TheNewsGuru

Tag: Osinbajo

  • Malala Yousafzai visits Osinbajo

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday received the founder of the Malala Fund and girls’ education activist, Malala Yousafzai at the Presidential Villa.

    Malala, the Pakistani school girl who survived an attack by the Taliban, met with Osinbajo at the State House in Abuja as part of activities to mark her visit to Nigeria, the second in three years.

    Leading a delegation of seven, the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate reiterated her goal to an end to the deprivation of education among the girl child.

    The meeting attended by Malala’s father and other girl rights activists commenced at about 6:00 PM behind closed doors.

    Malala, the Pakistani schoolgirl who survived an attack by the Taliban, Malala last visited Nigeria in 2014 shortly Boko Haram terrorists abducted some schoolgirls in Chibok community of Borno State.

    She had announced a donation of $200,000 from her foundation to support education in the country and also called on the international community to assist Nigeria and Africa in ensuring that schoolchildren get quality education.

    In 2014, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 17 alongside Kailash Satyarthi for her fight for the right of girls to education.

    The Norwegian Nobel Committee noted that despite her youth, Malala fought for the right of girls to education for several years and has shown by example that children and young people can also contribute to improving their own situations.

    They added that she fought under the most dangerous circumstances and has become a leading spokesperson for girls’ rights to education through her heroic struggle.

  • Fayose writes Osinbajo, says ‘your anti-corruption war lacks credibility’

    …demands immediate release of reports on suspended SGF, NIA DG

    Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has written an open letter to the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo indicting the war against corruption and also demanding the immediate release of the report of the panel that investigated corruption allegations against the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr David Babachir Lawal and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mr. Ayo Oke.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that President Buhari on recently ordered the immediate suspension Lawal and Oke pending the outcome of investigation of allegations levelled against them.

    Fayose threatened in the letter (written on July 11 and received at the Acting President’s office on July 13) to sue the acting President if he failed to meet his demands and “act expeditiously on the report.”

    According to a statement by the Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Fayose told the Acting President “never to habour the view that the matter can be swept under the carpet.”

    He added, “The government’s war against corruption lacked credibility and had, thus floundered because of the government perceived penchant for sweeping allegations of corruption against top functionaries of the federal government and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    “I dare to say that this is one of the reasons the so-called war against corruption has not attracted public support. It lacks credibility and has, thus floundered. It is also the reason your administration has lost case after case in the court of law, even though administration officials have tried to cover government’s Achilles heel as well as their own howling incompetence under the pretence of corruption fighting back,” the governor said.

    Fayose, who commended Osinbajo for “yeoman efforts” to quell agitation all over the country and stabilising the polity, said he had refused to join those promoting disunity for their selfish interests, and decided to queue behind him to assist his noble efforts.

    “… let all hands be on the deck to salvage our beloved country, take solace and receive renewed strength, vigour and vitality in the fact that your efforts have begun to yield positive fruits and that the vast majority of the citizens appreciate and applaud your efforts and stand resolutely with you. As I have often said, the power of the people is greater than the power of those of us in power.

    “In our own little corner, we, too, stand with you. And this being so, you can only succeed, and not fail!

    “Therefore, every support and every advice that Your Excellency requires to succeed we promise we will not hide away from you, partisan politics notwithstanding.”

    Fayose said it would be most unfortunate if the report is swept under the carpet.

    “The preferential treatment given to the two top-notch members of your government is bad enough – and they are the only members of the ruling party that have got this slap-on-the-wrist treatment. So reckless and audacious had your government become in this regard that a serving Senator who is a member of your party said on the floor of the Senate that your government uses insecticides when dealing with alleged cases of corruption involving members of the opposition but applies deodorant when members of the ruling party are involved.

    The governor urged the Acting President to do the needful and not let the absent of the president be the reason for not acting on the report.

    The letter added, “Were President Buhari to be around, this issue would not have been any of your bother. All that would have been required of you would be to turn in your report within the stipulated time and the ball would then have been squarely in the president’s court.

    “Fortunately and unfortunately, President Buhari has been away on medical tourism for most part of this year and as the Acting President, the buck now stops on your desk. Your Excellency, Nigerians demand two actions from you: First is that you release the report of the corruption investigation, which you presided over. Secondly is that you act expeditiously on the report. May I advise, Your Excellency, that you should never habour the view that this matter can be swept under the carpet for two reasons.

    “One is that Nigerians are not unmindful of the outcome of your investigation even if it has not been officially released. Two is that should you fail to release the report and act on it, I shall approach the law court to compel you to do so.

    “Your Excellency, as a Law professor and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Your Excellency must not be associated with illegalities and cover-ups; not to talk of your highly exalted position as a man of God who must speak truth at all times and uphold the Biblical admonition to let justice flow like the mighty river. I have refused to agree with those who, on account of your egregious stance on the EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu’s continued but illegal stay in office; posit that the hood does not make the monk and a chain of titles and degrees does not translate to sound judgment. Kindly take up the challenge to prove those doubting Thomases wrong.

    “Your Excellency, because our dear country, Nigeria, the concern of all of its 170 million citizens as well as for the benefit of our friends the world over, permit me to make copies of this letter available to the media and other interested persons and organisations locally and internationally.”

     

  • Osinbajo extends N-Power application by two weeks

    Osinbajo extends N-Power application by two weeks

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has extended the 2017 N-Power application by two weeks.

    According to a statement by the Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation, Afolabi Imoukhuede, the application portal will now close on July 27.

    The Acting President, while extending the two-week grace period, assured Nigerians that the selection process would be transparent.

    The statement said the Federal Government engaged 200,000 young Nigerians in the N-Power Volunteer Corps Programme.
    Under the scheme, which is one of the components of the government’s Social Investment Programme, 500,000 youths are expected to be engaged.

    While 200,000 were employed in the first phase, the portal was reopened on June 13 for the applications to fill the remaining 300,000 vacancies.

    Despite the high number of the applications, however, Osinbajo said the government would stick to the 500,000 target for now.

    He said a decision on whether to increase the figure in the future would depend on government’s resources.

    The acting President said, “Already, 200,000 young people have been engaged. And since the programme was opened, another 2.3 million have applied and we are looking at the next phase of engagement.

  • Osinbajo celebrates wife on birthday, describes her as ‘My gift from God’

    Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has showered praise on his wife, Oludolapo, as she celebrates her birthday today.

    The pastor-cum-politician described his wife as his wings and gift from God on his Twitter handle, @ProfOsinbajo.

    He tweeted, “My gift from God, watching over me, my support, at my side, my wings, my wife.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Mrs Oludolapo Osinbajo is a grandchild of the late Obafemi Awolowo. She lost her mother Otunba Olubusola Soyode, one of the children of the late Awolowo, in 2011. Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo is the leader of the Ladies Fellowship of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Jesus House Parish.

  • Osinbajo to visit Zamfara on Tuesday

    Osinbajo to visit Zamfara on Tuesday

    All is now set in Zamfara to receive Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, expected on one-day official visit on July 18.

    The acting President was scheduled to inaugurate projects executed by Governor Abdulaziz Yari across the state.

    Some of the projects include Federal Government road linking Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states which was executed by the state government under agreement for repayment by Federal Government.

    The Chairman of the state government committee for inauguration of government projects, Alhaji Lawal M-Liman, told newsmen in Gusau on Saturday that Osinbajo’s visit was also part of the Sixth year anniversary of
    Yari’s administration.

    M-Liman who is also the state’s Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, said other projects to be inaugurated included General Hospital and Semi Urban Water Projects in Rini and Gamji communities in Bakura Local Government.

    Others were Government Girl Science Secondary School Talata-Mafara, Government Girl Day Secondary School, Kwatarkwashi and Danturai Government Day Secondary School Gusau and Bungudu local government areas.

    Also to be inaugurated was School for Handicapped in Gummi Local Government, he said.

    According to him, the acting President is expected to pay courtesy visit to Gusau and Gummi emirates during the visit.

    Acting President was earlier scheduled to inaugurate the projects during 2017 democracy day celebration but postponed till July 18.

     

     

    NAN

  • NHIS Executive Secretary dares Osinbajo, minister, says ‘only Buhari can suspend me’

    The Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme(NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf has rejected the recent directive by the Minister of Health to go on three months suspension.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Yusuf was last week ordered by the Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole to proceed on three months suspension to pave way for an investigation following petitions written against him.

    However, in a letter dated July 12, 2017 Usman gave reason for his inability to comply with the directive.

    According to him, under the Act setting up the scheme, the appointment and removal of the executive secretary is at the instance of the President.

    “Except removed from office by the President under the circumstances specified in the NHIS Act, my appointment is for a period of five years.

    ‘’This is subject to a further term of the same period at the discretion of the President,’’ Yusuf explained

    The embattled executive secretary, however said although the NHIS Act empowered the minister to give directive of general nature to the Governing Council of the scheme and could exercise presidential mandate in the absence of the council such powers did not include ‘’discipline, suspension or removal of the Executive Secretary of the Scheme from office’’.

    Usman, therefore added that ‘’ the directive in your letter under reference cannot find comfort under the said section of Presidential mandate’’.

    He further argued that the minister’s directive is not in compliance with the Public Service Rules as no prima facie case had been established against him in respect of the petitions referred to in the suspension letter.

    ‘’ The mere fact that there are pending petitions against a public officer which are yet to be substantiated does not constitute a ground for suspension under Public Service Rules.’’

    He said the petitions referred to by the minister were also being investigated by the ICPC, which was yet to submit its findings.

    ‘’In the light of the above, I wish to humbly urge that the Honourable Minister should allow the investigations of these petitions to follow due process,’’ he said.

     

  • 2.3million youths apply for 300,000 N-Power jobs – Osinbajo

    2.3million youths apply for 300,000 N-Power jobs – Osinbajo

    The acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Friday, disclosed that 2.3 million youths have so far applied for the 300,000 jobs that are still available under the Federal Government’s N-Power scheme since the portal was reopened in June.

    Osinbajo disclosed this to journalists when he visited the scheme’s Response Centre in Abuja.

    Under the scheme, which is one of the components of the government’s Social Investment Programme, 500,000 youths are expected to be engaged.

    While 200,000 were employed in the first phase, the portal was reopened on June 13 for the applications to fill the remaining 300,000 vacancies.

    Despite the high number of the applications, however, Osinbajo said the government would stick to the 500,000 target for now.

    He said a decision on whether to increase the figure in the future would depend on government’s resources.

    The acting President said, “Already, 200,000 young people have been engaged. And since the programme was opened, another 2.3 million have applied and we are looking at the next phase of engagement.

    “But for me, I think what is important is that we are able to do this incrementally and we are able to give hope to some of these young people who need the opportunity.

    “We will never always be able to do everything but I think that it is important that we do as much as we can.

    “You will recall that the target was 500,000 but depending on our resources, we can always do more. But the target, for now, is 500,000.”

    Osinbajo said the tablets given to beneficiaries contain useful learning materials that could help develop their skills in a variety of ways and further give them greater opportunities.

    He said the scheme was more than an employment programme but a skills development programme that was unprecedented.

    Osinbajo said there was no truth in the reports of the alleged backlog of salaries as far as the scheme was concerned.

    He said once the Bank Verification Numbers of beneficiaries were verified, they were paid.

    “There is a problem if your BVN does not match the records you gave. If there is a problem with any of your records, you cannot be paid.

    “The moment your records are cleared, then you are paid constantly. If you don’t correct these records, then you might be paying the wrong people,” he said.

  • Pidgin News 14-07-2017 I TNGtv

  • Osinbajo’s visit to Buhari proves president’s health not deteriorating – Kalu

    A former Governor of Abia, Dr Orji Kalu, has said that those peddling rumours that President Muhammadu Buhari is on life support have been proven wrong.

    Kalu, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), spoke with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said the visit of acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to Buhari in London had shown that the rumour peddlers were liars.

    Kalu said that everything possible should be done to reduce increasing hate speeches and `death wish’ in the country.

    “The confirmation of the President’s health status by the acting president and wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari is something good Christians and good Muslims should embrace with joy.

    “Those wishing the President dead and spreading false rumours about his health are exposing their ignorance about life and death.

    “I do not understand what joy people derive in wishing their fellow human being dead. Anybody can fall sick, but no good Christian and Muslim would wish someone dead,’’ he said.

    The former governor also commended Osinbajo for the visit, noting that he had ‘` not only shown leadership, but also maintained the virtues of the President.’’

    He also urged all Nigerians to pray for Buhari’s quicker recovery in the “hope for a better and stronger Nigeria.’’

     

    NAN

  • Centre urges Osinbajo to stop attempts by some groups to rubbish Nigeria’s sovereignty

    Centre unfolds destabilization plot, advises Osinbajo on attempt by groups to rubbish Nigeria’s sovereignty

    The Center for International and Strategic Studies, Abuja has unraveled plots by some foreign-backed groups to destabilize and rubbish the sovereignty of the country.

    A research work carried out by CISS revealed how some foreign elements have perfected plans to use some NGOs to further their evil agenda in the Nigeria.

    The centre, in its recommendations called on the acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to sit up as the foreign elements have succeeded in poisoning the hearts of some Nigerians to cause confusion.

    The research authored by Professor Shuabu Danfulani, a professor of law and Dr. Ifure, Secretary General of the Centre gave names of 23 persons and several organisations that may have been bought over by the foreign forces.

    The Centre urged the Acting President and the Nigerian security agencies to study its report and recommendations in the overall interest of the the country’s sovereignty and its people.

    The full report of the research addressed to the Acting President as obtained by our correspondent is attached below.