The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Osinbajo

  • Buhari, Osinbajo, others for APC caucus meeting

    THE All Progressives Congress (APC) is hold an emergency national caucus meeting at the party’s national secretariat today, The Nation has learnt.

    The meeting is expected to be attended by President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, serving and former governors, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and others.

    Although the agenda of the meeting scheduled to begin at 11a.m. is not known, it may not be unconnected with the preparations for the general elections.

    It was not immediately known why the caucus meeting, which usually hold at the Villa, was shifted to the National Secretariat.

  • Osinbajo launches AfDB-funded $258m NE recovery intervention

    The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Federal Government  have launched the Inclusive Basic Service Delivery Livelihood Empowerment Integrated Programme – a $258million comprehensive mult-isectoral intervention aimed at bolstering rehabilitation efforts in North eastern Nigeria.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo launched the program at the bank’s premises in Abuja. The launch was attended by governors of five northeast states, ministers, development partners and key stakeholders.

    “It has been gratifying to note how enthusiastically our friends and partners have rallied to our support, mobilising resources to tackle the crisis in the northeast, Osinbajo said, adding, “we would like to express the profound appreciation of the Federal Government to the bank for being a partner in progress with us.

    “When the story of the region’s recovery is told, the work of the AfDB will occupy a well-merited and prominent chapter,” Osibanjo said, lauding the programme as a landmark intervention in support of the region, which has suffered devastation from insurgency.

    The AfDB stated clearly that state governments of the northeast will implement  its $258million programme with the Federal Government’s support.

    In terms of impact, 14 million affected people including 2.3 million internal displaced persons (IDPs) will benefit from health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation services.

    The programme is targeting 9,000 IDPs and heads of vulnerable households, who will receive direct economic assistance, while 2,023 small and medium scale enterprises (79 per cent women) will receive business development support. About 2,900 construction artisans and mechanics in the informal sector will also get help to improve their productivity. The initiative envisages that 2,000 unskilled youth will be trained for employment.

    AfDB President, Akinwumi Adesina highlighted the programme’s emphasis on inclusivity.

    Represented by the bank’s Senior Director in Nigeria, Ebrima Faal, the president said: “It incorporates special gender considerations by ensuring that women are active participants in all stages of the project and providing training for women and youth entrepreneurs to increase their chances for employment and business opportunities.

    “The bank has remained a strong partner of the Federal and state governments in their efforts to restore livelihoods in the northeast. For instance, throughout the period of heightened conflict in the region, the bank intervened with two critical programmes in Yobe and Taraba states. The experience gained and lessons learned from implementing these two projects are incorporated in the design of the current intervention.”

    Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar thanked the bank for putting together what he described as the first integrated and inclusive plan for rebuilding of Northeast Nigeria.

    “Part of the underlying factors that led to the crazy phenomenon of Boko Haram is illiteracy and lack of economic capacity. For the first time, we have now a program that attempts to address all these issues at once,” he said.

    The intervention seeks to reduce fragility aggravated by the Boko Haram insurgency by contributing to emergency transition, recovery and peacebuilding efforts. It focuses on three main components – service delivery, economic recovery and institutional strengthening. It also includes support to ensure increased access of the poor and vulnerable to basic social services in water, sanitation, hygiene, health and education, as well as livelihood opportunities, food security and strengthened safety net systems.

  • Christians, artisans back Buhari, Osinbajo

    The Concerned Christians Initiative (TCCI) and 16 other groups comprising of Artisans, tailors, market  women and others have drummed up  support for  President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Lagos.

    The TCCI which welcome  Osinbajo to the Palace of Anyangburem of Ikorodu, said artisans and other less privileged have benefitted imensely from the adminisration.

    The VP patiently listened to their questions and answered them all. The VP urged them not to relent in performing their civic responsibilities.

    Osinbajo warned that Christians would fail to positively influence the country unless  they committed themselves to living like the biblical salt of the earth.

    Osinbajo  was the guest minister at a special service of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)’s The Open Door Parish, Odogunyan, Ikorodu, Lagos. The Vice President’s longtime friend Aina Ololade Salami, the Pastor-in-charge of the parish hailed

    Speaking on the topic  The church and the destiny of the nation, Osinbajo berated Church leaders who, through their teachings, “sometimes give the impression that there is no need for hard work.”

    He urged Christendom to remember the biblical command for people to pray for their leaders, like the Israelites prayed for Esther before she met the Persian King Ahasuerus and saved her people from genocide.

  • Attack on Buhari, Osinbajo treasonable, says Falana

    Lawyer and activist, Femi Falana (SAN) has said that the stoning of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo by supporters of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) during last Monday’s campaign of the All Peoples Congress (APC) in Abeokuta was treasonable.

    Reacting to the ugly incident Wednesday, Falana expressed regret that the Police has not arrested anybody in connection with the attack on the President, his Vice and other leaders of the APC.

    He said Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State cannot absolve himself of the blame as the chief security officer of the state.

    He regretted that governor Amosun visited Abuja several times before last Monday’s campaign with the governorship candidate of the APM, Adekunle Akinlade, the President welcomed them to the villa.

    He said the governor ought to have been told long before the campaign that his activities were anti-party.

    The lawyer also blamed the various security agencies in the state for the incident noting that they did nothing to prevent or stop the attack on the President.

    He said the security agencies, despite knowing that it was APC rally allowed another party and its supporters to infiltrate the venue.

    Read Also: 2019: Police will be professional, unbiased – IG

    Falana contended that this ugly situation persisted because Police and other security agencies that should be alive to their responsibilities did nothing about it.

    He recalled that in 2007, when former President Olusegun Obasanjo openly canvassed support for Dr Olusegun Agagu against Dr Segun Mimiko.

    He also recalled that some time ago, supporters of former Oyo state governor, Chief Rasheed Ladoja and Alao Akala clashed and six people died, the Police did not arrest nor prosecute anybody over the incident.

    Falana lamented the spate of disrespect and other acts against the person of the President of the country by the opposition, describing it as an insult against his office.

    He recalled that during presentation of the 2019 budget, when the president was booed by some members of the National Assembly, the only thing he said was that ‘the world is watching’, noting, “here in Abeokuta, he kept quiet and allowed the situation to degenerated”.

    He said when the President was attending rally of the APC, similar incident happened in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Imo State in particular where the state governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha was campaigning for Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) gubernatorial candidate, nobody was cautioned.

  • Abiodun is next Ogun governor, says Osinbajo

    WITH God and the support of Ogun residents, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the March 2 governorship election, Prince Dapo Abiodun, will be victorious, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said yesterday.

    His assertion came as the APC national secretariat accused Governor Ibikunle Amosun of masterminding the attack on party leaders at Monday’s presidential campaign rally in Abeokuta, the state capital.

    The party vowed to punish the sponsors of the thugs who caused the violence and embarrassed President Muhammadu Buhari and other party leaders at the rally.

    He advised the electorate to cast their ballots for APC candidates at the national and state elections billed for Saturday and March 2.

    Expressing optimism about Abiodun’s victory at the palace of the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba AbdulRasaq Adenugba, in the company of the APC governorship standard bearer, the vice president called on party members and supporters to be wary of those promoting division and candidates other than APC’s.

    Osinbajo was at the palace to seek the monarch’s and chiefs’ support ahead of the general elections.

    He reiterated that with APC-controlled government in the state under Abiodun’s watch and re-elected President Buhari in the saddle, the Gateway State would be better for it.

    Replying, the Ebumawe described Osinbajo and Abiodun as true sons of Ijebu land. He prayed for their success and urged his people to support them.

    The vice president also visited the monarch of Idowa – Ijebu, Oba Yinusa Adekoya.

    In a statement, the APC identified Amosun as the mastermind of the violence at the rally.

    The thugs infiltrated the MKO Abiola Stadium venue of the rally at in Abeokuta, pelting party leaders, including National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole with stones and sachets of water.

    The governor is backing the Allied Progressive Movement (APM) candidate in the March 2 governorship election, Adekunle Akinlade, against his party’s Abiodun.

    Supporters of the two candidates had clashed on two occasions.

    APC’s National Publicity Secretary Lanre Isa-Onilu said the party would take disciplinary measures against the sponsors of the attack after the elections.

    The statement reads: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) regrets Monday’s premeditated attacks sponsored by Governor Ibikunle Amosun on President Muhammadu Buhari and other senior party leaders at the venue of the presidential campaign rally in Ogun State.

    “This is one act of indiscipline too many. The APC will not condone acts of indiscipline, indiscretion and anti-party activities from any party member – no matter how highly placed.

    “The party will review this gross misconduct of deliberately positioning thugs to attack and embarras the President and the party’s leadership. The party will take a decision on this matter immediately after the elections.

    “It must be stated that party supremacy and discipline, according to our constitution, are not matters of choice but binding principles which must be adhered to by all party members.

    “The APC is a party known for discipline, justice, fairness and equality. Hence, any plan to destroy what this party stands for would be rejected. No single person will be allowed to put his personal and selfish interests ahead of the wishes of the people of Ogun State and elsewhere.

    “Post primaries, the decision of the National Working Committee to uphold the wishes of party members is unbendable. Therefore, whatever means being presently deployed by persons intending to undermine the wishes of the people for personal gains will not be tolerated.

    “We urge our teeming party supporters and members not to be disturbed by Monday’s condemnable incident. We urge all to continue trooping out en masse for our remaining campaigns and vote massively for all and only APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections.”

  • Corruption is Nigeria’s biggest problem, says Osinbajo

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has identified  corruption as the country’s biggest problem, saying it is responsible for a multitude of avoidable  child deaths yearly.

    Osinbajo urged the church to step up its condemnation of corruption and illegally acquired wealth.

    He warned that Christians would fail to positively influence the country unless they commit themselves to living like the biblical salt of the earth.

    Osinbajo was guest minister on Sunday at a special service of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)’s The Open Door Parish, Odogunyan, Ikorodu, Lagos.

    The Vice President’s long-time friend Aina Ololade Salami is the Pastor-in-charge of the parish.

    Speaking on the topic: The church and the destiny of the nation, Osinbajo berated church leaders, who through their teachings, “sometimes give the impression that there is no need for hard work”.

    He urged Christendom to remember the Biblical command for people to pray for their leaders, like the Israelites prayed for Esther before she met the Persian  King Ahasuerus and saved her people from genocide.

    Osinbajo said: “I do not hear very often that the church criticises corruption and corrupt people. I don’t hear very often that there is condemnation, because, when you look at it, the greatest problem that our country has is corruption. People stealing directly from the treasury is what exposed in so many cases that there is so much poverty in the land, the leadership stealing directly from the treasury.

    “The greatest cause of death is corruption, because when you look at the number of children who die between the ages of zero and five, who should have been provided with medical care and the money has been stolen, some people say oh there are many kidnappings, many this and that, but the greatest cause of death in our country is corruption.

    “If you look at poverty, from 2012, almost 110,000 children die of diarrhea-related illness yearly. Why? The resources that should be used for medical care is stolen.  So, if  the  church does not stand up and condemn corruption, if the church doesn’t say, ‘if we suspect that you this man, you are a public officer but you have money that you shouldn’t have we ’ll ostracise you’, then it’ll be difficult for us to play our role.”

    He advised Christians worried by the idea of an Islamist agenda not to be afraid but to dutifully obey the great commission found in Matthew 28:16-20, where Jesus instructed his disciples to spread his teachings to all the nations of the world.

    Osinbajo said: “I was saying to a group of Christian leaders the other day that I as a pastor, long before I was appointed Vice President, I attended the (RCCG) Holy Ghost  Service regularly, as a matter of fact, before I became Vice President I never missed the Holy Ghost Service once in 15 years, not once. I’ve missed the Holy Ghost Service now maybe once or twice.

    “As Vice President I attend, even in Abuja, all of the (Christian) gatherings, and these are big gatherings at the Abuja National Stadium. Even look at the Holy Ghost Night, it’s televised all over the world, I, as Vice President, am standing there everybody sees me all over the world. I said to the leaders, can you imagine a situation where President Muhammadu Buhari every month, gathers in Sokoto, with hundreds of thousands of Mullahs, what would we  say? What would the leaders say? They would be panicking.”

    The Vice President explained that he has been able to survive in politics without compromising his religious beliefs by trying to live, as Jesus commanded, like the salt of the earth.

    He narrated an incident while he was Lagos State Attorney-General when he held a meeting in a room filled with cigarette smoke and how God  helped him to understand his role as the biblical salt.

    Osinbajo said: “But, I was so upset by the fact that there was so much smoke and when I was leaving the place my entire body smelled of cigarettes; my hair, my clothes, my entire body.

    “As I was leaving, the first thought I had was that why should I be in the company of these people, who are smoking cigarettes and pipes? Why? Is it not wrong? Should I be in their company? After all I’m a Christian, a born again Christian. A pastor. And then the Lord spoke to me: ‘You’re the salt. If you don’t get into the soup, what will happen if you don’t get into the soup?

    “It struck me immediately that my role was not to look condescendingly at what may be the problem. My role was to get involved in it, fight as much as I could with the power and the grace of the almighty God, and God enabled us at the time and we were able to do something.”

    Several dignitaries at the service included the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi; Olubeshe of Ibeshe, Oba Richard Abayomi Ogunsanya, the member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Jimi Benson and Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Bolanle Agunbiade, among others.

  • Osinbajo: don’t allow looters to return

    VICE President Yemi Osinbajo has urged voters not to allow looters and corrupt elements to return to power.

    He appealed to electorates to vote massively on February 16 for consolidation of the rebuilding process being championed by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    Osinbajo spoke when he visited the Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun, as part of the next level engagement to the ancient town.

    According to the VP, Nigerians should not be deceived by the very people, who looted the country dry and now seeking to return to power.

    He said several initiatives being implemented by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government to create jobs such as N-Power, TraderMoni and Markey Money, among others, as well as provision of critical infrastructure were prevented in the past due to corruption.

    Osinbajo added that it was important to let Nigerians know that the forthcoming polls should be about voting for continuation of the dividends of democracy.

    According to him, “At the next level government, aside from all these initiatives, we also want to establish Entrepreneur Bank and People’s Money Bank to complement the Bank of Industry. What we have realised is that we need to create several avenues for people to access funds to set up their businesses, and thereby create opportunities for more jobs. Already, we are in partnership with the Africa Development Bank (AFDB) to invest $500 million in creating jobs.

    “All these things out to have been done before now, but corruption has prevented us from enjoying these things. We are at a point that we need to tell ourselves the truth because the country ought to have moved far ahead of where we are.  If the leaders are corrupt, there is nothing that can move. It is not as if there is no idea to move this country forward. As a matter of fact, there are several ideas but corruption has refused to allow these ideas to come into fruition.

    “Take for example, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; it did not take them three years when it was constructed but for 16 years, the PDP government could not fix it and they were budgeting money for the road every year. The APC government is now doing it with the right funding, the same thing with several rail projects across the country.”

    Hailing Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the massive infrastructural renewal embarked upon by his administration in the Epe division, the vice president assured that serious attention would be given to remaining roads connecting Lagos to Ogun State to facilitate ease of movement and boost commerce.

    “I have to thank our Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode who has shown a pattern of serious hard work.  I have been here a couple of times with the Governor to see the infrastructural renewal ongoing here and I have to thank God for helping him to achieve this much for Epe.

    “There is nothing we see here that is not good. Every of his project here is good and commendable,” Osinbajo said.

    Ambode, who embarked on door-to-door campaign with the VP in Epe, urged residents to troop out on election day and vote massively for all APC candidates.

    “You know where my heart is. For me, it is four plus four. So, on February 16, it shall be APC all the way from Presidency to Senate and House of Representatives.

    “Whatever you want to do because of me, just know that it is APC all the way from top to bottom,” Ambode said.

  • Ajaokuta Steel ’ll soon come to life, says Osinbajo

    The Ajaokuta Steel Complex in Kogi State will soon start working again for the benefits of the people, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has assured.

    He gave the assurance at the Civic Centre in the Palace of Attah of  Igala, Dr. Michael Idakwo Ameh Oboni, as part of the administration’s campaign for the coming elections.

    Osinbajo said the Federal Government had gone very far on the rivitalisation of the complex. “Unlike the previous government, we have gone beyond our promises. We have come to the point where we are implementing and I am sure that very soon you will see for yourself that Ajaokuta has come to life,” he said

    The vice president said when completed the project will make business activities in the area to be active and many people will be employed.

    According to him, the government has finally completed the Itakpe-Warri Rail road in preparation for the revitalisation of Ajaokuta Steel.

    “Unlike the previous government, President Muhammadu Buhari is not only a honest man, but also a doer that gets things done.

    “You will need to see for yourself that we are going to test-run the Itakpe-Warri rail road in few days time, and you will see everything that is being put in place,” Osinbajo said.

    He said the administration had employed 500,000 youths under the N-Power initiative and would increase the number to one million when re-elected.

    “Our desire is that every Nigerian should live a good life and have the ability to put food on his table,” Osinbajo said, urging the people to come out en masse and vote for Buhari and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates at all levels in the forthcoming general elections.

    Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello restated that President Buhari had promised that the Ajaokuta Steel would be resuscitated and would be producing for Nigerians.

    He appealed to the people to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and vote massively for all APC candidates, deliver them at all levels and avoid violence.

    The Attah of Igala, thanked the Vice President for coming to Kogi State, especially Igala land.

    “We, the people of Kogi and the entire Nigeria, are very grateful to God for saving your life and that of your crew members. We can see all good works you are doing, and it is left for us to reciprocate it because‘one good turn deserves another.

    “We need to agree and partner with you. Our governor is an indefatigable governor, full of wisdom and very hard working; we promise to support you,” the monarch said.

    Kogi Presidential Campaign Council Director-General, Mr. Edward Onoja, said the state had impacted the lives of the people            across the three senatorial districts.

     

  • Campaign: Buhari, Osinbajo arrive Ondo, Ekiti amidst tight security

    President Muhammdu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday arrived in Akure, the Ondo State capital, amidst heavy security on a campaign visit to Ondo and Ekiti states for the 2019 general elections.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Buhari and Vice President started their campaign from Ekiti to seek re-election to their offices as candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Buhari was received by Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, his Deputy, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, and Chief Olusola Oke, Director of Buhari Campaign Organisation in the South West.

    Others include Sen. Tayo Alasoadura, representing Ondo Central Senatorial District, Sen. Ajayi Boroffice, representing Ondo North Senatorial District and Mr Olaide Adelami, State Coordinator, Presidential Support Committee in Ondo State.

    Read Also: My fight against corruption unshaken, says Buhari

    Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transport, Chief Bola Tinubu, the Head of the Presidential Campaign and Adams Oshiomhole, the party’s National Chairman, also arrived after the president and vice president

    NAN also reports that the men of the Nigerian Police were led by Mr Gbenga Adeyanju, Commissioner of Police in the state.

    Other security agencies include men of the Nigerian Immigration Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), among others.

  • How Pastor Adeboye prayed for me before chopper crash – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has revealed how the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, prayed for him night before the Saturday chopper crash in Kogi State.

    He made the revelation on Sunday while giving testimony at the RCCG, City of Grace, Lokoja, Kogi State.

    According to a statement issued on Monday by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo said “On Friday, we went to (RCCG) camp; usually, I attend our Holy Ghost service. We came in very late from Akwa Ibom State. In fact, we arrived just in time for the grace at the end of the service.

    “Thereafter, our daddy in the Lord, (G.O) Pastor Adeboye, wanted to speak to me. He asked me how things were going on, the campaign activities and all that, and I explained everything; what I was doing on the campaign trail and all of that, some of the challenges.

    “He then said, I am going to pray for you. He said a prayer that turned out to be very interesting because usually, as you know, he doesn’t pray for long.

    “He said “Lord God Almighty, I want you to protect this man,” He said it three times and paused, then he continued. “You know how very dear he is to my heart. I want you to protect him.” I found it very funny that he repeated it several times and then he prayed for favour and other things.

    “So, when the crash happened, immediately it dawned on me that the Lord God had led him to say that very special prayer. And the Lord God Almighty delivered us in accordance with His word that, “even when 10,000 fall by our side, no harm whatsoever will come near us.”

    “I just want to thank the Almighty God for His grace and mercy that has been so abundant in my life and in all of our lives who are here,” he added.

    Earlier, the Vice President had called up members of his entourage who were with him in the Chopper and who were in the church to join him at the altar.

    They included Labour Minister of State, Stephen Ocheni; and Mr. Femi Osinbajo, VP’S elder brother. He also called the names of Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Special Adviser; and Ambassador Abdullahi Gwary, SSA Foreign Affairs/Protocol – although both of them were not in the service.

    Read Also; Osinbajo: we can’t thank God enough for our lives

    Others are Mr. Laolu Akande, the VP’s Spokesman; Dr Biodun Adelowo, Personal Physician; Mr. Doyin Adetuberu, Security Officer; and Ayoola Oladunni, ADC).

    “This is my older brother, the same father, same mother. Our father passed on long ago, but our mother is alive. If both of us had lost our lives on the same day, that would have been an absolute tragedy, but God saved that from happening.

    “We are truly grateful to the Almighty God and we bless the name of the Lord. And for all of you who are rejoicing with us today, your homes will be filled with rejoicing. You will not know tragedy, you will not know harm, all the days of your lives will be filled with rejoicing,” he said.