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Nigerians, economy will be liberated — Tinubu

Published

2 weeks ago

April 16, 2024

NewsDirect

…Says no more payments of ransom to kidnappers

…As economic policies beginning to yield positive results

…’We must root out the scourge of kidnapping’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared emphatically that there will be no more payments of ransom to either kidnappers “nor toward those policies which have trapped our people economically,” assuring that Nigerians and their economy will be liberated.

Tinubu stated these far reaching positions in an opinion reacting to the abduction of 276 Chibok school girls in the North east ten years ago by Boko Haram. The title of the write up is: Ten years since Chibok – Nigeria will no longer pay the price.

The President further declared that the scourge of kidnappings must be routed once and for all.

“As president, I have been clear that ransoms stop. Resolution through payment only perpetuates the wider problem. This extortion racket must be squeezed out of existence. Meanwhile, the costs for perpetrators must be raised: They will receive not a dime, and instead security services’ counter action.”

According to Tinubu when in March, 137 school children were again tragically taken from a school in Kaduna, northwestern Nigeria, ten years after Chibok the shadow of Chibok loomed large again, because everybody wondered why such an atrocity should still happen.

“This time, unlike Chibok, the girls and boys were brought back a fortnight later, the security and intelligence agencies deployed immediately to rescue them. Nevertheless, legitimate concerns over kidnappings persist in Africa’s most populous country. Success in Kaduna has brought families relief and praise for the military, yet the government bears no illusions.”

According to him, Boko Haram or any other criminal gang engaged in kidnapping don’t operate on the basis of any ideology, instead kidnapping has become an illegal industry rewarded with ransoms where perpetrators collect huge ransoms to further perpetuate their evil, adding that within days of the Kaduna attack for instance, the abductors were demanding 1 billion naira ($600,000).

“But compressing the kidnap for ransom market only addresses the pull factors. If we are to avoid funneling the same people into other crimes that cause normal Nigerians to feel insecure, we must address the push factors.”

The President identified the pull factors which must be addressed to discourage the continuation of the criminal elements as poverty, inequality, and a paucity of opportunity, because without addressing the issues criminal gangs can find easy recruits among those without either a job, or the prospect of one.

“Some 63 percent of Nigerians are multidimensionally poor. They are bearing the economic consequences of a failure by successive governments to get to grips with the Nigerian economy. Fiscal and monetary albatrosses have grounded the country’s flight, when surging demographics demand high economic growth to just maintain current standards of living,” Tinubu said.

He disclosed that it is in response to creating a conducive environment to stimulate economic growth for a surging population and check pervading poverty that his administration took some drastic steps by way of economic policies whose initial impact seem to have worsened the economic plight of citizens but now gradually yielding positive effect.

Just like with the kidnapping matter he also had to take some tough policy decisions on the economy as well to arrest the economic rot that lies at the heart of insecurity.

“A decades-old fuel subsidy was exhausting paltry public finances. By 2022, the cost had ballooned to $10 billion — more than the government’s combined spending on education, health care, and infrastructure in a budget of $40 billion. Currency controls that artificially propped up the naira deterred investment and led to shortages of foreign exchange. For decades we have been financially ransoming ourselves. When my government took office last May, we faced a pile of debt obligations.

“Just as with kidnappers, we had to be tough with the economy. Unsustainable market distortions had to be removed. As expected, floating the naira caused it to plunge. Given Nigeria is a net food importer, the average shopping basket has consequently risen in price. The removal of the fuel subsidy, in a country where many businesses and households rely on generators for power, has also had far reaching effects.

“These reforms have caused pain across Nigeria; they are still painful. Yet there is no better alternative: These and other difficult reforms are necessary to arrest the economic rot that lies at the heart of insecurity.

“Green shoots are now visible. In the first quarter of this year, foreign currency inflows have almost matched those for the whole of last year. A multi-billion forex backlog at the central bank has been cleared, giving foreign investors’ confidence to invest in Africa’s largest economy, safe in the knowledge they can repatriate earnings. The naira has begun to stabilise after its initial downward trend and has made huge gains against the dollar.

“Talk of macroeconomics might seem remote from the challenge of insecurity. But without the fundamentals in place, it is impossible for an enabling environment where the private sector thrives, jobs are created, and opportunity is spread across the country. It is how we ensure children can go to school without fear,” the President said.

Reiterating that no more ransom payments and no going back on major economic policies taken so far that have already started impacting positively on the economy.

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NiMet predicts 3-day thundery, sunny weather conditions

Published

3 days ago

April 28, 2024

NewsDirect

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms and sunshine from Sunday to Tuesday across the country.

NiMet weather outlook released on Tuesday in Abuja forecast sunny skies on Sunday, with few patches of cloud over most parts of the northern region during the morning hours.

According to NiMet, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Kaduna and Taraba in a hazy condition over parts of Yobe and Borno States later in the day.

“Cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are anticipated over the North central region during the morning hours.

“In the afternoon/evening periods, isolated thunderstorms are envisaged over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Nasarawa,
Benue, Kwara, and Kogi States.

“Cloudy skies with spells of sunshine are expected over the inland states with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Imo and Abia,” it said.

The agency envisaged the coast to be predominantly cloudy with chances of thunderstorms over parts of Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, during the morning period.

It anticipated isolated thunderstorms over parts of, Oyo, Edo, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Ogun and Delta States, while widespread thunderstorms are expected over most parts of the coast later in the day.

According to NiMet, sunny intervals with few cloud patches are anticipated over the northern region during the Monday morning hours.

It predicted isolated thunderstorms over parts of Kaduna and Taraba States, later in the day.

“The North Central should be cloudy with sunshine intervals during the morning hours with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Kwara, Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory, during the afternoon/evening periods.

“The southern region should be predominantly
cloudy with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Enugu, Abia, Imo, Cross River, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States, during the morning hours.

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over the Inland states of Imo, Abia, Anambra, Delta, Edo, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Enugu, Ebonyi and Osun States, while wide spread thunderstorms are expected over most parts of the Coast,” it said.

NiMet forecast sunny atmosphere with patches of cloud over the northern region during the
forecast period, with chances of Isolated thunderstorms over parts of Kaduna, Adamawa, Taraba and Bauchi states later on Tuesday.

According to the agency, the North Central, should be cloudy with sunshine intervals during the morning hours.

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are envisaged over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara, Niger and Benue States.

“Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine
are expected over the inland and coastal areas of the South during the morning periods.

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Imo, Ondo, Abia, Edo, Enugu, Ebonyi and Oyo States, while widespread thunderstorms should prevail over most parts of the coast,” it said.

It urged the public to take adequate precaution as strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur.

The agency advised airline operators to get updated weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

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Constitution Amendment: Barau harps on collaboration with all stakeholders

Published

4 days ago

April 27, 2024

NewsDirect

Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Jibrin Barau has called for robust collaboration among all stakeholders to drive the ongoing constitution amendment process to a successful conclusion.

Barau, also Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution said this on Saturday in Abuja at a Joint Retreat for the Secretariat and Consultants to the Senate and House of Representatives committees on the review of the Constitution.

He commended the synergy between the constitution review secretariat and consultants, saying this will create harmony in the workings of both committees.

Barau assured of carry out the review of the Constitution by a thorough aggregation of the yearnings of Nigerians from all walks of life.

“This is through public hearings and collection of memoranda from various interests throughout the country, as well as embarking on a progressive engagement with state governments and legislatures and the federal government to achieve consensus on all issues.

“We must work together. Our country is facing a lot of challenges and this is the right time to fashion out a Constitution that will go in line with the wishes and aspirations of the people of this country.

“The world is dynamic and this compels all serious countries to go with modernity and fashion their laws in accordance with contemporary happenings within their peculiarities.

“We have started on a progressive note of collaboration.

“Let us add momentum to this very important collaboration within our ranks in order to achieve a result that will help in driving the process of making prospective peace, justice and fair play in the way we run our affairs as a nation,” he said.

News

Ogun Govt sympathises with victims of Ado Odo/Ota over rainstorm destruction

Published

7 days ago

April 25, 2024

NewsDirect

…’We’re in touch with IBEDC for prompt action’

Ogun State Government said it is in touch with the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to ensure the immediate fixing of poles damaged as a result of rainstorm occasioned by Sunday’s downpour in some parts of Sango in Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state.

The government, in a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media, Hon. Kayode Akinmade said a team from the state government was in the area on Monday to physically ascertain the extent of damage and to know how to engage with IBEDC, as well as sympathising with victims.

Akinmade noted the cables had not been energised before the destruction, which saved lots of lives.

“Our team went on physical site inspection of the affected area on Monday to ascertain the extent of the damage and to know how to engage with the IBEDC team.

“We are currently working with the IBEDC team led by the Regional Manager and the Technical Head for the Ogun Region. Some of the less affected feeders have been restored and energised while the clean-up of the most affected areas has already started.

“Most of the poles on the roads have been removed while the remaining will be taken out today (Wednesday). We are working with IBEDC to ensure there will be full restoration of power in Sango Ota before the week runs out.

“The government is not relenting in its effort to make sure that we restore power to Sango Ota and its environs and we can assure the citizens that we are on top on the matter.

“We, therefore, commiserate with those whose properties were destroyed by the fallen poles, as the government urged those living in the area to remain calm.”

Residents of lyana lyesi, Osuke Town, Egan Road, lyana Ilogbo, Ijaba, Ijagba, Itele, Lafenwa, Singer, Joju, Alishiba, Oju Ore, Tollgate, Eledi, Akeja, Abebi, Osi Roundabout, Ota Town, Ota Industrial Estate, Igberen, lju, Atan, Onipanu, Obasanjo, Lusada, Arigba, Odugbe, Ado-Odo, Igbesa, Owode. Olokuta, Hanushi, Bamtish Camp Lufiwape, Eltees Farm, August Engineering, Spark Cear Soap Ayetoro, Amazing Grace Oil, Christopher University, Royal Garden Estate were affected by the disaster.