PHOTONEWS: President Buhari receives briefing from Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in State House

Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari receives briefing from Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in State House on 13th March ,2017.

Buhari’s Doctors, Aides In Tug Of War Over His Possible Return Tomorrow

Presidency sources have said that President Muhammadu Buhari plans to return to Nigeria on Saturday after his test results came in “fine.” 

However, Mr. Buhari’s return remains uncertain as his team of doctors in the United Kingdom has yet to certify him fit to take on the significant burden of his office. 

It was learned that members of Mr. Buhari’s inner circle were pressuring him to return to Nigeria in order to avoid a power vacuum that could scale down their influence. Presidency sources have said that President Muhammadu Buhari plans to return to Nigeria on Saturday after his test results came in “fine.” However, Mr. Buhari’s return remains uncertain as his team of doctors in the United Kingdom has yet to certify him fit to take on the significant burden of his office.  SaharaReporters learned that members of Mr. Buhari’s inner circle were pressuring him to return to Nigeria in order to avoid a power vacuum that could scale down their influence.

FG adopts 16-point demand on Niger Delta as working document to resolve the crisis in the oil-rich region

The Federal Government may have adopted the 16-point demand presented by Niger Delta leaders, under the aegis of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), as working document to resolve the crisis in the oil-rich region, according to PANDEF.

PANDEF leaders hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for the step.

The leaders hinted, yesterday, that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo spoke about Federal Government’s favourable disposition to the 16-point demand being adopted as working document to end the Niger Delta crisis when he led a high-powered delegation to the region last week, beginning with Delta State.

Osinbajo is expected to visit two other Niger Delta states – Rivers and Akwa Ibom – as part of the peace shuttle to the region.

BREAKING NEWS: President Buhari Writes Senate Seeking a Ten Days Leave

President Muhammadu Buhari writes Senate seeking a ten days LEAVE between 23rd January to 6th February 2017.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is to serve as Acting President in Buhari's absence.


Letter read on the floor of the Senate by Senate President Bukola Saraki at Thursday's plenary.

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT: WE HAVE TO COMPLETELY DELEGITIMISE CORRUPTION, VP OSINBAJO SAYS

Osinbajo

Anti-Corruption agencies in the country have been urged to step up their engagement with the Nigerian public especially because there are still those who think when a politician who is their kinfolk steals, it is permissible.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, made the observation earlier today while meeting with a delegation of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC led by its Chairman, Prof. Itse Sagay at the Presidential Villa.

“How we communicate what is going on regarding corruption is important. There are still those who think a politician who steals, is some kind of Robin Hood, instead of being vilified,” Prof Osinbajo noted.

He added that “some people believe that if ‘my kinsman’ steals it is ok,” stressing that it is important to completely delegitimise corruption especially through the way it is communicated.

NIGERIA CAN'T BE ISLAMISED - OSINBAJO

Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday enjoined faith-based organisations in the country to shun rumours that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was moving to Islamise Nigeria.

He told religious leaders after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Student Christian Movement of Nigeria (SCM) in his office, that they should dwell on facts.

Recall that before the election in 2015, Prof. Osinbajo spoke out that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was not secretly plotting to Islamise Nigeria if it won the election.

He again reaffirmed that stand stressing that the rumour making the rounds about plans to make Islam the official religion of Nigeria were unfounded as the country “can’s be Islamised”.

Osinbajo emphasised that it was impossible to Islamise the country given the 1999 Constitution that forbids state religion.

PRESS RELEASE: BOTH PRESIDENT BUHARI, CHINESE PRESIDENT HAVE BUILT FOUNDATION FOR STRONG, LASTING NIGERIA-CHINA RELATIONSHIP, SAYS VP OSINBAJO

"I think it’s fair to say the foundation for a very strong and lasting relationship between Nigeria and China has been built by both our President, President Muhammadu Buhari and President Xi Jinping of China," Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, stated today at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking at a courtesy call by a Chinese delegation led by the Vice Minister of Commerce, Mr. Qiam Keming, Prof. Osinbajo lauded the existing excellent relations between Nigeria and the Peoples Republic of China.

“President Muhammadu Buhari considers our relationship with China a priority and I am sure in your discussions with the Minister of Budget & National Planning, he would have told you the importance the President attaches to our relationship," the Vice President stated while receiving the delegation that consisted Chinese members of the restored Nigeria-China Economic and Technical Joint Commission. (The commission which met last in 2009 has just resumed its meeting for the first time since then.)

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 TO REPRESENT NIGERIA AT 8th SUMMIT OF AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN & PACIFIC GROUP OF STATES IN PAPUA, NEW GUINEA

President Muhammadu Buhari will be represented by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, at the 8th Summit of Heads of States of African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States holding in Papua New Guinea from May 30-June 1.

According to Mr. Laolu Akande who is the Senior Special Assistant--(Media and Publicity) in the Office of the Vice President,  Prof. Osinbajo will join leaders from 78 other countries to address the summit in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea which will discuss the future of the ACP Group as a "revitalised cohesive force advocating the interests of its member states in the international arena."

TO ADVANCE DEVELOPMENT, AFRICAN LEADERS WILL GIVE PRIORITY TO AVAILABLE ENERGY SOURCES, OSINBAJO SAYS AT ADB ANNUAL MEETING IN ZAMBIA

African leaders would give priority to urgent matters of development including the use of fossil fuels and coal to generate power, while also attending to important issues around Climate Change.

This disclosure was expressed today by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, at the ongoing African Development Bank annual general meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, where he and other African leaders spoke at the High Level Roundtable on the theme: Energy and Climate Change.

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.

NEC APPROVES FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY PLAN FOR STATE GOVTS WITH FOCUS ON ACCOUNTABILITY & TRANSPARENCY

HIGHLIGHT OF 67TH NEC MEETING – THURSDAY, 19TH MAY, 2016

The National Economic Council, NEC held its monthly meeting on Thursday, presided over by the Chairman of the Council, the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Senior Special Assistant-Media & Publicity in the Office of the Vice President, Laolu Akande confirmed that besides other key highlights, the Council approved a Fiscal Sustainability Plan which is aimed at helping the states of the federation navigate the current economic conditions including a massive drop in Federation Account allocation funds.

NEC which is composed of all 36 State Governors and the CBN Governor, meets monthly.

HIGHLIGHTS

A. REPORT ON EXCESS CRUDE PROCEEDS
Honourable Minister of Finance (HMF) reported to the Council that the balance in the ECA stood at (USD 2,259,688,878.06 billion) as at 30th April, 2016. She disclosed that interest accrued on the account is USD 429,903.55 for the month of April 2016 experiencing a little drop in interest.

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.

From Plan to Action: Implementing the 2016 Budget - Six Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP)

Following passage of the 2016 budget, and its signing into law yest by President Muhammadu Buhari, the focus has shifted to Implementation. 

To this end a Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) has been put together by the Ministry of Budget & National Planning, & the Economic Management Team under the leadership of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

The Strategic Implementation Plan is a compendium of high-level interventions the FG will initiate/complete this fiscal year. 

The SIP assembles Budgetary Interventions, and Fiscal, Monetary, Trade & Investment Policy Reforms, to reflate & reposition the Economy for true and lasting Change. 

The SIP outlines more than 30 Specific, Measurable Priority Actions to be completed across 6 Strategic Intervention Areas, as follows:

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.”

PHOTONEWS: Buhari received G-19 Group of APC Party Leaders in Aso Villa

President Buhari received G-19 Group of APC Party Leaders in Statehouse on 4th May 2016.

 President Buhari with R-L: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of House of Representative Yakubu Dogara and Senate Majority Leader Senator Ali Ndume.

Code of Conduct Bureau - We’ve verified assets of Buhari, Osinbajo, others

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) said Wednesday that it has completed the verification of assets declared by President Mohammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Bukola Saraki and others top officials of the current administration.

The agency said, in a statement Wednesday that it was not true, as reported by a newspaper, that it was yet to conclude the verification of assets declared by Buhari, Osinbajo, Saraki and others.

PHOTONEWS: VP Osinbajo presided over Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Approved Strategic Implementation Plan for 2016 Budget

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo presided over today's Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. 

At the meeting Council approved the Strategic Implementation Plan for the 2016 Budget.

Nigerians Would Soon Begin To Smile, Says Buhari's Aide

Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, has said that his office had taken delivery of a preview copy of the revised 2016 Appropriation Bill.

Enang, who spoke to New Telegraph, gave assurance that Nigerians would soon smile, an indication that the processes must have largely been concluded by the Panel set up to clean up the budget.

His words: “We are just about to take delivery of the first copy for preview from the Committee of the National Assembly. We are like walking very closely to the end of the exercise.