Yemi Osinbajo
Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has, once again, taken the
helm of Africa’s most popolous nation while President Muhammadu Buhari
is in the UK for follow-up medical examinations.
helm of Africa’s most popolous nation while President Muhammadu Buhari
is in the UK for follow-up medical examinations.
Buhari, 74, spent nearly two months on medical leave in London
earlier this year, sparking speculations on his health and the future of
one of Africa’s largest economies. He left again on 7 May.
earlier this year, sparking speculations on his health and the future of
one of Africa’s largest economies. He left again on 7 May.
Before leaving Nigeria on both occasions, Buhari appointed his
deputy as acting president. Osinbajo has won praise for the leadership
skills he demonstrated during Buhari’s absence, fuelling speculations he
could replace Buhari if the latter became incapacitated.
deputy as acting president. Osinbajo has won praise for the leadership
skills he demonstrated during Buhari’s absence, fuelling speculations he
could replace Buhari if the latter became incapacitated.
Here are 5 things that Osinbajo has done while acting president:
1. Pledged help for victims of Boko Haram insurgency
After meeting with 82 girls released by Boko Haram insurgents in
May, Osinbajo vowed the federal government would prioritise investments
to foster the welfare of people affected by the insurgency. in the
country’s northeast.
May, Osinbajo vowed the federal government would prioritise investments
to foster the welfare of people affected by the insurgency. in the
country’s northeast.
Boko Haram fights against Western influence in Nigeria and aims to
impose its version of Sharia law throughout occupied territories. The UN
says at least 20,000 people have died in Nigeria and neighbouring
states since the Boko Haram insurgency became violent in 2009. The
conflict has also displaced at least 2.1 million people.
impose its version of Sharia law throughout occupied territories. The UN
says at least 20,000 people have died in Nigeria and neighbouring
states since the Boko Haram insurgency became violent in 2009. The
conflict has also displaced at least 2.1 million people.
“When you speak of the budget of Presidential Initiative on the
North-East (PINE) and Borno state and the other initiatives in the
Northeast, I think we have to take a second look on all of these
issues,” Osinbajo said. He added the current allocation for humanitarian services in the region was inadequate.
North-East (PINE) and Borno state and the other initiatives in the
Northeast, I think we have to take a second look on all of these
issues,” Osinbajo said. He added the current allocation for humanitarian services in the region was inadequate.
2. Fostered peace talks with Niger Delta militants
Osinbajo was appointed as head of a delegation tasked with
resolving the ongoing crisis in the Niger Delta. The oil-rich region is
seeing renewed violence at the hands of militant groups that bomb oil
and gas facilities, calling for an end to perceived disenfranchisement.
Groups also demand greater shares of oil revenues.
resolving the ongoing crisis in the Niger Delta. The oil-rich region is
seeing renewed violence at the hands of militant groups that bomb oil
and gas facilities, calling for an end to perceived disenfranchisement.
Groups also demand greater shares of oil revenues.
Earlier this year, Osinbajo met with leader of the restive Niger Delta region to discuss solutions to violence in the area.
On 9 May, he chaired a meeting of an Inter-Ministerial Comittee on Niger Delta.
3. Visited the Emir of Katsina
Osinbajo visited Abdulmumini Kabir Usman , the Emir of Katsina, a
state in northern Nigeria. The pair discussed a plan to extend a railway
line connecting Kaduna and Kano – two states in nortwestern Nigeria –
to Katsina to boost socio-economic development in the area.
state in northern Nigeria. The pair discussed a plan to extend a railway
line connecting Kaduna and Kano – two states in nortwestern Nigeria –
to Katsina to boost socio-economic development in the area.
While in Katsina, the acting president also attended the launch
ceremony of a Pilot Edition of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
Clinic for viable enterprises in the state, the News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) reported on 11 May.
ceremony of a Pilot Edition of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
Clinic for viable enterprises in the state, the News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) reported on 11 May.
4. Addressed protesters’ grievances
Osinbajo addressed grievances of the protesters who were calling
for economic reforms, and launched a 60-day action plan to improve the
business climate.
for economic reforms, and launched a 60-day action plan to improve the
business climate.
Protesters stormed the capital Abuja and the city of Lagos in
February, calling for better governance amid the ongoing economic
crisis. Among other things, people protested against unemployment and
issues including rising costs of foods and medicines, access to
education and lack of services including electricity.
February, calling for better governance amid the ongoing economic
crisis. Among other things, people protested against unemployment and
issues including rising costs of foods and medicines, access to
education and lack of services including electricity.
5. Inaugurated the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA)
In May, Osinbajo inaugurated the second of board of NSIA. The
inauguration took place after Buhari had approved the nominees earlier
this year.
inauguration took place after Buhari had approved the nominees earlier
this year.
NSIA is a government-owned investment agency. Established in 2011, it manages state funds destined for investments.
****
Via International Business Times
