The Nation Newspaper

Category: Abuja Review

  • Gbagyi celebrates cultural day

    Gbagyi celebrates cultural day

    The Gbagyi community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has for long been known to organise cultural displays.

    The recent festival, which took place on  January 2, was organised by the Karu Gbagyi Youths Development Association (KAGBADA) with representation from Nyanya, Jikwoyi, Kugbo, Gbagalape, Dagbadna and other villages under Karu chiefdom.

    Present at the festival were representatives from the FCT Administration, politicians and royal fathers, including the Ona of Abaji, Esu of New Karu in Nasarawa State, His Royal Highness, Luka Panya.

    The media coordinator, Karu Gbagyi Youths Development Association (KAGBADA), Sumner Sambo, in a statement, said political and traditional leaders in the Federal Capital Territory urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to speed up the process of democratising governance in the territory through a second-tier system for Abuja.

    Speaking on behalf of the political leaders of the territory, Senate Minority Whip, Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda, who is also the Talban Karu, said the time had come for all Nigerians to support the Abuja natives to elect a Mayor.

    Aduda said: “We are appealing to our colleagues at the National Assembly, legislators in the 36 states Houses of Assembly and the Federal Government to support the new constitution review on the status of the FCT when the amendment is concluded and passed around for concurrence so that we can have a sustainable and democratic second-tier system of governance in Abuja.”

    The Chairman of the occasion and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Prof Andrew Zamani,  harped on the need for the Federal Government not to take the patience of Abuja natives for granted. He added that the people were tired of constantly having ministers imposed on them.

    “The advent of Abuja culminated in the dispersal of our people. Out of goodwill, not out of conquest, our people welcomed the Federal Government. It culminated also in our extension of friendship to our brothers and sisters from other parts of Nigeria. But what have we received in return? It is spite and contempt. It is really highly unfortunate. We therefore call on our brothers and sisters who joined us today to celebrate our common humanity and unity to ensure that we enjoy the prosperity of the land usurped from us alongside other Nigerians.”

    Other speakers at the event included the Member representing AMAC/Bwari federal constituency, Honourable Zaphaniah Jisalo who said the two members representing the territory will join hands with Senator Aduda and other sympathetic federal legislators to push for a constitution review that will be acceptable by political leaders and all Nigerians.

    The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido, urged Nigerians resident in Abuja to support natives in their quest for self-governance.

    He also praised the organisers of the cultural festival for including other indigenous tribes within FCT and ethnicities from all over Nigeria.

    Traditional rulers at the event praised their people especially the political leaders who they said are beginning to appreciate the need for unity of all tribes and political groups in Abuja.

    The host and Sakaruyi of Karu Chiefdom, His Royal Highness, Emmanuel Kyauta Yepwi, said: “We are still like orphans in Abuja and if we don’t bring ourselves in unity, and be fighting a reasonable cause, I think we shall not reach anywhere.”

    The Esu of New Karu in Nasarawa State, His Royal Highness, Luka Panya Baba, admonished the nine indigenous tribes in FCT to live peacefully and support one  other in their quest for self-administration. He also talked about the proposed museum project for the entire Gbagyi race to be sited in Abuja.

    “I want to encourage all Gbagyi sons and daughters at this forum to work towards the success of this project. The trustees of the project are spread across various states in the country from Niger, Kaduna, Kwara, Kogi and many more states. We count on all the Gbagyi people in Nigeria to queue into this project.”

  • Prison boss: Officers working under challenging circumstances

    The Controller-General, (CG) of the Nigerian Prisons Service, (NPS), Ja’afaru Ahmed, has said officers work under challenging circumstances.

    Ahmed said managing over 69 thousand inmates in  such circumstances was demanding.

    Inadequate office equipment and other necessary logistics, Ahmed said, were major challenges.

    He spoke in Abuja at a two-day workshop for the NPS Command Public Relations Officers in collaboration with Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), with the theme: “Engaging the media in managing offenders in prison custody.”

    He said: “As it’s typical of prisons everywhere in the world, those in incarceration usually exhibit a common trait which is devising means to secure freedom either using the approved means or through unacceptable process like escape. Employing the latter has often been a source of friction between authorities and the captive population. Therefore, as a prisons officer, beyond understanding the dynamics of providing custodial services for prisoners, it is also important to appreciate communication process with the public using the media in order to guide against skewed and negative narratives. We need to know how to properly manage the over 69 thousand prisoners under our care.

    “The mandate of the Nigerian Prisons Service, as you all know, is to secure safe and humane custody of persons legally interned by courts of competent jurisdiction, establish causes of their rebellious behaviour, put up appropriate treatment regimes to re-socialise them, manage various vocational training centres including farms towards economic viability and support prisoner’s re-integration back into the society through After-Care Scheme.

    “Recent developments have made it more imperative for you as field officers to sharpen your skills to ensure that you carry out this onerous task with utmost professionalism balancing respect to stakeholders and the protection of the Service’s integrity. Developmental strides that have been recorded in the areas of inmates training.”

  • Is N5,000 stipend for the poor a propaganda?

    Long before President Muhammadu Buhari became a democratically elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015, he was seen in many quarters as a leader who has the interest of the masses at heart.

    Towards this direction, so many programmes were promised for the masses by the ex-military General during all his campaign periods in the four times he aspired to lead the nation.

    So it was not surprising when N500 billion was appropriated to alleviate poverty in the 2016 Budget, which was the first budget of Buhari’s current administration.

    Part of the N500 billion social investment schemes was a programme to pay N5,000 monthly to one million poorest and vulnerable Nigerians.

    But events unfolding last week have started to raise concern in the minds of some Nigerians.

    Last week Monday, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, in a statement, disclosed that nine states have been captured in the first batch of the payment of N5,000 stipend to poor Nigerians.

    He listed the nine states in the first batch for the payment to include Borno, Kwara, Bauchi, Cross Rivers, Niger, Kogi, Oyo, Ogun and Ekiti.

    He said: “As part of its  determined efforts to touch the lives of Nigerians positively the Buhari administration has now started the payment of N5,000 monthly stipends to the poorest and the most vulnerable in the country through the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) of its Social Investment Programmes (SIP).

    “Under the CCT, one million Nigerians would receive N5000 monthly payments as a form of social safety net for the poorest and most vulnerable as budgeted for in the 2016 Budget.

    “In the first batch that commenced last week, nine states would be covered, and many of the beneficiaries have already reported receiving their first payments by Friday last week, December 30, 2016.

    “Funds for the commencement of the payments in four states were released last week to the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) – the platform that hosts and validates payments for all government’s social intervention programmes.

    “Funds for another set of five states to complete the first batch of nine states would follow soon.

    “Though the sequence for the payment of the money would be operationally managed by NIBSS, beneficiaries in Borno, Kwara and Bauchi States have started receiving the money.

    “The other states in the first batch to commence the CCT payments are Cross Rivers, Niger, Kogi, Oyo, Ogun & Ekiti States.

    “The nine pilot states were chosen because they have an existing Social Register that successfully identified the most vulnerable and poorest Nigerians through a tried and tested community based targeting (CBT) method working with the World Bank.

    “However other states have already begun developing their Social Registers and would be included in subsequent phases of the CCT implementation.

    “Beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer of the Federal Government would be mined from the Social Register, initially developed by 8 States through a direct engagement with the World Bank.

    “Those states are featured in the first batch, with the added inclusion of Borno States where a validated list of IDPS were compiled in addition to the Social Register which is expected to go round the country.

    “Working with the World Bank, the CBT process has now been adopted for developing the Social Register in the other states around the country, for transparency, objectivity and credibility in the selection of the poorest and most vulnerable beneficiaries for the programme.

    “The Federal Government will actually commence community mobilization for the creation of the Register in more States soon, to expand the scope and reach of the CCT across the country.”

    But as soon as the news from the press statement hit the airwaves, Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, whose state was named among the nine states, faulted the Federal Government’s claims.

    Fayose described the N5,000 monthly payment as a mere propaganda by the Federal Government.

    He claimed that there was no evidence of the payment in his state.

    He said: “A blind man will say it is when it gets into my mouth that I will say you are feeding me, not promises.

    “Apparently, the states they claimed have started receiving the payment are APC-controlled states knowing fully that the governors can not come out to disprove the payment.”

    While pointing out that the Federal Government’s social intervention fund was World Bank project partnered by the Nigerian government, he said that the World Bank’s money has been paid since June last year.

    The governor did not fail to disclose that he is already paying social security package to over 10,000 poor people in his state without any delay and procrastination in the last one year, calling on the Federal Government to toe his line.

    But on behalf of the Federal Government, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, last Wednesday replied Fayose.

    He said the government is built on integrity and accountability and will not lie to Nigerians.

    He said: “It was announced specifically from the office of the Vice President that the scheme has started in nine states. And then a certain governor came and say it is not true.

    “It is just a matter of who do you believe. This is a government that is built on integrity and accountability. This government will not lie to Nigerians, does not lie to Nigerians, in fact anything you hear from this government you can take it to the bank, believe it.

    “So if anybody comes and say it is politics, it is not true. Choose who to believe I can tell you that you should believe this government because this government will not lie to you.” He added

    Among the questions being thrown up now is: who is really deceiving Nigerians?.

    It is definitely not right to play politics with everything, especially with the livelihood of poor Nigerians.

    Besides the reported involvement of the World Bank and other organizations in identifying the poor Nigerians who will benefit from the scheme across the country, the programme should not just commence in states and the FCT without any form of ceremony.

    It will not be out of place to invite state government to such functions.

    If it is done with so much secrecy, the programme will be turned to a case of the more you look, the less you see.

    The handlers of the programme could even be accused of padding the list of poor Nigerians with the names of their cronies, relatives and loved ones at the end of the day.

  • Many headaches of residents of Abuja IDPs’ camps

    FOR Liyatu Ayuba, going back to Gwoza in Borno State is an ultimate ambition. Rather than stay back in an internally displaced persons’ camp, relying on the goodwill of others, she looks forward to the day she will be reunited with her people.

    Her husband, a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), was one of the victims of the Boko Haram insurgents. Today, along with many others, she lives at the mercy of people. But that is not the only headache Liyatu has. She has been saddled with the responsibility of coordinating the affairs of many other IDPs from Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states residing at the Durumi IDP camp on the outskirts of Abuja metropolis.

    She told members of the Youth Arise To Create Harmony Initiative International, who were at the camp to make some presentation, that the over 2200 residents of the camp were battling with various problems ranging from lack of health care to education for the children and antenatal care for pregnant women. She narrated his they lost a woman with a seven months pregnancy because they could not pay the high fees demanded by the hospital.

    She is also concerned about the education of their children. Even though three different organisations have donated blocks of classrooms to them for use as primary school, they have no access to secondary education. The FCT province of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Coalition of Nigeria Muslim Women and the Nigeria Army Officers Wives Association have all donated makeshift black of classrooms to them at the camp. NAOWA also donated a medical centre to them, but according to her, the drugs earlier donated by them are exhausted.

    At the Durumi camp, the children could be seen trying to make the best use of the situation they found themselves. Little Maimuna, who said she hope to be a medical doctor, was engrossed in trying to paint a little drawing she had made, while other children were bush attending to one form of study or the other in the crowded classroom with the aid of two teachers.

    The chairman of the camp, Ibrahim Ahmadu, said they were looking forward to more people assisting them in the education of their children. Ahmadu was full of praises for organisations that had come to their aid, pointing out that through the assistance of such organisations, many of their women have been able to acquire some level of skills, but lack the required capital to start a business of their own.

    But the situation with the IDPs at the New Kuchingworo camp is slightly better. Their leader, Philimon Emmanuel, told the group that their only problem has to do with food and drugs. He said about 300 of their children were recently awarded scholarship and are expected to resume school in January. Another set, he said, are in school in Keffi, Nasarawa State. He said the some volunteer nurses came to assist them at the camp in the clinic donated by the German embassy in Nigeria.

    The president of the group, Mrs. Khariat Ajiboye, said they were at the two camps to see how they could be of help in ensuring that they had a good life. While lamenting the neglect and state of affairs at the two camps especially the Durumi camp, she said the group would analyse information obtained from the two camps and collaborate with other organisations in assisting the internally displaced persons. She said although they already knew the problem confronting them, they would focus on the immediate needs of the IDPs and also drawthe attention of other agencies to the plight of the IDPs.

  • Is Boko Haram really defeated?

    For many years and months right from the tenure of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, it appeared as if this day will never come.

    A day that the main operating base of the insurgents, Boko Haram, which is the Sambisa Forest in the North East of the country would be run over and overtaken by the Nigerian military.

    The sect looked insurmountable for many years as they carried out their onslaught against innocent Nigerians in the area.

    Sometimes in the past, the sect even ventured out of the North Eastern part of the country and took their evil acts to North Western states, Abuja and the North Central states.

    Apart from sending millions to their early graves, many were maimed while billions of naira worth of properties were also destroyed.

    They held sway in the region and other parts of the country with their guerrilla style of warfare that many Nigerians feared that terrorism might eventually consume the country.

    The war at some point became very difficult  to win by the Nigerian military, which was known for its prowess at several international military operations.

    Before Boko Haram insurgency, the Nigerian military had performed well in foreign operations by helping to quell crises in many countries.

    But the inability of the Nigerian security agencies to win the war against Boko Haram for a long time was attributed to fifth columnists and sabotage in the system.

    Over $15 billion meant for sophisticated weapons and gadgets needed in the fight against the insurgents were said to have been diverted under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    On assumption in office in May, 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari wasted no time in seeking international support against Boko Haram.

    Not only did he meet with the G7 in Germany, but he got Nigeria’s neighbouring countries deeply involved in the war against Boko Haram.

    Some Nigerians were however disappointed last year when the administration could not completely end the insurgency by December 2015 after three months deadline were issued to the military.

    By 31st December, 2015, Boko Haram, that was described as technically defeated and decimated, still managed to carry out some soft target attacks in the country in the year 2016.

    A year after, by 22nd December, 2016, the military declared Boko Haram defeated.

    It also sought the assistance of the public towards arresting some terrorists who are on the run from the Sambisa Forest and trying to mingle with the populace in other parts of the country.

    So not a few Nigerians received with joy the good news that the war is over and the Sambisa Forest will henceforth be used as training ground for the Nigerian military.

    Buhari, in a goodwill message to the troops on the 24th of December, 2016, had said: “I am delighted at, and most proud of the gallant troops of the Nigerian Army, on receipt of the long-awaited and most gratifying news of the final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists in their last enclave in Sambisa Forest.

    “I want to use this opportunity to commend the determination, courage and resilience of troops of Operation Lafiya Dole at finally entering and crushing the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents at “Camp Zero”, which is located deep within the heart of Sambisa Forest.

    “I was told by the Chief of Army Staff that the Camp fell at about 1:35pm on Thursday, December 22, and that the terrorists are on the run, and no longer have a place to hide. I urge you to maintain the tempo by pursuing them and bringing them to justice.” He added

    Besides international commendations for the new feat achieved, President Buhari and the military have been hailed by state governors and many other Nigerians.

    But in a twist of events, Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, on Thursday appeared in a new video and disputed the  claim that the sect had been dislodged from the Sambisa Forest.

    It is however the insurgents’ word against the military as such video could be recorded from anywhere outside the Sambisa Forest.

    The video may also mean that the sect has another operating base, especially as the remaining abducted Chibok girls were not found in the Sambisa Forest.

    The reported capturing of the Sambisa Forest and ending the war in the NorthEast is expected to boost investors’ confidence in the country and increase investments in-flow, which will go a long was to address the present economic recession in the country.

    To this end, security agencies and other Nigerians must continue to be on their guards to ensure that Boko Haram stays defeated.

    On no account should Boko Haram or any other terrorists group be allowed to carry out any attack in any part of Nigeria.

     

    Homage

    President Muhammadu Buhari last week Sunday received some members of the Christian community, who paid him Christmas homage at his official residence in the State House, Abuja.

    That was the second time he was receiving such homage under the current dispensation.

    But the Christmas homages appeared to be fast loosing its steam.

    Under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, such homage was always a funfare that many Nigerians always looked forward to.

    The Vice President then, Mohammed Sambo, who was a muslim, never failed to attend and assist Jonathan to receive visitors on such homage.

    The visitors then always lined up for handshakes and snapshots with Jonathan and then Sambo before departing the venue.

    Like under Jonathan, many Christians and Muslims also took part in the first Christmas homage paid to Buhari on the 25th of December, 2015.

    But that crowd appeared to be fast thinning out.

    Few persons turned up for the Chrismas homage last week Sunday.

    For some reasons also, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo could not attend the Christmas homage.

  • Brisk business for FCT restaurants, eateries

    Brisk business for FCT restaurants, eateries

    Many restaurants and eateries in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have recorded high patronage during the Christmas and New year celebrations.

    Workers of some of the eateries visited by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday said the current recession did not stop customers from patronising their services.

    Ada Obe, a staff of Chicken Republic, said that the eatery had been very busy due to the celebrations.

    “Today has been busy for us and we are happy to have started 2017 at this pace.

    “Before the Christmas period, things were a bit slow but things changed since the season started.

    “We became very busy due to the high patronage and we are happy about it,” she said.

    Grace Iozua, a staff of Ace Diner, said, “we anticipated a low turnout of customers during the season because of the economic challenges and the fact that people have traveled”.

    “But we are happy to see the number of people that trooped in on Christmas Eve and we have been busy every day, since then.

    “I guess it is clear that no matter how bad the economy gets, food will always be an important element of celebration among Nigerians,” Iozua said.

    Samuel Obi, a staff of Charcoal Grill, said that there were more customers who came in for the New Year celebration than expected.

    “We have had many customers come in today mainly in large groups like families or groups of friends who want to have good food as they celebrate another year.

    “I don’t think I can say the economy has affected our patronage much as we know that we Nigerians save money toward celebrating the end of year in style and comfort. However, we pray that things will get better this year.”

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has congratulated residents of the Federal Capital Territory as the world celebrates the New Year 2017.

    In a statement by the minister’s Chief Press Secretary, Hazat Sule on Sunday in Abuja, Bello prayed that the year 2017 would usher in continued peace and prosperity.

    He appreciated God “for sparing our lives to witness the New Year, in spite of the daunting challenges facing the nation.”

    The minister urged residents of the FCT, irrespective of religious belief, social affiliation or political inclination to continue to live in peace with one another.

    He assured that just as the FCTA embarked on completion of major on-going road projects in the city during the preceding year, the Administration would continue in

    the New Year and beyond.

    He expressed the commitment of the FCT Administration to continue to provide serene and clean environment in consonance with the Road Map of his Administration.

    The minister noted that “the Administration sees the New Year as a watershed in several respects because it is determined to provide the highest possible service to people in the territory.”

    He reiterated the administration’s commitment to ensure that the New Year

    witnessed remarkable progress in many areas of service delivery, having in mind that Abuja was the window through which the world sees Nigeria.

    He urged residents to be security conscious while the FCT Administration continued

    to work in concert with the security community to guarantee the safety of the lives and property across the Territory.

    The minister also urged residents to continue to be peace-loving, law abiding and to pray for the nation and its leader, President Muhammad Buhari for the country to surmount its challenges.

    The minister solicited the cooperation and understanding of residents of the Federal Capital Territory, to enable the Administration to build an all-inclusive capital city with services provided optimally.

  • Free tuition boosts Kuje prisoners’ university enrolment

    Free tuition boosts Kuje prisoners’ university enrolment

    The Director of Prisons Special Study Centre, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), CP Fashola, has praised the Nigerian Prison Service for maximising the free tuition granted the inmates by the NOUN and also for using sports as a tool for ensuring peace and continuous reformation of inmates.

    The director, who was represented by the Kuje Prison study co-ordinator, Mrs. Modupe Adesina, disclosed this during the finals of the NOUN football competition held at the prisons sports complex in Kuje.

    The competition was to mark the final examinations of the third academic session of the FCT inmates.

    After the keenly competed event, which saw the highly populated inmate clubside team Barcelona FC winning 2:0 against the staff-studded Controller of Prisons Team, the centre director advised the inmates to eschew violence in this yuletide season.

    He further advised the inmates to use the opportunity of the Christmas season as a period for sober reflection, a time to get closer to God and also prepare for the next academic session.

    According to the statement by the NPS spokesman, FCT Command, Chukwudo Humphrey, the Controller of Prisons FCT Command, Daniel Odharo, who was represented by Akilu Abdullahi, appreciated the efforts of the National Open University in giving the inmates 100 rebate rebate on school fees.

    He added that the rebate has boosted the zeal of the inmates to study.

    He further disclosed that on the first year of introduction of the Open University programme in Kuje Prison, only 10 students registered adding that: “During the second year, the prisoners were given half rebate on fees and 15 students registered. But when there was total rebate, 33 inmates registered. This has made it 58 inmates of Kuje prisons studying different courses ranging from Law to Mass Communication; Peace and Conflict Resolution to Religious studies among many others.”

     

  • Niger empowers 250 girls, women

    250 unemployed young girls and women are being trained by the Niger State government to acquire various skills.

    Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development Mrs. Roseline Abara said the participants would be empowered after the programme.

    She said Governor Abubakar Sani Bello was passionate about improving the lives of people in the state.

    The commissioner said the governor is so concerned about the poverty rate of the people that he continuously works out plans to reduce their poverty rate.

    “The governor is not sleeping. He is improving the lives of the people to make them less dependent by empowering them. He is determined to create opportunities that women in the state are self employed and no longer go begging for food,” she said.

    She called on the participants who were drawn from the 25 local government areas of the state to pay attention to their training so that they can use it to improve their families and the society.

    The wife of the Niger State Governor, Dr. Amina Sani Bello, said government’s focus on the issue of women development was to improve the economic growth of the state.

    She said she believed the training would have a ripple effect on the socio-economic development of the state, urging the participants to embrace the skills training and justify the confidence the government has in them.

    The 250 young girls and women will be trained in the three senatorial zones of the state on cosmetic production, perfume production, fish and poultry farming, rice farming and processing, tailoring, catering amongst others.

     

  • Corps members lift Yimitu community

    Corps members lift Yimitu community

    For the people of Yimitu community in the Apo, Garki District in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, November 16 is one day they will remember for a long time. It was a day a group of corps members under the Breast Without Spot Community Development Group came to their aid. The group, whose main job is to create awareness on breast cancer, decided to break from their normal routine to put a smile on the faces of residents of the community. The cheerful residents received the team of corp members with open arms as they danced, rejoiced and showered encomiums on the youths. It was a day of joy for the people as the over 70 Corps members donated clothes, food and drugs to the needy.

    They also used the opportunity to give pep talks to the people on cancer. The corps members said it was time to focus on smaller communities, such as Yimitu because of the lack of medical facilities and the trouble they face daily is to access health care.

    Although the community is a few minutes’ drive from the Apo Legislative Quarters, they lack a primary health care centre to take care of their needs.

    An excited community head, Dauda Hassan, said the community was highly appreciative of the efforts of the corps members, saying the NYSC scheme had benefitted a lot of rural settlements. Dauda said the food and drugs donated would go a long way in helping the people of the community.

    He is, however, not happy because the community lacks basic facilities, such as schools, potable drinking water, electricity and basic health care.

    Hassan said: “We want the government to look into primary health care issue in our community, make provision for a nursery and primary school, and also help in installing electricity and water supply. The state of the road leading to the community is also very bad. We plead to you as an intermediary to the government to make our community’s complaints known.”

    A resident of the community, who would not disclose his name, said the people relied on a stagnant stream for their water needs. The stream, he said, is used by the over 1000 members of the community to bathe, and do other household chores.

    The community, he said, does not have toilets. He pleaded that the government should come to their aid before an epidemic breaks out.

  • Buhari, recession and 2017 Budget

    NOT a few Nigerians have ugly tales to tell about the economic recession that took over the country in the past months.

    Signs of the economic woes started showing towards the tail end of the ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    Prices of oil in the international market that used to sell above $100 per barrel started tumbling.

    It got as low as $30 in the wake of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration with great consequences for the Nigerian economy that was largely dependent on oil revenue.

    It was also believed in some quarters that Nigeria has stayed long in the recession because the savings that should have been made from past high sales of oil per barrel were frittered away by past administrations.

    Many Nigerian economists saw the hard time coming long before Buhari’s tenure was inaugurated.

    It got so bad under Buhari that more than 27 states of the Federation could no longer pay workers salaries and allowances in their states.

    They had to run cap in hand to the Federal Government for bailouts in order to settle accumulating debts and meet other obligations in the states.

    As if that was not enough, many Nigerians were further impoverished with the high inflation rate that resulted from the high exchange rate of the naira to a dollar and increase in pump price of fuel from N86 to N145 per litre in May.

    While the economy and Nigerians were suffering from low prices of oil in the international market, weak purchasing power of the naira and the new pump price regime at the petrol stations, their situations were further worsen by commencement of bombing and destruction of oil pipelines and power installations in the Niger Delta early this year.

    The destructions not only cut daily oil production by more than 50 percent, reduced oil revenue and pushed the country deeper into recession, they also made implementation of the N6.06 trillion 2016 Budget very difficult.

    But President Buhari was confident that the N7.3 trillion 2017 Budget proposal he laid before the National Assembly last Wednesday will take Nigeria out of the recession.

    In his Eid-el-Maulud message to Nigerians last week Sunday, Buhari said: “As we look forward to 2017 with hope and huge expectations, let me assure you that with collective dedication and hard work, we will overcome the mountain of economic difficulties, and return our country to the path of prosperity.

    “The 2017 Budget proposals which I will lay before the National Assembly on Wednesday, will contain measures that we are confident will get the nation out of its economic woods.”

    The 2017 Budget proposal laid before the lawmakers was based on oil benchmark price of $42.5 per barrel against $38 in the 2016 Budget.

    While daily oil production was still estimated at 2.2 million barrels like in the 2016 Budget, exchange rate in the 2017 Budget was fixed at N305 to one dollar against N195 to a dollar in 2016 Budget.

    The 2017 Budget also increased revenue projection to N4.94 trillion from N3.86 trillion in 2016 Budget.

    Despite being difficult to implement the 2016 Budget due to a number of factors, the 2017 Budget, which has expenditure estimate higher by N1.238 trillion, has more deficit than in the 2016 Budget.

    While the 2016 Budget has N2.2 trillion deficit representing 2.14% of GDP and financed by borrowing, the deficit in the 2017 Budget proposal is N2.36 trillion representing 2.18% of GDP and to be financed by N2.32 borrowing.

    With all these, it will not be out of place to say that the 2017 Budget proposal may face more challenges to implement than the 2016 Budget except if oil prices in the international market and daily production in Nigeria continue to rise.

    But very optimistic, the President told the lawmakers: “This Budget, therefore, represents a major step in delivering on our desired goals through a strong partnership across the arms of government and between the public and private sectors to create inclusive growth.

    “Implementation will move to centre-stage as we proceed with the process of re-balancing our economy, exiting recession and insulating it from future external and domestic shocks.” He added

    While the National Assembly will settle down to consider the 2017 Budget proposal after the Christmas and New Year break, it is hoped that those factors that worked against proper implementation of 2016 Budget or made Nigerians not to feel the real impact of the 2016 Budget, will urgently be addressed in order to succeed in taking Nigeria out of recession in 2017.

    Apart from continuation of the economy diversification efforts of the government in 2017, nothing should be allowed to work against the 2017 Budget including hostilities in the Niger Delta.

    It is also hoped that the fortune of oil in the international market will really improve in 2017.

     

    More kudos for Osinbajo

     Vice President Yemi Osinbajo last Thursday received more kudos that came his way. The 73th session of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting applauded him and gave him standing ovation.

    The members were marveled by his style of leadership.  As the Chairman of NEC, he was commended for the way the Buhari presidency have been working transparently with state governments in the management of the national economy.

    He was specifically hailed for ensuring that NEC meeting held every month since beginning of the administration.

    Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State had moved a motion for the standing ovation just before the Council meeting ended.

    The motion was unanimously supported as all members of the Council stood up and applauded.

    Speaking on what transpired at the closed-door meeting,  Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai said: “The level of transparency that has been demonstrated by the Federal Government and the Vice President as Chair of this Council has never been demonstrated in this villa.”