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Tag: Yemi Osinbajo

  • Road to 2023 kickoff as Osinbajo’s presidential campaign billboard surfaces in Abuja

    Road to 2023 kickoff as Osinbajo’s presidential campaign billboard surfaces in Abuja

    Ahead of 2023 general elections, a large presidential campaign billboard of President Muhammadu Buhari’s deputy, Yemi Osinbajo has surfaced in Abuja.

    The campaign banner had the inscription, “Join us, Nigeria asks for Osinbajo 2023.”

    Though no party’s name or logo was inscribed on the large banner, it had the name of a group, ‘The Progressive Project 2023’ as the sponsor.

    There have been speculations that Osinbajo may be interested in contesting the 2023 presidential election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Osinbajo came into political limelight when on 17 December 2014, Buhari announced him as his running mate and vice-presidential candidate for the 2015 general elections.

    On 31 March 2015 Buhari was confirmed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the presidential elections. Thus, Osinbajo became the Vice President of Nigeria when they were both sworn in on 29 May 2015. On 29 May 2019, Osinbajo took his oath of office to begin his second term as Vice President.

    Meanwhile, after the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013, Osinbajo was tasked with other notable Nigerians to design and produce a manifesto for the new political party.

    This culminated in the presentation of the “Roadmap to a New Nigeria”, a document published by APC as its manifesto if elected to power.

    The highlights of the Roadmap included a free schools meal plan, a conditional cash transfer to the 25 million poorest Nigerians that has been flagged with discrepancies.

    There were also a number of programs designed to create economic opportunities for Nigeria’s massive youth population.

    However, Osinbajo is yet to come out in public to declare for the presidency.

  • 2023: OPC takes position on Tinubu, Osinbajo, Fayemi’s presidential ambition

    2023: OPC takes position on Tinubu, Osinbajo, Fayemi’s presidential ambition

    The O’odua Peoples Congress (OPC) has stated it’s position on the presidential ambition of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports OPC as saying it’s interest is beyond the 2023 general elections, dissociating itself from a coalition of 57 Yoruba groups allegedly rooting for South-West pro-restructuring presidential candidate in 2023.

    OPC Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Oguntimehin, in a statement, denied the involvement of Aare Gani Adams in the mega accord, saying such moves were purely fraudulent and very far from the truth.

    Oguntimehin urged the groups to stop using the name of OPC for petty political mileage, saying OPC was not among the 57 Yoruba groups that met in Lagos at the weekend to mobilise the South-West for Tinubu, Osibajo or Fayemi’s presidency.

    Recall that OPC had been listed among those behind the mega accord of 57 Yoruba civil society groups that met in Lagos recently with a resolve to mobilise the South-West for a pro-restructuring presidential candidate in 2023.

    The meeting was reportedly presided over by a journalist, Mr Adewale Adeoye, while the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting was signed by Messrs Sunday Akinnuoye, Femi Agbana and Mrs Ganiat Toriola.

    The groups noted that they were aware of presidential aspirants like Dr Kayode Fayemi, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    They vowed to ensure that the 2023 presidential election produces a candidate that would restructure the country and resolve the lingering National Question irrespective of political platform.

    But Oguntimehin said that OPC under the leadership of Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams had, at no time, mobilise the group for any politician, insisting that the group’s interest is beyond the 2023 general elections.

    “Including OPC’s name without specific name attached to the purported arrangement of 57 South-West groups rooting for a South-West presidential candidate was a fraud and illegal because we are not a party to a meeting.

    “There was no visual or audio content of how, when or where the meeting was held, only for us to see the story in the papers.

    “We are aware that when elections are approaching, some politicians usually use the OPC’s name to curry favours.

    “There are some groups that are affiliates of political parties that usually make themselves available for politicians as at when due,” he said.

    According to him, those groups masquerading as OPC members have no programme or activities that they are known for.

    “Even if anything happens in Yoruba land, you don’t hear their voices, except, occasionally, during elections or when they are paid to issue statements against us.

    “So, I enjoin whoever that is behind the arrangement to toe the right path and be specific in attaching OPC’s name to any political accord.

    “Anybody or group using our name without proper attachment or specification amounts to fraud and we will handle such in the most conventional manner,” Oguntimehin added.

  • Osinbajo trusted, ‘a noble man’ – Emir of Daura

    Osinbajo trusted, ‘a noble man’ – Emir of Daura

    The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Farouk Umar, has described Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as a noble man and trustworthy person who keeps his promises.

    The traditional ruler expressed this view on Saturday at the turbaning ceremony of Yusuf Buhari, son of President Muhammadu Buhari as Talban Daura and district head of Kwasarawa community.

    The vice president witnessed the turbaning ceremony—a well-attended event graced by dignitaries from across the country.

    “We extend our appreciation to the representative of the president.

    “He, the vice president is a nobleman who keeps his promises and a trustworthy person who has so much patience and knows what to do at any given time.

    “The vice president is a very good man; he is my favourite person. He is a very nice and honest man,” he said.

    Umar said at the occasion that the young Buhari deserved to be appointed as district

    Umar praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his leadership qualities, adding that ‘power belongs to God and He gives it to whoever He pleases.’

    The Emir disclosed that the Daura Emirate Council decided to honour the president and his family with the traditional title being conferred on Yusuf Buhari, especially since being president, he would not be able to take any other title.

    Commending both the state and Federal Governments, the traditional ruler testified that the Katsina State Government had been working hard to end the difficulties of the masses.

    He added also that Daura had been transformed under the leadership of the president, lauding him for the developmental strides witnessed so far.

    Dignitaries at the event included the Governors of Katsina, Bello Masari, Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje, the Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege and Sen. Kabiru Gaya and a member of the House of Representatives, Hafiz Ibrahim.

    Others were the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and members of the Federal Executive Council including Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, Science and Technology Minister; Hadi Sirika, Aviation Minister and Clem Agba, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning.

    The Presidential Adviser on Politics, Sen. Babafemi Ojudu also attended the event.

  • Why we don’t want Nigerians to own gas cylinders anymore – VP Osinbajo

    Why we don’t want Nigerians to own gas cylinders anymore – VP Osinbajo

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has given two reasons why Nigeria is transitioning from consumer-cylinder-owned model to marketers’ cylinder-owned model for gas cylinders use in the country.

    Osinbajo disclosed this at a two-day Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) sensitisation under the theme: “Stimulating Delta state’s socio-economic growth through LPG adoption and expansion”, on Monday, in Asaba.

    The programme was organised by the National LPG Expansion Implementation Plan (NLEIP) under the Office of the Vice President, in collaboration with the Delta state government.

    Osinbajo said that the Federal Government plans to inject 10 million gas cylinders in the next one year, through certified marketers in 12 pilot states.

    Represented by Mr Dayo Adeshina, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on LPG and National Programme Manager on NLEIP, stated that two states had been selected from each geopolitical zone for the pilot programme.

    The Vice President said that the Federal Government was committed to ensuring an end to gas-flaring and had signed the climate change bill, to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases in the country.

    He noted that the country had proven gas reserves of 260 trillion cubits feet (tcf) and unproven reserve of 600tcf, adding that all that would remain statistics if stakeholders failed to take proactive measures on exploiting the resource.

    According to him, this sensitisation has come at a very crucial time, because Delta state plays a significant role in the nation’s oil and gas industry.

    “Nigeria is gas rich as well as oil, unfortunately the concentration has been on oil, when we have 260tcf of proven gas reserve and 600tcf unproven gas reserves, all those figures will remain statistics unless we do something about it.

    “A state like Delta is crucial because of the abundant gas available here, Gas flaring must come to an end and we must make use of resources that will come from ending gas-flaring.

    “This programme is crucial because of the several advantages attached to usage of gas: the same cooking gas can be used to power vehicles, the power sector can also take advantage of the same LPG.

    “Delta being one of the 12 pilot states, two from each geopolitical zone, where for the next one year, we will concentrate on making sure that both the state, industry and the people enjoy the advantages of this fuel.

    “It was set up in 2017, and it was critical for us to look at the regulatory environment and also a way that distribution of gas is carried out in the country.

    “Today, you buy your cylinder, I buy my cylinder, that is about to change that is why the 12 pilot states were chosen, so from consumer-cylinder-owned model, we are hoping to transit to marketers’ cylinder-owned model.

    “Two reasons for this, the regulations for LPG cylinders states that five years after manufacture the cylinder is supposed to recertified. 10 years after reverify that cylinder, and 15 years after that cylinder should be scrapped.

    “But, today, cylinders in peoples’ homes are 20 years and above, so that is a huge safety hazard, so how do we retract those cylinders with causing problems.

    “So, the starting point for us is that we have engaged two plants to manufacture cylinders and we will inject five to 10 million cylinders within the 12 pilots states in the next one year.

    “The marketer will be given these cylinders and they are responsible to ensure that the cylinders get to your homes”, the vice president said.

    Osinbajo warned that households must endeavour to change other gas accessories to avoid gas explosions, adding that effective maintenance and adherence to the safety rule would prevent any accident, as gas remains the safest among other fuels.

    He charged the state governments to develop polices and programme to ensure safety at the gas filling plants as well as the retailing points in the state, to enable the consumers get value for their monies.

  • Osinbajo speaks on ownership of collapsed 21-storey building in Ikoyi

    Osinbajo speaks on ownership of collapsed 21-storey building in Ikoyi

    Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has refuted claims that he owns the land upon which the collapsed building in Ikoyi stood.

    Osinbajo, who condoled with the families and relatives of all those who have died and those who were injured or affected in the collapsed building under construction on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, described the incident as a horrible tragedy.

    Reacting to allegations that the said land was sold to him by Chief Michael Ade Ojo, Chairman of Elizade Motors; and reports that he some time ago intervened with the regulatory authorities in Lagos State to unseal the said property, Osinbajo maintained that he has never been involved in the development of any land since he became Vice President.

    A statement issued by Osinbajo’s Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity said, ”At no time whatsoever did the VP buy this or any other piece of land from Chief Michael Ade Ojo, or entered into any transaction for the sale of that land or any other piece of land from Chief Ade. Ojo or anyone for that matter.

    ”All property and assets owned by the Vice President have been publicly declared.

    ”Also, the Vice President has never spoken to the Governor of Lagos State or any other official of the State Government regarding the unsealing of the said building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, which subsequently collapsed. He has, indeed, never acted to influence any other regulatory action on the collapsed building, or any other building for that matter, in Lagos State.”

    Osinbajo further explained that he has no interest and has never had any interest, in the land, the building or development.

    ”The wickedness and viciousness of a lie that seeks to utilise a tragedy where so many people have lost their lives, even as rescue efforts are ongoing, and in wanton disregard to the feelings and untold grief of their loved ones for political gain, reveals a dangerous desperation, as well as the heartlessness of the perpetrators of such despicable lies.” the statement reads in part.’

    The Vice President added that he has referred the ‘disgraceful’ publication to his lawyers for prompt legal action.

  • We need to overcome barriers to knowledge economy — Osinbajo

    We need to overcome barriers to knowledge economy — Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says barriers to knowledge economy have to be surmounted in order to cushion the impact of disruptive technology on key sectors.

    Osinbajo was the Special Guest of Honour at a two-day Kaduna State Investment Summit (KADINVEST) 6.0 on Thursday in Kaduna.

    The theme of the Summit is, “Towards a Sustainable Knowledge Based Economy.’’

    The vice president said that Nigeria was very far from taking full advantage of its young talented people.

    “The main problem is how to surmount the barriers to the knowledge economy; how do we surmount those barriers to the knowledge economy?

    “The World Bank describes those barriers as the four pillars of the Knowledge economy:

    “The first is institutional structures that provide incentives for entrepreneurship and the use of knowledge.

    “The second is availability of skilled labor and a good education system

    “The third is access to information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure.

    “The fourth is vibrant innovation landscape that includes academia, the private sector, and civil society.’’

    According to him, the knowledge economy, as the name implies, is entirely dependent on intellectual capital, a work force and talent pool that is educated, dynamic and adaptable.

    He said it required a sound, relevant, practical, problem solving education.

    “So, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math or STEM education as it is called, is crucial.

    “The curriculum being developed by the Federal Ministry of education adds Arts to the combination of subjects; so our own acronym is STEAM because we have added Arts to it.

    “The task here is major–developing an education system that would provide resource and support the knowledge economy- from teacher training to acquiring technology and other equipment.’’

    Osinbajo said that an effective planning was needed in order to create adequate resource capacity and capability

    He said factors to be considered included what it would take to train and equip enough engineers, technologists, scientists, doctors and other products of STEM curricula to drive a Knowledge Based Economy.

    “Thankfully we are not alone in this, as there are global shortages everywhere of technological talent.

    “A recent analysis showed that the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning talent gap globally stands at 1.2 million resources, while there are only 650 thousand professionals employable in these roles.

    “The best Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD) countries have 16 scientist/researches per 1000 employees and spend 1 to 3 per cent of GDP on Research and Development.

    “Where do we stand on that scale? How do we accelerate our progress?

    He said that with global gaps in talent, well planned training programme could even see Nigeria become a hub for critical technical talent.

    This was proven with the success of Andela, a Nigerian company, developing and placing Software Engineering talent.

    He said it could be replicated across a broader range of STEM disciplines.

    “So, it is possible with companies like Andela; that is already doing so much work developing soft engineers, programmers and all manner of other talents; it is possible to do more and increase the numbers.

    “Some ideas that can be explored include support for on-the job and tailored training to accelerate talent development and augment conventional schooling.

    “For example, I understand Blue Camel has a Solar Installation training facility on its industrial campus where it trains hundreds of students a year.

    “Also, the curricula in trainings could have a standard knowledge set that must be learnt prior to specialisation.’’

    Osinbajo said that the standard principles should support mobility of talent across jobs to adapt to changes in a Knowledge-Based economy.

    He said that the Kashim Ibrahim Fellowship promoted by the state government was capable of creating a critical mass of talented people.

    “I think The Kashim Ibrahim Fellowship, which the Kaduna State government initiated a few years ago, which exposes Fellows to thought leaders and experts.

    “And to practical experience through rotational job programs and community service is also an example of the type of initiatives needed to create a high caliber talent pool for the Knowledge Based Future,’’ he said.

    Gov. Nasir el-Rufai, who presented an overview of KADINVEST 1.0 to 5.0 and unveiled KADINVEST 6.0, thanked the vice president for gracing the event.

    He said that KADINVEST, which was started in 2016 less than a year after he took office, was in realisation of partnering with the private sector in creating jobs and growing the state.

    Osinbajo, afterwards inspected the Galaxy Mall, Kaduna, and proceeded to inaugurate the Kasuwan Magani market and 100 kilowatt Solar PV Mini-Grid, at Kajuru.

    Osinbajo said that the Galaxy Mall and the Kasuwan Magani market were both products of the focus of the Kaduna State Government in enabling commerce and improving the economic prospects of its citizens.

  • Popular rich pastors in Nigeria must pay ‘Pentecost Tax’ – Yemi Osinbajo

    Popular rich pastors in Nigeria must pay ‘Pentecost Tax’ – Yemi Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said religious leaders, especially wealthy and popular pastors in Nigeria have to pay ‘Pentecost tax’.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Vice President Osinbajo made this known in Lagos State during a public presentation of the biography of Pastor William Kumuyi, the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry.

    Osinbajo charged religious leaders in the country to emulate early apostles of the gospel who also discharged the responsibility of paying tax, stressing that religious leaders in the country owe this as an obligation.

    “Every person, especially those who succeed in their endeavours owe society three forms of tax. The first is Income tax; personal income tax. The second is a Social tax, another name for that is philanthropy; the obligation of the wealthy or simply those who have to give back to society.

    “For the successful preacher of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, there is a fourth tax. This is the Pentecost tax; the tasks to tell what you have gone through in ministry and this is a huge responsibility.

    “The obligation of the successful is to write their stories and share the histories of the phenomena they have become, in order to instruct, to admonish and to inspire the present and the future.

    “The saints before us, discharge that responsibility. So we are beneficiaries of the Acts of the Apostles, the stories of the men and women who carry the gospel first to Jerusalem to Judea, to Samaria, and then to the end of the earth. Their stories continue today, and the baton has been handed over to our own generation.

    “This Pentecost tax is one that we must all pay, it is one that men and women who preach the gospel must pay. It is not about personal reflections and personal aggrandisement. They owe an obligation and it is that obligation that produced the Book of Acts.

    “So the book, ‘Kumuyi: defender of the faith’ just begins the work of discharging that tax, that obligation to tell the story of the missionary journey,” Osinbajo said.

  • Guinea crisis: Osinbajo to represent Nigeria at ECOWAS meeting in Accra

    Guinea crisis: Osinbajo to represent Nigeria at ECOWAS meeting in Accra

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will on Thursday represent Nigeria at the 2nd Extraordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Governments on the political situation in the Republic of Guinea.

    Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

    Osinbajo, had on Sept. 8, participated at a virtual ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit on the political situation in Guinea and Mali.

    The Authority had decided that Guinea be immediately suspended from all ECOWAS governing bodies and statutory meetings.

    ECOWAS leaders had also called for the immediate and unconditional release of President Alpha Conde and other arrested persons, demanded the immediate return of Guinea to constitutional order.

    They also decided to immediately dispatch a high-level ECOWAS mission to Guinea to assess the situation.

    The meeting on Thursday will review the situation in Guinea in light of the report of the ECOWAS high-level mission to Conakry.

    The vice president will be accompanied by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada.

    He is expected back in Abuja later in the day.

  • Osinbajo presides as FEC honours late Malami Buwai

    Osinbajo presides as FEC honours late Malami Buwai

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday presided over a virtual meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    President Muhammadu Buhari is in London, UK, for a medical check-up after participating in the Global Education Summit on Financing Global Partnership for Education (GPE) 2021 to 2025.

    Before the proceedings, a minute of silence was observed in honour of Malami Buwai, a former Minister of Agriculture, who passed away recently at the age of 76.

    Ministers physically present at the virtual FEC meeting included Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, Abubakar Malami, Minister for Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation.

    Others were, Hajia Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Minister of Power, Sale Mamman and Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Works and Housing.

    Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ibrahim Gambari, Chief of Staff to President and Babagana Monguno, National Security Adviser were also in attendance.

    At the last meeting on Aug. 4, FEC approved the sum of 11.17 billion dollars to link all Nigeria’s coastal cities by rail in six years.

  • Osinbajo canvasses inclusive trade to boost ECOWAS economy

    Osinbajo canvasses inclusive trade to boost ECOWAS economy

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement necessitate more inclusive trade initiatives and expanded intra-regional trade.

    Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said the vice president spoke at the inaugural gala night of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Trade Promotion Organisations (TPO) Network.

    The President of ECOWAS TPO Network is Mr Segun Awolowo, Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), while Mr Guy M’Bengue, the Chief Executive Officer, Cote d’Ivoire Export Promotion Organisation, is the vice president.

    Osinbajo said that the TPO Network, which was established with the support of the International Trade Centre (ITC), was a farsighted and insightful initiative of the ECOWAS, trade promotion organisations in the ECOWAS community.

    “The network must present a trustworthy platform for cross learning and the sharing of knowledge and information assets.

    “The vision of our Heads of State and Governments in resolving to establish this network (TPO) is to build a more robust and broader economic space for trade and investment.

    “A major part of that effort is that the network serves as a platform for businesses and trade promotion agencies in our region to share knowledge and business opportunities, and develop trade capacity in our region.”

    According to Osinbajo, ECOWAS TPO Network is a public-sector led entity and will work in partnership with the ECOWAS Commission to drive inclusive trade development initiatives within West Africa and beyond.

    The vice president said the network had world class human resource capacity to succeed in achieving its set objectives.

    “The combined experience of the TPOs that form the network is mind boggling.

    “Second is our confidence in your resilience and commitment, which assures us that beyond the tunnel of those obvious challenges lies the bright light of a new era of trade prosperity for the people of the West Africa region and, indeed, the continent,” he said.

    He commended the ECOWAS and the TPO network for the success of the inauguration and its First Annual General Assembly.

    According to the vice president, there is the imminent task of enabling our region benefit maximally from the AfCFTA and other intra and extra regional export opportunities.

    Dignitaries present at the event included the wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Industry, Trade and Investment; Otunba Niyi Adebayo and his colleague Minister of State, Ambassador Mariam Katagum, among others.