TOP STORIES: Nigeria’s Poverty Level Unacceptable, Tinubu Tells Governors.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the governors to collaborate with the Federal Government to tackle the menace of poverty in the country.
The president, who made the call when he hosted members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday, said the level of impoverishment is unacceptable.
Tinubu advised the political leaders to downplay their differences and jointly focus on alleviating the sufferings and pains of the people.
We can see the effects of poverty on the faces of our people. Poverty is not hereditary, it is from the society. Our position is to eliminate poverty. Set aside partisan politics, we are here to deliberate about Nigeria and nation-building,” he said in a statement issued by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director, Information.
“We are a family occupying one house, and sleeping in different rooms. If we see it that way and push forward, we will get our people out of poverty. A determined mind is a fertile ground for delivering on results,” he added.
President Tinubu said good governance would safeguard the future of democracy.
“Present in this room is our diversity in culture and politics, but we are one nation. The unity and stability of the country rest upon us.
“We are in a democracy and we have to nurture the democracy. It is a hard-earned system and not easy to manage. If anyone thinks it is easy, look at other nations who are over a hundred years in democracy.
“We have managed ourselves very well to have a democracy. We have campaigned and arrived at our present destination. We must work for our people,” President Tinubu told the governors, while assuring them that he would maintain an open-door policy.
The president said he was prepared to share ideas, strengthen institutions, and create bottom-up frameworks that will improve the livelihood of Nigerians.
“What do we do in the face of crushing poverty? What do we do with our development goals? We took the bull by the horns by removing the elephant in the room, before the nation sinks.“We need synergy to fight other vices like corruption.
We are trying to get smugglers out of the way. How do we work together to galvanize the economy, and put resources in place. We must think and perform.“After removing subsidy, there must be savings accruing to the Federation Account,” he said.
Tinubu said the education sector must be improved as part of efforts to reduce poverty and penury:“How do we address the unacceptable level of poverty? How much are we investing in education, which is the only tool against poverty? I am ready to collaborate with you.”
The President, who also drew attention to the security problems in some states, admonished the governors that all efforts should be put in place to tackle the security situation, without thinking it is only for those facing it.The governors, who took turns to speak, expressed happiness with the president’s subsidy-removal decision, all-inclusive leadership and statesmanship.
They congratulated Tinubu for tackling the fuel subsidy behemoth, promising to work with him to ameliorate the short-term impact of the decision.
The Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRasaq, thanked the President for the invitation to deliberate on the challenges of poverty and security, promising that the governors would support the Federal Government in meeting the targets of human development.“The NGF will follow the tradition of working constitutionally and harmoniously with you,” he said.
The meeting, which was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and new Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, had 22 governors and two deputy governors from Edo and Niger States, in attendance.
The governors made suggestions highlighting the plight of citizens in their states, assuring the President of their support in proffering solutions through the National Economic Council.
President Tinubu Meets with Oil Marketers over Increased Price of Petrol.
President Bola Tinubu has met with prominent oil marketers at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.
The delegation of oil marketers was led by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who also holds the position of Chairman within the oil marketers association.
The meeting between the President and the oil marketers comes amidst escalating controversy and widespread protests following the elimination of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol.
Consequently, the cost of petrol has surged, with prices exceeding N500 per litre, and there are no indications of an imminent reduction in price.
Recall that during President Tinubu’s inaugural speech at the Eagle Square in Abuja on May 29, he declared the discontinuation of subsidy payments on petrol.
The President clarified that the previous administration, led by Muhammadu Buhari, had not allocated funds for subsidising petrol in the 2023 budget beyond June.
In response to these developments, Organised Labour had initially announced plans for a nationwide strike commencing on Wednesday. However, their intentions were curbed by a court order issued on Monday, June 5, 2023.
Following a subsequent meeting with the Federal Government late on Monday, Organised Labour decided to suspend its planned strike.
Please forgive me, its work of devil – Aregbesola begs ex-Governor Oyetola.
The Immediate past Minister of Interior Rauf Aregb1esola has sought forgiveness from former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and others who may be offended by his actions in the last four years.
Aregbesola, who was Osun Governor between 2010 to 2018, handed over to Oyetola who served under him as Chief of Staff after winning the 2018 governorship election. He was opposed to Oyetola’s re-election and faulted the elders of the party for not chastising him(Oyetola) for reversing his policies.
Aregbesola, who arrived Osun State after his tenure as the Minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari, visited the palaces of Owa Obokun, Oba Gabriel Aromolaran and Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun before addressing his supporters at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park via Old Garage, Osogbo capital of Osun State.
The ex-Minister, who spoke in Yoruba language, lauded Buhari for giving him the opportunity to serve. He also commended President Bola Tinubu for being his destiny helper and trusting him with power.
According to him: “I have not returned to Osun for animosity or acrimony but reconciliation of our party. I have come here today to beg for forgiveness from anybody who is offended towards me.
“The reason why people are applauding me over my successes in Osun today was because of the great work I did when I was in government and those who turned themselves into enemies today, we worked together in government.
“I thank God who showcased me from Lagos through the help of President Bola Tinubu, he is the architect of my success. I spent 8 years as commissioner in Lagos. In 2004, we had a meeting in Badagry where we talked about how we will take over our states from the opposition party. President Tinubu and other Yoruba elders directed me to come and take over Osun State from the opposition.
“With the help of God and the support of Asiwaju, I was able to excel as a Governor for 8 years even though it was not easy with the help of those that turned to my enemy for four years.”
“In 2019, after the Supreme Court judgment, I came to this venue with the person I handed over power to. I counseled that I have played my own part and handed over to the person I loved. But I said, the person must do it right by ensuring unity within the party. If that is done I will now be the godfather. But unfortunately, Satan took over them in interpreting what I said. I never begged for anything from them when he was in power.
“I am saying it today and I am begging for forgiveness. After this, we are not going to beg anybody again. We didn’t offend anyone and we don’t believe anyone offended us but it’s possible that they believe we offended them, that’s why we are apologising to them.“
He further attributted his political successes to President Bola Tinubu, who he said identified and supported his political aspirations since 1999 from Lagos state.
10th Assembly: Tinubu meets lawmakers Thursday.
Ahead of the June 13 inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, the President, Bola Tinubu, would officially meet with the lawmakers-elect across party lines on Thursday, June 8.
The invitation of the president was conveyed in an official letter from the State House to the Senate and read on Wednesday by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege who presided over the plenary.
According to the letter, the meeting between the lawmakers and the president would take place at the State House Conference Centre, State House, Abuja, on Thursday, June 8th at 2 pm.
The president had initially fixed separate meetings between All Progressive Congress and opposition lawmakers slated for Sunday and Monday respectively.
However, sources stated that the meeting was rescheduled because the People’s Democratic Party noted that they were not informed of the notice, hence could not let their members attend the meeting.
Meanwhile, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan sat on the floor for Senator Omo-Agege to preside over the plenary. According to Lawan, he was sitting on the floor because he was trying to get used to being a floor member.
Akume: Tinubu Is Using Appointments To Make Amends For Muslim-Muslim Presidency – Wike.
Former Rivers State Governor, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) strongman, Nyesom Wike came out to give kudos to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the recent appointments he made as part of the ongoing process to form his kitchen cabinet.
While speaking to a cross-section of journalists during an exclusive media chat in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Wike, whose 8-year tenure as Rivers Governor ended a week ago, pointed out that the appointment of former Benue State Governor, George Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) was an indication that Tinubu is making amends for the APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket which raised a lot of dust in various parts of the country.
He said; “Tinubu has appointed Akume as SGF. Very beautiful appointment. This is a man who is a former civil servant, a former Director of the Government House, a former Permanent Secretary, then became Governor, and later served as a Minister.
When you are talking about the engine room of a government, who else is more qualified for the position? And also look at what the man (Tinubu) is doing through his appointments; balancing. Remember that the Muslim-Muslim ticket was a serous problem in this country. Whether anybody wants to accept the truth or not, it was a serious problem. Nigeria is such a complex country that one has to be very careful.
Don’t mind those who are so selfish that they can’t say the truth. And for him to make amends for it, you then see how he is making his appointments from certain parts of the country. He is bringing people from these areas into his government in order to assuage them and prove that what they are thinking about the Muslim-Muslim ticket is not what it actually is.
So you see how he has now picked a Christian from the Northcentral part of the country as SGF. I hope you can see the balance. If anybody tells you not to bother, that you can appoint anybody into these positions, it’s a lie.”
El-Rufai’s alleged statement on Islam dominating politics disappointing, divisive’
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in February presidential election, Barr Adewole Adebayo, has condemned the statement credited to the immediate past governor of Kaduna, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai on the continued dominance of Islam in Kaduna and Nigeria politics.
El-Rufai, during his handing over to his successor, had allegedly told his audience that the Islamic dominance in Kaduna has been successfully replicated in Nigeria and that it shall continue.
The former Governor, in the viral video on social media, alleged further that the victory of President Bola Tinubu had silenced the Christian Association of Nigeria, adding that that action will sustain an Islamic-dominated government for 20 years and unending not only in Kaduna State but in Nigeria at large.
Reacting to the statement, on Tuesday, Adebayo expressed disappointment over the statement while also describing it as divisive bigotry. Adebayo said a political agenda based on tribe and religion is hateful to a diverse and plural Nigeria.
“I condemn the provocative and divisive bigotry inherent in the statements of Governor @elrufai on Islamic dominance of politics in Kaduna and Nigeria. A political agenda founded on ethnicity and religion is anathema to a diverse and plural Nigeria. No to Yes Daddies on all sides”.
Also reacting, chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former National Director of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Samuel Kwamkur has cautioned the former governor not to set Nigeria on fire with his utterances.
He expressed his disappointment at El-Rufai noting that the classification of the citizens of his state as ‘them’ versus us’ meant that the former governor cannot be exonerated from “the wanton killings, demolition of houses and places of worship of Christians in Kaduna”.
Border reopening video not recent,say Customs.
The Nigeria Customs Service , Ogun 1 Area Command, has debunked the claim that the Idiroko land border in the state has been reopened for business.
The Controller of the state command, Bamidele Makinde, cleared the air while reacting to a viral video showing some Customs officers opening the border.
Makinde, while addressing the newsmen at a media briefing in Abeokuta, said Idi-Iroko border alongside three others had been reopened in 2022 by the immediate past administration.
He said since then it had remained open for legitimate trade, noting that anyone who does business in the unapproved route would be intercepted.
He said, “The viral video on the media happened in April last year when the border was opened then. It was four borders that were opened. But, as we speak presently in Ogun State, we have more than six approved borders in lmeko, Ijofin, Ijoun and Ohunbe. It’s only Idi-Iroko that is open now, the others are still on lock.
“We are just public servants, we implement policies, whatever Abuja says we do, So, Idi-Iroko is open 24 /7; but we have not heard the notation to open the other borders.”
Meanwhile, the command impounded 6,924 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, equivalent to 11 trailer loads, between April and May.
Makinde listed other seizures recorded to include gallons of Premium Motor Spirit, used tyres; Cannabis Sativa; and other prohibited items.
Makinde added that “The sum of N34,174,105 was generated by the command for the period under review. Compared to N10,615,618.00 generated in the corresponding period of last year, 2022, there is a differential of N23,558,487.00, which is a significant increase of about 69 per cent.”
Tinubu swears in Akume as SGF.
President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Senator George Akume as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation at the council chamber on Wednesday.
Akume took his Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office in the presence of government officials.
Among those present at the swearing-in are Vice President Kashim Shettima; President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan; Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr FolasadeYemi-Esan and the spouse of the new SGF, Mrs Regina Akume.
The President had last Friday Akume as the SGF. He also appointed the outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, as his new Chief of Staff while the former Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, was appointed as Deputy Chief of Staff
Lack Of Synergy Between Law Enforcement Agencies Frustrating Fight Against Illegal Migration — NIS.
The acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Mrs Adepoju Carol Wura-Ola on Tuesday, said the lack of synergy among law enforcement agencies and state actors was hindering the effort of the service to curb the smuggling of migrants in and out of the country.
Adepoju said this at the African international Conference on transnational organised crimes, held at the African Center of Excellence, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Adepoju who was represented by the deputy acting Comptroller General of NIS, Kemi Nandap, said the activities of organised criminal groups posed a great risk to the lives and safety of the smuggled migrants if not curbed.
The NIS boss urged the stakeholders to come together and fight the menace of irregular migrants.
“Despite the constant effort made by different countries to curb smuggling of migrants, the problem persists due to factors like differences in the legal system, language barrier, lack of accurate and relevant data and lack of synergy and sufficient information exchange among law enforcement agencies or state actors.
“Lack of synergy between the state actors is a very painful one because it should be avoidable. If we all want to achieve the same goal, we should be able to work together, cooperate and collaborate.
“There is, therefore, the exigency to strengthen the exchange of information. It is relevant for us to share data and essential for us to promote International cooperation among ourselves.”
Speaking on the theme; ‘Multi-Dimensional Threats of Himan Trafficking: Child Labor; Forced Labour; Baby Factory; Organ Harvesting’, the Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, harped on the need for the need to recognise the enormity of human trafficking in Nigeria, calling on parents to dissuade their children from embarking on irregular migration.
“Recognising the enormity of human trafficking in Nigeria and the ability to tackle same is very important. The internet has no geographical boundary. Traffickers are now able to access a wider pull of potential victims through it.
“The family, community and society should also dissuade their children from embarking on irregular migrating from Nigeria to other parts of the world.”
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Simeon Bamire who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administrative, Prof. O.M.A Daramola while declaring the conference open, promised that the University was going to establish a liaison office for the Nigeria Immigration Service NAN.
Nigeria can pay back its debts in 90 days — Jimoh Ibrahim.
The Senator-elect representing Ondo South, Jimoh Ibrahim, has expressed confidence that Nigeria can pay back debts owed to other countries in 90 days if the government is ready to tap into his wealth of knowledge.
According to the billionaire businessman, the nation’s debts of N77tn shouldn’t be a cause for worry considering the current debt to Gross Domestic Product ratio of less than 31 percent.
The Debt management office has declared that Nigeria is currently owing creditors about N77tn.
Jimoh, who gave the insight while speaking on Channels TV Politics Today on Tuesday, cited the borrowing policy implemented in Dubai and argued that Nigeria is currently wasting its time not borrowing more money from creditors.
He said, “I can give you a strategy that will help pay back all of Nigeria’s debt in 90 days. Our current debt shouldn’t be a big problem or source of worry for President Bola Tinubu. What is the debt ratio to the GDP of a country? Nigeria’s is currently around 31 per cent, which means we have a window of about 70 per cent to borrow more money.
Tinubu will turn Nigeria’s economy around, says Jimoh Ibrahim
Court directs Jimoh Ibrahim to publish contempt proceedings against AMCON boss Jimoh Ibrahim, firms’ appeal to recover assets struck out, not dismissed “Nigeria is wasting its time not borrowing more money. Dubai is owning $167bn and has a population of 12 million and 3 million indigenous people and they borrowed $167bn. They developed a plan to boost their infrastructure facilities and today everything is fine in Dubai whilst paying their debts back with ease.”
Speaking further, the lawmaker who claimed to have declared over N1tn as assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau, explained that a loan of $100bn from five EXIM bank consortiums with a repayment plan for forty years and a ten-year moratorium will make the country free of debts noting that the current revenue problem will not affect its repayment.
“What you need to do is call together about five EXIM banks including China’s, and take a loan of about five times what we are owing currently. Do a bridge gap financing and then pay off what you owe and have a surplus. Prepare a re-payment program for forty years and then have an honorarium period of ten years and you are out of the debt. With these, you can negotiate with the creditor for a 30 percent discount.
“Within that period, put your house in order and then you have money to develop your economy. How much can we make from oil revenue, get an action plan on how to diversify the economy and within ten years we could have a holistic well-defined road map financially,” he asserted. PUNCH.
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