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Tag: Osinbajo

  • Osinbajo: more evidence of change will show next year

    Osinbajo: more evidence of change will show next year

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said more evidence of change will be announced by President Muhammadu Buhari in a 2016 budget to be presented to National Assembly tomorrow.

    The Vice President spoke yesterday in Dutse, Jigawa State capital while receiving over 3000 People Democratic Party (PDP) members into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Osinbajo, who was represented by the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, explained that “more evidence of change would be realised when the president presents the 2016 budget estimate to the National Assembly”.

    He added: “Parts of the change seen so far are 130 bills introduced in the House of Representatives within this period of APC administration. This has never happened in the past.

    “We were the first to leave the PDP to APC as result of the insecurity in the North east. The then PDP government showed no committed atitude. There is no justification to anyone in the Northeast to remain in PDP.”

    The National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said members of PDP were trooping to APC nation wide, “but the Jigawa own is unique”.

    “Those decamping in to our party are doing so because of the government and quality leadership by President Muhammadu Buhari, governors of the party and their teams in their respective states,” he said.

    Governor Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar said among of the defectors are 18 serving local government council chairmen, 190 councillors, two former members of the House of Representatives, former commissioners, members of the House of Assembly and others.

  • Fed Govt ‘ll create enabling environment for investors, says Osinbajo

    Fed Govt ‘ll create enabling environment for investors, says Osinbajo

    • Huawei to train 2000

    Creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive is one of the key priorities of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration,  Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has said.

    Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Government and a Chinese technology firm, Huawei, he said the government would work hard to make the operating environment congenial to spur  economic growth and create opportunities for gainful employment.

    According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant-Media & Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Laolu Akande, the MoU would creates 2000 information communication technology (ICT) trainee jobs to young Nigerians next year under the “Huawei  Seeds for the Future Programme.”

    According to the Vice President, who was joined by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige and Communications Minister Mr Adebayo Shittu, “ICT is one of the quickest ways people can get decent jobs, so we think this is absolutely important.

    “In the change agenda, how to grow the economy is important, and we want to create ICT hubs and support existing ones. We thank Huawei for this initiative of advancing technology in Nigeria, apart from the job creation itself.”

    Lamenting the low ranking of Nigeria in ease of doing business,  the Vice President said President Buhari had already given the Trade, Industry & Investment Minister the task of addressing the challenges.

    At an event attended by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gu Xiaojie, Prof Osinbajo described the relationship between Nigeria and China as strategic. He urged Chinese investors and business leaders to consider Nigeria for manufacturing plants. He said Chinese investors “should encourage not just the selling, but also the manufacturing of products in Nigeria.”

    This, he said, would lead to mutual prosperity for both countries.

    According to the Chinese envoy, China is in partnership with President Buhari’s administation in the “change” agenda, adding that China plans to be involved in areas such as agric modernisation, industrialisation, infrastructure, trade and investment, poverty alleviation, peace and security among others.

    Dr Ngige and Mr Shittu whose ministries would select the 2000 trainees, signed the MoU on behalf of the Federal Government. The Vice President, Huawei West Africa, Mr. Richard Cao, signed for the technology firm.

    Ngige said: “China has blazed the trail,” with the job creation MoU with the Buhari presidency, while Shittu commended the initiative and urged the Chinese people to consider setting up a technology institute or polytechnic in Nigeria.

  • FG will create enabling business environment – Osinbajo

    FG will create enabling business environment – Osinbajo

    Creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and flourish is one of the key priorities of the Muhammadu Buhari‘s administration, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said.

    He spoke during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Government and a leading Chinese technology firm, Huawei in his office.

    The MOU will provides 2,000 Information and Communication Technology, ICT trainee jobs to young Nigerians next year under the “Huawei’s Seeds for the Future program.”

    According to the vice president, who was joined by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige and Communications Minister, Barr. Adebayo Shittu, “ICT is one of the quickest ways people can get decent jobs.”

    Osinbajo, according to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, said “in the change agenda, how to grow the economy is important, and we want to create ICT hubs and support existing ones. We thank Huawei for this initiative of advancing technology in Nigeria, apart from the job creation itself.”

    Observing the current poor rating of Nigeria in business environments index, the vice president disclosed that the President has already given the Trade, Industry & Investment Minister the task of addressing the challenges of doing business in the country.

     

  • Corruption: How to increase conviction rate, by experts

    Appellate courts have been urged not entertain interlocutory appeals emanating from corruption cases in defiance of clear provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

    Experts said the ACJA should be further amended to provide for sanctions for non-compliance with its provisions.

    Besides, the Federal Government should initiate the amendment of the 1999 Constitution to incorporate the provisions of Section 306 of the ACJA.

    These are contained in a communiqué issued at end of a one-day workshop on sections 306 and 396 of the ACJA in Abuja.

    It was organised by the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS) and the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption (PAAC).

    Speakers, including Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), represented by PACC chairman, Prof .Itsay Sagay (SAN), and Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN), said the federal Government considers the Act an important platform for reform of criminal justice administration.

    The communiqué reads: “The Act must be given purposive interpretation and application by the courts so that cases are adjudicated with the urgency required.

    “The courts are enjoined to give literal interpretation and full effect to sections 306 and 396 of the Act so to avoid unnecessary and frivolous interlocutory applications which are meant to delay trials especially of corruption cases.

    “The courts should adopt the wasted costs mechanism to deter counsel from seeking frivolous adjournments.”

    Participants urged the judiciary to develop a strong national judicial policy which should prohibit the abuse of interlocutory applications and injunctions.

    The communiqué, signed by CSLS President, Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), added: “The Federal Government should make adequate budgetary allocations to enhance the implementation of the innovative provisions of the ACJA including payment of witness expenses, training and motivation of prosecutors, investigators and judges in the light of the huge workload occasioned by the Act.

    “Public commentators should desist from blanket condemnation of judges as there are still many hardworking and incorruptible judges in the country.

    “The Federal Government should endeavour to pay the salaries of judges regularly and make provisions for their security and retirement benefits.

    “States of the Federation which have not already done so should domesticate the ACJ Act using the Federal Act as a template.”

  • Osinbajo decries low conviction rate in corruption cases

    Osinbajo decries low conviction rate in corruption cases

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) on Wednesday decried the low conviction rate in high profile corruption case in the country, saying there is still a long way to go.

    He said since the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was established in 2002, only eight high profile cases have been successfully concluded despite the widespread corruption in the land.

    According to him, of the eight cases, one was overturned by the Supreme Court on technical grounds, which means only seven major convictions have been secured after trial in 13 years.

    “We must do more. This is not a campaign for conviction at all cost in high profile cases, but a campaign that the law must be allowed to follow its course and high or low profile corruption cases must be concluded within the time allotted by law,” he said.

    The vice-president spoke at a workshop on Sections 306 & 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and Delay of Corruption Cases, organised by the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS) and the Presidential Committee on Corruption (PAAC) in Abuja.

    Osinbajo, represented by PAAC chairman, Prof. Itsay Sagay (SAN), attributed the delays to lawyers breaching ethical rules to defend clients, overcrowded courts, compromised judicial officers, ill-equipped investigators and prosecutors, among others.

    “We will not build this nation as a citadel of justice in one day or 1,000 days, but it is important that we start now and we shall not relent until we achieve total reform and recovery from the present broken and failed system,” he said.

    He said the ACJA has provisions which ensure that impunity of public officials, private profiteers and others who rob the nation of its wealth is brought to an end.

     

     

  • Osinbajo, Fashola for NBA Lagos dinner

    Osinbajo, Fashola for NBA Lagos dinner

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) and Minister of Power Babatunde Fashola (SAN) are among dignitaries expected at the 2015 annual dinner of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos.
    The event, which holds today at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Lagos, is part of the Bar’s year-end tradition to foster unity among members and to honour those who distinguished themselves in the profession.
    The branch will also honour lawyers recently conferred with the rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).
    Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Funmilayo Atilade will be the distinguished guest.

     

  • Bayelsa APC hails Tinubu, Osinbajo, others

    Bayelsa APC hails Tinubu, Osinbajo, others

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Brass Constituency II, Bayelsa State, has thanked the party’s national leadership, especially the National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir David Lawal, for supporting the people in their effort to free themselves from “PDP-imposed poverty”.

    They hailed the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the APC Governorship Election Campaign Council, Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, as well as other members of the council for their dedication.

    In a statement yesterday, following the successful grand finale of the APC governorship campaign in Bayelsa State, the constituency’s leaders, Abaye Ayebatonyo and Fayenengigha Jacob, said: “The massive nationwide support shows that the country values Bayelsa State people.”

    The constituency expressed gratitude to “Bayelsa people for supporting our son, the APC governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva.”

    Brass Constituency II is Sylva’s home base.

    The statement said: “We thank especially, the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and the members of the APC National Working Committee. We appreciate the dedication of the chairman, deputy chairman and other members of the APC Governorship Election Campaign Council.

    “Your support has been great in the historic effort by our people to free the state from the regime of poverty and underdevelopment foisted and supervised by the PDP.

    “The overwhelming support for Chief Sylva and APC in Bayelsa State from the APC family nationally and locally is a worthy recognition of the wonderful potentials of the candidate and the party in the state.

    “The APC family in Brass Constituency II and, indeed, the whole of Bayelsa State, pledge to justify the huge confidence reposed in us as the party steers the ship of the state, by the grace of God, after the December 5 election.

    “We are bolstered by the support of the APC national leadership, and we promise to come out en masse tomorrow to reclaim our state and free the people from years of PDP-imposed poverty. We will win, by God’s grace.”

     

  • Osinbajo seeks cooperation among MMSEs, donor agencies

    Osinbajo seeks cooperation among MMSEs, donor agencies

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday said there is a disconnect between the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the opportunities to access the needed fund.

    He made the remark while speaking at the 2015 National MSMEs Summit with the theme: “Entrepreneurship for National Development: The Place of MSMEs in the Economy Under the Change Agenda,” in Abuja.

    Osinbajo suggested an effective monitoring and evaluation mechanism for MSME funds to address the existing gaps and enable the economy to grow.

    He said: “We need a very effective monitoring and evaluation so that we can then address where exactly the gaps and the shortfalls are.

    “But today, it is evident that the programmes are there, it is evident that the resources are there, it is also evident that the entrepreneurs are there and those who want to get engaged are there.

    “But we need to make that very important link between the two.’’

    He said it was either there was no connection or that it was difficult for the entrepreneurs to access them.

    The vice president observed that the reasons for the difficulty were because officials were not actually required to account for each and every person receiving the fund.

  • Buhari, Osinbajo, others for Ooni’s coronation

    Buhari, Osinbajo, others for Ooni’s coronation

    •Public holiday Dec 7

    president Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara are expected at the coronation and presentation of staff of office to the 51st Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

    The over one week event will climax next Monday with the presentation of staff of office  by Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    Addressing a pre-coronation briefing at the palace yesterday, the monarch’s elder brother, Prince Adegboyega, said invites have been sent to 27 governors, members of the National Assembly and other dignitaries.

    He said: “There will be a coronation carnival round the town today.  Tomorrow, there will be artistes’ coronation day.

    “On Thursday, there will be traditional worshippers’ day. A Jumat service will hold on Friday. Also on that day, there will be a youth carnival and fashion parade.

    “A football match between Ajiroba FC and Shooting Stars of Ibadan is scheduled for Saturday.

    “On Sunday, there will be an interdenominational service at Enuwa Square and inauguration of Ife Resorts.

    “The grand finale is on Monday with the presentation of staff of office.

    “The programme will be rounded off on December 13 with a thanksgiving service at St. Saviour Anglican Church, Ayegbaju, Ile-Ife.”

    The Chairman, Publicity Committee, Biyi Odunlade, said December 7 has been declared a public holiday to allow residents participate in the programme.

    According to Odunlade, the event will be historic.

     

  • FG to implement Niger Delta Master Plan – Osinbajo

    FG to implement Niger Delta Master Plan – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the Federal Government is focused on implementation of Niger Delta Master Plan to drive development of the region.

    Osinbajo stated this at the inaugural meeting of Partners for Sustainable Development Forum organised by Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in Port Harcourt on Monday.

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari had also expressed concern with current degradation of the environment with a view to addressing challenges faced by the region.

    “Niger Delta remains a priority of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government with a view to attending to current devastation and environmental degradation in the region.

    “The federal government will give NDDC all necessary assistance and support to achieve its mandate of ensuring rapid and sustainable development of the region.

    “For meaningful and sustainable development to take place in the region, citizens and stakeholders must be peaceful while curbing militancy and eliminating terrorism,” he said.

    Represented by Mr Adeola Ipaye, the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Presidency, Osinbajo added that Niger Delta, being the world’s third largest wetland, had immense potential to become an agriculture hub.

    He said the nation’s over-dependence on crude oil was partly responsible for “redundant human resource base and high level of corruption.”

    According to him, there has to be a major shift from dependence on oil to agricultural production which will assist job creation and encourage development of the manufacturing sector.

    The Vice President assured that ongoing clean up of several years of un-addressed oil pollution in Ogoni area of Rivers and other communities in the region would be completed.

    Managing Director of NDDC, Mr. Bassey Dan-Abia said poor funding was a major challenge facing the commission.

    He explained that the commission was an intervention agency, not an alternate government, as widely held by some people.

    “Youths should reduce the level of restiveness because NDDC does not have the capacity to solve all their problems.

    “Restiveness and tension caused by some youths in the region clearly have direct negative impact on the development of the region”, he said.

    Dan-Abia called on the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG) to commence payment of its own contribution to funding of the commission.

    According to him, this is based on the fact that NLNG falls within the oil and gas producing companies within the Niger Delta.