An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has commended the Federal Government for suspending the accreditation of degrees obtained from the Republic of Benin and Togo. (more…)
Month: January 2024
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The many silver linings of Tinubu’s 7 months in office
By Bayo Onanuga
The removal of fuel subsidy and the move to merge foreign exchange rates, two headline reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration since late May, triggered problems such as high fuel prices and the depreciation of the Naira, two monstrosities which combined to cause a general spike in costs of services and goods.
Today, many Nigerians complain of a rise in the cost of living.
According to the latest NBS report, Nigeria’s inflation, which rose to 26.7 percent in September, again rose to 28.2% in November from 27.33% in October. Food Inflation remains untamed, rising from 31.52% in October to 32.84% in November 2023.
To compound the economic problems, few multinational companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Procter & Gamble have announced their exit from our country, complaining about the difficult operating environment and the scarcity of dollar.
The truth is that the new policies alone are not solely responsible for the economic problems we are facing today. We were destined for the tough and rough patch, where we are today because of the prevailing conditions before Tinubu took over on 29 May.
As at June 2023, budget deficit was N10.8 trillion. Actual Debt service was 98.95 percent of revenue, far higher than the projected 59.37 percent. Inflow into the country’s foreign reserve came in trickles. And so bad was the state of affairs that Nigeria could not remit about $800 million fund of foreign airlines. JP Morgan exposed our near insolvency by claiming in a report that our net foreign reserve was just about $3.7 billion, not the $33 billion plus flaunted by Emefiele’s CBN.
President Tinubu, who promised during the campaign to take hard and difficult decisions, moved to tackle the economic problems from Day One, by first dispensing with the wasteful fuel subsidy that was billed to consume about N7trillion this year, five times more than what was provisioned for capital spending.
President Tinubu is quite aware of the side effects of his move to reset our economy. Though his administration has earned plaudits from the World Bank, the IMF and rating agencies such as Moody’s and Fitch, he is not carried away by the praises.
He is focussed on turning the economy round for growth, development and prosperity.
The moves are yielding some good effects. Amidst what some sections of the media perceive as general gloom, some silver linings are emerging, signposting that with a little more patience, our material conditions will improve and inflation will be tamed. For businesses, operating conditions will also improve.
In its third quarter report for the year, the NBS reported that GDP grew by 2.54percent. In a similar period in 2022, GDP recorded a growth of 2.25%. To demonstrate that the sun may be shining on us again, the 2.54% GDP growth recorded in Q3, was also higher than the 2.51% recorded in Q2.
The service sector, made up of information and communication, financial and insurance, was responsible for the growth witnessed in Q3. It had a 3.99% growth, contributing 52.7% of the aggregate GDP. The agriculture sector declined from 1.34% growth in Q2 to 1.3percent in Q3.
Growth was also recorded in construction and real estate, metal ores(69.76%), coal mining(58.03%), chemical and pharmaceutical products(6.77%), Cement(4.2%) and construction(3.89%). Oil reported a negative growth of 0.85%, a major improvement to the negative 22.67% recorded at the same period last year. It was -13.43 in Q2 of 2022. The improvement in the oil sector and its contribution to GDP has been attributed to the improvement in the security of oil infrastructure and operations, leading to increased production. Going forward in this Q4 and 2024, the NNPC Limited is confident that the sector will continue to climb the curve.
In the same Q3, according to NBS, the Industrial sector grew by 0.46%, an uptick compared with Q3 2022, when it had a negative 8% growth, even in the era of P&G and GSK exit.
An interesting revelation in the NBS Q3 report was the big jump in the volume of trade, from N12.16 trillion in Q2 to N18.8 trillion. Trade volume in the same period in 2022 was N12.28 trillion. We also recorded a trade surplus of N1.89trillion in Q3, an increase from the N708.8 billion in Q2 2023. In Q3 in 2022, we recorded trade deficit of N409.39 billion.
Value of exports in the third quarter was N10.35 trillion, far higher by 60.78 percent than the N6.44 trillion posted in Q2 2023. Crude oil dominated the export, accounting for 82.5 percent, a confirmation that our country is pumping out more oil for export unlike the previous years.
Just as our exports increased, imports also increased, rising from N5.73 trillion in Q2 2023 to N8.46 trillion in Q3, a rise of 60.8 percent. The imports recorded in the quarter was also higher in value compared to Q3 2022, which was N6.34 trillion.
As the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu noted in a recent report, economic prosperity in our country will be achieved with the reforms being implemented, supported by strong monetary and fiscal policies, food supply management and other intervention programmes.
President Tinubu who has never shied away from acknowledging the temporary pains triggered by the reforms, gave an assurance in a recent newspaper interview that his Administration will continue to take proactive measures to wrestle with the problems. Many of these measures are already being taken and in the New Year, we expect the silver linings, that are at present understated, to blossom into rays of sunshine to be experienced by all Nigerians. (Flowerbudnews)
*Onanuga is the special adviser Information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu
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DCM Bisi Kazeem Bags Key Appointment as Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu, Redeploys Officers
By Biola Lawal
Abuja (Flowerbudnews): The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Ali Biu has approved the redeployment of Deputy Corps Marshals, and an Assistant Corps Marshal to key Departments to further energise FRSC operations towards creating safer motoring environment.According to an FRSC statement by Charles Edem, a Corps Commander and Deputy Corps Public Education Officer, erstwhile Corps Spokesman, Bisi Kazeem is now the Deputy Corps Marshal, Training Department at the National Headquarters, Abuja.
The statement said that the redeployment also resulted in DCM Shehu Alkali, the erstwhile Deputy Corps Marshal in charge of Training Department moving over as DCM, Department of Operations
(Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu Inspects a Guard of honour)
Former Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Command Administration and Strategies (CAS), Assistant Corps Marshal Jonas Agwu takes over as the Corps Public Education Officer, replacing DCM Bisi Kazeem.
The deployment of the outgoing Corps Public Education Officer who was recently appointed Deputy Corps Marshal marked his first on the new rank.
The statement said that the changes were effected by Corps Marshal Dauda Biu ”to give a boost to existing efforts of the Corps towards creating a safer motoring environment.”
”It s part of strategic initiative targeted at ensuring full realization of the corporate strategic goals of the Corps for the year 2024,” the statement added.
Former Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Command Administration and Strategies (CAS), Assistant Corps Marshal Jonas Agwu takes over as the Corps Public Education Officer, replacing DCM Bisi Kazeem.
The deployment of the outgoing Corps Public Education Officer who was recently appointed Deputy Corps Marshal marked his first on the new rank.
Expectedly, the Corps Marshal expressed confidence in the capacity and experiences of the newly redeployed senior officers to deliver on mandate as he charged them to bring their professional expertise for impactful leadership.
The redeployment is with effect from 15 January, 2024 which marks the end of the ongoing Operation Zero Tolerance Special Patrol. (Flowerbudnews)
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CSO frowns at alleged suspension of Halima Shehu’s, says it is unconstitutional
By our reporter
Abuja (Flowerbudnews): The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), has frowned at the alleged recent suspension of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) Boss, Mrs Halima Shehu.
The displeasure is expressed in a statement by the Executive Director of CISLAC, Comrade Auwal Rafisanjani, saying the suspension of NSIPA Boss is unconstitutional.
Rafisanjani stated that there was need to checkmate the excesses of ministers overseeing agencies and Parastatals.
He also urged President Bola Tinubu to follow due process in handling issues related to suspension or removal of public officers and political appointees confirmed by the Senate.
The suspended Shehu who was billed to handover starter packs to Victims of Kidney harvesting at New Karu Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State, was alleged suspended via a letter purportedly signed by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.
As at the time of filing this report, the Presidency, Office of the Secretary to.the Government of the Federation (oSGF) and the Minister are yet to make any official statement to the alleged suspension of the NSIPA National Coordinator/CEO.
Before her recent confirmation by the Senate, Hajia Shehu was the National Programme Coordinator of National Conditional Cash Transfer Office (NCTO) under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, successfully managed the scheme transparently with success stories.
She also digitalized the the National Conditional Cash Transfer programme with a view to ensure transparency and accountability in the deployment of the fund to millions of beneficiaries across the country.
While stressing the need to ensure strict adherence to due process, the CISLAC helmsman argued that any public officer and political appointees can only be suspended or removed if such person is declared to be corrupt, incapacitated or resign, as provided by extant laws.
He said: “They (Ministers) need to coordinate and provide leadership not to create confusion and not to make the place to be effective and inefficient.
“I think it is important that all the Ministers should actually have good understanding of the roles they play because many of the Ministers because of lack of proper orientation they have not been able to grasp the work, many of them especially new appointees, they need to have the understanding and rudiments of work they are suppose to do according to our laws and according to the terms and reference given to them.
“But if any Minister feels that he or she has a quarrel or misunderstanding with another public official who he suppose to be supervising, and then takes arbitrary decision, I think that is not acceptable and that is not good.
“So we encourage the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to continue to organize more of capacity enhancement and leadership responsibility so that there will be harmony within the various Ministers and other public officials because I think lack of training and capacity enhancement is one of the major problems we have that’s why some public officials are not performing; because many of them just assumed that they were appointed as Ministers to have the share of the national cake not to really do the service.
“So, there must be concerted efforts to bring back regular capacity enhancement. That’s what happen in other places; even if you are a public official and you found yourself as political appointment, you’ll still need to go through capacity engagement because everyday new emerging issues are coming and they need to know how to tackle these in the best manner.
“So, in Nigeria the training and retraining, refresher course have declined and I think it is one of the challenges that we have that is making efficient and transparent and accountable leadership to be very low and poor,” he emphasized.
While responding to the question on whether the Minister has powers to issue a letter of suspension to another Appointee of the President who was screened and confirmed by the Senate, Comrade Rafisanjani argued that government must follow proper and transparent due process on issue that warrant suspension or removal, adding that “you can not just sack. Even small workers you cannot outrightly sack them like that.
“If the President appointed her and you have any cause to remove her, the Presidency should have also go through the same process of appointing and removing but if you do this as an outright thing, it would suggest that we are not a country or due process and there must be reason.
“The Constitution is very clear on how to remove a public official. If the person is not corrupt and there was no evidence of corruption, if the person is not incapacitated and there was no evidence of the person being incapacitated, or if the person has not willingly resign I think those are the key issues that our constitution always look at, on how to remove or suspend public officials.
“But you cannot just wake up and suspend somebody just like that. I think the question of security tenure, the question of ensuring that in the first place you find public officials who are competent who are qualified, who are not corrupt is the major reason why we are emphasising that government at all levels must shop for quality and those who have no deficiency in terms of their capacity and intellectual experience in the work that they are assigned to do.”
One of the top officials of Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation who spoke under condition of anonymity with Humanitarian Correspondents, attested to the integrity of the NSIPA National Coordinator during the last administration.
The official who expressed shock over the allegation said: “She (Shehu) has not even done any programme yet. She is just getting ready and making plans to hit the ground running this January. I don’t know what went wrong.
“What I do know about her is that, she has experience on the job from inception of NSIP, she was a Directorate in the office before her appointment as National Program Coordinator of Conditional Cash Transfer, successfully managed the NCTO transparently with success stories.
“She was also the National Director of Humanitarian/Social Directorate that coordinated, canvassed and mobilised the beneficiaries of NSIP for the presidential campaign.
“All the programmes of NSIP are laudable and very impactful, Federal Government should give it a proper direction, stabilization, frequency, consistency and sustainability in the interest of the indigent beneficiaries. All I care.”(Flowerbudnews)
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GOC Dada decorates 4 newly-promoted Brigadier-Generals, another in 82 Division
By Flowerbudnews
Enugu: Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, has decorated four newly-promoted Brigadier-Generals and a Lieutenant Colonel with their new ranks in 82 Division.
Those Brigadier-Generals decorated included: Charles Oghenyerovwo; Haruna Audu; Peter Gbor; and Stephen Dogo as well as Samuel Agada (a Lieutenant Colonel).
Performing the decoration on Tuesday at 82 Division Headquarters in Enugu, the GOC urged the newly-decorated officers to justify the confidence repose on them by the promotion by being more committed to their routine and special duties.
Dada also advised them to ensure their families enjoy the monetary uplift that comes with the promotion.
According to him, the Division appreciates God Almighty, President Bola Tinubu and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, for making the promotion and decoration to an elevated rank possible.
“Within my six months as a GOC, I am blessed to have this number of Brigadier-Generals and just recently the Commandeer of 13 Brigade under the Division was elevated to a Major-General.
“As you know the Division is standing on the pillars and vision of the COAS; which rewards hard work, resourcefulness and diligence.
“Promotion comes from God; but as humans we must put in the hard work. Today, the hard work and resilience of these officers have paid off.
“Everything you do is being watched and if you are doing the right and positive things, one day it will surely pay off. So, keep working hard and be diligent in all you do,” he said.
Responding, Brig.-Gen. Charles Oghenyerovwo, who spoke on behalf of the newly-decorated officers, thanked God Almighty, the President, the COAS and the GOC for finding them worthy of the promotion and subsequent decoration.
Oghenyerovwo assured the COAS and the GOC of their resolve to redouble their efforts and also guarantee optimal delivery in all tasks assigned to them.
“By the grace of God, we have resolved to ensure we keep the flag flying high and the confidence reposed on us through this elevation will never be regretted by the army authorities, the COAS and the GOC.
“We also thank our course-mates as well as well-wishers, friends and families that have come to witness this historical moment in our careers,” he said.
The high point of the event was the GOC presentation of letter of commendation and a plaque to Major Aminu Maikarfi for his exceptional gallantry and bravery in fight against IPOB/ESN terrorists in Okigwe and Orlu axis of Imo State and Ihiala and its general areas in Anambra. (Flowerbudnews)
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Breaking: FG extends 2024 hajj registration till Jan. 31 Deadline
By Salisu Sani-Idris
Abuja: The Federal Government has approved an extension of the deadline for the 2024 hajj registration by the intending pilgrims.
Mrs Fatima Usara, Assistant Director, Public Affairs, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.
She said the extension was in response to the heartfelt concerns raised by religious clerics, State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, Agencies, Commissions, Governors and other stakeholders regarding closure of 2024 Hajj registration.
“The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is pleased to announce Federal Government’s approval for an extension of the deadline.
“The new date is set for Jan. 31, providing an additional opportunity for individuals to participate in this sacred pilgrimage.
“The overwhelming request for extension from various religious communities underscores the significance of ensuring accessibility to a broader spectrum of the faithful eager to embark on the spiritual journey of Hajj.”
Usara said NAHCON was confident that before expiration of the new deadline, with the support of its sister agencies, the commission would have determined the total cost of 2024 hajj.
“The extension therefore provides a window for new registrant to do so and by the end of January; those who need to balance up payment would be able to do so as well.
“NAHCON seizes this chance to remind intending pilgrims and other stakeholders that the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has slated Feb.25 as end date for signing all contracts, signaling the end of payments into IBAN accounts.
“With this extension, NAHCON has barely a month to finalise payment of all Hajj deposits into its IBAN account for the 2024 Hajj.
She said that the extension, even though overstretched NAHCON’s preparatory timeline, reflects the commission’s Chairman, Malam Jalal Arabi’s commitment to accommodating the concerns of stakeholders.
“Arabi expressed gratitude to religious leaders, state boards, and governors for their advocacy on behalf of the pilgrims.
“He described this collaborative effort as a testament to the shared commitment to facilitating a meaningful and inclusive Hajj experience for all.
“He prayed all Hajj handlers would utilise this opportunity well for success of 2024 Hajj operations.” (NAN) /Flowerbudnews
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2024: Drive More Safely, Obey Traffic Rules, FRSC Boss, Dauda Biu Urges Nigerians
By Biola Lawal
Abuja (Flowerbudnews): The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dauda Ali Biu has urged Nigerians to be more tolerant on the road and imbibe safe road use culture in the new year, 2024.Dauda Biu who made the call in a message to herald the new year,2024, also noted the improved road rehabilitations and constructions going on across the country by the Renewed Hope Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
A statement by Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM), Bisi Kazeem also quoted the FRSC Boss as urging members of the public to sustain the tempo by ensuring strict observance to all traffic rules and regulations as they drove in the new year.
Dauda Biu expressed gratitude to God for the grace of protection and guidance given to the nation in the face of the various safety and security challenges experienced in the outgoing year. He appealed for sustained consciousness by people to overcome the challenges in the new year.
He stated that he is highly pleased with the conduct of most drivers during the recent Christmas celebration which made the rate and fatalities of road traffic crashes manageable. He nevertheless cautions that if such good habits were not sustained in the new year, there could be a resurgence of crash situation which could undermine the gains made from the special patrol.
“Every Nigerian must, therefore remain committed to tackling the challenges which road safety pose to the nation’s safety, security and wellbeing by doing what is right at all times,” he stated.
On the most common factors responsible for fatal crashes during the Christmas celebration, the Corps Marshal restated his earlier observations on speeding which has continued to be identified as a critical causative factor, necessitating his directives to the Commanding Officers to force down the rate of speed induced crashes through aggressive enforcement of laws on speed limiting devices.
Biu commended all the stakeholders that joined the road safety campaigns during the festive periods to make the roads safer, adding that road safety remains a shared responsibility which no single organisation can tackle all alone without support and collaboration of relevant stakeholders.
He particularly expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for rendering all necessary moral and logistics support for the success of the campaigns in the outgoing year.
The Corps Marshal wishes all Nigerians safer and prosperous new year, and assures the nation that FRSC will continue to be vigilant in safeguarding the roads throughout the new year and beyond for safety and security of the people.(Flowerbudnews)
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Kidnappers Demand N50m Ransom To Release Akwanga LG Boss,Police Commence Investigation
Abductors of the Chairman, Akwanga Local government Area of Nasarawa state.Alhaji Safiyanu Isah Andaha and his friend, Adamu Umar Tanko, Tuesday night, have placed a demand of N50 million for to release their victims.
Our correspondent recalls that Andaha and Tanko,were kidnapped at about 8.30 p.m along Andaha -Akwanga road in Akwanga Local government Area of the state.
A family source, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed this to our correspondent on Tuesday morning, stating, however, that negotiations was ongoing between the family and the gunmen.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Haruna Kassimu,confirmed the abduction of the council boss and one other at Ningo village at about 8:30 p.m on January 1st, 2024.
Meanwhile, the Police Command in the State said it had commenced investigation into the matter.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the command, DSP Ramhan Nansel, told our correspondent in Lafia on Tuesday that the Commissioner of Police in the state,Umar Nadada, had mobilised personnel on a man hunt for the kidnappers and possible rescue of the chairman and his friend.
“The police, in collaboration with other security agencies, are currently on the trail of the kidnappers to ensure the release of the council chairman and the other victim,” he said.
Nansel urged members of the public, especially people from villages around the area where the kidnapping took place, to provide the police with credible information that would lead to the rescue of the abducted and the arrest of the perpetrators.
