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Tag: Osinbajo

  • FG commits to assist 36 states without bias

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said government would continue to assist the 36 states irrespective of their party affiliation and also commit to the people’s welfare, especially the poor and vulnerable.

    He said the gesture was a clear departure from the primordial practice, where past administrations at the centre limited their assistance to states ruled by the party at the centre.

    Osinbajo made the commitment on Thursday in Umuahia at the inauguration of the state’s Tele-health initiative, – “Dial-a-doctor – which he described as commendable effort in the healthcare delivery system in the state.

    “At the inauguration of the National Economic Council (NEC) in 2015, the president publicly declared that our own NEC will assist every state because poverty in our nation is no respecter of ethnic group, religion or party affiliation.”

    The vice president said that in line with the decision, the federal government had so far supported states “without discrimination along party lines” to the tune of N1.91 trillion.

    “Today we are feeding 7.9million children in our own school feeding programme in 22 states.

    “We have employed over 200, 000 graduates in our N-Power scheme and 300,000 more awaiting funding.

    “We are giving loans to over 300, 000 traders and we are heading for a million traders and artisans.

    “We are giving 5,000 monthly to 300,000 of the poorest families in all the states of Nigeria without discrimination along party lines,” Osinbajo said.

    He also spoke on the Federal Government’s School Feeding Programme, saying that 125,684 pupils in 724 schools in Abia were being fed, with no fewer than 2,000 cooks, handling the contract.

    “This is one state where there is collaboration between the state government and the federal government in the school feeding programme.

    “The federal government is feeding classes one to three and the state government is feeding classes four to six.

    “This is exactly the way the federal government designed it to be,” he said.

    Osinbajo further said that the federal government had given out loans to over 7,500 small businesses in the state.

    “In the healthcare sector, we have the save-one-million lives programme, which has made available $1.5 million to each state to improve the quality of basic healthcare, especially to women and children,” he said.

    On the tele-health initiative, he said, that it has become expedient for Nigeria to embrace technology to close the healthcare gap between the urban and rural areas.

    He said Abia had blazed the trail in the utilisation of Global System of Mobile Telecommunication (GSM) in the delivery of quality healthcare to the people of the state.

    “This is an especially exciting project because it is leveraging on available technology, in this case, the mobile phone to deliver affordable healthcare to the people.”

    Osinbajo said that available records showed that Abia had about 1.5 million mobile phones.

    According to him, the state has taken “the lead in utilising the potential that mobile phone has as a means for delivering healthcare for the people”.

    “I am told that citizens can through a dedicated telephone line and affordable prepaid cards access medical care through a state-wide network of doctors and communicate.

    “The initiative would cut the time spent travelling to see a doctor or waiting in line to see a doctor in a healthcare facility.

    “It will make Abia stand out in the healthcare delivery as a people-centred state that is open to life-changing innovation.

    “This is a very commendable initiative,” Osinbajo said.

    He, however, said that the success of the programme would depend on the willingness of stakeholders to take on feedback and make the adjustments necessary to meet the evolving needs of the target beneficiaries.

    According to the Vice President, this initiative would be helpful to the state and other states that would want to copy it.

    He assured Abia government of the unwavering commitment of the federal government to continue to partner and collaborate on any programmes designed to better the lives of the people.

    In his speech, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu described the programme as “a dream come true,” saying “the initiative is the future of healthcare delivery in Nigeria and Africa.”

    Ikpeazu said that the state government would leverage on the programme not only to improve life expectancy in Abia but surpass the average national life expectancy.

    In a goodwill message, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, commended the state government for the initiative.

    Adewole, who was represented by the Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Dr. Chuku Abali, said that the programme had the potential to make healthcare accessible to millions of Abia residents, if properly harnessed.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr. John Ahukanna, said that the programme would make it possible for people to dial a dedicated GSM number and get medical attention from a doctor in the comfort of their homes. (NAN)

  • Reps summon Osinbajo, Magu, Eyo-Ita over suspension of six NEMA officers

    •NEMA didn’t receive N5b Northeast intervention cash, says DG

    VICE President Yemi Osinbajo is to appear before a House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management to answer questions on the reasons behind the suspension of six senior officers of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

    The House ordered that the suspended officers should be recalled while EFCC investigate the case against them.

    Also to appear alongside the Osinbajo is Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu, the Head of Service Federal Civil Service of the Federation (HoFCS) Winifred Oyo-Ita and the Accountant General of the Federation  (AGF) Ahmed Idris.

    The vice president was, however, asked to send a representative, if his schedule would not allow him.

    The summon was moved as a motion by Umar Bago  (APC, Niger) and was carried by the committee members.

    The suspended officers are the Director of Finance and Accounts, Akinbola Gbolahan; Acting Director, Special Duties Mr. Umesi Emenike  and Director, Risk Reduction Alhassan Nuhu.

    Others are the pilot in charge of Air Ambulance and Aviation Unit, Mr. Mamman Ibrahim; Chief Maintenance Officer Mr. Deji and Director of Welfare Mr. Kanar Mohammed.

    At the day three of the  investigative hearing on the activities of the agency yesterday , the Ali Isa-led committee said the process that led to the suspension has to be explained by the vice president being the chairman of NEMA Governing board.

    NEMA DG Abubakar Maihaja had told the committee that the decision to suspend the six officers was taken by the council after it was inaugurated by the VP.

    When asked if the suspension was verbal or formal and  if procedure as prescribed by  public service rules was followed, Maihaja responded that suspension was not verbal.

    He said: “The report of the EFCC that led to the decision to suspend the officers was not released to the members though they were allowed to scrutinise it.

    “At the meeting, members were not allowed to take the letter out but allowed to go through it because the EFCC investigation is still ongoing.

    “The reality is that the document is confidential and the chairman made us aware that if giving out, the information therein would be exposed.

    “The instruction for the suspension wasn’t verbal by the VP but a meeting of governing council gave the approval. It was a resolution of the governing council.

    “If the VP had wanted to give instruction verbally, he would have done that before the inauguration of the council…

    “The council took the decision and taking instruction from the council, I signed the letters but the EFCC investigation is still ongoing”.

    On the N5 billion Northeast intervention fund, the DG said no money of such amount was received by NEMA, except N829 million for logistics and security.

    He, however, confirmed that food items worth the said amount was received and N829 million was used for the movement of the materials to the region.

    “I received items not money worth N5,036 billion and we were instructed to pick them from the stores. Some companies have not, however, delivered theirs like Golden Agric Input Ltd.

    “Food items were reviewed from Dangote, Bua Flour Mills and others and we have distributed and still distributing. Fifty per cent was moved  to Maiduguri, 20 per cent to Yobe and 10 to Bauchi Gombe and Taraba.

    The DG was also questioned on the eligibility of some companies engaged for the supply of  10,000 metric tonnes of rice valued at N3 billion.

    “We engaged the companies used under emergency as proscribed under Emergency Act,” he said.

     

    On the qualification of officers that signed contract award documents, he said, “To the best of my conviction and according to the records, we had no procurement officer as at that time but planning officers, who were not qualified to carry out such assignment.”

    Several organisations relevant to the investigation were also asked to appear before the committee to give information that would aid the exercise.

     

     

  • Osinbajo launches Abia’s tele-health

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has launched the Abia State Telehealth Initiative, also known as “Dial-a-Doc-Direct,” which allows the people  to dial and speak with a doctor when they need treatment.

    Osinbajo, who hailed  Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for the initiative, noted that it is the responsibility of governments to bring healthcare to the people.

    He lauded Ikpeazu for making an impact in the life of Abians, noting that the governor is delivering affordable health care to the people through modern technology.

    “Mobile phone is a means of delivering healthcare to the people, especially the most vulnerable and downtrodden. It also  ensures even communication with doctors through local languages.

    “Success or otherwise of the programme will depend on willingness of caregivers to take up issues and deal with it where and when necessary”.

    Ikpeazu described the initiative as a dream come true.

    According to him, the Tele-Health Initiative is the future of healthcare delivery in Nigeria and Africa.

    He said: “What you are seeing here today is an exemplification of our desire to bring science and technology in health care.

    “The doctors maintain the highest level of confidentiality as the Primary Health Centres are linked to all call centres.

    “I call on Abians to treat the dial-a-doc direct cards as a lifeline as the initiative will end maternal and infant mortality.

    “With this initiative, I am confident we will do something about life expectancy in Abia State.”

  • Osinbajo attends pastors’ conference in Ibadan, says Nigeria has bright future

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday attended 2018 Greater Pastors’ Conference in Ibadan and emphasised that Nigeria has bright future.

    Osinbajo, who is a member of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), said the country would be great again in spite of challenges facing it.

    He urged Nigerians to assist leaders and the administration with prayers, saying the country would soon be one of the greatest countries in the world.

    On the outcome of the conference, the vice president said it was a family meeting where pastoral and national issues were discussed.

    According to him, issues on restructuring and security are among what the pastors deliberated upon at the conference.

    He said pastors felt that state police was one of those ideas that could further enhance security of lives and property in the country.

    He added that the idea for state police and for states to control their resources was good but opined that states should be able to generate more income.

    “State governments should make sure that taxes are paid, look at other ways Internally Generated Revenue can be improved and sustained, as well as exercise greater freedom with respect to various aspects of economy,” he advised.

    The Chairman of PFN in Oyo State, Bishop Taiwo Adelakun assured the present administration of support through fervent prayers.

    He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to aggressively look into the issues of security and other challenges facing the nation.

    Adelakun, who is the presiding bishop of Victory International Church, cautioned government against the idea of borrowing to finance the nation’s economy.

    Dignitaries at the conference were Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and his Deputy, Mr Michael Adeyemo.

    Others were Kayode Abiara, Rev. Abayomi Kasali, Pastor Femi Emmanuel, Bishop Stephen Kehinde, among others.

  • Osinbajo urges Nigerians to pray for captives

    VICE President Yemi Osinbajo has urged Christians to put their hope in God to deliver them from the hands of their enemies.

    He urged them to pray for those in captivity to regain their freedom.

    Speaking at the Cross Concert 2018 to mark the Easter festival in Lagos, Osinbajo said those who called on Jesus Christ in moment of trouble would receive help.

    He added that Christ bore their sins on the cross, calling on Christians to be prayerful and live a pious life.

    The vice president said: “There is a prayer that everybody here usually prays. It is no weapon fashion against you shall proper. And every hand that is raise against you shall not succeed.

    “Why is it that any weapon fashion against you shall not prosper? Why is it difficult for the physical weapon or spiritual weapon to get to you? Why is it that some of the things that had trouble your family line for years, when it get to you, it must stop?  Whether it is sickness or ailment, when it gets to you, it must stop.

    “It is because of the cross. What happened on the cross is so unique. I have heard of people who die for the country, people who die for love and people who die for money. You must understand in the case of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    “He went through a trial. In other words, Jesus Christ was accused of the offences for which you and I committed. He had to admit that he committed them for our sake. That is why no weapon fashion against you shall prosper because Christ has already taken the pain that you and I should experience.

    “The cross is the essence of our own weapon; that is why people can say I belong to Jesus Christ, where ever they found themselves. Everyone who stands by the cross will be delivered because the cross is not fragile. You can do whatever you want to do on it and it will sustain you,” he said.

    Similarly, the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Dr. Babatunde Fowler said Nigerians should pray for the remaining Dapchi School girl, Leah Sharibu for God’s protection.

    He said those who put their hope on the cross are never disappointed, stressing that prayer would perform miracles for her.

    “The cross signifies love, peace and with that the victory of children of God is certain. I, therefore, urge this gathering to spare 30 seconds to pray for Leah and other girls still in captivity for safe delivery from their captors.”

    The orgniser of concert, Rev. Yomi Kasali, said God would strengthen Sharibu for relying on the cross for protection.

    He called on her captors to free the innocent girl, noting that it was against the constitutional imperative to force anybody to accept religion they do not wish to profess.

    He thanked those who graced the concert, noting that the task ahead was to propagate the teaching of Jesus Christ, who died for the salvation of mankind.

  • Osinbajo: Nigeria on path of resurrection

    Nigeria is on the path of resurrection and progress, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said yesterday.

    Speaking to reporters after the Easter Service at the Aso Villa Chapel, he said the resurrection of Jesus Christ implied that the country was moving out of its challenges to a greater hope and peace.

    He said: ”The resurrection of Jesus Christ is also a strong and powerful message to the nation.

    “The message is that our nation is on the path of resurrection, is on the path of progress, is on the path of elevation.

    “We are moving out from all our challenges and we are going to a place of greater hope, peace and prosperity and abundance for all of us,” Prof. Osinbajo said.

    Aso Villa Chapel Chaplain Pastor Seyi Malomo, who delivered a sermon on: “The temporary  hour of darkness”, said Nigeria would rise again.

    He said the resurrection of Christ signified that darkness could only reign but for a while.

    “No natter the evil, the problem we are facing, just as Jesus only laid in the grave for three days, all these will be over.

    “As long as Jesus rose from the dead, we are going to rise again, even all of you listening to me,” he said.

    The cleric urged all Nigerians to emulate Jesus Christ who sacrificed his life for the salvation of mankind.

    He said: “In terms of sacrifice, we have to emulate the life of Jesus Christ.

    “He sacrificed for mankind. And we are liberated and celebrating because he paid the sacrifice.

    “We are all call to do our role in giving that sacrifice that will bring the liberation, the greatness of our nation.”

    Various songs were rendered to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

    Also yesterday, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara asked Nigerians to show unity, love and sacrifice for the unity and development of the country.

    He said in his Easter message: “As we celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary for the redemption of our souls, I urge you all to draw lessons from the selfless service of Christ.

    “It is important that such love that Jesus Christ had for mankind to lay down his life for us is what we must show to one another, irrespective of tribe, status or religion.”

    “It is by so doing that Nigeria can grow in peace and attain only meaningful progress.”

     

     

  • Nigeria on path of resurrection, says Osinbajo

    •Dogara asks Nigerians to show unity, others

    VICE President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday said Nigeria is on the path of resurrection and progress.

    Speaking to reporters after the Easter Service at the Aso Villa Chapel, he said the resurrection of Jesus Christ implied that the country is moving out of its present challenges to a greater hope and peace.

    He said: ”The resurrection of Jesus Christ is also a strong and powerful message to the nation.

    “The message is that our nation is on the path of resurrection, is on the path of progress, is on the path of elevation.

    “We are moving out from all our challenges and we are going to a place of greater hope, peace and prosperity and abundance for all of us,” he stated.

    Aso Villa Chapel Chaplain Pastor Seyi Malomo, who delivered a sermon on: “The Temporary  Hour of Darkness,” said Nigeria is going to rise again.

    He said the resurrection of Christ signified that darkness could only reign but for a while.

    “No natter the evil, the problem we are facing, just as Jesus only laid in the grave for three days, all these will be over.

    “As long as Jesus rose from the dead, we are going to rise again, even all of you listening to me,” he said.

    He urged all Nigerians to emulate the life of Jesus Christ who sacrificed his life for the salvation of mankind.

    He said: “In terms of sacrifice, we have to emulate the life of Jesus Christ.

    “He sacrificed for mankind. And we are liberated and celebrating because he paid the sacrifice.

    “We are all call to do our role in giving that sacrifice that will bring the liberation, the greatness of our nation.”

    Various songs were rendered to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

    Also yesterday, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara asked Nigerians to show unity, love and sacrifice for the unity and development of the country.

    He said in his Easter message: “As we celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary for the redemption of our souls, I urge you all to draw lessons from the selfless service of Christ.

    “It is important that such love that Jesus Christ had for mankind to lay down his life for us is what we must show to one another, irrespective of tribe, status or religion.”

    “It is by so doing that Nigeria can grow in peace and attain only meaningful progress.”

     

     

  • Why anti-graft war must not fail, by Osinbajo, Akinseye-George

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George and Emir of Keffi, Nasarawa State, Dr. Shehu Yamusa (III) cautioned on Thursday that the nation’s hope of growth and development would be further imperiled should the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration fail in its efforts to curb impunity and corruption in the land.

    The trio called for support from all to ensure that the administration succeeds in its goal of reversing the culture of impunity and outright theft of public funds by leaders, who should serve as change agents and drive the nation’s development.

    They spoke at the 16th inaugural lecture of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

    The lecture titled: “Good leader, good people, good nation: Corruption, constitutionalism and the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria,” was delivered by Akinseye-George, who is a lecturer in the university’s Law Faculty.

    Osinbajo said the fight against corruption must interest every Nigerian who is interested in the nation’s future survival following the level culture of impunity, abuse of power and corruption had assumed in the nation’s life.

    He said: “The level of impunity in the face of grand corruption that transpired in the recent past of our nation’s history is absolutely stranger than fiction.

    “A situation where over $15billion meant for the procurement of security equipment to fight insurgent would disappear without a trace; where in a matter of weeks, the sum of N60bIillion and $289million in cash, could be withdrawn from the public treasury without specificity of the purpose for which such withdrawals were made.

    “The dangerous consequence of corruption to any nation, irrespective of the system of governance it operates, is better imagined than experienced, especially on the poorest of the poor. It is therefore only apt that academic analysis of this impact on the overall architecture of our polity is conducted and documented for posterity.”

    Represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Legal Matters, Dr. Bilkisu Seidu, the vice president drew an analogy of how a corrupt recruitment and reward academic system could endanger a nation’s future.

    Assuring of the government’s commitment to the anti-graft war, Osinbajo added: “it is our commitment to bring back sanity and just governance in this country. It is a fight that we know and have seen would be difficult. But it is a fight that we must win for our survival.”

    Akinseye-George, who is the first to deliver an inaugural lecture from the school’s Law Faculty, analysed the various dimensions, form and causes of corruption in the country and suggested some pragmatic ways of addressing the problem.

    He advocated the involvement of all segment of the society to ensure success.

    The war against corruption, Akinseye-George added, must be championed by the leaders, who must lead by example.

    Yamusa, who equally called on all to support the government’s anti-corruption fight, urged political leaders to learn to exercise political powers for the benefit of the people and the society.

  • Grand corruption under Jonathan cannot be forgotten- Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has justified the continued reference to the extent of corruption under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Osinbajo spoke at the 10th birthday colloquium held in Lagos in honour of a National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu.

    According to him, there need to highlight what he described as grand corruption in the last administration because of the impact on the present state of the country’s economy.

    “Nigeria is where it is today because of the corruption that was perpetrated by previous administration.

    “We will talk about grand corruption, ” recalling the Yoruba proverb that translates thus: Frog says when discussion gets to the issue of tail, we should skip it. He says we must ensure Nigeria never takes such road (of corruption) again!.

    ” If we do not kill corruption, corruption will kill us,” Osinbajo stated.

    While admitting that the best times of the country are yet to come in accordance with the change promised by the APC, Osinbajo said “we are getting better and better”

     

  • Osinbajo, wife, Tinubu, Aregbesola, Fayose, Akande, Daniel, others bid Alake’s father-in-law farewell

    High profile dignitaries including the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo; his wife, Dolapo; National Leader All Progressives Congress (APC),  Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Osun State Governor,  Rauf Aregbesola;  his Ekiti counterpart, Ayo Fayose; former governor of Osun State and former interim national chairman of APC Bisi Akande;  yesterday witnessed the funeral  ceremony of the father-in –law to a former Commissioner of Information and Startegy in Lagos State, Mr Dele Alake, Pa Emmanuel Elegbede.

    A former governor of Ogun State, Otuba Gbenga Daniel and ex-Minister of State for Defence, Mr Musiliu Obanikoro attended the funeral service held at Araromi Baptist Church on Moloney Street, Lagos Island yesterday.

    The list also include the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Tunji Bello; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kehinde Bamigbetan, his wife Fatima; Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief, Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation, Victor Ifijeh; the Daily Editor of the newspaper, Gbenga Omotoso;  Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard Newspaper, Gbenga Adefaye; Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, Mr Bayo Onanuga; ex- Commissioner for Finance,Lagos State, Wale Edun; popular lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN); a former senator representing Lagos West, Tokunbo Afikuyomi; Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Ferry Services, Paul Kalejaiye and Hon Daniel Kalejaiye, among others.

    In his sermon, Rev Shola Idowu  urged the children to follow the footsteps of their father.

    He described Elegbede as a man that lived for the service of God, nothing that his life his worthy of emulation.

    “Baba has died and has gone to rest in the bosom of the Lord. We all will die someday. We must live for God.”

    Pa Elegbede was buried at Vaults and Gardens in Ikoyi. He was 89. Guests were later entertained at  Harbour Point on Victoria Island.

    Until his retirement, he was on the board of directors of both Vono Plc  and Nipol Plc. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, children,  grandchildren and great grandchildren.

    Osinbajo described Elegbede as a good man whose life is worthy of emulation.

    He urged his children to emulate the good life their father lived, saying he has gone to rest in the Lord.

    “The last time I saw him he was still strong and I never knew he would be leaving us so soon.”

    Bamigbetan said Elegbede showed love to all those around him

    “He encouraged his children to show kindness to everyone and many of them are doing so up till today. He was committed Christian that lived a good Christian life. He was compassionate.”

    Alake said his father in law was a detailed and organised man, adding that he lived a good and outstanding life.”

    “He wrote with his hand writing his biography and the order of his obituary.  He organised his passage and we are doing today what he wrote down. He wrote down the names and phone numbers of those he want us to contact when he takes his last breath. He wrote down names of individuals, institutions, organisation and clubs.

    “He had the details of all his children and grandchildren. He has details of me more than I do of myself.”

    He added that his father- in- law left with them the legacy to be meticulous, accountable,  transparent, serious and jovial.

    Elegbede’s first daughter, Abosede Adebiyi said her father was a loving and caring husband and father.  “He was disciplined, God fearing and he brought us up in the way of the Lord. He taught us how to be well organized and that in whatever we want to achieve in life, we have to dream about it, write it down in a paper and follow what we have written down.”

    She added that he was a jovial father, he was disciplined and he made sure all his children were well educated.  “He took good care of us all and the extended family. He is a powerful man and always encouraged us to know God is on our side. He was a man of many parts.

    “He taught us honestly and made sure all his children are organised.  He has records of all his children. I pity my mother more because she will miss him much more. They have been together for 66 years. His legacies of honesty and organisation will live on for life in us”.