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Tag: Yemi Osinbajo

  • NYSC crucial to national unity, integration – Osinbajo

    NYSC crucial to national unity, integration – Osinbajo

    The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, says the NYSC is crucial for sustainable national unity, integration and economic development.

    Osinbajo said this in a message to the swearing ceremony of the 2017 Batch ” A”, Stream 1, corps members in Sokoto on Thursday.

    The message was delivered by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bashir Garba, on behalf of Gov. Aminu Tambuwal.

    “The role of corps members, like yourselves, is in significant tasks that impact aspects of our national life including the conduct of elections, census, national health and immunisation campaigns.” This role is one that this country acknowledges and appreciates.

    “It is a testament and credit to the young people of our country.

    “It demonstrates what they can do when they are given the opportunity and challenge.”

    Osinbajo advised the corps members to uphold the ideals of the scheme and remain conscientious in the discharge of their assignments.

    He lauded the corps members for ensuring the success of the”Change Begins with Me” campaign.

    “You must all strive to fight the painful erosion of our social values as a result of greed and dishonesty.

    “If change begins with each of you, there can be nothing that will impede the progress of this great nation.

    “ You must all consider yourselves as agents of this change as well as actively live and promote it,” he said.

    Osinbajo said the Federal Government was aware of the challenges facing the scheme.

    “They include insecurity, deployment management and processes, among others.

    “We shall continue to encourage continued cooperation between the federal, state and local governments.

    “This is to ensure the smooth and effective execution of the operations relating to the scheme,” he said.

    Mr Musa Abubakar, the state NYSC Coordinator, said that 2,500 corps members were deployed to the state under the batch out of which 2,221 had registered by midnight on Wednesday.

    Abubakar commended the state government, the Sultanate council of Sokoto and the people of the state for their sustained support to the scheme.

    He appealed to the state government to provide a utility vehicle and furniture to the NYSC secretariat.

    ”All these are geared towards effective delivery of the scheme’s mandate to the good people of the state,” Abubakar said.

    Alhaji Abubakar Ladan, the state Chairman of NYSC Governing Board, said that adequate arrangements had been made for the welfare and security of corps members.

     

  • Osinbajo congratulates Edwin Clark at 90

    The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has felicitated with former Federal Commissioner of Information and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, on his 90th birthday, which comes up on May 25.

    Osinbajo, in a statement, joined family members, friends, colleagues and the entire Ijaw nation in commemorating the milestone in the life of the nationalist, whose “life reflects our collective and continuous efforts towards building a great nation’’.

    The statement was issued by the acting President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Osinbajo saluted Clark’s unwavering patriotism and relentless pursuit of the unity of the country, particularly his maturity in speaking for the good of all Nigerians.

    He also commended him for promoting the South-South quest for a new developmental vision and supporting the cause of the poor and vulnerable.

    The acting president extolled the personal sacrifices and diplomatic shuttles of the great Nigerian leader, who worked relentlessly for the birth and sustenance of ECOWAS.

    He assured the nonagenarian that his labour of love for the South-South and the progress of the country would be remembered by many generations to come.

    He prayed that the “almighty God will grant the elder statesman longer life, good health and that as his days are so shall his wisdom, strength and favour be’’.

  • Osinbajo mourns Onuekwusi

    Osinbajo mourns Onuekwusi

    The Acting President, Prof.  Yemi Osinbajo, has expressed sadness over the news of the death of Mr Chukwuma Onuekwusi, the Channels TV State House Correspondent.

     This is contained in a condolence message by his spokesman, Mr Laolu Akande, on Tuesday.

    Akande said Osinbajo extended heartfelt condolences to Onuekwusi’s family as well as Channels TV family on the very sad passing of Onuekwusi.

    “He also commiserates with the State House Press Corps over the passage of their professional colleague, who combined high professionalism, wit, dedication and patriotism in his diligent reportage of activities in the Presidential Villa.

    “Acting President prays that the Almighty God will comfort his family and all who mourn this exceptional gentleman.’’

  • Osun pensioners protest 12 months arrears, seek FG’s intervention

    Osun pensioners protest 12 months arrears, seek FG’s intervention

    Pensioners  under the aegis of  Forum of 2011/12 Retired Public Servants of Osun,  on Tuesday took to the streets of Osogbo, urging the Federal Government to prevail on the state government to pay their 12 month arrears.

    Speaking with newsmen in Osogbo on the protest, the Chairman of the Forum,  Mr Omoniyi Ilesanmi, said non payment of pension to retirees had led to the death of 1,625 members since  2013.

    Ilesanmi, who said many  of their members had  become bedridden due to ill heath  and inability to  pay for  treatment, stressed  that others could no longer meet  their  basic needs.

    He called on Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to direct the Ministry of  Finance and the CBN to release the second  tranche  of  the Paris Club loan refund to Osun to remedy the situation.

    The spokesman also urged  the acting president to direct both the CBN  and the Federal Ministry of  Finance   to properly monitor the disbursement and utilisation of the fund in the state.

    Mr Shola Olojede, the Secretary of the Forum, said what government was owing  pensioners and  workers  totalled  12 months in accumulated pension  and salaries.

    Olojede said the state government had been  paying half of  pension and salaries to pensioners and workers since July 2015 and which amounted to  12 months arrears.

    He said government was owing N27.6 billion in pension and salaries for the 12 months and  N22 billion in backlog of gratuities from 2008 to 2012.

    Olojede said that government  had, however, told the pensioners at a meeting that it had no funds to pay them.

  • APC chieftain urges Nigerians to support Osinbajo

    APC chieftain urges Nigerians to support Osinbajo

    Pastor Folorunsho Longe, the National Coordinator of Buhari Support Organisation (South) has urged Nigerians to support Acting President Yemi Osinbajo in his efforts toward ensuring good governance and national economic recovery.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain made the call on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

    “All of us as Nigerians should support Osinbajo for him to succeed in implementing government policies so that the current economic and other challenges facing the nation can be overcome.

    “The president has done the right thing by transmitting a letter to the National Assembly for Osinbajo to serve as Acting President before he comes back from medical vacation.

    “However, for him to continue to deliver on the change mantra, he needs the cooperation and support of every Nigerian, irrespective of religion, tribal and party differences,’’ Longe said.

    According to him, Osinbajo is a tested and trusted hand who will not derail the tempo of comprehensive change programme of the Buhari administration, especially in the fight against corruption.

    He expressed confidence that the acting president could exercise responsibility as he did in the past with strong will, commitment and absolute respect for the Constitution.

    “Buhari has fought tirelessly to tackle the insurgency which had caused a lot of havoc to us as a nation, and corruption is being fought squarely.

    “However, we expect that the war against corruption will not suffer a setback due to the absence of President Buhari, and that is why everyone should rally support for the acting president,’’ he said.

    Longe therefore, urged all organs of government to cooperate and work with the acting president in the collective efforts of delivering dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

    He specifically called on political appointees of Buhari, especially heads of MDAs to show solidarity, commitment and loyalty to Osinbajo since he was acting in the capacity of the president.

    “There is no doubt that Buhari believes in Osinbajo that he can work with him and deliver on his behalf, and that is why they ran together.”

    He advised the Osinbajo to beware of unpatriotic elements, especially politicians, both in the ruling and opposition parties, who may want to exploit the current situation to actualise their selfish interests.

    “I urge him to beware of mischief makers who seek to pitch him against Buhari or the Nigerian people,’’ Longe added.

     

  • Osinbajo, IBB, Sultan, others save Emir of Kano from Assembly probe

    Osinbajo, IBB, Sultan, others save Emir of Kano from Assembly probe

    The Kano State House of Assembly on Monday stopped further probe of the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, following a letter received from Government House and signed by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, urging the House to halt the probe due to appeals from notable Nigerians who pleaded on behalf of the Emir.

    The Nation gathered that Ganduje who recognized the principles of separation of powers stated that his letter to that effect did not intend to threaten the independence of the House.

    According to the Speaker of the Kano state House of Assembly who read the Governor’s letter yesterday afternoon, Hon. Kabiru Alhasan Rurum, the decision to suspend the probe was prompted by a letter written by Kano state governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje requesting the House to halt further actions against the Royal Father.

    The letter from the Governor appealed to the state legislative arm to halt proceedings into the eight count charge against the Emir of Kano, citing mediation by prominent Nigerians, including the Governors’ Forum, Acting president, Yemi Osinbajo, Sultan of Sokoto, Alh Sahaad Abubakar, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, Aminu Dantata and Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

    Ganduje in the letter to the House buttressed his appeal for the cancellation of further investigation of the charges against the Kano monarch positing that the Emir had shown remorse during a reconciliation session organized by Northern Governors’ forum in Kaduna.

    The House after an extensive deliberation session passed a unanimous verdict approving the termination of the probe into the alleged illicit activities of the Emir.

    The Nation learned that the House before now had planned to allegedly create additional Emirates in the state.

    However, a lawmaker who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity expressed dissatisfaction over the abrupt intervention by prominent Nigerians.

    According to him, “I am not happy at all because we are set to make the records straight before this sudden intervention by prominent personalities in the country.”

    The Nation reports that Emir Sanusi has been in controversy lately with the allegation of financial misappropriation and alleged misconduct.

    Apart from the probe initiated by the Kano state anti-corruption agency, Emir Sanusi recently entered the black book of the state Assembly as it set up an eight-man committee to investigate the Emir.

    A member representing Nasarawa Local Government Area, Alhaji Ibrahim Gama last week raised a motion of urgent public importance.

    Gama frowned at the recent comments credited to the Emir over the proposed Kano light rail project which will soon be executed by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

    The Chairman of the House committee on Works insisted that, “the statement from the Emir is capable of tarnishing his image, the Government and that of the assembly.

    “The Emir during his speech in Kaduna alleged that the Kano State Governor and his entourage, including me as the Chairman of the House committee on Works wasted one month in China seeking for a loan to construct rail.”

    “The Emir’s statement was not true, we spent only four days in China, and our visit was to find out the capability of the company to handle the rail project.

    “His utterances have caused a lot of insult to me, the state government and also the house of assembly by the general public in the state, and outside the state.”

    He took a swipe at Emir Sanusi for sending his daughter to represent in one of the functions organized by Bring Back Our Girls group in Abuja, describing it as inimical to the tradition of the Emirate Council.

    “There are many responsible Emirate Council members who can represent him at the Programme. This is the first time we are seeing such in the historical traditional home,” he added.

    According to Gama, the mode of dressing by the Emir’s daughter during the Programme, was an embarrassment to the emirate council and the tradition of Kano people.

    He also accused Sanusi for introducing religious issues that are contrary to the teachings of Islam, saying such things are capable of disgracing the religion.

    Gama further accused Emir Sanusi of involvement in political issues, misappropriation of emirate Council’s fund, and making statements against President Muhammad Buhari.

  • Osinbajo to hold interactive session on new executive orders

    Osinbajo to hold interactive session on new executive orders

    The Presidency has promised to vigorously implement the new executive orders in its determination to significantly transform the business environment in the country.

    The spokesman to the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Mr. Laolu Akande, made this known in a statement he issued on Sunday to give update on the new orders signed last Thursday.

    He said as part of measures to drive the reforms intended in the executive orders, Osinbajo would hold an interactive forum in Abuja on Wednesday.

    He said that Osinbajo would be discussing in particular, the executive orders on business environment and promoting “Made-in-Nigeria” products with a cross-section of middle level and senior public and civil servants.

    “These are the people who will be directly responsible for the attainment of the objectives of the executive orders.

    “So the acting president wants an opportunity to talk with them directly and hear from them in person.”

    Akande noted that the interactive forum would be open for live coverage and live streaming.

    According to him, ensuring the effective implementation of the orders is critical for the overall prosperity of Nigerians and Nigeria.

    He said that as part of activities commemorating the second year of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, a presidential level report card event on the Social Investment Programmes (SIPs) of the Buhari presidency would be held at Aso Rock on May 29.

    “At this national event, we shall be updating Nigerians on the progress so far attained, how we are addressing some challenges and how Buhari’s Social Investment Programmes would be significantly expanded going forward,” Akande said.

    The SIPs are the N-Power, which engaged 200,000 unemployed Nigerians graduates for a volunteer job programme and the Conditional Cash Transfer being implemented now in nine states.

    Others are the General Economic and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), a micro credit scheme that has given out almost 60,000 loans already, and the National Homegrown School Feeding Programme.

    In the feeding programme, 25 million meals have been served and over one million primary school pupils in at least seven states are being fed using over 11,000 caterers.

    On the progress of the report of the Presidential Investigative Panel, Akande urged for patience.

    He explained that at the appropriate time the outcome of the panel would be made public “and Nigerians will be satisfied”.

    He said the two suspended officials remained suspended.

     

  • Former President Jonathan scores Wike high

    Former President Jonathan scores Wike high

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has praised Gov. Nyesom Wike for delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers.

    Jonathan made the remark on Thursday in Port Harcourt while inaugurating the second Npkogu bridge, as part of the second anniversary celebration of the Wike administration.

    The Former President said that the performance of the Governor has endeared him to the electorate.

    ‘’ Gov. Wike has performed wonderfully well in governance. I have no regrets that he is the Governor of Rivers State. I am happy that the governor has opened up Rivers State through projects, ‘’ he said.

    “Wike has shown so much commitment to infrastructural development. The whole of Rivers State is now a construction yard, ” Jonathan said.

    Jonathan noted that the appreciation for the outstanding performance of Gov. Wike was beyond party lines.

    The former President stressed that acting President Yemi Osinbajo had also acknowledged the developmental strides of the Governor when he visited the State.

    Jonathan lauded Rivers people for their support throughout his eight years in national politics, while expressing joy to be part of the occasion.

    Gov. Nyesom Wike stated that Nigerians had seen the difference between good governance and false promises in the two years of the APC government.

    Wike said that the decision to invite the former President to inaugurate the project was a clear message to Nigerians that Jonathan would not be abandoned.

    “We are not politicians that when anything is wrong, they sing different song. Rivers State is a different place, ‘’ he added.

    ‘’ When we believe in you, we believe in you. We are different from other Niger Delta states. We can say it with all authority, ‘’ Wike said.

    “We cannot come out in the public and begin to castigate our own. Those who do that, should have a rethink.

    ‘’For us, it doesn’t matter, even with the blackmail against Jonathan, we will continue to back him, ” the Governor said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria [ NAN ] reports that the two bridges constructed by the Wike administration link Nkpogu to the state capital.

    The Commissioner of Works, Mr. Bathuel Harrison said that the Second Nkpogu Bridge would ease the traffic challenges in the area.

  • Osinbajo signs three executive orders

    Osinbajo signs three executive orders

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday signed three executive orders that will significantly change some of the ways government business and operations are conducted in the country.
    A statement from Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Office of the Vice President said the executive orders were issued “in exercise of the presidential authorities vested in the Executive arm of government.”
    Specifically, Prof. Osinbajo signed three executive orders giving specific instructions on a number of policy issues affecting:
    *the promotion of transparency and efficiency in the business environment designed to facilitate the ease of doing business in the country,
    *timely submission of annual budgetary estimates by all statutory and non-statutory agencies, including companies owned by the Federal Government and
    *support for local contents in public procurement by the Federal Government.
    Akande noted that “ahead of the signing, the Acting President held an interactive session at the old Banquet Hall of Presidential Villa with all relevant government officials, including ministers, permanent secretaries and heads of departments and agencies among others. The session was meant to directly engage government officials who would be implementing the orders and the new instructions.”

  • Buhari treats me like his son, says Osinbajo

    Buhari treats me like his son, says Osinbajo

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been treating Acting President Yemi Osinbajo like his son since they started working together two years ago.

    Osinbajo let the public into this father-son relationship yesterday at the launch of Katsina State’s MSMES Clinic during his one-day official vist to President Buhari’s home state.

    At the ceremony were owners of small scale businesses and stakeholders from the public and private sectors.

    Reflecting on the personal and official relationships between him and the President, Osinbajo said: “The President has been treating me as a brother. In fact, the President has taken me as a son in the way he treats me.

    “Going by the amount of responsibilities President Buhari has given me; it shows that he seriously believes that we can live as brothers in this country.

    “He seriously believes in the unity of Nigeria. I pray the Lord will preserve our President to continue to lead us just as the nation has voted him to do.” he said.

    Osinbajo said President Buhari believed that Nigeria’s capacity is limitless in terms of what it can produce.

    He said: “When he gave the 2017 budget speech in December 2016, the President said the central vision of our government is to grow everything that we would eat and to make everything we would use.”

    Prof. Osinbajo explined that the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery & Growth Plan (EGRP) places high premium on the nation’s capacity to grow its export potentials rather than continue on the unsustainable path of total dependence on import.

    He said the focus of the Plan is to develop “the capacity of Nigerians to do everything that we need internally; to become a net exporter of the various things that we are importing today.”

    Explaining Federal Government’s reason for the inauguration of the MSMEs Clinics that is now going round major cities of the country, Prof Osinbajo said it was designed to give small businesses the opportunity “to meet with the industry regulators, to talk to them and to hear their problems”

    He added that he was so excited to see not only business men but women who are focussed and serious about their businesses.

    He explained that the idea of the MSMES clinics which he had personally attended for the fourth time; is the Buhari administration’s effort to close the gap between MSMES and relevant Federal Government’s regulatory agencies like NAFDAC, CAC, SON, BOI, FIRS and others and ensure that those agencies become facilitators of businesses and not obstacles to business development.

    During hisvisit to the Emir of Katsina, Dr. Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, Osinbajo expatiated on his close relationship with President Buhari saying: “one of the reasons why I feel very much at home in Katsina State is because this is the state of our President. President Muhammadu Buhari has taken me more like a brother; in fact sometimes more like a son than a Vice President.”

    He commended the Government and people of Katsina State for being role models in terms of peaceful co-existence of all ethnic tribes and religions.

    Prof Osinbajo who declared the MSMEs Clinic open, was accompanied by the Minister of State for Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service, Babatunde Fowler and Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu.

    He also spoke about the imperative of one indivisible and united Nigeria, emphasizing that the nation’s diversity is its strength and noted that “Katsina State is the home of a United Nigeria.”

    The Emir urged the Federal Government to extend the Kaduna-Kano rail line to Katsina to boost economic and industrial activities in the state.

    He told the Acting President: “At present, the railway line terminates in Kano, but I am calling on the Federal Government to extend it to Katsina.

    “Extension of the rail line will assist in boosting socio-economic activities in Katsina State.”

    The monarch also said Katsina State had always been peaceful and the people were hospitable, stressing that the railway line would be accepted by the entire people of the state.

    He stressed the need for peaceful coexistence among people, irrespective of their religious and ethnic affiliations.

    The Emir also urged the Federal Government to upgrade the Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport in Katsina.

    He said an upgrade would also assist in enhancing economic activities in the state.

    The Acting President assured the Emir that the Federal Government would look into the requests.

    He explained that plans were already on the way to upgrade six airports to international standard.

    There was tight security during the acting President’s vist.