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Tag: Yemi Osinbajo

  • DSS siege: NBA, SAN, Adegboruwa hail Osinbajo

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Tuesday praised the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo for the “prompt and decisive action taken on the siege of the National Assembly”.

    NBA had earlier condemned the prevention of lawmakers from accessing the National Assembly by men of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    In a statement by its president Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), the association said: “The action taken by the Acting President has reassured Nigerians that security personnel and Nigerian armed forces are under the authority of constitutionally elected Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and would not be deployed for undemocratic purposes.

    “Whilst commending the Acting President for his courageous decision, the NBA will remain vigilant and will continue to monitor the current situation and urge our security agencies to remain faithful to their constitutional roles and responsibilities.”

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof Ernest Ojukwu, said Osinbajo’s action renews hope in democracy.

    “The immediate and unequivocal condemnation of the illegal DSS-Police siege on the National Assembly and the decisive termination of the appointment of the DSS boss by His Excellency Acting President Osinbajo have renewed great hopes that our democracy shall survive.

    Read Also: Breaking: Osinbajo sacks DSS boss

    “I am excited to be counted as a Nigerian, a lawyer and a law teacher by this example of leadership by our Acting President.

    “I urge all Nigerians, the NBA inclusive, to play more proactive roles in protecting our democracy, rule of law and human rights.

    “We should not allow a few men and women to destroy our country by their impunity,” Prof Ojukwu said.

    Activist-lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa praised the lawmakers for their vigilance.

    “The Constitution in Sections 4, 5 and 6 established the three arms of government with separate powers and functions.

    “They are to act independently and autonomously, without any interference from one arm of government in the affairs of the other.

    “The DSS and the police are all part of the executive arm of government and it is totally unconstitutional for the DSS to have invaded the premises of the National Assembly in such commando fashion, as if we are under military rule.

    “I commend the action taken by the Acting President, in due consultations with the President, I believe.

    “This should be extended to all other security and law enforcement agencies, to follow the law and observe the due process of law in all their dealings.

    “Let us never allow security operatives, to take our people for granted,” Adegboruwa said.

     

  • Osinbajo, IGP meet again in Aso Rock 

    Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday again met behind closed doors with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris.

    Idris arrived Osinbajo’s office around 6.35p.m

    Read Also:Osinbajo, Chief of Staff meet in Aso Rock

    It was the second meeting Idris was holding with the Acting President on Tuesday.

    Idris was still in the Acting President’s office at the time of filing this report.

  • IGP exonerates self from NASS blockage

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, on Tuesday exonerated the Nigeria Police Force from the Tuesday’s blockage of the National Assembly (NASS) by security operatives.

    Idris spoke with State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with the acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said the blockage of the NASS complex was a surprise to him, saying the police would soon issue a statement on the incident.

    He said “Obviously, like I said, I have not got a detailed brief on that. So, when I get the brief, in fact we are going to issue a (press) release.

    Read Also: Ex-monarch urges IGP to release his family

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo had on Tuesday sacked the Director General, Department of State Service, Lawal Daura with immediate effect, over the invasion of the premises of the National Assembly on Tuesday.

    Osinbajo condemned the unauthorized takeover of the National Assembly complex, describing it as “a gross violation of constitutional order, rule of law and all acceptable notions of law and order.’’

    He maintained that the “unlawful act which was done without the knowledge of the Presidency is condemnable and completely unacceptable.’’

  • Seiyefa, acting DG DSS meets Osinbajo 

    The most senior Director in the Department of State Service (DSS), Matthew Seiyefa, the Acting Director General on Tuesday met with Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Seiyefa, from Bayelsa State arrived the Presidential Villa in an official SUV at 4pm, clutching a file and was received at the entrance by the ADC to the Acting President.

    Read Also:Breaking: Osinbajo sacks DSS boss

    Shortly after, the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, also arrived, and walked briskly into Osinbajo’s office.

    Magu, however was seen rushing out at about 4:40pm.

    Seiyefa, who came out of the Acting President’s office around 5p.m, left the Villa in another car.

    He was shielded from journalists.

     Seiyefa, MNI, who hails from Bayelsa State, was before his new appointment the most senior director in the DSS – Assistant DG.
    He was also the Director, Institute of Security Studies, Abuja.
    With about 34 years of experience, Seiyefa has served in different capacities, including the State Director in Osun, Akwa Ibom, and Lagos States.
    Seiyefa is also a member of the National Institute.

  • Osinbajo condemns takeover of the National Assembly

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, has described the unauthorized takeover of the National Assembly complex on Tuesday as a gross violation of constitutional order, rule of law and all acceptable notions of law and order.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo said that the unlawful act which was done without the knowledge of the Presidency is condemnable and completely unacceptable.

    Read Also: Osinbajo sacks DSS boss

    “By this statement, Professor Osinbajo is consequently assuring Nigerians that all persons within the law enforcement apparatus who participated in this travesty will be identified and subjected to appropriate disciplinary action,” he stated.

  • Breaking: Osinbajo sacks DSS boss

    The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has sacked the  Director- General of Department of State Service  (DSS), Lawal Musa Daura.

    A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Acting President, Laolu Akande, said Daura has been directed to hand over to the most senior officer of the DSS until further notice.

    Although no reason was given for the sack of the DSS boss, it may not be unconnected with the blockade of the National Assembly complex on Tuesday morning by operatives of the DSS who claimed to be acting on orders from above.

    In another statement,  Osinbajo said the takeover of the National Assembly complex was not authorised.

    He said it was a gross violation of constitutional order, rule of law and all acceptable notions of law and order.

    Osinbajo had on Tuesday met behind closed doors with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris and Daura.

    The meeting was held at the Acting President’s office in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Read Also: NASS Blockade: Osinbajo summons IG, DSS Boss

    They arrived the Villa at different times, and likely to update the acting president on security developments including the blockage of the National Assembly by security officials.

    The IGP  was the first to arrive at 12.35 p.m. before the arrival of the DSS Director General at 1.15 p.m.

     

  • NASS Blockade: Osinbajo summons IG, DSS Boss

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and the Director-General of the Department of State Security, Malam Lawan Daura at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The two security chiefs, who arrived Aso Rock at different times, were to update the acting president on security developments including the blockade of the National Assembly by security officials.

    The Inspector-General of Police was the first to arrive at about 12.35 p.m. before the arrival of the DSS Director General at about 1.15 p.m.

    Read Also: NASS principal officers meeting postponed

    The police and operatives of the DSS early on Tuesday, blocked the main gate of the National Assembly, preventing lawmakers and staff from gaining access into the complex.

    The security operatives, however, later allowed the lawmakers access into the complex while journalists and other staff were barred.

  • Osinbajo to inaugurate Lagos MSME clinic

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo will on Tuesday inaugurate the Lagos edition of the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Clinic.

    Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, the state Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, disclosed this on Sunday in a statement signed by Babasola Ogunmosunle, Public Relations Manager in the ministry.

    Oladunjoye said that the two-day MSME Clinic would hold on Aug. 6 and Aug.7 at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the MSME Clinic is an initiative of the Office of the Vice President in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, as well as 11 other federal agencies.

    Oladunjoye said that the event would further complement the state’s efforts at developing MSMEs in the state.

    She gave an assurance the state that government would continue to implement policies that would boost growth of the sector.

    “As it is evident to all, the present administration in Lagos State is leaving no stone unturned to ensure even development of all sectors, and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Clinic will never be an exemption.’’

    The commissioner expressed confidence that the programme would raise a new set of entrepreneurs while the existing ones would be guided on the best steps to take to add value to their efforts.

    According to her, the state will enhance the capacity of MSME operators with relevant skills that will position them to explore opportunities and access appropriate financial facility.

    She said that the administration of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode established the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) with a seed capital of N25 billion.

    The fund was earmarked for disbursement within four years to empower business owners with capital to revive moribund ventures, boost trade and start new ventures.

    Oladunjoye recalled that Osinbajo had lauded the state government for the LSETF initiative, and for creating over 12,500 new jobs within the first six months of the scheme.

    The commissioner expressed delight that the MSME Clinic was coming at a period when the state was creating conducive environment for small scale businesses to thrive.

  • N-Power: Bello commends FG for recruiting Kogi indigenes

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi  has commended the Federal Government for recruiting  7,425 unemployed graduates from the state into the second batch of  the N-Power programme.

    Bello,  in a statement in Lokoja on Tuesday, said that the programme had  given hope to the beneficiaries who were selected on merit from the 21 local government councils  of the state.

    According to him, the recruitment of the unemployed graduates into the scheme was timely and a relief to the beneficiaries as many of them had  been jobless   for years.

    Those selected were mostly from indigent  background,  the governor said in the statement signed by Adoga Ibrahim, the Coordinator of the N-Power programme in the state.

    Bello also commended President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for the introduction of the N-Power scheme under which beneficiaries are entitled to  a N30,000 stipend per month.

    He re-affirmed the support of the people and government of Kogi State for the president.

    “  We will work to strengthen the effort of the President Buhari led-administration by ensuring that the beneficiaries are deployed to critical areas that will impact on the development of the state,” Bello was quoted as saying.

    He urged the beneficiaries to give their best services to the nation and refrain from any form of misconduct.

  • UN bodies praise Nigeria’s anti-terrorism measures

    The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) on Friday commended the Federal Government for  its anti-terrorism measures.

    Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General of the UNOCT, and Ms Michèle Coninsx, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the CTED, gave the commendation at the conclusion of their visits to Nigeria on the invitation of the government.

    The United Nations Information Council (UNIC) in Lagos said in a statement yesterday that the visit was to identify, in close consultation with the government, concrete areas where the United Nations could provide technical assistance.

    It said this was aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s efforts to address the threat posed by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the country and in the sub-region.

    It said the process took account of recommendations previously identified by the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee and endorsed by the government.

    The joint delegation met Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, key ministers, heads of agencies, as well as the Chairman of Human Rights Commission, Civil Society Organisations, women’s groups, the UN Country Team and representatives of the diplomatic community.

    Read Also: Ethnicism killing Nigeria, says ex-IMSU VC

    It quoted Mr Voronkov as saying: “The government of Nigeria has a strong legal framework to combat terrorism. We want to do more to assist the government to implement this framework in an inclusive manner and in accordance with international standards,” he said.

    In her remarks, Coninsx said: “The government has made remarkable progress in countering terrorism and in addressing violent extremism in a challenging and complex environment.

    “Despite the continuing asymmetric threat posed by Boko Haram, authorities have mobilised their capacities to develop rehabilitation and reintegration programmes with limited resources”.

    “Addressing underlying conditions that may be conducive to terrorism and a cycle of violent extremism requires a long-term commitment, adequate resources, and coordinated support by the government with all partners,” she said.

    Also, Avanessov said that the joint delegation witnessed the strong commitment and political will of national partners, including civil society.

    “They have been able to focus on the prevention of violent extremism through development and local initiatives with particular attention to youth and women as well as reintegration and rehabilitation programmes,” he said.

    The joint delegation visited the Bulumkutu Transit Centre in Maiduguri, Borno, where they met the Theater Commander and civil society organisations as well as boys and girls participating in the rehabilitation programmes.

    They also visited Abuja international airport where they were briefed on challenges related to aviation security and the impact of the capacity-building programme provided to airport staff through the support of UNOCT.