Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says Nigeria is at a point in history where the citizens must decide in which direction to go.
Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Friday when he visited the Chairman of the Imo State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Highness, Eze Emmanuel Okeke, at the Obibi Eze Imo, Mbari Centre, Owerri.
“We are at a point in the history of our country where we must decide in which direction to go, and one of the important things to consider is that our country is going through various challenges.
“So, most of us who are coming forward to offer ourselves for the number one position in our country, especially within our party, come with a sense of urgency and a sense of the burden that such an office will require now and such office places upon us now.”
Prof. Osinbajo was in Owerri in continuation of his engagements with delegates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to this month’s national convention, where the flag bearer of the party for next year’s presidential election will be chosen.
The vice president, who flew into the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, with Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and Senator Kabir Gaya, representing Kano South in the National Assembly, and other supporters and aides, was received on arrival by the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof. Placid Njoku, and other government officials.
Security and Economy
Noting that his concerns are about issues of security and the economy, the vice president said he would look at ways of improving what has already been done by President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
“We are all looking at ways of improving or moving forward with what has already been done or being done by our government.
“So, I’m looking forward to our engagement with our delegates and the issues that we will be discussing at the meeting.”
Describing himself as “very much a son of this state,” Prof. Osinbajo said Imo is “a state that is close to my heart and very dear to me in every way.”
According to him, he has visited the state about seven times between last year and now for both official and unofficial functions.
Chosen from childhood
In his remarks, the Eze Okeke said God chose Prof. Osinbajo from childhood and elevated him to his calling as pastor as well as putting him in position as vice president.
“What again are we going to say? It is not your making; it is not my making. God knows why he is using you, but what I can say, with the names of my traditional rulers here, I say may God continue to assist you, adding grease to your elbows in Jesus name.
“At the same time, I say that the seat he has given you should never be changed in Jesus name. That’s only what we can say.
“The next thing is we should leave it to our traditional rulers in the state to be putting you in their prayer for whatever you are aiming to get.”
Vice President Osinbajo also spoke with the media after the meeting with APC delegates at the party’s secretariat in Owerri, saying he had a very engaging time with the delegates.
“We talked about a wide range of issues on the economy, security, to education and what we need to do and some of the current challenges and how we intend to deal with those current challenges.
“As you know, there’s a lot that needs to be done in the areas of economy and security and there is a lot that has been done.
“So, I cannot into details of all of that; otherwise I will be here for another two hours. But only to say that it has been very exciting.”
The vice president said he was able to rub minds with the delegates on some of the critical issues that concern the country and also projected into the future to see in what ways the future will be much better.
Nnenna.O
