The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Fed Govt urges new FRSC boss to protect lives

    Fed Govt urges new FRSC boss to protect lives

    The Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF), Senator George Akume, has told the new Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, that his main job is to ensure the safety of lives and properties of Nigerians on the nation’s roads.

    The SGF also urged Mohammed not to fail Nigerians in the new responsibility the Federal Government has put on his laps.

    Akume spoke yesterday in Abuja during the decoration of Mohammed as the new FRSC Corps Marshal.

    The SGF said the position of Corps Marshal is a sensitive responsibility to save lives of road users, hence the need for the new FRSC boss to protect those lives as his priority.

    Read Also: Maltina Teacher to receive N10m, says Nigerian Breweries

    According to him, the FRSC was created to check speeding and bad road usage, which usually causes loss of lives of road users.

    Akume acknowledged that since the inception of the FRSC, it has justified its mandates in preventing accidents and saving lives of road users on the nation’s roads.

    Mohammed was a zonal commanding officer in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) before his appointment last week.

  • Reps committee summons banks, consultants over under remittance of education tax

    Reps committee summons banks, consultants over under remittance of education tax

    The House of Representatives Committee on Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) yesterday summoned all banks operating in the country and their tax consultants to appear before it.

    They are to reconcile the education tax computation not remitted to TETFund between 2011 and 2022.

    Committee Chairman Mariam Odinaka Onuoha gave the directive when some banks appeared before the committee to defend their electronic data interchange (EDT) remittances to the fund over the years.

    The committee chairman said there were disparities between what the banks remitted and what was computed by their auditors and tax consultants.

    She said there were disparities in the EDT remittances the banks submitted to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) over the years, adding that what was computed by the banks’ auditors did not tally with what the tax consultants gave.

    Read Also: ITU votes fresh $50b for connectivity in Nigeria, others

    “The bone of contention has always been that the banks seem to be relying on a purported exemption order which clearly mentioned Company Income Tax Exemption Order of 2011.

    “We have asked the banks to produce an EDT exemption order and they have failed to present it. We have equally presented to them, but you cannot like one and exempt the other,” Onuoha said.

    This followed a motion by Oluwole Oke (PDP, Osun) asking the banks to appear before the committee with their tax consultants and present details of that tax computation on a yearly basis.

    The committee chairman said out of the 15 banks invited, about seven were supposed to appear before the committee yesterday, while only three of them showed up with three other writing to seek a new date to appear.

    The committee’s Deputy Chairman Bappa Aliyu Misau (PDP, Bauchi) had observed that a first generation bank had under-remitted its education tax deductions to TETFund, an action he said is punishable under the law.

    Misau said: “Unfortunately, we do not have the year-by-year breakdown. But the available records you submitted in 2011 was N603,801. Then, in 2012, you are owing N301,263,135; in 2013, you have a credit balance of N102,713,615.

    “Again, in 2014, you had a credit of N2.933,659. Then, if you go to 2015, you have N25 million as outstanding; in 2017, N169,852,600 outstanding; in 2018, you have N98 million outstanding; in 2012, you paid N7.877,451 debit, then in 2020, N148 million credit; in 2021, N269,618,626.6 debit.

    “Therefore, in 2022, you had N3,748,984,654.64. Then you add it up, you sum the credit and the debit, you ended up with N3,749,353,260 outstanding. You know there is penalty for non-remittance.”

    An Executive Director of the bank, Bashir Yusuf, who represented the bank at the meeting, told the lawmakers that between 2011 and 2022, the bank posted a profit before tax (PBT) of N795,123 billion.

  • Buratai gets award as ‘shining light of Northeast’

    Buratai gets award as ‘shining light of Northeast’

    concerned Citizens of Northeast hosted their awards and dinner, where individuals were recognised for their contributions to the region. Among awardees were rof Babagana Umara Zulum, Sheikh Goni Usman, and Ummu Muhammad.
    Lt Gen Tukur Buratai stole the spotlight as the shining light of Northeast.
    Maj Gen I.D. Penap praised Buratai for his visionary leadership. Guest speaker, Dr Hassan Boguma said Buratai’s transformative military leadership led to defeat of Boko Haram in the region.

    Read Also: Weakness of governance at local level responsible for development challenges in Nigeria – Abbas


    Gen Buratai expressed his gratitude for the award. He stressed the importance of supporting and empowering youth, noting they are often left. Buratai called for programmes from the government and private sectors to unlock potential of the younger generation.
    The former Army chief highlighted the need for unity and development in Northeast, with a focus on combating ethnicity, religion, and sectionalism.
    Concerned Citizens of Northeast provides a platform for Northeast to come together and build a better future for the region.
    Lt Gen Buratai’s recognition serves as a reminder of the importance of strong leadership and dedication to development of the region.
    His commitment to empowering youth and driving change sets an example for others to follow.

  • Africa CEO Forum: Vivajets chief backs calls for regional integration

    Africa CEO Forum: Vivajets chief backs calls for regional integration

    Chief Executive Officer of business aviation firm, Vivajets, Chukwuerika Achum, has backed calls for more integration in Africa, stressing benefits of business aviation as a success enabler for leaders on the continent.

    H e spoke at Africa CEO Forum, an annual conference, hosting business leaders and policymakers from Africa and beyond in Kigali, Rwanda.

    The forum featured over 2,000 participants representing 73 countries. It attracted more than 1,000 chief executive officers, 75 presidents and ministers, and over 200 journalists. Leadership, integration, finance, and technology dominated discussions.

    Despite collaborative policies as African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), business integration is still a challenge in Africa. Language, political and geographical barriers limit collaborations. Ambitious leaders on the continent are leveraging on business aviation to overcome these obstacles.

    “Business aviation is a success enabler for the 21st century African leader. It bypasses barriers that hinder mobility and collaboration in Africa while facilitating connectivity for business and policy leaders across boundaries.” Achum said.

    Read Also: Weakness of governance at local level responsible for development challenges in Nigeria – Abbas

     He noted as Africa continues to develop, the role of business aviation will become significant.

    “Vivajets supports this transformation, ensuring that African leaders get the transportation they need to succeed. Through innovation and a focus on inclusivity, we are contributing to shaping a brighter future for Africa.”

    “We are leveraging innovation to make business aviation more accessible and affordable, thereby democratising access to an exclusive service,” Tejumade Salami, chief Operating officer said.

    “Our approach aims to democratise access to private aviation, ensuring that more leaders and organisations harness its benefits,” added Salami.

    Leaders at the event canvassed more business integration. Billionaire and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, called for increased investments to foster rapid growth and development in Africa

    “Africa holds  key to its greatness. I’m not merely investing money but dedicating my being to this cause. In Africa, possibilities are boundless,” he said.

    “We should ensure that deeper integration translates into prosperity,” Rwandan president, Paul Kagame, said.

    “What we need is more business – global African firms with continental scope and scale to champion the interests and ambitions of our people.”

  • Five years of accountability, purposeful leadership in Ogun

    Five years of accountability, purposeful leadership in Ogun

    “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” —John Quincy Adams

    Today, for millions of ordinary Nigerians whose experiences about political leadership in the country over the years had been traumatizing due to dashed expectations, opening any discourse about the polity either through debates or this type of editorial piece is distractive, wasteful and has nothing to offer them in terms of socio-economic benefits.

    To many observers of the increasingly uninspiring turf of the polity, this apathy or total lack of interest of the masses in such issues is not misplaced in view of the current economic situation, which has accentuated the high level of poverty among the people.

    But then, as terribly cloudy as the political firmament and its associated seeming hopelessness appears to be, there are still some few leaders who, by virtue of their innate virtues and futuristic approach in leadership, are championing the cause of a silver lining in the firmament. By their policies and actions, they are still demonstrating to the governed, especially the youths, that there is hope for their future in Nigeria, a land adequately blessed for regeneration and prosperity for the inhabitants.

    Read Also: Nigerian youths empowered with free tech boot camps to combat cybercrime

    Among this genre of the few people-oriented, value-driven, and grassroots-focused political leaders beaming the torchlight of hope is the Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun.

    A cursory appraisal of the governor’s developmental initiatives anchored on his “ISEYA” mantra over the past five years clearly showed that he is redefining governance through inclusive strategy by taking real dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of ordinary people across the three senatorial zones of the state, in line with his avowed promise not to leave any part of the state untouched and undeveloped.

    On assumption of office for his first tenure in 2019, Governor Abiodun unveiled a five-point agenda with specific thrusts in Infrastructure, Social Welfare and well-being, Education, Youth Empowerment and Agriculture (ISEYA) as the developmental focus of his administration. Even though the political environment in the first few months of his coming to power was not really supportive as his opponents embarked on frivolous campaigns of calumny and invidious blackmails on his election due to undue envy and frustration. In spite of these distractions ,the governor remained focused, unperturbed and has since silenced his detractors with evidence-based sterling performances through innovative and transformational policies and programmes.

    Propelled by the zeal of an irrepressible crusader for positive change, Abiodun has today manifested the Midas touch to all sectors of the state’s political economy, thereby demonstrating to the citizens his determination to change their past narrative of abject poverty to a new song of progressive prosperity.

    On his promise for improved infrastructure, which is the first in the “ISEYA” mantra to ensure broad-based development in the state, the governor has completed over 500 kilometres of roads across the state and is currently constructing several others for the purposes of linking the cities and rural communities for a holistic socio-economic integration of the Gateway State for sustainable growth.

    Some of the roads already completed, which cut across the state, include Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway; Obantoko Road (Fajol-American Junction-Unity Estate-Gbonagun); Idi-Aba-Elite-Oke Lantoro; Ikoritameje-Adenrele (Olose Titun Vespa); Panseke-Adigbe; City Gate Monument Development Flyover Bridge, Kuto; Arepo road, Somorin-Kemta-Idi Aba; Olusegun Osoba-Toyin Agbado, Yakoyo Bridge to Mr. Biggs section along Akute; Owode-Siun.

    There are also the Oru-Awa-Ilaporu-Ibadan expressway; Molipa-Asafa Isale-Ayegu-Ojofa; Asafa Oke-Fusigboye-Ojofa Street; Oba Erinwole road, Sagamu; Awujale road, Ejinrin-Idowa-Awa-Ibefun-Itoikin; Ijebu Ode-Epe-Sagamu-Benin Interchange Flyover Bridge; Esure-Ijebu Mushin road; Ogbagba Street, Ijebu Ode; Molusi College road, Ijebu Igbo; Ilishan Market road; Iperu Roundabout-Ode; Sagamu Junction-Iperu Roundabout.

    Also, Ibooro-Imasayi-Igan Okoto-Ayetoro road (Phase 1) in Yewa North Local Government Area was reconstructed after several years of neglect. Others, such as Ikola-Navy-Osi Ikola; Raypower; Joju, Sango; Ilashe-Koko-Alari; Oke Ola, Imeko; Tollgate-Singer GRA, Ota; Ilaro-Iwoye (Phase 1); Iwoye-Owode Yewa Secondary School road, (Phase2); Owode Yewa Secondary School-Owode Yewa Junction road (Phase 3) have also been rehabilitated.

    The governor has also directed the immediate reconstruction of the 21-km Ita-Oshin-Ayetoro road. Some of the other ongoing projects by the government include Lafenwa Rounder-Ayetoro road; Adatan-Gbonagun; Akute-Denro-Ishasi; Sango-Ota-Ijoko-Agbado-Oke Aro-Lambe-Akute-Alagbole-Ojodu Abiodun; Adesanolu, Mowe; Mowe-Ofada; Obafemi Awolowo Way-Mada-Takete; Ejinrin-Oluwalogbon-Ijebu Ode; Orile Oko; Hospital Road, Ogijo; Ado Odo- Idogo (Phase 2); Atan-Lusada-Agbara-Marogbo-Tollgate road; Oke Erinja-Erinja Ilobi (Phase 1)

    The governor requested each local government in the state to name three most critical roads requiring upgrades and immediately commenced work on the road networks, which have since been completed.

    The Dapo Abiodun-led administration is also doing so much to develop the agricultural sector through sundry farming, food processing, and marketing initiatives in the past few years.

    With the implementation of the Ogun State Agricultural Policy and Ogun State Livestock Development Policy, the Abiodun-led administration has created thousands of jobs in the sector. Similarly, the N50 million Ijebu Development Initiative for Poverty Reduction (Eriwe) introduced to develop the fish subsector in the state and the empowerment of over 40,000 agripreneurs in cassava cultivation, or the distribution of motorcycles to extension agents to reach farmers in remote areas have remarkably transformed agriculture and agribusiness endeavours of farmers and agripreneurs across the state. The governor recently unveiled plans for a 20,000-hectare rice farmland in the Yewa axis to be operated by private agribusiness investors.

    Also, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) Anchor Borrowers Programme, the trail-blazing Prince has encouraged the youth in agriculture with the creation of the Ogun State Investment Promotion Agency (OGUNIPA) and the establishment of the Ogun State Business Executive Council (OGUNBEC) to make the state the preferred choice for agribusiness investors.

    The multibillion naira Gateway International Airport, an agro-cargo facility, which many investors are already expressing their interest in view of its invaluable socio-economic benefits, including bright prospects for return on investments, is another giant strides recorded by the Governor Abiodun-led administration in the agricultural sector. The project is designed to create about 50,000 direct and indirect jobs when it becomes operational. Apparently encouraged by the remarkable strides the governor is making to transform the Gateway State to agro export hub in the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently approved the Special Agro-Cargo Processing Zone, created to serve the airport as a Free Trade Zone (FTZ), located very close to airport.

    Beaming the performance assessment torchlight to other sectors reflected that Governor Abiodun had surpassed analysts’ expectations. For instance, in the education sector, the administration has abolished all levies in primary schools and also adopted a school per ward for development as a model school in furtherance of its agenda towards ‘zero illiteracy level’ in the state. To enhance teaching and improve teacher/student ratio, the government launched the Ogun State Teaching Experience Acquisition Channel (Ogun TREACH) with the employment of 5000 interns, with 1000 interns transitioned to permanent teachers under the scheme. To encourage the sector’s workforce, the administration has promoted teachers and non-teachers as a way of encouraging them for more work. Extensive construction and rehabilitation of secondary and tertiary institutions have been carried out with the provision of technologies to upgrade their standards and position the students for global competition. 

    Still under the education sector, the Dapo Abiodun-led administration recently disbursed over N3.5 billion through the EDUCASH initiative to lessen the impact of the current economic crunch on students and their parents, with 150, 000 students and pupils from tertiary institutions and secondary and primary schools benefitting.

    In the health sector, the governor is championing the ‘health for all’ drive at primary and secondary levels with all resources at the government’s disposal since his assumption of office in 2019. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the administration was the first that inaugurated State Emergency Medical Treatment Committee to enhance the Ambulance and Emergency Service delivery for which the Federal Government commended the state’s exemplary approach in combating the pandemic then.

    Specifically, in area of primary healthcare, the Abiodun-led administration has consistently conducted training for health workers on comprehensive screening for new born babies to tackle sickle cell disease, and for the first time in 45 years, secured the full accreditation and upgrade of the Ogun State Schools of Nursing and Midwifery to collegiate status and inaugurated Sexual Therapy and Assaults Referral Centre in Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), the Family Planning Centre at the State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, and distributed over 25 tricycle ambulances to rural areas, among other commendable initiatives. More than 2000 people have benefitted from the Ogun Free Surgical Intervention Programme since it was launched in March.

    A cursory appraisal of the administration’s efforts to provide affordable housing in the state shows clearly that Governor Abiodun is a transformative leader. A few weeks ago, the administration apart from its modest achievements in the sector during the first tenure of the governor, flagged off the construction of 200 housing units with the site for the project being cleared in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government. By its design, the project will provide housing for residents in the emerging Remo Zone Economic Hub, with the expected influx of workers to the area and complement the state government’s investment in the Gateway Agro-Cargo Airport.

    This is even as the governor recently visited the President Muhammadu Buhari Estate, a flagship housing project (named after former President Mohammadu Buhari)in the state, promising that between 200 to 250 units of housing units, with the complementary landscape and all other pieces of furniture that are required to make the place an ideal place to live in, will soon be completed. Over 1000 housing units have been delivered, while an additional 1000 units are under construction across the state. The administration is promising to deliver 10,000 housing units by 2027.

    Another commendable trail-blazing initiative of the Abiodun-led administration in Ogun State is in the transportation sector. Just a few months ago, the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ashok Layland, an Indian auto company, for the supply of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) mass transit buses for transportation system in the state, thus becoming the first state in Nigeria to run CNG powered buses.

    The MoU is in line with the “ISEYA” agenda of the administration aimed at operationlization of the approved multi-modal transport master plan for the state connecting air, road, sea, and rail systems.

    In addition to the deal’s potential to reduce transportation fares for commuters, the project will also support the government in creating a more environmental-friendly transportation system with the attendant implications for improved health for lives and fauna in the state.

    Governor Abiodun has also demonstrated clearly that he is a man of rich cultural heritage in his leadership style in the Gateway State. Despite his drive to leverage the socioeconomic competitiveness of Ogun State on technology and innovation, he can be regarded as the most culture-oriented governor in Nigeria, given his very strong relationship with the royal fathers. He is, as the Yoruba will say, ‘Omoluabi’ indeed!

    No wonder this indefatigable governor who, based on his unassailable and outstanding performances in office, is being commended by those who value purposeful leadership in governance. The governor has so far been honoured by local and international organizations with many awards of commendation in most areas of governance, with more of such awards waiting in the wings.

    Governor Abiodun, as the foremost torch bearer in transformational governance in the country, has, no doubt, moved beyond the ‘Renewed Hope’ line to the ‘Restored Hope’ altitude in his irrepressible desire to surpass the expectations of the Ogun State indigenes and residents in terms of democratic dividends for all.

    •Adeniran is chief Press secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun.

  • One year after: the Legacy Man and his strides

    One year after: the Legacy Man and his strides

    By Bayo Onanuga

    One year after being in the saddle, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be the first person to admit that the ride has been bumpy. He is also the first to say he is unfazed by the turbulence as he remains focused on the marathon of the next three years. The past year has been months of baby steps, months of laying the foundations for the next three years of canter.

    As Nigeria’s 16th President, Tinubu, during his campaign for the office, said he would make difficult decisions and that running the country would not be business as usual.

    From day one, he sought to fulfill his promises, beginning from his earthshaking ‘subsidy is gone’ announcement at the Eagle Square, on the day he was sworn in. The announcement reverberated around the country and beyond. He was not just actualising a promise he made. He was also   affecting the consensus of all the major candidates in the 2023 election that the several decades old, wasteful subsidy must end.

    His administration followed this up with the decision to harmonise the foreign exchange rates. The multiple exchange rates executed under his predecessor had given room to various abuses, among which was arbitrage, where people close to the power loop made humongous money, getting forex at the official rate and offloading it at the so-called parallel market for almost 100 percent profit. Both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank advised the Nigerian government to end the policy, to no avail, as forex obligations piled up, FDI’s dried up, and investors shunned Nigeria. Tinubu knew that to reset the economy and build renewed confidence locally and internationally, there must be a policy change. He took the measure, just as he promised during the campaign, with the government announcing that it wanted to harmonise the rates in ‘weeks’. The financial world took notice that Nigeria is at the cusp of great change.

    Read Also: First anniversary: Buhari calls for national support for Tinubu’s govt

    Although it has taken months to achieve the harmony, with the Naira in the interregnum, taking a massive bashing from the dollar. The heavily hurt currency at a stage fell to about N1,900 to the dollar, with the naysayers and the opposition predicting a total destruction of the currency. Their wish did not come to pass, as the currency rebounded to earn global acclaim as the world’s best performing currency. After weeks of amassing muscle against the US dollar, the Nigerian currency weakened again. Now, the monetary authorities are working hard to ensure the currency did not fall into the abyss like it did in February, before the rebound.

    Together with the  abrogation  of the subsidy regime, the forex harmonisation policy triggered an inflationary rage, with food inflation hitting unprecedented levels. Cost of living rose countrywide. Some analysts, however, blamed the inflation on other factors such as insecurity that prevented farmers from going to farm and the poor state of  roads, that escalated transportation costs, pushing up the costs of virtually everything.

    The administration responded on many fronts with a raft of ameliorative policies. Last December, it offered subsidised bus transport and free train service to Nigerians going home for Christmas and New Year. The subsidy was also offered for the return journeys. Over 200,000 Nigerians benefited from the bus service.

    In agriculture, the government declared a food emergency, launched a massive dry season farming in important crops such as wheat and maize, along with assisting farmers with N100 billion worth of fertilisers. The government released 43,000 metric tonnes of grains  in the reserves and bought another 60,000 metric tonnes of rice from local millers for distribution to the people. States, rich individuals, National Assembly members  joined in distributing food and cash to the vulnerable millions in the country. For months, food inflation resisted all the measures, hitting 33 percent in April. Government also rejected the panicky measure of importing food, reposing confidence in the Nigerian farmers,  that from their yields, Nigeria will overcome its food crisis. In recent weeks, the news from the markets has been that some food prices are going down.

    As part of the ameliorative measures, the Tinubu administration  announced wage awards of N35,000 to Federal workers to enable them cope with food inflation and transport costs, as it works out a new national minimum wage. It  announced in July last year the Presidential CNG Initiative. Under the programme, that will herald a new industry and new jobs, hundreds of buses and tricycles, which will be powered by Compressed Natural Gas(CNG), will be locally assembled for countrywide rollout. Some of the vehicles will be electric for use in some Nigerian states, where CNG is not readily available. A panel to drive the vision was inaugurated in October 2023. However, bureaucratic delays slowed its procurement work.  A large number of the buses and tricycles will be available  as part of the ceremonies to mark the first anniversary of the Tinubu administration.

    Businesses were not left out of government’s mitigation measures. The Bank of Industry, in conjunction with Federal Ministry of Industry,Trade and Investment, is implementing Presidential Conditional Grant Programme for nano businesses. Disbursement of N50,000 each to the applicants that registered began in April. Beneficiaries included retail marketers, corner shop owners, petty traders, market men and women, food and vegetable vendors, vulcanisers and and shoemakers. Over 1,000,000 nano businesses are targeted. To help big businesses, Government announced an aid package of N1billion each to 75 of them.

    The Tinubu government also approved $617 million for up-skilling Nigerian youths, providing startup funding, catalytic infrastructure, and policy advocacy. Youths with digital skills are now registering to benefit from the fund, being administered by the Bank of Industry.

    In a country with 200 million people and tax to GDP ratio less than 10 percent, President Tinubu knew from day one, that it will be difficult to make any great, historic impact, if he fails to tinker with the tax structure and bring more money into the national purse. He announced his plan by setting up the Oyedele Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform, which is winding up its work and has recommended far-reaching reforms in the tax regime. President Tinubu also changed the leadership of the Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS) to plug revenue holes and introduce creative ways to increase revenue without necessarily overburdening the people. The result has been astonishing.  Government now takes 50 percent of the revenue of the MDAs, with record N840 billion recorded in the first quarter. The NNPC was ordered to remit its dollar earnings into CBN.  Revenue inflow generally  is increasing. FIRS is working towards increasing the percentage of tax to GDP to about 20 percent.

    The inflow of money is making the Tinubu administration dream big and plan big. With Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund due for launch, the government is already embarking on legacy projects, such as the  700 kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway, which began in March. Government also plans to reactivate the Sokoto Illela-Badagry Superhighway, which was abandoned in 1976. Many roads and bridges in state of disrepair are to be refurbished. There are plans for rail. Funding for the Ibadan-Abuja-Kaduna rail is being arranged. Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail will be resuscitated while the Kano-Kastina-Maradi rail line, started by the Buhari administration will be completed with $2billion dollar loan already secured.

    Government has not been short about rolling out several policy initiatives, from the issuance of travelling passports, which has been made quicker,  to the planned implementation of some aspects of the Oronsaye report, to cut the costs of governance.

    Notably, President Tinubu issued an executive order to enhance investment in the oil and gas sector. The quick fruits of the policy was the opening of three big gas plants in the Niger Delta by the President in recent weeks. Mega investments running into over $15 billion are expected in weeks.

    The Tinubu administration has also fulfilled some of the campaign promises with the students loans and Credit Corp ready for take off. To President Tinubu, no Nigerian child should be denied education because the parents could not afford it. He also hopes that the Credit Corp will enhance the purchasing power of workers and boost national commerce.

    President Tinubu at various occasions has acknowledged the pains that some of his reforms  are causing the generality of our people. But he  says they are pains we must bear to make progress as a nation.  An ever caring leader, he is always evolving measures to help reduce the pains. Best of all, he listens to the voice of the people and make necessary adjustments.

     In one of the most profound analysis of our situation and an endorsement of the reforms being executed by the Tinubu administration, Planning and Budget Minister, Atiku Bagudu said in a recent interview: “We want to be like Asian countries, we want to grow like Brazil but Brazil and those Asian countries that we want, (that) we are competing with, have taken measures that we needed to have taken decades ago.

    “The president is even bold to acknowledge that. Let’s do it now. Some of these measures have consequences which we acknowledge. And that’s why again, a number of measures are introduced in order to ameliorate the situation.

    “These measures are helpful to Nigeria, irrespective of North or South because they are to restore macroeconomic stability, to restore security in the country and make it better so that investors will feel confident”.

    •Onanuga is Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu

  • Another look at how we got here

    Another look at how we got here

    The promised meta-analysis of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first year in office will have to wait as more assessments are likely to keep coming in until next week. Instead, I bring an edited version of How we got here, which was first published over three months ago (The Nation, February 14, 2024). In the original article, I interviewed a variety of artisans on their views of the economic situation in the country. Sensing shallowness of knowledge about the backgrounds to the present economic situation, I provided them with a brief survey.

    Nigeria’s problems revolve around regionalism, ethnicity, religion, corruption, greed, and to varying degrees, they all found expression within the three distinct forms of government we have had since independence, namely, parliamentary, military, and presidential systems. Two of the systems (parliamentary and presidential) involved partisan politics, while the third (military) was an outright dictatorship. The parliamentary system did not last long. Nevertheless, intra- and inter-regional and partisan power struggles within the period precipitated the first military coup in 1966 and started a chain of coups and countercoups and even a devastating civil war.

    Read Also: First anniversary: Buhari calls for national support for Tinubu’s govt

    Military dictatorships, starting in 1966, suspended the constitution, dispensed with the legislature and the judiciary, and suppressed the press. They told and showed us only what they wanted us to know and see. The civil service was emaciated, if not incapacitated, and erstwhile regional assets, including corporate and educational institutions, were federalised overnight. Even universities owned by the regions then were not spared. By the time the military handed over power, corruption had been institutionalized.

    With the advent of democracy in 1999, there were many more people to share the loot. In no time, it became a case of “My loot is bigger than yours”. You only need to go to Abuja to see the humongous houses, hotels, and businesses, built by politicians, legislators, civil servants, and government contractors.

    Matters began to get worse under President Goodluck Jonathan, beginning in 2013 as preparations got underway for the 2015 general elections. Incidentally, that was the year the All Progressives Congress was formed, mounting a very strong opposition to the Jonathan administration. The treasury was turned into an ATM for election funds. The returned Abacha loot was one such fund that was found to have been distributed to various party supporters and even allies in other political parties. That was the background to what came to be known in the press as Dasukigate.

    Apparently, with recent revelations, things got worse under the Buhari administration. Domestic and foreign debts went through the roof. The nation’s foreign reserve was depleted. The Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele, appeared to have colluded with the Buhari administration to perpetrate untold atrocities. Naira was printed illegally in order to increase loan to the government.

    By the time Buhari was handing over to Tinubu, the CBN had loaned the government over N20 trillion, with nothing to back up the loan and with no clear terms of repayment. Foreign loan was almost four times that amount. So much was borrowed and so much was looted that Charles Soludo, former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria and present Governor of Anambra state, declared recently that Tinubu inherited a “dead economy”. The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, had as much to say when he declared that the “treasury was empty” when Tinubu assumed office.

    On his own, Emefiele set up multiple exchange rates within the banking system and gave different customers different rates. The so-called anchor borrowers programme intended to assist farmers was used to assist those he wanted to assist, even when they had no farming businesses. He was also giving loans to friendly individuals as if the CBN was a commercial bank. He allegedly opened numerous accounts at home and abroad and funneled money into them. Part of Emefiele’s scam was the botched currency swap ahead of the 2023 general elections, which caused untold hardships for millions of Nigerians. Already, Emefiele has been facing multiple charges of financial fraud, including printing N684.5 million new notes at a cost of N18.9 billion Naira!

    Between Buhari and Emefiele, a subsidy regime was maintained to keep the country going, while also getting deeper and deeper into debt. Electricity was subsidised. Even the Naira was prevented from devaluation by keeping the official forex market low and supplying the dollar to the market, when necessary. Then there was fuel subsidy, which had become a scam to put money into a few hands, some of which did not even supply fuel at all.

    For years, many previous governments had planned to end fuel subsidy but failed to do so for political reasons. The plan was completed by the Buhari administration. However, for political reasons, he stopped short of ending the subsidy. Instead, he left the job for Tinubu by making sure that there was no subsidy in the budget as from June 2023, when Tinubu took office. In other words, Tinubu had no choice but to end the subsidy. It was equally necessary to provide a level playing field for foreign exchange transactions by unifying the exchange rate.

    What Tinubu did was to end the tradition of money for a few so that there will be money for all in the future. However, such a transformation can never be instant. The intervening period will be difficult. There will be pain. There will be suffering. There even will be hunger. But not for too long. That’s the situation we are in now. However, how soon remains uncertain. That’s why he released billions of Naira as palliative, which state governments are meant to disburse. He also provided funds to states for transportation, agriculture, technology, and entrepreneurship. 

    Against the above backgrounds, it is evident that per capita growth would be stalled; that poverty rate would be higher; and that the rate of insecurity would spike. Yet, as the IMF recently pointed out, Tinubu has “limited fiscal space” within which to tackle these problems. Equally limited are social and political spaces occupied by social media and opposition politicians, who refuse to see any good coming out of Abuja. Then there are internal and external saboteurs, who continue to disturb, distort, or divert government’s well-intentioned policies, projects, and proprammes.

    Against the above backgrounds and the parameters laid out last week, assessors of Tinubu’s first year in office have their job well cut out for them.

  • Why Lagos deserves a ‘special status’

    Why Lagos deserves a ‘special status’

    By Opeyemi Eniola

    Since the turn of the century, the city of Lagos has emerged as a major economic and cultural hub in Nigeria and the African sub-region. With a population of over 20 million, Lagos is not only the largest city in Nigeria but also one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa. The 21st century-Lagos had begun to metamorphose into an emerging urban city, almost rubbishing the views of sceptics with their Armageddon-like prediction of a state already fraught with human congestion, surging crime, poor living conditions, environmental degradation, rural congestion, transportation chaos, a literacy rate that is barely above average, and a high cost of living. 

    Despite this downside, however, one thing you cannot take away from this state of aquatic splendour is its vast abundance of energy, skills, and resources. According to a 2012 report by Cities Alliance, a non-governmental organisation, Lagos State’s cultural and commercial strength accounts for 32 percent of the national GDP. Besides, the report describes Lagos as one of the fastest-growing cities in the world and says that by 2015, it is expected to be the globe’s third-largest city, according to United Nations estimates. Nevertheless, Lagos currently goes through oversubscription of its education, a development that this writer believes is occasioned by its explosive and growing population.

    Lagos State is a confluence, no doubt! It is home to a diverse population that cuts across ethnic, religious, political, and socio-economic backgrounds. Little wonder it is generally referred to as a ‘Mini Nigeria’ considering its amalgam of tongues. This diversity nevertheless needs to be addressed within the context of the needs and aspirations of the varying groups that crave for education in the state. And for this to be realisable, Lagos deserves a special status that recognises and acknowledges its unique circumstances and peculiarities.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Tinubu departs Lagos for Abuja

    Although Lagos State is committed to the provision of quality education to all children in the state, the demand for education far exceeds the financial resources available to the state. This explains a surge in enrolments at private schools, which continues to grow rapidly. As stated earlier, with over 20 million residents, there is no way this reality will not put a strain on the city’s education system.

    Now let us use the state basic, secondary and tertiary school sub-sectors to drive home our argument. When Nigeria returned to democratic governance in 1999, the then governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanded a special status for Lagos. One of the steps undertaken by Tinubu at the time was the expansion of the 20 existing local governments to 57 councils so that more development could percolate, particularly to the grassroots.

    Since then, subsequent governments have repeatedly made similar calls at every opportunity possible. Three years ago, precisely in May 2021, just as plans were underway by the National Assembly to review the 1999 constitution, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, renewed the calls for a special status for Lagos State in view of the breakthrough Nigeria has so far enjoyed, which is arguably linked to the prosperity in Lagos State.

    Speaking at a two-day Senate zonal public hearing on the review of the 1999 constitution in Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu said his crave for a special status for the state is predicated on the sensitive role Lagos plays in the national economy despite its restricted land mass. 

    “For us in Lagos State, the issues of state police and fiscal federalism are at the top of the priority list for us in this ongoing review process. Equally fundamental, particularly for us in Lagos State, is the issue of a special economic status for Lagos, considering our place in the national economy and the special burdens we bear by virtue of our large population and limited landmass.

     “I believe the need for this special status has been sufficiently articulated and justified. It suffices for me at this point to restate that this request is by no means a selfish one, but one that is actually in the interest of every Nigerian and of Nigeria as a nation. The progress and prosperity of Nigeria are inextricably linked to the progress and prosperity of Lagos State. A Special Status for Lagos, therefore, must be a concern not only for the people of Lagos State alone but for all Nigerians,” the governor said.

    A 2009-2020 Lagos Sector Education Plan, which captures Lagos State expenditures, revealed that most schoolchildren in Lagos State, for instance, are originally from other geo-political zones of the country. The document states that of the 133,516 junior secondary school pupils in Lagos State, only 13,756 pupils, amounting to 10.30 percent, are Lagos indigenes. Pupils across other Southwest states take the next chunk, with 68,511 amounting to 51.31 percent. Their counterparts from the Southeast followed, claiming another huge 23,979 population, representing 17.82 percent. South-south is 8,355, indicating 6.26 percent, while Northeast has 1,008 pupils, amounting to 0.75 percent. Northwest has 136 pupils, representing 0.10 percent, while North-central comprises 374 pupils, amounting to 0.82 percent. According to the document, total student enrolments into higher educational institutions in Lagos for part-time and full-time programmes skyrocketed from 76,697 to 118,466 between 2001 and 2005. Beyond inter-state migration, Lagos State is also attracting large numbers of expatriates who daily throng the state for Golden Fleece.

    As a result, the city’s population is constantly growing and changing, making it difficult for the education system to keep up. In addition, Lagos is a cultural hub with a rich history and heritage. The city is home to numerous cultural institutions, museums, and libraries that play vital roles in preserving and promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage. Furthermore, Lagos is a hub for innovation and technology in Nigeria.

    The city is home to numerous tech start-ups, incubators, and accelerators that are driving economic growth and creating new opportunities for its residents. Every year, an army of prospective candidates seek admission into the state-owned university, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo.

    Unfortunately, a huge number of these candidates hardly secure admission because of access. Two years ago, the two existing colleges of education owned by Lagos State — Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, (AOCOED), Oto Ijanikin, and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED) in Noforija Epe — merged to become a university, Lagos State University of Education (LASUED).

    Also, the former state-owned polytechnic, Lagos State Polytechnic, was equally upgraded to Lagos State University of Technology (LASUSTECH), making three state-owned universities in Lagos State. One of the reasons behind government initiatives is the fad for university education, which has now become global. Another important reason, as underscored earlier, is to further address the problem of access, as LASU at the time could not accommodate the legion of admission-seeking candidates that desire university education every year.

    Interestingly, no sooner had the three aforementioned institutions taken off than prospective candidates scrambled to have a slot in the limited spaces available. This means that unless the government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and other stakeholders take decisive steps about Lagos State, these problems will continue to exist, marginalising those who thirst for education in the state while hindering the state’s dream of a megacity.

    So what can we do to seek lasting solutions?

    Summing up its research, the Cities Alliance has advocated that the Lagos State megacity project is achievable and will definitely have a greater impact on education in the state. It stated that the Mega City agenda should be a collaborative affair between the state and major stakeholders, transcending Lagos State to the private sector and other levels of government.

    I am of the belief that the city’s large and diverse population, economic significance, cultural heritage, and role as an innovation hub must all coalesce towards creating lasting opportunities in providing quality education on one hand, as well as meeting the needs of those desirous of seeking the same in the state on the other.

    •Eniola is the Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State governor on Basic and Secondary Education.

  • The godfather’s many headaches

    The godfather’s many headaches

    By Mike Kebonkwu

    Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown, especially a crown laced with thorns, just like the executive governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.  The godfather has found himself carrying the head of an elephant.  What goes around comes around; we reap what we sow!  It is just a matter of time.  If you are not selfless, you cannot earn loyalty! Fubara has become the nemesis of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).  When this raging battle is over, the duo will come out with more grey hairs, migraine and heavily bruised.  Money does not buy loyalty but good leadership and sacrifice does.   We are still struggling to produce great leaders to drive the country but the chances are receding by the day.  Great leaders set agendas and build men and institutions that remain as lasting legacy.  A great leader does not seek to perpetuate self in power and continue in government by proxies, but build honest men to sustain his legacy; not legacy of filth and fraud. 

    Those who control the affairs of men in modern state come as shrewd cunning men whose predisposition to statecraft is the deployment of stratagem to conquer the will of others. Nigeria has not had the good fortune to be blessed with great minds and philosophical leaders for selfless service. We have the misfortune to have men in leadership who calculate their self-worth and relevance in the unoccupied castles they acquire all over the capital cities of the world and their bank accounts. 

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    Welcome to Rivers State and the contest of the godfather to exert control over his new fiefdom. River State is gradually receding into a state of anarchy while the people of the state have lost their voice watching with mute indifference the political storm that is gathering as a fight between the godfather and anointed godson.  The godfather wants to maintain a political hegemony over his political structure while the godson is struggling to wean himself from the rapacious godfather breathing on his neck.  Politics in Rivers State is gradually becoming Italian mafia-like world of gangsters trying to defend their territory with the last drop of their blood, were necessary. 

    Nyesom Wike came to power through the political structure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) now disoriented by self-inflicted injuries and lack of internal democracy.  Wike is trying to establish a political dynasty and structure in Rivers State by putting everyone in his pocket.  He did not subordinate himself to any godfather once he got the rein of power.

    After winning election in Edo State, the former labour leader and two terms governor, party chairman and now Senator of the federal republic, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole told the world that he had dealt a blow on the godfather politics in Edo State.  Just as everyone thought that the godfather had been given a bloody nose, the former governor tried to install himself a godfather but got a good fight which almost alienated him in Edo politics that he only struggled to win his senatorial seat.  It is almost a tradition that former governors before leaving office, would always want to be in control and so get pliable subservient persons to take over from them so as to continue to pull the string from outside.  

    Udom Emmanuel the former governor of Akwa Ibom State was endorsed by his former boss, Godswill Akpabio that he served very faithfully as commissioner for finance.  Believing that he had gone through the fire of purification as a godson, the former governor now Senate President,   endorsed him and they soon fell out with each other.  Lagos State is about the only exception and a subject of academic thesis to discover what makes the godfather thick. 

    Nyesom Wike is crafty and cunning and typifies the Shakespearean character portrayal by Brutus talking about Caesar, “But ‘tis a common proof, that loneliness is young ambitious ladder, whereto the climber-upward turns his face; but when he once attains the upmost round. He then unto the ladder turns his back. Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees by which he did ascend”.    

    Having been helped to attain the top rung of his political career, Wike has turned his back on all those that helped him to climb with a scorn and now bestride the Rivers’ and Nigeria’s  political space like a colossus that some base men would now come and worship him.    He is fixated on power and personal aggrandizement and does not bother the cost to the state. 

    The governor, Fubara is fighting for his political survival and he is going to come out heavily bruised.  For the minister of FCT, he is carrying the head of elephant and if he succeeds, the question of the control of political structure may never remain in his hands again.  What allows people to become lords of the manor in Nigeria is the cash-and-carry politics wherein the chief executive warehouses the resources of the state and turns the people to poor scavengers scrambling for the crumbs from the master’s table. 

    It is unimaginable that an individual would single-handedly bankroll, handpick, and anoint a governor and at the same time nominate and sponsor the entire cabinet and commissioners after he has left office.  What then is the role of the electorate?  This immoral and ignoble hold of power should be broken or we will lose whatever gain we may have made in our democratic journey.  The cost of godfatherism is huge and the case of Rivers State exposes the immorality behind it.  It is so senseless to go to the extent of pulling down the House of Assembly of a state, the very symbol of democracy because of selfish personal disagreement.  For the entire members of the House of Assembly to have resigned en masse or cross carpet to another party at the behest of one person shows that we have zombies with no mind or opinion of their own in power ceding authority to a local Czar that treat them with condescending patronage.

    The political elite, the traditional institutions and royal fathers and the intellectual class have all sold their birth-rights having been compromised while the electorate in the state remains mere pawns on the political chessboard of errant politicians without morality.  Otherwise, why would a people wait and queue behind one individual to tell them where to cast their ballots or a political party to endorse in an election when they are not morons! 

    It is only the people themselves that can solve the political problem in Rivers State.  To do this, they have to wake up from their slumber and deal with the nightmare called godfather currently ravaging the state like locusts.  Power belongs to the people and they should reject individuals and groups that have decided to play god in their lives and the future of their state. 

    This is not just a Rivers State problem but a national malaise that is a threat to our democracy but worse in Rivers State.  Unfortunately, the underpowered and disoriented youths lack the power of thought to take their historical role but instead leave themselves in the hands of politicians as willing tools for political violence and rigging of election. To the combatants in Rivers State, they have thrown their wares in the sand in open market and will never get them back whole.

    •Kebonkwu Esq is an Abuja-based attorney.

  • Fintiri’s first year of second term

    Fintiri’s first year of second term

    Sir: State governors who excelled in their first term always start their second term smoothly, easily formulating policies and executing projects. Those who built significant infrastructure and implemented developmental programs in their first term tend to continue these practices in their second term. Governors who managed resources wisely during their first term enter their second term with a clear vision for completion and the legacy they wish to leave. Furthermore, those who developed effective human capital programs in their first term demonstrate quality leadership in their second term, focusing on the future well-being of their people. And, have quality leadership that uses its ‘today’ for people’s tomorrow.

    Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State is fortunate to belong to the category of state governors who excelled in their first term and continued with vigour in their second term.

    In the first year of his second term, Governor Fintiri has not only maintained the momentum from his first term but has elevated his performance to a level that political-development pundits describe as exceptional and transformational leadership.

    Pundits assert that no leader achieves exceptional and transformational leadership without visionary thinking, flexibility, decisiveness, results-orientedness, and a focus on the future.”

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    While it’s customary to assess a governor’s performance by listing their accomplishments in projects, programmes, and policies during their first or second term, simply enumerating Governor Fintiri’s endeavours over his five-year tenure would merely state the obvious. His projects, programmes, and policies already speak for themselves. The crucial task lies in understanding how the governor managed to pioneer new initiatives and impact all socio-economic sectors of Adamawa State’s economy while navigating the complex socio-political-economic landscape. Adamawa is a microcosm of Nigeria, where politics is ever-present, whether in governance or during political cycles.

    Fintiri’s approach aligns with what operations research scientists refer to as systems thinking. He applies both a series and parallel systems approach, yielding excellent results. Fintiri’s development strategy is series-oriented, where all his projects and programmes are interconnected. The urban renewal projects are interconnected, all programmes are aligned with all projects, and together, they span across every sector. Additionally, Fintiri’s policies are carefully synchronized, complementing the projects and programmes.

    The construction of hundreds of kilometres of roads across the states, the construction of five flyovers and underpasses in the capital city, and the building of 1000 housing units for 5,000 families are just a few components of a comprehensive strategy. Additionally, initiatives such as construction of well-equipped 60-bed five cottages hospitals, rehabilitation and equipping of specialist and general hospitals, the establishing of 21 model nursery and primary schools, and constructing six mega secondary schools are all interconnected efforts.

    Moreover, the distribution of N50,000 through Fintiri wallets to 100,000 people, the clearance of all pension and gratuity backlogs, and the introduction of Fresh Air Metro buses and Blue Bird school buses contribute to the overarching goals. Furthermore, the agribusiness programme, the construction of the Jimeta Stadium, the state-wide rehabilitation of water supply facilities, the construction of new Jimeta Shopping Complex and Yola town markets and redevelopment of other old ones, the foreign and local scholarship programmes, the skills acquisitions centres are interconnected to play a crucial role in enhancing economic, healthcare, human capital development, and education, improving accessibility, facilitating the efficient delivery of services, contributions to broader goals.

    Governor Fintiri’s systems thinking in development and the interconnectedness of projects, programmes, and policies have unprecedentedly scaled up the socio-economic growth and development of Adamawa and its people in just five years.

    •Zayyad I. Muhammad,Abuja.