The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Acting President Yemi Osinbajo

  • Osinbajo chairs NEC meeting

    …CDS, Service Chiefs, IGP to brief Council

     

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday presided over the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, comprising state governors and relevant ministries of government and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    Some of the items of the agenda of the meeting included discussions on the security situation in the country.

    Read Also:Diezani ‘bribe’: INEC chiefs have case to answer, says court

    To make presentations to the Council included Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Abubakar Sadique; Ahmed Abubakar, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ibrahim Idris, Inspector General of Police and the Director General of Department for State Services.

    Also in attendance are Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, the National Security Adviser, Babangana Mungonu, Ministers of finance,  Kemi Adeosun, Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris.

    Governors at the meeting at the  time of commencement at 11:20am, included Chairman of Governors Forum and Zamfara governor, Abdulaziz Yari, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom, Willy Obiano of Anambra, Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Aminu Masari of Katsina, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, Niger’s Abubakar Bello, Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, Jigawa‘s Abubakar Badaru, Pleatau’s Simon Lalong, Lagos’s Akinwumi Ambode, Deputy governors of Bayelsa, Enugu, Rivers, Ogun, Oyo, Benue, Kano.

    Also at the meeting is the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue, Babatunde Fowler.

    The opening prayer was said by the Jigawa State governor, Abubakar Badaru.

  • FEC approves N15.73 billion road project in Enugu 

    The Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday reviewed upward the contract for road project in Enugu State.

    The Minister of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola briefed State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting chaired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Read Also:Recapitalisation: investor proposes 10-year roadmap

    He was with the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed.

    According to him, the project which was initially awarded at the cost of N10.3 billion in 2012 was to serve six different communities.

    He said that the project suffered failed implementation due to lack of funding.

    Giving reasons for the increase, he said, that there is also need to provide for erosion control.

    Details Later…

  • 28 ministers in attendance as Osinbajo presides over FEC 

    Twenty eight ministers on Wednesday attended the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

    The ministers were those present in the Council Chamber when Osinbajo called for rendition of the National anthem by 11a.m.

    Read Also:Obasanjo, defections can’t stop Buhari – Tinubu

    The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah said the Christian opening prayer, while the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu offered the Muslim prayer.

    The turn out on Wednesday was unprecedented compared to the past FEC meetings chaired by Osinbajo at Vice President or Acting President.

    Osinbajo had last week Tuesday terminated the appointment of the immediate past Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura.

    On Tuesday, Osinbajo also ordered immediate overhaul of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

  • 30,000 to benefit from FG’s small-scale loan in Zamfara

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo said on Tuesday that 30,000 persons would benefit from the Federal Government small-scale loan Zamfara state.

    Osinbajo said this while inaugurating some projects at Talata Mafara, Zamfara.

    Read Also:Two million Nigerians get BoI loans

    He said that the Federal Government was committed to tackling unemployment among Nigerians, especially youths.

    He said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had already engaged 2,363 graduates from the state under the Npower programme.

    He attributed the security challenges confronting the country to the severe unemployment situation in the country.

    According to him, 8,446 persons have been employed under the National School Feeding Programme involving 1,223 schools.

    Earlier in his remarks, Gov. Abdulaziz Yari commended the Federal Government for introducing various loan schemes on agriculture.

    Yari said that the facilities would promote farming activities this year.

    He then appealed to the Federal Government to establish a rice factory in the state considering its potentiality in agriculture.

    This move, he said, would enhance farmers’ productivity.

    NAN

     

  • Osinbajo, Kebbi gov meet in Aso Rock 

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday met with Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu.

    The closed doors meeting started around 4.23pm when Bagudu arrived the acting president office.

    Read Also:Osinbajo, Tinubu, others welcome Akpabio to APC

    He was still in the Acting President office at the time of filing this report.

     

    Details Later…

  • Osinbajo, Chief of Staff meet in Aso Rock 

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday met behind closed doors with the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.

    The meeting was held at the Acting President’s office at about 5.22p.m

    Read Also:NASS Blockade: Osinbajo summons IG, DSS Boss

    The meeting is still in progress as at the time of filing this report.

    Details later…

  • Osinbajo pledges support for IPI 2018

    Osinbajo pledges support for IPI 2018

    …Tasks media leaders to deal with hate speech

     

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday said that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration will partner the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI) to host a hitch-free 2018 World Congress of the Global Network of Free Media.

    He gave the assurance when the board of the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI), paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa to intimate him on plans for the forthcoming event scheduled for Abuja in June 2018.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo said “It is a very important opportunity for Nigeria to showcase ourselves and also to show that Nigeria is safe and secure for business. It is also an opportunity to advertise all of our ease of doing business initiatives.’’

    The Acting President also assured the visiting IPI board that states could participate in the hosting of the event especially as it provides “an important opportunity for tourism and for them to showcase some of the great initiatives that they have.’’

    He urged the local organizing committee to consider putting on the agenda of the event, the issue of hate speech and its implications for our polity and for peace and security.

    According to him, “the forum is an important one for raising the question of hate speech and its implications for our country, for our polity and for peace and security.’’

    He added: “somehow these things are resonating all over the world, new found nationalism and all of that. But I think for us here in Nigeria, it is a very important issue.

    “I think that it is important that we find ways of controlling these things. I think that we owe a responsibility, especially leaders of journalism, to find ways of dealing with this issue because it is a cancer.’’

    Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation and chairman of Thisday newspaper, Chief Nduka Obaigbena solicited the support the Federal Government in the hosting of the event in different areas including, the provision of a secured and safe environment for delegates, visas on arrival amongst others.

    Obiagbena stated that the issue of hate speech will indeed form one of the thematic issues to be discussed during the IPI congress.

    He thanked the Acting President for the pledge to support IPI Nigeria in the hosting a hitch-free congress.

     

  • ASUU strike didn’t follow due process – Minister

    ASUU strike didn’t follow due process – Minister

    The Federal Government on Wednesday insisted that the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) did not follow due process.

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, admitted that the Federal Government has failed to meet up some ASUU’s demand.

    He said “Very sad that I am here and ASUU is on strike, late last year we had a meeting because ASUU gave one week notice of strike and we were able to work out some agreement, I must confess government has not fulfilled its part of the bargain, even though we are unhappy that ASUU went on this strike without following due process and giving us good notice, we realised that we promised something and we didn’t fulfill it.

    “I hope I will be meeting them later today or tomorrow and am sure we will be able to reach some agreement so that the strike will be called off as soon as possible.

    “Am sure you are aware of the issues we agreed on, there is the issue of re-negotiation which is the only one they agreed government has done what it promised because we set up the re-negotiation team and negotiation is already ongoing.

    “There is the issue of Earned Allowances and I think because of some miscommunication what we promised could not be done, but am assuring ASUU and the whole nation that this is going to be done.

    “There is the issue of registration for Nigerian Universities Pension Commission. I think that one there are few issues that need to be sorted out with the Nigerian Pension Commission, I believe there will be no problem with that.

    “The issue of their staff school which I think the court has given them verdict to go ahead with it, they have requested that they should be allowed to stay off TSA and I think government will not do this but there are some peculiar funds in the university like endowment which are monies kept and all the interest they generate, prices and so on are given.

    “Government will exempt that one only, but universities it is part of the peculiarities, they just must log on. I hope later on when I meet them today there will be total agreement.” he said

    He said that ASUU needs to give account of the releases made by the government for the Earned Allowances before more payment can be made.

    According to him, the government has the money to pay.

    Asked to reconcile the statement  he made during the last dispensation about ASUU strike, when he said ‘So, instead of hectoring ASUU to call off its strike, the nation should be praying for more of its kind in other sectors of the economy,’ the minister said that was still his position.

    He said if ASUU had not forced former President Goodluck Jonathan, he would not have created the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), without which he said, the university system would have collapsed.

    The minister emphasized: “That is still my view. I believe ASUU is composed of patriotic people, very responsible.

    “If I can look at what their struggle is, they force the then government to create TETFund and today, without TETFund, the university system would have collapsed.

    “I’m not supporting ASUU, am supporting what is good. If it is something bad, I will condemn it.” he added

    The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed disclosed that FEC approved the memo from the Ministry of Transportation for rehabilitation contract for Itakpe-Ajaokuta rail line.

    He said that the contract was awarded to CCECC at the tune of $122.62 million and to be completed in 15 months.

     

  • Osinbajo okays issuance of 615 land titles

    Osinbajo okays issuance of 615 land titles

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has approved the issuance of 615 pending land titles to the applicants.

    He gave the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola approval to sign the land titles.

    The Minister briefed State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with the Acting President at the Presidential Villa Abuja on Tuesday night.

    The approval, he said, is to enable land transactions, mortgages, assignments and debentures across the country.

    According to him, the letters were already being issued to the applicants.

    The Ministry, he said, received the delegation of authority on July 27, and was awaiting another delegation of authority to issue the Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) for the approved titles.

    He said “Just to update the members of the public about the delegation of authority to issue consent for land transactions.

    “It has accumulated for a while but we received the delegation, I believe, on 27th of July.

    “On the first week of August my office approved all of the 615 pending applications for land transactions, mortgages, assignments, debentures and all of those things,” he said .

    He added “So, letters are being issued now to all the applicants and those who haven’t received theirs should just tally a while.

    “In a matter of a few days to fortnight from now we would have cleared that backlog then we go and deal with the pending applications for Certificates of Occupancy.

    “Again, we are expecting delegation of authority for that one.’’ he stated

    Fashola said that the applications had piled up which should not have happened adding that it was important to tell the public about the approvals.

    According to him, the implication is that it is a further boost to the economy.

    He said that those who wanted to borrow or lend money or had sold or planning to sell their land could complete those transactions and money could move round.

    The Minister explained that titles could change hands as all businesses related to land whether the person was running a school, bank, a newspaper agency or catering outfit.

    “Everything revolves around it so it helps to drive us closer to our journey out of recession and implement the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan,’’ he said‎.

  • Niger Delta agitators threaten to resume bombing

    Niger Delta agitators threaten to resume bombing

    A coalition of Niger Delta agitators on Thursday threatened to resume bombing of oil installations in the region and warned the federal government to stop dealing wit the Edwin Clark led Pan Niger Delta Forum, (PANDEF) on their behalf saying the group can not resolve the crisis in the region”

    The group, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja also asked Northerners and Yourbas from South west resident in the region to vacate the Niger Delta before October 1, while oil companies operating in the area and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation. must relocate their headquarters to the the region.

    The coalition which is made up of eight different militant groups dissociated themselves from the recent meeting help between Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo and PANDEF, describing the meeting as another ploy to deceive the people of the Niger Delta.

    The signatories to the statement included General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs and Convener Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators); General Ekpo Ekpo ( Niger Delta Volunteers); General Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors) and Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters).

    Others were Major-Gen. Asukwo Henshaw for Bakassi Freedom Fighters; Major-Gen. Ibinabo Horsfall for Niger Delta Movement for Justice; Major-Gen. Duke Emmanson for Niger Delta Fighters Network and Major-Gen. Inibeghe Adams for Niger Delta Freedom Mandate.

    It will be recalled that PANDEF led by Chief Edwin Clarke met twice with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo recently at the Presidential Villa to articulate lasting solution to the challenges of the people in the region. 

    The Niger Delta agitators said that they had resolved to declare Republic of Niger Delta on October 1 and congratulated the Yourubas on their intention to declare an Oduduwa Republic, saying that they would work in tandem with the South East and Middle Belt to achieve economic and diplomatic developments.

    The statement read in full: “At the general council meeting of the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators (CNDA) involving surveillance department, intelligence department and commanding officers held today to deliberate on the recent development in the Niger Delta and Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) meeting with the Acting President, after hours of careful deliberations, we unanimously resolved to commence Operation Zero Oil in the Niger Delta from September 10, 2017 as a preparation for the actualization of Niger Delta Republic

    “We totally condemn the recent meeting between PANDEF and the Acting President; we see it as another plot to deceive the Niger Delta people. First and foremost, the meeting was marred with inordinate greed of the PANDEF as they did not involve the representatives of the Agitating groups and youths leaders. 

    “We wish to let the Acting President to know that those he met have no capacity and cannot solve the current crisis in the Niger Delta; therefore they cannot represent the militants or speak for the Niger Delta people. 

    “The Coalition unanimously adopts to stand by the previous demands, which are: 100% percent control of our resources. The Federal Government should hand over all oil blocks owned by the Northerners/Yorubas to Niger Delta indigenes. All Oil companies operating in such oil blocks/wells should vacate October 1st, 2017.

    “Relocation of NNPC to any of the Niger Delta state and replacement of the Group Managing Director with an indigene of region. All the Multinational Oil, Gas, Servicing and Marine Companies must relocate their operational base to the Niger Delta, sign a new Memorandum of Understanding with Niger Delta people which would include Niger Delta indigenes being paid same salaries with foreigners. 

    “We demand independence and sovereign Republic of Niger Delta, all the companies and business owned by the Northerners / Yorubas in Niger Delta should be vacated before 1st October 2017, we accept and congratulate the Yorubas for demanding Oduduwa Republic and we wish them success.

    “We hereby call on all agitating groups to resume attacks/bombings on all oil/gas pipelines, especially the exporting lines across the Niger Delta region from September 10, 2017. This is to ensure zero oil/gas production before October 1, 2017.

    “We shall work to interface with more patriotic and zealous Niger Delta people to work out new collective approach that will ensure total freedom and complete control of our resources by any means necessary.

    “We shall from henceforth, fight to liberate ourselves from the shackles of neo-colonialism and rule ourselves under a Niger Delta Republic, with diplomatic and economic relations with the peoples of the South East and Middle Belt.

    “Finally, we want to inform the federal government of Nigeria and the general public that we no longer recognize PANDEF under the present leadership as they are working against the interest of the Niger Delta people.”