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Tag: Osinbajo

  • Buhari’s return will yield double growth for economy – Osinbajo

    Buhari’s return will yield double growth for economy – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said on Tuesday the return of President Muhammadu Buhari to the country would yield double growth for the Nigerian economy.

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

    Osinbajo said: “The President, of course as you know, is very committed to everything we have done. I mean, as much as it was possible, we worked together on most of these issues. And what we are doing essentially was executing a plan, the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and we intend to continue to execute it as efficiently as possible.

    “So, I think we should expect double efforts as opposed to single effort now that the President is back. And I’m sure that you are going to see very strong leadership.”

    According to him, the common man on the street will soon begin to see and feel the real growth of the economy.

    “So I think the common man would begin to see, because we are talking about real growth, we are talking about growth in jobs, and a lot of that is going to start with actual production dealing with agriculture first.

    “We are hoping that the agro-processing would catch up. We are hoping that resource manufacturing also would catch up, all of the resource manufacturing. We are hoping that even the innovation and technology-led manufacturing will also catch up.

    “But in all of these, you know we are at a point where I think we are taking off quite well and we will soon see significant improvement in the lives of the people.”

    He said the Nigerian domestic market is large enough to create the kind of opportunities that other countries would salivate about.

    “So, I think we are in a good place. We are certainly behind the curve in terms of realising the potential in agriculture, the potential in agro-processing. But in the past year and a half, I think that more and more innovation and opportunities are arising and more people are going into farming. More and more investors are coming into farming, so we think we are in a very good place,” the vice president stated.

     

     

  • Osinbajo, governors meet to boost youths’ involvement in agriculture

    Osinbajo, governors meet to boost youths’ involvement in agriculture

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday met with some state governors and government officials towards facilitating youth’s involvement in agriculture.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the closed door meeting, Jigawa State Governor, Abubakar Badaru, said the meeting would pave way for youths to go into provision of agricultural services.

    He said: “The meeting was about job creation using agriculture and agriculture value- chain. We are considering ways to mobilize youths to go into agriculture and agricultural services including production, retailing and wholesale.

    “There is a new decision that states should endeavour to support the Federal Government or partner with the federal government in empowerment, helping the youths in agriculture and agriculture value chain.”

    Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, said: “The vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who chaired the meeting as my brother has said, recognised the need to do more.

    “The potential of agriculture has been recognised. Land and people are in the states. Partnership between the federal and state governments is required and that has been recognised.

    “We reviewed progress achieved and what can be done, particularly to create new jobs. We have charged all states to see what they can do more so that in the next couple of weeks we will have an action plan.”

  • Osinbajo hails ECOWAS bank for infrastructure funding, development

    Osinbajo hails ECOWAS bank for infrastructure funding, development

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday praised the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) for being proactive in infrastructure funding and development in the sub-region.

    He sated this while declaring open the 15th Ordinary Session of the Board of Governors’ of EBID in Abuja

    According to him, a strong, vibrant and creative EBID is a strong pillar in the development of the sub-region.

    He said: “So, without question, the challenges today call for greater creativity and foresight in supporting and making investments in our member countries.

    “So one of the crucial issues today which will decisively impact the future is how the bank can make a difference in the lives of our young people.

    “And there are opportunities for strategic investments in relevant education; especially in the under-served disciplines such as science, education, engineering and mathematics.

    ‘’Perhaps also the rising scale of foreign investment influence in business start-ups by our young people should be taken by our local finance institutions such as the EBID as a challenge to be just as relevant and invested in the dreams and visions of our local talents.

    ‘’Here in Nigeria we like to see you become more active in supporting our investments and infrastructure ambitions.’’

    NAN

     

  • PMB: How Osinbajo fared

    SIR: Dear President, while you were away on medical leave, detractors, using politicking, agitations and hate speeches made several attempts to take over the polity, but acting President Yemi Osinbajo remained resolute on promoting good governance and purposeful leadership. Osinbajo avoided attempts to make him deviate from your collective drive for positive change to mundane politics. Many detractors tried to create imaginary scenarios to brainwash the public into thinking that Vice President Osinbajo was not in control as acting President, but he was never distracted. Dear President, you have indeed, a reliable and dependable Vice President, whom you can always expect to get required support from, anytime anywhere.

    When one looks at the relationships between many leaders and their deputies in the past and present, it is apparent that there have never been two persons like you and Osinbajo who have shown Nigerians how delegating power is used for the benefit of the nation and for the development of democracy instead for personal motives. The two of you have set a standard which should become a model for leaders and assistants to follow, if our democracy must continue to flourish.

    Nigeria has witnessed numerous cases of leaders and their assistants turning against one another. Some have even turned out to become sworn enemies.

    Daer President, you and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo have re-established the ideal of one presidency and it is working well for the good of the country and democracy. The two of you have redefined how we view the President vis-a-vis the Vice President. You have created an atmosphere of progressive political synergy never seen in Aso Rock villa in recent times.

    It is a known fact that relationship between you and Prof has looked promising since your campaign days. Both of you have unique chemistry. Civility of the two of you distinguished men has kept the relationship of the Buhari/Osinbajo presidency close, warm and friendly. Few politicians are not happy with the way Osinbajo ran the affairs of the nation according to your expectations. These politicians are the ‘regular’ Nigerian politicians who run politics just for personal gains. Their selfish expectations from the Muhammadu Buhari government have not materialized. These politicians have forgotten that the only item that has kept and is keeping your presidency afloat is the ordinary man on the street. But for the ordinary-man’s belief in Buhari School, no political-leader in Nigeria can take some of the stringent decisions as you did without drawing the ire of the masses.

    Welcome back! In your vice president Yemi Osinbajo you have got a potential ‘heir-apparent’ who shares your thoughts, style and commitment to nationbuilding without any overriding personal interest. During your absence, Professor Osinbajo was able to tacitly calm nerves of agitators, maintain the administration’s credibility; re-evoke public confidence, reassure Nigerians of your administration’s empathy with the suffering of masses and the commitment to do something to alleviate that suffering. What most Nigerians are expecting now is cabinet reshuffle; new hands, portfolio reassignment and reduction of burdens of jobs on some ministers. Most Nigerians still believe that you are the right man to push the right button for a bold, home-grown and off-the-shelf development model that will focus on promoting economic growth, massive structural changes and improving the potential of Nigeria’s human capital through both public and private channels.

     

    • Zayyad I. Muhammad,

    Jimeta, Adamawa State.

  • Buhari meets Osinbajo, others in Aso Rock

    Buhari meets Osinbajo, others in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met behind closed doors with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and other government officials at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Also at the meeting were the Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, and the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina.

    The Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Alhaji Kawu Sumaila, was also in the President’s office to collect letter of resumption of duties for onward transmission to the National Assembly.

    Osinbajo, who received President Buhari on arrival from London on Saturday, also met behind closed doors with the President in his office for about two hours.

    Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, was also sighted moving towards the President’s office.

    The President is expected to receive more visitors including some service chiefs and ministers who will brief him on developments in their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the coming days.

    NAN

     

  • FG spent N1.3tr on capital projects in 2016 – Osinbajo

    FG spent N1.3tr on capital projects in 2016 – Osinbajo

    Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo said on Monday the present administration spent a total of N1.3trillion on capital projects last year.

    He said the amount was the highest ever spent by any government in the country.

    “The power sector reform is also ongoing as it is one of the most important sectors in the country,” he said.

    The vice president stated these during a plenary session at the 2017 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Conference themed: ‘African Business: Penetrating Through Institution Building,” which opened in Lagos on Monday.

    The session titled: “Conversations With The Vice-President,” was moderated by Miss Zain Asher of the CNN.

    Osinbajo said the most important reform of this administration has been the setting of foundation for the nation’s economic recovery.

    “We have set a foundation of rebuilding the economy, creating the Single Treasury Account (TSA), monitoring government spending, modified the tax system to be more efficient and implemented executive orders,” he added.

    Osinbajo said government has also cleared the mess inherited from ex- President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

     

     

  • Osinbajo: Many are happy that Buhari is back

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo said yesterday that Nigerians are happy that President Muhammadu Buhari is back in the country.

    He was reacting to the enthusiasm displayed by Nigerians on the President’s return.

    “It was a natural reaction, most people heard of his arrival only a few hours before then, but as you can see, the response was so spontaneous,” he told reporters after a meeting with the President at the State House, Abuja.

    He added: “So, I think that people were so excited and very happy. Many Nigerians who lined up on the road to receive the president as he came back, many Nigerians are happy that the president is hale and hearty and that he has come back.”

    Thousands of Abuja residents lined both sides of the road, chanting “Baba Oyoyo”.

    Buhari even ordered his convoy to stop to enable him acknowledge his supporters.

    Osinbajo said the recuperation of the president is an indication that the country would recover.

    “The message to Nigerians is that the recovery and recuperation of the president is in some sense symbolic of the recovery of Nigeria,” he said.

    “Nigeria is going to recover. We are on the path of strong economic recovery and this is an excellent sign that the country is on the right side. There is great hope, there is great excitement and we are going to make it as a nation.”

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State said Nigerians should “not play politics with everything.”

    The PDP governor added: “We are here talking about health, irrespective of the party l belong to, you can see that l am here today to rejoice with the family. That is how it is supposed to be. Don’t play politics with health issues, don’t do that. So, irrespective of what is going on out there, one is happy to be here.”

  • Osinbajo to attend Rwanda President’s inauguration

    Osinbajo to attend Rwanda President’s inauguration

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has travelled to Kigali, Rwanda, to attend President Paul Kagame’s inauguration.

    The Friday’s ceremony which is expected to be witnessed by several African Heads of State and Government, followed President Kagame’s victory in the Rwandan presidential election held on August 4.

    A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, said Osinbajo was accompanied on the trip by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.

    The acting President is expected back in Abuja later on Friday.

  • Hate speech’ll be treated as treason, says Osinbajo

    Hate speech’ll be treated as treason, says Osinbajo

    HATE speech promoters got a warning yesterday – stop it or face the law.

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo said that those making hate speeches will henceforth be treated as terrorists.

    He spoke in Abuja during the National Economic Council (NEC) Retreat on National Security, attended by governors and some ministers.

    Stressing that government is tired of series of hate speeches going-on around the country, he said such speeches were categorised under the law as acts of terrorism.

    Nigeria, Osinbajo said, has been beclouded with incitement capable of jeopardising peaceful coexistence.

    He said: “Please permit me a comment on hate speech. The Federal Government has today drawn the line on hate speech. Hate speech is a specie of terrorism.

    “Terrorism, as it is defined popularly is the unlawful use of violence or intimidation against individuals or groups, especially for political ends. The law, that is the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 (as amended), defines terrorism as inter Alia, an act which is deliberately done with malice which may seriously harm or damage a country or seriously intimidate a population.

    “The intimidation of a population by words, by speech is an act of terrorism and this government intends to take this matter very seriously. As I have said, we’ve drawn a line against hate speech, it will not be tolerated, it will be taken as an act of terrorism and all of the consequences will follow it.”

    The Acting President urged business, religious and political leaders to condemn hate speech in the strongest possible terms at all times.

    According to him, leaders who keep mum can only be seen as supporting the hate speeches.

    Osinbajo said: “Hate speech, and the promotion of the same throughout history; from Nazi Germany and the extermination of Jews to the Rwandan genocide succeeded in achieving their barbarous ends by the silence of influential voices from the aggressor communities.

    “When leaders in communities that speak in such a manner as to create dissension or to intimidate a population are quiet, they do a great disservice to our unity and nation.

    “This is why I urge all of our political leaders, religious leaders, business leaders and all of those who truly want a united country and a country where there will be peace and security, to ensure that we do not tolerate by our silence the hate speech that we hear every day in our community.”

    Stressing that the Constitution states that the primary purpose of government shall be the security and welfare of the people, Osinbajo quoted President Muhammadu Buhari as saying: “you cannot administer a country you have not secured.”

    “Corruption and security are also interconnected. We are all witnesses to how, only a few years ago, much of North Eastern Nigeria was at risk of falling completely into the hands of Boko Haram, largely because widespread corruption in the military had robbed our troops of the resources and morale needed to fight and defeat the terrorists.

    “Regarding this all-important issue of security in Nigeria, we all know what the issues are. In our lives as politicians and as elites; in our security meetings and confidential briefings, in news reports and editorials in the media, we are all daily confronted by the disturbing reality of Nigeria’s security situation.

    Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen (CJN) pledged the commitment of the judiciary to doing things differently for a good society where peace and justice reign.

    He said “I want to tell you also that though we also say that there are two sides to a coin, in reality, there are three sides to a coin. In our condition in terms of where we find ourselves today, it is my personal view that insecurity, corruption, and impunity are the three sides of the same coin which ought to be taken together holistically if we are to move the country forward.

    Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari said that 99.9% of insecurity issues largely emanate from the states; only few are in the centre in Abuja.

    He said: “It is the primary responsibility of government to secure lives and properties of its citizens. Governors are doing their best and the security chiefs can attest to that. We have been shouldering so many responsibilities of logistics in our separate states.

    “If government will not achieve anything, it must achieve two things- fighting corruption and ensuring that they fix insecurity.

    “We are still having some pockets of issues in the Northeast, which is Worrisome. In the last 12 months we were experiencing some kind of Progress, but, all of a sudden it resurfaced again. And also you will agree with me that the issue of security is two sides although the CJN said it is three sides. Security and the economy has to work together.

    “The issue of insecurity is being supported by our teeming youths on thestreets and they are saying that anybody

    “Government needs to deploy resources and encourage both those from the centre to employ those youths on the streets and take them out of the street so that they can have something good to engage them.

    We have not been paying much attention to agriculture. In the last 10 years, only N400billion was invested from either the Central Bank of Nigeria or commercial banks or the capital markets.

    “But in 2010, Amcon came to rescue banks with bad debts and over N4trillion was injected into Amcon and no much impact was made on agric. And even the Anchor Borrowers programme two years only N23billion has been invested for 200,000 farmers across the nation. In two years, N23billion can do nothing to the sector that we believe can give employment to 75% of Nigerians. Something has to be done.” he stated.

  • Attention, acting President Osinbajo

    Attention, acting President Osinbajo

    The days are evil, perilous. They are filled with stench while exhuming every indices of war, bloodbath and bloodletting; signs of bad omen.

    Old memories of injustices have been revived. Lost and past war sores have been reopened.  And scars now bear testimonies of previous adventures.

    War drums have been reinvented by the drummer boys and the moribund instruments of battle have been dusted, lubricated and set in motion once again.  Agitations of unquantifiable measures now stare us in the face while elders and supposed leaders of thoughts watch the tottering and sliding of our dear nation into anarchic and diarchic state.

    There is palpable fear of the unknown everywhere. Danger has become our companion and threats a way of life of the people. The shock in us all has been liquidated by our acculturation of abnormalities.

    Just recently, the world was jolted and brought to a standstill following the carnage visited on a group of worshippers on a Sunday morning, who had gone to worship their God and probably pray for more of his grace. In that singular incident, choreographed in Ozubulu, Anambra State, a dozen-plus was sent to their early grave for committing no other crime than attending a church service, where the source of money used in erecting such God’s edifice is still a subject of mystery.

    And what’s more?  Here and there the Fulani herdsmen harvest dead bodies like great farmers. While the Boko Haram insurgents mine dead bodies like oil wells here.

    And right here, a date – October 1 has been specially set aside by the Arewas as the D- day for the expulsion of Igbos from the North without rebuttal.

    And yet again, government has been running like everything is under control; losing no sleep and taking no actions whatsoever to reassure as well as reassert its promise of safeguarding lives and property as pledged during inauguration.

    I want to remind acting President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, that power,  I mean political power has since been dully and constitutionally transferred to him as the custodian of Nigerians. His silence and lack of action since the threats, quit notices, war songs and hate speeches from Prof. Ango Abdullahi, Junaid Muhammed, both  elders from the North and the host other threats to our corporate existence is highly regrettable.

    By now,  I had thought the Arewa youths would have been facing trials for that treasonable quit notice on fellow Nigerians for no just cause or better still, they would have rescinded their statement with unalloyed apology. Just as I have long waited in vain for a clampdown on the northern elders who openly backed their youths for issuing a notice on the Igbo without arrest.

    Meanwhile, the new and trending female artist behind the war song must be fished out and probably get locked up and eventually prosecuted for taking us through the Rwandan routes for her thirst for the blood of innocent Nigerians.

     

    • Gwiyi Solomon,

    Enugu.