The Minister of States for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, has said Nigeria is doing better than major countries in the word in terms of the percentage of rise in inflation rate.
According to Keyamo, the nation fared better than the United States of America, Canada, Russia, Spain and others in the way the inflation is increasing.
Keyamo spoke Friday while featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said Nigeria’s rise in inflation in just five per cent increase from 2020 when the world locked down due to COVID-19 pandemic.
According to him, other countries across the world had their inflation rate increased in a percentage that is way higher than that of Nigeria.
“With what we have gone through in the last seven years, Nigeria has done well in a context of macro global economy of major countries across the world.
“The inflation rate was hovering around 13 per cent in 2020 around the pandemic. Now we are doing 18 per cent. Which is about five per cent.
“We are better than major countries around the world like the United States of America, like Canada, like Russia, like Spain, like Germany. Go and fact-check me. I am not saying their inflation is 18 per cent. I am talking about the percentage of increase. In other words, we have tried to keep inflation down more than major countries.
“In fact, Ghana is worse. Ghana did 19 percent in term of increase. Ghana inflation now is about 29 or 30 per cent. We are doing 18 per cent. USA, Canada, Germany and others are hovering between 10 per cent and seven per cent, higher than Nigeria that is doing five per cent. It could have been worse, that’s the point I’m making,” Keyamo said.
obaaderemi: No. If you hoard dollars then only a little supply of dollars will be available, with a lot of naira chasing after the scarce dollars. In that case dollars become expensive while naira falls.
It's demand and supply.
If to sey Buhari get just a little amount of this oil wey dey your head Nigeria for no be poverty capital of the world
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has called on Nigerian parents and guardians whose parents are affected by the ongoing shutdown of academic activities in government-owned universities to appeal to the Academic Staff Union of Universities to call off the lingering strike.
ASUU had declared a nationwide strike on Monday, February 14, 2022.
The strike, according to the union, was as a result of the failure of the government to meet some demands such as the release of the revitalisation funds for universities, release of earned allowances for university lecturers, deployment of the University Transparency Accountability System for the payment of salaries and allowances of university lecturers, renegotiation of the ASUU-Federal Government 2009 agreement among others.
Since the strike began, stakeholders had called on the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to find a lasting solution to the strike and increase funding of tertiary institutions.
The President, in a meeting with the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, alongside his other colleague, gave a directive to the members of his cabinet involved to ensure a speedy solution to the strike.
However, our correspondent reports that close to three weeks after the directive by the President, the union was yet to suspend its strike.
Featuring on a programme on Channels Television, Keyamo noted that the government had done its best and appealed to parents to “beg” ASUU.
“The moment they went on strike, we intervened, what is the manner again beyond that ? Even before the strike began, we called them to a meeting, what manner is more than that? It’s not like we left them to go on strike first and we were sleeping, as the talk started, they still went on strike.
“You can not allow one sector of the economy to hold you down and then blackmail you to go and borrow N1.2 trillion and our total income is around N6.1 trillion and we have roads to build, health centres and other sectors to take care of.
“I will tell the parents, everybody to go and beg ASUU like the President said the other time, those who know them should appeal to their sense of patriotism. The nation can not ground to a halt because we want to take care of the demands of ASUU”.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday announced that individuals and bodies were causing Naira fall.
The commission met with Bureau de Change (BDC) operators in the Federal Capital Territory.
The chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa said he called the meeting to fashion out ways to collaborate.
Bawa condemned the “brazen foreign exchange speculation especially at the parallel market”.
The anti-graft chief said the actions were hurting the country’s monetary policy by instigating a run on the value of the naira.
Bawa disclosed that the commission has intelligence linking persons and organizations to the hoarding of foreign currencies, especially U.S. dollars.
He identified Kano, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Calabar as states under watch, disclosing that a major offensive against the speculators is under way.
Responding, the operators expressed optimism that the naira may eventually return to its pre-speculation value with EFCC intervention.
Similar meetings will be held with other BDC dealers, regulators, financial sector players and other stakeholders.
The Federal Government, on Wednesday, described the attack on the convoy of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 12 headquartered in Bauchi, Audu Madaki, as an attempt by terrorists to score “a psychological point”.
Responding to a question on what the attack means for the FG, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed told State House Correspondents that “the government is taking the job of security very seriously.”
The PUNCH reports that suspected terrorists attacked the convoy of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, injuring him and killing his orderly.
Madaki was said to be on his way to Abuja from Bauchi when the terrorists ambushed and attacked him between Barde and Jagindi area in Kaduna State at about 02:30 pm, Tuesday.
Although the AIG Madaki survived with gunshot injuries, his orderly was shot dead.
Speaking on the attack, Mohammed said “On the issue of the attack on the AIG in Bauchi, I need further information from the IG as to the circumstances of the attack. But what I know is that bandits would always want to make this kind of spectacular attack just to score a psychological point.
“But I know that the government is taking the job of security very seriously. As you can see, even today, the Honorable Minister of the FCT has told you exactly what he is doing to ensure that security is improved.
“Over the last couple of days, I’ve seen that the FCT police command has also given out telephone numbers to call in case of any security breach or information.”
Mohammed claimed that the success of the military has not received as wide reportage as the terrorist attacks.
“I know that there have been quite a few successes by the military in overrunning the bandits around Abuja in the last couple of days.
“Regrettably, it’s like when the military is having the upper hand, they are not given the same kind of media coverage as when the bandits attack,” he said.
On concerns raised by some civil society organisations that the worsening insecurity may hinder next year’s elections, the information minister assured Nigerians that there would be elections.
He said, “There will be an election. I can assure you. The President has said that he has given the security all the needed support. The Service Chiefs are doing their best and will continue to do their best.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, has justified the halting of rail services nationwide.
He said the imminent security threats necessitated the move as it would be inappropriate to endanger lives.
The PUNCH reports that the Nigeria Railway Corporation has suspended the Lagos-Kano and Ajaokuta train services over terror fears.
It also suspended services at the Ajaokuta station along Warri-Itakpe route because of the attack on some passengers by gunmen on Monday.
Justifying the move, Sambo told State House Correspondents that it is better to suspend the services than subject Nigerians to terror threats.
“I would like to state clearly that it is better to suspend a service where there is an imminent threat, and clear the threat first. Or where an incident had occurred and to investigate that incident, rather than jeopardise the life of a single Nigerian.
“So if there’s any suspension of rail services as of this morning, which is yet to be officially reported to me, because I had to come to Council very early this morning. As soon as I go back to the office, I will find out why. But Nigerians will rest assured that it is better to suspend the service than subject Nigerians to any threat to their lives,” he stated.
The Chinese government has condemned the trip of U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan in strong terms.
A statement on Tuesday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described Taiwan as “China’s region”.
The government stressed that Pelosi’s trip was in disregard of China’s strong opposition and serious representations.
China called it a serious violation of the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiqués.
“It has a severe impact on the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, and seriously infringes upon China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
China said the visit undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and sends a wrong signal to the separatist forces for “Taiwan independence”.
The statement referred to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 of 1971, reminding the U.S. that in 1979, the U.S.made a clear commitment in the China-U.S. Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations.
China recalled it was all along opposed to the visit to Taiwan by U.S. congressional members, and that the U.S. executive branch “has the responsibility to stop such visit”.
“Since Speaker Pelosi is the incumbent leader of the U.S. Congress, her visit to and activities in Taiwan, in whatever form and for whatever reason, is a major political provocation to upgrade U.S. official exchanges with Taiwan.
“No country, no forces and no individual should ever misestimate the firm resolve, strong will and great capability of the Chinese Government and people to defend state sovereignty and territorial integrity and to achieve national reunification and rejuvenation.”
China vowed to take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity “in response to the U.S. Speaker’s visit”.
The Chinese government said the consequences of the trip must be borne by the U.S. side and the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces.”
The statement warned America to stop meddling in Taiwan and interfering in China’s internal affairs and stop conniving with “Taiwan independence” separatist forces.
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA) has told the National Assembly to proceed with the process of impeaching President Muhammadu Buhari without further delay.
HURIWA wants the lawmakers to fast-track the process and see the President impeached within a short limit of time, because, according to the group, a failure for seven years cannot perform any miracle within the six-week ultimatum.
HURIWA wondered why the Tucano fighter jets procured from the US have not been put to use by the military despite audacious attacks by terrorists across Nigeria.
The group said it might be that the present administration is sparing bandits and insurgents because of their ethnic and religious affinity, noting that the bandits, who had since been designated as terrorists by a Federal High Court, are hellbent on destabilizing the country.
The human rights group said that instead of launching an unprecedented offensive against the bandits, the Defence Headquarters is busy making claims of 30 terrorists being killed in Bwari Local Area Council without providing any form of evidence.
It stated further, “We’re asking why the government has not deployed the 12 Super Tucano fighter jets procured from the United States to bomb terrorists hibernating in Kaduna, Niger and now besieging Abuja from Suleja and Abuja-Lokoja angles?
“HURIWA is forced to ask the President if his government is colluding with the terrorists and Fulani bandits, because it is befuddling that a government will fold its arms and watch as non-state actors go on the rampage, killing citizens like chickens.
“Before now, it was in the North-East, but gradually, the terrorists conquered the North-West with daring attacks on military formations and structures. Now, the terrorists are closing in on Abuja. The chickens have finally come home to roost!
“…A government that has spent seven years pampering terrorists cannot effect any tangible and swift changes in the anti-terror war within six weeks.”
HURIWA demanded that the impeachment of President Buhari be fast-tracked, pointing to the fact that “terrorists are now surrounding the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.”
– Claims Christians Will Vote Tinubu Instead Of Atiku
The Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr Osita Okechukwu, has appealed to Nigerians to give the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, another eight years to fix the country.
Okechukwu believes that if the APC could get sixteen years uninterrupted rule as given to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party would bring “change” to the country and better the lives of citizens.
“Our first slogan in APC is change. Our mantra is change. We will not remain static, never. We will change whatever is not working. All we ask Nigerians is to give us another 8 years as you gave our sister political party, the PDP,” the APC chieftain said while fielding questions from journalists in Abuja on Sunday.
Okechukwu made the appeal against the backdrop of calls on Nigerians to sack the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration on the grounds that it has failed in its basic responsibility of protecting lives and property.
Last week, some opposition members of the National Assembly had issued a six-week ultimatum to President Buhari to immediately halt the worsening insecurity or face removal from office.
But the VON DG thinks that a Tinubu presidency can rewrite the wrongs of the current administration and set the country on the path of progress if given the opportunity.
Speaking further on speculations that the 2023 presidential election may be a walk over for Atiku Abubakar on account of Tinubu’s choice of a Muslim-Muslim ticket, Okechukwu claimed that northern Christians would not vote for the PDP candidate.
“But I know that in the fullness of time, contrary to the speculations of spin doctors, they would not vote for the former Vice President,” he said, assuring that whatever marginalisation the Northern Christians are suffering today, they would suffer no more if Tinubu becomes president.
“Regarding the Northern Christians outrage over APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket; if any pundit thinks they will vote for Atiku, my answer is ‘Capital No’. No matter what, they know he is bringing nothing new to the table.
“Find out, Northern Christians do not trust Atiku. They know his cherry-picking antics as per rule of law and rotation convention. They also know his ambivalence on religion, as demonstrated in the late Deborah’s imbroglio in Sokoto, which is still fresh in the mind of every Christian. “Secondly, they know that Tinubu and by extension the Yorubas’ DNA is devoid of religious extremism and bigotry. Yorubas celebrate Eid and Xmas together.
“As a matter of fact, without being personal, one was a witness when my dear friend Babachir Lawal informed the world during his Thanksgiving Church Service at ECWA Wuse, that Tinubu and Pa Akande were instrumental to his appointment as Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF).
“May one ask, is it possible that neither Tinubu nor Pa Akande didn’t know any Northern Muslim then to lobby for? Or has Tinubu changed 360 degrees?”
“Thirdly, they’re fully aware that Atiku has violently breached the rotation convention of president from north to south and painfully by extension of the PDP’s Constitution. For Atiku rotation convention is north-south geopolitically benched, only when he wins the president. If he fails as in 2019, the rotation convention goal post must be shifted.
“It is on record that Atiku enjoyed and celebrated the rotation convention when in 2018, Governor Nyeson Wike and other Southerners in obedience to the letters and spirit of Section 3(c) of PDP’s Constitution allowed only Northern presidential aspirants to contest in Port Harcourt.
“But in the 2022 PDP presidential primary election he fought tooth and nail to jettison the rotation convention, arguing childishly that it is not applicable to PDP? Hence breached Section 3(c) of PDP’s Constitution. Some of us Southerners are as hurt as Northern Christians over this willful breach.
“Yes, faith balance is very important in building bonds of inclusion, so is rotation convention which bonds north and south, and cements inclusion and corporate existence. This is why I continue to salute APC’s Northern Governors, majority of whom unlike PDP’s Governors by this noble patriotism, restored equity, natural justice and national loyalty in our clime.”
He added, “If PDP Governors had obeyed rotation convention from north to south, to be honest there wouldn’t be the imperative of APC’s Muslim-Muslim Ticket. They cannot benefit from their negligence. I stand to be contradicted.”
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Abiodun Alabi, has assured residents of adequate security following reports which suggested that the state is on the radar of some persons planning attacks across the country.
Alabi gave this assurance in a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Sunday.
He said, “The command is also working closely with sister security agencies to ensure that no person or group of persons succeeds in destabilising the peace and serenity enjoyed by the good people of Lagos State.
“I want to use this medium to allay the fears of Lagosians and assure them that all human, material, and operational resources have been fully and optimally deployed across the length and breadth of the state, especially at border towns, towards ensuring there is absolutely no breach of the peace.
“Consequent to the carefully laid down security plans/strategies, all residents of Lagos State are urged to go about their lawful duties without panic or fear.
“Lagosians are equally enjoined to remain very vigilant and report suspicious movements and persons to security agencies.”
Earlier, Hundeyin, during a Twitter Space webinar, on Saturday, responded to questions from The PUNCH on reports of a possible planned attack on Lagos by terrorists and the readiness of the police, where he noted that the police were also getting intelligence reports.
Hundeyin had said, “We are working seriously with other security agencies. Many times that I am with the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, the Department of State Services keeps sending intelligence reports to us.”
He said Lagos residents also needed to assist the police and other security agencies in providing them with timely information on suspicious movements.
Osun state
The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funke Egbemode, told The PUNCH that the government is doing its best to keep the state safe.
She however refused to disclose the strategies put in place to keep forest across the state safe for security reasons.
She said, “We are doing everything, just like we have done since 2018, we are going everything to keep Osun people safe.
“All our security agencies are collaborating to ensure safety for lives and property. We will keep Osun people safe, but I won’t disclose our strategies.”
Ogun state
The Ogun State Government has said the Amotekun Corps will repel infiltrators who may be planning any attack on the state through its forests.
The Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Public Communication, Remi Hazzan, said this while speaking with one of our correspondents in Abeokuta on the planned attack by terrorists.
[b]Hazzan said the Amotekun Corps are manning local communities, while the police in the state await intelligence reports, adding that Ogun State was safe, despite being in the South-West believed to be under threa[/b]t.
He said, “For us in Ogun State, we have never shied away from the fact that security is a challenge and we would double all that we have done thus far to increase intelligentsia effort so that we do more of preventive crime instead of trying to do damage control after it has been done.”
Reacting to the Christian elders’ position against Muslim-Muslim ticket last night, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress APC, Mr Yakubu Ajaka, said: “As it is common with developing democracies such as ours, the selection of candidates for the parties always comes with various challenges, mostly bordering on sentiments, such as religion, ethnicity, and geo-political arrangements.
‘’The cry of marginalization has also become a common and popular feature among politicians and the electorate.
“These sentiments had been into play all our political life for quite a long time. Unfortunately, we seem to throw away competence, capacity, and qualification to these sentiments. This is partly responsible for our present predicament, with no benefit to even the agitators of such sentiments.
“It is sad and regrettable that our country has been recording divisive tendencies, with our unity as a nation sometimes threatened. There are ill-feelings over perceived cases of marginalization. In Nigeria, every section is crying of marginalization. It has been the case during Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan’s administrations, and now.
“We, especially the youths, must start somewhere to change the narratives in the interest of national unity and speedy development of our dear country. We must start somewhere to make a change for a better tomorrow.
“Nigeria needs a patriotic leader who can give others outside his geo-political zone, tribe and religion equal opportunity for self-actualization and service to the nation. He should be a leader with a firm belief in the potentialities of the country. ‘’Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos state, Nigeria’s economic and commercial center, a former high-ranking senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and national leader of the APC before his election as the presidential candidate of the party, is undoubtedly the man with these sterling qualities.’’
Till the day we start suing you guys for always making us and our innocent stomach's salivate and grumble with all these yummy things una dey post here that is when all you foodie's on NL will know sey una dey put us for tight corner
Politics › Re: Tinubu Told Fashola To Sack Striking Doctors In 2011 by BeeBeeOoh(m): 9:23am On Aug 15, 2022
