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Tag: Yemi Osinbajo

  • Osinbajo arrives Lekki, flags off Deep Sea Port, lists gains of port

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday in Lekki, Lagos Island, flagged off the Deep Sea Port project while explaining how the port will be of benefits to Nigeria and Nigerians.

    The port, which is expected to ease congestion at the Apapa port, Osinbajo said the Federal Government was informed will target about 1.5 million 20-foot equivalent unit container capacity annually, and an expected increase to as high as about 4.7 million when the project operations commence.

    The Vice President revealed that once the project is completed, government expects to influence generation of up to 170,000 direct and indirect jobs, and that the port would become one of the largest deep-water ports in West Africa and serve as a hub for port operations in the whole of the sub-region.

    Osinbajo stressed further that the promoters of the project also plan to dredge the port channel to about 16 metres draft, one that is not currently obtainable in any seaport or any port in the country.

    According to him, this is an indication that ships of larger sizes and very large crude carriers will be able to visit the port while greater efficiency and economy of scale will generate significant revenues for the Nigerian economy, with government earning a significant portion of it.

    The Vice President believes the construction of the port would also enhance the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), and its emphasis on supporting game-changing infrastructural projects directed at making major impacts in trade and commerce sector.

    He revealed that the Federal Government has provided an aggregate of about N90bn for the development of special economic zones in its last two budgets.

    “We are developing the Lekki special economic zone as a model special economic zone specifically targeting exports. The development of this deep seaport is mission critical to the achievement of the important objectives of creating a special economic zone,” he said.

    While noting that project is essentially private sector driven, Professor Osinbajo said the government remains committed to its economic philosophy of private sector leadership in its economic development effort.

    He commended the state government and other promoters of the project, as well as the Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Amaechi, whom he said his zeal has continued to drive the project.

    He also assured the stakeholders that the Federal and state governments would be ready to provide necessary support to ensure the completion of the project.

    The event was also attended by the deputy governor of Lagos State, Dr Idiat Adebule; and the Ministers of Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, among others.

     

  • Tech development: World Bank approves additional $3 million for Nigeria

    The Federal Government on Monday said the World Bank has approved additional financing of $3 million to stimulate global competitiveness of raw materials for a diversified economy in Nigeria.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo stated this at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Technology and Innovation Expo in Abuja.

    The World Bank had in the first tranche supported a batch of innovations with about $3 million.

    According to him, “the Federal Government plans to strengthen the technology and innovation ecosystem by supporting the development of new innovation hubs in partnership with the private sectors, and this is well on course.

    “We have recently concluded a competitive selection process of private sector entities that will implement and manage the hubs. Each of these hubs will focus solely on the market challenges peculiar to the region of the country in which each is located.”

    Osinbajo urged all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to align and ensure that the lofty intent of the recently signed presidential Executive Order for supplying and execution of projects and programmes, especially in the area of science, engineering and technology, are met.

    “Science and technology are key instrument of the realisation of the objectives of our National Economic and Growth Plan (NERG) 2017-2020.

    “Our goal of moving the Nigerian economy away from a resource-based to a knowledge-based model is one that we must take seriously and the ERGP is a step in that direction.

    “Innovation will create jobs, it will attract investment, it will boost export, it will grow our economy. These are part of the positive impacts that it will have on our image and perception around the world,” Osinbajo said.

    On his part, Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, revealed that patents for research findings, which were processed through the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), increased from 16 in 2016 to 50 by the end of 2017.

    “This is a clear evidence of a remarkable improvement in the level of innovation in Nigeria. It shows that it has become an important instrument to drive the role of research in the commercialization of goods and services for the happiness of our people,” Onu said.

    He implored the private sector and stakeholders to unite to further science and technology in the country.

    “I am confident that with all hands on deck, we can build a stronger family that will be united in the common pursuit of deepening the depth and broadening the reach of Science, Technology and Innovation in our economic diversification process, especially in a fast changing world,” he said.

     

  • National Security Summit: Every Nigerian deserves protection – Osinbajo

    Nigeria’s Vice President (VP) Yemi Osinbajo in view of security challenges ravaging the country has said every Nigerian deserves the protection of their lives and properties.

    VP Osinbajo stated this at a two-day national security summit holding at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) conference centre in Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru reports the summit is aimed at providing an all-inclusive platform for finding long-term solutions to the security challenges in the country.

    “Every Nigerian deserves the protection of their lives and properties by the government,” Osinbajo said, adding “We must avoid the danger of allowing this conflict to escalate further to religious or ethnic conflict; this is the responsibility of political and religious elites in Nigeria”.

    Osinbajo gave kudos to the security agencies saying that despite constraint in finances they’ve been able to work with the resources they have.

    “We need to consider the following for the efficiency in the security sector: 1. Police structure must change by tripling the number of officers; 2. There should be state and community policing by curtailing the arms being smuggled into the country; and 3. There should be consolidation with neighboring state within borders,” he said.

    In his opening remarks, Senate President Bukola Saraki said “People who should be neighbours are turning on one another and taking up arms.

    “These attacks and reprisal attacks are an intolerable cycle of hell that must be broken. Killings, kidnappings, mayhem and general lawlessness cannot be the new normal,” he added.

     

  • Osinbajo inaugurates sanctions committee

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has inaugurated the National Sanctions Committee.

    The committee comprised the Minister of Justice, Malam Abubakar Malami, as chairman, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, and the National Security Adviser.

    Other members are the Director General of DSS, the IGP, CBN Governor and the Chief of Army Staff.

    The rest are the DG National Intelligence Agency and the DG Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit.

    The mandate of the committee is to trace and freeze financial flows of terrorist funds.

    At the event the Vice President reiterated government’s commitment to eliminating terrorism in the country.

     

  • Osinbajo in U.S. to deliver Harvard historic Africa Rising lecture

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo is in the U.S. to deliver a lecture at the Harvard University, Boston, U.S. on Africa Rising course at Harvard Business School.

    Osinbajo, while at Harvard, would also engage in marathon meetings at the Ivy League school.

    Harvard described the lecture as a historic moment as it would be the first time that an Africa-focused course would be offered at Harvard Business School.

    In extending the invitation to Osinbajo, Harvard noted that it deeply admired the immense progress that Nigeria had made under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The university specifically noted the work of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, which the vice-president chairs.

    The university said: “It would be the highest honour for us were you to accept our invitation as we deeply admire the immense progress that Nigeria has made during your tenure.

    “Not only as the country’s Vice President, but also as Chairman of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council.

    “By all accounts, this Council has spearheaded crucial initiatives and we very much hope that you will speak to those, as well as to Nigeria’s rise in world economic rankings and the vast range of business initiatives that are ongoing in your country.”

    The vice-president is expected to, during the lecture, highlight the progress made by the present administration in improving the country’s economy and investment climate.

    Osinbajo had in October 2016 delivered a lecture at the university’s ‘Nigeria in the World’ seminar also at the invitation of the university.

    The vice-president spoke on: ‘Destroying Boko Haram and the Rebuilding of Nigeria’s North-East’.

    While at Harvard, he would hold meeting with Margot Gill, the Harvard University Marshall and Prof. Emmauel Akyeampong and the Centre for African Studies Affiliates at Centre for African Studies at the university.

    He also would have lunch with the Harvard Law School Students and Faculty at the Harvard Law School.

    Osinbajo would then hold meeting with Prof. David Wilkins and tour the Centre on the Legal Profession and Nitin Nohira, Dean, Harvard Business School at the university.

    The vice-president would later have dinner with MBA students, Harvard Business Faculty and Harvard Business School Alumni from Africa.

     

  • Election 2019: Buhari/Osinbajo Dynamic Support Group flags off campaign

    Election 2019: Buhari/Osinbajo Dynamic Support Group flags off campaign

    The re-election bid for President Muhammadu Buhari has commenced as the South West Zonal office of Muhammadu Buhari-Osinbajo (MBO) Dynamic Support Group, a campaign organization for Buhari/Osinbajo is set for inauguration on Saturday, January 20th.

    The Minister of Communication, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu, revealed the details of the inauguration while speaking to State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The Minister also informed he has been appointed the national chairman of the board of trustees of the MBO Dynamic Support Group while describing Buhari as “Saviour’’ of Nigerians

    “Every day since he came into office all his activities are geared towards letting Nigeria know that they have a saviour, a rescuer, somebody who is committed to providing relief for Nigerians in all respects.

    “These include fighting corruption, insurgency; whether in the North East or the Niger Delta; in the area of repairing the economy and providing jobs and providing social stability in the society.

    “You will agree with me that today but for Buhari Boko Haram would have invaded even Lagos,’’ Shittu said.

    The minister, who disclosed that President Buhari was yet to indicate interest on whether he will seek re-election in 2019, said his ardent supporters would continue to pressure him to seek re-election to enable him complete his good works to Nigerians.

    “It goes without saying I mean if you have a child who goes to primary school does well, proceeds to secondary school does well, and you keep asking is he going to university?

    “By the grace of God, we his ardent supporters who appreciate his worth on behalf of millions of Nigerians, would urge him to re-contest.

    “I know he has not made up his mind but I can say that some of us can assist him in making up his mind so that Nigeria can continue to enjoy stability and progress in our land,’’ he added.

     

  • Photos:Yemi Osinbajo, Nasir El-Rufai, others attend wedding of Hakeem Belo-Osagie’s daughter

    Photos:Yemi Osinbajo, Nasir El-Rufai, others attend wedding of Hakeem Belo-Osagie’s daughter

    Beautiful daughter of billionaire businessman, Hakeem Belo-Osagie, Adesuwa got married traditionally to her husband, Tope Adekoya, in Lagos yesterday September 2nd.

    Top dignitaries at the wedding included Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, APC National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun, Governor of Kaduna State Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, his wife Hadiza El-Rufai, and others.

    See more beautiful photos here…

     

  • NITDA lambasts fed govt agencies over inactive websites

    NITDA lambasts fed govt agencies over inactive websites

    The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, has berated Federal Ministries and agencies over inactive websites and poor online service delivery.

    A statement signed by Isa Pantami, Director General of the agency, said an assessment done by the NITDA revealed that some government agencies do not have websites.

    According to Mr. Patanmi, the assessment was done in compliance with the Executive Order signed by the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, on the Promotion of Transparency and Efficiency in the Business Environment.

    He explained that the Executive Order was designed to facilitate the ease of doing business in Nigeria, as it relates to the use of ICT for efficient service delivery.

    But the NITDA boss noted that the assessment revealed that some ministries either have no active websites or are not registered on .GOV.NG domain.

    The statement explained further that most of the websites were not in conformity with published standards and guidelines for government websites.

    “Most of the websites do not have feedback and information necessary to facilitate ease of doing business,” the statement said.

    “For instance, only 25% and 37% of the websites have reachable phone numbers and email addresses respectively.

    “In addition, some of the websites do not have complete list of website links of the Agencies under their supervision and the content outdated.”

    The statement noted that businesses and citizens expect more transparent, accessible, and responsive services from government agencies and it is essential that Federal Ministries take the lead in ensuring that information provided on their websites meets such expectations.

    The agency, therefore, called on affected Federal Ministries to ensure that, “contact information are accurate and reachable and means of interaction such as online feedback are integrated” on the website.

    It also directed that the, “content and the list of website links of the Agencies under their supervision are complete and up-to-date; and detailed requirements or conditions for service provision and electronic mode of communicating acceptance and rejection of applications as stated in the executive order are conspicuously published.”

    Furthermore, the NITDA said that government agencies at all levels are required to use the .GOV.NG domain in line with Nigerian content in ICT promotion, adding that the domain is Nigerian Government identity on the Internet.

    The NITDA boss explained that the agency had put in place more efficient and effective measures to improve service delivery of the .GOV.NG domain management and administration and quick turnaround has been achieved.

    “Requests for domain registration and other support services are attended to within 24hrs if all the requirements are provided,” the statement said.

    “Further information on these requirements can be obtained by sending requests to domains@nitda.gov.ng,” it added.

     

  • Osinbajo welcomes new ECOWAS chair, pledges Nigeria’s support

    Osinbajo welcomes new ECOWAS chair, pledges Nigeria’s support

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday received Mr Faure Gnassingbe, Togolese President and newly-elected Chairman of ECOWAS at the Presidential Villa, and assured him of Nigeria’s support to the regional body.

    Osinbajo told the visiting leader that “Nigeria will support you in every way and we are very happy with your election.

    “I know that President Muhammadu Buhari will give every measure of support required because he will want you to succeed very much.”

    The acting President added that the Buhari administration was pleased that President Gnassingbe visited Nigeria almost immediately after his election to lead the regional body.

    He gave the assurance that Nigeria would continue to play an active role in ECOWAS.

    He also assured the Togolese President that President Buhari held him in high regard as a person and considered him a friend.

    Osinbajo, who congratulated Gnassingbe on his election as ECOWAS chairman, assured him that Nigeria was concerned about regional issues and would continue to explore resolutions in partnership with other member-states.

    The acting President also welcomed the continued consultations on the issue of Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between ECOWAS and the European Union (EU) while observing also that each country had peculiar challenges.

    He expressed the hope that the spirit of ECOWAS — brotherhood, would be helpful in addressing some of the issues confronting the regional body.

    Earlier, the new ECOWAS leader had told the acting President that he was at the villa for consultation because Nigeria was an important player in issues of the regional body.

    During the visit, Gnassingbe highlighted a number of ECOWAS issues and challenges, including the European Partnership Agreement being discussed by the regional body.

    He said as the ECOWAS chairman, he would be involved in frequent exchanges and consultations with Nigeria, considering Nigeria’s role in the region.

    The Togolese President also said he wanted the relationship between his country and Nigeria to remain very close.

    In a related development, Acting President Osinbajo also received Mr Foumakoye Gado, Special Envoy of President Issoufou Mohamadou of Niger.

    Osinbajo assured the envoy and the country’s petroleum minister of Nigeria’s continued support and cooperation with Niger.

     

  • Buhari’s Absence: Presidency dismisses report on political, constitutional crisis

    Buhari’s Absence: Presidency dismisses report on political, constitutional crisis

    Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu has dismissed an article speculating that Nigeria faces imminent political and constitutional crisis on account of President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence to attend to his health in London.

    The article was written by a Nigerian historian, Max Siollun, entitled “The Gentleman’s Agreement that Could Break Apart Nigeria,” published in the United States-based Foreign Policy magazine.

    Shehu, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, described the article as “needlessly sensational and exaggerated speculations by conspiracy theorists’’.

    The presidential aide explained that it was misleading to compare President Buhari’s case to that of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, adding that the circumstances were completely different.

    According to him, unlike Yar’Adua, President Buhari has duly complied with the constitutional requirements by formally notifying the National Assembly of his intention to go for medical treatment and handing over to Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as Acting President.

    “While Yar’Adua was too severely ill to transmit a letter formally to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, President Buhari is not in such medical state, and therefore, the country is not currently facing any complications on account of his absence,’’ he added.

    He noted that under Yar’Adua, there was uncertainty about the role of the Vice President because the late President was not in a position to formally transfer power to his deputy, which necessitated the resort to the doctrine of necessity to enable Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to act in his absence.

    The media aide explained that “currently, none of these circumstances prevail in Nigeria on account of President Buhari’s absence for medical treatment’’.

    According to him, having transferred power formally to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, President Buhari did not leave Nigeria with any power vacuum.

    “Therefore, any suggestions of uncertainty or constitutional crisis are imaginary and exaggerated.’’

    He explained that with the Acting President Osinbajo already running the affairs of the country in the absence of President Buhari, people should stop creating artificial fears of crisis or uncertainty.

    He noted that governance had not grounded to a halt because President Buhari had duly complied with the constitution.

    Shehu appealed to conspiracy theorists not to pollute the polity by needlessly seeking to create an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty and suspicions in the country.

    The media aide said that the president publicly admitted he was sick and taking treatment and that he never pretended about his health condition, with the open admission.