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Tag: Vice president

  • Osinbajo tasks editors on values, ethics of journalism profession

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday, tasked the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) to save the journalism from total collapse by enforcing the rules and values of the profession.

    Osinbajo gave the advice in a goodwill message at the opening of the 14th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) in Asaba, the Delta capital.

    Read Also:Fed Govt gives N15b interest-free loans to traders, says Osinbajo

    He noted that most profession, particularly journalism, had been threatened by artificial technologies, adding that social media had virtually taken over the conventional media in terms of readership and followership.

    Osinbajo, titled the goodwill message: “The end of Professions, the end of Journalism.”

    According to him, the burden is on the guild to set the agenda and the rules as well as enforce and keep them.

    “For journalism, are we at the end of the profession? Today, social media has totally become the choice of everybody and read by many people than the newspapers”.

    He noted that apart from the challenges of technology, the professionals remain a challenge to themselves, such that people had lost confidence because most information lacked objectivity and accuracy.

    He said that the journalism profession had today become partisans and were being influenced by politicians and nonprofessionals.

    He charged the media to fight corruption in the system, adding that corruption, like cancer could eat up the fabrics and eventually kill the victim if not checked.

    “The guild must make personal sacrifice that will save the profession by removing the bad eggs,” the VP said.

    NAN

     

  • 2019: Buhari not jittery over Atiku, APC govs declare 

    Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Wednesday declared that President Muhammadu Buhari and the party are not jittery over the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the main opposition Presidential candidate in 2019 election.

    Atiku was elected by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as its Presidential flag bearer during the party’s national convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Sunday.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after leading four governors of the party to a closed-door meeting with President Buhari over the just concluded party’s primaries, Chairman of the APC Governors Forum and Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, was optimistic that Buhari would be reelected in 2019.

    Other governors at the meeting attended by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, included Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi); Abdullahi Gamduje (Kano); Kashim Shettima (Borno); and Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos)

    Also at the meeting was the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

    Okorocha said that the party had no reason to lose sleep over Atiku’s emergence.

    According to him, the party has concluded not to engage in any verbal attacks with any candidate in the forthcoming election.

    He said that the APC governors were at the State House not only to congratulate Buhari for being elected as the party’s presidential candidate, but to also request for a date when they would bring all the party’s governorship candidates to him to show their readiness for the 2019 political battles.

    He added “For the Governors to come together with our followers and supporters to further inform the world for our readiness to deliver him in 2019 election.

    “This is just basically the message we have come and to say that Mr. President is more than ever ready for the entire exercise.

    “Our election this time will not engage on castigations or talking. We will be taking on issues, Nigerians are tired of political abuses, what we want to be talking about is issues, the tract records of people involved in our elections.

    “Nigerians are very wise now, before they elect anybody they will ask questions, what has been your tract records, who were you before, who are you now and everything about you. And for that reason we are confident that in 2019, APC will go through.

    “We have also looked at the issues concerning our primaries, in every democracy, you should expect a kind of disagreement and we have kindly requested that something be done to bring warring factions together so that we can have a united party to face the challenges ahead and we are happy that will soon take place.

    “Most of the problems have been resolved except for one or two states where we have issues and where it becomes more difficult, we ask for Mr. President’s intervention in the matter.

    “We are talking about reconciliation, what is important to us is that we must never go into this battle, a divided family and we want to make sure that all governors are intact, all national assembly members are intact while going into this battle. We will never speak differently, we will speak as members of the party.” he said

    On whether the controversy surrounding the Zamfara State APC primaries was part of the discussion, he said, “Zamfara is one of the issues that we have addressed also.”

    Asked whether the APC was jittery because of the emergence of for Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the Presidential candidate of the PDP and his tough stance since he emerged, he said that the party was not jittery at all.

    He said, “I don’t know about talking tough, we can’t be jittery and history is there to speak, history is very important and it is there to speak so like I said we are not going to engage in this verbal war with anybody, we will be talking about issues. If we say look, you are not good, we tell you what we can do and we cannot do and what others cannot do.

    “APC is not going to join in those talk shop but right we are discussing issues of what our party can for our people.”

    On what was the President’s response, he said, “The President is quite happy with the whole outing and he is looking for a date to invite the governors, in fact, he will give us a date to celebrate him and tell the world our joy and happiness that he emerged as our Presidential flag bearer which is victory assured 2019.”

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha described the APC governors meeting with the President as a welcome development.

    He said, “It is a welcome development, we are one big family in a contest there is bound to be winners and losers but in the spirit of the game of politics which is like any other sports, after the game is over, whoever has emerged victorious must be magnanimous and gracious in his victory and whoever has lost out will also accept it in the spirit of sportsmanship.

    “So, this is a welcome move, our governor who is the Chairman of Progressives Governors Forum, has spoken rightly all the things that are in motion to ensure that we quickly heal the wounds and bring the family together for a greater task ahead.

    “We are a government that has credibly performed this morning I had the privilege of laying before the council a compendium of the policies, the programmes and the projects initiated and implemented by this government in two and half years. A total of one thousand and forty two page documents, not stories, facts of what we have been able to achieve.

    “I think we are set to record, this campaign will be driven by issues, this campaign must be predicated on what you are able to bring to the table for the people of Nigeria. It is not going to be a noisy campaign, anybody that is preparing for noise should be prepared to receive defeat in February of 2019,” he said.

  • Jallo tackles Osinbajo over comment on IBB 

    …says no gov’t has performed like IBB’s

     

    Former National Democratic Party (NDP) chairman in Kaduna State and a die-hard supporter of former Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) during the build up to 2011 presidential race, Hassan Mohammed Jallo, has tackled the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo over the VP’s recent public comment against the past regime of IBB.

    Osinbajo who was answering questions from Nigerians at a town hall meeting in Minnesota, United States last Sunday, had spoken on how huge funds went down the drain in previous administrations, which earned much and invested little in infrastructure.

    Read Also:Osinbajo tackles Obasanjo, IBB, Jonathan over oil cash

    On OPEC statistics on oil revenues accruable to Nigeria under successive administrations between 1990 and 2014, the Vice President said not much had been done in terms of infrastructure, despite the huge oil revenues.

    He said: “Under the IBB/Abacha administrations (1990 – 1998) Nigeria realised$199.8 billion; under the Obasanjo / Yar’Adua governments (1999 – 2009), the country got $401.1 billion; and during the Jonathan administration (2010 – 2014), Nigeria got $381.9 billion from oil revenues.

    “The question that we must all ask is what exactly happened to resources? The question that I asked is that where is the infrastructure?”

    However, addressing journalists on Monday, Jallo who said he is for IBB till eternity, advised Osinbajo to retrieve his comment, particularly against IBB administration.

    He said this was because IBB’s achievements were too lofty not to be noticed by any Nigerian, adding that the Aso Rock, the seat of the Federal Government was built by IBB.

    He listed few of IBB achievements out of 277 items to include construction of ECOWAS Headquarters, Abuja international airport phase 1&11, Nigerian Dockyard Snake Island, Lagos,  National Assembly, Abuja, Maitama General Hospital, Abuja, boreholes for 1004 Housing Estate, Third mainland bridge, Lagos.

    Others, according to IBB supporter, was the removal of Decree 4 on the press, establishment of Nigerian Broadcasting Commission along with Nigerian Telecommunication Commission which has powers to give private license.

    Jallo challenged the number two citizen to tell him the most productive and widely accepted Nigerian leader other than the former military president.

    He said, “It is unfortunate that since the declaration of intention of IBB to contest the 2011 presidential elections, certain negative reaction and stories are being made by very few unprogressive Nigerians, but the glorious image of IBB as an excellent God fearing leader, father, peacemaker, diplomat and a living legend of our time remains positive in the minds and memories of the Nigerian majority.

    “There is no respected statesman as much as IBB in Nigeria and that is the role he is playing. He is ready to support whoever emerged the flag bearer of PDP presidential race because he is a founder and a card carrying member of the party.

    “I will continue to react and redirect whoever makes derogatory comments on my leader (IBB) because no Nigerian leader dead or alive had achieved what IBB had achieved for the country”.

  • Fracas as Police on VP convoy engage customs officials in Katsina

    There was a mild drama along Katsina -Jibia road as Police officers attached to the convoy of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo attacked and beat up three customs officials on border checking point at Daddara village, Katsina state.

    The incident occurred at the village, when the vice president who was in the area on behalf of President Buhari to condole with victims of recent flood disaster in the area was returning to Katsina after the visit.

    Read Also:Police foil attack on Zamfara community

    Trouble started when the customs officials had apprehended a vehicle with which a group of youths had allegedly smuggled contraband goods from neighboring Niger Republic.

    It was while the customs officials were struggling to impound the vehicle belonging to the suspected smugglers that the vice president’s convoy passed by the village while on its way to the metropolitan area.

    An eyewitness said the customs officials were threateningly brandishing their rifles to ward off several youths who stormed to the scene in show of sympathy to the smugglers.

    According to him, the police in the convoy of the vice president, on seeing what the customs officials were doing with their weapons, perceived it as a security threat.

    He said “Several policemen immediately came down from their vehicles and descended on the customs officials. One of them even fired a shot into the air’’.

    “I saw one of the policemen struggling to collect a rifle from one of the customs officials, but when he couldn’t, he continued to slap the customs official,” he added.

    He said that the suspected smugglers however used the opportunity of the commotion to tow their vehicle away.

    “Some of the youths that had gathered threw stones at the customs officials’ vehicle and continued to boo them till they left the area.”

  • EdoJobs, Curators Academy commence training on programming for youths

    Less than two weeks after the Vice President, Prof.  Yemi Osinbajo, commissioned the Edo Innovation Hub, the Edo State government in partnership with the Curators Academy, have commenced training on Python, Data Science, and other programming tools, at the new facility in Benin City.

    The Special Assistant to the Governor on Job Creation and Skills Development, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, who disclosed this to journalists in Benin City, said the Curators Academy has opened its laboratory for Edo youths, to acquire on-demand tech skills.

    According to her, “Beginners and intermediate classes would be held on Python and Data Science programming for youths who were part of the boot camp held when the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, launched the Edo Innovation Hub.”

    She added, “In preparation for this class, the lab is now open for people who are interested in learning Python and Data Science programmes to come in and use the lab to learn.”

    She explained that “Those who were trained during the launch of the Edo Innovation Hub are practicing, working and using the knowledge and tools to improve their skills. This kicks off a one-year partnership where 600 young people in Edo will be trained as tech entrepreneurs and tech experts participate in international competitions and get jobs globally in the tech space.”

    Mrs. Dare also noted that the Edo State government will be organising a 2-day training programme on Book Keeping and Financial Management in partnership with Recounting Limited.

    “Edo Innovates is focused on leveraging technology for job creation and enterprise development so it is a connection point for entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts. At the financial management training, entrepreneurs will be trained by accounting experts. It is targeted at giving business owners up-to-date skills needed to manage business finance. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply on the EdoJobs portal before June 28.”

    She further said that Mobicure, a social enterprise, is the first tech business to secure office space in the Edo Innovation Hub and encourages other start-ups and businesses to take full advantage of the facility and training programmes.

  • Azura-Edo IPP proof of enabling environment for private investors – Osinbajo  

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has attributed the impressive delivery of the Edo-Azura 450mw Independent Power Project (IPP) as a testimony of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration’s posture in creating an enabling environment for private businesses.

    The Vice President, who said this during a visit on Friday to the Azura-Edo IPP, near Benin City, said the project demonstrates the capacity of Nigerian engineers as well as Nigerian enterprise.

    He said the plant has greatly increased the capacity of Nigeria to generate power, noting, “with the 450mw from this plant and the quality of this particular plant, I think we are on to a very good thing. I think with the capacity to increase generation from here, I think this is very positive.”

    “All that we need to do is to create the environment for businesses to thrive. As you know, this is a privately-owned plant and a private initiative but with the active support of the government. This is one of the reasons why I am here. To give all the support that we can and ensure that the environment is right for those who want to invest in the power sector is what we will do and what we will continue to do,” he assured.

    Read Also:Obaseki, World Bank Directors, inspect completed Azura-Edo power plant

    He described as fantastic his experience in the state for the two days, noting, “I have been to the groundbreaking of the housing units at Emotan Gardens. I have also gone to see the innovation hub, which we describe as the South-South Hub, a collaboration between the Federal Government and the State Government. I saw all of the young, creative Nigerians involved in technology and innovation, doing wonderful things. I was here to commission that; and to see our N-Power and Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP). I am glad that I came and I will be back.”

    Earlier on Friday, Prof. Osinbajo met with Christian religious leaders in Edo State at the Government House, during a Breakfast session and paid a visit to the Benin Monarch, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akplokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, in his palace.

     

  • Edo, reference point for good governance – Osinbajo 

    …lauds Obaseki’s reenactment of Ogbemudia’s devt’al strides

     

    The Vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has said that Edo State in the last decade, has retained her status as a reference point with regard to good governance in the country.

    Osinbajo gave the commendation at a State Dinner held in his honour at the Edo Government House in Benin City, as part of his 2-day visit to the state.

    He expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led adminstration in reenacting the developmental strides recorded in the administration of the late Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia.

    The Vice President assured of the federal government’s readiness to support Edo State in her effort to bring development to the people.

    Read Also:Osinbajo, Obaseki partner to give Edo life-changing projects

    He said the various projects which informed his visit to the state, would boost the Edo economy, especially the federal government’s South-South Innovation Hub.

    In his remark, Obaseki expressed his appreciation to the Vice President for his continued support for the state, noting that the several initiatives of the Office of the Vice President have provided jobs for Edo youths.

    “The N-Power and N-Build programmes have remained major sources of encouragement for the state in her journey to greatness,” the governor said.

    The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Phillip Shaibu, solicited for more support from the federal government to enable the state government benefit more from the initiatives of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

    Obaseki at the dinner, announced full scholarship to Miss Obakpolor Esosa, a Senior Secondary School 1 student of Idia College, in Benin City, due to the depth of her presentation on the Menace of Human Trafficking.

  • Osinbajo commends private sector-led economic expansion in Edo

    …lauds Obaseki on 1800-unit Emotan Gardens project

     

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday in Edo State, commended the private sector-led economic expansion in Edo State under Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    Osinbajo gave the commendation at the groundbreaking ceremony of the 1800 housing-unit Emotan Gardens, in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

    He said, “It is good to see the great and dynamic work the governor is doing. I was in Auchi recently to commission the Edo Fertiliser and Chemical Company Ltd. I was in this local government for the Benin Industrial Park. I commend the governor and MIXTA Africa for this excellent idea.”

    He lauded the governor’s investment drive and the increased participation of the private sector in the state’s economy.

    Chairman, Board of Directors, MIXTA Africa, Eddy Eguavoen, said that the firm was excited about the partnership with the Edo State Government on the project, noting that from his experience with other governments across Africa, Edo State government’s support for the private sector is unparallel.

    According to him, “Our experience has been remarkable. I want to assure Nigerians and those in the diaspora that this project will be delivered with the quality and standards that MIXTA Africa is known for.”

    Governor Obaseki said that the project is the realisation of his campaign to turn the state into an economic hub, noting that the project is in line with the pledge to revive the state’s economy.

    He said, “I promised to create 200,000 jobs in the first instance, and some of them were to be in agriculture and construction, among others.

    “We realised that housing is also key. Hence, we have re-enacted the Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA) law and set up a new management. This project is a reflection of the new direction.”

    Read Also:Eight Edo indigenes returning from Spain die in Ogun accident

    Noting that the state has proven that much can be achieved with the private sector, he said, “I am happy that we have proven that it can be done.

    Obaseki added, “This building was put up in record time. I assure you that 80 per cent of materials used for this project was manufactured in Edo State. They will be used for the entire project.

    “We are starting a new paradigm. We expect that the houses will sell from between N3 million to N12 million. We are praticalising policies being enunciated in Abuja.”

    Former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, noted that the Vice President’s visits to Edo State indicate that the Edo economy is on track with Obaseki as governor.

    Oshiomhole maintained that the VP’s visits, the third since Obaseki assumed office, have always been to commission or kick-start economic projects that will propel growth and development and not for tea party.

    “These visits confirm that Obaseki is building on the foundation I have laid for the growth and development of the state.

    “I am happy because those that have doubt about our governor now know that we have a credible and a performing governor who is building on our development.”

    Oshiomhole added that the governor had assured that he would concentrate on the economy and create jobs for Edo youths, noting “this he has been doing, and has attracted private investors to the state”.

    The Vice President also launched the South-South Innovation Hub at the Edo Innovates facility. He also attended the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Clinic, where he and the governor had a chat with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s Social Investment Programme (SIP).

     

     

  • Osinbajo’s visit: EDPA-MIXTA Africa intensify work on Emotan Gardens project

    As activities rev up for the hosting of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on a two-day visit, Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA), and MIXTA Africa, are intensifying work on the development of the 1800-unit Emotan Gardens.

    Executive Chairman, EDPA, Isoken Omo, in a chat with journalists during a tour of the site, said that the partnership with MIXTA Africa has been fruitful and the response to the development of the affordable housing units by residents in the state and those in the diaspora have been tremendous.

    She said that work on the estate in preparation for the Vice President’s visit has reached advanced stage and all is set for the August visitor.

    According to her, “We are happy that the Vice President is coming to commission this landmark project. This project holds a lot of history for the state. It is the first state government housing project in the state after 16 years.

    Read Also:Osinbajo’s visit: Taraba governor flags off Wukari-Tsokundi road

    “Our partner, MIXTA Africa, has been very supportive and we are working round the clock to ensure that the project site is ready for the ground-breaking ceremony,

    Noting that some units will be ready for the Vice President’s visit, she said, “We are committed to this project and want to assure the people that we will deliver on our promises. The project is going to be a major pull for residents and those in the Diaspora to invest in bespoke real estate in Benin.

    We are sourcing materials for this project within the state, which is quite remarkable, as this means that the building will be quite affordable at the end of the day.

    “We assure that some level of structure would be on ground for the ceremony by the Vice President. This is to show how serious the state government and MIXTA Africa are to deliver on the project.”

    Head, Sales and Marketing, MIXTA Africa, Korede Lawrence-Salu, said MIXTA Africa is impressed with the partnership, and promised that it would work round the clock to deliver on the project, assuring on delivery of high quality, valuable housing stock.

    According to him, “after we sealed the deal to construct the 1,800-unit project, we have been inundated with enquiries from those willing to have a stake. So we are confident about this project. We have recorded high interest, especially among Edo people in the diaspora too.”

  • On-shore/off-shore dichotomy: Osinbajo, Emmanuel meet in Aso Rock

    …Warns against inflammatory statements

     

    Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel on Thursday met behind closed-doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting followed the alleged inflammatory statements by some political leaders on the onshore/offshore dichotomy occasioned by the report of the Governor Nasir el-Rufai-led Committee to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on restructuring.

    Some of the recommendations of the report of the Kaduna State Governor committee on fiscal federalism and restructuring, centering on onshore/offshore dichotomy had not gone down well with some stakeholders from the oil rich region.

    Although the Federal Government claimed it had addressed grey areas relating to the sharing of Federation Account Allocation to littoral states as it concerns crude oil revenue.

    But Governor el-Rufai-led committee had recommended in the report presented to the party leadership, that “to promote the unity of the country and ensure that states are more financially empowered to deliver services to their residents, as well as ensure no one feels disadvantaged, the committee recommends that the Federal Government should expeditiously review derivation to reflect areas of consensus which are adoption of ‘state control of resources and pay FG,’ upward review of the current formula in favour of states and adoption of similar derivation formula in favour of solid minerals and power generation.”

    Reacting to the development while speaking with State House journalists, Governor Emmanuel said it was irresponsible for people who had no business with oil generation in the country to make sweeping statements that could jeopardise the polity.

    He said that he was bothered about inflammatory statements coming from people with little knowledge about oil and the economic implications.

    He said, “The Vice President is the Chairman of the National Economic Council so once you see a forward looking governor like us coming to have a discussion with him, you know it has something to do with the economy.

    “Whatsoever robs off in the state must also play part in the country especially a state that I run as the largest oil producer in this country today even though I mean as you all are aware, I don’t even have a dimple to show for it but at least we must do our best to make sure we contribute significantly to economy of this country, and probably also use this opportunity to tell those who do not understand few things not to make certain comments that would not allow this country to run the way it should run.

    “I hear people making all kind of comments at times somebody who doesn’t even understand, who has never seen crude oil before will come and tell you about onshore/offshore all those things is dead and has been buried, so let those people not just make inflammatory statements that will cause problems.

    “But by and large it has been a good meeting we discuss the entire economy of the nation I am also looking forward to a whole lot of happenings within this period because I can see our economy should move much faster, yesterday the oil price was well over $73 a barrel, this is a good sign of an economy that should get into a boom very soon.”

    He was optimistic that the nation’s economic recovery would move faster following Tuesday’s positive jump in price of crude oil at the international market.

    The governor said the country should capitalize on the new oil price to step up economic recovery and move the country beyond present level of development.

    He said, “Our economy should move much faster; yesterday the oil price was well over 73 dollars per barrel; this is a good sign of an economy that should get into improving very soon.

    “The Vice President is the chairman of NEC and once you see a forward-looking governor like ours coming to have a discussion with him, know that it is 100 per cent about the economy.

    “Whatsoever rubs off in the state must also play part in the country, especially a state that I run as the largest oil producer in the country today even though  as you all are aware I do not have a deep to show for it.

    “But at least we must do our best to make sure we contribute significantly to the economy of this country,’’ he said.

    On flood in Akwa Ibom state, the governor stated that the administration had tackled that but noted that erosion was a major concern because of the damage caused by the ravine.

    He said the state was playing politics of development which isolated it from the kinds of politics seen in the rest of Africa.

    He said, “We are more particular about development; look at the quality of leaders we have been bringing out since 2003 till today; look at the profile of the leaders and it is a clear direction that we are out for development.

    “We are not out for some of the propaganda that some other states play and we are not out for deceit; we are out for the truth and the truth stands out; I think we have done well,” he stated.

    Read Also: Ekweremadu briefs Osinbajo on Senate invasion