Security

Osinbajo Harps on Role of Traditional Rulers in Tackling Insecurity

By Web News 566

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on traditional rulers in the country to continue to play a vital role in securing their communities and domains.

The Vice President made the call at an event in Ibadan tagged “the dancing steps of Olubadan”, which was organized by the Yoruba World Center on behalf of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Ọlálékan Balogun.

Vice President Osinbajo, represented by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Niyi Akintola, said the roles of traditional rulers in the security of lives and property could not be overemphasized, hence the need for them to live up to expectations, especially at a time the nation is bedeviled with security challenges.

Vice President Osinbajo also implored traditional rulers in Yoruba land to always enlighten their people in order not to allow any act to cause division among the race.

Professor Osinbajo heaped praises on the Olubadan of Ibadan land for his fatherly role which had come to bear within his first 100 days on the throne.

He equally commended the organizer of the event, noting that such an occasion was crucial to preserving the Yoruba Culture.

In a remark, Chairman on the occasion, Ọtun Olubadan of Ibadan land, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, who was represented by the APC Candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Alhaji Sharafadeen Allí, urged Yorubas not to allow anything, especially politics bring disunity among them.

Convener of the event and Publisher of Alaroye newspaper, Mr Alao Adedayo said the ceremony was organized to promote and showcase the rich culture of Yoruba to the world.

Oluwakayode Banjo

 

Politics

Presidential Ambition: Ogun Residents Rally Support for Osinbajo

By Web News 420

Some residents of Ogun State, under the aegis of “the New Tribe, Ogun State have taken to the streets of Abeokuta, the state capital in a solidarity rally for the presidential ambition of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

The rally was held few hours after Vice President Osinbajo declared his intention to contest for the president in next year’s elections.

The group, which was led by the three-time gubernatorial candidate in Ogun State, Prince Gboyega Isiaka, marched through the streets of Abeokuta, expressing their satisfaction with the vice president’s declaration.

Prince Isiaka, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress while speaking said the walk was in solidarity and approval of the declaration by Professor Yemi Osinbajo to run for the President of Nigeria in 2023.

He said various support groups had shown readiness to work for him towards winning the election.

The Ogun West Senatorial aspirant also explained that he did not view the vice president’s declaration as a betrayal to the former Lagos Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu.

Wale Oluokun

Economy

Take Advantage Of Afcfta: Osinbajo Advises Nigerian Exporters

By Web News 830

The Federal Government will continue to support Nigerian exporters through its various agencies bringing about necessary reforms to boost the growth of the country’s non-oil exports, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Professor Osinbajo also urged exporters to take advantage of opportunities for growth in the African market through the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.

The Vice President stated this on Wednesday when he received at the Presidential Villa, a delegation of major agro-exporters in the country.

The delegation came with the CEO/Executive Director of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Mr. Segun Awolowo who formally developed a Zero-Oil Plan designed to move Nigeria away from being an oil-dependent economy.

Highlighting the approval of the National Development Plan on Wednesday by the Federal Executive Council, the VP stated that “one of the major components of that Plan is that we are trying to move away as much as possible from our dependence on oil and gas proceeds as our major sources of foreign exchange. You have seen a trend towards that in revenue figures.”

He further said, “we believe attention needs to be paid to exports generally. Of all the various plans of government that we have, one of the critical things for us now is that we all know that we are moving away very quickly from oil.”

Noting that Nigeria is a principal player in the AfCFTA agreements, the VP stated that Nigerian exporters and businesses can be major beneficiaries of the Agreements.

“For us economically, beginning now, we cannot afford to have a situation where for any reason at all, an area of competitive advantage for us which is agro-export suffers in any way on account of something we can help. Anything we can do, there shouldn’t be a cause for any kind of hindrance to agro-export,” he said.

On support for agro-exports, Prof. Osinbajo stated that government agencies will continue to explore measures to boost exports and improve the economy generally, even as he noted that “agro exporters here are the end-users of the services of government”

He further noted that “most of the government agencies here have already worked with us in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) (which the VP chairs). As members of PEBEC, we already know what government’s intentions and desires are and we are not averse to criticisms or comments coming from the end-users of government services.

“We should be able to have a robust, free and frank conversation so that we can take steps to remedy whatever needs to be remedied so that we can achieve something for our country and people.”

In his remarks, the Executive Director of Nigeria Export Promotion Council, NEPC, Mr. Awolowo, commended the Federal Government for its efforts and giving credence to non-oil exports in the National Development Plan, even as he said the country could no longer rely on oil as its major foreign exchange earner.

“This meeting is crucial and the exporters are delighted that we have raised it to this level. This shows the government is listening and ready to answer us,” he stated.

In the same vein, the presidential Special Adviser on Ease of Doing Business, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, highlighted efforts by government to tackle challenges and improve the business environment, such as automation of processes and single window interfaces as it affects trading in and out of the country.

Similarly, the Acting MD, Nigeria Ports Authority, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, spoke on efforts by the NPA to tackle issues related to export trade and further boost the country’s exports.

Bello-Koko noted that “with the call-up system, special concessions are given to export containers as long as they are good to go, which means the shipping company is ready to accept the container and documentation is complete and ready.”

He also mentioned that NPA is “working with Nigeria Export Promotion Council to create export processing terminals, about 10 in Lagos and about 5 in Ogun.”

In their remarks, the agro-exporters thanked the VP for the opportunity to interact with him and the efforts by government towards finding solutions to their business challenges, including the issues with delays at the ports, as well as charges from shipping lines that encumber exports. They also called for fast-tracking for the shipment of perishable items out of the country.

Senior government officials at the meeting included the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Mariam Katagum; Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu; as well as representatives of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Customs Service.

Members of the delegation made up of leading exporters in the country include Chairman of Starlink Global Nigeria Ltd, Alhaji Adeyemi Adeniji; Managing Director of Grafil Farms Limited, Dr. Forster E. Ihejiofor; CEO of AJ’s Nigeria Limited, Mr John Oshevire and Chairman of Omonide Farms Limited, Mr Olumide Olayomi.

Adewumi Faniran

Environment

Ikoyi High-Rise Collapse: Osinbajo Saddened, Condoles With Affected Families

By Web News 540

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is saddened by the events that occurred in Lagos on Monday, 1st of November 2021, where a high-rise building under construction on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, collapsed.

He condoles with the families and relatives of all those who have died, were injured or affected in the collapse. Prof. Osinbajo considers this painful loss of lives a horrible tragedy.

Also, the attention of the Vice President has been drawn to an obviously sponsored falsehood regarding the recently collapsed building published by Sahara Reporters on November 4th, 2021, to the effect that:

1. The VP owns the land upon which the collapsed building in Ikoyi stood.

2. That the said land was sold to him by Chief Michael Ade. Ojo, Chairman of Elizade Motors; and

3. That the Vice President, at some point, intervened with the regulatory authorities in Lagos State to unseal the said property. 

Let it be made absolutely clear that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo does not own and has never owned the said land.

He has also never been involved, in any shape or form, in the development of this or any other land since he became Vice President.

At no time whatsoever did the VP buy this or any other piece of land from Chief Michael Ade. Ojo, or entered into any transaction for the sale of that land or any other piece of land from Chief Ade. Ojo or anyone for that matter.

All property and assets owned by the Vice President have been publicly declared.

Also, the Vice President has never spoken to the Governor of Lagos State or any other official of the State Government regarding the unsealing of the said building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, which subsequently collapsed. He has, indeed, never acted to influence any other regulatory action on the collapsed building, or any other building for that matter, in Lagos State.

The Vice President restates categorically that he has no interest whatsoever, and has never had any interest, either legally or beneficially, in the land, the building or development.

The wickedness and viciousness of a lie that seeks to utilise a tragedy where so many people have lost their lives, even as rescue efforts are ongoing, and in wanton disregard to the feelings and untold grief of their loved ones for political gain, reveals a dangerous desperation, as well as the heartlessness of the perpetrators of such despicable lies.

Sahara Reporters were undoubtedly well rewarded for their criminal and inhumane conduct. Typical of a hatchet job and deliberately irresponsible journalism, the publication was not signed by anyone.

The Vice President has referred this disgraceful publication to his lawyers for prompt legal action.

Laolu Akande,

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,

Office of the Vice President.

05 November 2021

Economy

Religious Leaders, Traditional Rulers Frustrate Action Against Corrupt Individuals — Osinbajo

By Web News 743

Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, has said that whenever he wants to sack a public official who has been found to be corrupt, he gets many calls from religious and political leaders not to do so.

Speaking at 24th Nigerian Economic Summit plenary on corruption and rule of law, in Abuja Monday, Osinbajo stated that the Nigerian elite are often times get in the way of ridding the public service of corrupt executives.

Ngaire Woods, the founding dean of Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University, who moderated the plenary had asked Osinbajo to tell the summit who calls him when he wants to sack someone corrupt.

In his response, Osinbajo stated: “I would like to refer to the Nigerian elite, and it’s probably not fair to be that broad, but practically, every segment, because people who have access to you, they could be political leaders, religious leaders, business leaders, whoever has access to you.

“We have a system where people just feel like, ‘why don’t  you just give this guy a break?’ Which again is part of the problem. You don’t  get one call, you get several  calls”.

Osinbajo said the government is doing so much to tackle grand corruption and systemic corruption. He stated that since he became vice-president, he has seen how much impact corruption can have on a country, adding that it’s more than he ever imagined.

Meanwhile the Vice President at same event tackled the  Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development,  OECD,  countries for not doing enough to fast-track return of looted funds.

He charged the nations who are recipients of corruption proceeds to simplify the process of return of such funds to the countries of origin.

His words, “It is very obvious that the systems in many of these countries, simply, are not in any hurry to return the money.

“Of course what the people will say is that there is a judicial system in those countries, anyway.

“It is also obvious that in the same system, when monies related to terrorism or drugs were found, they were very quickly confiscated.

“As a matter fact, in the ‘90s when drug money was all over the place, we signed all manners of mutual legal assistance treaties, conventions of every kind and immediately after 9/11, terrorism financing and all of that was under close scrutiny.

“As a matter of fact, it is, in my view, only by virtue of the fact that terrorism financing came into focus that the proceeds of corruption also came into focus”.

Continuing, he said: “ No one was prepared in the mid ‘90s, especially the OECD countries, none of them was prepared, at that time, to consider the proceeds of corruption as dirty money, which ought to be confiscated and returned to the country from where they came.

“There was a great deal of reluctance. And so we have to go through the legal system, go through the courts, engage the governments and all of that.   No one is in a hurry to return the looted funds.

“Recipient nations should see stolen funds for what they are. First of all, that it is a crime. Once you are able to prove, prima facie, that these are stolen funds, they should be repatriated to the countries from where they were stolen.

“There shouldn’t be any complicated process.   I think often, we are caught up in arguments that are clearly not necessary, in this process.”

The Vice President, further criticized the banking regulatory institutions of countries where proceeds of corruption were received, for doing nothing against such banks.

“The second thing is to hold the banks to account.   Many of the banks are regulated by various institutions in their countries.   But many of these institutions don’t say a word, against the banks that receive stolen funds or proceeds of corruption.   I think there should be sanctions against such banks by the institutions that regulate them,” he insisted.

Osinbajo stated that the paradox of economic growth and increase in poverty at the same time which had been the story of the nation for a long time was due to what he described as “grand corruption”, in which political leaders simply appropriated public funds for themselves.

According to him, the present administration had stopped such impunity and would continue the fight against corruption, no matter how difficult.

He added that the population growth rate above the economic growth rate was also a major factor that had increased the level and number of people below the poverty line in the country.

Vanguardngr.com

Economy

Let’s explore opportunities for our young people – Osinbajo to Vietnamese Envoy

By Web News 589

With the opportunities existing in agriculture & technology in Nigeria and Vietnam, both countries will benefit from effective collaboration in these sectors and thereby deepen their friendly relationships.

Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, made this assertion on Monday at the Presidential Villa during a courtesy visit by the Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Nigeria, Luong Quoe.

“There are specific areas where we have talked about in the past, agriculture is one. There was also talk about cashew processing and rice growing and rice processing where Vietnam has shown great innovation and great success. We think that these are areas where we certainly can do a lot more with cooperation.”

The Vice President also noted that other areas of collaboration between Nigeria and Vietnam would be in the interaction of young people actively engaged within the technology space in both countries.

According to him, “I know that Vietnam is doing interesting things in technology and telecoms sectors. I think that we should look for opportunities where young people in Nigeria and Vietnam can interact especially in technology and share ideas, innovation, and their different attainments. I certainly would like us to explore that possibility, especially in the area of technology with our young people.”

Professor Osinbajo further stated that there was plenty room for cooperation, and one of such ways is being effective in establishing relationships and ensuring the relationships endure if both countries are “able to structure the Bi-national Commission and then also some of the economic collaboration through agriculture and technology.”

The Vice President thanked the Vietnamese Government for the kind donation of medical supplies comprising of Droplet Resistant and Antibacterial Fabric Masks, Medical Face Masks and Real–Time Reverse Transcriptase (RT-PCR) Diagnostic Panel for SARS-COV 2 to the Nigerian Mission in Hanoi, Vietnam, in addition, to the donation of 100,000 high-quality 4-ply Anti-Bacterial Medical face masks by a Vietnamese Pharmaceutical Company known as ANH THU Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment Investment Joint Stock Company–PSD Group.

In his remarks, Ambassador Quoe commended Nigeria’s role in Africa “as being enormous” and stated that Vietnam “would always wish to have Nigeria’s support in multilateral forums, most importantly the United Nations.”

He also mentioned that the economic potential between both countries is huge and hopes Nigeria “would soon recognize Vietnam as a country of full market economy and Nigeria and Vietnam would sign an agreement on investment, promotion, and protection.”

The Ambassador added that “there are five to seven thousand Nigerians studying and helping in the development of the economy of Vietnam” and also requested the consideration of direct flights between Nigeria and Vietnam.

Also present at the meeting was the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama and other top government officials.

Laolu Akande,
Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity,
Office of the Vice President.
10th August, 2021

Economy

Poverty Alleviation: What We Need Is A Simple, Common Sense Approach – Osinbajo

By Web News 589

VP chairs inaugural meeting of National Steering Committee on Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy with Governors, Ministers in attendance.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN says how the Buhari administration plans to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years will not be based on a business as usual approach, but a very simple, common sense strategy that will deliver the results as the President promised.

Expressing the strong hope that this way, the Committee will be able to achieve rapid progress, Professor Osinbajo said “in order not to make this merely, another of those high-sounding committees that eventually achieve nothing, we have to be very intentional about our objectives and how to achieve them.”

He stated this in Abuja on Friday at the inaugural meeting of the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy Steering Committee held at the Presidential Villa.

Addressing members of the committee, Professor Osinbajo said government would adopt a different and more effective approach in actualizing the objective of eradicating poverty in the country for the sake of delivering results.

According to him, “I really want us to approach this as much as possible, commonsensically, so that we are able to resolve all the issues and focus on the real progress.”

“I want us to look beyond all of what we are going to be doing, there is going to be a considerable amount of paper work, but a lot of common sense is what grows economies. It’s what other countries have done, not really reinventing the wheel. So, I want us to focus on those commonsensical things, so that we can actually move forward.”

Citing the example of Bangladesh where a poverty reduction strategy was also implemented, the VP noted how the country’s manufacturing sector was key.

“Bangladesh actually exports more garment than we export oil,” the VP said.
According to him, “countries that have managed to get out of poverty have created a lot of jobs through industries, and they have developed intentional strategies.”

“We must look at what others have done, the smart things that other people have done, and adopt.”

He also spoke about agriculture. “We really have to think smartly about how we are funding agriculture,” he said.

“I think we really need to take a deep dive because governments have made several efforts at poverty alleviation but generally speaking, they have not yielded the sort of results they should yield, and I think it’s because there is a lot of focus on documentation and paper work and very little commonsense approaches,” the VP added.

Professor Osinbajo explained that National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy is meant to be a national strategy, not just a federal effort and it is aimed at taking 100 million people, nationally, out of poverty within a target time-frame of 10 years.

His words: “I just want to emphasize that it is a national strategy as opposed to a federal strategy which is why the steering committee is made up of federal as well as state officials.”

While also emphasizing the role of the private sector, the VP said “essentially, this effort must also be directed at how to facilitate private sector creation of jobs. The fact is that there is no way that the Federal Government or the State Governments can create the number of jobs that we need.”

“We need to take a few broad looks at the features of what constitutes our present predicaments in terms of job losses and unemployment.”

Continuing, Professor Osinbajo said efforts will be made to focus attention on creating opportunities for Nigerians to earn decent livelihoods in addition to equipping them with the necessary vocational skills.

At the meeting today, members in attendance included Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, who is also Nigeria Governors Forum Chairman, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State and Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; Ministers of Agriculture, Muhammad Nanono; Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, and Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige also attended, while the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba joined the meeting virtually.

Later at the end of the inaugural meeting, and while fielding questions from journalists, Governor Sule of Nasarawa State said “the whole essence of the committee is for the government to be able to take 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years.”

He said that having reviewed the Terms of Reference (TOR), the Steering Committee is now constituting the technical working group and the National Social Protection Network and then resume its meeting after the Sallah break.

Laolu Akande,
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Office of the Vice President.
9th July 2021

Politics

Senator Ajimobi is missed for his crisis resolution skills – Osinbajo

By Web News 625

The wife of late Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Dr Florence Ajimobi has restated commitment to sustaining the passion of her husband for peace and good governance.

Dr. Ajimobi stated this after her investiture with highest honour as Fellow of the Society for Peace and Practice, SPSP, University of Ibadan as part of activities for One Year Memorial events for  Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

She expressed appreciation to the SPSP for institutionalizing relationship between the University and Ajimobi family.

The event held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan had in attendance progressive politicians including the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Governors Umar Ganduje  of Kano State and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola and Minister of Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare, Senators Fatai Buhari and Teslim Folarin as well as members of House of Representatives, members of House of Assembly among other notable politicians.

In a remark, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo represented by Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun noted that Senator Ajimobi is missed for his wisdom in crisis resolution and track records of achievements in governance.

The Ogun state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun described Senator Abiola Ajimobi as a dependable benefactor, promising to always identify with Ajimobi family.

Kano State governor, Dr Umar Ganduje remarked that Senator Ajimobi was a detribalized and true nationalist who would be remembered for his good works.

Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola described late Senator Ajimobi as a core loyalist and confidant that he missed.

Nasirudeen Sheriffdeen

Telecommunication

VP Osinbajo Launches Ogun Digital Economy Project

By Web News 672

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has launched the Ogun Digital Economy Infrastructure Project as part of efforts to extend broadband connectivity to Nigerians by the year 2023.

Professor Osinbajo, who launched the facilities through virtual interaction during the ceremony held at Ogun Tech Hub, Kobape road Abeokuta, said the Federal Government was intensifying efforts to enhance Nigerians access to the internet. 

Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who maintained that broad band connectivity was compulsory for meaningful growth, pointed out that digital economy had been enshrined in the economic sustainability plan of the federal government. 

While explaining that broadband penetration would determine the country’s competitiveness in the global market, the vice president said that the launching of the project would provide opportunity for improved access to education.

The State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who explained that digital economy infrastructure was the backbone for ICT revolution in the state, said that the launching of the project would further enhance the ease of doing business in the state.

Also, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, represented by the Executive Vice Chairman, National Communication Commission, Professor Umar Danbatta, described the project as a timely one towards creating new economic opportunities for improved living standard of the people.

The minister, who identified digital economy as one of the drivers of the global economy promoting job creation, disclosed that the facility had assisted Nigeria during the economic recession.

In a remark, the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Communication Technology Mr Abubakar Suleja, commended Ogun State Government for being the first state in the country to achieve such a remarkable feat, and said that his Committee would work towards encouraging other states to follow suit. 

Bolanle Adesida

Security

Osinbajo Decorates New Acting IG

By Web News 717

Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo has decorated the new acting Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, with his new rank in the State House, Abuja.

This followed the approval of Baba’s appointment as acting IGP by President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, who disclosed this to State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said that the appointment was with immediate effect.

The Acting IGP replaced Mr. Mohammed Adamu whose tenure expired February 1st, 2021, but President Buhari extended his tenure for three months.

Until his appointment, Mr. Usman Alkali Baba was a Deputy Inspector-General, DIG of Police and will be in acting capacity pending his confirmation by the senate.

Jeffrey Ahonmisi

Economy

Osinbajo Chairs Second National Economic Council Meeting for 2021

By Web News 578

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is currently chairing the 2nd monthly meeting of the national economic council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

About 20 governors are physically attending the meeting while others are being represented by their deputies.

This is the first time NEC is holding physically since the outbreak of the covid 19 pandemic in the country in Feburary 2020, Previous meeting have been held virtually in line with Nigerian center for disease control protocols.

Also in attendance is the secretary to the government of the Federation Boss Mustapha and the Minister’s of Finance, budget and National Planning Zainab Ahmed, Labour and productivity Chris Ngige and Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq.

The meeting is expected to deliberate on the state of voter access to polling units in Nigeria as well as an update on the general security situation and the implementation of community policing in the states.

NEC will also receive presentation on the pulling out of 100 milliion Nigerians out of poverty in ten years by the chairman presidential economic advisory committee.

It will also receive presentation on the reviewed national integrated infastructure master plan (NIIMP) by the minister of state, budget and national planning.

Paul Akhagbemhe/ Yemi Adebayo/Kamang Maitala   

Technology

Technology No Longer a Luxury, It’s Our New Way Of Life, Says Osinbajo

By Web News 697

PRESS RELEASE

VP adds: “With tech innovation, the democratization of law and justice now on fast-track”

Technology and the innovations it entail has defined a new way of life, taking technology away from the realms of luxury into the arena of everyday endeavours whether in the professions or in matters of lifestyle generally.

 In fact, the advance of technology is now fast-tracking the democratization of law and justice in Nigeria, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

 Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Thursday in his keynote at the Virtual Law Pavilion Technology Conference with the theme “A New Paradigm in Justice Delivery”. Also at the event, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed; the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Paul Usoro, SAN, and others addressed the theme of the 2020 Legal Tech Conference.

 According to him, “No one believed the day would come when the Supreme Court would, as it has now done, endorse Virtual Court Proceedings. Or that the day will come when e-filing of court processes will be considered medically safer than physical filing of court processes. 

“Today, even judges, especially older ones, will of course prefer virtual processes to in-person proceedings. Technology and the fourth industrial revolution, are no longer luxuries but they are the inevitable substructure of our new way of life.

 “For the administration of justice system, change has surely come and I am personally excited to see how easily our entire judicial system is willingly adapting to innovation.”

 Speaking further on the impact of technology, the Vice President said with technology and innovation, the democratization of law and justice is now on fast-track. 

According to him, “Tech companies must now innovate even more. We must now have purpose-built virtual-proceedings software that take into account the various needs of trials and other court proceedings. 

“There will be opportunities for retraining of judicial personnel, lawyers, and paralegal staff, the new normal calls for new skills and new ways of doing old things and doing away with many old habits.”

On the need for the entirety of Nigeria’s justice sector to embrace “the new normal”, the Vice President said though no one had predicted that a time would come when authorities would endorse virtual court proceedings, the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the adoption of technology for all court processes.

 Referring to the Chief Justice of Nigeria at the event, the Vice President noted that “already, my Lord, the Chief Justice has set the example of adaptation to the new paradigm.”

 Prof. Osinbajo urged lawyers and stakeholders in the justice sector to be prepared for the times ahead by finding alternative and better ways of delivering legal and associated services.

 He said “the next few years will see even more changes. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play a bigger role in our court systems, I am told that Law Pavilion is already pioneering an AI-Powered-Speech-to-Text- Transcription System to replace writing in long hand and even the traditional slow stenographic recording. 

“There is also the AI-Powered Document Review System that helps judges quickly extract authorities and laws cited in any legal documents, outlines and analyses the principles relied upon automatically, in seconds. This is aside from the comprehensive court proceedings software that they have now perfected.”

 Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo said “…nothing can ever be the same again. Legal practice is also in a flux. Artificial Intelligence will make research a million times faster, the lawyer may no longer be required for several categories of legal advice. 

“There are already apps updated to the latest positions in legislation and case law. The lawyer must become a multi-disciplinary, multi-tasking tech savvy person of affairs,” recalling a description he gave to students of law at a recent function.

 He restated the commitment of the Buhari administration to support technology companies to drive the gradual shift of systems, in the country, to the ‘new normal’.

 In his contribution, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed said the judiciary which plays a crucial role in the economic development of Nigeria, must embrace changes within the environment so that it will continue to remain relevant in the scheme of things.

 The Legal Tech Conference is organized by the Law Pavilion in partnership with TELNET Nigeria Ltd. The conference is a 2-day virtual event featuring other speakers including Supreme Court Justice, Olukayode Ariwoola; Ondo State Chief Judge, Olarenwaju Olutoyin Akeredolu; Borno State Chief Judge, Kashima Zannah; Ekiti State Attorney General and Justice Commissioner, Olawale Fapohunda; and Mr Dapo Akinosun, Partner, SimmonsCooper, amongst others.

 Laolu Akande,

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,

Office of the Vice President.

13th August, 2020.