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Tag: Yemi Osinbajo

  • FG to construct 3,000 new homes under Bama Initiative – Osinbajo

    FG to construct 3,000 new homes under Bama Initiative – Osinbajo

    The Federal Government says it will soon kick-off the implementation of a comprehensive rebuilding plan under the Bama Initiative scheme for the North-east areas that were ravaged by Boko Haram insurgency.

    The Acting President Yemi Osinbajo stated this in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande.

    Akande said the acting President was speaking at a meeting that comprised the Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno, some ministers and service chiefs in the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday.

    According to Osinbajo, the Bama Initiative will lead to the construction of 3000 new homes, 10 police stations, 18 primary and secondary schools, health centres, creation of Special Bama Squad for security and the recruitment of 1500 local hunters as Agro Rangers, among others

    He said: “Under what has been termed as the Bama Initiative, the Federal Government will contribute 67 per cent of the funding, while Borno State would provide the balance of 33 per cent.

    “It is a partnership that is certainly going to work.’’

    The Bama Initiative will cover towns such Bama, Banki, Gulumba Gara and others

    The Federal Government in partnership with the Borno State government is expected to carry out actual re-construction of houses for the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as well as provide infrastructure such as roads for Bama town and adjoining communities.

    The Initiative will also see to the kitting and deployment of thousands of police officers and officers of the National Security, Civil Defence Corps who are expected to be trained for the special task.

    Equally, 20 doctors, 100 nurses and other relevant health officers are to be recruited to provide essential health services for the town, in addition to employment of teachers who will be deployed to 18 new schools to be constructed in the areas.

    Road re-construction projects are also featured under the Bama Initiative which is now under exploration, including the rehabilitation of Maiduguri-Bama-Daral Jamal-Banki road network.

    The welfare of returnees is also a major priority of the plan, ensuring a comprehensive support programme for IDPs as they return.

    It is expected that the implementation of the plan will kick-off in next few weeks.

    The meeting, which was presided over by the acting President, was attended by the Ministers of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali; Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau; the Budget & National Planning (of State), Zainab Ahmed and the Power, Works & Housing (of State); Alhaji Mustapha Shehuri.

    Other government functionaries at the meeting included the Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari and the National Security Adviser to the President, Baba Munguno.

    Others were the military, police and civil defence chiefs, and the Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency.

  • Osinbajo assures return of kidnapped Lagos school boys

    Osinbajo assures return of kidnapped Lagos school boys

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Sunday assured parents and guardians of the kidnapped Lagos school boys of the safe return of the children.

    In a chat with newsmen on the sideline of 60th birthday thanksgiving service of Pastor Salami Ololade in Lagos, Osinbajo said Federal Government was collaborating with the state’s authorities to ensure their safe return.

    On May 25, six boys of the same secondary school in Lagos were abducted by unknown gunmen. In the same school, six staff members and four students were also kidnapped in October, 2016.

    The acting president acknowledged that the parents must be going through trauma over the abduction of the children, but said “there should be no doubt at all about the commitment of government in the matter’’.

    “I don’t know how many times the governor has spoken to me about this and the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, the DSS and even the Armed Forces.

    “I am sure these children will return as quickly as possible; so, we look forward to their return,’’ he said.

    Osinbajo advised children currently on holidays to learn something new outside academics, saying “because it is a long holiday, it is a great time to do something new.

    “Those who like to learn a skill, whatever skill that may be, should learn it. I wished that when I was growing up I learned even carpentry’’.

    He said that the children could learn something new that would impact on their lives and their communities in new fields of technology. (NAN)

  • Entrepreneurship: Osinbajo hails YPNI 

    Entrepreneurship: Osinbajo hails YPNI 

    Nigeria’s Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has commended Young Progressive Nigerians Initiatives (YPNI) for its advocacy drive on Entrepreneurship, Skills Acquisition and Citizenship Education in the country.
    Osinbajo gave the commendation last Thursday in Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital  while receiving a copy of the book on Entrepreneurship and Citizenship Education authored by YPNI’s Chairman of BoT, Adekunle Osibogun at a two-day clinic on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) organized by the office of the Vice-President of Nigeria in collaboration with the Ogun State government.
    In his words, Osinbajo said “Service to humanity is the best work of life. Please continue to serve humanity. The more you take the indigents and under-privileged out of obscurity, the more favour and mercy you receive from God.
    “On behalf of the people and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, i appreciate your efforts towards enhancing job creation in Nigeria. I salute your sense of patriotism towards nation building. I urge you not to relent.”
    The Acting President who was at YPNI’s exhibition stand at the clinic also advised the youths that were recently trained by the non-profit organization on Entrepreneurship, Citizenship and Skills Acquisitions to be focused, diligent and consistent, urging them to keep striving until they get to the top.
    With Osinbajo at the event was the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and some officials of the Federal and State Ministries of Industry Trade and Investment, Corporate Affairs Commission, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration Control, Standard Organization of Nigeria, Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, Raw Materials Research and Development Council and other MDAs whose operations affect activities of SMEs in the nation.
  • Amina Mohammed, UN envoys to visit Osinbajo

    Amina Mohammed, UN envoys to visit Osinbajo

    Ms Amina Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, has begun a trip to Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Tuesday, the UN has announced.

    Mohammed would be joined by the Executive Director of UN Women, Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, and the African Union Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, Bineta Diop.

    The trip, which is being carried out in conjunction with the African Union, seeks to raise awareness on the importance of women’s participation in peace and security processes, and of ensuring that the women’s voices are heard in all aspects of society.

    The UN officials would travel to Abuja, where they would meet with the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and hear from women leaders and young women who have been affected by conflicts.

    On Friday, the Deputy Secretary-General would attend the funeral of Dr Babatunde Osotimehin, the former Executive Director of the UN Population Fund.

    The UN deputy chief would briefly be back in New York to attend a Member States’ retreat over the weekend and will then rejoin the mission in the DRC.

    This trip is the first part of a two part mission focused on women’s meaningful participation in peace, security and development.

    A similar mission would cover two further countries later in the year.

    The deputy Secretary-General is expected to be back in New York on July 28.

  • FG approves appointment of Ekele as CMD, UATH

    FG approves appointment of Ekele as CMD, UATH

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has approved the appointment of Prof. Bisala Ekele as the substantive Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH).

    Mr Frank Omagon, the Assistant Director of Information in the hospital made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    It said that the letter signed by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, indicated that the appointment was for a four-year term with effect from June 1, 2017.

    The acting president, in the statement, called on the new CMD to be conscious of the enormous responsibilities of the office.

    “You must be conscious of the yearnings of our people for an effective and responsive healthcare delivery system,” it quoted the acting president as saying.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new appointment followed the expiration of the tenure of the immediate past CMD of the hospital, Dr Peter Alabi in February.

    Until his appointment, Ekele was a Consultant Obstetrics and Gynecologist in the hospital and Dean, Faculty of Clinical Services, University of Abuja.

  • Photos: Osinbajo signs register, condoles with Chief Akande

    Photos: Osinbajo signs register, condoles with Chief Akande

    The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo was on Thursday in Ila Orangun, Osun State to condole with Chief Bisi Akande on the death of his wife.

    Photos:

    L-R: Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande (middle) and Prof Yemi Osinbajo

     

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo signing the condolence register
  • Buhari mourns Madam Omowunmi, sends ‘heart-felt condolences’ to Bisi Akande

    Buhari mourns Madam Omowunmi, sends ‘heart-felt condolences’ to Bisi Akande

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed “heart-felt” sadness over the death of Madam Omowunmi Bisi Akande, wife of the founding chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress, (APC).

    Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, said Buhari’s condolence message was contained “in a letter penned by him”.

    He said the president had earlier spoken on telephone  to the bereaved party chieftain on Wednesday, where he (President Buhari) described the death of Akande’s wife of 50 years as an “irreparable loss’’.

    The President’s message read: “I received the very sad news of the death of your dearly beloved wife, Madam Omowunmi Akande this morning.

    “I am following our phone call with this letter of condolence, which comes from my heart.

    “To lose a wife, a dear wife after 50 years, a constant and loving companion through good and bad times, is a blow only a man of unshakeable faith can withstand.

    “Please extend my personal condolences to the immediate and wider Akande family and to friends of the family for this irreparable loss.

    “May Allah give you the strength and Iman to endure her passing away.’’

    It would be recalled that the Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, on Wednesday, led the presidential delegation to condole with Chief Bisi Akande over the demise of his wife.

    Kyari described the death of the deceased as a loss to the nation.

    “Yesternight, I received a call from Acting President Yemi Osinbajo while he was with President Muhammadu Buhari in London.

    “He gave me the news of Madam Akande’s death and said that the president and himself are very sad over the sudden death of Mrs Akande.

    “He thereafter directed that I lead a presidential delegation to Ila-Orangun immediately to condole with Chief Akande,’’ he said.

  • Buhari gives Osinbajo approval on some ‘decisions, appointments’

    Buhari gives Osinbajo approval on some ‘decisions, appointments’

    A Cabinet reshuffle is likely soon, The Nation learned yesterday.

    It is all part of the fallout of Tuesday’s London meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, sources said, pleading not to be named.

    Some ministers may be dropped.

    The imminent action is believed to be delaying the inauguration of the two ministers-designate already confirmed by the Senate.

    Some ministers may also swap portfolios in the new plan.

    The looming shake-up has caused anxiety among members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    It was also gathered that President Buhari endorsed all the measures taken by the Acting President to keep the nation united. Osinbajo was also said to have got approval for some decisions and appointments.

    According to the sources, the need to reshuffle the cabinet for “efficiency” was one of the key issues discussed between the President and the Acting President.

    It was however learned that it might not be a wholesale dissolution of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) “because the nation cannot afford such a luxury now”.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “There is likely shake-up of the cabinet in line with the new fast-paced focus of the Buhari administration. Some of the ministers cannot cope with the portfolios assigned to them.

    “Some ministers were also found to be behind the crisis of confidence between the Executive and the National Assembly.

    “So, apart from dropping some, others may swap portfolios for efficiency. It is just some restructuring of the cabinet to ensure service delivery.”

    Responding to a question, the source added that there had been anxiety among members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    “Obviously, there is disquiet in the cabinet on this latest development. I think the likely changes in the cabinet accounted for the delay in inaugurating two ministers-designate.

    “I cannot tell you when the changes will be effected but the cabinet shake-up came up as an item between the two leaders, “ the source said.

    Osinbajo is believed to have briefed the President on the renewed separatist and secession agitation.

    It was gathered that Buhari was shocked by the situation and insisted that Nigeria must be kept united.

    Another source said: “The President endorsed all the consultations and actions taken by the Acting President and asked him to continue to take steps to keep Nigeria indivisible.

    “The President was delighted that Osinbajo managed the threats to the nation’s unity with courage and maturity.”

    On some outstanding issues, the source said: “Osinbajo secured approval to take some decisions and make some appointments.”

    Regarding how the meeting went, the source added: “The President and the Acting President were together without any third party. And they had fruitful talks. We should expect some actions soon.”

    Also, there were indications last night that the Acting President briefed FEC on the health status of the President.

    A member said: “The Acting President told us that there was no cause for alarm. He said the President had been recuperating well.

    “We were all relieved because this first-hand information was the most authentic we have got.”

  • Buhari in high spirit, recovering fast, says Osinbajo

    Buhari in high spirit, recovering fast, says Osinbajo

    …says Buhari will return very soon

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday said that President Muhammadu Buhari is in good spirit and recuperating very fast.

    He made the disclosure to State House correspondents just before entering the Council Chamber to start the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

    Osinbajo, who left Nigeria on Tuesday to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari in the United Kingdom, returned to the country on Wednesday morning.

    Read also: Osinbajo back from visit to Buhari

    Buhari left Nigeria since May 7th to meet up with follow up consultation with his doctors.

    Osinbajo on Wednesday assured that Buhari will soon return to Nigeria.

    He said: “Well, first as you know I went to see him, I went to check up on him to find out how he was doing. I had of course been speaking on the phone and I thought it will be a good thing to go and see him and you know generally check up on how he was doing and also to brief him on developments back at home.

    “So we had a very good time, we had a very good conversation on wide ranging issues and he is in very good spirit, he is recuperating very quickly and he is doing very well.

    On the state of the President’s health, he said: “Well, as I have said he is in very high spirit, he is recuperating very well and we had very long conversation, we spoke for well over an hour and his humor is all there. He is doing well and he is recuperating fast.

    Read: Osinbajo to update Nigerians on outcome of meeting with Buhari

    Asked when Buhari is due back in the country, he said: “I think very very shortly. Very shortly. I think we should really expect him back very shortly. Like I said he is recuperating very fast and he is doing very very well.

    On whether the President will return within 90 days from May 7th, he said: “No no. Deadlines aren’t a very good thing but as I said he is recuperating fast we expecting him very shortly. Much sooner than you will expect.

    Asked if the meeting dwell on the report of the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director General, Ayo Oke, he simply said that the meeting covered wide ranging issues.

    Read: Buhari, Osinbajo meet in London on state of nation

    “I really can’t go into specifics of all of the discussions we had.” he added

    He also said that the meeting didn’t discuss swearing in of the two ministerial nominees.

    On when they will be sworn in, he said: “Well, I’m not in a position to say anything. I don’t have a date in mind but I’m sure very very soon we will do that.”

     

  • Osinbajo to update Nigerians on outcome of meeting with Buhari

    Osinbajo to update Nigerians on outcome of meeting with Buhari

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo will soon brief the nation on the outcome of his meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in London.

    Mr Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media and Publicity, made this known on his twitter handle on late Tuesday night.

    He described the meeting as ““a very good meeting.”

    Read also: Buhari, Osinbajo meet in London on state of nation

    He said: “We will soon share more information about Acting President’s London meeting with President Buhari. It was a very good meeting.

    “God bless Nigeria.’’

    It would be recalled President Buhari on Tuesday summoned Acting President Osinbajo to a meeting with him in the United Kingdom where he is presently on medical vacation.

    Read also: Osinbajo back from visit to Buhari

    Osinbajo jetted out of Abuja soon after presiding over the Quarterly Presidential Business Forum on Tuesday morning at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Akande had earlier confirmed in a tweet on his twitter handle, “@akandeoj that Osinbajo had left for London to meet the President but did not give  details.

    He added that the Acting President would return to Abuja immediately after the meeting .