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Tag: Yemi Osibanjo

  • Osinbajo considers local intel tech for national digital scheme

    Vice-President Yemi Osibanjo has directed that local intelligence technology, GridCodes, be considered for national digital scheme.

    The digital addressing technology leverages Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to provide around the country even if such places have no physical addresses.

    Former Minister of Science and Technology Dr Ogbonnaya Onu said Nigeria could effectively improve governance, boost commerce, fight crime and better manage intelligence through the adoption of GridCodes, a technology for digital addressing which was designed and founded by a Nigerian.

    Read Also: Nigeria set for breakthrough, says Osinbajo

    The former minister said Prof Osinbajo, the chairman of the Nigerian Digital Addressing Council, directed the council to review GridCodes technology for national adoption by the Federal Government.

    In a statement by the Managing Director of Gridcodes, Squadron Leader Adefola Amoo (retd), Dr. Onu stated this while inaugurating the Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee on the adoption of GridCodes.

    He said: “GridCodes is a technology for digital addressing invented and globally patented by Squadron Leader Adefola Amoo (rtd).“

  • Saraki’s defeat new beginning for Kwara, says Abdulrazaq

    The defeat of Senate President Bukola Saraki and his anointed governorship candidate, Razak Atunwa, in the just-concluded elections in Kwara State marks a new beginning, Governor-Elect Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has stated.

    He also attributed his victory and those of other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates to divine intervention.

    The dismantlement of the Saraki dynasty in the state, according to him, has sign-posted total freedom for Kwarans, adding that “it is a new beginning.”

    The frontline businessman-turned politician added that the trouncing of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidates at all levels was borne out of God’s hands and reward of hard work.

    Mallam Abdulrazaq, who was represented by Abdulrahman Giwa spoke this in Ilorin, the state capital at an event to celebrate APC’s victory in the state.

    Read Also: I will perform far better than Saraki, says Oloriegbe

    He said: “We have seen the reward for hard work; the future lies ahead of us, as the people have spoken.

    “Our victory has shown that the people now know that the power resides with them. It means any elected representative that fails to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the voters will be shown the way out at the polls.”

    State Coordinator of BOCA Hajia Afsat B. Byll said that the whole country is watching the governor-elect “to see what we will achieve having won the elections.

    “For Kwarans, the victory is very symbolic in the history of the state politics, as no party has ever a landslide victory across all the three senatorial zones.

    “This is indeed a revolution by the people that led to great victory. We hereby implore all Kwarans to give maximum support for the incoming administration to move the state to greater heights so that the struggle for freedom and victory would not be in vain. “

    Hajia Byll hailed the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osibanjo at the polls, adding this achievement has made them game changers in the history of Nigerian politics.

    “For the first time, Nigeria conducted elections without acrimony. The president and his vice not only won, the election was also free and fair to which the international community testified. This achievement is an eye opener for all Nigerians to know that it is possible to have elections without unnecessary expenses by government and individuals.

    “Let it be on record that the success of APC in Kwara state and across the country can be ascribed to the milestone achievements of the Buhari administration in the various sectors.”

  • NHRC endorses Buhari for second term

    The Nigerian Human Right Community (NHRC) on Monday advised Nigerians not to be swayed in by mere promises but should have critical evaluation of the current and past administrations on the affairs of the country as a determinant on who to cast their vote for on February 16.

    NHRC, a coalition of 135 civil society and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) made this known at a briefing in Maryland to declare its support for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice President, Prof Yemi Osibanjo.

    Its Secretary, Taiwo Adeleye  noted that  with the two contending parties; the All Progressives Congress(APC) and the People’s Democratic Party(PDP), and other parities in the race, it is a difficult and delicate choice as Nigerians are expected to pick the candidates that best aggregates their interest.

    He said the sensitivity of the election was necessary to remind the electorates to vote according to their conscience that would advance their course as citizens of the country.

    “This is coming about 11 days to the presidential election in Africa’s most populous country of 170million people. There is no way you will go and vote without having made up your mind on who you want to vote for especially concerning a presidential election. We are now telling the electorates that before you go out there to vote, apart from seeking to know your conscience, what exactly is your conscience telling you? You need to look back, compare the two administrations; the past and the present, which is better off, which one would advance your course, your children and probably your generation.

    “We consider one major factor: the personal credibility of the two leading contenders.  It will be worst to have a man that has no iota of credibility at home and abroad to sit as the number one citizen of the country. It will be disastrous to have a proven corrupt man as the most important figure in Nigeria. We believe with the credibility of Buhari and Osibanjo, their errors of recent past can be corrected in the most honest manner” he said.

    He noted that the 2015 election marked the first attempt to create a paradigm shift from corruption which has been synonymously known with the country.

    He explained that though there have been many  societal issues retained and new ones sprouting up since 2015, the country has experienced onward movement in the last three and half years of the Buhari’s administration.

    Affirming that the two contending parties APC and PDP stand the potential of winning the 2019 presidential election, he said NHRC nurse the fear that returning the country to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the PDP and his supporters like General Ibrahim Babaginda, Olusegun Obasanjo and others would be a costly mistake.

    “In our view, a return to the locust years will be disastrous for the future of Africa’s most famous country. As civil right movements that have fought a string of battles since three years of the military, we have historic responsibility to ensure this does not happen. We cannot fold our hands in midst of a deluge of options. We need to galvanize our members along a better path in the search for a greater country.

    Adeleye also lend his voice on the removal of the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen, cautioned that the crisis in the judiciary has the potential of damaging the democratic credentials of the country.  He added that the accusations levied against Onnoghen are clear cases of corruption involving the highest judicial personnel in the country.

    Read Also: Rights abuses: NHRC sets up panel to probe SARS

    Hon Wale Arogundade, Director General of Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu Ambassadors (BOSA) remarked that there have been great achievements since President Buhari took charge of the country in areas such as, Agriculture, rail development, attitudinal changes of the youths and the fight against corruption. “Buhari is putting the country in the right direction, so we believe that giving him a second chance is very important. We want people to go out and vote for Buhari”.

    The President of the Liberty Movement of Nigeria, Edward Olusola Ajayi   said given the score card of the president as against the 16 unproductive years of the PDP, it was a modest contribution of the 135 civil society and community based organizations to take a position to work in line with the candidate that has proven worthy to be re-elected.

     

  • Only righteousness will elevate Nigeria – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the Church to continue to stand for righteousness and truth, and preach against all forms of corruption.

    Buhari, represented by Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, made the appeal on Thursday in Makurdi at the 15th Biennial Conference of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).

    He said it was important for the Church to always stand on the side of righteousness and truth, as ”it is only righteousness that can elevate our country.”

    He lamented the recurring crises in Benue since 2011, and called on herders and farmers to sheath their swords and live in peace.

    Read Also: Buhari restates commitment to develop Nigeria

    ”It happens without exceptions. In fact without exceptions. But with your prayers there is peace and your meeting here is in peace. With your prayers it has been put under control.

    ”If it were before now your families would have discouraged you from visiting Benue because of the clashes. God will make Benue a point of contact to all nations,” the president said.

    On the forthcoming general election, Buhari said its outcome was in the hands of God and urged all Nigerians to play their part within the confines of the law.

    Earlier, National President, PFN, Rev. Felix Omobude, assured that the Church would continue to pray for the president and his administration.

    Omobude pledged that the Church would not leave the country’s leaders out of its prayers.

    NAN

     

  • Osinbajo calls for unity ahead of elections

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has stressed the negative consequences of hate speech in any polity, while emphasizing the need for Nigerians to focus on the issues that bind rather than those that cause division in the country.

    Osinbajospoke on Friday at the public presentation and launching of the book, The Making of a Million Smiles: Reflections on Rwanda’s Rise from Ashes by Rear Admiral Samuel Ilesanmi Alade at the National Defense College, Abuja.

    Represented by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello,  Osibanjo said there are lessons Nigerians should learn from the Rwandan genocide of 1994; and the mistakes and the success story. He also said the book would be useful to every Nigerian.

    According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, to the minister, Cosmas Uzodinma, the Vice President commended the author for the worthy contribution to the nation’s body of literary, adding that the work is a practical reminder, which could not have come at a better time as the country prepares for the 2019 elections.

    The Chairman of the occasion, a former Federal Commissioner for Information and Culture, Major General Ibrahim Bata Malgwi Haruna (rtd), said the book gave a good account of the Rwandan genocide and how the people have moved on, giving the hope that no matter the circumstance, trust can be regained through consistent seeking of the truth and peace as well as working towards inclusiveness and cooperation.

    He called on Nigerians to shun hate speech in its entirety as well as all other utterances that could cause discord and heat up the polity.

    Haruna said the launch presented an opportunity to draw and share the experience of Rwanda, urging all Nigerians to support the author’s effort.

    Rear Admiral Alade (rtd) said the book was an admonition to all and sundry that the Rwandan genocide did not just happen overnight but was as a result of hate speeches which persisted over time, pointing to what Nigeria is experiencing at the moment.

    He stressed the need for a complete departure from such a trend.

    Tthe Rwandan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Stanislas Kamanzi, commended the author for writing his thoughts on the lessons to be learnt from his country’s period of great grief. He expressed the hope that Nigerians would learn from past mistakes and go on to make the country great.

  • Osinbajo’s crash: AIB concludes ‘high profile’ accident investigation

    Seventy- two hours after an Agusta AW 139 helicopter flying Vice President Yemi Osibanjo crashed in Kabba, aviation agencies led by Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) have concluded investigations on the ‘ high profile’ accident.

    The completion of investigation came on the heels of gathering of evidence- inspection of the chopper wreckage at the crash site; interview of airline crew- pilots, engineers and other technical personnel, eyewitnesses’ accounts, laboratory testing of broken rotor and other parts of chopper.

    A source closed to the AIB said the preliminary report of the high profile accident will be released in two days but could not give probable cause(s) of the crash.

    A source close to Caverton Helicopters said its insurers have arrived the country to participate in the accident investigation.

    The source hinted the insurers, sought permission from the AIB, to enable them have access to the crash site for valuation of the wreckage and other relevant activity critical to the accident probe.

    Besides the insurers, it was not clear as at Monday if the helicopter manufacturer – Agusta will participate in the accident.

    According to aviation regulations prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), aircraft manufacturers ought to participate in high profile accident investigation to learn useful lessons in preventing any reoccurrence; if there are issues with the equipment design or other technical hitches.

    Speaking in an interview on Monday, AIB’s spokesman, Tunji Oketumbi, said the bureau has concluded preliminary investigation on the crash, which he described as high as ‘ high profile’, because of the status of the occupant in the ill- fated chopper.

    He said an accident could be so described, if the aircraft was carrying many influential people; or there are many multi- nationals.

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

    This, he said, will however not put any pressure on the AIB, which has so far utilised its internal capacity to discharge the onerous task.

    He said: “So far, the Accident Investigation Bureau has done what is statutorily required of it. We did not require any foreign assistance.

    “We have carried out the relevant findings at the crash site and interviewed the crew and other people relevant to the operation. So, far, the helicopter wreckage has not been removed.”

    He said besides giving flight information- type of aircraft; registration number; number of occupant in the aircraft and circumstances of the accident, the airline should refrain from speculating the cause of the crash.

    Doing such, Oketumbi said would amount to pre-empting the investigation.

  • APC candidate hails Osibanjo performance at debate

    Candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Ovia Federal Constituency, Mr. Dennis Idahosa, has hailed performance of Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, at the debate organised by the Nigeria Election Debate Group and the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria.
    Idahosa said Prof. Osibanjo was able to explain to Nigerians how the APC is taking Nigeria out of the doldrums it met it in 2015.
    Speaking in a chat with newsmen after the watching the debate, Idahosa said the debate has won more support for the APC ahead of the election.

    Read Also: Osibanjo vows to make it difficult for ghost workers

    Idahosa who accused Peter Obi of not offering any solution to questions said the debate has made Nigerians understand the antics of the Peoples Democratic Party.
    According to him, “We have seen from the debate that the PDP has nothing to offer Nigerians except to return the country to the hands of looters.
    “There was no where the PDP Vice Presidential candidate stated the party’s plan for the country but rather reeled out lies about the APC performance.”

  • PDP faults Osinbajo on debt profile

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted Vice President Yemi Osibanjo’s account on the country’s rising debt profile. The party said the debt has escalated to a frightening proportion under the watch of the present administration.
    Speaking at a public lecture organised by the Sigma Club in Ibadan on Saturday, Osinbajo had stated that the Buhari-led administration inherited a debt of $63 billion and has only borrowed $10 billion since it took office in 2015.
    The Vice President said, “In 2010, our debt was $35 billion; $41 billion in 2011; $48 billion in 2012; $64 billion in 2013; $67.7 billion in 2014; $63.8 billion in 2015; $57.8 billion in 2016; $70 billion in 2017; and $73 billion in 2018.
    “The nation’s debt as at today was $73 bilłion, an increment of $10 billion from the $63 billion inherited in 2015.”
    Speaking further at the event, Osinbajo said the nation’s oil earnings stood at $119.8 billion between 1990 and 1998; $481 billion from 1999 to 2009; and $381 billion from 2010 to 2014, while the present administration has only earned $112 billion from June 2015.
    “The earnings from oil from 2010 to 2014 were the highest recorded in the history of the country. This was a period when the price of oil per barrel sold from $100 to $114″, Osinbajo added.
    But while addressing a media conference in Abuja on Thursday, the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan accused Osinbajo of deliberate distortion of facts and figures.
    The main opposition party described the vice president’s position as a desperate attempt to divert attention from the “failures” of the administration.
    Ologbondiyan said, “Vice President Osinbajo falsified financial templates to argue that this government has no blame in the accumulation of debts under its watch.

    “It is an incontrovertible fact that the Buhari administration has accumulated more debts that any other administration in the history of our nation.

    “Our dear Vice President forgot that Nigerians are aware that between 2016 and 2017, under President Buhari, our annual borrowing was about N3.7 trillion as against the N1.04 trillion annual borrowing perimeter between 2008 to 2015. Between 1999 to 2007 the annual borrowing perimeter was as low as N96 billion.

    “To deceive the public and divert attention from the alarming borrowing spree of the Buhari administration, the APC-led Federal Government converted domestic debt borrowed in naira under its watch, to the US dollar so that the very high exchange rate will make the domestic debt look smaller in dollars. This is a deceptive picture because domestic debt was accumulated in naira and not in dollar.

    “It is important to point out that the domestic debts of states were not part of the data base until 2013. Therefore, a sincere comparison of debts over the years should have focused on total external debt and Federal Government’s domestic debt.

    “In view of the above, if Vice President Osinbajo, a professor of law was not being economical with the truth, the appropriate comparison should be to have the domestic debt in naira and convert the external debt to naira to get national debt for each of the years, which showed that the Buhari administration has accumulated more debts that any other administration”

    Ologbondiyan pointed out that an appropriate comparison will further show that the annual growth rate of public debt was only 0.44 percent under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration; 20.14 percent under the Yar’Adua/Jonathan administration; and 29.6 percent under President Buhari.

    The opposition party charged the Vice President to refrain from bandying figures that he cannot substantiate, saying it was an attempt to score cheap political point.

    “Nigerians have moved beyond the lies, deception, propaganda and beguilement of the APC. It amounts to a huge disservice to our nation if a person of such high office of the Vice President will allow himself to be used to distort figures to deceive Nigerians”, Ologbondiyan said.

  • High Court fixes date to rule on El-Zakzaky’s bail application

    A Kaduna High Court on Thursday fixed November 7 for ruling on the bail application filed by the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim Zakzaky and his wife, Zinat.

    Justice  Gideon Kurada adjourned the matter after the prosecution counsel, Dari Bayero, complained of lack of adequate security in Kaduna town.

    The prosecution explained that the security agencies had drafted personnel to strategic areas of the state to provide security for the visit of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, to Kaduna State.

    Kurada therefore adjourned the case to November 7, to rule on the bail application.

    Read Also: Court remands tailor for ‘illegal possession of firearms’

    Both the Defence and prosecution counsel later told newsmen that the heads of security agencies in the state had complained of their inability to draft adequate personnel to provide security at the court.

    Meanwhile, Bayero told reporters that the 3rd and 4th defendants, Yakubu Yahaya and Sanusi Abdulqadir,  standing trial with the Shiites leader, were yet to be arrested.

    It would be recalled that the 3rd and 4th defendants were served court summons through substituted services in publications in the Daily Trust and The Nation newspapers.

    NAN reports that the Kaduna State Government had brought an eight-count charge against the IMN leader, his wife and the two other IMN leaders based in Katsina and Kano.

    The IMN leader, his wife, Yahaya and Abdulqadir were charged with alleged conspiracy and abating culpable homicide, among other related offences.

  • Recalled psychiatric hospital staff sends SOS to Osibanjo

    A staff of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric hospital in Edo State, Dr. Ambrose Lawani, has sent a Save our Soul message to Acting President Yemi Osibanjo that his 2017 presidential directive for him to be restored has been ignored by the hospital management.

    Dr. Lawani in a letter to the Acting President reminded him that in August 2017, he gave a directive to the Federal Ministry of Health for their immediate reinstatement based on the petition they sent him.

    Lawani stated that he was a victim of gross impunity and abuse of power as conveyed in the letter dated 24th January 2017.

    He said he was not issued with a query before he was “sacked” by the Medical Director of Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Uselu(FNPH-Uselu), Dr. Sunday Osasu Olotu in November 2014.

    After the sack, Dr. Lawani said he was framed in two phantom criminal cases in which the court discharged and acquitted him.

    Dr. Lawani stated that he challenged his illegal “sack” at the National Industrial Court but discontinued and withdrew the case after the Acting President ordered their immediate reinstatement.

    Read Also: Osibanjo, nPDP meeting reconvenes Monday

    According to the letter, “I and my co-travelers held a meeting with the Board of Management of the FNPH-Uselu on the 23rd and 24th day of May 2018.

    “They promised to do the needful but to date and nearly after six (6) months after (6th March 2018) the inauguration of the Board of FNPH-Uselu they are yet to do the needful.

    “All we hear now are rumours of a phantom or fake appeal against our discharge and acquittal been bandied as the rationale for the attempt to “lynch” your directive.

    “It is worrisome that after nearly a year, the directive you issued in August 2017 as Acting President is yet to be obeyed. I and my family are very worried and alarmed that such acts of gross insubordination can occur in an era of change.

    “I suffer spine chilling indignities to date while waiting for the implementation of your directive. The education of my children has been placed in near jeopardy for no just cause. I find it extremely difficult taking care of the responsibility I owe my dependants.”