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Tag: Osinbajo

  • ‘Why Buhari, Osinbajo will deliver’

    ‘Why Buhari, Osinbajo will deliver’

    The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South West region, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, played very prominent roles during the electioneering campaigns that ushered in the new administration.  He spoke with Sunday Oguntola on how the new government can deliver good governance and how Nigerians  

    What do you make of the new political order?

    I feel it is the hands of God rewriting the history of Nigeria. I believe He has decided to listen to the intercession of Nigerians for peaceful election and transition. Our desire for change has been granted and we have to thank God for that a lot.

    The inauguration means Nigeria has an opportunity for a fresh start. What we need now is to continue supporting this new administration with prayers. I believe with the leaders we have, especially at the federal level, our desires for good governance and democratic dividends will come to pass at last.

    But it is believed with the economy in shambles and security at the lowest ebb, the new government is coming on board at the toughest moment of the nation. Do you see the new administration turning the fortunes of the nation around?

    I am happy with that question because it is said that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. I believe we have men like President Muhammadu Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo at the helms of affair for such a time like this. I believe they have what it takes to take the nation to the next level.

    With all due respect, we have not been having the requisite, experienced leaders in this country. This is why we have remained in the woods. I am saying this very cautiously, especially with the last regime. People went there with one purpose in mind: to serve themselves and their families.

    That was why corruption rose to the zenith with them. There are three qualities that leaders must possess to move any nation ahead. They include knowledge, skills and wisdom.

    I don’t want to be critical but you can see the last administration was lacking on all of these fronts. I believe former President Goodluck Jonathan was ordained by God to fight corruption. But when he refused to do that, instead allowing the notorious atmosphere of corruption to persist, God had to find another man for the job.

    I believe President Buhari will deliver. He is experienced and equipped for the tasks ahead. He’s disciplined and is a known corruption fighter. With his antecedents, you are sure he will deliver. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has the technical know-how of good governance. Their combination, as far as I am concerned, will take us to the Promised Land.

    With them over there and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu offering them technical support, you will find out there would be new ideas that will shock all of us. I think Tinubu should be head of government, not necessarily in an official capacity but on the sidelines for his experiences in governance. Even his detractors and critics acknowledge that he is a man of ideas. Through his ideas, he made Lagos State the benchmark of good governance.

    He stood with the opposition, nurtured it and made sure the party became the focal point. He’s unlike many other politicians who have been defecting to the new ruling party. I think we will benefit a great deal from his wealth of experience.

    You endorsed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode during the campaign and also supported President Buhari. People have accused you of being a sympathiser of the All Progressives Congress (APC). How do you react to that?  

    I have a divine assignment to serve as Servant of the Most High God. My assignment is very precarious, which set me many times to take unpopular positions. When we said publicly that we should not allow the position of Lagos governor to be taken by another Muslim, we were heavily criticised.

    We commended the Muslims that have occupied the post but said a Christian should emerge this time to give us a sense of belonging. It was very unpopular then. Many so-called Christian leaders came and said I was bringing religion into politics. But I am happy the party’s leadership realised we didn’t mean any harm but were concerned by the imbalance.

    They listened and chose a Christian, who is now the governor. That was an unpopular position I took then that set me against many people. But I was reacting based on God’s leadership.

    I am referring to this instance so that you can understand the basis of some of my unpopular stances. To answer your question directly, I’d say that I have a commission to support the masses and the welfare of God’s people. I had a revelation where God said ‘feed my people’ just like he told Peter.

    I am all for welfarism. I am a welfarist. With my background as a socialist, I am bound to stand with the people. I have considered all the parties in the country and feel the APC comes closest to what welfare orientation. I am not a card-carrying member but I can’t say I don’t have sympathies for the party.

    Meaning you always support the party?

    If you have followed me closely, you will realise I support government where necessary. But I don’t fail to call them to order and attention when I notice things are amiss. If the party goes against welfarism, I will be the first to speak out. But if it is all for welfarism, I stand with them. I am neither for nor against but to be a voice in the governance of God’s people. I stand with the people of God all the times.

    If you were standing before the President, what will be your advice to him?

    I will tell him that God has bought him back to the position for a purpose. He has tried three times before he made it this time. He should know that he is not there on his own and by his power. God does not want any man to share his glory with anyone. I am sure he’s wondering if he is dreaming himself being on the seat now.

    Now that he’s there, he should realise he has a purpose to be the president of the largest country in Africa and the nation with most black people on earth. He should redirect the movement of the country. The first thing he should do is to bring corruption to a halt.

    He should start an agency to prevent corruption. This agency should prevent corruption before it happens. The EFCC and ICPC are to prosecute after commission of offences. As a matter of fact, I believe both agencies should be merged to become more efficient and effective.

    All our agencies should be made to report their activities not more than 100 days publicly. Many of them have been forgotten because they do not do anything. We should be able to look closely at their activities and balance sheets; if they go for over a year without reports, we all lose track of what they do. It is within the confines of that secrecy that corruption thrives. If they report to the public, there would be accountability and openness in government.

    Which would you consider the three most important priority areas for him? 

    For me, I would say health should be a major area. Health is wealth. Nigerians are dying daily at alarming rate. Our medical practitioners are perpetually on strike. The healthcare system has been under captivity. I believe President Buhari should create more space for alternative healthcare system. We need alternative medicines and treatment so that Nigerians can access better health.

    We need complimentary alternative and herbal medicine to fill the gap. Western medicine and drug therapy have been the only things in this country. Herbal medicine should have their separate council to regulate training and practices of practitioners. The training institutions we had before in Abuja and Lagos have been closed. If government recognises that branch of medicine, we would have a healthier nation.

    We also have to consider traditional medicine. There was a way we were treating ourselves before the colonialists came. They even acknowledged we were studious and strong people, which was why they forced us to provide manpower for their industries through slave trade.

    Then, education is also critical to any nation. The government has to realise that an educated soul is better a rich nation. Our institutions should be funded and teachers trained and trained until we have a literate nation. Moral instructions have to be reintroduced because we have lost our moral compass as a nation. Nigerians prefer materialism to honesty and it is all because of our moral decadence. There should be more funding for primary and tertiary education with provision of teaching aids.

    Lastly, I believe welfare is another area government has to look into. There must be incentives that will keep people busy and corruption unattractive. Part of welfare is to provide mass transportation that will make movement of people and good very fast, cheap and convenient. If the government focuses on this, I have no doubt that it will make a success of this new mandate.

     

     

  • Buhari, Osinbajo’s assets to be released after verification

    Buhari, Osinbajo’s assets to be released after verification

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that his declared assets and those of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will be released to the public after the completion of their verification by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in fulfilment of one of their campaign promises.
    The Senior Special Assistant, SSA (Media and Publicity), Mal. Garba Shehu who announced this in a statement on behalf of the President on Saturday , said “the duly completed forms by both the President and the Vice President were submitted to the CCB on March 28th, a clear day ahead of their inauguration.”
    Shehu said the process will hopefully be completed before the expiry of the 100-day deadline within which they said they would do this.
    He said the clarification was warranted by some suggestions that the President and the Vice-President may not, after all, declare their assets publicly.
    “While such public display of concern is appreciated and valued, it must be said that it is a little precipitate.
    “As required by law, the declaration and submission of documents to the CCB have been made, but there still remains the aspect of verification which the Bureau will have to conduct to authenticate the submissions made to it.
    “In the circumstances, it is only after this verification exercise, and not before, that the declaration can be said to have been made and validated; and only after this, will the details be released to the public.
    “There is no question at all that the President and the Vice President are committed to public declaration of their assets within the 100 days that they pledged during the presidential campaign.
    “The President and the Vice President wish to thank Nigerians for their show of concern, and for the confidence they have shown in their leaders’ integrity, as evidenced by the high pedestal of uprightness and expectations on which they have placed them,” Shehu stated.

  • Great expectations from Buhari, Osinbajo

    President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief, Nigeria Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria and his deputy Professor Yemi Osinbajo, (SAN), GCON, surely deserve our congratulations on their successful inauguration in Abuja, on May 29. Their ascension to the prestigious offices were momentous, consideringthe palpable fear that had overwhelmed Nigerians,prior to the last general elections. Their success also elicits excitement, because of their pedigree, particularly as persons who have never shown the predilection for ostentatious lifestyles and the concomitant corrupt self-aggrandisement. It is, therefore, hoped that their tenure will bring improvement in the material, spiritual and psychological well-being of Nigerians.

    As we read this piece, the reverie from the inauguration parties across the country should have worn out. If it hasn’t, it should, considering the enormous challenges facing the country. While many commentators have continued to taunt the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over their challenge in transforming from the ruling party to the opposition party; they fail to appreciate that the challenge facing the All Progressive Congress (APC), in transforming from the opposition party to the ruling party is even more enormous. The job of the opposition is to propound alternative programs, while the job of the ruling party is to execute successful programs.

    So, for APC, it is time to walk the talk. I guess the first task facing the leadership of the party is to select those who have the integrity and the quality to rouse the expected change across the country. Such men and women would be required to sit down with the President and the Vice President, to share their vision for the country, in the next four years. With the presidential vision as guide, the egg-heads would brainstorm, and chart a policy direction and mission for the administration and the country. With a vision and mission in place, governance becomes a standard routine, with less stress for the leaders.

    Luckily for Nigeria, between the two leaders, we have a potentially benefitting combination.While one has untrammelled bravery and force, the other possess intellectual power and methodology. If the two fail to harmonise, the presidency would be less effective, and our country would be the worse for it. But if the two and the contending forces they represent agree to work together, then there would be efficiency, just like in a new automobile or indeed any technology, which is a synchronisation of forces, to achieve a goal.That is why APC and her leaders must agree on a common vision, mission and the processes to achieve all that they hope to achieve, within the next four years.

    Nigeria in many respects,therefore, represents Charles Dickens’s the Great Expectations. Also, APC, Buhari and Osinbajo figuratively represents the great expectations for Nigerians.While Nigeria is a woven tale of ‘wealth and poverty, love and rejection, and (hopefully) the eventual triumph of good over evil’ likethe Great Expectations; the new presidency represents for Nigerians, the beacon of great expectations; and if you ask many, the solution to all the problems of Nigeria and Nigerians. As the President was reported to have observed to the Vice President during their campaigns, many of those shouting ‘change’, would when their expectations are not quickly met, join to curse and complain, against them.

    For this column, like many other Nigerians, that great expectations has to be met. While it will be unfair to expect magic from the new administration, I guess the presidency already know, that Nigerians would not be willing to accept excuses, for any failure.To meet the great expectation, what is needed from the presidency is to tap into the vast human capital that abound in Nigeria. I believe that once President Buhari and his government show the inflexible determination to do it right, to all manner of people without fear, favour or ill-will, the majority of Nigerians would join them, to achieve the great expectation.

    Across the states, the governors must also show the willingness to join, to achieve the great expectation. When it comes to governance, it is the wish of many Nigerians that partisanship should take the back seat, particularly as the next general elections are four years away.Of note, unless there is a change in the national economic structure of the country, the Buhari administration can only make a dent, on the gargantuan economic, social and political challenges facing the country. The reason is simply because there is little or no economic activities going on in most of the states of the federation, save the monthly gathering, to share the money received from the federation account.

    As this column has severally canvassed, the states across the country must be given greater economic opportunities, if we hope to have a real national rebirth. While the presidency should walk towards reducing the items in the exclusive legislative list, for the federal government, in favour of the states; the President can immediatelygrant more economic opportunities to states, willing to walk the talk. For instance, states willing to mine minerals in their backyards, build and use rail lines within their states, generate and use their own electricity, dredge and use the water ways and harbours within their domain, build highways, among other economic activities, presently tied to exclusive legislative list, should be encouraged and granted the rights by the Federal Government.

    Unfortunately for Buhari and Osinbajo, most governmentsin recent years, failed to meet the great expectations of Nigerians, and the international community. The result is that Nigeria is commonly referred to as a potentially great country. Now, it is expected that all the past challenges of the country would be resolved by the twosome and their party, that rode into power, with the mantra of change.

  • Group to Buhari, Osinbajo: declare your assets publicly

    Group to Buhari, Osinbajo: declare your assets publicly

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President in line with their anticorruption credentials.

    The group contended that declaration would in the best interest of transparency and accountability.

    SERAP’s request followed the declaration of assets last week by the President and Vice President to the Code of Conduct Bureau as required by the Constitution.

    In a statement, the group’s Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni,  said: “We welcome the official declaration of assets by the President and Vice President. This clearly complies with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution as contained in Chapter VI Section 140. However, the declaration before the Code of Conduct alone falls far short of the commitment to publicly declare their assets.”

    The organisation recalled that the President had said before the election that he would publicly declare his assets and liabilities, and encourage all his appointees to publicly declare their assets and liabilities as a pre-condition for appointment.

    “We now expect the President to fulfil this promise to the Nigerian people,” the group said.

    The organisation “trusts that the President and Vice President will move swiftly to publicly declare their assets and to publish widely the information on a dedicated website”.

    The group argued that public disclosure of assets would give the public a true picture of the assets of the President and Vice President and would send a message that it is not going to be business as usual with this government.

    “This will also follow the best practice by former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, boost this government’s fight against corruption and impunity of perpetrators, and fully comply with the provisions of chapter two of the dealing with Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, which among others require the government to take steps to eradicate corrupt practices and the abuse of power,” the group added.

  • Buhari yet to move to Aso Rock

    Buhari yet to move to Aso Rock

    … Operates from Defence House

    President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo are still operating from the Defence House as they are yet to move to their offices in the Presidential Villa.

    Buhari , who was sworn in Friday at an elaborate ceremony at the Eagle Square in Abuja, spent his first official working day at the Defence House where he held meetings.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, told journalists that the President is yet to move to his office and residence at the Presidential Villa because the place was still undergoing renovation.

    Shehu said “They claimed that some renovation works were ongoing in the place. The place is being cleaned up for his occupation. The contractors are working probably at their own pace, if I need to know or if you need to know this, I will probably we have to talk to someone.

    “As it is at the moment, I am not saying he’s comfortable where he is at his rented house. But he is operating from there and the moment the villa is ready, he will move in.

    On when Nigerians should expect the ministerial list, Shehu said, “I have no idea. But it is not something anybody will rush because you know that the National Assembly will have to approve the list of ministers. When are you going to have National Assembly in place? That is a big question. So, even if he has the list today, it is only when the National Assembly is in place that you can forward it. Unless you are governor Fayose, you cannot take your ministerial list to the outgoing parliament.”

    Meanwhile, the President held a closed door meeting with National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki and a former Interim National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Chief Bisi Akande, on Monday.

    Col. Dasuki, who arrived the Defence house at about 1.51pm, went into a private meeting with the President and left at about 3.00pm without saying a word to anxious journalists.

    The President also held a meeting with Niger State governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, at the Defence House.

    The governor told journalists after the meeting that focus of his government will be on job creation, boasting of agriculture, education and health.

  • Osinbajo worships at Villa Chapel  

    Osinbajo worships at Villa Chapel  

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo worshipped yesterday for the first time at the Aso Villa Chapel.

    He was accompanied by his wife, Dolapo, and some pastors, including Bishop Wale Oke and Pastor Ladi Thompson.

    Osinbajo will now take charge of the chapel since President Muhammadu Buhari is a Muslim.

    During yesterday’s service, the vice president, who is a pastor, gave a goodwill message and said the benediction.

    He also visited the children’s church.

  • SERAP urges Buhari, Osinbajo to declare assets publicly

    SERAP urges Buhari, Osinbajo to declare assets publicly

    The socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo “to declare their assets publicly” in line with “their apparent anti-corruption credentials in the interest of transparency and accountability”.

    SERAP’s request followed the declaration of assets last week by the President and Vice President to the Code of Conduct Bureau as required by the constitution.

    In a statement yesterday, SERAP’s Executive Director Adetokunbo Mumuni, said: “We welcome the official declaration of assets by the President and Vice President. This clearly complies with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution as contained in Chapter VI Section 140. However, the declaration before the Code of Conduct alone falls far short of the commitment to publicly declare their assets.

    “SERAP recalls that the president had said before the election that he would publicly declare his assets and liabilities, and encourage all his appointees to publicly declare their assets and liabilities as a pre-condition for appointment. We now expect the President to fulfill this promise to the Nigerian people.”

    The organisation “trusts that the President and Vice President will move swiftly to publicly declare their assets and to publish widely the information on a dedicated website.”

    “Public disclosure of assets will give the general public a true picture of the assets of the President and Vice President and will send a powerful message that it is not going to be business as usual with this government,” SERAP said.

  • Buhari, Osinbajo declare assets

    Buhari, Osinbajo declare assets

    •VP says President’s election is divine intervention in Nigeria’s affairs
    •Don’t allow corrupt people around you, Bishop Oke warns VP

    President Muham-madu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo have declared their assets in line with provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

    Their declaration forms were submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau on Thursday, 24 hours before they were sworn- in at Abuja.

    The Head of the  Buhari Media Team, Mallam Garba Shehu confirmed the development yesterday, saying the Bureau Chairman, Sam Saba acknowledged receipt of the  assets declaration forms.

    Details of the declared assets were not made available.

    “President Buhari’s Declarant ID was given as: ‘President: 000001/2015’,” Garba said.

    He added: “The Nigerian Constitution states in Chapter VI Section 140, that a person elected to the office of President shall not begin to perform the functions of that office until he has declared his assets and liabilities as prescribed in the Constitution.”

    He said that by declaring their assets, President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo have not only fulfilled the requirements of the Constitution, but also fulfilled the first of their many campaign promises.

    And speaking at the Inaugural Thanksgiving at the national Christian Centre, Abuja yesterday, Osinbajo said the victory of President Buhari in the March 28 election was a clear testimony of divine intervention in Nigeria’s affairs.

    “After three failed attempts, God made Muhhamadu Buhari win his fourth attempt at becoming Nigeria’s president because it is the time for God to heal this nation,” he said.

    “God’s plan is to make Nigeria a nation that will be admired and respected among the nations of the earth; and this he (Buhari) intends to do by establishing truth and integrity, ensuring that corruption is eradicated, and resources meant for all are not cornered by few but used according to law, justice and equity to the benefit of all.

    “The Lord wants a nation ruled only in accordance to law and justice, where the guilty are punished and the good are rewarded.

    “Listening to President Buhari deliver his inaugural speech, I am sure you will agree that he emphasized these three clear desires of God.”

    Osinbajo said he himself was divinely chosen to assist Buhari transform the country.

    He said: “The great and mighty God who has chosen me at this time by Himself to assist the President of this nation.”

    In a sermon at the service, Bishop Wale Oke, said that anyone who honours God must be honoured by God.

    Stressing that the thanksgiving service was about honouring God, he warned the Vice President not to allow corrupt people around him.

    He said that the Vice President’s career and reputation built over the years could go up in flames within seconds should he condone corruption.

    He said: “If you are corrupt, you cannot be a friend of God. We pray that you will enjoy the manifest of God all the days of your life.

    “When others don’t have an answer to a situation, God will reveal it to you. He will make you the Joseph of this administration.

    “God will reveal the secret of the problems of Nigeria to you like Joseph and Daniel in the Holy Bible. Your Excellency, choose the way of Abraham and not that of Eli. With that, I believe generations unborn will celebrate you.

    “The nation has a brilliant hope in the combination of you and Buhari, who is known for his uprightness.”

    Dignitaries at the service included former Head of State, General  Yakubu Gowon and his wife, Victoria, national chairman of the  All Progressives Congress (APC),Chief  John Odigie-Oyegun and his wife, representative of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Joseph Obayemi, Governor  Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, the immediate past governor of River State Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, three former governors of Ekiti State, Engineer  Segun Oni, Otunba  Niyi Adebayo and  Dr. Kayode Fayemi and former governor of Abia State, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.

    Also at the service were the Head of Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, Senator Olorunmibe Mamora, the VP’s father-in-law, Mr. Tayo Shoyode and members of the diplomatic corps.

    The Vice President directed that offering collected at  the service be remitted to all the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the country.

     

  • Buhari, Osinbajo declare assets

    Buhari, Osinbajo declare assets

    President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo have declared their assets in line with provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by Buhari’s Head of Media Team, Garba Shehu.

    The statement said that the Code of Conduct Bureau on Friday acknowledged the submission of the two leaders’ assets declaration forms.

    The forms, the statement said, were submitted separately on May 28 and signed for by the organisation’s Chairman, Sam Saba.

    It said: “President Buhari’s Declarant ID was given as: ‘President: 000001/2015’.

    “The Nigerian Constitution states in Chapter VI Section 140, that a person elected to the office of President shall not begin to perform the functions of that office until he has declared his assets and liabilities as prescribed in the Constitution.”

    By declaring their assets, the statement said that President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo may have not only fulfilled the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution, but also fulfilled the first of their many campaign promises.

    It noted that while seeking election into the highest office in the land, the President had promised Nigerians that he would publicly declare his assets as soon as he took over government.

  • I’m divinely chosen to assist Buhari, says Osinbajo

    I’m divinely chosen to assist Buhari, says Osinbajo

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday said he was chosen by God to help President Muhammadu Buhari to transform the country.

    He spoke during a service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja titled ‘Thanksgiving Service for the Swearing-In of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’.

    The Vice President said he was convinced that God’s plan is to set things right and heal Nigeria through the new administration.

    He said: “So I thank the great and mighty God, who has chosen me at this time by Himself to assist the President of this nation.

    “His plan is to make Nigeria a nation that will be admired and respected amongst the nations of the earth by establishing .. and integrity. By ensuring that corruption is eradicated and resources meant for all are not cornered by a few, but are used according to law, justice and equity for the benefit of all.
    “The Lord wants a nation ruled only in accordance with law and justice where the guilty are punished and the good is rewarded. This links to President Muhammadu Buhari’s inaugural speech yesterday. Sure, you will agree that he emphasized these three clear designs of God, he said .

    Delivering the sermon during the service, Bishop Wale Oke said that anyone who honors God must be honored by God.

    Stressing that the thanksgiving service was about honoring God, he warned the Vice President not to allow corrupt people around him in order not to be like Eli in the Holy Bible.

    He said that the Vice President’s career and reputation built over the years could go up in flames within seconds if he condones corruption or unholiness.

    According to him, sin and corruption dishonor God.

    He charged the Vice President to chose the way of Abraham in the Bible and not that of Eli.

    He said: “If you are corrupt, you cannot be a friend of God. We pray that you will enjoy the manifest of God all the days of your life.

    “What others don’t have answer to a situation, God will reveal it to you. He will make you the Joseph of this administration.

    “God will reveal the secret of the problems of Nigeria to you like Joseph and Daniel in the Holy Bible. Your Excellency, chose the way of Abraham and not that of Eli. With that, I believe generations unborn will celebrate you.

    “The nation has a brilliant hope in the combination of you and Buhari, who is known for his uprightness,” he added.

    He cited 1st Samuel 2:27-30, Amos 3:3, Proverbs 14:34, and Genesis 18:17 during the sermon.

    The Wife of the Vice President, Dolapo Osinbajo, who gave the vote of thanks, thanked all those who turned up for the service and all those who assisted during the campaigns and elections.

    Bible Reading 1 was taken from Daniel 2:20-23, Bible reading 2 was taken from Psalm 124:1-8, Bible Reading 3 was taken from Psalm 118:1-9, while Bible Reading 4 was taken from Psalm 126:1-6.

    Prayers were said for the number two citizen and his family, for the church, for the right choice of appointees, and for the nation.

    Besides gospel songs by various choirs during the service, there were also special songs by female and male soloists.

    Among those who attended the service included mother of the Vice President, , father of the Vice President’s wife, Tayo Shoyode.

    Also at the service were the former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and his wife, Victoria, All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, John Oyegun and his wife, representative of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Joseph Obayemi.

    Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, River State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, three former governors of Ekiti state, Segun Oni, Niyi Adebayo and Kayode Fayemi and former Governor of old Imo State, Ogbonnaya Onu also attended the service.

    Also at the service were the Head of Service of the Federation, Danladi Kifasi, Senator and Mrs. Olorunmibe Mamora and members of the diplomatic coprs.

    The Vice President directed that the offering gathered during the service to be remitted to all the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the country.