Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has hosted a virtual stakeholders’ forum to discuss the draft Application-to-Person (A2P) licensing framework. The event, held on December 20, was aimed at addressing challenges in the international A2P messaging space in Nigeria, including consumer protection, fraud prevention and industry fairness. The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC)/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, represented by the Ag. Head, Legal and Regulatory Services of NCC, Mrs. Chizua Whyte, said that A2P messaging plays a vital role in today’s digital world. “A2P messaging drives efficiency, enhances communication and supports socio-economic development. “It has become the go-to platform for businesses to send notifications, whether transactional, promotional or service-related, directly to consumers,” Whyte said. She emphasized the importance of effective regulation, stressing that the NCC’s strategic focus is centered on three key stakeholders: the government, consumers and the industry. Whyte noted that the proposed framework seeks to foster innovation, ensure fair and transparent operations and protect consumers. “The NCC firmly believes that effective regulation stems from inclusivity and collaboration. “This forum is an opportunity for all of us – operators, aggregators, businesses, service providers and consumers – to engage in meaningful discussions,” she said. The commission presented the various feedbacks received as inputs into the A2P Licensing Framework and gave NCC’s responses to each of the observations and recommendations made by the licensees. The Assistant Director at the Licensing and Authorisation Department of the NCC, Mrs. Truddy Tony-Awusaku presented an overview of the framework for international A2P messaging in Nigeria. The NCC assured stakeholders that it would continue to engage internal and external stakeholders ahead of the final draft of the A2P Messaging Services Licensing Framework. The commission asked stakeholders to provide feedback and recommendations to refine the framework and create a sustainable A2P messaging ecosystem. Source: Ravenewsonline.
To be charitable, it is not a fun to be a leader in Nigeria, either as a president or as a governor, at the moment. But to be brutally frank, it is nothing to brag about, because all it gets one is, at the best, an insult, or an abuse, in as many words, as there are perversive poverty and ravaging hunger in the country. All brought by the overwhelming corruption that, unfortunately, defines leadership on these shores. More so at this very time. Not quite a long time ago, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu told his French hosts that there was no hunger in Nigeria; that it was a false claim being made in order to force his regime into reversing the subsidy removal and other (biting) economic policies introduced by his regime. It is therefore, safe to give the president the benefit of the doubt of claiming to be ignorant of the horrible situation in the country. After all, he is constantly shielded (to his liking) from the, or interacting with, common people. But his ministers and other aides are not so shielded, since they get to mingle or interact with the common people, and are therefore very much aware of the citizens’s suffering. However, because most of presidential aides are part of the problem, they appear comfortable with the president not being any more the wiser about the extremely negative situation. But the traditional media owned by those in the government, both print and electronic, the social media set up by the government or set up by some people in the government, and some self serving Non Governmental organisations (NGOs), set up by the government, appear to always be in the annoying habit of fulfilling the aims for which they were founded; which is to praise the government for the performance that is NOT visible to anyone but themselves. In the pages of such on and off lines media as well as the airwaves, and the rented voices of those who prefer the temporary enjoyment of a corrupted today than a better tomorrow for all, one finds and hears nothing mostly but praises, verging on obsequiousness, to the governments or their heads. Hardly does one ventures on a material challenging the corruption, inefficiency, poverty and hunger that defines the ill performance of the present leadership at the federal and state levels, in the country. Otherwise, take the highly extravagant and flamboyant lifestyle of the people in the corridors of power, including the First Family and the Second Family of Nigeria, and a visitor would never believe the twin evil of poverty and hunger are severely rampaging every part of the country with a vengeance, as if on a revenge mission. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun and the Central’s Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, who support the president’s constant (worrying) BORROWINGS (10 times from the World Bank so far) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), look like anything, but those suffering from the debilitating times in Nigeria. They ride in a convoy of N150 to N200 million state-of-the-art vehicles, which are mostly the rides of extremely successful business people. The duo have perhaps, borrowed a leaf from Mr. President, who singlehandedly purchased multi billion naira air, sea and road means of transportation for his official use, without requesting or even informing the National Assembly (NASS), which would have, in any way, been only too happy to oblige him. He later did the same undemocratic manipulation by awarding the 15.6 trillion Lagos to Calabar Coastal Highway, which traverses seven southern states to the company of his Paris based Lebanese ally (some people whisper FRONT), Mr. Gilbert Chagoury . The Minister of Works, David Umahi, who is a former Governor, hired six Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), to file a counter case in court to block the many cases challenging the legality of the Lagos to Calabar Costal Highway, and its award without the consent and knowledge of the NASS. For a regime that claims to be transparently bereft of the corrupt practices of its predecessors, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) is at the moment enmeshed in controversy following the sudden removal of Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, the substantive Accountant General, who was reportedly directed to proceed on a premature retirement leave. The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, is alleged to have demanded from the sacked substantive Accountants General, and was therefore shown the gate. But the handpicked Acting Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Shamsudeen Ogunjimi, is said to have agreed to the deal. However, apart from exposing the lie in the regime’s vaunted ‘war against corruption’, which is elevated to a new hight by the president Tinubu regime, the drama has also cast a shadow of doubt over the credibility of the CBN Governor himself. It also gave credence to the allegation made by the rebellious biological daughter of the President, Adetoun Tinubu. She alleged the GBN Governor and another presidential aide were operating in different directions with Mr. President. She claimed that while the president meant to straiten the country, the singular desire of the two appointees was to enrich themselves beyond imagination from the Commonwealth. Senator Adamu Aliero, a former Governor of Kebbi State and a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accused the government of being corrupt, (internal bleeding) during a presentation in the chamber of the Nigerian Senate, by the various heads of the revenue agencies, all of which are under the ministry of finance. He asked the Senate President, to the hearing of all the heads, the reasons why Nigeria was borrowing from the world Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), when the revenue generation agencies had claimed to have exceeded their targets, some by up to 20%. And, he also wanted to know what is DONE (probably disappeared in private pockets, including the president’s deep ones) with the excess from N51 trillion said to have been generated, while the government submitted before the NASS, N47.9 trillion budget for 2025, of which 15% is allocated to debt servicing. The Delta State Governor, Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori, also took exception to the biting economic policies of the Tinubu regime, accusing it, and the ruling APC of putting the nation “deeper into poverty”. President Tinubu is rightly the most hated for most, and despised for many, Nigerian leader the country is unblessed with in its history. No day, or moment passes, without one negative comment or another against his person or against his biting economic policies or against the style of his corrupt leadership or against his ministers, or the others of his overzealous aides. Even in the (UN), a member of the parliament, Mr. referred to the Tinubu regime as the worst in the history of war against corruption that the Tinubu regime is waging. If he claims not to know or be aware of the suffering in the country, then someone ought to tell him, since the relevant authorities charged with doing just that, are not living up to their responsibility. May God come to the aid of Nigeria and its citizens, both held in a state capture like a vice grief.
The immediate past President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has laughed off the buzz In the media about the reported seizure of his purported piece of land by the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja Administration (FCTA). The former President, in a statement by his spokesman while in office, Malam Garba Shehu made it clear that he is personally not the owner of the said plot of the land, adding that it is allocated in the name a “Muhammadu Buhari Foundation.” “The Foundation was itself floated by some utilitarian individuals around him who, it must said, went about it in a lawful manner with the support of a number of well-meaning persons. “But they ran into a roadblock in the land department of the FCDA which handed them an outrageous bill for the issuance of the certificate of occupancy, very high in cost that did not at all compare with the bills given to similar organizations. “It may have been that this was not erroneous, but a deliberate mistake, making the revocation of land as no surprise to anyone. “As a person, the former president has a plot of land to his name in Abuja. “When he and his cabinet members were invited to fill the forms and obtain land during his tenure in office, he returned the form without filling it, saying that he already had a plot of land in the FCT, that those who did not have should be be given. “He, therefore, turned down the offer. So please let all those jumping up and down in the digital space talking about the rightfulness or the lack of it on the reported seizure of Buhari’s land in Abuja get their facts right, and stop dragging down the name of the former president.”
President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his government is restructuring the nation’s economy to ensure that it is strong enough to withstand the headwinds of any future shocks of the global downturn. The President, at the presentation of the 2025 nation’s budget proposal to the joint session of the National Assembly today, December 18, said that the 2025 budget is one of restoration. He stressed that it seeks to consolidate the key policies which his government has instituted to restructure the economy, boost human capital development, increase the volume of trade and investments, bolster oil and gas production, get the manufacturing sector humming again and ultimately increase the competitiveness of the economy. He insisted: “We must build on the progress we have made in the past eighteen months in restructuring our economy and ensuring it is strong enough to withstand the headwinds of any future shocks of the global downturn.” Read below, the full text of Tinubu’s 2025 Budget Speech: PRESENTATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR OF THE 2025 BUDGET OF RESTORATION: SECURING PEACE, REBUILDING PROSPERITY TO A JOINT SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON WEDNESDAY 18TH DECEMBER, 2024 PROTOCOLS: — The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima — Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio — Right Honourable Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas — National Chairman of our great party, Excellency, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje — State Governors here present — Distinguished Leaders and Members of the National Assembly — Senior Government Officials here present — Gentlemen of the press, My Fellow Nigerians, In fulfilment of one of my constitutional duties and with unyielding commitment to rebuilding Nigeria towards ensuring that we remain steadfast on the journey to a prosperous future, I hereby present the 2025 Budget to the Joint Session of the 10th National Assembly. On this day, before this hallowed chamber, I present to you the 2025 Budget at a time when our country is at a crucial point in its development trajectory. The 2025 Budget Proposal again reinforces our administration’s roadmap to secure peace, prosperity, and hope for a greater future for our beloved nation. This budget christened, “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” strikes at the very core of our Renewed Hope Agenda and demonstrates our commitment to stabilizing the economy, improving lives, and repositioning our country for greater performance. The journey of economic renewal and institutional development, which we began 18 months ago as a nation, is very much underway. It is not a journey of our choosing but one we had to embark on for Nigeria to have a real chance at greatness. I thank every Nigerian for embarking on this journey of REFORMS and TRANSFORMATION with us. The road of reforms is now clearly upon us, and as the President of this blessed nation, I know this less-travelled road has not been easy. That there have been difficulties and sacrifices. They will not be in vain. And we must keep faith with the process to arrive at our collectively desired destination. We must build on the progress we have made in the past eighteen months in restructuring our economy and ensuring it is strong enough to withstand the headwinds of any future shocks of the global downturn. The 2025 budget that I present today is one of restoration. It seeks to consolidate the key policies we have instituted to restructure our economy, boost human capital development, increase the volume of trade and investments, bolster oil and gas production, get our manufacturing sector humming again and ultimately increase the competitiveness of our economy. We do not intend to depart from this critical path to strengthen the Nigerian economy. Just as I believe in the resilience of our economy to withstand the current challenges, I also strongly believe in the resilience of the Nigerian people. Again, I summon the unstoppable Nigerian spirit to lead us on as we work to rebuild the fabric of our economy and existence. The improvements we witnessed in the 2024 budget have led us into the 2025 budget. The goals of advancing national security, creating economic opportunities, investing in our youthful population, infrastructure development, and national re-orientation form the core of the 2025 budget. But more than that, this will lay a solid foundation for Nigeria’s future growth trajectory. CURRENT ECONOMIC REALITIES AND PROGRESS Distinguished Senate President, Right Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, leaders and members of both Chambers of the National Assembly, I report today that our economy is responding positively to stimulus. Our objective is to further stimulate the economy through the implementation of targeted fiscal stimulus packages through public expenditures and specific non-inflationary spending. The reforms we have instituted are beginning to yield results. Nigerians will soon experience a better and more functional economy. Global economic growth for the outgoing year 2024 was projected at 3.2 percent, and against predictions, our country made significant progress. o Our economy grew by 3.46 percent in the third quarter of 2024, up from 2.54 percent in the third quarter of 2023. o Our Foreign Reserves now stand at nearly 42 billion US dollars, providing a robust buffer against external shocks. o Our rising exports are reflected in the current trade surplus, which now stands at 5.8 trillion naira, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. These clear results of gradual recovery, among others, reflect the resilience of our economy and the impact of deliberate policy choices we made from the outset. 2024 BUDGET PERFORMANCE I am happy to inform this National Assembly that our administration attained remarkable milestones in implementing the 2024 Budget. In 2024, we achieved: o 14.55 trillion naira in revenue, meeting 75 percent of our target as of the third quarter. o 21.60 trillion naira in expenditure, representing 85 percent of our target, also in the third quarter. While challenges persist, we improved revenue collection and fulfilled key obligations. The transformational effects of this on our economy are gradually being felt. PHILOSOPHY OF THE 2025 BUDGET The 2025 Budget seeks to: o Restore macroeconomic stability. o Enhance the business environment. o Foster inclusive growth, employment, and poverty reduction. o Promote equitable income distribution and human capital development. Our budgetary allocations reflect the administration’s strategic priorities, especially in the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda and its developmental objectives. 2025 BUDGET OVERVIEW The numbers for our 2025 budget proposal tell a bold and exciting story of the direction we are taking to retool and revamp the socio-economic fabric of our society. o In 2025, we are targeting 34.82 trillion naira in revenue to fund the budget. o Government expenditure in the same year is projected to be 47.90 trillion naira, including 15.81 trillion naira for debt servicing. o A total of 13.08 trillion naira, or 3.89 percent of GDP, will make up the budget deficit. This is an ambitious but necessary budget to secure our future. The Budget projects inflation will decline from the current rate of 34.6 percent to 15 percent next year, while the exchange rate will improve from approximately 1,700 naira per US dollar to 1,500 naira, and a base crude oil production assumption of 2.06 million barrels per day (mbpd). These projections are based on the following observations: o Reduced importation of petroleum products alongside increased export of finished petroleum products. o Bumper harvests, driven by enhanced security, reducing reliance on food imports. o Increased foreign exchange inflows through Foreign Portfolio Investments. o Higher crude oil output and exports, coupled with a substantial reduction in upstream oil and gas production costs. KEY PRIORITIES: REBUILDING NIGERIA Our budgetary allocations underscore this administration’s strategic priorities, particularly in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda and achieving its developmental objectives. Highlights of the 2025 Budget Allocations: Defence and Security: N4.91 trillion Infrastructure: N4.06 trillion Health: N2.48 trillion Education: N3.52 trillion As we embark on implementing the 2025 Budget, our steps are deliberate, our decisions resolute, and our priorities are clear. This budget reflects a renewed commitment to strengthening the foundation of a robust economy, while addressing critical sectors essential for the growth and development we envision. Securing Our Nation: Security is the foundation of all progress. We have significantly increased funding for the military, paramilitary, and police forces to secure the nation, protect our borders, and consolidate government control over every inch of our national territory. The government will continue to provide our security forces with the modern tools and technology they need to keep us safe. Boosting the morale of our men and women in the armed forces will remain our government’s top priority. The officers, men, and women of our Armed Forces and the Nigerian Police Force are the shields and protectors of our nation. Our administration will continue to empower them to defeat insurgency, banditry, and all threats to our sovereignty. Our people should never live in fear—whether on their farmlands, highways or cities. By restoring peace, we restore productivity, revive businesses, and rebuild our communities. Infrastructure Development: When we launched the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, it was with the conviction that infrastructure remains the backbone of every thriving economy. Under this programme, we are accelerating investments in energy, transport, and public works. By leveraging private capital, we hope to complete key projects that drive growth and create jobs. We have already embarked on key legacy projects: Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway, which will have a huge impact on the lives of our people and accelerate economic output. Human Capital Development: Our people are our greatest resource. That is why we are making record investments in education, healthcare, and social services: o Our administration has so far disbursed 34 billion naira to over 300,000 students via the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). In the 2025 Budget, we have made provision for 826.90 billion naira for infrastructure development in the educational sector. This provision also includes those for the Universal Basic Education (UBEC) and the nine new higher educational institutions. o We are convinced that Universal Health Coverage initiatives will strengthen primary healthcare systems across Nigeria. In this way, we have allocated 402 billion naira for infrastructure investments in the health sector in the 2025 Budget and another 282.65 billion naira for the Basic Health Care Fund. Our hospitals will be revitalised with medication and better resources, ensuring quality care for all Nigerians. This is consistent with the Federal Government’s planned procurement of essential drugs for distribution to public healthcare facilities nationwide, improving healthcare access and reducing medical import dependency. Revitalizing Agriculture: Increasing agricultural production is central to our food security agenda, but insecurity has crippled this vital sector. We are supporting our farmers with funding and inputs to reignite productivity. Food security is non-negotiable. In this regard, we are taking bold steps to ensure that every Nigerian can feed conveniently, and none of our citizens will have to go to bed hungry. Distinguished Senate President, Right Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, leaders and members of both Chambers of the National Assembly and fellow Nigerians, our 2025 budget proposal is not just another statement on projected government revenue and expenditures. It is one that calls for action. Our nation faces existential threats from corruption and insecurity and suffers from many past poor choices. These challenges are surmountable when we work collaboratively to overcome them. We must rewrite the narrative of this nation together, with every leader, institution, and citizen playing their part. The time for lamentation is over. This is a time to act. A time to support and promote greater investment in the private sector. A time for our civil servants to faithfully execute our policies and programmes. It is a time for every Nigerian to look hopefully towards a brighter future because a new day has dawned for us as a nation. As your President, I remain committed and resolute to continue to lead the charge. This 2025 budget proposal lays the foundation for peace, prosperity, and much needed hope. It is the plan through which a Nigeria where every citizen can dream, work, and thrive in safety can be achieved. It is with great pleasure, therefore, that I lay before this distinguished Joint Session of the National Assembly the 2025 Budget of the Federal Government of Nigeria titled “The Restoration Budget: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity. May God bless our Armed Forces and keep them safe. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Thank you. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR President, Commander-in-Chief of The Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has said that because internet usage has become essential to daily life of average Nigerians, the Commission has no choice than to meet up with the trend. “Our role at the NCC is to not only ensure accessibility, but to enhance service delivery for consumers.” Dr. Maida, who spoke at a just concluded stakeholders meeting in Abuja said that the determination of the NCC to move fast towards meeting world class telecommunications system is borne out of the fact that Nigeria has become one of the fastest growing internet user countries in the world. According to him, Nigeria is currently ranked among top internet users globally, adding that the country now accounts for 132 million internet connections out of the estimated five billion internet users globally. “Nigerians spend an average of four hours and 20 minutes on social media daily, far above the global average, underscoring how deeply embedded digital interaction is in our lives. “In 2024, Nigeria’s daily data usage averaged 336 gigabytes per second, marking a 39% increase from the previous year, a clear indication of the data-driven lifestyle many Nigerians lead.” Dr. Maida said that the telecommunications landscape in Nigeria has transformed from basic voice services to high-speed data that connects, informs and powers innovations in the last two decades. “With the rollout of 3G, 4G, and now 5G, we’ve seen Nigerians adopting social media, e-commerce, online banking, and more. “The introduction of 3G networks in the mid-2000s marked the beginning of this shift, enabling basic browsing and email. “The leap to 4G LTE brought faster speeds, enabling video streaming, online gaming, and a myriad of digital activities. “Now, with 5G promising even faster speeds and lower latency, new frontiers are opening for innovations such as smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and the Internet of Things, driving further demand for data.” The NCC boss said that the NCC is prepared to remove all impediments to meeting the needs of all consumers, stressing that at the heart of the Commission’s Strategic Vision “is the commitment to meet the expectations of our stakeholders: the Consumers, the Industry/Licensees, and the Government. “To achieve this, our focus has evolved from simply demanding quality service to ensuring a holistic Quality of Experience throughout the telecom consumer’s lifecycle, from SIM registration to usage and even service disposal. “Our goal is for consumers to be consistently satisfied with telecom services.” Source: GBN.
President Bola Tinubu has confirmed that his predecessor, ex President Muhammadu Buhari inspired him and others not to give up in good cause they set out to accomplish. “Your doggedness and resilience in contesting presidential elections in 2003, 2007, and 2011 before winning them in 2015 and 2019 also inspire us never to give up.” President Tinubu made the points in a message he personally wrote and signed, for Buhari’s 82nd birthday today, December 17. Tinubu began with: “Dear President Muhammadu Buhari, “On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, I extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes to you on your 82nd Birthday. “As you celebrate this remarkable milestone in Daura, we reflect on your years of dedicated service and leadership, which have significantly shaped the course of our nation. “Your steadfast commitment to Nigeria’s advancement and unity inspires many, and your enduring legacy continues to guide our nation’s journey towards prosperity and stability. “Your doggedness and resilience in contesting presidential elections in 2003, 2007, and 2011 before winning them in 2015 and 2019 also inspire us never to give up. “I will continue to build on the infrastructure legacy you bequeathed to our nation as the leader of our country’s first All Progressives Congress (APC) administration. “On this special day, may you be surrounded by the love of your family and friends and continue to enjoy good health, happiness, and fulfilment in all your endeavours, now and in the future. “Happy Birthday, and thank you for your services to Nigeria. “With respect and admiration, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
What astonishes me is that in all the stealing, of public funds by the Nigerian Politicians, especially those in public service, they have not the faintest idea of how to use money. I am getting scared we are caught up in an age of fools. What does Nigerian thieve do with money? He buys things. Then he buys power and more power. He traumatizes his community with his wealth. He makes the poor feel their poverty and the average person bemoan his averageness. Then he builds things: some big towers here and there which become the talking points of lesser idiots whose place in life is to praise those structures even as they hope to build same someday. He then goes after women; all shapes, sizes, tribes and tongues, for the sole reason of being able to boast about his conquest. He then gets honoured by religious homes devoted to Mammon where he gets praised by the worshippers of the idol who promise the money-man life hereafter for a slice of his goodies. Then he dies in hope that people will be talking about him. Soon he is forgotten like other fools. Why do we Nigerians find it hard to understand the use and meaning of big money and are stuck on this selfish; this perverted notion of wealth? All you get is, the man came to that party in a big jeep; he has an aircraft, or two. He has an estate in Maitama or Ikoyi. He built up a street in London. Then he unleashed that money to buy up consciences and to stamp down truth. His shopping list would include pressmen, clergies, judges and policemen. He funds his policial party and he is rewarded with even more money which he recycles the same old way. Why is our idea of wealth so narrow and underdeveloped! The challenge is not money, it is a lack of the knowledge of what actually to do with it. Where people have wisdom, they understand that once possessions go beyond a home and two cars with ample retirement fund, the use of money is to build your community and to build your nation. You invest wealth in people, beginning with your own children and those in your extended family who can be raised. Isn’t it wonderful that not a single man or woman among these people who have spirited away billions of naira has thought of establishing a factory manufacturing cellphones in Nigeria? None has thought he should put together something to address such a huge market and potential for homegrown development? They can’t come together and say, ‘Lets solve the electricity problem’. None has said, ‘I want to make a dent on the housing challenge. I will go into affordable housing and build new cities’. None has said, ‘Most of our universities have a shortage of hostel accommodation. I’d like to address that and put in two billion per school. It is a proof of lack of sense, a proof of scandalous stupidity that with all those billions, there is no impact on society and people are mostly unemployed and there are no spectacular undertakings to fire the imagination of the younger ones. Why haven’t these guys come together and built the second and third Niger bridge and the 4th Mainland bridge in Lagos? Why can’t they make their money work for the society and push people forward? What’s the use of money that doesn’t serve society but only buys little things like cars and airplanes, just toys to flatter the little ego of the owner? It is foolish to think this limited way and even more foolish to admire and applaud such people. It is like drinking from a gutter. I hope we can start to discuss money in terms of impact, not consumption. And when I say impact, I don’t mean those demeaning things politicians do when they give out okadas and wheel barrows to mock the poverty of their people. I mean real impact. Let’s solve the electricity problem. Let some rich persons decide to fix the 100km road linking Enugu to Port Harcourt. Let someone say, I want to train 500 youth corpers through an Oracle certification course and drop a cheque. Someone should fund the development of the Nigerian automobile in a university or two with N4 billion. Another should rise and rebuild all the houses in his village and connect them all to a potable water source. Let’s have some devotion to our country, to our people and put an end to this barbarism. Let’s make ourselves great on earth!
Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in as president following a decisive victory in the 2015 general elections and was re-elected with an even bigger majority for a second consecutive term of office in 2019, underscoring the trust and confidence of the country in his administration. As he marks his 82nd birthday today, December 17, it is time to remind ourselves of certain qualities that stand him apart from the crowd. Buhari is a very different leader with a strong attachment to the weak and poor, dedicated to improving their wellbeing and alleviating their suffering. Politics and corruption go hand in hand in many countries, and Nigeria is not an exception. The general perception is that if you are a politician, you must be corrupt. He is known as “Mai Gaskiya,” the truthful one for his honesty and simple lifestyle. His campaign focused on a blend of economic development, security and the fight against corruption. His two terms ushered in a paradigm shift in governance with a strong focus on building the country’s long delayed infrastructure and leadership through personal example. Under Buhari, the country embarked upon remarkable initiatives to address multi dimensional poverty. The country became the first on the continent to have a social security system. Several measures aimed at reducing poverty, the bane of the poor were introduced through financial inclusion. Buhari prioritized efforts towards universal health coverage. His administration successfully removed the country’s name from the list of nations with endemic polio. In 2021, his administration launched a campaign for five million off-grid solar power connections to villages without electricity impacting 20 million Nigerians without power more than 60 years after independence; took reliable, clean energy to the country’s major markets, electrified several federal universities, teaching hospitals and set up a funding scheme for mini grids in 100 hospitals across the country. Agriculture was very close to the heart of the former president. Not only that he is, himself, a farmer growing crops and tending to livestock,President Buhari launched several initiatives in rice growing and 15 other agricultural communities leading to domestic self-sufficiency in some and boosting the export and increased foreign earnings in others. Buhari believed that transportation is a key path to the transformation of the country and embarked upon next generation infrastructure reconstructing the nation’s major roads and bridges,airports, inland waterways, the sea ports and significant advances in the development of standard gauge rail. Under the administration, the country made improvements in the Ease of Doing Business and in the strong belief that the level of science and technology will, not far from now determine the strength, even the destiny of a country, Buhari ensured a lot of money went to the ministry as well as the research institutions under it throughout the eight years. The president’s lifetime story, starting in Daura, a semi arid region and now within seizure of the Sahel desert taught him to be deeply passionate about the environment. The thrust of his policy was both reactive and proactive: it is easier to destroy the environment than to rebuild it. Buhari’s foreign policy initiatives led in many respects to the realization of the country’s goal as a leading power in the West African subregion and Africa as a whole. Nigerian leaders are praised while in office and discredited even after tremendous contributions by them after they leave office. Knowing this, President Buhari would rather be silent on the criticism of his administration-much of it unfair- in the belief that the truth, like oil buried under the soil has a way of coming to the top. To use the words of Leo Tolstoy, two most powerful warriors are patience and time. I make the admission that in all humans-leaders inclusive-there are limitations and shortcomings. As a leader, Buhari towers above many before him. The former president said to the hearing everyone that once he handed over to his successor on that May 29, 2023 he would be as far away from the nation’s capital, Abuja so as not to cast a shadow over the new administration, to give the space to them to effectively take off and stabilize without distractions. Being willing to renounce power is his extraordinarily admirable trait. Since leaving office, he visited Abuja just twice, first to officiate at the launching of Femi Adesina’s brilliant book “Working With Buhari,” and the second time as a guest of President Bola Tinubu when they convened a meeting of the Council State. Unlike others, the Nigerian constitution has created a platform for interaction between the present and the past leaders of the country, the Council State which is set up to advise the sitting president on some important appointments and on sundry issues affecting the state. Cooperation between serving and former Nigerian leaders is not new although it is difficult to know how much cooperation goes on between current and former presidents. General Gowon, the oldest surviving former leader would appear to be the most helpful of all of the nation’s past rulers. On the other hand since leaving office, first as military leader and subsequently as elected president after two terms, President Olusegun Obasanjo has called and written on every head of state after him to put him to shame or disgrace, and in some cases outrightly asking for his resignation or ouster in the next election. General Abacha alleged that Obasanjo had a hand in a coup plot against him and had him imprisoned. If President Buhari is not seen going about publicly for a while, it has to do with his expressed wish to be as far away as possible, not to be a distraction to the new administration. He earnestly is sympathetic to Tinubu in his challenging job of reforming the economy, and all the other leaders in expectations management of citizens, much of which is difficult- if not impossible- to meet. In the remoteness of Daura, he has found the atmosphere for a well-deserved rest, in silence and dignity and away from predatory pressures of Abuja. Buhari maintains a very simple daily routine of catching up with the news on radio and television each morning, enjoying the company of his grandchildren, meeting with scheduled guests and a one to two hour walk around his expansive farm inspecting crops and livestock. An avid reader who must get all available newspapers, President Buhari now has plenty of time to read and watch his favorite TV shows. As he marks his 82nd birthday, may he always be remembered and honored.
Former Vice President of Nigeria and leader of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has turned his back on a prominent leader in the party who is currently serving as minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nyeson Wike. Wike celebrated his 57th birthday on Friday, December 13. This was even as the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, a chieftain of the APC, attended the celebration, with a book launch in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State. Atiku, who is known to be sending birthday greetings to prominent leader in the party and outside it, went silent on Wike’s birthday, but later congratulated the new President of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo. However, the National Vice Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja was at the occasion, describing Wike as one of the most committed and loyal party leaders who believes in the politics of fairness, equity and justice. This was even as the Senate President, who unveiled a 536-page book titled: “A Remembrance of the Pragmatic Footprints of a Visionary Leader,” praised Wike for his excellent performance as two term of eight years as Governor of Rivers State. The book features pictures of the minister’s projects and achievements as governor of Rivers State. The Book was distributed to guests. In a paper he presented, Professor Julius Ihonvbere lamented that many Nigerian leaders still thought along ethnic, religious and opportunistic terms. “There is no national philosophy, no national consciousness. We believe that during football, we all come together and support; that is something we can sleep on and after the match…” One of the paper discussants and publisher of This Nigeria newspaper, Eric Osagie, believes that both leaders and followers are from the same stock and proceeded to extoll the virtues of the FCT Minister. In his remarks, the celebrant, Nyesom Wike, expressed surprise at the large turn out of people. He thanked all the associates that organized the event. He said that the day was not meant for political statements and rhetoric but for celebration. The event also featured traditional dances from various cultural troupes, and gifts were presented to the celebrant.
The Nigerian Institute of Industrial Security (NIIS) has advised the federal government of Nigeria to embrace technology by equiping security agencies with advanced facilities to confront the rising insecurity across the country. Rising from its 2024 17th Annual Security Conference in Lagos yesterday, December 14, the NIIS said that the only way to speedily address insecurity, including kidnapping, terrorism and others is for the government to adopt advance technology. The NIIS, headed by its President, Alhaji Isa Ozi Salami OFR, commended the efforts of the nation’s security forces for their commitment to securing the country from criminals, but stressed that with provision of state-of-the-art fighting tools, they would do better. The theme of the 17th Security Conference was: “Holistic Security in the Industrial Age: Integrating, Innovation, Ciber Resilience and Human Factor.” Experts in security system, including the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Fayode Adegote took turn to speak at the Conference and reached a consensus that there is need for government to equip security agencies with sophisticated, and technologically advanced tools to face the modern security challenges. Speaking to newsmen shortly after the conference, the Institute’s President, Isa Ozi Salami said that the conference did not bother itself about what happened in the past, but “looked forward to what needs to be done to holistically address the insecurity in the country.”
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Does Tinubu Really Know Of Pervasive Ravaging Hunger In Nigeria? By Abdu Labaran Malumfashi
To be charitable, it is not a fun to be a leader in Nigeria, either as a president or as a governor, at the moment. But to be brutally frank, it is nothing to brag about, because all it gets one is, at the best, an insult, or an abuse, in as many words, as there are perversive poverty and ravaging hunger in the country. All brought by the overwhelming corruption that, unfortunately, defines leadership on these shores. More so at this very time.
Not quite a long time ago, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu told his French hosts that there was no hunger in Nigeria; that it was a false claim being made in order to force his regime into reversing the subsidy removal and other (biting) economic policies introduced by his regime.
It is therefore, safe to give the president the benefit of the doubt of claiming to be ignorant of the horrible situation in the country. After all, he is constantly shielded (to his liking) from the, or interacting with, common people. But his ministers and other aides are not so shielded, since they get to mingle or interact with the common people, and are therefore very much aware of the citizens’s suffering. However, because most of presidential aides are part of the problem, they appear comfortable with the president not being any more the wiser about the extremely negative situation.
But the traditional media owned by those in the government, both print and electronic, the social media set up by the government or set up by some people in the government, and some self serving Non Governmental organisations (NGOs), set up by the government, appear to always be in the annoying habit of fulfilling the aims for which they were founded; which is to praise the government for the performance that is NOT visible to anyone but themselves.
In the pages of such on and off lines media as well as the airwaves, and the rented voices of those who prefer the temporary enjoyment of a corrupted today than a better tomorrow for all, one finds and hears nothing mostly but praises, verging on obsequiousness, to the governments or their heads. Hardly does one ventures on a material challenging the corruption, inefficiency, poverty and hunger that defines the ill performance of the present leadership at the federal and state levels, in the country.
Otherwise, take the highly extravagant and flamboyant lifestyle of the people in the corridors of power, including the First Family and the Second Family of Nigeria, and a visitor would never believe the twin evil of poverty and hunger are severely rampaging every part of the country with a vengeance, as if on a revenge mission.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun and the Central’s Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, who support the president’s constant (worrying) BORROWINGS (10 times from the World Bank so far) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), look like anything, but those suffering from the debilitating times in Nigeria.
They ride in a convoy of N150 to N200 million state-of-the-art vehicles, which are mostly the rides of extremely successful business people. The duo have perhaps, borrowed a leaf from Mr. President, who singlehandedly purchased multi billion naira air, sea and road means of transportation for his official use, without requesting or even informing the National Assembly (NASS), which would have, in any way, been only too happy to oblige him. He later did the same undemocratic manipulation by awarding the 15.6 trillion Lagos to Calabar Coastal Highway, which traverses seven southern states to the company of his Paris based Lebanese ally (some people whisper FRONT), Mr. Gilbert Chagoury .
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, who is a former Governor, hired six Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), to file a counter case in court to block the many cases challenging the legality of the Lagos to Calabar Costal Highway, and its award without the consent and knowledge of the NASS.
For a regime that claims to be transparently bereft of the corrupt practices of its predecessors, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) is at the moment enmeshed in controversy following the sudden removal of Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, the substantive Accountant General, who was reportedly directed to proceed on a premature retirement leave.
The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, is alleged to have demanded from the sacked substantive Accountants General, and was therefore shown the gate. But the handpicked Acting Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Shamsudeen Ogunjimi, is said to have agreed to the deal.
However, apart from exposing the lie in the regime’s vaunted ‘war against corruption’, which is elevated to a new hight by the president Tinubu regime, the drama has also cast a shadow of doubt over the credibility of the CBN Governor himself. It also gave credence to the allegation made by the rebellious biological daughter of the President, Adetoun Tinubu. She alleged the GBN Governor and another presidential aide were operating in different directions with Mr. President. She claimed that while the president meant to straiten the country, the singular desire of the two appointees was to enrich themselves beyond imagination from the Commonwealth.
Senator Adamu Aliero, a former Governor of Kebbi State and a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accused the government of being corrupt, (internal bleeding) during a presentation in the chamber of the Nigerian Senate, by the various heads of the revenue agencies, all of which are under the ministry of finance.
He asked the Senate President, to the hearing of all the heads, the reasons why Nigeria was borrowing from the world Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), when the revenue generation agencies had claimed to have exceeded their targets, some by up to 20%. And, he also wanted to know what is DONE (probably disappeared in private pockets, including the president’s deep ones) with the excess from N51 trillion said to have been generated, while the government submitted before the NASS, N47.9 trillion budget for 2025, of which 15% is allocated to debt servicing.
The Delta State Governor, Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori, also took exception to the biting economic policies of the Tinubu regime, accusing it, and the ruling APC of putting the nation “deeper into poverty”.
President Tinubu is rightly the most hated for most, and despised for many, Nigerian leader the country is unblessed with in its history. No day, or moment passes, without one negative comment or another against his person or against his biting economic policies or against the style of his corrupt leadership or against his ministers, or the others of his overzealous aides.
Even in the (UN), a member of the parliament, Mr. referred to the Tinubu regime as the worst in the history of war against corruption that the Tinubu regime is waging. If he claims not to know or be aware of the suffering in the country, then someone ought to tell him, since the relevant authorities charged with doing just that, are not living up to their responsibility.
May God come to the aid of Nigeria and its citizens, both held in a state capture like a vice grief.
Malumfashi wrote in from Katsina.