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Tag: Yemi Osinbajo

  • N’Delta: youths knock Ijaw elders for withdrawing ultimatum

    N’Delta: youths knock Ijaw elders for withdrawing ultimatum

    …Warn militants against resumption of hostilities

     

    Ijaw youths, Saturday, faulted their elders and members of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) for their decision to withdraw an ultimatum they earlier have to the Federal Government to resume dialogue with them.

    The youths under the auspices of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide also warned militants groups against resuming hostilities in the region.

    The Eric Omare-led IYC, in a statement, insisted that dialogue and not hostilities remained the best approach to resolving knotty issues of development in the region.

    “We call on militant groups in the Niger Delta region threatening renewed hostilities to exercise restraint to still give room for peaceful resolution of the Niger Delta question.

    “It is the inconsistent posture and lack of sincerity on the part of the Federal Government towards resolving the issues that has led to agitators running out of patience and threatening to resume hostilities. However, we strongly believe that dialogue remains the best option towards resolving the issues”.

    Omare, however, said it was hasty for members of PANDEF led by the King Alfred Diete-Spiff to have withdrawn their ultimatum after meeting with the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo.

    He said the IYC believed that mere promise of dialogue and briefing on progress made with PANDEF’s 16-point demand by the government was not enough for the elders to call off their ultimatum.

    He said the only dialogue that would solve the problems of the region permanently must be centered around restructuring to allow the region control its resources.

    He said: “As far as the IYC is concerned the key issue that the federal government needs to dialogue with the Niger Delta people is the question of restructuring with a view to achieving fiscal federalism and resource control.

    “The other issues on the PANDEF 16 points demand does not require a dialogue team between the federal government and the Niger Delta people because they are routine government responsibilities.

    “Our demand for dialogue with the federal government is to primarily address the resource ownership and control question which underpins the Niger Delta struggle over the years.

    “It is only a resolution of the resource ownership question which gives the communities a stake in the natural resources found in their land that would lead to permanent peace in the Niger Delta region.

    “The other issues on the PANDEF 16 point agenda such as take-off of academic activities at the Martime University, construction of East West Road, funding of NDDC, Amnesty programme, Ogoni clean up, etc are only palliatives but not the root cause of the Niger Delta agitation.

    “Therefore, any dialogue between the federal government and the Niger Delta people must be geared toward resolving the resource ownership and control question.

    “We make bold to say that no amount of meeting between federal government and Niger Delta leaders would bring permanent peace to the region without addressing restructuring and the resource ownership question”.

     

  • Armed forces, human right: Osinbajo appoints seven-man judicial commission

    Armed forces, human right: Osinbajo appoints seven-man judicial commission

    The Ag President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday appointed a 7-man Judicial Commission to review compliance of the Nigeria Armed Forces, human rights obligations and the rules of engagement.

    This was made known in a statement by the Presidency, noting that the Commission is empowered to review extant rules of engagement applicable in the Nigerian Armed Forces and the extent of compliance thereto.

    “It is also empowered to investigate alleged violation of humanitarian and human rights principles under the Constitution and other relevant laws,” the Presidency said.

    In addition, the commission has the mandates to investigate factors that might be militating against speedy resolution of local conflicts/insurgencies.

    It is also saddle with the responsibility to advise on means of preventing violations of International ‘humanitarian and human rights law in conflict situations.

    The full list of members of the Judicial Commission is as follows:

    (i) Hon. Justice Biobele A. Georgewill – Chairman;

    (ii) Major-General Patrick Akem – member;

    (iii) Mr. Wale Fapohunda – member

    (iv) Mrs. Hauwa Ibrahim – member

    (v) Mr. Jibrin Ibrahim – member

    (vi) Mrs. Ifeoma Nwakama – member

    (vii) Representative of Office of the National Security Adviser – member

    The Commission is expected to commence work immediately and submit its report within 90 days.

  • Clarke sues for peace as FG, PANDEF unite for Niger Delta development

    Clarke sues for peace as FG, PANDEF unite for Niger Delta development

    The Federal Government and the Niger Delta Leaders under the aegis of Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) met for several hours at the Presidential Villa on Thursday and agreed to partner to actualize the FG’s new vision for the region’s development.

    The meeting, presided over by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, was attended by the Ministers of Environment, Niger Delta Development Affairs, State for Petroleum, and the Chairman of NDDC, Sen. Ndoma Egba.

    Also in attendance were Chief Edwin Clarke, Alabo Graham Douglas, Chief Timi Alaibe, Chief Alfred Diette-Spiff, former Akwa Ibom Gov. Victor Attah and a host of other Niger Delta leaders.

    Elder statesman and leader of PANDEF, Clarke, who addressed state House Correspondents at the end of the meeting described it as very fruitful and called on the people of the region to maintain peace and await the implementation of the FG’s vision.

    “The message is that everyone should maintain peace,’’ Clarke said adding that the group had seen the commitment of the federal government to pursue its development agenda in the region.

    ““The meeting was excellent.  We met with Mr Acting President and he was very honest, truthful, forthright and we were very satisfied.”

    Clark denied an ultimatum was issued to the federal government on the vision’s implementation but added that the parties agreed on many things with PANDEF and the ministers presenting their separate addresses and Osinbajo rounding off.

    “We saw his genuineness, truthfulness, forthrightness; he is a gentleman and we support him and we are satisfied,” he said.

    The PANDEF leader stated that the region would withdraw from its former position and embrace the path laid by the federal government for the development of the region.

    According to him, the region and FG have agreed to work together noting that the issue of dialogue will also take place.

    He assured the Niger Delta people that the 16-point agenda they presented to the FG was fully discussed as well as the government’s 20-point agenda.

    On why the Niger Delta leaders were not speaking with one voice, the elder statesman said there were no other leaders in the region with dissenting voices.

    He said that MEND was represented at the meeting noting that the group’s acclaimed spokesman did not exist.

    “Jomo Gbomo does not exist as a human being. That is a ghost name and a fake name. MEND was here, all other organizations were here.

    “I am the leader of the Niger Delta and every leader you can think of from Cross River to Edo state was here,’’ he stated.

    Buttressing the points, he minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, acknowledged that there was no ultimatum from any part of the region to the federal government.

    He said that the meeting was to find solutions to the Niger Delta issues adding that it was basically to explore how government had gone ahead with the fulfillment of the parties’ undertakings on the 16-point agenda raised during the tour of the region.

    He said several issues including the University at Okerenkoko, issues related to the development of the Niger Delta generally, amnesty programme and how well it was working, and NDDC operations were discussed.

    “Today was an environment of calm, peace and friendliness and mutual dialogue of the issues for them to understand where we are coming from and understand the most pressing problems that we have,’’ he said.

    He acknowledged that PANDEF pledged commitment to work with the federal government to find solutions to the problems confronting the region.

    He said that the alarm that was generated was that government should hurry up with the projects as the people were getting worried and tired and wanted to see positive actions on all the items.

    He said that PANDEF was convinced with  the explanations of the Acting President and had realized that the government was not playing about the vision to correct the wrongs in the region for over 30 years.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as the meeting was on the Acting Presidential Spokesman, Laolu Akande, released a fact sheet on the vision showing that the FG had set aside an initial one billion dollars for the clean-up and environmental remediation of Ogoniland.

    According to the fact sheet, 200 million dollars will be disbursed yearly for the first five years and work on the project will be conducted in line with international best practices.

    Akande stated that already soil and water tests had been done in preparation for the clean-up and 15 technical assistants from Ogoniland hired to be part of the work.

    He said that to drive infrastructure, the FG has released funds for the continuation of various sections of the East-West Road adding that as at March 2017, the overall project completion was substantial with some sections reaching 99 per cent completion.

    Akande stated that the FG had plans to construct health centres in the states and communities of the region which on completion would be fully equipped to address some of the health needs of rural dwellers.

    He added that FG had started the process of replacing illegal refineries in the region with modular ones, including options on how to involve the communities as shareholders in the proposed Modular Refineries.

    He said that the ground-breaking of the first set of such refineries were expected in the 4th quarter of 2017 and the government  would supply crude to the local refineries at reasonable price.

    Akande stated that the measure was to serve as an incentive to stop the current practice whereby illegal refiners vandalised and stole the crude adding that each Niger Delta state was expected to host two modular refineries.

  • Buhari’s health critical to APC government’s vision, says Ajomale

    Buhari’s health critical to APC government’s vision, says Ajomale

    The Chairman of the Forum of APC States Chairmen, Chief Henry Ajomale, on Wednesday declared that the health of President Muhammadu Buhari is critical to the vision of the ruling APC government.

    He said this while addressing State House correspondents after the All Progressives Congress state chairmen’s meeting with the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at Aso Villa.

    According to Ajomale, who is the Chairman of the party in Lagos State, the Forum discussed at length the situation in the country and “then our anxiety for the health of the President.”

    “We are grateful that God in His infinite mercies has made him whole which is very critical and important to the vision that we have for this country as APC government.”

    He explained that the Acting President was able to brief the forum about the situation in the country, the economy, and steps taken so far to address the challenges facing the country.

    “We are very impressed with his explanations and we will go back to our various states and let the people know that the government has very good intentions.

    “And that we should be part and parcel of the government in order to ensure that the poor people of this country are getting better deal.

    “In a nutshell, we are very happy for what we heard from government and we intend to carry it to our states,’’ the forum chairman said.

    On the specific issues discussed, Ajomale said members expressed concerns about the economic situation in the country.

    He noted that the situation was not totally the fault of government since it was a global problem with the economic recession taking its toll on every country.

    He expressed delight that the Buhari administration was trying to diversify the economy following a slump in oil prices.

    Ajomale said:“We also discussed diversification into agriculture, especially rice production, the level of children’s welfare (Home Grown School Feeding programme).

    “And then we talked about corruption also which is the key among the problems that the president is particular about.

    “I think that the people of this county are particular about this too that corruption cannot continue and a systemic method had been put in place to ensure that it is cut down.

    “Although it is not totally eradicated but it is far better than what we had during the President Goodluck Jonathan regime.”

  • Osinbajo to inaugurate N10bn WACOT Rice Mill in Argungu, Kebbi

    Osinbajo to inaugurate N10bn WACOT Rice Mill in Argungu, Kebbi

    The Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, is to inaugurate the N10 billion WACOT Rice Processing Mill in Argungu, Kebbi, on Tuesday.

    A statement by Alhaji Abubakar Muazu, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, in Birnin Kebbi said that the acting president was expected to arrive in Birnin Kebbi by 2 p.m. and proceed to Argungu for the inauguration.

    Osinbajo would be accompanied by Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Chairman of APC Governors Forum, Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo, to Argungu for the programme.

    APC governors, who were in Birnin Kebbi for their meeting, would also be part of the acting president’s entourage that would be in Argungu for the inauguration ceremony.

    After the inauguration, Osinbajo would proceed to the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival Village to witness an agricultural show tagged “Dalar Shinkafa’’ (Rice Pyramid), organised to showcase the rice production potential of Kebbi.

    Speaking, Alhaji Bashar Aminu, the Chairman of the WACOT Rice Mill Ltd., said that the mill, which had the capacity to produce 400 tonnes of rice per day, would also provide employment for more than 1,000 persons.

    “We have invested N10 billion to put up the rice mill as a multi-national company that has linkages in almost all the West African countries.

    “We also have links with major marketers and manufacturers of agricultural products,’’ he added.

  • Its too early to judge our performance, Rochas tells Nigerians

    Its too early to judge our performance, Rochas tells Nigerians

    The Chairman, Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Mr Rochas Okorocha, says on Tuesday it is too early for Nigerians to judge elected officials on their performance.

    “We want to appeal to Nigerians not to judge us from past sins or within the two years we have been in the mantle of leadership of this great country.

    “You should judge us when the mandate entrusted to us expires,” Okorocha said at the opening of a retreat on policy synergy between states and the Federal Government, holding in Birnin Kebbi.

    The governor reminded Nigerians that those presently at the helm of affairs came on board when the country was at the brink of collapse due to security and economic challenges.

    He assured that the APC-led administration would meet the expectations of all Nigerians.

    “Our party has the best governors ever produced in the history of this country – from Sokoto, Adamawa, Kebbi, Lagos, Imo, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kogi and others.

    “When you visit those states, you will know that Nigerians have not made mistake electing us to lead their states affairs.

    “We have resolved to fix the economy and it has already being fixed, ” he said.

    The chairman of the progressive governor explained that they are working with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to put resources together to stamp out hunger in the country.

    “We are united and Nigeria will always remain an indivisible nation.

    “We don’t know who is Hausa, Yoruba or Igbo, our determination is only to stamp out hunger and bring democratic dividend to our citizens.

    “Hate statements should not be taken serious or regarded from anyone,” he said.

    Okorocha commended Kebbi farmers for saving the country a lot of foreign exchange through their agricultural activities especially rice production.

    Earlier, Kebbi Governor, Atiku Bagudu, said the governors would continue to work diligently in line with the APC manifesto.

    He said they would intensify efforts to eradicate poverty.

    “The enthusiasm and patriotism of President Muhammadu Buhari and Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, demonstrate that Nigeria is getting its footsteps right.

    “All that helps Nigeria to develop is now brought to debate and discussion table, and we should always cherish what we discuss significantly in order to enhance our development,” Bagudu said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat was to evaluate current challenges faced by state governments in accessing opportunities and resources provided by various policies of the federal government.

  • FG will support efforts that benefit people – Osinbajo

    FG will support efforts that benefit people – Osinbajo

    The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday said that the Federal Government would support efforts geared toward making life easier for the citizenry.

    Osinbajo said this while inaugurating the 16-Km Chokocho-Umuechem-Ozuzu road and 14-Km Chokocho-Igbo-Etche-Rumuokurushi Inter-Change in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers, rehabilitated by the state government.

    The acting President commended Gov. Nyesom Wike for his development feat and stressed the importance of the unity of the country.

    According to him, Nigerians we must always maintain the unity of their country because the country is great in their diversity.

    ”We are greater together than apart,” he said.

    Osinbajo, however, urged the leaders in government to de-emphasise partisan concerns and work in the interest of their people to make them feel the impact of the government.

    ”We must always look for ways to advance the interest of our people; today is a very happy day; we will always have happy days,” he said.

    In his speech earlier, Gov. Nyesom Wike said that the two roads were damaged and thus, militated against the transportation of agricultural produce in the area.

    Wike said the roads were reconstructed due to their importance in reviving the economy of Etche Local Government Area.

  • Media cautioned to look away from Executive, Legislature conflicts 

    Media cautioned to look away from Executive, Legislature conflicts 

    •Saraki, Dogara seek robust executive, legislature relations

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday criticised the attitude of the political elite.

    To him, governance must be people-centred.

    Prof. Osinbajo said it is only a robust and proactive relationship between the Executive and Legislative arm of the government that would ensure delivery of voters’ expectations.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki sought a change of public misconception of the legislature’s responsibility to nation-building while House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara regretted the reluctance of the Executive to return Legislature’s friendly gestures.

    Osinbajo, Saraki and Dogara spoke at the opening of the 16th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in Abuja.

    Imploring political office holders to consider their position as a privilege but time-bound, the Acting President quoted the saying by a British theoretical physicist, Stephen Hawking, who warned of the anger of the ignored and the marginalised majority.

    Osinbajo added that Hawking cautioned the elite to learn from the lessons of the past.

    The Acting President said it was pertinent for the two arms of government to form a synergy for the good of the governed considering the anger of the poor, the ignored and marginalised majority.

    He said: “To stand in their shoes, sit where they sit, to feel their pains and understand that their frequently dashed hope is that the political elite should know that the heavy burdens that they bear is ours to lighten.

    “In comparison to the other parts of the world, the angst and cynicism of the populace is worse in Africa due to conflicts, corruption and weak institutions have ensured that the largest numbers of the poor and the deprived come from our continent.

    “It is the failure of leadership that has resulted in our present predicaments. How do we feel when our legislative halls, called hallowed chambers are referred to as temples of justice and executive villas as corridors of power – all suggestive of grand but isolated institutions?

    “The realities of majority of our people is the mystery of the slums and the indignity of powerlessness.

    “So while we describe ourselves as excellencies, distinguished and honourables, the vast majority of our people, in their polite moments, say that they see neither excellence nor much honour in their own lives…

    “Responsibility that privilege and power placed on us is to do our utmost to change the current bleak narrow tips and projections for our nations, our continent and the world.”

    Osinbajo added: “Poverty, hunger and disease can truly become history by pursuing those legislative and executive options that target education, food security and healthcare for all.

    “Let me say that the National Assembly in Nigeria and the Executive have shown that when we work together, we can make quantum leaps in bettering the lives and livelihood of our people.”

    He cited the gains of rice production in two years, whereby executive policies were given force of law by the legislature to guarantee import stoppage by 2018.

    This, the acting President said, will stop Nigeria from being the second world largest importer, spending N1 billion on rice import monthly.

    He said with rice importation dropping by 80 per cent and with the empowerment of over 1.43 million rice farmers in the North alone, Nigeria is guarantee self-sufficiency in rice production by the end of 2018.

    He said this and the decimation of Boko Haram insurgents were made possible because the two arms of government chose to work together.

    Osinbajo pleaded for the understanding of the media in their search for news, noting that the media and the social media were more interested in conflicts between the Executive and the legislature.

    But, Dogara, who is also the African regional Chairman of the conference regretted that the executive hardly reciprocate legislature’s gestures of cooperation to ensure smooth-running of government for the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people.

    “The legislature as the first institution of democracy must sacrifice more in this endeavour, even if the gesture is not often returned by the Executive,” he said.

    Saraki said it has become imperative to change the negative perception of the people towards the legislature.

    Saying that public misconception of the function and contributions of the legislature to development was worrisome, he noted: “Only few are aware of the level of intervention aimed at responding to national economic challenges, pressing poverty and rebuilding infrastructure.”

     

  • Osinbajo swears in new ministers today

    Osinbajo swears in new ministers today

    Two ministers-designate, Stephen Ocheni (Kogi) and Suleiman Hassan (Gombe) would be inaugurated as Federal Executive Council (FEC) members on Wednesday, the Presidency has said.

    A Presidential spokesman, Mr Laolu Akande, announced this in his tweeter handle late Tuesday night, and said that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo would perform the ceremony.

    Akande said that the inauguration of the ministers would precede the FEC meeting at the council’s chamber of the Presidential Villa.

    “Ag. President Osinbajo would be swearing in the two new ministers already confirmed by the Senate tomorrow morning at the start of the Federal Executive Council meeting,’’ he said.

    Ocheni and Hassan were confirmed by the Senate in May.

    Ocheni replaces the late Minister of State for Labour, Mr James Ocholi, who died in a ghastly auto-crash along Kaduna-Abuja highway in 2016, while Hassan takes the place of Amina Mohammed.

    Mohammed resigned as Minister of Environment to take up the job of Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.

  • 60 volunteers enter N-Power black book – Presidential aide

    60 volunteers enter N-Power black book – Presidential aide

    No fewer than 60 volunteers in the Federal Government’s job creation scheme for youths are on payment hold and may be prosecuted for fraud, the Presidential aide on Job Creation, Mr Afolabi Imoukhuede, said on Monday.

    He gave the indication while addressing 5,559 N-Power volunteers in Kwara at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Ilorin.

    At the event, he gave July ending as deadline for those experiencing payment issues to resolve them or be removed from the programme.

    Imoukhuede had led a team of Monitoring and Evaluation officials to assess the performance of the volunteers in the state as well as mandate the state’s institutional partners to take absolute charge of the volunteers.

    According to the aide, many volunteers have been collecting unbroken stipends of N30,000 monthly without reporting for work which discourages serious volunteers from giving in their best.

    He said the 60 volunteers already identified nationwide would be used to set examples, noting that the programme was not a cake-sharing or cake-collection scheme.

    He said that no fewer than 363 volunteers deployed in Kwara were  ghosts and did not exist in the programme, adding that those found guilty of absenteeism would be forced to return all stipends received and prosecuted.

    He explained that volunteers were the cause of non-receipt of their stipends because they failed to validate their financial records more than seven months into the graduate scheme.

    He further dispelled insinuations of irregularity in the payments of stipends nationwide, explaining that disparity in dates of payment was to accommodate newly validated volunteers.

    “There is no irregularity in the payment of stipends; we do not discriminate against states.

    “The reason for what you tag irregularity is that we are trying to update your accounts.

    “Our goal is that everyone will receive all stipends unbroken,’’ he added.

    Imoukhuede said that N-Power was a lifeline extended to youths by President Muhammadu Buhari and Acting President Yemi Osinbajo as a platform for learning, working and gaining entrepreneurship.

    He said it was technology-enhanced  and designed programme where the graduates were expected to be technology-compliant which informed the addition of a device for learning and data collection to increase volunteers’ employability skills.

    “There will be evaluation of performance through the devices.

    “Google and Microsoft Academy have provided lots of learning materials in the devices for your benefits, so you have to take the devices seriously as your daily manual,’’ he advised.

    Earlier at a stakeholders’ meeting, Imoukhuede emphasized that July ending was the last chance given to all with stipend issues to resolve them or they would be written to withdraw from the scheme.

    “Those of you yet unpaid are enjoying several months of grace.

    “End of July is the last chance and if they are unable to reconcile their accounts we will call them to exit the programme and 263 of them are involved in Kwara,’’ he noted.

    On the deployment of non-professionals to N-Teach, N-Agro and N-Health, the presidential aide noted that volunteers were sent as assistants in the disciplines, adding that “the scheme is qualification agnostic and we deployed to areas of need’’.

    He recalled that the Federal Government’s N6.9 billion monthly investment from where Kwara economy had sucked in N160 million via the volunteers, was not a joke.

    “The beauty of the scheme is that rather than fund state treasury, the money goes straight to volunteers’ pockets from where it trickles down to the economy of their rural families and enhances their saving culture.

    “That is why the scheme earns a space in the economic recovery programme of the Federal Government,’’ he said.

    Imoukhuede advised the state’s institutional partners to ensure effective monitoring and discipline, adding that they would be shortchanging the state and the rural communities if they failed in such task.

    The Special Assistant to the President on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Mr Mohammed Brimah, tagged the more than 5,000 graduate-volunteers in Kwara as special, having been selected from 7,000 applicants from the state.

    Brimah, an indigene of the state, urged the volunteers to remember that they were the state ambassadors but had three other persons that could replace them if found wanting.

    “N-Power has given you an opportunity to impact on your community.

    “Visit the #muchmore tag on the portal where volunteers share their contributions to add your own contributions for the nation to also see your positive impacts in Kwara,’’ Brimah added.

    The State Focal Person for N-Power and Permanent Secretary, Youth and Sports, Elder Ayobola Samuel, said that the volunteers had reduced the manpower gaps in education, agriculture and health facilities in the state.

    He hailed the Federal Government for the initiative and gave the assurance that the state government would do everything possible to enable the scheme and its participants to succeed.