Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has expressed his disapproval of the treatment given to Omoyele Sowore, revealing that it was the reason he rejected an award from the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.
In a statement made through his spokesperson Laolu Akande, Osinbajo said that it would be insensitive on his part if he was to attend the award ceremony while thanking the center for the recognition given to him.
Osinbajo gave two reasons for not accepting the award; firstly because he was a keynote speaker at the United Arab Emirates, and secondly because of what was going on with Omoyele Sowore. He then apologized to the organizers of the event.
I think it would be insensitive and inappropriate to attend the ceremony. 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.Yemi Osinbajo – pmnewsnigeria.com
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