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Tag: Osinbajo

  • Osinbajo, Borno Governor, service chiefs meet in Aso Rock

    Osinbajo, Borno Governor, service chiefs meet in Aso Rock

    •Fed Govt backs Bama initiative 

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday met behind closed doors with Service chiefs and Borno State Governor Kashim Ibrahim.

    The meeting, which held at the Presidential Villa in  Abuja, started few minutes to 6p.m at the Vice President’s conference room.

    At the meeting were the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Abayomi Olonishakin, Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai and Chief of Air Staff Sadique Abubakar.

    Others are: Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari, National Security Adviser(NSA) Babagana Monguno and  Interior Minister Abdulraman Dambazzau.

    Governor Shettima told reporters at the end of the meeting that the parley was an exploratory one to cross pollinate ideas on the rebuilding of the northeast.

    He said the Federal Government has magnanimously decided to support the state in the Bama initiative, which is a pilot scheme.

    The governor hoped that the scheme will be replicated in all parts of the devastated Northeast.

    He said: “It’s an exploratory discussion and once it comes on stream you will be informed. It’s about restoring the dignity of our people about rebuilding lives, infrastructure, schools, clinic its about giving hope to the hopeless.”

    On how much is being committed to the project, he said: “I do not have the mandate to state, its still in the exploratory case, its not for me to pass judgment on how much is going to be committed but its partnership that will certainly work.

    “The Federal Government, he said, is committed to assisting the zone to rehabilitate educational infrastructures, health infrastructures so that the people can get back on their feet once and for all.”

    On constant bombings in the area, he said: “Well, its not constant per say, if you juxtapose the sorry state of affairs two years ago with the current state of affairs, there is cause for celebration to me personally even these suicide bombings is a sign of weakness on the part of Boko Haram.

    “Two years ago, they were holding unto 22 out of 27 local government areas, they have been sufficiently decimated. I am not under rating their capacity from the state but these are lunatics who basks on the opportunity of publicity to kill and maim so that they can get greater regard in the global Jihadist community.

    “Definitely, we are also coming up with robust response towards addressing this issue of suicide bombing. We have challenges no doubt about it. I am not actually discounting that fact but when you put it in proper contest you will see that a lot has been done, they have been sufficiently decimated so that they can no longer hold on to any territory in the Nigerian federation.”

  • Osinbajo, Borno governor, service chiefs meet in Aso Rock

    Osinbajo, Borno governor, service chiefs meet in Aso Rock

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday met behind closed doors with the Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima and service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The closed-door meeting started at about 6:00 p.m. at the Vice President’s conference room.

    Those at the meeting included the Minister of Defense, Mansur Dan-Ali, Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Abayomi Olonishakin, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar.

    Others at the meeting are the – Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; and the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Shettima said the meeting was an exploratory one designed to cross pollinate ideas on the rebuilding of the North East.

    He said the Federal Government has magnanimously decided to support the state in the Bama initiative, which is a pilot scheme.

    The governor hoped that the scheme would be replicated in all parts of the devastated North East.

    He said: “It was an exploratory discussion and once it comes on stream you would be informed. The meeting was about restoring the dignity of our people about rebuilding lives, infrastructure, schools and clinic.

    “I do not have the mandate to state how much is being committed to the project, it is still in the exploratory case and it is not for me to pass judgment on how much is going to be committed. But it is a partnership that would certainly work.”

    The federal government, he said, is committed to assisting the zone to rehabilitate educational and health infrastructures so the people can get back on their feet once and for all.

    On constant bombings in the area, he added:”Well, it is not constant per say, if you juxtapose the sorry state of affairs two years ago with the current state of affairs, there is cause for celebration to me personally even these suicide bombings is a sign of weakness on the part of Boko Haram.

    “Two years ago they were holding unto 22 out of 27 local government areas in the state and they have been sufficiently decimated. I am not under- rating their capacity from the state but these are lunatics who basks on the opportunity of publicity to kill and maim so that they can get greater regard in the global Jihadist community.”

     

     

  • Kidnapped Lagos school kids back soon, says Osinbajo

    Kidnapped Lagos school kids back soon, says Osinbajo

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday assured parents and guardians of the kidnapped Lagos school kids of their safe return.

    He told reporters on the sideline of 60th birthday thanksgiving service of Pastor Salami Ololade in Lagos that the Federal Government was collaborating with the state’s authorities to ensure their safe return.

    On May 25, six boys of Model College, Igbonla, Epe, were abducted by gunmen. In the same school, six staff members and four students were kidnapped in October 2016.

    The acting president acknowledged that the parents must be going through trauma over the abduction of the children, but said “there should be no doubt at all about the commitment of government in the matter.

    “I don’t know how many times the governor has spoken to me about this and the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, the DSS and even the Armed Forces.

    “I am sure these children will return as quickly as possible; so, we look forward to their return,’’ he said.

    Osinbajo advised children on holidays to learn something new outside academics, saying “because it is a long holiday, it is a great time to do something new.

    “Those who like to learn a skill, whatever skill that may be, should learn it. I wished that when I was growing up I learned even carpentry’’.

    He said children could learn something new that would impact on their lives and their communities in new fields of technology.

  • Osinbajo mourns Onagoruwa

    Osinbajo mourns Onagoruwa

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has expressed sadness over the passing of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Dr. Olu Onagoruwa.

    In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo extended condolences to the Onagoruwa family, his friends and associates on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria.

    He also condoled with Ogun State government and the people, the Nigeria Bar Association as well as the human rights community.

    The Acting President noted that the life and times of Onagoruwa, an ardent advocate of the rule of law and constitutionalism, reflected a combination of profound scholarship, courage in the face of tyranny and admirable grace in conduct and manner, even in grave travails and trials.

    He said as a lawyer, Onagoruwa served the oppressed and gave voice to the voiceless, fearlessly and selflessly.

    According to Osinbajo, the deceased was a tireless proponent of the freedom of the press and a champion of fundamental human rights.

    Onagoruwa, he said, proved to be principled and forthright both in private practice and as Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

    The Acting President said the country today mourns a true patriot, who served his nation and its people with singular zeal and dedication.

    He believed that his legacy as a scholar, writer, human rights activist, and strong voice for the less-privileged in the society will long be remembered.

    Osinbajo prayed that the Almighty God will comfort his family, friends and associates and bless his memory.

  • Osinbajo seeks NASS approval for N135bn ‘virement’

    Osinbajo seeks NASS approval for N135bn ‘virement’

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday asked the National Assembly to approve a virement of N135.6billion for 14 Federal Ministries and the Office of the Secretary of Government of the Federation (OSGF).

    Osinbajo, in a letter to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and dated July 18, 2017, said the virement was aimed at improving the wellbeing of Nigerians.

    The letter reads: “You will recall that the 2017 Appropriation Bill was signed into law on  June 12, 201

    “However, prior to the signing, discussions and consultations were held between the Executive and the leadership of the National Assembly on some critical priority items for which adequate provisions had not been made in the 2017 Appropriation Act.

    “You would also recall that it was agreed that the Executive should submit a virement proposal to the National Assembly for your consideration.

    “The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to forward the virement proposal.

    “The amount of virement being proposed is N135, 643,081,749.

    “In the light of the above, I implore you to urgently consider this virement proposal in order to support our collective efforts to improve the wellbeing of our citizens.”

    Speaker Dogara referred the letter to the House Committee on Appropriation for further legislative actions.

  • German petitions Osinbajo over Yari’s failuire to pay contract debt

    German petitions Osinbajo over Yari’s failuire to pay contract debt

    German businessman Richard Klosa has taken on Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari over failure to pay him N195 million for a contract executed in the state.

    Klosa who was awarded a contract to supply and install some equipment for the state radio station in 2013, executed the project but he is yet to be paid his balance of N195 million, four years after the contract was executed.

    The businessman has called on Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to intervene and compel the governor to pay up.

    Klosa lamented that the governor’s refusal to pay him his balance had resulted in his inability to pay office rent in the last three years, pay his employees in the last two years, adding that it has attracted Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS) to paste a notice on his office entrance, barring people from doing business with him.

    The German Embassy has also intervened by writing a letter to the governor but till date, the letter is yet to be replied, Klosa claimed.

    Speaking to reporters, the German said: “My company was awarded a contract by the Governor of Zamfara State Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar in February 2013 for the supply and installation of Radio studio equipment.

    “It was his Excellency’s desire to commission the place on 29th of May, 2013 being two years in office. We discovered that the building complex to host the digital studio equipment erected by a local contractor lacked air conditioners, earthing system, proper electrification and many other omissions. We made it known to the then Commissioner of Information Ibrahim Mohammed who mandated us to also supply and install these additional equipment.

    “We were asked to source for money and obtain a commitment letter and we were promised payment immediately after commissioning. We had to take loan for that.

    “We had to use the parallel market rate for the purchase of Forex complained to FGPC, Gusau about the exchange rate difference they used and finished all assignments in record time as we got ready in the night of the 28 of May, 2013.

    “I started writing letters and tried to see the governor in Gusau, Sokoto, Kano and Abuja, but he refused to see me. I involved party members, family members, friends and even the EFCC for assistance with no result.

    “Two years after commissioning, our German technical partners MCI Studio Hamburg, lost confidence in us as we were owing them approximately EUR161 plus interest as balance payment from that project and they took us to court.”

    Despite the outstanding debt, Klosa said he was invited for the implement another contract.

    He said: “In August last year, I received a phone call from the new Commissioner for Information, Umar Bukuyum inviting me on behalf of the governor to come to Nigeria and carry out assessment work and raise fresh proposals for their new AM,FM Radio and TV facilities which we did. I reminded the Commissioner of Information of the old outstanding amount and that this old issue would definitely be part of my mission.

    “Seeing the governor with my new proposals and my file concerning the old outstanding amount became a problem although I was in Nigeria on the Governor’s invitation. We finally tracked him down in Kaduna and he approved all proposals and asked the Commissioner to raise his memos to kick-start the projects and also bring my file with evidencing document to his office the following b Monday to call the Commissioner of Finance to release payment instructions for the old balance.

    “I thought that it was the end of my bitter road, my old balance to be paid and new contracts as compensation, not knowing that this was the last time I heard from the two of them. I made a last attempt in December 2016, I spent five days in Gusau but the governor refused to see me.

    “I also involved the German Embassy in Abuja which wrote a letter to the governor on 23rd of February, 2017 and the letter is yet unreplied. As a result of efforts within the past five months, my story is also known to the minister of information, the minister of Defence, the EFCC, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Committee working under the Vice President, and other high ranking APC politicians.”

    Continuing on what the refusal of the balance has caused, he said: “Since the commissioning of the project, I made 17 journeys to Nigeria to request for my balance payment in order to get justice and restore my reputation. It appears I am not only addressing the Governor of Zamfara, but an established system which does not recognize that my case is no longer a local issue but an international scandal.

    “Is it not Germany that accepted the majority of migrants in recent times and provides shelter and social welfare to all including a lot of Nigerians? Can Nigeria afford to overlook the injustice rendered by one governor to a German?

    “The governor’s refusal to pay has led to my inability to pay the office rent at Abuja for the past three years, I have not been able to pay salaries for the past two years, “The FIRS is on our neck to the extent that they have put stickers on the office door warning people not to transact business with us.

    “We had to close our German office in April this year, German friends who also granted loans to sustain our living are now demanding their money back, very forcefully by now and total loss of reputation both in Germany and Nigeria.”

    When asked if he had taken the matter to court since all efforts proved abortive, he said: “I have been in Nigeria for the past 41 years and I know what the judicial system is all about.

    “I don’t want to undergo the stress of adjourning the matter forever. Also, what kind of judgment do you expect from the judicial system considering the fact that the governor represents a government and he has money compared to me who has been made broke?”

  • Osinbajo pledges tax relief to investors in creative arts

    Osinbajo pledges tax relief to investors in creative arts

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has pledged to grant tax relief for willing investors in the creative sector of the economy.

    The decision, he said, is to boost investor confidence in the industry and grow the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 1.42 per cent to five per cent.

    Prof Osinbajo gave the assurance  at  a two-day Creative Nigeria Summit that focused on: Financing the Film, Television and Music Industries. The forum was held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

    Represented by the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, Osinbajo praised key sector players for the effort put into  the industry at the international centre stage, saying the administration’s blueprint of economic recovery centered on streghtening the industry to maximise its potential.

    “We have identified, after the economic recovery growth plan three critical issues including agriculture, youth enterprise and the creative industry. We are looking at a situation where we provide tax relief for those who invest and venture in the creative industries as being done in other countries.

    “While we are looking for how to collect more tax, we are also trying to look at how we can provide incentives to people. We are creating a pulling and funding structure where certain taxes will be evitable for tax relief for those investing.  We are trying to diversify our revenue sources and so your success is one of the stories we want to be able to tell about successful Nigerian diversification,” he said.

    While the government may not consider direct funding, Osinbajo said enabling infrastructure, policy  support in raising revenue streams, protection of intellectual property and support for hitch free licensing, and mechandising, among other needs, would be tackled.

    Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed urged the industry executives to increase engagement with the government and present research based solutions to guide government’s intervention, saying the industry has the capacity to churn out one million jobs if critical challenges are addressed.

    “We are determined to make the industry a major plank of government diversification efforts. Several MoU have been signed to allow the creative talent of our teeming youth blossom and create more jobs. But these jobs will not come unless we remove the obstacles hampering the growth of the industry. Th e conference is a practical steps towards  removing the impediments. So, we want a situation where we are given an informed and evidence based research that will make us understand the industry better,” he said.

  • Buhari weighs return options, backs Osinbajo

    Buhari weighs return options, backs Osinbajo

    • Presidency: Buhari, Osinbajo met for an hour
    • Why Acting President engaged NASS leadership again

    President Muhammadu Buhari is keen on returning home from London as early as possible to quell speculations about him, highly placed sources said last night.

    He is already weighing two options on his return from the United Kingdom where he is recuperating.

    One is: be back in two weeks time while the other is to apply for his accumulated annual leave to enable him complete his medicals before returning to his desk.

    But he has given Acting President Yemi Osinbajo full backing  in respect of all the steps taken to keep the government on course.

    Osinbajo on Thursday engaged the leadership of the National Assembly in a fresh round of talks to mend the fence with the legislative arm.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that Buhari and some of his associates were worried by speculations about his medical trip and are now disposed to clearing the air on his well being.

    This development, sources said, largely accounted for the recent visit to the President in London by Osinbajo and some kitchen cabinet members or loyalists.

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami(SAN), the Director-General of the Department of State Security Service(DSS), Mallam Lawan Daura, and the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu  are among those who have visited the President, The Nation was told last night.

    One of the sources said that apart from checking on the health of the President, one of the issues which cropped up was his return.

    It was gathered that Buhari’s mindset was quick recovery and commitment to his pledges to the nation.

    The source said: “There are two options being considered. One of it is the likely return of the President within the next two weeks to put all speculations on his health to rest, and for him to decide some outstanding issues.

    “The alternative is to apply for his accumulated annual leave to complete his medicals and the last leg of his recuperation before coming back to his desk.

    “In spite of the fact that the President’s notice to the National Assembly is still subsisting, his return might douse tension in the country including intra-cabinet intrigues.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “I think none of the options has been agreed on.”

    Sources also confirmed that the Buhari and Osinbajo actually met for an hour on Tuesday.

    “They had a robust audience and the President told Osinbajo, “any decision you take, you have my backing. Make sure you keep the country united.” The President has full confidence in his deputy,” one of the sources said.

    “And the Acting President has been loyal and sustaining the vision of the President.”

    On the latest meeting between the Acting President and principal officers of the National Assembly, a source said:  “Osinbajo is trying to bridge the communication gap between the Executive and the Legislature. This was why he met with the leaders of the National Assembly.

    “I can assure you that a truce is likely. The only outstanding matter is the fate of the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu which only the President will decide.

    “At the Thursday session, issues bordering on the budget, compliance with resolutions and summons and others were mutually discussed.”

     

  • Osinbajo waxes lyrical about wife @ 50

    Osinbajo waxes lyrical about wife @ 50

    ACTING President Yemi Osinbajo went poetic yesterday to celebrate wife, Oludolapo, as she turned 50 years.

    He celebrated the mother of their three children as “gift from God,” and “my treasure.”

    The love tune rang out on the Acting President’s Twitter handle @Prof Yemi Osinbajo where he said: My gift from God, watching over me, my support, at my side, my wings, my wife. Happy birthday Oludolapo. You are my treasure.

    The birthday girl responded with: “Thanking God for 50 years of His grace. #CakeAtMidnight,” gushing over the birthday cake her husband gave her at midnight.

  • Osinbajo hails group’s advocacy on entrepreneurship

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has commended Young Progressive Nigerians Initiatives (YPNI) for its advocacy drive on Entrepreneurship, Skills Acquisition and Citizenship Education in the country.

    He gave the commendation in Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital,  while receiving a copy of the book on entrepreneurship and citizenship education by YPNI’s chairman of BoT, Adekunle Osibogun, at a two-day clinic on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

    Osinbajo said: “Service to humanity is the best work of life. Please continue to serve humanity.

    “The more you take the indigents and under-privileged out of obscurity, the more favour and mercy you receive from God.”

    The Acting President, who was at YPNI’s exhibition stand at the clinic, also advised the youths trained by the non-profit organisation to be focused, diligent and consistent, urging them to keep striving until they get to the top.