Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, on Friday gave an insight into a likely makeup of his foreign policy when he questioned the brotherly role Nigeria has adopted since independence in Africa as centrepieces of Nigeria’s foreign policy.

The president’s approach, which foreign policy experts have called realism in the face of numerous challenges confronting the country, most of which are from Africa, is putting Nigeria first.

Speaking while meeting with the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, NCTRN, at Aso Rock, Tinubu frowned at pacifying other African countries especially the contiguous states which he referred to as “neighbours” against Nigeria’s national interest.

The president was speaking against the backdrop of emerging reports of citizens across neighbouring countries that questioned his removal of fuel subsidy.

Videos of some Cameroonians circulated soon after Tinubu announced subsidy removal where they criticised the new Nigerian government lamenting that the high cost of premium motor spirit in Nigeria has also made the product unaffordable to them.

In some videos seen by THE WHISTLER, some bike riders converged at a location close to the Nigerian border with Cameroon in a protest manner where they issued a statement decrying the new petroleum policy in Nigeria.

For a long time, there have been reports of deliberate sabotage by Nigerian petroleum marketers who export imported petroleum products to other African countries where the product is expensive in order to make extra profits.

The poorly manned land routes to Cameroon, Niger and Chad have reportedly been mentioned as providing the access for illegal export.

Yet despite agelong practice of putting Africa first in her foreign policy which has often been pragmatic, Tinubu’s statement on Friday attempts a complete negation of the policy.

Nigeria had during the government of former Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, adopted the policy during his addresses of August and October 1, 1960, where he declared Africa as the centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy.

This policy thrust has remained a constant variable in the country’s diplomatic engagements over the years.

Although the country attempted to take a step backwards during the cold war when it joined other countries to form a Non-Aligned Movement, her direct involvement in the decolonisation process across Africa compromised her position.

The country has over the years pursued this Africa as its centrepiece vigorously and robustly despite both internal challenges especially from the contiguous states.

Tinubu realised this on Friday noting that, before the traditional rulers, “I am grateful that you are paying attention to what I have been doing.

“You have paid attention to the subsidy removal. Why should we in good heart and sense, feed smugglers and be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries, even though they say not everyday is Christmas?

“The elephant that was going to bring Nigeria to its knees is the subsidy. A country that cannot pay salaries and we say we have potential to encourage ourselves,” Abiodun Oladunjoye, the villa’s Director of Information, quoted the president as saying.

Tinubu added; “I think we did the right thing.”

He assured the traditional rulers that, “We are all ears. We are ready to listen at any given time. I promise you an open-door policy and that is the way I will go. That open-door policy is for you to call me and send to me at any given time any concern that you might have.

“We may not have it right 100 percent of the time but we must get it right 90 percent of the time for this country.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended the Central Bank Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, from office with immediate effect.

This is sequel to the ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy.

Mr Emefiele according to a statement from Willie Bassey Director, Information in the Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation has been directed to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Deputy Governor (Operations Directorate), Mr. Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, who will act as the Central Bank Governor pending the conclusion of investigation and the reforms.

The statement reads, “President Ahmed Tinubu has suspended the Central Bank Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, CFR, from office with immediate effect.

“This is sequel to the ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy.

“Mr Emefiele has been directed to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Deputy Governor (Operations Directorate), who will act as the Central Bank Governor pending the conclusion of investigation and the reforms.”

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, sealed a shop in Zuba, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, on Thursday for allegedly selling unapproved aphrodisiacs to Nigerians.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the aphrodisiacs are Garin Yansun, Sabon Mai-Siket, Ruwan Jaraba, Tunkude, Fenugreek powder, and Al-Khausara herbal syrup.

Bubuchiki Godiya, a member of the Federal Taskforce, Investigation, and Enforcement Directorate of NAFDAC, said that “the agency received intel that Yunusa Adamu was manufacturing unregistered herbal preparation.”

Godiya said that the agency sent some of its team members to investigate, and on arrival, they found that there were many unregistered herbal drugs.

According to him, even though Adamu gave the invoice for some of the products to the team, he still denied producing any drugs.

“We will investigate for more evidence; the shop has more than 15 different varieties of products. Many of them have pornographic pictures, which are not acceptable, and the agency cannot register a drug or any product with pornographic pictures.

“The drugs are all over the shop; that is why we have evacuated as much as we can, and we are still going to seal the place until we conclude our investigation. We will go with the suspect in order to record his statement and investigate more to know our next line of action,” Godiya said.

He said that the agency’s standard of procedure would be to investigate the suspect.

Samples would be taken to the laboratory for analysis, and with the result, the agency would know the way forward, he said.

On his part, Adamu told NAN that he bought the drugs from Kano and Kaduna markets and that he had been in business for a very long time, saying that “it is what people know me for.”

He said that his chairman, who was not available, would bring the necessary documents to the agency.

[DailyPost]

Whether President Bola Tinubu exhibited extraordinary courage speaking about removing subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at his inauguration is debatable.

In raising the debate, we should consider whether Tinubu or any other person elected now has any choice but to end this subsidy regime. The answer is no and for at least two reasons.

The first is that Nigeria is in dire financial straits. Saving the trillions the government claims to spend on subsidies yearly will save us some trouble.

Secondly, the Petroleum Industry Act, of 2021 has already initiated a new legal and governance structure for the oil and gas sector, and payment of subsidies has no place there. In fact, but for the incompetence of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, which suspended the implementation of the Act, Nigeria would, by now, have taken its baby steps and contended with the initial challenges of the policy. But our leaders, taking governance for a joke, are mostly after populism.

Doesn’t this contradict the suggestion that Tinubu did not display unusual courage at Eagle Square? No.

The point is that Tinubu became President when Nigeria had no choice but to do something about this subsidy regime. This is the reason Vice President Kashim Shettima told the media: “… either we get rid of the subsidy, or the fuel subsidy gets rid of the Nigerian nation….” This decision had to be made, courage or no courage.

While speaking about courage, however, we should also ponder whether courage is just a raw display of ability. I don’t think so, especially concerning leadership and public policy. Accompanying a leader’s audacity must be discretion and compassion for the people. Even more so in a society that requires multi-level changes. 

I agree that Tinubu espoused change in that off-the-cuff declaration at Eagle Square. But one person or even a select few cannot change a country. It is a fallacy that democracy won’t accommodate. Enduring change occurs when people buy into and pursue a vision with as much vigour as their leader. The measure of effective leadership is how much success you make in transmitting your vision to others; only then can you achieve change. I suggest that discretion about timing, communication, and compassion for the people are embedded in courage.

One of the most phenomenal stories of the rebirth of nations is Singapore under the leadership of the inimitable Lee Kuan Yew.

Although Yew sometimes tended towards benevolent dictatorship, he made deliberate efforts to raise social consciousness and gain the understanding and support of his people through mass mobilisation. His government’s “greatest asset was the trust and confidence of the people.”

In his book, From Third World to First World, he discusses when he wanted to reduce traffic congestion around the capital. He explains: “…I learned that if I wanted to get an important proposal accepted at all levels, I should first float the ideas with my ministers, who will then discuss them with the permanent secretaries and officials. After I got their reactions, I would discuss the proposal with those who had to make it work. If, like the transport system, it concerned large numbers of people, I would get the issue into the media for public discussion. Hence, before we decided on an underground mass rapid transit, we had a public debate for a year….”

On another occasion, he reckoned that nurturing talents for the country’s future depended on reducing the rate male graduates married “less educated and less intelligent women.” 

Yew went on prime-time television to say that these men were stupid, which brought consternation. To douse the tension, he presented a 1980 study conducted in Minnesota, United States, showing that nearly 80 percent of a person’s makeup is from nature and about 20 percent from nurture. He established a Social Development Unit headed by a lady who exemplified his vision to facilitate the actualisation of the revolution he envisioned.

Soon, many of those upset at his “discriminatory” and “disrespectful” position saw the point. The government achieved this through continuous public sensitisation and consensus building. That process of change management, which includes getting the people’s buy-in, is what successive governments need to improve in Nigeria. President Tinubu must resist the temptation to take Nigerians for granted by first taking actions that impact their lives and explaining them later. This is more so because he inherited a considerable trust deficit between the government and the governed, and he must work hard to restore confidence. 

Concerning removing subsidies, for instance, there are sound economic arguments to band around. But in convincing the people, we must maintain sight of the socio-political and governance issues involved. This includes the tentative nature of gains made from previous attempts to remove subsidies and the unconvincing results of subsidy removal on diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel. What did the common man gain from this other than a price increase?

Indeed, the opacity in the oil and gas sector makes the petrol subsidy a corruption haven. There are arguments that Nigeria would do much better subsidising production than consumption. This is even though petrol is a factor of production for many small and medium-scale enterprises in the country. They also say that the masses only have tokenistic benefits from the tonnes of money invested in fuel subsidies. The idea is that rather than fund the indulgences of the rich, who drive multiple cars, conserving the trillions otherwise spent on subsidies and investing in same social services and physical infrastructural development does more for the people.

All of these make good sense, yet the government should make Nigerians understand why they must first undergo the pains of subsidy removal before enjoying the dividends of good governance.

 And it is a fundamental question. When you consider that the most frequent excuses given by successive governments and analysts revolve around massive corruption and the smuggling of petrol to neighbouring countries, you wonder why the government cannot tackle corruption and make its Customs service more efficient. These are basic crimes that are within the purview of a responsible government. How does the government outsource the solution by adopting a decision that hurts the people? Why can’t government deal with crime?

We can extend this argument to ask how a government that can’t secure its border hopes to wrestle with oil theft or deal with the problem of light weapons and small arms. How is it the people’s lot to bear the pain of the government’s failure to make the refineries work after reportedly spending $25 billion on maintenance in the same country where a new refinery was just completed for $18.5 billion?

How do you justify fostering economic hardship on the people when government officials throw ostentation in their faces? When politicians live large amid the same people who strive to survive? How is it that in all the years that we have attempted to remove subsidy, successive governments have failed to strengthen the processes and remove some, if not all, of the opacity around governance? It is so bad that the immediate past President went from declaring that there was nothing like subsidy in 2012 to ending up as the leader that spent over N11.75 trillion on the same phantom! How?

So, as the Tinubu administration commits itself to removing subsidies, it must give cognisance to the rights of Nigerians to know and be treated well in the process. This is not so much about palliatives as it is about ensuring that government explains its past failures and enunciates specific benefits from this policy. These promises should also be specific, measurable, and time-bound such the people can hold the government accountable.

The government must also show its capacity to govern effectively. We must stop giving citizens (who, by electing leaders yield their destinies to the government) the impression that certain crimes defy the government’s capacity. Bring everyone who has cheated the country to book and show that no one is above the law.

Government must also reduce waste and the glitz associated with public office. Above all, there must be more transparency and accountability in public offices. No society governed by the level of arrogant opaqueness in Nigeria will make sustainable progress, subsidy, or no subsidy.

A coalition of civil society organisations known as Citizens Voice Against Corruption (CIVAC) has declared support for the decision of President Bola Tinubu to remove the petrol subsidy. 

In a statement on Thursday by Abdulrazaq Alkali, the group’s national coordinator, CIVAC condemned the “hypocrisy of some Nigeria’s political figures” who are against the move.

During his inaugural speech on May 29, Tinubu declared that “petrol subsidy is gone”.

The president’s pronouncement led to a resurfacing of queues at petrol stations and a hike in the pump price of the product across the country.

The decision has generated mixed reactions among Nigerians while the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) threatened to embark on a nationwide strike.

The labour unions demanded that the federal government revert to the old pump price of N185 per litre.

Although the unions suspended the planned mass protest and strike, the government has not reversed the pump price.

Speaking on the issue, CIVAC urged the labour unions to “rise up to their duties and stop playing to the gallery” and get their “acts together by putting the future and survival of Nigeria first”.

“We the members of Citizens Voice Against Corruption (CIVAC), a platform of numerous civil society organisations and professional bodies, declare our support for fuel subsidy removal and condemn in strongest terms the hypocrisy of some of Nigeria’s political figures,” the statement reads.

“For example, both major candidates in the last presidential election made promises to remove fuel subsidy if elected president, but now they are all over the place blaming President Tinubu for doing what they promised to do for Nigerians.

“We also urge Nigerians not to partake in the planned strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) against the removal of fuel subsidies by the federal government.

“Any confrontational action in this regard can be described as misguided, unwise and self-defeating. The leaders of NLC and TUC should rise up to their duties and stop playing to the gallery.

“NLC and TUC need to get their acts together by putting the future and survival of Nigeria first.

“For most oil-producing countries, high oil prices mean high government earnings, more spending on education, health, infrastructure, poverty alleviation etc. Unfortunately, that is not the case in Nigeria, as the high-profit margin earned from high oil prices is largely swallowed by petroleum subsidy.

“If NLC and TUC leaders are not in terms with the proposed stoppage to paying petroleum subsidy despite the glaring evidence of the failure of the scheme, they can explore other avenues to prevent high petroleum prices in the country.

“One important option is to engage with the government to find a more suitable solution, for example, by putting pressure on the government to revamp the three national refineries (in Kaduna, Warri and Port-Harcourt), which can play a significant role in easing the pressure on our forex reserve, thus strengthening our currency.

“A strong naira and local refining capacity will make petroleum products cheap even without subsidies. In addition, if these refineries are revamped, hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs will be created, thus creating a multiplier effect in the fight against poverty and the growth of our economy.

“In conclusion, it is very critical that NLC and TUC leadership keep in mind that in pushing the interest of Nigerians forward, they need to choose options that will not worsen our security situation, are economically sustainable, and that will open a brighter future to Nigerian’s economy and teaming populace – a  lot of which are unemployed. Also of note is that in a petroleum subsidy-free system, when oil prices go low, e.g. what happened in 2015-2017, Nigerians will equally pay for much cheaper petroleum prices than they were paying in a petroleum subsidy regime.”

[TheCable]

The Federal Government has said the 2023 June 12 democracy day celebration will be low-key.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, said this during a press briefing on Friday in Abuja.

According to him, the low-key celebration was due to the recent presidential inauguration on May 29 which was elaborately celebrated.

“The activities lined up for celebration are the press briefing and the president’s address to the nation by 7 am on Monday.

“However, May 29 remains the date or anniversary of handing over or taking over of power, and this happens every four years according to the Nigerian Constitution.

“It is pertinent to state that having had an elaborate presidential inauguration some weeks back, activities to mark the 2023 June 12 democracy day will be low-key with just two major activities. The press conference and then a presidential broadcast on Monday by 7 am,” Akume said.

He also said that to commemorate this year’s anniversary, it is expedient for citizens and foreigners alike to take stock of how the nation has fared so far and assess the dividends that democracy has ensued as well as areas where the nation need to make improvements.

He said, “It is in light of this that the theme of this year’s Democracy celebration is Hope Reassured.”

Akume assured Nigerians that adequate measures had been put in place to ensure citizens’ safety, before, during, and after the celebration.

[DailyTrust]

Founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, SAN has berated the outrageous severance packages for politicians in the country.

The renowned legal luminary, who equally proposed that the National Assembly lawmakers should not receive salaries but sitting allowances says it hinders growth and development.

The ABUAD founder, who stated this during the 63rd yearly general meeting of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) held at the university’s campus, said the current office holders should be forbidden from having foreign accounts.

He, however, tasked NACCIMA not to be silent on the current travails facing the country, wondering why the body remained aloof to the nation’s indebtedness.

Babalola also urged the association to set up a committee to review how foreign debts accumulated by previous regimes were disbursed.

In his remarks, Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, urged NACCIMA members to take advantage of the favourable investment opportunities to invest in the state.

Oyebanji said that Ekiti had taken proactive steps by enacting laws to promote private sector involvement in infrastructure, education, agriculture and health sector.

He said part of the incentives for would-be investors include the simplified tax payment, easy access to land, among others.

Also, the former Minister for Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, said the immediate past administration did well in agriculture and health and the fight against corruption.

He said that for the first time, an investment policy was designed and approved for the country, a feat that has not been achieved before.

The Speaker of the Ondo state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oladiji Olamide, has asked the people of the state and beyond to stop peddling rumour about the health of the governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, but to intensify prayers for his quick recovery.

Rt. Hon Olamide, gave the advice during a prayer session for the quick recovery of the governor, held at St Andrew Cathedral Church, in Owo.

While speaking at the intervention program, the Speaker, urged the people not to be despair adding that all shall be well with the governor.

He appealed to the people of the state “to stop peddling rumours about the health of the governor of the State but intensify prayers to God to grant him quick recovery.

Olamide was optimistic that the governor would come back stronger and continue to work for the upliftment of the state and the betterment of the people of the state.

Several prayer sessions were held by clergymen for restoration of sound health for the governor and his quick recovery.

Meanwhile, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Most Rev. Jude Arogundade, also appealed for continued support and prayers for the governor Akeredolu

Arogundade, speaking during the rededication ceremony of St. Francis Catholic Church in Owaluwa, Owo, lauded the governor for taking it upon himself to bring consolation to the people of Owo, the Catholic Church, and the families affected by last year’s tragic massacre

The ceremony was part of a weeklong activities to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the massacre that claimed the lives of 41 church worshippers and several others injured.

He also lauded the governors “unwavering determination to go to any lengths, even risking his position, to seek justice for the victims and families of the June 5 terrorist attack on the Catholic Church.

” ln a special way, I want to express my gratitude to Arakunrin Akeredolu. I am thankful to him because he took the attack personally. He was willing to do anything, even risking his position, to fight for justice.

“The Governor assumed the responsibility of bringing consolation and solace to all those who were wounded. When it comes to compassion and doing what is right, there is no state like Ondo state.

He also appreciated members of the Relief Fund Management Committee of the State government for their efforts in taking care of the victims.

Arogundade also praised the governor for the establishment of the magnificent Memorial Park, which demonstrates the State’s recognition of the value and sanctity of human life.

Cash were presented to the victims and family members of the Owo massacre by the Owo Terrorists Attack Relief Fund Management Committee of the State government.

The gesture was to further assisting them and alleviating the effects of the barbaric attack.

The Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have urged the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja to set aside its interim order restraining workers from embarking on strike action until the determination of the motion on notice filed by the federal government and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

THE WHISTLER reported that Justice O. Y. Anuwe had on Monday directed Nigerian workers not to proceed on strike following the removal of petroleum subsidy by the Federal Government.

President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration that subsidy “is gone forever” had resulted sharp hike in fuel prices as well as instant increase transportation fare across the country.

But the AGF posited that the proposed strike was capable of disrupting economic activities, the health sector and the educational sector.

In a motion on notice filed by Femi Falana SAN and made available to THE WHISTLER on Friday, the NLC, however, urged the court to vacate the interim order in the interest of justice for the Nigerian workers.

The orders sought by the NLC are as follows,” An order of this Honourable Court setting aside, discharging and/or vacating the ex parte interim order of injunction restraining the Defendants/Respondents, their members, their agents, employees, workmen, servants, proxies or affiliates from embarking on the planned Industrial Action and/or strike of any nature pending the hearing and determination of the Claimants/Applicants motion on notice for interlocutory injunction made on the 5th June, 2023, Coram: Hon. Justice O.Y. Anuwe in Suit No: NICN/ABJ/158/2023 between federal government of Nigeria & anor. Vs Nigerian labour congress and anor.

“AND for such order or other orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit and proper to make in the circumstances.”

Listing the grounds of his application, Falana argued that the court lacked the jurisdictional competence to hear and determine the case because it was filed in violation of Section 17 {2} of the Trade Disputes Act, which authorises the Minister of Labour and Employment to refer a trade dispute directly to the National Industrial Court, not the federal government or AGF.

Falana further contended that industrial action or protest is the constitutional right of every Nigerian citizen.

“The Defendants/Applicants and their members have a right to strike under the Trade Unions Act, the Trade Disputes Act, the ILO Convention and under several international treaties the 1st Claimant/Applicant is a signatory to.

“By virtue of Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, Nigerian workers have the fundamental right to protest against policies of government considered inimical to their interests as reiterated in the cases of IGP VS ANPP {2008} 12 WRN 65, MUSA VS INEC” he stated in his preliminary objection.

He accused the federal government of filing the suit to harass, irritate and embarrass the Nigerian Labour Congress and by extension the Nigerian workers.