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Tag: Osinbajo

  • VP Osinbajo rallies APC governors on economy, ASUU strike

    VP Osinbajo rallies APC governors on economy, ASUU strike

    Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, received the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors.

    Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement on Tuesday, said the governors were on a felicitation visit to the vice- president as he recovered from the leg surgery done in July.

    The vice-president expressed his appreciation to the governors for their visit and good wishes.

    He harped on the need for urgent measures to address issues on the economy and the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike.

    The vice-president and the governors agreed to engage the pressing issues further with a view to bringing fast resolution for the benefit of the Nigerian people.

    “We all need to work together on these critical issues. We need to think through things, and we need to do it fast,” he said.

    Osinbajo also commended the expertise of Nigerian doctors, and the availability of cutting-edge medical facilities existing in the country.

    The vice-president regretted that doctors were restrained by regulations from advertising and as a result many people were unaware of the level of quality medical services available locally.

    Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, who is also the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, spoke with State House correspondents shortly after the meeting with the vice-president.

    He said that the governors were excited that the vice-president had recovered from a serious medical procedure that he had.

    Bagudu said the governors appreciated Osinbajo, particularly for showing confidence, yet again, in the Nigerian medical establishment as he had the procedure in Nigeria.

    “We had the opportunity to ask him how capable the team that helped out was and how he would recommend that and how many Nigerians should take steps to find out the amazing opportunities and capacity that are in our medical establishments.

    “We felicitated with him and we thanked him for his leadership of the National Economic Council,’’ Bagudu said.

    Present at the meeting were Governors Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Simon Lalong of Plateau, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, and Muhammad Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa.

    Others were Governors Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara; Abubakar Bello of Niger, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state, and the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi, Kelechi Igwe.

  • When institutions are weak, people have reasons for not doing the right thing – Osinbajo

    When institutions are weak, people have reasons for not doing the right thing – Osinbajo

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says when talking about corruption, people have reasons for doing wrong things when the institutions are weak.

    Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said the vice-president interacted with a group of Harvard Business School students who visited him at the Presidential Villa.

    Numbering about a dozen, some of the students are Nigerians.

    The students, who are currently on an African excursion, asked questions about leadership, faith, spirituality, government policies in education, health, economy, and national image, among others.

    “Just looking at these values, there is a great deal of unanimity about what is the right thing to do.

    “The question is whether or not you will do those things, or whether you are motivated enough to do them, or whether you are compelled to do them.

    “Spirituality helps in that sense to help you to decide what to do and what not to do; especially where institutions are not strong enough to restrain people from behaving in a particular way or not,” he said.

    “I came into government with values about what I think is important especially around transparency, social justice, and justice, among others.

    “You are almost always a product of the values you believe in.

    “Fortunately, a lot of these values cut across the different faiths, they are not necessarily restricted to a religion or one faith.

    “In societies that are more developed institutionally, you don’t need to be told that you shouldn’t do certain things, because you could end up in jail.

    ”If you do and there is a good likelihood that you could be detected and the process will go through and you will be punished.

    “I speak about corruption and all that; but where the institutions are weak, some people have reasons for not doing the right thing,” the vice-president said.

     

  • Osinbajo receives London-Lagos biker, Kunle Adeyanju

    Osinbajo receives London-Lagos biker, Kunle Adeyanju

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had on Thursday at Presidential Villa received the Nigerian Biker, Kunle Adeyanju, who embarked on a polio-inspired charity ride from London to Lagos.

    Osinbajo says there is a need to sustain the campaign against polio, warning that the disease is “very crafty.”

    Adeyanju, who arrived in Lagos on May 29, was accompanied to the Presidential Villa by a retinue of bikers and members of the Rotary Club.

    The vice president said he was pleased to receive Adeyanju on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that a trip of 12,000 kilometres of uncertain terrain and 12 countries was no mean feat.

    “ I am really also excited about the fact not only that you have done this for the adventure because I am told you are an adventurer; that you do sky diving, bungee jumping, cycling, all sorts of other adventures but more for a very worthy cause which is the Polio crusade.

    “And I must say to you that the whole polio campaign is one that we have taken quite seriously; the Federal Government of Nigeria, especially in the past couple of years, has taken it very seriously indeed which explains why now we have an end.

    “But I am sure the District Governor will let you know; polio is a very crafty disease and I think you have also pointed that out when you think you have conquered it, if you are not careful, if you are complacent, it will come back, very quickly; which is why we must keep a sustained attack against it.’’

    Osinbajo said the National Economic Council (NEC) had also made polio one of the central public health issues.

    According to him, NEC has a committee which deals with polio alone while the council also receives reports on polio from relevant agencies.

    “The World Health Organisation and several other Organisations, including local organisations, will come and give us a report of the status of the drive against polio in the country and so, it keeps us well-informed.

    “So, I think that this is an area where there is a lot of work and I really want to commend again the Rotary International, Rotary Club for all the work that they are doing.

    “I think that this is something that we must continue to support as well as other very significant public health issues,’’ he said.

    The vice president said that Adeyanju’s voyage resonated the African/Nigerian story of resilience, hard work and intelligence.

    On his part, Adeyanju said that the essence of adventure was to communicate the polio message.

    He said that though Africa had been certified polio free, the disease was rising again and continued to pose a threat.

    “Yes, Africa, we know that we are certified polio free because we have not recorded in Nigeria; Nigeria being the last country, just as the DG said earlier.

    “But because we have been certified polio free, we have become complacent.

    “ And when people become complacent, we lose focus, quality drops and when quality drops, a surprise is just round the corner.

    “ That is why we are beginning to see incidences of polio in Malawi and Cote d’Ivoire on June 16 and June 19, declared two-day national immunisation days because they discovered polio.’’

    He said that Togo had also discovered polio and had started its national polio immunisation.

    Adeyanju said that the polio resurgence was because everybody got relaxed and appealed to the vice president to sustain the support for polio funding.

    “But the danger is still there; it is still a clear and present danger; we need to do something; so, using this medium, Sir, as the number two Nigerian, a lover of humanity, someone we love so much, we respect so much, to continue to support polio funding.

    “Rotary needs it; the Ministry of Health needs it; we need to end the disease; we need to continue the immunisation so that we can actually put an end to polio.

    “If we continue to do nothing, the virus will come back and if it comes back, all the good work we have done in the last 30 years will go down the drain.

    “So, Sir, on behalf of the Rotary Foundation, Rotary needs your support towards ending polio in Africa,’’ he said.

    Adeyanju, who recounted his experience traversing wild areas and game reserves filled with Lions and hyenas, said the trip helped him discover the true African story of warmth and hospitality.

    The biker had earlier presented an “End Polio Now“ flag to the vice president.

    Osinbajo had, also earlier, dressed as a biker; mounted and revved up a bike and took photo shots amid bikers’ parade.

    Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Executive Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, alongside government officials and members of the Rotary Club attended the event.

  • VP Osinbajo leaves for Accra ahead of ECOWAS summit

    VP Osinbajo leaves for Accra ahead of ECOWAS summit

    Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Saturday departed Lagos for Accra, Ghana, to represent Nigeria at the 61st Ordinary Session of the Authority of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.

    Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, said the vice-president would stand-in for President Muhammadu Buhari at the summit which comes up on Sunday.

    The vice-president will join other leaders to deliberate and take decisions on the political, security and humanitarian issues among others, regarding the sub-region at the regular ECOWAS summit.

    The meeting will also review the situations in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso, with regards to restoring democratic rule.

    West African leaders have held several sessions since 2020, including emergency meetings, dedicated to finding lasting solutions to the resurgence of coups in parts of the sub-region.

    At the summit, the Mediation and Security Council of ECOWAS will update leaders on political developments in the region and in the Sahel region.

    The council will also provide updates on the issues of insecurity, challenges relating to youth unemployment and the impact of diseases and pandemics on social tensions in the region.

    On June 4, in Accra, President Buhari joined other ECOWAS leaders to deliberate on the situation in the sub-region, urging more attention to be paid to the victims of unconstitutional change of government

    On the sidelines of the summit, Osinbajo will also attend a meeting of the five West African countries involved with The Abidjan – Lagos Corridor Highway Development Project.

    The project is a flagship project of the Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA).

    The highway connects the capitals of five West African states–Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria and stretches for approximately 1,028 km.

    A release from ECOWAS Commission said the objective of this 42 million-dollar project is “to promote cross-border trade.

    It also seeks integrate economies within the ECOWAS area, reduce transport costs, stimulate inter-regional trade and strengthen regional integration in West Africa.”

    The vice-president will be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Amb. Zubairu Dada and some other members of the Federal Executive Council.

    He is expected back in Abuja on Sunday.

  • We must break illicit drug supply, distribution chains – Osinbajo

    We must break illicit drug supply, distribution chains – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) and other stakeholders to step up efforts toward breaking illicit drug supply and distribution chains.

    Osinbajo was the Special Guest of Honour at the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking on Monday at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

    The event was organised by the NDLEA in collaboration with United Nations Office on Drugs(UNODC), MTN and EU.

    The vice president commended the NDLEA for the impressive number of drug users it had counseled and rehabilitated within the year.

    “The number of drug trafficking cases reported this past week proves that there is even much more illicit drug activity ongoing.

    “The expressed vision of the NDLEA goes beyond getting more drug criminals arrested; it is to have no drug criminals at all. We must therefore deepen the effort.

    “Relentlessly breaking illicit drug supply chains and distribution networks; discouraging drug use through intensive outreach and sensitisation; and also promptly prosecuting traffickers.

    “But above all, we must intensify rehabilitation of drug addicts because what we are faced with is indeed a public health crisis – a crisis that is taking lives, destroying families and shattering communities.

    “I am glad to hear that in 2021, about 8,000 drug users were counseled and rehabilitated by the NDLEA, and in the first half of this year alone, over 11,000 drug users have been counseled and treated.’’

    He said that there must be a multi-dimensional and holistic approach to tackling drug abuse.

    Osinbajo regretted that access to illicit drugs became easier with online sales and contactless drug transactions– both influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “However, the new normal still offers us opportunities for increased innovation in tackling this menace, through technology-based monitoring systems for promptly detecting and addressing drug market changes.

    “And also accelerating mobile outreach programmes, remote consultation, and treatment for those who suffer from drug use disorders and are without appropriate care.

    “ As much as the Federal Government through its agencies and the state governments will lead the charge with decisive policy initiatives, these strides must be complemented by changes at the family and community level.

    “The kind of change we seek regarding drug abuse cannot happen without the collaboration of families, faith-based organisations and community leadership at the local levels.

    “We must spearhead massive value reorientation across the country, reassessing cultural factors and systems that support drug abuse and trafficking.’’

    He said that communities everywhere must rise to this challenge, adding the Federal Government would continue to support the NDLEA to fulfil its mandate.

    The vice president said that through data-driven and evidence-based policy making, enduring and sustainable solutions to the underlying causes of drug abuse would continuously unearthed.

    “Once again, let me again commend the new, dynamic and greatly improved NDLEA, and appreciate the gallant officers for their service to our country.

    “We must also appreciate our development partners for the successes recorded so far and for their firm resolution to support the effort to ensure a clean and drug-free Nigeria.

    “We are winning this war; the days of the scourge of drug abuse and dependency are clearly numbered; but it will involve even greater investment in focus and determination for the long haul,’’ he said.

    Earlier in his opening speech, NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa, said that the World Drug Report 2021 indicated that Drug use killed almost half a million people in 2019.

    He said the report showed that drug use disorders resulted in 18 million years of healthy life lost, mostly due to opioids.

    Marwa said that the concerns raised by the World Drug Report 2021 were not farfetched because in Nigeria.

    “We are beginning to see similar patterns from the findings of the National Drug Use and Health Survey 2018.

    “The survey recorded an estimated 376,000 high-risk drug users in the country, of which one in every five injects drugs.

    “And with a total of 80,000 People Who Inject Drugs (PWID), the risk of the spread of HIV, Hepatitis C and other blood-borne diseases was high and this in turn raises the stake of a public health crisis.

    “Hence, there was no questioning the rationale of treatment for drug users,’’ he said.

    He said that to check that to eliminate obstacles standing in the way of those that genuinely need help, the agency would unveil a toll-free, 0800-10203040, and the website, ndleahelpline.com.ng.

    On his part, Country Representative, UNODC, Oliver Stolpe, said that the UN had renewed its commitment to ending the scotch and supporting those who fell victim to it.

    The vice president afterwards, unveiled the NDLEA Testing Kit and presented gifts to students that excelled in the MTN Quizz 2022.

  • 2023 Elections: I lost the battle not the war- VP Osinbajo

    Following his third place finish at the just concluded All Progressive Congress (APC) Special Convention Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said he lost the battle, but not the war.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu won the presidential primary with total votes of  1,271 votes to become the party’s flagbearer.

    In his reaction, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said he lost the battle, but not the war, saying that he would be committed to the dream and aspirations of a new Nigeria.

    He stated this while speaking at the campaign office of The Progressive Project (TPP) in Abuja on Friday.

    The Vice President also vowed to support Tinubu during next year’s election.

    “This movement is a movement within a party also, we are not doing something that has not been heard of before.

    “What is new is that we have a firm belief that a new Nigeria is possible and it is possible through us who are here.

    “We went to the convention, and the results showed us clearly that we lost, but it is only a battle, it is not the war. There are battles ahead, but we will win the war for a new Nigeria. I have no doubt in my mind that we will win that war for a new Nigeria.

    “That is why our movement for a new Nigeria must remain strong and firm. And we will do everything to keep our movement strong and solid,” Osinbajo said.

    “The dream of a new country remains alive and well… We will have at the back of our minds, that what you have started in the various movements, coming into one, is the seed that will birth a new nation. You and I know the time has come and we will devote everything to it.”

  • Tinubu has shown passion, patriotism in nation building – Osinbajo

    Tinubu has shown passion, patriotism in nation building – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has congratulated Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory at the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) Presidential Primaries held on Wednesday at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

    Osinbajo, in a congratulatory message he personally authored on Thursday, said that Tinubu’s sterling contributions to Nigeria’s democracy and its progress stood him out.

    The vice president urged members of the party to rally round Tinubu with a view to achieving victory for the party in the  2023 presidential election.

    “I congratulate Asiwaju Tinubu on his victory at our party primaries and his emergence as the presidential candidate and flagbearer of our great party, the APC for the forthcoming 2023 presidential elections.

    “I also congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and all leaders of the APC for a successful Special Convention and Presidential Primary.

    “For many decades, our flagbearer has shown passion, patriotism, courage, and determination in the cause of nation-building.

    “His sterling contributions to our democracy and its progress stand him out; his wealth of experience will certainly be critical in our party’s continued efforts to attain a more secure and prosperous Nigeria.

    “To all members of our great party, regardless of who you voted for at the primaries, we must now unite behind our presidential candidate and flagbearer to ensure victory for our party in the 2023 elections.

    “As true progressives, we must remain strong and united in pursuing our collective vision as a party toward building a country that can provide a decent life and livelihoods for all our people,” he said.

  • I will be ready from day one, Osinbajo tells delegates

    Nigeria’s Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has urged delegates at the 2022 APC Special National Convention to vote for him, as he has all it takes to hit the ground running when elected President of Nigeria in the 2023 general elections.

    Osinbajo made the call at the on-going 2022 APC Special National Convention holding at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

    “While at the side of President Muhammadu Buhari, I have seen first-hand the nuances and complexities of the challenges that confront us as a nation.

    “One thing is certain, our circumstances will not afford the next leader of our party any time to learn on the job.

    “In discharging my duties as Vice-President, I have been prepared in the most profound ways for the task that lies ahead and I will be ready from day-one.

    “We stand today on the threshold of history. To paraphrase Winston Churchill, so much depends on so few of us. The future of our children compels us and compels all of you as distinguished delegates to vote right tonight,” Osinbajo noted.

    In the lead-up to the exercise, 28 presidential hopefuls had picked the nomination and expression of interest forms, but five of them later pulled out of the race and only 23 aspirants appeared before the APC presidential screening committee led by the party’s former chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun.

    However, in the course of the convention, seven of the remaining 23 aspirants announced their decision to voluntarily step down their ambition for the former governor of Lagos state Bola Tinubu.

    Those who stepped down include: Ajayi Boroffice, Demeji Bankole, Abubakar Badaru, Olukayode Fayemi, Ibikunle Amosun, Godswill Akapbio and Uju Ken-Ohanenye.

    Altogether, 2, 322 delegates will vote at the on-going convention for the APC’s flagbearer who will represent the party at the 2023 general election. Three delegates  have been selected from each of the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria to make up the total number of delegates.

     

  • APC South-West leaders meet, bridge consensus gap to Tinubu, Osinbajo, others

    APC South-West leaders meet, bridge consensus gap to Tinubu, Osinbajo, others

    The South-West caucus leaders of the Presidential Primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), met with the seven presidential aspirants from the zone in Abuja to bridge the consensus gap to Bola Tinubu, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and others.

    This is coming barely 24 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari met with the 23 presidential aspirants of the party.

    It was gathered that the seven presidential aspirants from the zone attended the caucus meeting held at the Abuja residence of former Ogun State governor, Olusegun Osoba.

    According to monitored reports, the leaders of the party from the zone streamlined their options for the region’s consensus preference to three aspirants.

    The meeting which kicked off on Saturday night around 10 pm continued till Sunday morning around 1:00 am as stakeholders from the region battled for a consensus candidate.

    The seven aspirants from the region include Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; former Lagos Governor, Bola Tinubu; Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate, Ajayi Boroffice; former Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun; Lagos cleric, Pastor Tunde Bakare and a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole.

    Sources revealed that it would be difficult for the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, and former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu to step down but the leaders urged four aspirants to step down due to their limited campaign activities for the top office.

    The four aspirants asked to step down are Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Tunde Bakare, and Dimeji Bankole due to their limited campaign activities for the position.

    The aspirants who agreed to step down have yet to issue an official statement, and their respective spokespersons could not be reached for comments Sunday morning.

    The outcome of the first round of talks has left Governor Kayode Fayemi, Bola Tinubu, and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo as the three standing aspirants from the South-West.

  • 2023: APC founding member drums support for Osinbajo, likens him to Awolowo

    2023: APC founding member drums support for Osinbajo, likens him to Awolowo

    A founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Preye Aganaba, said Nigeria could not afford to miss the option of having Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo as President the way it ignored the services of late Obafemi Awolowo.

    Aganaba, who described Osinbajo as the best presidential aspirant among other contenders in the APC, said his entrance into the race marked a beacon of hope for discipline and selflessness in public service.

    Referring to the professor as a man with enviable moral pedigree, Aganaba, a former governorship aspirant in Bayelsa , said Osinbajo had been nurtured in the progressive mould with a strong drive for transformational leadership.

    He said when Osinbajo served as a Special Assistant to Prince Bola Ajibola at the Hague and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State under former Gov. Ahmed Bola Tinubu, he introduced judicial reforms.

    Aganaba said Osinbajo further demonstrated honesty and integrity when he was in charge of the Social Investment Programme (SIP), insisting that the Vice-President discharged his responsibilities with humility.

    “Unlike some ambitious politically exposed persons, who take advantage of the slightest opportunity to betray their boss, Vice-President Osinbajo has remained a loyal Vice-President.

    “When President Muhammadu Buhari was faced with health challenges, he stood by him in prayer and made sure it did not affect the smooth running of the administration of the country.

    “This is why he has strong appeal among youths, women and progressive conscious persons across the country.

    “Since he announced his intent to run for the presidency, he has resisted all attempts at pushing him into headlong collusion with one of the frontline presidential aspirants, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is widely regarded as his political godfather.

    “This is a direct reflection of his discipline, humility and respectful mould of character and learning.

    “Therefore, the APC presidential primary is a defining moment of choice of a transformational leader with integrity.

    “For once, Nigeria cannot afford to miss the Osinbajo option, the way we lost Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was the best president Nigeria never had.”

    Likening the Vice-President to a philosopher king, Aganaba noted that Osinbajo possessed the cerebral disposition, a temperament to unite the country for prosperity.

    “Above all, Professor Osinbajo has the strength of character to harness and translate the nation’s long sought collective vision into reality if elected as president come 2023”, he said.