Tag: Professor Yemi Osibanjo

Osinbanjo Commends Gov. Ikpeazu On Good Governance

Gov. Ikpeazu Says Christmas Is Season Of Giving
Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu

The Acting President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, has commended the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, over what he describes as “the smart business approach to governance”.

Professor Osinbajo said this when Governor Ikpeazu led a delegation of some top functionaries of Abia state government alongside top Aba business/industry leaders to a meeting with Osinbajo and top federal government functionaries in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

A press statement issued by the office of the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ikpeazu, revealed that the meeting held at the Acting President’s office in Aso Rock Villa, was a follow up meeting on the economic development plan of the state, especially as it concerns support for the growth of Small Scale and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Aba.

No Business With China

While commending Governor Ikpeazu’s “smart business approach to governance”, Professor Osinbajo restated that Aba is very strategic and important to the country in terms of innovation, manufacturing and production.

“Nigeria has no business with China if all hands are on deck to develop Aba as a major industrial base.

“I commend Governor Ikpeazu’s unflinching campaign for made in Aba products which quality have improved across board.

“I must say that the made in Aba campaign has raised the tempo in demand for Aba made goods, therefore, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAGDAC) and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) as federal agencies should ensure that Aba business community have no difficulty registering their products” Osinbajo said.

Governor Ikpeazu, while making his presentation, outlined his administration’s MSME development plan for Aba industrial zone and thanked the FG for partnering with the state to develop the economy of Aba and Abia State.

He stressed on the need for rapid development of Aba as the SME capital of Nigeria, adding that Aba has the capacity and potentials to make Nigeria truly the giant of Africa.

“I want to say that if Aba is given adequate attention, which includes infrastructural and human capacity development, it has the potential and capacity, as the SME capital of Nigeria, to position Nigeria as truly the giant of Africa.

“Our government is doing all we can to ensure the infrastructural turnaround of Aba within the limited resources of the state, but we can’t do it alone, that is why we are thankful to the Federal Government for showing very strong interest in partnering with us to develop Aba as the SME capital of our dear country.

“I must say, it is our collective resolve to promote goods and services made in Aba, and we will not relent in the campaign.

“We call on the Federal Government and multinational companies as well as individuals to not only join us in the campaigns, but also patronise made in Aba goods.

“My administration is also looking forward to the time when all government procurement would give priority to locally manufactured goods to support local producers” the governor said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okey Enelama has informed Governor Ikpeazu, that the FG’s plan on the development of Aba industrial zone which is part of the 2017 budget, will soon come on stream.

We Will Do All To Support Local Producers, Manufacturers – Osinbajo

We Will Do All To Support Local Producers, Manufacturers – Osinbajo The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, has again said that the quest for development of local capacity is a panacea for rapid economic growth.

He made this assertion during the Southeast maiden edition of Nationwide Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Clinic held at Aba, after the media launch in Abuja on Tuesday.

Using as an analogy, the story President Muhammadu Buhari once told him about the importance of taking care of people “who do the things that make us comfortable”, the Vice President observed “it is important to pay attention to MSMES”.

“We will spend time to ensure that we give those who produce locally all the support that we can give, and that is why we are doing this clinics,” he said.

The Vice President went round the stands of all the agencies at the Aba MSMES Clinic and also those of several businesses and local manufacturers, all of whom were obviously elated at the Federal Government’s gesture to re-orient the relationship between them and the agencies.

He said that “you can’t do much for manufacturing without coming to Aba,” and adding that Aba traders, artisans, tailors, shoemakers and others “are the bedrock of our economy.”

According to him, the Nigerian government agenda is to create sustainable platform through its relevant agencies that would ensure that businesses in the country that produce locally made goods are given adequate support and wider spectrum to grow.

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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo examining some footwears made in Aba

He urged the relevant government agencies to see themselves as facilitators of the businesses and remove bottlenecks that are often reported when enterprises have something to do with the agencies.

Commenting at the Clinic, the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okpezie Ikpeazu, who accompanied the Vice President said “with the visit of the Acting President to Abia today, the story of Aba traders will change. The visit of the Acting President is a testimony that something new is happening here.”

Professor Osinbajo who has since returned to Abuja, was also accompanied by the Industry, Trade and Investment Minister, Dr. Okey Enelamah, among several other senior government officials.

The Office of the Special Adviser on Economic Matters in the Presidency devised the idea of a Clinic to bridge the gap between medium and small scale businesses and government agencies such as Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC; Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON; National Agency for Food & Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC; Bank of Industry, BOI; Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS; Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC; and others.

The Clinic is meant to bring together all those agencies in one spot and at appointed times across the country to attend to the needs, questions and requests of people doing business.

We Need Dedication, Hard Work To Win Ondo, Oyegun Tells APC Members

apc-members-at-ondo-rallyThe National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr John Oyegun, has asked members of his party in Ondo State to mobilise for the governorship candidate of the party, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, in the November 26, election in Ondo State.

Mr Oyegun told members of the party on Thursday that wrestling power out of the hands of an incumbent government was not an easy task.

“For the APC to win the poll, dedication and hard work are major requirements needed from its members,” he said.

The Chairman of the APC spoke at the flag-off campaign of Mr Akeredolu held on Thursday in Akure, the State’s Capital, which was attended by prominent chieftains of the party from across Nigeria.

Mr Oyegun explained how important the state was to the Federal Government which it is in control of, emphasising that the state must join the mainstream politics.

The APC chairman said they would not allow the state to continue to remain in the hands of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, urging the electorates to give 90 per cent votes to his party.

“Are you happy with the present government in Ondo state? Do you want change? It is not easy to change. It is very easy to change and remove the present government but it requires hard work and dedication. I am convinced that the 26th of this month November is a day for us.

“I assure you that we in Abuja will support you to ensure that the APC takes over power in Ondo. Just as we will not let you down, please, pick your PVC and let it be ready. Tell your friends, family and other relatives, you need to vote for the APC, as this is the only party that can give you the desired change you are yearning for,” he told the crowd of supporters.

On his part, Mr Akeredolu boasted that the APC in the state would not miss the opportunity of joining the mainstream politics.

“We are committed to fighting this course. We should work together to ensure victory at the polls come November 26. We have promised that we will create jobs for the youths, through agriculture, entrepreneurship and Industrialisation.

“Our workers have not received their salaries in a long while but we will ensure that that becomes a thing of the past if we are elected into power.

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Members of the All Progressives Congress and supporters at the campaign in Ondo

“We will not frustrate the people but will bring smile to their faces.

“Twice this party has called me and twice I have answered the call. It is a call to serve the people and liberate the people of Ondo State and I believe that together we will triumph, with your support.

“Look at the calibre of governors, ministers and party members here. Let us vote right and vote for the APC, the winning party,” the APC candidate appealed.

He noted that as long as the APC was ruling in Lagos, Osun, Oyo, Ogun and other states in the south-west, the party must take over Ondo State.

Some of the top party members at the rally were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, who represented the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who represented the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yusuf Lasun Governors, Plateau, Simon Lalong, Borno, Kashim Shettima, Ogun, Ibikunle Amosun, Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal and Bauchi, Muhammed Abubakar.

Others were, Ministers of Defence, Mansur Mohammed Dan Ali, Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, Communication, Adebayo Shittu, Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, Niger Delta, Pastor Usani Uguru, Niger Delta (state), and Professor Cladius Daramola.

Also at the rally were Senator Joshua Dariye, Senator Olorumbe Mamora, Sola Iji, Pauline Tallen, and Chief Ayo Akinyelure, Segun Oni, Adeniyi Adebayo, Isaac Kekemeke, Ali Olanusi, Tayo Alasoadura and Ade Adetimehin, Osita Izunaso among others.