Presidency Reveals Why Tinubu Sons Were Included In FG Delegation To Qatar

The presidency has defended President Bola Tinubu‘s decision to include his sons among the delegation going with him to Qatar. President Tinubu’s sons, Seyi and Yinka, were among the delegation members to travel with the President on a state visit to Doha, Qatar. The Nigerian leader will visit the Arabian country for a business and investment meeting scheduled for March 2 and 3, 2024, but will be accompanied by 38 others, including his sons. Following the development, the President came under fire for including his sons in the delegation to Qatar for a state visit. Reacting in a post via his official X handle on Tuesday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital/New Media, O’tega Ogra, said the President’s decision was not a new thing and not uncommon. Ogra said that some world leaders take their children on state visits to educate them about world affairs and different cultures, and to maintain a semblance of family life, despite the demands of public office. The presidential aide, therefore, asked Nigerians to stop majoring in minor things and focus on relevant issues. He wrote: “It is not uncommon for children of world leaders to accompany their parents on foreign trips. In fact, it is the norm. Canadian PM Trudeau is known to travel with his family on official trips abroad. Same with UK PMs – even if somewhat muted. “From the public image and diplomacy angle, bringing family members can soften a leader’s public image and aid in diplomatic relations by showcasing a relatable, family-oriented side. “For some leaders, taking their children on such trips is a way of educating them about world affairs and different cultures. “Others do it to maintain some semblance of family life, despite the demands of public office, and for security considerations. “The Obamas, Clintons, Bushs, Trumps and others went on tons of foreign trips whilst in office with their families. “We really need to stop majoring in minors in the name of castigating everything.”

Former Education Minister dies

  Former Nigerian minister of education, Professor Fabian Osuji is dead. He died on Wednesday morning, according to a family member who confirmed the news. He had returned from a vacation in the United States on Saturday and had been treated for undisclosed medical issues. Osuji was born on January 20, 1942, and attended Holy Ghost College in Owerri, Government College in Umuahia, the University of Nigeria in Nsukka, Enugu State, and the University of Ibadan, Oyo State. He conducted his post-doctoral research at the Imperial College of Science and Technology in London. He became a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor in the Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan in 1973, a post he held till 1981. He was also a Visiting Scientific Fellow at the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Food and Agriculture Organization. He became a Dean of the College of Science, Dean of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and member of the Governing Council of Imo State University. He was appointed Professor of Applied Biology, at St. John’s University, New York (CUNY) USA (1997-1999). He was also a Visiting Professor at several universities in Nigeria and worldwide. Known as a scholars’ scholar, he published 35 papers and books to his credit. He celebrated his 80th birthday in 2022 when family and friends gathered to extol the virtue of a man highly regarded as a sound educationist. The former educationist died aged 81.

You’ve Grown Wings – APC Knocks Seyi Makinde For Criticizing Tinubu

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized Governor Seyi Makinde for condemning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to remove the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as fuel.  In a statement, the APC accused Makinde of overstepping his bounds and lacking the authority to criticize Tinubu’s leadership. APC’s Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Olawale Sadare, emphasized that Makinde is the only governor openly criticizing the incumbent president for the subsidy removal.  Sadare argued that the governor should focus on addressing challenges within the state rather than blaming Tinubu for the economic situation. The statement highlighted Makinde’s past silence during the subsidy removal under former President Muhammadu Buhari and accused him of exploiting the recent labour protest to deflect blame from his administration.  The APC also raised concerns about the utilization of allocations, claiming that Makinde received over N207 billion without significant positive impact. APC accused him of engaging in wasteful spending, capital flight, and misplaced priorities, leaving the state grappling with issues of hunger, poverty, and unemployment. The statement reads: “Makinde has grown more wings in his penchant for misleading the public and sacrificing others for his ineptitude in government. Funny enough, the PDP-dominated State House of Assembly spoke in the same tone on the same day, and we understand the script being played by the governor. “Gov. Makinde holds the record of the only governor in Nigeria who constantly blames the sitting President for his failure to add value in his state. Out of the 36 governors, the Oyo State helmsman was the only one who criticized President Bola Tinubu over the removal of fuel subsidy when he stated that the decision was untimely and not well thought out. This was what he did to former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2019 and 2023 as he distanced himself from Aso Villa on account of ego and thereby denied the Pacesetter state a lot of opportunities for four years. “As he is wont to do, Makinde attempted to take advantage of the labour protest on Tuesday to heap all the blame for the bad economy in the country on the federal government, forgetting that governors like him were more culpable for the extent to which the quality of life has degenerated. Why blame President Tinubu for stopping wasteful spending on fuel subsidy when the decision has been enabling you to collect improved allocations in the last nine months, although without much to show for it? “The Oyo State government has received over N207 billion in allocations from Abuja since May last year, and this excludes the billions of naira accrued to the 33 local government councils which the governor hijacked from them. “Rather than use the whopping allocations to create wealth, Gov. Makinde mopped up more funds from loans, grants, IGR, and illegal sale of government assets without accountability. So, who then addresses hunger, poverty, and unemployment in Oyo State when the governor always engages in wasteful spending, capital flight, and misplaced priorities?” the statement added

Why Oronsaye Report Won’t Reduce Governance Cost — Falana

A Senior Lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Femi Falana, SAN has stated why the Oronsaye reported adopted for implementation by the Tinubu led federal government will not reduce the cost of governance.  Falana, described the 12-year old Steve Oronsaye Report as outdated.  In a statement on Tuesday, the Senior lawyer, said the report won’t “substantially reduce the enormous costs of governance in the country as it does not reflect the current situation in the public service,” contrary to the belief in official circles.  The Federal Executive Council (FEC) chaired by President Bola Tinubu had on Monday approved the full implementation of the Oronsaye report. According to the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, the move was in line with the need to reduce cost of governance and streamline efficiency across the governance value chain. Falana said, “No doubt, the implementation of some of the recommendations of the Panel will take appreciable time as the merger of certain bodies require constitutional amendments or repeal of a number of statutes. “The 800-page report of the Steve Oronsaye Panel recommended the reduction of statutory agencies from 263 to 161, scrapping 38 agencies, merging 52, and reverting 14 to departments in different ministries, “Since the Goodluck Jonathan administration produced a White Paper on the Steve Oronsaye Report in 2014, the Federal Government has created more ministries, departments and agencies. “Whereas the Report recommended the reduction of 263 agencies to 151, the number of ministries, departments and agencies has increased to 1316. Even the current administration has increased the number of ministries and created new agencies. To that extent, the Steve Oronsaye Report is completely outdated. “However, in implementing the Oronsaye Report the Federal Government should ensure that the crisis of insecurity is not compounded through the retrenchment of hundreds of thousands of workers. “Instead of downsizing the public service the Federal Government should ensure that the two houses of the National Assembly are merged while the number of Ministers, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants is significantly reduced.”

Senate Advocates Introduction of Food Stamp Program to Combat Food Insecurity

In response to the growing incidence of food insecurity in Nigeria, the Senate has proposed the implementation of a food stamp program akin to what obtains in the United States. The resolution, put forth during Tuesday’s plenary session, emphasizes the need for immediate action to mitigate the impact of various factors contributing to the crisis, including conflicts, climate change, inflation, and currency devaluation. Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) spearheaded the motion titled, “Introduction of food stamps in Nigeria as an interim measure to address imminent food insecurity in the country,” with co-sponsorship from Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC, Kwara Central). Ndume underscored the urgency of the situation, citing projections from the October 2023 Cadre Harmonisé Analysis indicating that approximately 26.5 million Nigerians could face severe food insecurity in 2024. Highlighting the multifaceted nature of the issue, Ndume pointed to ongoing conflicts, adverse effects of climate change, skyrocketing inflation rates, and the devaluation of the national currency as key drivers of food insecurity. In response to these challenges, the Senate advocated for the adoption of a food stamp program modeled after the successful initiative in the United States. Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) echoed Ndume’s sentiments, drawing parallels between the proposed Nigerian food stamp program and its American counterpart. He emphasized the potential of such a program to provide crucial assistance to vulnerable segments of society. To operationalize this initiative, the Senate directed the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to collaborate with development partners and relevant stakeholders, notably the Lagos Food Bank Initiative. The latter organization gained recognition for its Temporary Food Assistance Programme (TEFAP) in previous years, offering valuable insights and expertise in the implementation of food assistance programs. The Senate’s proactive stance on addressing food insecurity through the introduction of a food stamp program reflects a concerted effort to safeguard the well-being of the populace. By leveraging partnerships and drawing inspiration from successful models, Nigeria aims to bolster its resilience against the challenges posed by food insecurity.

Police Denies Sealing NLC Lagos Office

Lagos State Police command has denied a report of sealing the secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Yaba, Lagos, on Monday. State’s Police spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, described the report as rumour, saying the Commissioner of Police Adegoke Fayoade only went to the NLC secretariat to address protesters. The police spokesman stated this in reaction to the rumour, and giving reasons for heightened security upgrades in hotspots around Lagos on Monday. Hundeyin told newsmen that the police proactively arrived at the NLC secretariat and other hotspots to ensure adequate security for planners of the strike and to prevent their procession from being hijacked by hoodlums. “The Commissioner of Police, Mr Fayoade addressed the protesters before the procession took off in his presence. “The procession was peaceful and without any untoward incident,” Hundeyin said, adding that CP Fayoade monitored the security operation and the protest, ” he said. He stated that the protesters neither caused traffic obstruction nor got involved in violent activities. Heavily armed police operatives were seen at Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, and other parts of Lagos on Monday, in readiness for a planned protest by organised labour. The NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC had scheduled a nationwide strike for February 27 and 28 to protest what they called hardship currently faced by Nigerians.

Cost of Governance: FG Lists Agencies to be scrapped

The federal government announces the list of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), either to be eliminated, merged or prunned as part of the implementation of the Oronsaye report that has been pending for more than a decade.  This decision, announced after Monday’s Federal Executive Council meeting, stems from a report initiated by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.  Led by Steve Oronsaye, the committee identified overlapping agencies causing competition and wasteful expenditure, recommending the reduction of 263 statutory agencies to 161, abolishing 38, and merging 52. Additionally, 14 agencies are proposed to revert to departments within ministries, aiming for a more streamlined government structure. Below are government agencies set to be merged or scrapped. – 38 Federal Agencies to be abolished – Public Complaints Commission, National Poverty Eradication Programme, Utilities Charges Commission, National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, National Intelligence Committee, etc. – 14 agencies to be fused into ministries where they were created e.g Debt Management Office to the Federal Ministry of Finance – Public Health Department back to the Federal Ministry of Health – National Information Technology Development Agency to be fused into the Ministry of Communication Technology – Reduction of statutory agencies from 263 to 161 – 52 institutions to be merged: NTA, FRCN & VON into the Federal Broadcasting Corporation of Nigeria (FBCN) – NCC & NBC into Communication Regulatory Authority of Nigeria (CRAN); – CCB, EFCC & ICPC to be merged into the Anti-Corruption Commission. – Another key recommendation of the committee was to discontinue government funding of professional bodies and councils. Consequently, there is a need to amend the Professional Bodies (Special Provisions) Act, of 1972 which mandates the government to provide financial support of various kinds to such bodies. – They include the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN); Computer Professionals Council of Nigeria (CPRCN); Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON); Nigeria Press Council; Architects Registration Council; Council for Registered Engineers of Nigeria (COREN); Estate Surveyors’ Registration Board (ESRB); Town Planners Council (TPC); Nigerian Builders Council (NBC; Quantity Surveyors’ Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRB); Nigerian Builders Council (NBC); and Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG). Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution to be scrapped and its functions to be transferred to the Department of Strategic Studies in the Nigerian Institute for International Affairs (NIIA). The committee recommended that the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Authority (PPPRA) and Petroleum Equalisation Fund be merged with Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF). Based on the White Paper, the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) would be abolished and its enabling law repealed as its functions are being performed by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission. A similar fate awaits the Salaries and Wages Income Commission. – The trio of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) were recommended to be merged into a new body to be known as the Federal Civil Aviation Authority (FCAA) and their respective enabling laws amended accordingly to reflect the merger. – Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), the Committee recommended that it be merged with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to synergize for management and utilization of resources. – The Committee recommended that the enabling law of the National Commission for Nomadic Education be repealed and the Commission’s activities taken over by the Universal Basic Education Commission. – National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

Nigeria Police Seal NLC Office in Lagos Ahead of Planned Protest

In a move to thwart the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) planned nationwide protest against hunger and hardship, the Nigeria Police Force has sealed the NLC office in Lagos State.  The protest, scheduled for February 27 and 28, is aimed at address economic challenges faced by Nigerians. Hassan Taiwo, national coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), shared an image on Monday morning revealing armed police personnel stationed in front of the NLC headquarters in the Yaba area of Lagos State.  Some individuals within the building remain uncertain about the unfolding developments. The NLC had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Nigerian government regarding widespread hardship, leading to the organization of the protest.  Despite warnings from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), urging cancellation, the NLC remained steadfast in its decision. Accusing the government of planning to attack peaceful rallies and alleging involvement of certain groups in causing violence against protestors, the NLC President emphasized the right to peaceful protest.  The statement also expressed concerns about potential deployment of state-sponsored terror, highlighting the NLC’s determination to proceed with the protest despite government warnings and concerns from various quarters.

Wike doesn’t care if people live in FCT – Sen Kingibe

Senator Ireti Kingibe has criticized FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for his indifferent approach, expressing concern about Wike’s lack of concern for the residents of the nation’s capital.  At an event marking the first anniversary of the 2023 presidential election, Senator Ireti highlighted the worrisome nature of the minister’s attitude and stated that as Obidients, they would find a way to address the situation. She emphasized the need for swift planning and organization to tackle the critical state of insecurity in the nation. “We, as a nation right now, we are in trouble. Yes, you’ve elected me as senator of the FCT, which is the highest elected office in the FCT, but I have to work with a minister who doesn’t seem to realize that there are people living in the FCT. “But we, Obidients, will have to figure a way around it. “We need to start planning and organizing ourselves as quickly and possible. In fact, the condition (of the nation) is critical if we don’t do anything now. Insecurity is what is about to consume us. “You can’t go to the farm. You can’t do anything. We have to take charge,” she said.

Tinubu Told To Sack Foreign Affairs Minister

President Bola Tinubu has been advised to sack the minister of foreign affairs Yusuf Tuggar over the leak of a letter from Qatari authorities. Former presidential aide Reno Omokri gave the advice on Sunday. On Saturday, a diplomatic correspondence between the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Abuja and Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Tinubu’s proposed state visit to Qatar between March 2 and 3, 2024 was leaked. In the letter dated February 22, 2024, Qatari officials said they would be unable to receive Tinubu for a business parley on the said days because there is no legally binding trade agreement between both nations among other reasons. The Nigerian government reacted to the leaked correspondence by saying it was not a snub on Tinubu. Reacting to the developments, Mr Omokri wrote on X on Sunday, “If I am President and my minister of foreign affairs comes to tell me that a sensitive national intelligence document has been leaked, my response to him would be simple: ‘Find the leaker, or find yourself another job!’ “A nice President cannot last in Nigeria. If you want to last as President, study Obasanjo!” In another post, he wrote, “President Tinubu is too nice, and niceness is a weakness in Nigeria’s politics. Nigeria is a fairly brutal country, and on the scale with niceness on the left end and brutality on the right end, you may not want to move all the way to the right, like Abacha, but you also do not want to be too close to the left. You want to be somewhere in the middle, but tilting to the right, like Obasanjo.  “Whoever leaked that Qatar note verbale should be fished out, sacked, and prosecuted for violating the Official Secrets Act, as well as for economic and political sabotage. However, if you cannot fish out the specific individual or individuals, then you make a scapegoat of those in charge of the foreign affairs ministry.  “Sack the minister in charge of that ministry. Then, remove the civil servant who is the Permanent Secretary and reassign him to a less desirable ministry. Then, demote the Director in charge of the department from where the leak occurred.  “If the President does not ensure that heads roll over this embarrassment to his administration, he will project weakness, and his own head may roll. This is Nigeria. There are too many people in the system whose loyalty is to opposing political parties and actors.”