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  • Osinbajo, good presidential material – Bayelsa traditional rulers

    Osinbajo, good presidential material – Bayelsa traditional rulers

    The Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council says Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has the potential to be a good president.

    King Malla Sasime, Vice Chairman, Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council, expressed this view while receiving Osinbajo who paid a courtesy call on traditional rulers at the Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council Secretariat on Saturday in Yenagoa.

    Osinbajo was in Bayelsa to perform the groundbreaking of the construction of Angiama-Oporoma Bridge, which will link Yenagoa, Capital of Bayelsa, and the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

    The traditional ruler thanked Osinbajo for the visit and implored him to maintain the cordial relationship with the state.

    “Vice President, your name has been called for very good reasons; and the reason why your name has been on is maybe people think that you have been very good and we appreciate your efforts in governance.

    “If you come out for president, you will be a good material as those rumours are all over the place in the social media.

    “So, we thank you for being a good vice president; we hope that you keep your relationship with Bayelsa in very good stead; thank you very much,’’ he said.

    Responding, Osinbajo, who was accompanied by Gov. Douye Diri, thanked Sasime for his kind welcome and reception.

    He said that he was in the state to identify with developmental projects of the governor in collaboration with the Federal Government.

    “As you have heard, I am here at the invitation of my brother, the Governor of Bayelsa, to celebrate the second year anniversary of his government and also to look at some of the works that are going as well as perform the groundbreaking of a very important project.

    “We will be driving in a few minutes on the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road; and thereafter, we will be performing the groundbreaking of the Angiama-Oporoma Bridge–which are very crucial projects.

    “I am sure you all know how important that road project is; and how several governments have worked on it including the immediate past governor of the state.

    “They have done their own bit up to a point and in the true tradition of continuum of the government, the current governor is set to complete the project and to ensure that he made available to the good people of Bayelsa, especially many of these communities that will benefit significantly from this.’’

    According to the vice president, the project is an evidence of the collaboration between the federal and state governments.

    He said that President Muhammadu Buhari had shown by his openness, by his desire to ensure that despite political differences, every state in Nigeria benefits fairly and justly.

    “By making sure that as this road has been built, the Federal Government refunded the cost of the project so far and will continue to refund.

    “So, essentially, what we are seeing here is collaboration between the state and the Federal Governments for the benefit of the good people of Bayelsa.

    “I think that this is the way it must be; at the end of the day, political differences do not matter to our people; what our people want is the same thing everywhere across the country.

    “They want good roads; they want good infrastructure; they want an enabling environment to be able to do their businesses; they want good health facilities; good social facilities; and that’s what really the Federal Government is determined to do.’’

    Osinbajo said he was happy that the Federal Government had a partner in the government of Bayelsa, led by Diri.

    He said sure desires could only be achieved if everyone works together, the federal, state, local governments working together.

    “The politicians and technocrats are working together to ensure that we achieve the same objective.”

    He thanked the governor for the warm welcome and for the nice Ijaw outfit that he (Osinbajo) wore.

    “When you look at this outfit, you would imagine that this is what I wear everyday; it is well made but it is courtesy of my dear brother, Diri.

    “He is the one that made sure that I am appropriately attired.

    “All, I can say to him is that he has to make me a few more because after people have seen this, they expect me to show up more often in this outfit.

    “So, I want to thank you very much your Royal Majesties and thank the good people of Bayelsa for the warm welcome,’’ he said.

    Osinbajo was earlier presented with a traditional gift — a walking stick — to match the Ijaw traditional attire he adorned.

  • BURIAL: Vice President Osinbajo, others laud Alao Akala

    BURIAL: Vice President Osinbajo, others laud Alao Akala

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Governor of Ogun State- Senator Ibikunle Amosun, former Senate President- Senator Ken Nnamani, Senator Fatai Buhari, Senator Ayoade Adeseun, and former House Leader, Mulikat Akande-Adeola on Friday paid tribute to the late former Oyo State governor, Adebayo Alao Akala, who was buried in Ogbomoso area of Oyo State.

    Other dignitaries at the event include the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare, Governors Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), and Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun)- who were both represented by their Deputy Governors, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu- who was represented by his Commissioner for Information.

    Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, a former governor of Oyo state and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was born on the 3rd of June 1950, into the family of Opadoyin Alaat Ogbomoso in the Ogbomoso North Local Government Area of Oyo state.

    During the burial service held at the Beulah Baptist Conference Centre, Ogbomoso, some shops were locked in honour of the ex-governor.

    Akala’s obituary posters and billboards flooded streets in the town with various inscription such as “the legend, sleep well”, “you have written your name in gold”, and “Adieu, the tiger”, among others.

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo hailed the late governor for being a humane and simple man, who played politics with an open mind.

    Osinbajo said: “Everywhere Alao-Akala went in his days as governor, you would hear the chant of ‘Oyato.’ Of course, he really did many things differently in office.

    “He significantly improved the IGR of the state from a paltry N300 million to N1 billion in eight months and put in place a very good security architecture.

    “Alao-Akala practically demonstrated what is possible when you have creativity and compassion. Since his transition in January, I have read several glowing tributes to his memory and the common refrain running through all of those tributes has been the attestation to his uncommon generosity.

    “He was indeed a simple and humane man, who practised politics with an open mind. “Many testified that his resources were available to all and his home was there for anyone to come for help.”

    Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, also hailed the late former governor as a great man, who recognized and lived his life in accordance with the Biblical teaching that there is a time and a season for everything under the sun.

    Makinde, who declared that the state government would immortalize the late former governor, said a committee headed by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, had been put in place to work on how best to honour the late Chief Alao-Akala.

    The governor called for suggestions from well-meaning residents of the state.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor stated these at the Beulah Baptist Conference Centre, Ogbomoso, venue of the burial service for the late former governor.

    He praised the former governor for putting aside party differences to work for the progress of the state when he (Makinde) informed him of a plan to flag off the Ogbomoso-Fapote-Iseyin road.

    He said: “In Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, the Bible says ‘there is time for everything under the sun.’ In the last conversation I had with Governor Alao-Akala, I called to inform them that I would like him to be the one to flag off the Ogbomoso-Fapote-Iseyin Road project and he said to me, ‘Seyi, just call to give 48 hours notice and I would be there.’

    “He knew there was a time to tear down and a time to rebuild together. The former governor recognized the fact that that particular time was not the time for us to project our political differences but a time to come together in the interest of Oyo State.”

    The governor maintained that apart from supporting the family of the governor, he would also redeem whatever pledge Alao-Akala made to students of the Ogbomoso Baptist Conference College.

    “As for the children who came with a request, I know how you feel and I will champion the cause to redeem whatever it is the late Governor Alao-Akala has promised them.

    “Finally, I have been going around to determine how we can honour our great man from Oyo State. And we have set up a committee headed by the Chief of Staff. If you also have any advice in this regard, let us know and, within the shortest period of time, the government of Oyo State will ensure that he is adequately honoured.

    “On that note, I want to say farewell to a great man, my brother, my mentor and a great son of Ogbomosoland,” Makinde added.

  • Osinbajo, Makinde, others to pay tributes to late Alao-Akala

    Osinbajo, Makinde, others to pay tributes to late Alao-Akala

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Gov. Seyi Makinde and other prominent Nigerians are among dignitaries expected at the ‘Day of Tributes’ in honour of the late former Oyo Governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala.

    A statement signed by Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan on behalf of the organisers in Ibadan on Sunday said that the event would feature tributes from prominent Nigerians, lecture and cultural display.

    The event is the first in a week-long of events organised to celebrate the life of Alao-Akala who died on Jan. 12.

    The event is organised by a conglomerate of politicians across party lines in Oyo State under the joint chairmanship of Chief Wale Ohu and Rep. Olusegun Olayiwola.

    Olaosebikan said that a lecture entitled ‘Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala: The Life of a Humane Politician’ would be delivered by retired federal permanent secretary and eminent scholar, Prof. Tunji Olaopa.

    He said that Osinbajo and Makinde would lead other prominent Nigerians to the occasion, where they would express their views on the life of the departed governor

    Olaosebikan said that among others expected at the event are labour, market, associations, students, women and youth leaders as well as captain of industries.

    He said that necessary arrangements had been concluded to give the late former governor a befitting burial in all ramifications.

    “As a governor for four years and 11 months, Alao-Akala was exceptional in governance; pragmatic, compassionate, sagacious and uncommonly generous.

    “All these virtues and his delightful relationships with the high and low in the society earned him the appellation of ‘Oyato Governor’. He was indeed unique and uncommon,” he said.

  • Embittered Ortom narrates how security operatives barred him from receiving VP, Osinbajo

    Embittered Ortom narrates how security operatives barred him from receiving VP, Osinbajo

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has narrated how security operatives deliberately barred him from entering the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, Base Makurdi to receive the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo who was transiting through the NAF Airport to Wukari in Taraba state by helicopter.

    The angered Ortom who had earlier received a letter of a notification dated February 10, 2022, from the State House Abuja, signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs/Head of Protocol Office of the Vice President, Ambassador Abdullahi Gwary intimating him of the visit, was however denied access into the NAF facility to receive the Vice President.

    Explaining to newsmen on what transpired, the Governor who described the incident as unfortunate and a breach of protocol said “I feel so sad for our country Nigeria where everything has been reduced to politics. There are certain things you don’t politicise.

    “I was to attend the burial ceremony of one of our elders and leader, Prof Ignitius Ayua; I had made all arrangements to travel to Konshisha Local Government Area, LGA, then this letter (waving the letter) was brought to me, that the Vice President is transiting through Makurdi to Wukari

    “It is a normal thing, when distinguished dignitaries, like the President or the Vice President, is passing through your state, the Governor receives him.

    “I decided to mandate the Deputy Governor to represent me at the burial of Prof. Ayua. So, this morning I got prepared and went to the Air Force Base, where the Vice-President was supposed to land, en route Wukari. Unfortunately, I was barred at the gate; in my own state.

    “It doesn’t happen, this is a breach of protocol and this is not accepted; this is politics taken too far; this is not correct and somebody must account for this.

    “If a personality like the Vice President is visiting my state and I cannot go there to welcome him, then it will be a breach of protocol on my part. How can I go to the NAF base and I am barred at the gate; it has never happened anywhere in this country.

    “Maybe, the same Presidency that wrote to me is not aware. But I think we should if we must make progress, differentiate between politics and government activities. It is government activity that I welcome Mr. President or Vice-President; that I welcome any dignitary that comes here from the Federal Government.”

    Displaying the letter, the Governor said “this is the letter that was written to me, you can see the content. I don’t want to be a busy body; I have many things to do.

    “As I talk to you, the entire Gwer-West is under siege. The Fulanis have been burning down houses, and I was also supposed to go there but I had to shift all that to receive the Vice President. I feel so pained that politics has been taken beyond what it is supposed to be.

    “There is no permanent enemy or permanent friend in politics. Tomorrow I can be the best friend of the President if they chose to do the right thing. I do not have any problem with the President or Vice President, and all the things that I say are meant to add value to our development and get things right.

    “I have never insulted the President, the Vice President, or the Federal Government but there are certain things that they are doing which are wrong that should be corrected.

    “You will recall the issue of Executive Order 10; where does the President in a democratic setting have the right to issue decrees. Maybe because he was once a military ruler, he still believes that he would be issuing decrees. He does not have the right.

    “How can the President usurp the powers of the National Assembly? These are the things that I criticize and it is constructive. And today, thank God I am vindicated because the Supreme Court has ruled that the President does not have powers to be issuing decrees. He is no longer a military President, he was democratically elected by the people.

    “So if he wants anything he should pass it through the National Assembly, just like I do when I want anything I pass it through the state House of Assembly.”

    Continuing, the Governor said, “It is very unfortunate that this presidency is barefooted, it is a lame duck. And that is why we are having all these insecurity problems in our country today.
    That is why the economy of this country is going down.

    “How can you bar a governor in a state where you are? What is the meaning of that? I feel so pained and I’m going to report this to the Vice President. Well, if they choose to do something, fine. And if they don’t, it is okay.

    “But that is the kind of thing we keep talking about, they want us to remain as a banana republic. Don’t we have a constitution? Can’t you differentiate politics from other things? Have I insulted the President? Have I insulted the Vice President? All that I’m saying is that let the right thing be done. Let there be justice, equity and fairness. It is unfortunate.

    “I will report this breach to the Vice President because it was protocol for me to have gone to receive him and then see him off, and received him when he comes back.

    “It is really unfortunate. I feel very sorry. And those who are keeping quiet, I tell them, one day, they will not be where they are. We must come out together and condemn the evil that is happening in our country. This is not right.”

  • 2022: Yemi Osinbajo receives NUGA Torch of Unity

    2022: Yemi Osinbajo receives NUGA Torch of Unity

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has received the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Torch of Unity.

    The torch was presented to the vice president by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Toyin Ogundipe, Board Members of NUGA Games alongside the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The 2022 NUGA games, which will be hosted by Unilag, comes up from March 16 to March 26.

    Osinbajo, who described sports as a unifier, said he was truly honoured to receive the Torch of Unity and thanked Ogundipe and his team for the gesture.

    “As a proud alumnus of UNILAG, it is heartwarming to see us hosting NUGA again, 24 years after a highly successful and colourful outing in 1998.

    “And I am more than certain that you will bring the capacity for delivering excellence, which Unilag is known for, to bear on the games again this year.

    “Sport has always been a great unifier; it offers us an opportunity to step outside our sometimes contentious divisions to embrace one another in support of our teams or in healthy competition and camaraderie.

    “The virtues of discipline, dedication, and teamwork, which are indispensable to success in every sporting endeavour, remind us of what it takes to inspire the best in each other and to accomplish great things when we set our minds to the task.’

    “As our young men and women from universities across Nigeria gather in Lagos in March to compete in a range of sporting events, we will once again get a chance to see the abundance of talent that makes Nigeria such a special country indeed.’’

    He said that for years, NUGA had not only provided a platform that showed the value that every part of the country had to offer, it had also provided a platform for the discovery and honing of individual sporting talent.

    Osinbajo said that many of such talents had gone on to represent Nigeria successfully on the world stage.

    The vice president listed some Nigerian sportsmen and women who were products of the NUGA games.

    He named former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyema, sprinter, Olusoji Fasoba, Olabisi Afolabi, Chika Chukwumerije, Super Falcon’s ex goalkeeper, Precious Dede, Edith Agoye, Seyi Olonfijana, Mutiu Adepoju, among others.

    He said that the socio-economic value of the NUGA games was not lost.

    Osinbajo urged the athletes who would be competing in the 2022 games and representing their respective universities to do so proudly and in true sportsmanship.

    “This is only a prelude to bigger achievements and greater laurels for yourselves and for Nigeria.

    “As an administration we are committed to ensuring that you receive all the support you need at every stage of your exceedingly promising careers.

    “We commend the administration of UNILAG led by its able vice chancellor for all the work you have done to facilitate a successful tournament.

    “We trust Lagos to give us a show like no other. We are after all, Eko for Show!’’ he said.

    Earlier in his remarks, Ogundipe said that no fewer than 10,000 students were expected to participate in the games.

    He said that the games would be made better than the previous ones as it would a city competition; city sports.

    “What do we mean by that? We don’t want to localise everything to Akoka; we are going to make use of the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

    “We are going to make use of Rowe Park; we want to be such that the people that are coming from outside Lagos will feel the Lagos atmosphere.

    “We are going to bring culture into it; we are going to bring so many other things into it; moving it outside Akoka means we intend to be involved in the commercial activities.

    “When you have a competition in Teslim Balogun Stadium, definitely, there are some commercial activities that will go on around that place and that will make them to feel the impulse of the competition,’’ he said.

    On his part, Dare said that 76 universities had signed on to the forthcoming NUGA and expressed optimism that over 100 universities would sign on before the games would start in March.

    “The greatest community where you can find talents; that can produce talents for our national teams will come from such games as the NUGA games.

    “So, we see here a great potential; and that’s why as a ministry, and as a government, we lash on to bringing back the spirit of NUGA,’’ he said.

  • MURIC warns VP Osinbajo over 2023 presidential ambition

    MURIC warns VP Osinbajo over 2023 presidential ambition

    The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic rights advocacy group, has warned Vice President Yemi Osinbajo over his alleged presidential ambition.

    Reacting, MURIC informed Osinbajo, who is an ordained pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), that it was the turn of Muslims in the South-West to rule Nigeria and not Christians.

    MURIC’s director, Ishaq Akintola, said in a statement:

    “Three Yoruba Christians (Obasanjo, Shonekan and Osinbajo himself) have occupied the presidency whereas no single Yoruba Muslim has been either military head of state, president or vice president of Nigeria.

    “This factor has given Yoruba Christians both political and economic edges and subjected Yoruba Muslims to political marginalisation, social segregation and gross economic disadvantage leading to abject penury among Muslims in the sub-region.

    “Muslims in the South-West will no longer remain onlookers in matters affecting our welfare and our collective destiny. Any Yoruba Christian or Muslim candidate seeking office will have to consult the Muslim community. Nobody will be allowed to take Muslims for a ride and get elected on a platter of gold.

    “All other things being equal, we would not have worried at all and we would not have brought the religious factor to the fore in Nigeria’s march towards 2023. But the brazen effrontery and undisguised persecution of Yoruba Muslims coupled with the criminal silence from those that matter among Christian leaders, civil society and Yoruba socio-cultural groups have made our stand necessary.

    “Our stand is informed by an urgent need to liberate Yoruba Muslims from the shackles of religious persecution.”

  • 2023 Presidency: Osinbajo Grassroots Organisation launched in Akure

    2023 Presidency: Osinbajo Grassroots Organisation launched in Akure

    Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, a campaign group, Osinbajo Grassroots Organisation, Ondo State Chapter, has been launched as activities are building up towards the polls.

    The Director General of Osinbajo Grassroots Organisation in Ondo State, Mr Ifeolu Fasoranti, at the launching of the programme on Saturday in Akure, said Osinbajo is the right man to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Fasoranti described Osinbajo as the appropriate person to succeed Buhari because he has the wherewithal to fix the nation’s multifaceted challenges.

    He said the vice president would turn around the socio-economic and political situations of the country if given the opportunity by the electorate.

    Fasoranti said the group was formed for the emergence of the vice president as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and subsequently winner of the 2023 presidential election.

    “We believe that as President, Osinbajo will harness all the resources and rejig the system to work towards the interest of Nigeria rather than the interest of individuals.

    “With his vast experiences in the academics, law, governance and administration, Osinbajo has fashioned out many programmes that will effectively address the challenges confronting this nation.

    “No doubt, he will be a bridge between the old and the new, between the North and the South, between the East and the West. He will be a connecting valve among all religious beliefs,” he said.

    Fasoranti noted that the group’s choice of the vice president becoming president was based on the principal that he would drive the economy of the country aright and be totally detribalized, doing everything in the interest of the nation.

    He noted that without trying to ruffle feathers, the nation needs an energetic, fearless, truthful, focused leader with conscience and vision to direct its affairs.

    The group coordinator, therefore, disclosed that many prominent elder statesmen, notable selfless and patriotic leaders and compatriots, are already committed to the course.

  • Osinbajo, Gowon, Jonathan, others attend Shonekan’s funeral

    Osinbajo, Gowon, Jonathan, others attend Shonekan’s funeral

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, and former President, Goodluck Jonathan, on Friday in Lagos attended a State Funeral Service for Chief Ernest Shonekan.

    Shonekan, who served as the Head of Interim National Government from Aug. 26, 1993 to Nov. 17, 1993, died in Lagos on Jan. 11 at the age of 85

    Gowon was accompanied by his wife, Victoria, to the service held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos.

    Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun and Godwin Obaseki of Edo States were at the service.

    Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and some other members of the Federal Executive Council, members of the National Assembly, service chiefs, and traditional rulers, among others also attended the service.

    Delivering a message titled, `A Life of Two Great Halves Lived in Service: A tribute to Chief Ernest Adegunle Shonekan,’’ Osinbajo said the deceased creditably acquitted himself in various spheres of life.

    “If ever a man could be said to have lived a life of two equally consequential halves, and in service, that man would be Shonekan.

    “And so it transpired that within the first four and a half decades of his life, Chief Shonekan had established himself as one of the nation’s foremost corporate technocrats and a figure of renown in the boardrooms of many private companies, multinational and indigenous in which he served as chairman and director.

    “It was in this position that he became known as the face of Nigerian free enterprise.

    “The UACN under his leadership fully evolved from a trading outfit to a manufacturing colossus with interests in diverse sectors ranging from agriculture and automotive industries to cosmetics, electronics and textiles among many other areas.

    “Known in the business community for his personal integrity and reliability, and trusted in the corridors of political power for his counsel and guidance by successive governments, Shonekan had a position in Nigeria that few had before him or have now.’’

    The vice president said that Shonekan took up the challenge to steer the nation in one of the most turbulent chapters of its history.

    Osinbajo said that in Shonekan’s own words, he was compelled by sense of duty and responsibility to accept the role and to give his best in shepherding his country through an experience unknown and unprecedented in our history.

    The vice president said that Shonekan, once said in an interview shortly after he was named Chairman of the Transitional Council and Head of Government, “if your country needs you, leave everything that you are doing to go and help.’’

    Osinbajo said that Shonekan saw the government that he was chosen to lead as, he, himself, described it, as “a child of circumstance” and his mission as that of ending a cycle of instability that was, as he said ‘`leading progressively to a catastrophe.’’

    He said that Shonekan lived his life always conscious of and motivated by a burden of duty, as a citizen of considerable privilege, to give back, either in his many philanthropic and civic pursuits or in public service.

    “It is a testament to that sense of duty that even while out of office; Chief Shonekan remained deeply vested in the fate of his country.

    “ In 1994, he founded the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) – a continuation of his life-long advocacy of free enterprise as well as a demonstration of his belief that national development is attainable only if the private sector and the public sector collaborate deeply.

    “ It summed up the professional duality of his own life as a businessman and statesman.

    “In December 1996, he was appointed Chairman of the Vision 2010 Committee – a group of distinguished Nigerians from all sectors of national life charged with developing a blueprint for the country’s transformation by its fiftieth year of independent nationhood.

    “ It was an assignment to which he applied his customary dedication and diligence.’’

    Osinbajo said that in the latter chapter of his life, Shonekan seamlessly assumed the mantle of an elder statesman.

    He said that the deceased was supportive of all governments and served his nation in this role far above the trenches of partisanship.

    “His was a consistently calm and dignified presence in the sanctums of the National Council of State and a steady voice of measured counsel to all that sought him out.

    “ But he was also a man of great wit and humour,’’ he said.

    Earlier in his sermon, Most Rev. Peter Akinola, former Primate of the Church of Nigeria, said that when a true believer died, he would rise to eternal life.

    He urged those left behind by Shonekan not to grieve endlessly like those were hopeless; who had no Christ.

    “You have Christ; therefore, you have hope; you rejoice and give thanks to God instead and give thanks to God.

    “He is in the bosom of Abraham because of the life that he lived; because of his faith in Jesus Christ,’’ he said.

    Special prayers were also offered for late Shonekan’s family.

  • No excuse for change of government by coup d’etat – Osinbajo

    No excuse for change of government by coup d’etat – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reaffirmed its stance that there is no excuse for a change of government by coup d’etat.

    Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement in Abuja, said the vice president spoke with newsmen after the ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit on the political situations in Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea on Thursday in Accra.

    According to him, as far as ECOWAS is concerned, there is only one way of changing government in the region; acceptable to all of the protocols, to even the political rights of the people and that is by a democratically elected government.

    “I think it has been fruitful, the Heads of State again reiterated the firm position that had been taken earlier that there is absolutely no excuse for a change of government by coup d’etat.

    “So, what happened in Burkina Faso was considered and has been condemned by all of the heads of state and we do not think there is any excuse for it whatsoever.

    “But at the moment, of course, engagement is going on with the military junta and also we condemned the attempted coup in Guinea-Bissau and

    congratulated President Sissoco Embalo and the people of Guinea-Bissau for resisting that unconstitutional attempt to change the government.

    “All in all, it has been fruitful and we are very hopeful that lessons had been learnt and we will not see a repeat of this.”

    On the situation in Mali, the vice president psaid that ECOWAS was expecting that the Malian authorities would respond to ECOWAS imposed sanctions.

    “As you know and we expect that at some point, the Malian authorities themselves would begin to speed up the process of transition. We expect that they would do so.

    “We are looking forward to that engagement,” he said.

  • How Igbobi College shaped my life – VP Osinbajo

    How Igbobi College shaped my life – VP Osinbajo

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says there is a strong nexus between the kind of education students recieve in schools and what they turn out to be later in life

    Osinbajo made the assertion while speaking at a fundraiser for Igbobi College, his alma mater, on Saturday night in Lagos .

    According to reports, the one billion naira fundraiser, organised by Igbobi College Old Boys ‘Association (ICOBA), was part of activities lined up to mark the 90th anniversary of the school.

    Osinbajo said the values he had imbibed till date and some of the competences he had acquired, were largely due to the impactful education he got at Igbobi College.

    The Vice-President said what he and other old students got was total education, that did not only place emphasis on strong academic performance but also discipline.

    He said the school rewarded academic achievements and excellence in sports but seriously sanctioned bad behaviour .

    “Igbobi placed great value on academic , sports and literary achievements; so, you were called out on stage to recieve prizes during the assembly, so you were recognised.

    “So if you excelled in sports, you were recognised, if you excelled in academics, you were recognised on the assembly ground.

    “But on the same stage, you would be seriously whipped for bad behaviour. So, reward and punishment were on the same stage”, he said.

    Osinbajo, who passed out of the school in 1975, described Igbobi College as a leveller, saying all students, irrespective of background, were treated equally.

    He said the teachers at the school during his days were very helpful, adding his English teacher in his first year greatly encouraged him to better his writing skills.

    The Vice-President said Igbobi College had transformed lives and had contributed tremendously to Nigeria’s human capital .

    He commended the old students of the school for coming up with the idea of the fundraiser to generate funds to uplift school.

    Osinbajo said he had no doubt that the various interventions by the old students at Igbobi College would help improve the standard of teaching and learning in the school .

    Earlier, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, commended the alumni of the school for its efforts at raising standards in the college.

    Gbajabiamila, also an old student, said the various interventions by the old students would not only uplift the school but also impact on education.

    The Speaker urged friends of the school and other Nigerians to contribute to making it a centre of academic excellence.

    “We urge you all to join us in not only uplifting the school but promoting education “,he said.

    In his remarks, Mr Muyiwa Kinoshi, President, ICOBA, said the fundraiser was organised as part of efforts to improve infrastructure in the school and enhance teaching and learning.

    He said ICOBA was irrevocably committed to the the progress of the school and would continue to do its best to improve teaching and learning.

    Mr Seni Adio (SAN), Chairman of the fundraising committee, said the one billion naira would be spent on building a technology hub, an e-library, upgrade the dormitories among others in the school.

    “Apart from brick and mortar,we will spend the money on other things that wil impact positively on standard and performance at Igbobi College”,he said .

    Adio said previous interventions by old students were already yielding results in the school with students doing very well in WAEC and other external examinations.

    He called on old students and other lovers of education to continue to support the school, founded by both the Anglican Church and Methodist Church, to attain greater heights.

    The programme attracted many business moguls and other eminent personalities.

    Over N200 milion of the N1billion has been realised.

    NAN