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The Central Bank of Nigeria has said that it is gradually withdrawing old N1,000, N500 and N200 notes from circulation.

The Acting CBN governor Folashodun Shonubi made the disclosure on Tuesday at the Monetary Policy Committee meeting.

Ha also clarified that there are no plans to withdraw the new notes as being speculated by some people.

Shonubi said, “When a currency is printed and sent out, it is expected that it will go through a long cycle and over time will become worn and then will be replaced. That is what we are doing. We had to put out or re-put out old notes and as they are coming in, they were being processed and returned to us as not issuable. We are then bringing out and replacing them with the new notes.

“We believe that we have an optimal level of the currency out there. So, more of what is being done is a replacement to keep the level rather than just putting money out there and that is seen by the fact that the banks whenever they come to us for notes, we provide it to them. If it wasn’t enough, they will be asking us for much more. If it was too much, they will be dumping them much more on us.”

Former President Muhammadu Buhari launched new naira banknotes on November 23 which were expected to be withdrawn on January 31 2023.

After dramatic extensions, the currency was permitted to circulate till December.

“Slowly and over time, you will see how the old notes are replaced out of the system with the new notes that will be the norm. And that will be out of practice and not just fanfare. You will just see it slowly move from old to new notes,” the acting CBN Boss said.

The large number of supporters by co-hosts, Australia, will not prevent the Super Falcons from giving their best in tomorrow’s second group match of the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup holding in Australia and New Zealand, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has assured.

 

After holding Olympics champions, Canada, to a 0-0 draw in their first group match, Coach Randy Waldrun and his players have another mountain to climb tomorrow against group leaders, Australia.
The Nigerians need to win or at worse avoid defeat to stand a chance of progressing to the round of 16.

In their game against Canada, the Super Falcons enjoyed great support from Australian fans.
“The Australians really gave us good support in the game against Canada because they wanted the Super Falcons to win so that Canada won’t stand a good chance of qualifying from the group by the time they meet Australia in their last group match. But we don’t expect the Australians to cheer our girls against their team on Thursday,” NFF Secretary General, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, told The Guardian from the team’s camp.

Sanusi is optimistic that the Super Falcons will turn the heat on Australia and their large supporters tomorrow.

“Our girls should know how to handle such situation. They have seen it all in women’s football and I am optimistic that we will win the match,” he said.

Nigeria and Australia will set alight the Lang Park in Brisbane/Meaanjin tomorrow morning in what is one of the most-anticipated clashes of the group stage at this ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

With the maximum three points from their opening match against Republic of Ireland in Sydney on July 20, the Matildas know they have a fight on their hands against nine-time African champions, Super Falcons, who refused to bow to Olympic champions, Canada, in Melbourne the following day.

 

The Super Falcons know only a win will be good enough to stand them in good stead for a place in the Round of 16, as only the two top-placed teams in each of the eight groups will make progress in a tournament that has welcomed 32 teams for the first time ever.

“Of course, it is the World Cup. You have to accept the fact that you are going to play the best teams in the world and you have to be alive to that responsibility and face it with your full chest,” team captain, OnomeEbi, told thenff.com after the tournament draw that was conducted in Auckland, New Zealand in October 2022.

Yesterday, Ebi reiterated the position of the Super Falcons: “We will go in there and play to win. There are no two ways about it. Only three points will be good enough for us.”

Ebi says their five-match unbeaten streak is one of the callipers that will keep the girls going strong on a turf much more familiar to their opponents and in front of dozens of thousands of a partisan crowd at the Lang Park.

Before the draw with Canada, the Super Falcons had pipped Costa Rica 1-0, edged Haiti 2-1, trounced New Zealand 3-0 and slayed Lions Women’s Football Club 8-1 before the World Cup.

 

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has returned to training after being excused for one day following the MVP-winning performance against Canada in Melbourne, and consistency is expected in the selection of the rearguard, with Michelle Alozie and Ashley Plumptre on the wings, and veteran Osinachi Ohale and youthful Oluwatosin Demehin at central.

The co-hosts will have to do without their talismanic captain, Sam Kerr, who has been the face on most advertisements pertaining to the tournament here.

Antithetically, Nigeria has gained with the return of the fabulous Rasheedat Ajibade – whose goal against Cameroun in the Women Africa Cup of Nations’ quarterfinals secured Nigeria’s passage to these finals – and midfield battering ram Halimatu Ayinde from suspension.

Asisat Oshoala, who suffered a knock against the Canadians, could be excused, with Nigeria sufficiently blessed in Desire Oparanozie, Jennifer Echegini, Gift Monday and Uchenna Kanu.

Meanwhile, some Nigerian analysts have advised Waldrum to bench the duo of Francisca Ordega and Oshoala in tomorrow’s second group match against Australia. Instead, they want the coach to pick among Uchenna Kanu, Ifeoma Onumonu and Gift Monday to lead the Super Falcons’ attack.

They want the coach to avoid the mistake by former coach, Edwin Okon at Canada 2015 edition of the World Cup, in which Ordega and Oshoala were ineffective against Australia. That match ended 2-0 for Australia in the city of Winnipeg.

[Guardian]

 
 
Wednesday, 26 July 2023 05:31

No Plans To Increase Telecom Tariff – NCC

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has reiterated that there is no plan to increase telecom tariff due to subsidy removal. 

Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, the executive vice chairman, (EVC), NCC, gave the assurance at the weekend while receiving Titans of Tech(ToT) award in Lagos. 

Danbatta said: “NCC has said that it is not ready to increase telecom tariff for now due to subsidy removal. Such decision is left for the entire industry to determine. We do a lot of industry consultation. 

“That is left for the entire industry to determine. We run a participative system of engagement in NCC. We can’t even talk about increase now. There has to be a lot of engagements with stakeholders.” 

The EVC, who was represented at the event by the Lagos Zonal controller of NCC, Mr Yomi Arowosafe, received the Pan African Telecoms Operator of the year on his behalf, while the director of Public Affairs, of the commission, Mr Reuben Muoka clinched Digital Public Relations Communicator of the year Award. 

Arowosafe, while receiving the award on behalf of Danbatta said: “I am elated that this has happened and this has shown that the industry is really doing well under the leadership of EVC. We thank Titans of Tech award for counting the EVC and NCC worthy of these awards.” 

Meanwhile, earlier in his welcome address, former governor of Lagos, Mr Femi Pedro, while giving his opening remarks, called for pro

motion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the country right from primary to tertiary institutions 

“We must begin to encourage our entrepreneurs and young people to be innovative and creative and I believe that the fastest way to create wealth today is through the use of technology. Many young people who have left school and are complaining that there are no jobs, can leverage on technology to create wealth. 

READ ALSO:  Global Insurance Premium Hits $5trn In 2017

“There is no need for any body to be unemployed in today’s world. It is lack of knowledge that is killing most of us, particularly our young people. Technology is there as a tool, as an enabler for youths to make a living. All you need to do is think creatively,” Pedro advised. 

[DailyIndependent]

Wednesday, 26 July 2023 05:20

PSG to offer Victor Osimhen N43bn

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is expected to earn €50m (N43bn) if he makes the move to French giants Paris Saint-Germain in this transfer window, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis expects to receive a million-dollar offer for the player and has credited PSG as the only club that can afford the Nigeria international.

 

Other top clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich have pulled out of negotiations for Osimhen due to De Laurentiis’ high asking price.

PUNCH Sports Extra had reported last week that PSG has already made an offer of €120m for Osimhen which the Serie A champions have already rejected.

According to several reports, Napoli values Osimhen at €150m and no club is currently willing to meet that asking price.

“The only club that could afford Victor Osimhen is Paris Saint-Germain,” De Laurentiis told Mediaset.

“If (PSG president) Nasser Al Khelaifi wants to send in a bid around €200m we wait and see what happens. I personally think that Victor will stay here.”

Sky Sports reported that PSG have reached a €300M deal with Al-Hilal for Frenchman Kylian Mbappe, although the player has not yet agreed to play in Saudi Arabia.

If the World Cup winner leaves the team, Osimhen would be the striker’s ideal replacement.

According to elfutbolero.us, if Napoli buy the 24-year-old, the player could receive a salary of €50m to be the star of the team but Osimhen is not keen on a move to the Ligue 1.

Osimhen scored 26 goals and made five assists in 32 league appearances last season, which was crucial to the Partenopei winning the Serie A title for the first time in over three decades.

He also became the first African to claim the prestigious Capocannoniere award, given to the top scorer in Serie A.

[OpinionNigeria]

In October 2020, Nigeria witnessed one of the largest youth-led protests in its history, known as the #EndSARS movement.

Sparked by years of frustration and anger over police brutality, particularly perpetrated by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), young Nigerians took to the streets demanding an end to police harassment, extrajudicial killings, and the complete disbandment of the notorious unit.

What began as peaceful protests quickly gained momentum and spread to different cities across Nigeria and even garnered international attention and support.

 

The protesters, consisting mainly of young Nigerians, chanted slogans such as “EndSARS,” “SARSMustEnd,” and “Enough is Enough,” as they marched on the streets with banners and placards, demanding immediate action from the government.

However, the events of October 20, 2020, marked a turning point in the #EndSARS movement.

On that fateful day, a group of peaceful protesters had gathered at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos, which had become a symbolic centre for the demonstrations.

As night fell, security forces reportedly opened fire on the protesters, leading to several fatalities and injuries. The incident, now widely referred to as the “Lekki Massacre,” sent shockwaves through Nigeria and the world, drawing international condemnation.

In the aftermath of the tragic events, the Nigerian government announced the disbandment of SARS, a move that was met with scepticism by protesters who demanded broader police reforms and accountability for the alleged abuses committed by SARS officers.

Fast forward to the present, and the wounds inflicted during those tumultuous days are far from healed. The recent announcement by the Lagos State Government regarding a mass burial for the 103 casualties of the #EndSARS protests has reignited the pain and memories of the tragic events of 2020.

While the government has clarified that these casualties are not victims of the Lekki toll gate shooting, it serves as a sombre reminder of the heavy toll the protests took on human lives and the urgency of addressing the issues that spurred the movement in the first place.

The Background

Numerous reports of unlawful arrests, extortion, torture, and extrajudicial killings by SARS officers had flooded social media, capturing the attention of the Nigerian public. These incidents, often accompanied by viral videos and graphic images, sparked outrage among the tech-savvy youth who felt the urgent need to address the issue.

It was on those premises that thousands of Nigerians nationwide took to the streets to protest police brutality in October 2020. They demanded far-reaching reforms, particularly concerning the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, of the police.

The weeks-long protest attracted international attention, culminating in the controversial shooting of protesters at the popular Lekki Tollgate in Lagos, one of the rallying points for those who partook in the demonstrations.

The origin of SARS could be traced to the early 1990s when the Nigerian government established the Special Anti-Robbery Squad with the primary aim of combating violent crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, and carjacking.

Initially, SARS successfully reduced violent crime cases, but the unit was alleged to have “turned into banditry”.

Over the years, SARS morphed into a feared and ruthless unit, widely accused of gross human rights violations and abuses of power.

Initially, it successfully reduced violent crime cases, but the unit was alleged to have “turned into a cash cow and agent of human rights abuse”.

In June 2020, Amnesty International released a report documenting at least 82 cases of torture, ill-treatment and extrajudicial execution by SARS between January 2017 and May 2020.

Amid the protest, the then Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, announced the disbandment of the Squad in the country.

Judicial Panel of Inquiry

The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS-related Abuses and Other Matters submitted its report on November 15, 2021, after which Sanwo-Olu set up a White Paper committee.

The Justice Doris Okuwobi-led panel, in a 309-page report titled, ‘Report of Lekki Incident Investigation Of October 20 2020’, concluded that there were “killings” at the Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2020.

The panel also claimed that at least 48 protesters were either killed, injured, or assaulted by soldiers and police.

However, the State Government’s White Paper on the report by the EndSARS panel faulted the panel’s report that nine persons were killed at the toll gate.

In the White Paper, the government described the panel’s claim that nine persons were shot dead as “assumptions and speculations”.

Burial of 103 Victims

Three years later, the leaked memo on the proposed burial of some victims has re-opened the wounds of the EndSARS.

The leaked memo addressed to the Lagos State Ministry of Health claimed that the State Government had approved N61,285,000 for the mass burial of 103 persons identified as 2020 EndSARS victims.

DAILY POST reports that the document, which went viral online, surfaced almost three years after the government had denied brutal killing of unarmed protesters waving the Nigerian flag and chanting the national anthem when the military allegedly opened fire on them at the Lekki toll gate.

The five-paragraph leaked memo sighted by DAILY POST captured steps for the processing of funds after approval by the Governor in addition to the Ministerial Tenders’ Board Meeting over the recommendations of the Procurement Planning Committee.

Reacting to the development, a former lawmaker, Shehu Sani, claimed the spirits of the murdered EndSARS protesters and the members of the Islamic Movement in 2015 would continue to hunt the nation and hang over its skies until justice is done.

In a statement via his verified Twitter handle on Monday, Sani claimed that killing 103 EndSARS protesters in Lagos was one of the hidden atrocities of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s era.

Also, a former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, in her reaction, demanded an urgent response from the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

In a series of tweets on Sunday via her verified Twitter handle, the former Minister questioned if the Governor knew the State had a record of 103 dead bodies from the EndSARS shootings.

Ezekwesili further claimed that the nation’s public leaders have reduced the dignity of human life to zero, describing it as the wickedest thing they have done to the citizens.

Mischief makers at work

However, in its response, the Lagos State Government maintained that the victims to be buried were not from the Lekki Tollgate shooting, insisting that the details were misconstrued.

According to a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, the victims were from incidents of violence that occurred in the aftermath of the EndSARS protests.

Ogboye said the Lagos State Environmental Health Unit (SEHMU) picked up bodies after #EndSARS violence and community clashes.

He cited areas of Lagos State where dead bodies were picked to include Ajegunle, Abule-Egba, Fagba, Ketu, Ikorodu, Isolo, Ajah, Orile, Ikeja, Ojota, Ekoro, Ogba, adding that there was also a jailbreak at Ikoyi Prison.

“It is public knowledge that the year 2020 #EndSARS crisis that snowballed into violence in many parts of Lagos recorded casualties in different areas of the State and NOT from the Lekki Toll Gate as being inferred in the mischievous publications.

“The 103 casualties mentioned in the document were from these incidents and NOT from Lekki Tollgate as being alleged. For the avoidance of doubt, nobody was retrieved from the Lekki Toll Gate incident,” part of the statement read.

Reactions

DAILY POST spoke to Anngu Orngu, Co-convener of the Free Nigeria Movement.

Orngu lamented that nobody had been prosecuted or arrested for what happened at the Lekki tollgate even though a commission of inquiry was set up to probe the incident.

He expressed sadness over the allegation that the army was unleashed on Nigerians who were genuinely calling on the government to reform the police.

Orngu also called on young and vibrant Nigerians to get involved in the political process.

He said, “It is quite unfortunate that October 20 happened, and we are here again today after so much denial, even when a commission of inquiry was set up. I don’t know what they have done with the findings of that commission.

“Nobody has been prosecuted or arrested for what happened at the Lekki tollgate that fateful night. It is unfortunate.

“At this point, I am even dumbfounded to speak on the issues that relate to our dear country. But it shows that Lekki actually happened, and someone should be held responsible for what happened on that day.

“Over a hundred and five people, or thereabouts, are to be buried, and nobody has taken responsibility for it, or nobody has been arrested? Somebody should be facing prosecution for what happened.

“But here we are as a country. Is it that Nigeria is becoming a rogue country? Is it that there are no laws? Where is our humanity? Have we all lost it? What are we telling the next generation? Because these are armless Nigerians crying out for the rights of others against police brutality.

“And not that these Nigerians were only out there for themselves; they were also calling on the Nigerian government to improve police service and the welfare of police officers. And maybe because of economic gains, you unleashed the army on them.

“A lot of conspiracy theories came up that the protesters were sponsored to overthrow Buhari’s government and all of that. But these were people that did not even have a smoke gun with them. First, you unleashed street urchins on them. We saw some of the faces of these people, ‘agberos’, but those people were still moving freely on the streets of Nigeria and Lagos in particular.

“So, what is becoming of this country for me? I am dumbfounded; head or tail, you don’t even know where to start from. Is it the subsidy removal issue? Is it the tax issues? Where do you start from? Is it the skyrocketing price of foodstuff? Maybe at the end of the day, we will resort to God – the divinity to intervene in the case of our country.

“The youths are not helpless, but we are watching. My watchword has always been that we have to organise and don’t agonise. We are watching keenly; we are following the events of this country as they unravel. And at the appropriate time, some of us will come out to speak, to take action because our actions have always been to prick the conscience of people, to prick the conscience of our leaders that Nigerians deserve better. Our countrymen and women deserve better than they have given them.

“The way out, as I said, I believe in the power of God. We have seen several interventions in our country. We have seen Nigeria go through a very dire situation and more difficult times. As young men, we saw it happen; we saw at times nature takes its cause; death even takes place. So, there is hope. And hope is not a strategy; nobody should tell you that hope is a strategy.

“My call is for young Nigerians who really want to effect change, not those who are shouting and by the end of the day, when they get themselves into government, they behave and perform worse. We have some of our brother activists; as soon as they could get their hands on some deals and a few naira or dollars could line in their pockets or accounts, they stopped speaking for the people.

“I am using this opportunity to call on young, vibrant Nigerians to get involved in the process, go out there and contest elections. Kogi State is having an election, so also Imo and Bayelsa. Go out, put your foot out there and see how we can change this system.

”Nigeria is redeemable. Nobody should tell you that Nigeria is irredeemable. There is still hope for this country. There is still hope for Nigeria. There is still hope that we can build a nation that we would be proud of and that works for all.”

On his part, the President of the African Emancipation Movement for Good Governance, Honourable Lucky Obiyan told DAILY POST in an interview that the leaked document was living proof that a massacre was recorded during the EndSARS protest.

Obiyan believes that police brutality has worsened from what it was then to what is currently on the ground. According to him, police brutality still rages on in different forms.

He recalled some of the challenges he experienced during the protest.

He said, “It is not far-fetched. It is living proof that we actually had a massacre recorded during the EndSARS protest.

“The Lagos government was being hypocritical in their submissions to the Nigerian people. They never knew the letter was going to leak, and at the end of the day, it leaked and found its way to the public domain.

“And on that premise, today, we are talking about reality. This has gone a long way to attest that people actually died, and there was a massacre at the Lekki Tollgate; the government only tried to cover up.

“We are happy this is coming out, and we believe all those that have been vilified or hunted in one way or the other, the likes of DJ Switch, that had to relocate from her country, will all be vindicated, including CNN and the likes of other media organisations who the government under Lai Mohammed’s Information Ministry tried to debunk and assassinate their characters, I believe they will begin to bury their heads in shame at this point in time.

“The EndSARS represented better things for the police; you could see the government drew out a lot of programmes. Most of the demands by the protesters were acceded to, though some were to be long-term responses while others would be done summarily.

“Well, to be very frank, police brutality has exacerbated from what it was then to what is currently on the ground. The brutality still rages on in different formats, to the extent that you have policemen accompanying victims of their brutality and harassment to ATM stands and withdrawing money without their consent under duress. That has moved from bad to worse. And it is still happening today.

“You can see the hardship that has been meted on the Nigerian people as we speak. Is it the fuel hike, or the hike in the electricity tariff, despite the House of Representatives trying to suspend the electricity hike?

“But the people are already bearing the brunt. A lot of families go to bed hungry, waking up the next morning not knowing where the next meal will come from. Nigeria has never been subjected to the level of deprivation it has found itself.”

“We also had the challenge of the government sponsoring a counter-mob attack in order to give the protest a bad name. You know, when you want to hang a dog, you give it a bad name. They sponsored and infiltrated the ranks of the EndSARS protesters.

“And another thing drawn from that is the fact that there was no leadership, it was a faceless struggle. There is no agitation in the world where you don’t have a representative leadership to negotiate with the people at the top or hierarchy of the government; I think that was one of the mistakes that the organisers of the EndSARS deliberately made,” he added.

[DailyPost]

Condemnation has trailed the conduct of the Department of State Services at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday during the court appearance of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

The DSS took Emefiele before the court for arraignment on Tuesday but rearrested and whisked him away despite that the court granted him bail and ordered that he should be remanded at the Ikoyi facility of the Nigerian Correctional Services.

The situation led to a clash between DSS operatives and prison officials.

Emefiele was arraigned on two counts of illegal firearms possession before Justice Nicholas Oweibo.

 

He was brought before the court in a white Hilux van accompanied by heavily-armed DSS operatives.

On arrival on the court premises on Tuesday morning, Emefiele, who wore a white jalamia and looked frail, was immediately whisked into the courtroom.

When the charges were read to him, Emefiele, however, pleaded not guilty.

The defence lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), who led four other senior advocates, moved an application for Emefiele’s bail.

But the DSS counsel, Mrs Nkiru Jones-Nebo, objected to the bail, saying she had not been served with a copy of the application.

However, Justice Oweibo, in a ruling granted Emefiele bail in the sum of N20m with one surety in like sum.

The judge, however, ordered that he should be remanded in the Ikoyi custodial facility of the Nigeria Correctional Services pending the perfection of the bail conditions.

The judge, subsequently, adjourned till November 14 for trial.

However, heavy drama ensued after the court proceedings, as DSS operatives laid siege outside the courtroom to re-arrest Emefiele.

The situation, which led to a face-off between DSS operatives and men of the Nigerian Correctional Services, saw Emefiele stuck in the courtroom long after the conclusion of court proceedings.

 

In the ensuing battle for control,  the prison commander was ruffled and his uniform was torn, while he was being dragged towards the DSS van by DSS operatives who swarmed on him.

The situation angered Emefiele’s family members and lawyers, who accused the DSS of acting lawlessly and disrespecting the court.

A man who gave his name as George and introduced himself as Emefiele’s brother described the development as unfortunate in a democratic dispensation.

“Three courts have said release him on bail, he’s not running away for God’s sake. He has served this nation for nine years, where is he going to go to? All his life is in Nigeria here.

“You can imagine a situation where two military federal government apparatus are fighting themselves, manhandling the commander of the prison commission, it is a disgrace to this nation, it is a complete disgrace,” George said.

Condemning the development in an interview with The PUNCH, human rights lawyer, Ebun Olu-Adegoruwa (SAN), said, “I believe that the President is aware of the actions of the DSS; it is giving a bad image to this administration, where security agencies are engaging in a physical scuffle in open court to the extent of tearing their uniforms, which is a symbol of authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and desecrating the hallowed chambers of the court without respect for the judge.

“The videos I saw today was a total contempt of the authority of the judiciary because what we are saying is that once anybody is within the premises of the court, you have to respect the authority.”

Similarly, Prof Sam Erugo (SAN), said the refusal of the DSS to allow the correctional services to take Emefiele into their custody marked another embarrassing day for the Nigerian government.

He said, “It is very obvious that DSS is acting as if there is no rule of law in Nigeria. I think somebody has to tell them that they are going to the extreme.

“I think they should tell them that there is rule of law in Nigeria.”

Another lawyer, Okerechidum Nnamdi, said no institution of government should be above the law.

Nnamdi said, “They can’t be above the law because they are a creation of a piece of  legislation; they can’t be above the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; as they must act in accordance with the law.”

The defendant’s lead counsel,   Daudu, also decried the development.

“He has been brought to court and has been granted bail.  You can see the vehicles of the DSS and that of the Correctional Service. I must tell you that because of the delay in perfecting the bail conditions, the officials of the Ikoyi Prison have legal obligations to take him to Ikoyi Prison.

“Ikoyi Prison is not far from the court and it’s a federal institution. Why they want him in their custody is what beats my imagination. But, what is more, devastating is the fact that the DSS came to court with two counts and the court, in its discretion, granted him bail, but you still want to arrest the person, because the court said to take him to the correctional centre.”

[Punch]

President Bola Tinubu has asked Nigerians in the diaspora to fully commit to the joint task of nation-building.

Tinubu, represented by Femi Gbajabiamila, the chief of staff (CoS), spoke on Tuesday while marking the National Diaspora Day in Abuja.

The event, organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), was themed “Consolidating diaspora engagement for national development”.

The president assured Nigerians abroad that his administration will be friendly and provide an enabling platform for effective policies that would see the diaspora community galvanizing support for the country.

 

“Our country is on a new dawn to ensure national development, guarantee peace, and promote prosperity for all our nation’s people,” Tinubu said.

“The ambition we have in this regard cannot be fully realised without the support and enthusiastic participation of our brothers and sisters all over the world.

“As such, all deliberate efforts will be made in this administration to ensure that the diaspora community is pertinently involved in designing, implementing, and reviewing public policy.”

 

Tinubu added that it was gratifying to know that many citizens in the diaspora are uplifting the image of Nigeria in their host countries.

“In 2022, our diaspora home remittances through official channels stood at $21.9 billion, over four times the value of our foreign direct investment (FDI). The Nigerians in the diaspora are also actively investing in our healthcare, agriculture, education, information and communication technology (ICT), housing and real estate, sports, transportation, oil and gas, and other sectors,” he said.

“This, I must say is commendable and in our enlightened self-interest as only Nigerians both at home and abroad can develop Nigeria.”

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the NiDCOM chairperson, noted that many countries have evidence of accelerated national development courtesy of the contributions from their citizens in the diaspora.

 

“Such efforts made impacts on capacity and infrastructural developments when properly deployed. Diaspora resources often create positive measurable ripple effects that could mitigate unemployment, leading to the improvement in the quality of life and reduction in poverty,” Dabiri-Erewa said, adding that Nigeria cannot be an exception.

She asked the government to support and conclude the setting up of the Nigeria diaspora investment fund (NDIF) as an investment window and emergency resource for citizens living abroad.

[TheCable]

The power of ideas  in governance came into focus again on Monday when former President Olusegun Obasanjo berated Nigerian leaders as lacking in thoughts  for development. He warned that that with more people pushed into poverty the country was sitting on a keg of gun powder.

Obasanjo spoke virtually  to  the launching  of a book in Abuja by former Minister of Trade Olusegun Aganga. The book is intriguingly entitled “Reclaiming the Jewel of Africa” in reference the nation’s development debacle.

The former president  was unsparing of those in leadership positions.

Among other things in his most uncharitable statement he said: “You will weep for our nation over their level of emptiness as far as development issues are concerned…If you ask why they want to be in the position they are craving for, you will weep for your nation over their level of emptiness as far as development issues are concerned. What do they understand for peace, security, stability, predictability, development, growth and progress to be actualised? I believe that peace, security, democracy and prosperity must be taken together.”

Now to be charitable, both Obasanjo (in his statement) and Aganga (in the book) are only revelling  in the benefits of hindsight in their positions, having had the opportunities to make a difference by putting their own  ideas of development into practice . This luxury will be exposed for what it is  not in a country  when a culture of accountability prevails. It is a clever way of evading responsibility for monumental governance failures. Instead of  the after-thoughts and  pontification, Obasanjo should be telling  the public what ideas of development he  put into practice in his eight years in power to reduce poverty with of a mix of policies. The former president should also state which of his workable ideas that informed policy-making  have been  jettisoned by his successors.  He should be relating the ideas behind policy-making in his administration with the effects on the nation’s development.

Doubtless, the administration of Obasanjo recorded some undeniable achievements. So while critics of Obasanjo should not be uncharitable like him by dismissing his administration as “empty” in development thoughts, the serious governance deficits of his era are also  too glaring to deny. A few of these policy gaps and failures would suffice   for the purpose of this discussion. To start with,  Obasanjo had  no articulated strategy of development until after four years in office when the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) was put together. This happened  after his second election.  Ironically,  among the “groups” to which  the document was sold was his political party at the time, the People’s Democratic Party  (PDP). In a proper setting, the party ought to be mobilising the people on  the basis of the enunciated policies. But a lot of things about governance were upended  under Obasanjo’s leadership.  Obasanjo was too busy fighting endless political wars to embark on rigorous strategy of development.    

This wrong-headed approach to  governance, of which he now accuses others, was to have consequences in policy terms in his years in office. The pivotal energy sector provides an ample illustration. When Obasanjo came to power in 1999, Nigeria was importing fuel because refineries were not working to provide products for domestic consumption. By the time he left power in 2007, Nigeria continued to import fuel. The national shame of a crude oil-exporting country that is importing fuel remains with Nigeria till today.  For eight years,  the administration dished out only slogans about the reforms of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry. The  resultant crisis of fuel price plagued  the administration.  Meanwhile, it should be recalled that within three years, the Obasanjo military administration built three refineries in the 1970s.  In the other segment of the energy sector, electricity supply in Nigeria in 1999 was under 10, 000 megawatts. In the eight years of Obasanjo the supply was never raised to 10, 000 megawatts  for a country branded as the “largest  economy in Africa.” The social sector was not any way better under Obasanjo. Poverty and inequality worsened in the land. In 1999, Nigeria was in the 146th position out of 191  in  the Human Development  Index and by 2007 the country had  slid down  to the 158th position. Tertiary public education, a responsibility of the federal government , virtually collapsed  during those eight years.  A similar situation prevailed in the tertiary health sector. The administration could not boast of any significant infrastructural revamp. In fact, Obasanjo himself in one of his rarely humble moments in 2002, reportedly said  that he was “ashamed” of the deplorable state of Nigerian roads. By the end of the administration in 2007, major highways remained unpassable in many parts of the country.

Well, the ultimate verdict of history is awaited on the Obasanjo era. Future economic historians may have to examine the ideas underlying policy-making or lack of policies in the Obasanjo’s administration in order to make a fair assessment of the governance in the period between 1999 and 2007. While he was a military Head of State from 1976 to 1979, Obasanjo was enamoured with some elements of economic nationalism and the idea of a developmental state. Some development scholars and technocrats  had some influence on the policies made  by the military government. As elected president, however,  Obasanjo fully embraced the  components of the poverty-inducing  Washington  Consensus  – privatisation, liberalisation, deregulation, trade liberalisation, fiscal adjustment, financial reforms etc.  Obasanjo sold everything that could be sold in the campaign for a “private sector- led  economy.”  Some of the privatised organisations have been run down. Instead of the promised in-flow of capital, technology and efficient management, asset-stripping is what is evident in some cases. The underlying philosophy  of Obasanjo administration was that every socio-economic problem had a market solution and government’s intervention in the economy was an economic  sin. He was under the strict  guidance of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

In contrast to Obasanjo’s Nigeria, China under successive leaders in that last 45 years has shown that market can be used as a tool of economic management without surrendering to its so-called invisible forces at the peril of the society. Today  China is an economic giant!

What does the foregoing say about the path to be taken by the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the governments of the 36 state governors?  The luxury of the benefits of hindsight is, of course,  not available to those in power at various  levels today. And  they should never hope for  a day they would luxuriate in after-thoughts as Obasanjo is cynically doing at present.

However, a  lot of lessons in economic management could,  therefore, be learnt from the economic history of Nigeria in the last 24 years including the eight  years  of    Obasanjo. The Obasanjo years were used as   a  sample for this reflection  because the former president now sits in judgment over others without any sense of self-criticism.  The first lesson is that  ideas are hardly separable from economic management because certain ideas inform policy choices even if imperceptible. A  highly influential economist of the last century, John Maynard  Keynes,  made this point in his book, “General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money “ as follows: “The ideas of economists and political philosophers, both when they are right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood. Indeed the world is ruled by little else. Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influence, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist. Madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back. I am sure that the power of vested interests is vastly exaggerated compared with the gradual encroachment of ideas.”

Years after Keynes made the foregoing observation, history has, in fact, recorded instances when ideas of well-known economists influenced policies. Hence, Milton Friedman and his colleagues of the Chicago School of Economics influenced the controversial reforms of the government of  th maximum ruler, President Agustino Pinochet,  in Chile. In the United Kingdom, the policies of Prime Minister Margaret  Thatcher  was influenced by Friedrich von Hayek and other right-wing economists.  Even former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank in the United States Alan Greenspan admits in his memoirs the great  influence of the  conservative philosopher and writer, Ayn Rand. Greenspan says her works shaped his views about policies and the society.

Here in Nigeria, when the Structural Adjustment  (SAP) was introduced  in 1986 by the military government of President Ibrahim Babangida, economists in the administration trenchantly articulated policies thereby generating robust debates in the public sphere. Those who did the articulation of SAP included Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, Chief Olu Falae and the late Dr. Chu Okongwu. The Babangida administration, of course,   later took decisions policy decisions it deemed fit. But the ideas propelling the government’s action were known to policy enthusiasts. They were not denied.  

Rather than downplay the place of ideas, thoughts should be generated on economic management. By the way, these thoughts could flow from professional economists and non-economists alike. Some of those who managed the economies of countries of southeast  Asia  in years of the “miracles”  were lawyers and engineers. 

Policy-makers glibly talk of non-ideological economic management while the consequences of their  action shows that they are not in any way value-free technicians in making policy choices. Ideas are so powerful that they actually drive policy-making  even when  those taking decisions deny the reality. Attention should be paid to the source of the ideas driving policies  and their  consequences on the lives of the people. The underlying philosophy behind a policy is as important as the practical components of it  when making analysis. Policies are not mechanical games played by some ideologically-neutral technocrats.  Hence, there is the need for vigilance against destructive ideas.  The ideas urgently needed in Nigeria are anti-poverty ideas. Nobel Prize Winners in Economics, Abhiji Banrjee and Ester Dufflo explain those ideas in the book, “Good Economic for Hard Times.”  

The second lesson derives from the first. Policies should be effectively articulated by those in  government. It is hoped that when a cabinet is put in place those responsible for different areas of policy in the Tinubu Team  would see articulation of policies as part of their duty. It should be done in the spirit of accountability and responsibility  and the public would be mobilised in the process. 

The third  lesson is that the government should be open to multiplicity  of perspectives so as to have a balanced view of things before taking economic steps with profound  impacts on the lives of the poor. This would enrich the decision-making process. For instance, when economic adjustments are made the enormous social costs should be kept in view. How to underwrite the social costs should be in the policy package.

All told, whatever ideas that will carry the day in policy-making should be informed by the spirit and letters of the constitution of Nigeria which stipulates that the “security and welfare” of the people  shall be the primary purpose of government.

Manchester United are just a couple of weeks away from kicking off their Premier League campaign. Erik ten Hag’s men are feeling pretty confident after a pre-season win over Arsenal over the weekend, and Wrexham and Real Madrid are next up in the Red Devils’ busy summer schedule.

United have been busy in the transfer market this summer, too, snapping up Mason Mount and Andre Onana, while a striker signing and exits are likely before the end of the window. With that in mind, we have rounded up all the latest transfer news and rumours surrounding Old Trafford.

Mbappe links

United are said to be in the mix to sign Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe this summer. According to Sky Sports, the Red Devils are one of the clubs interested in a move for Mbappe, who is the subject of a huge offer from Saudi Arabia.

PSG are said to have accepted the offer from the Saudis, but Mbappe may not be willing to make that move. According to the report, PSG are open to offers from any club as they look to avoid losing their star man for free down the line. It’s claimed United, Chelsea and Tottenham are in contact, while Real Madrid are still said to be the most likely destination.

McTominay talks

West Ham are said to have opened talks with United over a possible deal for midfielder Scott McTominay. United are said to be keen on strengthening the midfield role this summer, potentially adding Sofyan Amrabat to ensure sufficient back-up for Casemiro.

McTominay is likely to be sacrificed as Ten Hag looks to upgrade, and according to the Daily Mail, West Ham are in talks over a deal. The Hammers need to replace Declan Rice this summer following the England star’s move to Arsenal, and McTominay could be the answer.

[Manchesterworld]

et, with this acquisition spree, the club’s playing pool inevitably has started to take on a bloated look. Since the release of five players at the end of last season, only Antonio Colak has been moved on. It leaves Beale with more than 30 senior personnel – a figure he considered far from ideal over his first since month in charge as he stated a desire to operate with a far leaner squad. To reach that point, decisions will require to be made on a number of likely fringe performers … at best. Scott Wright’s departure seems set in stone, but beyond that there appears seven players with currently uncertain Ibrox futures. Below we detail the situations for those in that category:

Glen Kamara

The end for the Finnish international at the Govan club has been declared nigh for months, but still no concrete bid for the midfielder has materialised. Beale said last week there had been “quite a few enquiries” for the 27-year-old, whose time in Scotland is patently up. Leeds United have been credited with a strong interest but perhaps the issue is ponying up the fee Rangers are seeking for a player signed from Dundee for £50,000 in January 2019. It has been reported that a £5million buy-out clause was inserted into the improved four-year deal he agreed two years ago. It is a stretch to see any club parting with that for a player whose career has stalled in the past year, which may explain the limbo he finds himself in. Rangers may require to drop their asking price significantly to move him on.

Rabbi Matondo

 

The winger feels firmly the odd man out among the phalanx of attackers the Rangers manager will now be able to call upon. It is impossible to believe that the Welsh international will be in the mix for minutes as Danilo is poised to join newbie attackers Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers and Abdallah Sima, with Fashion Sakala and Kemar Roofe also in tow. It simply hasn’t worked out for the 22-year-old since his near £3m move from Schalke last summer and he doesn’t look to possess what is required to thrive at Ibrox. As someone therefore likely to be no more than a wage drainer, Rangers must be prepared to cut their losses and accept a cut-price fee to resolve his unhappy situation.

Ianis Hagi

The bald fact is that you require to go back a year-and-a-half for any significant contribution to the Rangers cause from the Romanian international, hardly his fault with a serious cruciate ligament sustained in January 2021 costing him a full 12 months of his career. Yet, it feels as if the Ibrox side have moved on and that this provides the playmaker no real in – despite Beale handing him a new contract in December last year as he worked his way back to fitness. The 24-year-old’s name in itself should ensure he retains value and attracts suitors. Recouping the £3m they paid Racing Genk for him three years ago might be best for all parties.

Robby McCrorie

It must be agonising for both the 25-year-old keeper and the club he started training with aged only 14 that a parting of the ways appears inevitable. Rangers cannot give the Scotland under-21 international what he wants, and needs, following his considerable patience at hoping his chance to earn first-choice status through impressing on loan, and proving his capabilities when selected. He did all he could as regards the former through loan spells with Berwick Rangers, Greenock Morton and, more recently and notably, Livingston. He did all he could as far as the latter goes as also in never looking short of the required attributes across his outings in the past two years. A sequence – bolstered by four-game run at the conclusion of last season – in which he conceded only one goal and contributed to two wins over Celtic. Beale, though, ultimately decided it would be too great a risk to elevate him to no.1 for the coming season and, with Jack Butland handed that status, he has deemed it necessary to seek pastures new.

John Lundstram

 

Rangers ought to have learned lessons through being burned financially in allowing Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Jack when it comes to dealing with players in the final year of their deals. The Englishman is in that position, with no strong indications he or the club are pushing to agree on an extension. The impending arrival of Jose Cifuentes, and the additions across 2023 of Nicolas Raskin, Todd Cantwell and Kieran Dowell, coupled with Ryan Jack’s return to the fore and Tom Lawrence comeback from long-term injury, would appear to have pushed the 29-year-old Englishman down the pecking order for earning a regular midfield slot. Especially with the desire for youthfulness and energy accented by Beale. Earning a fee for him now – after he was brought in as a free agent two years ago – and also saving on his salary would appear to make sense.

Fashion Sakala

Rangers may not want to act hastily with the decidedly mixed-bag Zambian forward, even as some seem desperate to push him to the exit door. As the quicksilver frontman proved with a goal and penalty-winning contribution in the 2-1 friendly win over Hamburg last weekend while all the club’s summer frontline recruits were in action, the 26-year-old can be useful. He has been, too, as an impact player in the past. In contrast to all the recent arrivals in his area of the pitch as yet being unproven. Of course, if that mythical £4m bid from an unnamed Saudi Arabian club ever became reality, it could be a different story. Until such times, though, he seems worth retaining.

Kemar Roofe

 

The horrendous injury record of the Englishman dictates that he isn’t a player to be moved on as he enters the final season of his current deal. The 30-year-old’s luckless run with physical ailments frankly would seem to preclude him holding a sale value. His opportunities could be limited by the transfer splurge on forwards but his keen eye for a goal could yet mean he still has a role to play in the forthcoming season, albeit a limited one.

Borna Barisic

The third senior player on Rangers’ books now in the last year of his contract, if the recent speculation was to be believed a £1m offer from Nottingham Forest meant he was destined to be removed from said books. It has gone quiet in recent days over this offer from the English Premier League club. And, with the service the left-back has provided across five years at Ibrox, it could be worth discovering if he would consider a Jack-style one-year extension.

[scotsman]