Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, to quickly address the growing hunger and economic hardship in the country.

Mr Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, made the appeal while speaking with newsmen on Sunday in Osogbo.

He said that the current suffering and hardship Nigerians were passing through required a more faster and impactful approach.

He said that although there was no doubt that the President was working hard to ameliorate the suffering of the people, but a more faster approach was needed.

Mr Oyintiloye, a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, noted that the economic hardship through the hike in the prices of food stuff, petrol, electricity, cooking gas, among others were becoming unbearable.

He said the recent increment in the fuel pump price will no doubt worsen the hardship the masses were currently going through.

“Nigerians are hopeful that there will be positive turn around in the country but measures to achieve this must be accelerated.

“There is no doubt that the President is doing everything humanly possible to ameliorate the suffering of the masses but a faster approach must be considered.

“The President should ensure that every bureaucratic bottleneck that is impeding the swift implementation of policies that will put smiles on the faces of the masses is removed.

“The economic suffering the masses are currently going through is becoming unbearable and the President must act fast. Nigerians are hungry,” he said.

Mr Oyintiloye also urged the President to see to the delay in the implementation of the suspension of customs duties and taxes on imported food items two months after.

The APC chieftain said that since the initiative was said to be part of measures to combat rising food inflation across the country, there should not be any delay in its implementation by the concerned authorities.

Mr Oyintiloye, who noted that on August 7, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, assured that the implementation of the policy would commence the following week once the guidelines were ready, said up till now the policy was yet to be implemented

“There is no doubt that the President is passionate and willing to put smiles on the faces of the masses but those who are in charge of implementing these policies should not be seen as roadblocks.

“The President gave a directive to the authorities of the Nigeria Customs Services that a 150-day duty-free window to allow the importation of maize, husked brown rice, and wheat and almost two months after this is yet to be implemented.

“This is not good enough. The President cannot be every where and that is why his foot soldiers must be proactive in taking steps to achieve the President’s desire.

“The masses are angry and hungry, and that is why all measures to ameliorate this should be acted on faster,” he stated.

He appealed to Nigerians for continued support to the President, saying that all the policies implemented at the moment might seem painful but would be of great benefits in the long run.

NAN

In a heartfelt session held over the weekend, Betsy Obaseki, the wife of the Edo State Governor, delivered an inspiring message to childless women, urging them to see themselves as “fruitful, potential, and proud mothers” awaiting their time as decreed by divine providence.

The occasion, a Zoom meeting, saw Mrs. Obaseki, joined by Mrs. Ifeyinwa Ighodalo, spouse of the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, engaging with a vibrant community of Edo women residing abroad.

This impactful dialogue comes in the wake of controversial remarks by Senator Adams Oshiomhole regarding Mrs. Obaseki’s childlessness, which quickly spiraled into virality.

The senator’s comments were a direct reaction to a pointed jab from Betsy Obaseki during a rally in Igueben, where she declared that “only Asue Ighodalo has a wife among the leading contenders.”

During the virtual meeting, Mrs. Obaseki addressed the participants spread across various continents, reminding them of their intrinsic worth and the divine intention behind their creation.

“Every woman is created by God for a purpose,” she asserted, reinforcing a message of hope and dignity amidst the often sensitive subject of childlessness.

She said, “My words of comfort to you, like myself, who have conceived and experienced miscarriages, painful stillbirths, and evacuations of babies who died in our wombs, is this, you are not barren.

“I dare to call you fruitful. You and I are potential and proud mothers of children who will come in God’s time. Enjoy the life God has given you.

“Take your mind off your challenge, and before you know it, children will start coming.”

Obaseki said that her contributions to society have gone beyond the biological aspect of motherhood. Being fruitful is not limited to childbearing. It is about impacting lives and creating positive change in society.

“There is no point in feeling bad. Women can fulfil God’s purpose in many ways beyond motherhood,” she added.

Ifeyinwa Ighodalo thanked the women for attending the meeting and promised to continue all of Betsy Obaseki’s programmes for women and the girl child in Edo if her husband is elected.

Fresh facts have emerged as to why the special adviser to the President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, resigned.

On Saturday, Mr Ngelale announced that he had taken an indefinite leave of absence to attend to health challenge in his family.

“On Friday, I submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family.

“While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home,” Mr Ngelale said.

Although Mr Ngelale had cited “medical matters” as the reason for his “leave of absence”, insiders told DAILY NIGERIAN that Mr Ngele was only given a soft-landing to quit as presidential spokesman but he chose to quit all the positions he was occupying.

Since Mr Ngelale’s appointment, which was influenced by the first family, there has been internal pressure to replace him with “someone better media relations” among the campaign spokespersons or “someone the president is more pleased with”.

DAILY NIGERIAN also gathered that Mr Ngelale was also on collision course with other media aides working for the president for allegedly sidelining them in the running of the affairs of the office.

According to sources, Mr Ngelale had also chewed more than he could bite, taking a number of roles that affected his primary media relations role.

The sources said the tasks of being a Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen, has created a role strain and gave the cabal a reason to convince the president to replace him.

The sources said Mr Ngelale had stepped on some toes as he expanded the scope of the Special Presidential Envoy role to garner more influence in the power circle.

“When the powers around the president realised that he has too many irons in the fire, they asked him to choose between being a presidential spokesman and Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action.

“They thought Ajuri would choose the climate role because of his passion for climate campaign, but he chose to remain as presidential spokesman.

“Dissatisfied with Ajuri’s choice, the presidential cabal therefore directed him to completely quit the media role and become a full-time climate ambassador.

“So when Ajuri realised that the cabal does not want him as spokesman for the president, he decided to quit the roles altogether,” said a source familiar with the power play.

DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that the president may pick his former chief of staff, Sunday Dare, as Mr Ngelale’s replacement.

Efforts to get the reaction of Mr Ngelale on the issue were unsuccessful as his known phone number was switched off at the time of filing this report.

He has also yet to respond to SMS sent to his phone line.

Fintech companies, including OPay, Moniepoint and others, have started notifying their customers of plans to begin deduction of N50 Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) from every inflow of N10,000 and above received by their customers with effect from tomorrow, September 9.
According to the fintech companies, this deduction followed a directive by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
This mandatory deduction brings to an end the era of free banking services that some of the fintechs provide, though the charges are remitted to the federal government.

The free banking services had made these fintech companies attractive to the members of the public, especially small and medium-scale business owners, students, and the downtrodden.
The regulations provide for a one-off levy of N50 on the recipient of any electronic receipts or transfers of N10,000 or above. For equivalent receipts or transfers carried out in other currencies, the levy will be charged at the exchange rates determined by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

In December 2023, the FIRS directed deposit money banks to deduct and remit Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) on foreign currency (FCY) transactions going forward. Within the first five months of this year, a total of N78.95bn was accrued to the government from the N50 levy imposed on electronic bank transfers.
In recent times, the Electronic Money Transfer Levy has become an integral part of Nigeria’s tax system. This levy is, among others, primarily designed to generate revenue for the government. The Finance Act, 2019 amended various subsets of the existing tax and fiscal legislation at the time, including the Stamp Duty Act (SDA).

The Finance Act, of 2023 stipulates that revenue accruing by the operation of EMTL shall be distributed to the three tiers of government based on derivation with the federal government receiving 15 per cent; state governments receiving 50 per cent and the local governments receiving 35 per cent of the EMTL realised.
The regulations mandate the receiving bank to collect and remit the levy to the FIRS by the next working day after the transaction date or on such other date as prescribed by the FIRS.  
In addition, the receiving bank is required to deduct the levy from the amount payable if the receiver is a walk-in customer who does not have an account with the bank.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria started their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over Benin Republic in Uyo on Saturday.

The visitors sat back early on, allowing the Super Eagles to dominate the game.

Ademola Lookman missed a chance to put Nigeria ahead in the 17th minute. 

The Atalanta winger was put through on goal by Wilfred Ndidi but failed to hit target.

Saturnin Alagbe produced a superb save to deny Samuel Chukwueze two minutes before the half-hour mark.

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali had to be alert to stop Steve Mounie’s free-kick five minutes before the break.

With time running out in the first half, Lookman produced a moment of magic to give Nigeria the lead.

The 26-year-old dribbled past three defenders before firing the ball into the net.

The first chance of the second half fell to Nigeria but it was wasted by Lookman.

Benin Republic grew into the game with Mounie testing Nwabali from inside the box.

Substitute Victor Osimhen netted Nigeria’s second 12 minutes from time.

The powerful striker slotted the ball home after he was set up by Wilfred Ndidi.

Lookman scored his second of the game in the 82nd minute.

The Super Eagles will take on Rwanda in their next game at the Amahoro Stadium, in Kigali, on Tuesday.

Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team booked their place in the Round of 16 at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after an emphatic 4-0 win over Venezuela in Cali, Soccernet.ng reports.

The victory, powered by goals from Amina Bello, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, Flourish Sebastine, and substitute Joy Igbokwe, ensured the Falconets advanced with six points from three games.

The South Americans kicked off proceedings at Estadio Pascual Guerrero, but it was Nigeria that posed the first threat. Twelve minutes in, Okwuchukwu came close to putting the Falconets ahead, but her effort was comfortably saved by the Venezuelan goalkeeper following a clever pass from Sebastine.

Just four minutes later, Nigeria made their dominance count. A quick interplay between Okwuchukwu and Amina Bello saw Bello calmly slot home the opener to put Nigeria in front. Okwuchukwu doubled the lead in the 28th minute, heading in from close range to give Nigeria full control of the match.

Venezuela struggled to break down Nigeria’s defence and were denied by a fantastic save from Faith Omilana, who made her debut start for the Falconets.

Omilana’s heroics kept Venezuela at bay before the Nigerians added to their tally in first-half stoppage time. Flourish Sebastine tapped in Nigeria’s third goal, giving her team a comfortable 3-0 lead at the break.

The second half saw the Falconets continue to control the game, but it was substitute Joy Igbokwe who put the icing on the cake.

In the third minute of added time, Igbokwe unleashed a powerful strike from distance, sealing a comprehensive 4-0 victory for Nigeria.

The win propelled Nigeria into the Round of 16, with Amina Bello, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, Flourish Sebastine, and Joy Igbokwe all contributing to a perfect attacking display.

President Bola Tinubu has expressed his commitment to replicate China’s infrastructure in Nigeria, following his visit to China.

He made this known during a meeting with the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation in China (NIDO China) and the Nigerian community in Beijing.

Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s spokesman, said in a statement, that his discussion with President Xi Jinping and participation at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit highlighted the importance of investing in infrastructure, trade, finance, energy, green economy, and mining.

He emphasised the need for innovative teaching methods and a flourishing business environment.

President Tinubu urged Nigerians in China to be good ambassadors and represent Nigeria positively.

He stressed the importance of discipline and commitment to national service, citing China’s disciplined society as an example.

“I cannot tell you more, except from the embassy, that China is a disciplined society and we have to be disciplined too. Without discipline and commitment, we cannot build a nation that is respected everywhere in the world.

“We must exploit our diversity and be ready to do everything required of us within the laws of the communities that we live in and reflect a good image of our country,” the President said.

The President assured Nigerians in Diaspora that the Bank of Industry was prepared to collaborate with them to leverage opportunities in Nigeria.

He acknowledged the impact of investments in China’s economy and the need for bold decisions to drive Nigeria’s prosperity.

Dr Oche Barnabas, President of NIDO China, commended President Tinubu for strengthening Nigeria-China relations.

He requested the President’s assistance in advocating for Nigeria to be officially recognised as a native English-speaking nation, which would open up job and educational opportunities for Nigerians in China.

The Chairman of NIDO China pledged the organisation’s continued support for President Tinubu’s administration and efforts to elevate Nigeria’s global standing.

Following the recent increase in the pump price of petrol and the prevailing food supply challenges gripping the country, economists have warned that the number of Nigerians below the poverty line may soon exceed the 104 million projected by the World Bank in 2023.

The global bank had said the poverty rate in the country increased to 46 per cent in 2023 representing 104 million poor Nigerians.

Disclosing this in its Nigeria development update, titled, ‘Turning the Corner: From Reforms & Renewed Hope, to Results’, released in December last year, the World Bank said Nigeria’s poverty rate had risen from 40 per cent in 2018 to 46 per cent, as the number of poor people increased from 79 million to 104 million.

“Sluggish growth and rising inflation have increased poverty from 40 per cent in 2018 to 46 per cent in 2023, pushing an additional 24 million people below the national poverty line,” the World Bank said.

The report said the number of poor people in urban areas — more exposed to inflation — increased from 13 million to 20 million, while the number of poor people in rural areas rose to 84 million from 67 million within the same period.

The World Bank had predicted that the increase in poverty rate would be undone by the economic reforms  of President Bola Tinubu from the beginning of 2024 till 2026.

But speaking with Saturday PUNCH on Thursday, some economists said the policies and policy decisions of the current administration with the latest being the fuel price increase would definitely increase  the number of poor Nigerians beyond the World Bank estimates because the salaries of most people had remained stagnated despite the surging inflationary trend.

A professor of Development Economics, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Taiwo Owoeye, said with the way the fuel price hike had jerked up transportation costs, prices of basic commodities of the poor people would worsen the inflationary pressures. 

He said that with a 45 per cent hike, the new fuel price would have ripple effects on every aspect of the economy.

According to him, there has not been an onward increase in the salaries of workers, because while most states have yet to implement the N70,000 minimum wage, more Nigerians may find themselves in poverty very soon.

“Definitely, it will push more Nigerians into poverty. It is a 45 per cent increase in the price of fuel and that will affect other aspects of the economy. So, it will definitely put a lot of people below the poverty line,” he said.

Also in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, an agricultural economist from the Centre for Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Tobi Awolope, said the latest fuel price hike would worsen the misery already afflicting the poor people in the aspect of food crisis. 

When asked whether the recent fuel price hike and other related factors will jerk up the number of poor Nigerians to over 100 million, she said, “It’s very possible. Aside from the fuel price increase, there has been an irregular pattern of rainfall and climate change does have a long-term effect.”

The Edo State Government has announced an indefinite postponement of resumption of all schools in the state over the hike in fuel price.

The government announced this in a memo signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Ojo Akin-Longe, in Benin on Saturday.

The permanent secretary said the resumption, scheduled for September 9, was postponed until further notice.

“The Edo State Government hereby announces the postponement of the resumption of all public and private schools in Edo State, originally scheduled for Monday, 9th September 2024, until further notice.

“An official statement from the government has directed that schools remain closed due to the tension arising from the recent increase in fuel prices and the challenges faced by parents and guardians.

“The government urges parents, guardians, and caregivers to monitor the activities of their children and wards closely, given the current situation and the rising tension caused by the fuel price hike,” the memo read.

An erstwhile National Vice Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Salihu Lukman, has alleged that the APC and the duo of former President Muhammadu Buhari and incumbent President Bola Tinubu ruined the country.

Lukman, who said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, also stressed that 2027 presents a golden opportunity to replace them.

The former APC stalwart noted that it would not be enough to merely replace the APC, adding that Nigerians have to work hard to entrench a system whereby the new political party that would produce the next leaders, has the power to put elected officials in check. 

He lamented that the current crop of leading opposition politicians are working at cross-purposes as they are each focused on their presidential ambitions, rather than subsuming their narrow interests under the broader national interest of rescuing the nation from the vice-grip of current political hawks.

According to him, unknown to key political opposition leaders, the strength or confidence of President Tinubu is derived from their inability to open themselves and honestly commence negotiations to build a united front ahead of 2027.

He said key opposition political leaders like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr Peter Obi and Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have paid their dues and are still actively nursing ambitions to become President, even though they were Presidential candidates in the 2023 election.

Lukman said while the opposition leaders all agree that the performance of President Tinubu in the last year since his assumption of office has been disastrous, unfortunately, their agreement falls short of making them accept to work together towards building a common platform, capable of mobilizing and uniting Nigerians towards defeating President Tinubu and APC in 2027.

He said it is quite worrisome that notwithstanding the dangers before the nation, key opposition leaders believe in a business-as-usual approach to politics whereby the most important thing in politics is the management of their ambitions to become President.

Lukman said; “At this point, it is important to appeal to our key opposition leaders to wake up and try to be compassionate and appreciate the gravity of the dire situation facing citizens.

“The big question is whether, on account of personal ambitions, we want to continue to mismanage our reality and sacrifice every opportunity, which ideally a democratic system offers.

“The opportunity that the democratic system offers is that any government, which fails its citizens should be voted out. No doubt, by any standard, both President Tinubu and APC have failed Nigerians. It is quite disheartening that a party, which came with all the promises of changing Nigeria for the better has ended up ruining the country.

“From the economy to problems of insecurity and corruption, which were the three cardinal challenges APC and former President Muhammadu Buhari promised to tackle in 2015, what we had in 2015 is a child’s play today.

“The hard truth is that both former President Buhari and President Tinubu have turned out to be self-centred and unable to produce the needed leadership to pull the country out of its current challenges.

“Certainly, all of us who were actively in support of these leaders never imagined that they would be such colossal failures.”