BOKO HARAM KILLS 40 FARMERS IN BORNO, DOZENS MISSING
Dons Eze
- January 13, 2025
BUHARI, FRIEND OF THE POOR, DIDN’T REMOVE FUEL SUBSIDY – FEMI ADESINA
BUHARI, FRIEND OF THE POOR, DIDN’T REMOVE FUEL SUBSIDY- FEMI ADESINA Femi Adesina, the former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has described him as a friend of the masses which underscored many of his policies and decisions while in government. Adesina said such considerations were responsible for his decision not to remove fuel subsidies as Nigeria’s president. He described him as ‘Ore Mekunu’, a Yoruba phrase for a friend of the poor adding that he ‘still draws the people like magnets even in retirement’. Adesina who captured the several meetings the former president held with his cabinet and other agencies of government, said he refused to take decisions that would further impoverish the masses even when aware that some corrupt leaders are benefiting. “The Big Elephant in the room (was the) removal of fuel subsidy. Did you think the Government didn’t know that the money guzzling monster had to be slain? It knew. “But who ensured that subsidies remained as long as it did? Buhari. And why? The people, the ordinary people. His argument was always simple. “When oil sold for at least $100 per barrel in the international market, rising even to as high as $140 per barrel, what did the ordinary people gain? Nothing! So why should they be the ones to bear the brunt when oil prices fall?”, Adesina stated. The former presidential aide said even though Buhari may share the conviction to remove subsidies at the end of his administration like the presidential candidate then, “he didn’t want to do something that would throw society into a tailspin for the sake of the ordinary people”. Almost two years into retirement, Adesina said people still continue to mill around him because of his disposition to the poor.
TINUBU WILL USE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO FIGHT TERRORISTS IN 2025 – SENATOR JIMOH IBRAHIM
TINUBU WILL USE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO FIGHT TERRORISTS IN 2025 – SENATOR JIMOH IBRAHIM Ondo South Senator, Jimoh Ibrahim, says President Bola Tinubu is set to deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the fight against insecurity in 2025. The lawmaker said Tinubu would make life tougher for the criminals in the coming year as the government would use apps to track down bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists. Senator Ibrahim made the declaration on Wednesday while speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today with reference to the ₦49.7tn budget proposal presented to the National Assembly by President Tinubu in which ₦4.91tn was scheduled for security. “He will use AI to the security personnel to make life uncomfortable for them,” Ibrahim said. The lawmaker said with such a huge budgetary allocation to security, Nigeria would be more peaceful, the country would be able to produce more crude and, inadvertently, make more money. “If he is able to do that with ₦5 trillion, it would lead to more revenue as we are able to produce more crude oil. This way you make more money. “If we spend N5 trillion on security, we would have more peace and produce more oil,” the Senator submitted. He added that the security situation in the country has already improved under President Tinubu as the towns and cities previously under the control of Boko Haram terrorists have been liberated. The federal lawmaker submitted that the President is set to do more when the 2025 budget gets operational. “Give it to President Tinubu, whether you like him or not. The security index has improved. I see a positive security index, meaning that the army and police have done an excellent job. “No city or local government or state is wearing Boko Haram flag as of today. If you increase your security index, you have the opportunity to produce more,” Ibrahim added.
DANGOTE REFINERY, NNPCL RESUME FIGHT OVER $1B DOLLAR LOAN
DANGOTE REFINERY, NNPCL RESUME FIGHT OVER $1BN LOAN Dangote Group, owners of Dangote Refinery, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, have clashed over a $1 billion crude oil-backed loan. Recall that barely 24 hours ago, in a statement credited to NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye, the state-owned oil firm said it secured a $1 billion loan backed by crude to support the Dangote Refinery during liquidity challenges. However, Dangote Group spokesperson, Anthony Chijiena, has described NNPCL’s claim as ‘misinformation’. The company clarified that the $1 billion crude backed loan is about five percent of the total investment that went into building the 650,000 barrels per day refinery. According to him, it is inaccurate to say NNPCL facilitated $1 billion for Dangote Refinery amid liquidity challenges. Chijiena explained that NNPCL had proposed a 20 percent stake investment valued at $2.76 billion in the Dangote Refinery, but that didn’t materialise. He noted that NNPCL was able to invest $1 billion, which amounts to 7.24 percent equity value. “Our decision to enter into a partnership with NNPCL was based on recognition of their strategic position in the industry as the largest offtaker of Nigerian crude and, at the time, the sole supplier of gasoline into Nigeria. “We agreed on the sale of a 20 percent stake at a value of $2.76 billion. Of this, we agreed that they will only pay $1 billion while the balance will be recovered over a period of 5 years through deductions on crude oil that they supply to us and from dividends due to them. “If we were struggling with liquidity challenges, we wouldn’t have given them such generous payment terms. “As of 2021, when the agreement was signed, the refinery was at the pre-commission stage. In addition, if we were struggling with liquidity issues, this agreement would have been cash-based rather than credit-driven. “Unfortunately, NNPCL was later unable to supply the agreed 300 thousand barrels a day of crude, given that they had committed a greater part of their crude cargoes to financiers with the expectation of higher production, which they were unable to achieve. “We subsequently gave them a 12-month period for them to pay cash for the balance of their equity given theirinability to supply the agreed crude oil volume. “NNPCL failed to meet this deadline, which expired on June 30th, 2024. As a result, their equity share was revised down to 7.24 percent. These events have been widely reported by both parties. “It is, therefore, inaccurate to claim that NNPCL facilitated a $1 billion investment amid liquidity challenges. “Like all business partners, NNPCL invested $1 billion in the refinery to acquire an ownership stake of 7.24 percent. That is beneficial to its interests,” the Dangote Group statement said. Earlier, in September 2024, DAILY POST reported that Dangote Refinery and NNPCL locked horns over petrol pricing.
NIGERIA’S NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS WEBSITE HACKED
NIGERIA’S NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS WEBSITE HACKED The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has raised an alarm that its official website has been hacked by unknown fraudsters. The Bureau, which made this known in a short statement issued on its X social media handle at 8.32pm on Wednesday, warned the general public to disregard any message or report posted on its behalf by any source until the website is fully restored. It noted that its technical team is working to recover the website. The statement reads, “This is to inform the public that the NBS Website has been hacked and we are working to recover it. Please disregard any message or report posted until the website is fully restored.” SaharaReporters’ quick check on the Bureau’s website confirmed that it displayed, “Page Hacked.” Further attempts to access the website failed as it displayed: “Internal Server Error. The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request. “Please contact the server administrator at webmaster@nigerianstat.gov.ng to inform them of the time this error occurred, and the actions you performed just before this error. “More information about this error may be available in the server error log. “Additionally, a 500 Internal Server Error error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.”
OVER HALF OF NIGERIANS WANT TO LEAVE THE COUNTY
OVER HALF OF NIGERIANS WANT TO LEAVE THE COUNTY – REPORT Over half of Nigerians want to emigrate with the percentage who say they have given ‘a lot’ of thought to emigrating tripling since 2017, a new report has shown. According to the report, this proportion of citizens includes those living in urban areas, the country’s highly educated population, the unemployed, and young citizens. The report published by Afrobarometer, a pan-African research network, reveals that the most common reason for this is the desire to escape economic hardship and search for better work opportunities. Afrobarometer, a non-profit based in Ghana, issued this report on Wednesday, the International Migration Day (IMD). The IMD is celebrated on 18 December each year to mark the adoption of a resolution by the UN General Assembly on the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. The research network’s report said the most popular destinations of Nigerians are North America, Europe and the Middle East. “56 per cent of Nigerians say they have considered leaving Nigeria, a 20-percentage-point increase compared to 2017. The share who say they have given “a lot” of thought to the idea has tripled, from 11 per cent to 33 per cent.” According to the report, the thoughts of emigrating are most common among the most educated citizens. “71 per cent of people with post-secondary school qualifications, 63 per cent of urban residents, and 60 per cent of citizens between age 18- to 35 have considered leaving the country,” the report said. The report also disclosed that over the past six to eight years, the number of Nigerians considering emigration has increased by 21 percentage points. The 21-percentage-point increase in Nigerians considering emigration is more than double the continental average of 9 percentage points. Afrobarometer said it collected this data through a survey involving face-to-face interviews. It said the survey was conducted using a “sample, random, stratified probability sample of 1,600 adult Nigerians.” The survey was conducted between 19 June and 17 July and “provides country-level results with a margin of error of +/-2.5 percentage points at a 95 per cent confidence level.” Across the continent,y interviews were conducted in 23 other African countries in the language of the respondents’ choice, with samples of 1,200-2,400 adults. According to the non-profit, previous surveys were conducted in countries in 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2020, and 2022. Half of Africans interested in emigrationThe 2024 Afrobarometer survey also revealed a growing trend in emigration intentions among Africans residing in countries within the continent. According to the report, almost half of Africans have considered emigrating this year. The non-profit described this as a significant increase compared to the proportion recorded in 2016 to 2018. The intention to emigrate is driven primarily by the search for jobs and the need to escape economic hardship. The report also found that 47 per cent of respondents across the 24 countries have considered moving to another country, with 27 per cent having given the idea “a lot” of consideration. Liberia recorded the highest emigration intentions, with 78 per cent, followed by the Gambia, with 68 per cent, Cabo Verde, with 64 per cent, and Ghana, with 61 per cent. Tanzanians expressed an interest in leaving with 9 per cent, making it the sole country where emigration intentions have declined. “On average, across 22 countries surveyed consistently since 2016/2018, the share of citizens who have thought at least “a little bit” about emigration has increased by 9 percentage points. “Double-digit increases recorded in Liberia (28 percentage points), Mauritius (27 points), Nigeria (21 points), Ghana (20 points), Cameroon (15 points), Namibia (12 points), the Gambia (12 points), and Zimbabwe (11 points) (Figure 2).”…
YOU’RE ALL REELECTED, BUHARI TELLS LAWMAKERS, AFTER ADDRESSING THEM AS 11TH ASSEMBLY
YOU’RE ALL REELECTED,’ TINUBU TELLS LAWMAKERS AFTER ADDRESSING THEM AS 11th ASSEMBLY‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday jokingly declared that lawmakers in the 10th National Assembly were “all reelected”. This happened during the president’s presentation of the 2025 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly. Tinubu made the declaration after mistakenly referring to the 10th Assembly as the 11th. He made the joke after he was corrected by some of the legislators, as seen in a now-viral one minute 14 seconds video. Tinubu arrives N/Assembly to present N47.96trn 2025 budget “In fulfilment of one of my constitutional duties and with an unyielding commitment to rebuilding Nigeria towards ensuring that we remain steadfast on a journey to a prosperous future, I hereby present the 2025 budget to the joint session of the 11th National Assembly,” Tinubu stated. Following this, the legislators reminded the President that they were the 10th National Assembly. “10th? I wrote 11th, which means you’re all re-elected,” the President responded jokingly.
MANY CHILDREN FEARED DEAD IN IBADAN CARNIVAL STAMPEDE
MANY CHILDREN FEARED DEAD IN IBADAN CARNIVAL STAMPEDE Many children have reportedly lost their lives in a stampede that occurred at a carnival in Ibadan, Oyo State capital. The incident occurred in the Bashorun area of Ibadan on Wednesday. The number of casualties have not been ascertained as at the time of filing this report. However, it was learnt that the victims have been rushed to some hospitals within Ibadan metropolis. It was further gathered that the carnival was billed to take place on Wednesday but some parents took their children to the location on Tuesday, while some arrived at the venue in the early hours of Wednesday. The rush to enter the venue resulted in a stampede, with many children feared dead. Efforts made to get a reaction from the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, Adewale Osifeso, were not successful. But, the Oyo State Government confirmed the development in a statement. Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, while confirming the incident, noted that the state government has responded to the situation. He said: “A stampede occurred at the private children’s fun fair held at Basorun Islamic High School, leading to loss of lives, mostly children, with some others injured in the early hours of today. “The State Government swiftly mobilised a rapid response team following the breaking of the incident. “Victims have been swiftly transported to various hospitals within the Ibadan metropolis for medical attention. “Parents who are concerned about the whereabouts of their children are urged to check the following medical facilities in Ibadan where children affected were taken for proper medical attention with valid means of identification: – Patnas Hospital, Basorun– Western Hospital, Basorun– Ringroad State Hospital– Molly Specialist Hospital– University College Hospital (UCH).”
TINUBU PRESENTS N47.96TRN 2025 BUDGET TO NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
TINUBU PRESENTS N47.96TRN 2025 BUDGET TO NATIONAL ASSEMBLY President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday presented a national budget of N47.96 trillion for 2025 to the joint session of the National Assembly. The President said the budget, which he said was put together based on economic realities, would trigger prosperity in Nigeria in 2025 if implemented to the letter. According to him, the budget would consolidate on key polices of the Federal Government. Tinubu said Nigerians have shown resilience the face of economic challenges, hence, he believed that the 2025 budget would leverage on that spirit to drive economic growth. He emphasised that the the country under his watch has recorded improvements in infrastructure and security. “We do not intend to depart from the critical path to strengthen the economy. Just as I believe in the resilience of our economy to withstand the current challenges. “I also strongly believe in the resilience of the Nigerian people. Again, I summon the unstoppable Nigerian spirit to lead us on as we work to rebuild the fabric of our economy and existence. “The improvements we witnessed in the 2024 budget have led us into the 2025 budget. The goals of advancing national security, creating economic opportunities, investing in our youthful population, infrastructure development and re-orientation form the core of the 2025 budget.” Tinubu noted that the economic stimulus of the nation worked in 2024, as the economy grew by 3.46 percent in the third quarter of 2024, up from 2.54 percent in the third quarter of 2023. He further highlighted the growth in the economy by asserting that Nigeria’s foreign reserve has hit nearly $42 billion, providing buffer against external shocks. “Our rising exports are reflecting the current trade surplus, which now stands at N5.8 trillion, according to National Bureau of Statistics,” he added. Sector debate on the budget by legislators in both chambers of the National Assembly is expected to commence immediately, baring any last minute change in plans.
FORM ALLIANCE AGAINST TINUBU – LUKMAN TELLS OBJ, IBB, GEJ, BUHARI, GOWON
FORM ALLIANCE AGAINST TINUBU – LUKMAN TO OBJ, IBB, GEJ, BUHARI, GOWON A former national vice chairman (North West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has called on former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari; erstwhile Heads of State, Generals Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalam Abubukar to form alliance to stop President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.He said these leaders have the huge moral obligation of engaging all opposition political leaders in the country to unite in order to produce a functional political party that can serve as the harbinger for the emergence of ‘Godly’ leaders in the country.Lukman made the call in an open letter to former President Olusegun Obasanjo titled: “Satanic Leadership and Nigeria’s Boiling Point” made available to journalists in Abuja on Monday.The former APC leader said the open letter was inspired after reading a newspaper report in which Obasanjo was quoted to have said that ‘a leader made by Satan is bound to fail, while God’s chosen one will thrive’.He emphasised that any political leader in disagreement with the current sad reality or what the former president correctly described as Nigeria having leaders made by Satan who refused to work with other opposition leaders, such a leader is inadvertently working for the electoral victory of the APC and President Asiwaju in 2027.“And anyone who indulges or support such leaders is also inadvertently working for the electoral victory of APC and President Asiwaju in 2027. Many of those inadvertently working for the electoral victory of APC and Asiwaju in 2027 have little or nothing to lose. If anything, these are people whose elasticity for survival is very high, their capacity to make personal adjustments to any situation they are confronted is limitless.“Everything must be done to put Nigeria on the roadmap of producing Godly leaders. It is not enough to lament about the fact of Satanic leadership in the country.So long as Your Excellency and other past leaders failed to assert their moral authority in ways that can lead to the emergence of Godly leaders, it is as good as working for the second term of President Asiwaju and his team of failed leaders at all levels with all the problems they created. Of course, it simply means preference for Satanic leaders.“My appeal therefore is for you and all past leaders of the country to unconditionally declare support for the emergence of Godly leaders in the country. This is only possible if mistakes of the past that led to the current sad reality of having Satanic leaders at all levels are corrected. One way of achieving that is through working to produce a functional political party.“Remember how patriotic Nigerians worked to form the PDP in 1998. And having formed the PDP made it functional and use it to negotiate a national agreement leading to Your Excellency’s emergence as the Presidential candidate and your eventual electoral victory in 1999. The reality is that Satanic leaders took over at all levels of Nigeria largely because all the structures that are required to facilitate emergence of Godly leaders as candidates for elections were weakened, if not destroyed.“Therefore, if we want to produce Godly leaders, Your Excellency, all past leaders and all patriotic Nigerians must apply themselves towards rebuilding Nigerian politics to facilitate effective negotiations towards the emergence of candidates with Godly genotype.“The unity of all opposition political leaders is the first precondition. The second precondition is that negotiation to produce the political platform that will lead to the emergence of functional political party must not be driven by the ambition of any of the opposition leaders. In other words, all opposition leaders must set aside their personal ambitions.“We must appeal to Your Excellency, and through you to all past…
DRAMA AS LAWMAKERS STOP RENDITION OF TINUBU’S ANTHEM DURING BUDGET PRESENTATION
DRAMA AS LAWMAKERS STOP RENDITION Of TINUBU’S ANTHEM DURING BUDGET PRESENTATION Members of the National Assembly on Wednesday disrupted an attempt by some of their colleagues to sing President Bola Tinubu’s anthem, ‘On Your Mandate We Shall Stand’, during the joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives for the 2025 budget presentation by the President. The incident occurred shortly after a prayer session to commence the proceedings. Some lawmakers began singing the anthem, sparking resistance and uproar from others in the chamber. The disruption halted the song, and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, promptly moved forward with the budget presentation process, delivering his speech.