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Widespread violent protests in Kenya last week, instigated by attempts by the government to pass a new finance bill that would entail tax increases on some basic items illustrate vividly the delicate relationship among democratic governance, economic crisis, perceived corruption, deepening poverty and political stability in several African countries. The government of President William Ruto had won general elections in Kenya in 2022 and assumed power with a promise to uplift the lives of the poor and improve existential conditions for millions of the people. As is often the case, however, when actual performance of newly elected governments does not match the rhetoric of election campaigns, the Ruto administration was confronted with the grim realities of severe fiscal constraints, huge debts and the resultant incapacity to immediately begin to deliver on its mandate.
Indeed, the grim economic realities forced the government, last year, to utilise the financial bill to introduce a housing tax while also raising top personal income tax rate to the displeasure of large segments of the populace who resorted to open expression of anger, street protests and even in some instances, to court challenges of the government policies.
An attempt by the government to utilise the 2024 finance bill, which is usually presented to parliament before the commencement of a new fiscal year that spans from July to June, to expand the scope of new taxes, was responsible for the descent to chaos in no less than 35 of the 47 counties in the country where violence erupted. The public was responding to the passage by parliament of the financial bill, which raised taxes on items such as bread, vegetable oil, sugar as well as a new motor vehicle circulation tax fixed at 2.5 per cent of the value of a car to be paid annually. Also included in the new law was an “eco levy” on specified manufactured goods including sanitary towels and diapers, in addition to an increase in existing taxes on financial transactions.
Initial reactions of anger at these policies perceived as most likely to compound the already dire economic circumstances of millions of Kenyans were expressed on social media but soon exploded into violent protests on the streets. The angry citizens were apparently not persuaded by the government’s rationalisation that it had to raise $2.7 billion in additional taxes to reduce the budget deficit and state borrowing. Moreover, confronted with liquidity challenges and difficulties in raising funds from financial markets, the Kenyan government had sought for help from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with the latter insisting that the government raise more revenue through taxes before it could offer more funding.
The international financial institutions are urging the government to cut deficits, to obtain more funding while long-suffering citizens are protesting against economic difficulties. These technicalities understandably made little sense to large numbers of protesters, who forced their way into the parliamentary assembly complex after breaking the fence, harassed the legislators, tore up flags and made away with the ceremonial mace.
Later, other groups of demonstrations dressed in black T-shirts and reflectors attacked a night club, called Timba XO in Eldoret, reportedly owned by a member of parliament who is a close ally of President Ruto, destroying the property and looting alcohol. In a similar vein, another group of youths was reported to have overpowered security agents and invaded Chieni Supermarket in Nyeri town, which is linked to another member of parliament, Njoroge Wainana. These obviously targeted attacks against the properties of members of the legislature held responsible for what is seen as ‘punitive’ new taxes indicate that the people are sensitive to the perceived wide gulf between the standard of living of most members of the political class and the majority of the poor citizenry. Unfortunately, this is a scenario that is not limited to Kenya but is replicated in many African countries.
A 2023 report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), indicates that about 30 per cent of the country’s citizens are unable to meet their food needs, with more rural than urban citizens living in hunger. It is estimated that one in every 17 Kenyans lives in abject poverty and a population of 2,879,000 classified as living in “hardcore/extreme poverty”. No less disturbing is the report on the situation of inequality in Kenya with less than 0.1 per cent of the population (8,300 people) owning more wealth than 99.9 per cent (44 million people). These statistics on poverty and inequality are generally reflective of what prevails across Africa, which makes the opulence in which members of the political class on the continent live even more scandalous and unjustifiable.
It is unfortunate that no less than 23 persons were reportedly killed and several others wounded in the confrontation between the police and the protesters. Even as we condemn the resort to violence by the protesters, law enforcement agencies, again not only in Kenya but across Africa, must learn to be more even-handed in handling such situations, to ameliorate both loss of lives and injuries.
Exhibiting commendable sensitivity to the feelings of the public on the contentious finance bill, President Ruto in a nationwide broadcast said he would not sign the controversial legislation into law. According to him, “Listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said that they want nothing to do with the finance bill 2024, I concede. And therefore, I will not sign the 2024 finance bill, and it shall subsequently be withdrawn”.
Beyond this, the President promised that he would start a dialogue with Kenyan youths and work on austerity measures, beginning with cuts to the budget of the presidency to help tackle the fiscal deficit. This surely is the way to go. If people in various African countries see their leaders and public officers showing the example in prudent, austere and disciplined lifestyles, it will be easier to convince them to tighten their belts and make sacrifices for the public good.
It has been reported that, despite President Ruto’s concession to the protesters, some of the latter are adamant and want the demonstrations to continue until the government collapses. This would be a most unwise course of action. For one, it may most probably engender a more than proportionate use of responsive force by government that could escalate tensions and cause further fatalities. Again, the protesters must be wary of not creating an environment for anti-democratic elements to derail the democratic system that gives the citizens the rights and opportunities to demonstrate against government policies in the first instance. Democratic governance provides for limited tenures for incumbents in power, and those who desire political change can always express their will through the ballot box in the next elections.
[TheNation]
A new data of comparative analysis of Nigeria’s three biggest music stars, Burna Boy, Davido and Wizkid has surfaced online with Wizkid edging both Davido and Burna Boy.
Instructively, the estimates and figures used in the analysis are based on publicly available data and may not be entirely accurate.
Based on the numbers, Wizkid appears to have a slight edge over Davido and Burna Boy in terms of streaming numbers, concert revenue, and endorsement deals. However, Davido’s album sales and social media following are impressive.
Burna Boy’s Grammy win and critical acclaim for his albums suggest a strong artistic reputation. Ultimately, determining who is the “bigger” celebrity depends on individual criteria for success.
Here’s a comprehensive comparative analysis of Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy’s numbers:
Streaming Numbers:
– Davido: 4.5 billion streams on Spotify, 2.5 billion views on YouTube
– Wizkid: 6.5 billion streams on Spotify, 3.5 billion views on YouTube
– Burna Boy: 2.5 billion streams on Spotify, 1.5 billion views on YouTube
Concert Revenue:
– Davido: Sold out shows at O2 Arena (London), Accor Arena (Paris), and Barclays Center (New York) with average ticket prices ranging from $50-$100
– Wizkid: Sold out shows at O2 Arena (London), Rogers Arena (Vancouver), and Brooklyn Steel (New York) with average ticket prices ranging from $60-$120
– Burna Boy: Sold out shows at O2 Academy (London), Fillmore (Miami), and Terminal 5 (New York) with average ticket prices ranging from $30-$70
Earnings from Endorsement Deals:
– Davido: Estimated $1 million – $2 million per deal (MTN, Guinness, Pepsi)
– Wizkid: Estimated $2 million – $3 million per deal (Pepsi, Nike, Cîroc)
– Burna Boy: Estimated $500,000 – $1 million per deal (Star Lager, Glo, Pepsi)
Album Sales:
– Davido: “A Better Time” (2020) – 100,000+ units sold in the US, certified gold by RIAA
– Wizkid: “Made in Lagos” (2020) – 200,000+ units sold in the US, certified platinum by RIAA
– Burna Boy: “Twice As Tall” (2020) – 50,000+ units sold in the US, certified silver by RIAA
Awards and Recognition:
– Davido: 2 BET Awards, 2 MTV Africa Music Awards, 1 MOBO Award
– Wizkid: 1 Grammy Award, 3 BET Awards, 4 MTV Africa Music Awards
– Burna Boy: 1 Grammy Award, 2 BET Awards, 3 MTV Africa Music Awards
Social Media:
– Davido: 20 million followers on Instagram, 5 million on Twitter
– Wizkid: 25 million followers on Instagram, 6 million on Twitter
– Burna Boy: 10 million followers on Instagram, 2 million on Twitter
Net Worth:
– Davido: Estimated $20 million – $30 million
Wizkid: Estimated $30 million – $40 million
Burna Boy: Estimated $10 million – $20 million.
[Vanguard]
The death toll in the suicide bombings in Gwoza LGA of Borno state has risen to 18.
Barkindo Saidu, director-general of Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), confirmed the figure to NAN on Sunday.
Saidu said the victims comprise adult males, females and children.
TheCable had reported that the victims were returning from a wedding ceremony on Saturday when the first suicide bomber detonated an explosive near a motor park.
Another bomber, disguised as a mourner, also detonated an explosive as residents were preparing for the burial of those killed in the first attack.
Saidu said “19 people” were seriously injured in the attacks while 23 others are waiting for military escort in the Medical Regimental Services (MRS) clinic.
“I am now coordinating for a chopper tonight. I have mobilised emergency drugs to complement the shortage of drugs in Gwoza,” NAN quoted him as saying.
“The degree of injuries range from abdominal raptures, skull and limb fractures.
“I have also received a report that there is a suspected suicide bomber in Pulka,” Saidu said.
The military has imposed a curfew in Gwoza LGA in the wake of the attacks.
[TheCable]
Presidential Fleet: Nigeria’s President has 10 planes; leaders of Britain, Singapore have none
AFOLABI
Fleet among the largest in the world
Before then, senior Air Force officers, in their grey-upon-blue well-ironed uniforms, were seen on the eleventh floor of the Federal Secretariat which was then the office of the SGF, hanging around.
The argument was that since the Chief of Staff was the head of the staff attached to the President and since he was aware of the hourly movement of the President, he was in a better position to control the fleet adequately.
I understand the fleet is now under the National Security Adviser.
Before 1999, the fleet was almost dormant for lack of use.
General Ibrahim Babangida (72) hardly travelled outside the country except to visit some states and Chief Earnest Oladeinde Adegunle Shonekan (79), whose tenure lasted less than 100 days, made use of the fleet only once when he attended the Commonwealth Conference outside Nigeria. The second time he used the fleet was when he was overthrown and brought down to Lagos in company of Chief Dapo Sarumi.
General Sani Abacha hardly travelled outside Abuja.
In fact, during his era, pilots attached to the Presidential Fleet complained of under utilisation, raising fears that they might lose their licenses for not flying enough.
In 1997, Abacha made only five trips outside Abuja, and, in 1998, he made three trips; the fourth would have taken him to Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso on June 8, 1998 for the African Union Conference, the very day he died.
General Abdusalami Abubakar, who spent less than eleven months in office, was too busy with his transition programme that he hardly travelled.
He made four trips during his era, among which were two to Niger Delta to inspect oil spillage in that area.
Flying President
As for President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Jagunmolu of Egbaland, he was a flying President. Even till date, when the Presidential Fleet is outside his control, he is still flying around the world.
He loves to fly. That is the way he is. And the pilots attached to the Presidential Fleet loved him for that.
Important posting
The Presidential Fleet remains today the most important posting in the Nigerian Air Force.
For example, the present Chief of Defence Staff, Marshall Alex Sabundu Badeh, was an officer of the Presidential Fleet, as he flew former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar between 1999 and 2007 severally.
Even the present Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Nunayun Amosu, was an officer of the Nigeria Presidential Air Fleet too.
The fleet is among those with the largest number aircraft in the world in comparison to other countries.
Who has what?
The British Prime Minister has no presidential aircraft.
Members of the British Government charter either British Airways or Virgin Atlantic most time they have to travel.
The government of Tunisia operates a Boeing 737 BBJ.
An Airbus A340-500 has also been purchased and VIP configured, but was never used for travel and has been stored since 2011 revolution that ousted former dictator Ben Ali.
The Tunisian government is reportedly trying to sell both aircraft.
The government of Algeria operates an Airbus A340-500.
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong travels in commercial aircraft, usually operated by Cathay Pacific.
He travels in helicopters operated by the Government Flying Service.
The Ivorian government uses a Gulf IV as a VIP aircraft.
Further, they also use a government Boeing 727-200WGL.
The State of Israel does not currently possess a specific jet for use by its Head of State.
Wherever the current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flies long distances (out of the country), the government leases an airliner from the state airline El Al. Meanwhile, President Reuvin Rivlin and other high ranking dignitaries are relegated to El Al first class commercial service.
As of 2014, the Knesset was considering the purchase of such an aeroplane, dubbed ‘Israeli Air Force One’.
Kenya’s President has a Fokker 70 for use as the presidential jet.
Fokker Executive plane was purchased at a cost of $50 million.
The 70-seater jet was reconfigured and fitted with telecommunication facilities.
Prior to the purchase of the Fokker, the Kenya President primarily used Airways for his international travels.
The Saudi Arabian Royal Flight operates a Boeing 747-300 and a Boeing 747-400 for use by the King of Saudi Arabia.
The President, Prime Minister of Singapore and government officials typically travel on regular scheduled commercial flights run by Singapore Airlines.
However, on rare occasions or short trips, government officials may travel on one of the few passenger-configured Fokker-50 operated by the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
The President of South Africa travels in a Boeing 737 (BBJ) operated by the South African Air Force 21 Squadron, which is based at AFB Waterkloof, near Pretoria, the executive capital, i.e. the seat of the executive branch of the South African government.
21 Squadron also operates a fleet of two Falcon 50 and a Falcon 900B Fleet,550/1 Citation 2, and a Global Express XRS is hired to escort the President on long flights as a back-up aircraft.
The Falcon 900 is normally used by the Deputy President and high-ranking cabinet ministers.
The President of Zimbabwe travels in a charted Air Zimbabwe Boeing 767-200ER aircraft, which is part of the national airline’s fleet.
Occasionally, the President will share the plane with commercial passengers on scheduled flights.
The Tanzania Government Flight Agency operates a Gulfstream G550 for VIP transports.
There are other two other VIP aircraft: a Fokker F-50 and F-28 for internal and regional destinations as well.
The President of Ghana flies on a Falcon EX 900 jet.
The Botswana Defence Force operated a Gulfstream IV transport but has since been sold and the Botswana Defence Force now operates a Global Express OK1.
The government of Burkina uses a special Boeing 727.
A Falcon 900 has been added, and is the type frequently in use now.
The Egyptian government operates an Airbus A340-200 as a VIP transport.
The first presidential airplane was given as a gift from Saudi Arabia to Egypt.
The Pope is one of the richest and famous men on earth. He is the Head of the Catholic Church and has followership all over the world.
Typically, the Pope flies on a chartered Alitalia fixed-wing aircraft when travelling to or from more distant destinations. Traditional protocol dictates that a Pope flies to a country he is visiting in a chartered Alitalia jet and to return on a jet belonging to a flag carrier from the visited nation; this may vary when he is touring multiple nations.
The Nigerian’s Presidential Air Fleet is maintained with over 10 billion naira budget annually.
Poor states like Osun, Gombe, Ebonyi, Ekiti get less than 2 billion naira every month from the Federation Account.
The Presidential Fleet of Nigeria has the third largest air fleet in the country coming behind Arik, which has twenty-two, and Aero Contractors which has fourteen.
The Presidential Air Fleet has ten aircraft. They include two Falcon 7X jets, two Falcon 900 jets, Gulfstream 550, one Boeing 737 BBJ (Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One) and Gulfstream IVSP.
Others are Gulfstream V, Cessna Citation 2 and Hawk Siddley 125-800 jet.
Each of the two Falcon 7X jets purchased in 2010 cost $51.1m, while the Gulfstream 550 costs $53.3m. However, airline CEOs put the average price of Falcon 900 at $35m, Gulfstream IVSP at $40m, Gulfstream V at $45m, Boeing 737 BBJ at $58m, Cessna Citation is $7m and Hawker Siddley 125-800 at $15m.
In addition, the Federal Government last year submitted several new items to be purchased by the Presidential Air Fleet to the National Assembly for approval.
The items listed as new in the PAF budget are- the completion of hanger project (N405,500,000.00), tyre bay tools and equipment (N106,000,000.00), Towberless tow tractor for aircraft towing (N58,740,000.00), hanger sweeper (N31,870,000.00), luggage conveyor belt truck (N28,898,000.00) and Harlan tow aircraft equipment towing ( N27,590,000.00).
Other news items are- CCTV and surveillance equipment (N18,000,000.00), aircraft tools and equipment (N11,480,000.00), battery workshop equipment (N5,050,000.00), complete tool box for general works and vehicles ( N 360,000.00), heavy duty crocodile jacks ( N 300,000.00), aluminium ladder (N285,000.00), safety boots (N52,500.00) and foldable ladder (N50,000.00).
Question
The question before us is, can we maintain the Presidential Air Fleet in the face of our dwindling economy? The answer is no.
The alternative is to sell some of the aircraft to reduce cost.
It is even cheaper to charter planes for some of our top officials than to maintain the Presidential Air Fleet as it is now.
The other angle is to let the Nigerian Air Force face other challenges, instead of the present rivalry among senior officers over posting to the Presidential Air Fleet.
I think we have many projects to tackle instead of the temporary comfort of our leaders. All these are for the consideration of the incoming government of Major General (rtd.) Muhammadu Buhari.
In his Essays of Innovation, Francis Bacon wrote, “And he that will not apply New Remedies must expect New evil; for time is the greatest innovator.”
Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing Sunday has publicly expressed her growing anxiety over her unmarried status, sharing her thoughts and emotions on social media. The actress, known for her vibrant personality, revealed that the pressure to marry has intensified, especially in light of recent high-profile weddings in the entertainment industry.
Nkechi Blessing, a mother of one, is believed to be in a relationship with a South-South politician and socialite. Despite this, the recent wedding of music star Davido to Chioma, which took social media by storm, has heightened her sense of urgency about getting married.
Nkechi admitted that the joy and celebration surrounding these weddings have made her more eager to walk down the aisle herself.
Taking to her Instagram page, Nkechi shared that while she wasn’t previously ready for marriage, the recent weddings of her colleagues have shifted her perspective. She conveyed her newfound readiness to settle down, expressing her desire to experience the happiness and fulfillment that comes with marriage.
Nkechi’s social media post also highlighted her playful side as she pondered potential hashtags for her and her boyfriend Xxssive.
She considered options like “ExcessLove,” “XxBlessing,” “Nkechi is XX,” or “Xxssive is Blessing.” Her lighthearted approach to the situation showed her optimism and excitement about the future.
The actress emphasized the beauty and sweetness of love, urging her followers not to believe otherwise. She reflected on the genuine smiles and joy she observed in the recently married couples, reinforcing her belief in the positive aspects of love and marriage.
She admitted to feeling panicked by the pressure to get married as she acknowledged that while societal expectations can be overwhelming, they have also pushed her to consider marriage more seriously. Her honesty about her feelings added depth to her message, making it more relatable to her audience.
In her post, Nkechi sought suggestions for the best designer for her wedding dresses, signaling her readiness to start planning her big day. She playfully asked her followers for hashtag ideas, inviting them to join in her excitement and anticipation. This interactive approach further endeared her to her fans, who eagerly offered their support and suggestions.
A Superintendent of Police, Ibrahim Sini, has said he turned down a N150m bribe allegedly offered to him by a Lagos-based businessman, Akintoye Akindele to have peace of mind.
Akindele, who was arraigned for the offence at the Federal High Court in Abuja in August 2023, was remanded in the Kuje correctional centre.
According to the charge sheet, the bribe was offered to allow police to permit him to escape abroad and to write a favourable report for him after the investigation.
Sini was said to have led the Inspector General of Police’s team of investigators handling the case against the businessman.
Speaking at a dinner organised to honour him on Friday in Abuja, Sini said, “I am very happy to be here, and I want to appreciate the organisers of this programme. They have beat my imagination, and they have added more grease to my elbow. Yes, I remember when the incident happened. The person in question asked me, ‘Do you want to be rich?’ He said, ‘This is an opportunity for you to be rich’
“So what I said was that it depends on the kind of riches. I would like to have money so that I can lay my head down and sleep at night. I don’t want to have something that will make me think twice and be running from one hole to another. So I would like to do justice and have peace of mind.
“So, I decided to do the right thing so that I can have peace of mind and also stand to do what is right for myself, for my organisation, that is, the Nigeria Police and also for the country at large.”
He advised youths in the country not to trade their integrity for anything.
Sini added, “To the youth out there, I just want to tell them that integrity counts, that it’s good to be up and doing, that it’s possible to be in the midst of a lot of challenges and still stand to be different. Nigeria is our country, and Nigeria shall be great.”
At the event, Sini was given a plot of land in Abuja.
Presenting the document of the land to Sini, the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, said SP Sini’s conduct has brought pride to the Nigerian Police Force.
“We are proud of you, I want to let you know that your conduct has brought pride to the Nigeria Police Force. We urge other members of the force to emulate SP Sini,” Igweh said while presenting Sini with the documents of the land.
Also, the organisers of the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Vegas Homes, Chukwuemeka Okoye, said Sini’s conduct remains exemplary and should inspire others and Nigerians to note that the Nigerian Police Force has men of integrity and good conduct.
He said, “SP Sini’s actions have not only brought honour to himself and the Nigeria Police Force but have also inspired countless others to stand firm against corruption and uphold the highest ethical standards. His integrity serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even in challenging circumstances, it is possible to remain true to one’s values.
“This honour is aimed at not only appreciating the laudable conduct of Superintendent Ibrahim Sini but to demonstrating that society appreciates individuals of integrity and good conduct.
“We want to also show that the Nigerian Police Force have officers that are professional, above board and with the right incentive to engage in meaningful policing and be worthy examples”.
Barring any change in plans, the Nigerian government will purchase an Airbus A330 aircraft seized from an unnamed Arab prince and businessman who could not pay hundreds of millions of dollars he owed a German bank, PREMIUM TIMES reports.
Presidency officials have kept their lips shut about plans to buy a new presidential jet.
However, this newspaper has obtained information that the government has already identified an aircraft for purchase but is scrambling for funds to consummate the transaction.
The identified aircraft is said to be a repossessed one recovered from a troubled oil sheikh who used the aeroplane as collateral for a loan he obtained from an unidentified German bank to buy it. When a bank loan is taken to purchase an aircraft, the aircraft is usually pledged as collateral.
Our sources said the bank repossessed the aircraft from the debtor businessman but found it challenging to sell due to its executive customization.
The aircraft is now in the possession of L & L International LLC, an American aviation firm based in Miami, Florida. L & L International LLC is trying to help the German bank sell it to the Nigerian government.
The Edo State Police Command has announced the arrest of the suspected killer of Glory Adekolure, a University of Benin graduate.
Adekolure was said to have gone to school for her final clearance on June 13, 2024, but her corpse was found under a tree on a street in the Iyowa Community of Benin City, close to her house.
The suspect was apprehended in Asaba, Delta State, 15 days after Adekolure’s death.
According to the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, in an interview with Channels Television, monitored by our correspondent, on Saturday, the suspect confessed to killing Adekolure and at least eight other young women.
He said, “I am happy to inform the good people of Edo State and the good people of Nigeria that the killer of Glory Adekolure, a 22-year old final year Chemistry student of the University of Benin has been apprehended.
“He was apprehended in Asaba, Delta state. After killing Glory, he ran away, he was aware we were trailing him and due to the painstaking investigations of our anti-kidnapping and cybercrime unit, he was arrested and confessed not only to the killing of Glory Adekolure but to the killing of eight other similar ladies.”
Adegboye said the suspect had not been paraded yet, adding that police are still investigating the incident.
Political appointments in Nigeria are sometimes trailed by controversies, especially when certain patterns are deduced.
Questions about compensation or competence of the appointees also often arise.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari was accused of being religiously and ethnically lopsided in his appointment.
For President Bola Tinubu who suceeded him, the common accusation, though still tender, is that he favours people of Yoruba descent.
The former governor of Lagos, it appears, has a knack for appointing people who had served the state, especially those who worked with him as far back as the return of democracy in 1999.
Here are some recent presidential appointees who served in Lagos government in the past.
OLATUNJI BELLO — FORMER ENVIRONMENT COMMISSIONER NOW IN FCCPC
On June 24, Olatunji Bello was appointed as the chief executive officer of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
Bello is a lawyer, administrator, and journalist. He studied law and holds a master’s degree in international law and diplomacy from the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002.
He was the former secretary to the Lagos state government.
He had his first public service stint under Tinubu when he became managing director, Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, in 2010.
In 2011, he was appointed as commissioner for environment under the administration of Babatunde Fashola and served in that capacity till May 2015 when he was appointed as secretary to the Lagos state government by Akinwunmi Ambode.
DAYO MOBEREOLA — FORMER TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER NOW IN NIMASA
Tinubu appointed Dayo Mobereola as director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in March.
Mobereola was the commissioner for transportation in Lagos from 2015 to 2016. Before his appointment, he was the managing director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) from 2002 to 2015.
He holds a Ph.D and an M.Sc in transport economics from the University of Wales, United Kingdom.
Before joining public service, Mibereola was the deputy managing director and project development director at AFM Consulting Plc, London.
He was also a senior economist at British Petroleum Shipping Limited; and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport, both in England and in Nigeria.
AYODEJI ARIYO — FORMER FINANCE COMMISSIONER NOW IN BPE
Tinubu appointed Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi as the director-general of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) in June.
In January 2022, ex-President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Gbeleyi as the board chairman of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN),
Gbeleyi served as commissioner of finance in Lagos from 2013 to 2015 under Fashola with concurrent responsibility for the oversight of the office of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
He is a fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).
Gbeleyi is also an alumnus of executive programmes of London Business School, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and Lagos Business School.
JIDE IDRIS — FORMER HEALTH COMMISSIONER NOW IN NCDC
Jide Idris was a three-term commissioner for health in Lagos.
He served as health commissioner under the governments of Tinubu, Fashola and Ambode.
Idris also served as a permanent secretary in the Lagos state ministry of health.
In February, Tinubu appointed him as the director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
Idris succeeded Ifedayo Adetifa who headed the NCDC since September 2021.
He graduated from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), before obtaining his master of public health (MPH) degree at the Yale University, US.
Idris is a member of the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
DELE ALAKE — FORMER INFORMATION COMMISSIONER NOW IN SOLID MINERALS
Dele Alake was Tinubu’s commissioner for information and strategy from 1999 to 2007, after serving as his special adviser in the same capacity.
In June 2023, Tinubu appointed Alake as his special adviser on special duties, communications and strategy, and later as minister for solid minerals development in August.
Alake was born in October 1956 and holds a bachelor of science degree in political science and a master’s in mass communications from the University of Lagos.
WALE EDUN — FORMER FINANCE COMMISSIONER, NOW FINANCE MINISTER
Adebayo Olawale Edun served as the Lagos state commissioner for finance for two terms from 1999 to 2007 during Tinubu’s tenure.
He was appointed minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy in August 2023 after serving as Tinubu’s special adviser on monetary policies.
Edun completed his bachelor’s degree in economics at the University of London and his masters in economics from the University of Sussex, England.
He is a former chair of ChapelHillDenham Group, and an executive director of Lagos merchant bank, Investment Banking & Trust Company Limited, now Stanbic IBTC.
He is also the founder and chair of Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame.
HAKEEM MURI-OKUNOLA — FORMER LAGOS HEAD OF SERVICE, NOW TINUBU’S PRIVATE SECRETARY
Muri-Okunola is another figure who was in active service of the Lagos state government, though not in the capacity of a commissioner.
In September 2023, he resigned as the Lagos state head of service after five years to take up appointment as Tinubu’s principal private secretary.
Muri-Okunola was appointed personal assistant to Tinubu between 2003 and 2005. After serving as his personal assistant, Tinubu appointed him executive secretary of the land use and allocation committee.
He became permanent secretary in 2011 — about 10 years after joining the civil service — and was posted to the Lands Bureau in the Governor’s Office.
YEMI CARDOSO — FORMER COMMISSIONER FOR BUDGET, NOW CBN GOVERNOR
He was a banker, stockbroker and consultant. He was appointed as the chairman of the board of Citibank Nigeria. He was also a member of the Cities Alliance’s Africa Think Tank Group.
Yemi Cardoso was appointed commissioner for economic planning and budget in Lagos in 1999 when Tinubu became governor of the state.
In September 2023, Tinubu appointed him as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Ex-governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party or LP, Mr Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as ordered by the court.
Obi while addressing journalists in his hometown of Anambra on Saturday said the continued detention of Kanu when the court had granted him bail was against the rule of law in the text that was made available.
It’s not clear when the court granted Kanu another bail apart from the 2017 bail.
Before he was granted bail, he was brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges bordering on treasonable felony filed against him by the Federal Government.
However, the court revoked the bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to present himself as required.
The IPOB leader was rearrested in Kenya in 2021.
Since then, he has been in detention and has failed to secure another bail after several applications.
The latest denial of bail was handed down to Kanu on May 20 when the presiding judge at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Binta Murtala Nyako, held that, he had jumped bail in 2017 and would not be grnated another.
The judge said, “You have an option of appeal. Please exercise your right of appeal,” in the ruling that was delivered few weeks after Kanu had failed in an earlier bail application.
But Obi explained that, “Government must obey the law as the rule of law is an intrinsic asset that we must cherish and live with. And I have always said that I am going to discuss with every agitator.
“I plead with the government to ensure that all those who are in similar conditions are released and discussed with. We are a democratic nation and we should not be doing things that are arbitrary and not within the law,” he stated.
He challenged the government to work harder to curb insecurity, noting, “The primary work of government is the security of lives and property.
“Like I always say, the primary duty of any government is security of life and property. It is the foundation on which people live in a nation because nobody can stay in an insecure place.
“And it is worrisome what is happening in Nigeria where people wake up everyday with
news of killings, abductions and kidnappings, which have made Nigeria one of the most insecure places on the surface of the earth and it requires urgent attention”.
On what’s happening in the South East, Obi said, “As I thank the governments in the zone for their efforts, there is a need to do more. I want our governors to come together as a family to solve this problem. I am saying this with the little experience I had when I was there.
“As the federal government appears to have overshadowed everybody, the governors should urgently come together. They can even invite those of us who have been there to interact with them to chart the way forward.
“Yes, there was an attempt in the past that failed, but I don’t believe in failure. There should be more effort to make it work. They should also work with security agencies, vigilante groups to achieve the desired objective.
“Even with an economic agenda, I want to see the South East governors work more closely. We want to see them come together and also bring together other groups in the zone.”
He also said he is against destructive protest, stating that, “I’m against destruction of government assets and property, because it is still our scarce resources that we are going to use to repair them.
“Peaceful protest is allowed, but it must be for a reason and not personal interest of some people. It must be properly articulated and properly directed.
“I recall when people said they were protesting police brutality and I said to them no, let’s rather deal with the leadership issue.
“If we have good leaders, their agents can’t be bad. The problem is leadership. If the leaders are competent, have the capacity and doing the right thing, their agents will follow their examples.
“I want to use this opportunity to say that all those who are being held because of one protest or the other should be released, whether they are freedom fighters, EndSARS protesters because there is freedom of speech..
“We are a democratic country and people have the right under the constitution to express themselves freely. They also have the right to peacefully protest and we must listen to them.
“We must listen to those who say they are not happy, that is why it is a democratic nation. We should stop acting dictatorial and behave as if this is not a democratic country.
“I know we are in a state of capture, but then, we should act in a manner that shows some decency.”
On whether there are plans for him to join other politicians to form a mega party, Obi said: I’m more particular on how the poor Nigerians can feed.
“I will rather talk about things that are affecting Nigerians today. We politicians are preoccupied by elections, and that is not what I’m after. I’m talking about how we can reduce the prices of food?
“Our people are dying of hunger. How do we make life more conducive for the poor Nigerian? How do we make our people earn more money? How do we pull people out of poverty? That should be our concern, and not forming a mega party.
“But if forming a mega party will provide all these things I have illustrated, then I’m all for it. But if it is for state capture, so that you can take power and continue with the consumption, consumption, consumption, that we see today, I will say no. But if it is to move it to production, production, production, then I say yes.”
More...
At least seven people were reportedly killed on Saturday after two suspected suicide bombers attacked some wedding guests at Marrarraban Gwoza in Borno state.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, reported that many of the victims were said to be returning from a wedding ceremony when the first suicide bomber detonated her explosive near a motor park.
Makama said the suicide bomber was identified as a lady in her early 20s, adding that the injured ones were taken to the hospital in Gwoza.
Also, another bomber, disguised as a mourner, detonated an explosive in Gwoza LGA as residents were preparing for the burial of those killed in the first attack.
Makama said one person reportedly died and 16 others were injured during the attack.
The publication added that Yusuf Lawal, Borno commissioner of police, confirmed the incident.
Meanwhile, the military has imposed a curfew in Gwoza LGA to enable them to secure the town from any further threat.
In March 2024, two people were injured after an improvised explosive device (IED), strapped to a suspected suicide bomber, detonated near a mosque in Biu LGA of Borno state.
A Nigerian couple has been arrested in Anambra State and handed over to the police.
The couple was arrested over the treatment meted out to their five underage sons in the Osumenyi community, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Mr Uche and Mrs Peace Mbonu are accused of alleged child abuse, starvation and refusal to provide necessities for their five underaged boys.
The arrest was carried out by the security operatives of the Nnewi South LGA before they were handed over to the police through the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo.
This was made known on Saturday, June 29, in a statement by the media aide to the commissioner, Chidimma Ikeanyionwu.
The statement read, "On why they starved the kids, the couple denied the allegation and stated in their defence that the kids are always in the habit of eating raw rice, which makes them infuriated.
"While pleading for pardon, the couple said that they always feed the kids but that the children prefer eating raw rice, which they don’t know where they picked up the behaviour from.
"On his part, the oldest of the kids, Chigbo Mbonu, revealed that Peace Mbonu is his father’s third wife, and ever since she came into their family, they have faced a lot of untold hardship.
"Chigbo Mbonu, who is currently 17 years old, said that they feed once a day for the days their stepmother will give them food but rely on raw rice and palm kernel after hunger must have greatly dealt with them.
He went ahead to explain that he, at some point, stopped schooling because he helped his father in his block industry. He noted that he moulds blocks with four bags of cement on a bad day and six bags on normal days.
"Further physical examination of the children by the Women Affairs commissioner showed that they have been greatly starved and in need of medical care.
"It is important to note that Mr Uche Mbonu has married two wives before finally settling with the third one Peace Mbonu, who was his sales girl, and that the kids are all product of his previous marriages.
"According to the security operatives who helped in apprehending the culprits, they explained that after they got the husband, his wife Peace ran to Nnewi, her maternal home to hide before they eventually apprehended her too."
While reacting to the development, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ify Obinabo, condemned the act and stated that the state government will continue to ensure that child labour, abuse and all forms of maltreatment are reduced to the barest minimum.
The couple has since been handed over to the police for further investigation, after which the matter will be charged to court.
The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has advocated for an hourly minimum wage for workers in the country.
Oyedele shared this information during an interview with Channels TV on Friday in Abuja.
He suggested rethinking the structure of the minimum wage, proposing that it should be calculated based on hourly work.
Oyedele also mentioned that civil servants should be allowed to engage in other types of work, except farming, while working for the government, as long as it does not conflict with their government duties.
“My view is that we need to use this opportunity of minimum wage to have a rethink about our minimum wage structure.
“First and foremost, I do think it should be calculated per hour. And we need to relax some of the rules about civil services and what they can do. It should not just be limited to farming.
“You should be able to do more than one job provided that there’s no conflict and you can give the minimum hours to the government,” Oyedele said.
Wages to be linked to productivity
Speaking further, Oyedele believes that the minimum wage should be linked to worker productivity.
According to him, without productivity and output, even a N1 million minimum wage would soon lose value and be equivalent to N30,000.
He emphasized the need for measurable productivity standards for workers, which would help boost government revenue overall.
“There should also be conversations around measurable productivity. Imagine for instance if you’re able to measure the productivity of civil servants on behalf of government.
“And we have a structure that says the government cannot pay you a minimum wage that is less than the productivity that you have. What that will do for all of us is that civil servants will then start focusing on productivity because it drives their minimum wage.
“And otherwise, at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how much we pay, even if it’s N1 million per month, if it’s not supported by productivity and output, give it about 2 months, the N1 million will look exactly like N30,000 today,” Oyedele added.
What you should know
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have repeatedly demanded an increase in the minimum wage from N30,000 over the past year.
The labour unions proposed a minimum wage of N459,000, citing this amount as necessary for a worker’s survival given the current economic realities of the country.
However, the federal government stated that it could not sustain this demand, saying it was unsustainable and would result in N9.5 trillion annually.
Meanwhile, after much negotiation, labour settled for a N250,000 proposal while the federal government said it would pay the sum of N62,000.
[Nairametrics]
Foreign aid has long been hailed as a vital tool for combating poverty in developing nations, according to the United Nations (UN). Over the decades, billions of dollars have been channelled from wealthier nations to poorer ones in the hope of fostering economic development, improving healthcare, and alleviating poverty.
However, upon closer examination of the outcomes, a complex and often disappointing reality emerges: despite these efforts, many developing countries, including those in Sub-Saharan Africa, continue to grapple with staggering levels of poverty.
Generously, the intention of the intention of foreign aid is to provide financial and technical assistance to developing countries, thereby fostering economic growth, improving infrastructure, and enhancing the quality of life for their citizens.
“When countries rely heavily on external assistance, they may lose the drive to develop self-sustaining policies and institutions.”
Aid in this context can be categorised into several types: humanitarian assistance, which addresses immediate needs during crises; development aid, aimed at long-term economic growth; and military aid, which focuses on security.
Here, both humanitarian and development aid are considered. However, while proponents of foreign aid, such as the United Nations, argue that foreign aid is key to alleviating poverty by bridging the gap between rich and poor nations, supporting critical infrastructure projects, and enhancing human capital through investments in education and healthcare, others disagree.
Despite the noble intentions, the practical outcomes of foreign aid often fall short of expectations. Several factors contribute to this discrepancy: one major criticism of foreign aid is its potential to foster dependency syndrome. When countries rely heavily on external assistance, they may lose the drive to develop self-sustaining policies and institutions.
This dependency syndrome has persistently plagued Nigeria and other third-world nations, stifling their economic autonomy and perpetuating structural deficiencies.
Recent studies highlighted in the Nile Journal of Political Science emphasise how this dependency has entrenched itself across various sectors of Nigerian society. It has led to an economy structurally reliant on foreign powers, lacking regional and sectoral complementarity, and failing to achieve auto-centric development.
Corruption is a significant barrier to the effective use of foreign aid. In many cases, aid funds are syphoned off by corrupt officials, leading to misallocation of resources. This not only reduces the intended impact of the aid but also erodes public trust.
Poor management and a lack of proper oversight can result in the inefficient use of aid. Projects might be poorly implemented, with funds being spent on non-priority areas or administrative overheads rather than on direct poverty alleviation.
Large inflows of foreign aid can distort local economies. For example, an influx of aid can appreciate the local currency, making exports less competitive and hurting local industries. Moreover, massive aid inflows can lead to inflationary pressures, reducing the purchasing power of the local population and potentially exacerbating poverty.
Often, aid is tied to the strategic interests of donor countries rather than the needs of the recipient country. Aid may come with conditions that align with the donor’s political or economic objectives, which may not necessarily benefit the recipient’s population.
Furthermore, the conditions attached to aid, such as economic policy changes, can sometimes be detrimental. These conditions might prioritise macroeconomic stability over poverty reduction, leading to austerity measures that hurt the poorest.
Sub-Saharan Africa, despite being a major recipient of aid, continues to grapple with pervasive poverty and economic instability. Despite receiving $36 billion annually in aid, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the poorest region globally.
Official Development Assistance (ODA) provides $134.38 billion in aid globally, with the largest portion going to Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite this substantial aid, half of the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have poverty rates over 35 percent, and 18 of the top 20 economies with the highest poverty rates are in this region, according to the World Bank.
The case of Nigeria
In 1999, Nigeria found itself at a crossroads. The country had just emerged from decades of military rule and was taking its first steps towards democratic governance. As the new administration took office, one of the most pressing issues was the crippling national debt.
This financial burden severely limited the government’s ability to invest in critical infrastructure and social services, leaving millions of Nigerians in poverty.
The international community recognised the dire situation. The Paris Club, a group of major creditor countries, stepped in with a significant debt relief package for Nigeria. This move was seen as a beacon of hope.
The agreement provided Nigeria with the financial breathing room it desperately needed, allowing the government to redirect funds previously earmarked for debt servicing towards essential development projects.
In 2005, Nigeria received another substantial boost. The Paris Club agreed to an unprecedented debt relief package amounting to approximately $18 billion, according to internetgeography.net.
This decision was monumental, as it marked one of the largest debt relief efforts in history. For Nigeria, this meant a substantial reduction in its external debt and the opportunity to reallocate resources towards development initiatives aimed at improving the lives of its citizens.
The impact of this financial reprieve was immediately felt across the country. Schools that had long been neglected saw renovations and expansions. Healthcare facilities received much-needed upgrades, and new economic initiatives were launched to foster growth and reduce unemployment.
The debt relief was not just about numbers; it was about giving Nigeria a fighting chance to rebuild and prosper.
Fast forward to 2014, and Nigeria continued to benefit from international support. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided over $700 million in aid, focusing on critical areas such as health, education, and economic development.
This assistance was crucial in addressing the country’s most pressing challenges. It helped improve literacy rates, combat diseases, and support economic diversification efforts, laying the foundation for a more resilient and inclusive economy.
From 2015 to 2020, Nigeria’s reliance on foreign aid persisted, highlighting the ongoing need for international support. In 2020, the World Bank approved a $3 billion loan to help Nigeria address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This aid was vital in sustaining social programmes and stabilising the economy during an unprecedented global crisis.
Despite these substantial efforts and financial inflows, the journey towards poverty reduction and sustainable development in Nigeria remains arduous. The country’s struggle with poverty and underdevelopment continues to be a complex issue, influenced by various factors including governance, corruption, and infrastructure deficits.
Beyond Nigeria
Surprisingly, many of the poorest countries in 2024—BBurundi, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Somalia, and others—were also among the world’s poorest nations a quarter-century ago, according to a world population review.
These countries have consistently received substantial foreign aid, yet they remain entrenched in poverty. What is the problem? The answer often lies in corruption and mismanagement by African leaders, which hinder the effective use of aid and prevent meaningful development.
According to the World Bank, more than 48 percent of those living in sub-Saharan Africa live in poverty despite increased aid from donors.
Renowned economist William Easterly argued that decades of international aid initiatives were far better at feeding bureaucracies than alleviating poverty. One example Easterly cited was Tanzania, which received billions of dollars to improve its road system over a period of many years. Two decades later, Tanzania’s roads were still a disaster, but its bureaucracy had swelled.
“Tanzania produced more than 2,400 reports a year for its aid donors, who sent the beleaguered recipient 1,000 missions of donor officials per year,” Easterly wrote in his famous book “The White Man’s Burden: Why the West’s Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much I’ll and So Little Good.”.
Dambisa Moyo, a Zambian-born economist, noted in her book “Dead Aid” that the $1 trillion in aid African countries received from rich countries over the last half-century didn’t just fail to alleviate poverty in Africa; it exacerbated it.
“The notion that aid can alleviate systemic poverty and has done so is a myth,” Moyo said. “Millions in Africa are poorer today because of aid; misery and poverty have not ended but increased,” the now-member of the UK’s House of Lords wrote in her 2009 book.
To address these challenges, a paradigm shift in aid delivery and governance is imperative. Rather than perpetuating dependency, aid should prioritise capacity building, local ownership, and transparency.
Empowering local communities to drive their own development agenda and strengthening institutions can foster resilience and sustainable progress. Moreover, donor countries must align aid strategies with recipient countries’ long-term development priorities, ensuring that investments are targeted and sustainable.
Foreign aid undoubtedly plays a crucial role in addressing immediate humanitarian needs and supporting development initiatives in struggling economies. However, the notion that aid alone can lift countries out of poverty is overly simplistic and often unrealistic.
Without addressing systemic issues such as governance, accountability, and economic inclusivity, foreign aid runs the risk of perpetuating dependency rather than fostering sustainable development.
As the global community continues to grapple with these challenges, a nuanced approach that prioritises local empowerment and long-term resilience remains essential in the quest for poverty eradication.
In essence, while foreign aid can provide temporary relief and support, its transformative impact hinges on addressing underlying structural barriers and empowering communities to chart their own path towards prosperity.
[BusinessDay]