Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has explained the reasons behind his absence at Monday’s annual Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) Awards, 2019.
Igbere TV recalls that the WSCIJ earlier announced that it would present an ‘integrity specialty of the anti-corruption defender award’ to Osinbajo in recognition of his “invaluable work of overhauling the Lagos State Judiciary, and his consistency as a strong voice for promoting integrity in the country”.
The nomination, however, did not see the light of the day as the move was resisted and criticized by many Nigerians who asked that Osinbajo be dropped over his alleged silence on Sowore’s travails with the DSS.
This forced the organizers of the event to backtrack, saying honouring Osinbajo in the light of recent protests against Sowore’s travails and “repression” of free speech in the country, will be inappropriate.
But in a statement made available to Igbere TV, Osinbajo through his spokesman, Laolu Akande, said he had earlier written the organizers that he would be absent at the event as he was currently out of the country attending an international meeting in Abu Dhabi.
According to the letter, the vice-president also said that he thought it insensitive to attend the ceremony in view of the recent developments on Friday in the Sowore case.
Full Statement,
“I am extremely grateful for the recognition and award of the “Integrity Specialty of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism’s Anti-corruption Defender Award of 2019” to me.
“The award, I note, is for our Justice reform efforts in Lagos State. I had accepted the award with pride on behalf of the excellent Justice Sector team we had.
“However, two reasons explain my absence. First is that I am currently in Abu Dhabi for an international meeting under the auspices of the government of the UAE where I am the keynote speaker.
“Second, in view of the developments on Friday in the Sowore case, I think it would be insensitive and inappropriate to attend the ceremony.
“Please accept my heartfelt apologies and extend the same to the other members of the organizing team. God bless you.”
