The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Osinbajo

  • FG pledges to support flood victims in Ogun – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday assured victims of flood disaster in Abeokuta, Ogun, of Federal Government support and assistance.

    Osinbajo gave the assurance when he visited the state to commiserate with the victims and the state government.

    About eight people lost their lives while property worth millions of naira were destroyed following downpour on Friday evening which lasted hours.

    The Vice President in company of Gov. Ibikunle Amosun and other government officials visited some of the affected areas including Amolaso Ago Ijesa, Itoku and Ijeja in the Abeokuta metropolis.

    Osinbajo, who addressed journalists at Itoku area, described the incident as “unfortunate.”

    He, however, gave assurance that the Federal Government would provide immediate relief materials to assist the victims.

    He said if not for the drainage system, channelisation and the good infrastructure put in place by the state government, the incident would have been worse.

    ” Let say that what has happened here is very unfortunate indeed.

    “A lot of drainage have been done but then level of the rain has been so heavy that it has overtaken the infrastructure in place.

    “So, what we are looking at is how the infrastructure can be enhanced and we are also discussing with the governor on how the Federal Government can be of assistance.

    “We have to really sit down and look at those challenges properly and also provide immediate relieve materials to support the state government,” he said.

    The vice president said the incident of flash flooding was unavoidable, particularly in situations of heavy rains in areas like Ogun.

    Osinbajo urged the people of the state to shun the habit of blocking drains through indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

    He advised that in such situation, people living in valley areas should quickly move to “higher grounds.”

    “On the whole, the loss of lives is very unfortunate.

    ” The Federal Government commiserates with the state government and families of the victims.

    “I also want to say that God has been gracious to us here in Ogun because it could have been worse.

    “We also have to be thankful to the state government for providing the right type of infrastructure and for its very quick response to minimise the loss,”

    Some of the victims were seen salvaging their losses as at the time of the visit. (NAN)

  • Osinbajo celebrates wife’s birthday

    The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo praises his wife, Oludolapo, as she celebrates her birthday.

    Osinbajo took to his Instagram page and described his wife as his past, present and his future.

    He said:

    ” I found a girl, beautiful and sweet many years ago. I got to know you and you became Queen of my heart.

    You are my past, my present and my future. You complete me!

    You are as beautiful as the day I met you.

    Happy Birthday Oludolapo, your heart is my home.“

  • Abacha loot: How cash transfer programme ‘ll work, by Osinbajo

    VICE President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday said the cash transfer programme involving the recovered $322 million Abacha loot will be stringently monitored to ensure transparency.

    He said monitors would visit the individual households that have been identified through “deliberate targeting”.

    The Vice President spoke in Abuja, when he launched the Monitoring of Recovered Assets through Transparency and Accountability (MANTRA) Project.

    The MANTRA project is set to be implemented by the civil society group, African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ).

    It was at a roundtable organised by the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) to mark the First African Day of Anti-Corruption.

    The roundtable had the theme: “Enhancing Domestic Resources for Sustainable Development Goals by Improved Asset Recovery and Asset Return”.

    The Switzerland Government, based on a memorandum of understanding with Swiss banks and the World Bank, returned $322million to Nigeria.

    A Swiss court order that led to the repatriation of Abacha loot was made on the condition that the World Bank would supervise the money’s utilisation to prevent mismanagement and re-looting.

    Special Adviser to the President on Social Protection, Mrs. Maryam Uwais, who represented the vice president, said the beneficiaries of the cash transfer are households contained in the National Social Register that was built using targeted machanisms to identify poor and vulnerable households.

    Mrs. Uwais said: “By the end of this year, we should have a register of the entire country. This register is where all our beneficiaries will be mined from. There is a number for each of the beneficiaries, and we’ll have their pictures captured.

    “When we started, three banks offered to support us with the biometrics. By the time they started going to the locations, they realised it was costly for them. So they backed out. a

    “Now, we’re working through agents to ensure we pay at the last mile, because if a person is on this register, and is actually deserving of this our N5,000, many of them cannot travel for long distances.”

  • Osinbajo, Namibian president, others pay last respects as ex-ECA scribe Adedeji is laid to rest

    OSINBAJO, Gowon, Obasanjo, Namibian president, others pay last respects as ex-ECA scribe Adedeji is laid to rest Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta Former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and pioneer chairman of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Prof. Adebayo Adedeji, made his final departure to the world beyond yesterday amid eulogies from many African leaders. Among other words of eulogy, he was described as a “colossus” who worked for the economic emancipation of the African continent. Prof. Adedeji, the Asiwaju of Ijebuland, passed on last April 25 at the age of 87.

    Past and present African leaders, including Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Namibian President Hage Geingob; former head of state General Yakubu Gowon; former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who were at the Cathedral Church of Our Saviour, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State for the funeral service of the late professor of Economics, were unanimous in their view that his life impacted positively on Nigeria and Africa. In his tribute, Vice President Osinbajo recalled the immense contribution of the late Adedeji in the post- war planning and reconstruction of the nation’s economy, submitting that he was an “unusual human being.”

    Osinbajo described the former Executive Secretary of ECA as a fair minded and objective person whose death was announced in several languages because of the various capacities he had served at different times nationally and internationally. “Professor Adedeji was an outstanding African. He was deeply involved in the integration of Africa. He did a great work in projecting Africa. We are proud of all that he achieved in his lifetime. He was one of the very unusual human being,” he said.  Namibian President, Hage Geingob, described the late Adedeji as his “mentor, brother and advocate of economic independence of Africa.” Geingob hailed the deceased as a true African who “fought the good fight for the African continent.” Obasanjo, in his tribute, said the deceased Adedeji was a friend, brother and trusted ally while Gowon described him as a “credit to Nigeria, Africa and the African race.”

    Former Archbishop of the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. (Prof.) Adebayo Akinde, in his sermon at the funeral service, said Adedeji left a legacy of service for Nigerians to emulate. He said the renowned economist was truly a great nationalist. The retired Archbishop said many Nigerians in position of authority have failed their generations because of greed, noting that the ex-Executive Secretary of ECA impacted positively on his generation. He said: “As mankind, we should start asking ourselves of the kind of legacy we are going to leave behind. It is important that we give serious thought to the kind of legacy we are leaving behind. “The late Professor Adedeji was a great man. He was an enigma. He was a world class economist and renowned academic.

    He was a top flight diplomat. “He believed in the unity and oneness of Nigeria. He lived a world of service because he served the Africa continent, his country and state. “He has left every one of us a life of legacy.” For Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun State has lost one of its icons. “Papa was a colossus in his own right. He was one of the people we the younger ones are very proud of. He was a great son of Ogun State. He has done brilliantly well in all the capacities he served. In all facets, he did well,” Amosun said. Other notable personalities at the funeral service include former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon (rtd); former president Olusegun Obasanjo; Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Prince Bola Ajibola; Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; Chief Tony Anenih, diplomats and people from all walks of life.

  • ‘I am excited Osinbajo noticed what I am producing’

    The joy of a Benin-based entrepreneur, Mr. David Edehia, knew no bounds when Vice President Yemi Osinbajo collected his complimentary card with a promise to get back to him after listening to how his product works.

    David was one of the entrepreneurs that showcased their products at the Edo State edition of Micro, Small and Medium-Scale Enterprise (MSME) clinic. His product now only attracted the attention of the Vice President but other persons in his entourage.

    The uniqueness of his product was that it was a smokeless stove that uses gel otherwise known as ethanol made from cassava. David said he produced the cassava gel and the stove at his factory in Benin City.

    Osinbajo was in the state to inaugurate the Southsouth innovation hub, visit the Azura Power Plant, perform the groundbreaking for the building of a 1,800 housing units as well as hold town hall meeting with small business owners and entrepreneurs.

    David said: “I am encouraged that the Vice President has noticed what I am doing. He made me to know that my effort will not be in vain. His appreciation will make me go into more research and produce more from cassava.

    “This gel stove can employ people. It has no smoke and will help to conserve our forest. I am now encouraged and hoped that it will increase my patronage.”

    Addressing the gathering, Prof. Osinbajo said traders with small businesses would be empowered.

    “The policy of the Federal Government is to support businesses, not just big business but particularly small, medium-sized businesses and microbusinesses. The whole idea is that we want to ensure that we give whatever support whether it is cash, advice or even registration to all of our small and medium enterprises.

    “Apart from the existing GEEP MarketMoni scheme, which targets market women, traders, artisans and enterprising youths, Osinbajo also revealed that the Federal Government is rolling out TraderMoni, a new micro-credit scheme to cater for ultra-micro enterprises.

    “It is a different thing from MarketMoni because TraderMoni is for the smaller traders. These are the hawkers; those who are doing little things where in many cases their inventory, the whole thing they are selling is sometimes not even more than N5,000 to N10,000. We want to give those kinds of people some credit as well and once they pay back, we will give them some more money.”

     

  • Osinbajo, others for 2018 IICC confab

    The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo is set to join insurance operators and stakeholders to X-ray the challenges and prospects of the insurance industry.

    This will be done at the 2018 Insurance Industry Consultative Council (IICC) Conference, holding from Sunday, July 8-10 this year at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

    Chairman, Planning Committee for the 2018 National Insurance Conference, Alhaji Femi Hassan made this known during a press briefing in Lagos.

    According to him, the conference is the fourth in the series to be held since its conception by the IICC, which is the umbrella organisation for all insurance institutions in Nigeria.

    The IICC, he said, is being organised to further underscore Nigerian Insurance Industry’s commitment   to continually upscale the knowledge of insurance operators, other professionals in the financial services sector as well as other stakeholders about contemporary dynamics in the economic development of the country.

    He said the Conference would also highlight the enabling roles of the insurance industry in achieving financial inclusion and by so doing, accelerate its contributions to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    He said: “It is a delight to note that the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is expected to declare the event open while the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun will give a Keynote address, with the Commissioner for Insurance, Alhaji Mohammed Kari as the Chief Host.

    “Suffice it to state that the Planning Committee of the Conference is parading an array of highly resourceful speakers to do justice to the subject of discourse at the event. With the choice of Mr. Jim Ovia, Founder/Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc discussing the theme paper.

    “In view of the topical nature of the theme, the Deputy Governor Financial System Stability, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Miss Aishah Ahmad,  is expected to be the Chairman of session while a team of seasoned discussants, notably Mrs. Temitope Akin-Fadeyi, Head, Financial Inclusion Secretariat, Central Bank of Nigeria, and Mr. Olu Okunnu of Old Mutual and Dr. Ndubisi Chinedu will speak at the event. Similarly, the sub theme: “Leveraging Technology for Financial Inclusion”, will be most rewarding.

     

  • Strong, autonomous state is panacea to poverty, says Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has advocated for strong and autonomous states within the Nigerian federal system as a panacea for poverty in the country.

    Osinbajo stated this position while delivering a lecture at the special parliamentary session  in commemoration of the third anniversary of the 8th Assembly of Lagos State which took place at the chamber of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa on Friday.

    The vice president who was the guest speaker spoke on ‘Stronger States and the Eradication of Poverty’. According to him, poverty can be eradicated by having stronger states with strong judiciary, executive and legislature who would channel the resources of the state to create wealth for the citizens and eradicate poverty.

    “The three arms of government in the states must work proactively for the economic development of its citizens. To achieve this there must be devolution of powers to the states to enable them control their resources,” Osinbajo said.

    He cited the great feat achieved by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo who as Premier of the then Western Region recorded achievements that were acknowledged worldwide and most of which has remained enduring relying solely on revenue from taxes and cocoa.

    Osinbajo submitted that although he supports devolution and restructuring but that even without restructuring it is possible to create a strong state without any major constitutional changes.

    He cited how collaboration between the three arms of government in Lagos right from the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the present governor, the state has been able to win series of cases at the Supreme Court which has given more powers to not just only Lagos State but which has benefited so many other states as well.

    According to him, the Lagos Assembly has pushed the frontiers of federalism by passing laws which has strengthened federalism in the country.

    He advised that for outstanding economic growth there is need to focus more on education, healthcare and provision of jobs through deliberate programmes and pumping of more resources to these sectors to benefit the majority of the citizens.

    The vice president disclosed that the present government is working round the clock to create an environment for business to grow especially through a micro credit scheme for those at the lower rung of the economic ladder to lift them out of poverty.

    He lauded the Lagos State government for creating exemplary institutions for economic growth and development.

    Osinbajo also made a case for state police to tackle present security challenges confronting the nation, saying that “local policing is very important as part of security architecture.”

    In his remarks, Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, praised the leadership of the State Assembly for team dynamics and infrastructural development within the assembly.

    According to him, the three arms of government in the state have always worked together and have strived to show a good example of tenets of democracy and what growth and development should be “and with that collaboration we will take Lagos to where it is supposed to be.”

    In his welcome address earlier, Speaker of the Assembly Mudashiru Obasa said in three years the Assembly has passed 28 bills into law and over 100 resolutions on education, health, power, transport, security and environment for the well-being of Lagosians.

    He lauded Ambode for the good job he is doing which is visible all over the state, “he has turned the whole state to one construction site.”

    While stressing on the important role of the Assembly in democracy, Obasa said the executive should ensure the survival of the legislature by playing the role of a father and ensuring cordial relationship to avoid instability and anarchy.

    The event was witnessed by Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola; former Speaker, House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abbah; former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Femi Pedro, who represented Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; PDP chieftain Adesewe Ogunlewe.

    Others were: House of Representatives Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila; APC National Legal Adviser, Babatunde Ogala; APC South West Women Leader, Mrs. Kemi Nelson; Femi Falana (SAN); Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello and other exco members, Body of Permanent Secretaries of the state, traditional rulers, APC Lagos chairman and other party chieftains.

  • Osinbajo visits Lagos, says FG saddened by incident

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo last night commiserated with the Lagos State Government on Thursday’s petrol tanker explosion in Lagos, which claimed nine lives.

    Osinbajo visited the Lagos House at Alausa, Ikeja to convey the condolences of the Federal Government to the state government on the tragedy.

    He met behind closed doors with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode after which he told reporters that the Federal Government was deeply saddened by the incident.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, he said, delegated him to visit the state to commiserate with the people of Lagos on the incident.

    “I am here to commiserate with the government and people of Lagos State on the tragedy that occurred just yesterday. It’s a very terrible thing and all of us were deeply saddened by it,” he said.

    “Before Mr. President left this morning, he asked me to express his sincere condolences to his Excellency and also to the people of the state. It’s a very deeply saddening event and we pray this sort of thing will never repeat itself.”

    He hoped that all of those who suffered injury will recover soon.

    He prayed for comfort for those who lost their loved ones and properties in the incident.

    Responding, Governor Ambode thanked the Vice President for finding time to visit and to condole with the people of the state in this moment of grief, saying that it was a testament to the fact that the Federal Government was deeply concerned about the safety of lives and property of residents in the state.

    “We just want to say a big thank you to President Muhammadu Buhari and also a big thank you to Mr. Vice President for finding out time to quickly commiserate with us in Lagos and also with the press statement of Mr. President who is not able to be here personally but has sent the Vice President, because they feel so strongly that this kind of incident is not what should be occurring in this time in Lagos, and they feel so concerned that beyond the incident, if there are other remedies that we need to do, we have already discussed on those issues that we need to quickly put in place to make sure that we do not have such reoccurrence,” he said.

    Governor Ambode also assured the Vice President that the situation had been brought under control and normalcy had been restored within the axis where the incident occurred, saying that all hands are on the deck to prevent such incidents in future.

    The Governor equally thanked his counterpart in Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who was also at the Lagos House to express his condolences.

    Aregbesola stressed the need to revisit road worthiness certification for vehicles initiated by the Lagos State Government.

  • Strong autonomous States will help eradicate poverty, says Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has advocated for strong and autonomous states within the Nigerian federal system as a panacea for eradicating poverty in the country.
    Osinbajo stated this position while delivering a lecture at the special parliamentary session  in commemoration of the 3rd Anniversary of the 8th Assembly of Lagos State which took place at the chamber of the Lagos state House of Assembly, Alausa on Friday evening.
    Although the topic for the lecture was ‘Strengthening legislative institutions: panacea for eradicating democracy’, the Vice President who was the Guest Speaker however narrowed the topic down to ‘Stronger states and the eradication of poverty.
    As against the general belief that the creation of a conducive environment by the government for business for business to thrive to checkmate mass poverty, Osinbajo said poverty can be eradicated by having stronger states with strong judiciary, executive and legislature who would channel the resources of the state to create wealth for the citizens and eradicate poverty.
    “The three arms of government in the states must work proactively for the economic development of its citizens. To achieve this there must be devolution of powers to the states to enable them control their resources”, Osinbajo said.
    He cited the great feat achieved by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo who as Premier of then Western region recorded achievements that were acknowledged world wide and most of which has remained enduring relying solely on revenue from taxes and cocoa.
    Osinbajo submitted that although he supports devolution and restructuring but that even without restructuring it is possible to create a strong state without any major constitutional changes.
    He cited how collaboration between the the three arms of government in Lagos right from the reign of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the present governor the state has been able to win series of cases at the Supreme Court which has given more powers to not just only Lagos state but which has benefited so many other states as well.
    According to him, the Lagos Assembly has pushed the frontiers of federalism by passing laws which has strengthened federalism in Nigeria.
    He advised that for outstanding economic growth there is need to focus more on education, healthcare and provision of jobs through delibrate programmes and pumping of more resources to these sectors to benefit the majority of the citizens.
    The Vice President disclosed that the present government is working round the clock to  create an environment for business to grow especially through a micro credit scheme for those at the lower rung of the economic ladder to lift them out of poverty.
    He commended the Lagos state government for creating exemplary institutions for economic growth and development.
    Osinbajo also made a case for state police to tackle present security challenges confronting the nation, saying that “local policing is very important as part of security architecture”.
    Giving his remarks, Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode praised the leadership of the state Assembly for team dynamics and  infrastructural development within the Assembly. 
    According to him the three arms of government in the state have always worked together and have strived to show a good example of tenents of democracy and what growth and development should be “and with that collaboration we will take Lagos to where it is supposed to be”.
    In his welcome address earlier, speaker of the Assembly Hon.Mudashiru Obasa said in three years the Assembly has passed 28 bills into law and over 100 resolutions on education, health, power, transport, security and environment for the well-being of Lagosians.
    Obasa commended Ambode for the good job he is doing which is visible all over the state “he has turned the whole state to one construction site.”
    While stressing on the important role of the Assembly in democracy, Obasa said the executive should ensure the survival  of the legislature by playing the role of a father and ensuring cordial relationship to avoid instability and anarchy.
    Dignitaries at the event includes: Osun state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, Fmr speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abbah who was the Discussant, fmr deputy governor Lagos state, Femi Pedro represented Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, PDP chieftain Adesewe Ogunlewe while Governor of Oyo state, Ajimobi was represented by the Attorney General of Oyo state.
    Others are: House of Representatives Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, APC National Legal Adviser, Hon. Babatunde Ogala, APC South West Women Leader, Mrs. Kami Nelson, Rights Activist, Femi Falana, Secretary to the state government, Tunji Bello and other exco members, Body of Permanent Secretaries of the state, traditional rulers, APC Lagos chairman and other party chieftain.

  • FG saddened by Lagos tanker explosion – Osinbajo

    Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo on Friday evening visited the Lagos House in Alausa Ikeja to convey the condolences of the Federal Government to the State Government on the tragic tanker explosion on Thursday at the Otedola Bridge which claimed lives and properties.

    Osinbajo, who spoke shortly after a closed door meeting with the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, said the Federal Government was deeply saddened by the incident, saying that President Muhammadu Buhari had delegated him to visit the State to commiserate with the people of Lagos on the unfortunate incident.

    “I am here to commiserate with the government and people of Lagos State on the tragedy that occurred just yesterday. It’s a very terrible thing and all of us were deeply saddened by it. Before Mr. President left this morning he asked me to express his sincere condolences to his Excellency and also to the people of the State. It’s a very deeply saddening event and we pray this sort of thing will never repeat itself.

    “We also hope that all of those who have suffered injury will recover soon and we pray for comfort for those who lost their loved ones and properties in this very tragic event. That’s why am here.

    Responding, Governor Ambode thanked the Vice President for finding time to visit to condole with the people of the State in this moment of grief, saying that it was a testament to the fact that the Federal Government was deeply concerned about the safety of lives and property of residents in the State.

    “We just want to say a big thank you to President Muhammadu Buhari and also a big thank you to Mr. Vice President for finding out time to quickly commiserate with us in Lagos and also with the press statement of Mr. President who is not able to be here personally but has sent the Vice President, because they feel so strongly that this kind of incident is not what should be occurring in this time in Lagos and they feel so concerned that beyond the incident, if there are other remedies that we need to do, we have already discussed on those issues that we need to quickly put in place to make sure that we do not have such reoccurrence,” he said.

    Governor Ambode also assured the Vice President that the situation had been brought under control and normalcy had been restored within the axis where the incident occurred, saying that all hands are on deck to prevent such incidents in future.

    “Normalcy has come back to the city and we believe strongly that other measures will be put in place to make sure that things go on normally,” he said.

    The Governor equally thanked his counterpart in Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who was also at the Lagos House to express his condolences, while commiserating with all the families who lost their loved ones as well as properties in the inferno.

    Speaking earlier, Aregbesola commiserated with the government and people of Lagos State, particularly those who lost their loved ones and properties to the tragedy, but said the incident called to question the need to revisit road worthiness certification for vehicles initiated by the Lagos State Government.

    “Lagos initiated a process that we all refused to follow through because of the agitation of those who are affected and that process is the Ministry of Transport (MOT) Road Worthiness Certificate. We have to now ask again for our governments to revive the MOT certification of vehicles because if all vehicles are very road worthy, probably the dastardly accident of yesterday would have been avoided.

    “Our sympathy can only be meaningful if we do the right thing to prevent such occurrence and so let us revive the spirit of ensuring road worthiness of vehicles on our roads particularly those ones that have capacity for mass destruction such as articulated vehicles,” Aregbesola said.