On Monday, February 26, 2024, the Honourable Justice Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme, PhD, and ten other Supreme Court Justice-designates, will be sworn-in as Supreme Court Justices in Abuja. Venue is the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Abuja, and to preside is the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, the Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Nwosu-Iheme, popular among her very few friends as “Madam Justice”, a name, ironically, fondly given to her by gunmen who kidnapped her in Benin on October 30, 2019 in the line of duty. Awed by her carriage, calm demeanor and courage, in the face of a thin line between life and death, they, in reverence, as soon as they realized, 24 hours later, from the Media, who she is, began to address her as “Madam Justice.”
Nwosu-Iheme, at the time of her abduction, was the Presiding Judge of the Court of Appeal, Benin Division, and was on her way to Owerri when she was abducted within Benin City.
To be sworn-in alongside Justice Nwosu-Iheme are:
*Hon. Justice Jummai Hannatu Sankey, OFR.
*Hon. Justice Chidiebere Nwaoma Uwa.
*Hon. Justice Moore Asimov’s Adumein.
*Hon. Justice Obande Festus Ogbuinya.
*Hon. Justice Stephen Adah.
*Hon. Justice Habeeb Adewale Abiru.
*Hon. Justice Jamalu Yammama Tukur.
*Hon. Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar.
*Hon. Justice Mohammed Baba Idris.
They were recommended to President Bola Tinubu for elevation to the Supreme Court by the National Judicial Council, NJC, during its 104th Meeting on December 6, 2023 where it considered the list of Candidates presented by its interview Committee.
Born on 2, February 1959, Nwosu-Iheme is the first and only female Judge in Nigeria to earn a PhD. She is, also, the second female Judge from Imo State to be appointed to the Supreme Court. The first was the Honourable Justice Mary Peter-Odili, now retired, who is married to the former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili.
Nwosu-Iheme, noted for her courage and no-nonsense attitude, was appointed a Judge of the Imo State High Court in 1995. In 2008, she was elevated to the Court of Appeal.
She is married to Chief Uzoma Nwosu-Iheme, a very successful businessman and entrepreneur, who, in his younger years, was a Commissioner in the Imo State Government.
The couple is blessed with very successful children and lovely grandchildren.
When the 11 Supreme Court Justice-designates are sworn in on Monday, the Supreme Court of Nigeria will, for the first time in as many years, have its full compliment of 21 Justices.
For now, it has only 10 Justices who are over-burdened by all sorts of cases.
The attacks, taunts and apparent persecution of Godwin Emefiele, the immediate past governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have beclouded the uncommon historic development finance activities he initiated and implemented. The development appears to be a uncommon attempt to rubbish what ordinarily should be acclaimed as progressive imprints in favour of the economy. Nigeria’s unenviable culture of use and dump is what is playing out on Emefiele. For never in the history of the CBN has the apex bank played such a more direct progressive and positive role to impact the real sector of the economy.
I am not saying that all was well under Emefiele’s CBN. As a matter of fact, no sector of the economy would excel on its own when the entire Nigerian system is comatose. The CBN as a subset of a faulty Nigerian system cannot excel with all the ills plaguing Nigeria. That was why it couldn’t achieve its set targets. Persecuting or attacking Emefiele on the ground of systemic failure he did not cause is vindictive and amounts to chasing the wind.
For instance, farmers who were given loan to boost food production could not go to their farms due to ravaging insecurity not caused by Emefiele. Industrialist who were given loan to boost production could not perform due to epileptic power supply and bad roads not caused by the CBN. The examples are unending showing how a faulty system negatively affects every sector under it. The CBN is no exception.
CBN’s interventionist policies in different sectors of the economy, particularly the real sector was unmatched. The extent of the intervention was more than enough to give boost to the economy if the general operating environment was conducive. My concern now is what becomes of the interventionist policies under a new helmsman who may not buy into the progressive vision of Emefiele. Are the policies going to be sustained or are they going to be discarded because the new power brokers don’t like the face of Emefiele who initiated them? That would mean throwing the baby with the bathwater and that would be a disservice to the economy. It would be foolhardy to discard the policies without realising the full benefits for our distressed economy.
The CBN came up with the interventionist policies to address the needs of the real sector with the aim of achieving a variety of economic targets among which was the need to address financial exclusion by locating easy access to credit to give impetus to the development of priority sectors of the economy. The philosophy behind the schemes and programmes in the real sector was to stimulate affordable and sustainable finance to priority sectors and segments of the economy, particularly, agriculture, manufacturing and small and medium scale businesses. The schemes aimed at providing low-cost and long-term funding for enterprises within these sectors and segments involved in large scale processing or secondary production activities. The development finance interventions of the CBN were transmitted through schemes and programmes ranging from credit guarantees and interest rebates to indirect lending.
Godwin Emefiele
Under Emefiele, the CBN initiated and implemented as many as 43 programmes and schemes that positively impacted different sectors of the economy. The catalogue of interventions included the popular Anchor Borrowers Programme ( ABP), Accelerated Agriculture Credit Scheme ( AACS), Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme ( CACS), Family Homes Financing Initiative ( FHFI), Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Facility (MSMEDF), National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme (TI ES), Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP), TRSDERMONI, among many others.
Under agriculture, for instance, the CBN’s Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) reportedly contributed between 2 to 2.5 million metric tonnes of rice paddy annually to the national output. In the same vein, the programme supported maize production amounting to over 1.12 metric tonnes from financed projects across the country besides the cultivation of over 1.41 metric tonnes of cassava and the domestic production of its derivatives namely starch, ethanol, sorbitol, etc. In sum, a total of over 4.59 million smallholder farmers are cultivating some 6,135,150 hectares of 21 agricultural commodities across the country.
Apart from rice and cassava, the other commodities cultivated under the ABP include cocoa, cotton, groundnut, soya bean, wheat, sorghum, ginger, castor seed, tomatoes, yellow pepper, cowpea, onion, among others financed through 23 participating financial institutions.
Furthermore, the ABP contributed to the increase in yield per hectare for maize and rice paddy cultivation from an average of 1.5 to 4.5 metric tonnes, cotton yield from1.5 to 2 metric tonnes per hectare and wheat from 1.3 to 3 metric tonnes. Besides, CBN as part of its strategic response to assuage rising food prices released some 190,000 metric tonnes of maize directly to feed millers from its Strategic Maize Reserve (SMR).
Under the Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme, the CBN financed the expansion of agricultural operations with 67.6 per cent of financed projects acquiring new or additional equipment.
It is noteworthy that as a result of these interventions, there is progressive decline in the nation’s major food import bill from US$ 3.23 billion in 2014 to US$ 0.59 billion in 2018, which represents an 82 per cent decline in import bill.
Under Agribusiness Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme (AgSMEIS), the Bank financed 40, 884 projects covering agriculture, cottage industry, manufacturing and services etc. The AgSMEIS has thus boosted the productive capacity of the domestic equipment fabrication industry across the country.
Besides agriculture and production activities, the Bank also delved into other productive sectors of the economy. For instance, under the Creative Industry Financing Initiative (CIFI), the Bank financed some 373 projects cutting across fashion, software development, information technology (IT), movie industry etc. Unknown to many, some of the top Nollywood movies were financed by the Bank. Some of the major titles financed under CIFI include Legend of Inikpi, Yeku, Tiwa’s Baggage and Damaged Goods. The initiative has created significant number of direct and indirect jobs thereby reducing the rate of unemployment.
Thus, in an effort to curb the unemployment challenge in the country, the Bank initiated the Targeted Credit Facility (TCF) through which it financed 830,831 beneficiaries made up of 684,441 households and 146,390 SMEs.
Furthermore, the CBN provided a N12.5 billion seed fund for the youths. Under the intervention, funds were disbursed to 7,057 beneficiaries, comprising 4,411 individuals and 2,746 small businesses throughout the country.
Under the Bank’s Entrepreneurship Development Centres (EDC) initiative, 55,422 nascent entrepreneurs were trained, with 18,598 having access to single digit finance which led to the creation of 37,069 jobs.
On energy and infrastructure, the Bank financed a total of 1,403.3 megawatts (MW) of power supply under the Bank’s energy and infrastructure scheme to produce a new capacity of 944.3 MW. The improvement in power supply services was expected to reduce domestic production costs, improve industrial capacity utilisation and poverty alleviation among Nigerians. The industries serviced included fast moving consumer goods , steel production, cement, packaging, agro allied, Independent Power Plant (IPP), and wood products at various percentages.
The Power and Airline Intervention Facility (PAIF) created a cash flow for recurrent expenditure through interest differential. Through PAIF), the Bank leveraged additional private sector investment by attracting private sector players in the Nigerian power sector. By the arrangement, private investors were required to provide 30 per cent of the total project cost while the initiative provides the remaining 30 per cent.
The intervention has also enabled the electricity distribution companies (Discos) to carry out projected Capex through issuance of Letters of Credit (LC) for the purchase of over 704,928 meters comprising 3-phase smart and single phase meters.
The Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading – Payment Assurance Facility (NBET-PSF) has stabilized the electricity market to ensure the continued existence and operation of generating companies and gas suppliers.
Furthermore, the Nigeria Electricity Market Stabilization Facility (NEMSF) financed the recovery of 1,180 megawatts capacity through rehabilitation of 10 gas turbines at Geregu, Transcorp Ughelli and Ibom thermal power plants and three hydro-power stations at Shiroro, Jebba and Kainji dams.
Under the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP), the CBN financed the procurement of 657,562 electricity meters through 17 Meter Asset Providers (MAP) and 9 distribution companies (Discos).
The CBN had mapped out strategies for the recovery of outstanding loans owed to it. These include monitoring and recovery, timely loan reconciliation with PFIs, issue demand notice on outstanding facilities and implementation of global standing instruction, among others.
The foregoing highlights the robust economic enhancement schemes and programmes initiated and implemented by the CBN under Emefiele. As earlier indicated, these uncommon economic policies could lift the economy from its dysfunctional quagmire. The question is what is being done now to sustain these vibrant economic policies in order to leverage the pathetic state of affairs in the country. The economy is currently in a worse situation. What is the new CBN governor doing to get the battered economy out of the doldrums? The ball is in the court of President Ahmed Tinubu and his CBN governor Cardoso.
Onyekakeyah, PhD, is of the Editorial Board of the Guardian Newspaper, Nigeria
With all arrangements concluded for the installation of the Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu- Gambari as the 5th Chancellor of the Bayero University Kano BUK on March 2,2024 the authorities of the University of Abuja have expressed confidence that the rich academic and leadership trajectories of the revered Monarch will radically impact positively on the institution and beyond.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, February 21, by the Spokesperson of UNIABUJA, Dr Habib Yakoob and made available to The Source, the Vice Chancellor Professor Abdul- Rasheed Na’ Allah noted that Emir Gambari’s appointment is an eloquent testament to his exceptional leadership qualities, unwavering dedication to education and esteemed contributions to the development and growth of the academic community in Nigeria.
Professor Na’ Allah observed that the Ilorin Emirate Monarch’s distinguished services to the advancement of knowledge, proven track record of leadership abilities and capabilities without doubt have played a significant role in shaping the landscape of the academic community in particular and the nation at large.
He described Emir Gambari’s appointment as the BUK Chancellor as not only being a reflection of his personal accomplishments, but also a source of inspiration to aspiring academics and leaders across the country.
“As the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, I am confident that your ( Emir Gambari) tenure at BUK will be marked by continued excellence , innovations and steadfast commitment to the pursuit of academic excellence and research which we have seen you consistently demonstrate when carrying out related responsibilities ” Professor Na’ Allah who hails from Ilorin stated.
Alhaji Gambari who is the 11th Emir of the Ilorin Emirate will be on his third assignment as a University Chancellor having served in similar capacity at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka and University of Agriculture Makurdi.
His installation ceremony billed to hold on the BUK Campus is expected to draw many notable Northern figures in particular, and others including top Government officials from across the country.
All appears set for the official commissioning of the 186 Megawatts Geometric Power Plant, the parent company of the Aba Power Limited Electrical APLE.
The $800 Million worth Power Generating and Distribution Outfit, originally billed for commissioning on February 24 2024, will now be flagged off on Monday February 26 according to a statement by the Management on Wednesday February 21.
The Commissioning Ceremony, expected to be graced by President Bola Tinubu, and Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, and other high profile Government officials Captains of industry, and top business players from across the country, is coming on the heels of the plea by Aba residents for an improved service delivery and a realistic and humane billing system .
The Source reports that since taking charge of the power needs of Aba Ring Fence comprising the nine Local Councils of Abia South Senatorial zone in the last two years, Consumers have had more sordid tales to narrate than pleasant ones.
The Professor Bath Nnaji backed power Generating Company, which is also one of the country’s 12 licensed Electricity Distribution outfits, has largely been embroiled in a crisis of confidence with the larger part of its consumer base, the fulcrum of which centers on accusations of poor service delivery, arbitrary estimated billing and outright extortionist and exploitative tendencies.
Some Aba residents who volunteered comments, while expressing happiness over the imminent commissioning of the Gas-powered turbines that is expected to provide 24 hours power to nine out of the 17 Local Councils of Abia state, urged the company not to take undue advantage of its monopolistic position to exploit the consumers.
We have been monitoring the service delivery level and billing methods of APLE ( Geometric) since it took over the Aba Ring Fence two years ago. And we believe that the company is reaping off the residents and other consumers with unprecedented exploitative billing system for services barely rendered.
“We have seen a lot in the past two years and we wish to let Geometric know that all of us in Aba are not ignorant of the situation in the last two years. We were only sympathetic, but unfortunately, they ( Geometric) took it for granted . It will never repeat itself any more ,as any extortionist and exploitative tendencies by the power company will receive adequate public attention” a concerned resident stated.
But a top Management staff of the Power company, who craved anonymity revealed on Monday February 19, that the problem of epileptic power supply and general poor service delivery is not peculiar to Geometric, but a national phenomenon, resulting from the harsh operating environment which most of the Discos have found themselves.
He, however, expressed optimism that Aba Residents and, in deed consumers generally will witness a new dawn as efforts have been concluded for the commissioning of the Outfit.
” In the first place ours is a unique Disco, in that we are the only one out of the lot that is generating its own power.
“All this while, we have been trying to put things in shape, while at the same time trying to meet the power needs of our consumer base from the national grid ,which every body is aware of the problems there in.
“But now we are about to generate our own power in line with the terms of our operational mandate.
“We are licensed. to produce 186 Megawatts of power, while the power need of our area of coverage is 144 megawatts for now.
“We have three Gas powered Turbines ,each with 47 Megawatts. We are going to power one before the commissioning ceremony. And thereafter we will power the other two.
“Our assurance is that from now on it is a win, win situation for Aba residents and our consumers in all the areas of our operation.
“But the consumers have to take up their own responsibilities by way of meeting their own obligations in terms of prompt and regular payments and protection of the facilities in place” the top management staff stated.
Organised Labour in the country has decided to press on with its protest slated for next week. There is no going back the Nigerian workers said, despite government appeal to them to shelve the protest in the interest of the country.
The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, had last week issued a two-day protest notice to the federal government over the hardship in the country resulting from the high cost of living. The protest will take place between February 27 and 28, the union said.
The two unions had earlier issued a 14-day strike notice to the government over the non-implementation of the 16-point agreement reached by the parties in October last year.
The Department of State Services, DSS, had urged the NLC and TUC to shelve the two-day protest in the interest of the country, saying it could be hijacked by hoodlums to cause chaos.
Reacting on Wednesday, Joe Ajaero, NLC President said it is within workers’ right to embark on peaceful protest, while security agencies are to ensure that troublemakers are not allowed to foment trouble.
Ajaero said they would not succumb to DSS blackmail to jettison the protest, which he said, is necessary to call the attention of the government to the suffering of Nigerians due to high cost of living in the country.
The NLC Leader said labour is concerned “concerned by the unsolicited advice of the Department of State Security to shelve our planned protest against the unprecedented high cost of living in spite of the indescribable suffering in the land, spiralling inflation, deepening poverty and the Naira at an exchange rate of N1,900 to the US Dollar.”
He said further: “According to the Service, the planned protest should be shelved “in the interest of peace and public order”, pre-supposing that the action is intended to be violent and disruptive even when we have a history of peaceful protests.
“More worrying is the new role the Service has assigned to itself, the chief spokes person of the government.
“According to the Service, “It is common knowledge that all levels of Government are striving to ameliorate the prevailing economic condition and as such, should be given a benefit of the doubt, So far, appropriate authorities are working assiduously with a spectrum of stakeholders to fashion out modalities to address the current difficulties”.
“We are equally worried that although the Service is aware that some elements are planning to use the opportunity of the protest to foment crisis and by extension, widespread violence”, and yet have not executed the arrest of these elements.
“We are equally intrigued by the innuendos of the Service, their philosophy of “peace” and wild allegations and we want to reassure them that no one loves this country more than us and on our honour, we would never do anything that will compromise its sovereignty or security.
“Having said this, we would not have ourselves blackmailed or lied against by the Service. Our protest is a peaceful one against the unpardonable cost of living of which the unserviced personnel of the Service are also victims. We cannot fold our hands and pretend all is well. That will be a grievous conspiracy that history will not forgive.”
The magazine learned today that the federal government has started consultations with the two unions in other to ensure that the protest is shelved.
This is due to fear that some unscrupulous elements could hijack it to their own gain, which could spiral into a serious security problem for the government.
Following protests and rejection which trailed the outcome of the Edo State Governorship Primary Election, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has been removed as Chairman of the Edo State Gubernatorial Election Committee.
The All Progressives Congress, (APC) National Working Committee, (NWC) which fixed Thursday for fresh election, after it declared the previous one inconclusive, appointed Cross River state Governor Bassey Otu, who was Uzodinma’s Deputy, in previous Committee as Chairman.
A revised list issued on Wednesday and signed by Suleiman Argungu, National Organising Secretary of the Party, confirmed the development in a statement on Abuja.
Alhaji Rabiu Suleiman retained his position as Secretary of the panel.
Shettima Sheu replaced the Imo State Governor in the panel, which also has a former Osun State Deputy Governor as a member.
Earlier a statement on Monday signed by Ize-Iyamu, Chief Lucky Imasuen, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and General Charles Airhiavbere (retd), noted that the Imo State Governor, who incidentally is the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodinma, supervision of the weekend election that has been declared inconclusive by the party national secretariat, breached provisions of the Electoral Act and the APC Constitution.
They, therefore, demanded that Senator Uzodinnma not be allowed to head the panel that would conduct the fresh primary.
“We strongly believe that whatever was responsible for his flagrant disregard for due process and unusual hasty declaration of unconfirmed fictitious results of the primaries outside the designated collation centre may not have abated from his mind and, therefore, may be repeated if given the opportunity to play the same role as chairman in the process.
“In the circumstances, we are calling on Mr President to kindly use his good offices to replace Senator Hope Uzodinma with any other respected member of our great party as chairman.
“Furthermore, we believe that this is the only way to remedy the ridicule and embarrassment that Uzodinma’s tactless and overzealous behaviour, which in the view of keen observers of happenings in the ongoing process of nominating a viable candidate of our party, runs within the borderline of mischief and clotted with antidemocratic vestments, unknown to law.”
President Bola Tinubu represented by the Minister for Finance & Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr. Olawale Edun, and Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, of Kwara state led dignitaries to receive the body of late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu at the lying in state ceremony in Akure, Ondo State capital on Wednesday.
At the lying in state were political, professional allies, family members as well as the deceased former political appointees.
A special Court Session had earlier been held at the state High Court complex where the Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola enumerated contributions of Akeredolu to the State Judiciary.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in a speech at the lying in state, stated that the deceased risked his life to ensure the people lived.
“I remember how this great man lying still here before us now took an uninsured risk in service of a greater goal for his people.
This was at the heat of the avoidable farmers – herders/kidnapping and other security challenges in our country. I am sure you remember his indomitable interventions when it was tough to speak loud.
“He, without fear, took an unusual sacrifice that many considered a suicide mission. He raised his voice high to the roof to speak truth to power. He condemned inequality, complacency, divisiveness and double standards.
“He asked for the supremacy of rule of law. He asked for fairness, love and true nationalism. He faced the troubling issues of the times with the candour of a statesman. He not only condemned indolence of thought, he proffered solutions that guaranteed peace. He not only talked, he walked his talk. He advocated for a new thinking, a new action and a new direction.
“He took these risks against bigger powers whose might is determinate and final. He took a great risk at the peak of his reelection attempt.
“I can as well remind you of yet another heroic deed of the late Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. How can we forget his clear posture and position on the very constitutional matter of true federalism?
“I remember till today, the bellow of his voice, as we ruminated in the quiet Chamber of his quarters, on the need and strategies for survival and self-preservation for the Yoruba people of Nigeria.
He said and I quote ‘How can we claim the audacity of leadership if we fail the litmus test of protecting the people when adversary, persecution, humiliation and death come? We will not be worth our salt if we betray our oaths of office and natural commission of leadership for which we are known.”
As part of initiatives to reduce the number of out of school children, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have announced plan to enroll and skill 1.5 million children, youths, and adolescents across three states.
The benefitting states are Jigawa, Katsina, and Kano.
The Senior Education Manager at UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, Michael Banda, disclosed this during a multi-sectoral meeting of key stakeholders focused on education and youth empowerment projects.
The meeting, held on Wednesday in Kano, highlighted the importance of addressing educational and developmental needs among the younger population.
Banda pointed out that the programme was aimed at increasing the number of girls and boys benefiting from safe, inclusive, relevant learning and skills development opportunities in Kano, Jigawa and Sokoto states.
He said the four-year programme which commenced from October 2023 to August 2027, would cover Kano, Jigawa and Sokoto states.
Banda explained that the programme was aimed at increasing the number of girls and boys benefiting from safe, inclusive, relevant learning and skills development opportunities.
“The programme operation is categorized into three main outputs involving strengthened education governance and learning, expanded access to safe and inclusive learning environment and giving quality, continuous learning and enhanced competencies.”
The education manager pointed out that in Nigeria, many children between seven and 14 could not read or write simple sentence.
“Our aim is for them to get skill that will make them competitive, marketable and self sustaining, to start a business.
“We are also looking at Integrated Qur’anic School because we have Qur’anic schools that do an integrated curriculum which includes literacy and numeracy beyond the religious education.
“We are going to catch everyone, including those who do not have space in the formal school.”
Banda stated further that Kano State has been selected to be one of the top beneficiaries of the newly introduced European Union-funded education and empowerment programme in Nigeria.
According to him, Kano will have the lion share of the project because of its population and the number of out-of-school children.
He said that EU was not only concentrating its resources in Kano, but in Northwest, Northeast and other states in Nigeria.
The UNICEF education manager added that the EU was an all-weather partner for UNICEF and various states in ensuring that all children accessed quality education.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, in Kano state, Umar Doguwa, commended the development partners for the gesture.
He restated the state government’s commitment to invest in education sector.
Following the expiration of the tenure of Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju as the Comptroller General of Immigration on February 29th, 2024, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of DCP Kemi Nanna Nandep as the New Boss of Immigration.
Her appointment will take effect from March 1, 2024, as the New Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Services, NIS.
Before her appointment as Comptroller-General, Nandap was the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of the Migration Directorate of the Service.
The President anticipates that the new Comptroller-General will deepen the ongoing reforms in the service and create a robust mechanism for efficient and dedicated service delivery to Nigerians, as well as strengthen the nation’s security through proactive and effective border security and migration management.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has accused the opposition and those he described as mischief makers of being responsible for the widespread protest against the Federal Government over the unprecedented hardship in the Country.
Nigerians in a number of States have, in the past couple of weeks taken to the streets in protest against the economic hardship. But in response, Akpabio said that the protests, far from being genuine grassroots movements are products of sponsorship by the opposition.
He accused opposition Parties of funding the protest to further cripple the economy and turn the people against the Government.
Akpabio noted that the protesters may not fully grasp the efforts being undertaken by both the Senate and the Federal Government to alleviate these economic challenges.
He remarked, “You can see a lot of sponsored protests here and there, but those people are not aware—most of those sponsored protesters are not aware of the kind of efforts made by this Senate to tackle the situation together with the management team of the Federal Government.
“Unverified reports suggest that State Governments, in recent months, have received an additional N30 billion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), outside their regular allocations from the federation account, to assist them in addressing the food situation.
“So we believe that every state government should utilize the funds received to ensure that food is available.”
Akpabio emphasized that the National Assembly would not approve anything that does not ultimately benefit the citizens, affirming their commitment to the welfare of Nigerians.
Reacting to the statement of the former Akwa Ibom State Governor, netizens took to the Social Media to lash him for making such unsavoury comments.
Some accused him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC, for inflicting pains on Nigerians.
They queried the ‘Renewed Hope’ Mantra, stressing that Nigerians are suffering and living in abject poverty and penury, whereas, the political class are living a life of luxury.
The netizens said that though there are protests in Oyo, Niger, Kano, and Sokoto, where citizens have taken to the streets to express their frustrations over the mounting economic hardships, the FG should be prepared as there is going to be another #EndSARS drama in Lagos if things are not addressed in earnest.
They threatened that Nigerians will soon take to the streets in Lagos which is the commercial hub of the nation and cripple all activities.
