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Tag: Osinbajo

  • Alleged human rights abuse: Osinbajo inaugurates probe panel on military operations

    Sequel to setting up a 7-man Judicial Commission to probe activities of the military on various indicting reports of gross abuse of human rights in their operations last Friday, the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo yesterday formally inaugurated the committee.

    While inaugurating the committee, the acting president noted that governments are “constitutionally and morally” bound to respect the lives of the citizens at all times.

    Osinbajo charged the committee to review the compliance of the Nigerian Armed Forces with human rights obligations and rules of engagement, especially in local conflict and insurgency situations.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the commission is headed by Justice Biobele Georgewill of the Port Harcourt division of the Court of Appeal.

    The acting president said the Buhari Administration was committed to addressing all cases of extra-judicial killings, sexual offences and all other forms of abuses in Nigeria.

    He recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had asked the Nigerian Armed Forces in 2015 to set up an Internal Board of Inquiry and said the report of the inquiry would be passed on to the panel.

    He described members of the Nigerian military as heroes who have been combating insurgency with success and who must be commended.

    He however noted that the tactic of asymmetrical warfare being used by insurgents pose a challenge for the military, resulting in allegations that some soldiers have at certain times committed abuses.

    Osinbajo said it was important to look into those allegations to avoid doubts being cast on the the hard-earned integrity of the Nigerian military.

    He expressed belief in the quality of the panel and his full confidence that it would thoroughly investigate and report on all allegations brought to its attention.

    The acting president said the armed forces should rest reassured that there is no witch-hunt against them and that it is in the interest of all that justice is done.

    Responding on behalf of the panel, the chairman, Justice Georgewill, pledged that it would carry out the assignment “with the fear of God and with integrity to ensure that justice will not only be done to all but would be seen by all to have been done.”

    He called on all persons and or institutions affected or interested in one way or the other in any of the elaborate terms of reference given to the panel to seize the opportunity to present their grievances or cases or allegations and or defences, to enable the panel carry out very thorough review and investigations, in line with its mandate.

    He assured that all the report of the panel would be based on facts based on verifiable evidence.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that other members of the panel include Patrick Akem a retired major-general, Chief of Logistics, and commander of the UN forces in Somalia; Olawale Fapohunda, a former Attorney-General of Ekiti State; and Jibrin Ibrahim, a professor,civil society leader and noted academic.

    Others are Ifeoma Nwakama of Human Rights Commission; Abba Ambudashi of the Office of the National Security Adviser; Hauwa Ibrahim, a professor; Fatima Alkali, who is counsel to the Panel; and Suleima Haliru, who is the Secretary.

  • No more room for failure, Osinbajo tells ministers, others

    Acting President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has said the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration will no longer accept failure or any form of excuses from its officials at whatever tasks or duties assigned to them.

    The acting president spoke Thursday at the Cabinet Retreat on the Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) and the 2018 Budget preparation at the State House, Abuja.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo said: “After listening to Dr. Idris Jala all I can say is as the opposition leader in Malaysia said, this is what I have been saying for the past 50 years!

    “But seriously he is so right; the challenge is this, the discipline to be unreasonable in our targets and objectives. The discipline of attending the labs diligently and accepting to be locked in a room for as long as it takes to iron out what it is that needs to be done.

    “I like the point also that Dr Jala made that the excuse that it won’t work here, the Nigerian factor, or some say exceptionalism, or the acceptance of failure before you even start is certainly not tenable any more.”

    Osinbajo went on: “We simply have to accept that there is nothing Nigerian about failure, because as we know in our personal lives, failure and success are commodities on offer to everyone all over the world and every individual and every country makes a choice of which to buy and I will say on our behalf that we will choose success.

    “Dr Jala, I have heard motivational speeches, but this is one I think that challenges our whole legitimacy as persons entrusted with leadership.

    “I think it goes beyond motivational speech. I think it really challenges the core of our relevance as leaders and I am challenged and I know that many of us here are and I think that we will do what we need to do to make sure that we see through the labs that we have to identify specific areas where we will do this labs. We must see to it that this works.

    “I want to thank you again for this exceptional moment you have taken us through and to thank all of you also for taking the time to come. So the work has just begun.”

    Permanent Secretaries and heads of Ministries Departments and Agents (MDAs) attended the retreat at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    The retreat, which is on the Implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and the 2018 budget preparation. It was with the theme: “Building Synergy For Effective ERPG Implementation”.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had on Wednesday approved the 2018-2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

    At the end of the retreat, Minister of Budget and National Planning Udoma Udo Udoma told reporters: “It was basically about the ERGP and preparations for the 2018 budget and linking the plan with the budget and we will be briefing cabinet members about the linkages between the plan and the budget.

    “Basically, we have to keep on reviewing at every stage. So, this is review about where we are, what needs to be done and what steps we need to take in areas that we need to fast track.

    “We are moving ahead in terms of the modalities that have been defined. This is not the time to actually say what stage and so on. We will be giving briefings.”

    On when the MTEFF will be sent to the National Assembly, Udoma said: “National Assembly is on break, so, nearer the time they will resume in September but ours is to follow the Fiscal Responsibility Act which has some timelines and we are trying to keep strictly by those timelines.”

     

  • Osinbajo approves appointment of 21 permsecs

    Osinbajo approves appointment of 21 permsecs

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday approved the appointments of 21 new Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service.

    Their appointment followed the examination conducted for federal directors.

    The new permanent secretaries include; Umar Mohammed Bello, Akpan Edet Sunday, Adebiyi Bolaji Adekunle, Aduda Gabriel Tanimu, Folayan Ayodele Olaniyi, Nabasu Bitrus Bako, Abdullahi Abdulazeez Mashi, Muázu Abdulkadir, Alibo Leon, Ehuria Georgina Ekeoma, Anagbogu Ifeoma Nkiruka, Walson Jack Didi Esther, Gekpe Grace Isu, Uwaifo Clement, Osuji Ndubuisi, Sulaiman Mustapha Lawal, Ibrahim Musa Wen, Odesola Olusade, Odewale Samson Olaide and Ekaro Comfort Chukwuebobo.

    The process of appointing the permanent secretaries began with 300 directors, who sat for examination. The number was reduced to 78 after 222 directors were dropped. The 78 directors sat for a computer based test and 59 were selected as successful.

    Details soon…

  • PDP will chase Buhari, Osinbajo out of office in 2019 – FFK

    Former aviation minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has vowed the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP will remove President Muhammadu Buhari and his vice, Yemi Osinbajo from office come 2019 general elections.

    Fani-Kayode who made the disclosure while featuring on Channels TV’s Politics Today, said the PDP has put its house together and will manage its success well to ensure it takes over power from the Buhari-led government.

    When asked by the TV host, Seun Okinbaloye, if the PDP has got the moral integrity to appeal to Nigerians, Fani-Kayode said the morality question is more deserving for the APC-led government.

    He added, “The Nigerian people have moved past the lies and propaganda of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and with what is happening in the country in the last two years, I think those in APC has more question of morality to answer.

    “We did a lot in 16 years and we have nothing to be ashamed of, one quarter of APC today is made up of former members of the PDP and they also formed the integral part of the previous sixteen years led by PDP”

    “We are moving towards victory, throw the question of morality, decency to the ruling government, Nigerians are tired of mass murder, carnage under them, PDP will ensure Nigerians are united and can breathe again” He said.

    Speaking on some of the mild crisis rocking PDP, Fani-Kayode said such is not peculiar to PDP, stressing that every political party have one or two issues they are facing.

    “PDP is a big family and of course we can’t do without such.

    “Everyone knows what APC tried to do with our party through its agent who were planted in our midst to hijack our party structure, if we could have survived one and half years of the ruthless onslaught of APC, we will march to victory come 2019.

    “We are fully back on course, we have our party together and it is only left for us to manage our success and ensure we inflict what Donald Trump called, fire and fury on the APC in 2019.

     

  • Smart cities key to connections, delivering innovative public services – Osinbajo

    Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the Acting President said on Tuesday that smart cities initiative was key to building smart connections, inspire, empower people and deliver innovation in public services.

    Osinbajo said this at the opening of the two-day 2017 Smart Cities Summit holding in Abuja with the theme: Leveraging on Technology Solutions to improve Efficiency of Cities.

    The acting president was represented by Mr Muhammed Bello, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

    According to him, the world is experiencing a shift from the traditional ways of doing things to a more ICT-driven approach where government and administrators are forced to use technology to shape policies.

    “The existence of technological advancements is evident enough that the fourth industrial revolution is upon us. This is envisaged to contribute substantially to innovation and become the new driver of economic growth in Africa.

    “Government has a role to play in the smooth sailing and the seamless adoption and application of these new technologies and ways of doing things

    “According to Indian’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, cities in the past were built on riverbanks. They are now built along highways but in the future, they will be based on the availability of optic fibre networks and next generation infrastructure.’’ Osinbajo said.

    He said that Nigeria, therefore, must have a paradigm shift, adding that information technology needs were more than just setting up smart phones and fixing laptops.

    “At every turn, our cities and towns must think outside the box about making things work better where energy, transportation, water, and other key services are managed efficiently.

    “And to support smooth operation of critical infrastructure while providing a clean, economic and safe environment for our citizens to live and work.’’

    Osinbajo said that the journey toward smart cities development was a collective effort.

    He said that smart cities were well thought out, purpose driven, well-articulated concerted efforts.

    He said that initiative would be driven by implementable and measurable road maps with the buy-ins of all sectors of government, especially the state government.

    The Minister of the Ministry of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, said the main objective of the summit was to tap into the vast knowledge of experts in the smart city space.

    He said that the summit would leverage on their experiences to assist the Federal Government in developing practical steps and solutions that would assist in formulating a unified roadmap toward an effective smart cities initiative for Nigeria.

    Shittu said that it was also intended to x-ray the huge business opportunities for providers of smart city technologies to exhibit and pitch their solutions to all levels of government.

    He, therefore, charged participants to provide diverse and global inputs in developing a comprehensive framework to help public and private stakeholders to make informed decisions about smart cities investment strategies.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the Smart Cities Summit initiative Nigeria (SCSN) is driven by the Federal Ministry of Communications in partnership with Afritex Initiative.

    It is designed to bring city administrators, urban developers and emerging innovations together to develop scalable, replicable and measurable solutions to enhance the resilience of Nigerian cities.

    The two-day summit brought to multi-stakeholders that will among others take a critical look at the preparedness, unique challenges and emerging solutions necessary for sustainable smart city initiative in Nigeria.

    The stakeholders participating at the summit include Huawei Nigeria, Hewlett Packard, Galaxy Backbone, MainOne Nigeria, SmartCities Plc.

    Others include National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria Communication Commission, UN-Habitats.

  • Photos: Osinbajo, Amosun, Fayose, others attend 8th-day Fidau prayers for Aregbesola’s mother

    Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo and several other governors stormed Osun state on Tuesday to attend the 8th-day Fidau prayer organised in honour of the deceased mother of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    Other governors who are present at the occasion are, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State; Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti; Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo; Abdullahi Ganduje among other dignitaries.

    Aregbesola’s mother, Alhaja Saratu, aka, Iya Olobi, died in the early hours of Tuesday, August 1, while the governor was away in Kebbi state for

    the Federal Government-Progressive Governors Forum Parley on Policy Synergy to ensure Development.

  • Boko Haram: Osinbajo launches 5 Super Mushshak aircraft to boost fight against insurgency

    … seeks more foreign support to tackle insurgency

    Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday in Kaduna unveiled five Super Mushshak trainer aircraft acquired by the Federal Government to boost the capacity of Nigeria Air Force personnel in the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the five aircraft are among the 10 acquired by the government from Pakistan.

    Osinbajo, who was represented by Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, said Nigeria would welcome more support from friendly nations in its efforts to mow down Boko Haram insurgency.

    “I will not fail to mention that the decision to acquire the Super Mushshak aircraft from Pakistan has greatly promoted the existing bilateral relations between the two sister countries.

    “It is our hope that we will continue to have the support and collaboration of other friendly nations, especially as we continue to combat insurgency and other security challenges in our country.’’

    The Acting President, who also witnessed the graduation of 16 young Student Pilots from 401 Flying Training School, for the first time in 30 years, pledged that the administration would continue to invest in the country’s air arsenal.

    He recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had two years ago pledged to build the capacity of the armed forces to effectively address Boko Haram insurgency and other national security threats.

    “These achievements are a demonstration of the commitment and visionary leadership of the administration,’’ he said.

    Osinbajo stressed that the administration had remained committed to its desire of ensuring a peaceful country.

    “This has been a major security policy thrust of this administration.

    “We have since embarked on qualitative training and acquisition of new platforms and other supporting equipment for the Armed Forces and security agencies.

    “We have also sanitised the procurement process of military hardware with a view to eliminating corruption and inefficiency.

    “I make bold to say that we have achieved remarkable savings and infused quality into the system.

    “This has contributed in no small way to the acquisition of these new aircraft without any encumbrances.

    “It is now your responsibility to make good use of the aircraft as we await the delivery of the last batch by the end of the year.

    “I have no doubt that the acquisition of the Super Mushshak aircraft would add impetus to the training efforts of 401 FTS.’’

    He lauded the achievements and transformations taking place in the military, linking the feat to “focused and visionary leadership.”

    “It is heart-warming to see the Nigerian Air Force striving to meet the nation’s security needs through the sacrifices, dedication of the officers, airmen and airwomen,’’ he added.

    Earlier, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar said the NAF has attained 70 per cent aircraft serviceability as against 30 per cent two years ago.

    He said that the training of several combat pilots and other capacity building initiatives had raised the morale of air personnel and their efficiency.

    “We now have the capability to embark on and sustain major operations simultaneously within and beyond our national boundaries,’’ he said.

  • Acting President Osinbajo’s last order on terrorism

    By: Abiodun Israel

    If I had a chance in my youthful days, I would have enlisted into one arm of the Nigerian Armed Forces. But I was frustrated, as several attempts I made for admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna were met with a brick wall. After the third failed attempt, I resigned to fate and gave up pursuing a career in the military.

    But to say, I have a passion for the military is grossly understating my feelings. I am very emotional about soldiering because its nature does not only blend with me, but perfectly communes with my adventurous nature.

    The satisfaction that I am battling to protect someone else, known or unknown to me, drives me crazy. That I can stand to be counted among citizens of Nigeria who can sacrifice their lives to protect and defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of my country confers on me an infinite feeling of fulfillment and heroism.

    In addition, what keeps me glued to the military is also the sacredness any military personnel attach to “Orders”. No officer violates the sanctity of “order” and all eyes are set on the “last order”, which notifies of a detour from an action in progress and induces fresh compliance with the new direction. No officer would want to be caught napping for flouting an “Order”. Indeed, if other professionals had imbibed the discipline of unquestionable compliance with “order” religiously as done in the military, the world and Nigeria, in particular would have been a better and more cherished place.

    And the effectiveness of orders in the Nigerian military has been brought to our attention once more, in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaigns in the country. When Boko Haram insurgency raged with consuming fire, especially in Nigeria’s Northeast, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed new Service Chiefs to energize the anti-terrorism campaigns.

    The President, who doubles as the Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, appointed the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai as leader of the counter-insurgency war and the new assignment came with an “order” that the military command and control centre in Abuja be relocated to the hotbed of terrorism in Maiduguri. It got instant compliance. And the President fleshed it by ordering the Nigerian military to defeat Boko Haram Terrorism (BHT) within record time.

    That was the order from the Commander-In-Chief to Gen. Buratai. And he lived every day working assiduously to not just comply with this presidential order, but also to post positive results in accordance with the order. The Army boss led our troops to the trenches and the tale of Boko Haram insurgency began to twist in favour of victory for Nigeria. By December 2015, barely months after this order to Gen. Buratai, Nigerian troops decimated Boko Haram insurgents considerably reducing their capacity to commit reckless atrocities on Nigerians.

    At the outset of 2016, Gen. Buratai had reclaimed nearly all Nigerian territories captured by insurgents and by the middle of the same year; Nigerian troops had completely overwhelmed terrorists. The stage was set for their final defeat and in December 2016, Gen. Buratai fully complied with the order to defeat Boko Haram insurgents, with the demystification and dismantling of the formerly dreaded Sambisa forest in Borno state, insurgents most protective enclave.

    That is the seriousness the military attach to “orders”. And the stage of the counter-insurgency war now is at the level of total elimination of terrorism by tracking down fleeing remnants of Boko Haram and also, stopping their capacity to strike soft targets.

    Therefore, days back, Gen. Buratai ordered the Commander, Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri, Major Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru to capture the factional leader of Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau “dead or alive,” within 40 days. It’s the first indication that Shekau is in trouble as Major Gen. Attahiru has just assumed duty to co-ordinate the counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria’s Northeast. And as accustomed to the military, it’s certain that the Theatre Commander would not play with this crucial order.

    I assumed the COAS’s order was the final, until another overriding order was issued to Gen. Buratai by the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. The Acting President was clear that Shekau should not only be arrested, but the Nigerian Service Chiefs should relocate to Borno state and through concerted efforts, scale up actions to halt further terrorists attacks on soft targets. It means the two complementary orders are being tackled simultaneously.

    And I believe since the military religiously comply with orders, they are also mindful not to go beyond the dictates of the orders. President Buhari ordered the defeat of Boko Haram terrorism and it came to pass. Perhaps, Boko Haram is yet to be totally eliminated because there was no order to this effect until now, which accounts for the flashes of suicide bomb attacks in parts of Borno.

    What infinitely excites me is that all the necessary orders have been issued now on the final military destination with Boko Haram terrorism and of course, the last one emanating from the Acting President, Professor Osinbajo. I have no modicum of doubt about the hard times awaiting Boko Haram insurgents, as a military officer would prefer death than fail to execute an order to its conclusive end.

    And relieving still, the order is backed by action and collective approach as exemplified by the relocation of Service Chiefs and Heads of other security agencies to Borno state. It appears to me, Boko Haram insurgents dread orders and the present crop of Service Chiefs who are in Maiduguri to serve humanity and save their country have never failed to fruitfully execute orders concerning the counter-insurgency war. I can safely assert that the die is now cast and terrorists have tougher times ahead. That is the essence of the “Last Order,” on Boko Haram by the Acting President, Professor Osinbajo.

    Again, it also means the current tempo of the counter-insurgency war is no more business as usual and tailored to finally eliminate terrorism from our shores. Nigerians should be assured that Nigerian troops will chase Shekau and his remnants of foot soldiers into the darkest of holes, in compliance with this order.

    I can happily sight the days of Boko Haram torment of Nigerians and our country gradually ebbing out and I feel, it’s better for terrorists to surrender than be caught up in the crossfire in the course of executing these “Orders”. Myself and indeed, countless Nigerians appreciate the sacrifices of these tactful Service Chiefs and the courageous Nigerian troops. We cannot wait to see Shekau and his minions boil in their own stew.

    Abiodun writes from Ibadan, Oyo State.

  • N110bn debt: Skye Bank writes Osinbajo, seeks take over of Omokore’s oil wells, properties

    The management of Skye Bank Plc has written to the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo seeking permission to take over some oil wells belonging to Jide Omokore, a businessman involved in some corruption cases within and outside Nigeria.

    The bank said Omokore is indebted to it to the tune of about N110bn at an exchange rate of $1/N315.

    The loans were said to have been obtained through three companies namely: Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts (N56 billion), Cedar Oil and Gas Ltd (N22.4 billion) and Real Bank Ltd (N31 billion).

    According to a report by TheCable, the management of the bank said the repayment of the first two obligations is tied to the controversial strategic alliance agreements (SAAs) with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    Atlantic Energy was awarded SAAs by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Ltd, a subsidiary of NNPC, to develop and finance production from OMLs 26, 42, 30 and 34 – four oil blocks in all – in 2011.

    NPDC valued its stake in the oil wells at $1.8 billion then.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen the assets of Omokore over suspicion of money laundering and procurement fraud.

    However, in a letter to Acting President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the bank appealed to the federal government to grant it access to the assets that were funded with loans from the bank.

    “We will require assistance for the extrication of the real estate assets that were fully funded with loans from the bank from the assets of Omokore presently under the forfeiture order from the court,” the letter read.

    “This will enable us have access and rights over these assets and put the bank in a position to realise the assets that form the collateral for the loans granted to Real Bank limited.”

    The bank also sought assistance to take control of the oil assets of Omokore.

    “We will require some political intervention working with the NNPC to be able to bring this matter relating to Atlantic Energy to a quick resolution,” the letter read.

    “The assets belong to the NNPC and we will require the NNPC to approve the transfer of the rights under the SAA’s to another company that can take over the obligations and repay the bank facilities.

    “Our proposal is to work with the NNPC to take over these assets (since NNPC is a joint venture partner with 60 percent stake) and thereafter re-auction them to affirm that has the financial capability and credibility to take over and turn around the fortunes of these assets.

    “This arrangement will also require strong political support at the highest levels. The positive outcome of this arrangement will enable the bank to repay NNPC’s TSA funds totalling USD$262.7m, and also part of CBN’s financial accommodation to the bank.”

  • Osinbajo drops two ICPC board members under probe

    Osinbajo drops two ICPC board members under probe

    Acting President, Yemi, Osinbajo, has dropped the two new members nominated to be on the board of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission who are said to be undergoing investigations by the same commission.

    Osinbajo had last week named a new chairman and board members of the commission.

    Recall TheNewsGuru.com had earlier published a report on Friday, in which two of the board members are currently being investigated by the ICPC.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, disclosed on his Twitter handle on Sunday that the nomination of the affected persons was being stepped down.

    Akande said it had been confirmed that the two nominees were being investigated by the agency they were nominated to serve.

    He said the situation presented a conflict of interest.

    Akande wrote, “We are stepping down two of the new ICPC board nominees who have ongoing investigation issues with the commission as this presents a conflict.

    “While the existence of allegations or petitions against someone shouldn’t necessarily disqualify them (six) from considerations for appointments, this case presents a peculiarity as we have confirmed that the agency in which they are to serve is indeed investigating the two of them.

    “A basic check showed no court convictions against them. But when weighty petitions come up, this administration will always do the right thing.”