Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has stated that his desire to make Nigeria better, alongside President Muhammadu Buhari, in the last eight years, was the reason why he specifically hired those who have the desire to fix Nigeria.
Osinbajo stated this on Friday evening in his remarks at a valedictory dinner organised in his honour by the staff of the Office of the Vice President.
The Vice President was accompanied to the dinner by his wife, Dolapo, whom the Vice President described as “my most potent weapon.”
According to the Vice President at the event “I’m honoured to have worked with such incredible people; everyone put in exceptional hard work. I personally interviewed most of you that worked with me. I wanted people who had a heart for this country, a genuine love and concern about the progress of this nation.
“Eight years have gone by very quickly, I must say. Here we are today, a few days to the inauguration. There are many great experiences, great things that have happened and I’m glad we’ve come this far.”
Commending the staff for their dedication and patriotism – while highlighting the selfless service of his Police and Security Details, civil servants, his Chief of Staff, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, and Special Assistants among others, Osinbajo expressed gratitude to everyone for their support throughout the eight years of the Buhari administration.
He was also presented with gifts at the dinner event including hand written valedictory notes from staff members.
Referencing the incredible work of the staff, Osinbajo said as an example that “when we talk about the Social Investment Programmes, we would talk about Maryam Uwais. No two ways about that because she was in charge (then) and made it successful,” he said.
The Vice President further commended the Deputy Chief of Staff, Ade Ipaye, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State (2011 to 2015), for his loyalty, dedication and brilliant service.
In his remarks, Osinbajo also noted that Nigeria’s story, despite the challenges, is one filled with hope, courage, triumphs and the incredible talents and potential of its people, for a better future.
Highlighting the country’s potential to become a world leader in different sectors, the Vice President said, “the story of our country is a story of incredible talents, everywhere you turn, you will find talents.”
He conceded that there are some tensions, and challenges, “but we must not give up. We mustn’t be despondent or discouraged by any challenge or circumstance. This country is so precious and our people talented, so much that we can bless the entire world.”
With a thankful heart, the Vice President also recalled how God saved him and 11 others with him from the helicopter crash on February 2, 2019, in Kogi State.
He also recalled a similar chopper forced landing in Gwagwalada in June 2018.
Then, the chopper conveying him and members of his “Main Party” from the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, made a forceful landing a few seconds after take-off.
“I’m truly grateful to the Almighty God,” the Vice President said.
Prior to the remarks, the Vice President’s wife also spoke and thanked the staff and everyone for their support for the Vice President’s work throughout the administration’s tenure.
“Thank you for celebrating him tonight, ” she relished, beaming with bright smiles.
After eight years, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration officially ends its second and final tenure on Monday, May 29, when the new government of the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his deputy, Kashim Shettima, would be sworn- in.
Earlier on Thursday, Osinbajo had received the incoming Vice President and took him on a tour of the Vice-Presidential wing of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
Earlier on Friday afternoon, the Vice President, at the Presidential Villa, had gone round on a farewell visit to the respective offices of the staff in the Office of the Vice President.
He went from door to door, both on the ground and top floors thanking both political appointees and civil servants for their dedication and support in the last eight years of the Buhari Administration.
The dinner event which featured music by the Abuja International Choir and a spoken word performance by Tamara Dogubo, also featured remarks from staff of the Office of the Vice President and some MDAs.
They all lauded the Vice President for his meritorious and selfless service to the nation as its number two, and deputy to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The remarks included those from DCOS, Ade Ipaye; Special Adviser to the President on Social Investments, Maryam Uwais; former Nigerian Ambassador to Jamaica, Janet Olisa; Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Chiedu Ugbo; and Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Babatunde Irukera.
While speaking on behalf of the staff, DCOS Ipaye, noted the rigour that goes with planning and organisation by the Vice President.
According to him “despite the inquisitive mind, despite the hardworking disposition and meticulous planning mode that His Excellency is always in, no matter how little the operation we want to do at the office, or even at home, His Excellency believes in thorough planning. We don’t take anything for granted, we must examine it every step of the way.”
In her own remarks, Mrs. Uwais spoke of the Vice President’s integrity, character and competence. Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, in the Office of the Vice President, Laolu Akande also later presented a surprise gift to DCOS Ipaye, on behalf of the staff.
In a similar vein, the Managing Director of the NDPHC, Chiedu Ugbo said the Vice President, while he was a Professor of Law at the University of Lagos, “taught and made the law of evidence, a difficult area, very easy. You’ve remained a moral compass in my life. I wish you God’s speed.”
Also, in his remarks on behalf of other Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government, Irukera said, “my other name for him (Prof. Osinbajo) is the ‘captain and the master of the salvage crew.’ He showed us that public service is a platform to do much good and have a greater impact. May your tribe increase in this country, sir. The people and nation are grateful to you. You’ve touched people’s hearts in many ways.”
There were remarks on behalf of the Civil Servants by a Director in the Office of the Vice President, Mrs. Tukubo Edubio, who was accompanied to the event by the State House delegation of senior civil servants.
A short clip capturing videos and photos of iconic moments of the Vice President from the last four years was also broadcast at the event. It was put together by the Vice President’s personal photographer and Special Assistant on Visual Communications, Tolani Alli, as narrator.
Aside from the present and past staff of the Office of the Vice President, there were other dignitaries at the event, including former Minister of Defence, Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali; Bashir Gwandu, the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI and Sani Aliyu, a member of the Presidential Health Reform Committee among others.
