The Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has directed that new approaches to be adopted in the recovery of debts owed the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).
Osinbajo’s spokeman, Mr Laolu Akande, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja said the directive was part of the Federal Government’s renewed effort to ensure the effective recovery of over five trillion naira being outstanding debts owed AMCON.
Osinbajo on Monday met with board members and management of AMCON and selected heads of government agencies, at the Presidential Villa following which a new committee was set up to carry out the assignment.
The agencies included Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the permanent secretaries of the Ministries of Justice and Transportation.
Osinbajo said a special task force/committee comprising the Heads of AMCON, EFCC), NFIU, ICPC and the Ministry of Justice, would be working to develop and implement new strategies that would ensure speedy recovery of the debts.
The vice-president said all the relevant agencies had to re-strategise to achieve the desired results.
“The key is collaboration.
“We need a small team comprising these agencies to look at the next steps that we need to take, especially the criminal aspect, forfeiture, and all of that,” he said.
He said that the task force should look at the top 20 AMCON defaulters closely and develop a plan of action that would bring results.
The vice-president in May met with AMCON management to discuss how to resolve the issue.
The AMCON Chairman, Mr Muiz Banire, said that almost 67 per cent of the outstanding debt was owed by 20 individuals/entities.
Banire noted that the agency had been trying its best to recover the debts through the civil judicial process but had encountered several challenges.
Present at the meeting was the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, the Chairman, ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye; the Director/Chief Executive Officer of, NFIU, Mr Modibbo Tukur, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mr Sabiu Zakari, and other senior government officials.
Tag: Osinbajo
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Osinbajo directs ‘next steps’ in recovery of N5trn AMCON debts
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JUST IN: Osinbajo, Ooni meet in Aso Rock
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday met behind closed doors with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
The meeting lasted for about fourty-five minutes at the Vice President’s office in the State House.
He didn’t speak to journalists at the end of the meeting with the Vice President.
The Ooni had paid similar visit to President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday.At the end of the meeting with President Buhari on Thursday, he declared that he was in the Villa over rising insecurity in the South West region of the country.
On Thursday, he also declared that Yorubas don’t want war and that there was need for more federal might in the area in order to flush out trouble makers and sustain peace. -
FG will do more to develop Niger Delta in next four years – Osinbajo
The federal government pledged yesterday to do more to enhance the physical development of the oil bearing communities in the Niger Delta in the next four years.
Giving the assurance on behalf of government was Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during a courtesy call on the the Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom, HRM, Joseph Timiyan I, at Obotobo, Burutu Local Government area of Delta State.
Osinbajo noted that the development agencies created to fill gaps in the region had failed to live up to expectations.
The vice president, who was in Delta state to commission some projects, including the 20.29 KM Obotobo 1- Obotobo 11 – Sokebolou – Yokri Road in Ogulagha Kingdom and the Main Axial Road in Okerenkoko, Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West council area, said the federal government would consult with the state government to determine areas in need of development.
He was particularly unhappy that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has not been able to meet the expectations of the people of the region.
“The NDDC, in many respects, has not met the expectations of the oil producing states,” he said.
“A lot of money is invested in NDDC and the Ministry of the Niger Delta because the real reason they were created is to speed up the development of oil-rich communities. We will sit with the Delta State Governor to look at specific areas to develop in the creeks.”
He commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his achievements in a neighbourhood and area that had not had the type of roads commissioned yesterday.
“We commend him also on several other initiatives in this kingdom in particular, because this has been a very peaceful community and it is a host to several of our oil and gas assets.
“So, it really is a special pleasure to commission these roads and also thank His Royal Highness, (Elder, Capt) Joseph Timiyan, who has maintained the peace in this neighbourhood and who has shown true leadership by the way he has conducted the affairs of this area,” he said.
Governor Okowa, said the Vice President was invited to commission the projects because he visited the creeks in the pursuit of peace and an enabling environment for oil and gas production.
“It is not just the length of the road that makes this project unique; it is that the road is located right beside the Atlantic Ocean with all the human, material, ecological and financial implications that this difficult terrain presents; we did not know we could get this length of road in the creak until the King drew our attention to it.
“I am happy about the progress we have made so far. This has greatly helped to ensure peace in the state, which bodes well for uninterrupted oil production and the health of the national economy.
“We are continuing to use various structures and initiatives to ensure that the peace we have enjoyed in the last three years is sustained.” -
Insurgency: Don't just wear uniform, defend Nigeria with your lives, Osinbajo tells military
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has urged military officers to take pride in defending the country as they take pride in adorning their beautiful uniform.
He said the military career, which is meant to defend the territorial integrity of the country, is the most civic service to the nation.
The Vice-President noted that it is beyond just earning salary and getting a chance to wear the coveted uniform.
Osinbajo said it is about putting their lives on the line for the safety and welfare of millions of Nigerians.
The Vice-President stated this as the Reviewing Officer at the passing out parade of 187 new officers who were commissioned at this year’s Direct Short Service Course 28 at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base in Kaduna.
He told the new military officers that Nigeria was still grappling with several security challenges.
He said: “As you already know, this profession you have chosen requires absolute discipline, loyalty and hard work. It is much more than just securing a job or earning a salary. It is more than just getting the chance to wear a coveted uniform or wield coveted weapons.
“This is the ultimate form of civic service to defend the territorial integrity of your country and to put your life on the line for the safety and welfare of millions of your country men and women. There is no nobler occupation than this one you have chosen.”
“You are passing out at a time our nation is grappling with an insurgency in the Northeast and the challenges of kidnapping and armed banditry in other parts of the country. You will, therefore, have come to terms with the fact that the days and weeks and months ahead of you will be extremely busy as you fulfil your responsibilities to the military and the nation.
“While the Armed Forces have effectively contained the territorial ambitions of the Boko Haram terrorists by substantially degrading their capacity to attack and wreak havoc, they remain intent on shedding blood and sowing fear. There is also the threat of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Lake Chad Islands and part of Southern Borno.
“Also, more often these days, these insurgents are focusing on soft targets, opportunistic attacks on isolated military units, as well as on increasingly sophisticated propaganda aimed at making them to look more organised and lethal than they really are.”
“This ever-increasing reliance on propaganda is a reminder that this is not only a ‘battleground’ war; it is just as much an information-and-narrative war. Winning hearts and minds has always been important in military warfare; it is even more so in a century defined by information and communication technologies.
“As 21st century military officers, how you project your strength and confidence to your enemies and the world, especially using social and digital media tools, is as important as the sophistication of the conventional arms and ammunition that you wield.
“But to do so effectively also means that you must take the time and trouble to fully understand the nature of the threats that confront us, the narrative and philosophies that underlie those threats.”
Osinbajo said the President, in collaboration with governors, had been reviewing the security architecture of the country.
He added: “This initiative involves the recruitment and training of policemen in each local government and ensuring that such new policemen remain in their local governments, working with local and traditional authorities to maintain peace and security.
“As the President has said, security is a 24-hour occupation involving continuous investments in strategy and innovation. We will continue to take all necessary measures to tackle all forms of criminality across the country and safeguard lives and property of all Nigerians.”
The Vice-President also spoke about the need for the NAF to be part of government efforts to secure the lives and property of Nigerians. -
Make your assets declaration public, PDP tells Buhari, Osinbajo, others
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Mohammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to publicly declare their assets.
The party made the call in a statement issued by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Diran Odeyemi, on Friday in Abuja.
Odeyemi also urged the President of the Senate, Sen. Ahmed Lawan and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila to also make public their assets.
He said that the call is important as the Code of Conduct Bureau is insisting that it could not release details of assets of the President and other top officials without their consent.
Odeyemi said that public declaration of the assets would go along way to convince Nigerians that the national leaders are indeed partners in the fight against corruption.
“The party, therefore, called on all high- ranking political office holders to waive the caveat placed on the Code of Conduct Bureau and make their asset known to Nigerians,” he said.
He recalled that former Chief Justice of the Federation, Walter Onnoghen was prosecuted for not declaring in full his asset.
He advised that other top government officials should submit themselves for public scrutiny through a public declaration of their asset.
“We are of the opinion that Buhari, Osinbajo, Lawan, and Gbajabiamila should declare openly their assets to allow Nigerians to further see how much wealth they have acquired since joining the government,” he said.
Odeyemi urged Buhari and other top government officials to be more coordinated and exhibit transparency not only in fighting graft but in their dealings with Nigerians.
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Osinbajo’s office not supervising ‘Ruga’ settlements’ – Aide
The Office of the Vice President says the establishment of Ruga settlements is not being supervised by the office, contrary to claims in sections of the media.
Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, dismissed the reports in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
The Ruga initiative is different from the National Livestock Transformation Plan approved by State governors under the auspices of the National Economic Council (NEC) chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Akande said that NEC on Jan. 17, approved the plan based on the recommendations of a Technical Committee of the Council chaired by Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State.
He said that other state governors in the committee and Working Group of NEC were those from Adamawa, Kaduna, Benue, Taraba, Edo, Plateau, Oyo and Zamfara – mostly the frontline states in the farmer-herder crises.
“The National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) 2019-2028 is a programme to be implemented in seven pilot states of Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara as decided by NEC in January, being states in the frontlines of the Farmer-Herder crises.
“Afterwards, six other States have indicated readiness to also implement the plan; they are Katsina, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Ondo, and Edo states.
“The plan has six pillars through which it aims to transform the livestock production system in Nigeria along market oriented value chain while ensuring an atmosphere of peace and justice.
“The six key pillars include-economic investment, conflict resolution, justice and peace, humanitarian relief and early recovery, human capital development.
“Others are cross-cutting issues such as gender, youth, research and information and strategic communication.
“In all, the Federal Government will not impose on any state government regarding its land,” he said.
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Osinbajo’s kidnapping comment shows Buhari, APC have no concerns for Nigerians – PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the reckless dismissal of the alarming spate of kidnapping in the country by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo further confirmed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration has no iota of concern towards the pain and suffering of Nigerians.
The party, in a statement Wednesday by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, said that by attempting to play down on the menace as not being “as massive as that”, Prof. Osinbajo clearly demonstrated that the APC and its government are not connected with the people but only pretend towards them during electioneering.
“In dismissing the security problem, the Vice President is simply telling victims of kidnapping that as far as the APC and its administration are concerned, they have not suffered enough”, the statement said.
The added that such anti-people disposition, as being witnessed under the APC, can only come from an uncaring and insensitive administration that does not have the mandate of the people.
It continued, “It is therefore unfortunate that instead of being remorseful and seeking solutions, Prof. Osinbajo is rather playing on the sensibility of Nigerians by attempting to justify his comment, which has been widely condemned by citizens from all walks of life.
“Prof. Osinbajo has only succeeded in showcasing President Buhari’s incompetence and failure in securing the nation. He has also ridiculed his office in the eye of the international community, who is well aware of the gravity of kidnapping and other security challenges confronting our nation.
“What has Prof. Osinbajo said to the families whose breadwinners have been killed by kidnappers and many more who are still languishing in kidnappers den?
“When will the problem of kidnapping become “massive” for the APC administration when medical doctors, community heads, faith-based leaders, government officials and their relations, students, innocent school children, pregnant women and even expatriates are being kidnapped in various parts of the country?
“While our party and indeed millions of Nigerians appreciate the efforts by our security operatives in fighting this menace, despite the operational challenges imposed on them by the incompetent APC administration, the PDP insists that President Buhari must bear the blame for the persistence of the security problems.
“This is the reason Nigerians, at the 2019 general election, preferred a more capable and patriotic leader in Atiku Abubakar, who had already set out an operable blueprint to frontally confront and address the security challenges facing our nation without resorting to unnecessary blame game”.
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FG working closely with state governments to curb kidnapping – Osinbajo
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has assured that the Federal Government working closely with the State Governments will rid the country of kidnappings.
According to him, the current wave of the menace will result in a more secure nation.
He made the remark during a town hall meeting the Nigerian community in New York.
In an exchange with reporters in the United States of America on Wednesday, the Vice President’s spokesman, Laolu Akande said he had seen some of the reports and the subsequent reactions of some group including a faction of Afenifere.
According to him, “a closer reading of what the VP said would have avoided some of the wrong interpretations we have heard.”
He said that the four critical points the VP made included “The VP made clear that indeed the kidnappings going on where they do, are a concern to the government.
“Besides that he added that the FG is using technology and tracking to curtail the situation.
“Prof Osinbajo explained that the kidnappers are engaged in criminal conduct and with consequences enforced for such economic crimes, the kidnappers would stop.
“Finally, the VP assured Nigerians both home and abroad that the FG is on top of the situation and that the problem of kidnapping is not unsurmountable. He said the problem is not as massive that it cannot be solved and the FG working with the States would solve it soon and make life more secure and comfortable for Nigeria.”
According to Akande, these are the things the VP said and the record is there.
Any other interpretation, he said, is not only inaccurate but ought to be ignored.
“Trying to latch on an inaccurate headline to attack the Vice President is not very useful, it only distorts and distracts from the work and our country needs all hands on deck to sort out our issues” Akande concluded.
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Osinbajo tasks stakeholders on development of pharmaceutical sector
The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has tasked stakeholders from various sectors of the economy, to proffer ways of accelerating development of the pharmaceutical sector, through research and development.
He made the appeal at the presidential inauguration of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) Health Engagement Education Access Discourse (HEEAD) on Monday in Abuja.
The discourse had “Developing a Robust and Comprehensive Policy to Catalyse Pharma Industrial Development: Setting the Agenda for the Next Level” as its theme.
The vice president, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr Abdullazeez Mashi, said that the expansion of the pharmaceutical sector would ensure national growth, prosperity and address new challenges in the health sector.
He noted that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration made appreciable progress in the healthcare sector, but there were still significant barriers to quality healthcare provision to the population.
He added that “this important meeting by NIPRD is coming at the right time when the present administration has taken several steps toward the achievement of Universal Health Coverage.
“This discourse should therefore focus on expanding the local content value of the nation’s pharmaceutical sector for national economic growth and prosperity.”
According to him, this can be achieved through strategic innovations to achieve the unmet targets of National Drug Policy and address new challenges in the health sector.
Dr Obi Adigwe, the Director General (DG) of NIPRD, said that the conceptualisation of NIPRD-HEEAD was a direct response to the institute’s mandate to collect, collate and analyse data.
Adigwe said that the approach would ensure robust and comprehensive engagement with seminal and topical issues in a manner that was contextual enough to expeditiously impact on the health of Nigerians.
He noted that the approach would make significant impact on relevant socio-economic variables, while prioritising job creation, knowledge transfer and revenue generation.
The director general said that the discourse would provide platform for researchers to engage the industry, while also being acquainted with its needs and expectations.
He assured that the approach which engage stakeholders, policy makers, such as the Executive and Legislature, to improve governance, better communication and more reactive policy making.
Sen. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, representing Kwara Central Senatorial district, commended the director general over the giant strides achieved in the institute.
He reiterated the commitment of the National Assembly to support the institute.
He, therefore, urged the discourse participants to come up with implementable initiatives which would move the sector forward.
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Osinbajo arrives in New York on 4-day visit
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has arrived in New York on a four-day visit to the United States.
Osinbajo and members of his entourage arrived the Sheltair wing of the John F. Kennedy International Aiport at 12.38 a.m. local time (5:38 a.m.) and was received by the Nigerian Ambassador to the U.S., retired Justice Sylvanus Nsofor.
Other Nigerian officials of the country’s missions with Nsofor included Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Amb. Tijani Mohammad-Bande; and the Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Mr Ben Okoyen.
The vice president is scheduled to meet with his U.S. counterpat, Mike Pence, in Washington on Wednesday, according to presidential spokesman, Mr Laolu Akande.
Akande said in a statement on Saturday that both leaders would be discuss matters of mutual interests between Nigeria and the U.S.
Ahead of his meeting with Pence, Osinbajo would be the guest speaker at a forum tagged “A Conversation With Vice President Yemi Osinbajo: Nigeria’s Economic Prospects”.
The event would be hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), an independent and nonpartisan think tank established to help Americans better understand the world.
The vice president is expected to speak on Nigeria’s economic recovery, investment and growth opportunities, and the recent general elections.