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Tag: Yemi Osinbajo

Osinbajo Attends 2023 Mo Ibrahim Forum In Kenya

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday attended the opening ceremony of the 2023 Mo Ibrahim Governance Weekend in Nairobi, Kenya.

The event was held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation, the organiser of the annual forum, was established in 2006 with a critical focus on the importance of good governance and leadership for Africa. This year’s theme is “Global Africa.”

The forum, tagged The Ibrahim Governance Weekend (IGW), brings together leading voices from across Africa and beyond to discuss germane issues around the progress of the African Continent.

April 29, 2023
Osinbajo To Deliver Lecture On Climate Change In US

Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday departed Abuja, the nation’s for the United States of America where he is scheduled to deliver a Special Lecture at the University of Pennsylvania, UPenn in Philadelphia.

According to a release issued by media aide to the Vice President, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo’s lecture on Monday with the theme “Climate Change and a Just Transition”, is to be hosted by the University’s Center for Africana Studies.

Outside the lecture, the Vice President will also participate in an interactive session with students and faculty coordinated by Presidential Penn Compact Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, Wale Adebanwi.

Osinbajo, a leading voice and strong advocate for a Just Energy Transition for Africa and the developing world, is currently spearheading efforts aimed at creating the African Carbon Market as one of the pathways of a just and sustainable transition.

The Vice President is expected back in Abuja right after his engagements in Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania.

UPenn which is one of the eight private universities known as the Ivy League in the United States was initially established in 1740 as a charity school. It was later transformed into an academy in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin, a future founding father of the United States, who also served as the first president of the Board of Trustees of the University.

It was founded through the merger of the Afro-American Studies Program and the Center for the Study of Black Literature and Culture at the University of Pennsylvania in 2015. The Center is hosting the Vice President’s Special Lecture in partnership with other faculties of the University such as PennCarey Law, Perry World House, Wharton Business School, Coalition for Equity and Opportunity and Perelman School of Medicine.

April 23, 2023
Gbajabiamila salutes Osinbajo at 66

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has rejoiced with Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on his 66th birthday.

Gbajabiamila, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, lauded the VP’s commitment to Nigeria.

He described Osinbajo as a blessing not just to his family but also to humanity, owing to his selfless service to Nigeria.

Speaker Gbajabiamila noted that Osinbajo has paid his dues and served the country diligently even before becoming the Vice President.

Gbajabiamila prayed for more fruitful years in good health for the Vice President.

March 8, 2023
Osinbajo Presides Over FEC Meeting

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is presiding over the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meting at the State House, Abuja.

Osinbajo is standing in for President Muhammadu Buhari who is away to Seoul, South Korea to attend the maiden World Bio Summit.

The meeting holding at the Council Chambers is being attended by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari and National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd).

Ministers present at the meeting include that of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami; Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Power, Abubakar Aliyu and Attorney General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami.

October 26, 2022
Nigeria Has Innate Qualities to Become Digital Economy Global Leader – Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said Nigeria has the requisite talents, creativity and acumen to become a world leader in the digital economy.

The VP made the comment on Monday at the Nigeria Digital Economy Summit (NDES) themed “Web 3.0, Blockchain & DeFi: Impact on Africa’s Digital Economy”.

Osinbajo highlighted the future of technology, digital economy and what it means globally but especially for Nigeria.

The vice president urged the nation to use the right approach and policy to harness its human capital and potential.

He told the gathering that a new world is unfolding, unlike Web 1 and 2 “where we were relatively disadvantaged”.

Osinbajo recalled when people didn’t have phones and could not take advantage of the reach telecommunication gave digital innovation and financial inclusion.

“We are now better positioned to be significant players in Web 3. We have the talent to build and grow major tech companies.

“At the last count, we have 6 unicorns and many more on the way. But we must spend time on the development of digital skills.”

The VP called for more synergy between government (public) and the private sector in driving the digital economy revolution.

Osinajo added that both sectors must find ways to ensure “policy is way ahead for development”.

He confirmed the Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme (GEEP) platform deployed for TraderMoni and MarketMoni was built by a local firm.

October 11, 2022
Why Osinbajo is Not Part of APC/Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council

Minister of State for Employment, Festus Keyamo, who also serves as the spokesperson of the APC Presidential candidate, has given reasons why Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo is not on the presidential campaign council of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the list of 422-member APC Presidential Campaign Council released on Friday, September 23, in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari is the Chairman of the campaign council that has the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and national chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, as deputy chairman, one and two respectively.

Nigerians raised eyebrows when Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who was a presidential aspirant at the last June convention where Tinubu emerged as the flag bearer, was missing from the list.

In a statement released this afternoon, Keyamo clarified that President Buhari had asked that Osinbajo and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, be excluded from the campaign council so they can focus on the governance of the country and the administration of government.

Read the statement below

September 24, 2022
Osinbajo Arrives In London Ahead Of Queen Elizabeth’s Funeral

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has arrived in London ahead of the state funeral for the late Queen Elizabeth ll of the United Kingdom.

Professor Osinbajo who departed Abuja on Saturday would be representing Nigeria at a number of events while in the UK, including the funeral service.

Upon his arrival in London on Sunday, according to his media aide Laolu Akande, the Vice President paid respects at the Queen’s Lying in State at Westminster.

He also signed the condolence register, saying, “Nigeria joins government, people of UK, Commonwealth, and rest of the world in expressing our sincere condolence to the royal family on the passing of a monarch for all seasons. May the Lord bless her memory.”

Thereafter, Akande in a tweet, said Professor Osinbajo was received by UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs, James Cleverly.

At the meeting, Cleverly expressed gratitude for Nigeria’s solidarity with the UK at its time of grief and both men discussed the interest of the British Prime Minister, Liz Truss, in deepening the relationship with Nigeria.

Later in the evening (on Sunday), the Vice President would be received alongside the world leaders – including members of the Commonwealth, Heads of State, Governors-General, Prime Ministers, and foreign royal families – by King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla at a reception in Buckingham Palace.

Akande said that Professor Osinbajo would also join members of the royal family and the world leaders at the funeral service scheduled to hold at Westminster Abbey on Monday.

Queen Elizabeth ll was the Head of the Commonwealth and the longest serving British monarch. She passed on at 96 on September 8 at the Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

Ahead of her funeral, more world leaders have begun to arrive in London, with 500 Heads of State and foreign dignitaries invited.

Earlier on Sunday, US President Joe Biden who was in Westminster Hall alongside his wife, Jill, to pay his respects to the late British monarch, was filmed appearing on the balcony overlooking Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin.

Others such as Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, also paid their respects to the late queen as her body lies in state in Westminster Hall.

September 18, 2022
Energy Transition: Osinbajo Departs For US

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) on Wednesday morning jetted to the United States of America to seek global partnerships and support for Nigeria’s recently launched Plan.

According to a statement by the VP’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo will meet his American counterpart, Kamala Harris; World Bank Group, and other partners.

The trip is coming about one month after Osinbajo’s successful surgery.

Osinbajo is leading Nigeria’s Energy Transition Implementation Working Group on the US mission with meetings starting from September 1 to promote the plan and secure global support from the US government, the private sector, and other development partners.

Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan launched last week is said to need at least $10 billion per annum above business as usual spending for effective implementation.

At the launch, the World Bank and a renewable energy organization – Sun Africa, pledged a sum of $1.5 billion each totaling an initial $3 billion investment to support the implementation of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan.

The Nigerian VP will also meet US Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm; Secretary of Treasury, Janet Yellen; and President of World Bank Group, David Malpass; among others.

The Vice President’s delegation to the US will include Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu; Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva; amongst others.

Osinbajo is expected to return to Abuja early next week.

August 31, 2022
10 Nigerian States Have GDPs Bigger Than That Of Some Nations – Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the gross domestic capital (GDPs) of 10 Nigerian states are greater than that of some African nations.

Osinbajo made the comment on Sunday when some Harvard Business School students visited him at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, maintaining that Nigeria should not be economically compared with “smaller” African nations.

“For instance, Borno State is about the size of the whole of the United Kingdom plus Sweden or Denmark,” Osinbajo said, according to a statement from his media aide Laolu Akande.

“So, when it is reported that there is violence in Nigeria, it is probably an incident in one remote area of the country, and many people in Abuja and Lagos may hear about it on social media, such is the size of this country.

“When they talk about the economy, we are often compared with smaller African countries, but there are 10 states in Nigeria that have bigger GDPs than those countries, it is a huge target market.”

VP Osinbajo also added that he values integrity, transparency, and social justice, noting that he assumed office with these.

He said, “for me, spirituality connotes values. I came into government with values about what I think is important, especially around transparency, social justice, and justice, among others. You are almost always a product of the values you believe in. Fortunately, a lot of these values cut across different faiths, they are not necessarily restricted to a religion or one faith.

“In societies that are more developed institutionally, you don’t need to be told that you shouldn’t do certain things because you could end up in jail if you do and there is a good likelihood that you could be detected and the process will go through and you will be punished.

“I speak about corruption and all that. But where the institutions are weak, some people have reasons for not doing the right thing.”

August 29, 2022
FG Ready to Resolve Tariff Shortfalls In Power Sector – Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has assured that the inauguration of a board for the Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO) will enhance ongoing efforts to resolve liabilities relating to tariff shortfalls for distribution companies, among other challenges plaguing the nation’s power sector.

The company has been running without a duly constituted board since the first one was inaugurated in 2013 and dissolved shortly after.

Speaking weekend at the virtual inauguration of the new 10-man board of NELMCO in Abuja, Osinbajo stressed that the inauguration marks an important milestone in the bid to resolve the liabilities relating to tariff shortfalls in the power sector (specifically for Distribution Companies), and to provide a veritable mechanism for managing the very dynamic nature of the liquidity challenges of the power sector in Nigeria.

According to him, “this ceremony formally brings on board the invaluable skills and experience of notable and highly respected personalities as members of the Board of NELMCO.”

On what is expected from the new board, the Vice President told the members that, “as a board, you are expected to make conscious and deliberate efforts to develop appropriate strategies to facilitate the successful conclusion of the outstanding pre-privatisation issues of the defunct PHCN, and ensure an effective implementation of NELMCO’s additional mandate to resolve the tariff shortfall problems of the Electricity Distribution Companies.

“In view of the challenges ahead, you are expected to draw extensively on our experience over the years, to continue to give credence to the Federal Government of Nigeria’s economic development programme in a transparent, sustainable, credible and acceptable manner.

“The Board is required to take appropriate steps to also ensure that the interests of the various segments of our society, particularly the ordinary citizens, are protected in the implementation of NELMCO’s mandate”.

Commenting on the board’s mandate, Osinbajo charged members to diligently carry out the responsibilities assigned to the board in accordance with the provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association (MEMART) of the Company.

Some of the provisions of the MEMART of the Company include: To assume and administer the stranded debts of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Plc pursuant to the provisions of Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005.

To manage post-privatisation liabilities in the power sector as may be directed by the National Council on Privatisation, or any authorized agency of the Federal Government from time to time in line with the power sector reform act 2005.

Responding on behalf of the members, the Board Chairperson and Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, assured the Vice President of the board’s preparedness to ensure quick resolution of tariff shortfalls and related issues in the power sector in the most efficient manner.

Other members of the board include the Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu; Director General of Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Alex Okoh; Director General of Debt Management Office (DMO), Ms. Patience Oniha;

Managing Director of NELMCO, Mr. Bayo Fagbemi and Mr. Muhammad Aliyu Jumma’a.

Other members of the board are Mr. Olufunso Olutola Olukoga; Dr Chinedum Orisakwe; Mojoyinoluwa Dekalu-Thomas and Dr Nurain Hassan Ibrahim.

In a related development, the BPE Director General, Mr. Alex Okoh, has said the take-over of four electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) namely that of Kaduna, Kano, Ibadan and Port Harcourt has been concluded successfully.

Okoh, who disclosed this in a presentation made at a virtual meeting of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) added that the challenge in the takeover of the Benin DISCO is being addressed.

The NCP is chaired by the Vice President who was represented at the meeting by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, who also doubles as the Vice Chairperson of the Council.

In his report to the Council, the BPE DG also made a presentation on the concession of the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant, inviting NCP to note steps taken by the Bureau to fast track the process.

Okoh thereafter presented for approval a proposal to amend the Procedures Manual of the BPE, especially in the areas of legal framework; reform activities; pre-transaction activities; project advisory and delivery team; receipt of technical and financial transaction strategies, and opening and evaluation of technical proposals, among others.

August 21, 2022