Economy
Buhari not responsible for Nigeria’s economic woes – Sen. Uchendu
The President Muhammadu Buhari-led government is not directly responsible for the economic and insecurity misfortune in the country, Sen. Andrew Uchendu has said.
He blamed the current hardship in the country to poor policies and programmes of successive administrations starting from 1992.
Uchendu told the Newsmen in Port Harcourt on Tuesday shortly after his inauguration as Grand Patron by the Frontier for Peace and Unity, a Non-Governmental Organisation in the South South.
Uchendu, a former lawmaker representing Rivers East Senatorial District, APC, said the Buhari-led government was currently developing the needed infrastructure for a progressive future.
“However, if you say that President Buhari has done well in the marketplace and church, you may be stoned or criticised. But the truth is that he has performed well.
“The gullibility of the society has made it difficult for us to reason and see the truth in the tremendous milestones this administration has made.
“People forget that Nigeria’s problems have been made complex by the failures of successive administration since 1992, which cannot be solely pinned on one government or anybody,” he said.
Uchendu challenged Nigerians to mention one past administration that made the right policies and programmes that completely addressed the challenges in the country at the time.
“But President Muhammadu Buhari-led government has gone back to the basics that made Nigeria a great nation.
“The government has invested heavily in agriculture resulting in the tremendous growth in local rice production, partly helped by the ban on foreign rice imports.
“Government is reactivating the oil palm production; reactivation of ports, railways and development of roads and bridges are ongoing.
“Currently, the second Niger Bridge is being constructed while the airports have been expanded and upgraded to increase commerce in the country.
“Also, programmes, such as Npower and Traders Moni have been created to gainfully engage unemployed citizens,” he added.
The former lawmaker stated that Nigeria cannot attain sustainable economic growth without first addressing the fundamental problems, which according to him, the current administration was doing.
He appealed to states in the South South to realign and identify workable strategies to benefit from the Federal Government policies and programmes like other regions had done.
Uchendu thanked the group for the honour and urged them to be committed to their mission of preaching peace and unifying the country.
Earlier, Mrs Ikalama Owadiktorusinya, the National Chairperson of Frontiers for Peace and Unity said the group was satisfied with successes of the present Federal Government and desired to partner with it.
She said the group was committed to ensuring that the country transit from one administration to another peacefully in 2023.
On his part, the group’s Secretary in Rivers, ThankGod Okannah, said the group appointed Uchendu as patron due to his vast experience in uniting people across different backgrounds.
“We are focused on talking to Nigerians on the need to be peaceful and shun divisiveness.
“Aside Sen. Uchendu, the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi is also one man that can help advance governance in the country.
“So, we plan to organise seminars across the country to preach the importance of peace, especially as the nation heads towards another general election in 2023,” he noted.
By Sodiq Adelakun
Inflation in Nigeria continued to rise for the twelfth consecutive month in December, with the headline inflation rate reaching 28.92%, up from 28.20% in November.
The National Bureau of Statistics released its consumer price index report on Monday, revealing the ongoing impact of inflation on the country’s economy.
More details to come…
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has announced the first reading of a bill aimed at regulating private schools and tertiary institutions in the state.
The bill, titled “A Bill for a Law to Regulate the Establishment and Operation of Private Nursery, Primary, Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions in Nasarawa State and Other Matters Connected Therewith,” was introduced during the House proceedings on Monday in Lafia.
In addition to this bill, the House also passed two executive bills that focus on promoting education and skills training in the state.
The bills, if passed into law, are expected to enhance the quality of education and boost skills training across Nasarawa State.
Three bills have successfully passed their first reading in Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
The first bill, titled “A Bill For a Law to Establish the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Technology Institute, Lafia, and other Matters Connected Therewith,” aims to establish a vocati onal and technology institute in Lafia, the state capital. This institute will provide valuable skills training and education to the youth of the region.
The second bill, named “A Bill for A Law to Amend College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State Law 2020, and Matters Connected Thereof,” seeks to amend the existing law governing the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology in Lafia.
The proposed amendments aim to enhance the college’s operations and ensure it remains at the forefront of agricultural and technological advancements.Lastly, the third bill, titled “the Bill for a Law to Regulate the Establishment and Operation of Private Nursery, Primary, Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions in Nasarawa State and Other Matters Connected Therewith,” focuses on regulating the establishment and operation of private educational institutions in the state.
This bill aims to ensure that these institutions meet certain standards of quality and provide a conducive learning environment for students.
“The Speaker of the House, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, announced that the second reading of the bill for the establishment of the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Technology Institute, Lafia, and other related matters will take place on October 2.
The second reading of the bill to amend the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State Law 2020, and matters connected thereof, will be scheduled for October 3.
These bills demonstrate the commitment of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly to improving the educational sector and providing opportunities for skills development in the state.
“I will slate Oct. 3, for the second reading of A Bill for A Law to Amend College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State Law 2020, and Matters Connected Thereof.
“I will also slate Oct. 4 for the second reading of A Bill for a Law to Regulate the Establishment and Operation of Private Nursery, Primary, Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions in Nasarawa State and Other Matters Connected Therewith,” he said.
Earlier, Alhaji Mohammed Omadefu, the Majority Leader of the House, moved motions for the bills to scale first readings.
The Minority Leader of the House, Mr Luka Zhekaba, seconded the motion.
The House unanimously passed the bills into first readings.
The Director of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr Muda Yusuf has said the current inflationary pressures might ease by December this year.
Yusuf disclosed this on Sunday in his Half Year Review of 2023.
His review comes amid the effect of fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Consequently, the prices of goods and services sharply increased.
The National Bureau of Statistics said Nigeria’s inflation is 22.41 per cent. Nigerians have continued to lament the hike in the prices of goods and services.
Meanwhile, Yusuf said that the effect of fuel subsidy removal and forex reforms would be in the short term.
According to him, the challenges would gradually reduce before the year ends.
Meanwhile, Yusuf said the CBN should implement a sustainable intervention framework to moderate the volatility in the forex market.
“Inflationary pressure is expected to ease before the end of the year.
“It would pave the way for an equilibrium exchange rate which would be more tolerable and sustainable”, he stated.
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