Professor Yemi Osinbajo has recently been announced as the acting president of Nigeria as President Muhammadu Buhari proceeded on a ten day’ vacation to the United Kingdom. He had on other occasions discharged the same responsibility in very satisfactory ways, and to the admiration of most Nigerians.
Of course, his principal, President Buhari, continues to repose full confidence in him, mostly based on his competence and sincerity of purpose. Professor Yemi Osinbajo is a man of genteel disposition and his ability to proffer solutions to some very knotty national issues has continued to endear him to Nigerians. He has under the auspices of the Federal Government spearheaded various assignments that have elevated Nigeria at the international fora.
He had in line with the Federal Government Economic Recovery and Growth Plan embarked on an investment drive to the United States of America where he diligently showcased the information and communication technology potentials in Nigeria. He succeeded largely in winning the goodwill of Google, the world’s largest search engine firm towards Nigeria, especially as it relates to the efforts of the Federal Government in the diversification of the economy using technology as an enabler for more foreign exchange earnings.
He also extended the support of the Buhari administration to Google’s Next Billion users plan which is aimed at guaranteeing greater digital access in Nigeria and globally. This approach will afford millions of Nigerians access to the internet and enhance content distribution during his recent visit to Silicon Valley in the United States. In totality his recently-concluded trip to the United States was a win-win for Nigeria. The vice president had also embarked on an investment road show to the United States which took him to San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The major reason for the renewed interest on Nigeria by leading global information technology giants like Google and Facebook cannot be far-fetched considering the emergence of a new generation of internet users and the future potentials. Three key ways Nigerians are keying into the new technology are through the use of smart phones to access the internet, an instinct for universal computing and a demand for localised content.
As he ascends the mantle of leadership at the highest level, Professor Yemi Osinbajo will surely not disappoint as he has an uncanny way of mobilising mass support for the administration especially as their many achievements in security, economy and fight against corruption are daily becoming manifest. For the first time in Nigeria’s history there are noticeable improvements in the infrastructural development of the country.
There is also a consciousness among Nigerians today that corruption is a cankerworm that does not do anyone good hence the unalloyed support for its reduction or outright eradication. The Buhari/Osinbajo administration has given a good account of itself in this sector. It is needless to restate that corruption has contributed to underdevelop us as a people, and with the undaunted commitment of the administration there is hope that Nigeria will soon heave a sigh of relief.
As a conscientious leader, acting President Yemi Osinbajo never fails to galvanise the collective goodwill of Nigerians and rally them at critical moments for the overall development of the country. In doing this his sincere disposition while tackling some intractable national problems is not lost on Nigerians and this was demonstrated in his past engagements with the Niger Delta stakeholders.
On the whole Nigerians are expectant that the next ten days of acting President Yemi Osinbajo will not be a dull moment, and will be used to consolidate on numerous achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari and his humble self.
As a testimony to his proactive leadership qualities, acting President Yemi Osinbajo had, in the aftermath of the security siege at the National Assembly, queried the former director general of Department of State Security, Mr. Lawal Daura, on the rationale and authority for the unlawful action. Based on the unsatisfactory response and public outcry, Osinbajo sacked Daura as the boss of the DSS and the action immediately restored calm and peace to a country gripped by anxiety.
Many Nigerians including the opposition also lauded Osinbajo for punishing the erring official and promoting the rule of law. Of course this is not the first time will play a pivotal role in seeing that Nigerians ‘yearning for the full observance of the rule of law is given full expression and the result is the unquantifiable applause and support Nigerians have continued to give to the Buhari/Osinbajo administration.
Enekwechi (JP) is an Abuja-based journalist and politician Kwechis19@yahoo.com
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