Osibanjo challenges Nigerian elites on nation building

By Donald Ugwu

Vice President  Yemi Osinbajo has reiterated his call on Nigerian elites to come together based on a common consensus to build the nation based on good governance.

Osinbajo made this known in statement by Mr Laolu Akande, his Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity in the Office of the Vice President in Abuja on Sunday.

He Spoke at the gala/dinner event organised  by the Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans, CANAN in Houston, USA on Friday.

The Vice President noted that, “even in the midst of all the country is going through there is a growing consensus by all and sundry on the need for good governance.”

The event was attended by leaders of the Nigerian community in the U.S. and American political leaders, including U.S Congress Woman Sheila Jackson Lee.

Explaining the need for Nigerians committed to lifting the nation to rise up, Osinbajo noted that this was important to counter and stop those working to pillage the resources of the country.

“This is why the president and myself have made a call that we need a New Tribe of Nigerians.

“We do need a new tribe of men and women of all faiths, tribes and ethnicities, who are committed to a country run on high values of integrity, hard-work, justice and love for the country.

“I mean a tribe of men and women who are prepared to make the sacrifices and self-constraints that are crucial to building a strong society.

“Who are prepared to stick together, fight corruption side by side, and insist on justice,” he said.

Prof. Osinbajo pointed out that the current administration took diaspora issue very seriously, a reason the president appointed a Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora, former Rep. Abike Daibiri.

Highlighting the importance further, the Vice President also pointed at the proposal for a Diaspora Commission, and a diaspora bond worth one trillion Naira for investment purpose by both Nigerians at home and abroad.

Osinbajo commended CANAN for its accomplishments during its short existence.

He listed some of CANAN’s achievements to include being in forefront of the quest to designate Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO), by the U.S. and donating $50,000.00 in 2013 to insurgency victims.

He said the gestures were a demonstration of patriotism by members of the association even while outside the shores of the country.

The President of CANAN, Dr James Fadel, had urged Nigerians to engage in prophetic prayers in order to take the country out of its current predicament.

Fadel, who gave assurance that things would indeed end well for the country, enjoined Nigerians to pray for the country.

The CANAN president said the citizens must reject the tendency to be a consuming nation without the desire to also produce.

He said what was needed now was for all and sundry to build trust in God to win the battle against the nation’s opposing forces.

Osinbajo was presented an honorary U.S. Congressional Proclamation to commemorate his visit to Texas and also honor the Buhari presidency.

While presenting  the honorary congressional proclamation Congress woman Sheila Jackson-Lee indicated that the U.S. Congress regarded Nigeria as a very serious partner.

She said it was the reason it had given great support to the ongoing fight against Boko Haram.

According to her, it is on record that Nigeria is one of the countries that have its own Caucus among the elected representative in the U.S Congress, made up of both Democrats and Republicans.

Some Nigerians were honoured at the gala night for their achievements in various areas, including Dr Oluyinka Olutoye, the U.S.-based Nigerian doctor who recently operated on a pregnant American mother who had a tumor growth.

Olutoye removed the foetus, operated on the tumor, and returned the foetus. The pregnant woman then completed the pregnancy term and delivered the baby safely.

The Vice President presented the laurels to the high-flying U.S. based Nigerians honored at the event