Home Blog Page 1538

OPINION: Reform, What Reform?

By
The Source
-
0

By Steve Osuji

TINUBU IS A POLITICIAN, NOT A REFORMER: Some cheap talk has crept into the media space recently indicating that President Bola Tinubu is on some reform mission that would set things right in Nigeria in due time. But that’s a joke.  We have gone through this route several times in recent history. This column can assert that this is mere cheap, foolish talk. The wilful imposition of suffering upon the populace by the impulsive removal of a tainted subsidy is being untutoredly referred to as ‘reform’.

It must be stated categorically that President Tinubu is not capable of instituting any reform in the true sense of it. With due respect to him, he lacks the intellectual capacity to initiate and see through any grand, sectorial or wholesale change in the polity or economy.

He is also ailing and therefore cannot bear such enormous physical exertions needed to drive any earth-shaking change  to logical conclusions. Dare we also say that he cannot apply and channel the requisite funds to rig any mammoth change in the system. No, this guy is a politician not a reformer. As we all know, a true Nigerian politician would rather win the next election than complete a mammoth project!

Therefore, Tinubu cannot conceive it, he can’t do it and worse, he doesn’t have the opportunity of a serious party platform to support a large vision. Further,  the cabinet he has just formed is a pointer that he has no such thing in mind. For instance, indulging a conclave of nine former state governors who were not remarkable in their small spaces cannot be bothered with any high-minded thoughts at a job they consider a retirement retreat. Isn’t it easier for the chief executive of a state to effect deep-reaching reforms in his domain? But apart from Dave Umahi, hardly any of the governors left their states vastly different from how they met it.

In fairness to Tinubu, no Nigerian leader has been transformational since after the Second Republic which was terminated by the Muhammadu Buhari coup of 1983. We saw Awolowo, Zik, Michael Okpara, Ahmadu Bello, Joseph Tarka breaking new grounds and setting major landmarks in the 1960s. We also note the indelible footprints  of Sam Mbakwe, Lateef Jakande, Solomon Lar, Abubakar Rimi, among others. Those were big thinkers; and those were the last times we witnessed anything close to a reform.

But today, some of the forests in your state may well be farm settlements set up by Awolowo or Okpara which have been abandoned and overgrown. Another instance:  Concorde Hotels built by Mbakwe, Presidential Hotels by Nwobodo, Gateway Hotels by Bisi Onabanjo in Ogun State, among numerous other examples, lay waste today. They cannot be managed by today’s governors.

REFORM AS MERE SLOGAN: Corruption has devastated the minds of today’s leaders and that’s why the country is in ruins. It wasn’t that the leaders mentioned above were saints or reformers in the truest sense of it but they were able to initiate big developmental plans and see them through to the end.

They planned ahead. We don’t see all that anymore. President Shehu Shagari sang about green revolution, some form of agricultural reform. But it was a mere song. Military President, Ibrahim Babangida spoke so much about economic reforms but he was only dancing to the drumbeats of the Bretton-Woods club. He was only being facetious  – merely a devaluation of the naira without the concomitant productive activities, especially in the export sector. Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo,  Goodluck Jonathan and even Buhari threatened to reform and transform but they were mere slogans. While Buhari was suffering acute inertia and couldn’t as much as form a cabinet, his people told us he was taking his time to reform the process of governance. But it turned out a ruse; for eight years Buhari couldn’t complete nary the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

So with Tinubu it’s the same default propaganda mode we have seen since 1999 that is playing out. Presidents saying things they either don’t understand or they have not given a thought to.

BE GOOD ON THE BASICS: If only our leaders can be good on the basics, (we aren’t even asking for brilliance), that would be good enough for us. Something as mundane as maintaining available infrastructure,  delivering projects at international benchmark costs and duration. But for eight years, obdurate Buhari was like fish in water ( or fish out of water if you will). Like Tinubu today, he didn’t even know how to get started even on basic things. He didn’t know what to do nor was he much aware of what was being done.

It needs to be noted that Tinubu never promised Nigeria reform. Not by his manifesto nor his 7-point agenda. Even as he inaugurated his cabinet,  he didn’t give them any specific, detailed charged nor deliverable targets. That would require some rigour and no such work has been done by anyone in his camp.

For instance,  what exactly does he want to achieve in energy, education,  health,  agriculture sectors? That’s the best way to achieve some minor sectorial results.

Bola Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

THE EUNUCH AND HIS BEAUTIFUL BRIDE: But Tinubu is like an eunuch who heralded his beautiful new wife with a grand ceremony. Even as people enjoy the lavish party their minds would stray to the question as to what happens when the party is over and everyone had gone home.

Like Buhari,  Tinubu has hijacked the Oil Ministry, but what next? That sector requires a total revamp. State refineries need to be urgently brought back on stream and probably privatised; NNPC needs to be cleansed out and sanitised while the security architecture undergirding the industry must be reformed. It’s obtuse, if not stupid that a non-state actor is watching over a country’s strategic asset. Tinubu as oil minister can’t drive these changes and the twain of sub-ministers don’t seem to be possessed of required gravitas.

Two days ago we saw National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu leading a motley crowd of so-called presidential delegates to the Niger Delta. That is the silly style introduced by the semi-incapacitated Buhari. But it’s very laughable seeing a horde of officials milling around pretending to be President. Nobody is fooled or impressed. It’s either the President is at work or he’s not. The issues (oil theft, refineries and pipelines, stakeholders) around the oil delta require the presence of the president carrying out on the spot assessment, persuading, talking tough here and exuding the power and glory of the presidency. Not a job for a coterie of aides!

THERE’S NO ECONOMY HERE: Finally, the bane of Nigeria is that there’s virtually no economy going on here. Apart from our crude oil which is rapidly going out of use,  we are not taking much else to the global markets – no products,  no brands, no special services. It’s bizarre that we still import palm oil and maize. It’s even more so that if our Customs Service manages to block the smuggling of rice, frozen chicken and vegetable oil, there would be food crisis in Nigeria.

Can President Tinubu’s mind penetrate these outer reaches of the economy? If he does, is he thinking about them? Does he know what to do about them?

AGBADO AND CASSAVA REPUBLIC: Among cassava, rice and maize lie the jigsaw of Nigeria’s food economy. As reported in the last piece, the poultry sector is in trouble because there’s no maize to mill feed. Millers are begging for concession to import maize. This has been happening yearly for over a decade.

But between May 29 and today (late August), is time enough to revolutionised the maize and cassava production and value chain.

A wakeful President could have galvanize cooperatives and out grower groups upon inauguration and by now, we would have across the country, lush fields of flowering maize farms. Maize matures in 90 days and at least three cycles of harvest can be achieved in 12 months. Maize can also be inter-cropped with cassava for added value.

The point here is that this is a ripe low hanging fruit that would cost government little. Government only needs to guarantee off-taking of harvests at reasonable price. It’s a sure bet model that would be fuelled mainly by integrity of officials. The enormous benefits inherent in the maize and cassava value chain is a topic for another day. Suffice to say that our poultry industry would immediately blossom!

As Peter Obi has said ad nauseaum, an economy that’s not production driven is no economy.

Osuji is an accomplished Journalist and Columnist

Rejected Nominees: “There Are Plans To Attack LAHA & I” – Speaker Obasa; Warns “Those In Glass Houses Not To Throw Stones”

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Babajide Sanwo-olu and Obasa

By Akinwale Kasali

There is boiling crisis between Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lawmakers of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the 17 rejected Commissioner- Nominees.

The Lagos House of Assembly, a few days ago, rejected 17 out of 39 list of Commissioner-nominees, sent to it for confirmation by the Governor. Since then, crisis has been brewing.

Some members of the Assembly had, on the day the list was submitted, criticised it over its non- accommodation of some Local Government Areas.

While efforts are being made by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos, to resolve the crisis  amicably, speculations were strong on Monday of  plans to attack the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and members over the rejection of the 17 Nominees.

In the Chambers of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, the Lawmakers said the rejection of some of the Nominees of Governor Sanwo Olu was in tandem with the Constitution, which stipulates its responsibilities and, as such, would not succumb to threats and intimidations, including planned sponsored protests and analysis by some civil society groups, loyalists and some activists.

The Lawmakers who are aggrieved with the present situation also said it had refrained itself from revealing all that it discovered during the screening of the nominees while warning that “those who live in glass houses should be conscious not to throw stones.”

During the Plenary on Monday, Obasa disclosed that he had been reliably informed of the plan to attack him (Speaker) based on the decision of the House concerning the nominees of the Governor, particularly the rejected ones.

Obasa stressed that he had been inundated with calls from people and Members of the House.

The Speaker stressed that the House does not have any fight with Governor Sanwo-Olu or the Executive arm as projected by some people, who may not be aware of the actual reasons for the rejection of the nominees.

“There is this erroneous belief that we are waging war against the Governor. There is no basis for me and the House to fight the Governor. I will continue to say that the Governor is a brother and colleague in the Lagos project and service to the people of our State.

“The Governor and I have been around in the system for long. While he was Special Assistant, SA, to the former Deputy Governor, Femi Pedro, I was in this House as chairman, Committee on Rural Development.

“He was SA on Establishment and Pensions and I was chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts (Local Governments). While he was heading LSDPC, I was Chairman, Committee on Economic Planning and Budget. Then, I became the Speaker and when he became the Governor, I remained the Speaker. So it’s been a long journey together.

“But I wonder why anytime the House says no to a particular request of the Governor, it is taken by some people to mean there is a fight with the Governor. This House has passed so many resolutions that the executive arm refused to carry out, but people don’t see that as something to talk about and the House does not raise eyebrows. So I don’t know what brings the erroneous belief that the House is fighting the Governor, who is our brother and who we will continue to work with.

“However, we have a constitutional responsibility. Just as the Governor has the responsibility to inform the House about his nominees, the House has the responsibility to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ which we have exercised by confirming some and denying some and we have our reasons for saying ‘no’ to some of the nominees.

“The House, as a body, has refrained itself from exposing what it discovered during the screening exercise and we are not going to be forced to spill to the public,” Obasa said.

Concerning the rejection of Prof. Akin Ababyomi, former Health Commissioner, Obasa said considerations went beyond his efforts in the fight against COVID-19 which he described as an isolated issue in the challenged health sector of the State.

“Before Prof. Abayomi, there were Leke Pitan, Dr. Jide Idris and others. COVID-19 was an isolated case that was considered.

“Before COVID-19, we had Ebola which was also taken care of under Babatunde Fashola.

“Beyond all these, we are the representatives of the people, their mouthpieces, eyes and ears. The Health Sector of Lagos is not just about COVID-19. We have General Hospitals and other Health Care Centres around the State. What can be said about them?

“Before Engineer Aramide Adeyoye, we also had Engineer Ganiyu Johnson and Dr. Obafemi Hamzat as Commissioner for Works and under whom the Ikoyi-Victoria Island link bridge was built while Babatunde Fashola was Governor. Under Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as Governor, there was masaive infrastructural development too.

“So we must stop making allusions concerning somethings we do not understand. They mentioned the former

Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho and his experience. But how about actions in office?” Obasa asked.

The Speaker added that as a politician whose party is in power, the priority of those in Government should be the interest of the people.

He urged those planning to sponsor actions against the House to realise that protests and sponsored articles would not make the House rescind its decision.

“The civil society that is threatening to protest should do so because it is a constitutional right. But we are not going to be threatened or intimidated. We have said no, but if there is a convincing or germane reason for us to reverse our decision, we will, but not by threats.

“It is because we are successful as politicians that is why the technocrats are being appointed. And to our own estimation, if they have not done well, we have right to say no and we have said no.

“We don’t want instigations and conflicts, the executive and the House are working together; we are brothers and colleagues; we will continue to work together but we need to caution fourth columnists not to instigate crisis. And those that are living in glass houses need to be careful,” he warned.

House of Reps Comm. Decries Mismanagement Of Billions On Mass transit Schemes

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0

The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the  failure of Federal Mass Transit Schemes in Nigeria since 1999, has decried the serial mismanagement of humongous government investments in Urban Mass Transit Schemes to ameliorate transportation challenges, with resultant abysmal results.

The Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Afam Victor Ogene, in a statement in Abuja on Monday, August 28, 2023, warned that the Committee would get to the roots of the mismanagement of the funds that runs into billions of naira ploughed into the scheme by successive governments, without commensurate impact since 1999.

He expressed displeasure at the seeming reluctance by line ministries and agencies, in releasing documents relating to public funds expended on previous Mass Transit Schemes.

“This becomes important especially at this period of grueling multifaceted economic challenges that have heightened the sufferings of the people and lowered the living conditions of many,” he said.

Ogene, who represents Ogbaru Federal Constituency in Anambra state and who is also the Labour Party caucus leader in the House, disclosed that in 2012 alone, over N16 billion was released through The Infrastructure Bank (TIB), for the purchase of busses for Public Mass Transit, from the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programe SURE-P funds, under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, from the Public Mass Transit Revolving Fund, PMTF.

“A total of 1,179 vehicles were released to the beneficiaries under the scheme, with a repayment plan covering four years. But according to TIB, many of the beneficiaries defaulted and didn’t repay the loans.

“For instance, records show that as at December 2015, only two of the beneficiaries, ABC Transport PLC and The Young Shall Grow Transport Limited, liquidated their loans. Most of the beneficiaries are yet to pay as stipulated in the contractual agreements signed between them and TIB.

“Perhaps because they see the funds as usual government bonanza. But this is where they get it wrong because they can’t be living large with our collective scarce resources while the people suffer as a result of poor Mass Transportation. The Committee shall make the defaulters to account for every government money they have misapplied.”

The chairman of the committee also said that on October 4th 2016, the then Minister of Industry,Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah announced that the federal government had also set up a N25 billion revolving loan scheme to enable transport companies in the country purchase Mass Transit Vehicles.

Just a year ago, August 2022, the immediate past Minister of State for Transport revealed that the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, had approved the establishment of yet another Mass Transit Scheme, and a committee set up for its implementation.

In view of these developments, especially with documented abysmal results, Hon. Ogene said that his ad-hoc committee has been mandated to look into all these developments, with a view to finding out what went wrong. Who did what. And why the people are being made to suffer as a result of what may likely be individual, corporate or institutional failures.

The Committee’s brief covers road transport, waterways and rail transportation in Nigeria.

Why DIG Moses Jitiboh, Three Others, Were Retired By PSC; Mixed Feelings Over Jitiboh

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Moses Jitiboh - DIG Retired

By Ayodele Oni

One of the most brilliant Police Officers from the South-South, Moses Jitiboh, has been compulsorily retired by the Police Service Commission.

Jitiboh, a Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG, was shown the way out, along with three others,  by the Police Service Commission, PSC. The other DIGs retired with him are Dan-Mallam Mohammed, Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa and Adeleke Adeyinja Bode.

According to a statement issued Monday, August 28th, 2023, by PSC’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, their compulsory retirement followed the appointment, in June, 2023, of Kayode Egbetokun, their junior in the Police, by President Bola Tinubu, as the Inspector General of Police, IGP

Having waited for them, in vain, to retire voluntarily, following Egbetokun’s appointment, Ani said in the statement, the PSC decided to retire them in order “to uphold discipline, and discourage status reversal.”

Jitiboh’s retirement, particularly, has generated mixed feelings because  both age and years in service were on his side. He was born in 1970, meaning that he is now 53 years old, clear seven years away from the statutory retirement age of 60 years. He joined the NPF in 1994, meaning he has served for 29 years, and, clearly, six years away from the statutory 35 years service years.

A retired very senior Police Officer described Jitiboh’s retirement and those of same fate with him over the years “as a waste which can only happen in  an unorganized society”

Two times, many had expected the appointment of Jitiboh as the IGP, but it didn’t happen.

The new DIGs appointed to replace the four retired ones are Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje, Daniel Sokari-Pedro, Ayuba Ekpeji and Usman Nagogo.

Ani’s statement on the retired and new appointees reads:

“The Police Service Commission in exercise of its statutory powers, pursuant to the Third Schedule, Part 1 M, para A&B of the 1999 Constitution, reinforced with Section 6 of the Commissions (Establisment) Act 2001, para a, c, d, e, &f, has compulsorily retired four Deputy Inspectors General of Police.

“The affected DIGs are Dan-Mallam Mohammed, Moses Ambakina Jitiboh, Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa and Adeleke Adeyinka Bode.

In the wake of the appointment of the acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun on the 19th of June, 2023 by Mr. President, the Commission had expected in consonance with the revered tradition of discipline and regimented culture of the Nigeria Police Force that those DIGS who were seniors in rank prior to his elevation will voluntarily apply for retirement or elect to leave the Force.

“The Commission, having waited for ample time with no such application from any of them, took the decision to compulsorily retire them in order to uphold discipline which is the bedrock of the Force, and to discourage status reversal which is inherently inimical to the exercise of authority by the Inspector General.

“Accordingly the former DIGs have been mandated to Immediately proceed on compulsory retirement with effect from Friday, 25th August, 2023.The Commission appreciates their immense contributions and efforts towards peace and security of our country and also wishes them well in their future endeavours in retirement.

“Similarly, the Commission also approved the appointment of four Assistant Inspectors General of Police to the rank of Deputy Inspectors General of Police which would be subject to ratification by the Board of the Commission to replace the retired DIGs.

“The newly appointed DIGs who are without Pending Disciplinary Matters and/or without any serious medical conditions and health impairments were drawn from the same respective geo-political regions of the retired ones.

“They are DIG’s Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje; Daniel Sokari – Pedro, Ayuba Ekpeji, and Usman Nagogo.

“While congratulating them for their elevation to the enviable rank of DIGs, the Commission hopes that their appointment will add value and greater vigour to the efforts of the Nigeria Police in delivering on its mandate.”

Jitiboh was the ADC to former President Goodluck Jonathan when Jonathan was the Governor of Bayelsa, and was held same position when the former President was Vice President to late President Umaru Yar’adua.

When Jonathan became the President, he was appointed his Chief Personal Body Guard.

Tinubu’s Feast Of False Starts

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0
Simon Kolawole
By Simon Kolawole
If you consumed too much foreign media after the inauguration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29, 2023, you would conclude that Nigeria was finally on its way to El Dorado. From day one, when Tinubu said “subsidy is gone”, there was euphoria among the advocates of market economy who had always argued that the subsidy bill was killing public finance. Approximately N3 trillion was yanked off government expenditure with his announcement. A few days later, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) began the “unification” of the exchange rates. This got more people excited. It was not just about ending the perverse distortion of the forex market but also getting us back to reality.
The simultaneous removal of these two subsidies — the one on petrol and the other on forex — had been unthinkable all along. When Tinubu was declared winner of the 2023 presidential election and the opposition parties kicked, the thinking among advocates of economic reforms was that it would be near impossible for the new president to take certain decisions, particularly in the early days, because he would be trying to establish the legitimacy of his government. Since reforms are fundamentally political, or subject to political vagaries, no new president would want to start off on such an explosive note in the midst of a strong legal challenge to his victory. But Tinubu did.
What happened next? Petrol prices tripled and the cost of living went haywire. The naira went on a massive fall, threatening to hit a four-figure high against the dollar. You can argue that economic reforms cannot yield results within three months and that Nigerians need to be patient. True. Things could get worse before they get better. But that cannot be music to the ears of those who are daily struggling to feed and paying through the nose for transportation. The lamentation in town is how Tinubu’s policies have brought misery on millions of Nigerians. Even many who voted for him are expressing regrets. The poor are always disproportionately affected by adverse economic realities.
I have noted a series of false starts and missteps by the president. The first, which I raised after his haphazard announcement of the removal of petrol subsidy, was the way he communicated such an important message to Nigerians. I do not deceive myself that there is a neat way of announcing subsidy removal that will invoke a standing ovation. It doesn’t work like that. But I saw a president communicating such a monumental policy decision to millions of Nigerians without empathy and without strategy. Operators in the petroleum industry did not have any inkling of his overall plan and its timelines. Saying “subsidy is gone” on national TV looked like a spur-of-the-moment declaration.
The ensuing confusion was glaring. The subsidy budget President Muhammadu Buhari left behind was to cover up till June 30, 2023, but by saying “subsidy is gone” on May 29, Tinubu ensured there was instant commotion at the fuel stations. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd, the sole importer of the product, had to adjust pump prices immediately — from an average of N185 per litre to over N500. This was to prevent prolonged agony at the stations. Marketers would naturally have taken advantage to fleece motorists if NNPC had waited till June 30. This, to me, was a clear hint that Tinubu did not have a ground plan and was just being impulsive. That was a false start.
If you want to do away with subsidy, there are better ways of going about it. It is a sensitive policy. Critical segments of the society should have been carried along. Issues regarding the so-called palliatives should have been finalised. Yes, there is no nice way of removing subsidy. It will always come with pains. There will always be resistance. Nonetheless, the policy could have been better thought out, packaged and implemented with extensive and strategic public engagement. It makes sense to build trust with Nigerians so they can be reasonably assured that the outcome would be different from previous experiences. All I hear is a rehash of the old songs around subsidy removal.
Another false start was the unification of the exchange rates. The national currency had been falling against the dollar since 2015 following sustained drops in the inflow of petrodollars. Our warped way of facing the new market realities was to put an official peg and create multiple exchange rates. But in trying to address this anomaly, the Tinubu administration did not appear to have a roadmap apart from removing the official peg. The forex crisis Nigeria has been experiencing is basically a supply crisis. If demand is $5 billion but supply is $1 billion, there is no magic that “unification” can do beyond pushing the naira down the abyss. Demand management has not solved the problem either.
It took two months after “unification” before Mr Folasodun Sonubi, acting CBN governor, came out to make some pronouncements on how “Mr President is very concerned about some of the goings on in the foreign exchange market” and how the central bank would “improve the liquidity in the market” and how “speculators would lose out”. What this tells me is that there was no strategy on the ground from the get-go. It seemed “unification” was the sole tactic to attract forex inflow. Again, maybe it is too early in the day to conclude that this would not work, but I have never thought a single policy action would resolve the chronic crisis. I would be shocked if CBN thinks otherwise.
I hope we can now see that it is wrong to build the entire strategy on the assumption that once the naira was not artificially priced, investors would flood in with loads of dollars. Investors won’t come still if they are getting better value elsewhere. What other values are we proposing to them, beyond a market-determined exchange rate? And if we are trying to please investors at all costs, at what stage should we begin to worry about the welfare of our own citizens? As long as the exchange rate continues to rise, petrol prices will continue to rise too. What are we going to do? Keep adjusting pump prices upwards? Where are we going to draw the line? What is Tinubu’s fallback plan?
As many have already pointed out, Tinubu also made a wrong call with some cabinet nominations. First, it amazingly took him an eternity to send an incomplete list. The senate overlooked the constitutional breach, which, I can bet, will now become a precedent. I was first disappointed that the cabinet positions of the nominees were not on the list. This had been an unwholesome tradition that I expected Tinubu to break, given the way he was marketed as a trail blazer. If we cannot do the simplest things, how much more the complicated ones? The senate still went ahead to interview the nominees, asking questions blindly as if we are all fools. We are being taken for a ride in this country.
Worse, though, is the quality of most of the appointees. I am a realist, by the way: I was not expecting an all-round world-beating cabinet. I expected political favours to be done. I expected electoral IOUs to be settled. That is the way of politics. I am not one that will sit down in my living room and be daydreaming that every single person in the cabinet will be what we call “technocrat” in Nigeria. What I cannot stomach is the assemblage of ex-this, ex-that, some of whom did not particularly set the world on fire in their previous lives. Some former governors, for instance, were not shining examples of goal getters with all the executive powers they wielded in their states.
If anyone was in doubt that many things Tinubu has done so far were not well planned or adequately conceived, the drama around the cabinet was yet another proof. For the first time since I was born, there was a cabinet reshuffle even before inauguration! I hope I am wrong, but this must be a first. What does that say about the way Tinubu is running his government? It tells us quite a lot. It is worrisome. I am seeing too much impulsiveness and ad hoc management. He is making things up as he goes. This is far from the political packaging of Tinubu as someone who was adequately and extraordinarily prepared to preside over the affairs of Nigeria. No, I expected something better.
Is Tinubu losing the momentum? For one, it does appear to me that he did not think through the different dimensions of the two reforms and did not prepare the appropriate strategy to address the impact of the shocks on individuals and businesses. I accept that it may be too early in the day to judge him. I understand that some leaders struggle with starting well. Politics and reforms can be raucous and not usually neatly fleshed out. In the main, reform is about doing, learning and adjusting. Even with the best of plans, things can still take their own turns. I accept all that. What I cannot accept is the lack of assurance that Tinubu is on top of his game with his actions so far.
Tinubu must now ask himself the hard question: can he continue like this and expect to leave Nigeria better than he met it? It seems to me that he got carried away by the initial euphoria. He celebrated victory too early and started taking several decisions without a clear strategic plan. He needs to step back, make the needed corrections, and proceed in a more methodical way. The president must urgently change something about his style. If there was ever a time the country could use some urgency and a clear path forward, this is it. Citizens are getting overwhelmed as economic, political and security problems tear at them from all directions. Nigeria cannot afford another false dawn.

Obi Denounces Blackmailers, Urges Focus On Raising A Better Nigeria

By
The Source
-
0
Peter Obi

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25; 2023 election, Peter Obi has censured those blackmailers bent on linking him with negative things that are not of his person to redirect their energy in raising a better Nigeria.

Reacting to a mischievous statement saying that he had bribed a Television Journalist, Mr. Rufai Oseni by financially sponsoring the burial of his father, Obi described it as wicked blackmail against the courageous journalist who has been doing his job Professionally.

“Ordinarily, I do not get involved in name-calling and mud-slinging, neither do I attack people nor try to defame their personalities, in the course of my political journey.

“I have also avoided replying to cheap, wicked, or malicious blackmails publicly or openly in the same irresponsible manner they are thrown at me. Anyone who has followed my corporate and political life knows that I always stay on issues, with my focus on finding solutions to societal challenges and ameliorating people’s suffering.

The former Anambra state governor said he needed to clarify issues, especially when a third party is involved, the case recently where my name was mentioned in malicious and cheap blackmail against one of Nigeria’s best Television presenters, Mr. Rufai Oseni, who has stood sternly for what is right and has challenged me fearlessly on some occasions while speaking truth to power.

“Let me state clearly that this is a categorical lie from the pit of hell. Everyone who understands my life will attest to the fact that I do not give anyone money to promote my name. I have never monetarily induced any journalist to speak or write in my favour.

Obi said that he always honours Invitations to social events like birthday celebrations or funerals, and this is something people have come to know that I do regularly.

“Countless journalists, media personnel, the less privileged, the wealthy, etc., have all invited me to their occasions, and they will attest to the fact that I honour such invitations, especially when people are grieving. As it is obtainable in Igbo tradition, I always attend such events with some gifts, to support the celebrant.

“I have never been to Rufai’s village. Even at the point of writing this, I do not know where he is from. One then wonders why people could decide to tarnish other people’s image for no justifiable reason. To those involved in such evil endeavours, I wish them well and pray to God to have mercy on them.

Finally, the LP standard bearer reiterated his position that “our focus in Nigeria should be about rescuing the nation from the many challenges plaguing it. We should focus more on lifting people out of poverty. Millions of Nigerians do not know where their next meal will come from. We have millions of unemployed youths in their productive age. Finding solutions to these challenges should command our attention, for the progress of our nation – and that is what I remain committed to.”

Ekiti: Gov Oyebanji Pardons Two Erring Commissioners

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Biodun Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni

Two erring Commissioners in Ekiti State clamped with various punishments by Governor Biodun Oyebanji have been pardoned.

One of them, Karounwi Oladapo, was not sworn-in along with others three weeks ago for allegedly sponsoring thuggery at his home town, Efon Alaaye.

The second one, Olaiya Atibioke, left the venue of the induction while the Governor was still on seat, addressing others. He was suspended from resuming office.

Governor, Oyebanji on Moday recalled the Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Mr Olaiya Atibioke from suspension.

The recall is sequel to the expiration of the two weeks suspension slammed on the Commissioner on August 12, 2023.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode, Mr Atibioke is expected to resume work at his office on Monday, August 28, 2023.

The Governor urged top government functionaries in the state to take a cue from the suspension, while restating his administration’s zero tolerance for indiscipline and actions that are inimical to the progress of the state.

In another statement, the inauguration ceremony for the newly appointed Head of Service, Engr Sunday Komolafe, as well as two Commissioners-designate, Prof Bolaji Aluko and Hon Karounwi Oladapo, will hold on Tuesday.

The event, which will be presided over by the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, will hold at the Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti, by 10.00 am prompt.

All invited guests, dignitaries and government officials are to be seated by 9.30am.

Crisis As Ondo Govt Is Set To Eject Farmers From Reserves; It’s Untrue Says Gov’s Aide

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Ondo Cocoa Farmland Protest

By Ayodele Oni

More than 50,000 farmers and inhabitants of some villages in Ondo West Local Government area of Ondo State on Sunday  protested over plot by the State government to sell their farmlands and Cocoa plantations to  foreign companies.

The farmers, who converged on Ilua village in Ondo West Council area in large number with placards also alleged that the state government had issued a quite notice to all the farmers in all the 20 villages in the area to vacate their farms.

The protesters also alleged that government officials have threatened to evacuate them forcefully if they failed to relocate before the end of the year.

Addressing newsmen before the mammoth crowd, the traditional head of Ilua, Oba Olalani Ibidapo, said: “There were some people who came to our villages and started erecting signposts that the state government has sold our farmlands and villages to Chinese and Indian companies.

“They said government has issued notice that we should quit our farms and villages because the companies wanted to move in and take over our farms and villages.

“We have been here for over 100 years and we are here farming, no other things. I have more than 19 villages under me here, Ilua, Laoso, Adejori, Logunofe, Keseomi, Obadore, Obakele, Ilua 2, Kangidi, Oloruntedo, Abayemisi and Magbaralewon just to mention a few.

“Other communities protesting with us Oloruntedo, Aba Tiamiyu, Osu Tokunbo, Abana, Olorunsogo and other communities.

“We heard suddenly that we should move out unexpectedly. Where are we going to go. Look at our people, no work. We have graduates among us here, but since there’s no job, they ventured into farming.

Reacting, to the forceful allegation, the state government, through Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Akin Olotu explained that “It has come to the notice of the Ondo State Government that some elements are spreading fake news that the government is planning to display villagers particularly those occupying free areas in the state which is far from the truth.”

Olotu said the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu led-administration is not out to punish anybody but to make things better.

Olotu was reacting to media reports that the Government is planning to wipe out 19 villages in Ondo west local government area villages and displace over 50,000 farmers for the benefit of private firm owned by some Indians and Chinese.

According to him, no sensible government will displace anybody in any free area.

“So we want to look at that place, I will invite their representatives, we will sit down together and look at a win-win situation and see how we can we accommodate their interests in what we are doing.

“Governance is about the people. So when we see what is on ground, we will know what to do. Our little investigation shows that where they are is even out of where those people are coming to work.

“So maybe it’s anticipatory action, that may be. We will send Government surveyors there to confirm the precise location, if anybody is affected, we will look at it whether it’s government reserve because nobody came to us in the office and I think that should be the first thing to do, to come to say okay what is going on here.

“So we will find out, we will look at how we will resolve the whole thing amicably. So if they are in government reserve, we will know what to do.

“If they are in free area, we already know what to do. Nobody’s interest will be jeopardized, that’s what I will say. The Governor is not out to punish anybody but to make things better. So we will look at it. Thank you.”

Oyo Ex-Council Chairmen Accuse Gov Makinde, Assembly Of Witch-Hunt Over N3.4bn Debt

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

The 796 ex-Local Government Chairmen and Councillors in Oyo State have accused the state Governor, Seyi Makinde and the House of Assembly of witch hunting them over their insistence on being paid their outstanding salaries and allowances amounting to N3,374,889,425.60.

The Supreme Court had in a judgment on May 7, 2021 ordered the Oyo State Government to pay the ex-council chiefs, salaries and allowances for the three years they ought to have served  before they were unlawfully sacked by the governor on May 29, 2019.

By its own computation, the Oyo State Government agreed to pay N4,874,889,425.60, out of which it paid N1.5b, leaving a balance of N3,374,889,425.60.

The ex-council chiefs, in a statement released on Sunday however, noted that a recent resolution passed by the Oyo State House of Assembly, linking some of them with fraud, was part of a plot to get back at them with the intention of compelling them to abandon the outstanding judgment debt.

They added that since March this year when they got an order to garnish the bank accounts of the state government in an effort to retrieve the outstanding judgment debt, the government and the Assembly had tagged them as  threat and devised means to witch hunt them into submission, part of which is the phantom fraud claims.

In the statement signed by three of the affected ex-council chiefs – Ayodeji  Aleshinloye, Bashorun Ajuwon and Oluyinka Jesutoye – stated that none of them was ever invited by the House of Assembly in respect of any investigation, “be it by the 9th or 10th Assembly.”

Part of the statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a purported Resolution of the Oyo State House of Assembly, wherein some of our members were purportedly indicted of Fraud.

“Our initial reaction was to ignore this ‘awada kerikeri (drama)  from a House of Assembly which does not know the fundamental rules of its own existence.

“However, for the benefit of the great citizens of Oyo State, we hereby state our side of the story.

“In March 2023, we caused our lawyer to garnishee the account of the state government to the tune of N3,374,889,425.60 being the outstanding indebtedness of the state government to us, as voluntarily and solely calculated by them without any input from us.

“The Apex Court (Supreme Court) gave its judgment on 7th May, 2021 and gave the said state government three months to comply with its judgment, but the state government unilaterally varied the order of the apex court to six months.

“The allegation of fraud arose from the House of Assembly due to the fact that we caused the accounts of the state government to be liened, including the Account of the House of Assembly, who is a party to the suit.

“None of us committed any fraud, and if and when we are invited, we have what it takes to defend ourselves.

“This is just a case of witch hunting of the leadership of the then ALGON. Out of the five Local Governments mentioned, three are the Local Governments of the former Executive Members of ALGON and they ensured that they roped in the then Chairman and Secretary.

“The sum of N3,374,889,425.60  which arose from the judgment of the Supreme Court is our legitimate earnings which represent our entitlements for the period His Excellency illegally prevented us from functioning in our respective offices.

“The said sum stated above is for 68 Chairmen, 68 Vice Chairmen and 660 Local Government Councilors making up a total of 796 people. Thus, on the average, each person is entitled to N4, 239, 810.84k.

Olosho: Bad Economy Forces S$x Workers’ Charges To N500

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0

The tough economic situation in the country due to the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government has spoilt business for commercial s$x workers in Kano state, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports.

The economic crunch has significantly reduced patronage, some s$x workers who spoke to the agency in the commercial city said.

The women of easy virtues aka Olosso expressed their pains while fielding questions from NAN in Sabon Gari area of Fagge Local Government Area of the state on Sunday, August 27.

They had been enjoying brisk business from s$x-starved customers until the federal government decided to end the bogus subsidy regime in May this year, forcing them to charge as low as N500 for one round of s$x.

Mercy Benjamin told NAN that before now, a round of “short time” service could be settled with N5,000 within a time frame of one hour, but the biting effects of fuel subsidy removal had forced customers to disappearance.

Benjamin said one round of s$x now go for as low as between N500 and N700 for the same services.

“Things are not really going on well with this business for now because of the present economic challenges we are facing,” she said.

Another s$x worker who identified herself as Jennifer, told NAN that it is no longer business as usual for them, saying “my brother, business is no longer moving as it used to be.

“Things have become so hard that if you see more than three customers in one day, you will thank God. Customers are hard to come by, and when they come, the offer is nothing to write home about.

“In this very particular room, I pay N5,000 every day; and I must confess to you that I am owing the management three days debt now because of low patronage

“Before fuel subsidy removal, we were enjoying high patronage with good prices. These days, I used to attend to seven to 10 customers everyday with good prices ranging between N5,000 and N10,000 for short time services.

“This is apart from other incentives like good food, drinks, chicken, Isi-ewu and other goodies that customers provide on their own volition,”

“Unlike now when customers hardly come to hang out in the evening, we used to have customers on day-break ready to offer well above N20,000 and also take care of your accommodation, food and drinks. This is really hardtimes for us,” she said.

Jennifer further stated that most of her colleagues who could not pay for their rooms have returned home with regrets of penury.

“Some of them left without their property as the hotel management seized their cloths and electronics because of the money they are owing. We that are still here are surviving through the grace of God,” she explained.

Narrating her latest experience as a result of the cash crunch, Ms Helen Ediga at Onitsha Road, said she ready to quit the business if given alternative source of livelihood.

Ediga, who only agreed to speak to talk after being offered a token of N1,500 and a bottle of Maltina to cover her time, said: “Sir, I am not happy being into this kind of business. It is hardship that led me into it. I am a single mother with three children. I am the only one that take care of them.

“My man left us in Kano and relocated to Abuja where he is currently staying with another woman. I come out every evening to hassle so that I can put food on the table for my three children and possibly train them

“Since the fuel subsidy removal, we have been suffering. In most cases, I will spend the whole day without anyone asking me ‘how are you’. It has been a very bitter experience. If I have other means of livelihood, I will definitely quit this business!”, Ediga said.

NAN also gathered that the s$x hawkers who usually stand along Enugu Road, Aba Road, Onitsha Road and Abbedie Street, among other hotspots within Sabon Gari, are worse hit by the situation as most of them complain of staying throughout the day, scouting for customers without success

1...1,5371,5381,539...2,994Page 1,538 of 2,994