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Tag: Osinbajo

  • Atiku not sincere on restructuring, says Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday named the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as one of those who stood against the restructuring of the country when the party was in power.

    Atiku made restructuring a key plank of his campaign in the run up to the PDP national convention where he was nominated as the party’s presidential flag bearer in next year’s election.

    But Osinbajo, speaking in Ibadan yesterday, said Atiku who was Vice President between 1999 and 2007, opposed every move made by the Lagos State government at that time to assert its authority.

    Delivering a lecture entitled  “Developing the nation through youth empowerment”, at the University of Ibadan, the Vice President said: “I am not just an advocate of restructuring as there is no other government in Nigeria that has actively pursued restructuring such as we did when I was Attorney General in Lagos State.

    “People talking about restructuring, if you ask them ‘what do you mean by restructuring’? They won’t even know what it means, and that is the problem we have and that we have to face.

    “Let me tell you what it is. When I was the Attorney General in Lagos State, we pursued in the Supreme Court, all of the issues of restructuring. We started with fiscal restructuring, which is more of resource control. Should states control their own resources? We went to the Supreme Court. They argued that each state should control its own resources.”

    Osinbajo explained that the states that argued in favour of autonomy of states to control their resources were the oil-producing states in the country and Lagos State argued on one side, while other states of the federation argued on another side because every state wants to share the oil money.

    “So, our own argument was that each state should control its own resources. We lost at the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court said no, that you cannot control your resources. If you are an oil producing state, take 13 per cent extra, which is a derivation.”

    Osinbajo said Lagos State further argued that it has ports and the ports serve the entire nation, so the state should also take 13 per cent derivation. The Supreme Court, he said, said no, adding that the argument was pursued further, which has led to the introduction of the onshore and offshore law, “which is fast enabling the state to share from onshore resources.

    “All this time, this was 2000, some of those people, including the presidential candidate of PDP, who is talking about restructuring today, was the Vice President then. They opposed every step that we took. Of course, we were taking the Federal Government to court then. They opposed every step.

    “The next thing we did was that the states should be able to create their own local governments. So, we created 47 new local governments in Lagos. The President then, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, seized our local government funds and said we could not create new local governments. So, they seized the funds they were supposed to allocate for our local governments.

    “We challenged the seizure by going to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court held that the president had no right to seize the funds meant for local governments of the state and that we have a right to create local governments.

    “But after they have created the local governments, the process is not complete. They must still bring the list of new local governments to the National Assembly and the National Assembly will then amend the whole list of the local governments in the country. So, our local governments remain. But we could not get the National Assembly’s endorsement. So, we passed the LCDA Law. We created 47 and made them local council development areas.

    “If you ask those people now talking about restructuring, none of them has done anything compared to what we have done. So, I am not a latter-day convert to restructuring. I am an active practitioner of restructuring, and I have gone to the Supreme Court 12 times to test restructuring.

    “If today, somebody is talking about restructuring, ask him what does he mean? And where was he when we were going to court? Were they not opposing restructuring when we were going to court? We were in the opposition then. They were in the Federal Government, and they opposed every step that we took on restructuring.”

    The lecture was in commemoration of the 68th anniversary of Sigma Club, University of Ibadan.

     

  • SMEs future of Nigerian economy, says Osinbajo

    The Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has said the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) hold the future of the Nigerian economy and urged for more private sector partnerships to achieve the Federal Government’s targets in economic development..

    Osinbajo spoke yesterday in Lagos when he inaugurated the Sura Shopping Complex’s 1.5megawatts (Mw) Independent Power Plant (IPP) in Lagos. He noted that this administration’s objective is to implement reforms and make interventions that will be visible not merely in the global rankings, but impactful on the lives of business owners and entrepreneurs across the entire country.

    “This partnership between the Federal Government of Nigeria, private and social sector partners and most importantly with you, business women and men and your market associations, has enabled us to launch the Energising Economies Initiative (EEI) here in Sura Shopping Complex in record time.

    “EEI is a special Federal Government’s project. There are several other markets we are going to,  Sabon-Gari in Kano State, Ariaria in Abia State, Balogun in Lagos, NEPA 1&2 market in Ondo State, among others across the country.

    “The reason we go to markets is because we believe the small businesses hold the future. The small and medium sized businesses are the future of the Nigerian economy and we must support SMEs.

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    “So, while we face many challenges, I am greatly encouraged by our progress. Today, we take another step forward in our journey. Sura Shopping Complex now has reliable, affordable power, thanks to private sector and the government working hand-in-hand. As a result, the small businesses in this shopping complex will be more productive. My hope is that we can apply the same formula – innovation, resilience, and partnership – to help Nigeria realise its potential.”

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said the commissioning of this mini grid at Sura Shopping Complex is a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s initiative in developing the power sector through renewable energy.

    “This is success and progress for Nigerians and the SMEs”, adding that there are millions of Nigerians wanting to go into off-grid power supply.

    The Managing Director of Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, said: “The EEI aspires to increase energy access and economic growth by assisting private sector developers to provide clean, reliable and affordable power to economic clusters, such as markets, shopping complexes and agricultural/industrial clusters.

    “Over the next 4 to 5 years, we want to reach 500,000 small businesses within 350 economic clusters. The role of the Federal Government through the REA is critical to the success of this initiative. This includes providing data like energy audits, programme management support, community relations support and stakeholder management.

    “The programme’s support for this project is also being provided by Power Africa through technical assistance support from Deliotte and Mckinsey. We appreciate their support and contributions.”

  • Osinbajo hails GAC at Abuja Auto Fair

    The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has hailed GAC Motors for the quality of its brands.

    Osinbajo, who was represented by the Director-General of National Automobile Design and Development Council (NADDC)  Mr. Jelani Aliyu spoke at the 19th Abuja Auto Fair.

    The fair, which started on October 21, is holding at the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Abuja.

    Read also: Nigeria launches Green Teacher programme

    Major automobile brands are participating in the fair.  The GAC brands on display include GA3S, GS4, and GS8, which was unveiled in Abuja for the first time.

    Osibanjo unveiled the GS8 in presence of the Chairman, Choice International Nigeria, Chief Diana Chen CIG.

    Also present was Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who rated the GAC brands high.

    He said he was looking forward to the time GAC would start assemblying its products in Nigeria.

    The fair will end on Saturday.

  • Osinbajo visits New Afrika Shrine

    Vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo was at Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo’s shrine on Sunday, October 21n 2018, as a way of identifying with Felabration, an annual fiesta in celebration of the ideals of the late musician and political activist.

    Speaking at the event, Osinbajo, who described Fela as one of Africa’s most important public intellectuals, voiced one of the popular expressions of the later to the excitement of all.

    “Arararara!” he chanted, saying, “We are here to celebrate one of Africa’s most important public intellectuals, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. We are very happy that his legacy continues.”

    According to the nation’s number 2 man, “My visit is to have a feeling of what the New Afrika Shrine looks like and to see what everybody is saying about Shrine.”

    Osinbajo also prayed for the country and fun-seekers at the event.

    According to him, “No matter what happens, this country will be great and will be greater. And all of you who are here, you too will be great in this nation. Everybody say Yeah Yeah!” He said.

  • Osinbajo opens forum tomorrow

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, will lead other national and international dignitaries to declare open the 5th edition of the four-day entrepreneurship capacity-building summit slated for tomorrow in Abuja.

    Tagged: ‘The Kingdom Summit’, the event which Lagos edition will start on Friday, is an annual non-denominational International Marketplace Economics and Leadership Conference which seeks to promote the understanding of God’s principles for the marketplace. This year’s summit has as its theme: ‘Empowering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs’

    Speaking on the activities lined up for the summit, the Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze, who is leading other organisers to champion the cause of knowledge-driven approach in the nation’s entrepreneurship and market space, said the Vice President’s remarks would be complemented by incisive thoughts of at least 20 speakers.

    He said the various speakers, who will deal with key aspects and issues that are critical to improving the performance of Nigeria’s real sector, include Brett Johnson who is President, The Institute for Innovation, Integration & Impact, a Silicon Valley Think-Tank.

     

    Summit is launching the Goshen Impact Fund, which is being established to provide mentorship, capacity building and business incubation to upcoming entrepreneurs that have innovative and credible business value propositions, and who sign up to our governing principles. The Fund is also to help prepare such entrepreneurs and their businesses for access to investors and funding in the near future.

    “We hope that at the end of the events in Abuja and Lagos, participants will be better positioned to handle the intricacies of entrepreneurship and leverage their brands’ competitiveness in the market place,”Akabueze added.

    The first summit was held in 2014 and the past editions featured international Christian business leaders from various countries including the United States of America, UK, India, South Africa and Nigeria.

  • Corruption still remains our major headache – Osinbajo

    Vice president Yemi Osinbajo said on Tuesday that corruption remained the major challenge of Nigeria, saying the country was lucky to have President Muhammadu Buhari as the nation’s leader.

    Osinbajo made the statement in Bauchi when he paid a courtesy visit on the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu.

    “One of the things that have surprised me the most in government is that it is not that we do not have money.

    “It is that most of the money that should be used on projects and the poor, is stolen; corruption is the major problem of this country,” he said.

    According to him, it is a blessing for Nigeria to be blessed with a leader like President Muhammadu Buhari at this material time, who is committed in tackling corruption.

    “I think it is a blessing that God has given our country Muhammadu Buhari to be the president of our country at this time. This is because everybody knows he would not steal our money.

    “Despite the fact that we are earning 60 per cent less than they were earning in the previous government, we are spending almost five times more on projects today.

    “For the first time, we are spending N2.7trillion on capital projects ,” he said.

    The vice president also said that the Federal Government would be launching a “One Stop Shop” programme for the regulatory agencies in Bauchi, where traders could go and have their problems solved with ease.

    “For the first time in Bauchi, we are launching what we call ‘One Stop Shop’ for the regulatory authorities.

    “This means we would have the NAFDAC, SON and Corporate Affairs Commission under one roof here in Bauchi, so that any trader or small businesses owner can go and have his or her problems solved,” Osibanjo revealed.

    Read Also: NDDC plans industrial development centre in A/Ibom

    In his remark, the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu, thanked the Federal government for its kind gesture towards the state, adding that Presidnet Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had been addressing issues that the people considered relevant in their lives.

    “We are optimistic that the Federal Government has come to this state in big way; the present scheme will lead to improvement and success stories in the state,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Vice President was in Bauchi to launch the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) clinic.

  • Osinbajo, Jonathan, Tinubu, others laud Alaafin’s leadership qualities

    PROMINENT dignitaries from all walks of life have lauded the leadership qualities and prowess of a foremost traditional ruler, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, as he celebrates his 80th birthday.

    The dignitaries include Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudasiru Obasa; former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, the Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Ikenwoli; former Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio; Lagos State Commissioner for Arts and Tourism, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; who represented Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu.

    The dignitaries spoke on yesterday during the launch of a book as part of the celebration of the Alaafin’s 80th birthday anniversary in Ibadan.

    Also at the event were the Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi; Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Kano State governor, Dr Umar Ganduje, the Aare Ona Kankafo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, royal father’s from different parts of the country, community leaders, religious leaders among others.

    In his remark, Osinbajo said the Alaafin has demonstrated true leadership and stood on the path of truth as a leader of the Yoruba race.

    Osinbajo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the event, said, “Leadership is not in title no matter high sounding or revered the title may be. Ultimately, the true leader of the people is the one who serves his people by personal sacrifice and by the demonstration of personal conviction even to his own detriment.

    “The Alaafin has in the past 47 years on the throne, by words, deeds and personal sacrifice, demonstrated true leadership. He has time and time again stood on the side of the truth and personal conviction of what he thought best for the Yoruba race. Among leaders, traditional leaders have a more profound role to play. The traditional leader is the true custodian of the moral essence of the people.”

    In his speech, the Ooni said he was grateful to witness the celebration of the monarch, noting that although he was a king like the Alaafin, he prayed God to grant him long life like the Alaafin.

    Ajimobi in his speech thanked Alaafin for supporting his government, describing him as a quintessential monarch and a man of strong ancestral heritage.

    “It is an occasion to thank God and take stock of the unique blessings that the king is endowed with. At 80, he is still productive so much that he produced two sets of twins through his queens recently. He supports government at all times,” said Ajimobi.

    In a statement the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, felicitated with the Alaafin. In a statement by his media adviser, Mr. Sola Fasure, the governor rejoiced with the first class ruler, who he said has been blessed by God with longevity of life.

    The governor described the Alaafin as a worthy custodian of Yoruba culture and heritage and a good ambassador of the Yoruba race.

    The statement said in part: “I rejoice with you as it has pleased the Almighty God to give you long life and good health to spend on earth and on the revered throne.

    “You have been a worthy custodian of the Yoruba culture and tradition and have positively projected this all over the world. As your fame has soared globally, so also has the Yoruba nation, its culture, tradition and continuities in the Diaspora soared.”

  • Osinbajo visits Bayelsa, Rivers flood victims

    Vice President  Yemi Osinbajo yesterday described the flood that ravaged some communities in Bayelsa State as a ‘monumental disaster.’

    Osinbajo, who spoke at the Internally Displaced People’s (IDP) camp, Igbogene, on the outskirts of Yenagoa,the state capital,  said his visit was to assess the extent of damage caused by the flood.

    He said that he undertook an over-fly on a helicopter from the Port Harcourt International Airport through the flooded communities in Rivers and those within Yenagoa metropolis.

    The vice president observed that the exercise had made him realise the degree of suffering the flood had thrown many of the victims into.

    Osinbajo commended the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and its state counterpart, SEMA, for their efforts in assisting the flood victims.

    He pledged the assistance of the Federal Government to resettle the victims and provide them means of livelihood to start life anew as soon as the flood was over.

    He said his visit along with the Director-General of NEMA and the Minister of Environment was to demonstrate the seriousness the federal government attached to the welfare of flood victims.

    The vice president also assured the people that as soon as he returned to Abuja, the federal government would  re-strategise  and get back to the state.

    In a related development, the Federal Government (FG)  yesterday assured the victims of flood impacted local government areas,  communities of Rivers State of the commitment to rehabilitate them as the return to their communities.

    The FG also promised to address the problem of perennial flooding of the coastal communities of Rivers state by building more canals and channelisation of the rivers to avoid further disaster.

    The FG made the statement when the Vice President (VP),  Prof. Yomi Osinbajo visited the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP),  camp in Okegbe in Ahoada West yesterday.

    Prof.  Osinbajo, who had earlier visited the areas submerged in the flood before going to address the victims, said,  “We over flew the whole of Ahoada West LGA and we saw so much of the damage and disaster. Most homes, most of the villages are under water and it is very clear this is a disaster of enormous proportions.

    “No doubt there is need for immediate intervention, as I thank the Rivers State government for what it has done so far in trying to curtail the problem. Fortunately, the  NEMA has also been working very hard alongside the state emergency agencies.

  • Osinbajo promises aid to Bayelsa, Rivers flood victims

    Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has assured flood victims in Bayelsa and Rivers States that the Federal Government is committed to alleviating their pains.

    Osinbajo gave the assurance on Friday in Bayelsa State, when he spoke at St. John’s Catholic Church, Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, Igbogene, Yenegoa, after his inspection of flooded areas in the state.

    He said that he was touched that despite the flood and what all the people had been through, they were still able to welcome him warmly.

    The vice president commended the very Rev. Joseph Okplema, the Vicar-General of the parish for taking care of the flood victims. He said the Vicar’s action was exemplary of a Christian leader.

    He said it was the duty of the state and the Federal Governments to ensure that they provided help and succour for the victims.

    The vice president said that he looked forward to giving the victims as much support as possible.

    “This is one of the reasons why I am here; I am not here alone; I am with the Minister of Environment, Mr Ibrahim Usman Jibril and also the Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), Engr. Mustapha Maihaja to assess for ourselves, what exactly is going on.

    “We want to know how bad it is; how many victims there are, the nature and extent of the disaster, so we can advise properly and give you the kind of comfort and succour you need.

    “So that is why we are here and I am very happy that I have been able to see for myself.

    “I want to commend you for your spirit, for not giving up at all, but remaining resolute and confident. That is the true Bayelsan spirit, the true spirit of the Nigerian. We cannot give up and we will not give up.

    “I want to say on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, on whose instructions I am here, that we will stand by you and make sure we provide what you need,” he said.

    He said he had been told that some people still needed mattresses, nets and among others things.

    Osinbajo said that he would make sure that everything needed by the victims was provided, adding that cow meat would also be provided to complement the food stuffs available.

    He assured the victims that they would be properly taken care of and resettled at their respective homes.

  • No plan to sell Ajaokuta Steel Plant, says Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has assured that there was no plan by the Federal Government to sell the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.

    Kogi State Governor, Yahaha Bello, disclosed this to State House correspondents after meeting with the Vice President yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Bello revealed that Osinbajo, being the Chairman of the National Economic Council, debunked the rumour making the rounds over the purported sale of Ajaokuta Steel Complex .

    “He said there is no plan by the Federal Government to sell Ajaokuta Steel Company. The VP said Ajaokuta is an asset of the Federal Government and that they are looking into how best to make good use of the facility for the benefit of Nigerians as a whole.

    He said his delegation visited the VP so as to notify him of the coronation of the new Oba of Kabba tomorrow and to seek his blessings

    On the preparation for 2019 general elections he said, every primary can be rancorous and everybody can hustle for one ticket or the other. I can assure you that we have a capable leadership of the party in President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Also, we have our able chairman, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomole who is doing his best to ensure that the party is strong and the party is really very strong.

    “As for the general elections, in Kogi State, we are one hundred percent ready and we are going to sweep all the state and by the grace of God, we shall bring out a vote that has never been witnessed in the North Central by the Grace of God. I can assure you as well that the 2019 elections for Mr President, it’s going to be a walk over by the grace of God.” he stated