TheNewsGuru

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Breaking: Buhari signs international consortium agreement in Washington

    President Muhammadu Buhari has signed an agreement with an international consortium led by world’s digital industrial company, General Electric (GE), for the interim phase of the concession of Nigeria’s narrow-gauge rail network.

    TheNewsGuru reports the international consortium including GE is made up of SinoHydro, Transnet and APM Terminals.

    The Presidency, which made this known on Monday morning, said in a statement that the program is expected to deliver an increase in the number of available locomotives, thus increasing the frequency of passenger and freight rail services.

    “In addition, freight haulage capacity by the end of the first 12 months of the interim phase is expected to increase roughly ten-fold, from its current less than 50,000 metric tonnes per annum to about 500,000 metric tonnes per annum.

    “Initiated by General Electric, the Consortium is comprised of SinoHydro, a leading infrastructure construction services corp., Transnet, a leader in transportation & logistics infrastructure mgt and APM Terminals, a global port, terminal and intermodal inland services provider,” the statement read.

    According to the statement, “in the interim phase of the rail concession, remedial works will be carried out on part of the narrow-gauge rail line system to make it technically and economically operable”.

    “Additionally, a joint operation will be established between the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) and the GE-led Consortium, with an initial supply of 10 locomotives and 200 wagons to augment the existing rolling stock in Nigeria,” it added.

     

  • 2019: Buhari Campaign Organization inaugurates executives, office in Taraba

    The Taraba chapter of the Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO) on Sunday inaugurated its newly-elected officials and an office complex in Jalingo ahead of the 2019 election.

    The National Coordinator of the organisation, Alhaji Bala Fasali, congratulated the officials and urged them to work tirelessly to realise the dream of ensuring re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari for the second term in office in 2019.

    He expressed optimism that Buhari would get block votes in the state and the North East in general, considering the enormous successes recorded in the ongoing war against terrorism.

    Fasali said that the ongoing Mambilla Hydro Power Project in the state was a pointer to the president’s commitment towards ensuring socio-economic development in the state and the country at large.

    “The Mambilla Hydro Power Project is a gigantic project capable of providing power not only in Nigeria but to other West African countries, I assure you it will be completed on time to serve its purpose,” Fasali said.

    He advised the officials to take their oath of office seriously and avoid betraying the trust reposed on them.

    Earlier, the North East Coordinator of the organisation, Dr. Abiso Kabir, warned the officials against engaging in anti party activities, saying anyone found wanting would be penalised.

    “You cannot be for Buhari and then work against the interest of our party.

    “If you are with us, then you must work for all APC candidates from the top to the bottom,” Abiso said.

  • JUST IN: Aliko Dangote meets President Buhari in Washington [PHOTOS]

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday in Washington met with Africa’s richest person, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Mr. Tope Shonubi of Sahara Energy.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BiKIPt2HxUz/?taken-by=thenewsgurung

    TheNewsGuru reports President Buhari, shortly after his arrival, met with the duo at the Blair House, the Presidential Guest House where he will be staying throughout his 3-day working visit in the US.

    Mr. Tope Shonubi of Sahara Energy meets President Muhammadu Buhari in Washington
    Mr. Tope Shonubi of Sahara Energy meets President Muhammadu Buhari in Washington

    Buhari, who arrived in the US through the Joint Base Andrews Airport, Washington, is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with President Trump and a working lunch on April 30.

    Aliko Dangote meets President Muhammadu Buhari in Washington
    Aliko Dangote meets President Muhammadu Buhari in Washington

    According to Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement, the meeting is to discuss ways to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries.

    He said the meeting would also advance shared priorities, such as: promoting economic growth, fighting terrorism and other threats to peace and security.

    “The meeting will further deepen the US-Nigeria relationship as the United States considers Nigeria’s economic growth, security and leadership in Africa to be critical aspects of their strategic partnership.

    “Later in the day, President Buhari will meet with a group of business persons in agriculture and agro-processing, dairy and animal husbandry,’’ he added.

    He said that ahead of the visit by the President, meetings had been scheduled between senior Nigerian Government officials and executives of major US companies in the areas of agriculture, aviation and transportation.

    He said that in the area of aviation, the Nigerian officials would be meeting with Boeing, the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world, on the National Carrier Project.

    The presidential aide said: “On agriculture, they will meet with large equipment manufacturers with focus on harvesting and post harvesting equipment.

    “In the area of transportation, the officials will meet with the GE-led consortium for the implementation of the interim phase of the narrow gauge rail concession.

    “In the interim phase, a substantive concession agreement will be negotiated and finalized to provide the consortium the opportunity to invest an estimated $2bn, to modernize the rail line from Lagos to Kano (Western Line) and from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri (Eastern Line).

    “During the meeting, the concession framework and the interim phase framework agreements are expected to be signed.’’

    He further disclosed that Nigerian officials would also meet with US-EXIM Bank and the US Overseas Private Investment Corporation to explore competitive financing arrangements.

    It is noteworthy that in 2017, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the United States Department of Commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote and encourage commercial and investment ties between Nigeria and the United States.

    This is with initial focus on infrastructure, agriculture, digital economy, investment and regulatory reforms.

     

  • President Buhari arrives Washington Joint Base Andrews Airport

    Ahead of the bilateral meeting with his United States counterpart, President Donald Trump, President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived at the Joint Base Andrews Airport, Washington.

    Personal Assistant to President Buhari on new media, Bashir Ahmad, made this known on Sunday afternoon.

    Following his arrival at the airport, President Buhari immediately proceeded to the Blair House, the Presidential Guest House where he will be staying throughout his 3-day working visit in the US.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BiKIPt2HxUz/?taken-by=thenewsgurung

    TheNewsGuru reports Buhari jetted out of Nigeria through Abuja on Saturday on an official working visit to the United States of America, on the invitation of President Trump.

    President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement in Abuja on Friday, said Buhari while in America would hold bilateral meeting with President Trump and a working lunch on April 30.

    According to Adesina, the meeting is to discuss ways to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries.

    He said the meeting would also advance shared priorities, such as: promoting economic growth, fighting terrorism and other threats to peace and security.

    “The meeting will further deepen the US-Nigeria relationship as the United States considers Nigeria’s economic growth, security and leadership in Africa to be critical aspects of their strategic partnership.

    “Later in the day, President Buhari will meet with a group of business persons in agriculture and agro-processing, dairy and animal husbandry,’’ he added.

    He said that ahead of the visit by the President, meetings had been scheduled between senior Nigerian Government officials and executives of major US companies in the areas of agriculture, aviation and transportation.

    He said that in the area of aviation, the Nigerian officials would be meeting with Boeing, the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world, on the National Carrier Project.

    The presidential aide said: “On agriculture, they will meet with large equipment manufacturers with focus on harvesting and post harvesting equipment.

    “In the area of transportation, the officials will meet with the GE-led consortium for the implementation of the interim phase of the narrow gauge rail concession.

    “In the interim phase, a substantive concession agreement will be negotiated and finalized to provide the consortium the opportunity to invest an estimated $2bn, to modernize the rail line from Lagos to Kano (Western Line) and from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri (Eastern Line).

    “During the meeting, the concession framework and the interim phase framework agreements are expected to be signed.’’

    He further disclosed that Nigerian officials would also meet with US-EXIM Bank and the US Overseas Private Investment Corporation to explore competitive financing arrangements.

    It is noteworthy that in 2017, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the United States Department of Commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote and encourage commercial and investment ties between Nigeria and the United States.

    This is with initial focus on infrastructure, agriculture, digital economy, investment and regulatory reforms.

     

  • Another Buhari emerges for 2019 presidential race

    Another Buhari, the initiator of Ahmed Buhari Youth Movement, has emerged to contest the 2019 presidential elections against sitting President Muhammadu Buhari, who is vying for second tenure.

    The young 2019 presidential hopeful, Ahmed Buhari, now known as the new Buhari, is saying his interest in vying for the office of the president of Nigeria is informed by the need to have a generational change in the leadership of the nation.

    New Buhari, who is a geologist by training, stated this while speaking with newsmen on Sunday in Ilorin on the sidelines of his meeting with members of the Ahmed B. Youth Movement in Kwara.

    According to him, the youths have lost hope in the current system of governance which has created a wide gulf between the young and old generation, stressing that it was high time the young people participated in politics and governance of the country to avoid vacuum in government.

    “Most importantly, our involvement is going to be an enlightenment to young people that it is true that we can do something.

    “To let them know that the reason we are doing this is because we understand that if we do not allow responsibility to be transferred from one generation to next generation at the right time, a vacuum will be created.

    “If this vacuum is created, a lot can go into that vacuum. It could be herdsmen; it could be Boko Haram; it could be kidnapping; it could be baby factory; it could be armed robbery, it could be a lot of things.

    “It is because these young people do not feel any need for them to be looking up for something that hope is lost and so we are trying to revamp young people to understand that they have to participate in politics.

    “While they participate in politics, they shouldn’t make money politics a front burner for them. They should be more concerned about how they will even support aspirants so that when they get to the office, those aspirants will be answerable to them.

    “This will kill totally the whole idea of cabalism and see how we can have aspirants who will emerge and become answerable to those people who elected them because if you do support an aspirant, he is going to come back to you and support you, not by giving you the money you gave him, but by giving you the best of democracy.

    “What we mean is that we want to have a country that would be formed on a united ground.

    “ United ground in the sense that no matter where you come from, regardless of your ethnicity; regardless of your religion; regardless of your social status; regardless of your political party; ideological affiliations; regardless of gender; regardless of your age; you will want to be part of a new Nigeria.

    “The new Nigeria that we are looking for is new Nigeria that every one of us would claim without mentioning where we are from.

    “We want a new Nigeria where there won’t be a discussion on state of origin, quota system and all of those things that always tend to divide us will be eradicated,” he said.

     

  • Buhari approves 5 new appointments for NDDC, NERC, NHRC

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of five new executives for National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

    Mr Olusegun Adekunle, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said the president made the appointments following their confirmation by the senate.

    According to him, Mr Anthony Ojukwu from Imo State is the new
    Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with initial term of five years.

    “Mr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who hails from Ondo State, is the new Executive Director, Niger Delta Development Commission with initial term of four years.

    “Hon. Chika Ama, Nwauwa also from Imo State has been appointed the new Executive Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) also with initial term of four years.

    “Mr Nwogu N. Nwogu from Abia State is the new Executive Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) with initial term of four years.

    “And Prof. James Momoh from Edo State is the new Chairman,
    Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) also with five years initial term.”

    The president directed that the appointments should take immediate effect.

     

  • Constitutional provisions for impeachment of Buhari

    Addressing an executive communication at Thursday’s plenary session of the Nigerian Senate, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Matthew Urhoghide moved for immediate impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari for voiding constitutional provisions.

    The Buhari’s impeachment motion by Urhoghide which was seconded by the Senator representing Enugu North constituency, Chukwuka Utazi, has it that the President abused executive powers, thereby flouting provisions of the 1999 Constitution by approving the sum of $496 million for the purchase of super Tucano fighter jets without consent of the National Assembly.

    In a letter defending his approval of the money withdrawn from the excess crude account (ECA), Buhari said he had anticipated the lawmakers would approve the withdrawal.

    “There is nowhere in our law that talked about anticipatory approval. We cannot sit down and allow this to take place. It is an impeachable offence.

    “There is no infraction that is worse than this. Let us not continue to sleep. I propose that we commence the impeachment of Mr President,” House of Representative member, Kingsley Chinda said citing sections 80 and 81 of the 1999 constitution.

    Senator Urhoghide, who moved for the impeachment in the Senate, moved the motion for the invocation of Section 143 of the 1999 Constitution, which deals with impeachment of the President for voiding due process.

    Section 143 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) deals with the removal of the president and vice-president from office.

    143. (1) The President or Vice-President may be removed from office in accordance with the provisions of this section.

    (2) Whenever a notice of any allegation in writing signed by not less than one-third of the members of the National Assembly:-

    (a) is presented to the President of the Senate;

    (b) stating that the holder of the office of President or Vice-President is guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office, detailed particulars of which shall be specified, the President of the Senate shall within seven days of the receipt of the notice cause a copy thereof to be served on the holder of the office and on each member of the National Assembly, and shall also cause any statement made in reply to the allegation by the holder of the office to be served on each member of the National Assembly.

    (3) Within fourteen days of the presentation of the notice to the President of the Senate (whether or not any statement was made by the holder of the office in reply to the allegation contained in the notice) each House of the National Assembly shall resolve by motion without any debate whether or not the allegation shall be investigated.

    (4) A motion of the National Assembly that the allegation be investigated shall not be declared as having been passed, unless it is supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of all the members of each House of the National Assembly.

    (5) Within seven days of the passing of a motion under the foregoing provisions, the Chief Justice of Nigeria shall at the request of the President of the Senate appoint a Panel of seven persons who in his opinion are of unquestionable integrity, not being members of any public service, legislative house or political party, to investigate the allegation as provide in this section.

    (6) The holder of an office whose conduct is being investigated under this section shall have the right to defend himself in person and be represented before the Panel by legal practitioners of his own choice.

    (7) A Panel appointed under this section shall –

    (a) have such powers and exercise its functions in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed by the National Assembly; and

    (b) within three months of its appointment report its findings to each House of the National Assembly.

    (8) Where the Panel reports to each House of the National Assembly that the allegation has not been proved, no further proceedings shall be taken in respect of the matter.

    (9) Where the report of the Panel is that the allegation against the holder of the office has been proved, then within fourteen days of the receipt of the report at the House the National Assembly shall consider the report, and if by a resolution of each House of the National Assembly supported by not less than two-thirds majority of all its members, the report of the Panel is adopted, then the holder of the office shall stand removed from office as from the date of the adoption of the report.

    (10) No proceedings or determination of the Panel or of the National Assembly or any matter relating thereto shall be entertained or questioned in any court.

    (11) In this section – “gross misconduct” means a grave violation or breach of the provisions of this Constitution or a misconduct of such nature as amounts in the opinion of the National Assembly to gross misconduct.”

    Meanwhile, after hearing contributions from his colleagues at Thursday’s plenary, Senate President Bukola Saraki submitted the matter be referred to the Senate’s judiciary committee to make clear the terms for the impeachment of the President.

    “Distinguished Colleagues, I think we have taken contributions from everyone. I also think that the contribution of the Leader addresses two issues and we must take note of them:

    “One, the concerns we have, as Senator Shehu Sani said, all of us agree that there is definitely security concerns in our country.

    “At the same time, we all agree that from what has been presented to us definitely there is a breach of Constitution.

    “The question is what are the circumstances surrounding the breach of Constitution and whether those circumstances justify the breach of Constitution.

    “I am sure you will all remember that in August 2017, when I got the message from the U.S. Ambassador, that the Senate Committee at the Congress of the United States wanted to visit us because they had received a request from President Trump to approve for payment of the Tucano but they needed Congress approval. Congress wanted to come to Nigeria to speak with their counterparts.

    “I led the team with members of the House of Representatives and members here in the Senate and we met with the members of Congress on this issue. We were aware at that time of the issues.

    “Between September and February with all due respect, there was ample time for the Executive to have carried us along on this issue. There are arguments for and against and those arguments are valid.

    “The suggestion of the Leader, that we should send it to the Judiciary Committee to: 1. Advise whether truly the constitution has been breached; 2. Whether the circumstances justify the breach in any way.

    “What do we do going forward in trying to appropriate because the funds have already been spent. Do we go under what the Leader has come under or we start the whole process of appropriating.

    “It was after we agreed in September that the US Congress went back to give approval to the Executive to go ahead to sell the Tucano to Nigeria.

    “If you will all agree, we should refer the matter to the Judiciary Committee and give them a short period of time.

    “By Wednesday next week they should present their report to us,” Saraki surmised.

     

  • FG begins construction of modular refinery in Delta state

    The federal government on Thursday said construction work has now started on OPAC Modular Refinery in Kwale, Delta State.

    The FG made this known today saying the construction work was according to President Muhammadu Buhari’s new vision for the Niger Delta.

    According to the FG, one of the focus areas of Buhari’s new vision for the Niger Delta is enabling the establishment of private modular refineries.

    The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) said in a statement that the refinery, being promoted by Pillar Oil Limited, Omsa Limited and Astek Limited, will process 7,000 barrels per stream day of crude oil when completed.

    The modular refinery, expected to come on stream in the fourth quarter of this year, DPR said 7,000bpsd of crude, equivalent to 350,000 tonnes of crude oil annually, would come from Pillar facility in Kwale.

    “The facility is expected to come on stream in the third quarter 2018 and the DPR has granted it requisite approvals: approval to relocate plant and approval to construct plant in line with our effective regulatory process and in alignment with government’s aspiration to stimulate economic growth,” the agency said on Wednesday.

    The main products from the refinery will include naphtha, kerosene, diesel and fuel oil fractions.

    According to the statement, the refinery facility includes storage depot for crude oil and finished products, and loading terminal.

    “The modular straight run refinery consists of the following modules: oil refining unit cru-350; heating furnaces; pumping stations; water cooling system; separation and preparation tanks; storage depot; control room with electrical panel; utilities supply and office facilities including laboratory; and truck-loading station,” the statement added.

    The DPR noted that the FG granted 18 refinery licences in 2004, which later grew to 23.

     

  • Senate sets in motion Buhari’s impeachment

    Nigerian Senate on Thursday referred to its judiciary committee for legal advise the motion for the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari moved by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Matthew Urhoghide.

    TheNewsGuru reports President Buhari purportedly approved the sum of $496 million for the purchase of super Tucano fighter jets without consent of the National Assembly.

    Senator Urhoghide, representing Edo South senatorial district, therefore, moved the motion for the invocation of Section 143 of the 1999 Constitution, which deals with impeachment of the President for voiding due process.

    Senator Urhoghide citing Orders 15, 42 & 52, said the matter should be forwarded to the appropriate committee.

    “The President’s request is wrong, it’s a violation of our process, proceedings and the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    “It’s a violation of Section 80 subsection 1, 2, 3, 4. The procedure of the expenditure is wrong. There ought to be an appropriation before such an expenditure.

    “I hereby request that the SP, Bukola Saraki should invoke Section 18 of the Constitution,” the Senator said.

    “I rise to second this motion with Section 80 subsection 2 and 3. We are still on the appropriation bill, we have not finished it, Service chiefs were appointed without the approval of the Senate.

    “This Tucano helicopters are to be brought in 2020, why include it now in appropriation. This is an impeachable offense,” Senator Chukwuka Utazi, representing Enugu North constituency said.

    In reaction, Senator Shehu Sani said, “We are not ignorant of the security challenges that is going on in the country and how it affects the stability of our country. I appreciate the efforts of the FG to bring an end to the killings in Nigeria but this is no reason to breach the Constitution”.

    “This is a gross violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is very clear to us that we are failing as a government and as a nation. We should be calling for refund and exercise due process,” he added.

    In his submission, Senator Sam Anyanwu said, “We should look into this as it is obvious that there is a breach of Constitution”.

    “I rise on Section 83 subsection 1 and 2. I suggest we forward this matter to the Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters,” Senator Bala Na’allah said.

    “Distinguished Colleagues, I think we have taken contributions from everyone. I also think that the contribution of the Leader addresses two issues and we must take note of them:

    “One, the concerns we have, as Senator @ShehuSani said, all of us agree that there is definitely security concerns in our country. At the same time, we all agree that from what has been presented to us definitely there is a breach of Constitution.

    “The question is what are the circumstances surrounding the breach of Constitution and whether those circumstances justify the breach of Constitution.

    “I am sure you will all remember that in August 2017, when I got the message from the U.S. Ambassador, that the Senate Committee at the Congress of the United States wanted to visit us because they had received a request from President Trump to approve for payment of the Tucano but they needed Congress approval. Congress wanted to come to Nigeria to speak with their counterparts.

    “I led the team with members of the House of Representatives and members here in the Senate and we met with the members of Congress on this issue. We were aware at that time of the issues.

    “Between September and February with all due respect, there was ample time for the Executive to have carried us along on this issue. There are arguments for and against and those arguments are valid.

    “The suggestion of the Leader, that we should send it to the Judiciary Committee to: 1. Advise whether truly the constitution has been breached; 2. Whether the circumstances justify the breach in any way.

    “What do we do going forward in trying to appropriate because the funds have already been spent. Do we go under what the Leader has come under or we start the whole process of appropriating.

    “It was after we agreed in September that the US Congress went back to give approval to the Executive to go ahead to sell the Tucano to Nigeria. If you will all agree, we should refer the matter to the Judiciary Committee and give them a short period of time. By Wednesday next week they should present their report to us,” Saraki concluded.

     

  • Osinbajo reaffirms Buhari’s stance to support young Nigerians

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo today reaffirmed the President Muhammadu Buhari administration will continue to support young Nigerians.

    He commended young Nigerians for making great strides and playing leadership roles in many organizations and in different areas of the economy, and stressed young Nigerians should be allowed to run for elective positions in the country, especially as they have demonstrated capacity and competence in the fields of technology, education and other sectors of the economy.

    The Vice President said this when he received a courtesy visit from #NotTooYoungToRun group, Yiaga, today at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He stated that the age of running for public office in Nigeria should not be a major issue for discourse as much as the competence of that individual.

    He noted that while it was important for young people to be able to run for public office in the country, it was equally important for them to gain required skills set to be prepared for public service.

    “I think that whatever age a person chooses to run for office shouldn’t matter at all; that for me is a fundamental principle, it really doesn’t matter, even if you’re much younger or older in age, the more important issue, my worry always is so much the preparedness of young people, the preparedness of anyone, young or old.

    “It is the same way that if you’re going to be a pilot or medical doctor, you need to get some training, by devoting your time and resources to a call. Even football requires skills.

    “Practically in any field, you are required to show competence. And in our developing economy, there is need for us to set the bar much higher, not in terms of age, but in terms of competence. We need to set the bar because we are a developing economy, because we don’t have the time to waste on mediocrity,” he said.

    While commending young Nigerians for making great strides and playing leadership roles in many organisations and in different areas of the economy, Prof Osinbajo also commended the group for its incredible advocacy aimed at lowering the age of entry into elective positions in Nigeria.

    “I must congratulate you for ensuring that you saw it (the push for the bill) to the point that it is now where all that is required is Presidential assent. If you’re old enough to vote, then you should be old enough to run for office,” he said.

    He added that the Buhari administration remains committed to supporting young Nigerians in different areas, including in politics.

    Prof. Osinbajo further said the leadership provided by young Nigerians was evident in areas like technology, among others, noting that “many organisations have been led by young people, so that’s not entirely new.”

    The Vice President urged young Nigerians to thus develop their capacities and skills in different areas so as to contribute to issues of leadership, governance, national development and the economy.

    He further urged the group and young Nigerian to lend their voices to campaigns on issues related to anti-corruption and national development as they get required education and build their capacities for public service.

    The Vice President said, “I have many young people working with me in this office in different departments, and all of them are highly competent. I also had the opportunity of serving in government when I was 30 years old, I was adviser to the then Attorney General of the Federation and I was teaching at the University then. When I became Attorney General about 12 years later in Lagos State, I was a trained Attorney General; So, I also had working knowledge. We need competence in the same way that we take on issues in our different professions.

    “I visited tech hubs in Lagos during the week; incredible work is going on being done by young, people who have devoted their time and resources. So, I would say that if you’re interested in public service, that same kind of commitment can be devoted so when we are discussing very critical issues of economy, governance, we would be able to say this is the work plan. It is incredible what can be achieved but we need to have people who are articulating strong positions on issues.

    In his remarks, the Executive Director, Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) Africa, who led the delegation, Mr. Samson Itodo, thanked the Vice President for the opportunity and for being a strong advocate of young people in the country.

    Itodo noted that Prof. Osinbajo has continued to demonstrate his belief in the potential and talents of young Nigerians in different areas of the economy.

    “We are quite excited to see a significant number of young people working in the Office of the Vice President. Your Excellency, it shows to a great extent that there is commitment on your part to engage young people,” Itodo said.

    In the same vein, a member of the delegation, Ms Bella Ndubuisi, said, “It is exciting to see many young people working with the Vice President’s office,” noting that this development shows the belief of the Buhari administration in the inclusion of young people in the process of governance.

    The Not-Too-Young-To-Run campaign is based on a bill before the National Assembly that seeks to alter sections of the 1999 constitution to reduce the age limit for running for elected office in Nigeria.