Opinion: VP Osinbajo: A sound“Omoluabi” indeed
On a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, the Oba Elegushi of Ikate Land, Kusenla III in Eti Osa, Lagos during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration last week, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, was recently described as a sound “Omoluabi”. Osinbajo The Vice President, who was also praised by the chiefs and party leaders of Eti-Osa local government for his leadership skills, as well as his deft handling of national affairs while President Muhammadu Buhari was on a working vacation, was described by the past chairman of Eti-Osa East LCDA, as an Omoluabi, a loyal man and someone the Yorubas are proud of. I dare say Nigeria is also proud to have a man like him at this juncture of our nation’s history.
The etymology of “Omoluabi” is a philosophical and cultural concept that’s native to the Yoruba people. It is used to describe a person of good character; hence the concept signifies courage, hard work, humility and respect. According to definition, an Omoluabi is a person of honour who believes in hard work, respects the rights of others and gives to the community in deeds and in action. Above all, an Omoluabi demonstrates and exhibits the inherent value of the basis of moral conduct inYoruba culture hence, is a person of Integrity. Recall that the Emir of Daura, HRH Alhaji Farouk Umar Farouk attested to Osinbajo’s loyalty during his courtesy visit to his palace.This speaks volume of the character of this man of great intellect and leadership skills.
As the Acting President, Osinbajo saved our democracy when he swiftly terminated the appointment of the DSS Director General, Lawal Daura, when there was an unauthorized take over of the National Assembly Complex by masked DSS personnel, an action described as a gross violation of constitutional order, rule of law and all accepted notions of law and order. Also, recently, as Acting President, Osinbajo also ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to overhaul the management and activities of the Police Unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). And to ensure that any unit that will emerge from the process will be intelligence-driven and restricted to the prevention and detection of armed robbery and kidnapping, and apprehension of offenders linked to the stated offenses and nothing more. He also directed the IGP to ensure that all operatives in the emerging unit conduct their operations in strict adherence to the rule of law and with due regards to International Human Rights Law and the Constitutionally Guaranteed Rights of Suspects.
This development follows numerous complaints from Nigerians on social media, accusing SARS officers of several misconducts ranging from harassment, extortion and assault to extra-judicial killings. The move by the Vice President was greatly lauded by many Nigerians, including those who had been wrongly victimized and brutalized by SARS. The empathetic nature of the Vice President was also evident when he signed into law, Nigeria’s first Patients’ Bill of Rights developed by the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health. The bill is an aggregation by the CPC of Patients’ Rights that exist in other instruments, including the Constitution, Consumer Protection Council Act, Freedom of Information Act, National Health Act, the Hippocratic Oath and others. While launching the bill, Osinbajo said the goal of health services is to provide all patients with high-quality health care in a manner that clearly recognises individual needs and rights. Prof. Osinbajo noted that in order to effectively accomplish this goal, the patient and healthcare provider must work together to develop and maintain optimum health. About two weeks ago, Osinbajo visited the collapsed four-storey building in Jabi/Utako area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and commiserated with relatives of those who died or were injured, while assuring that all relevant public agencies are on the ground to ensure rescue operations are effectively carried out.
It is pertinent to state that Vice President Osinbajo continues to prove his diligence in exercising his duties as the number two citizen of Nigeria beyond a reasonable doubt. Prof. Osinbajo is, indeed, an “Omoluabi”, a great man who puts national Interest first before any other, a selfless leader, an eminent professor, a resilient man and one worthy of emulation by virtue of the testimonies of his proactive leadership qualities in making Nigeria better. Vanguard
Lolade is a Lagos-based public affairs commentator
