Osinbajo To Nigerian Policy Elites: Don’t Be Silent On National Issues

By Bimbo Ogunnaike

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has charged Nigeria’s policy elites to raise not to keep silent in matters of national concern and public discourse, especially regarding issues of national unity.

The Vice President stated this on Tuesday when the Executive Council of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies(NIPSS)paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa.

The Vice President, who is also the Chairman of the NIPSS Governing Council, was emphatic on the need for the contributions of the nation’s policy elites to raging debates and on issues of national development.

“Even if we are not in government, we as intellectual elites, are supposed to ensure that, in terms of direction, we are heard. It is up to us to advise and to be as vocal as possible, and we have so many channels to give advice,”Osinbajo said.

“So, I think it is very important that we (as policy elites) develop a position. Because there is no question at all that if we keep quiet and nothing is said, space will be taken over by those who have not had the chance of seriously considering the issues,” the vice-president said.

Osinbajo also spoke about efforts made by the Buhari administration to address poverty, insecurity and other issues confronting Nigerians.