- Alake: FG has identified locations with Lithium in commercial quantity
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s two-day official visit to the State of Qatar will assume full gear today with the signing of seven agreements between Nigeria and the Middle East country.
The visit had begun yesterday with a visit the Nigerian president paid to the Museum in Doha, the capital city where the CEO of Qatar Museums Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi and the Director of National Museum of Qatar, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Hamad Al Thani conducted the Nigerian leader around the facilities.
The Museum which was recently redesigned ahead of the 2022 FIFA world Cup, offers visitors access to a variety of materials used in Islamic art, including carpets and textiles, manuscripts, ceramics, wood, ivory, metalwork, stone and glass.
The President is expected to see pieces of materials dating back to the earliest Islamic period from the 20th century, spanning Spain and North Africa to the Far East.
The host is also expected to conduct his visitor to view the early Hijazi Quran fragments, the sitara of the Holy Kaaba, the Moroccan arch, a copy of al-Sufi’s treatise on the fixed stars, the Abbasid blue-and-white bowl, the Seljuq stucco panel, the Doha Hind and the post-Islamic Spanish ceiling.
The visit to the Museum is expected to herald other events that will culminate in the signing of agreements in seven areas between the Nigeria and Qatari governments today.
From the Museum, the President will visit the Qatar Foundation, which is responsible for promoting Qatar government humanitarian activities in other countries, including Nigeria.
The Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, is a state-led non-profit organisation in Qatar.
The institution, which was founded in 1995 by the then Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and his second wife Moza bint Nasser Al-Missne, has been linked to development of schools, houses and health facilities in several countries, including Nigeria.
The Foundation helped Nigeria with infrastructures including schools, residential houses and health facilities in states ravaged by insecurity.
Earlier on Friday night, President Tinubu had met with key ministers and top officials of the Qatari government.
At the meeting were some key Nigerian government officials on the President’s entourage, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; the Minister of Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Minister of Youth Development, Jamila Ibrahim and the Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister of Social Welfare, Ali Pate.
FG has identified locations with Lithium in commercial quantity —Alake
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, said the Federal Government (FG) has identified locations where Lithium occurs in commercial quantities in the country.
He said comprehensive data on the pattern and quantity of energy mineral Lithium are available at the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency for businesses interested in establishing lithium companies in Nigeria.
Special Adviser to the Minister, Kehinde Bamigbetan, made this known in a statement.
He said Alake made this disclosure in Doha, Qatar on Saturday at a meeting with Qatari businessmen on the sidelines of the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Arab country.
He stated: “Comprehensive data on the pattern and quantity of energy mineral Lithium are available at the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency for businesses interested in establishing lithium companies in Nigeria.
“Responding to enquiries on the quality of Nigerian lithium by Qatari business mogul Sheikh Shahid Jawad, at the meeting held at the prestigious Sheraton Doha, Alake said mineral exploration initiated by the Federal Government has identified locations where lithium is available in commercial quantities and in high grades.
“To buttress the disclosure, Alake recalled that on a visit to Australia, he was presented with samples of rock composites from Nigeria with high grade lithium content confirmed by laboratory analysis.
“He said it showed that the quality of Nigerian lithium has been recognised by the global mining sector.
“Encouraging Qatari businessmen to visit the country and witness the immense opportunities in mining, Alake said the Nigerian government has put in place generous, investor- friendly policies to facilitate business.
“Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of Solid Minerals Development Fund, Mrs Fatimah Shinkafi, urged investors to explore opportunities in mining infrastructures.
“Giving the example of Vale, a mining company in Brazil that invested in trains to ease the transportation of minerals from the mines to the processing towns, Shinkafi said while the government will continue to provide transportation facilities to the mines, mining companies that recognise the significance of transportation to their future cost control will invest wisely by supplementing government’s efforts.
“Also giving the minister the update of its activities in the mining sector, the vice- chairman of the Qatar- Nigerian Chamber of Business, Muhammed Santuraki, said the chamber was formed in 2017 to build business relations between both countries.
“Recalling a recent visit to a gold mine in Nasarawa State, Santuraki observed the existence of good roads for the haulage of minerals to the ports.
“Other businessmen at the top- level meeting were Sheikh El Jouneid, Chief Executive Officer, ETCC Qatar and Aminu Dahiru, Chairman, Asdub Oil & Gas.”
[TheNation]
•How the fate of MDAs created after 2012 will be decided – Arabi, DG, Bureau of Public Sector Reforms
•Addresses claim report is outdated
•‘Reforms not only about mergers but also about restructuring’
Dr Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi is the Director General of the Bureau of Public Sector Reforms, the body overseeing reforms at the federal level including the implementation of the Oronsaye Report.
President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced last week that the 12-year-old Oronsaye Report, which recommends the merging of some Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government (MDAs) to reduce the cost of government while restructuring the public service for efficiency, will now be fully implemented after more than a decade delay.
Arabi, in this interview, speaks on the genesis of the Oronsaye Report, the journey so far and how the committee to be inaugurated on the implementation will carry out the assignment. He says the Oronsaye Report and review committees’ reports approve the pruning of the number of ministers which currently stands at 48. Arabi also speaks on the fate of MDAs created after the Oronsaye Report had been submitted in 2012. Excerpts:
Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari’s governments did not implement the Oronsaye Report despite having substantial time to do so but President Tinubu’s government wants to implement it. How is this going to happen?
Let me take you back to history. In the first place, why was Oronsaye Committee constituted? It was constituted in response to the global call for change and the need for nations to respond to socio-economic problems all over the world. It was set up to re-jig the public service, to put Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, in their proper positions, so that we will have more efficient Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.
I want to clear this notion of people who think that Oronsaye Committee was out just to reduce the size of government and get people out of their jobs. In the case of implementation, we are glad that Mr President has taken this bold decision to implement this report after many years but, as you said, it is not that nothing has been done about it.
Truly, there were delays in implementation. The three committees that were constituted by former President Buhari were basically aimed at looking at agencies that were created after Oronsaye’s report. With that work that was done, we have an updated version of the Oronsaye report which President Tinubu has approved for implementation. A committee has been constituted as highlighted by an Adviser to the President. I am confident that the report will be implemented.
However, the implementation, as we have said in the various committees, is not going in the way it was done in 2005, 2006 and 2007, when civil servants were downsized. Government has done quite a lot. One of the things to be done is to have an effective communication strategy to communicate with citizens, labour, the general public and other stakeholders, including our development partners.
Another key player that is being considered in this process is the legislative arm of government because some of the agencies that will be affected have laws backing them. That is why I have, over the years, led several delegations to the legislative arm of government to build this bridge between legislators and the executive, specifically to address this. I want to inform Nigerians that the legislative arm is working with us, closely. They have even created a committee in the House of Representatives saddled with oversight of reforms and institutional changes within the public service. So I am confident that it is going to be implemented.
Is government going to take a second look at the proposed merging of three agencies: the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority, NAMA, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, in the Ministry of Aviation?
You know we have four reports now: The main Oronsaye Report, Gonji Bukar Aji Report, Ama Pepple Report and Ebere Okeke Report. The announcement made by Mr President’s Adviser has not given us full details of what is going to happen around the recommendations made, but I am sure that whatever is stated on the report that has been considered by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, is going to be implemented. Let me guide us to know that the decisions were not taken overnight, but were taken after due consultations. In any case, I don’t want to speak for the committee that is going to be inaugurated but I want Nigerians to be confident that the committee is going to look at things objectively and implement decisions in the best interest of our country, Nigeria.
What is your take on the non-inclusion of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, ICPC, the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, etc, among the agencies to be merged? Also, how much do you think government will be saving from the exercise?
At this point, we cannot assess how much will be saved because the committee has not been inaugurated and we don’t have the approval of the Federal Executive Council, FEC. Maybe we will have the details after the inauguration. The comments people are making on which agency would save money is up to them. The committee has worked diligently and has looked into the various issues concerning reducing cost of governance. An agency may look small but when you look at its budget, you will know that it is mighty; small in size but mighty in budgetary allocation and spending. The assurance we are giving civil society is that we will collaborate and work with them. Recall what the Adviser said; that, as first step, they are implementing this.
Oronsaye has gone beyond scrapping and merging agencies of government, it has called for restructuring of agencies and ministries, management and staff audit of federal civil service. Something positive is going to come out of it.
My message to Nigerians is to be patient and allow the committee to be inaugurated because, like I said, something positive will come from this wonderful work. In all of these, we are also urging Nigerians to consider the country first, before themselves.
The report is 12 years old and, as such, people think it is outdated. What is your take? And people think the announcement of the implementation of the report was designed to distract from the NLC protests scheduled to hold the following day…
Government has taken note of that concern and that was why the other three committees were set up. They were set up basically to look into the agencies created after the Oronsaye Report was submitted. Secondly, it was to update the decisions taken. I want to inform Nigerians that some aspects of the report have been implemented. For instance, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit that was under EFCC became an office of its own about three years ago.
The privatisation of the River Basin Development Authority was part of the recommendations of the Oronsaye Report, some aspects have been implemented, including the removal of regulatory agencies from the national budget which the Ministry of Finance has driven since last year.
The three committees updated the Oronsaye Report and that is what is going to be implemented. It is not obsolete. It is up-to-date. We have learnt a lot and this is not out of a book but out of experience. We had problems in 2005 – 2007 because major stakeholders, including the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, were not carried along. On the issue of distraction, I am not a politician. I don’t know if it was a strategy but the Adviser did not say it was going to be implemented on the 27th or 28th. She only spoke of the committee being constituted. So, I think they are two different things.
What attitudinal change do we expect after the exercise?
Recall that we have the National Strategy on Public Service Reforms and Pillar Four of that strategy is looking at cultural re-orientation of the attitude of public servants and the … strategy that is driven by the Office of Head of Service of the Federation is also looking at the issue of attitudinal change by workers. Let’s be happy that government has picked us to serve in this capacity.
That alone is enough to make us patriotic and ready to deliver beyond expectation. In terms of efficiency, we have been driving reforms and changes within the public service aimed at improving efficiency within government agencies.
Some of us outside the service may feel that we have not gone to where we should be, but I am confident in telling you that civil service has improved over the years. Recall that Nigeria has an approved e-master plan which is looking at digitalizing the public service.
Also, we have approved blockchain technology in public service delivery. Digitalization of the word process is going to improve the efficiency of Ministries, Agencies and Departments of government.
Part of the reforms is aimed at opening the system so that civil societies like the Socio-Economic and Accountability Project, SERAP, will be able to work with us and demand excellence in service delivery. The Bureau of Public Service Reforms is working with several civil society groups that are helping us bring out excellent policy briefs that the government is looking at. The Renewed Hope Agenda is aimed at reforms and change. You can see that our President is always talking about reforms wherever he goes.
How is the government dealing with the issue of job loss which appears to be unavoidable if the report is implemented?
When the report was submitted, the government was asked to ensure minimal job loss. Also, the three committees had the same message. The Minister of Information also passed the same message; that there will be minimal job loss and that civil servants should not be afraid. Labour is going to be part of the entire exercise and we shall be briefing Nigerians from time to time.
If agencies are to be scrapped, can you tell us how many jobs will be lost?
Oronsaye recommended that you scrap the agencies and move the staff to where their services will be required. How will these measures cut cost? We are also looking at reducing expenditures at the National Assembly as a way of cutting cost…
If, for instance, an agency that runs a budget of N1b with a running cost of N800m is subsumed by another agency, that capital expenditure of N1b and N800m will be saved. What will remain is personnel cost for the subsuming agency. Recall what happened when we scrapped NAPEP and moved their staff to other agencies.
Whatever decision that is taken will benefit us as Nigerians and as a nation. The Gonji Bukar Aji Committee recommended that political appointees should be guided by the circular of government that determines the number of appointments to be made. The legislative arm of government is working closely with us especially the new Committee on Constitutional Reforms. There will also be a national call for all of us to make sacrifices any way we can.
Is the Committee also going to recommend a reduction in the number of ministers which is now 48?
The call we are making is for Nigerians to look at Nigeria first, work and support the committee and government on this laudable initiative.
At the end of the day, we believe that the common man in the street is going to benefit from this initiative.
The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said an Israeli strike hit tents housing displaced civilians near a hospital in the southern city of Rafah Saturday, killing 11 and wounding dozens.
A paramedic was among those killed and children were wounded in the blast close to the Emirati Maternity Hospital, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said in a statement.
“Eleven citizens were martyred and about 50 injured, including children, as a result of Israeli forces targeting tents of displaced people near the Emirati hospital,” Qudra said.
The Israeli military said it was looking into the incident.
Footage posted on social media, which AFP could not independently verify, appeared to show bloodied bodies in the streets as crowds gathered, with men carrying away the wounded for treatment.
An AFP journalist saw wounded people being rushed on stretchers to the Kuwaiti Hospital, also in Rafah.
“Destruction is everywhere and there are many martyrs,” said Rafah resident Belal Abu Jekhleh.
“Suddenly the glass shattered and a fire broke out. Everyone fled, some of whom were martyred and others injured. I was injured in my hands and head, and my brother was also injured.”
Israeli troops have carried out multiple operations in and around hospitals in the Gaza Strip since they launched their offensive in the Palestinian territory.
Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas militants of using hospitals for military purposes, something the Palestinian group denies.
An estimated 1.5 million Palestinians have sought refuge in Rafah, raising fears of mass casualties if Israel goes through with a planned ground invasion of the city.
Mediators are scrambling to secure a new truce ahead of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins on March 10 or 11, depending on the lunar calendar.
The war in Gaza broke out with Hamas’s unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7 which resulted in the deaths of around 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli figures.
Israel’s retaliatory military campaign against Hamas has killed at least 30,320 people, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
[DailyTrust]
No fewer than two persons were shot on Saturday at Okere Community in Warri Metropolis of Delta State.
It was gathered the victims were shot by security operatives believed to be soldiers from the 3 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Effurun Barrack.
The first victim was identified as Macaulay Uku and the second simply identified as Eguono, was shot around midday during the visit to the area by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III.
Uku, according to various sources, was shot early in the afternoon while Eguono was shot hours later.
The Commanding Officer of the Battalion, Major A. Ohegbe, who was contacted by The Nation, said he was not aware of any shooting but confirmed the heavy presence of security personnel during the visit.
He hinted that the fracas was sparked off by resistance to the monarch’s visit by a section of the indigenes of Okere community, which is the home of Chief Ayiri Emami.
The Nation recalled that a section of the Okere community sided with Chief Ayiri Emami, the Ologbotsere of Warri, whose alleged removal is the subject of an ongoing litigation.
“Those who are loyal to the Ayiri essentially are opposed to the monarch and this has resulted in the polarisation of Okere,” a source in the area said.
Supporters of the monarch however said that there was no opposition to the monarch in Okere, stressing, “He is the Olu of all Itsekiri people”.
Our source further added that the people of the area were incensed by an attempt by the monarch to sprinkle anointing oil at the sacred ground of the Okere shrine.
It was gathered that two of the victims of Saturday’s shooting were those loyal to Chief Emami, leading to insinuation that the soldiers were brought in to suppress opposers of the monarch’s visit.
Tension has gripped the community as supporters on the opposing sides trade words on social media and on the streets on the next line of action.
[TheNation]
A Ghanaian cleric, Bishop Sam Owusu, has expressed disappointment in his fellow Ghanaians for not offering the same level of support to Ghanaian clerics as they do to Nigerian pastors.
This is coming in the wake of Nigerian Pastor Jerry Eze’s conference in Ghana.
The Nations’ Service Project with Pastor Jerry Eze reportedly attracted over 60,000 people last week.
The Ghana Conference, also known as the NSPPD conference, attracted a lot of buzz on social media.
However, Owusu, in a viral clip on Saturday, chided his church members and his countrymen for attending the conference.
Owusu is the Senior Pastor of the Pottersville church, East Legon Hills, Accra, Ghana.
He shared concerns about Ghanaians labelling their pastors as fake but supporting the ministries of Nigerian pastors.
In an impassioned speech in front of his members, he said, “Sometimes I am very surprised about Ghanaians, how hypocritical we are.
“We don’t respect our own and we don’t honour our own and we don’t love our own. We celebrate foreigners more than our own.
“But there is no foreigner that will celebrate Ghanaian. Look at how Ghana members and Ghanaian Christians follow Nigerian pastors and respect Nigerian men of God than even Ghanaian pastors.
“Every prophet in Ghana is considered as fake. Every anointed man of God is considered fake.”
Talking about Eze’s programme, he said, “Just last week, one of the young men in Nigeria came to do a prayer conference here and over 50,000 people were there praying, Ghanaians o!
“But let me tell you, do you know there is no Ghanaian Pastor that will go to Nigeria to have that crowd? Not even 10%?
“Nigerians will never that’s why there is no bigger Ghanaian Church in Nigeria. Nigerians respect and love their own”
He added, “You go to Jerry Eze programme, you are sponsoring a Nigerian at the detriment of your own prophet in Ghana.
“I don’t hate him. I love the man. I love the young man. He came to Ghana and pulled over 100,000 crowd and took offerings and seed to his country and I saw even the Electoral commissioner who was the one who went to receive him from the airport.”
This situation has triggered responses from many individuals, who have highlighted the ongoing competition between Ghana and Nigeria.
The two African nations have often clashed in attempts to establish superiority.
In recent years, Ghana and Nigeria have engaged in friendly competition over Afrobeats, football, and jollof rice.
[Punch]
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has urged gubernatorial aspirants and stakeholders to close ranks and rally around Asue Ighodalo, the party’s governorship candidate for Edo State.
Naija News reports that Ighodalo had emerged as the winner of the primary conducted by the ruling party, but the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, had also claimed victory in a parallel primary.
Despite the PDP leadership giving Ighodalo a Certificate of Return, Shaibu has vowed to challenge the party’s decision in court.
In a statement on Saturday, Atiku, through his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, congratulated Asue Ighodalo for his victory at the just-concluded primary election of the party.
The former Vice President said that the election of a thoroughbred technocrat by the PDP as the party’s candidate in Edo State signposts the urgency that the PDP gives to ensuring that the next governor of Edo State is a round peg in a round hole.
Atiku said, “The PDP leadership and members in Edo State must be congratulated also, for an amazing primary election that produced the quality of candidate to fly the flag of our party in the upcoming election.
“The party has made a choice, and it is not in dispute that the choice is a good one.
“It is, therefore, on this note that I plead with all other aspirants and aggrieved stakeholders to reconcile and negotiate to make sure that Edo remains a PDP state.
“Barrister Ighodalo, apart from being a brilliant mind, in whose hands the affairs of Edo State will steer on stable waters, is also a fine gentleman.
“I believe that our candidate has what it takes to bring everyone willing to work for the interest of the PDP under the huge umbrella of our party.”
Continuing, he noted that the current hardship being experienced by Nigerians should energize every PDP member to work for the party’s interest, especially in Edo State, in ensuring that the ruling party, the APC, does not enlarge its map of hunger and poverty.
[NaijaNews]
The Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Igboho, has urged traditional rulers in the Southwest to support him in flushing out criminality and banditry from the region.
Igboho said he would collaborate with traditional rulers to put a permanent end to insecurity in the Southwest.
In a statement he signed, he lamented that insecurity was responsible for death and farmer-herder crisis in the region.
“I welcome the idea, and assure them that I will do my best to checkmate incidence of insecurity provided I receive the backing of the relevant security agencies, Yoruba monarchs and other stakeholders.
“Insecurity and threats precipitated by banditry, herders/farmers clashes, leading to deaths and massive destruction of farmlands have driven away farmers and agric entrepreneurs from farm settlements in Yorubaland.
“We need to flush out criminal elements, who have occupied our forests using the place as launch pads to jeopardize the peace in our communities, towns, villages and amulets. I am ready to lend my support in this regard,” he said.
[DailyPost]
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, says he is alive because God is wonderful, recalling how he once escaped death by the whiskers.
He spoke at the Redemption Camp, off Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun, on Saturday as he clocked 82, with congregants celebrating him.
Adeboye narrated the incident, which many years ago, according to him, could have claimed his life, if not for a miraculous intervention of God.
He referred to an earlier narrative by his former driver of several accidents in which the cleric and his wife escaped death in various incidents on the way to Ilorin, Kwara.
Adeboye said that the most frightening was one in which their vehicle came face to face with a trailer that was coming at full speed on a narrow path, by a bridge which had a river by its side.
“Somehow we passed,” he said, noting that it was a miracle that they escaped unhurt in the incident, which left both him and his driver shaking.
Adeboye said the escape amazed his driver, that all the way to Ilorin, all he was repeating was ‘wonderful.’
“That I’m alive today is because His name is called wonderful,” he said, and prayed that God would be wonderful in the lives of the people.
Adeboye appreciated the church members for celebrating him, praying that none of them would die young, and that they would be greater than him.
He said that his 82nd birthday anniversary also marked the 38th anniversary of the annual Special Holy Ghost Service organised by the church.
The cleric, at the event, went on to preach on the theme of the Holy Ghost Service – On Eagles Wings.
Preaching from Exodus Chapter 19, he said, “When God hears and takes notice of a person, the life of such a person changes for better.
“God can grab you from the lowest point on earth and put you on the throne.”
According to him, when one’s case is beyond any human assistance, the God who knows will send help.
The cleric said that all God required was faith and holiness, and He was able to give sweatless victory.
He prayed that God would hear the cries of the people, carry them on eagle’s wings and deliver them totally like He did for the children of Israel.
(NAN)
FG clash with Binance, Tinubu dusts off Oronsaye report, voodoo in Olympics: Weekly news roundup
AdminThis report brings you this week’s biggest news stories from around the country.
Nigeria has increased its crackdown on cryptocurrency platforms in the country, leading to reported disruptions for several users. The Binance platform was specifically targeted in this crackdown following accusations by the Central Bank governor of being used for illegal transactions.
Renowned Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, graced PUNCH Newspaper’s 50th anniversary. Did the efforts by the Nigerian Labour Congress to shut down the country through protests fail to achieve the desired outcome?
President Bola Tinubu dusted off the Oronsaye report and called for immediate implementation. Here are highlights from the week’s biggest news stories, from February 25 to March 2, 2023.
- Soyinka calls for decentralisation
Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, criticised previous national conferences in Nigeria, describing them as deceitful attempts to pacify citizens rather than genuine solutions for national challenges.
Speaking at a public lecture to celebrate PUNCH Nigeria Limited’s 50th anniversary, Soyinka urged leaders to prioritise decentralisation for effective national development, stating that it is essential for maximising productivity and self-sufficiency.
“When the word restructuring is booted around, we often have the challenge, what do you mean by restructuring?
“Well, I don’t even like the word restructuring, I prefer the expressions like reconfiguration, decentralisation. And those who lead us they recognise the necessity of it; they recognise the importance and almost the inevitability of decentralisation until they get in power,” he said
Soyinka emphasised decentralisation’s importance in enhancing food production and addressing hunger.
“Palliatives remain crude, short-term, stop-gap measures only.
“As a veteran of food security working conferences from Uganda to India, from Paris to Sochi, I insist that for a nation to be food self-sufficient, and sustainably, decentralisation is the key, not collectivisation,” he said.
He stated that decentralisation is not just a slogan but a necessary step towards addressing the nation’s incomplete mission of nation-building.
- The one-day protest
The Nigeria Labour Congress and affiliated unions initiated a national protest on Tuesday, addressing concerns about the high cost of living, inflation, insecurity, and general hardship in the country.
Protesters, led by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, marched to the National Assembly and presented a letter of demands to President Bola Tinubu through the lawmakers.
However, following the first day of protests, the NLC announced the suspension of the nationwide demonstration slated for Wednesday.
In a communiqué issued after the National Executive Council meeting, the NLC expressed confidence that the government had received their message effectively.
Despite the decision to suspend the protest, Ajaero revealed at a subsequent press briefing on Wednesday that the congress faced intimidation and threats, compelling them to halt the demonstration.
He said, “We were threatened with all manners of consequences that would be meted on us if we went ahead.
“We were, however, not perturbed, as lifting the heavy yoke of suffering upon Nigerian workers and masses left us with no option than to press on,” Ajaero revealed.
Ajaero highlighted the NLC’s commitment to alleviating the hardships faced by Nigerian workers and the general public, despite the obstacles.
Additionally, he disclosed he has evidence of the “importation of agents” mobilised to disrupt the peaceful demonstration through violence during Tuesday’s protest
- FG versus Binance
The Federal Government is intensifying its scrutiny of Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange company, amid concerns about its impact on Nigeria’s economy.
According to reports, the government is considering demanding over $10bn from Binance as a penalty for its alleged involvement in illegal transactions in the country.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed in an interview with the BBC that discussions on compensation and fines are ongoing, highlighting the potentially significant losses Nigeria has suffered while Binance profited.
This move comes amidst efforts to stabilise the value of the naira, as Binance users allegedly manipulated dollar-naira rates, leading to a sharp decline in the currency’s value.
Onanuga also stated that Binance is not registered in Nigeria and has no physical presence in the country.
The Office of the National Security Adviser confirmed that Nigerian authorities are investigating Binance’s operations.
This development follows reports of Binance executives being detained by the Nigerian government and the platform’s suspension of naira-denominated transactions.
It also comes after Binance’s settlement of $4.3bn in criminal money laundering charges with the U.S. Department of Justice.
- Oronsaye: The Rise of the Sceptre
Twelve years after the submission of the Stephen Oronsaye Report, the Federal Government announced on Monday its approval of the implementation of some of its recommendations aimed at reducing the cost of governance.
Consequently, 29 government agencies will be merged, while eight parastatals will be integrated into eight other agencies.
Additionally, four agencies are set to be relocated to various ministries, and one agency is slated for scrapping.
As per the announcement made by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, it comes in response to the 2012 Oronsaye report, which pointed out the increase in government parastatals and suggested major restructuring.
The report suggested reducing the number of statutory agencies from 263 to 161, scrapping 38 agencies, merging 52, and reverting 14 to departments within ministries.
It also proposed repealing the law, establishing the National Salaries and Wages Commission and merging Nigeria’s top three anti-corruption agencies.
The decision to implement the Oronsaye report was part of President Bola Tinubu’s agenda for governance reform.
Agencies slated for merger include the National Agency for Control of HIV/AIDS, the National Emergency Management Agency, and the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa.
Certain agencies such as the Federal Radio Corporation and the National Commission for Museum and Monuments are set to be merged or subsumed into other entities.
Some agencies, like SERVICOM and the Border Communities Development Agency, will become departments within other agencies.
The restructuring effort aims to enhance government efficiency, reduce duplication of functions, and free up resources for developmental projects. To facilitate the restructuring and ensure legislative amendments, President Tinubu constituted a committee with a 12-week mandate to oversee the process.
- Peseiro bids farewell
Portuguese coach José Peseiro has said goodbye to the Super Eagles following the conclusion of his contract. He expressed his pride in his time with the team, highlighting their second-place finish at the 2023 African Cup of Nations.
Amidst the uncertainty surrounding his future, negotiations for a contract extension were in progress. Peseiro has mentioned receiving attention from other national teams.
There was a lot of talk about who might take over, with Emmanuel Amunike and George Finidi being considered.
Some people have suggested hiring a local coach, but technical director, Austine Eguavoen, backed the idea of extending Peseiro’s contract for stability.
As conversations progress, Nigerians are eagerly anticipating clarification before the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June.
Peserio was appointed head coach of the Super Eagles in 2022 and he helped the national team finish second at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
- 2024 Olympics Qualifier: Cameroon juju vs Nigeria’s God
Another Nigerian coach had an interesting experience this week in the form of voodoo. When the Super Falcons beat the Indomitable Lioness of Cameroon 1-0 at Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja to advance to the final stage of the 2024 Olympic Games, discussions about voodoo and juju in football circles came up.
Esther Okoronkwo’s goal propelled Nigeria to the final stage of the qualifiers. However, in the closing minutes of the game, Cameroon sent Annie Enganemben on as they were about to launch a free kick into the Nigerian box, with claims that the player was sent on to touch the net in a bid to give Cameroon a saving grace as they were running out of options, and had to resort to diabolical means.
In an already viral video, the substitute, alongside another striker, were seen trying to run towards the Nigerian goal in an attempt to touch the net, but Asisat Oshoala and other Super Falcons players took it upon themselves to prevent that from happening.
The drama led to the player being sent off after she hit Nnadozie in the process.
However, Super Falcons manager, Randy Waldrum, dismissed the notion, stating his disbelief in voodoo. Player Deborah Abiodun emphasised the team’s focus and faith amidst distractions, highlighting their belief in God.
“We kind of saw it as a point of distraction but we remained focused regardless of whatever they believe in, we believe in God and in Him we stand. So we don’t care about the voodoo,” Abiodun stated.
With the Super Falcons striving to qualify for the Olympics after their last appearance in 2008, there is optimism under Waldrum’s leadership to end this drought and clinch a spot in the Olympics.
- Sisi Quadri
On March 1, 2024, the entertainment world was plunged into mourning as news broke of the untimely passing of popular actor, Quadri Oyebamiji, fondly known as Sisi Quadri, at the age of 44.
Reports indicated that the actor had been battling persistent hiccups, attributed to a kidney-related ailment, while in his hometown of Iwo, Osun State.
Mourners, filled with sorrow, gathered at the residence of Quadri’s father, Alhaji Jimoh Oyebamiji, in Iwo, to lament his passing.
Quadri passed away slightly more than a year after his mother’s death in February 2023. He leaves behind a legacy of remarkable performances known for his distinctive fast-paced dialogue delivery and witty insults.
The news of his passing elicited an outpouring of grief from colleagues and fans alike, with fellow actors such as Abiola Adebayo, Bolaji Amusan (Mr Latin), Saidi Balogun, and Odunlade Adekola expressing their condolences on social media.
Quadri’s death was a major blow to the Nigerian entertainment industry, creating a void that will be that will be difficult to fill.
[Punch]
Legal luminary and human rights activist, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has said President Bola Tinubu was right to have removed fuel subsidy.
Besides supporting the subsidy removal, Agbakoba said he was fully in support of correcting the economy. However, he noted, “I do not support the slow pace at which the government is tackling the problem of hardship now.”
The SAN, who is an expert in maritime law, and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, made the points in an interview with Vanguard.
10 ministers
He also told Vanguard that Tinubu needed to reduce the number of ministers to 10 or 12.
He said: “What are you doing with 48 ministers? It is just too big. You don’t need all that. I recommend a maximum of 12.
“So many ministries can be merged and others abolished. What is the Ministry of Information doing? All the press secretaries in the Villa cover what the Minister of Information does. Tell me, what does the Minister of Information do daily? Nothing!
“We also do not need Agriculture and Housing ministries. My take is that the government has no house and does not need a Minister of Housing.
“There should be a very clean sweep; you can bring it down from 48 to about 10 to 12 ministers.
“We should abolish that section in the constitution that says every state must produce a minister.
Subsidy removal
Recall that on May 29, 2023, President Tinubu declared that subsidy was gone. He later described subsidy as an elephant that would bring Nigeria to its knees.
According to Agbakoba: “Why should we in good heart and sense, feed smugglers and be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries, even though they say not every day is Christmas?
“The elephant that was going to bring Nigeria to its knees is the subsidy. A country that cannot pay salaries and we say we have the potential to encourage ourselves. I think we did the right thing.”
We institutional palliative — Agbakoba
Speaking on the subsidy removal, Agbakoba said: “The principle of subsidy applies across the world. Every government uses the proceeds to offer palliatives to the aged, the poor and the unemployed.
“The problem with our own is the method of delivery.
“For instance, in the US, there is a social security law. So, the palliative process is institutionalised. It is not administrative.
“Even at that, there is a process of verification of people who are entitled. I don’t see how it cannot be done here. We have a lot of identification tools like BVN, NIN and others that can be used for people who are qualified for the palliative.
“On the larger issue of subsidy, it is really not a bad idea. France has just announced 45 billion euro to subsidise electricity.
“The budget of the United States is $5 trillion and half of it goes into subsidising education, free health, and support for the aged. The UK pays 200 billion pounds to support the national health system.”
‘Where’s the subsidy money’
Continuing, he said: “On the point whether President Tinubu was right to remove it, yes, he is right, to recreate the economy.
“But what hasn’t happened is the consequential follow-up, which is a gap creating the hardship now.”
Also suggesting a way out, he added: “We need to pass, as a matter of urgency, the social security act which will use existing data to identify people who are entitled to get palliative.
“What we have is the administration, where the government said it has set aside N100 billion for palliative but we don’t know where it is going.
“Where is the money that has accrued from the subsidy removal? How much has been paid as palliatives, and where is the money going to?
“Those are the gaps I will want the government to cover. If they do so, it is not going to be difficult to persuade Nigerians that ‘yes, this is a very tough period that we must go through to correct the economy’,” Agbakoba added.
[Nigerianeye]
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Nollywood actress, Laide Bakare, has debunked the accusation of sexualising controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable.
Naija News recalls that trouble started between the duo after the movie star, during an interview with her colleague, Abiola Adebayo, on her YouTube show called Portable a ‘dirty boy’ from Sango.
Reacting, Portable, in a video shared online, claimed that the movie star made sexual advances towards him despite using demeaning words on him online.
The ‘Zazu Zeh’ crooner also said that Laide Bakare was in his social media DM begging for his WhatsApp number and pleading with him to attend her birthday/event.
In an interview with Legit, Laide said the Zazu crooner was someone she used to enjoy his music before he became a nuisance.
Addressing the allegation of making sexual advances at Portable, the thespian stated that she had never met the singer, adding she only sent him a DM because she wanted him to perform at her show.
She said, “The first time I noticed him, he was different. He looked crazy and funny, but he is no more funny, now he is a nuisance. I used to like his style of music. That time when he first came out, I wanted him on my show. I didn’t have his phone number, so I sent him a message on Instagram.
“I requested for his contact so that we can discuss about my show. Later, I had to go through his former manager who later sent his contact to me but Portable didn’t pick up, so I went back to his manager. We did not conclude our discussion before I dropped the idea.
“Me Ke?. I have never seen him in my life. I can never shake him. He looks so dirty. He claimed I hugged him, I said me, hug ke? I have worked with his fathers in the music industry. I have featured 9ice, Olu Maintain, and Dekunle Fuji in my films.”
Countries with the best economy in the world contribute immensely to the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and have the power to influence international trade and world economic policies.
Naija News reports that the GDP is a measure for assessing the magnitude of a nation’s economy, which includes investments, expenditure, and value of exports, goods, and services.
Currency exchange rates also influence the strength of a country’s economy.
When the GDP of a country goes up, it means the economy is doing well. If GDP falls from one quarter to the next, it is a negative growth. Two successive quarters mean the economy is in recession.
There are no identical economies. What defines a country’s economy is based on resources, culture, history, geography, laws, and the country’s evolution.
In this article, you’ll get to know the top 10 countries dominating the world’s economies.
1. United States of America
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the United States is estimated to be about 26.85 trillion dollars, which is the highest in the global economy. Different service sectors such as technology, finance, healthcare, and so on have been major contributors to the country’s total output.
The United States of America has been notable for being one of the top economies in the world. The country’s economy has been able to thrive because of government policies, technologies, and productivity. The United States of America practices capitalism as its economic system — this means the government has no business doing business.
2. China
China is the second world’s largest economy, with a GDP of about 19.37 trillion dollars. This is a country whose economic expansion has become a global phenomenon. China operates a mixed socialist market economy. The main drivers in the economic growth of China are private investment and exports.
As of today, China is the fastest-growing consumer market and accounts for about half of the global consumption of metals. The country plays a crucial role in international trade considering being the largest trading nation in the world. Also, it has the largest foreign exchange reserves worth 3.1 trillion dollars.
3. Japan
Japan has been having significant economic growth since the 1960s. It ranks third with a GDP of 4.41 trillion dollars.
What made Japan one of the top economies in the world is its advanced social market economy, referred to as the “East Asian Model”. By market capitalization, Japan Exchange Group is the world’s fifth-largest stock exchange and the world’s second-largest foreign exchange reserves worth 1.4 trillion dollars.
It is also the world’s fourth-largest consumer market. In terms of automobiles, Japan is the second largest automobile manufacturer in the world. This is a country often ranked among the world’s most innovative countries.
4. Germany
Germany has a GDP of 4.31 trillion dollars; which makes it one of the top economies in the world. Germany is the top economy in Europe, with a highly developed social market economy.
In 2016, Germany had the highest trade worth 310 billion dollars. This feat made Germany one of the largest exporters globally, worth 1.81 trillion goods and services.
Its major exports are machinery, food products, rubber, plastics, electronic products, chemical goods, and basic metals. Germany is the first country to explore renewable energy and a top location for trade fairs
5. India
India’s 3.74 trillion GDP places it among one of the top economies in the world. The economy has been one of the fastest growing in the world’s economies. India’s economy has grown from just a mixed-planned economy to a mixed middle-income developing social market economy.
Right from independence in 1947 to 1991, the Indian government followed the Soviet model in promoting economic policies. India’s GDP is driven by government spending, investment and exports.
In 2022, India became the 6th largest importer and 9th largest exporter, including domestic consumption; the country is the world’s sixth-largest consumer market. The service sector is about 50 per cent of the GDP and is the fastest-growing sector.
6. United Kingdom
Despite the uncertainties that ensued from Brexit, the United Kingdom has managed to be one of the top economies in the world, with a GDP of 3.16 trillion dollars.
The economy of the United Kingdom is very developed in terms of social markets. In the world today, the United Kingdom constitutes 2.3 percent of the world GDP by Purchasing Power Parity (PPP).
The service sector constitutes 82% of the country’s GDP. The technology sector is worth 1 trillion dollars. Going back to history, the United Kingdom was the first country to industrialize in the 18th century.
7. France
France’s GDP is estimated to be 2.92 trillion dollars. Some of them are leading globally; that is automobile, railway, and aerospace. About 70 per cent of the country’s GDP comes from the service sector.
France’s social market economy is highly developed with different strategic sectors. In 2020, France was acknowledged as the largest Foreign Direct Investment recipient in Europe.
Bloomberg Innovation Index 2020 also ranked France as one of the top 10 innovative countries in the world. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) ranked France by GDP per capita in 2023 as the 23rd country with 44, 408 dollars per inhabitant.
8. Italy
Italy is widely known for its influential sectors; economy and agriculture including a highly developed social market economy. It is the eighth largest exporter in the world, with a GDP of 2.284 trillion dollars.
The world’s third largest gold reserve is in Italy and it is a great contributor to the budget of the European Union. Italy boasts of many multinational corporations which serve as the backbone of the industry.
Also, what makes Italy one of the top economies in the world is its significant production of furniture, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, food, and clothing. Italy is the hub for luxury goods and is the third largest in the world.
9. Canada
Canada is the ninth among the top world economies with a 2.09 trillion dollar GDP. The economy is a mixed one; exporting and importing goods worth over 630 billion dollars. Since the beginning of the 20th century, Canada has been growing economically and practically transformed the country from a rural to an urbanized industrial one. The service sector dominates the Canadian economy; and employs three-quarters of the country’s workforce. Canada is a leading exporter of gold, platinoids, uranium, zinc, and nickel. In the aspect of agriculture, it produces canola, wheat, and other grains.
10. Brazil
Brazil ranks tenth among the top economies in the world. The country’s GDP is about 2.08 trillion dollars. The economy is quite diverse, from manufacturing, agriculture, and services.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the GDP per capita in 2023 was around 10, 413 per inhabitant. Between the years 2000 to 2012, Brazil was one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
It was able to diversify the economy by focusing on gold, cotton, and sugar. Brazil is one of the largest steel producers and exporters.
In a new and exciting twist, Big Brother Naija Organisers has hinted at the season 9 edition of the reality TV show.
However, in a post via X on Friday, the show organisers tease fans about the upcoming season.
The post read, “Last season, Biggie asked for the All-Stars! This time, he has his eyes set on something different. What could it be this time around?”
Naira, on Friday, reversed the appreciation trend at the parallel section of the foreign exchange market.
The local currency depreciated by N100 or 6.67 percent to N1,600 per dollar.
Currency traders, known as bureau de change (BDC) operators, quoted the buying rate at N1,550 and the selling price at N1,600 — leaving a profit margin of N50.
At the country’s official window, the naira appreciated to N1,548.25 against the dollar on Friday — a 2.94 percent increase from the N1,595/$ traded on Thursday.
On Friday, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had revoked the licences of 4,173 BDC operators for failing to observe regulatory provisions.
According to the apex bank, it is revising the regulatory and supervisory guidelines for BDC operations in Nigeria.
The development comes amid efforts by CBN to achieve an appropriate market-determined exchange rate for the naira.
On February 27, 2024, the CBN said it approved the sale of foreign exchange to bureau de change operators.
Also, on February 23, CBN said sellers of the equivalent of $10,000 and above to BDCs are required to declare the source of the forex.
The bank also placed limits on the FX sales by BDC operators.
BDCs may sell foreign currency in the equivalent of $4,000 and $5,000 for personal travel allowance (PTA) or business travel allowance (BTA), respectively, once every six months.