By Oluwaseun Sonde
Nigerian Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has officially declared his intention to run for 2023 Presidential race under the All Progressive Party APC platform, while called Nigerians to support his journey for a better country.
Osinbajo who made his intention known on Monday, said his experiences, insights, opportunities must be used for Nigeria and Nigerians, promised to work together with Nigerians to establish "Nigeria of our dreams" in a few short years to come.
According to him, "In this period of seven years, I have served the government in several capacities, and have, at the direction of President Muhammadu Buhari, represented our country in sensitive high level international engagements.
"I have been to practically all local governments in Nigeria. Markets, factories, schools, and farms. I've been in agricultural, mining and oil producing communities; in the Delta, in Kebbi, Borno; Rivers, Plateau, Ondo; and in all other States of the federation, listening to the diverse experiences and yearnings of our people.
"I have visited our gallant troops in the North East and our brothers and sisters in the IDP camps. I have felt the pain and anguish of victims in violent conflicts, terrorist attacks, flooding, fire and other disasters.
"I have been in the homes of many ordinary Nigerians in various parts of the country. Sat with techprenuers in Lagos, Edo, and Kaduna, with our Nollywood and Kannywood actors; with our musicians, from Lagos, Onitsha, and Kano. And spoken to small and large businesses".
Adding that, he stood where they stood and sat where they sat. "I know their hopes, aspirations and fears; and I believe that in those hopes and aspirations are the seeds for the great Nigeria that we all desire.
"I believe that the very reason why the Almighty God gave me these experiences, these insights, and these opportunities, is that they must be put to the use of our country and it’s great peoples", Osinbajo said.
Vice President said this is why he today, with utmost humility, formally declared his intention to run for the Office of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the platform of the great party, the All Progressives Congress.
"If by the will of the people, I'm given the opportunity, then I believe that first, we must complete what we have started; radically transforming our security and intelligence architecture, completing the reform of our justice system focusing on adequate remuneration and welfare of judicial personnel.
"Ensuring justice for all and the observance of rule of law, rapidly advancing our infrastructure development, especially power, roads, railways and broadband connectivity, providing an excellent environment for businesses to thrive, taking the agriculture revolution to the next level especially mechanization and developing the farm to table value chain.
"Making sure that the government, its agencies and regulators serve the business community, creating a tech economy that will provide jobs for millions; enhancing our Social Investment Programme to a full scale social welfare scheme, completing the promise of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within this decade.
"Completing the task of ensuring that all Nigerians, male and female, attend school, reforming our educational system for relevance to the challenges of this century, completing the task of universal health coverage for all and strengthening the capacity of States and Local Governments to deliver on their respective mandates".
Osinbajo noted that front and centre of his efforts will be the provision of jobs and opportunities for the young people, while seeking support of fellow Nigerians everywhere in this land, and the diaspora, young and old, male and female, in the great and exciting journey.
The VP promised to build on the foundation laid by his predecessors. "We will need to move, with much speed, intentionality, and perseverance, towards the vision of a prosperous, stable, and secure nation.
"I am convinced beyond doubt that we have the creativity, the courage, the talent, and the resources to be the foremost black nation on earth. Let us now birth the expectations of greatness conceived generations before us.
Osinbajo called to build a Nigeria where the man from Nnewi sees the man in Gusau as his brother, where the woman in Warri sees the woman in Jalingo as her sister, where the love of the nation burns alike in the hearts of boys and girls from Gboko to Yenogoa.
"Where everywhere, in this land, is home for everyone, where our diversities, tribes and faiths unite, rather than divide us. Let our tribes become one tribe; the Nigerian tribe, where all are treated fairly, justly and with respect.
Where all are given equal access to the abundant opportunities that God has bestowed on this nation. It’s time", he said.
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