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Tag: Osinbajo

  • Osinbajo: we need a ‘new tribe’

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo spoke yesterday of the  need to create a `new tribe’ in Nigeria in order to have a country driven by national unity and cohesion.

    Osinbajo expressed this view while declaring open a five-day photo exhibition tagged, `ANISZA’ in Abuja.

    ANISZA is a collaborative project between the Federal Government and the private sector, a scheme that showcases the untold stories of Nigeria’s unity since independence in 1960 via pictures.

    “ANISZA” was derived from the first two letters of three indigenous Nigerian languages–Anoko Onu – Igbo word for togetherness; Isokan – Yoruba word for unity; and Zaman Tare – Hausa words for one tribe.

    Osinbajo had earlier toured the mobile gallery and inspected the photographs on display.

    He said that two things struck him about the exhibition – the first being the deliberate attempt to engage younger Nigerians and the issue of promoting national unity.

    Osinbajo added that the second thing that struck him was the idea of casting a vision by reflecting Nigeria’s history via a collection of photographs that told Nigeria’s national story as the victories of unity despite the diversities and dissention.

    The vice president said that the pictures he saw included the photograph of the Shitta Bey Mosque, which was headlined by Christian leaders who were gladly invited by Muslim leaders to the mosque.

    Osinbajo said he also saw the photograph of where Christians formed a protective shield of Muslims at prayer in Abuja in 2012 among others.

    “It seems to me to be a good time for me to recall an earlier call I have made for a new tribe of Nigerians to build a new Nigeria.

    “It is my respected view that to build a new Nigeria, we need a new tribe; one tribe of men and women of all faiths, of all tribes, of all ethnicities committed to a country run on high values; high values of integrity, of hard work, of justice and of love of country.

    “A tribe of men and women who are prepared to make the sacrifices and exercise the self-constraint that is crucial for building a healthy society and who are prepared to stick together to fight injustice; to fight corruption; to insist on the rule of law; even when our friends are the receiving end.

    “ A tribe consisting of professionals, of businessmen, of politicians, of students, of religious leaders and all who believe that a new Nigeria is possible,’’ he said.

    He said that the exhibition was  a collaboration between the Federal Government represented by the media team in the presidency, the Federal Ministry of Information and the private sector.

    Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, said the event was a thing of joy as it came at a day Nigerians were witnessing the 58th independence in peace.

    She said the project was a noble gesture which had the support of the Federal Government.

    The Project Visionary, Novo Isioro, said that the event was Nigeria’s first ever unity photography exhibition.

    “On this ground today, we are gathered for one thing; one very important thing; there is a dream which is focused on re-orientating us to a nation that was united; will stay united and will get better.

    “Have you noticed that the media is filled with stories of hate, violence and disunity featuring young people?

    “Because we are young, most times we under-formed and even misinformed and we become tools or objects of this violence,’’ she said.

    She said that if ethic differences were collapsed in the everyday interaction of Nigerians, the citizens would fare better.

    According to her, the documentary is about telling the story of Nigeria’s strength in diversity.

    The exhibition, which drew students from across the country, had some  members of the Federation Executive Council in attendance.

  • Nigeria’s unity being tested, says Osinbajo

    VICE President Yemi Osinbajo has said Nigerians’ resolve to be united has been tested several times by various phase of the country’s history.

    The phases, he said, included the country’s colonial period, its independence, the First Republic political crisis, military coups and counter-coups, the civil war, short restoration of civil rule and another military incursion and finally civil rule since 1999.

    He said each phase had tested the citizens’ resolve to maintain the country’s territorial integrity and leaders’ commitment to the Nigeria project.

    Osinbajo, who spoke yesterday in Abuja at the photo exhibition to mark the 2018 Independence Day celebration, added that Nigeria has not excelled the way it should.

    But he noted that it was evident that at every turn, Nigerians ended up resolving to build a united nation.

    His words: “There are three reasons at least why this historical excursion is important. The first is that it helps us to recognise the incredible leadership of our political leaders, from the colonial days till the moment. All of these incredible leaders – men and women who have shown such great wisdom and wit at various times; such dedication and courage at various times – this exhibition celebrates them.

    “The second is that we are reminded of the twists and turns of our history. The colonial phase, the independence, the First Republic, the political crisis, the coups  and countercoups, the civil war,  the short restoration of civil rule and another military incursion and then civil rule since 1999.

    “Each phase has tested our resolve to remain united, to maintain the integrity of the country known as Nigeria. Each phase has tested the commitment of our leaders to the Nigerian project; it has tested their ingenuity and their wisdom in navigating the frequently tortuous and turbulent waters of our national story.

    “With the benefit of hindsight, I think that it is evident that at every turn, we clearly saw strength of Nigerians’ resolve to build a nation and the valiant attempts of the leadership at state building.

    “We have not always excelled or have not always done as well as we should. But that is not the story. The story is that we have never lacked the courage and will to keep trying, and to do so with greater resolve and greater commitment.

    “The third reason for the importance of this historical excursion is perhaps the most important. How we approach history. History could be a crutch; it could be an excuse for not doing as well as we could, or a strong shoulder to stand on. It could be a tyrant reminding us of how we got it wrong; or it could be a reminder that our future is greater than our history.

    “I am pleased to say on behalf of the Nigerian government and people that we have chosen to say that our history will not determine our future; our history is the least that we can ever be; our future is much greater; our history is only a precursor to a greater Nigeria; to a Nigeria that is prosperous, united and where all of us are treated fairly and justly.”

    Minister of Information and Cultural Lai Mohammed said the exhibition showcases Nigerian history from pre-colonial era till date.

    He added that the independence day celebration is always a day of thanksgiving because it serves as Nigeria’s footprint.

  • Peace attainable despite threats, says Osinbajo

    Peace is still attainable in Nigeria despite threats to it, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said at the weekend.

    He spoke at the 2018 International Day of Peace, held in Lagos.

    It was organised by the Lagos State Citizens Mediation Centre (CMC).

    The vice-president, represented by his Rule of Law Adviser, Akingbolahan Adeniran, said although there was threat to peace in the country, pragmatic approach could be adopted to enhance it.

    Osinbajo said the CMC was doing great things in Lagos to enhance peace through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), adding that his office cherished peaceful resolution of conflict.

    On the general election, he urged Nigerians to embrace peace and shun violence.

    Lagos State Commissioner for Justice Adeniji Kazeem said the International Peace Day coincided with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the UN, which aimed to highlight the importance of the segments of the society to work together to strive for peace and respect for human rights.

    Kazeem, represented by a director in the Justice Ministry, Maria Olaniyi, said the United Nations (UN) achieved its laudable programmes through partnerships each year with governments, civil societies, the private sector, faith-based groups and non-government organisations.

    “In 1999, the Lagos State government, in line with its constituted functions of ensuring peace within the state, established the Citizens’ Mediation Centre to provide access to justice to the indigent residents.

    The CMC is an initiative of the Lagos State government under the Ministry of Justice with a mission to serve as a non-adversarial dispute resolution centre through the use of mediation mechanism in dispensing justice fairly, speedily and without discrimination, fear or favour between disputing residents,” he said.

    The commissioner said the existence of peace in any society was germane to democracy and a panacea for socio-economic growth, adding that peace was what the world needed to promote bilateral partnerships among nations.

    He said the sustenance of human rights would eradicate acrimony and entrench love and mutual respect among citizens.

    The Director, CMC, Omotola Rotimi, said peace was very important, if any society or nation would progress.

  • ‘Osinbajo one of best vice presidents Nigeria ever had’

    The Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, Eze Samuel Ohiri, on Saturday described the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as one of the best vice presidents Nigeria ever had.

    Ohiri expressed this view while receiving Osinbajo at his palace in Owerri where the vice president also had a town hall meeting.

    He said that the vice president had creditably acquitted himself in the way he piloted the affairs of the country any time President Muhammadu Buhari was not in the country.

    “I want to thank you, especially for the way you held forth for Mr President the last time he stepped out of the country.

    “The way you conducted the affairs of the country; people are talking about you in the world.

    “Unarguably, you are one the best vice presidents we have ever had.

    “We are proud of you,’’ he said

    In his remark, Gov. Rocha’s Okorocha of Imo expressed appreciation to Osinbajo for honouring him by visiting the state on a day the governor was marking his birthday despite the vice president’s busy schdule.

    He said that the state government had initiated a ‘one community one project’ programme aimed at taking governance to the grassroots.

    Okorocha said that the programme was in consonance with the various economic empowerment programmes of the Federal Government.

    “I wish you will be here on Monday; I had planned for you to hand over first cheque of our one community one project – a partnership between the communities and the state government to set one small scale industry in every community.

    “So, we are looking at in the next six months, to build about 645 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

    “Imo State Government will give 40 per cent of the take off fund which is 4 million; to all the 645 communities which is 4 million and their cheques will be released starting from Monday with the release of the Paris Club. Some are into farms, poultry, and snail farming among others

    “Your Excellency, I know with your economic empowerment projects, these communities will benefit,’’ he said

    Responding, Osinbajo thanked Imo traditional rulers, the governor and Imo State people in general for their usual hospitality.

    He said that various completed and ongoing projects in the state typified how states could partner with the Federal Government in driving development.

    Imo state a perfect example of the cooperation that should exist between all tiers of government; the state government and the traditional rulers here have demonstrated how we should work together.

    “On our way here, we had been to the International Cargo airport, which was approved by the Federal Government and built by the Imo State Government – the first of its kind in the country

    “The Imo Cargo airport is a very important infrastructural development because not only does it represent the commercial hub of the South East, it is also central place to the economy of Nigeria.

    “I will also commend the state government for the Air force hospital built by Imo State Government and handed over to the Federal Government,’’ he said.

    Osinbajo had shortly after touching down at Imo airport, inspected the ongoing International Cargo project before proceeding to inaugurate a 200-seater hospital built the Imo State Government and donated to Nigerian Air force.

    The vice president also inaugurated the TraderMoni Scheme at the Relief Market, Owerri.

    Afterwards, Osinbajo proceeded to the Rocha’s Foundation, Owerri where wards from all over the foundation in Nigeria and across Africa, held a colourful 56th birthday celebration for their benefactor, Okorocha.

    Delivering a lecture titled, “ The Advantage of the Disadvantage’’, Osinbajo encouraged the less privileged not to despair but to work hard and have faith in God.

    He said that many notable personalities in Nigeria and world over were orphans that never gave up.

    According to the vice President, there is merit in being able to give and commended Okorocha for his philanthropy, especially in giving free education to indigent children.(NAN)

  • Osinbajo inaugurates TraderMoni in Owerri

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will on Saturday inaugurate TraderMoni initiative, a Federal Government’s Social Investment Programme, in Owerri, Imo State.

    Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    The initiative was designed to assist petty traders across the country expand their trade through the provision of collateral and interest-free loans of at least N10,000.

    According to him, the loans are repayable over a period of six months.

    The micro-credit scheme under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), was first inaugurated on Aug. 7 in five markets in Lagos State – Mushin, Ikotun, Agege, Ketu and Abule Egba areas.

    “Following the Lagos leg, the micro-credit scheme has since been inaugurated in eight other states, including Kano, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Katsina, Osun, Kogi, Oyo, Cross River; and Abuja (Federal Capital Territory).

    “Under the scheme, beneficiaries can get access to a higher facility ranging from N15,000 to N100,000 when they repay N10,000 within the stipulated time period.

    “Also, through TraderMoni scheme, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration aims to take financial inclusion down to the grassroots and uplift Nigerians at the bottom of the pyramid, considering the contribution of petty traders to economic development.

    “The Federal Government is also aware of the fact that many of the petty traders don’t have what the commercial banks require to grant them loans.

    “Petty traders from across the states have continued to laud the Buhari administration for helping them in expanding their trade and empowering them economically,’’ Akande said.

    He said that by the end of 2018, the micro-credit scheme would have reached all 36 states of the federation, with an estimated 2 million petty traders set to become beneficiaries. (NAN)

  • Osinbajo and restructuring debate

    SIR: The issues surrounding restructuring in Nigeria have remained topical at least since 1999, but it assumed a new level of resonance recently as the 2019 general elections approach. As expected, different pressure groups, socio-cultural associations and politicians have joined the fray. The most discernible motive for the high tempo in the resurgence of discourse about restructuring mainly centres around the ploy by some opposition politicians to take advantage of it to harangue the Buhari/Osinbajo administration as if all Nigeria’s problems will be solved with restructuring.

    In their attempt to pull wool over our eyes on the topical issue and profit from it politically, they have tried to hinge the myriad of problems besetting Nigeria on restructuring, thereby insisting that the Buhari/Osinbajo administration must restructure Nigeria in their own terms and conditions.

    Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo made an intervention on the need to focus more on rebuilding the country for the benefit of all citizens which is evident in the administration’s programmes, and equally acceding to fiscal federalism as a restructuring model.

    Some politicians who ab-initio had hoped to gain mileage with the advancement of a holistic restructuring will not listen or accept the vice president’s line of argument rather they chose to pour invectives on him.

    Professor Osinbajo’s postulation on fiscal federalism as a type of restructuring is not only patriotic but realistic and workable especially if we consider the heterogeneous nature of the country. As a country with divergent ethnic, cultural, religious and political backgrounds, it will be chaotic and disruptive to embark on a geographical restructuring of the country at present, yet in a bid to benefit from the clamour of the crowded streets, some opportunistic politicians are insisting otherwise.

    It is however important to remark that any long-lasting tinkering of the Nigerian political firmament as it is presently constituted must be weaned of the shout or plaudits of the throng, because in the end, the essence of government is to guarantee the security of lives and properties of the citizens as well as cater to the needs of the people. I think it is within this prism that the vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo tried to reason with the other schools of thought on the issue of restructuring. Unfortunately while endeavouring to toe the patriotic line which will be acceptable to all the strata of society, his traducers chose to play to the gallery ostensibly for immediate political gains.

    Nigerians must be wary of the later day restructuring converts to avoid any disappointment in the future. In the three and half years of the Buhari/Osinbajo administration, it has become crystal clear that they have a clear focus of where to take the country, and using the three enablers of providing security, reviving the economy and tackling corruption. Nigerians have seen the duo as partners in progress in whom they can entrust their future. As we approach the 2019 elections, we must distinguish mere rhetoric, deceitful political propaganda and realistic postulations as advanced by the Vice President Professor Osinbajo.

    It is rather disappointing that some politicians in bid to gain momentarily from a prevailing situation will throw caution to the wind and condescend to the level of being impervious to reason. Lest we forget, Professor Osinbajo is not averse to restructuring as he has consistently promoted the creation of state police which is an aspect of restructuring, but he has always maintained the need for fiscal federalism which tends to devolve more powers to the sub-national governments rather than geographical restructuring.

     

    • ChukwudiEnekwechi JP,

    Kwechis19@yahoo.com

  • Osinbajo lauds Osun social protection programmes

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the weekend hailed the Osun State Government for prioritising the welfare of youths in its policies and programmes.

    He lauded the state’s social protection initiatives, which he described as sustainable template for national socio-economic development and all-round transformation.

    Osinbajo made the commendations at the inauguration of newly recruited volunteers of the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) in Osogbo, the state capital.

    The vice president said Osun had taken the lead in the emancipation of youths for greater productivity, as reflected in the successes the state recorded in its policies and programmes.

    He described OYES as an inspiration that brought the design of Federal Government’s N-Power.

    Osinbajo urged the new OYES beneficiaries to be diligent, disciplined, committed and dedicated to the development of their communities, state and the nation at large.

    He said: “When OYES began in Osun, we knew that it was going to be a national programme in terms of its uniqueness and design. This noble initiative led to the establishment of N-Power programme by the Federal Government.

    “The N-Power programme of the Federal Government was designed from the OYES because when we got to power in 2015, we decided to design a programme for the engagement and employment of youths to prepare them for entrepreneurship and service to community.

    “There is no doubting the fact that N-Power is the inspiration of OYES. This is a scheme that had, in years past, helped to boost the morale of youths, get them engaged and rescued them from restiveness and societal vices.

    “This is a programme that is worthy of being copied and extended to the whole country, as our nation stands to benefit greatly from the expansion of this scheme to other states of the federation.

    “Today, we have 500,000 N-Power beneficiaries nationwide selected from every local government. They are doing credible things, like teaching, public health, agriculture, and they are involved in every facet of life.”

    Governor Rauf Aregbesola said the recruitment of the fourth batch of OYES cadets was in fulfilment of his election promises to the residents.

    He said: “When we inaugurated the first batch in 2011, it was in fulfilment of our campaign promise to do so in the first 100 days of our administration.

    “We are gratified that OYES has impacted positively on Osun as captured by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its 2011/2012 report, which shows a drastic reduction in unemployment rate in the state.

    “In that report, the five-year unemployment average for Osun was 12.4 per cent. But with the introduction of OYES, it came down drastically to three per cent and the least in the country.

    “By the same token, the N200 million monthly allowance given to the cadets spread within the economy has increased Osun’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to the seventh largest in the country, according to the same NBS.

    “Then, Osun joined the enviable league of the few states with the least crime rates. When youths are engaged, society will have peace. It is a linear correlation.

    “The state government and the people benefitted from the services of OYES cadets with their roles of Sanitation Czar, Green Gang, Public Works, Traffic Marshals, Paramedics and Sheriff Guard, as they also collaborated with the government on enumeration of Agba Osun, training of escorts during festival periods, enumeration of dilapidated buildings and schools.

  • Osinbajo promises more fund for TraderMoni

    VICE President Yemi Osinbajo has assured the Federal Government will commit more fund to the TraderMoni as the beneficiaries begin to pay back the loan.

    He spoke at the Gbagi Market, Ibadan in Oyo State at the weekend where 27,000 petty traders and artisans benefitted from the scheme.

    The collateral-free loan targets 30,000 petty traders and artisans in Oyo State with each entitled to N10, 000.

    Osinbajo said the Federal Government recognised the genuine contribution of petty traders to aid the nation’s economy, stressing the loan was a progressive scheme which would not only help traders to expand their businesses but also change their standard of living.

    He said that more of such loan would be made available as soon as beneficiaries began the pay back.

    According to the scheme, beneficiaries have six months to repay the loan with flexible options of N85 daily or N430 weekly.

    The Executive Director Bank of Industry (BOI) Toyin Adeniji said everyone that registered for the loan would get the money.

    “For now, we have 27,000 beneficiaries but the target is 30,000 in the state. Beneficiaries who pay back as scheduled will have the opportunity to graduate to the next level of the loan.

    “They can graduate to N15, 000, N20, 000 or even N50,000 levels and beyond. We implore them to use the money for the purpose it is intended,” she said.

    One of the beneficiaries, Oladunni Aderinto, who sells Okro in the market, thanked the FG for the loan while calling on other beneficiaries to pay back as scheduled.

    Another beneficiary, Adegbite Toyin said traders needed such loan to boost their trade and cater for immediate financial needs.

    TraderMoni, which kicked off last month in Lagos, has been launched in Abia, Kano, Akwa Ibom, Osun, Katsina, Kogi and Cross River.

     

  • Minimum wage: Osinbajo chairs crucial meeting Tuesday 

    The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo-led Economic Management Team (EMT) is scheduled to meet on Tuesday on the minimum wage issue.

    Labour Minister Chris Ngige and the Chairman of the Negotiation Committee, Ms Amma Pepple, yesterday briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on how far the committee had gone with its assignment.

    Ngige told State House correspondents at the end of the briefing that the Tuesday meeting was “specially dedicated to the issue of national minimum wage.”

    He added: “For anybody to say that this government is stalling or playing games will be uncharitable, because we have done what we are supposed to do.

    “We have the interest of workers at heart. We have not retrenched anybody.

    “There is no embargo on employment. There is no embargo on promotions.

    “We are paying backlog of promotional arrears; we are backing the backlog of transfers and repatriation and the rest of them and we are giving them houses under FISH and the rest of them.

    “So, this government is a labour-friendly government and we must put smiles on their faces before the next election.

    “We are labour activists; we don’t want to turn our backs on them.”

    Pepple, a former Head of Service of the Federation, said the committee would submit its report before the end of this month.

    Her words: “Everything is on course, but we need a definite figure from government and, of course, we have to carry the states along. “So, we need those figures so that we can conclude on the figures we include in our report.”

    On how soon the new minimum wage might be ready, Pepple said: “This month. At least I expect our report will be ready this month. We are submitting our report to Mr. President this month.”

    Ngige had, on Thursday, accused organised labour of blackmailing the government following a two-week ultimatum given for the conclusion of negotiation on the matter.

    Labour leaders, he claimed, were unnecessarily intimidating government to adopt a new minimum wage that may not work.

    Ngige blamed certain factors such as inability of governors to provide their figures to be debated by the committee negotiating the new minimum wage as one of the reasons for the delay.

    According to Ngige, the organised private sector initially proposed a figure of N42,000 only to bring it down to N25,000, having taken into account the current economic situation, ability to pay and ability to enhance and create new jobs.

  • Osinbajo advocates home-grown technologies

    As the Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State held its 10th convocation on Thursday, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, advocated home-grown technologies, innovations and creative ideas that would help the country solve its myriad of challenges.

    Speaking at the university campus, the Vice President also made a case for application of native intelligence to the interpretation of academic knowledge in order to make it relevant and solve societal problems.

    Represented by the acting Chairman of Redeemer’s University Board of Trustees, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, the Vice President described 423 graduating students of the university as a generation of hope for the country.

    Advising them to take up the task of being solution providers, he said: “The world today is technological-driven. Agriculture, health care cum medical sciences, among others, are being controlled by the nations of superior technological expert.

    “And being technological savvy, your generation is the only hope we have.”

    The Vice Chancellor of the Redeemer’s University, Prof. Debo Adeyewa, called on government at all levels to come up with a blueprint on adequate funding of education in the country.

    The Vice Chancellor, who said such a blueprint would help secure the future of present and future generations in the country, maintained that adequate investment in education would guarantee a strong and bright future for the country.

    He urged the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the university wherever they go.

    According to him: “Investment in education should be a collaborative effort between government and other stakeholders, but dynamically and passionately driven by government as the overall key stakeholder that is critically accountable to the current and future of the country.