The project is a subsidiary of the Transcorp Group located in Oyigbo, on the outskirts of Port Harcourt in the state.

Osinbajo, who arrived at the venue in a chopper at exactly 11:35 am was escorted into the premises and received by the Chairman of Transcorp Group, Tony Elumelu, and other dignitaries.

In his address, Osinbajo said, “In 2020, electricity subsidies reached N584 billion, but service-based tariffs have led to a doubling of collection in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry from N40 billion in 2020 to N80 billion in the first quarter of 2023.

“If this trajectory continues, the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry will be able to pay for itself. Our administration has also created programs for off-grid for electrification. Rural Electrification Agency now has the capacity to provide electricity supply on a first-class basis.

“We are on track to electrify all Nigerians in the next decade. However, we will not make progress if our gas supply does not improve. The gas supply challenges are hampering improvements.”

Osinbajo stated this in a speech at the 62nd Independence Anniversary Inter-Denominational Church Service held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, on Sunday.

Nigeria clocks 62 years of independence on October 1.

Osinbajo said, “Brethren, we stand at the gate of a new nation, and we see its light shining bright; a nation of God’s promises, a nation of opportunities, equity and justice; a secure and prosperous nation, a nation of laws and righteousness.

“Even if what we see today seems bleak and dark, we are confident that God, who owns heaven and the earth, will fulfil his promises concerning this nation.”

Quoting the Holy Bible (Joshua 21 vs 45), Osinbajo said that all good plans God had in stock for Nigeria would manifest.

He said “Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord has spoken to the House of Israel; all came to pass.

“I pronounce concerning this nation that not a word will fail regarding any good thing which the Lord has spoken of Nigeria. All will come to pass in Jesus’ name.”

The announcement was made at about 12:10pm after the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, made a presentation on the report by the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, which recommended 68 amendments to the Constitution.

Some of the lawmakers repeatedly screamed “no” in their protest against Mrs Osinbajo’s coming into the chamber as the lawmakers consider the report.

Others however replied with “yes.”

Gbajabiamila, who noted that the minority would always have their say and the majority would always have their way, put the admittance of the Vice-President’s wife into the chamber to voice vote.

Though the nays were more than the ayes, the Speaker ruled that the ayes had it.

However, the lawmakers, after waiting till 12:25 pm for Mrs Osinbajo to come in, started the voting exercise.

She had yet to enter the chamber as of 12:30 pm.

Aisha Buhari, wife of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had stormed with the chamber on Wednesday last week, during which Gbajabiamila disclosed that she was in the chamber to look for gender bills.

Osinbajo made this statement at the 25th Nigerian Economic Summit Group which was held in Abuja.

Speaking on the theme “Securing our future: The fierce urgency of now”, Professor Osinbajo called on the private sector to take advantage of untapped resources – especially the youth – the nation has to offer.

He said, “I think we must focus on what this country has to offer in terms of all of the resources – both human and natural resources – and also the will, the energy, the innovativeness are all there for the private sector to take. A country with all that can make growth possible and it’s only a matter of getting things right, moving a few things around, and will be well to the kind of progress to come as a country.”

He said the administration prioritizes implementation of beneficial policies rather than what is politically expedient stating, “We are looking at the fastest way to move from point A to point B.”

Osinbajo noted that one of the key ways the government has fought corruption is through the implementation of electronic and online payment platforms.

The VP expressed optimism that though there are challenges with the implementation of these policies, the administration remains committed to stamping out corruption in the public sector.

He noted that despite the challenges, the government launched the Visa on Arrival policy which has significantly reduced corruption in passport and visa applications.

The VP said that in implementing these electronic platforms, the young people have put all their energy and resources into developing these policies.

He said, “All the great ideas that we have, the young people putting all their energy and resources into them because the country affords us the opportunity to be able to achieve great things.”

He commended the resilience and response of the private sector in coping with economic challenges occasioned by COVID-19.

It disclosed this at the official opening of the 51st Annual Conference of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, adding that over N15tn would be required to bridge the country’s infrastructure deficit.

In his keynote address at the conference, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who was represented by the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Abubakar Aliyu, spoke on how the Federal Government had been intervening in some selected sectors.

He said, “On roads, the government created the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, investing over a billion dollars in three flagship projects: the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge, and Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway. The government also approved Executive Order 7, which essentially mobilises private investment through a tax credit scheme to encourage the private sector to invest in road construction for tax rebates. Similarly, the implementation of the Highway Development and Management Initiative is ongoing. This is a PPP (public-private partnership) programme to mobilise at first over a trillion naira in private investment for the development and maintenance of 1,963km of 12 roads.”

Osinbajo said this when he spoke at the inauguration and commencement of duty service of the 8th President of Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide, Pastor Samuel Oladele, which held at the All Saints Chapel, C.A.C. General Secretariat, Bashorun, Ibadan, Oyo state on Saturday, March 20.

Represented at the occasion by the Aso Rock Chaplain, Rev.Seyi Malomo, Osinbajo said “I want to commend the Christ Apostolic Church for the smooth process, which has brought the inauguration of the president because this is the way it should be. Certainly, there is a lot for politicians to learn from the church on how to conduct elections without rancour. My prayer for the new president is that his tenure will record greater success in Jesus’ name. I also want to thank the outgoing president for his infallible service to CAC, for the years of glorious and faithful service. You have managed the affairs of CAC with integrity, maturity, and fatherly understanding. May Almighty God preserve you for many more years in strength and good health to enjoy your fruit of labour. The anointing of God in this church has made it such that the humblest of men, even the least educated, can bring the good news of delivering the oppressed from unseen spirits and even raising the dead. Apostle Ayo Babalola remains a testament to this fact.”

Osinbajo spoke few weeks after the CBN ordered all deposit money banks, non-banking institutions, and other financial institutions against enabling cryptocurrency tradings.

The apex bank ordered the institutions to close the accounts of customers with cryptocurrency transactions immediately, adding that a breach of the directive will attract severe regulatory sanctions.

The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who further explained the reason for the decision, said it was taken in the best interest of Nigerians.

He said this while briefing a joint Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions; ICT and Cybercrime; and Capital Market.

However, Osinbajo, who spoke on Friday at the Bankers Committee Vanguard in Lagos, said that fear should not be applied in terms of cryptocurrencies.

The Vice President advised the monetary authorities to provide a “robust regulatory regime” that will address the concerns about cryptocurrencies.

“The point I’m making is that some of the exciting developments we see call for prudent and care in adopting them, and this has been very well articulated by our regulatory authorities,” he said.

“But we must act with knowledge and not with fear. We must ensure that we are in a position to benefit and prevent any of the adverse side effects or any of the possible criminal acts that may arise as the consequence of our adopting or taking any of these options.

He said, “I fully appreciate the strong position of the CBN, SEC, and some of the anti-corruption agencies on the possible abuses of cryptocurrencies and their other well-articulated concerns, but I believe that their position should be the subject of further reflection.

“There’s a role for regulation here, and it is in the place of our monetary authorities and SEC to provide a robust regulatory regime that addresses this serious concerns without necessarily killing the goose that might lay the golden eggs.”

The President participated virtually from his home as the meeting took place at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Also, the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, and the National Security Adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno were all present at the meeting.

Other members of the cabinet present at the meeting include the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and his Works and Housing counterpart, Mr Babatunde Fashola.

Retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, Environment, Mohammed Abubakar, Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, and other ministers are also participating in the meeting from their various offices in Abuja online.

Osinbajo, who is representing President Muhammadu Buhari, at the summit will join other leaders in the sub-region to discuss the political crisis in Mali and the security situation in the sub-region at large.

The Senior Special Assistant to V.President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the Vice President will also meet with representatives of the Nigerian community in Ghana to discuss issues bothering on their wellbeing in the West African country.

Accompanying the Vice President is the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb Zubairu Dada.

He is expected back in Abuja today at the end of his engagements in Ghana.