The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Acting President Yemi Osinbajo

  • Saraki, Dogara faults Osinbajo’s budget remark

    Saraki, Dogara faults Osinbajo’s budget remark

    Govt to head for Supreme Court

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday drew the ire of Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara over his comments on the National Assembly’s increase of the budget from N7.28 trillion to N7.44 trillion.

    At plenary in both chambers, Saraki and Dogara said the lawmakers did not overreach themselves by jacking up the budget.

    The Senate would not surrender its constitutional powers to the executive, Saraki said, in reaction to an issue raised by Deputy Senate Leader Bala Ibn Na’Allah.

    The House of Representatives, Dogara noted, would not be a rubber stamp. He was reacting to an order on the breach of privilege brought by Abubakar Lawal (Adamawa).

    The Presidency will seek the Supreme Court’s interpretation on the issue, it was learnt last night.

    A source told our correspondent that the Acting President would not take up issues with the lawmakers, but “will soon head for the apex court to seek the interpretation of that section of the Constitution to clear any ambiguity therein.”

    The source said: “We cannot be going forward and backwards on the same issue every year.”

    Signing the budget on Monday, Osinbajo said there were two broad issues about who could do what.

    “The first report is about who can do what. When you present a budget to the National Assembly, it is presented as a bill, an appropriation bill. And secondly, do not introduce entirely new projects and all of that or modify projects. This is something that we experienced last year and this year again. It now leaves the question about who is supposed to do what,” he said.

    Saraki said even when the upper chamber bends backward to accommodate issues such gesture should not be misconstrued to mean weakness or that the constitutional powers assigned to it did not exist.

    The Senate, Saraki insisted, would continue to defend the Constitution and ensure that its actions are covered by the Constitution at all times.

    Raising the issue, Na’ Allah said: “I want to make a personal explanation on the media reports credited to the Acting President to the effect that the National Assembly does not possess any power to alter the budget submitted to it by the Executive. I offer an explanation that we have operated this Constitution from 1999 to date.

    “I am sure that everybody who knows me knows that I have some limited understanding of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I have also had the privilege to work with the Acting President while I was practising in Lagos as a lawyer.

    “We did a lot of things together. So, he is somebody that I know so much, that I will rather believe that what was alleged to have been said could not have been said by him and even if he spoke on the matter, he was misquoted.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, this same Constitution we operated from 1999 to date has section 80, and the title of section 80 is ‘Power and Control over Public Funds’.

    “I read: All revenues or other monies raised or received by the Federation not being revenues of other monies payable under this Constitution or any Act of the National Assembly into any other Public Fund of the Federation established for a specific purpose shall be payable to and for one consolidated fund of the Federation.

    “Two says: No monies shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation except to meet expenditure that is charged upon the Fund by the Constitution or where the issue of those monies has been authorised by an Appropriation Act, Supplementary Appropriation Act or Act passed in pursuance of Section 81 of the Constitution.

    “Three: No money shall be withdrawn from any public funds of the Federation other than the Consolidated revenue fund of the Federation unless the issue of those monies has been authorised by an Act of the National Assembly.

    “Four, No money shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly.”

    “That is the provision.

    “The reason for this provision is that the Constitution recognises that Nigeria operates a federal structure, and it further goes on to recognise that it is multi-lingual, multi-ethnic, multi-religious.

    “Therefore, in the constitution-making process, a lot of issues for domination and fear for domination were raised.

    “That is why the framers of the constitution provided for representation on the basis of population and land mass and on the basis of equality of states.

    “This is what gave birth to a bicameral legislature, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The House provides representation based on population and land mass while the Senate is based on equality of states.

    “So, I know that the Acting President who is a Professor of Law is sufficiently trained in law to know that the National Assembly has powers to tinker with the budget.

    “I am not making a case for him and I do not want to believe that he said what has been alleged that he said.

    “I also want to assuage the fears of my colleagues that what was alleged to have been said does not represent the spirit of the framers of our Constitution. This explanation is necessary so that we put this matter to rest.”

    Saraki, who did not allow a debate on the matter, said: “I too have a lot of our colleagues coming up to us regarding the 2017 budget. I cannot agree with you less. I am sure that the Acting President must have been misquoted because there is clearly no ambiguity in the Constitution of the responsibility of the National Assembly.

    “This matter has been cleared and settled. So, I don’t think there are any issues here that are vague. I will like to believe too that the Acting President must have been wrongly quoted.

    “But at the same time, I want to say that there are times we have a number of consultations and I want to make it clear that these consultations we do with the Executive will not at any time mean that we will give up the powers we have in line with the Constitution.

    “I want to reassure our members on this because it is very important based on what we have heard, you may be concerned that one way or another leadership had given up some of these powers.

    “That is not the case. But I believe that as responsible statesmen, there are times we consult and do our best to work with the Executive and assist them.

    “But as we bend backwards, I don’t think that should be misrepresented that powers given to us in the Constitution do not exist.

    “That is not the case, and this Senate will continue to defend the Constitution and ensure that anything we do is in line with the laws of the land.”

    At the House, Dogara said it was difficult to believe that the Acting President could say such thing.

  • No need to panic over quit notice, FG reassures Nigerians

    No need to panic over quit notice, FG reassures Nigerians

    The Federal Government again assured Nigerians not to panic over the quit notice issued to some Nigerians living outside their state of origin.

    Some Arewa youths had recently given Igbos residing in the North ultimatum to leave the region on or before October 1st.

    The youths claimed that they were reacting to the sit at home order on the 30th May by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, said that all Nigerians are free to live anywhere in the country.

    According to him, the Federal Government is on top of the situation.

    He said that the series of consultation meetings the Acting President is holding is to calm down the situation and to reassure all Nigerians of their safety anywhere in the country.

    He said: “We want to make comments on what is agitating the minds of Nigerians, that is the call for people from certain parts of the country to relocate to their region, generally very disquieting voices.

    “We just want to assure Nigerians that the federal government is on top of the matter and that yesterday the Acting President addressed leaders from the northern part of the country. At 4 p.m today (Wednesday) he is going to address leaders from the South Eastern part of the country. On Friday he is going to address south eastern traditional rulers and leaders of thoughts. On the 22nd of June there is going to be a meeting of all the groups that is, traditional rulers, religious leaders and leaders of thoughts from both the South East and North part of Nigeria.

    “The idea is not just to assure Nigerians that we are doing something about it but also to give comfort to all Nigerians that this matter is completely under control.

    “To assure Nigerians that any Nigerian anywhere is save, the security authorities are completely on top of the matter and that they will deal decisively with any group of people whose conduct that is believed is going to create instability in the country.

    “So there is no need for anybody to panic, there is no need for anybody to move from any part of the country. The security agencies are on top of the matter and there is no reason for anybody to panic,” he added.

    On why the two newly confirmed Ministerial nominees by the Senate are yet to be sworn-in, he said “I’m not sure whether we’ve had the communication from National Assembly. But what I will do is that I will probably ask from the Acting President or the liaison officer then I will come and give you feedback.”

     

  • FG returns Nigeria to January/December fiscal year

    FG returns Nigeria to January/December fiscal year

    The Federal Government on Tuesday started a move to return the country back to a predictable January to December fiscal year with the early preparation of the 2018 budget proposals.

    The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen Udoma Udo Udoma said this in a statement signed by his Media Adviser, James Akpandem in Abuja.

    Udoma said that the ministry held an event, tagged: “Flag of the 2018 Budget Preparation Process’’ to inform the relevant Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on the processes and procedures of the budget preparation.

    The event came up less than 24 hours after Acting President Yemi Osinbajo signed the 2017 Appropriation Bill into law.

    At the event, Osinbajo said“ going forward, we have agreed with the National Assembly leadership on the necessity to get Nigeria back onto a predictable January to December fiscal year.

    “To achieve this, the 2018 budget needs to get to the National Assembly no later than early October so that the National Assembly can conclude work on it before the end of the year.”

    The Acting President emphasised on the need for direct involvement of Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and heads of government agencies in the preparation of their respective establishments’ budgets.

    “Ministers and Permanent Secretaries are to take responsibility to ensure that as much as possible their 2017 Budget is implemented between now and December.

    “They are also to be personally involved in the process for the preparation of the 2018 Budget to ensure that we meet the deadline for submitting it to the National Assembly by early October 2017,” he said.

    In addition, Osinbajo said that they must fast-track the implementation of the 2017 Budget to make up for the lost time and to deliver on expectations.

    He observed that Personnel Costs had continued to be a source of budgetary pressure, urging the MDAs to collaborate with the relevant authorities to ensure that only legitimate employees are on the payroll.

    He told them to collaborate with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning as well as the Ministry of Finance, in their efforts to ensure full implementation of the IPPIS.

    The Acting President also tasked the top government functionaries to pay serious attention to the revenue side of the budget as the country needed to improve on revenue generation to fund of the budget.

    Speaking further, Udoma reminded the officials that the 2018 Personnel Budget Call Circular had been issued to them since April.

    The minister said work had already commenced on the 2018-2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework /Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP).

    He said the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007 prescribes certain deadlines for Budget related activities, which government must endeavour to comply with.

    These objectives, he said, were particularly important for a government which had changed as its agenda.

    “Delayed national budgets are generally considered as indicative of poor public financial management which is not good for the image of the Government.’’

    Udoma, however, said that the 2018 budget would be the first full-year budget following the finalisation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

    “It became imperative that the budget was fully aligned with the objectives and priorities of the ERGP.

    “The 2018 budget process is, therefore, being harmonised with the Implementation Roadmap for the ERGP,’’ he said.

    The event was aimed at sensitising all top government functionaries and other stakeholders on the ERGP Implementation Roadmap and critical guidelines for the preparation of the 2018 budget to ensure its alignment with the ERGP.

    Meanwhile, Udoma will present the breakdown of the 2017 Budget to the general public on Monday, June 19 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Abuja at 10:00a.m.

  • Budget: NASS has no right to introduce new projects – Osinbajo

    Budget: NASS has no right to introduce new projects – Osinbajo

    …Says Buhari concerned with 2017 Budget implementation

     

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday declared that the National Assembly has no right to introduce new projects during consideration of national budgets.

    Osinbajo, who signed the 2017 Budget into law on Monday, said that the National Assembly only has the right to allocate funds for projects in the budgetary proposals submitted by the Executive arm of government.

    Osinbajo spoke on Tuesday during the Flag-off of the 2018 Budget and ERGP Implementation Plan Development Process by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning at the old Banquet Hall of the State House Abuja.

    He also harped on the need for full attention by all Ministers, permanent secretaries and heads of government agencies to the details of the budget.

    Noting that this year is very crucial, he said that President Muhammadu Buhari is very concerned with the budget and its full implementation.

    Details Later…

     

  • Osinbajo seeks African unity

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday advocated for unity among African so that the continent could take its rightful place in the international community.

    According to him, the African continent stands to gain greatly from such unity.

    He made the call while receiving a Special Envoy from the Egyptian President Abd El-Fattah El-Sisi, Ms. Moushira Khattab, who is vying for the position of Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Laolu Akande,  Osinbajo noted “We have seen the great importance of UNESCO,”

    This, he said, is very relevant now that the Federal Government is confronting the challenges in North-East including the planning for the education of hundreds of thousands of displaced children.

    He added that “it is important that Africa remains united to take its place, and we stand to benefit the most that way, including in the work of UNESCO.”

    On the UNESCO election, Acting President Osinbajo also assured the Special Envoy that Nigeria would explore and consider her candidacy.

    He thanked the envoy for the visit and extended President Muhammadu Buhari’s friendly greetings to his Egyptian counterpart.

    The Special Envoy Khattab said that the African Union has pledged to support her candidacy in the forthcoming UNESCO election.

    She therefore requested Nigeria’s support, considering the important role of Nigeria, adding “and the great respect that you enjoy in Africa and globally.”

    Special Envoy Khattab also conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the Egyptian President to President Buhari, for speedy recovery and safe return to Nigeria.

    Meanwhile, in another development, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo stated that it was evident that Nigerians have the knowledge, expertise and experience in virtually all areas of human endeavour to do anything required in the development of the country.

    He spoke during a meeting with members of Nigeria Society of Chemical Engineers who visited him at the Presidential Villa to discuss Federal Government’s policy on Modular Refineries in the Niger Delta.

    “The experience and expertise we need to do anything is here in our country, that is evident, “ he said, while stressing that his interaction with the group of engineers on the modular refineries have been extremely useful.” he said

    He said the that the Federal Government would be guided by the insight provided by the delegation from the Society of Chemical Engineers that included university professors and former chief executives of NNPC firms and refineries.

    Members of the delegation of the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers led by its President, Prof. Sam Adefila, included the Vice President, Engr. Onochie Anyaoku, Past presidents: Prof. Ayo Ogunye, Dr John Erinne, Engr Jide Soyode, and Engr. Alex Ogedegbe. Others are Engr. Tony Ogbuigwe and Engr. Samuel Bosoro, Executive Secretary of the society.

    Earlier today the Acting President also received a delegation of the newly reconstituted board of the Bank of Agriculture, BOA, led by the Managing Director, Mr. Kabir Mohammed.

    He urged the new board to be innovative and creative, while also putting in place a rigorous  and effective governance system that would make the bank attractive.

     

  • Osinbajo receives Togolese President in Aso Rock

    Osinbajo receives Togolese President in Aso Rock

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, on Wednesday evening received the President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo in his office at the State House, Abuja.

    The meeting was shortly after Osinbajo received a message from the President of the Republic of Niger, Issoufou Mahamadou.

    The message was delivered by the Minister of Petroleum of the Republic Niger, Foumakoye Gado.

    Details of the meetings were still unknown at the time of filing this report.

    No official statement concerning the two meetings have been issued as at press time.

     

  • Buhari’s new vision will develop Nigeria – Osinbajo

    Buhari’s new vision will develop Nigeria – Osinbajo

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday said that the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is promoting a new way of thinking and engagement that will secure the development of the Niger Delta and the entire country.

    The new approach, he said, involves an active and effective collaboration between the government, the private sector and the communities.

    He also assured that the new approach would ensures that the government finishes whatever is started in the region.

    Prof. Osinbajo spoke during a meeting with members of a delegation from Bayelsa State regarding the $3.6B Brass Fertilizer & Petro-Chemical Company that is expected to come on steam soon.

    The delegation which included executives of the company was led by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo lamented that only 12% completion rate was recorded in several of the projects undertaken by the Niger Delta Development Commission in the past years, while the rest were abandoned.

    According to him, some of the projects were not designed to succeed, but just for some people to make money.

    Stressing that a new way of thinking is emerging, he gave instances of effective collaboration with the private sector, as he recalled the example of the NLNG being effective collaborations.

    “The Buhari administration, this government is committed to finishing whatever we start. At the end of the day, we shall ensure that,” he affirmed, adding that the oil-producing communities have tremendous potentials.

    While commending the Bayelsa State Governor for his proactive efforts, the Acting President commended the collaboration that is ongoing regarding the Brass company.

    He said “This is what we describe as the New Vision: partnership between the Federal Government, the States, the communities and the private sector. This is the new way of thinking that is emerging, the New Vision.”

    In his comments, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu described the idea of the Brass Fertilizer & Petro-Chemical firm as “a game changer that we need to encourage, “

    He said that such ideas have the potential to change the economic model in the Niger Delta.

    The Acting President also received a delegation from the Seed Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria, SEEDAN led by its President Mr. Richard Olafare and the Director-General of the National Agricultural Seed Council, Dr. P.O.Ojo.

    In his remarks, Prof. Osinbajo assured the delegation that the Federal Government would do much more in the area of Agriculture, stressing that fertilizer and seed inputs are vital for the “agricultural revolution” that the Buhari administration is delivering.

    He told members of the association, “your visit and contributions are very important to us. The President has said we must grow what we eat. We must be able to grow everything we eat. This is very important to us, we are very committed to food security. It is important to hear your views as we shape policy.”

  • South-south senators may oppose $1.5b loan for states

    South-south senators may oppose $1.5b loan for states

    Federal Government request for Senate approval of $1.492 billion for development projects in ten states may spark another round of protest in the Senate.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki read Acting President Yemi Osinbajo’s letter entitled “Re- Federal Executive Council approval of the 2016-2018 external borrowing (rolling) plan” which gave details of the $1.492 billion loan request.

    Only two weeks ago, the South East Senate caucus protested against the exclusion of the zone in the $5.9 billion Chinese Exim bank loan for the development of rail lines in some parts of the country.

    Some south-south senators are already gearing up to oppose the approval of the fresh loan as a result of non-inclusion of any state from the south-south geo-political zone in the loan request.

    A prominent member of the south south Senate caucus said that they were taken aback when Saraki read the letter to discover that no state from the zone was included in the loan request.

    He noted that some of them have resolved to send words home to their governors to find out if they requested for the loan and were left out.

    “If turns out that any south south state was among the states that sought the loan and was left out we will definite oppose the approval of the loan. How can a loan of over one billion dollars for development projects be approved and there is nothing for the south south,” he said.

    In the letter, Professor Osinbajo said, “ I write in reference to my earlier letter requesting for the consideration and approval of the Senate for the 2016-2018 External Borrowing Plan and to request the Senate to separate the states’ projects from the items listed in the Borrowing Plan with a view to giving them accelerated consideration.”

    He listed the affected states and their projects as:

    Kaduna State Development Policy Operation (DPO) $350 million to be funded with a loam from the World Bank Assisted project.

    Ogun State Development Policy Project (DPO) $350 million also to be funded with a loan from the World Bank Assisted Project.

    Ebonyi Ring Road Project $70million to be funded by African Development Bank and co-financed with Islamic Development Bank.

    Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP) $100 million to be funded by the ADB

    Katsina Health System Project $110 million to be financed by Islamic Development Bank

    Jigawa State Integrated Rural Development Project $32.4million also to be financed by the Islamic Development Bank.

    Another Ebonyi State Ring Road Project $80million to be co-financed with AFDB

    Kano State Integrated Agricultural and Water Resources Development $200 million.

    Enugu, Kano, Plateau and Ondo States Third National Urban Water Sector Reform Project (NUWSRP-111 $200 million to be financed by French Development Agency, giving a total loan of $1,492,400,000.00

  • Osinbajo mourns Osotimehin 

    Osinbajo mourns Osotimehin 

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday expressed shock over the  sadden death of Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, 68, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and a former Minister of Health in Nigeria.

    On behalf of the people and Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Osinbajo extended heartfelt condolences to his wife, children and entire family over the passage of their beloved father, grandfather and also an illustrious Nigerian.

    The Acting President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, also commiserated with the staff of the UNFPA and the entire UN system on the demise of a very remarkable international public servant, who served passionately, diligently and worked tirelessly at the global and national stages to reduce maternal mortality and promote universal access to reproductive health.

    The late Osotimehin, he noted, also had a distinguished career as medical doctor and teacher before he served as a cabinet minister in Nigeria, and later at the UN.

    He said that the deceased will be long remembered for his many significant developmental contributions at home and in the international community.

    As Prof. Osotimehin is being mourned internationally, the Acting President urged the Osotimehin family, friends and associates to take solace knowing that his notable service and worthy contributions especially towards improving women and children’s health across the world are widely acclaimed, deeply appreciated, and would be long remembered and honoured.

     

  • Ex-militants urge Osinbajo to wade into arrears of unpaid stipends 

    Ex-militants urge Osinbajo to wade into arrears of unpaid stipends 

    Niger Delta ex-militant leaders, Thursday, implored the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to consolidate the Federal Government’s peace efforts in the region by resolving many months of their unpaid stipends.

    The ex-militant leaders under the Phase two Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) lamented that the Coordinator of the Programme, Gen. Paul Boroh (retd) had not paid them their stipends since January this year.

    Six of the phase two leaders, who spoke in Yenagoa, commended the peace initiatives of the government in the Niger Delta, but claimed that the activities of Boroh if not checked could truncate the existing peace in the region.

    They, however, mentioned one Major Bernard, who they said work in the office of Boroh, as a major obstacle to the coordinator’s desire to address their plight.

    Some of the leaders, who expressed their frustration, are Paul Ebibokefie, John Esuku, Joseph Alfred, Esau Amaebimo, Goddy Kaduna, Clement Wodo and Passman Golukumor.

    Ebibokefie, insisted that the amnesty office had failed to complement the efforts of Osinbajo to ensure peace in the Niger Delta.

    He said: “The Federal Government has not paid our stipends since January 1st, 2017. We are, therefore, calling on the appropriate body, the good people of Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to order retired Brigadier-General Paul Boro to pay us our stipends.

    “I can remember that the acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, came here two months ago saying he wanted peace in the Niger Delta on behalf of the Federal Government, and there has been peace since then.

    “But, unfortunately, we have not been paid our stipends for five months and we are begging the government to look into the issue. There is hunger in the society but peace in the region”.

    Also, Alfred, faulted Boroh’s management approach saying he had failed to convene regular meetings of leaders from different camps, like his predecessor, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, did quarterly, to discuss issues affecting the ex-militants.

    “We do not know the reason he is refusing to call for meetings. We know he normally hold meetings for others in Calabar and Abuja but not for the second phase leaders.

    “We are appealing to him to call the leaders for a meeting. We, therefore, appeal to the Federal Government to call him to order so it will not lead to an uproar”. He said.

    In his reaction, Amaebimo, alleged that while Buhari and the vice-President were doing their best ensure peace in the region, one Major Bernard was instigating Boroh to work in cross purposes with the government.

    He said of nothing urgent was done to address their problems, they would lock down Abuja in protest.

    “Major Bernard should leave that office because he is not from Niger Delta. Federal Government should go to the schools and confirm what the ex-militants are saying.

    “We have been enduring that Is why we have decided to come out so the public can hear. We are going to take action if Federal Government refused to act. We are coming to Abuja”, he said.