Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has received kind words from the Oba of Benin, His Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, who commended his eloquence, humility and calmness.
Professor Osinbajo was in Benin in continuation of his consultations with delegates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to next month’s national convention of the party.
He took time off to pay a courtesy call on the traditional ruler in his palace in Benin City.
The Monarch described the Vice President as “son of the soil, son of the palace.”
He said that the VP’s credentials put him above other contestants in the race for Nigeria’s presidency.
“We don’t need to over flog your credentials; they speak for themselves everywhere.
“No doubt, your credentials, since you have come out to run for this great office, I think you are going to give a lot of problems to all the other contestants.
“There is no gainsaying that they all probably shivering where they are because your credentials, coupled with your calmness, your humility and great respect for culture and being a true man of God, who has the fear of God in his heart, “the traditional said.
Oba Ewuare II stated that Professor Osinbajo was “eminently qualified” the position of president that he is running for and assured him that the people of Benin would be praying to the Almighty God and to their ancestors for his success at the polls.
He said; “We pray that the voters will hear your voice. It is now for the voters to decide.
“But here in Benin, we will be praying for you; we are already praying for you, mandating the chiefs, the Esogban, to pray for you.
“So, may the Lord Almighty and our ancestors hear this prayer for you and continue to bless you and grant your heart desires.”
Appeal to politicians
The Monarch, who received the vice president in company with his chiefs, appealed to politicians to work towards making Nigeria great again.
He said; “Nigeria is a great country. The kind of population we have, the human resources we have; if we use them very, very well, we will actually have a significantly small percentage of the under privileged. Not the other way round.
“We have great human resources, great mineral resources in this country and we can still discover a lot more.
“Then, why is there so much poverty in the country that leads to crime, leads to cultism, leads to human trafficking and of all these evil things.”
He called on politicians to ensure that the electorate that votes them into power get reward of good governance that would lead to the welfare and security of the people.
Political visit
The Vice President said he was in Benin City on political visit, but deemed it necessary to pay homage to the Monarch first before meeting with the APC delegates.
He informed Oba Ewuare II that he declared his intention to run for the office of the President of Nigeria on April 11 and had come to consult with the delegates of the party to their national convention, where the presidential candidate would be picked.
Professor Osinbajo said; “As your Royal Majesty well knows, I’ve served the past seven years and a few months, and within that period, I’ve been exposed to every aspect of governance.
“I also at various times acted as president, and President Muhammadu Buhari has been extremely generous, extremely open in ensuring that I always participated in all decisions and all aspects of governance.
“So, in many ways, I’ve acquired what is required to serve this nation in highest capacity, and to do so, not just in perfunctory way, but to do so in a most profound manner.”
Desire to serve
Professor Osinbajo said that it has always been his desire to serve Nigeria, stressing that he has been in public service in one shape or form for many years.
“I started teaching at the University of Lagos at the age of 24 and I have taught even up to 2013 while still practising law.
“I also served as adviser to the then Attorney-General of the Federation; that was in 1987 and I served up to 1991. That was Prince Bola Ajibola who was then federal attorney-general,” he explained.
Professor Osinbajo said that in that capacity he was able to look at reforms of the Nigerian judicial system and the reform of the administration of justice system.
He also said he oversaw similar reforms in Lagos State when he served as the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General in the state.
“In many ways, I think that God has guided my life in such a way that I have been given opportunities to serve.
“At every point, at every turn, I have always felt that there is always more for one to do and I believe that even at this time the opportunity calls again for serious considered service to our country.
“And I’m more than ever determined; more than ever committed to ensuring that I give the very best I can to our country along with so many others who are also willing to give their best to the country,” Professor Osinbajo said.
The Vice President further stated that he was at the palace to apprise the Monarch of his intention to run for the presidency and to explain to him why he is in the race.
He also visited the Edo State Secretariat of the APC before proceeding to the venue of the meeting with the delegates.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
