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Tag: Osinbajo

  • Osinbajo visits Zamfara Tuesday

    Osinbajo visits Zamfara Tuesday

    All is now set in Zamfara State for Tuesday’s visit of Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

    While there, Osinbajo will declare open a number of projects executed by Gov. Abdulaziz Yari across the state.

    These include the federal government’s road linking Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states which was executed by the state government under an agreement for repayment by the federal government.

    The chairman of the state government committee for inauguration of government projects, Alhaji Lawal M-Liman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gusau that Osinbajo’s visit was also part of the Sixth year anniversary of Yari’s administration.

    M-Liman who is also the Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, said other projects to be inaugurated include General Hospital and Semi Urban Water Projects in Rini and Gamji communities in Bakura Local Government, Government Girl Science Secondary School Talata-Mafara; Government Girls’ Day Secondary School, Kwatarkwashi; Danturai Government Day Secondary School Gusau; and Bungudu local government areas.

    Also to be inaugurated is the School for Handicapped in Gummi Local Government, he said.

    According to him, the acting President is expected to pay courtesy visit to Gusau and Gummi emirates during the visit.

    Acting President was earlier scheduled to inaugurate the projects during the 2017 Democracy Day celebration but it was postponed till July 18.

  • Osinbajo to visit Zamfara Tuesday

    Osinbajo to visit Zamfara Tuesday

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo will begin a one day official visit to Zamfara on Tuesday.

    The acting President was scheduled to inaugurate projects executed by the state Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, across the state.

    The projects include a Federal Government road linking Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi States which was executed by the state government under agreement for repayment by federal government.

    The Chairman of the state government committee for inauguration of government projects, Alhaji Lawal M-Liman, said in Gusau on Saturday that Osinbajo’s visit was part of Yari’s administration sixth anniversary celebration.

    M-Liman, who is also the state’s Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, said other projects to be inaugurated included the General Hospital and Semi Urban Water Projects in Rini and Gamji communities in Bakura local government area of the state

    Others were – Government Girl Science Secondary School in Talata-Mafara, Government Girl Day Secondary School, Kwatarkwashi and Danturai Government Day Secondary School in Gusau and Bungudu local government areas.

    Also to be inaugurated was school for the handicapped in Gummi local government area, the commissioner said.

     

  • 2.3 million apply for fresh N-Power job – Osinbajo

    2.3 million apply for fresh N-Power job – Osinbajo

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo said on Friday that about 2.3 million individuals have already applied for engagement under the N-Power scheme.

    The government engaged 200,000 people under the scheme last year.

    Osinbajo spoke at N-Power call center in Abuja, where some of the youths were given tablets to facilitate their jobs.

    The acting President said: “Already 200,000 young people have been engaged. And since the programme was opened another 2.3 million have applied and we are looking at the next phase of engagement.

    “But for me I think what is important is that we are able to do this incrementally and we are able to give hope to some of these young people who need the opportunity.

    “We will never always be able to do everything but I think that it is important that we do as much as we can.

    “You will recall that the target was 500,000 but depending on our resources we can always do more but the target for now is 500,000.

    “But what I want to say to the young people working on this is that,  if we take the opportunity for instance if you look at the tablet given to them, the tablet contains so much information, so much learning material that one can really develop his skills in a wide variety of ways and be able to give himself greater opportunity.”

    According to him, the N-Power job is a learning programme and much more than an employment programme.

     

     

  • Osinbajo tasks manufacturers on standard products

    Osinbajo tasks manufacturers on standard products

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday urged manufacturers in the country to strive towards producing products that meet global standard.

    He assured manufacturers of improved power supply, saying the Federal Government was committed to resolving the challenges in the nation’s power sector.

    Osinbajo spoke in Ososa, Ogun State, during the facility tour of a sausage and beverages company – Rite Foods Limited.

    He lauded the company’s management for venturing into world class products by using locally sourced materials.

    “This is a great enterprise. The products are all over the country and are doing very well. I am very happy with what is happening here.

    “This is a classic example of a Nigerian spirit of hard work and entrepreneurship. This is excellent work and what we expect in every state,” he said.

    The acting President, who later attended the 7th edition of the Federal Government Nationwide Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Clinic in Abeokuta, highlighted some of the government’s policies on economic development.

    He said the federal government would soon open a-one-stop shop for all the regulatory agencies in Ogun State to stimulate economic growth.

     

  • Northern groups ask Osinbajo to suspend minister over alleged corruption

    Northern groups ask Osinbajo to suspend minister over alleged corruption

    Northern based groups under the aegis of Northern Youth Rights Protection and Northern Youth Development Association have asked the Acting President Yemi Osibajo to immediately suspend the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, over alleged corruption.

    The groups also asked the acting President to reinstate the NHIS Executive Secretary, Prof. Usman Yusuf, who was suspended by the minister.

    The groups at their respective press conferences said at no time was the suspended NHIS chief queried or given room to respond to any petition while the minister had several petitions against him for alleged corruption.

    “If there is anyone who should be suspended from office, it is the Health Minister and not Prof. Yusuf who so far has breached no law,”   they said.

    The Chairman of Northern Youth Rights Protection, Comrade Haruna Abdullahi Maikano, said: “Does Prof. Adewole possess the power to fire when he has no power to hire? The answer is assertive NO.”

    According to him, the minister acted in contradiction to extant laws and civil service rules.

    “Where did the minister obtain his power to remove the President’s appointee? So, it is a systematic plan to paint northerners black, and get rid of them from this administration,” Maikano stated.

    He urged Osinbajo to suspend the minister and reinstate the NHIS chief to his position immediately.

     

  • Buhari gives Osinbajo approval on some ‘decisions, appointments’

    Buhari gives Osinbajo approval on some ‘decisions, appointments’

    A Cabinet reshuffle is likely soon, The Nation learned yesterday.

    It is all part of the fallout of Tuesday’s London meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, sources said, pleading not to be named.

    Some ministers may be dropped.

    The imminent action is believed to be delaying the inauguration of the two ministers-designate already confirmed by the Senate.

    Some ministers may also swap portfolios in the new plan.

    The looming shake-up has caused anxiety among members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    It was also gathered that President Buhari endorsed all the measures taken by the Acting President to keep the nation united. Osinbajo was also said to have got approval for some decisions and appointments.

    According to the sources, the need to reshuffle the cabinet for “efficiency” was one of the key issues discussed between the President and the Acting President.

    It was however learned that it might not be a wholesale dissolution of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) “because the nation cannot afford such a luxury now”.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “There is likely shake-up of the cabinet in line with the new fast-paced focus of the Buhari administration. Some of the ministers cannot cope with the portfolios assigned to them.

    “Some ministers were also found to be behind the crisis of confidence between the Executive and the National Assembly.

    “So, apart from dropping some, others may swap portfolios for efficiency. It is just some restructuring of the cabinet to ensure service delivery.”

    Responding to a question, the source added that there had been anxiety among members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    “Obviously, there is disquiet in the cabinet on this latest development. I think the likely changes in the cabinet accounted for the delay in inaugurating two ministers-designate.

    “I cannot tell you when the changes will be effected but the cabinet shake-up came up as an item between the two leaders, “ the source said.

    Osinbajo is believed to have briefed the President on the renewed separatist and secession agitation.

    It was gathered that Buhari was shocked by the situation and insisted that Nigeria must be kept united.

    Another source said: “The President endorsed all the consultations and actions taken by the Acting President and asked him to continue to take steps to keep Nigeria indivisible.

    “The President was delighted that Osinbajo managed the threats to the nation’s unity with courage and maturity.”

    On some outstanding issues, the source said: “Osinbajo secured approval to take some decisions and make some appointments.”

    Regarding how the meeting went, the source added: “The President and the Acting President were together without any third party. And they had fruitful talks. We should expect some actions soon.”

    Also, there were indications last night that the Acting President briefed FEC on the health status of the President.

    A member said: “The Acting President told us that there was no cause for alarm. He said the President had been recuperating well.

    “We were all relieved because this first-hand information was the most authentic we have got.”

  • Osinbajo: Buhari in high spirits, recuperating fast

    Osinbajo: Buhari in high spirits, recuperating fast

    President Buhari is in high spirits and will return from his medical vacation soon, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, who visited him in London on Tuesday, said yesterday.

    He said the number one citizen is “recuperating very fast”.

    Prof. Osinbajo spoke to reporters just before entering the Council Chamber at the Presidential Villa for the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

    The President left Nigeria on May 7 on a follow-up consultation with his doctors.

    Osinbajo said: “Well, first as you know, I went to see him. I went to check up on him to find out how he was doing. I had of course been speaking on the phone and I thought it will be a good thing to go and see him and you know generally check up on how he was doing and also to brief him on developments back at home.”

    On the state of the President’s health, the Acting President said: “Well, as I have said, he is in very high spirits; he is recuperating very well and we had very long conversation. We spoke for well over an hour and his humor is all there. He is doing well and he is recuperating fast.”

    Asked when Buhari will return, Osinbajo said: “I think very very shortly. Very shortly. I think we should really expect him back very shortly. Like I said, he is recuperating very fast and he is doing very very well.”

    On whether the President will return within 90 days from May 7th, Osinbajo said: “No no. Deadlines aren’t a very good thing, but as I said, he is recuperating fast. We are expecting him very shortly; much sooner than you will expect.”

    Asked if the meeting discussed the report of the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director General Ayo Oke, he simply said that it covered wide ranging issues.

    “I really can’t go into specifics of all of the discussions we had,” the Acting President added.

    He also said that the meeting didn’t discuss swearing in of the two ministerial nominees.

    On when they will be sworn in, he said: “Well, I’m not in a position to say anything. I don’t have a date in mind but I’m sure very very soon we will do that.”

    First Lady Aisha Buhari also on a visit to the President in London, in a comment on a facebook post by Senator Shehu Sani, said the president would return soon. In a direct response to the Senator’s imagery of hyenas and jackals no longer praying for the president unlike the weaker animals, Mrs Buhari said: “God has answered the prayer of the weaker animals. The hyenas and the jacksla will soon be sent out of the kingdom

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose demanded that the Acting President should reveal the true state of health of the President.

    Fayose said: “The claim of the Acting President that Buhari is recuperating fast is not true. The President is incapacitated, sick. “In this age of technology, Osinbajo should be able to show Nigerians pictures and short videos of the President to show that he is okay. Nigerians want to see their President.

    “If they are not careful, I will release 11 photographs about the real health status of the President any moment from now.”

  • Fayose to Osinbajo: Declare Buhari’s health status

    Fayose to Osinbajo: Declare Buhari’s health status

    Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, on Wednesday asked Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to declare the health status of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Shortly after he arrived from London, where he had gone to see the President, Osinbajo told journalists that Buhari was recovering and would soon return to the country.

    But Fayose said the Acting President was not telling Nigerians the truth about Buhari’s health, insisting that the President is incapacitated.

    Asked for proof of his assertion on the President’s health, Fayose threatened to release 11 different photographs depicting Buhari’s incapacitation.

    The governor accused the administration of running the country by deceit and propaganda, insisting that the acting President must declare to Nigerians the true state of the President’s health.

    Fayose, who is the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, said Osinbajo’s claim that President Buhari is fast recuperating was not true.

    He described the acting President’s trip to London as diversionary.

    “Fayose said: “We pray for his ( Buhari’s) health and for him to come back in one piece. However, the claim of the Acting President that Buhari is recuperating fast was not true. The President is incapacitated, sick. There is no iota of truth that the President is in good condition.

    “In this age of technology, Osinbajo should be able to show Nigerians pictures and short videos of the President to show that he is okay. Nigerians want to see their President.

    “If they are not careful, I will release 11 photographs about the real health status of the President any moment from now.”

    The governor recalled his earlier warning on Buhari’s health in the build up to the 2015 general elections and regretted that the warning was ignored.

  • Buhari, Osinbajo meet in London on state of nation

    Buhari, Osinbajo meet in London on state of nation

    Acting President gets first-hand information on President’s well-being

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday dashed to London for a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari. It was Prof. Osinbajo’s first visit since the President left for London on May 7 on medical vacation.

    The visit enabled him to brief the President on how he has been steering the ship of state. Sources said it also enabled him to have first-hand knowledge about the President’s well-being.

    The President left for a second medical vacation on May 7. His ailment has not been disclosed.

    There were indications that Prof. Osinbajo may have obtained the President’s consent to carry out some major reforms and fill some strategic positions.

    The inauguration of Prof. Stephen Ocheni (Kogi) and Mr Suleiman Hassan (Gombe) as ministers was said to be on the cards.

    Ocheni is to replace the former Minister of State Labour James Ocholi, who died in an accident; Hassan will replace Mrs Amina Mohammed, who is now United Nations Deputy Secretary General. Both have been cleared by the Senate.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that Osinbajo’s shuttle to London was carried out through “covert diplomatic and intelligence methods.”

    Most of Osinbajo’s key aides and cabinet members were oblivious of the trip. After making a brief remark at a Presidential Quarterly Business Forum at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, the Acting President did not return to his office but headed straight for the airport.

    A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The trip was carefully planned and silently executed in order to prevent it from being aborted.

    “The Acting President has actually been relying on third party information and purported directives from the President in London.

    “But since the President has shut out some of these forces from seeing him, it became important for the Acting President to meet with the President.

    “The Acting President went with a tight entourage and the trip was closely guarded.  All the influence peddlers were not in the picture of the trip.”

    Another source said: “The trip had been planned in the past three weeks but was only known to few people for strategic reasons. The ‘Jackals and Hyenas’ were beaten to it.

    “The Acting President went to London to wish his boss well, get undiluted information on his health, brief the President on certain decisions he had taken and seek his approval for some appointments and outstanding reforms in government.

    “Some members of the cabinet have not been committed to Osinbajo’s acting presidency too.

    “Other parts of Osinbajo’s visit were the need to clear misgivings about some of the steps he has taken, especially the need to clarify that he is not executing any anti-North agenda and the alleged accusation of abandoning the President’s agenda.

    “Some of those who has access to the President had painted a wrong picture of the situation at home in order to create a wedge between him and Prof. Osinbajo.

    “The trip was laced with some diplomatic and intelligence coordination. Most cabinet members and key aides were caught unawares”.

    The source added: “So far, the trip is fruitful and the Acting President will be able to do certain things including the inauguration of the two ministers.

    “I think we should expect some radical changes after this trip. The two leaders discussed extensively on some directions.”

    Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Acting President Laolu Akande spoke with our correspondent at about 7.38pm yesterday from London.

    He confirmed that Osinbajo was in London to meet with the President but he did not give any details.

    He released a terse tweet: “Ag. President Osinbajo meeting with President Buhari in London today (yesterday) and returning to Abuja immediately afterwards.”

     

  • Osinbajo gets one-week ultimatum to inaugurate ministers

    Osinbajo gets one-week ultimatum to inaugurate ministers

    The House of Representatives has given Acting President Yemi Osinbajo one week to swear in Prof. Stephen Ocheni and Mr. Suleiman Hassan from Kogi and Gombe States, as ministers of the Federal Republic.

    The consequence of failing to heed the advise of the House was, however, not stated.

    Following a motion of urgent national importance by Sunday Karimi (PDP, Kogi), and two others, the House noted that Kogi and Gombe states have been adversely affected by the failure of the Acting President to swear in the ministers.

    According to him, the Senate did its duty by confirming the two yet, the Acting President refused to exercise his constitutional powers on the matter.

    He regretted that the development has left the states not being properly represented at the Federal Executive Council (FEC), in contravention of the constitution.

    In its resolution, the House urged the Acting President to swear in and allocate portfolio to the two within a week.

    The motion was unanimously adopted after it was put to a voice vote by the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Lasun Yussuff.