A Nation Poised for Greatness

The widely circulated video bemoaning the massive devaluation of the Nigerian Naira and our interpretation of what it portends for the future of our country, is a clear illustration of how our preconceived and implicit biases can dramatically influence our perception of the same reality. Yes, the author of the video, which sounded like an AI generated audio, was absolutely on target in his diagnosis of the pathology of incompetent, inept and corrupt leadership that has led to the decimation of our currency valuation. In fact, there is no daylight between you and me in our analysis of the current Hobbesian state of existence that our people are being forced to live through. No sane person can deny the reality of the current parlous existence of our people. It is all too glaring for everyone to see. Where there is a huge gulf between us is our future orientation. You, on one hand, see no hope of a bright future for Nigeria. I, on the other hand, see a nation that emerges out of this current mess into a future full of a promise of economic renaissance and rebirth. Even in the midst of the darkest cloud hovering Nigeria, I see shadows and glimmers of bright spots. I see incredible creative energy in the culture economy (Nigerian music and Nollywood) _killing_ it globally. I see a booming tech-economy and an emerging and thriving fintech. I see an economy that is rapidly becoming a cashless economy. From the local bukateria to the hawkers on the street, you can now almost transact business without cash. I also see an explosion of a construction economy. In my neighborhood here in Ibadan and across all the major cities in the country, there is an incredible redevelopment boom, old buildings being demolished, and in their place glistering massive edifice. It is also a reality that the Igbos are buying up the whole place from Lagos; to Ibadan, to Akure, and to my hometown Ilesha. Whether that is good or bad depends on one’s perspective. That is not the subject of this post. You can see some of the most amazing architectural masterpieces going up all over the place and a property valuation going through the roof. By the way, not all the construction are by politicians or corrupt civil servants. You will be surprised that the mechanic who fixes your car or the carpenter who calls your dad is a landlord. Rather than paying exorbitant rents, a lot of people, some misguided people, might look down on as low class, have actually managed to put up their shelter. It might not be Hollywood style edifice, but our resilient no-quitting people are beating the odds of home ownership. Of course, on the flip side, one cannot overlook the mind-numbing and sociologically dangerous gulf emerging between the haves and the have-nots. There is unnecessary suffering and inhumane poverty ravaging the land due to the insane greed of a kleptocratic ruling class and civil servants. That is the danger that lies ahead for our country. The Nigerian rich class may be unwittingly piling up the dynamite that might be used to blow up their wealth. We must address the wealth inequality and the emerging segregation of Nigeria into a de factor caste system based on wealth. So back to my point, while many of us, especially those of us in the diaspora, are focussed on the problems, I see dynamic people both Nigerian and especially non-Nigerians, who are capitalizing on the tremendous opportunities presented by a growing and consuming population of over 220 million people. I see a Nigerian population, though bended by the whiplash of an economic tsunami, yet a people not broken. A resilient people who are eternal optimists, fun-loving, and future prospect-oriented. When you tell a Nigerian he is marooned in an impenetrable jungle, he takes out a matchete and starts cutting a path. That is the Nigerian spirit that will get us out of the current economic quagmire if we don’t give to the debilitating noise of despondency and hopelessness. That is what gives me hope and not some blind sense of patriotism or unhinged optimism. It is our can-do spirit, which has made the Nigerian immigrant population in the U.S. and all over the world, one of the most dynamic and successful immigrant groups in the entire world. Yet, and sadly, when it comes to our country, the same diaspora Nigerians who have become pace-setters all over the world seem to be paralyzed by a pathology of pessimism and negativity. That is what’s so puzzling about the Nigerian diaspora. Let me reiterate that I am as convinced that, as it is predictable that the sun will emerge in its amber glory from the east tomorrow morning, bursting through the dark night, Nigeria too will emerge out of this darkest of nights into a glorious morn. This is not wishful thinking but evidence based prognostication. The reason, I have been sounding the alarm bell is to alert my people in the Diaspora not to be caught up in the web of pessimism and negativity and in the process lose out of the innovator’s dividend. Yes, the Nigeria economy is high risk, but it is also a high reward. The Nigerian stock market, for instance, emerged as one of the best performers globally last year. That is news you will not see posted on social media. All you will see are the stories of kidnapping, banditry, and mayhem all over the country. Those too are the reality of many Nigeria, but that is not the whole truth. That is the nature of the unregulated wild Wild West world of the new social media. Let me restate it now that it would be a catastrophic missed opportunity for those of us in the diaspora not to engage with the Nigerian economy now. Delay will be massively costly for those waiting until Nigeria becomes a mythical Eldorado. I am not talking theory. I am on the

Tinubu Departs Nigeria For France On Private Visit

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, departed Abuja for Paris, France, for a private visit. His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, had revealed this in a statement on Wednesday but did not disclose the reasons for the visit. According to the statement, Tinubu is expected to return to the country in the first week of February 2024. This visit is Tinubu’s third to the country since he assumed office eight months ago. On June 20, 2023, three weeks after assuming office, Tinubu opened his foreign schedule in the city he last visited as President-elect, Paris, the French capital. In September 2023, the President spent nine days with world leaders in New York, USA, at the 78th United Nations General Assembly, which began on September 19, his first UNGA as President. Afterward, he proceeded to Paris, France, where he remained for five days, arriving in Abuja on September 29 ahead of Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Day anniversary on October 1.

Presidency Clarifies Tinubu’s Purported Plan To Move Federal Capital To Lagos

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has debunked reports that plans are underway to move the Federal Capital Territory to Lagos State. Onanuga, in a statement via X on Wednesday, described those peddling the reports as dishonest, ethnic and regional champions, attempting to draw attention to themselves. He noted that the rumour had made rounds during the presidential campaign in 2023 to stop Tinubu’s presidency, but it was trashed. According to Onanuga, Abuja, as the FCT is backed by law and has come to stay, adding the movement of FAAN, a department of the Aviation Ministry, to Lagos does not amount to moving the FCT to Lagos. The statement reads, “President Tinubu has no plan whatsoever to move the Federal Capital to Lagos. The rumour first surfaced during the campaign last year by opponents looking for all manners of weapons to stop him. We trashed it. “Those peddling it anew are dishonest, ethnic and regional champions, trying to draw attention to themselves. Abuja has come to stay. It is backed by law. “The movement of FAAN, a department of Aviation Ministry to Lagos, where it was based before former minister Hadi Sirika moved it to Abuja during the last administration, does not amount to moving the FCT to Lagos. The administrative move should have attracted scant attention, as Lagos is the commercial capital and the hub of aviation business in Nigeria. FAAN should be no where else but near the industry it regulates. FAAN will still maintain some presence in Abuja, as it is not a wholesale movement. “Similarly, the movement of some departments of the CBN to Lagos should not trigger any hoopla. The departments concerned, including the bank supervision department, are those dealing with commercial banks, all with headquarters in Lagos. A regulator ought to be close to the businesses it regulates. “All those pushing this campaign of falsehood know they are playing politics, albeit a dangerous politics to pit the North against the South. “There are many parastatals that are not based in Abuja depending on their mandate. NIMASA is in Lagos. So is NPA. National Inland Waterways Authority( NIWA) is in Lokoja, not Abuja. Will the people opposing the movement of FAAN and some CBN departments want those agencies to be in Abuja, where there is no single port and no maritime activity? “Administrative decisions should not be politicized. Let it not look like whenever we are temporarily not at the helm of affairs, we create all manners of dangerous rumours to distract from the bigger picture and emasculate an administration led by a southerner. Let’s stop the dirty politics. We can’t be playing politics with everything.”

Nigerian Foreign Minister Tuggar Welcomes US Secretary of State Blinken for Bilateral Talks

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, warmly received the United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. The diplomatic encounter took place at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where Tuggar, alongside Secretary to the Government of the Federation Sen George Akume, led a brief reception and exchanged pleasantries with the visiting American diplomat. Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, confirmed these details, highlighting the significance of the diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the United States. During Secretary Blinken’s visit, discussions are set to revolve around key areas such as deepening democracy in the West African subregion, enhancing trade relations, and bolstering security cooperation between the two nations. The Minister also plans to utilize the opportunity to advocate for multilateral reforms, specifically emphasizing the need to democratize the United Nations Security Council. The talks aim to strengthen ties and address regional and global concerns in a collaborative manner.

FG To Develop App For Student Loan Scheme Application

The Federal Government says it will develop an app for applications into the student loan scheme.  This is according to the Executive Secretary of the Student Loan Scheme Board Akintunde Sawyer who spoke on Monday after the board met with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja. Sawyer said the move is to ensure zero human intervention in the scheme which is expected to start this year. The development came months after Tinubu said the scheme would commence in January 2024. “By January 2024, the new student loan must commence. To the future of our children and students, we are saying no more strikes,” Tinubu said in Abuja during the National Economic Summit 2023, assuring students that the era of incessant strikes is gone. President Tinubu in celebration of June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day, signed the student loan bill in fulfillment of the promise he made during his campaign. The bill, sponsored by the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, now Chief of Staff to the President, provides easy access to higher education for indigent Nigerians through interest-free loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund. The funds for the programme will be domiciled in the Ministry of Education and will only be accessed by indigent students of tertiary institutions.

Ex-President Koroma, arrives Nigeria under an ECOWAS-brokered deal

Sierra Leone’s former President Ernest Bai Koroma, facing treason charges, has arrived in Nigeria under an ECOWAS-brokered deal, ostensibly labeled as a “medical trip” by the Sierra Leone government. Originally scheduled for January 4th, the departure was delayed as President Julius Maada Bio faced internal opposition, fearing ECOWAS interference. The political unrest in Sierra Leone escalated after the disputed June 2023 presidential election, culminating in an alleged coup attempt on November 26th, attributed to opposition figures, including Koroma. Despite his denial of involvement, Koroma was placed under house arrest, later charged with treason, and taken to court on January 3rd. During the ECOWAS summit in December 2023, President Bio sought mediation, leading to a delegation, including Presidents Nana Akufo-Addo and Macky Sall, intervening in Freetown. President Bio insisted on Koroma’s exile for peace, similar to his asylum granted by the U.S. in 1996. Koroma initially resisted, but ECOWAS persuasion led to an agreement, contingent on dropping charges, retaining entitlements, and Nigeria as the host country. The Sierra Leone government introduced the “medical trip” narrative to save face, masking Bio’s initiation of the plan. Uncertainty looms over ECOWAS considering Bio’s request for a stabilization force. The alleged coup’s trial, involving 15 of Koroma’s bodyguards, gains significance with his exit. Sierra Leone, marked by ethnic division and post-civil war recovery, faces a critical juncture as it navigates these political challenges.

TEI Gears Up for February Bye-Elections with Intensive Training Workshop

In preparation for the upcoming Bye Elections and Court-Ordered Fresh/Re-run Elections scheduled for February 3rd, 2024, The Electoral Institute (TEI) orchestrated a one-day Training-of-Trainers Workshop. Attended by TEI Trainers, collaborating department staff, and State Training Officers (STOs) participating remotely through ZOOM, the workshop aimed at arming participants with the latest insights into electoral process advancements. The primary focus of the workshop was to empower Coordinating Trainers with the skills necessary to conduct detailed and effective training sessions across all states affected by the impending elections. Special emphasis was placed on training Supervisory Presiding Officers, Presiding Officers, and Assistant Presiding Officers in billing and counting procedures. Participants were also familiarized with the operation of the Biometric Voter Authentication System (BVAS) and guided through the process of uploading election results onto the INEC Result portal using the INEC Results Viewing Device (IREV). Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris, Director-General of TEI, stressed the importance of embracing innovations and new initiatives, underlining the crucial role of participants in passing on this knowledge to election personnel. He highlighted TEI’s significant contributions to the electoral process, including the use of E-learning platforms and the INEC Training bot during the 2023 General Elections. Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, National Commissioner, and Chair of the Board of Electoral Institute (BEI), officially inaugurated the training on behalf of the DG Electoral Institute. Prof. Zuru urged participants to serve as exemplary ambassadors of the Commission, emphasizing their critical roles as Trainers, Coordinators, and Monitors throughout the entire electoral process across the Federation.

Rising Incidents of Kidnappings in Abuja: UN Issues Stern Warning

The United Nations (UN) has sounded the alarm on the escalating wave of kidnappings for ransom in various regions of Nigeria, with a particular focus on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.  Expressing deep concern, the UN’s Chief Security Advisor, Phillip Ackatia-Armah, emphasized the need for urgent attention and heightened security measures. In an advisory, Ackatia-Armah urged UN staff and their dependents to exercise caution, especially during nighttime movements, as criminals increasingly target individuals perceived as capable of paying ransoms.  While UN personnel may not be directly singled out, their vulnerability lies in residing within communities where they may be recognized as potential sources of ransom funds. The advisory includes recommendations such as changing daily routes and timings to avoid predictability, keeping emergency contact numbers readily available, and informing others of whereabouts. It also provides guidance on interacting with kidnappers, emphasizing the importance of staying calm, subtly signaling for help, and continuously assessing surroundings for potential escape routes. The UN’s proactive measures come in response to a notable increase in kidnapping incidents in Abuja in recent weeks.  The organization aims to ensure the safety of its personnel by disseminating these guidelines to navigate the current security challenges in the Nigerian capital.

Tinubu Reacts To Ibadan Explosion

President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the tragic incident which happened in Ibadan, Oyo state, on Tuesday, January 16. This was made known in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, via Dada Olusegun’s X handle on Wednesday, January 17. The statement reads: “President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the devastating explosion that occurred on Tuesday night in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. “The explosion killed two persons and wounded about 80 others. It also destroyed several buildings, vehicles, and other properties.  “It is worrisome that the cause of the blast is being attributed to the activities of illegal miners. Those behind the inexcusable and reckless behaviour that has created the conditions for the sad incident to occur must be fished out and punished,” the President said. “President Tinubu commiserated with the government and people of Oyo State and called on all concerned agencies of government to unravel the circumstances that led to the tragedy with alacrity. “The President directs the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to work with the Oyo State Government to offer immediate and comprehensive relief to the victims.”

Niger, others hold Nigerian Passports – Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo…as lawyers call for the need to break the old order of governance

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed that some foreigners who have no business doing so are in possession of the Nigerian passport. He said there were Ghanaians, people from Niger Republic, and the rest who hold Nigerian passports but added, “What we have been able to do is to introduce a verification system into passport application and issuance.” Meanwhile, the President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Yakubu Maikyau SAN, has said there is a need for young lawyers to be properly mentored, as the need to break the old order of governance is necessary. Speaking at the National summit of the NBA young lawyers forum, in Abuja, Maikyau emphasized that the young lawyers are positive that with the right guidance and mentorship, they would be able to scale through all the challenges and attain the prestigious ranks in the profession. This was revealed at the ongoing Youth Leadership Summit of the Young Lawyers Forum of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) themed “Breaking the Old Order of Governance and Advocacy”. The event is aimed at bringing stakeholders together to brainstorm on issues revolving around good governance and advocacy. In his keynote address, the Minister assured Nigerians that with lawyers in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the government would succeed. Tunji-Ojo listed lawyers advising Tinubu to include the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, Chief of Staff To the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Principal Secretary to the President, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola. The minister expressed his confident that with the caliber of lawyers in Tinubu’s government, the administration was on track to getting things right in the country. He said, “this administration has no reason not to get it right. I say this emphatically (because) we have one of the most celebrated lawyers today, the Attorney-General of the federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Chief of Staff To the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Principal Secretary to the President, Mr. Hakeem P. When we look at the people advising the president, they are lawyers.” Further in his submissions, the Yakubu Maikyau, maintained that the country remains the greatest country on the face of the earth potentially saying potential makes no meaning to you until one converts it to an experience. “If have 10,000 naira in your pocket, you will die of hunger unless you convert it into an experience of getting food which you will eat to deal with that hunger. That is the case in Nigeria,” Maikyau said. The NBA president however admitted that the generality of Nigerians are unhappy with the results the country has gotten so far despite various processes of governance and advocacies. He agreed with the lawyers on the need to break from the old order of governance and advocacy. He said he was committed to adjusting to any changes that would occur in the course of interaction between lawyers of the older and younger generations. On that note, Maikyau announced a mentorship program for young lawyers saying young lawyers would be assigned to law firms, to learn the “attitude and approach to work” among other things. According to him, two young lawyers from the three zones of the NBA would kick start the pilot program and would spend six months at different law firms learning the rudiments of the legal profession. Speaking to newsmen, the Chairman, NBA YLF, Governing Council, Abdulrauf Tijjani Aboki said the youth wing’s objective is to promote the rule of law and break from the norm, especially on how to do this right. Responding to the recent insecurity challenges, Tijjani said the NBA would continue to support every effort aimed at promoting the rule of law. “The issue of insecurity does not know lawyer, doctor, or journalist, if it happens, it happens. But the NBA as an association can do what it can, we can lend our voices, we can prosecute cases Pro-bono(free of charge),: he said, explaining that the Executive and Legislative arm of government has alot to do regarding addressing insecurity.