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Tag: Osinbajo

  • Police arraign truck driver for swerving into Osinbajo’s convoy

    Police arraign truck driver for swerving into Osinbajo’s convoy

    A 43-year-old truck driver, Abubakar Musa, has appeared before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ikeja, Lagos, for allegedly swerving into the motorcade of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Musa, who resides in Oshodi, Lagos, was charged with reckless driving and obstruction on public road.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Samuel Mishozumu, alleged that the defendant drove his truck with registration number LND 976 XF in a reckless manner on the public highway and obstructed the convoy of the Vice President at about 10.15pm on January 19,2020.

    The offence was allegedly committed on the Oshodi Apapa Expressway, Oshodi, Lagos.

    “The defendant, who refused to adhere to the signals, drove the truck into the convoy, dividing it into two, despite efforts made by the convoy officers to clear the road,” he said.

    The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 19(1) and 45 of the Road Traffic Laws of Lagos State.

    Chief Magistrate O. D. Njoku admitted the defendant to bail in the N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Njoku ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed.

    He adjourned the case until February 19 for trial.

  • 2015: APC’s manifesto was written at Pat Utomi’s house – Osinbajo

    2015: APC’s manifesto was written at Pat Utomi’s house – Osinbajo

    Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has revealed that the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s manifesto was drafted at the residence of Prof Pat Utomi in 2014.

    Osinbajo disclosed this at the 5th edition of Airtel Touching Lives in Lagos.

    According to the statement released by Osinbajo’s Senior Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Laolu Akande, it explained that Yemi and one Mr. Wale Edun met at Pat Utomi’s house to write some portions of the manifesto. It said that they included a social safety initiative to specifically address poverty, among other things in the party’s manifesto.

    The statement read; “Listening to each story of a life touched this evening must remind us of the many others who need our help, our comfort and our kindness. The poor and vulnerable always need a voice.

    “In 2014, Mr. Wale Edun, Prof. Pat Utomi and I met at Pat’s home to write portions of the manifesto of the APC. We all agreed that a fundamental pillar of our party’s plans must be to create a social safety net for the people. We were convinced that the government owed a duty to the poor, the weak, the vulnerable and those who cannot work.

    “Social safety nets are not merely acts of sovereign kindness; they are a sovereign obligation – a responsibility.”

    The All Progressives Congress is a political party in Nigeria, formed on 6 February 2013 in anticipation of the 2015 elections. APC was formed as a fusion of three political parties – Action Congress of Nigeria, All Nigeria Peoples Party and Congress for Progressive Change.

  • Buhari finally speaks on relationship with Osinbajo

    Buhari finally speaks on relationship with Osinbajo

    President Muhammadu Buhari has addressed the question on his relationship with Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, once again.

    When asked about his relationship with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Buhari said things were “perfect”, between them.

    He was asked to rate his relationship with his deputy on a scale of one to 10. But the President replied: “Perfect. Or has he complained to you?”

    Buhari made the comment in an interview with The Interview by email released in Abuja on Saturday.

    A press statement issued by Azu Ishiekwene, MD/editor-in-chief of The Interview, on Sunday, highlighted some of the president’s comments in the interview.

    The president also reacted to the vote of no confidence expressed by TY Danjuma on his administration during a recent book launch in Ibadan.

    TY Danjuma had also said if he says what he knows about the goings-on in the government, Nigerians would lose sleep, but the president seems not to be bothered about his comments. Buhari believes his re-election was a vindication of his voters’ confidence and support for him and his government’s policies.

    Buhari said: “And what is the vote of confidence of Nigerians in me, as expressed in the polls last year? That is what matters more, not the opinion of one man.”

    He also commented on the insinuation that a “cabal” runs his government; his promise to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty, and criticisms that his claim that he is now a “reformed democrat” is fake.

  • Finance Bill: What Nigerians stand to gain – Osinbajo

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday asserted that the Finance Act 2020 would stimulate the Nigerian economy and put the country on the path of geometric economic growth.

    Osinbajo made the assertion at the Inspiration Conference 2020 of the Redeemer’s Men Fellowship (Lagos Regions) in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference had as its theme: “Galvanised for Geometric Growth”.

    He said the bill, which was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on Jan. 13, was aimed at shoring up revenue for all levels of government to meet up with their expenditure.

    This, he said, was in addition to it supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) in the country.

    “The challenges of growing the economy border on creating an environment favourable to businesses and low revenue generation,” Osinbajo said.

    He said that the 2020 budget of N10.6 trillion has a deficit of N2.2 trillion, “so it is clear that we are running a fairly large deficit”.

    “The sources of revenue are oil proceeds and taxes, and most states do not generate enough revenue to meet their financial expectations,” Osinbajo said.

    He cited Adamawa, Benue and Ekiti as some of the states with very low Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), too inadequate to cater for their expenditure.

    The vice-president justified the increment of the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 5 per cent to 7.5 per cent, noting it to be very low when compared to other African countries.

    “Ghana has 12.5 per cent; Cameroun has 19.25 per cent; Mexico with 16 per cent; South Africa at 15 per cent and Egypt at 14 per cent.

    “To make things easier for the common man, we have exempted 16 classes of food items, tampons, sanitary towels, and tuition fees from nursery to tertiary.

    “Also, before the Finance Act, many companies operating in the country without physical presence escaped taxation.

    “Most digital companies made significant revenue from e-commerce, online advertising and the likes, but were not taxed.

    “But now, once you have significant economic presence in Nigeria, but reside anywhere around the world, you are eligible to pay tax,” he said.

    Osinbajo expressed confidence in the Nigerian economy, maintaining that the government would continue to provide the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

    He explained that in spite of the perceived low growth rate, the Nigerian economy was still relatively bigger when compared with other African economies.

    “Rwanda has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $8.7 billion, while FCT, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers and Delta have growth rates of $29.9billion, $14 billion, $90 billion, $14.2 billion and $11.2 billion respectively.

    “Even Ghana is at $65.5 billion and is less than Lagos,” he said.

    He stated that the potential of the Nigerian economy has been boosted by agriculture, manufacturing, creative industry, technology and ICT.

    “Today, we produce an estimated 7.3 million metric tonnes of rice compared to 5 million metric tonnes in 2015.

    “Today, people are using technology to attract investments in agriculture through crowd funding.

    “There are incredible new ways of investing in agriculture in Nigeria, where companies are raising funds for farmers and farming, and such platforms should be invested on,” he said.

    Osinbajo also called for more collaboration between the government and the private sector to bridge the infrastructural deficit.

    “The Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG) and Dangote Group have already keyed into this, while 10 other companies have applied to execute 19 road projects of about 800km,” he said.

  • Police detain Afenifere chieftain for obstructing Osinbajo’s convoy

    A chieftain of pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere has apologised for unknowingly obstructing the convoy of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo earlier today in Ikoyi, Lagos state, police sources have said.

    The National Organising Secretary of Afenifere, Abagun Kole Omololu, was earlier held by Lagos Police for breaching the convoy of the Vice President.

    Omololu explained to the police that he had no sinister intentions and did not plan to harm the Vice President or his convoy.

    He added that it was dark and he did not know that the convoy was long so he decided to drive on.

    According to the police, he breached the convoy of the Vice President without knowing he had done so. He was then stopped and informed that he had driven into a moving convoy.

    In what the police sources termed a security breach, the Afenifere chieftain drove his vehicle and obstructed the movement of the convoy.

    “This is a security matter. He didn’t know it was the Vice President’s convoy before he drove his vehicle into the convoy.

    “This was seen as a security breach and action needed to be taken immediately,” the police sources said.

    Another police source said he was never arrested, he was only held for questioning.

    “We needed to be sure he didn’t have a motive for his action. This is standard police protocol and he was not harassed either.

    The police source explained that he was released afterwards and allowed to go.

    An eyewitness at the scene, Olasunkanmi Oladele explained that other commuters were also warning the owner of the car.

    In a tweet, he said was also behind the convoy in Ikoyi.

    “I was following from a distance the convoy of the Vice President in Lagos when a man broke into the convoy. We should respect authority and stop trying to make people look bad,” he said.

    The police said the matter has since been resolved and that the Vice President was unaware of what happened.

  • Photos: Osinbajo’s daughter, Kiki shows off boyfriend

    Photos: Osinbajo’s daughter, Kiki shows off boyfriend

    Daughter of the Vice President, Kiki Osinbajo has been showered with prayers and good wishes from friends, family and well-wishers after she shared photos of her boyfriend on social media.

    The young CEO of the beauty company, Glam’d Africa took to her Instagram, to post her photos of with her man exploring Abuja.

    “Amor” she captioned the photos.

    Kiki Osinbajo showered with prayers and good wishes as she flaunts her boyfriend (photos)

    Two days earlier, she had posted throwback photos of them cutting her birthday cake together.

    “HRH. Choose you always” she wrote.

    Reacting to the posts, friends, and followers gushed over the lovely couple with some showering them with prayers and good wishes.

  • Why we can’t take our Armed Forces for granted – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would continue to recognise the sacrifices of the men and women of the nation’s armed forces.

    Osinbajo gave the assurance during an interdenominational Church service organised by the Ministry of Defence to commemorate the 2020 Armed Force Remembrance Day Celbration AFRDC) on Sunday in Abuja.

    He said that the government would continue to prioritise their welfare and the wellbeing of the families of the fallen heroes.

    According to the Vice President, “we do not and will not take our men and women of the armed forces for granted.

    “We will do better for our veterans and the families of our fallen heroes and to improve the conditions of those in service and we shall do so incrementally.

    “And so, today, we came together to thank the men and women of our armed forces for their sterling and selfless service to our nation.

    “You have shown uncommon resilience, you have shown courage and commitment to the defence of our country.

    “On behalf of government and people of Nigeria, I thank you veterans and serving officers for your faith and your services to our nation and we thank the families of the fallen heroes for your fortitude,” he said.

    Osinbajo stated that the sacrifices of the men and women of the armed forces both dead and living was responsible for the existence of Nigeria as a nation today.

  • Obasanjo, Osinbajo, Tinubu meet in Lagos

    Obasanjo, Osinbajo, Tinubu meet in Lagos

    Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, met in Lagos on Saturday.

    They graced the 80th birthday celebration of Chief Rasaq Okoya, founder of Eleganza group of companies.

    Other in attendance were Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote as well as traditional rulers.

    Born in Lagos on Jan. 12, 1940, Okoya is a billionaire industrialist and the Aare of Lagos.

    According to reports, the guests were thrilled by renditions from different musicians, while Osinbajo and Obasanjo also stepped out with Okoya on the dance floor.

    The highlight of the event was the cutting of birthday cake by the celebrator flanked by Osinbajo, Obasanjo, Tinubu among others.

    The Vice President, who presided over the cutting of the cake, prayed God to grant Okoya more years in good health.

    Earlier in a message, President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated Okoya for resourcefulness in building a national brand that has long gone beyond the borders of the country.

    In a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, Buhari said: “On the auspicious occasion of your 80th birthday, please accept my warm felicitations for an inspiring life journey and a vision of greatness that keeps producing outstanding results in almost all facets of our economy.

    “I am delighted to see your footprints in our daily lives, and national growth indicators, which have been diligently interpreted in large scale industrial investments, creation of many jobs and promotion of entrepreneurial spirit.

    “Dear Chief Okoya, as you celebrate this milestone, turning an octogenarian on January 12, 2020, I rejoice with you on the recognition and awards, both home and abroad, for your purposeful lifestyle of bringing comfort and joy to the lives of many through the Eleganza Group.

    “You set out early to create a national brand, but by inspiration, perspiration and sheer doggedness, you have launched global products that have enriched daily lives and enhanced our nation’s image. We are proud of you.

    “As a nation, we remain grateful for your philanthropy and huge investments in enabling the underprivileged to have a better life. May the almighty God remember and reward your large-heartedness with longer life, good health and prosperity. Happy Birthday!’’

  • Photos of the Year: Osinbajo, Atiku, Tinubu others unite at Nuhu Ribadu’s son’s wedding

    Photos of the Year: Osinbajo, Atiku, Tinubu others unite at Nuhu Ribadu’s son’s wedding

    Pioneer and former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuru Ribadu, on Saturday, brought together top Nigerian politicians under one roof.

    They all sat together at a solemn occasion held at Al-Nur Mosque in Abuja during the wedding ceremony of the son of Nuhu Ribadu, Mahmud and his wife, Amina Aliyu Ismaila.

    Top politicians at the event include Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar; Vice President Yemi Osibanjo; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, National leader of All Progressives Congress.

     

    Other dignitaries who also attended the event were: The Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari; Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari; former Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wammako; former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana.

     

  • Buhari, Osinbajo must declare assets publicly – Falana Insists

    Nigeria’s rights activist, Femi Falana is backing agitation that President Muhmmadu Buhari, his vice, Yemi Osinbajo and the 36 state governors declare their assets publicly.

    The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), capitalising on the Freedom of Information (FoI), requested Buhari, Osinbajo, 36 state governors and their deputies to publicly declare their assets within seven days or face redress.

    The Presidency has claimed that there is no law in Nigeria mandating President Buhari to declare his assets publicly. With due respect, this cannot be the correct position of our law.

    According to Falana, in a statement, SERAP’s case for the public announcement of any updates on the assets already declared by Buhari and Osinbajo was correctly based on the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Freedom of Information Act and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which had not only been ratified by Nigeria but also domesticated as part of the domestic laws.

    “As far as the law is concerned, the word “declaration” means “a formal statement, proclamation, or announcement, especially embodied in an instrument.” See page 467 of Black’s Laws Dictionary (Ninth Edition). The combined effect of the Constitution, FoI Act and the African Charter is that all public officials ought to voluntarily announce publicly their asset declarations even without prompting from civil society groups like SERAP.

    “In the alternative, the Code of Conduct Bureau is bound by law to make them available to members of the public, pursuant to section 1 of the FoI Act. In fact, the law contemplated by the Constitution to make asset declarations of public officials public is the FoI Act. With the FoI Act, there is no longer secrecy in government, including in the asset declarations made by all public officials.

    “Section 3 (c) of Paragraph A of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution provides that the Code of Conduct Bureau shall have power to “retain custody of such declarations and make them available for inspection by any citizen of Nigeria on such terms and conditions as the National Assembly may prescribe”. The National Assembly has since 2011 prescribed such terms and conditions in the FoI Act.

    “No more excuses by public officials, as the National Assembly has, by passing the FoI Act, prescribed the terms and conditions for pubic officials and the CCB to publicly make asset declarations available. In this instance, SERAP has correctly invoked the provisions of the Constitution, FoI and the African Charter. Similarly, Section 22 of the Constitution has imposed a duty on the mass media to promote public accountability and transparency,” Falana said.

    He added that even private citizens could no longer insist on secrecy as they were now required by official policies to register their biometric data for the purpose of acquiring international passports, telephone lines and opening of bank accounts.

    Falana stated that the Bank Verification Number commonly called BVN–a biometric identification system implemented by the Buhari administration–has ended secrecy of bank accounts, thereby curbing illegal banking transactions in Nigeria.

    “All that SERAP is asking is for the Presidency, governors and their deputies to announce their asset declarations as submitted to the CCB. Such announcement will help to update the records of what the President and Vice President already made public and refresh the memory of the public who are keen to see transparency and accountability in the implementation of the asset declarations frameworks in Nigeria.

    “I therefore urge President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo to show strong leadership by immediately acceding to the FoI requests by SERAP and publicly announce any updates on their asset declarations already made public in 2015. This will end the secrecy that continues to surround asset declarations in Nigeria. The secrecy has over the years been used to hide corruptly stolen assets, which has continued to cause untold misery for millions of Nigerians,” he said.