₦airaland Forum

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday reiterated his administration’s efforts in tackling smuggling and corruption that have bedevilled the nation.

Tinubu, who spoke at the the commissioning of the Lagos Red Line Train on Thursday, said there is no going back on the economic policies of his government.

Last week, Vice President Kashim Shettima said the Federal Government uncovered 32 routes through which food items are smuggled out of Nigeria.

“I agree smugglers will fight back, corruption will fight back,” Tinubu said while addressing the menacing situation ubiquitous at the country’s borders. “We will fight them to ruins. Corruption will go away, (we will) save the money for you to educate our children, to pay for the healthcare system of our people, to pay for the modern transportation system that works for highest number of people, not those few smugglers,” Tinubu said.

‘No Going Back On Reforms’
During his swearing in last May, the President ended subsidy on petrol, a situation that has led to soaring cost of living that necessitated protests in several parts of the country.

However, the President, on Thursday, assured Nigerians that despite the economic situation in the country at the moment, he will fulfill his campaign promises to the people.

"We said we can do it, you believed in us. We said the people’s lives will end up being better, you believed in us. I could hear a lot of voices right now, I asked for this job, I cannot complain, it’s all about democracy.

“But this revolution that has started, this reform that is ongoing, we are not looking back. The engineering, the construction, the affirmation of our pledge to be loyal to our country. There is one thing I know is that there is a very bright light at the end of the tunnel,” he stated.

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, vowed that Nigeria would survive the current economic hardship even as he took full responsibility for the adverse outcomes of his policy reforms.

“Nigeria will survive the current economic challenges. There is light at the end of the tunnel. I requested the job, and I am not complaining about it. I take full responsibility,” said Tinubu when he addressed Afenifere leaders at the residence of Pa Reuben Fasoranti in Akure, Ondo State.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, stated this in a statement he signed on Wednesday titled, ‘President Tinubu: I take full responsibility for the nation; we are building an efficient Nigeria that is inclusive and fair to all Nigerians.”

Tinubu emphasised his commitment to leading Nigeria towards economic and social prosperity, saying, “Nigeria will survive the current economic challenges. There is light at the end of the tunnel. I requested the job, and I am not complaining about it. I take full responsibility.

"We are meeting our obligations to the international community. To lenders, we have not defaulted, and we are not going to default. We are navigating the twists and bends on the road to Nigeria’s prosperity.”

On reforming Nigeria, Tinubu said his task will be to ensure fiscal and true federalism, as well as the broad-based manifestation of the philosophy of “what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.”

He acknowledged the understanding and support of all Nigerians in the face of the harsh but temporary economic conditions, assuring them that their patience and perseverance will not be fruitless.

"The economic challenges we have endured since assuming office are not new to me. As the former Governor of Lagos State, I faced similar calls for my resignation.

“But, through perseverance, Lagos emerged as the fifth largest economy in the entire continent of Africa. We must manage this moment with wisdom and grow Nigeria responsibly.

" I campaigned for this office to serve Nigeria’s interests, and I was elected. Some said I would not last in the tribunal and came up with all sorts of predictions, but even when in court, I remained focused.

“We cannot allow Nigeria’s economy to be exploited. We cannot abandon our economy to marauders. I am determined to re-engineer our finances and curb selfish interests permanently,” he stated.

Speaking on behalf of Afenifere, Chief Olu Falae, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who read Fasoranti’s address, commended Tinubu for his commitment to Nigeria’s progress and expressed support for his administration’s efforts.

“You have kept your word to return to this place where we all prayed for you, and this shows that you are a man of your word,” the elder statesman stated.

Fasoranti asked the President to be fair and courageous, declaring that such traits were the hallmark of the Afenifere family.

"Today, you are carrying our flag. We are noted for integrity, competence, fairness, and courage. Your performance so far has shown that you understand the full gravity of your mandate, which is to show the Nigerian people that a good government is possible,” he said.

Earlier, Tinubu paid a condolence visit to the family of the late former Governor of the state, Rotimi Akeredolu, and visited the palace of the Olowo of Owo Kingdom, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III.

Speaking at the palace of the monarch, he eulogised the late Akeredolu as a statesman and a distinguished legal luminary who served his people with unwavering dedication.

“We lost an illustrious son. Akeredolu was very close to me and an ally. He was a son of the soil, and I have come to pay homage,” the President said.

He extended his prayers for the good health, progress, and prosperity of the traditional ruler and the community and thanked the people of Owo for their support to the bereaved family.

Accompanied by the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Tinubu also commiserated with the late governor’s widow, Betty, the children, and other family members.

Recently, human rights groups, the Joint Action Front and the Coalition for Revolution on Monday hit the streets of Lagos State to protest against the soaring price of food and the high cost of living in the country.

This protest was held against the warning issued by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, on Sunday.

According to him, the police are aware of the plan by some people to protest in the state and will ensure that necessary measures are put in place for the safety of the lives and property of Lagosians.

Before then, youths in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Monday, hit the street to protest the skyrocketing price of food and the state of the economy.

The PUNCH observed that protesters gathered around the Mokola area in the state wielding placards with various inscriptions such as ‘End food hike and inflation,’ ‘The poor are starving,’ and ‘Tinubu, don’t forget your promises,’ among others.

They were also chanting songs to show their grievances.

Ahead of the proposed nationwide protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday, the Nigeria Police Force has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the rights and freedom of protesters are protected.

This is as Senior Advocate of Nigeria; Femi Falana said that protesters are entitled to police protection.

The police in a statement signed by the Force PPRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Monday, said it has deployed personnel nationwide and placed them on red alert to monitor the planned protest.

The Force PPRO noted that all Commissioners of Police and their respective supervising officers have been briefed and instructed to coordinate the officers on ground in ensuring the safety and security of all participants .

The statement further read, “While recognizing the importance of peaceful protest, the Nigeria Police Force remains vigilant against any attempts to hijack such protests by individuals or groups of persons with sinister intents. Emphatically, the force, therefore, is fully prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to any unlawful activities or acts of violence that may threaten peace, public safety, and security in the event of such.

“It is vital to state that the Police has spread its tentacles nationwide to curb any attempt by some individuals who might want to leverage on the nationwide protests, to create brouhaha, and such will be met with an approved legal and proportional force as the Police will not allow wanton break down of law and order, loss of lives and property like we had experienced, in some instances, in the past, in any part of the country.

“The Inspector-General of Police urges all participants at the proposed protest to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly, adhering to the principles of non-violence and respect for the rights of others.

“He also calls on the organizers to cooperate with the Police and other relevant security agencies in ensuring that their protests remain peaceful and orderly even as the NPF works tirelessly to ensure that protests are conducted in a safe environment, conducive to the promotion of democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria.”

Falana, in a statement, said “Specifically, section 83(4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020 provides as follows:

“Where a person or organization notifies the police of his or its intention to hold a public meeting, rally or procession on a public highway or such meetings in a place where the public has access to, the police officer responsible for the area where the meeting rally or procession will take place shall mobilize personnel to provide security to provide security cover for the meeting, rally or the procession.”

“We are compelled to call on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that the protesters are given adequate security by the various police commands in the country.”

The NLC had on February 8 announced that it will hold a two-day nationwide protest over the hardship being experienced by Nigerians as well as the deteriorating security situation in the country.

The planned days for the nationwide protest are February 27 and 28.

Olichoke:
What a lame defense for demonic Islam?

Botragelad:
Dude, shut your mouth. Will ya? Lol

hansomb:
White people are the most hypocrite people on earth. They criticized Putin but idolise Netanyahu who has done worst. They discriminate against women yet try to push it on other people. They killed millions of Jews yet are trying to make it seems as if it the Muslims that does it. France citizen called Mr Terror was the founder of terrorism, yet they're trying to pin it on Islam. I can go on. The genocide against Palestinian is another blatant hypocrisy of Western society and anyone who believes them. They said they brought religion/missionaries to the world but also promotes indecency in the world. They enslaved and still slaving Africa but makes it seems as if they are championing anti racism. They said they are spreading democracy, just looked at what they did in Libya, Syria, Iraq, Palestine. Institutional racism is still there. Confused set of people that cannot define who a Woman is.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said that there would be seven-hour power outage on Saturday and Sunday in some areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This was revealed in a statement by the TCN General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, on Saturday, February 24.

She said: “The Transmission Company of Nigeria wishes to inform the public that its maintenance crew will carry out planned preventive maintenance on its 132/33kV 2X100MVA power Transformers in Apo Transmission Substation.”

The maintenance is slated for Saturday and Sunday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day.

“Consequently, there will be power interruption through both transformers and Abuja DisCo will be unable to offtake power from the two transformers for distribution to its customers,” the statement added.

The affected areas include Garki, Asokoro, Lugbe, Airport Road, Gudu, Gaduwa, parts of Lokogoma, Apo, Kabusa, Guzape and Nepa Junction, will experience power outages for seven hours on Saturday and Sunday.

She noted that the power supply would be restored on both days by 4 pm.

Seyi, eldest son of President Bola Tinubu, has urged Nigerians to endure the economic hardship being witnessed in the country.

Daily Trust reports that Nigerians have been complaining bitterly about the high cost of living, food inflation and hardship in the nation.

In a post via Instagram on Monday, the president’s son, who was actively involved in the election campaign, recalled the president’s statement from his presidential speech in commemoration of the 63rd Independence anniversary of Nigeria.

“There is no joy in seeing the people of this nation shoulder burdens that should have been shed years ago. I wish today’s difficulties did not exist. But we must endure if we are to reach the good side of our future,” President Tinubu had said.

Weighing in on the current challenges facing Nigeria, Seyi while declaring that he stands with his father, added that the present generation “will yield the fruits of this hardship”.

The president’s son added hashtags such as “Have faith in him”, “Our country is in great hands”, among others.

Daily Trust had reported how Nigerians in some parts of the country have resorted to using charcoal as the cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, otherwise known as cooking gas, has continued to skyrocket.

This is just as the cost of charcoal has also risen owing to high demand, with some people switching to firewood.

Checks by Daily Trust in Abuja, Kano, Lagos and Jos, showed that citizens were filling a 12.5 kilogramme cylinder of cooking gas with about N18,000.

The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALGAM) had last year predicted that a 12.5kg cylinder would cost N18, 000 going by the frequent increases.

Last November, following a rise in the price of cooking gas per kg from about N700 to above N1,100, the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, constituted a committee headed by the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, to come up with recommendations on how to boost supplies and crash the price within a week.

Despite that assurance, the price of cooking gas has continued to increase with a kilogramme selling for N1,400 in some parts of the country. This translates into 17,500 for a 12.5 kg cylinder.

Last week, the African Development Bank (AfDB) had reported that rising prices of fuel and other commodities could lead to social unrest in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Angola, and Kenya.

The AfDB gave the warning in its macroeconomic performance and outlook for 2024 in which it projected Africa’s economy to grow higher than the 3.2 per cent recorded in 2023.

The bank cautioned that an increase in fuel and commodity prices occasioned by currency depreciation or subsidy removal in Nigeria, Angola, Kenya, and Ethiopia could trigger internal conflicts.

It stated, “Internal conflicts and violence could also result from rising prices for fuel and other commodities due to weaker domestic currencies and reforms.

"For instance, the removal of fuel subsidies in Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria and the resulting social costs has led to social unrest driven by opposition to government policy.”

At a meeting with governors and heads of security agencies last week, President Bola Tinubu charged them to work towards addressing the economic hardship.

"What I will not do is to set a price control board. I will not also approve the importation of food. We should be able to get ourselves out of the situation we found ourselves in, because importation will allow rent seekers to perpetrate fraud and mismanagement at our collective expense. We would rather support farmers with the schemes that will make them go to the farm and grow more food for everyone in the country.

"We must also look at the rapid but thoughtful implementation of our livestock development and management plans, including dairy farming and others,” the President had said.

The suspended National Treasurer of the Labour Party, Ms Oluchi Oparah, has challenged the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, to give an account of the donations received from Nigerians in the Diaspora during the campaign tour of LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the United States.

The PUNCH reported that the national leadership of the Labour Party sent Opara on a six-month suspension last week, following her claim that Abure diverted N3.5bn allegedly raised from the sale of nomination forms and fundraising activities in the build-up to the 2023 general election.

But Abure maintained that there was no N3.5bn raised, saying: “Total summary of the money that entered into the party was N1.3bn. We also got N800m for the campaign. I want to challenge her to make the records available where she got the sum of N3.5bn.”

But not backing down on her allegations, Opara, in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Sunday, asked Abure to give an account of the funds raised during the LP presidential campaign tour in the US.

Opara said, “Abure used the name of the party to raise funds during the United States campaign tour. They reflected in all the documents and tickets I printed out. We have the tickets for $500 and $100 in the name of the party. But Abure returned and didn’t drop a dime. We are talking about a man who uses proxy accounts to withdraw money from the party.

"Again, for 10 to 11 months, Abure has been the only one withdrawing the money. I don’t know how he does it, whether by forgery or other means. We are three signatories to the accounts but the third person, a former chairman, is dead now.”

When contacted, Abure denied any wrongdoing, saying Opara was merely out to tarnish his image.

He said, “We made changes to the account. That was how we were able to run the party from January 2021 to March 2021 when we had the NEC meeting in Benin, where I emerged as the national chairman of the party. All the money withdrawn between January and March 2021 was co-signed with the acting national chairman, Maria Lebeke.

"I was the national secretary at the time and there was no way I could have withdrawn from the account or any person could have withdrawn money without the co-signatory. We brought in the new acting chairman who co-signed all the cheques, Opara equally co-signed the cheques. So, changes of signatories were made and we needed to run the party, and a lot of activities of the party at that time were co-signed by Maria Lebeke, and it is obvious.”

Gunmen have killed a police officer and freed seven inmates in an attack on Okigwe Correctional Farm Settlement.

The incident took place in the hours of Monday at Correctional Service Farm Settlements, Umualomokein Okigwe.

It was gathered the attackers also abducted the correctional service officer in charge of the settlement shortly before attacking the residence of Senator Patrick Ndubeze.

The Commissioner of Police, Danjuma Aboki, who visited the scene vowed that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring that the abducted correctional service officer is recused unhurt.

The Commissioner of Police also ordered the immediate deployment of the Command’s Special Tactical Squad to hunt down the suspected IPOB/ESN operatives.

The statement by the Command’s spokesman, Henry Okoye blamed IPOB/ESN for allegedly being “responsible for the attacks on Correctional Service Farm Settlements, Umualomoke and the residence of Dist. Senator Patrick Ndubeze, both in Okigwe, in the early hours of 12/02/2024, which resulted in the release of seven (7) inmates, and abduction of the officer in charge of the farm settlement, and the death of a Police Inspector respectively. “

The statement added that the CP has mandated the special tactical squad operatives to intensify efforts in ensuring that the officer in charge of the farm settlement is rescued unhurt and the fleeing inmates arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.

With the Kogi State governorship election less than 24 hours away, the Nigerian Police Force has warned individuals or groups of people who may wish to cause mayhem to impede the integrity of the Saturday election to have a rethink or face the full wrath of the law.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Ahmed Habu Sani who is in charge of maintaining security during the Kogi governorship election issued the warning in Lokoja while briefing journalists on the preparedness of the police for the exercise.

"Any person that will want to test our capacity, ability in the smooth conduct of the election will know the various powers that we have,” he said.

According to the police boss, the police force has deployed enough security men to man each of the 3508 polling units and 239 wards in the 21 local government areas of the state.

He said the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies are well prepared in terms of manpower and logistics to ensure that the off-circle election in Kogi state is peaceful and successful.

The DIG also appealed to the people of the state to contribute their quota for the peaceful conduct of the election urging them to give useful information that would assist security agencies to perform their duties creditably.

"I am calling on the good people of Kogi State to be law abiding and be supportive of security agencies to discharge their mandate for the peaceful, free fair and acceptable elections in this state.”

Already, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state amid tight security.

At INEC headquarters in Lokoja on Friday, there was a heavy presence of policemen. Also, men of the Counter-Terrorism Unit of the Police Force, sniffer dogs as well an Armoured Personnel Carrier were sighted.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega are to lead separate teams of West African leaders to monitor the Liberian presidential, senatorial, and parliamentary elections scheduled to be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.

While Jonathan will lead West African leaders under the aegis of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF), Jega will lead the short-term ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EOM) to observe the polls.

An estimated 2,471,617 voters out of Liberia’s population of 5.4 million are expected to elect the new President of Liberia, 15 Senators, and 73 members of the House of Representatives.
Jonathan, who left Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital to Abuja en route to Monrovia yesterday afternoon, has in his entourage, other members of the mission, including former Burkina Faso Prime Minister and one-time President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Kadre Ouedraogo and members of staff of the WAEF secretariat.

The team would be on hand to monitor the elections and offer their support towards peaceful elections, consolidation of democracy in the country, and leveraging their experiences as former leaders of the sub-region.

They will meet with critical stakeholders, including President George Weah, who is seeking re-election, opposition leaders, the electoral management body, and the security agencies.

Members of the WAEF Mission, which is billed to be in Liberia for about 10 days, would visit polling stations in Monrovia to observe Election Day procedures and the results collation process and remain engaged until the results are declared.

Communications Officer of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Wealth Dickson Ominabo, in a statement yesterday, quoted the Executive Director of Goodluck Jonathan Foundation and Head of the WAEF Secretariat, Ms Ann Iyonu, as saying that the members of the mission would “be holding consultations with the candidates, managers of the elections, and observer missions and other key stakeholders towards ensuring peaceful and successful outcomes.”

The statement also explained that “the role of WAEF Mission is to provide advisory, mediation, and conflict resolution support services to the political leaders of the sub-region,” adding that the members would “remain in the country until the election procedures are peacefully concluded.”
The mission’s engagements in the country would be guided by the experience and wisdom of its members who, as former presidents and leaders in the sub-region, had managed elections and overseen successful conflict resolution and peace processes.

WAEF had conducted similar missions in The Gambia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
Meanwhile, a statement issued yesterday by the Executive Director of The Electoral Hub, Princess Hamman-Obels, the former INEC boss arrived in Monrovia, the Liberian capital, on Monday, October 2, 2023, and was welcomed by Ambassador Josephine Nkrumah, ECOWAS Resident Representative to Liberia.

During his stay, the Head of the ECOWAS EOM and his team would hold working sessions with different stakeholders, including the National Elections Commission (NEC), government, civil society organisations, the media, security agencies, as well as political parties and candidates, to ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process.

"In accordance with the provisions of the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance relating to the observation of elections and ECOWAS assistance, the West African Organisation has deployed a 95-member election observation mission, comprising 80 short-term observers and 17 long-term observers.

"The ECOWAS short-term observers are drawn from the ECOWAS Council of the Wise, the ECOWAS Parliament and the Community Court of Justice, Member States’ Ministries of Foreign Affairs, electoral management bodies, and civil society organisations.

“The role of the West African election observation mission deployed to Liberia is to monitor all pre-electoral, electoral, and post-electoral phases of the election, to ensure that the electoral process complies with international best practice.”

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has said the recent palliatives introduced by the Federal Government is as a result of “limited thinking,” noting that they are temporary solutions.

He made this known while speaking in an interview on Arise TV’s The Morning Show on Monday.

Obi said, “If you look at what this country has been doing since inception, you could see announcements with limited thinking. Which again produces limited outcome.

When asked if he would be willing to work with the current government, he said, “We are at the point where we are challenging the process and that has to come to a logical end before any other thing. Even being in the opposition is part of building the government.”

Obi also reiterated that fuel subsidy is an organised crime. “My approach would be to remove the corruption and criminal side of it.”

On the volatility of the naira, Obi advised, “What you should have done is devalue the currency while trying to manage the supply by making sure you deal with issues that control the exchange rate. Which is the reserve. And what controls your reserve is your export. Especially, oil and other minerals. Encourage (export of) those things and then deal with issues of foreign exchange while trying to manage what you have.”

Image123:
Protest or strike, be clear make we know how many years you wan spend for jail.

The two-day meeting between the Federal Government and the organised labour ended in a deadlock on Tuesday, with the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress leaders vowing to begin a nationwide protest against the removal of fuel subsidy.

This came as oil workers under the aegis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association began an indefinite strike on Tuesday, citing inhumane treatment by the management of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, an agency of the Federal Government.

The strike and planned protest by the organised labour slated for Wednesday (today) over the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government may shut down the country and paralyse the economy.

Oil workers had earlier on Tuesday staged a protest and shut down the commission’s office in Lagos, while also vowing to shut down the agency’s offices nationwide.

Speaking on the planned strike on Tuesday, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the organised labour had no reason to suspend the planned national protests and strike.

Ajaero spoke a few hours after another round of meeting of the Presidential Steering Committee on Palliatives held at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, deadlocked.

“We have no reason to call off the planned protests. If we suspend or call it off, you will know. I can tell you that the mobilisation is very high,” Ajaero said in response to questions from journalists.

The Federal Government had in a last-ditch effort to avert the strike met with the NLC and TUC leaders on Monday but the parley also failed to reach any resolution.

The PUNCH reports that the Federal Government and the organised labour have been at loggerheads following the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu on May 29,2023.

In an effort to foster negotiations, the government set up a committee to look into the demands of the labour unions for a 300 per cent wage increase to enable workers to cope with the challenges imposed by the deteriorating economic situation that came with the removal of the controversial fuel subsidy, among other things.

Though the committee was given a total of eight weeks to come up with a suitable plan for workers and Nigerians at large, the labour leaders insisted that the committee has continued to show a lack of commitment towards their shared goal.

An earlier move by the labour leaders to embark on strike was stopped by a court order obtained by the government.

Speaking earlier after the meeting with FG officials, the NLC Secretary-General, Emmanuel Ugboaja, hinted that the congress would consider the government’s appeal for a peaceful resolution.

But he was countered by the Deputy Vice-President of the NLC, Titus Amba, who said there was no new development following the national broadcast made by the President, Bola Tinubu, on Monday evening.

Addressing journalists after the meeting of the Presidential Steering Committee on Palliatives, the TUC President, Festus Osifo, described the palliatives rolled out by the President as “grossly insufficient.” ⁣

Giving an update on the outcome of the meeting, he said, “About the protests, yes, they (FG) also appealed that we should shelve the protests. Our response was that we are going this evening to have a conversation around that. And you will hear from us at the end of that meeting.’’