The N500B Social Investment programmes of the Buhari presidency is a means to energize the economy and deal with issues of poverty in the country, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Speaking today while receiving a delegation of the Muslim Lawyers Association at the Presidential Villa, Prof. Osinbajo said the social investment programmes would train people, create jobs, feed school children from homegrown farming and grant soft loans to traders, artisans and market women.

“All these are ways and means of energising the economy and deal with some of the harshest problems like poverty,” says the Vice President while also adding that despite the current economic conditions in the country there is great hope.

According to him, “we are here at this time because that is the will of God to deliver the goods and do the right things for this country. It is very interesting the situation we find ourselves, but there is great hope.”

The Vice President said both the president and himself are committed to a new united Nigeria, populated by a ‘New Tribe’ that would be united across otherwise divisive lines be it ethnic or religious. He added that Nigerians must fight corruption which is responsible for the current situation of things in the country, stressing that if it is not challenged, corruption would worsen the situation.

He added that as a people “we should never be divided on religion and ethnicity, everyone is free to practice their own faith. When we come together as a people we must advance the interest of our nation.”

Earlier the President of the Muslim Lawyers Association, Dr. Kamal Alhaji Daud praised both the president and the vice president pledging the association’s support in the fight against corruption and also prayed for wisdom and strength for the Buhari presidency. The group had held a lecture entitled Service Above Self, in honour of the Vice President.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant-Media & Publicity