NEWS
I Don’t Blame Past Govts, Says Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has emphasized his commitment to addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic and security challenges, maintaining that he avoids placing blame on past administrations.
Speaking during the launch of the Agric Mechanisation Revolution for Food Security in Minna on Monday, the President mmade clear his dedication to re-engineering the Nigeria’s finances and pursuing the right actions for progress.
This declaration unfolded amidst divergent perspectives within his cabinet, with figures like Finance Minister Wale Edun attributing current challenges to the eight-year administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.
Assuming office last May, Tinubu, who succeeded his party colleague, Buhari, explicitly stated that his focus was not on blaming past governments.
Instead, he was determined to undertake the necessary reforms to steer the nation towards prosperity.
He said, “When you read the papers, some of us are confused whether to abuse the present or the past (governments) or make excuses for the future,” the President told the gathering which was graced by governors including the host, Mohammed Umar Bago, as well as agriculture enthusiasts.
“(It’s) not in my dictionary,” the President stated matter-of-factly, adding that his focus is to “take action now, do your best, re-engineer the finances of the country and stay ahead of the right path. Those who may be complaining now have to understand that perseverance and consistency will make a nation great.”
Nigeria grapples with a multitude of challenges, including mass kidnappings, surging inflation, escalating food prices, a forex crisis, economic hardship, and increased living costs triggered by the removal of the petrol subsidy, prompting protests in various regions.
Over the past nine months, the Nigerian naira has witnessed a significant decline following the collapse of the foreign exchange window under the Tinubu administration.
The naira hit an unprecedented low, plummeting from approximately N700/$1 in May to over N1500/$1 currently.
In response to the economic turmoil, authorities have shifted their attention to cryptocurrency platforms, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has implemented various reforms, including the revocation of licenses for over 4,000 Bureau de Change operators.
The President urged Nigerians to transform the multifaceted challenges facing the nation into opportunities for economic prosperity.
Emphasizing the need to confront and convert challenges into economic avenues, he highlighted the importance of caring for the people and leveraging the nation’s farming population, including livestock farming.
Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to collaborating with governors to eliminate hunger.
Additionally, he encouraged governors to ensure the payment of the current minimum wage, pending the forthcoming review of wage awards.
Furthermore, Tinubu expressed his resolve to combat economic sabotage arising from herders, particularly addressing the destructive impact of their cows on farmlands.
He said, “I know what it means as an act of economic sabotage when for roaming cows to eat up the crops and vegetations of our lands. I know it could be painful but when we reorient the herders and make provision for cattle rearing, (this will end).
“You are the governors who must provide the land. Provide us the land. I, as the President, I am committed to giving you in two, three weeks’ time, a comprehensive programme that will this problem.”
Tinubu mentioned that the Student Loan program and other initiatives under his administration, slated to commence, are currently undergoing refinements.
He added, “The Student Loan Programme will commence. There will be employment benefits for our graduates. The social security programme for the elderly and vulnerable will commence. We are fine-tuning all of that,”
President Bola Tinubu is currently hosting the 65th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja.
The meeting, held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, is attended by dignitaries including the Diplomatic Corps.
Key agenda items include discussions on financing the standby force against terrorism and preventing unconstitutional changes of government.
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Another significant focus is maintaining the cohesion of ECOWAS, particularly as Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have yet to fully reintegrate following their bans.
Olusegun Dada, Special Assistant to President Tinubu, shared footage on social media, stating, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), President of Nigeria and Chairman of @ecowas_cedeao, hosts the 65th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja.”
In a significant judicial appointment, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, will officially swear in 12 judges to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.
The ceremony is scheduled for 10 am at the Main Courtroom of the Supreme Court.
Dr. Festus Akande, Director of Press and Information at the Supreme Court, disclosed this development in a statement on Sunday.
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Among the distinguished appointees is Ariwoola Oluwakemi Victoria, the daughter-in-law of the Chief Justice, adding a personal dimension to the event.
The full list of judges to be inaugurated is as follows:
– Ariwoola Oluwakemi Victoria (Oyo State)
– Ademuyiwa Olakunle Oyeyipo (Kwara State)
– Bamodu Odunayo Olutomi (Lagos State)
– Iheabunike Anumaenwe Godwin (Imo State)
– Odo Celestine Obinna (Enugu State)
– Hauwa Lawal Gummi (Zamfara State)
– Sarah Benjamin Inesu Avoh (Bayelsa State)
– Maryam Iye Yusuf (Kogi State)
– Buetnaan Mandy Bassi (Plateau State)
– Lesley Nkesi Belema Wike (Rivers State)
– Ibrahim Tanko Munirat (Bauchi State)
– Abdulrahman Usman (Taraba State)
This appointment follows the National Judicial Council’s recommendation on May 17, 2024, of 86 judicial officers for various federal and state courts nationwide.
Recall that these recommendations were made during the NJC’s 105th plenary meeting, which was held from May 15 to 16, 2024.
The swearing-in marks a notable step in reinforcing the judiciary and ensuring the delivery of justice across Nigeria.
The military regimes of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have severed ties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and officially formed a new alliance.
Niger’s ruling general announced the move during the inaugural summit of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in Niamey on Saturday.
Niger’s General Abdourahamane Tiani at the summit, which saw the participation of the three nations’ leaders stated “our people have irrevocably turned their backs on ECOWAS”.
The AES was established after the countries withdrew from ECOWAS earlier this year.
In September, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso signed a mutual defense pact, marking a significant shift in the region’s political landscape.
Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso left ECOWAS, citing accusations of Paris manipulating the bloc and insufficient support for anti-jihadist efforts.
“The AES is the only effective sub-regional grouping in the fight against terrorism,” Tiani stated on Saturday, highlighting ECOWAS’s “conspicuous lack of involvement in this fight.”
The exit marks a shift away from their former colonial ruler, France, with Tiani advocating for a new bloc that is a “community far removed from the stranglehold of foreign powers.”
All three nations have expelled French anti-jihadist troops, turning instead to their “sincere partners” — Russia, Turkey, and Iran.
Facing deadly jihadist violence, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso will focus on “the fight against terrorism” and the “consolidation of cooperation” during Saturday’s agenda, according to the Burkinabe presidency.
ECOWAS is set to hold a summit of its heads of state in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, on Sunday, where relations with the AES is anticipaed to be a key topic.
After multiple bilateral meetings, the three Sahelian leaders are convening for the first time since seizing power through coups between 2020 and 2023.
In mid-May, the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger met in Niamey to draft a text establishing the confederation, which the heads of state are set to adopt at Saturday’s summit.
Niger’s General Abdourahamane Tiani first received Burkinabe counterpart Ibrahim Traore in the capital on Friday, followed by Malian Colonel Assimi Goita on Saturday.
“Don’t expect many announcements; this is primarily a political event,” remarked Gilles Yabi, founder of the West African think tank Wathi. “The goal is to demonstrate that this is a serious project with three dedicated heads of state showing their solidarity.”
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