Fellow Nigerians,

As we enter 2025, I wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year. May you be rich in joy, success, and good health.

As the new year dawns, it brings many hopes, aspirations, and prospects for better days. By the grace of God, 2025 will be a year of great promise in which we will fulfill our collective desires.

Though 2024 posed numerous challenges to our citizens and households, I am confident that the New Year will bring brighter days.

Economic indicators point to a positive and encouraging outlook for our nation. Fuel prices have gradually decreased, and we recorded foreign trade surpluses in three consecutive quarters. Foreign reserves have risen, and the Naira has strengthened against the US dollar, bringing greater stability.

The stock market's record growth has generated trillions of naira in wealth, and the surge in foreign investment reflects renewed confidence in our economy. Nevertheless, the cost of food and essential drugs remained a significant concern for many Nigerian households in 2024.

In 2025, our government is committed to intensifying efforts to lower these costs by boosting food production and promoting local manufacturing of essential drugs and other medical supplies. We are resolute in our ambition to reduce inflation from its current high of 34.6% to 15%. With diligent work and God's help, we will achieve this goal and provide relief to all our people.

In this new year, my administration will further consolidate and increase access to credit for individuals and critical sectors of the economy to boost national economic output.

To achieve this, the federal government will establish the National Credit Guarantee Company to expand risk-sharing instruments for financial institutions and enterprises.

The Company—expected to start operations before the end of the second quarter—is a partnership of government institutions, such as the Bank of Industry, Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Agency, and Ministry of Finance Incorporated, the private sector, and multilateral institutions.

This initiative will strengthen the confidence of the financial system, expand credit access, and support under-served groups such as women and youth. It will drive growth, re-industrialisation, and better living standards for our people.

On a personal note, thank you for placing your confidence in me as your president. Your trust humbles me, and I promise to continue serving you diligently and wholeheartedly.

We will continue to embark on necessary reforms to foster sustainable growth and prosperity for our nation.

I seek your cooperation and collaboration at all times as we pursue our goal of a one trillion-dollar economy. Let us stay focused and united.

We are on the right path to building a great Nigeria that will work for everyone. Let us not get distracted by a tiny segment of our population that still sees things through the prisms of politics, ethnicity, region, and religion.

CITIZENSHIP

To achieve our national goals and objectives, we must become better citizens and uncompromising in our devotion and allegiance to Nigeria.

Citizens’ moral rectitude and faith in our country are fundamental to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda. In 2025, we will commit to promoting adherence to ethical principles, shared values, and beliefs under the National Identity Project.

I will unveil the National Values Charter, already approved by the Federal Executive Council, in the first quarter of 2025. I will launch an ambitious national orientation campaign that fosters patriotism and love for our country and inspires citizens to rally together. The Charter will promote mutual commitments between the government and citizens and foster trust and cooperation among our diverse population and between the government and the citizens.

As far-reaching and foundational as our reforms are, they can produce the desired outcomes only through shared common values and identities and unconditional love for our country.

The Youth Confab will begin in the first quarter of 2025, a testament to our commitment to youth inclusiveness and investment as nation-builders. The Ministry of Youth will soon announce the modalities for selecting the conference's representatives from our diverse, youthful population.

Dear Compatriots, I urge you to continue believing in yourselves and keeping faith in our blessed country.

Let me use this New Year's message to urge our governors and local council chairpersons to work closely with the central government to seize emerging opportunities in agriculture, livestock, and tax reforms and move our nation forward. I commend governors who have embraced our Compressed Natural Gas initiative by launching CNG-propelled public transport. I also congratulate those who have adopted electric vehicles as part of our national energy mix and transition. The Federal Government will always offer necessary assistance to the states.

To all citizens, your sacrifices have not been in vain over the past 19 months. I assure you they will not be in vain even in the months ahead. Together, let us stay the course of nation-building.

The New Year will bring us closer to the bright future we all desire and the Nigeria of our dreams.

God bless you all, and may God bless our beloved country, Nigeria.

Happy New Year and a prosperous 2025 to you all!

Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Although the Tinubu Administration’s midterm is five months away, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can proudly reflect on his administration’s journey over the last 19 months. After initial turbulence, the government concluded 2024 stronger than 2023, as many policies began yielding significant results that even the most ardent detractors could not ignore.

Under President Tinubu’s leadership, NNPC Limited has fixed two of the four state-owned oil refineries, achieving what many had cynically regarded as improbable. The administration’s efforts have led to a rise in crude oil production, with an expected inflow of more dollars into the Federation Account and remarkable accretion into the foreign reserves. The government remains focused on gas development, attracting investors’ interest. Dollars have flowed into the country through fresh investments in several sectors. The administration created an innovative Ministry of Livestock Development to unlock the previously untapped potential in animal husbandry, steering the country from tragedy to opportunity.

The lucrative stock market ended the year on a high note, breaking its initial record under the Tinubu presidency. The All Share Index hit over 103,000 from 55,738 on May 30 2023. Market capitalisation is over N63 Trillion. In the last 19 months, local and foreign investors have invested unprecedented amounts in the market.

The government is also expanding the national road infrastructure stock by building legacy superhighways from Lagos to Calabar and Sokoto to Badagry.

The administration’s successful euro bond issuance of $2.2 billion notably attracted over $9 billion in interest, while a domestic dollar bond of $500 million was oversubscribed. These developments indicate confidence in the Nigerian economy.

Revenue generation has increased, and all tiers of government received more funds to spend on the welfare of Nigerians, including the 774 local councils that recently won financial autonomy.

November and December 2024 proved especially remarkable. Shell and Partners announced an estimated $5 billion investment in the Bonga North oil field. Brazil’s JSB, one of the world’s leading integrated livestock companies, announced a $2.5 billion investment in livestock development in Nigeria, with some officials flying into the country to actualise the pledge. Fuel prices began to decrease amid competition from local refineries, supporting President Tinubu’s belief that market forces would lower the prices of consumer goods to benefit Nigerians. For the first time in our history, the proposed 2025 budget included no provision for a fuel subsidy. There was no scarcity, too. Instead, the government has proposed more funds for capital expenditure, health, education, and national security in the record-breaking N49.7 trillion budget. Critics remain silent as positive indicators continue to emerge.

Not an accidental president, Tinubu took office on May 29, 2023, with a clear vision for Nigeria: to renew hope through a programme of action to foster economic diversification, stability, and prosperity and build a trillion-dollar economy.

He has implemented many of his campaign promises and those in his Renewed Hope Agenda.

Although unintended consequences have emerged, temporarily affecting the well-being of all Nigerians, the administration is working hard to ameliorate the burden on the masses.

President Tinubu consistently implements reforms, daring to confront headlong the country’s many hydra-headed socio-economic problems and committing to the transformative change the country urgently requires. Posterity will be kind to him and remember his era as a reform-minded leader.

Positive signs continue to emerge: apart from declining fuel prices, the country recorded foreign trade surpluses for three consecutive quarters, foreign reserves are rising, and the Naira is gaining strength against the US dollar.

One notable achievement of President Tinubu’s tenure is fulfilling his promise to implement a student loan programme. This initiative financially supports students, ensuring that higher education is accessible to all, regardless of economic background. Investing in the education sector, the administration aims to empower the youth and equip them with the skills needed for Nigeria’s future growth.

In addition to the student loan scheme, President Tinubu has advanced the consumer credit initiative, another campaign promise, and plans to deepen it in the first quarter of 2025. Promoting access to credit is part of the administration’s broader strategy to stimulate consumption, drive entrepreneurship, and boost the domestic economy.

On his first day in office, President Tinubu decisively eliminated the fuel subsidy, which had long burdened Nigeria’s economy. While the initial removal triggered higher fuel prices, the market is now experiencing a downward trend. This development illustrates the administration’s commitment to market-driven pricing and economic efficiency, which should benefit public investment in critical sectors in the long term.

The administration introduced electric vehicles and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as alternatives to reduce Nigerian dependency on petrol. In the past 12 months, more Nigerians have converted their vehicles to CNG, spurred by government and private sector investment. A new industry is gradually unfolding, creating new jobs along the value chain whilst promoting a cleaner environment.

Another bold economic reform was unifying Nigeria’s multiple exchange rates, which previously caused economic distortion, criminal arbitrage, and speculation. Following an initial depreciation, the Naira has stabilised against the US dollar, reflecting increased investor confidence and a more transparent foreign exchange policy.

Investment inflows further testify to the positive impact of President Tinubu’s policies. The oil, gas, and solid minerals industries are experiencing renewed interest and investment. These sectors are crucial for enhancing Nigeria’s export capacity and creating jobs, thus driving economic diversification and growth. Moreover, Nigeria’s foreign reserves have shown a promising increase, bolstered by improved trade balances and strategic monetary and fiscal management.

Looking ahead to 2025, President Tinubu plans to introduce what could be his most transformative reform yet—tax restructuring. With four bills before the National Assembly, the proposed reform seeks to streamline tax systems and administration in Nigeria to promote better investment and a friendly business climate.

Under the proposed tax reform, low-income earners under the minimum wage bracket and small businesses within a certain threshold will be exempt from paying taxes. The administration’s mantra is that taxes should focus on prosperity, not people’s or businesses’ hardships. The government focuses on expanding the tax net, making taxes less burdensome to taxpayers, and getting wealthy people to pay their fair share. This progressive approach reflects the administration’s commitment to equity and fiscal sustainability.

However, the road to reform does not come without challenges. President Tinubu faces resistance, particularly from politicians and tax evaders who have expressed concerns about the implications of the changes that will come with reforming our tax systems. President Tinubu, who is not oblivious to the pushback, has said he is willing to make necessary adjustments, as democracy is about negotiations, give and take.

President Tinubu’s administration has demonstrated firm determination over the last 19 months to succeed against all odds and reposition the economy for better performance.

While challenges remain, especially with food inflation, President Tinubu’s leadership has shown a proactive and committed approach to addressing these issues. The administration’s trajectory suggests a path toward Nigeria’s economic stability and social development. Though it is not midterm for the administration, realising a prosperous and equitable country looks promising and achievable. The Tinubu administration is undoubtedly steadfast in its resolve to improve Nigeria, and it’s on course to achieve all the campaign promises to the people.

•Onanuga is the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu

This will be your year of rising again! You have been pushed down. You were defeated, dethroned and dejected. You were rejected, wounded and mocked. Your hope, dreams and aspirations were dashed and trampled upon. And now you have totally given up. Listen something is now being done about that situation. Yes, you are getting up again! God is bringing you back. He is totally restoring you in the name of Jesus! As you are reading this message, the restoration will immediately be taking place. Yes.

Lazarus was sick, he died, was buried and his body was supposed to be deteriorating after burial. There was no hope, no life and no possibility that he would ever come back to life. And rightly too, when Jesus came around they gave him these facts, “Lazarus is already buried and must be stinking by now. Please, forget him.” All hope was completely gone. But the LORD insisted that they show him where he was buried. I also ask you the same today, where have you buried your hope? Where have you abandoned that your once fervent, dogged, cherished faith? Yes, the long time of trials, persecution and disappointments have systematically withered and extinguished them. But I know. I have also been there many times. There is nothing you go through that others do not experience.

You have totally lost hope that that business will bounce back, that that marriage, that relationship, that project, that ministry, your job, your health can be restored again. You have lost hope that that child will ever come? Where have you buried that hope? I am asking you. Tell me. Where?? Please, come and show it to the Master.  Look at what happened in John Chapter eleven, “When Jesus came to where the man [Lazarus] was buried, and when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth! And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes. And his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus said to them, ‘loose him and let him go!” Praise God!

Today, I command those things that have held you down to let you go in the mighty name of Jesus! I command those grave situations in your life to give way now! Come out of that grave. Come out of that bondage and be restored now! Cheer up for it’s going to be a great year for us. Share this message with others now. Compliments of the season!

YOU might be wondering why the media is awash with tributes to a great scholar, Professor Toyin Falola. This is not unexpected considering the status of Toyin Falola in academia and, particularly, in the humanities worldwide. A summarized summary of his biography will be: Toyin Falola, a native of Ibadan, is a professor of African studies. He is a distinguished teaching professor and the Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at the University of Texas at Austin. Toyin Falola is the author/editor of over two hundred books and recipient of over 20 honorary doctorate awards. He has received over 30 lifetime achievement awards and has served as editor for several reputable journals, including the Oxford Research Encyclopedia in African History. 

On this occasion of Professor Toyin Falola’s 72nd birthday, I dedicate this piece to reflect on his scholarship and humanitarianism. One of his characteristics that stands out for me is academic excellence. No one can challenge the fact that Professor Falola is brilliant and successful at what he does. Aside from his numerous publications and awards, Falola has delivered several convocation lectures at home and abroad. It takes a great deal for an academic to have delivered more than 10 Convocation lectures within two years!  He achieves this feat through determination and discipline. Moreover, Professor Toyin Falola authors, at least, three books a year. One will be surprised to know that this act—of publishing three to four books in a year—is a routine as far as Toyin Falola is concerned. He has consistently done so in the past few years. 

Therefore, we can only second Professor Amidu Sanni in imagining if Falola spends the same 24 hours as the other scholars. Unable to rationalize what elements typify Toyin Falola, Professor Serges Kamga, of the University of South Africa designated him as Orisa! I address Falola as Encyclopedia of African History. Professor Bolaji Akinyemi once called him “the doyen of African history.” The reality is that Professor Toyin Falola is a rare bird that appears once in a lifetime. In a country like Nigeria where the history discipline is underrated, Professor Falola serves as an encouragement and a beacon of hope for the history students. Falola is a testament to the fact that it is not about what one studies or what society conceives of it, but how one distinguishes themselves in their respective fields against all odds.

Against the wrong perception that one has to degrade others to prove that they are better, Professor Toyin Falola is popular for acknowledging and celebrating other people’s success. He has consistently praised his successful colleagues with numerous articles while acknowledging others in his presentations. Falola has dedicated several books to exceptional Nigerians, including those in the diaspora. Notwithstanding his several articles on conventional media, Falola’s Citizenship and the Diaspora in the Digital Age: Farooq Kperogi and the Virtual Community and, African Memoirs, and Cultural Representations: Narrating Traditions, are enough for evidence. This partly amounts to the numerous books and articles by scholars in honour of Professor Toyin Falola.

Additionally, Professor Falola embodies the essence of humility and generosity. My humble self can attest to Falola’s humbleness. I have witnessed his presentation twice at Lagos State University and heard pretty much about him. Professor Falola mentors and accommodates young scholars who try to associate themselves with him. Several scholars have benefitted from his mentorship and collaborations. This is a challenge for selfish scholars who find difficulty helping others to grow; especially those who conceive mentoring as an avenue to exploit budding scholars. Falola is a typical example of a well-rounded scholar. An astute historian, Toyin Falola is also a literati, political scientist, and philosopher. If you call Falola a traditionalist, I can serve you with proof. His critical submissions on national TV are unique in their historical approach. My interest in journalism was influenced by inspiration from Toyin Falola. If Falola could successfully contribute to every aspect of the humanities field, studying History should not be a limitation for me. Toyin Falola is a scholar in numerous fields and an interdisciplinary course himself. 

Another intriguing attribute of Professor Toyin Falola is resilience. I studied him for this. Many followers of Toyin Falola would have noticed that HeartofArts, the Professor’s website, and his WhatsApp Community have ceased functioning for a while. That must have been consequential of a technical glitch. Rather than allowing this problem to outweigh him, Professor Falola quickly secured an alternative with his new website, the Toyin Falola Network. Resilience is the most intriguing thing about Toyin Falola. He lives above criticisms and moves against all odds.  As the debated saying by Nelson Mandela goes: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Let me seize this medium to ask the Professor to recreate the WhatsApp platform as we are missing out on his conventional outputs and important updates. The effectiveness of emails is limited.  

If leadership is by example, Falola should be considered a great leader. As I confessed last year, “Falola is so African than the home-based.” He unapologetically displays the beauty of African aso ofi. His outfits, like his works, testify to the talents embedded in Africa. With several years of service in pushing for Africa’s Identity and decolonization, Professor Toyin Falola is an avid advocate for African-ness. Baba Falola talks authoritatively during convocation lectures. He confidently submits his ideas and thoughts which, oftentimes, spur intellectual uproars. Meanwhile, his staccato laughs are strategic in capturing the audience’s attention.

Finally, Professor Falola made me realize the power of status in the academic space. If you have professional footballers advocating for brands, or media entertainers influencing organizations, Toyin Falola is an intellectual influencer for Africa and his colleagues. Without prejudice, I became a fan of some scholars through Professor Falola. My last tribute to the Professor spurred several emails from scholars who never expected an undergraduate student to be so conversant with a scholar as that. 

In sum, Professor Toyin Falola is a Nigerian jewel of international repute. He embodies a lot of reputable characters that qualify for vivid studying. Falola’s tenaciousness and humbleness are worthy of emulation. I wish Professor Toyin Falola more blessed years!

Abdulkabir Muhammed writes from Lagos State University. He can be contacted via abdulkabirm87@gmail.com 

For decades, you could walk into Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia on some Sunday mornings and see hundreds of tourists from around the world crammed into the pews. And standing in front of them, asking with a wink if there were any visitors that morning, would be President Jimmy Carter – preparing to teach Sunday school, just like he had done for most of his adult life.

Some who came to hear him speak were undoubtedly there because of what President Carter accomplished in his four years in the White House – the Camp David Accords he brokered that reshaped the Middle East; the work he did to diversify the federal judiciary, including nominating a pioneering women’s rights activist and lawyer named Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the federal bench; the environmental reforms he put in place, becoming one of the first leaders in the world to recognize the problem of climate change.

Others were likely there because of what President Carter accomplished in the longest, and most impactful, post-presidency in American history – monitoring more than 100 elections around the world; helping virtually eliminate Guinea worm disease, an infection that had haunted Africa for centuries; becoming the only former president to earn a Nobel Peace Prize; and building or repairing thousands of homes in more than a dozen countries with his beloved Rosalynn as part of Habitat for Humanity.

But I’m willing to bet that many people in that church on Sunday morning were there, at least in part, because of something more fundamental: President Carter’s decency.

Elected in the shadow of Watergate, Jimmy Carter promised voters that he would always tell the truth. And he did – advocating for the public good, consequences be damned. He believed some things were more important than reelection – things like integrity, respect, and compassion. Because Jimmy Carter believed, as deeply as he believed anything, that we are all created in God’s image.

Whenever I had a chance to spend time with President Carter, it was clear that he didn’t just profess these values. He embodied them. And in doing so, he taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service. In his Nobel acceptance speech, President Carter said, “God gives us the capacity for choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace.” He made that choice again and again over the course of his 100 years, and the world is better for it.

Maranatha Baptist Church will be a little quieter on Sundays, but President Carter will never be far away – buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned from this remarkable man.

Barak Obama

They also called on the National Assembly to scrutinise the Appropriation Bill before passing it.

In the new fiscal proposals, the Ministry of Education alone got N3,880,000,000 to purchase computers; followed by the National Cybercrime Coordination Centre with N2,735,000,000.

The scrapped Ministry of Sports Development also got N1.1 billion for purchase of computers; and N263, 391,743 for the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development to buy same.

Also found in the new Appropriation Bill was N525,183,402 for computers’ purchase in the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy; the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, N75 million and the Ministry of Transport, N70 million.

The sum of N202 million was set aside for similar items for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); the Pension Transitional Arrangement Department (PTAD), N220 million; the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), N836 million; the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), N535 million and the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, N797,483, 350.

Other agencies that received allocations for purchase of computers are the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), N350 million; the National Counter Terrorism Centre, N567,936,580; the National Intelligence Agency Pension Board, N250 million; the Federal Cooperative College Ibadan, N450 million; Civil Defence, Immigration and Prison Service Board (CIPB), N164 million and the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, N604,267,087.

Computers’ purchase appears 144 times in 2024 budget

Daily Trust reports that most of these agencies had allocations for “Purchase of Computers” in the 2024 budget wherein the item appeared 144 times.

In the 2024 fiscal document, the Ministry of Education got N9,067,331,533 for computers; the Civil Defence, Immigration and Prison Service Board, N32 million; the Auditor-General Office, N41.8 million; the National Counter Terrorism Centre, N45.5 million; PTAD, N60 million; the Ministry of Transport, N50 million; NIMET, N130 million and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, N300 million.

Criticisms trail annual allocations for computers

A member of the House of Representatives from Kaduna State, Bello Nasir El-Rufai, recently on the floor of the House, called for a shift in budget planning away from always buying computers, vehicles and furniture.

“Since I was a boy, the budget every year comes with new computers, new furniture. These things don’t expire. We should cut them out totally. We can’t be asking Nigerians to tighten their belts, we can’t have a tax reform bill that could shape this country while as leaders, we are not cutting anything. I urge the committee chairmen to look into this. Nigerians are tired of every agency buying forks and knives every year,” the lawmaker said.

In a chat with Daily Trust, a labour leader, Comrade Yusuf Bello, called for prudence, openness and accountability in budget implementation.

He said items that do not require annual replacement should not find their way into the budget.

“We’re at a time that resources are extremely very lean and it’s a time for prudence, openness and accountability. And there are clear assets that do not require replacement on an annual basis. We can repair or upgrade them. Most often, our budgets are padded and loaded with things that end up not getting supplied or purchased at all,” he said.

He urged the National Assembly to strengthen its oversight; and the executive, to be firm in dealing with corruption.

‘It’s scandalous, waste of resources’

Executive Director, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), Comrade Debo Adeniran, in a chat with Daily Trust yesterday, described annual budgetary allocations for computers as a waste of resources.

He said, “Year in and year out, the government has always been purchasing office equipment and other things like furniture and stuffs like that. It is as good as what the president and the vice president want to do with the renovation of their residences.

“It’s unfortunate that the profligacy of our leaders has been going on. The computers that are being purchased are not essential equipment because up till now, those in offices have been using computers and have not told us that they’re no longer functioning. What happened to the maintenance of the same items? Even with that huge amount of money, why can’t they encourage local manufacturers or assemblers of computers in Nigeria so that it would come cheaper?”

Adeniran asked the National Assembly to scrutinise the budget.

He alleged that the lawmakers “don’t look at duplication, genuineness or otherwise of the purchase. They ought to look at what happens to the existing ones. That’s why they’re saddled with oversight functions.”

Executive Director, Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), Ibrahim Zikirullahi, who also spoke to Daily Trust yesterday, charged the National Assembly “to rise to the occasion and uphold sanity on this budget and other legislative mandates on national development.”

He queried, “What happened to those (computers) bought last year, year before and three, four years back. The amount spent on the procurement anomaly in the last couple of years is enough to set up a world-class computer manufacturing company that could be a means of job creation.

“Budgeting for wasteful and needless items at a time the same government is asking the citizens to tighten their belts leaves much to be desired.”

Also commenting, Executive Director, Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Eze Onyekpere, asked, “How can one justify budgeting for computers by MDAs every year despite the outcry against such? Even the last two years’ budget performances have not been rendered to Nigerians.

“We cannot continue like this as a nation. Those computers and other frivolous items should be removed from the budget. Nigeria and the citizens do not deserve being taken for a ride by those in place of authority.”

[DailyTrust]

Several sporting events, including the Paris 2024 Olympics, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Ivory Coast, the Copa America and Euros, among others, took place in 2024.

The year 2024 will always be a memorable one for sports fans around the world.

As the year draws to a close on Tuesday midnight, DAILY POST presents five issues that rocked the world of sports in the year 2024:

Ivory Coast’s miraculous AFCON triumph:

The 2023 AFCON was held from 13 January to 11 February in 2024 in Ivory Coast.

The host nation fought against all odds in a tournament comeback after they almost exited in the group stages after losing their final group game 4-0 against Equatorial Guinea.

They even sacked Jean-Louis Gasset as their coach and appointed Emerse Faé to take charge of the team.

Ivory Coast scraped through to the knockout phase eliminating the likes of Senegal, Mali and DR Congo on their way to the final.

They came from behind to beat Nigeria’s Super Eagles 2-1 in the final, thanks to Sebastien Haller’s winning goal.

The victory over the Super Eagles completed a miraculous turnaround for the Elephants in the competition.

Surprises at Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics:

The Paris 2024 Olympics opened on July 26 and ended on August 11 as thousands of athletes from different countries participated.

The United States led the final medal table with 40 Gold and 126 total medals, while China finished in second place with 40 Gold and 91 medals in total. The occasion marked the first time a gold medal tie among the two most successful countries has occurred in Summer Olympics history.

Also, seasoned athletes like Simone Biles showcased why they were the best at what they do, whilst newcomers like Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo announced themselves on the Olympic stage with a historic debut.

New records were set, and historic milestones were reached as Paris passed the Olympic torch to Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Games.

Shortly after the end of Paris 2024, the Paralympics followed from August 28 to September 8, with thousands of para-athletes competing in different events.

Like the Olympics, the Paralympic Games also witnessed athletes break milestones as Nigerian athlete, Mariam Eniola Bolaji, an 18-year-old, became the first African to win a badminton medal at either the Paralympic or Olympic Games.

Mixed feelings over 2024 Ballon d’Or:

There were mixed reactions after Manchester City midfielder, Rodri won the 2024 Ballon d’Or ahead of Real Madrid winger, Vinicius Junior in October.

Rodri got the highest number of votes to take home the prestigious individual prize ahead of Vinicius.

As a result, Vinicius, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, and the rest of the Los Blancos members boycotted the award ceremony in Paris, France, as they were disappointed with the outcome.

This brought diverse reactions from several stakeholders in the football industry.

Liga president, Javier Tebas blasted Real Madrid following their failure to attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Tebas described their action as ‘classless behaviour and lack of elegance’.

On his part, Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo claimed that Vinicius, who won the 2024 FIFA Best Player Award, should have won the 2024 Ballon d’Or ahead of Rodri.

“Vinicius Jr should have won the Ballon d’Or, in my opinion it was clear,” Ronaldo said at the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, adding “It was unfair.”

Similarly, Manchester United legend, Gary Neville hit out at Vinicius over his ‘classless and outrageous’ reaction after losing the 2024 Ballon d’Or award to Rodri.

Neville believes the Brazilian disrespected his rival Rodri by not showing up at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Tyson Fury’s back-to-back defeat against Oleksandr Usyk:

Fury suffered another defeat against Usyk in their heavyweight rematch at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in December.

The 12 rounds of boxing was intense as momentum shifted from one to the other.

Eventually, Usyk handled Fury’s aggression enough to win by unanimous decision. He defended his unified world heavyweight championship.

DAILY POST reports that the three results from the judges all read 116-112.

Earlier in 2024, Usyk handed Fury his first professional defeat.

Following the fight, the Ukrainian became the undisputed heavyweight world champion in the process, the first in 25 years since Lennox Lewis.

England’s back-to-back Euro final defeats:

The Three Lions of England suffered another Euro final defeat in the summer this year.

The 2024 Euro was held in Germany from June 14 to July 14. Spain made England and their fans to once again wait for their first Euro title just like that night in Wembley in 2020.

Recall that Italy defeated England in the 2020 Euro final at Wembley Stadium.

Many expected the Three Lions to bounce back from the Italy defeat four years ago and used the experience against Spain in Germany, but they ended up losing again another Euro final as La Roja won 2-1 in the final.

Nico Willaims and Mikel Oyarzabal scored the goals for Spain as Cole Palmer’s goal was not enough for England.

Lionel Messi and Co. made history at the 2024 Copa America:

Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates secured a record-breaking 16th Copa America title for the Albicelestes after beating Colombia 1-0 in the final.

Inter Milan attacker, Lautaro Martinez scored the game’s only goal at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

The 2024 Copa America took place from June 20 to July 14 in the United States.

Argentina defended their title against 15 other teams from the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).

The Albicelestes had won the 2021 Copa America after beating Brazil 1-0 in the final.

So it was a back-to-back Copa America finals victory for Argentina.

[DailyPost]

Anyone who pays attention to what is happening on social media knows there is a high demand for Nigerian men by women from other countries. In the past, the assumption was that most of the marriages between Nigerian men and women from other countries were mainly to acquire official papers that would guarantee the Nigerian man the visa or citizenship of the country. A young Nigerian man in his 20s or 30s would snap a picture of his registry marriage with a White woman in her 50s, 60s, or 70s. People would share such photos and make jokes about it.

But in recent years, there has been a spike in young Nigerian men marrying young foreign women. Interestingly, many of the young men are professionals who are financially stable and have permanent residency or citizenship status. Many of them get married overseas and return to Nigeria to perform a symbolic “traditional” marriage ceremony. Videos of such marriages usually show the joy of their non-Nigerian wives in their beautiful Nigerian attire, performing the marriage rites and dancing excitedly, most times offbeat, to Nigerian music.

And any time such women make a post about their amazing experience with their Nigerian boyfriend or husband, one can see the high number of Americans, Canadians, Britons, Jamaicans, etc., expressing interest in having a Nigerian man. Expectedly, many men flock to such posts dropping their numbers or messages, declaring their availability.

This high interest in Nigerian men has created an online market for matchmakers. There are now many online live events where people explain how to ensure that a foreigner is not talking to a romance scammer. These romance scammers have been exploiting the naïveté and desperation of women in search of love. Their actions have been bringing a bad name to Nigerians for some years.

What caused this recent uptick in the quest of foreign women for Nigerian men? There could be many reasons but the first is Afrobeats music. Nigerian music has been attracting global attention in recent years. Young people from different countries love Nigerian songs and musicians. This has made them take more interest in the country from where this music is coming. It is similar to what happened with reggae music from the 1970s. It made Jamaica a household name across the world.

In the past, before the popularity of Afrobeats, people from other countries only focused on the bad story of online scams in Nigeria. All the achievements of Nigerians in technology, business, literature, sports, international peace-keeping missions and independence of other countries, etc., were never remembered. Once the name Nigeria came up in North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and even some parts of Africa, people zeroed in on scams and kept their distance from Nigerians. Many scammers from other countries even identified as Nigerians, thereby worsening the image of Nigeria. The corruption in governance did not help the Nigerian case. Once you mentioned the name Nigeria while discussing a business venture online with someone in another continent, the person would abruptly end the communication.

Many Nigerians abroad confessed that some 30 or 20 years ago when they landed to study or work, most times they would not identify as Nigerians, because it caused them problems. Interestingly, this was the era Nigerian government was spending a lot of money telling the world that Nigeria was “the heart of Africa” as well as “Good people, great nation”. That advertising message did not have any effect on foreigners. But eventually, Afrobeats became globally popular and did a better image-laundry job for Nigeria. Now, people from other countries who watch Nigerian musical videos want to know more about Nigeria. They search online for information about Nigeria. By so doing, they see the other sides of the country.

Nigerians did not just become amazing recently. They have always been like this but the bad press did not allow the world to get close to Nigeria and know any positive thing about the country. Those who take the bold step of visiting Nigeria usually leave with mind-blowing stories about Nigerians’ hospitality.

It is the same case with marriage to Nigerian men. Women from other countries love Nigerian men. It is not because Nigerian men have any extraordinary genes. It is because of what the Nigerian environment has instilled in men from birth. It is hammered into their ears and psyche that, to prove that they are responsible and manly, they must bear the full burden of providing for all the women around them: wife, mother, sisters, nieces, cousins, grandmothers, friends and colleagues. These include paying school fees, buying clothes, bags, shoes, jewellery, food, and cars and giving regular pocket money, etc.

When a Nigerian boy goes on a date with a girl, even though they are both students (who yet don’t earn any money), the boy is expected to pay for all they eat. The girl may even bring along one or two of her friends, and the poor boy is expected to foot their bill, including the bill for the items they will take away, and even give her and her friends “money for transport”. He will constantly buy gifts and send money to her. If he cannot dole out financial favours to his girlfriend, he is ridiculed as a “Ju man” or “chewing gum boy”.

The more men give, the more they are expected to give. They are regularly compared to other men who are doing more for their women to show them that they are not doing enough like “real men”. Many men who can’t take the ridicule end up in crime to prove to their women that they are real men.

When Nigerian men meet women from other countries (who don’t have this type of orientation) and do just 30 per cent of what they are expected to do to Nigerian women, the foreign women are wowed because they have never seen anything like that. They can’t stop talking about Nigerian men because they don’t live in a society where a man is expected to take care of his needs and the entire needs of his woman. Love is expressed in many countries with flowers, but not in Nigeria.

Because the women from other countries did not grow up believing that the man has to take care of their needs, they are less demanding of things to be done for them. And whatever the Nigerian men do for them, they are very appreciative. Consequently, they treat their Nigerian men with more dignity. The men talk about having more peace and happiness.

Ironically, it is the same level of care Nigerian men give to Nigerian women but is not appreciated (because it is seen as their duty or nothing special) that they give to these non-Nigerian women, and the women find it exceptional. The result is that the internet has made the news of the “special loving nature of Nigerian men” spread faster from different countries, making more women aware of it and more receptive to Nigerian men.

The pressure the Nigerian society puts on the male child is unnatural and unhealthy. The rich and the poor, educated and uneducated, influential and non-influential, young and old as well as male and female, take it as the normal way of life. Most people who have lived in Nigeria, and only go to other nations on holidays, may not understand that there is something wrong with it, because that is the only way of life they have known.

There should be a conscious reorientation in Nigeria, especially led by successful and influential women, that the girl child is not created to look forward to marrying a rich and influential man but to be a rich and influential person herself. The Nigerian girl child should be groomed to believe that the way to know a man who cares and loves her is not through the amount of money and gifts such a person showers on her. Churches, mosques, schools, universities and town unions should also join the campaign and see if the perception of the next generation can be changed about this critical issue.

Civil rights activist and politician Senator Shehu Sani has urged Nigerians and the government at all levels to appreciate and honour the freedom fighters who defended the country.

While speaking with Newsmen on Monday, Sani made the call when he visited the tombs of six deposed Emirs in Lokoja, who refused to bow down to British colonialists.

Sani, who was accompanied by his colleague, Comrade Suleiman Ahmed, admonished Nigerians and the government at all levels to appreciate freedom fighters who defended the country.

“Today, I am on the visit to the tombs of the Emirs from Northern Nigerians who were deposed by the British Colonialists and exiled to Lokoja where they died. Here, particularly, is the tomb of the late Emir of Kano, Mallam Aliyu Abdullahi (Maisango) who died in 1903.

“We have to appreciate the freedom fighters, those who stood in defence of our country. As a Pan-Africanist, someone who has been involved in the struggle for rights for freedom and justice, and someone who appreciates history a lot.

“I am here to appreciate this noble Emirs who stood in the defence of our country. This visit is to also send a clear message to Nigerians and to inspire others, that as we move forward as a country and as a people, we should also look backwards to appreciate those who fought and laid their lives and made sacrifices for us.

“Here, are Emirs who are lying down in their tombs; they were not deposed by their people but by the colonialists who came to enslave our people and take over our country and our resources. The Emirs that refused to bow down to colonialists, the ones who stood for freedom and defended our territorial land; we owe them a lot,” he said.

Sani, who was the Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District from 2015 to 2019, reaffirmed his commitment to continue to appreciate and honour Nigeria’s freedom fighters.

Speaking, the Etsu Lokoja, Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda-Shelika and other Lokoja community leaders who took the Senator and his colleague around the tombs’ sites commended the senator for the visit, describing it as a welcome development.

“The visit of distinguished Senator Shehu Sani and his colleague, Comrade Suleiman Ahmed, is a very welcome development and we appreciate them for the gesture.

“Oftentimes, we hardly remember that certain people contributed to certain measures in the past. So, the visit to Lokoja with particular interest in the tombs of the deposed Emirs, is very laudable.

“As a human rights activist, he could quickly point to the fact that these Emirs fought in defence of their people, and that was what leadership is all about”, Dauda-Shelika said.

[Punch]]

Lifelong farmer Joe Del Bosque knows that America can’t live without immigrants, but he worries that many of his countrymen think it can’t live with them either.

“When they’re needed, they welcome them. When they don’t need them, they want to kick them out,” the 75-year-old told AFP.

“Well, right now the country doesn’t know that they do need some of these workers.”

Farmers like Del Bosque, who grows cantaloupes and almonds in California, fear they could be at the sharp end of president-elect Donald Trump’s promise to deport millions of non-citizens.

Economists agree that a mass expulsion could leave him and others like him without enough workers to harvest food — causing shortages and sending prices skyrocketing.

“He’s talked about deportations. We don’t know yet what that means,” said Del Bosque.

“Does that mean everyone? We certainly hope that doesn’t mean he’s going to raid our farms, because without our people, our farms will come to a stop.”

And it isn’t just arable farmers who are worried.

Rick Naerebout, executive director of the Idaho Dairy Producers Association, warns the sudden disappearance of skilled laborers could be “devastating” to the dairy industry.

“It would only take a couple days of disruption and not being able to feed or milk our cows to where you would damage our industry beyond repair,” he told AFP.

– ‘Essential’ –

Around 2.4 million people work in farming in the United States, 44 percent of whom are undocumented, according to a survey by the Department of Labor.

University of Michigan economist David Ortega said — despite what some politicians say publicly — it is widely acknowledged in official circles that the entire system is heavily dependent on illegal workers.

“These are individuals that perform essential, very labor-intensive tasks like planting and harvesting,” he said.

“Many of them fill critical roles that many US-born workers are either unable or unwilling to perform.”

Farm work is hard, and often done in a difficult environment — summer temperatures in California can top 40 celcius (104 Fahrenheit), while winters in places like Idaho are routinely below freezing.

This reality stands in stark contrast to claims by nationalist politicians like Trump that these immigrants are “stealing” American jobs.

Naerebout, of the Idaho Dairy Producers Association, said it’s a common — and frustrating — fallacy.

To illustrate the point, he says one contractor last year advertised to fill thousands of roles.

“They had fewer than 30 domestic applications for 6,000 jobs,” he said.

“Only 12 of those individuals resulted in an interview, and only two resulted in a hire, and those two that got hired didn’t make it to harvest.

“Americans don’t want these jobs.”

– Posturing –

Such details were absent on the campaign trail, where Trump rallies painted migrants only as a problem for the United States, a source of crime and overcrowding that need to be sent packing.

The rhetoric was popular with voters, especially in rural areas, many of whom cited immigration as a key reason for supporting Trump.

California dairy farmer Tom Barcellos says he is convinced that — despite Trump’s promise to carry out the largest deportation in US history — common sense will prevail when the Republican takes office on January 20.

“I’ve been to (Washington) DC many times. I’ve been to (California state capital) Sacramento many times,” he said.

“Those that have the power know we’re not going to go raid agriculture, because that’s the food source for the American people, and they don’t want to raise the cost any more than it needs to be.”

For Naerebout there is a desperate — and long overdue — need to move past the political posturing of the last few decades and work out a way forward.

“We’ve been frustrated for, you know, 20 years trying to find a pathway forward to reforms at a national level, and both (Democrats and Republicans) are at fault,” he said.

“We as an industry wonder if there’s lack of political will to solve the problem because the problem presents itself as a great political fundraiser and stump speech.”

Del Bosque says he hires around 200 workers during harvest season and finds the process frustrating.

Migrants who try to do things legally get bogged down in a bureaucracy that appears to have no understanding of the needs of the workers or the industries that need to employ them.

“A lot of our fresh fruits and vegetables need to be picked by hand,” he said.

“If Americans value that kind of food in their diet — fresh fruits and vegetables — they need to consider that we have to have a reliable workforce to have a reliable food supply.”

[Vanguard]