Amidst the numerous security and economic challenges facing Nigeria, including terrorist attacks, kidnappings, and most recently, a shortage of foreign currency, it is imperative that the Tinubu administration takes immediate action to counter these trends. In a previous article, on security, I proposed the use of CCTV cameras, artificial intelligence, a proactive Police Force and drones to monitor areas with high criminal activities, a suggestion that I will not delve into further here. Instead, I believe it is also crucial at this point to address the front-burner economic situation that our nation is currently grappling with.

This task of proffering solutions to the myriad of economic challenges of Nigeria, especially the unprecedented devaluation of the Naira cannot be shouldered solely by government officials; it requires the expertise and knowledge of experienced technocrats and economic experts, working in consonance with government. Therefore, I propose the establishment of a Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), Co-Chaired by the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (who will still maintain his autonomy), that will analyze and align the government's Fiscal and Monetary Policies, similar to the Assets and Liabilities Committee (ALCO) of a well-managed bank. The PEAC should comprise members from both the government and private sector, including the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Minister of Finance & the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Minister of Budget and Planning, Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Minister of Interior, CEOs of about three of the Tier 1 banks in the country, the Director General of the Manufacturers Association, reputable economists, and a few respected ex-bankers.

Furthermore, it is important to diversify the country’s sources of national revenue beyond crude oil. While we work towards this long-term goal, we must also prioritize immediate structural reforms to our economy. It is evident that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has consistently fallen short of its OPEC quota, severely impacting the amount of dollars accruing to the Federation Account and causing the Naira's unprecedented decline. The now privatized NNPCL, must now wean itself and shake off its old ways of running what ought to be a profitable going concern business.

Consequently, I recommend the formation of a Presidential Advisory Council on Energy (PACE), chaired by the Minister of Petroleum Resources and comprising the Special Adviser of the president on Energy, Group Managing Director of the NNPCL, the CEOs of the top three indigenous energy companies, three former reputable top executives of the NNPC and top Nigerian executives of the International Oil Companies (IOC).

In order to address the seeming free fall of the Naira against all foreign currencies, it is essential for Nigeria to increase its crude oil production, while also conducting a thorough analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of our continued membership in OPEC. We must explore alternative options, such as bilateral cooperation and agreements, to determine if they offer greater advantages, than continued membership of OPEC.

To reverse the worsening economic situation, we must think creatively and step outside the confines of conventional approaches. Additionally, the government must seriously consider reducing the size of the bureaucracy and combat the widespread corruption that plagues our country. Existing stringent punishments for corruption must be enforced, and the government must lead by example in implementing a belt-tightening strategy for the nation's economic recovery.

We cannot afford to bury our heads in the sand like ostriches, ignoring the suffering of the Nigerian people. The time to act is now, before the dire consequences of an increasingly disgruntled citizenry become a reality. While we acknowledge that the current government inherited a financially depleted nation, the grace period will soon come to an end. As human memory is short, many Nigerians seem to have forgotten the origins of their hardships; all they desire now, is economic restoration. Even the wealthy are now feeling the pain.

Mike Ejiofor, a former Director of the Department of State Services has recounted how he discouraged payment of ransom until he got kidnapped. 

During an interview with Vanguard, Ejiofor shared his thoughts on the escalation of kidnapping in the country, and also outlined the interim and long-term measures the government can embrace. He also explained why payment of ransom is the only available option to victims and their loved ones.

On insecurity spiralling out of control, he said; 

"It is not out of control but people are worried. I am worried. The issue is that we have not deployed sufficient resources to tackle the problem. No one should be blaming the government now because this issue has been festering for a long time. The largest we have in the budget is for the security sub-sector. There should be proper oversight to ensure the funds are properly deployed. We have to ensure the monies are not diverted by the leadership of security agencies. They shouldn’t live luxurious lifestyles.

You can see what is going on in the country, with people having parties and displaying affluence when the masses are suffering. People in leadership positions should change their lifestyles because of the masses. They can’t be in leadership positions forever. One day, they will leave office and become ordinary people like the masses.

They now see it as an industry. Everybody is getting involved because of economic hardship. The economy is partly responsible for the escalation of criminality. People are suffering. You can’t attack people’s houses and see cash. You can’t break into a shop to collect things because you will be arrested. The quickest way to make money now is through payment of ransom.

The targeting of traditional rulers calls for concern because they are targeting the fabric of our traditional institution. It is to make the government very unpopular and possibly destabilise the government. That is why government needs to act very fast."

On payment of ransom and kidnappers killing their victims after a ransom has been paid, Ejiofor said; 

"It has been happening before and it becoming rampant for them to kill even after collecting ransom. All these are aimed at bringing government to disrepute. There are so many issues that are not meant for public consumption. That is why I said government must intervene to ensure that these people are stopped. If they continue to make advance into Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and they get into the metropolis, of course, they would be seen to have embarrassed government. And everyone would say since Abuja is no longer safe, nowhere in Nigeria. From the way the attacks are taking place now, it seems nowhere is safe anymore. They were restricted to the North-West and North- Central before, but it is happening everywhere now. We saw what happened in Ekiti, Oyo, Ondo and other places. It has become an industry and must be rooted out.

Before I became a victim, I had often said people shouldn’t pay ransom. But that notion changed after I became a victim. He who feels it knows it. Unless you are not involved, you will do everything possible including payment of ransom to release your relative. Of course, government will always discourage people from paying ransom. For me, I believe in the saying that he who fights and runs away lives to fight another day. If you secure yourself, if government cannot secure you, that’s fine.

Another option could have been for government to supervise the payment of ransom to get information. But victims do not cooperate with police. For example, when the wife of former Central Bank Governor, Emefiele, was kidnapped, money used for ransom was marked and the suspects were later arrested. But victims’ families are always impatient. You don’t blame them because they want their loved ones safe. If police or government is telling you not to pay ransom, it is expected. But until you are affected, you will know whether to pay ransom or not."

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rescheduled elections in 16 polling units in Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency of Plateau because of missing ballot papers.

Dr Oliver Agundu, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Plateau, said in a statement on Saturday night that the election has been rescheduled for Sunday, February 4.

Agundu said that voting would commence at 9:30 am and end at 3:30 pm.

The REC stated that the commission discovered on the eve of the re-run on Saturday that the ballot papers for 16 polling units had gone missing.

He said that the matter had been referred to the security agencies for investigation.

“Determined that voters in the affected polling units were not disenfranchised, the commission convened a stakeholders’ meeting to explain the situation and discuss the way forward.

“It was resolved that the commission should remobilize and conduct the election in the affected polling units on Sunday, February 4, 2024, to conclude the process in the Federal Constituency.

“Consequently, the election will be held in three polling units (out of 216) in Naraguta “B” Ward and 13 polling units (out of 187) in Tudun Wada-Kabong Ward of Jos North LGA, making a total of 16 polling units (out of 403) with 15,904 registered voters.

“To allow for the reconfiguration of the BVAS devices and other logistics arrangements, stakeholders agreed that voting would commence at 9:30 am and end at 3:30 pm.

“As usual, all voters in the queue before 3:30 pm will be allowed to vote,” he said.

Agundu appealed to all eligible voters in the constituency to come out and cast their votes peacefully for the candidates of their choice.

He emphasised that the arrangement only affected registered voters in the 16 polling units in the federal constituency, saying that it does not affect registered voters in the Jos North Senatorial District.

Officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, have arrested at least three persons suspected to be vote buyers in Sokoto State during the Saturday bye-elections exercise.

The commission stated this in a post on its official X handle.

The post informed that the suspects were caught in a polling unit at the Yabo/Shagari Federal Constituency in Sokoto State, with the sum of N3,105,400 within the voting premises.

The commission stated that all the suspects had been taken into custody, stressing that an investigation to unravel the reason for the act had commenced.

ICPC noted that it will work with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the prosecution of the cases.

Recall that the electoral umpire had on Saturday suspended the election in some parts of the country following violence and abduction of officials by hoodlums.

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The candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the bye-election in Surulere Federal Constituency I, Lagos, Fuad Laguda has been declared winner of the polls.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC declared him winner of the Saturday election after garnering 11,203 votes.

While declaring the results, the Returning Officer for the bye-election, Prof Simeon Adebayo, said the APC candidate scored the highest votes.

Laguda defeated his main challengers, Adeola Adebanjo of the Labour Party and Jerry Afemighie of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Recall that the seat was declared vacant following Femi Gbajabiamila‘s resignation to become the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.

See full result:

ADC – 40

APC – 11, 203

APGA – 6

APM – 7

APP – 4

LP – 240

NNPP – 8

PDP – 278

SDP – 2

YPP – 9

ZLP – 4

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared Dr Alhassan Zakariya Ishaq of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, the winner of Saturday’s rerun election in Kura/Garun Mallam State Constituency in Kano.

Our Correspondent reports that the returning officer of the election, Prof. Shehu Musa Galadanchi, announced that Ishaq of NNPP polled 37,262 to beat Musa Hayatu Daurawar of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who scored 30,803 votes.

Recall that the appeal court had directed INEC to conduct a rerun election at 20 polling units in the Kura/Garun Malam state constituency In Kano State.

In the same vein, INEC, declared Bello Muhammad Butu-Butu of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, winner of Saturday’s rerun election at Rimin Gado/Tofa state constituency.

The returning officer of the election, Prof. Ibrahim Tajo Suraj also announced that Bello Muhammad Butu-Butu of the NNPP polled 31,135 votes to beat his opponent of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who received 25,577 votes.

The appeal court had also directed INEC to conduct a rerun election at 33 polling units in the Rimin Gado/Tofa state constituency.

The Golden Glove at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will be contested between Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali and Ronwen Williams of South Africa.

Both Nwabali and Williams have kept clean sheets in their last four matches and will face each other in the semi-finals.

The only goal Nwabali conceded at the tournament, was in the Super Eagles opening 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea.

Williams let in two goals for Bafana Bafana when they lost 2-0 to Mali in their first fixture.

Interestingly, both goalkeepers play in South Africa. Nwabali represents Chippa United while Williams turns out for Mamelodi Sundowns.

As it stands, both stoppers have four clean sheets, more than any other keeper has been able to secure in Ivory Coast.

Twenty-four (24) years after Tijani Babangida’s brace saw-off South Africa in their last Africa Cup of Nations semi-final appearance, both sides will meet again next Wednesday to decide one of the finalists for this year’s AFCON.

Babangida’s 1st and 34th-minute goals took care of business on that occasion in front of a packed stadium in Surulere, Lagos when Nigeria co-hosted with Ghana.

A brilliant penalty shoot-out performance by South Africa’s goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams helped South Africa fight off a dogged Cape Verde side while Nigeria defeated Angola 1-0 on Friday to set up the semi-final.

Although both sides have met in subsequent AFCONs, it has not been at the penultimate stage. In all the meetings, Nigeria has triumphed.

In Tunisia 2004, Nigeria saw off Bafana Bafana 4-0 in the group stage, while their last AFCON meeting was in 2019 in the quarter-finals when Egypt hosted. Samuel Chukwueze and Troost-Ekong’s goals helped Nigeria to a 2-1 win.

The Returning Officer of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Zamfara, Prof. Femi Rufus, of the Federal University, Gusau, has declare Mustapha Sadauki of People Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the Shinkafi State Assembly Constituency.

The returning officer said Sadauki, having met the requirements of the law and scored the highest votes, was declared as the winner and returned elected.

The candidate defeated Usman Shinkafi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with 32 votes from the first and rerun elections.

Prof. Rufus said the total registered voters of the nine polling units from five wards were 6,651 out of which 5,457 were accredited for the rerun election.

The cumulative result of the first and rerun elections was announced as Registered voters, 95,646; Accredited voters, 29,184; Votes cast, 28,873; Valid votes, 28,262; and Rejected votes, 611.

He said the total votes scored by APC candidate were 13,508 while that of PDP was 13,540, therefore the APC candidate was defeated by 32 votes.

The kidnapped pupils and staff of Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure Ekiti have regained their freedom.

A confirmation from the Ekiti State Police Command Spokesperson, Sunday Abutu on Sunday morning, however, indicated that the driver is dead.

The abductees were said to have been released in the early hours of Sunday.

They were kidnapped on Monday evening along Emure – Eporo Road while returning to Eporo after closing school.

AFCON 2023: Osimhen Taken In For Random Dope Test By CAF0.00 / 0.00

The kidnappers shot at the bus and later whisked away nine persons comprising five students, three female teachers and a driver among the occupants of the bus.

The police PPRO said, “All victims were rescued today at about 1.30am, but unfortunately, we lost the driver who was suspectedly killed by the abductors.”

A government official at Emure Ekiti, who confirmed the release of the abductees, said, “The abductees are here, the parents and family members are here. I will give you details shortly.”

A source, who also confirmed the development, said that officials of the state Ministry of Health were on the ground to take them to Ado Ekiti, the state capital for medical attention.

Meanwhile, Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Saturday assured parents and families of kidnapped pupils and staff of the Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure Ekiti, that they would soon be rescued to rejoin them.

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