William Shakespeare must have had a character like Prof Yemi Osinbajo in mind when he came up with one of his most popular quotes, “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”
No one can speak greatness in Nigeria without tucking the name of the Vice President of Nigeria up there. He is an emblem of uprightness in politics because he has worked the talk and talked the work. He is in a class of his own for obvious reasons.
For starters, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has carried out his job as number two citizen with zest, determination and focus. He has notrelented in supporting President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption drive and has done so with professionalism and integrity.
From all indications, it is obvious that Professor Yemi Osinbajo is not relenting in supporting President Muhammadu Buhari in resolving problems associated with governance. At times when emotions run high the intervention of the Vice President has helped to douse tension and soften the hearts of victims of some unfortunate conflict situations.
His timely interventions at some critical moments have also helped to assuage frayed nerves and reduce tension. This natural ability of the Vice President manifested in Benue and Plateau when farmers-herders clashed as well as other knotty national problems. At such occasions he has never failed to reiterate the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari, and indeed the federal government to find a lasting solution to the lingering problem.
It is also ascertainable that the search for solutions to the farmers-herders clashes have been multi-dimensional and Vice President Osinbajo through the National Economic Council proffered workable solutions to these problems. In the same vein he has continued to apply pragmatic solutions to the problem of unemployment and lack of skills among Nigerian youths.
The introduction of N-Power and School Feeding Programmes has given the direction and focus on how the problem of youth unemployment and abject poverty can be addressed in the country. Professor Yemi Osinbajo is also in the forefront of supporting struggling businesses to survive by facilitating the provision of various financial motivation, incentives and necessary amenities such as power and other infrastructure in the markets and other business places.
His involvement in Social Intervention Programmes as a way of supporting Nigerian youths to acquire necessary skills is already refocussing the Nigerian youths and turning things around. The Conditional Cash Transfer Programme which he is spearheading has helped to improve the living standards of many Nigerian youths.
It’s important to note that Professor Yemi Osinbajo has played very important roles at critical times during this administration and he is not relenting, hence he has been attracting rave reviews from some quarters especially those who usually critical of government’s achievements. This is also not surprising as he is paying a price for leadership and loyalty to the country.
In the eyes of most Nigerians Professor Yemi Osinbajo has emerged as a leader and solution provider as he does not play to the gallery, rather he uses pragmatic approaches to proffer workable solutions to the myriad of problems confronting the country. His insightful leadership has in most cases helped to resolve issues that ordinarily would have been intractable.
This is manifest in the National Economic Council where his proactive leadership has helped to revamp the economy to a great extent including exiting recession. Today the economy is witnessing growth in leaps and bounds as there is a rise in foreign direct investments.
From the beginning Prof Osinbajo and President Buhari led the campaign for ease of doing business in Nigeria, and to a great extent this policy has encouraged both local and foreign investors to show interest in Nigeria’s economy. Today Nigeria is a preferred investment destination in Africa.
Even the doubting Thomases will accede to the fact that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is adopting the inclusive approach rather than exclusiveness in governance. This method has also given a lot of people in Nigeria a sense of belonging as they are able to connect with the Buhari administration on many fronts.
It is however regrettable that some cynics are trying to misinterpret Professor Yemi Osinbajo’s loyalty and friendship with President Muhammadu Buhari. There is no doubt that the synergy and mutual cooperation between the two leaders is helping to drive the development we are currently witnessing in various sectors of our national life.
For instance most infrastructural amenities are receiving attention across the country. They include power, roads, railways, housing as well as the agricultural revolution taking place in Nigeria. It therefore behoves all Nigerians to appreciate the sacrifices of the vice president in lifting the country up again.
By Chukwudi Enekwechi
An Abuja-Based Journalist
