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The rising cost of maintaining a healthy diet has put a strain on many Nigerians, as the average daily cost of a healthy diet in the country reached N1,255 per adult in August 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
The NBS in a report released on Thursday that the increase represented a 28 per cent rise compared to N982 in March 2024.
The bureau collects retail food prices monthly from over 10,000 outlets nationwide to monitor inflation trends, including the prices of more than 200 food items.
“Animal source foods were the most expensive food group in August, accounting for 37 per cent of the total cost of a healthy diet while providing only 13 per cent of total calories,” the report highlighted.
At the state level, costs varied, with Ogun, Lagos, and Rivers states recording the highest average daily costs of N1,641, N1,615, and N1,572, respectively.
“Katsina, Kaduna, and Sokoto, however, had the lowest costs, at N880, N951, and N980 per day,” the report further noted. These regional disparities highlight the unequal access to affordable nutrition across the country.
“At the zonal level, the South West zone recorded the highest average daily cost of N1,554, followed by the South-South zone at N1,381. “The North West zone recorded the lowest cost of a healthy diet at N1,041 per day,” NBS added.
The surge in costs was attributed to the rising prices of key food groups.
“Legumes, nuts, seeds, starchy staples, and vegetables were the main drivers of the increase in the cost of a healthy diet,” the report explained.
Despite the 28 per cent increase over the past six months, there was a 0.8 per cent decline in the cost compared to July 2024, which was N1,265 per day.
In addition to the rising food costs, the NBS report showed that the price of vegetables dropped by 14.5 per cent on a month-to-month basis in August.
As food prices continue to rise, experts warned that more Nigerians may find it increasingly difficult to access nutritious food.
The NBS also compared the cost of a healthy diet with the general consumer price index, noting that since July 2023, the cost of a healthy diet has been rising faster than the prices of other goods and services in Nigeria.
“The cost of a healthy diet increased at a faster rate than all goods and services in the past year,” it stated.
There are indications that the supply of crude oil in naira by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery which should have started on October 1, 2024, has yet to begin as of Thursday, October 3.
Officials at the Dangote refinery and those at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Federal Ministry of Finance, and NNPC, among others, stayed mute when contacted for updates on the naira-for-crude deal between NNPC and Dangote.
On Monday, The PUNCH reported that the Technical Sub-Committee on Domestic Sales of Crude Oil in Local Currency had confirmed the preceding day that the supply of crude in naira by NNPC to the Dangote refinery would begin on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
On September 13, 2024, the committee announced that the Federal Executive Council under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu approved the sale of crude to local refineries in naira and the corresponding purchase of petroleum products in naira.
“From October 1, NNPC will commence the supply of about 385kbpd (385,000 barrels per day) of crude oil to the Dangote refinery to be paid for in naira,” the committee had declared.
The Chairman of the Technical Sub-Committee is Zacch Adedeji, who doubles as Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
The Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, Mr Dare Adekanmbi, had responded in the affirmative when contacted on Sunday and asked if the plan for the crude oil supply to the $20bn Lekki-based plant was still intact.
“I can confirm that the Chairman of the Sub-Technical Committee, Zacch Adedeji, is working day and night to ensure that things go according to plans. He knows how important it is to have the agreement implemented as has been planned for the benefit of Nigerians,” Adekanmbi had stated.
But on Thursday, impeccable sources with three domestic refineries stated that they were not aware if the deal had commenced.
NNPC officials stayed mute when contacted for updates on the deal, directing our correspondent to the Ministry of Finance to get answers. The finance ministry did not provide answers when contacted.
However, a senior official with a domestic refinery said crude oil refiners including Dangote were still awaiting the Federal Government for the supply of crude in naira.
The official also noted that the government through its committee on crude-for-naira had assured operators that efforts were in top gear to deliver on the deal.
“You know that said it was to start on October 1, the technical committee is the one in charge now and they are working on it. They are supposed to arrive at a particular agreement and communicate it to us.
“But I can tell you that as of this moment, we haven’t received that communication yet. We are still waiting for them,” the operator who spoke in confidence due to lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, stated.
Another source with a major modular refinery, who is familiar with the deal, said, “The crude oil refiners’ body in Nigeria hasn’t been communicated yet on the deal. So we await the official communication because up till last week, we spoke with them (the government) and they assured us that the deal was still on course.
“However, I’d like to state that deals of this nature take a while before they are completed. There are a lot of things to be sorted before a final decision is reached. So we have to wait for them.”
The government explained in September that the naira-for-crude initiative would help reduce pressure on the naira, eliminate unnecessary transaction costs, and improve the availability of petroleum products across the country.
“Since then, the implementation committee chaired by the Minister of Finance and we, the technical committee, have worked intensely with NNPC and Dangote refinery to fashion out the details of the modalities for the implementation of the FEC approval,” Adedeji had stated.
While stating that crude would be sold to Dangote in naira from October 1, the committee chairman and FIRS boss said, “In return, the Dangote refinery will supply PMS (petrol) and diesel of equivalent value to the domestic market to be paid in naira.
“Diesel will be sold in naira by the Dangote refinery to any interested off-taker. PMS will only be sold to NNPC. NNPC will then sell to various marketers for now. All associated regulatory costs (NPA, NIMASA, etc.) will also be paid in naira. We are also setting up a one-stop shop that will coordinate service provision from all regulatory agencies, security agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth implementation of this initiative.”
Adedeji explained that the technical committee that worked to flesh out the initiative would transition to an implementation execution and monitoring committee that would be working out of Lagos for the next three to six months.
There appears to be selective payment of the N70,000 new minimum wage by the Federal Government, which has triggered fresh tension among federal public workers, as most of those yet to be paid have decried the development.
According to some staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, who haven’t seen any addition to their salaries, this is the height of insensitivity on the part of the government whose policies brought hardship and hunger.
But sources in the Accountant-General’s and Budget Office painted different pictures of the situation on the ground last night.
While the Accountant-General’s office said the new minimum wage was effected along with September salary, the Budget Office said N40,000 was paid across the board to all federal workers but workers are denying this.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu signed the N70,000 minimum wage into law on July 18, 2024, after about two months of protracted negotiations among the tripartite committee members, comprising representatives of government, Organised Private Sector, OPS and organised labour, made up of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and its Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, counterpart.
One of the staff of an MDA who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, said: “We are fed up with the whole system. We do not know what the government wants us to do.
‘’It is bad enough that the government removed fuel subsidy and inflicted unbearable suffering and hardship, including hunger on workers and other Nigerians across the country, it is even worse than the minimum wage that has been signed into law for months, in fact, since July, has not been implemented.
“We even heard that some few workers in the core civil service have seen some amount added to their salaries. What sort of arrangement is that? What sort of selective payment is that? Are we not in the same country and experiencing the same hardship and hunger?
‘’It is pure discrimination and salary slavery designed to keep some of us in perpetual bondage. We have been frustrated, denied and even humiliated by the policies of the government. Many of us have resorted to sleeping in offices, while many others who do not want to sleep in offices trek long distances to work.
“To worsen the suffering, many of us now starve or indulge in self-imposed fasts to cope with the situation. We cannot meet responsibilities to our immediate and extended families. Our children have not resumed school as we have no money to pay their fees and other necessities. We do not know why the government has decided to inflict pain and suffering on us.
“Since the new minimum wage was signed into law, the government has also increased the pump price of petrol and electricity tariff, eroding the value of the new minimum wage that has not even been implemented.
“How does the government want us to survive this assault? Prices of essential communities have continued to rise without any palliative from the government. This is wicked and unfair.”
FG pays N40, 000 in lieu of minimum wage
However, a source in the office of the AGF told Vanguard yesterday that the new minimum wage was effected along with the September salary.
But a source in the Office of Budget and National Planning, who pleaded anonymity, said N40,000 was paid to all Federal Government staff across the board instead of the minimum wage.
He explained that the idea was for those formerly on N30,000 minimum wage to have their wages moved to N70,000 with the additional N40,000.
Some federal workers, who spoke with Vanguard, acknowledged receipt of an extra N40,000 in their September salary.
However, a Federal Government explanatory note on the N40, 000 board payment obtained by Vanguard yesterday, read: “On the 40,000 flat rates narrated as ‘minimum wage’ in the September pay slip, it is just a temporary measure to pay something to civil servants before the official template of the minimum wage becomes available.
“As at the time the September salary voucher was prepared, the template for the new minimum wage was yet to be concluded.
“So, it was concluded that a flat rate be paid to all civil servants, irrespective of level, pending when the template will be available.
“That is why N40,000 was reflected in the September pay slip as ‘minimum wage’. But in October, the official template that was released yesterday night will come into full effect.
Arrears of new minimum wage
“Note the new minimum wage by law came into effect on July 28. This means that there will be arrears for August only. But the issue is a 40k flat rate has already been included in the September salary.
“So, if arrears were to be paid, there will be a deduction of the N40,000 paid to you in August from the normal amount you are to receive as the increasing figure emanating from the new minimum wage template.”
Labour kicks
Reacting to the development, the President of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, AUPCTRE, and Chairman of the National Joint Negotiating Council, NJIC, (on the Labour side), Benjamin Anthony, decried the selective payment of the new minimum wage.
He said “An insignificant number of workers has received an addition to their monthly pay, but the majority have not received anything. What that means to me is that nobody has been paid the new minimum wage.
“We are in touch with the office of the Head of Service, HoS, and Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS. They told us they are making efforts to pay. That to us is very bad news.
“It is as if they do not know that there is hunger everywhere and some children have not gone back to school because of lack of money. This is quite sad.
SSANU, NAAT react
Speaking to Vanguard on the situation, the President of the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, Ibeji Nwokoma, said the delay has brought untold hardship to his members.
“Government has fallen short of expectations of public servants. Everybody was expecting that by now the new minimum wage would have been implemented to cushion the effect of an increase in the pump price of petrol.
“People are suffering, people are parking their cars and are unable to take their children to school and families can no longer cope with the present circumstances. We only hear that the government will pay today or pay tomorrow, nobody is sure.
“Government can no longer be trusted. The situation reduces productivity among the working class because people can no longer come to work and expect to go back happy. It’s really affecting productivity and confidence in the public service,’’ he said.
Similarly, the President of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the delay is causing a lot of economic distress for his members.
He said: “University workers are worst hit as some of our members travel to far distances to get to work, which has in turn affected their morale in terms of productivity.
“We are frustrated with the delay and urge the government to commence the payment immediately to cushion the effect of high cost of living. The salaries members collect currently only take care of fuel and payment of transportation to work.’’
[Vanguard]
Enoch Adeboye, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has apologised for his previous statement that non-tithers won’t make heaven.
The cleric had initially sparked controversy at one of the church’s conventions when he said, “Anyone who does not pay his tithe is not going to heaven”.
He accused some people of misquoting scripture to avoid paying their tithes. He also stressed the importance of paying 10 percent of one’s income to the church.
“You will have to do both. Pay your tithe, and consider weightier matters of law, judgment and mercy. Do both. I will allow everyone to repent tonight,” he had said.
“And to go back immediately after this convention and restitute your ways with your congregation. Make it clear to them. Anyone who is not paying his tithe is not going to heaven.”
But speaking at the 2024 International Youth Convention, the 82-year-old cleric made a surprising U-turn on his previous stance on tithing.
“I am going to be apologising for making a mistake for saying that if you do not pay tithe you might not make it to heaven. Sorry, that is wrong. That is not in the Bible. What the Bible says is you have peace with all men and holiness without which kò man can see God,” he said.
“Now, let me tell you, it is possible to be right and wrong at the same time. I am a scientist I know about it. For years, we taught that light travels in straight lines.
“Later on, we discover that not just straight as a road, light travels in waves. Going in one direction but in waves. It is wrong to limit you to 10 percent. At a time when some of you should be 20 percent, 30 percent, and 40 percent. 10 percent should be for beginners. Giving should be violent.”
[TheCable]
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— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) October 4, 2024
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has apologised for saying that Christians who don’t pay tithe might not make it to heaven.… pic.twitter.com/cPxMVz0sRh
The House of Representatives, on Thursday, approved a bill seeking to establish the Nigeria Surrogacy Regulatory Commission for the monitoring and supervision of surrogacy arrangements in Nigeria.
The bill aims to “provide for the registration, regulation, and monitoring of surrogacy agencies in Nigeria and related matters.”
Leading the debate on the general principles of the proposed legislation, the sponsor of the bill, Ayodeji Alao-Akala, stated that the bill seeks to regulate and evaluate surrogacy in Nigeria to ensure that medical and health laws are not violated.
He added that it will also protect those seeking to overcome infertility.
Alao-Akala highlighted that a black market has emerged within the system, which takes advantage of the needs of expectant parents and exploits them.
He further stated that surrogate mothers and the children to be born also require legal protection.
Following its adoption, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, referred the motion to the House Committee on Healthcare Services for further legislative action.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has stated that he does not know a controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky and does not have any business dealings with him.
In a viral audio posted by a blogger, Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky had claimed that he bribed some Economic and Financial Crimes Commission officials with N15 million to drop the money laundering charge against her.
In the purported recording, the crossdresser also claimed that her “godfather,” alongside the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, ensured she served the six-month sentence in a private apartment and not in prison.
Sharing his opinion on the development, VeryDarkMan alleged that Falana sought a presidential pardon for Bobrisky in exchange for N10 million.
However, the blogger, who appeared before the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Financial Crimes and Reformatory Institutions on Monday, apologised to Falana over his recent derogatory innuendos against him.
But speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Falana denied having anything to do with Bobrisky or ever meeting or speaking with the crossdresser.
The senior lawyer said he has assisted 280 convicted people both home and abroad in getting a pardon, and never on any occasion has he or his law firm demanded or received a dime from anybody granted a pardon.
He said, “Bobrisky never spoke to me, I have never met him, I do not know him from Adam. He was alleged to have spoken to my son Folarin (Falz).
“Yes, my son said this guy was appealing to people for assistance and called my son I think on May 4 this year – please can you give me N3 million to be placed in a special part of the prison, we call it the VIP section.
“My son asked him, are you calling me under the authorization of the superintendent of prisons? He said no – please don’t call me again, I am unable to assist you to bribe the prison authorities and be very careful since you are already in prison for an offence.
“Please if you are you are going to call me next time, you either do through the superintendent or you write a letter endorsed by the prison authorities and that was the last. Somebody now start releasing tapes somewhere and went out to lampoon and rather defame me by saying the guy has spoken to me.”
Embattled Rivers All Progressives Congress chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, made startling admissions about his involvement in rigging local council elections during the tenure of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
Okocha, who served as Chief of Staff to Amaechi from 2007 to 2015, was recently ousted as the Rivers APC Caretaker Committee chairman by a Port Harcourt High Court presided over by Justice Sika Aprioku.
Premium Politics reports that Justice Aprioku reinstated Chief Emeka Beke’s party leadership following his removal from office by the national leadership of APC.
Speaking during an appearance on a Channels TV programme on Thursday evening, Okocha, supported by the Rivers APC National Working Committee, also claimed that Beke was also involved in the election rigging during the Amaechi administration.
“On the issue of whether I rigged the election, I did not hide it. I should be praised as a whistleblower.,” he said before being cut by the interviewer who told him that election riggers should be behind bars. “No,” he responded, “If you were an armed robber yesterday, and today you came to confess that you stole something somewhere yesterday. Are you saying that the law will now take a retroactive effect? The answer is No.
“The reason why we say and keep saying is because of what is going on as we speak. When you have an idea of a thing and you see the other person also wants to use the tactics that you already know. You will shout. That is the reason why we went to court.”
When quizzed about who gave the orders to rig the elections, he added, “Yes, all of us were together including Emeka Beke,” implicating the reinstated Rivers APC chair.
However, Beke who was in the interview with Okocha quickly dismissed the allegations, adding that the police would arrest him (Okocha) for rigging the election.
Beke said, “During the election, was I part of it? Have you ever heard me say rig election?” before being countered by Okocha who asked, “Are you saying that under the Amaechi government, you never participated.”
“I did not follow you to the election. I did not partake in any election whatsoever. When you wake up and confess and you want to put me there. I am not part of that. You rigged the election and we are going to ask the police to arrest you that you rigged the election,” Beke replied.
A middle-aged man identified as Odogwu Chibuzor was shot while attempting, along with other fleeing suspects, to siphon diesel from heavy-duty trucks at the Dangote Cement plant in the Ibese area of Ogun State.
Our correspondent learnt on Thursday that three other members of the armed gang fled the scene when security guards swooped in but Chibuzor was apprehended.
PUNCH Metro learnt from a police source in the area who craved anonymity for lack of authorisation to speak to the media that the head of the security unit at the Dangote Cement in Ibese, Egbunu Usman, reported the incident to the Dangote Police Post after one of the suspects, who had sustained a gunshot wound, was apprehended.
According to the source, Usman reported that at around 11:00 pm on Wednesday, four gang members, armed with a Dane gun and other dangerous weapons, stormed the 3 & 4 Section of the plant to carry out the crime.
The suspects, our correspondent learnt, each carrying at least one empty 25-litre jerrycan, had filled three before the security team swooped in on them.
As the suspects tried to flee, PUNCH Metro gathered that the security personnel at the plant opened fire, injuring one while the others managed to escape.
Additionally, a short video recording obtained by our correspondent on Thursday revealed that the suspect confessed to the crime during an interrogation by someone believed to be a member of the plant’s security team.
“My name is Odogwu Chibuzor. I’m from Enugu State, but I live in the Balogun community. Our group has more than 20 members, but only five of us were involved in this. We brought just five jerrycans. One of my friends mentioned that someone in our group had a gun, but I wasn’t aware he was carrying it.
“This was my first time with the group; I had never participated. We were filling the third jerrycan when we spotted the security guards. I was told they usually bribed some truck drivers,” Chibuzor confessed.
When contacted for a comment on the incident on Thursday, the Dangote Group spokesperson Mr Tony Chiejina, asked our correspondent to send a text message.
In response to our correspondent’s text message, Chiejina said he would find out about the incident and get back to PUNCH Metro.
“I will check and revert,” he simply texted.
As of the time this report was filed, Chiejina had not yet responded to the text message sent by our correspondent to his mobile phone as he promised.
But confirming the incident to our correspondent, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, stated that the suspect was promptly taken to a nearby hospital for treatment before being placed in custody.
She said, “The suspect was taken to the Ilaro General Hospital for medical treatment after sustaining a bullet wound in his back. A brief video of his confession was recorded.
“The lone Dane gun used in the robbery has been recovered, along with the five jerrycans they brought to siphon diesel from the trucks. We are collaborating with other local security agencies to apprehend the remaining fleeing suspects.”
PUNCH Metro reported a similar failed robbery attempt in 2017, during which at least two suspected members of a robbery gang were shot and killed by police operatives.
The gang, consisting of about seven members armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, invaded the company, proceeded to the materials section, and attempted to steal armoured cables before being shot dead by the security operatives.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, caused stirs on Thursday after he referred to Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as the Emir of Kano during an event in Abuja.
Naija News recalls that both Bayero and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Muhammadu Sanusi, had battled for the Kano Emirship position some months ago.
Back in March 2020, former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje removed Sanusi from the throne and appointed Bayero as Emir.
However, four years later, Ganduje’s successor, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, dismissed Bayero and reinstated Sanusi.
Bayero, whose removal was announced while he was outside the state, returned to Kano and took residence in the mini palace at Nasarawa, where he has been conducting his court.
Subsequently, Governor Yusuf ordered the immediate arrest of the monarch.
However, rather than complying, security measures were intensified at the mini palace, leading to speculation that Bayero had support from federal authorities.
Reacting to the development, Aminu Gwarzo, the Deputy Governor of Kano, claimed that Ribadu played a role in Bayero’s return by providing him with two private jets.
Ribadu denied these allegations and threatened legal action against Gwarzo.
In a letter from Aliyu & Musa Chambers, Ribadu’s legal representatives, an apology was demanded from the deputy governor, who subsequently retracted his statement.
The dispute over the emirate eventually transitioned to the judicial system, with both parties filing separate lawsuits against each other.
Emir of Kano
Today, during the 1st Annual International Lecture organized by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, themed “Insecurity in the Sahel (2008-2024),” Ribadu acknowledged Ado Bayero as the Emir of Kano.
While recognizing the dignitaries present, Ribadu stated, “Of course the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero,” which was met with applause from the audience.
Naija News reports that the video clip has stirred a barrage of reactions on social media.
See the video clip below as shared on X by a netizen [rabiuuba4].
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Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, the controversial Onitsha-based cleric better known asOdumeje, has opened up about his past lifestyle.
In an undated video now making the round on social media, Odumeje revealed that he grew up in a dangerous street in Onitsha, Anambra state.
Addressing his congregation, the controversial cleric said he became involved in armed robbery and terrorism at the age of 14.
Odumeje added that his life changed through the help of his mother, who led him to Christ and helped him find salvation.
“I was born in Onitsha city. No 3, Nnewi street. And I grew up in a dangerous street. I became an armed robber at the age of 14,” he said.
“I became a terrorist until Jesus Christ arrest me through the help of my mother to change my life… a destroyer become a saviour.”
Odumeje has always been in the news for controversial reasons. The cleric rode to fame on the back of what many described as his “unorthodox practices”.
In March, Ohanaemere issued a stern warning to critics accusing him of using fake powers.
“Do not criticise the miracles that Jesus is using me to do because you want to get attention from people. You can never go free,” he said.
He also advised those who disagree with his teachings to stop spreading falsehoods about him.
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Veteran Nollywood actress, Binta Ayo Mogaji, has advised women above the age of 35 to get pregnant outside wedlock.
Naija News reports that the 60-year-old movie star, in a recent interview with Oyinmomo TV, shared her thoughts on marriage, motherhood, and societal pressures.
Mogaji encouraged unmarried women over 35 to consider having children outside of wedlock if they desire motherhood.
The thespian, who welcomed her first child at 40, emphasized that women should prioritize motherhood over societal expectations and consider adoption if they cannot find a partner.
According to Mogaji, ladies above 35 often face marriage challenges.
She said, “What I’m saying is, once you’re 35 or older and you don’t have a husband, but there’s someone in your life who is with you but not ready for marriage, and he wants a child, have a child with him, even if he won’t accept responsibility for the child.
“When she is looking for a husband at 35, they’ll say she’s too old and won’t be able to wash clothes for her mother-in-law or be controlled.
“They’ll advise the man to find a younger lady to listen to him. Even if she’s fortunate to marry at that age, she’ll already be old when her child grows up. Some people at 45 or 50 are already grandmothers.
“When your mates are grandmothers, and you’re still saying you’re looking for a husband, when will you find a husband and become a grandmother?
“So, my advice is, if God blesses you with someone who likes you and you can have children together, go ahead and do it.
“If you find someone you like, ask him to impregnate you as long as you want a child and can take care of the child. But if you want a child and cannot find a man to impregnate you, then consider adoption.”
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential candidate in the last general election, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said Nigerians, especially the northern region, are tired of the current situation in the country.
Naija News reports that Kwankwaso said this while receiving members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who decamped to the NNPP in the state.
The former Governor, who received the decamped members of the APC from Dala, Kiru and Gwale local government areas at his Miller Road residence in Kano, stated that the administration of the APC is clearly against the poor masses.
He said the APC, which was created to salvage the hardship of the poor masses, has now turned against them, with insecurity and poverty eating deep into the fabric of Nigeria.
Kwankwaso also said that Nigerians will change the current government in the 2027 election.
He said, “Nigerians, more specifically northerners, have suffered enough and no amount of pressure or intimidation will change their minds.
“Nigerians should rethink over the current dispensation, it has now become clear that the APC-led government is clearly against the poor masses and will never change.
“It is now clear that regardless of their beliefs and plans to use the security agents and INEC in the forthcoming elections, it will not be possible as Nigerians are tired and will surely struggle for change.”
The national leader of the NNPP further described the defection occasion as historic, stating that the number of those joining the NNPP from the wards of Dala, Kiru, Gwale and Dawakintofa local governments shows that the APC structure is wholly crumbled in the affected places.
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has stated that he will have an input in determining his successor in 2027.
Naija News reports that Makinde asserted on Thursday, while receiving the report from the Committee on Review and Update of Public Service Rules and Other Regulations in the State Civil/Public Service, held at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.
While emphasizing his influence in the 2027 election process, Makinde addressed those currently lobbying for his position and acknowledged that the ultimate decision rests with the electorate.
He highlighted the importance of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, noting that party dynamics will play a crucial role in shaping the final decision.
He added, “I may not have the final say in who takes over, but I will definitely have my input.
“As the current leader of the party in Oyo State, I will be involved in discussions and deliberations that will guide our choice.”
Speaking on the Committee report on the Review and Update of Public Service Rules and Other Regulations in the State Civil/Public Service presented to him, Makinde expressed his commitment to leaving a transformative legacy for the state’s civil service by transitioning from manual processes to digital systems to eliminate unnecessary delays within the workforce.
According to him, many of the Public Service Rules are obsolete, and there is a need to review the rules to world standard practice that would transform the State Civil and Public Service.
Makinde, while commending the committee, revealed that their efforts not only validated his position of leaving a desirable legacy in the state but would improve and better the service conditions for the state workers.
He assured the committee that he would constitute a technical committee that would work on implementing and operationalizing their recommendations.
Former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has openly criticized President Bola Tinubu for embarking on a two-week vacation in the United Kingdom amidst Nigeria’s ongoing economic struggles and insecurity.
Lamido questioned whether Tinubu had any empathy for the plight of Nigerians, who are grappling with widespread hardship.
Recalls that Tinubu departed Nigeria for the UK on Wednesday, with his Special Advisor on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, clarifying that the trip is part of his regular annual leave.
Onanuga explained that the president would use this time for a working vacation, reflecting on his administration’s economic reforms. He added that Tinubu would return to the country after his two-week leave.
“He will use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.
“He will return to the country after the leave expires,” the statement said.
In response, Lamido took to Facebook, accusing the president of ignoring the suffering of the people.
In a post titled “Deaf, Dumb, Confounded,” Lamido wrote: “President Bola Tinubu traveled abroad to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.
“Does President Tinubu have the human empathy, compassion, love, care, and concern to ponder and reflect on Nigerians’ dire situations while in the comfort of Europe?”
Lamido concluded his message with a biblical reference, comparing the situation to the story of Pharaoh and Moses: “Once upon a time, there was Pharaoh, and there was also Moses.”