₦airaland Forum

The Special Assistant on Digital Media and Strategy to the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Demola Olarewaju, has reacted to the redesignation of the presidential media team.

Olarewaju suggested that the presidency has demoted Daniel Bwala in the restructuring of President Bola Tinubu’s Media team.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga disclosed that Sunday Dare – hitherto Special Adviser on Public Communication and National Orientation is now Special Adviser, Media and Public Communications.

While Bwala, announced last week as Special Adviser, Media and Public Communication, is now special adviser Policy Communication.

Reacting, Olarewaju posted on social media: “Egbon Onanuga didn’t wait till morning or later to issue that press release re-designating Bwala’s position. Man dropped it ‘as e dey hot’ at 11.28 in the night.

“It means they accessed Tinubu, made their case and demoted Bwala then came out immediately to announce it.

“The coded message to Bwala is: ‘You might be in office but we are in power.

“You might know Tinubu but we’ve known Tinubu. We might let you be with us but you’re not one of us and you will know your place or we will quickly teach you.’

“This is what happens when one has no shame.”

Africa’s richest person, Aliko Dangote, has started discussions with some foreign banks to secure billions of dollars for crude oil importation.

The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), a pan-African development lender is one of the institutions involved in the talks to raise money, according to Financial Times, FT.

The report noted Dangote Refinery needs to purchase additional crude oil to hit 650,000 barrels per day full capacity.

Already, the Knightsbridge Strategic Group (KSG), a group of experts from US and UK, providing geopolitical intelligence, said it expected the refinery to hit full capacity in 2025, adding: “Assuming full capacity is eventually reached at the Dangote Refinery, KSG assesses that there will be long-term reductions in local fuel costs and increased market competition in Europe as Nigeria becomes a new fuel exporter.

“KSG assesses that Nigeria’s transition to reliance on domestic refined oil will likely allow European nations to de-risk their oil supply chains from Russia further, given the freed-up supply Nigerian refined oil demand will leave countries like Belgium, the Netherlands and Norway with an oversupply.

“Once the refinery reaches full capacity, long-term reductions in local fuel costs and increased competition in Europe’s fuel market is expected. The government’s failure to address refinery issues may trigger political unrest, including violent protests, as the removal of fuel subsidies exacerbates the crisis.”

Muslims in the South-West, under the aegis of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, (MUSWEN), have advised President Bola Tinubu to put in more efforts to reduce suffering in the country.

MUSWEN President and Deputy President -General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, made the call at the 9th MUSWEN General Assembly on Sunday.

DAILY POST reports that the event was witnessed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, Executive Secretary of MUSWEN, Professor Muslih Tayo Yahya and Director of Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, Professor Isiaq Lakin Akintola.

Oladejo while speaking at the event maintained that the current economic situation in the country should be handled with serious caution.

He advised Tinubu to show more human feelings, and put measures in place in order to mitigate the general suffering in the country.

Oladejo, while speaking further, urged Tinubu to spend the gains made on subsidy removal on security, infrastructure development, electrification, massive food production and employment-generating projects.

He added that food importation should not be an option to be considered, as it would make a mockery of subsidy removal.

Oladejo further urged Tinubu to listen to the cry of Nigerians on the proposed tax reform bill.

He said, “On the proposed Tax Reform Bill, I urge Mr. President to listen to the outcries from various groups and sections of the country.

“The current economic situation in the country requires serious caution to handle. The government should show more human feelings and put measures in place to mitigate the general suffering wrought on the citizenry by some of the economic policies.

“Although we recognize the fact that the situation is not the creation of the Tinubu administration, the government should do all in its powers to alleviate the sufferings of the people.

“That is the reason Nigerians overwhelmingly voted this government into office in the 2023 election, and the President should have no reason not to make life comfortable for the people.

“On their part, too, the people should be careful not to play into the hands of politicians who had never seen anything good in the administration.

“These are the political leaders who still carry on, more than one year after the 2023 general elections, as if we are still in the electioneering period. To them, any action taken by the administration is subject to politicization, as they never see anything good in whatever action taken or not taken by the government.

“Even though somehow harsh, the government’s economic policies are meant to correct the maladministration of the past and put the country on a firm economic footing.

“The government should spend the gains made on subsidy removal on security, infrastructure development, electrification, massive food production, and employment -generating projects.

“Let me, however, sound a note of warning that food importation should not be an option to be considered: it is not a solution because it would make a mockery of subsidy removal.

“Permit me to mention here that MUSWEN has been part of the distribution of palliatives to the needy. We consider this as a moral and religious obligation.”

Dpharisee:
This is why Chinese loans is better than World Bank, they won't give you the cash knowing it could be looted, they ask you to show them where to construct the Water project using Chinese skilled manpower with local support

The World Bank has uncovered $32 million in unaccounted funds in Nigeria’s water project.

This was disclosed in the banks’ recently released FY2024 Sanctions System Annual Report.

The report showed that the missing funds were intended to bolster water infrastructure in Nigeria but were not adequately accounted for, prompting an intervention to safeguard the project’s integrity.

“INT followed up on risks identified regarding a project in Nigeria’s water sector and flagged to operations the risk, which was associated with $32 million of unaccounted funds.”

In a move to recover the fund, the World Bank engaged with the project team, including Nigeria’s task team leader, operations manager, and financial management specialist.

As a recommendation, the Central Bank of Nigeria has asked to reimburse $22 million, while $6 million remains in the project account to cover anticipated operational expenses.

President Bola Tinubu has restated that his administration is aware of the hardships Nigerians face, saying he does not have

According to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who spoke for Tinubu at a service marking Pastor Tunde Bakare’s 70th birthday at The Citadel in Lagos State, the economic challenges are tough but the country is making necessary progress.

“The President acknowledges that times are hard, but at the end of the tunnel, there is always light,” Akume stated.

He added, “And solutions to complex problems can never be as instant as coffee, but we are on the right track.”

The economic challenges mentioned stem from recent reforms, such as fuel subsidy removal and the floating of the Naira, moves which the Presidency maintains were essential for economic revival.

In his tribute to Pastor Bakare, Tinubu described him as “a beacon of hope and a voice for the voiceless,” noting Bakare’s dedication to justice and integrity.

“Pastor Bakare, fondly called P.T.B., has been a beacon of hope and a voice for the voiceless in our society,” Tinubu stated, honouring Bakare’s contributions as a spiritual leader and nation builder.

Other dignitaries, including Lagos and Ogun governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dapo Abiodun, joined in praising Bakare’s lasting impact both politically and spiritually.

Makurdi—The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, has urged President Bola Tinubu to rethink his economic policies, saying that the dual policies of removal of petrol subsidy and floating of the Naira have impoverished the masses and placed an enormous burden on Nigerians.

The National President of MBF, Dr. Bitrus Pogu who spoke weekend in Makurdi said: “It does not require an economist to talk about the state of the economy and the wrong economic policies of the Federal government that have impoverished millions of Nigerians in about 17 months of this government.

“The fact is that this government just deliberately killed the economy with the sudden removal of petrol subsidy and floating of the Naira.

“By the reason of these policies, too much burden has been placed on Nigerians and therefore the lean resources they have is still being taken away either by the removal of subsidy or by the devaluation of the Naira.

“Both actions have impacted negatively on the cost of products and the direct impact is on the poor; because it is the poor that are suffering from the economic policies.
“The President needs to get able hands to handle his economic policies rather than doing things haphazardly.


“For example, rather than suddenly removing fuel subsidy, if he had started the CNG programme first and then made CNG accessible and affordable across the country before removing the subsidy, people would not even go around looking for petrol, they would be using CNG.

“But after killing the economy for over a year and a half then he started bringing the CNG thing and it is only having impact maybe in Lagos and Obajana and it is now getting out of reach because it is found only in a few places.

“Again, the cost of conversion of cars to use CNG is so astronomical and it has again created more problems. So members of his economic team are not doing a good job and we pray that he does a rethink.”

The deadly kwashiorkor disease that was so much associated with the Biafra war has made a return to peacetime Nigeria.

It was not a pretty sight seeing malnourished children with distended stomachs, nylon-like skins and dopey eyes during that evil war.

The belief was that kwashiorkor had gone for good with Biafra.

My shock knew no bounds when I read in the Nigerian Tribune of Saturday, October 26, 2024 that kwashiorkor is back in town.

The revelation emanated from Dr Foluso Balogun, a paediatrician at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan that “for the first time in many years, children with kwashiorkor are seen in this part of the country.”

According to the report, “Kwashiorkor is a severe form of protein malnutrition. Children who eat diets low in caloric and protein are most likely to suffer from kwashiorkor. Infants and children are typically affected, usually from the time of weaning until age five. The illness is prevalent in areas of the world that are impoverished and have extremely high rates of starvation.”

Just as I was wailing about the return of kwashiorkor, the news broke of the arraignment in open court of dozens of malnourished children detained for three months for protesting against the hunger regime of the government.

Four of the kid detainees fainted in court to the astonishment of the whole wide world.

Members of the Hallelujah Chorus of the incumbent government croaked that the fainting kids were only play-acting!

Nigeria’s image was damaged all over the world for detaining and charging hungry children with treason. The internet and social media went into overdrive to put Nigeria to global shame and odium.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could not but order the immediate release of the detained minors and the stoppage of their trial.

But the harm had been done, and the Nigerian regime must perforce suffer the adverse consequences therefrom.

There is a connection between children suffering from kwashiorkor and detained malnourished minors being charged with treason.

It all boils down to man’s inhumanity in the dispensation of totalitarian power in the name of democracy.

All the concern of the powers-that-be is devoted to keeping power instead of fighting issues like hunger and starvation.

The starving ones are left with the only option of protests to gain any attention from the uncaring government.

Given that the unpopular regime is on edge all the time, any form of protest is deemed as high treason.

It is ever so benumbing seeing agents of the government making believe that all is well with a country that is in disarray and completely broken.

Families are so broke and can no longer feed, yet the politicians are talking of winning elections and re-elections.

The politicians have hopelessly divided Nigerians along ethnic and religious lines such that they can get away with murder.

And the return of kwashiorkor spells murder, an apt metaphor for the Nigeria of the here and now.

The disease knows no ethnic group as it malevolently launches its ferocious attack across all the geo-political zones.

Just as the parochial politicians are claiming “it is my turn”, kwashiorkor is countering with its own charge of “it’s my turn”.

The poor folks suffering from malnutrition and kwashiorkor are doomed to die sad, painful deaths before the uncaring eyes of gluttonous politicians.

A short history of the coming of kwashiorkor can be traced back to when the then opposition politicians marched on the streets against then President Goodluck Jonathan for removing petrol subsidy.

The opposition gained power through General Muhammadu Buhari thereafter, and literally everything went downhill for the country.

Even the sidekick opposition star Bola Ahmed Tinubu who took over power from Buhari made bold to stress that he inherited a bankrupt country from the Katsina man from Daura.

The first statement out of the mouth of Tinubu as president was: “Petrol subsidy is gone.”

It’s cool by me to recall that Tinubu had protested when then President Jonathan put the price of petrol at N140, but now under his watch petrol is a princely N1400!

Even so, the Bulaba Hallelujah Chorus cannot stop praising their president for being strong in taking a bold step!

It’s just like the title character Rip Van Winkle in the short story by Washington Irving who woke up after 20 years of sleep!

You would expect a president who claimed to have inherited bankruptcy from his predecessor to be frugal in his dealings.

It was spellbinding when ideas emanated about buying a presidential yacht – and a new presidential jet landed on the presidential tarmac.

The lodgings of the vice-president gulped all of N21 billion, and he is now calling for a new vice-presidential jet too.

There was a climate change conference in super-duper Dubai where Nigeria sent a contingent of 500-odd dignitaries.

A tear for a broke native land!

A colossal coastal road contract had to be awarded in a jiffy to a buddy without any adherence to bidding or even environmental checks.

The judiciary has been cast in the lapdog jacket of “go to court” while the legislature is under the thumb of power.

The clannish press is dancing Ajasco music while the erstwhile activists are speaking in the common vernacular of power worship.

The religious angle was covered with a hefty N96 billion Hajj subsidy.

Corruption is now the rule rather than the exception, just as the old party chairman advised: “Join the ruling party and all your sins will be forgiven!”

Unfortunately the one sin that cannot be forgiven is the kwashiorkor ravaging the Nigerian streets today.

Let’s raise a toast to the return of kwashiorkor to Nigeria!

National grid has suffered yet another collapse, plunging the county into another round of darkness.

The collapse which happened around 11:28am, on Thursday, is the second this week and 10th in 2024.

New Terror Group Emerges In 5 Sokoto LGAs

The Sokoto State government has raised the alarm over the emergence of a new criminal group known as LAKURAWAS in the state.

The state’s deputy governor, Idris Mohammed Gobir, expressed concern about the group while hosting participants of Course 33 from the National Defence College (NDC) from Abuja, on a study tour in the state.

Gobir described LAKURAWAS as “a faith-based group with idealistic views. They possesses sophisticated weapons, with criminal activities reported across five local government areas in Sokoto.

“This unsettling development has emerged at a time when the state is already grappling with persistent banditry.”

As the threat posed by the LAKURAWAS group grows, the deputy governor affirmed that security authorities were working diligently to address the situation.

“The state government is collaborating closely with federal security agencies to tackle the many threats to the lives and property of the residents of Sokoto,” he added.

Gobir outlined the government’s ongoing efforts to confront the security challenges and expressed hope that the study tour would provide valuable insights for effectively managing the situation and ensuring the safety and peaceful coexistence of the people.

Head of the delegation, Air Vice Marshal Titus Zuwahu Dauda, explained that the National Defence College, established in 1992 as Nigeria’s premier military education institution, is dedicated to preparing officers from the military, police, and strategic agencies for high-level responsibilities.

According to him, the college has graduated 2,982 participants to date, including officers from 30 African and Asian countries.

He added that upon concluding the study tour, the team would present both oral and written reports on their findings to the state government.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Mohammad Abubakar II, cautioned Nigerians on Monday against criticising their leaders, urging them instead to leave matters in God’s hands.

Abubakar stressed that nothing—whether good or bad—lasts forever and encouraged Nigerians to continue praying for both their leaders and the nation.

The Sultan also reminded Nigerian leaders that on the Day of Resurrection, the Almighty will hold them accountable for their actions, with no one to defend them before their Creator.

He further advised religious leaders against misleading their followers for personal gain, noting that 90 per cent of people who listen to religious leaders in mosques and churches view them as saviours.

The Sultan made these remarks during the Regional Conference on Climate Change-Induced Conflicts in Northern Nigeria, hosted by the Kaduna State Bureau of Interfaith in collaboration with International Alert, on Monday.

He said, “Do your best in worshipping Allah (God) and leave the rest to Him, not to anyone else. Don’t follow those who will lead you astray. Many things have been happening in this country, and we believe we must return to Allah. Intensify prayers for our country in all mosques. I won’t mention churches because the CAN President is here, and I believe he will say the same.

“A lot of people say we have never had it so bad, but no matter how difficult things are, relief will come. We believe that nothing lasts forever— neither bad times nor good times.


“Let us intensify prayers in our congregations and encourage our followers to pray for our leaders. We will not criticise them; we will allow Almighty Allah to deal with them as He wishes, and He will.


“As one of the speakers said, Allah will ask all of us what we did with the leadership entrusted to us on earth. On that day, each of us will be alone; nobody will be there to support us. No deputy governor will stand for the governor; no special adviser or SSG will be there.

“You are on your own, as I always say. We all will be alone. Let us fear Allah in whatever we do and pray for our country. We are blessed; travel to other countries and see. Yes, we face challenges, but nothing lasts forever. With hard work and commitment, we can become a better country.

“The North faces many problems—not only a lack of awareness about climate change but also poverty and insecurity in a region once known for progress and peace.

“Our gathering here is a unifying event for us as one family in the North. There are many misunderstandings and misrepresentations from those trying to divide us. They know the North’s strength is significant, not only in Nigeria but globally.

“If we are united, we can confront any challenge. If we are united, we will create a better and more prosperous community. That’s why so many negative comments are made about certain issues—comments we know are untrue but are intended to divide us.”

In his remarks, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Most Reverend Dr D.C. Okoh, acknowledged that climate change is a reality in the North, describing it as a humanitarian crisis requiring urgent attention.


He advocated addressing all sources of conflict, including poverty, inequality, and lack of access to resources, as a path forward.

He also stressed the need to educate the public about the impacts of climate change and the importance of environmental stewardship.