Olusegun Obasanjo, a former President of Nigeria, has explained that the leadership deficit in the world, especially in Africa and particularly in Nigeria, is responsible for the situation the country has found itself in.

Obasanjo accused an unnamed Nigerian president of coming to office without a plan.

He said the President made a pronouncement on an issue that hadn’t been studied, arguing that it shows a lack of leadership quality.

The former President, who spoke on Thursday in an exclusive interview with Kayode Akintemi on News Central Television, stressed that leadership is something Nigeria should pay attention to.

Obasanjo said: “I will say, at this point in time, generally there’s a leadership deficit in the world. Otherwise, the situation we have found ourselves in should not be the position we are in. Unfortunately, in Africa, and in Nigeria in particular, we take two steps forward, one step sideways, and take two or three steps backward. That can’t take us far. Leadership is something we should pay attention to.

“What do you say of a Nigerian President who came to office without a plan? And he woke up and just said, ‘three-point plan.’ What are the three points? What are they going to achieve? Who are the people who have worked on it? Oh, you just come and open your mouth and make a pronouncement on something that hasn’t been studied.

“Let me again give you an example: when I was military Head of State, we decided to really be part of the frontline states to fight the last vestiges of colonialism and apartheid.

“And we were determined. So, as a result of our policy, pronouncements, and determination, we became known as members of the frontline states, even though we were a thousand kilometers from the frontline. And we decided that we must do what needed to be done. We worked with the frontline states.”

On Friday, Primate Elijah Ayodele, the Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, said President Bola Tinubu was wrongly advised over the reshuffling of his cabinet because Nigeria is getting harder daily.

Primate Ayodele said Tinubu can’t be applauded for his reshuffled cabinet because the ministers making Nigerians to cry are still in his administration.

In a statement by his Media Aide, Oluwatosin Osho, the clergyman insisted that the president relieved the wrong ministers of their duties.

The prophet mentioned that the just-concluded reshuffling will not have any positive impact until those who are supposed to be removed from the current administration are removed.

He explained that Nigerians will celebrate and applaud President Tinubu if some ministers are removed.

According to Ayodele: “The ministers that are supposed to be changed have not been changed; the ones changed cannot add any reasonable value. Some ministers who believed they are God need to be changed too.

“Nigerians cannot applaud Tinubu over these changes because those making people to cry are still in his cabinet. You will see that people in the country will celebrate when they change some of these people.

“The country is getting more difficult day in, day out. These changes are not in any way significant; Tinubu was advised wrongly on these ministers’ changes.‘’

Furthermore, Primate Ayodele frowned at the activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), noting that if the commission wants to be serious, every politician has to be arrested because all of them are guilty.

“If EFCC wants to be serious, every politician should be arrested because many of them didn’t have anything before they got into position, but when they got there, they became billionaires. The commission has a lot to do if they want to wash this country; otherwise it will still be the same thing,” he added.

Ex-Nigerian president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is set to leave for Gaborone, Botswana, on Friday to lead the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) for the forthcoming general elections slated for October 30, 2024.

This confirmation comes from a statement released by his Special Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze.

Jonathan, esteemed for his dedication to promoting democratic processes in Africa, will head a diverse team comprising members from the African Union Permanent Representative Committee, Pan African Parliament (PAP), African Governance Platform, Election Management Bodies, independent election experts, and representatives from civil society organizations, including women and youth groups.

During his stay in Gaborone, the former president is scheduled to engage in consultations with various key stakeholders, including Botswana’s country leadership, political parties, civil society, media groups, and the diplomatic community.

His efforts will focus on fostering a credible, transparent, and peaceful electoral atmosphere before, during, and after the election day.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Mahamat, highlighted in his letter to Jonathan that the former president’s “pan-African credentials and solid commitment to democracy and credible electoral processes in Africa” made him a prime candidate for leading such missions.

This year’s general election in Botswana marks the 13th since the nation gained independence in 1965, featuring the election of 61 Members of Parliament and 609 Local Council Seats.

For Jonathan, this mission represents the fifth time he has led AU election observation teams across Africa since 2015, with previous missions in Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.

Olusegun Obasanjo, a former President of Nigeria, has expressed concerns as regards how youths are trooping out of the country in their large numbers due to frustration and unemployment.

Obasanjo in an interview with News Central TV, claimed that Nigeria is loosing a lot of money by youths leaving the country.

On Friday, Omoyele Sowore, Nigerian activist-cum-politician, accused former President Muhammadu Buhari of heading an administration of scammers.

Sowore was reacting to the disappearance of E-Naira which was launched by Buhari’s administration.

"Has it been replaced with T-Pain’s T-NAIRA? Government of Scammers.”

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced that the nation’s external reserves have increased to $40.2 billion as of October 18, 2024.

Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Mr. Muhammed Andullahi   disclosed this at   a briefing with foreign investors on the sidelines of the on-going annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Washington DC.

The Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Mr. Muhammed Andullahi, who made the presentation said that the current level of reserve could accommodate 14 .5 months of goods and services import or 18 months for only goods import.

He also disclosed that foreign exchange inflow into the country stood at $57 billion as of August this year.

He added that Capital Importation had nearly doubled to $6.9 billion as of August 2024, compared with $3.9 recorded in the 2023 Financial Year.

He also disclosed that   efforts to attract more remittances from Diaspora Nigerians was yielding desired results as it put current monthly remittances at $650 million.

According to him Diaspora remittances had reached a record $3.5 billion compared with a total annual performance of $3.2 billion in 2023.

He said CBN was on its way to achieving its target of $1 billion remittances, monthly.

He further stated that the interventions of the CBN   in the FX market had reduced to as low as 5 percent of the market turnover. 

He said that the apex bank might intervene from time to time in the FX market but it would make sure that the market does not become dependent on such interventions.

He added that from December, the market would witness the matching system and that players would see a more transparent trading where everyone would see who sold what and bought what.

He added that the nation’s FX market had been broken for about 10 years and what was being witnessed was the result of the long period of the broken market.

While fielding questions from investors, the CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso assured investors that the present FX administration has been incentivized in such a way that Nigerians and investors who want to bring in FX would have no difficulties at all.

He said: “The issue of confidence of Nigerians in their currency, clearly a situation where interests have gone up, we expect that and it is happening that there will be more interest in the local instrument.  

“We find that something that is important for these   whole adjustments arose from the fact that now, Nigerians will be more inclined to produce locally because it is a lot cheaper for them to do so rather than depend on imported goods.   That is a good thing.

“Then regarding the harmonisation of the rates, those who used to send money to Nigeria no longer have the choice of having to find other unorthodox methods of sending their money home.

“I particularly refer to the remittances from the Diaspora. That is why we have had a major uptick in the level of inflows coming from that area.

Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, the famous Nigerian singer, who is popularly known as Ayra Starr, has said she cannot date any of her colleagues.

She said her dream man is a billionaire who will sponsor her luxurious lifestyle.

The 22-year-old stated this in an interview with Coco Jones for Rolling Stone’s Musicians on Musicians issue.

Coco Jones asked: “Would you want to date someone who’s in your industry because they’ll get it?”

Ayra Starr replied: “In the dream world, it wouldn’t be somebody that is in the [music] industry. Probably just like a billionaire. On a yacht. In Dubai. In a thong [laughs].”

In recent years, the long-standing institution of marriage has experienced numerous transformations, mirroring societal changes, economic conditions, and evolving values.

One particularly intriguing trend emerging in some communities is the concept of men requesting “marriage lists” from multiple women.

This practice, driven by a desire to evaluate potential marriage costs, raises several questions about tradition, love, and the commodification of relationships.

Marriage lists are essentially detailed accounts of the financial demands associated with a prospective marriage. These lists may include dowries, gifts, and other financial obligations that a groom or his family must meet. Traditionally, dowries were a way to secure the financial future of a bride and her family, but in contemporary settings, they can vary significantly based on cultural, regional, and individual factors.

Men requesting these lists from various women aims to assess which marriage would be the most economically feasible. This practice can stem from a combination of personal financial constraints, cultural expectations, and the desire to make informed decisions in an era where economic considerations are increasingly important.

In many cultures, marriage is not just a union of two individuals; it is a significant financial transaction involving families. While in some societies, love and companionship are the primary motivations for marriage, in others, financial considerations play a pivotal role. The practice of comparing marriage lists could be seen as a practical approach to ensuring financial stability, but it also risks reducing the complex institution of marriage to a mere transactional relationship.

The practice raises several ethical questions. First, is it fair to women to be evaluated based solely on financial demands? This approach can reinforce harmful stereotypes and perpetuate a culture where women’s worth is tied to monetary value. Additionally, it may lead to emotional detachment in relationships, prioritizing financial calculations over genuine compatibility and affection.

Moreover, this practice could create an environment of competition among women, fostering insecurities and undermining the foundational values of trust and love that are vital for a successful marriage.

On a practical level, the comparison of marriage costs can be influenced by economic realities. In times of financial uncertainty, individuals may feel compelled to prioritize financial security over emotional connection. This trend can also reflect broader societal changes, where economic factors increasingly dictate personal choices.

However, it’s essential to recognize that while financial considerations are valid, they should not overshadow the fundamental aspects of partnership—mutual respect, love, and shared goals.

While the practice of men requesting marriage lists from various women may appear to be a logical approach to navigating the complexities of modern relationships, it brings to light significant ethical, cultural, and emotional concerns. Marriage, at its core, is a partnership that thrives on connection and commitment, transcending financial considerations.

As society continues to evolve, it’s crucial to strike a balance between practical realities and the deeper values that define successful and fulfilling relationships. Ultimately, a marriage built on love and mutual respect will likely yield a more rewarding and lasting partnership than one anchored solely in economic calculations.

Some Nigerian police officers and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been caught on camera engaging in a fight.

It was gathered that the incident occurred during the week at Elizabeth Estate, Abere in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.