Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is leading Nigeria’s delegation to this year’s World Economic Forum this week in Davos, Switzerland.
On the delegation are ministers and special advisers, including Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Okey Enelamah, Minister for Agriculture & Rural Development Chief Audu Ogbeh and Minister of Water Resources Suleiman Adamu, an engineer.
A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, said the Special Adviser on Economic Matters to the President, Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu, was also on the delegation.
It reads: “At the forum, the vice president would lead a discussion on Business in Nigeria, where ministers from the Federal Cabinet, who are members of the Nigerian delegation, would also feature.
“The yearly forum, which draws together governmental and business leaders around the world, to discuss economic issues and review developments, is normally composed of such panel discussions, country/continent-specific themes and other subjects.
“Besides, the session on Business in Nigeria, the vice president will feature in a number of other discussions alongside world leaders including presidents and prime ministers.
“For instance, he will be discussing on the theme “Building Africa” with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia Hailemariam Dessalegn, among others. The vice president would also feature on a panel discussion on terrorism.
“While in Davos, the vice president will hold meetings with some of the global companies and other leaders attending the forum.”
Osinbajo, who departed Abuja yesterday, is expected back on Friday.
Tag: Osinbajo
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Osinbajo heads to Davos
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Osinbajo heads to Davos for WEF
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is leading Nigeria’s delegation to this year’s World Economic Forum holding this week in Davos, Switzerland.
In the Nigerian delegation are ministers and special advisers including the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okey Enelamah, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Minister for Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu.
A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Laolu Akande, said the Special Adviser on Economic Matters to the President, Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu, is also on the delegation.
It reads: “At the forum the Vice President would lead a discussion on Business in Nigeria, where ministers from the Federal Cabinet who are members of the Nigerian delegation would also feature.
“The yearly forum which draws together governmental and business leaders around the world to discuss economic issues and review developments, is normally composed of such panel discussions, country/continent-specific themes and other subjects.
“Besides, the session on Business in Nigeria, the Vice President, Prof. Osinbajo, will feature in a number of other discussions alongside world leaders including presidents and prime ministers.
“For instance, he will be discussing on the theme Building Africa with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia Mr. Hailemariam Dessalegn, among others. The Vice President would also feature on a panel discussion on terrorism.
“While in Davos, the Vice President will hold meetings with some of the global companies and other leaders attending the forum.”
Osinbajo, who departed Abuja on Tuesday, is expected back on Friday.
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Osinbajo: how to develop Niger Delta
•VP: Fed Govt can’t do it alone
It was a colorful ceremony. Traditional rulers in their ceremonial regalia, women groups in uniformed dresses and excited youths eager to catch a glimpse of the visitor.
But Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s visit yesterday to Oporoza, the headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State, was everything but ceremonial. It was businesslike.
In fact, it was part of the strategy designed to stop the militancy that has badly affected crude oil production and Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.
Gbaramatu is the home-base of fugitive ex-militant leader Chief Government Ekpemupolo, who is also known as Tompolo.
Prof Osinbajo, who was accompanied by Delta State Governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and Minister of State for Petroleum Dr Ibe Kachikwu, said the development of the Niger Delta was not a responsibility that only the Federal Government could shoulder, stressing that other stakeholders must join hands with the government to solve the region’s question.
The vice president, who visited the temporary site of the proposed Nigerian Maritime University in Kurutie after addressing the huge crowd that received him, left Gbaramatu Kingdom for Warri. He visited the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli. He addressed a meeting at the PTI Conference Centre, Effurun.
Speaking on the need for the development of the Niger Delta, which he agreed had a genuine need to be treated as a special development zone, Osinbajo said: “Number one, we must recognise the environmental and terrain challenges of the Niger Delta. We must also recognise that the Niger Delta is a special economic zone for this nation and so we must treat it as a special development zone.
“I agree that it must be treated as a special development zone. But what does it mean in practical terms? It means that the Federal Government, the state governments, the National Assembly representatives, alongside the NDDC and the civil society representatives of the Niger Delta people must sit together and develop a plan and funding arrangement for rapid development.
“There is no excuse for not planning together, the Federal Government alone cannot solve the problems of the Niger Delta, it is impossible for the Federal Government alone, but we can, sitting with the state governors from this region, National Assembly members and civil society organisations, plan for this special development zone and make sure that we carry it out and deliver on the promises that we have made to the people.”
“The states must also be prepared to devote substantial budget to this special project. The PANDEF has submitted a concise list of 16 dialogue issues that will be extremely helpful in ascertaining the key development priorities. That PANDEF document is an important working document; it’s a document around which we can plan,” he said.
Dr Kachikwu harped on the need for the people to look into the tourism potentials of the region and start tapping it for its development.
Okowa, who described the vice president’s visit as both a game changer and confidence-builder in the relationship between the people and the Federal Government, however noted that the people must allow the enabling environment for development to come.
He expressed the confidence that the visit would yield a lot of positive fruits and development, stressing the need for the people to give peace a chance.
Ijaw Youths Congress (IYC) National Leader Udengs Eradiri said the people were willing to work with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, but pleaded that the Federal Government cease what he called the persecution of Ijaw leaders and release all those arrested.
Among the dignitaries at the Oporoza event were Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Senator James Manager; Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh; Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro; the first military administrator of Old Rivers and the Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; one-time Minister of Police Affairs Alaowei Broderick Bozimo; House of Representatives member Hon Julius Pondi; Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Pastor Power Aginighan; the National President of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Udengs Eradiri; representative of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) Jenkins Timipa Okponipre. Ijaw chiefs, the clergy, youths and women from various walks of life. -
Tompolo’s fate uncertain as Osinbajo visits Delta
Security has been tightened around Warri waterways and other parts of coastal Delta State.
It is all part of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s visit today to Oporoza and other communities in Warri Southwest Local Government Area.
Oporoza, the traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom, is the home of Government Ekpemupolo (AKA Tompolo), former MEND leader, who isfingered as the ringleader of the new militants group, the Niger Delta Avengers, which has unleashed mayhem on the oil industry. He has severally denied the link with the group.
The Vice President is leading a Federal Government delegation to oil communities in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states, in the search for peace in the oil-rich delta.
Osinbajo will begin the first leg of the peace shuttle today at Oporoza, where he will meet the monarch, then the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli and the Ovie of Ughelli, Oharisi III.
He will also visit Kurutie, the temporary site of the NIMASA University, which the Federal Government is yeat to build. This is believed to have contributed to the insurgency.
Osinbajo had said on twitter, on Saturday: “I will be leading a high-level FG delegation to oil-producing communities, interacting with people in 3 states.
He added: “We proceed to Bayelsa and Rivers states at a later date to be announced soon.”
The VP’s visit continues a pattern started by then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan in 2007, early in the Musa Yar’Adua administration’s effort to halt the wanton destruction of oil facilities by the militant group MEND.
During that visit, nearly a decade ago, Jonathan had a private meeting with Ekpemupolo at the dreaded Camp 5 headquarters of MEND.
At the time of this report, it was not clear if Osinbajo would meet Tompolo for a face-to-face discussion or through surrogates.
Security sources told our reporter that the government sees Tompolo as a key component of any effort to halt the spate of bombings by the NDA and other copycats.
Some of the militant groups have made the withdrawal of Tompolo’s corruption trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) a condition for peace.
Tompolo is believed to be out of the country.
However, the specter of the former MEND leader will be looming large over whatever activity takes place in Oporoza and over whomever the kingdom chooses to lead talks with the delegation.
“There have been so many reports on Tompolo’s whereabouts, but that will not be the issue tomorrow (Monday); the issue that the will be discussed will be peace.
“There cannot be peace in the waterways of Delta and other parts of the region without Tompolo’s involvement one way or the other. The Vice President will meet with community leaders from Gbaramatu, but Tompolo will loom large in their discussions.
“I can tell you that he will be the person meeting with Prof Osinbajo because anybody sitting on that table for discussion will have his blessing and will be carrying his message,” a security expert told our reporter on condition of anonymity.
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Militancy: Osinbajo to interact with Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers communities
Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, is set for an interactive visit to oil communities in the Niger Delta starting tomorrow.
His first port of call is Delta State to be followed by visits to Bayelsa and Rivers at later dates.
The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, said yesterday that the VP’s planned trips are a testimony to the readiness and determination of the Buhari administration to comprehensively address the Niger Delta situation.
During the visits, according to Shehu, the Vice President will hold talks with leaders and representatives of the oil-producing communities.
He said: “The Buhari presidency is fully committed to having an effective dialogue and positive engagement that will end the crisis in the oil-producing areas, and believes that these visits would further boost the confidence necessary for the attainment of peace and prosperity in the areas and the Nigerian nation in general.” -
Delegitimise corruption totally, Osinbajo urges Nigerians
vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday urged Nigerians to delegitimise corruption in the country.
He made the call during a meeting with a delegation of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) led by its Chairman, Prof. Itse Sagay at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo also urged anti-corruption agencies to step up their engagement with the public because there are still those who think that it is permissible for politicians from their communities to steal.
He said: “How we communicate what is going on regarding corruption is important. There are still those who think a politician who steals, is some kind of Robin Hood, instead of being vilified.
“Some people believe that if ‘my kinsman’ steals it is ok,” he said
But he stressed that it is important to completely delegitimise corruption especially through the way it is communicated.
He praised the PACAC for the excellent work it has done.
According to him, the Committee has done very well by removing the skepticism as to whether an anti-corruption initiative can work well in the country.
He pointed out that the Committee has given credibility to the anti-corruption war in the country.
The Vice President also noted that it is important that corruption trials be concluded promptly once they have begun.
In his comments at the meeting, Prof. Sagay said PACAC has engaged all anti-corruption agencies in the country, including the police and the judiciary.
“We are cooperating effectively well with them,” he said.
He called for an harmonized National Anti-Corruption Strategy for the Federal Government.
Sagay was accompanied by the Executive Secretary of the Committee, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye and members including Hadiza Bala-Usman, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). -
Osinbajo to Nigerians: Deligitimise corruption totally
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday urged Nigerians to completely delegitimise corruption in the country.
He made the call during a meeting with a delegation of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) led by its Chairman, Prof. Itse Sagay, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo also urged anti-corruption agencies in the country to step up their engagement with the Nigerian public because there are still those who think that it is permissible for politicians from their communities to steal.
He said: “How we communicate what is going on regarding corruption is important. There are still those who think a politician who steals, is some kind of ‘Robin Hood,’ instead of being vilified.
“Some people believe that if ‘my kinsman’ steals it is ok.”
But he stressed that it is important to completely delegitimise corruption especially through the way it is communicated.
He praised the PACAC for the excellent work it has done from the beginning to date.
According to him, the Committee has done very well by removing the skepticism on whether an anti-corruption initiative can work well in the country.
He pointed out that the Committee has given credibility to the anti-corruption war in the country.
The vice president also noted that it is important that corruption trials to be concluded promptly once they have commenced.
In his comments at the meeting, Prof. Sagay said PACAC has engaged with all anti-corruption agencies in the country, including the police and the judiciary.
“We are cooperating effectively well with them,” he said.
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Success against Boko Haram, victory over evil – Osinbajo
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Sunday noted that the success recorded by the Nigerian military against Boko Haram insurgency is a victory of good over evil.
He made the remark during the interdenominational church service for the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo said: “”First, that the physical battles they fought for freedom, justice and recently against terrorism and hate are battles fought to ensure that good would prevail over evil. They fought to ensure that light would prevail over darkness.
“The victorious fight of our military against the evil ideology of Boko Haram is evidence of the ascendancy of good over evil. Our men and women of the Armed Forces have in the past few years battled an ideology that supports the killing of children on their beds, and the rape and abduction of women.
“Many of our men of the forces died in the North East. At some point, this evil had taken over 14 local governments. But men whose wives are now widows and children fatherless, gave their lives to take back those territories.
“Secondly, as we remember our departed military heroes, we also celebrate the attribute of brotherhood and unity that the military has demonstrated in the history of our country. Against Boko Haram, they stood side-by-side Christians , Muslims and other faiths. They stood and still stand united from the North East, South East, North West, South West, North Central, and South South.
“They are today mobilizing in Southern Kaduna, Christians, Muslims, and from every tribe and tongue in Nigeria to defeat hate, intolerance and terrorism. They are prepared to lay down their lives to prove that our country belongs to all regardless of religion or ethnicity. That when any Nigerian is killed, it is evil that has prevailed. It is darkness that has won.”
Stressing that soldiers occupied a special place in the gospel of Jesus Christ, the vice president said the military profession is the only profession to which Saints are compared.
He added: “The only profession to which the body of Christ is compared. The body of Christ is not compared with doctors, businessmen, bankers and others. I am a lawyer and I know what the scripture says about lawyers.”
Quoting 2 Timothy 2:3-4, he said the Scripture says to Christians: “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
“No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”
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Osinbajo, DG DSS, AGF to review Magu’s response
There were indications yesterday that a three-man team will review the response of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, to a query issued to him by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN).
The three leaders, who will come up with an advisory on Magu, are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and AGF Malami
Magu has responded to a query. He sent copies to the VP and the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari.
It was not immediately clear yesterday what the Acting Chairman of EFCC said in his response, but a source said he denied any wrongdoing.
The source said: “Magu has sent his response to the query to AGF Malami with copies made available to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari.
“Basically, he denied all the allegations of fraud levelled against him. He insisted that he was never fraudulent in any manner whatsoever.
“A three-man team, including the VP, the AGF and the DG of DSS, is reviewing the response. The team may come up with some recommendations for the President.
“What is certain is that the President will have the opportunity to hear all sides of the allegations against Magu. “
Senate Leader Ali Ndume yesterday insisted that Magu had not been rejected because due process was yet to be followed.
He said the confirmation processes had not taken place.
He also said Magu’s disqualification could not be done in a closed session.
Ndume said: “My position on Magu is clear and I stand by it. Magu has not been rejected. Check our votes and proceedings. It is clear and concise.
“The Senate President while reporting progress of the Executive Session, said: “Following the security report on Magu, the Senate decided not to confirm Magu and communicate the same to Mr. President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces.’
“That was our position and the Senate President aptly reported progress of the Executive Session. So, I wonder how and where rejection was brought in.
“We have not rejected him because that cannot be
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Osinbajo, Saraki, Tinubu, governors grace Buhari’s daughter’s wedding
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki and the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, were among dignitaries that attended the wedding reception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, Zahra, yesterday.
Others at the reception, which took place at the State House Banquet Hall, included the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and many cabinet members.
Governors on the occasion were Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Yahaya Bello of Kogi and Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos.
Others were Ibikunle Amosu of Ogun, Simon Lalong of Plateau, Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Abdullahi Badaru of Jigawa, Ben Ayade of Cross River, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Aminu Masari of Katsina and Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto.
Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the reception,Tinubu congratulated President Buhari on his daughter’s wedding.
He also wished the couple a happy married life.
Vice President Osinbajo thanked the guests for coming.