VP says some people use religion to pursue political agenda

Vice-President

Osinbajo said this when he received a delegation of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He observed that in the past religious bodies taught good morals, discipline and hard work that could help to build up the nation.

“If we maintain those values, it will help the country greatly,’’ he stated.

The vice-president observed that religion was being used by some people to pursue other agenda.

He said it was important for all to continue to emphasise on the values that would enhance the capacity for good citizenship.

Commenting on the government’s plan to borrow 30 billion dollars, Osinbajo said the issue might have been blown out of proportion.

According to him, the loan has many projects attached to it.

“The Medium Term Expenditure Framework was sent to the National Assembly and the borrowing plan has been made to capture projects such as Lagos – Kano rail project, the Mambila hydro electricity project and the Lagos – Calabar rail Project,’’ he said.

Osinbajo also explained that the loans were concessional and would attract 1.5 per cent interest.

He said the country was in recession because of foreign exchange issues and stressed that President Muhammadu Buhari was focused and consistent in his policies and fight against corruption.

He also said that the administration was striving to revive agriculture for massive food production.

“A lot of work is being done in agriculture sector. Farmers are happy and they are making money because they have market for their products,’’ he said.

The vice-president told the group that the government was aggressively addressing the problem of job creation.

“Government has engaged 200,000 unemployed graduates in various sectors of the economy and this will cost N79.2 billion in a year,’’ he explained.

Osinbajo commended the group for its counsel and proffering solutions for the development of the economy.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Dr Mashud Fashola, said the visit was to pray for the president and the success of the administration.

He also said the group had great regard for the country’s leadership, made up of men of extra-ordinary integrity and piety.

Fashola commended the administration for its transparency and accountability and for its determination to promote self-reliant development and reduce import dependence.