Tag: Osinbajo

Buhari, Osinbajo decorate COAS Farouk Yahaya with new rank

President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo have decorated the newly appointed Chief of Army Staff, Farouk Yahaya.

He was also decorated with a new rank of Lieutenant General.

The ceremony which was held on Wednesday before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting had in attendance, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Sunday Adebayo; Director-General, Department of State Service (DSS), Yusuf Bichi and the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba.

The event was also witnessed by members of the Cabinet as well as the Chairmen of Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Army.

The newly appointed COAS, Lieutenant General Yahaya takes over from late Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, who died in a military plane crash on May 21, alongside ten other army officers.

Prior to his appointment, the new army Chief served as the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, a counter-insurgency operation in the northeast.

After his decoration, the Chief of Army staff vowed that the war would continue to intensify against insurgents, many of whom have already been killed.

July 7, 2021
Kano Is Home To All Nigerians – Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo speaks during the coronation of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano State on July 3, 2021. Photo: State House.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday said Kano State is home to all Nigerians and a place where they can co-exist peacefully regardless of differences.

Osinbajo stated this in Kano during the coronation of Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as the 15th Emir of Kano, where he represented President Muhammadu Buhari.

The event which drew dignitaries from far and wide featured, besides the administration of the oath, and the formal presentation of the Staff of Office to the Emir, traditional rites, prayers, recitals and speeches.

While conveying the President’s warm felicitations and personal good wishes to the State government and people of Kano, Osinbajo described the coronation as ‘historic’, while noting that Kano is revered as a major commercial and economic centre in sub-Saharan Africa.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo addresses the crowd during the coronation of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano State on July 3, 2021. Photo: State House.

“We are all proud of this city; proud of its legacy of tolerance and warmth and very proud that it indeed remains home to all and for all Nigerians, regardless of tribe and ethnicity, and the melting pot of diverse tribes and cultures assimilated into a robust, vibrant and cohesive whole,” he said.

“It is only the tolerance of the culture of Kano, where opposite ideas can co-exist peacefully, that you could have a thriving free-market economy, with several millionaires and yet also be the base of the radical left of Centre political ideas. This is after all the city of the socialist man of the masses, Mallam Aminu Kano, and many of his disciples. Kano is also the home of the richest man in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.”

READ ALSO: Buhari Lauds Late Ado Bayero As Son Wears Emir Of Kano Crown

Congratulating the Emir of Kano on his coronation, the Vice President said: “Your Royal Highness, it is this great city over which God has given you the good fortune of being Monarch, a privilege which you know comes with the obligation of preserving these rich traditions of the brotherhood of all tribes and tongues.

Kano State Governor, Umar Ganduje presents the Staff of Office to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero during his coronation at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano State on July 3, 2021. Photo: State House.

“You inherit not only one of the most revered thrones in Africa, but on a more personal level, your great father was known for his wisdom, courage and integrity. He loved his people and served them with honor and complete commitment. You have a goodly heritage but a particularly difficult act to follow. But we are confident that by the grace of God you will exceed the reputation of your illustrious forebears.

“So today, as you ascend the throne of your fathers, carrying with you the love and trust of your people, I can only offer you a prayer: I pray that this land will prosper in your reign, I pray that the Almighty God will be merciful to you and to the people of this land and that his hand will be upon you to guide and direct you daily. Your family and tribe will increase, your days will be long, and as your days so shall your strength, your wisdom and your favour with God in Jesus name. Amen.”

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo speaks to the new Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero during his coronation at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano State on July 3, 2021. Photo: State House.

Osinbajo also congratulated Kano State Governor, Umar Ganduje for “midwifing a generational change of guards that only a few will experience in their lifetimes,” adding that “the swearing-in and handing over of the Staff of Office to the new Emir of Kano is in fulfillment of the extant law and practice of the installation of Emirs.”

The event was attended by the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; governors of Katsina, Aminu Bello Masari; Kebbi, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Bauchi, Bala Mohammed; Jigawa, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Kogi, Yahaya Bello; Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal; Zamfara, Bello Matawalle.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Kano State Governor, Umar Ganduje and the new Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero pose for a group photograph during the coronation at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano State on July 3, 2021. Photo: State House.

Also present were the Ministers of Aviation, Hadi Sirika; Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (Retd.); and Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono; as well as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Abubakar III, and other traditional rulers.

July 4, 2021
Osinbajo urges States to send #EndSARS judicial panels’ progress reports

The National Economic Council (NEC) has endorsed the 2022-2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) which was presented to it at an emergency meeting of the Council today.

Besides the MTEF presentation, the NEC also updated its focus on the reports of the State Judicial Panels set up across the country after last year’s #EndSARS protests.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, urged States where the panels are still sitting to also send interim reports so as to measure progress.

According to the Vice President, in a statement by his media aide Laolu Akande, the reports are now being received ahead of a Council meeting where presentations would be made on them, both for States where the panels have concluded their work and those that are still sitting.

The statement said these were some of the major highlights of the emergency meeting of the Council which held virtually and was presided over by the Vice President, with several State Governors, FCT Minister, Finance Minister, Central Bank Governor, and other government officials in attendance.

It will be recalled that the Council recommended the establishment of judicial panels nationwide to address complaints of police brutality after the President dissolved the Police SARS unit. Almost all States in the Federation set up the panels, including the Federal Capital Territory.

The Council comprises the 36 State Governors, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as well as other senior Federal Government officials.

During the presentation of the MTEF to the Council, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr. Zainab Ahmed, stated that the draft of the 2022-2024 MTEF/FSP was prepared against the backdrop of global economic recovery, amidst improved vaccination outlook and lower incidence of (COVID-19) infection.

She also said the Nigerian economy sustained a tepid recovery in first quarter of 2021 posting a Year-on-Year (YoY) GDP growth of 0.51%, consolidating the exit from recession in Q4 2020, reflecting the easing of COVID-19 induced restrictions.

The Minister recalled that the economy, which lapsed into recession in Q3 2020, after two successive quarters of negative GDP growth, promptly emerged from the recession with a positive 0.11% GDP growth in Q4 2020. She added that the Medium Term Fiscal Framework showed that there are continuing global challenges in the aftermath of the COVID-19.

The presentation to the Council by Dr. Zainab Ahmed today followed the public presentation of the paper yesterday and a forthcoming presentation to the Federal Executive Council soon.

Also at today’s meeting, Council was informed that the issue of the repayment of the Budget Support Facility has now been resolved after a meeting presided over earlier this week by the Vice President, Governor Kayode Fayemi, representing the States, the Finance Minister and the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Under the new arrangement, the Central Bank of Nigeria has offered a fresh bridging financing to States as they resume the repayment of the FG-backed Facility.

July 3, 2021
Osinbajo highlights reasons for poor contract negotiations in Nigeria

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday blamed corruption and lack of transparency, among other factors, for poor contract negotiations in Nigeria.

The Vice President made the comment while addressing a two-day capacity building workshop for negotiators.

The workshop, organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Abuja, seeks to help Nigeria improve its terms of engagement with the rest of the world as part of efforts to stem illicit financial flows.

Vice-President Osinbajo cited the P&ID case and the Strategic Alliance Contract case where Nigeria is at risk of losing billions of dollars due to poor and shrewd negotiations of the contracts.

He called for proper negotiation by Nigeria in the ongoing discussion on climate change which he says should put into consideration Nigeria’s peculiar economic situation and needs of the citizens.

June 28, 2021
Buhari inaugurates committee to lift 100m Nigerians out of poverty, Osinbajo chairs

President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the National Steering Committee (NSC) of the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS) to be chaired by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

In his remarks at the event on Tuesday in Abuja, the President reiterated his commitment to lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years, with a well-researched framework for implementation and funding.

“This journey began in January 2021 when I directed the Chairman of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and Secretary to the Government of the Federation to collaboratively work together to articulate what will lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.

“I am happy to note that the process of designing this inclusive poverty reduction strategy recognised and addressed past mistakes, as well as laid the foundation for a sustainable poverty reduction through the wide range consultations held at all levels of government, development partners, the private sector as well as the civil society,” he was quoted as saying by his media aide, Femi Adesina.

President Buhari was confident that the NPRGS would address the underlying causes of poverty on the basis of which it developed programmes that would deal with the multi-dimensional nature of poverty within the practical context of comparative advantage of human and natural resources in the various geo-political zones.

According to him, the major challenge before the committee is to translate the good intention of the government into a positive impact on the average Nigerian in order to create an appreciative impact on the poverty situation in the country.

“If India can lift 271 million people out of poverty between 2006 and 2016, Nigeria can surely lift 100 million out of poverty in 10 years. Fortunately, we have already started but we need to unlock the challenges of slow implementation, inappropriate targeting, and absence of adequate resources,” the President said.

The responsibilities of the committee, he noted, include anchoring collaborative efforts; provide oversight for the implementation of the strategy; provide guidance to Technical Working Group and federal ministries, extra ministerial departments and agencies, subnational governments and other stakeholders on meeting the objectives of the programme; as well as monitor progress and any other effort that would enhance the attainment of the objective of lifting 100 million people out of poverty in 10 years.

“The performance of our economy despite COVID-19 gives me comfort that we can achieve our goal, but we need to seriously scale up and work more with state and local governments.

“This call becomes more pertinent in the face of recent forecasts by the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and our own Nigerian Economic Summit Group which all agreed that Nigeria needs to frontally tackle her poverty situation if our economic gains are to be sustained,” he told the gathering at the event.

President Buhari asked the committee to commence work immediately to enable the Technical Working Group to begin to put the nuts and bolts together.

He said the responsibilities were onerous but expressed confidence that the committee would be able to lay the foundation and demonstrate, within the next two years, the practicality of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in or under 10 years.

In his remarks, Vice President Osinbajo said the NPRGS would consolidate other efforts of the government to reduce poverty in the land.

He noted that the President’s position that local governments, states, and the federal government should work jointly to alleviate poverty in the country would be properly reflected in the framework and implementation, stressing the need for access and inclusivity.

The SGF, Boss Mustapha, who is a member of the committee said the poverty situation in the country assumed an enormous proportion with an increasing population, adding that the situation was compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He, however, said the administration responded to the COVID-19 poverty fallout swiftly and was able to ameliorate the situation and ensured a quick exit from recession.

The committee also has as members Chief of Staff to the President, Governors of Ekiti (South West), Delta (South South), Sokoto (North West), Borno (North East), Nasarawa (North Central), and Ebonyi States (South East).

Others are Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning; State for Budget and National Planning; Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development; Agriculture and Rural Development; Industry, Trade and Investments; Labour and Employment, Education and Health.

June 23, 2021
Those waiting for Nigeria’s breakup will be sorely disappointed – Osinbajo

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, is confident that Nigeria will remain united as a strong nation to the frustration of those waiting to see the country broken into pieces.

He made the remark on Monday in Abuja at the maiden edition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Progressives Youth Conference.

“In the area of disruption and disruptive innovation, the principle that we are stronger together than in little part is a sound principle and it is my respectful view that those who advocate the breaking up of the country are terribly wrong,” Professor Osinbajo told a crowd of youths and party chieftains at the International Conference Centre in the nation’s capital.

He added, “Our size is crucial for geopolitical and economic relevance. Our people will be better served by a large populous and diverse country. As with all big and diverse countries, our business is to make this union work; it is to give everybody a sense of belonging.

“All of those waiting on the sidelines, hoping that this big country called Nigeria will break up into bits so that they can pick up the pieces, will be very sorely disappointed and I am very sure that those of you who are seated here today will prevent that from happening.”

The Vice President acknowledged the need for all Nigerians to be guaranteed a fair chance at improving their human condition and urged the youth to be a part of conversations that will ensure this.

He asked the young generation not just to say it was time for them and for the older people to give way, stressing that such was unlikely to happen.

Professor Osinbajo, however, stated that it was the strength of the ideas and the depth of the youths’ organisation and not age that would retire those ahead of them.

“I am also frankly not very impressed with the notion that the role and power of young people are somehow postponed until elders have gone, or that there’s some kind of generational queue that to which we all must subscribe.

“Even if that was true at some point, today, that notion stands on very weak legs indeed,” he said.

The event had in attendance APC youth leaders and older party leaders from various parts of the country, as well as top government officials.

Conversations at the conference centred on more youth inclusiveness in party politics and the positioning of young people for the 2023 general elections.

June 22, 2021
VP Osinbajo test drives Nigeria’s first electric car

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has test driven a locally assembled electric car, Hyundai Kona, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Osinbajo drove the car while on exhibition tour of made-in-Nigeria products at the opening ceremony of a 5-day Nigeria @ 60 Expo being held at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

The event is organised by the Inter-ministerial Committee on Nigeria @ 60 in collaboration with Business Visa and Training Co Ltd.

Speaking with the newsmen afterwards, Osinbajo expressed excitement at the innovation and said he was hopeful of a bright future for Nigeria.

“A very good drive; fantastic; it just shows what is possible.

“I am glad to see that this is an assembled in Nigeria electric car.

“You can literally charge it anywhere; I think it is a very fantastic innovation; fantastic product, and I can tell because I drove it,” he said.

Earlier, in his keynote address, Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said the event was aimed at showcasing what Nigeria could produce with local raw materials.

“To compliment the efforts of the Federal Government at ensuring that we produce what we eat and eat what we produce.

“In this context, we are to produce what we use and use what we produce,’’ he said.

In a virtual goodwill message, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General, World Trade Organisation, commended the organisers for their efforts to showcase the growth of Nigeria’s Micro Small and Medium Enterprises.

June 15, 2021
Nigeria needs leaders to unite citizens for solutions – Osinbajo

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has declared that Nigeria needs proactive leaders, who are prepared to unite the citizens in finding solutions to the current challenges besetting the country.

Speaking in Lagos during a courtesy visit to the Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, on the occasion of his first coronation anniversary, the Vice President commended the monarch for being a leader to people of diverse socio-ethnic backgrounds.

He said: “Our country needs all the leaders, the best leaders, the most proactive leaders, leaders prepared to bring the country together. Lagos is a microcosm of Nigeria. Everybody is here. If things work out well here, things will be okay in the country.”

Addressing the Oniru, Osinbajo noted: “I am sure your role here is that of someone who brings together communities not just the Yoruba, but everybody. And I can see that from your choice of chiefs, you have gone to other parts and I think this is the attitude of great leaders.”

While praying for the Oba’s successful reign on the throne, the Vice President said the progress of his kingdom and the people would be determined by the quality of leadership he provides – a yardstick to measure the role of traditional rulers in the country.

He continued: “You should know that you are always in my prayers because I believe that your role is crucial not just for the development of this state, but for the whole country.

“Today, you cannot relegate traditional rulers because of the exposure and education of those who occupy that position.”

On his part, the Oniru thanked the nation’s second citizen for his leadership and commitment to the progress of the nation.

June 15, 2021
Kemi Adeosun gets back into limelight, launches ‘Dash Me’ foundation

Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun is back into the limelight with the launch of “Dash Me Store”, an online thrift-for-charity initiative.

The store is established to mobilise resources for onward distribution to vulnerable people in the society via grassroots charities.

Recall Adeosun went underground following her resignation as a minister in 2018 over the case of a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, which she presented as part of her credentials.

The chief launcher, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during the event on Sunday said, “I am excited to be here for several reasons, but most of all because of Mrs Adeosun’s commitment to the notion that all service to man is actually service to God, and she took that very seriously.

“This is why, as Minister, she prioritized the Social Investment Programmes, when for the first time, the country voted almost N500B of our annual budget to welfare programmes which are called the Social Investment Programmes, which involved engaging 500,000 young men and women and also giving microcredit to about 2 million traders and also a home-grown school feeding programme for 9.5 million children daily in public schools across the country.

“I am therefore really not surprised that she has decided to use some of her enormous talent and influence to establish an organization that raises funds and provides resources for indigenous grassroots charities working with orphaned and vulnerable children, disadvantaged youth, and victims of domestic violence,” he said.

Speaking on the establishment of Nigeria’s first thrift-for-charity online store, Prof. Osinbajo said adding social enterprise to philanthropy with a structure that allows for resource mobilization for charity as well as creates the opportunity for people to earn a living in the process, should be the way to go.

“What I think is happening here is that philanthropy is not like it used to be when all you needed was a good and kind heart and you didn’t need to plan or organize as you would a business for-profit”.

According to the Vice President, one of the factors responsible for the impactful implementation of the Social Investment Programmes of the Buhari administration over the years is the realization that “you can’t reach Nigerians if you don’t have a plan for the grassroots”.

He said the realization has influenced the structure designed for the SIP and is largely responsible for the successes of the programme (which is now regarded as one of the biggest social welfare schemes in the continent).

“What Kemi and her team have done is to bring the new notion of social enterprise to this project. Philanthropy run with the discipline, attention to detail, and financial prudence of a successful business, and she can do all of that, and I am sure her team is imbibing that, given her background in finance in both the private and public sector.

“The idea of this thrift-for-charity store is brilliant and the first of its kind in Nigeria. It is a unique model which does not just give to the needy in the conventional way of merely handing out donations.

“It is an innovative and structured way of aggregating donations to earn income to transform the lives of the vulnerable and needy while creating jobs in the process.

“I must say that your focus on funding grassroots charities is so crucial and I know that, having campaigned with you on behalf of our party, the APC all around Ogun and in every part of Nigeria, it is clear that you can’t reach Nigeria and Nigerians if you don’t have a plan for the grassroots”, Osinbajo added.

In her response, the former Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun said the idea of the store is to aggregate donations of different kinds for charitable causes, noting that Nigerians from different fields of endeavour and from across the country would be enabled via the online store to contribute to supporting the needy in the society.

She said the organisation would work closely with charitable organisations in the grassroots to ensure that funds and other materials donated via the Dash Me Store get to actual beneficiaries.

June 14, 2021
Osinbajo wades into govs, CBN dispute over budget facility repayment

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has waded into the dispute between governors and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over repayment dates for the N614 billion budget support facility extended to 35 states.

In 2017, the federal government had extended the conditional facility to states through the CBN to help cushion the impact of dwindling resources and help meet their various obligations.

At the expiration of the two-year grace period for repayment, the deductions were suspended for one year to enable the states to stabilise their finances following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the national economic council (NEC) meeting held on Thursday, Kayode Fayemi, chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), insisted that his colleagues wanted the loan repayment due in May to be deferred.

Godwin Emefiele, governor of the CBN, however, said that states should begin the repayment this month without further delay especially the monies owed to the banks.

Emefiele noted the importance of the timely repayment of loans, especially those owed to commercial banks, indicating the challenges inherent in a further delay in payment, including audit concerns.

In a statement by Laolu Akande, spokesman of the vice president, said, “the Vice President will be holding a meeting soon with representatives of the State Governors, the Finance Minister and the CBN Governor to resolve the issue raised.”

During the NEC meeting, Clem Agba, minister of state, budget and national planning, s

May 21, 2021