The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa has told Governor Douye Diri to prepare his handover note as the party plans to take over the reins of power from him.

The APC said the party was working to ensure a landslide victory of its governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva, on November 11.

In a statement by a spokesman in Bayelsa, Tamaratare Zuokumor, the party said all APC stakeholders were more united ahead of the election than in 2019.

The statement said APC would liberate Bayelsa people across party lines, stressing that Mr Diri is wasting his time trying to patronise the APC in his recent complimentary remarks.

“The party is aware Governor Diri is merely trying to make it seem our leader and governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, is the collective enemy of both the APC and PDP. This is lying at psychopathic levels,” said the statement.

It added, “Sylva is the governorship candidate of APC and not APGA, so a sane person cannot say he is fighting Sylva and not APC. When Sylva triumphs at the polls, as he will, it is the APC that ascends to power, not any other party.”

It stated that APC “is more united and stronger than it has ever been, stronger and more united even than in 2019 when we trounced Governor Diri at the polls.”

It added that its “impressive support base, our party leadership and our able stakeholders are fully committed to the Timipre Sylva/Joshua Maciver ticket and all hands are on deck to liberate Bayelsa state, including thousands of PDP members with good conscience who have chosen state over politics.”

The statement also mentioned that the party “forbade Diri from making further patronising statements about the APC,” adding, “one cannot dislike you and love your child; it is a futile, manipulative attempt at a Trojan horse.”

“Diri should reserve his false patronage and rather tell Bayelsans why he deserves a second tenure after a horrendous four years. The APC will win this election in a landslide, including Governor Diri’s own LGA, Kolokuma-Opokuma, where he has been loudly rejected by his own people and where crushing defeat for him is now sure,” the APC explained.

It noted that the “face of Bayelsa state will be restored and our great party, the APC, loved by the good people of our state and deemed a credible alternative, will coast to victory come November 11.”

(NAN)

Police commissioner Augustina Ogbodo has urged the Muslim faithful to use the Eid-el-Maulud celebration to pray for sustainable peace and security in the nation.

Ms Ogbodo, in a statement on Tuesday in Abakaliki, said sustaining peace in the country was necessary to advance the nation’s socio-economic development efforts.

The police chief said the command had put in place necessary security measures to monitor the celebration across Ebonyi.

“We wish the peace-loving people of Ebonyi a peaceful and hitch-free Salah celebration,” said Ms Ogbodo.

She thanked Ebonyi residents for their continuous support and cooperation in ensuring security, pledging the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

Mr Ogbodo urged the residents to report any suspicious movement of persons or items to the nearest police station.

The police commissioner said the residents could also reach the command’s spokesperson on 08130826008 or its control room on 07064515001 for reports.

(NAN)

The Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf on Tuesday approved the appointment of an additional 94 Senior Special Assistants.

Governor Yusuf’s decision is coming days after the Governorship Petition Election Tribunal sacked him.

The tribunal directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return from him and present it to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasiru Gawuna.

Meanwhile, Yusuf has vowed to appeal the judgment of the tribunal in the Court of Appeal.

The Kano State Governor, despite the court ruling, approved the appointments of new aides.

The appointments were disclosed in a statement released by his Press Secretary, Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa, in Kano on Tuesday.

Naija News learnt that only five women were among the 94 newly appointed aides announced by the Governor.

The Special Adviser appointed include Rahama Kabeer Fagge, Senior Special Reporter I, Government House; Amina Isah Bebeji, Special Reporter, SEMA; Maijidda Garba, Special Reporter, REB; Fatima Usman Muhammad, Senior Special Reporter, KNARDA; and Asiya Muhammad Umar, Special Reporter, Hospitality Management Institute, amongst others.

Dawakin-Tofa said all the appointments take immediate effect.

he Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has called on the federal government to find a lasting solution to the rising price of cooking gas in the country.

NALPGAM national president Abideen Olatunbosun stated this during the 36th annual general meeting of the association held in Ibadan on Tuesday.

Mr Olatunbosun said, “It is very vital for me to state that continuous increase in the price of gas in recent times stands as a big challenge to LPG marketers. The government needs to find ways to ensure the stability of gas prices as well as make gas available to common Nigerians.

“As a country, we need to improve on our gas utilisation level, and if we all adopt gas, it will save our forest and improve the quality of our lifestyle and the economy will grow.”

According to him, the gas price hike concerns all, calling for a collaborative effort between the government and the private sector to establish critical gas infrastructure.

The guest speaker, Sunday Isehunwa of the Department of Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Ibadan, said LPG offered a huge promise for increased domestic gas utilisation in Nigeria.

He said cooking gas also served as the country’s energy transition to net-zero carbon emission by 2060. According to Isehunwa, there is a need for increased LPG supply to meet rising demand and curtail sharp practices by some operators.

“The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) has been the major supplier of LPG. However, additional supplies are essential through functional refineries and adequate natural gas processing facilities. Removal of difficulties in importation when necessary is also essential for additional supplies,” said Mr Isehunwa.

He added, “Adequate infrastructure development is highly necessary to enhance access to LPG by rural communities. Accessibility will increase through increased economic empowerment of consumers and relatively low costs of products.”

Ogbugo Ukoha of the Nigerian Midstream And Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said the recent deregulation policy would result in reflective petroleum products pricing.

Mr Ukoha, NMDPRA’s executive director of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, noted that current data had shown that the domestic gas supply had overtaken the import supply.

Mr Ukoha said that necessary infrastructure investment must be put in place to address the challenges of the gas reserve to achieve smooth distribution of the product.

“Our focus is to make the necessary investment in gas infrastructure to increase LPG supply so as to force its price down for Nigerians,” said Mr Ukoha.

(NAN)

On Tuesday, the Biden administration suspended certain non-humanitarian aid to Gabon in response to a recent military takeover in the country according to a report from Reuters.

This marked the second such incident in an African nation this year.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the announcement, stating that there would be a “pause in certain foreign assistance programs” to Gabon.

This suspension is pending a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the removal of Gabon’s former leader, President Ali Bongo Ondimba.

Blinken clarified that this suspension would not impact US government operations in Gabon, particularly in the oil-rich central African nation.

However, the statement did not provide details regarding which specific US-funded programs would be affected or the amount of funding that would be temporarily withheld.

The statement

The statement read,

• “The U.S. government is pausing certain foreign assistance programs benefiting the government of Gabon while we evaluate the unconstitutional intervention by members of the country’s military,”
• “This interim measure is consistent with steps taken by the Economic Community of Central African States, the African Union, and other international partners, and will continue while we review the facts on the ground in Gabon,”
• “We are continuing US government operational activities in Gabon, including diplomatic and consular operations supporting US citizens.”

Backstory

On August 30, military officers in Gabon took control of the government, declaring the nullification of election results just minutes after an announcement that President Ali Bongo had secured victory, citing concerns about the credibility of the election. Bongo has held power since 2009.

The junta, which assumed power, has pledged to oversee the organization of free and fair elections. However, they have not provided a specific timeline for the election process.

Junta-appointed Prime Minister Raymond Ndong Sima was quoted by the French news agency AFP earlier this month, expressing that a 24-month transition period leading to elections in Gabon would be considered “reasonable” in the aftermath of last month’s coup.

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has expressed worry over the prevailing lawlessness and general state of insecurity in the country, especially in the South –East, and commended governors of the South-East geopolitical zone for the ongoing initiatives to collectively address the challenges.

Similarly, the Guild also applauded the efforts of the Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri, for his infrastructure development and for improving security in the state.

In a statement after its Standing Committee meeting in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, and signed by the NGE President, Eze Anaba and the General Secretary, Dr Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the professional body of editors in Nigeria, said government at all levels have the primary purpose of securing lives and property, and noted that the prevailing situation in some states was an abdication of that sacred responsibility.

“The Guild has observed that the insecurity in these areas has led to the needless loss of hundreds of innocent lives, and has adversely affected social activities, as well as the nation’s economy.

‘’We hope that the security summit, which has been initiated by the governors in the zone slated for Owerri, the Imo State capital, between Thursday, September 28, and Friday September 29, 2023, will help to address the issues’’, the statement added.

Gov. Hope Uzodinma: Chairman South-East Goveenors Forum

The statement said that the situation in the geopolitical zone remains a threat to the entire country and hoped that the security summit will proffer lasting solution to the menace.

The editors, who were in Bayelsa State for three days noted that Governor Diri has in the past few years prioritized security and construction of roads to connect all the local government areas, including areas that were hitherto unreachable by road.

Among the key road projects completed or ongoing, according to the Guild, are the Nembe-Brass road with huge prospects for improving the economic potentials of the area, the Yenagoa- Southern Ijaw road, the Ekeremor-Sagbama road and the Igbogene-Ojopa dual carriageway recently commissioned by the Sultan of Sokoto in the state capital.

The Guild hoped that the improved road network will catalyze development across the state, which in turn will provide jobs and reduce militancy and youth restiveness.

Gov Diri of Bayelsa State

The Guild also commended the Bayelsa State Government for employing technology in the distribution of medicines in the state with the use of drones, in partnership with Zipline, an innovation which has made distribution of needed medicines to hospitals and health centres in rural and riverine areas seamless, effective and in real time.

The editors described the abduction and subsequent killing of a reporter with Voice of Nigeria (VON), in Zamfara State, Hamisu Danjibga, as frightening and tasked all security agencies to investigate the matter.

The Guild also expressed concern over the abduction of 33 persons, including 24 students of Federal University, Gusau, recently and called for improved security measures to protect Nigerians.

The appointment of a qualified and competent individual as the Governor of a Central Bank is very crucial for the stability and growth of a country’s economy. This has become imperative in the particular case of Nigeria, where the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had been run aground in the last decade, with the consequence of the adverse economic situation that the country now finds itself.

Further, in the case of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the recent appointment of Dr Yemi Cardoso, who from his reputation and experience, is seen in the banking and finance sector as a perfect fit for the job at this critical time in the history of Nigeria, has however been met with a few criticisms from some analysts, who argue that Dr Cardoso is not a central banker. However, it is important to recognize that being a commercial banker with executive management experience in a reputable bank, such as Citibank, and having served as Chairman of the bank, are strong enough professional prerequisites for the role of Governor. Reading a few comments of the critics of his appointment, it should assuage such concerns, if I try and elucidate the professional qualifications necessary for a commercial banker, such as Dr Cardoso with his SEK/ effacing demeanor to be a qualified Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and argue that his appointment is justified based on his experience and temperament.

The role of a Governor of a Central Bank requires a deep understanding of the banking system, monetary policy, and economic stability. While there have been instances where individuals from commercial banks or even outside the banking system have been appointed as Governors, it is essential to assess their professional qualifications and experience. Cardoso's background as an executive in a first-class bank and his previous role as Chairman demonstrate his expertise in the banking sector, making him a suitable candidate for the position of Governor.

First, from his Cardoso’s over 30 years experience as a banker, he possesses an In-depth knowledge of the banking system
So for him as a commercial banker he possess a comprehensive understanding of the banking system. Which includes his knowledge and experience of banking operations, risk management, financial regulations, and the ability to analyze market trends. Cardoso's experience as an executive in Citibank and his role in Executive Management and Chairman of Citibank, indicate his familiarity with these aspects of the banking system.

Secondly, going by Cardoso’s academic credentials and the rigorous in house trainings and programs that he undertook in the banking sector, he must have acquired clear understanding of treasury management, credit and monetary policy, which are some of the prerequisites of being the CBN governor.
Monetary policy plays a crucial role in maintaining economic stability and controlling inflation. A qualified Governor should have a strong understanding of monetary policy tools and their implications. Commercial bankers often deal with monetary policy decisions and their impact on the banking sector. Cardoso's experience in executive management positions would have exposed him to these policy decisions, making him well-versed in this area.

Thirdly, Dr Cardoso’s leadership qualities and experience as the Lagos State Ministry of Budget and Planning, during the Bola Tinubu’s administration in Lagos State, are clear indications of his management skills.
As the head of the Central Bank, he undoubtedly possesses strong leadership and management skills. Commercial bankers, especially those who have held executive positions, are accustomed to managing teams, making strategic decisions, and handling complex financial matters. Cardoso's experience as Chairman of Citibank also demonstrates his ability to lead and manage effectively. His combined experience in private sector banking and public sector budget and planning, makes him an excellent choice for the governor of the CBN.

Those criticizing the appointment of a commercial banker as the Governor of CBN, may be reminded of precedents of outstanding commercial bankers who have held such positions in the past:
Paul Oguma and Joseph Sanusi:
In Nigeria, previous Governors of the Central Bank, such as Paul Oguma, Joseph Sanusi, and Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi were appointed from commercial banks. Their experience in the banking sector equipped them with the necessary skills to effectively manage the Central Bank. This precedent supports the appointment of commercial bankers as qualified Governors.

Other examples of Central/Reserve Banks Governors being appointed from outside the system in other countries abound.

Italy: In 2019, Ignazio Visco was reappointed as the Governor of the Bank of Italy. Visco, an economist, had previously served as the Director-General of the Treasury in Italy's Ministry of Economy and Finance. His appointment as the Governor of the Bank of Italy was seen as a departure from the tradition of promoting from within the central bank.

2. Canada: In 2008, Mark Carney was appointed as the Governor of the Bank of Canada. Carney, an economist, had previously worked in various roles in the Canadian Department of Finance and the Bank of Canada. His appointment from outside the central bank was seen as a fresh perspective to lead the institution.

3. South Africa: In 2014, Lesetja Kganyago was appointed as the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. Kganyago, an economist, had previously served as the Director-General of the National Treasury in South Africa. His appointment as the Governor of the central bank was seen as a recognition of his expertise in economic policy and financial management.

4. Brazil: In 2016, Ilan Goldfajn was appointed as the Governor of the Central Bank of Brazil. Goldfajn, an economist, had previously worked in various roles in academia and the private sector. His appointment from outside the central bank was seen as a move to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the institution.

These examples highlight instances where individuals with backgrounds in economics, finance, or public policy were appointed as governors of central banks, despite not having prior experience as central bankers. These appointments often reflect the government's desire to bring in individuals with diverse expertise and perspectives to effectively manage monetary policy and address the specific needs of the economy of the country.

Therefore, not being a central banker is not necessarily one of the criteria for being appointed as a central bank governor. While having experience in central banking can be advantageous, it is not the sole determining factor for the appointment of a central bank governor. There are entrenched establishment Directors and Deputy Directors already in the system who would form a strong team that should work harmoniously with the governor to make a successful tenure and turn around the ailing Nigerian economy.

The selection process for a central bank governor varies from country to country. In some cases, individuals with a background in economics, finance, or public policy may be considered for the position. These individuals may have worked in various sectors, including academia, government, or the private sector, and may bring a diverse range of skills and expertise to the role.

The appointment of a central bank governor often takes into account a combination of factors, including the individual's qualifications, experience, demeanor, temperament, leadership abilities, and understanding of monetary policy. Additionally, the appointment may also be influenced by political considerations and the specific needs and priorities of the country's economy.

While having experience as a central banker can provide valuable insights and understanding of the intricacies of monetary policy, it is not a prerequisite for the position. Many central bank governors have come from diverse backgrounds, bringing different perspectives and expertise to the role.

Ultimately, the appointment of a central bank governor is a decision made by the government or the relevant authorities, and they consider a range of factors to ensure that the individual appointed is well-suited to lead the central bank and effectively manage the country's monetary policy.

The speech was neither an accusation nor a plea. It was, simply, a clarion call – a frank assessment of our nation, our Continent and our world as they are right now, but also a proposal for urgent action towards remaking them as they should be.

Not many people can remember the last time an African leader had adopted this sort of tone in addressing the community of nations. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s maiden address to the 78th session of the United Nations in New York, USA was a balancing act between two rhetorical extremes characteristic of speeches delivered at this august forum by most of his Nigerian predecessors and African counterparts (and indeed by many leaders from the so-called Global South). It was devoid of the usual denunciations of neo-colonialism, imperialism and other machinations of the West as they affect the continent and its individual nations. But it was equally devoid of the tone of abject begging – for debt relief, for aid, for fairer trade practices, for preferential export policies, for reparations for past (and not so past) wrongs, etc.

Where others go to such fora to ask ‘Why? ‘ Bola Tinubu went there to say, ‘Why NOT?’

“No leader,” gushed the prominent human rights lawyer and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, “has spoken for the African continent like Tinubu did at the UN General Assembly.” Agbakoba praised the Nigerian leader for making the point that  Africans did not relish the status of beggars at the mercy of the rest of the world. “Not since (Ghana’s first post-independence President) Kwame Nkrumah and his vision for a pan-African agenda for development,” said the lawyer, “has any African leader delivered a speech on behalf of all 54 nations of Africa.”

Time there was, not so long ago, when Nigeria’s voice carried greater weight than it currently does on the global stage, when our diplomats were courted in the major capitals and power centres of the globe and sought-after for their insights on contemporary global issues and even on disputes far removed from our sphere of influence, when our investments in the peace and stability of the global village (in terms both of personnel and financial contributions to international, especially UN, initiatives) were duly recognized. In line with her foreign policy, which placed Africa at its centrepiece, Nigeria spearheaded the push for the total decolonization of the continent, and the demise of white minority rule in Southern Africa – to such an extent that she was accorded the status of a ‘frontline state‘ by the anti-colonial and anti-apartheid forces of the time, and her successive UN ambassadors held the permanent chair of the Organization’s Special Committee against Apartheid until the fall of that racist policy. Closer to home, so invested was Nigeria in the restoration of peace in war-torn Liberia and Sierra Leone – committing men and materials via ECOMOG, the Monitoring Group set up by the regional group, ECOWAS to see to the resolution of the two conflicts – that a visiting US President remarked in a speech in Abuja that Nigeria (by its actions in Liberia, S/Leone and elsewhere) had “the makings of a world power.” Till date, Nigeria is one of only 5 UN member-states to hold the Presidency of the UN General Assembly on more than one occasion. Those 2 tenures – under Dr. Joseph Garba and Dr. Mohammed Bande – were remarkable for the initiatives the world body undertook in pursuit of objectives such as the Millennium Development Goals 2000, and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

No thanks to Nigeria’s present predicament, however, her voice on the international stage has been muted somewhat over the years, and there are those who say that Nigeria’s diplomatic vigour had been sapped by her internal tribulations, leaving a yawning gap other African nations – notably South Africa and even Rwanda – are scrambling to fill (with mixed results so far).

Tinubu’s address in New York, devoid of shrillness and oozing quiet authority, however underscored Nigeria’s natural (one might even say, divinely-appointed) role as the continent’s leader and standard-bearer. No doubt, she has fallen short on most, if not all, of the indices that such a role demands. But the President’s speech was a reminder that despite having lost its way over the years, and having been afflicted by the scourge of bad governance which, he admitted, ‘has hindered Africa’ – Nigeria  hasn’t forgotten her proper role, nor has she willingly abdicated it to others. As our people would say, “Na condition wey make crayfish bend back.”

That reminder brings to mind the spirit embodied in the immortal lines from the famous poem  Ullyses by the English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson:

‘Though much is taken, much abides; and though we are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven, that which we are, WE ARE. ‘

On a wide range of critical issues – from defending the supremacy of democratic governance (in the face of recent coups d’etat in the West African Sahel and in Gabon); to the battle against violent extremists; to resource justice; and to climate change, among others – Tinubu insisted that the theme of the 2023 gathering in particular (namely, Rebuilding Trust and Re-igniting Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals Towards Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability for All) and the overarching objectives of the United Nations in general, would have no meaningful impact unless and until Africa’s developmental priorities are at their very centre – not just for the sake of Africa and the welfare of her people, but also because it serves the long-term interest of governments, institutions and corporate organizations wherever they may be.

While admitting that Africa has suffered from a serious deficit in the quality of its political leadership and the resilience of its institutions, Tinubu nevertheless identified foreign factors such as broken promises, unfair treatment and outright exploitation as having also played a role in hampering the development of the continent. A former pro-democracy activist himself, the Nigerian President reiterated the faith of his compatriots in the democratic process and the sanctity of popular will as the best guarantor of any government’s legitimacy and the well-being of its people. To that end, he tried to put into perspective the recent wave of military takeovers in parts of West and Central Africa, saying that, far from demonstrating a widespread appetite for coups, this phenomenon is simply ‘a demand for solutions to perennial problems, including unconstitutional actions by the political elite, especially those designed to perpetuate a government or a clique in power long after they have overstayed their welcome. “Military coups are wrong,” Tinubu affirmed, “as is ANY TILTED CIVILIAN political arrangement that perpetuates injustice.”

Regarding Niger Republic in particular, the President, in his capacity as Chairman of ECOWAS, pledged to advance the negotiations aimed at re-establishing democratic governance in a manner that addresses the political and economic challenges confronting that nation, as well as counters the activities of extremists profiting from the fluidity of the situation, and welcomed the support of all who seek a peaceful and just outcome to the impasse in Niger.

President Tinubu also sought international support for West Africa’s protracted battle against violent extremists, a struggle which, he noted, has now exercebated other longstanding problems, including the opening of what he called “a dark channel of inhumane commerce’ where even men, women and children, are for sale. But he was not unmindful of the root cause of this evil phenomenon, which he identified as Africa’s dire economic situation and the bleak prospects it offers millions of its people, as a result of which, he said, thousands risk their lives braving ‘the Sahara’s hot sand and the Mediterranean’s cold depths‘ in search of a better life – even when that life means no more than wasting their talents and energies in demeaning jobs such as  sweeping the floors and streets of cities in wealthier nations.

Tinubu therefore called for greater committment on the part of his African colleagues and prospective foreign partners to the dual challenge of enhancing the economies of their respective countries as well as disbanding extremist groups and arresting the flow of arms and violent people into the sub-region. 

On the sometimes-subtle, sometimes-brazen exploitation of Africa’s natural resources, the President made a stark pronouncement: “The world economy owes the Democratic Republic of Congo much, but gives her very little.” This lopsided economic relationship, he said, has turned many areas of that vast and richly endowed country into “catacombs of misery”. The DRC’s bitter experience, he lamented, is replicated in resource-rich areas elsewhere in Africa, such as in Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, etc – where a deadly cocktail of poverty in the midst of riches, slavery (including that of children forced to work illegally in mines) and bloodshed keeps spreading and threatening the peace and security of nations – including Nigeria. But rather than being used to develop the economies of host communities and nations, Tinubu said, the proceeds of these activities are instead used to fuel even more violent enterprises. He called on UN member nations to respond to this challenge by, among others, deterring their companies and citizens from participating in this 21st replication of historical wrongs against Africa. 

Turning his attention to the current conversation on climate change and its adverse (and in some places, apocalyptic) effects on lives, livelihoods and security, President Tinubu added his voice to the clamour for urgent climate action. On her part, Africa, he said, would seek, in ways both innovative and unique, to mitigate the impact of a phenomenon to which she has contributed very little, but is bearing a disproportionate brunt. Lamenting the massive loss of life in the recent disasters in Morocco and Libya, as well as the instances of climate-related tragedies in his home country, Tinubu asserted Africa’s determination to confront climate change with the required vigour, but WITHOUT jeopardizing her most fundamental socio-economic aspirations. Our continent, he said, has its own priorities, in respect of which she would welcome a wide consensus on climate action – one that also requires advanced economies to be more forthcoming with public and private sector investment for Africa’s preferred initiatives. This, he said, would go far in demonstrating that global solidarity, as far as climate action vis-a-viz sustainable development, is concerned, is real and working.

Africa’s long-standing call for a Marshall Plan-style programme of cooperation and assistance from more established economies, Tinubu maintained, was not a plea for charity. The original Marshall Plan, he recalled, was not an act of charity, either; it was borne, instead, out of an understanding that helping the countries hardest hit by the horror and destruction of World War II would accelerate their recovery and enhance their ability to contribute more robustly to the growth of the world economy – and perhaps prevent yet another conflagration. Shared wealth and shared values, the authors of the Plan believed, were the surest guarantors of peace. While acknowledging that the underlying conditions and causes of the economic challenges currently confronting Africa are different from those of post-war Europe, the Nigerian President said, “We are not asking for identical programmes and actions. What we seek is an equally firm commitment to partnership … (and) enhanced international cooperation … to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.”

In response he charged African leaders to lead by example. Noting his own bold reforms (on fuel subsidy, exchange rate reevaluation, and efforts at tax reform, etc) since taking office in May this year, the President said their aim was to foster economic growth and boost investor confidence in Nigeria, promising that even more far-reaching reforms are being planned. While not unmindful of what he called ‘the transient hardship’ that these measures have caused, he described them as a necessary phase on the road to durable growth that would build the economy our people deserved.

The Nigerian President concluded his address by urging the rest of the international community to discard the unfortunate but rather common stereotype of Africa and its affairs as a problem only worthy of sympathy, at best, or contempt and exploitation, at worst. On the contrary, Africa – on so many levels – holds the key to the future of mankind and its continued existence on this blue planet. Like the rest of humanity, Tinubu said, the people of Africa are a rich tapestry of cultures, races and creeds, and a dynamic, creative and energetic people whose aspiration is “to walk the rich African soil and live under the magnificent African sky free of the wrongs of the past and clear of their associated encumbrances” within the confines of free, safe, prosperous and vibrant democratic entities.