- Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says Muhammadu Buhari is focused on developing the Niger Delta region of Nigeria
- Osinbajo adds that the Maritime University located in Delta state is a confirmation of the president's zeal to develop the region
- The vice president predicts that in future, the Niger Delta would not only be known for oil, but for human capital development
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that his principal, Muhammadu Buhari, remains passionate about the development of the Niger Delta part of Nigeria.
Osinbajo also said the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta state, is proof of the unwavering commitment of the Buhari administration to the development and progress of the Niger Delta.
The vice president, in a statement sent to Legit.ng, said this recently during the university's maiden matriculation ceremony at its take-off campus in Kurutie, Warri south-west local government area of Delta state.
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Represented at the event by Edobor Iyamu, the senior special assistant to the president, on economic matters, Osinbajo noted that Buhari “is a man of his words and he has made that clear over and over again with regards to the Niger Delta, in the last four years.
“The seriousness with which we view the Niger Delta informed the series of unprecedented engagements that resulted in the comprehensive development plan known as the new vision for the Niger Delta; with the goal of ensuring that the huge resources of the Delta are put to work for the good of the people of the region.
“That new vision has guided us every step of the way, and is what has helped propel the Ogoni clean up to fruition, and helped birth this university in which we are gathered today.”
Osinbajo congratulated the management and staff of the university in his speech, urging students of the institution to become excellent ambassadors of this university.
“I congratulate you all on the commemoration of this milestone occasion, the inaugural matriculation ceremony. Congratulations also to all of the matriculating students.
“As the pioneer set of students of this landmark institution, you are all standing on the threshold of history, and we rejoice with you.
“We have a vision that the Maritime University will come to be known around the world as a centre of excellence in maritime matters, and a repository of expertise and knowledge on the Niger Delta," he said.
The vice president noted that the federal government is focused on developing the human capital of the Niger Delta in different sectors.
According to him, in the near future, the region will not only be known for its oil and gas potential, but also in the quality of its human capital resources.
"These and more are examples of how we are walking the talk in the Niger Delta region, which we view not in terms of its past, but in terms of its potential.
“And this is a potential that is not limited to oil and gas, but is actually focused more on the development of human capital. We are confident that the Niger Delta will sooner than later come to be defined, not by crude oil, but by the quality of its human resource, the abundance of its agriculture, its rich cultural potential, and so on,” he added.
Osinbajo also spoke concerning the ongoing Ogoni clean-up/remediation efforts, the establishment of modular refineries in the Niger Delta and the presidential amnesty programme that has helped to maintain the peace and stability on the region, as well as the gas flare commercialisation programme aimed at ending gas-flaring in the region.
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“And while the remediation is ongoing, there are also a lot of efforts aimed at ensuring that affected communities enjoy basic amenities like clean water, and that jobs and training opportunities are extended to them.
“Our modular refinery programme is another important cornerstone of the new vision for the Niger Delta. There are currently four modular refineries at different levels of completion, across the region.
“The amnesty programme has continued to receive funding and support from the Buhari administration, because we understand just how important it is for the young people of the region. We will continue to ensure that it delivers on its mandate and responds fully to the needs and yearnings of the beneficiaries,” he said.
Legit.ng earlier reported that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday night, March 14, said that Muhammadu Buhari was probably poorer than when he was elected in 2015.
The Nation reports that the vice president said this during a dinner in honour of volunteers who canvassed for votes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the campaigns for the 2019 general election at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
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Source: Legit.ng
