THIS RAILWAY PROJECT IS CLOSE TO PRESIDENT BUHARI’S HEART, SAYS AG. PRESIDENT OSINBAJO

Being remarks by His Excellency, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, at the Ground-breaking ceremony of Segment II of the Lagos-Kano Railway Modernization Project, in Ebute-Meta, Lagos on March 7, 2017

PROTOCOLS:

I am extremely pleased and honored to be here this morning for the ground breaking ceremony of the Lagos-Ibadan section of the Lagos -Kano standard gauge railway project.

This is an epochal moment in our national life in many ways.

First, it signals the determination of our President & Commander-in- Chief, President Muhammadu buhari to modernize the national rail system in keeping with his promise to the Nigerian people. If there is a project close to the heart of the president, it is the rail project which he promised the nation upon assumption of office. The President himself made a visit to China, and reopened the negotiations on the Chinese support for this project.

PRESS STATEMENT: ACTING PRESIDENT RESCHEDULES TRIP TO ONDO STATE

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has had to reschedule his visit to Ondo State today. The trip had been set-up in continuation of his tour of the oil-producing communities which earlier took the Acting President to Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Imo States.

Prof. Osinbajo was already air-borne this morning when weather reports indicated dusty haze and very poor visibility at the Akure Airport and other alternative airports nearby.

The presidential jet therefore had to return to Abuja following which the weather condition was closely monitored until about 2:30pm, when it became abundantly clear that the situation would not change in time for the Acting President to achieve the purposes of the visit. The visit has therefore been rescheduled for Monday, the 20th of February, 2017.

ACTING PRESIDENT OSINBAJO PAYS TRIBUTE TO INNOCENT OPARADIKE

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, extends heartfelt condolences to the Oparadike family, the government and people of Imo State on the death of Chief Innocent Oparadike, a former Commissioner for Information and Culture in Imo State.

Prof Osinbajo also commiserates with the Nigerian Union of Journalists and the Nigerian Guild of Editors on the demise of their colleague and one of Nigeria’s brightest journalists and thinkers.

Acting President Osinbajo believes that the late Chief Oparadike, who had a very distinguished career as a journalist and administrator will be long remembered by his colleagues and admirers for his profound decency, boldness and uprightness.

ACTING PRESIDENT OSINBAJO CONGRATULATES NEW PRESIDENT OF SOMALIA

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, congratulates Mohammed Abdullahi Farmajo on his election as President of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Prof. Osinbajo also congratulates the people of Somalia on the successful conclusion of their electoral process, which is an important step in consolidating democracy and fully restoring law and order in the country.

Acting President Osinbajo affirms that Nigeria remains committed to supporting the peace, security, stability and development in Somalia and looks forward to working with President Farmajo on other key areas of shared interests and mutual concerns such as the fight against terrorism and security-sector reforms.

Easy Oil Money To Blame For Our Woes – Osinbajo

Having an easy source of revenues denied Nigeria the opportunity to engage in the critical thinking and prioritization that usually drives development, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo spoke on Thursday at the launching of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Port Services Support Portal (PSSP) for Nigerian Ports hosted by the Ministry of Transportation in Abuja.

In attendance were top government and private sector functionaries including Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi.

PRESS RELEASE: CURRENT DIFFICULT TIMES AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO RIGHT BY THE NIGERIAN PEOPLE—VP OSINBAJO

Although the nation may be passing through difficult times, the Buhari presidency will ensure that the Nigerian people benefit from the resources of the nation.

This indication was given today by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, during a courtesy visit by the Australian Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary, African Branch, Mr. Mathew Neuhaus who was accompanied by the country's High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Paul Lehmann.

VICE PRESIDENT OSINBAJO REPRESENTS NIGERIA AT EQUITORIAL GUINEA'S PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is representing Nigeria today at the swearing-in ceremony of President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equitorial Guinea. The country's presidential election held last month.

The inauguration is holding in Malabo, the country's capital. The Vice President returns to Abuja later today.

PRESS RELEASE: THE FUEL PRICING DEBATE: OUR STORY - VP OSINBAJO

Fellow Citizens:


I have read the various observations about the fuel pricing regime and the attendant issues generated. All certainly have strong points.

The most important issue of course is how to shield the poor from the worst effects of the policy. I will hopefully address that in another note.

Permit me an explanation of the policy. First, the real issue is not a removal of subsidy. At $40 a barrel there isn't much of a subsidy to remove.

In any event, the President is probably one of the most convinced pro-subsidy advocates.

Transcorruption agenda: Again, Lamido’s Trial Stalled Over Defence’s Absence

The trial of a former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, and his cohorts before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja could not continue on Monday, May 9, 2016, due to the absence of the counsels to the defendants.

Lamido is being prosecuted alongside his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, and two others by the EFCC, on a 27-count charge bordering on abuse of office and money laundering. 

At the resumed hearing today, the prosecution counsel, Chile Okoroma, presented to the court a letter dated May 6, 2016 from Joe Agbi, SAN, one of the defence counsels, stating the unavailability of the other counsels due to some inexplicable reasons.

PRESS RELEASE: ‘ONCE CONSIDERED USELESS, BUHARI PRESIDENCY HAS MADE US KINGS’—— RICE & WHEAT FARMERS ASSOCIATIONS

*VP: IN TODAY’S NIGERIA, FARMERS ARE IMPORTANT PEOPLE

THE Buhari presidency has a clear idea on how to execute its agricultural policy to achieve self-sufficiency in food production, and diversify the economy in the process, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Speaking today at a meeting in his office with a delegation of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, and the Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria, alongside Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu, the Vice President praised rice and wheat farmers, saying “farmers are among the most important people in Nigeria today.”

Prof. Osinbajo said by launching the CBN Anchor Borrowers financing initiative in Kebbi State, while also flagging-off the dry season rice and wheat farming late last year, what the President did was setting-off an agricultural revolution without saying so. He added that President’s action also “showed he had a clear idea of how to execute a formidable agricultural policy.”

IT’S A NEW DAY IN ASO ROCK, OUR PROBLEMS ARE TEMPORARY & RESOLVABLE, VP OSINBAJO SAYS

• UNVEILS PACKAGE TO STIMULATE TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN NIGERIA

Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has restated the resolve of the Buhari administration towards instituting a new culture of probity and accountability in governance saying “it’s a new day in Aso Rock”.

"Nearly a year on- there are many problems and many have asked where is the change? Is this the change we voted for? Even some fifth columnists in our midst have suggested bring back corruption," according to the Vice President while speaking today at The Platform, a public engagement forum organized by the Covenant Church led by Pastor Poju Oyemade.

Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo then declared matter-of-factly that "the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is completely and irrevocably committed to change. "

WE ARE NOW IN THE ERA OF GETTING THINGS DONE – VP OSINBAJO

Nigerians have never lacked ideas, but the time has come for the nation to transform brilliant ideas into reality by diligently following-up on plans and coming together to achieve objectives.


This view was expressed today by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, while receiving at the Presidential Villa, a delegation of Nigerian CEOs who attended the Indian Manufacturing Conclave - an industrial conference- last month in New Delhi.

"Almost all of us are certain about what the country needs to do but the critical problem is the capacity to get things done. What is important is what we do with all the ideas,” according to the Vice President.

Anti-corruption war: Buhari, 59 world leaders agree sanctions on looters

The party appears to be over for public officers in the habit of looting the nation’s treasury.

The Federal Government and 59 other nations will in May sign agreement on the sanctions to be imposed on corrupt political and public office holders.

President Muhammadu Buhari will join 59 other world leaders in the United Kingdom to seal the pact by which any of the 60 countries involved would no longer be a “safe haven” for treasury looters.

Some of the sanctions that may be imposed on culprits include: travel restriction or denial of entry visa into the 60 countries;rejection of request for political asylum by corrupt political and public office holders;likely loss of citizenship;no more approval of naturalization for any corrupt person;no establishment of shell companies abroad; andthe corrupt will not be allowed to operate foreign accounts in any of the 60 nations.