The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Osinbajo

  • Osinbajo, Bukola, Dogara visit Buhari before President’s UK trip

    Osinbajo, Bukola, Dogara visit Buhari before President’s UK trip

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Sunday night visited President Muhammadu Buhari, who is scheduled to leave for London on medical trip.

    The President, who confirmed this development on his twitter handle in Abuja, said he also received the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    President Buhari said: “I received Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara at home this evening ahead of my trip tonight.’’

    Buhari had earlier hosted the 82 Chibok schoolgirls recently released by Boko Haram to a light reception shortly before the arrival of Osinbajo, Bukola and Dogara.

    The President had planned to leave for London on Sunday afternoon but delayed the trip due to the presence of  the Chibok girls who arrived Abuja earlier in the day.

    The President, at the reception, described the girls’ release as a pleasant 2nd anniversary gift to Nigerians.

    The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina, announced had announced on Sunday that Buhari was travelling to London to see  his doctors for a follow up check on his health conditions.

    NAN

     

     

  • $43.4m: Osinbajo’s panel shuns lobbyists, pledges fairness

    $43.4m: Osinbajo’s panel shuns lobbyists, pledges fairness

    The Presidential Investigative Committee probing two suspended government officials resisted some pressure, it was learnt yesterday.

    The panel, headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo,  probed Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General  Ayo Oke, who have been suspended.

    Also yesterday, it was learnt that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives are yet to vacate Apartment 7B in Osborne Towers, Lagos where $43.4 million was recovered.

    The  anti-graft agency said its operatives were still in charge of the apartment to prevent anyone or group from tampering with some evidence.

    Lawal is being probed for a N200 million contract awarded to a company, Global Vision Limited,  allegedly linked with him by the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) for the clearing of “invasive plant species” (weeds) in Yobe State.

    Oke is being investigated for the $43.4 million.

    The committee yesterday tidied up its report, it was learnt.

    The source said: “There were many lobbyists trying to reach out to the committee but the vice president and his team shunned them. The panel is going ahead with the submission of its report.

    “Although some of these lobbyists came up with religious and ethnic sentiments, the panel was not swayed by their arguments in any manner whatsoever.

    “All the vice president kept on saying to those who appeared for interrogation was that the panel will be firm and fair to all.”

    The panel is expected to make “far-reaching” recommendations, not just on the $43.4 million and PINE but how to  protect key institutions.

    “The panel has come up with suggestion to strengthen the nation’s institutions. Some of these institutions have been  bastardised and weakened,” the source said.

     

     

  • Leadership is about sacrifice, service -Osinbajo

    Leadership is about sacrifice, service -Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has enjoined Nigerians who find themselves in positions of authorities to remember leadership is all about sacrifices and selfless service to humanity and God.
    He urged them to imbibe the spirits of love, unity and forgiveness in the interest of national peace and development.
    Nations built on such values, he said, are bound to prosper beyond expectations.
    Osinbajo spoke at the 50th anniversary of St. Augustine Major Seminary, Katako, Jos yesterday.
    He enjoined Nigerians to avoid repaying evils with evils.
    Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, said: “For a school that has produced 20 Bishops and scores of Priests, Religious and Laity in the service of the Lord at home and abroad, it is indeed worthy of our attention and support.
    “This Seminary remains a real asset to the universal Church because as a spiritual hub for the training of ministers of the gospel, it is a vehicle through which ministers are thoroughly prepared to holistically address the spiritual and physical wellbeing of Nigerians in the Catholic Church, and by extension all those who through marriages, work, social interaction and other means of association, have a relationship with the Catholic.”

  • Osinbajo: Fed Govt will develop local economy through MSMEs

    Osinbajo: Fed Govt will develop local economy through MSMEs

    The Federal Government is committed to building the local economy through the encouragement of Micros, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in rural communities across the country, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said yesterday.

    Speaking while inspecting Plateau-made products on display at Polo Field,  Jos during his one-day state visit to Plateau State he expresses delight over the made-in-Plateau products. He said his office is embarking on a nationwide MSMEs Clinic 2017 programme across the states of the federation in order to grow the local economy.

    “The programme has solved so many business challenges faced by business men and women in some parts of the country where the National MSME Clinic 2017 have been held through the engagement of various agencies involved in doing business in the country.

    “The MSME Clinic is basically meant to encourage local entrepreneurs  for the purpose of growing local economy of the country, Prof Osinbajo said.

    The state Governor, Simon Lalong, in his welcome remarks said the commitment of the Vice President to social investment and the economic emancipation of the citizens have remained the indisputable reflection of the desire of President Muhammadu Buhari to enhance the economic well being of the citizens of the country.

    He said: “Beyond poverty alleviation is livelihood sustainability, hence the various programmes that the government has initiated in the agric sector and through the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, to enhance the economic well being of Nigerians.

    “We have keyed into the objectives of the MSME Clinic which is to bring all relevant stakeholders and business operators together, to discuss issues affecting the setup and operations of MSMEs in Nigeria. Further to this is for government and other stakeholders to share and provide information on all policies and programmes that, have being initiated in the country to encourage activities of MSMEs”

    Gov Lalong commend Mr Vice President for initiating the SMEs Clinic which has already been held in 4 states of the federation and has provided a platform for SMEs to be empowered with necessary tools for growth.

    The Plateau State Government is almost at a point of signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Bank of Industry (BOI) on matching fund of Two Billion Naira (N2Bn) facility to enable the trained people have access to funds at a subsidized rates for the establishment of their businesses.

    The State Government in partnership with the European Union (EU) has also organized an exhibition programme for MSMEs to show case especially the Made-In-Plateau products which is a move towards encouraging MSMEs and linking them to markets and financial institutions.

    Chairman of the planning committee, Mr. Ezikiel Gomos in his address said MSMEs have been working hard to keep the economy of Nigeria growing over the years in their various areas of specialisation, disclosing that the MSMEs Clinic 2017 is to make them grow more.

    Mr.Gomos  maintained that, small businesses are the engine room of every economy in the world and, “This is the day for the MSMEs on the Plateau, government want to ensure that citizens are told how various agencies can take part in the growth of their various businesses for the economic growth of evey individual and the Country in general.”

     

  • Osinbajo urges Christians to persevere in faith

    Osinbajo urges Christians to persevere in faith

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday urged Christians to persevere in their faith in order to live the live that Christ chose for them.

    Osinbajo gave the charge at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the St. Augustine’s Major Seminary, Jos.

    He said the faith of a Christian dictates that the faithful sometimes follow the difficult and painful path.

    The vice president said, “And so, I ask that we follow the difficult, sometimes painful path that our faith dictates.

    “It is as I said, frequently of humiliation, frequently it is a path of pain but ultimately it is a path of conquest.

    “And we are conquerors because Christ has already conquered the world.’’

    Osinbajo recalled Christ’s injunction that Christians are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

    He said a seminarian’s place of leadership was a sacrificial one which might come with pain and humiliation or persecution of serving without being served.

    The vice president also told Christians to live out the injunctions of Christ by not only loving their enemies but also not responding to attacks or persecution.

    He urged them to treat everyone decently and not revenge in the face of attacks.

    NAN

  • Osinbajo to submit investigative panel report Monday

    Osinbajo to submit investigative panel report Monday

    The Presidential Investigative Panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will on Monday submit its report to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The panel investigated the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, over allegations of violations of law and due process in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE).

    The panel also probed the suspended Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ayo Oke, over the cash haul in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The panel, which was set up a fortnight ago, was given 14 days to carryout the assignment, which lapsed yesterday.

    Apart from grilling Lawal and Oke in the past two weeks, the panel  also quizzed some top officials of relevant agencies.

    A statement yesterday by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice-President, Laolu Akande, reads: “The three-man Presidential Investigative Committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, under the chairmanship of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, to inquire into the Discovery of Foreign and Local Currencies by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at Osbourne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos and the Allegations of Due Process Violations in the Award of Contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE) is completing its assignment today and is scheduled to present its reports to the President on Monday, May 8, 2017.”

  • Nigeria’s jollof rice best in the world – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday described Nigeria’s jollof rice as “the best in the world.”

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had while responding to a question by CNN International Business Editor, Richard Quest, said Senegal makes the best jollof rice on the continent.

    Although Quest tried to defend the minister, saying he did not hear his question correctly, the incidence triggered reactions from cross-section of Nigerians on social media.

    The vice president spoke during his appearance at “The Platform Nigeria,” a Global Media programme broadcast live on Channels TV.

    It was convened by the Senior Pastor of the Covenant Christian Centre, Lagos, Poju Oyemade.

    Osinbajo said: “And by the way, we all know that Nigerian jollof rice is the best, we beat the Ghanaians and the Senegalese hands down.”

    “We have everything, and our people are doing incredibly innovative things.

    “Our music and entertainment industry is the fastest growing in the world, and of course, nobody is as funny as Nigerians, whether professional or amateur.”

    The vice president also extolled Nigerians innovative feats in various activities.

    “Last year Oluyinka Olutoye, a Nigerian surgeon successfully took out a baby from her mother’s womb, operated on the womb, and put the baby back in.

    “The baby was carried full term and was born naturally — a feat previously unheard of.

    “Only last year, a Nigerian girl, Morolake Akinosun, won a gold medal at the Olympics.

    “Last Saturday, a Nigerian boxer Anthony Oluwafemi Joshua won the WBA, becoming the boxing champion of the world.”

    NAN

     

  • $43.4m: Osinbajo panel to quiz NIA boss again

    $43.4m: Osinbajo panel to quiz NIA boss again

    Cash not slush fund, says NIA

    DSS boss offers to testify at panel

    National Intelligence Agency (NIA) boss Ayo Oke is to face the Presidential Investigative Committee today —the second time in two weeks.

    He will be questioned over the  $43.4million recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Oke will explain today how the cash got to Apartment 7B in Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, The Nation learnt.

    The cash haul is suspected to be part of the slush funds for the failed re-election of former President Goodluck Jonathan

    But Oke, who  has submitted a document to the committee, is said to be insisting that the $43.4million was part of the $289million special intervention funds for NIA which he spelt out in a memo to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Babagana Monguno.

    In the document, Oke  accounted for the $289million, which he said was spent on nine key projects.

    He stressed that the $43.4million was no campaign funds.

    The NIA is, according to a source, worried about the leaks from the panel, which it claims have been destroying its image.

    The committee last night sent text messages to Oke and some government officials whose names were not immediately known.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Oke has been re-invited because the committee has not been convinced about where he got the $43.4m and how the cash got to Apartment 7B in Osborne Towers, Ikoyi.

    “These are the two questions he needs to clarify before we round off our work. We want to give him the benefit of doubt.

    “Oke admitted that NIA got $289 million Special Intervention Funds for nine projects and he has accounted for how the funds were spent on the completed and ongoing projects.

    “The only area of disagreement is that the panel suspects that the $43.4 million is not part of the $289 million. It believes the cash was part of the campaign slush funds for the re-election of ex-President Jonathan.”

    An NIA source said last night that the fresh invitation to Oke was unnecessary because he had provided the committee with all the documents it needed.

    “In fact, NIA accounts have been scrutinised and no infractions were found. Some forces are just desperate to find faults.

    “It is as if there is pre-determined agenda.”

    A document obtained by our correspondent indicated that the NIA DG in a memo of January 26, 2016 to the NSA, gave the following breakdown of the Special Intervention Funds:

    • Total amount—$289, 202, 382
    • Payment already made on nine projects as at January 2016—$98,891,067.57
    • Actual balance—$190, 311.314. 42
    • Cash at hand—$89,298.759.43
    • Cash in the bank—$101,012.555

    But the suspended NIA DG in the memo insisted that the $43.4million was part of the $289million Special Intervention Funds.

    A top NIA source said: “The $43.4million was part of the $89.298million cash at hand with the agency. We have not paid all the bills.  As of January 2016, this agency declared the cash to the NSA in a detailed memo. This cannot be controverted.

    “The NIA was never given any money for the campaign. If the $43.4million was part of the campaign, what will the agency be doing with it for about two years after the election?

    “The $43.4million was part of the funds meant for an ongoing security classified project in Lagos. The money cannot even complete the project; it  is part of the project. If this money is taken away, the project cannot be completed.

    “When the NIA DG appeared before the committee, he insisted that the cash recovered was not slush funds in any manner whatsoever.

    “He even listed the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) , Mallam Lawal  Daura, as one of his witnesses who knew about the classified projects. Daura has formally written to the panel to testify. But the panel has not permitted Daura to appear before it.

    “Up till now, nobody knows why a vital witness was yet to be allowed to testify before the committee.

    “All we are reading about borders on some leaks from the committee which are rubbing off on the image of NIA.

    “As a professional organisation, we believe that some of the leaks were sheer lies from the pit of hell.”

    A source in the Presidency confirmed that the DG of NIA wrote a memo to the NSA and the NSA did a memo to President Muhammadu Buhari and the President was briefed about the nine projects being executed with the $289million.

    “The NSA was said to have raised a committee to inspect the projects. “It is a different ball game  whether or not the funds spent on  the projects were justified,” the source said, pleading not to be nambed because of the “sensitivity” of the matter.

    The Osinbajo panel is yet to do cost analysis, he added.

    “The only issue outstanding before the committee is the suspicion that the $43.4 million was campaign slush funds. It is unclear if NIA does not want to open the Pandora Box,” he said.

    There were indications last night that the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, may have been co-opted into the committee.

    It was not clear if it was based on the directive of the President or not.

    A source close to the committee said: “The presence of the Minister is to clarify the release of some funds, including budgetary and extra-budgetary or for special intervention.

    “I think the committed is at liberty to call on anyone to assist it.”

    But the involvement of the minister has created some disquiet in government circles, with some wondering why those with knowledge of intelligence were not involved in the committee’s work.

  • Osinbajo panel, rare chance for PMB

    Osinbajo panel, rare chance for PMB

    SIR: The panel being headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to investigate the involvement of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal in the “grass-cutting” contract scam and the alleged hibernation of $43.4m in a private Ikoyi residence by NIA boss Ambassador Ayo Oke with a claim to  covert operational exigencies has a single potential to either canonise the present administration’s posture on integrity or completely discredit it.

    The vice president’s job is a recondite one for the fact that he is heading a panel being assailed by a disproportionate tripod in the sense that two members of the panel have insidious interest that may influence not only terms of reference but the tenor of recommendation.

    The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami in his earlier investigation of the SGF largely evaded the substance of the Senate’s indictment and predicated his report on sundry technicalities seen by the general public as a ploy to exonerate the AGF.

    The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno  on the other hand is mentioned as the only senior official of the PMB administration with a detailed knowledge of the hidden forex yet he allegedly made no disclosure to the President.

    For the panel to be above board therefore, the integrity of the vice president is the only clincher and must tower above all primordial interests domiciled in the panel.

    The panel must also extract cogent reason from the NSA why covert the operation was shielded from the president and such volume of cash allowed to lie in a private residence.

    The vice president is not a man susceptible to political or primordial interest and he has a duty to use this panel as a navigational tool in the anti-corruption denouement.

     

    • Bukola Ajisola,

    Lagos.

  • Osinbajo presides over FEC meeting

    Osinbajo presides over FEC meeting

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday presided over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting, which did not hold last week, according to the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, was due to logistic and inability to circulate invitation to cabinet members due to the Easter holiday.

    Wednesday was however the second time Osinbajo was presiding over the meeting since President Muhammadu Buhari returned to the country from his medical vacation in the United Kingdom.

    There were less than 20 ministers in the Council chamber when the Vice President called for the rendition of the National anthem to signal the commencement of the meeting at few minutes past 11:00 a.m.

    The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu offered the Muslim prayer while the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, said the Christian prayer.

    The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.