ABUJA(VP’s OFFICE’ REPORT) – Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has once again challenged the elites to live up to the expectation of Nigerians and that of the Buhari’s administration. He said the role of the elite in the development of Nigeria is important: “My view is that the future of our nation, strangely enough, depends on us, the elites.”





According to Prof. Osinbajo, the elites are repository of a lot of knowledge and information, therefore, “Whether we accept it or not, the weight of what happens in our society really rests on our shoulders.” The elites are yet to form a consensus on ethics, integrity and even corruption, for instance, “To what extent do we accept corruption; in other words, to what extent do we think it is most unacceptable, it would destroy our country?”, he observed.

Speaking to a congregation of mostly lawyers, at the 10th Annual Nigerian Bar Association, Section on Business Law Conference on June 22, 2016 held at Transcorp Hilton, he stated that there is no society that has been successful, where the elites don’t have a consensus on questions on integrity and morals. It is pertinent therefore, that Nigerian elites find a way to forge such consensus on critical issues.

According to the Vice President, we need consensus on what is right to do, for self preservation and for that, (the preservation) of the country. “The challenges facing Nigeria is huge, yet the elites are yet to come to a consensus”, forging such consensus regarding vital issues is the only way to go, if our society is to grow, he reiterated.

Stressing the fact that, “We don’t have to belong to the same religion or tribe, State or Geo-political zone”; he harps on the need for the elites to commit to selflessness, to encourage enforcement of ethics and laws and to show more commitment to them; “If we want our country to grow, it is essential that we are united”, he insisted.

On the ease of doing business, VP stated that the Buhari administration has recently inaugurated a Presidential Ease of Doing Business Council which he chairs, adding that the Council will work to “Create an enabling environment for business, which might necessitate removal or relaxation of some rules and making more use of technology with electronic applications, to shorten the time and be able to say specifically how long getting necessary documents/certificates will take.”

Noting the area of adjudication he stated that, “The area of adjudication requires some radical thinking and changes; commercial litigation is the area that feels the pinch most” noting that the system is so slow that, it has attracted a lot of negative comments outside the country.

Earlier, Dr. Ajibade, chairman 10th SBL conference planning committee stated that, the economy needs a little injection shot in the arm, to enable a viable environment for business. He however, cautioned that it should be done with care, so that uncontrollable monsters are not created. According to Mr. Alegeh, President of the NBA, Section on Business Law (SBL) is the pride of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohamed, who was represented by Mr. Wali Uguata stated that, Law must be gender-less, colour-less, tribe-less and of no particular religion.

Source:http://www.barbaric.com.ng/osinbajo-10th-nba-annual-conference-says-future-nigeria-rests-heavily-elites/