₦airaland Forum

Angry residents of Agorogbene community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State over the weekend beat two suspected electric cable thieves to a pulp after serving them with hot spicy plates of noodles, beans and meat.

Angry residents of Agorogbene community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State over the weekend beat two suspected electric cable thieves to a pulp after serving them with hot spicy plates of noodles, beans and meat.

Residents of the community told journalists that the suspects, identified as Preye Ayase and Ringo Tareladei, were caught stealing high tension electric cables supplying electricity to Agorogbene communities from Ogobiri, a neighbouring community.

They were apprehended by vigilantes of the community.

Confirming the incident, the President of Creek Youths Agenda (CYA) and the indigenes of the community, Ouseibai Seperegha, condemned the act of destruction, stealing and vandalism of the electricity facility connecting the two communities by the hoodlums.

He expressed disappointment over the unfortunate incident and called on youths from the area to desist from such acts forthwith as it will only spell doom for them.

He said, “It is very sad and unfortunate that young people were caught vandalizing our electric infrastructures with the aim of making money. It is more worrisome especially now that we are agitating for more development of the creek considering its neglect developmentally over the years.

“To me, I feel pained that young people who ought to protect our facilities in the creek are the ones perpetrating such nefarious acts of destruction.

“Therefore, I urge those with such criminal minds to desist from such and engage themselves in productive ventures that will add value to our creek and the society at large or they should be ready to face the full wrath of the law when apprehended.” He said.

When contacted, the police spokesman in Bayelsa State, SP Asinim Butswat, said he will find out from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Sagbama local government if the suspects were handed over to the police.

Angry residents of Agorogbene community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State over the weekend beat two suspected electric cable thieves to a pulp after serving them with hot spicy plates of noodles, beans and meat.

Residents of the community told journalists that the suspects, identified as Preye Ayase and Ringo Tareladei, were caught stealing high tension electric cables supplying electricity to Agorogbene communities from Ogobiri, a neighbouring community.

They were apprehended by vigilantes of the community.

Confirming the incident, the President of Creek Youths Agenda (CYA) and the indigenes of the community, Ouseibai Seperegha, condemned the act of destruction, stealing and vandalism of the electricity facility connecting the two communities by the hoodlums.

He expressed disappointment over the unfortunate incident and called on youths from the area to desist from such acts forthwith as it will only spell doom for them.

He said, “It is very sad and unfortunate that young people were caught vandalizing our electric infrastructures with the aim of making money. It is more worrisome especially now that we are agitating for more development of the creek considering its neglect developmentally over the years.

“To me, I feel pained that young people who ought to protect our facilities in the creek are the ones perpetrating such nefarious acts of destruction.

“Therefore, I urge those with such criminal minds to desist from such and engage themselves in productive ventures that will add value to our creek and the society at large or they should be ready to face the full wrath of the law when apprehended.” He said.

When contacted, the police spokesman in Bayelsa State, SP Asinim Butswat, said he will find out from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Sagbama local government if the suspects were handed over to the police.

The Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for the attack on a police station in Adavi, Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Gunmen had invaded the station in the early hours of Saturday.

William Aya, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Kogi, said the attackers, who struck from the opposite direction, shot sporadically.

He said while the command lost three of its officers during the gun duel, the hoodlums fled with gunshot wounds as they could not get access to the station.

Aya said the state’s commissioner of police, CP Edward Egbuka, deployed a team of tactical operatives in the area to restore normalcy.

In a report, the Voice of America said ISWAP released a statement claiming responsibility for the attack.

“The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed responsibility in a statement on Telegram,” VOA said in a report.

“Soldiers of the Caliphate attacked a police station,” it said, adding that five people were killed in the raid.”

Although there is a high level of insecurity in Kogi, where bandits and kidnappers have been operating in recent months, the state is not known for ISWAP attacks, as the sect operates mainly in the North East.

ISWAP had also claimed responsibility for a bomb attack which killed Taraba residents last week.

Earlier in the month, Jihad Analytics, a consultancy company which processes data on global and cyber jihad, said Nigeria now has the highest number of attacks by the Islamic State (IS).

According the report, half of the attacks claimed by IS since the beginning of 2022 were in Africa, while ISWAP, an affiliate of IS, is now more active in Nigeria.

Data by Jihad Analytics showed that while Nigeria has recorded a total of 162 IS operations since January 2022, Iraq has recorded 120.

“For the first time in the history of the jihadi group, Iraq is no longer the country where #IS claims the highest number of operations: the group #ISWAP is now more active in Nigeria,” it said.

In 2015, the late Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, pledged allegiance to IS, whose fighters killed him six years after.

The attack on Kogi police station happened 48 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari charged security agencies to be tougher on groups behind the attacks across the country.

Former governor of Anambra State and presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party, Peter Obi, has revealed that his presidential ambition is borne out of his interest in the younger generation of Nigerians and those yet unborn.

This, he said, propelled him to present himself for the task of leading the country by ensuring the current economic situation of the country, which holds no future for its children and generations yet unborn, is salvaged.

Obi stated these when he met with the delegates at the party’s State Secretariat in Umuahia, the Abia State capital on Thursday.

He advised the delegates to tread with caution on whom they are to choose as the party’s presidential candidate as their decision would be for the future interest of our children and those that are unborn.

The former governor said he became successful in life not by converting public funds but rather made his fortune through genuine private enterprise and dint of hard work.

He said, “I want to make Nigeria become productive and not be a consuming country, that is the message behind my aspiration.

“My delegates, the tomorrow begins today for our children. So, if you mortgage your conscience during the presidential primary, then you should know that you have mortgaged your children’s future.

“If they give you money collect but remember that any mistake you made by selling your conscience is placing your children in further bondage.”

In his remarks, the state PDP Chairman, Ashiforo Okere, commended the presidential aspirant for coming to identify with the delegates of the party.

“When you were talking, it was like exaltation or lecture, it never appeared to be a campaign, all you have said is already known to us, especially your performance during your tenure as governor”, he said

Massiveglory:

The service chief will be laughing out their lives in their closest.
Pmb will handle security. Osinbanjo will handle economy.

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed security agencies to immediately rescue all the people kidnapped by armed persons across Nigeria.

Mr Buhari stated this while addressing security chiefs at a meeting in Abuja Thursday.

The president’s position was disclosed by the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, who briefed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting.

“The President spoke about his sadness in respect of recent security challenges and developments we have had in the country, in particular the incident in which several Nigerians lost their lives with many more taken into captivity by criminals and bandits,” Mr Monguno said.

“Not just those that were captured during the last Kaduna –bound train incident but those that have been in captivity in other parts of the country.

“The President has directed all the operational and intelligence elements to rescue all of these innocent people immediately and unhurt. This is the basis on which other issues were discussed.

https://i1.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2022/03/photo_2022-03-29_18-00-40.jpg?w=666&ssl=1
President Muhammadu Buhari meeting with Security Chiefs

“The Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police all briefed the president on occurrences in their respective organizations,” the retired major-general said.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that about 3,000 people were killed and almost 1,500 kidnapped across Nigeria in the first three months of 2022.

On Thursday, Mr Monguno said he made some recommendations on how to tackle the security challenges confronting Nigeria. He said the president is reviewing the recommendations.

“I submitted a memo to Council and my recommendations are being looked into by the president. My recommendations are wide-ranging and they touch on all aspects of security, starting with the level of security of our land borders as well as within the country itself,” he said.

Mr Monguno said decisive steps are being taken to secure all the land borders of the country, in order to address the threats coming from outside such borders.

He said the threats have now shifted from the North-eastern part of the country to the North-west and the North-central but even that must be contained.

“It has to be contained collectively by both the armed forces and constabulary forces but the intelligence agencies have also been directed to enhance the acquisition of intelligence,” he added.

He noted that the present situation in the country calls for collective efforts by all, not only those that have been charged with the responsibility of physically securing the country.

“Unless the wider society, right down to the local governments are willing to give the type of information needed in order to block the activities of these criminals, this situation will continue to linger beyond whatever time frame we are looking at towards ending this problem.”

BuyAndSellStuff:
Is that a snake or indomie noodles?

The President, Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, Auchi, Apostle Joshua Suleiman, has advised single ladies who are illiterates to look for their type and marry instead of going after educated men.

He gave the advice in a video uploaded on his official Facebook page on Wednesday.

According to Merriam Webster online dictionary, an illiterate is one having little or no education; especially : unable to read or write.

In the video, Suleiman said that rather than looking for an educated spouse, it is better for single ladies who are illiterate to look for their type because “like pole attracts”.

He said, “What do you have to offer? It is very funny that most people who are illiterate wants to marry graduate. If illiterate marry graduate, who will marry their fellow indigene?

“Why are you so wicked? You are an illiterate, why not look for your type?

“You are an illiterate, you are not schooled, you want to leave that man that is not schooled, why are you so wicked?,” he asked.

The cleric explained that ladies should prepare themselves and not just wait for a man without improving on themselves.

He explained that some families are expecting messiahs to come and marry their daughters in order to transfer the financial burdens to them.

He said that when a woman is actually prepared, she doesn’t border about partners, partners look for her.

“You see, I like Rebecca, (don’t take this personal), when Rebecca was leaving her father’s house, the brothers loaded her with blessing, they gave her gifts, they gave her upbringing. She had good upbringing and loaded her with gifts; you know what they said? They said lest peradventure the place you going there is nothing there, so let’s prepare you.

“Let’s prepare you so that even if you meet a poor man, the grace on you will swallow his poverty.

“Many people you see who are looking for people to marry are empty because there is nothing to offer so they are praying for people to complement them.

“But when somebody carries something, there is a queue. Because every man is wise, now, he is wise, very wise.

“Today the reverse is the case,” he said adding that some young ladies want to get married so that the suitor can carry their family load.

“What your father could not do , you want somebody’s son to do for you,” he said.

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

The Tinubu Media Office, has alleged that there’s a deliberate campaign targeted at former governor of Lagos State, Mr Bola Tinubu, to cause religious rift in the country.

According to the media office on Tuesday, the two-time Lagos State governor is a target of blasphemous campaign that’s capable of causing anger against his person.

A statement by TMO said, “The orchestrated set-up of a poster campaign seeking to use a literary application of the Biblical story of Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus Christ to rope Asiwaju Tinubu into a storm of blasphemy is the most desperate antics of anti-Tinubu propagandists in recent times.”

It pointed out that its investigations have revealed that those who created the offensive poster were the same people who created the counter-campaign alleging blasphemy.

It said by doing that, their design is to use both to provoke anger against the person and aspiration of Tinubu.

“This campaign has failed. This is clearly irresponsible and insensitive political propaganda that seeks to exploit religious sentiments to manipulate public perception against Asiwaju Tinubu, who is ostensibly the most formidable presidential aspirant in this race.”

The statement added that, “It is widely known that Tinubu is married to not just a Christian but an ordained pastor, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and has developed very deep fraternal relationship with Christendom at all levels, a fact acknowledged by many bishops, pastors and parishioners over the years.

“A known Muslim, Asiwaju in words and actions has demonstrated religious tolerance and accommodation. He believes in that cardinal principle of the Nigerian Constitution that no one should suffer discrimination on the basis of creed or opinion. Besides, as a former governor of Lagos, a state that is a microcosm of Nigeria in terms of religious diversity, his matured management of religion as a way of life, ensured inter-religious harmony in Nigeria’s most industrialised state.

“It is, therefore, impudent to contemplate that a statesman of Asiwaju Tinubu’s standing will condone Biblical allusions that could denigrate his person or status,” the statement added.

It noted that basic facts were ignored by “those desperate to set Muslims against Christians” through deliberate disinformation of the general public.

“While we shall continue to appeal to the Nigerian people to ignore such campaigns of calumny, we reiterate our commitment to prioritise our political communication on the exposition of the truth and dissemination of our point of view with decency and regard to the feelings of Nigerians.”

Tinubu had declared for president early in the year saying he had been a kingmaker and wanted to be the king this time around.

His long time political associate and Vice President, Mr Yemi Osinbajo, few weeks ago equally declared for president, leading to accusation that Osinabjo had bitten the finger that fed him.

Since Osinbajo’s declaration, both camps have alleged “filthy political campaigns” against each other ostensibly due to how close both were. Osinbajo was two-time Commissioner for Justice under the administration of Tinubu in Lagos.

Both are hoping to get the party’s presidential ticket in May when the APC holds its primary election.

Candidlady:
Happy I switched to Liverpool


No regrets

emmanuellex:
Hi guys. Please I need your advice.
About 3 years ago I found out she was in my friends house while she told me she was going back to her family after visiting me in my school.

I hacked into her WhatsApp messages due to my suspicions with how she often keeps her phone from me and I saw the chat between she and my friend telling him that she missed her period.

I love her so much and I decided to let go due to her statement about what she did was because I also cheated on her with a friend of hers. There was no evidence that I ever did such.


Everything was going fine until this year 2022 when I discovered she’s doing thesame with another guy.

Please I need your advice.

OyeofIkoTuN:
My spirit says I should type (LMAO)

LMAO

The Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, on Sunday, got more than he bargained for following his disclosure that he would be declaring his intention to run for the 2023 presidential race on Tuesday.

Ngige said God had spoken to him regarding his presidential bid, hence, he would make a public declaration on Tuesday.

However, the development has earned him heavy knocks from Nigerians who questioned his capacity to govern the country if he could not successfully resolve the crisis between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government.

Majority of Nigerians who commented on Daily Trust’s report on social media took the Minister to the cleaners, declaring his ambition as “dead on arrival.”

Our correspondent reports that the ongoing industrial action by ASUU has entered its second month with no end insight.

ASUU had on Monday, February 14, 2022, announced a four-week total and comprehensive warning strike following the inability of the union and the Federal Government to reach common ground on the demands of university lecturers.

Some of ASUU’s demands include the release of revitalization funds for universities, renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, release of earned allowances for university lecturers, and deployment of the UTAS payment platform for the payment of salaries and allowances of university lecturers.

Following the expiration of the initial four weeks of the warning strike, the union had gone ahead to declare another eight weeks saying that it was giving the government more time to attend to its needs.

Amid the lingering strike, Ngige made his intention to run for the president known, drawing the ire of the Nigerians on social media.

“Even enemies of Nigeria are declaring for president. God forbid,” Agatha Nanmha Langtim, A Facebook user wrote.

Muhammad Huzaifa said “Imagine, who didn’t solve ASUU problems is thinking that he can solve Nigerian Problems. This is a shame Mr. Ngige.”

For Onwurah Peter Chizoba, also a Facebook user, “Have he have resigned as minister ? because he will surely lose that payment and won’t smell presidency. A man is about to lose two things.”

Muhammad Huzaifa: Imagine, who didn’t solve ASUU problems is thinking that he can solve Nigerian Problems. This is shame Mr. Ngige.

Joseph PK Michael: “You are not qualified, In fact, you are the worse person among the aspirants. 4 months of ASUU strike! Nothing to issues about.”

Comr Bakatsinen Zazzau: “You failed to help our life negotiated with ASUU and you want us to vote you? Are out of your senses?”

Anas Galadima: “It is high time we the students of tertiary Institutions will rally around and show you shege. Kutmeh!

Ajayi Davis: “You cannot solve ASUU problem and you want to solve Nigeria problem.”

Hassan Ibrahim said: “Dead on arrival, someone that can’t negotiate between govt and ASU want to lead the whole Nigeria.”

Salim Toro: You are very funny Ngige. It’s the right time for WE( Students) to show you shege.

Onwurah Peter Chizoba: Has he resigned as minister ? because he will surely lose that payment and won’t smell presidency. A man is about to lose two things.

The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN), Very Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka, has said that only the release of leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, can lead to the end of Monday’s sit-at-home.

Mbaka said this during the Good Friday all-night programme where he lamented on the negative impact of the exercise, especially on businessmen and women.


He said: “We can not deny the fact that this sit-at-home is costing millions of money especially to business people, but we cannot also pretend not to know the solution.

“They should release our brother Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. If he released today the sit-at-home will stop today. You can’t stop it by force; politicians tried it but it was in vain. They sit at home with their families every Monday and if they want to go out, they move with more than 20 trucks of security men.


“Anambra Government that tried to use force to stop it is feeling the heat today. So, let them release our brother Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and sit at home will stop.”

On ESN’ he said: “Since the past three years, this year is the year Enugu farmers could farm successfully. May God bless our young men who cleared our farms from herdsmen.


“One of our priest’s large farms were messed up by herdsmen last year, he was crying, but this year he is smiling. May God bless our youths who made it possible for our people to farm again.”

On Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, he first sang the emotional brotherhood song onuru ube nwa nne agbala oso (he who hears the cry of his brother should not abandon him).


Then he said: “He is our brother, we lifted our hands up to God to pray for his release. We can’t run away from it, it is a situation that came up with our generation, we must face it.

“I heard the names of some people that were granted presidential amnesty but his name was not there. I wonder what his crime is. Let the Igbos who can go to request for his release, start the journey.”


The group of northern presidential aspirants under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presently holding consultations with stakeholders and being coordinated by former President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has dismissed the suggestion that it is trying to get consensus to the pave way for a northern presidential candidate.

The group, made up of Saraki, Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) as well as Muhammed Hayatu-Deen, met with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State at his lodge in Asokoro, Abuja on Tuesday as they sought his buy-in in the move to reach consensus on the zoning of the PDP presidential ticket for next year’s election.


Speaking at the end of the meeting on behalf of the group, Saraki debunked the assertion that their objective is to ensure the emergence of a northern candidate as the PDP consensus flagbearer.

He pointed out that other aspirants who are also meeting separately with stakeholders will soon meet with the group to advance the search for a consensus.


The former Kwara State governor stated: “I think we’ve emphasized this at the visits we’ve done around the country that it is not just a northern agenda. When we started about a few weeks ago, about three weeks now, most of the aspirants we met were mainly in the north.

“We’re talking to the aspirants across the country now because more people have come out from the South. All the aspirants are going to meet because we are talking about a Nigerian. We’re not talking about a southern or a northern aspirant.


“And I have good news that already, moves are being made by the aspirants in the South to meet and eventually, all aspirants, we will all meet and see one consensus and that consensus is a Nigerian that represents all the groups.

“So, I just want to be clear about that just to reassure it is not about the issue of a northern consensus. Not at all. It is a consensus for the PDP.”


Saraki added that they want to create a platform where the aspirants can unite as a party that hopes to take over the government, stressing that Nigerians have continued to endure hardship and insecurity under the present administration.

He further said: “We have just finished discussions. The four of us, are aspiring to be the president under our great party and we are going out, talking to colleagues, stakeholders on how to unite with us now are aspirants in the sense that we create a platform of a party that is going to take over the government.


“We see the hardship of Nigerians, the issue of insecurity, we had an incident just two days ago and 135 people that died in Plateau,” also alluding to the recent attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train, which has seen families groaning over their loved ones affected.

“With the hardship, the high cost of living, it is clear that it is only the PDP that can reverse it and rescue this country,” Saraki stated, adding that the group is determined to ensure the success of the consensus arrangement to enable the PDP to win the election.

In his response, Governor Ugwuanyi thanked the group for the visit but insisted that any zoning must be based on fairness, equity and justice to make it meaningful.

He said: “Your Excellencies, I can’t thank God enough for granting all of you journey mercies. On behalf of the good people of Enugu State, I formally welcome each and every one of you.


“I’d like to say this. I welcome consensus based on justice, equity and fairness. Thank you.”

Meanwhile, the PDP Zoning Committee headed by Governor Sam Ortom of Benue State has submitted its report to the national leadership of the party.

The vice-chairman of the committee and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu submitted it to the PDP National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu in Abuja on Tuesday.

He affirmed that the decision of the committee, which he declined to disclose, was reached unanimously.


Elumelu said: “Every member of the 37 man zoning committee had ample opportunity to make their submissions. Arising from our inability to conclude, we shifted it to the 5th of April and on that 5th, we also unanimously and collectively reached a united decision to promote the interests of the party and we came up with the resolution.

“I am not, by virtue of the terms of reference, allowed to roll out the content of the resolution because our job is to finish, submit and theirs to take a decision. So, I believe that is the NEC that has the statutory rights to release the content of what we have done.”


“I must say that it was unanimously carried and all the signatures of all the members of the zoning committee are there for you,” he added.

While receiving the report, Ayu thanked the committee on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party, noting that they performed the task without rancour.


He added: “This decision will be known to party members across the country and all Nigerians who are eagerly awaiting the final decision of your committee.”

Minister of transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi said if elected the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential flag bearer and president of Nigeria in the general election, he would bring his wealth of experience to bear in securing the country, and advancing the economy.

Amaechi stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Katsina State governor Aminu Bello Masari at the Katsina State Government House.

The minister, who is one of the presidential aspirants in the ruling APC said having been in public office for over two decades, he possessed the requisite knowledge and technical know-how to tackle insecurity and provide better governance for Nigerians.

Amaechi, while also recounting his achievements as Rivers State governor, said he was able to tackle insecurity, champion development and stabilise the Rivers State economy, assuring that such feat would be replicated if he is elected president.

He said, “Your excellency, you are the first governor I am visiting after declaring to run for the president of Nigeria in 2023. I will visit others as I progress with my consultations. I have visited three to four Emirates, two in the area you superintend over, and two in Kano. I have come to also brief you on how far we have gone with the railway assignment given to us by Mr. President. And the third reason is to tell you that I am interested to run for the office of the president of Nigeria.

“I think I am qualified, and I happen to be the only aspirant in the race who governed a state where there was militancy. So, I have experience of how to manage militancy.”

Between six months and one year of occupying the office of governor of the state, the militancy reduced tremendously. Schools were opened, market women were able to go back to the markets, kidnapping reduced drastically and business returned.

“Foreign companies came back, Shell reopened, in fact by the time I was leaving, Total was trying to transfer their headquarters to Port Harcourt. Unfortunately, when I left, they couldn’t manage it, so Total moved back to Abuja. But LNG returned their headquarters to Port Harcourt during my tenure as governor, Shell relocated their headquarters to Port Harcourt. So, we have experience, for somebody who has been in office for eight years as Governor, eight years as speaker, seven years as minister, I chaired the governor’s forum, I chaired the speakers’ forum, I also was the director general of the campaign of president Buhari twice. I would bring that experience to bear if given the opportunity.

“For me, the governors are critical in getting that opportunity and there’s need to talk to your colleagues to assist us to achieve that objective,” Amaechi said.

Responding, Governor Masari said he had no doubt about the minister’s leadership qualities. He also used the occasion to wish him well in his political aspiration.

“To me, you are not a person that needs any introduction. We have come a long way. I have no doubt in your character and in your ability and in your inclusiveness. We have discussed this privately, now you have come to formally declare your intention to contest for the office of the president of your country, which I feel you are qualified, and I hope you will play politics like a modern politician, because the way our politics is being played for quite some time, there is need for change of attitude, change of approach, change of style, so that we should treat the current situation of today with today’s solutions, not today’s problem with yesterday’s solutions.”

nagalee:
it’s impossible both will either meet in the semis or not if one losses out in the quarters.

pashiano:
you too dey listen to sugar man

you too dey listen to sugar man

A former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi said no money borrowed under his government will be spent on unproductive ventures.

Obi has over time criticized President Muhammadu Buhari’s borrowing while defending his ambition to turn around Nigeria’s ailing economy by 2023.

In March, the Debt Management Office said Nigeria’s indebtedness as of December 2021 was $38.39bn, with $11.97bn owed the World Bank and $3bn from China.

Economic experts such as the Nigerian Economic Summit Group have faulted Buhari’s the use of the loans sourced from bilateral and multilateral lenders.

“What did we borrow the money to do? What is more important than power generation in this country? What is more important than equipping and supporting our military to make sure we provide security? So what did we borrow the money to do?” Obi said on Arise TV on Monday.

He added, “I want to know. They just say it is infrastructure, I went to Abeokuta yesterday and the road is still being worked on. Since I came to Lagos, they are still working on that road.”

Obi explained that he will handle borrowing differently from the way the current government is doing.

He said, “I will do it differently. Nigerians will know the reason for borrowing and it must be borrowed for production. Nobody will spend a kobo or a dime from borrowed money for consumption.

“Instead, we will not start. That is why I have told everybody there is nothing to share again, we must rebuild this country for the future of our children.”

The current administration had defended the borrowing which it claimed was channeled into building of roads and rails.

Buhari had in 2020 defended his borrowing spree saying he borrows for infrastructure.

“We have so many challenges with infrastructure. We just have to take loans to do roads, rail and power, so that investors will find us attractive and come here to put their money,” he was quoted as telling members of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

Aside Nigeria’s debt quagmire, the former Anambra governor also said Nigerian banks are not doing enough to salvage the unemployment nightmare in the country.

According to him, Nigeria is not a productive economy, adding that there is no proper implementation of policies.

Nigeria is currently experiencing an unemployment level which the National Bureau of Statistics put at 33.3 per cent.

“The country is not productive. What the country is producing today is poverty. You could see from the level of unemployment.

“In 2016, 61 million Nigerians were employed, today it is only about 36 million when the actual rate of people who are supposed to be working is 120 million.”

He said the first approach to reducing the rate of unemployment is to support and fund Micro Small and Medium Enterprises.

According to him, 20 per cent to 30 per cent of government borrowing should be spent on funding youth and women SMEs.

Obi said, “You need to aggressively empower and support women in this sector. If you look at our lending today, our total bank lending is about N30trn, only about 5 per cent; N1.5trn goes to MSMEs and that is not even true. I can tell you it is below that.

“No country can survive with that. You need at least 20 to 30 per cent. Your major productive assets are the youths, they are very creative, but they lack funding and guidance.

“So you must design a proper way of funding this particular sector which should not be less than 20-30 per cent of our lending today.

“In fact, the money that you are borrowing and throwing away, 20 to 30 per cent of it should be diverted to them.”

xalex77c:
If Real Madrid qualifies, who will they play in the semi final?

cyndylove64:
Villarreal, Bayern is out

Candidlady:
Good evening auntie! If Chelsea wins tonight game, the noise no go be here lol