₦airaland Forum

The Nigerian Army has approved an upward review of monthly ration allowance to military men, from N1,000 to N1,200.

According to Peoples Gazette, this was contained in a memo signed by Major-General, Emmanuel Emekah on behalf of the chief of army staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, which surfaced amid reports of soldiers lamenting over poor welfare and delayed salaries.

The approval of raise in allowance came on July 27, according to the memo whose authenticity the Gazette reports was confirmed by officers.

It read in part: “Sequel to the recent removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government of Nigeria, with its attendant rise in the prices of goods and services across the country, the COAS has graciously approved upward review of ration cash allowance of troops from N1,000 to N1,200 with effect from August 2023.”

A lieutenant who craved anonymity told The Gazette; “Members of my unit are already complaining that the allowance is just too poor. They were expecting about N5,000 in ration allowance because their salaries are too low already. Most of them earn less than N70,000 per month.”

The development comes as Nigerians have commenced protests across the country over the petrol subsidy removal, which has seen commodity prices rise exponentially.

A man has been given an extra forty (40) years in Prison after he broke out of Jail four months to his release date.

Acoording to reports a Mississippi, USA, Prison Inmate escaped from prison, but he was later apprehended again. 21-year-old Shunekndrick Huffman broke out of jail in 2022, but he later committed another offense and was apprehended once more.

Reports from Daily Mail says that he decided to flee only four months before a previous seven-year sentence was set to end.

He successfully made it out of the facility in 2022 but went into crime again as he broke into a nearby home and held three people at gunpoint for hours.

Additionally, Huffman stole a car from one of the individuals he was holding hostage and crashed it as he fled. Following that, the police discovered Huffman hiding in a trash can and rearrested him. To two counts of kidnapping, he has entered a guilty plea.

He is currently serving a 40-year prison term after he was recaptured. Numerous users on social media expressed their shock at the story. Some are perplexed as to why Huffman attempted to flee when he was leaving in four months.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has stated that it will join the planned industrial nationwide strike of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) which is set to begin on Wednesday, August 2.

Speaking with newsmen on Monday, the ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said that ASUU is still consulting on the matter with its members but that the union is a part of the NLC, and as such, will be joining the planned action by the group.

“We are still consulting with our members, but we….are members of NLC so it is definite. If NLC says there will be a demonstration, we are members with them so we will definitely join,” he stated.

Recall that the NLC had started last week that they would embark on “a nationwide action” to compel the government to reverse some recent policies that have been implemented the increase in the price of fuel and the increase in VAT.

“The immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the federal government including the recent hike in PMS price, Increase in Public School fees, the release of….the 8 months withheld Salary of University lecturers and Workers and increase in VAT.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has insisted on going ahead with its planned protests over the removal of petroleum subsidy from tomorrow, August 2, 2023.

Recall that in a national broadcast, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rolled out interventions to cushion the effects of his administration’s policies on citizens.

However, the labour vowed to proceed with its planned protest, saying what he told Nigerians was neither here nor there, considering that after spending two months in office, there were no concrete measures to bring immediate succour to the people.



In his broadcast, Tinubu said his administration was monitoring the effects of the exchange rate and inflation on gasoline prices with a pledge to intervene “if and when necessary.”

Addressing reporters after a meeting of the Presidential Steering Committee on Palliatives, Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero said Tinubu’s measures lacked concrete actions to bring immediate relief to the people. The president’s pledge to intervene in exchange rates and inflation on gasoline prices was deemed insufficient by the labour leader.


Despite concerns about the potential hijacking of the protests, Ajaero asserted that security agencies should ensure the safety of workers during the demonstrations. He cast doubt on Tinubu’s ability to control inflation and gasoline prices due to the unification of the exchange rate.

He said the meeting was adjourned to 12 noon today to enable the labour leaders to listen to the president’s national broadcast on Monday.

Reacting to Tinubu’s plan to intervene on exchange rate over inflation and high cost of gasoline prices, Ajaero said: “By the time you have a single market and you are not having anything that has a comparative advantage, your energy is import driven, then how are you going to control it? How are you going to control somebody that exchanged dollars at about 900 (naira)? Are you going to tell him to sell below the price?

“How are you going to tell even NEPA (DisCos) today, with the cost of production not to increase tariff? Even corn in the villages that was sold at N18, 000 by February, now it’s about 56, 000. How are you going to control it?”

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, acknowledged the government’s struggle against powerful oil cabals that have impacted the economy negatively. He cited the removal of subsidy as the first step in dealing with the situation.

Asked whether the oil cabals were more powerful than the security and government, he said, “Yes they are and that’s what the government is dealing with. First of all, remove the subsidy, that’s the first step.”

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, pleaded with the organised labour to give the administration little chance to fix the economy. He said President Tinubu inherited a bad economy that he is working hard to fix.

TEXT OF THE NATIONAL BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU TO NIGERIANS ON CURRENT ECONOMIC CHALLENGES.



AFTER DARKNESS COMES THE GLORIOUS DAWN



My fellow citizens,

I want to talk to you about our economy. It is important that you understand the reasons for the policy measures I have taken to combat the serious economic challenges this nation has long faced.

2. I am not going to talk in difficult terms by dwelling on economic jargon and concepts. I will speak in plain, clear language so that you know where I stand. More importantly, so that you see and hopefully will share my vision regarding the journey to a better, more productive economy for our beloved country.

3. For several years, I have consistently maintained the position that the fuel subsidy had to go. This once beneficial measure had outlived its usefulness. The subsidy cost us trillions of Naira yearly. Such a vast sum of money would have been better spent on public transportation, healthcare, schools, housing and even national security. Instead, it was being funnelled into the deep pockets and lavish bank accounts of a select group of individuals.

4. This group had amassed so much wealth and power that they became a serious threat to the fairness of our economy and the integrity of our democratic governance. To be blunt, Nigeria could never become the society it was intended to be as long as such small, powerful yet unelected groups hold enormous influence over our political economy and the institutions that govern it.

5. The whims of the few should never hold dominant sway over the hopes and aspirations of the many. If we are to be a democracy, the people and not the power of money must be sovereign.

6. The preceding administration saw this looming danger as well. Indeed, it made no provision in the 2023 Appropriations for subsidy after June this year. Removal of this once helpful device that had transformed into a millstone around the country’s neck had become inevitable.

7. Also, the multiple exchange rate system that had been established became nothing but a highway of currency speculation. It diverted money that should have been used to create jobs, build factories and businesses for millions of people. Our national wealth was doled on favourable terms to a handful of people who have been made filthy rich simply by moving money from one hand to another. This too was extremely unfair.

8. It also compounded the threat that the illicit and mass accumulation of money posed to the future of our democratic system and its economy.

9. I had promised to reform the economy for the long-term good by fighting the major imbalances that had plagued our economy. Ending the subsidy and the preferential exchange rate system were key to this fight. This fight is to define the fate and future of our nation. Much is in the balance.

10. Thus, the defects in our economy immensely profited a tiny elite, the elite of the elite you might call them. As we moved to fight the flaws in the economy, the people who grow rich from them, predictably, will fight back through every means necessary.

11. Our economy is going through a tough patch and you are being hurt by it. The cost of fuel has gone up. Food and other prices have followed it. Households and businesses struggle. Things seem anxious and uncertain. I understand the hardship you face. I wish there were other ways. But there is not. If there were, I would have taken that route as I came here to help not hurt the people and nation that I love.

12. What I can offer in the immediate is to reduce the burden our current economic situation has imposed on all of us, most especially on businesses, the working class and the most vulnerable among us.

13. Already, the Federal Government is working closely with states and local governments to implement interventions that will cushion the pains of our people across socio-economic brackets.

14. Earlier this month, I signed four (4) Executive Orders in keeping with my electoral promise to address unfriendly fiscal policies and multiple taxes that are stifling the business environment. These Executive Orders on suspension and deferred commencement of some taxes will provide the necessary buffers and headroom to businesses in the manufacturing sector to continue to thrive and expand.

15. To strengthen the manufacturing sector, increase its capacity to expand and create good paying jobs, we are going to spend N75 billion between July 2023 and March 2024. Our objective is to fund 75 enterprises with great potential to kick-start a sustainable economic growth, accelerate structural transformation and improve productivity. Each of the 75 manufacturing enterprises will be able to access N1 Billion credit at 9% per annum with maximum of 60 months repayment for long term loans and 12 months for working capital.

16. Our administration recognises the importance of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and the informal sector as drivers of growth. We are going to energise this very important sector with N125 billion.

17. Out of the sum, we will spend N50 billion on Conditional Grant to 1 million nano businesses between now and March 2024. Our target is to give N50,000 each to 1,300 nano business owners in each of the 774 local governments across the country.

18. Ultimately, this programme will further drive financial inclusion by onboarding beneficiaries into the formal banking system. In like manner, we will fund 100,000 MSMEs and start-ups with N75 billion. Under this scheme, each enterprise promoter will be able to get between N500,000 to N1million at 9% interest per annum and a repayment period of 36 months.

19. To further ensure that prices of food items remain affordable, we have had a multi-stakeholder engagement with various farmers’ associations and operators within the agricultural value chain.

20. In the short and immediate terms, we will ensure staple foods are available and affordable. To this end, I have ordered the release of 200,000 Metric Tonnes of grains from strategic reserves to households across the 36 states and FCT to moderate prices. We are also providing 225,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer, seedlings and other inputs to farmers who are committed to our food security agenda.

21. Our plan to support cultivation of 500,000 hectares of farmland and all-year-round farming practice remains on course. To be specific, N200 billion out of the N500 billion approved by the National Assembly will be disbursed as follows:

-Our administration will invest N50 billion each to cultivate 150,000 hectares of rice and maize.

-N50 billion each will also be earmarked to cultivate 100,000 hectares of wheat and cassava.

22. This expansive agricultural programme will be implemented targeting small-holder farmers and leveraging large-scale private sector players in the agric business with strong performance record.

23. In this regard, the expertise of Development Finance Institutions, commercial banks and microfinance banks will be tapped into to develop a viable and an appropriate transaction structure for all stakeholders.

24. Fellow Nigerians, I made a solemn pledge to work for you. How to improve your welfare and living condition is of paramount importance to me and it’s the only thing that keeps me up day and night.

25. It is in the light of this that I approved the Infrastructure Support Fund for the States. This new Infrastructure Fund will enable States to intervene and invest in critical areas and bring relief to many of the pain points as well as revamp our decaying healthcare and educational Infrastructure.

26. The fund will also bring improvements to rural access roads to ease evacuation of farm produce to markets. With the fund, our states will become more competitive and on a stronger financial footing to deliver economic prosperity to Nigerians.

27. Part of our programme is to roll out buses across the states and local governments for mass transit at a much more affordable rate. We have made provision to invest N100 billion between now and March 2024 to acquire 3000 units of 20-seater CNG-fuelled buses.

28. These buses will be shared to major transportation companies in the states, using the intensity of travel per capital. Participating transport companies will be able to access credit under this facility at 9% per annum with 60 months repayment period.

29. In the same vein, we are also working in collaboration with the Labour unions to introduce a new national minimum wage for workers. I want to tell our workers this: your salary review is coming.

30. Once we agree on the new minimum wage and general upward review, we will make budget provision for it for immediate implementation.

31. I want to use this opportunity to salute many private employers in the Organised Private Sector who have already implemented general salary review for employees.

32. Fellow Nigerians, this period may be hard on us and there is no doubt about it that it is tough on us. But I urge you all to look beyond the present temporary pains and aim at the larger picture. All of our good and helpful plans are in the works. More importantly, I know that they will work.

33. Sadly, there was an unavoidable lag between subsidy removal and these plans coming fully online. However, we are swiftly closing the time gap. I plead with you to please have faith in our ability to deliver and in our concern for your well-being.

34. We will get out of this turbulence. And, due to the measures we have taken, Nigeria will be better equipped and able to take advantage of the future that awaits her.

35. In a little over two months, we have saved over a trillion Naira that would have been squandered on the unproductive fuel subsidy which only benefitted smugglers and fraudsters. That money will now be used more directly and more beneficially for you and your families.

36. For example, we shall fulfill our promise to make education more affordable to all and provide loans to higher education students who may need them. No Nigerian student will have to abandon his or her education because of lack of money.

37. Our commitment is to promote the greatest good for the greatest number of our people. On this principle, we shall never falter.

38. We are also monitoring the effects of the exchange rate and inflation on gasoline prices. If and when necessary, we will intervene.

39. I assure you my fellow country men and women that we are exiting the darkness to enter a new and glorious dawn.

40. Now, I must get back to work in order to make this vision come true.

41. Thank you all for listening and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Yoruba wing of Nigeria’s movie industry, Nollywood may have once again recorded the passing away of one its members, Musiliu Ajinkanle, as news of his death has been made known, STAR POTTER Report.

Ajikanle, one of the popular actors in Ibadan had been bedridden for sometime even though nature of his ailment was unknown. Now popular cleric, Agbala Gabriel, in his usual had kicked off process of raising funds for Ajinkanle’s treatment.

One of his colleagues, Ebedi confirmed the death on his social media page.

The talented actor who was known for playing role of a tough person among other ones. The investigation is still continue dropping soon #reported by #theaterindustry

VIDEO: Protest in Oyo state capital, as workers storm the State secretariat to protest and plead to the State Government, amid hardship in the country. pic.twitter.com/g503BzYpq8

— Intel Region (@IntelRegion) July 31, 2023

A South African marriage therapist, Bakhe Dlamini, has revealed that he and his wife were never intimate during their 10 years of dating.

Dlamini, who disclosed this in a Facebook post on Saturday, July 29, 2023, said that he and Nokwanda, a community psychologist/social worker, met in high school in 2001.

The relationship expert stated that the first time they shared a kiss was during their wedding ceremony when the pastor asked him to kiss the bride.

Dlamini disclosed that they both believed in the principles of no s3x before marriage which worked for them.

"So my wife & I never kissed during 10 years of dating. We met at high school, 2001, were prom mates following year, and we didn't kiss. First time I kissed her was when the priest said, "You may kiss the bride", 10 years later, 2 July 2011. Both of us were virgins too. I had to be clear with her from word go that I respected her body, preferred we don't even kiss. I believed in being a gentleman, not rushing a woman. I also mentioned to her that I prefer we don't even kiss because I knew that the moment we kissed, we'd fall into the trap of s3x before marriage. I wanted us to get to marriage pure. We also believed in the biblical principle of "no s3x before marriage". So to those dating and believe in no sex before marriage, it's possible. Cheers."

A Nigerian yahoo boy has tackled an Asian man for allegedly ripping him off during his attempt to engage in internet fraud.

He lamented in a video making the rounds on social media about how the foreigner ripped him off and got 100 dollars from him. The yahoo boy was having a video call with the oyibo man who made fun of him and showed off the food and drinks he bought with the fraud money.


Feeling hurt and betrayed, the yahoo boy threatened to expose him by circulating his photo, but that did not move the guy as he laughed and said that he was enjoying himself with sumptuous meals.

The Nigerian man then threatened to take the Asian scammer’s picture and use charms (juju) to make him lose his life, but all his threats appeared to be falling on deaf ears.

See the clip below:

When the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Presidency happened on 29 May 2023, I was worried about how high the Lagos NURTW celebrity boy, Musiliu Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo would fly. Let me emphatically state that I am not his hater nor a fan, nor am I an enemy of progress. I imagined his eagerness to relocate to the seat of power, Abuja from his base in Lagos State. His son, King West, had already bragged on social media that 'they' now own Lagos State and Nigeria together.

I imagined the fate of the Yoruba Nollywood actresses in the hands of MC Oluomo. I felt they would be like motherless day-old chicks within the vicinity of hungry hawks. But interestingly, my imagination has been totally wrong.

The gentleman has kept a very low profile in both state and federal politics since Tinubu emerged as president. In his absence, his boss - Tinubu has been frolicking with yesterday-men to feature in his presidential reality show. There is a regular pattern of news, it is either Tinubu is coming up with controversial economic policies or he is doing photo-ops with individuals of highly questionable characters.

Below are some individuals/events that have affected the image/reputation of Tinubu either by association or by occurrence:

(1) Asari Dokubo meeting:

Tinubu's meeting with the former Niger Delta militant, Asari Dokubo, at the Aso Rock Villa on 16 June 2023, hasn't aged well, due to the conduct, and displayed impetus of the latter since the parley took place. When Tinubu met with Asari and publicised the visit as an achievement, many wondered what was cooking. Asari represents the era of what I regard as the age of 'guerilla politics' and political opportunism. But Tinubu appeared proud of the visit which appears to have backfired today. Asari left Abuja with the effrontery of fanning the embers of tribalism by attacking the Igbos viciously via unguarded social media comments. He called the Igbos slaves, mocked the incarcerated Nnamdi Kanu, labelled the Nigerian military 'oil thieves' and threatened to crush the South-easterners. He has gone further to raise a private army to annihilate the enemies of Tinubu. He also threatened the sitting governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, with violence. That's a very daring thing to do. Shockingly, all the security agencies in Nigeria have looked away as he is an ally of the president. Many have been forced to assume that a sacred cow like Asari might be carrying out the specific instructions of Tinubu.

(2) The James Ibori encounter

I think Tinubu was better off meeting with the ex-convict, James Ibori, in the dead of the night like Nicodemus did with Jesus, as reported in the Holy Bible. Tinubu has the freedom of association, nobody is taking that away from him. But a public figure especially the first citizen of a country should consider public perception before making certain decisions. This protects you from sending the wrong messages to the general public. Tinubu didn't just meet with the convicted criminal, he paraded him like an international diplomat. Ibori in turn pledged fealty to him. Nigeria wondered about the agenda of the meeting and the nature of the bond between them. Weeks later, news emerged that a UK court had moved to seize Ibori's property worth £101.5 million. As the news broke, Tinubu's recent picture with Ibori was mostly used as the report cover image by news platforms as a soft jab at the president.

(3) Proposed N8,000 cash transfer

Part of the baggage of former President Buhari's administration in the N5,000 cash transfer scheme aimed at serving as a palliative to the 'poorest of the poor'. The process was so opaque. We don't know the identities of the recipients of this money in Nigeria, geographic location or any tangible database or public register about them. The level of accountability in the operation of social intervention programmes in Nigeria has been zero. Yet, it gulped billions of Naira. As Buhari left, Nigerians breathed a sign of relief that at least that era of 'legal corruption and madness' had ended. But guess what, Tinubu brought back the initiative and increased the money to N8,000. Tinubu targeted the conditional payment of N8,000 monthly each to 12 million poor households for six months. It had to take a massive public backlash for Tinubu to make an embarrassing U-turn by turning to agriculture.

(4) Fuel subsidy removal/floating of Naira:

With the abrupt removal of fuel subsidy, Tinubu has proven to be the proverbial person that bathed himself with petrol knowing fully well about to be set on fire. The Buhari administration attempted to remove fuel subsidy times too. Each time Buhari did, the depth of the rabbit hole was baffling. This prompted the former dictator to always reach a compromise with the labour and trade unions on fuel prices at different attempts.

Tinubu's already low popularity has continued to wane further since the removal of the fuel subsidy, coupled with his decision to float the naira. Both moves have triggered a chronic wave of inflation and high living costs in Nigeria. Even his more die-hard supporters of the 'Agbado family' are not immune to his retrogressive policies. A significant host of them have lost their voices on social media. If measured, Tinubu's popularity will be at an all-time low as he prepares for a showdown with the Nigeria Labour Congress which recently announced a forthcoming nationwide protest.

(5) The Emefiele saga:

Gone are the days when you can score cheap political points by arresting and prosecuting a public office-holder. Buhari overused this during his first tenure. As the economy suffered, Buhari's attention was focused on chasing his political enemies tagged as 'corrupt officials'. Nearly invisible funds were recovered from them and splashed on the pages of newspapers. This never improved the lives of the poor masses. This is why the arrest and detention of the former director of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, by the Department of State Security, DSS, for alleged financial infractions means nothing to Nigerians. Imagine a man who is being widely investigated for alleged gross financial crime being arraigned in court for the purported possession of firearms. On the other hand, Asari and his private militia are working freely with threats to unleash mayhem in Nigeria. Tinubu sure makes good comedy skits!

Even when poor Emefiele was granted bail by the court, the DSS fought the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) tooth and nail to keep him in their custody. The DSS would later seek a court injunction to further detain him but lost again.

(6) Nyesom Wike as a ministerial nominee:

The fact that Tinubu offered a ministerial seat to a member of the People's Democratic Party in ex-Governor Nyesom Wike is supposed to be commendable. Tinubu should be seen as an all-inclusive leader. But the nomination further lends credence to widespread rumours about Wike's clandestine political interest in Tinubu, a member of an opposing party. Tinubu performed a political miracle in the 2023 presidential election in Rivers State. He would controversially win the election - in a traditional PDP state with a sitting PDP governor. The results today don't add up mathematically. And Wike, an unrepentant antagonist of the ruling APC makes the ministerial list? Nigerians are not as foolish as Tinubu thinks.

(7) N25,000 low-ball offer to doctors:

There is a huge pressure on Nigerian doctors to leave the shores of Nigeria for better pay and working conditions abroad. Countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, the U.S., Australia, Saudi Arabia and others are hunting for them. 6,221 Nigerian doctors have left for the UK in the past 6 years. Nigeria falls behind the World Health Organization recommendation for the number of doctors to patients - 1:600 (one doctor to 600 patients). As of October 2022, the doctor-patient ratio in Nigeria was 1:9,083. The doctors are languishing in abject poverty in their home country calling for Tinubu's intervention. Then Tinubu intervenes and offers doctors within the federal public service a sum of N25,000 as a "peculiar allowance" to be paid every three months. That's barely £25 for people as big as doctors. What a shame!

In less than three months, Tinubu has made so much impact in Nigeria; in specific terms, not-so-good impact. One wonders what the future holds for Nigerians in the next three years. We can only hope for the best.

A Nigerian national received recognition at the University of Kent, UK, during his graduation ceremony for having the longest name.

During the ceremony, all his names were properly called out as he made his way to the podium to receive his certificate

The Nigerian had stirred up cheers from attendees and other graduands when his eight names were called.

Kent University remarked via their TikTok page that the man has made history in the school as the first graduand with the longest name.

In the video, Boluwatife Oluwasemilore Oluwadamilola Oyekunle Anyanfeoluwa Emmanuel Michael Oladele, made his way to the stage as all eight names were called amid cheers.

See Video Below;

Following a rather dramatic coup, General Abdourahmane Tchiani has declared himself as the new leader of Niger.

Also known as Omar Tchiani, he staged a takeover which started on Wednesday when the presidential guards unit he led seized the country's leader.

This shatters Niger's first peaceful and democratic transition since independence in 1960
.

President Mohamed Bazoum is thought to be in good health, and still held captive by his own guards, the BBC reports.

Meanwhile, the military junta had banned protests in the country.

According to the BBC. more than four million people need humanitarian assistance.

Niger President, Mohamed Bazoum, was removed from power by the coup plotters.

A group of soldiers who appeared on the West African nation's national television late on Wednesday, hours after the president was held in the presidential Palace, announced the coup.

Reading from a statement, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, seated and flanked by nine other officers, said defence and security forces had decided to put an "end to the regime that you know due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance."

Abdramane said Niger's borders had been closed and a nationwide curfew had been declared.

He said all institutions of the republic had been suspended.

According to Reuters, the soldiers warned against any foreign intervention, adding that they would respect Bazoum's well-being.

The military takeover marked the seventh coup in the West and Central Africa region since 2020.

The Federal Government has encouraged Nigerians to consider bicycles as alternative means of commuting in a bid to promote a cleaner environment and healthy lifestyle.

Director of Road Transport and Mass Transit Administration, Ministry of Transportation, Musa Ibrahim, made the call at the one-day stakeholders sensitisation meeting to mark the World Bicycle Day in the Federal Capital Territory.


Ibrahim said the idea is to enhance and heighten the importance of cycling in Nigeria as it will obviously lead to a drop in road crash incidences.

He noted that the stakeholders sensitisation meeting is in consonance with the World Bicycle Day that is marked annually on June 3 through a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution.

The Director said the World Bicycle Day recognises; “The uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle as a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transport, fostering environmental stewardship and health”.

He also said that proponents have equally encouraged the use of bicycles as a means of eradicating poverty, furthering sustainable development, strengthening education, including physical education, for children and young people; promoting health, preventing disease, and facilitating social inclusion.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer, Ochenuell Mobility, Emmanuel John stressed the importance of cycling in Nigeria, a proponent for Non-Motorised Transportation, in his presentation titled ‘Power of Cycling.


He argued that cycling initiative extends beyond efforts to address climate change through cut down of carbon footprints.

John also brought to fore that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD, countries in a study, among others, outlined that most Africans countries throw away 3% of their Gross Domestic Product, GDP, to traffic congestion annually.

He proposed that developing an NMT travel culture in the country through the adoption of Green Corridors is a panacea to some of the identified drawbacks.

He pointed out that most of the challenges encountered with increased usage of motorised transportation will be reduced to a large extent if the Federal Government supports and adopts National Stakeholders Forum on Bicycle Transportation.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated the immediate-past governors of Rivers, Kaduna, Osun, and Cross River State as Ministers.

According to the Nation, the nominees are Nyesom Wike, Nasir E-Rufai, Gboyega Oyetola, and Ben Ayade respectively.

Others on the Ministerial List to be unveiled on the floor of the Senate this Thursday morning include President Tinubu’s top aide, Dele Alake; Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; APC national woman leader, Dr. Betty Edu; former Lagos State Commissioner for Budget Planning, Wale Edun; ex-Minister of State for Health, Prof. Ali Pate, and ex-deputy governor of CBN, Adebayo Adelabu from Oyo State.

A Senate source said the President forwarded the list to Senate President Godswill Akpabio this morning, in line with the constitutional provision that the list should get to the National Assembly within 60 days after the presidential inauguration.

The deadline expires this weekend.

The list is a blend of politicians and technocrats, the source added.

However, the source could not confirm whether the list had portfolios. He could not also confirm the number of nominees.

However, the source said the list reflected the national character and outlook of the President and the ruling party.

President Tinubu had hinted about setting up a government of inclusion and competence after assuming the reins.

He said experienced ministers will drive his ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda in the national interest.


Despite keeping the list to his chest, it was gathered that it was drawn following wider consultations with members of the ruling APC National Caucus, the Progressive Governors’ Forum, other top party leaders and relevant stakeholders.



Indeed, prominent party leaders close to the President emphasised the need to nominate patriotic, committed and experienced persons without baggage.

Pate, a Harvard professor of medicine, is a former Minister of State (Health) in the defunct Jonathan Administration. A source said he is likely to hold the Health portfolio.

Wike, lawyer, former Minister of State for Education, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, was the leader of the aggrieved G-5, which opposed the presidential ambition of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

El-Rufai, a former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), headed the APC Panel on Restructuring. According to the source, he may be assigned to the Power Ministry.

Fagbemi, who hails from Ijagbo, Kwara State, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).