9JA NEWS

Nigeria Has Been Badly Governed, But Now There Is Hope – VP Osinbajo 

Despite the bad governance Nigeria has experienced in the past, there is hope for the country, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo affirmed in Abuja on Tuesday. He made the assertion while receiving a delegation of the Northern States Pentecostal Bishops Forum in his office at the Presidential Villa, vice-presidential spokesman Laolu Akande said in a press statement. 

 

Prof. Osinbajo assured his guests that even though the times are hard today, there is great hope Nigeria will prosper. He stressed that no country in the world could face the kind of stealing that has taken place in Nigeria without confronting the consequences, such as the current economic challenges. 

On how badly Nigeria was governed before this administration, he spoke about the embezzlement of about $15B in one sector alone, presumably referring to the scandal in the office of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

In response to those who challenge the current government concerning its references to the past, he said it was important to do that, as that is why the current government is here.  

“We have not turned attention to the oil and gas sector, where the former CBN Governor alleged that $20B was stolen,” he said, but did not explain why. “We must condemn and stand up against this level of corruption. It is the single most important reason of the current state of the country. We can’t ignore it.” 

The Vice President then called on Christian and religious leaders generally in the country to condemn corruption openly, adding, “We can’t say because they are Christians or Muslims we won’t condemn those involved in corruption.”

Responding to the views of the leader of the delegation, Archbishop John Praise Daniel that members of the forum have been actively involved in the fight against corruption in Nigeria, the VP said indeed the country was “systematically destroyed.”


Of the Naira, he explained: “Our currency depreciated because we don't have the reserves to back it. At the height of the oil boom, there were no savings.”

In addition to the massive fall in oil prices, the VP stated that the vandalization of pipelines worsened the situation with the country losing about 1m barrels of oil per day in the past six months, adding that the vandals equally cut power supply short as gas pipelines were destroyed.

“That is the background for the sort of situation we find ourselves,” Prof Osinbajo asserted.  He however expressed renewed hope, saying: “God surely has a plan for this country. We (as a government) are open, honest, transparent and we shall use the resources of this country very well.”

He pointed out that the recent GDP figures released last week indicated clearly there is growth in agriculture and solid minerals, with the sectors of agriculture and solid minerals witnessing improvements. He further stated that the government’s social investment programmes are on course, and that the 500,000 jobs scheme, alongside others, will take off shortly.

Earlier, Archbishop Daniel expressed the support of the forum for the diversification of the Nigerian economy by the Buhari presidency, while calling for access to lower interest rates. The forum also asked the federal government to checkmate the violent herdsmen, create ranches in the states, and promote religious harmony.

Responding the Vice President noted that President Buhari has given clear instructions to the security agencies to deal with anyone, regardless of status, who carries arms and anyone who causes or perpetrates violence of any kind.

“The President has said twice in the past fortnight that anyone who commits atrocities must be arrested and tried and he has demonstrated that resolve,” Prof Osinbajo said.

He however pointed that generally the country’s criminal justice system is rather slow in delivering justice, adding that there is need for justice sector reforms.

“The justice system is very slow, not just in some cases, but generally extremely slow,” he said. “For example it takes forever before a murder trial gets to court.”

Dialogue With FG: Niger Delta Avengers Name Soyinka, Orji Kalu, Others As Commitee Members

Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, Mr. Orji Uzor Kalu, former Abia State governor, and five other prominent figures have been named as members of the commitee to the dialogue with Federal Government on behalf of the Niger Delta Avengers' Central and Eastern Zones as well as other splinter militants groups in the oil producing zone. Soyinka will serve as adviser to the committee.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by Ballatyne Agiri, contact person for the East and Central zones of the Niger Delta Avengers.

Other members of the comnittee are Professor Steve Odi Owei Etibom, DrAnthony A. Ani, Nalaguo Chris Alagoa Mrs. Alice Mobolaji  Osomo and Mr. Inienimi Ballantyne Agiri.

Buhari launches national re-orientation campaign in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja launched the national re-orientation campaign.

Themed “Change begins with me”, the campaign is geared towards engendering a holistic attitudunal change in Nigerians, thereby restoring credible value system, spirit of patriotism amongst others.

The campaign engineered by the Federal Ministry of Information is an offshoot of the change mantra of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. 

There are insinuations that the launch is a modified package of the defunct War Against Indiscipline, WAI, an anti-social vices programme of the military government led by Buhari as Head of State between 1983 and 1985.