“I Will Review Nigeria’s Monetary Policy” – Tinubu; Says It Needs Total Cleaning

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Ayodele Oni

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May 29, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has announced that his administration’s monetary policy will have human face.

President Tinubu declared that “Monetary policy needs thorough housecleaning.

“The Central Bank must work towards a unified exchange rate. This will direct funds away from arbitrage into meaningful investment in the plant, equipment and jobs that power the real economy.

‘Interest rates need to be reduced to increase investment and consumer purchasing in ways that sustain the economy at a higher level.

“Whatever merits it had in concept, the currency swap was too harshly applied by the CBN given the number of unbanked Nigerians.

“The policy shall be reviewed. In the meantime, my administration will treat both currencies as legal tender.”

On the Nigeria’s journey so far, President Tinubu remarked that

“As a nation, we have long ago decided to march beyond the dimness of night into the open day of renewed national hope.

“The question we now ask ourselves is whether to remain faithful to the work inherent in building a better society or retreat into the shadows of our unmet potential.

“For me, there is but one answer. We are too great a nation and too grounded as a people to rob ourselves of our finest destiny.

“This nation’s journey has been shaped by the prayers of millions, and the collective sacrifices of us all.

“We have endured hardships that would have made other societies crumble.

“Yet, we have shouldered the heavy burden to arrive at this SUBLIME moment where the prospect of a better future merges with our improved capacity to create that future.

“To the surprise of many but not to ourselves, we have more firmly established this land as a democracy in both word and deed.”

What Nigerians Needs Now – Gov Akeredolu

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Ayodele Oni

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May 29, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Chairman, Southern Governors Forum, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, has admonished the new administration of President Bola Tinubu on the need to remain focused on the socio-economic programmes for the emancipation of the people.

“This is not the time to gloat on the electoral victories recorded in the last general elections. It is definitely not a season for recriminations.

“The rhetoric, which conveys the divisive nuance of “we against them” ought to have ceased with the declaration of the winners by the electoral body, INEC.

“This is the moment when all the new leaders must cast aside all tendencies which promote and deepen cleavages of different hues. All hands must be deployed on deck.”

These were contained in Governor Akeredolu’s congratulatory message to the new president and vice.

The Ondo state Governor noted that “As Nigeria takes yet another momentous step on her journey towards greatness, it behoves us to join all good people in the country and our friends and well wishers from all over the world to celebrate this seamless transfer of power to a new set of elected leaders, at both the national and state levels.

“Most importantly, all decent people must pay glowing tributes to the commitment of the immediate past President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, General Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for this phenomenal leap towards political stability and economic prosperity.

“I congratulate the former Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, and other members of the Federal Executive Council for a successful tenure.

“I am confident that posterity will reserve a worthy mention for their collaborative efforts, which have bequeathed abiding legacies to this country, despite experiencing difficult moments, since assumption of office, till the very last days. I congratulate all members of the All Progressives Congress for the victory at the last polls.

“On this occasion, I felicitate the new President, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, most heartily, for his resilience, equanimity, doggedness and uncommon tenacity to achieve set objectives.

“I congratulate the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, for being a part of the team who will steer the affairs of the country for the next four years.

“I rejoice with the All Progressives Congress for working assiduously and sustaining the momentum until the final victory was won. I congratulate Nigerians for being witnesses to history.

“The task ahead is so enormous than to warrant attending to frivolities capable of distracting the new Administration.

“There must be conscious attempts to bring on board only those with proven capacity with regard to expertise. The President must ensure that all those who are bent on setting Nigerians on one another are neutralised.

“The new Administration has its jobs well defined, the very first being the urgent need to assisting in birthing a new constitutional order which takes into account, keenly, the principles of federalism.

“The success recorded at fixing the basic defects in the 1999 Constitution, As Amended, will determine, largely, the pattern and the depth of the deliberative governance designed to achieve development.

“All existential issues will be addressed realistically. It is our duty to encourage the new Government to tread this honourable path.

“The new thinking should anticipate active participation by the constituent units of the Federation as coordinate partners in revenue generation and the security of lives and property of the citizenry.

“I have no doubt that Mr President is ready to deliver on this mandate of rectitude. His record of service in Lagos State leaves no room for any doubt concerning his capacity to turn things around positively.

“The Federal Government should expect robust engagements from the Government and people of Ondo State who expressed confidence in the new leadership through the overwhelming support given the President at the last presidential election.

“I, on behalf of the Government and the people of Ondo State, join other party leaders and members to congratulate the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the successful take-over of the mantle of leadership.”

Kano: Ganduje Leaves N241 Billion Debt, For New Governor, Absent At Inauguration, Emirs of Kano, Bichi Booed

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Ayodele Oni

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May 29, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has expressed dismay at the debt profile – N241 billion – left for his administration by the immediate past Government of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje. He has, however, sworn to probe Ganduje’s Government.

Ganduje was absent at the Inauguration of the new Governor which was marked by the booing of two of the high profile Emirs appointed by him – the Emirs of Kano and Bichi – as soon as they arrived for the inauguration ceremony.

While receiving mantle of leadership on Monday from Ganduje’s Secretary to the Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, the new Governor declared “We will carefully study the reports and come out with our position on the debt and other matters.

“I am surprised that the outgoing Governor is not around to hand over to me as a democratically elected Governor which has been the tradition.

Yusuf, however, called on the people of Kano State to pray for the success of his administration to ensure it meets the expectation of the governed through good democratic governance.

Alhaji said his principal left for Abuja to attend the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking at the Government House in Kano, earlier, Ganduje said his administration collected N1.2 trillion in the last eight years and spent the amount, leaving behind a total of about N241 billion debt, made up of loans, contractual obligations, and others.

Breaking: Tinubu Ends Petrol Subsidy

By

James Orji

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May 29, 2023

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has removed the Petrol subsidy.

The president took the decision during his inaugural speech as president and commander-in-chief on Monday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The fuel subsidy regime has been very controversial, with the former administration of President Muhammadu Buhari chickening out to end the regime last month, after he had earlier promised to end it by the middle of this year.

The president said he took the decision because there is no provision for petrol subsidy in the 2023 Budget.

This decision is likely to elicit serious reactions from the organized labour and other Nigerians in the next few days., according to political experts.

The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC has already warned that the removal of subdisy will elicit strong reactions from its members nationwide.

More details later……

Tinubu Pays Homage To Buhari As Honest, Patriotic Nigerian

By

James Orji

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May 29, 2023

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President Bola Ahmed has paid tribute to Mohammadu Buhari, his predecessor as a patriotic and honest Nigerian.

Tinubu disclosed this during his inaugural speech in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Monday, barely one hour after he took over the reins of government of Africa’s biggest economy as 16th president.

President Muhammadu Buhari had stepped down from government, after eight maximum years in office, handing over to Tinubu in an elaborate ceremony where Justice Olukkayode Ariwoola, the Chief Justice of the Federation, CJN administered the oath of office on the former governor of Lagos state as President and Commander-in-chief.

Buhari has since retired to his home in Daura, Katsina where he’s expected to continue his next phase of life as a farmer.

Tinubu, Nigeria’s 16th President, Sworn In

By

Ayodele Oni

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May 29, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been sworn-in as the 16th President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He took the oath of office at exactly 10:35am with the Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Olukayode Ariwodola in charge.

Vice President, Kashim Shettima had earlier taken the oath of office.

Tinubu took the oath of office to a rousing applause by supporters and well-wishers at a colourful ceremony at the Eagles Square,witnessed by Presidents and delegations from over 40 Contries including those from United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.

Both President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima, were joined by their spouses as they took their oath.

NIMASA: Minister Commissions Skill Acquisition Centre

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James Orji

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May 29, 2023

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The outgoing Honorable Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo weekend commissioned the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA skill acquisition centre in Zaria Kaduna State and a twin lecture theatre donated by the Agency to Kaduna State University.

The skill acquisition centre located in Zaria has facilities such as Electrical, mechanical, sewing, technical, and welding learning facilities amongst others for youths and women.

Speaking at the event, the Minister noted that these projects are part of the legacies of the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari to improve education as a basic need for economic development and used the opportunity to commend the Management of the Agency for the initiative.

On his part, the Director General, NIMASA, Bashir Jamoh, OFR noted that the NIMASA skill acquisition centre is one of the centres located across the six geo-political zones of the country. He also disclosed that higher institutions in all geo-political zones of the country are benefitting from the Agency under her Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects.

“Our desire as an Agency is to ensure young Nigerians acquire skills to make them self-dependent thus productively engaged. We are also developing such centres in Niger, Lagos, Anambra, Gombe, Bayelsa and Rivers States. This is also aimed at fighting insecurity on land which will have a multiplier effect on security in the maritime domain”, he said.

The outgoing Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, CON represented by the Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe noted the commitment of Kaduna State Government to education and thanked NIMASA for completing the project in record time.

The Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli CFR, commended NIMASA for citing the Project in the Emirate council assuring that the centre will be maintained for the benefit of the people.

Tinubu’s Bumpy Road To Aso Rock

By

James Orji

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May 29, 2023

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In less than one hour, Bola Ahmed Tinubu will take his oath as Nigeria’s 16^th president. But amidst the pomp and pageantry of the occasion of his swearing-in at Eagle Square, venue of the august ceremony, the incoming president and commander-in-chief, analysts say, is one of the very few Nigerians who contested the position and won on first attempt.

Tinubu must count himself lucky, according to those who have been watching his trajectory since he became the governor of Lagos in 1999.

Those close to him said his ambition to lead the country started then, and he has been working assiduously to ensure that he never failed in his quest to become the commander-in-chief.

But he took a bold step to achieve this on January 10, 2022 when he visited President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock and informed him that he wanted to succeed him.

“I’ve informed the President of my intention but I have not informed Nigerians yet. I’m still consulting. And I have no problem consulting. And I’ve not set a parameter of limitation to the extent of how many people will I consult,” Tinubu said.

His announcement to take a shot at the nation’s top job was received with mixed feelings among Nigerians, some said he has the capacity to lead the country while others disagreed.

The master political strategist he is, Tinubu since then never wavered in his quest to succeed the incumbent, also considering the opposition that rose against him along the line as he tried to secure his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, nomination to contest the highest office in the country.

On June 6, 20202, six months after he informed Buhari about his ambition, Tinubu went ahead to defeat vice president Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi as his party’s flagbearer in the February 25 presidential election.

He won despite the fact that some powerful forces in his party were opposed to him representing the party at the presidential poll.

For instance, Abdullahi Adamu, the APC candidate had hinted during a meeting held by top leaders of the party in Abuja that Senate President Ahmad Lawan was the party’s choice for the presidency.

Amidst the controversial comment made by Adamu, other school of thought also believed that President Buhari did not want Tinubu to succeed him, even though the president never for once stated publicly his choice for the top job.

Fortunately, neither Adamu nor the recalcitrant Buhari succeeded in stopping Tinubu who went ahead to win the APC nomination, and the stage was now set for him to contest with Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, and other candidates who have won their parties’ nominations to contest the nation’s presidency.

With his party still divided over the outcome of the APC presidential primary, Tinubu went ahead to face the two major presidential candidates of the PDP and LP on February 25 without clear indications of who amongst them will win the keenly contested election.

On March 1 2023, the Prof. Mahmud Yakubu-led Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC declared Tinubu winner of the presidential election, after scoring a total of 8,794,726 votes to beat other 17 candidates including Atiku and Obi who came second and third.

Prof. Yakubu said Tinubu met the constitutional provision of scoring the highest number of votes, 25 per cent of the votes cast in 30 states, more than the 24 states constitutionally required.

May 29: Tinubu Restates Promise To Fight Corruption

By

James Orji

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May 29, 2023

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Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the fight against corruption will be the priority of his government.

The former Lagos Governor is billed to be sworn in in less than two hours as the nation’s 16^th president, succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari whose tenure expires today.

One of the snags of the outgoing administration is its failure to tackle corruption, critics of the government say.

But Tinubu, the man who is taking over the baton of leadership on May 29 said on Sunday that fighting graft will be a cardinal agenda of his administration.

Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s incoming president, has assured that he will deliver on his campaign promises.

The former governor who spoke at a dinner organised by the presidential transition council, PTC, at the Aso Rock Villa on Sunday night, said corruption is one of the plagues ravaging the country.

He said, “We must fight corruption, poverty, inconsistencies in policies and many other problems confronting us, but don’t pity me, I asked for the job. I campaigned for it, no excuses, I will live up to the bill to deliver. I promise you.”

Not a few are watching how his administration will tackle the hydra-headed corruption problem in the country considering that he has been accused of corrupting himself with the resources of Lagos state government while he was governor of the Aquatic state.

Tinubu has denied the allegation, and has not been convicted of any corruption related charges.

Programme For The Swearing-in Of The New President And Vice President Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria, May 29,2023

By

The Source

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May 29, 2023

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Invited dignitaries to be seated at Eagles Square.

The President-elect and Vice President Elect arrive.

Outgoing President (PMB) and VP (PYO) arrive.

Outgoing VP takes his last salute.

Outgoing President takes his last salute.

Outgoing ADC hands over old military colours to Outgoing President.

Prayers.

CJN will be invited to swear in new VP.

CJN swears in the new President and Commander- in-Chief of the Arned Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Immediate Past President (PMB) hands over new colours to the new President & instrument of office.

Former President leaves for Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport enroute Katsina or Kaduna (using a different car that brought him to the venue).

PMB takes off for Katsina or Kaduna (With 001 for the last time).

The new President takes his first salute and inspect the Guards of Honour.

New President addresses the nation for the first time as President and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

President drives to the Villa (using the official vehicle that brought PMB to the venue)

New President hosts visiting Presidents/ Head of State/ head of delegation/ Ambassadors / Development Partners/ former Ministers/ members of NASS especially

In the evening, there will be a state banquet to toast to the new President.

Work starts on May 30, 2023.

(Live Transmission of the swearing of the President elect @officialABAT and VP elect @officialSKSM will be broadcast via all National Television stations including HallyTv and FRCN.)