Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday said it will be callous if the different arms of government fail to cooperate to tackle the country’s economic challenges, especially given the reality that Nigeria now has millions of extremely poor people, resulting from COVID-19.
In his closing remarks at the two day Executive/Legislative retreat, Osinbajo noted that the context within which the arms of government operate is important, noting that given the situation in the country, it will be callous and irresponsible if the different arms of government to work together to resolve the problems.
“What is the reality of the context that we operate in today? We all know, our nation has millions of extremely poor people, the Covid -19 pandemic has worsened employment and poverty.
According to Osinbajo noted that it will be callous and irresponsible if the different arms of government to work together to resolve the problems.
“We have huge deficits in infrastructure, many children are out of school. If that is our context we will be callous and irresponsible if we don’t come together, work together to sort out these grave life threatening problems our people have to confront everyday.
“The fact that we have all been here for two working days demonstrates our common commitment to collaboration.
“Frankly, we have no choice if we are not to fail the Nigerian people who have given us this incredible opportunity amongst millions of our compatriots to serve at this high leadership levels we occupy today.”
While noting that “this is all about Nigeria and Nigerians,” he added: “This is the context for our operations. Let me say that every generation of leadership must understand context. Law itself must be interpreted and implemented in context.
“The dogmatic emphasis on procedural niceties is a luxury we cannot afford. In any event, there is no pure practice of the doctrine of separation of powers.
The Vice President, while making a comparative analysis of various countries, said ” the Anglo American traditions that we hold on to in support of the separation of powers are not pure…so for example the US Vice President serves as the President of the Senate and presides over the Senate’s daily proceedings.”
Participants at the two-day even include President Buhari, Vice President Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Deputy President of the Senate, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chairmen of Committees in the Senate and House of Representatives.
Others are Members of the Federal Executive Council, Heads of Agencies and Senior Government officials including the management of the National Assembly.
