The Special Adviser to the CCB Chairman on General Duties, Dr Mustapha Musa, said that the necessary arrangements had been made for the issuance of the assets forms to the outgoing officials and their successors.

Also, the outgoing presidential aides, 28 state governors and their cabinet members, National Assembly and state assembly members and local government chairmen will equally obtain the assets declaration forms from the Code of Conduct Bureau and submit the same to the CCB in line with the 1999 constitution.

This complies with the provision of the constitution which stipulates that all public officers shall declare their assets and liabilities on the assumption of office and at the end of their tenure of office.

However, the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, the vice president-elect, Kashim Shettima and 28 incoming governors and their cabinet members as well as the state assembly members have three months to submit their assets forms to the CCB.

They are also required to state all properties and assets acquired within or outside the country with the value of the said assets in the currency of the country where the property is situated.

The CCB chairman’s aide explained that the concerned officials were required to obtain the forms from the CCB office and declare all their assets, including money, landed property, vehicles, shares, bonds and others and the sources of the assets.

Musa stated, “They (officials) are expected to declare all their assets at the point of exit, at the point of leaving office. That’s what the law says. They will submit the forms when leaving the office, you cannot submit assets declaration forms while in office.

‘’So, it is at the point of entrance and point of exit. That is what the constitution says, that is what the Code of Conduct Bureau Act says under section 15. The same thing applies to those who are about to come into government but they have three months to declare.’’

The SA disclosed that the assets declaration forms were available online, adding that the bureau would soon digitalise the declaration process.

“The officials are expected to get the forms from the bureau and in fact, they can even go online. We cannot stop issuing the forms because they are online but very soon, we will stop the hard copy and ask them to make their declaration online,’’ Musa noted.

When asked if the outgoing officials have been coming for the forms, he said, “It depends on the mindset but because the law says at the point of exit, so if they pick it now, they cannot submit it until they are about to leave the office. They still have two months to go, so even if they fill out the forms now, they cannot give them to us.’’

On the prosecution of defaulters, the official asserted that many ex-governors, former ministers and other officials were facing trial for under-declaring their assets after leaving office.

He added, “We are prosecuting and we are securing convictions. We prosecute in thousands. We have hundreds of cases before the tribunal. We prosecute daily. The Code of Conduct Bureau is the only body empowered by the constitution to prosecute cases of breaches of the code of conduct for public officers.

“At the tribunal, it is only the judiciary body that has the power to prosecute public officers. So, the tribunal is always our hope. I cannot give you the figure but there are many including all erring public officials.’’

Musa stated that the CCB has been enlightening public officials on the imperative of complying with the law, stressing that the CCB was focused on ensuring compliance rather than prosecution.

“What we do majorly is to see that public officers keep to the code of conduct of public officers. We enlighten public officers where we target local, government, state government and MDAs. We are targeting them for compliance, not for prosecution. However, the power to prosecute is there. The tribunal is there,’’ he said.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a CCB official disclosed that the issuance of the forms would commence before the middle of April or early May.

He added, “Because of difficulty in tracking those who might disappear after leaving office, we do start the issuance of form CCB1 before the expiration of the term of office. We will start issuing forms this month for the incoming (officials) who could fill and return completed assets declaration forms before they are sworn in. The process will most likely commence middle of this month or early May.’’

According to the guidelines published on the CCB website, failure to declare the assets may result in removal from office; vacation of the official seat in any legislative house, as the case may be; imposition of fine; disqualification from membership of a legislative house and from holding of any public office for a period not exceeding 10 years and seizure and forfeiture of any property acquired in abuse or corruption of office.

‘’The law states that the sanctions mentioned above shall be without prejudice to the penalties that may be imposed by any law where the conduct is also a criminal offence,’’ the statement said.

Osinbajo said this at the Official Inauguration of the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme and the Unveiling of iDICE logo on Tuesday at the State House Banquet Hall.

The vice president said that the iDICE is a government initiative to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital tech and creative industries, especially targeted at job creation.

According to him, the total fund is 618 million dollars, out of which the AFDB provides 170 million dollars, the Agence Francaise de Development, 100 million dollars and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), 70 million dollars in co-financing.

“The Bank of Industry (BOI) will provide 45 million dollars as Federal Government’s counterpart contribution to be availed through loans for qualifying startups.

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, disclosed details of the funding actions at the third Annual Lecture Series of the Development Bank of Nigeria, DBN, in Abuja last week.

According to him, “In the development of the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) some provisions were made to support MSMEs.

“These include: a N250 billion grant containing a N50 billion MSME de-risking facility component; a payroll support scheme providing up to N50,000 in monthly salaries for up to 10 staff of qualifying businesses for a duration of three months – 1.5 million jobs have been retained through the MSME and payroll support.

“Others are, a one-off grant of N30,000 for 333,000 self-employed persons working as transporters and artisans under the Artisan and Transport Scheme; a N50,000 grant for 100,000 MSMEs; provision of financial backing up to N191 billion in loans to 34,144 MSMEs and capacity building of 125 MSMEs and loan guarantees for 1,748 businesses to the tune of N6.2 billion”

Osinbajo who was represented by the Minister of Finance,  Budget and National Planning,  Mrs Zainab Ahmed, expressed concern over the relatively poor MSMSEs’ contributions to the nation’s exports.

His words, “The relatively low contribution of MSMEs to exports is concerning given their significant contribution to nominal GDP and for this reason, urgent steps are being taken to alleviate the binding constraints limiting MSME participation in cross-border trade.

“It is mperative to ensure MSMEs are supported in the acquisition of skills and tools to run their businesses efficiently, manage risks and gain access to finance at competitive and affordable rates”.

He commended DBN for providing N482 billion to 208,000 MSMEs, mostly owned by women entrepreneurs, in 2021.

The duo met to discuss Nigeria-US relations and Nigeria’s energy transition plan, according to statements from both camps.

“It was truly a pleasure to meet with Vice-President Kamala Harris to discuss Nigeria’s #EnergyTransition Plan and other interests between our Governments,” Osinbajo said in a statement.

“The United States has been a long-standing partner of ours and has since our independence consistently supported Nigeria’s aspirations for economic and social development.

“In addition to a shared commitment to democracy, both countries must continue to work together at the bilateral and multilateral levels to address common global challenges, promote peace and security, tackle pandemics, climate change, and economic adversity.”

Harris also expressed her delight in meeting with Vice President Osinbajo.

“It was great to meet with Vice President Osinbajo of Nigeria today to discuss strengthening the relationship between the United States and Nigeria,” she said.

“African leadership, and in particular, Nigeria’s leadership, is key to confronting regional and global challenges.”

This was contained in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, on Wednesday.

Osinbajo leads Nigeria’s Energy Transition Implementation Working Group on the US mission with meetings starting from September 1, 2022, to promote the plan and secure global support from the US government, the private sector, and other development partners.

In the statement titled ‘Osinbajo travels to United States, Nigeria’s energy transition plan on the Agenda,’ Osinbajo will meet US Vice President, Kamala Harris; US Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm; Secretary of Treasury, Janet Yellen, and President of World Bank Group, David Malpass, among others, while away.

Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan was officially launched on August 24, 2022, at a global virtual event.

The homegrown strategy which was developed for the attainment of 2060 net-zero emissions seeks commitment in five critical sectors: Power, Cooking, Oil & Gas, Transport & Industry. Nigeria needs $410bn to deliver the Transition Plan by 2060.

At the launch, Osinbajo called for a $10bn initial support package for Africa to meet its year-on-year investment target in renewable energy.

This was as he said Africa’s increasing energy gaps require decisive and urgent collaboration to take ownership of the continent’s transition pathways.

Consequently, the World Bank and a renewable energy organization – Sun Africa, pledged a sum of $1.5bn each totaling an initial $3bn investment to support the implementation of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan.

While away, Osinbajo will also speak on Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan at the Centre for Global Development in Washington DC.

The Vice President’s delegation to the U.S. includes the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed; Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu; Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General/CEO for Sustainable Energy for All, Ms Damilola Ogunbiyi and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Uzoma Emenike.

“The Vice President will return to Abuja early next week,” the statement said.

This was contained in  a statement made available by the media aide to the Vice President, Lolu Akande.

According to the statement, the VP said this as he received the All Progressives Congress governors on Tuesday in his office at the Presidential Villa on a felicitation visit as he recovered from surgery done last month.

While welcoming the governors, Osinbajo expressed his appreciation for the visit and the good wishes.

The VP also commended the expertise of Nigerian doctors and the availability of cutting-edge medical facilities existing in the country. But he regretted that doctors were restrained by regulations from advertising and as a result, many people were unaware of the level of quality medical services available locally.

During the brief interaction that followed at the meeting, important national issues were also raised especially regarding the economy and the ASUU strike.

The Vice President and the governors were said to have agreed to engage these and other pressing issues further with a view to bringing urgent resolution for the benefit of the Nigerian people.

“We all need to work together on these critical issues. We need to think through things, and we need to do it fast,” Osinbajo was quoted to have said.

Osinbajo made the remark when a delegation from the Kuje interfaith community, led by Sam Ogbodo, the Senior Pastor of Kings Palace Church International, visited him at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.

The former Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice told the delegation that “one of the major issues that our country has to face is unity of our people – unity of the ethnic groups and unity of the faiths also so that we are able to make real progress in the various respects that out country needs to make progress”.

A statement by Laolu Akande, the VP’s spokesman,  quoted his principal as saying that “one of the fault lines that we have is religious divisions and the tensions that are created when religious leaders do not act responsibly enough in bringing together men and women of different faith.

“I am really excited about what you are doing. The interfaith community in Kuje is not just a model for this zone, but a model for the country.”

He lauded the delegation for informing the government about certain issues, noting that the government is committed to delivering on sustainable development.

“And I think it is so heartwarming to note how you have seen that as a primary objective, and how you are doing everything that you can to make sure that we focus on what is important for the people,” he added.

The Vice President reiterated that “everyone has a right to their faith; constitutionally, there is freedom of worship, but it is leadership that must deliver on the most important thing; government must deliver on services, development issues.

“Development and civic leaders like yourself must bring this to the attention of government, as you are doing, and must champion these causes on behalf of the people. And I think that this is a real model for the rest of the country to follow.”

Osinbajo was the Special Guest of Honour at the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking on Monday at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

The event was organised by the NDLEA in collaboration with United Nations Office on Drugs(UNODC), MTN and EU.

The vice president commended the NDLEA for the impressive number of drug users it had counseled and rehabilitated within the year.

“The number of drug trafficking cases reported this past week proves that there is even much more illicit drug activity ongoing.

“The expressed vision of the NDLEA goes beyond getting more drug criminals arrested; it is to have no drug criminals at all. We must therefore deepen the effort.

“Relentlessly breaking illicit drug supply chains and distribution networks; discouraging drug use through intensive outreach and sensitization, and also promptly prosecuting traffickers.

“But above all, we must intensify rehabilitation of drug addicts because what we are faced with is indeed a public health crisis – a crisis that is taking lives, destroying families and shattering communities.

“I am glad to hear that in 2021, about 8,000 drug users were counseled and rehabilitated by the NDLEA, and in the first half of this year alone, over 11,000 drug users have been counseled and treated.’’

“But above all, we must intensify rehabilitation of drug addicts because what we are faced with is indeed a public health crisis – a crisis that is taking lives, destroying families and shattering communities.

“I am glad to hear that in 2021, about 8,000 drug users were counseled and rehabilitated by the NDLEA, and in the first half of this year alone, over 11,000 drug users have been counseled and treated.’’

He said that there must be a multi-dimensional and holistic approach to tackling drug abuse.

Osinbajo regretted that access to illicit drugs became easier with online sales and contactless drug transactions– both influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“However, the new normal still offers us opportunities for increased innovation in tackling this menace, through technology-based monitoring systems for promptly detecting and addressing drug market changes.

“And also accelerating mobile outreach programmes, remote consultation, and treatment for those who suffer from drug use disorders and are without appropriate care.

“ As much as the Federal Government through its agencies and the state governments will lead the charge with decisive policy initiatives, these strides must be complemented by changes at the family and community level.

“The kind of change we seek regarding drug abuse cannot happen without the collaboration of families, faith-based organisations and community leadership at the local levels.

“We must spearhead massive value reorientation across the country, reassessing cultural factors and systems that support drug abuse and trafficking.’’

He said that communities everywhere must rise to this challenge, adding the Federal Government would continue to support the NDLEA to fulfil its mandate.

The vice president said that through data-driven and evidence-based policy making, enduring and sustainable solutions to the underlying causes of drug abuse would continuously unearthed.

“Once again, let me again commend the new, dynamic and greatly improved NDLEA, and appreciate the gallant officers for their service to our country.

“We must also appreciate our development partners for the successes recorded so far and for their firm resolution to support the effort to ensure a clean and drug-free Nigeria.

“We are winning this war; the days of the scourge of drug abuse and dependency are clearly numbered; but it will involve even greater investment in focus and determination for the long haul,’’ he said.

Girei also said those propagating the Muslim-Muslim ticket as running mate to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the party were propagandists for their selfish interests.

According to him, the Vice President never encouraged vote-buying during the just-concluded presidential primary of the party won by the APC’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, with 1,271 votes.

However, the former lawmaker, who contested for the position of the National Deputy Chairman (North) but stepped down to respect the consensus arrangement that brought in Senator Abdullahi Adamu, noted that the presidential primary was free, fair, and credible.

Girei, while speaking to newsmen in Kaduna on Monday, said, “But I can tell you that the Vice President won the special convention without fear of contradiction.

“As the Vice President, he is an heir to the throne, a crown prince, who should have been given the right of first refusal in the contest in which he offered himself to serve the nation, and in which he had national acceptability.

“He had the best speech and his manifesto at the convention was the best. He identified problems and preferred solutions to them more than all other aspirants. For someone who has never contested any election before and with no politicking knowledge, to emerge third at the convention, I consider him the greatest winner of the convention.

“I have no doubt in my mind that Nigeria has lost the best presidential candidate that would have been produced.”

On the rumoured Muslim-Muslim ticket, the APC chieftain noted that it was an issue being championed by propagandists for selfish political interest, apparently by those who were neither good Muslims nor Christians.

“Politics, however, is all about winning strategy, so in my opinion, whatever strategy can be implored to win elections, that is within the confine of the Constitution, to me, it is okay,” Girei added.

The Guard Commander took his position and salute at 9 a.m.

This would be followed by the arrival of special dignitaries, including President Muhammadu Buhari,  Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Others include former presidents and vice presidents; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad; Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; ministers and members of the National Assembly.

Also expected at the venue are permanent secretaries and heads of federal ministries and parastatals.

Some of the dignitaries already seated are service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Usman; the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.), and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, Amb. Babagana Kingibe.