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Breaking: Obi Lambasts FG For Wasting Borrowed Funds |The Source

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Fola James

Former Governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of destroying the economy after using 90 per cent of the country’s earnings to service debt.

“We cannot borrow our way out of our situation. our biggest challenge is that we’ve been borrowing for consumption and not for productivity,” he said.

The People’s Democratic Party, PDP former vice presidential candidate said on Arise Television on Monday that the nation’s economy has gone from bad to worse after Buhari took power in 2015, noting that billions of dollars borrowed by the government was channeled to consumption.

Obi said the nation’s Gross Domestic Policy, GDP was over $400 billion when Buhari came to office in 2015, but after borrowing so much the GDP threshold has remained less that amount.

According to the Debt Management Office, DMO Nigeria’s total Debt Stock (Foreign & Domestic), as at September stood at N31. 01 trillion ($85.9 billion).

The former governor had last week lambasted Buhari for the worsening economic situation in the country, noting that the former Anambra helmsman was borrowing for its officials to steal.

Obi stated that “The cost of governance is not acceptable. There is too much waste.This recession is going to be worst than in 2016 because the monies we borrowed then were not properly invested.

“What we need now is to go into a vigorous regime of formulating implementable and measurable monetary and fiscal policies to drive ourselves out of the present situation.”

Borno Massacre: Northern Politician Demands Mass Action Against Buhari’s Regime |The Source

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Tosin Olatokunbo

The weekend massacre of over 100 farmers in Borno state by Boko Haram terrorists has drawn the anger of Junaid Mohammed, a prominent northerner and ardent critic of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, who said the killings will persist under the regime.

“As long as this same Buhari, this government and party (APC) are in power, Nigeria will never know peace because clearly, the task of governing Nigeria is beyond him. He cannot do it,’ Mohammed said in his response to the massacre of dozens of farmers.

Anger has trailed Boko Haram’s killings of dozens of farmers with many Nigerians calling on the president to sack overhaul the security arrangement in the country. Others have demanded an outright sack of the Service Chiefs.

Mohammed, an ardent Buhari critic, while reacting to the killing, told Vanguard that the worsening insecurity in the country will persist as long as President Buhari is in power.

According to the former lecturer, Nigerians are tired of the regime, particularly its failure to rein in terrorists who have been killing innocent Nigerians in the North East.

He said the North-west has also been taken over by armed bandits and kidnappers where the criminals have free reign.

President Buhari has however, expressed shock over the killing but, Mohammed said that’s not enough and “any attempt by Buhari, this lousy government to pretend that they were shocked,” cannot bring back those that were killed by the vicious terrorists.

Junaid said “All is happening because there is no governance in the country. As long as this same Buhari, this government and party(APC) are in power, Nigeria will never know peace because clearly, the task of governing Nigeria is beyond him. He cannot do it.

“He has failed woefully. Because of the hypocritical nature of Nigeria, tribal, sectional and religious politics, everybody is pretending so that Buhari will be seen to be doing something.

“He’s doing nothing. He cannot do anything. And any attempt to prolong his tenure indefinitely will only leave Nigeria into more and more nightmare.

“The number reported by the international media (43 people) is not true because it runs into hundreds. The identity of people killed is not also clear and the number is more than 43; some were abducted and missing.”

Junaid accused the military of complicity in the Borno killing, noting that the service chiefs have overstayed in their stay, even though the president has repeatedly refused calls by many Nigerians to replace them.

According to him “The technical service chiefs don’t know anything about the area. Everybody is more concerned about getting money from the government.

“So if Nigerians are serious and want to salvage the country, they should do something or shut up because this man cannot govern. After six years, we have seen how he is able to govern.

“His government is nothing but misgovernment, corruption and nepotism. Let us stop deceiving ourselves.This could not have happened without any intervention from the armed forces who are supposed to be operating in that area. Where are they?”

He said more is expected from the military commanders after huge funds have been allocated to defence since Buhari came into office.

“We only know we have an army when the time comes for Buhari to promote them. Six years in power and every year, he promoted generals and officers.The latest was six. And the billions of spent on the army can buy a Nation that is already in recession.”

Ekiti Govt Moves To Force Down Prices Of Goods |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor , Dr Kayode Fayemi, has moved to reduce hardship in the state occasioned by astronomical hike in goods and services.

He has, therefore, told transport unions and other relevant groups to reduce prices of goods, especially foodstuffs and services.

During a meeting with representatives of transport unions and traders in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, the Governor expressed surprise at the sudden and rapid increase in transport fares and prices of commodities in the State.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon Biodun Omoleye, Dr Fayemi pointed out that the meeting was in demonstration of Government’s concern over skyrocketed prices in transport fare, which has impacted negatively on the  prices of products and services in the state compared to what is obtainable in neighbouring states.

“The Government  is worried about the high cost of price of goods and services in Ekiti State and has directed that a cross section of stakeholders in the various groups be invited for dialogue of which the transport sector is a very crucial sector among the stakeholders and that’s why we are starting with them.

“You will recollect that in the last few weeks there have been cries by commuters that transport fare within the State is prohibitive.

“Examples were cited that Akure before use to be N500 gradually it went to N700 and now is between N1400 to N1500 a distance less than 45 kilometers.

“Similarly we observed that in Ondo State, Akure and Owo township which is also 45 kilometers is still N500 while Akure to Ondo is under N500, so we find no justification in price hike in Ekiti State, particularly Ado metropolis.

“If you are traveling between Ado Ekiti and Abuja, it ranges now between N6500 and N7000,  while in Akure for instance it is less than N4000. whatever is the cause of hike in transport fare in Ekiti is worrisome to Government.”

The Situation, according to the Governor had affected other sectors of the economy resulting in increase in the price of goods and services which has placed a burden of hardship on the people of the State.

As a first step to force down the high prices, the Governor announced that a taskforce comprising of representatives of various economic sectors would be constituted to monitor and regulate the prices of commodity across the State.

He warned that anyone that failed to comply with government regulations to make life comfortable for the people of the State would be sanctioned accordingly.

“We want to assure the people of the State that Government is on top of this prohibitive cost of transportation and we have declared emergency in the commodity and service prices for now in Ekiti. We hope that in the next five days, this high cost would be resolved for the good of all.”

Stakeholders, especially transporters that reacted blamed the hike in petroleum product, vehicle spare parts and the Covid-19 guidelines that restricted commercial vehicles from operating in full capacity.

FG Hints Of N4,000 Monthly Solar Power After Power Grid Collapse |The Source

By
Bayo Bernard
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VP Yemi Osinbajo

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Coming on the crest of the collapse of the nation’s two major power grids on Sunday, no fewer than 25 million Nigerians will be expected to pay N4,000 monthly for a special solar power arrangement by the federal government, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said.

Both Kaduna Electric and Eko Electricity Distribution Company announced yesterday national grid collapse, leading to total black out across the country.

Osinbajo is the chairman of the National Economic council and had announced last week, plan by the government to provide rural communities in the country that are not connected to the national grid, solar power.

According to Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, over 5 million Nigerians, spread across the country will benefit from the arrangement expected to start by the end of the year, under a special billing system that will allow them own the solar panel after paying N1,500 weekly and N4000 monthly, depending on the consumers for a period of three years.

Solar Power Naija, according to the presidential adviser is being implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency.

He noted that that the arrangement allows as many as 25 million Nigerians to own personal solar systems in their homes, adding that the project is under the Economic Sustainability Plan, a private sector-led electricity access acceleration scheme to be facilitated by a low-cost loan facility from the Central Bank of Nigeria and implemented by REA.

Akande said “An important aspect of the scheme is the option of outright ownership by beneficiaries at a cost ranging from N1, 500 per week to N4, 000 monthly depending on the capacities, for a period of three years.”

“The programme will include the assembly or manufacturing of components of off-grid solutions to facilitate the growth of the local manufacturing industry.

“In view of the scale of materials required, solar equipment manufacturers/assemblers will be incentivized to set up facilities in Nigeria, thereby offering additional job opportunities to Nigerians.

“In addition, installation, servicing and payment collections are expected to provide thousands of other jobs. In all, at least 250, 000 jobs will be created.”

Meanwhile, the magazine has learnt that the project is being partly financed by the World Bank.

Breaking: Kidnappers Free Wife Of Akeredolu’s Chief of Staff |The Source

By
The Source
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Breaking News

By Chidi Onyewuchi

The Chief of Staff to Ondo State Governor, Mr Olugbenga Ale, has heaved a  sigh of relief.

His wife who was abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, has been freed.

She was kidnapped along the Owena area along Akure Ondo highway, Thursday, on her way back to Akure from Lagos.

It is not known, yet, if any ransome was paid before her release, or the circumstances that led to it, but reliable sources confirmed her release today.

Neither the State Government, nor the Ondo Police Command, has issued  a statement, but she is said to be in good health, considering her ordeal.

EndSARS Protest: IGP To Police: “Use Your Firearms To Defend Yourselves, Don’t Run” |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Abubakar Mohammed Adamu - IGP

By Akinwale Kasali

The Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar Adamu, has asked Police personnel to use their firearms to defend themselves. In a move meant to boost their confidence which sagged since the #EndSARS  protest, the IGP told them,; “You are licensed to carry arms. You are licenced to use it. Use it and defend yourselves if pushed to the wall. Maim, don’t kill.”

He also  told the Nigeria Police personnel  to remain resolute, not to be discouraged or threatened by the #EndSARS Protest hijacked by hoodlums, leading to the killing of Police Personnels across the country.

Adamu stressed further that the call for the disbandment and eventual disbanding of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, following the demands and agitations of Youths and #EndSARS Protest Should not be an issue bothering Police Personnels, rather, they should discharge their duties in the best way the practice demands.

The IGP made the charge at the Ogun State Police Command, Eleweran, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

He said all that happened during and after the protest were  as a result of fake and bad news.

The Police boss who had gone round the southwest, called on all police officers to come out fully to perform their duties because it is their constitutional responsibility.

“Don’t be discouraged, come out in full, and perform your duties, nobody can do it, it is your constitutional responsibility and you must do it. No amount of intimidation can prevent us from doing our job.

“Nobody can demoralise us, nobody can prevent, or make us shy away from performing our duties. The responsibility of protecting lives and property is given to the police and you are licensed to carry arms.

“We are encouraging you to go out there and perform your duties without fear or favour and without being afraid of any victimization. Be courageous, be civil, and be calm and follow the procedures in performing your duties.

“Your arms are supposed to be used to protect lives and property. Constitutionally when there is a violent protest, the constitution allows you to use your firearm, when individuals or groups of people are unlawful, you are allowed to use your firearm.

“In defence of yourself, and you have no other means to escape from any attack, you are allowed to use your firearm, but you are not allowed to kill. As police officers, you are not allowed to kill, when you use your firearm you are supposed to maim.

“You should not shy away from using your firearms for these purposes but don’t kill.

“If in the process of performing your duties, a mistake comes up, and we know that you followed all the necessary procedures, we shall be behind you, we shall support and make sure that you are not molested,” Adamu said.

OPINION: Buhari’s Unholy Romance With Niger Republic ; Ploy To Populate The North |The Source

By
The Source
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Ochereome Nnanna

By Ochereome Nnanna

President Muhammadu Buhari’s romance with Niger Republic has become an affront to the national interest of Nigeria.

When he was sworn-in as an elected president in 2015, he went to Mamadou Issoufou’s Presidential Palace in Niamey, Niger Republic, to celebrate.

They gave him the reception of a conquering Fulani warlord: a white horse and a sword.

I found that curious. How can a Nigerian leader celebrate his electoral victory in a foreign country and not Daura, his supposed hometown in Nigeria? The answer has since been provided through Buhari’s policy actions in the past five plus years.

We have since learnt that Buhari is a first-generation Nigerian whose father, Ardo Adamu Buhari, a duck seller, had migrated from Niger, settled in Nigeria, and married a Nigerian woman, Zulaihat.

The borders defined by the European colonial masters mean nothing to typical Northerners. When you hear that Nigerian borders are porous, what it really means is that there is no intention in the minds of Northern Nigerians and their elite to create an effective barrier between them and their kith and kin in the neighbouring countries of Niger, Chad and Northern Cameroun.

Meanwhile, the Southern borders are strictly monitored (within the limits permitted by the selfish interests of corrupt Customs and Immigration officials).

Electoral Bill 2020 to empower INEC on use of card reader

When Buhari’s Government, in August 2019, “closed the borders,” it was the Southern borders that were actually closed. Fatuhu Mohammed, a nephew of President Buhari, who represents Daura/Mai’adua/Sandamu Federal Constituency in the House of Reps.,  alerted, during a plenary session, that smuggling was still freely thriving at the Daura border, 13 kilometres from Buhari’s country residence.

It is no secret that Niger Republic Nationals are regularly smuggled in to vote in Nigerian elections.

It was in this dispensation that the political leaders of that country threw caution to the wind, and attended Buhari’s rallies in Kano with large contingents led by the Governors of Maradi and Zinder provinces!

If you thought these were inconsequential and harmless cultural exchanges, Buhari has proved you wrong.

He has taken several concrete policy steps that showed his engagement with Niger is longer a joke.

Early in 2018, the Federal Ministry of Transportation revealed plans by the president to build a railway line from Kano through Daura and Jibia to Maradi in Niger Republic.

I wrote an article condemning the project, but of course, they pressed ahead with it. The Federal Executive Council, in September, this year, announced an award of $1.9bn contract for the project. The money is part of the numerous loans Buhari’s government has been freeloading from China.

Also, in June this year, the Federal Government announced the award of contract for the construction of 614-km Gas pipeline from Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano with eventual termination in Morocco through Niger Republic worth $2.8bn.

The latest story in town is that on November 20, 2020, Nigeria signed an MOU to import petroleum products from Niger. The shipments will be coming from Soraz Refinery in Niger’s Zinder oilfields.

The refinery, which is jointly owned by China (60 per cent) and Niger (40 per cent) has a daily output capacity of 20,000 barrels. Niger’s domestic consumption requires only 5,000 barrels per day. The surplus 15,000bpd will be taken up by Nigeria to service our adjoining Northern fringes.

Ordinarily, there is nothing wrong about buying refined products from neighbouring countries if our countrymen in the Northern fringes will find that cheaper and more easily available. However, there is a shameful, or is it personal impunity factor at play here.

Buhari who as Petroleum Minister in the late 1970s oversaw the construction of the second (150,000bpd capacity) Port Harcourt Refinery, Warri and Kaduna Refineries; has been his own self-appointed Petroleum Minister since 2015.

He had promised to fix our refineries during the campaigns. When he took up the Petroleum portfolio, his supporters said he was bringing his “wealth of experience” to reform the sector. Almost six years down the line, the industry remains comatose. Even the reforms proposed by the PriceWaterhouse and Coopers, PWC, audit exercise in 2014 has been altogether abandoned.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, continues to import fuel while Nigerians are forced to swallow the bitter pill of the full deregulation of the downstream sector.

The first question is: What exactly has Buhari achieved with his position as oil minister?

The first audit report of the NNPC in 43 years revealed that the Kaduna Refinery gulped N63.4bn without generating a kobo in 2018. Also in September 2020, another NNPC report disclosed that three refineries reportedly swallowed N140bn to produce less than 40 metric tonnes of crude oil.

There is no clear picture about anything being done to bring back our refineries. Rather, we await for Dangote and other private refineries.

What “magic” is Niger employing to refine petroleum that Nigeria’s President and Oil Minister, Buhari, cannot deploy in Nigeria? Why aren’t Nigerians complaining about Buhari’s incompetence as Oil Minister and the use of Nigeria’s largely borrowed funds to develop his father’s country when our own infrastructural deficits are among the world’s worst?

The $1.9bn railway line to Maradi was never taken to the National Assembly for approval; it was an act of naked impunity. It is an impeachable offence, but who will bell the cat?

Buhari is using our scarce, borrowed resources to service his cross-border selfish interests with resources mined mainly from the Niger Delta and the Lagos business districts.

He is going beyond developing Northern Nigeria; he is working for Niger Republic too. Is this regime all about Buhari’s interests? And why are Nigerians who will repay the loans letting him get away with these?

These are issues that should concern Southern political leaders, elected representatives and statesmen. Rather, they struggle to be selected as leg men to serve the interests of a foreign country. It is a shame and a pity.

Ochereome is the Chairman,   Editorial Board of the Vanguard Newspapers

2023 And The Igbo: The Betrayers Are Mute |The Source

By
The Source
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Ray Emeana

By Ray Emeana

The people who worked against the Atiku Abubakar/Peter Obi ticket should be held accountable for our current challenges.

They assured, then, that a President of Igbo extraction  was assured once Buhari won. Now they have gone mute.

The Igbo need to strategize. Not the cacophony of voices going on. Power is not given. It is taken.

If Atiku had become the President in 2019, the Igbo through Obi  would have been strengthened for the shot now.

The time calls for a bi- partisan approach, with both PDP and APC Leaders insisting that both parties seed their Presidential ticket to the South East. Then, the Igbo can be assured.

The truth is that both Parties, the PDP and APC, are afraid to seed the Presidential ticket to the Igbo, in case the other Party does otherwise.

Their fear stems from the hypotheses that should their opponent return to the North to pick a candidate, the Party with  the candidate from the North will surely win, because the west is more likely to take sides with the North against the East.

That’s why the-Goveror Dave Umahi migration is actually a minus for the quest for a President of Igbo extraction.

Let the ostrich game stop. Leaders of both parties owe the Igbo the Presidency in 2023. The mind game is on. Only honest, collaborative, leadership will work.

 Nze Emeana, an accomplished Journalist, seasoned Administrator, is the Imo PDP Secretary

Super Eagles Drops In FIFA Ranking, Ranked Fourth In Africa |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Super Eagles
Super Eagles

By Akinwale Kasali

The latest World Football Governing Body Federation International of Football Association, FIFA, ranking has seen Nigeria drop in the November 2020 to the fourth in Africa and 35th in the World.

The Super Eagles moved four steps backwards in the FIFA Ranking following its shambolic performance against the Sierra Leonean  National team at the 2022 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria and Freetown, Sierra Leone Capital.

Sierra Leone overturned the 4-0 lead of the Super Eagles  in Benin, to force a 4-4 draw, and also recorded another impressive display in the second leg of the encounter on home soil to earn a goalless draw.

The impressive outing of the Sierra Leone National team against the three time AFCON Champions saw it move four steps ahead in the FIFA Ranking to 113th position in th world.

In the last four months, the Super Eagles had remained in the 31st position in the world, but the abysmal outing in th AFCON Qualifiers saw it slip in the ranking.

Nigeria remains fourth in Africa behind the Teranga Lions of Senegal, Carthage Eagles of Tunisia and the Desert Foxes/Fennecs of Algeria.

Both Tunisia and Algeria played the Super Eagles in a friendly match held in Austria in October, with the Nigeria team playing a 1-1 draw with Tunisia and losing 0-1 to Algeria respectively.

The biggest movers in the FIFA Ranking was Equatorial Guinea and Burundi. Both teams climbed 10 Spots ahead their previous positions after avoiding defeats to Libya and Mauritania respectively in their double header at the 2022 AFCON Qualifiers.

#EndSARS: Lawyer Calls For Fashola’s Appearance At Lagos State Judicial Panel Over Camera Discovery |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

For weeks now, the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by the Lagos State Government to unravel the truth about the October 20, 2020, alleged shooting of the  #EndSARS Protestants at the Lekki Toll Gate,   by the Nigeria Army, and victims of Police brutality and extra judicial killings has been going on in Lagos, as well as in order states.

As part of the unveiling of the truth,  Adesina Ogunlana, #EndSARS protesters’ lawyer, has asked the Lagos State Judicial Panel to summon Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Works and Housing, to  explain his role in his alleged discovery of a camera at the Lekki Toll Gate.

Ogunlana prayed  the Retired Justice Doris Okuwobi-led panel should summon the two- term former Governor of Lagos State, Fashola, to explain the circumstances in which he found a camera at the tollgate, five days after the shooting incident.

According to Ogunlana, the visit to the tollgate on October 25 when Fashola found a camera “suggests an intrusion” into the evidence of the October 20 shootings.

Ogunlana said this while cross-examining the Managing Director of the Lekki Concession Company, operator of the Lekki tollgate, Abayomi Omomuwa.

Ogunlana  had asked Omomuwa if he was aware that:  “On October 25, the Governor of Lagos State brought some persons to visit the tollgate?” to which, Omomuwa said he only read it in the news.

Omomuwa, however, distanced himself from the Camera-finding-scene during the visit because he does not report to the Lagos State Government.

“Where is that camera that the Minister, popularly known as Agent Fash, removed?” And in response, Omomuwa said, “I don’t know”, Ogunlana probed further.

Counsel for LCC, Rotimi Seriki, objected to Ogunlana asking the MD that question, saying that the LCC cannot answer such a question as it was not in the place of LCC to keep an exhibit.

Replying to Seriki, the #EndSARS protesters’ lawyer said the issue was crucial to his case and asked if the panel had issued a summon on Fashola.

But the panel Chairma, Justice Okuwobi, told Ogunlana that he would have to follow the proper procedure if he wanted Fashola’s appearance before the panel.

Then, hinting that he would be requesting that Fashola be summoned, Ogunlana said, “I wouldn’t know if it is too early for me to apply for Minister Fashola to appear before the panel to assist investigation”.

Many people were aghast at the discovery of the Camera at the scene by Fashola, five days after the incident. While he was ridiculed  to no end in the Social Media which dubbed him “Agent Fash”, others called him Mungo Park who is reputed to have discovered River Niger, even though the natives knew about it, and had been fishing there, drinking it, and using it for other domestic activities.

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