, the Vice President also commended the organisers, the Institute of Directors, the Women Directors Development Committee, for their work and the initiative.

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

All the best

Osinbajo the best presidential material we never had

QUEEN ELIZABETH’S FUNERAL:
SOLIDARITY OF WORLD LEADERS TESTAMENT TO BROTHERHOOD AMONG COUNTRIES, SAYS OSINBAJO

*VP wishes King Charles well, prays he “does even better than his mother”


The coming together of leaders from different parts of the globe to celebrate the live of late Queen Elizabeth II and attend her funeral is a show of solidarity and goodwill by people from around the world.

It is also a testament to the brotherhood of nations, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Monday in London during a media chat with journalists after attending the State Funeral Service of the late Queen of England at Westminster Abbey.

According to the Vice President, “for countries like ours, for Nigeria and for the Commonwealth, this has been very ennobling, very strengthening.

“I am sure that King Charles felt not just the honour of having so many people come by, but also the reassurance that there is a brotherhood across the world and that the Commonwealth remains strong, a Commonwealth of free nations who willingly subscribe to coming together, to work together to achieve sometimes disparate political objectives but clear economic objectives.”

Speaking about the significance of the event, Prof. Osinbajo said “it is a historic event and one that is unlikely to happen, perhaps in another lifetime, just the sheer enormity of all that has happened and the gathering of leaders from everywhere, the good will, the good wishes, and all of that from practically everywhere around the world.”

“So, I think that this has truly been a testament to the sort of person the Queen was - in life and death, brought people together and perhaps even more so in death,” the VP added.

The Vice President then prayed for a successful reign for King Charles lll, noting that “one wishes King Charles very well indeed, and I think we are all anxious that he succeeds.

“And that he perhaps does even better than his mother, which is the hope of his mum. I am sure that the Queen will really hope that all her successors and in this case King Charles, will do better than she did.

“We are all looking forward to a wonderful reign, a reign that will bring prosperity, peace, not just to England, but to the Commonwealth and to all of us.”

Speaking further about the late British monarch, whom he earlier described as a Monarch for all seasons, the VP said “in the 70 years that she has been Queen, it's obvious that through practically every cycle - war, peace, economic decline, apartheid, all the various cycles, where truly major things were going on, she held her own and she was always able to bring a certain degree of understanding.

“And just the gravity of someone who doesn’t hold political office is so well respected and well regarded. In so many ways, she was a factor in practically all of the various cycles that we have experienced, not just in the Commonwealth, but in the world itself.

“I think she was a stabilizing force, that was why I thought the description (borrowed from “the man for all seasons”) that she was the Queen for all seasons.”

Right after the Funeral Service at Westminster Abbey, the Vice President and all the foreign dignitaries-about 500- were hosted to a reception by the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Mr James Cleverly.

The Queen's funeral procession then proceeded to Windsor Castle where she would be laid to rest, passing through selected streets in London.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
19th September 2022

QUEEN ELIZABETH WAS A MONARCH FOR ALL SEASONS, SAYS OSINBAJO

The late Queen Elizabeth II was a monarch for all seasons who brought people together from all over the world, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Sunday in a short tribute at the Lancaster House.

The Vice President also joined other world leaders to pay their last respect to the late British monarch at the Queen's lying in state at different times on Sunday. World leaders who visited the Westminster Hall to witness the lying in state alongside the VP included the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau; U.S. President Joe Biden and French President, Emmanuel Macron, among other royals and Heads of State and Government across the world.

In the condolence register at Lancaster House, the Vice President noted that "Nigeria joins the government and people of the UK, the Commonwealth and rest of the world in expressing our sincere condolence to the royal family on the passing of a monarch for all seasons. May the Lord bless her memory."

Later at a bilateral meeting between Prof. Osinbajo and the UK Foreign Secretary, they discussed how to improve trade ties between both countries especially expanding opportunities for Nigerian businesses and supporting the country's climate objectives.

They also discussed the imperative of strengthening international coalition to tackle insecurity in the Sahel and the horn of Africa region.

The UK Foreign Secretary welcomed Nigeria’s participation in the funeral programme for Queen Elizabeth ll, expressing gratitude for Nigeria's solidarity and friendship with the UK on the mourning of the monarch, and also celebration of the life and times of the late Queen.

By Sunday evening, and at Press Time, King Charles III was hosting the Vice President and other visiting world leaders at a reception at the Buckingham Palace as part of activities for the State Funeral of the British monarch.

On Monday morning, the Vice President will also attend the Funeral Service for the Queen at Westminster Abbey.


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

To read more on the Vice President's activities, please visit https://www.yemiosinbajo.ng/

May her soul rest in peace

Rest in peace Queen Eli

OSINBAJO TO REPRESENT NIGERIA AT STATE FUNERAL FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH II IN LONDON

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, will be representing Nigeria at a number of events tomorrow and on Monday, during the State funeral for the late Queen Elizabeth ll of the United Kingdom.

Prof. Osinbajo departs Abuja today and will join members of the Royal Family, world leaders - including members of the Commonwealth, Heads of State, Governors-General, Prime Ministers, and foreign royal families - at the ceremonies, including the funeral service scheduled to hold at Westminster Abbey on Monday.

Ahead of the service, the Vice President will be among guests and dignitaries to be received by King Charles lll and Queen Consort Camilla, at a reception in Buckingham Palace, tomorrow, Sunday. Earlier on that day, the VP will hold a bilateral meeting with the UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly.

Queen Elizabeth ll was the Head of the Commonwealth and the longest serving British monarch. She passed on at 96 on the 8th of September this year at the Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

The Vice President will return to Nigeria after Monday's State Funeral.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
17th September, 2022

Safe journey sir

Nice

May his soul rest in peace

YOUNG NIGERIANS ARE WORLD-CLASS INNOVATORS, SOLUTION PROVIDERS, SAYS OSINBAJO

*VP delivers virtual remarks at YabaTech’s N50B Endowment Fund Launch

*Says visionary private sector intervention vital for sustainable higher education funding

Provided with the right platforms, young Nigerians will always rise to the stature of national and global challenges, while finding solutions to them through innovation and technology, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

This is the more reason why, in addition to government funding, there must be robust private sector interventions to further drive world-class, ground-breaking research and cutting-edge innovation in the country’s higher institutions of learning, Prof. Osinbajo added.

The Vice President spoke in pre-recorded keynote remarks at the Yaba College of Technology (YabaTech) N50 Billion Endowment Fund Launch (holding tonight-Thursday September 15, 2022 in Lagos.)

According to the VP, not only are “institutions of higher learning proving ground for our best ideas, the birthplaces of innovation, and ground-breaking research,” they are also “to all intents and purposes designed to guide and nurture a society’s pathway into the future.”

But, as he noted, “research and inquiry may lead to revolutionary discovery or lead nowhere. Either way, the process is expensive and can only depend on large sums of patient capital.”

“How do you fund world-class, relevant, cutting-edge higher education sustainably? The question has even greater resonance in Africa where public resources are low and the poverty levels put access to quality education beyond the reach of many.”

Buttressing the need for endowment funding for higher institutions of learning, Prof. Osinbajo said endowments have helped to drive some of the most important global discoveries across different sectors.

According to the VP, Yaba College of Technology, “is one of the best institutions to use as proof of the concept that we can indeed develop world-class higher institutions for innovation, and research using both private and public-sector finance."

Addressing the endowment promoters, the VP added that "the N50 billion ambition of this endowment fund mirrors your vision for this great institution and demonstrates your keen awareness of what is truly at stake. And we must approach this with a sense of mission and duty.

“We must augment government’s finest intentions with our individual and collective desire to see us do better, to see Africa do better; to see our children step into global arenas of enormous and unprecedented opportunities. One thing is clear, young Nigerians will always rise to the stature of the challenges the world presents them, and even beyond, if we continue to provide a platform for them to stand on.”

Noting the commitment of the Buhari administration to increase budget allocation to the education sector, the Vice President, referring to the sums allocated, and not percentages of the total budget, stated that, “year on year we increased budget allocation to the sector in a way no government before us had done. We took capital allocation for education up to N35.99bn in 2016 and stretched it further to N56.81bn in 2017. By 2018 we had increased capital budget allocations for the sector to N102.9bn and the trajectory has remained upward. (In 2019, N620 billion was allocated to education, in 2020, N671.07billion was allocated and in 2021, N742.5billion was allocated to education)."

He, however, noted that “it is unrealistic to rely on public finance alone for higher education, especially in a country the size of Nigeria.”

“The truth is we can completely revolutionise our nation’s education sector with radical, long-term commitment and investment from the private sector; a win-win situation for all of us eventually. And I trust that this (endowment fund launch) will be a solid start and step in that direction,” Prof. Osinbajo further said.

On the importance of what he described as "visionary private sector intervention" in funding higher education, the VP noted that much wealthier countries than Nigeria do not leave funding for higher education to government.

“It is no mistake that one of the largest economies in the world, and arguably the most technologically advanced, also has some of the best and most prestigious universities. American colleges and universities have been sustained and supported by endowments for over 300 years," the VP said.

Speaking further, Prof. Osinbajo stated that, “in 2021, on the back of one of the most economically challenging years in recent history, the total amount that accrued to US colleges and universities in charitable giving was $52.9billion, 5.1% higher than it was the previous year. This was driven largely by an understanding of the value universities hold as centres of research and innovation, more so in a time of crisis.

“The total value of Harvard University’s endowment in its 2020 fiscal year was $42 billion, Yale University’s was $31billion, Stanford University's, was $29billion. These endowments have been at the heart of some of the most important discoveries in Science and Medicine, Education and Arts.”

The Vice President noted that YabaTech was a great institution that can further harness its potential in producing the technical talent needed to drive the nation's industrialization.

He said, “This is a responsibility that YabaTech has shouldered admirably for decades, equipping thousands of young people in engineering, applied sciences, fine art and the performing arts.

“Many of her alumni have gone on to attain local and international recognition. It is also perhaps the first tertiary institution to deliberately establish the crucial link with the innovation and commerce ecosystem with its creation of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development.”

Emphasising further the importance of the institution’s endowment fund launch, Prof. Osinbajo noted the nexus between “the success of the Yaba technology and innovation community in Lagos - widely known and referred to as the Silicon Valley of Nigeria due to the concentration of tech and innovation companies within the environment.

“I think it is the case that the Tech start-ups from Yaba have grown and flourished into highly profitable businesses, with some of these businesses attaining the status of unicorns—which are companies worth over a billion dollars, because of the highly skilled graduates in modern technology, management and other fields of study that have come out of YabaTech,” he further stated.

Prof. Osinbajo urged the institution’s management to reach out to its extensive alumni networks and rally the best of Nigerians together for the achievement of this vital cause, noting that “this is the time to demonstrate our commitment to succeeding generations and our sense of legacy.”

Giving a word of advice in management of the endowment fund in the future, the VP said “the best skills in investment and management must be recruited. Endowment funds are to be invested wisely with the best professional guidance.”

While commending the governing body of the Yaba College of Technology, the administrative and teaching staff for the initiative, the VP expressed confidence that the institution’s track record and support that the endowment fund will bring to it, will help reposition it as “one of the frontline institutions that will determine the future of technology, innovation and creativity in Africa and the world.”

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

I saw this coming......well done Prof

Always after the betterment of Nigeria

ENERGY TRANSITION:
WHY NIGERIA SHOULD BENEFIT MORE FROM ITS GAS RESERVES, BY OSINBAJO

*US Special Envoy, John Kerry commends FG's Energy Transition Plan in meeting with VP

The use of gas as a transition fuel would not only help in stemming deforestation, it would also advance Nigeria's broader development goals, especially because Nigeria has one of the largest gas reserves in the world, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

The same would be true as other developing countries would also benefit from the adoption of gas as a transition fuel.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Tuesday night when he received at the Presidential Villa, the US Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change, Mr. John Kerry, who was on a working visit to Nigeria. Prior to his meeting with the VP, Mr. Kerry had also met with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking at the meeting with Kerry and the US delegation, the Vice President highlighted the need for Nigeria to continue the exploration and use of gas as a way of arresting deforestation, transiting away from dirtier fuels like diesel, kerosene and petrol, while at the same time ensuring that the country has the necessary energy baseload for industrialization.

Pointing out that Nigeria has one of the largest gas reserves in the world and should benefit from its exploitation, the VP also highlighted the significance of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, which is the first in Africa.

It would be recalled that Prof. Osinbajo had discussed the Energy Transition Plan during his recent visit to Washington D.C., where the VP met with his American counterpart, VP Kamala Harris at the White House, among other top US government officials. Before the recent US trip, the Federal Government had launched the Energy Transition Plan at a global virtual event.

In addition to a review of the Energy Transition Plan, including a discussion about its implementation, both the Vice President and Mr Kerry also discussed the issues of renewable energy sources and the global transition.

In his remarks, Mr. Kerry had high praises for the plan and also for the efforts already being made in Nigeria to step up the use of renewables, especially solar and hydropower, as major components of the energy mix.

While acknowledging that Nigeria ought to benefit from its gas reserves, Mr. Kerry urged an even more rapid adoption of renewables, especially electric vehicles, which are certainly the next wave in auto manufacturing. He observed that the technology of renewables keeps improving daily adding that batteries are already in production which last far more than those that are now in the market.

Upon a request by the Vice President, the Special Envoy promised to assist Nigeria with the necessary expertise to scientifically determine the most appropriate energy mix that will move the country toward the goal of energy for all by 2030 and net zero carbon emissions by 2060, without compromising the country’s energy security.

The US Special Envoy also affirmed the readiness of the US Government to assist Nigeria in a bilateral partnership to realize its Climate Change adaptation and resilience capacity, thereby consolidating the nation’s place as a model for other countries on the planet.

He added that he looked forward to Nigeria presenting an inspiring position, which will no doubt attract all necessary global support at the upcoming COP 27 in Egypt later in the year.

Mr. Kerry was accompanied by other US officials including the American Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Mary Beth Leonard.

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

Osinbajo. Man of the people

Congratulations to Kenyas