Comedian Seyi Law Writes Open Letter To Tinubu Over Economic Hardship
Nigerian comedian Seyi Law has taken to X formerly Twitter to write an open letter to president Tinubu over the lingering economic challenges. In the letter, Seyi said even though he is an ardent supporter of the president, he won’t hesitate to criticize him when necessary. He wrote: “I know you’re not new to the complexity of governance in Nigeria, and I truly hope you’re feeling the pulse of the nation at this point in time. I am one of your ardent supporters, and I won’t hesitate to be one of your critics when necessary. “Sir, may I cast your mind back to 2012 when your party was able to convince Nigerians who had just had a beautiful yuletide celebration to take over the street in protest of the removal of subsidy on fuel. It was such a turning point for Jonathan’s administration and ushered in President Muhammadu Buhari. “It might interest you to know that I wasn’t one of the Nigerians convinced then to vote Buhari. Can you now imagine what great protest it would be for Nigerians to troop into the streets because of hunger, insecurity and inability to afford basic amenities?. I don’t want to imagine it and talk more of joining them. “Your Excellency, good intentions are mere intentions without proper implementations. There are certain things that I expected will be quickly fixed to mitigate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal. I am yet to see a fully implemented plan in the short term. “I used Moses and the Israelites’ journey from Egypt as an analogy in one of my write-ups, and it wasn’t a mistake. It was deliberate as you probably know that the Israelites got to a point and began to complain, preferring to go back to slavery in Egypt rather than moving forward. They got tired of Manna, and now Nigerians are asking, “Where is our manna for this time?” I waited for almost 2 years to join a protest against the former President Buhari’s administration because I believe that at least every new administration needs a minimum of one and a half years to stabilise. For every tick and tock on the clock, time is running on your administration. “Mr. President, it will be sad to lose the goodwill of over 8.9 million people who voted you because of the incompetence of the people in your cabinet. I believe at the mark of one year, there should be an appraisal of everyone, and those found wanting must go. Please, Sir, we are waiting patiently on the PCNG buses initiative and soft measures on food availability and affordability. “The issue of electricity is deeply concerning. We need members of your cabinet to communicate more effectively with visible action plans. Nigerians followed the continuous updates from the minister of interior, the actions of Governor Wike, and the progress of minister Bosun Tijani. We are therefore forced to ask what the others are doing because we don’t want a situation where someone who served with you will enjoy the liberty of going on the media to proffer solutions where he or she one’s failed. “While I support your Excellency, I will keep asking the tough questions and not stop until you achieve success for the greater good of the nation. This nation must and should be better for all”.
Debt: AEDC Issues Ultimatum to Government Agencies Or Risk Disconnection
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has sternly warned 86 government agencies and departments, including the Presidential Villa, CBN Governor, EFCC, FIRS, FAAN, and various ministries, to settle outstanding electricity bills totaling N47.1 billion within the next ten days. Failure to comply will result in disconnection effective Wednesday, 28th February, 2024, as stated in the notice issued on Monday by AEDC. “The Abuja Electricity Distribution PLC is constrained to do this publication with the details of Government, Ministries, Departments and Agencies with long outstanding unpaid bills for services rendered to them through the provision of electricity supply in that our previous attempts to make them honour their obligations have not achieved the desired results. “The relevant MDAs are hereby given notice that the AEDC shall after the expiration of 10 days from the date of this publication, that is, after Wednesday, 28th February, 2024, embark on the disconnection of my our services to them until they discharge their obligations to us by paying their debts,” the notice read.
FG Meets Dangote, BUA Over Rising Cement Prices
The Federal Government is set to convene a meeting with key cement manufacturers, including Dangote, BUA, and Lafarge, to address the surging cost of cement. Minister of Works, David Umahi, expressed concern over the significant price increase, which has jumped from N4,000 to a range of N8,000 to N10,000 per bag in recent weeks. Umahi emphasized the need to investigate the substantial gap between ex-factory and market prices and explore solutions to address the challenges faced by cement manufacturers. Orji Uchenna Orji, media aide to the minister, said: “Worried by the escalating cost of cement despite huge patronage by road and housing contractors to cement manufacturers, the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen Engr Nweze David Umahi CON, has summoned an urgent meeting of all cement manufacturers in Nigeria”. Orji quoted his principal as saying that the disparity between ex-factory price and market price is huge. “It is common knowledge that the manufacturers have their challenges, which we shall look into, but from our findings, the disparity between ex-factory price and the market price is wide,” Umahi was quoted as saying. “We therefore need to look into the situation and other issues with a view to finding a common front.”
Tinubu Approves Immediate Upgrade Of Key Health Infrastructure
President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate upgrade of key health infrastructure and equipment across all six geo-political zones in line with his administration’s vision of overhauling the health and social welfare sector for enhanced service delivery to all Nigerians. Upgrading health infrastructure and equipment is a top priority of President Tinubu’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative. To advance this landmark effort, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) will carry out the comprehensive upgradation of cancer-treatment infrastructure and other critical developments in six tertiary hospitals across several geopolitical zones, in addition to the full renovation and expansion of prior investments to improve broad-based access to high-quality healthcare in all six geo-political zones of the federation. The following teaching hospitals across geo-political zones have been marked for the establishment of oncology and nuclear medicine centres per facility as part of President Tinubu’s bid to ensure that world class cancer diagnosis and care is accessible across the country: (1) University of Benin Teaching Hospital (2) Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (3) University of Nigeria (Nsukka) Teaching Hospital (4) Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina (5) University of Jos Teaching Hospital (6) Lagos University Teaching Hospital The following ten critical health care service expansion projects across the fields of radiology, clinical pathology, medical and radiation oncology, and cardiac catheterization will be carried out in ten hospitals across all geo-political zones: (1) North-West: Reference Hospital, Kaduna — (Radiology, clinical pathology, medical and radiation oncology) (2) South-East: Medical Diagnostic Centre Complex, Enugu — (Radiology, clinical pathology, medical & radiation oncology) (3) North-West: Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto — (Diagnostic and intervention radiology, clinical pathology, and cardiac catheterization) (4) South-West: University College Hospital, Ibadan — (Diagnostic and intervention radiology, clinical pathology, and cardiac catheterization) (5) South-South: University of Uyo Teaching Hospital — (Radiology and clinical pathology) (6) North-East: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi — (Radiology and clinical pathology) (7) South-South: Federal Medical Centre, Asaba — (Radiology and clinical pathology) (8) North-Central: Harmony Advanced Diagnostic Centre Complex, Ilorin — (Radiology and clinical pathology) (9) North-Central: Jos University Teaching Hospital — (Radiology and clinical pathology) (10) North-East: Federal Medical Centre, Nguru — (Radiology and clinical pathology)
Supreme Court voids AMCON takeover of Lagos Hotel
The Supreme Court of Nigeria, Friday, nullified the takeover of the landed property of Suru Worldwide Ventures Nigeria Limited by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria. With the judgment, the Apex court affirmed the decision of the Appeal court, which dismissed the order of the lower court. A Federal High Court in Lagos had ordered the takeover of the company’s property by AMCON for not paying the loan obtained from the defunct Oceanic Bank. This followed a suit by AMCON, praying the court to order security agencies to offer it protection to enable it to exercise its possessory rights as a legal mortgagee under the Deeds of Legal Mortgage, over Suru Worldwide Ventures Nigeria Limited’s landed properties. But Suru Worldwide Ventures Nigeria Limited appealed against the judgment on the grounds that it was denied a fair hearing because it was not joined as a defendant. The appellate court, in a lead judgment by Justice Ugochukwu Ogakwu, held that the failure of AMCON to join Suru Worldwide Ventures Nigeria Limited as a defendant in its suit before the Federal High Court rendered the proceedings leading to the takeover order nullity. The court also ordered that the matter be returned to the Federal High Court for a fresh hearing Reading the lead judgment at the apex court, Justice Emmanuel Agim confirmed the court’s decision to halt the company takeover and ordered a new hearing at the High Court. He said, “I find no merit in the appeal. The judgment of the court of appeal is hereby affirmed. “
Deji Adeyanju Reveals Why Peter Obi, Atiku, Tinubu Should Be Jailed
Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju has called for the imprisonment of President Bola Tinubu, PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party’s Peter Obi. He cited their alleged failure and contribution to the nation’s hardships. Addressing a protest in Abuja, Adeyanju expressed concern over the depreciation of the naira compared to other West African currencies. He criticized the choices made by Nigerians in the last election, accusing politicians of corruption and emphasizing the need for accountability. Adeyanju warned of a Zimbabwean-like trajectory for Nigeria and asserted that all the presidential candidates should be in jail for the betterment of the nation. He said “We have warned Nigerians severally but it seems they have a covenant with oppression and suffering. I can’t imagine a situation where people had several credible alternatives during the last election but Nigerians said they wanted to swim and die with corruption. “Look at the Labour Party, people were jumping all over the place for that they are the saviour, look at the kind of worms we are witnessing, they can’t even account for their campaign funds. “The Abure looter has just been alleged of stealing N3.5 billion from the campaign funds by the party’s treasurer. We are talking about money generated from just sales of forms, not those in their naira account and those generated during the last election. “Peter Obi has refused to come clean, you can’t fight corruption with corruption. We warned Nigerians of the Emi Lokans of this world that he just came to have fun and loot. When he said it was his turn, Nigerians didn’t ask him, turn to do what? To loot? A man who said he would continue where Buhari stopped, what were you expecting? “Nigeria is heading the Zimbabwean way, is it not shocking that the West African CFAs are stronger than the naira? Things are going to get worse “There is none of them that ran that election whether Atiku, Tinubu or Obi that should not be in jail if we are to run a smooth country.”
Tinubu, Governors To Consider Establishment Of State Police
President Bola Tinubu, alongside the 36 governors, has endorsed the establishment of state police. The agreement was made during an emergency meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday. The Minister of Information and National Orientation revealed that discussions surrounding state police have gained momentum, with the federal and state governments recognizing the necessity of such a development. The Minister emphasized that while this marks a significant shift, further meetings will be conducted to refine the modalities for implementing state police across the country. He said, “But now, there is also a discussion around the issue of state police. The federal government and state governments are mulling the possibility of setting up state police. “Of course, this is still going to be further discussed, a lot of work still has to be done in that direction. But what the federal government and state governments are agreeing to the necessity of having state policy. “Now, this is a significant shift. But like I said, more works need to be done in that direction. A lot of meetings will have to happen between different government and sub nationals to see the modalities of achieving this.
FG Moves To End Electricity Subsidy
Nigeria’s Power Minister, Adebayo Adelabu, has announced an end to electricity subsidies, citing a national debt of 1.3 trillion naira to GenCos and 1.3 billion dollars owed to gas companies. Adelabu in a press conference on Wednesday revealed that despite a budget allocation of 450 billion naira for subsidies this year, the ministry requires over 2 trillion naira to sustain the subsidy program. As part of the proposed changes, state governments will now be permitted to independently generate power to supply their states. Addressing the recurring issue of grid collapses, Adelabu attributed these incidents to various factors including gas shortages, aging infrastructure within the grid, limited capacity to evacuate generated power, and the destruction of power stations in the North-East region. He further disclosed that the Transmission Company of Nigeria has shelved over 100 projects due to contract variations caused by fluctuations in forex rates. Consequently, the company will refrain from awarding new contracts until existing projects are completed. In a bid to address power challenges in remote areas, Adelabu announced a budget allocation of over 50 billion naira in 2024 for the construction of mini grids. Adelabu issued a stern warning to electricity distribution companies (DisCos), cautioning that those found negligent in their duties risk having their licenses revoked. In a move to bolster security for power infrastructure, the minister revealed reaching out to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for assistance in providing adequate security measures.
Fresh EndSARS Protest Erupts In Delta
Youths in Delta state have taken to the streets, protesting escalating police brutality and extortion. Viral videos depict demonstrators holding placards with the inscription “ENDSARS NOW,” urging the Nigeria Police Force to address the alleged misconduct. A social media user, X, shared the videos, asserting a surge in police brutality within the state. The spokesperson for the Delta Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe, responded, stating that the protest stemmed from the arrest of four individuals who couldn’t prove ownership of an unregistered car. According to Edafe, during the arrest, some youths attacked the officers, causing injuries and damaging a police patrol vehicle. He emphasized that the police would not be deterred by protests and urged the public to remain calm. In his statement, Edafe mentioned, “Nine of the suspects were arrested and will be charged to court. Youths are advised to stay off any protest because it won’t deter us from doing our job.” This incident echoes the 2020 #EndSars protests that swept through Nigeria, prompting the government to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars) and establish judicial panels to investigate allegations of police abuse.
Breaking: Ghana President Reshuffles Cabinet, Sacks 12 Ministers
Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo has reshuffled his cabinet. In a statement released by the presidency on Wednesday, Akufo-Addo sacked twelve ministers and their deputies. Among those sacked is Ken Ofori-Atta, the minister of finance. Ofori-Atta had been under pressure to resign as the cost-of-living crisis in the country was beginning to bite hard, triggering a number of protests. But he did not heed to the resignation calls. He said: “Asking me to resign is like telling a father to resign from his children because he changed his mind”. When NPP lawmakers petitioned Akufo-Addo to sack him, the president hesitated. His argument was that terminating the appointment of the minister at the time will disrupt Ghana’s IMF bailout negotiations. The president has not announced any new appointments.