[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he new Electricity Law intends to create a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to guide the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
For the uninitiated, President Bola Tinubu signed into law the 2023 Electricity Act on Friday, June 9, 2023.The new law, passed by lawmakers in July 2022, replaces the 2005 Electricity and Power Sector Reform Act and seeks to liberalise the Nigerian power sector.
The main aim of the bill is to create a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to guide the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
With the 2023 Electricity Act now in operation, the age-long issue of monopoly in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution at the national level will no longer be tenable.
11 benefits of the newly signed 2023 Electricity Act
1. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) will act as the regulator of the Nigerian electricity sector.
2 The law allows states, companies, and individuals to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.
3 Anyone licensed to generate electricity under the new law bears the responsibility to meet renewable generation obligations as may be prescribed by NERC.
4 The commission can surrender regulatory responsibilities to state regulators when they are established.
5 NERC will not transition regulatory powers to a state until such a state has passed its electricity market laws.
6 It empowers anyone to construct, own, or operate an undertaking for generating electricity not exceeding one megawatt in aggregate at a site, or an undertaking for distribution of electricity with a capacity not exceeding 100 kilowatts in aggregate at a site, or such other capacity as the commission may determine from time to time, without a licence.
7 Electricity generating companies will be mandated to either generate power from renewable energy sources, purchase power generated from renewable energy or procure any instrument representing renewable energy generation.
8 The law empowers lawmakers to carry out oversight responsibilities and function over the NESI through its respective committees on Power in both the Senate and House of Representatives.
9 Though states are allowed to regulate electricity markets by issuing licences to private investors who can operate mini-grids and power plants within the state, the act prohibits interstate and transnational electricity distribution.
10 For now, only three states which include Lagos, Edo, and Kaduna, have in place electricity market laws and can start regulating their markets.
11 For other states without electricity market laws, NERC will continue to regulate their electricity generation and transmission.
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]ge may be a number but life is certainly a battle. And if the life is that of the urbane and personable the Chairman of Hotel de Espana, Ambrose Elofu Elue-Dike, then life is not only a battle–it is a full blown war. Ever since he adorned himself as a soldier for good, he has had no reprieve from the unrelenting forces of evil. He is caught in the vortex of the eternal battle between good and evil.
Indeed, to those who know him up close and personal, Dike is an enigma: humble, self-effacing, industrious, practical, efficient by nature, diligent, always thinking about things he needs to accomplish or how to get ahead on his next assignment, a complete Gemini, if you care to assess him by his Zodiac sign. But in plain terms, he is a case of a man who set out to always make a difference wherever he found himself. Not the kind of difference other men pursue to grandstand, but the type that impacts humanity and makes life easier for people. And of this, his track record is unassailable. A look back at his trajectory gives a chronicle of exemplary service to his community and a profile of pure patriotism from an individual.
Greatness is a property for which no man can receive credit too soon; it must be possessed long before it is acknowledged. ”When one of the world’s greatest thinkers, Ralph Waldo Emerson handed down the above words of wisdom, those he had in mind were certainly the likes of Ambrose Elofu Elue-Dike (Espana)! .
For the trail-blazing Business mogul from Isieke-Ibusa,Delta State, it is certainly impossible to gloss over his attributes for greatness. He is the embodiment of cerebral articulation, the essence of unparalleled philanthropy, the epitome of intellection and breathtaking simplicity, the personification of undiluted humanness, the perfect example of business leadership symbolism, the paragon of idealism, the soul of humanity, the heart of warrior, a perfect gentleman.In the gallery of great leaders and great men, he is without doubt, a rare masterpiece. Anyone who encounters him would love to associate with him for his candour, courage and forthrightness. As a human being, his humility and modesty is second to none. As an Businessman, he is sound and engaging.
Ambrose Elofu Elue-Dike,he means different things to different people; to his wife and children, he is a loving husband and a kind daddy, while to us his admirers,he is known as the Digital Business Strategist but his detractors always erroneously see him as an obstacle because of his rising profile in business,Politics and acceptance by the grassroots.
Ambrose is not only the Pride of Dike’s but also the Pride of the People of Oshimili North Local Government Area for whom he had waged countless business and political wars for and won virtually all,just like the Greek mythological Odyssey who fought and won difficult battles in History. Indeed the birthday celebration of this digital Businessman of our time had been useful and Resourceful for his service to humanity. Therefore today let me on behalf of Most Distinguished Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi (SPON) Political Family join the rest of my beloved Ibusa kingdom in Oshimili North Local government Area of Deltans and Nigerians at large to celebrate our Business and Political iconoclastic Espana International(Umuejei-Ibusa),to thank Almighty God for adding another year to his life and to pray that God continues to bless him with robust health, protection,and enduring provision. Your business reign shall bring prosperity and peace to Ibusa, Oshimili, Delta State and Nigeria in general.
Your legendary generosity and willingness to do good at all times is documented in the hearts of millions. That is why on your birthday, You deserves a toast and song, “Happy birthday to you…” Above all, You deserves a prayer from everyone who is on the side of truth in the eternal battle between truth and falsehood.
Happy birthday to the regent,aka Umuejei-Ibusa,a great lover of our tradition.
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he President, Bola Tinubu, on Friday signed the Electricity Bill into law, signaling the de-monopolisation of Nigeria’s electricity generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity at the National level.
The new law also empowers States, companies and individuals to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.
Grassroots Publishers online gathered that the president signed the new bill into law after the final harmonized version by the Senate and House of Representatives were sent to him.
With the ninth National Assembly expiring, the president has till June 10 (tomorrow) to sign the bill into law else it would have to go through another round of legislative process. This was after former President Muhammadu Buhari failed to sign it before leaving office May 29.
Grassroots Publishers online gathered that due to the importance of the bill, President Tinubu was urged to sign it before its expiration of the ninth National Assembly to guard against it suffering the fate the Petroleum Industry Bill (now Petroleum Industry Act) suffered, taking it 20 years to become a law.
A former Governor from the North who just left office and who is very influential in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Spade Ng News was told, reached out to President Tinubu early in the week to alert him on the importance of signing the Bill before the end of ninth NASS.
The new bill states that anyone may construct, own or operate an undertaking for generating electricity not exceeding 1 megawatt (MW) in aggregate at a site or an undertaking for distribution of electricity with a capacity not exceeding 100 kilowatts (KW) in aggregate at a site, or such other capacity as Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) may determine from time to time, without a license.
[dropcap]E[/dropcap]mefiele has been suspended by President Tinubu with immediate effect and the possibility of him returning to the CBN is almost non-existent.
If there was any government official that has kept millions of Nigerians on their knees for the past nine years or thereabouts, it definitely has to be the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Emefiele finally met what might appear to be his waterloo on Friday, June 10, 2023, when the presidential hammer landed on his ever-shining, but delicate head.
In a not-so-shocking development,President Bola Tinubu dropped the axe on Emefiele who had caught the figure of a pariah in some sort, largely due to the excruciating effects of his many ill-thought-out, poorly-executed fiscal and monetary policies on Nigerians.
The reactions that have trailed the controversial CBN governor’s suspension so far suggested that President Tinubu may jolly well have ended the reign of economic terror and wanton financial servitude most Nigerians were subjected to in the last decade.
When the news broke on Friday night, you could hear a national sigh of relief, so silent, but still audible enough to reverberate across the country. It was one of such very rare occasions when Nigerians collectively agreed on a course of action.
Such was the kind of impact Emefiele had on the nation. He was not only one of the longest-serving government appointees but also held a position that was crucial to the economic prosperity and survival of Africa’s most populous country and its citizens.
But, his stint will be etched in the annals of history as the one that ushered Africa’s biggest economy into the worst economic phase in its over 60 years of nationhood.
Having been privileged to serve under three different presidents, one would imagine that Emefiele will exit office amid pumps and pageantry, but the reverse is clearly the case.
CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele and President Muhammadu Buhari during the unveiling of the redesigned naira notes.
Below are 10 reasons Nigerians may never forgive Emefiele
1 Naira plunged to an all-time low: Under Emefiele’s watch, the nation’s currency suffered a great deal. The naira, which was exchanging for ₦190 to one United States dollar before he assumed office in 2014, sank to an all-time low, trading at over ₦750 at the parallel market as of Friday.
2 Encouraged forex arbitrage and round-tripping: Against advice by experts, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, that the naira should be allowed to find its true value, the suspended CBN governor spent trillions of naira trying to defend the currency but to no success.
He also created a window for Importers and Exporters to access dollars at subsidised rates in a bid to keep inflation at bay. While the answer to whether the intervention was successful or otherwise is still blowing in the wind, what is in no doubt is the price discrepancy it created in the market.
As a result of this, some unscrupulous elements who are opportune to access forex in the I&E window smiled to the banks at the expense of the Nigerian masses by profiting heavily from currency arbitrage and round-tripping.
3. Banned Crypto trading: Arguably, the biggest blow Emefiele dealt the young population was his decision to prohibit banks from dealing in cryptocurrencies or facilitating payments for cryptocurrency exchanges in Nigeria in 2021.
Justifying his decision to ban cryptocurrency-related transactions in the country, he claimed that digital currency was being used for money laundering and terrorism, adding that the use of cryptocurrencies in Nigeria is a direct contravention of existing law.
Though the apex bank promised to bring up a regulatory policy framework for the implementation of cryptocurrencies in the country, not much has been heard about that since.
4 Accused a website of causing naira devaluation: Perhaps the most ridiculous act from an apex bank governor anywhere in the world. Frustrated by his failure to rescue the falling naira, in September 2021, Emefiele accused AbokiFX of economic sabotage.
The online platform is famous for publishing daily foreign exchange rates in the parallel market and is a popular reference point for traders. But, the suspended CBN governor said, by publishing speculative black market rates, the platform and its founder, Oniwinde Adedotun, were influencing the naira value.
Group campaigning for Godwin Emefiele’s presidency (Leadership)
5 Dabbled into politics: If his sins were to be ranked, this particular one will take the top spot. In a very surprising move and against the rules of his office, Emefiele decided in his wisdom that he wanted to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s president.
Even though he never came out to declare this ambition, pictures emerged online of campaign vehicles painted with his image on them. Also, a group of All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters purchased the party’s presidential expression of interest and nomination forms in his name.
As criticisms grew about his inordinate ambition, Emefiele approached the court to seek clarification on whether he is eligible to contest for president without resigning his position as the CBN governor. The court ruled against him.
6 Introduced Naria re-colouration and cashless policy: Reeling from his failed presidential bid, Emefiele decided to get back at the politicians who he believed thwarted his dream and sold the dummy of naira redesign and cashless policy to the former President.
Against the expectations of many Nigerians, the purported naira redesign later turned out to be a mere recolouration as the affected notes still retained their old designs with just a little colour variation.
However, his intention became clearer as we approached the last general elections. What was meant to be a cash swap later turned to cash confiscation as Nigerians were denied access to their money, leading to protests and chaos in several states across the country.
7 Alleged Terrorism financing: While this still remains in the realm of speculation, several reports have alleged that the Department of State Services (DSS) has established a link between the embattled banker and terror financing in the country. He was accused of funding the activities of the proscribed pro-Biafra group, IPOB and other such groups in the country.
8 Refused to pay Paris Club refund: Emefiele has a pending case before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja Federal High Court over his refusal to effect payment of $53 million judgement debt arising from the Paris Club refunds.
The suspended CBN governor was initially invited to appear before the court on January 18, 2023, to explain his refusal to obey a valid order for payment of a $70m debt.
Emefiele has only released $17 million, leaving $53 million in unpaid debt.
9 Failed to tame raging inflation: Despite spending trillions of naira in form of interventions to bring down inflation, Emefiele successfully failed in this singular task as inflation surged to an 18-year high from 9% in 2014 to 22% in 2023.
10 Illegally printing money: Emefiele was also accused of printing money for the federal government to the tune of ₦22 trillion, an action considered to be illegal for an apex bank.
[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igerian megastar Burna Boy has made history as he performs in 2023 Champions League final. Burna Boy makes history as he performs in 2023 Champions League final
Afrobeats is on a global ascension as Nigerian superstars are taking the music to a global audience while winning awards and selling out choice venues.
Grammy award-winner Burna Boy has recorded another giant feat after he became the first African artist to perform in a UEFA Champions League Final at the 2023 European Club footaball final in Istanbul.
Burna Boy thrilled a stadium packed filled with 80,000 fans who turned up to watch the final between Manchester City and Internationale Milan.
Since gaining international success in 2018 through his hit single ‘YE,’ Burna Boy has become one of the biggest artists in the world. He has earned a Grammy award for his album ‘Twice As Tall’ while becoming one of the most awarded artists on the continent.Burna Boy has sold out choice arenas around the world as his music continues to attract international listeners.American DJ, artist, and Producer Marshmallow performed at the 2021 Champions League final in Portugal while Cuban Pop star Camila Cabello performed at the 2022 edition in Paris.
The 2023 final was held in Istanbul Turkey and Burna Boy thrilled fans to a collection of his hit songs as he continues to lead the international charge of Afrobeats.
Comrade Igadi Ameachi Abiagom, President ,Isieke Youth Council(IYC)
[dropcap]A [/dropcap]momentous event unfolded in Isieke quarter in Umuekea,Ibusa of Oshimili North Local Government Area on Wednesday, 3Ist of May 2023, as the new Isieke Youth President, Comrade Igadi Ameachi Abiagom and his executives were sworn into office, reaffirming their commitment to serve the people. The honorable occasion, presided over by the Umuekea Youth President, Comrade Chukwudi Abuah, signifies a new era of leadership and promises a proactive start for the community.
The Umuekea Youth President, Comrade Chukwudi Abuah who was flanked by his executives, inaugurated the new Isieke Youth President in his office on Wednesday,3Ist of May 2023. Swearing in the new Exco, the Umuekea Youth President, Comrade Chukwudi Abuah charged the newly inaugurated council to work for security and peace of the Isieke community. He urged them to stamp out insecurity and cultism for peace and development of Ibusa Community.
Comrade Abuah further advised them to carry everybody and every family along in their administration, liaise always with the Senior Diokpa of Isieke and his elders, use dialogue and work as an indivisible entity. He warned that on no account should crisis be allowed to erupt in the community, stressing that Isieke had passed the age of crises.
Comrade Abuah commended the electoral committee headed by Ibusa Youth Council(IYC)President, Comrade Ifeanyi Asiodu for conducting a free and fair election devoid of crisis and partiality.
In his response, the new President of Isieke Youth Council, Comrade Igadi Abiagom said as far as he was concerned there was no winner and no vanquished, stressing that all of them won the election. He promised to carry everybody along and consult the senior diopka and his elders when necessary.He said the cardinal point of his administration was to fight insecurity and make sure that peace reigned supreme in Isieke community. He called for support of everybody and promised not to disappoint Isieke people.
The President of the newly inaugurated Isieke Youth Council, Comrade Igadi Abiagom, further thanked the Ibusa Youth Council(IYC)President, Comrade Ifeanyi Asiodu, Umuekea Youth President, Comrade Chukwudi Abuah and the Electoral Committee for the seamless process that produced the executives and pledged to lead the group to greater heights, particularly in the areas of crime control and youth empowerment.
Moreover, the Umuekea Youth President,Comrade Chukwudi Abuah, also said it was a laborious journey, guided and supported by Ibusa Youth Council(IYC)President, Comrade Ifeanyi Asiodu, that produced the new executive after an election adjudged to be the most peaceful among youth in the Ibusa in recent times.
Comrade Abuah thanked his committee members and other stake holders in Umuekea for their keen interest in having a well organized youth body in Isieke community and urged the new executive to justify the confidence reposed in it by the entire Isieke community by living above board in its activities. During the inauguration, Comrade Chukwudi Abuah, presented a Certificate of recognition of the Youth body to Comrade Igadi Ameachi Abiagom for the Isieke Youth council to use as their operational office.
[dropcap]B[/dropcap]irthdays are supposed to be occasions for the celebration of life by the living. Birthdays are also a period when the celebrator takes stock of his or her life and feels like climbing the mountaintop to shout Hallelujah.
Undoubtedly, if there is any human being who has experienced the proverbial Seventh Heaven, typical of a woman who has just safely been delivered of a baby, it is no other than Engr. Peter Onyeisi Nwaese, the quintessential engineer, businessman and philanthropist.
As this Building Engineer wizard celebrated his 55th birthday last Saturday, not a few shared in his joy. The reason is not far-fetched. The “birthday boy” means so many things to so many people in and outside the country. Many of his friends, clients, business associates, fans and admirers rained encomiums, goodwill and birthday messages on him.
He’s the pillar who makes many families so strong, love so true, joy so real, faith so firm and fear so ordinary. He is the embodiment of cerebral articulation, the epitome of intellection and breathtaking simplicity, the personification of undiluted humanness, the perfect example of leadership symbolism, the paragon of idealism, the soul humanity, soft-spoken, with clear, unfettered, excellent diction and oratory, his brilliant smile like sparkling sun radiating from crystal clear eyes.
Some people are born, some achieve leadership, some have leadership thrust upon them, while only very few have all three embedded in them.
Engr. Peter Onyesis Nwaese is one of those very few good men; a true man, a man of valour, the bringer of rain. In the gallery of great leaders and great men, he is without doubt, a rare masterpiece.
A man of immense mettle and a completely detribalized human being with a profound depth of character, whose humility, devoid of discrimination, embraces all and sundry, He soars like an eagle and exudes reverence and integrity. A pragmatic man full of benevolence, He gives hope to the hopeless,and welfare and succor to the poor and needy. To everyone who crosses his path, he is a light. He is a friend to all, a role model to the young, a helper to many and a visionary man bubbling with the ideals of entrenching a united, peaceful, harmonious vision for his community and the world. Engr. Nwaese is Honest, transparent, dependable uncomplicated and full of wisdom, he can change you effortlessly, with his soft spoken words.
As a child, his dream was to become one of the greatest building engineer in the world. Luckily, providence has granted him his heart’s desire. No doubt, at 55, he has contributed to the growth of Nigeria’s real estate as well as the growth of many citizens of the country more than most people alive today. Despite his status as a member of the upper crust, Engr. Nwaese doesn’t believe in pulling up the ladder behind him. The Ibusa -born Colossus Engineer has been a fierce advocate of policies to promote opportunity.
The messages on social media were almost endless as people tried to out-do one another to pen goodwill messages for him as if there was a trophy for the best writer.
Of course, this indicates that Peter Nwases is well-loved and appreciated by all. Nwaese, according to reports, had shown traces of precocity very early in life. Though he might not be said to have been clairvoyant, his childhood betrayed him as a potentially great person in life.
For over one decades, his Foundation has been giving back and changing lives through initiatives that support education and empowerment to his people.
Engr. Peter, though even the sun will one day run out of fuel, our love for you shall last forever. we thank God each and every day for giving us a brother and Friend like you. On your birthday, we want to thank you for being the best brother, friend anyone could ever hope for. You are such a great role model for every man in the world because you are so loving, caring, protective, and supportive. Happy Birthday Big
[dropcap]I[/dropcap] am not a fan of Olusegun Obasanjo and will never be his fan, but Obasanjo has a special grace reserved for men of destiny. It was Gen Hassan Katsina that first discovered this uncommon grace in Obasanjo.
In her book titled “Bitter Sweet”. Obasanjo’s first wife and the mother of Iyabo, Mrs Oluremi Obasanjo, wrote that she was with Obasanjo at the Airport in Kaduna in the 60s when Gen Katsina prophetically whispered to her that she should take a good care of Obasanjo because God has set him aside to play prominent roles in the life of Nigeria. Despite the fallibility of OBJ, the prophecy came to pass because he is a man of destiny.
Another person that I have seen with such special grace, even better, is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. God equipped him with political acumen and dexterity never seen before in Nigeria. Infact his political tactics should be a subject of scholastic discourse.
Only a man backed by celestial forces can surmount what Tinubu surmounted on his way to Aso Rock. Let me explain.
In the build up to the 2023 election, all the political forces in Nigeria rose up against Tinubu because they knew he will surely contest. APC, his own party rose up against him. They removed Oshiomhole as party chairman because they thought he was planted by Tinubu. They hence seized the party from him.
In order to show that Tinubu is no more popular, opposition PDP sponsored endsars protest and zeroed in on Tinubu. If you think endsars protest was spontaneous, you have to think again.
Immediately endsars protest started, some of us who are politically discerning knew it was the handiwork of the opposition. I therefore opposed it right from the onset. I was later proved right when they started burning Tinubu’s assets while Nnamdi Kanu was running the commentary. They were ready to kill him. Nnamdi Kanu even told them to go and burn down Oriental Hotels, believing it belongs to Tinubu, until the real owners came out to say Tinubu has no share in the hotel. Why igbos hate Tinubu so much should also be a subject of scholastic research.
Ask yourself, how did endsars suddenly become end Tinubu? What has Tinubu got to do with SARS? Why the hatred towards a man who had not held any political position since 2007? They did all these believing they have scared Tinubu, hence he will change his mind and will not contest. They don’t know the meaning of Jagaban.
Tinubu was facing wars both within and without. He looked like a political orphan. He was not discouraged. When the endsars arsonists got to his house in Bourdillon to burn it down, somebody called Tinubu to alert him and asked what should be salvaged from the house. Tinubu was quoted as saying ” let all the people in the house vacate the building and allow them to burn it. I will build another one. I built the house, the house did not build me” . Tinubu went back to the drawing board
The first hint of the reason behind all these attacks on Tinubu surfaced when Atiku’s spokesman in 2019 election, Egbon Segun Sowunmi said on TV that Tinubu is the only person they dread in APC because of his massive political infrastructure.
Dele Momodu also corroborated the line of thought when he said it will be practically impossible to defeat Tinubu if he is presented as APC candidate.
Tinubu’s allies in the villa, including the VP, all ganged up against him. It is important to have someone in the villa to always give you the mood and mind of the President. Osinbajo was put in the position for times like this but since he has allowed the lucre of his office to blindfold him, God raised another person in the villa for Tinubu. Mrs Aisha Buhari.
Lawan, the senate president that was literally hand-picked by Tinubu also allowed sycophants to deceive him. He contested against Asiwaju. Aregbesola, who once said after God, it is Asiwaju in his life, also deserted Tinubu. Even my former boss, Babafemi Ojudu , preferred to go back to farming instead of supporting Tinubu. Such was the herculean task before Asiwaju.
But as a man of destiny, for every ally lost, God replaced them with Gandujes, Badarus, El-Rufais, Omisores and Ribadus of this world..
Despite all these, Tinubu declared his intention and contested APC primaries. He rounded off his campaign with the famous Emilokan speech in Abeokuta. He won the primary with a wide margin. Enemies were dazed but not defeated yet.
Immediately Bola Tinubu emerged as the candidate of APC, the kingdom of darkness roared in anger. Places that were hitherto churches turned to covens. Pastors turned to sorcerers. Prophecies turned to Baba Ijebu permutations. House of prayer turned to political podium where curses are issued on per minute basis. There was pandemonium in hell.
They amplified the fact the Tinubu is a Muslim and labeled him an islamist. Some people said he will pick a Muslim running mate so that Christians can be completely alienated from Nigeria. They deliberately forgot that Tinubu’s wife and kids are Christians. They also deliberately suffered amnesia by not remembering that Tinubu’s wife is a Pastor in the biggest Pentecostal church in Nigeria.
These agents of darkness found an ally in a mythomaniac Peter Obi, the poster boy of religious politics and “yes daddy” crooner. They launched the fiercest political religious war ever waged in human history. They called Obi the candidate of God and labeled Asiwaju, who started the Christians prayer in Lagos government house every new year day, as devil incarnate.
There is a particular coven operator in Abuja who enjoyed cursing Asiwaju right from the primary elections. Immediately Asiwaju was declared the winner, he spent about 15 minutes in his dome raining curses on a man that God has already blessed. This man is from Benue, one of the worst run state in Nigeria. He did not rain curses on his Governor but he sees Asiwaju as an emeny that must be killed with curses.
They started competing with themselves over prophecies. There is no prophecy that was not given concerning the last election. From the absurd to the eccentric. Some even sound like basket mouth comedy. For instance, one of them said God told him that the name of the winner of the election is in the Bible. Out of the 18 presidential candidates, 5 of them have their names in the Bible. So what sort of betnaija prophecy is that?
One even said the election will not hold. After the election, they asked him and he was still defending his prophecy even after the election has been held.
A woman coven operator said on her altar that they are ready to waste their votes. When the votes were eventually wasted, she was very angry and started raining curses on INEC. Did her Bible not tell her that the power of life and death is in the tongue?
God said in the Bible ” I will confirm the word of my prophet and perform the counsel of my messenger”. God did not confirm the words of these coven operators because they are not of Him. He does not know them. Now the operators rely on protesters for their permutations to come to pass.
Tinubu picked a Muslim running mate and heavens did not fall. When they discovered that their religious shenanigans is losing steam, they changed gear and moved to economic sabotage.
How did they wage this economic war?
At the tail end of the electioneering campaigns, harping on religion started losing steam and Alhaji Abubakar Atiku came up with a masterstroke. If you recall, Atiku ran a lacklustre campaign and feelers have it that he has a last minute joker.
How Atiku hijacked the cabal and used the Presidency is still a mystery. He successfully maneuvered the cabal and they introduced Naira redesign policy. They deliberately made the currency so scarce that even elites don’t have access to it. They accompanied Naira scarcity with fuel scarcity.
Atiku relied solely on the Northern votes to win the Presidency and he knew a policy like Naira scarcity will affect the Northerners most. When I was living in Zamfara, out of 14 local governments, only 3 can boast of a semblance of bank. That is how the whole North is underbanked and Atiku knows that it will be difficult for them to swap their old currency for the new one.
This economic policy caused a lot of upheavals, even some Tinubu supporters believed it will spell doom for their candidate. I have never seen anywhere in the world where the ruling parry will deliberately introduce an unpopular policy just days to a general election. Tinubu therefore became the first candidate of the ruling party that will not enjoy power of incumbency, infact he contested just like the opposition. But as God would have it, Atiku made a terrible blunder.
He declared support for the Naira scarcity.
Tinubu quickly cashed in on that blunder and declared his opposition to the policy. He chose Abeokuta again. He rallied some Northern Governors to fight the policy in court and this made the Northerners to see him as a savior. Tinubu would have won with a wider margin if not for this policy.
When Atiku realized that the strategy had backfired, he withdrew his support for the policy but it was too late. Obi was an onlooker in this chess game. He continued with his kindergarten yes daddy politics.
After the election, the first result that got ro Abuja was the of Ekiti State and Asiwaju won convincingly. Obi and his supporters immediately called for the cancelation of the whole election. They calculated that Obi will win Ekiti being a predominantly Christian state but they forgot that Yorubas don’t vote along religious line.
When Tinubu was eventually declared the winner by INEC, Atiku and Obi started addressing joint press conference to discredit the election. They started crying wolf where none exists. They adopted Trump strategy.
Some of them even said Buhari should continue. They just could not imagine a Tinubu as the President despite all these hurdles. They were dazed. They came up with Abuja 25%. They became a drowning man who is clinging to a straw.
Despite all the curses, despite all the stumbling blocks, despite all the photoshops and mischievous video editing, despite all the balablu, despite all the shenanigans, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be sworn in tomorrow to the eternal shame of haters of Nigeria.
If you don’t see the hand of God in all these, then you don’t know anything about God.
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n his inaugural speech as the newly sworn-in president of Nigeria, President Tinubu addressed the pressing issue of the fuel crisis gripping the nation. He emphasized that there was no provision for fuel subsidy by the past administration, signaling the end of fuel subsidy. Despite the immediate onset of the fuel crisis, Nigerians expressed their support for Tinubu’s bold decision.
However, in response to the rising fuel prices and the resulting cost of living, Nigerians called for immediate palliative measures. They demanded an increase in the minimum wage to at least 100,000 Naira, 24/7 provision of electricity, and highly subsidized public transportation across states.
President Tinubu outlined his plans to tackle these challenges and provide relief to the Nigerian people. He emphasized that security would be the top priority of his administration and pledged to reform the security doctrine and architecture. This would involve investing more in security personnel through better training, equipment, pay, and firepower.
To address the economic issues, Tinubu’s administration aims to target higher GDP growth and reduce unemployment. They plan to implement budgetary reforms that stimulate the economy without causing inflation.
Additionally, they will employ fiscal measures to promote domestic manufacturing, reduce import dependency, and make electricity more accessible and affordable. The generation, transmission, and distribution networks for power will be improved, and states will be encouraged to develop local sources of electricity.
Tinubu also expressed his commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for the youth and delivering on the promise of one million new jobs in the digital economy. His administration plans to work with the National Assembly to pass an omnibus Jobs and Prosperity bill, facilitating labor-intensive infrastructure improvements, encouraging light industry, and providing improved social services for the marginalized.
In the agricultural sector, Tinubu aims to secure rural incomes through commodity exchange boards that guarantee minimal prices for crops and animal products. Nationwide programs for storage and other facilities will be implemented to reduce spoilage and waste.
Continuing the efforts of the previous administration, Tinubu’s government will prioritize the development of national networks of roads, rail, and ports. Monetary policy will be reformed to establish a unified exchange rate, reduce interest rates, and promote investment in the real economy. The policy on currency swaps will also be reviewed.
On the foreign policy front, Tinubu emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the West African subregion and the African continent. His administration will work closely with ECOWAS, the AU, and international partners to end existing conflicts and promote collective prosperity.
As Nigerians await the implementation of these plans, the National Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to go on strike over the ongoing fuel crisis. It remains to be seen how President Tinubu’s leadership and proposed solutions will address the immediate concerns of the Nigerian people and pave the way for a more prosperous and secure future.
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n an iconic gesture at the Eagle Square in Abuja, the national and defense flags were lowered and handed over to former President Muhammadu Buhari, and new flags were raised, heralding the end of the previous administration and the beginning of a new one.
Indeed, the long awaited day finally came, and the May 29 historic event held. Nigeria now has a new president and vice president, in the persons of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima.
In his inaugural speech after taking the oath of office, President Tinubu told Nigerians that he will hit the ground running, highlighting some of the key policies and initiatives his administration will be putting in place.
In fuel subsidy and job creation, Tinubu reaffirmed his loud stand during the campaigns. He said, “We commend the decision of the outgoing administration in phasing out the petrol subsidy regime which has increasingly favoured the rich more than the poor. Subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources.
“We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions. We shall honour our campaign commitment of one million new jobs in the digital economy.”
In the area of security, the president said it is time for overall reform of the key sector, in order to win the fight against insecurity. According to him, “To effectively tackle this menace, we shall reform both our security doctrine and its architecture.
“We shall invest more in our security personnel, and this means more than an increase in number. We shall provide better training, equipment, pay and firepower.”
Talking about the Naira redesign policy, he said, “Whatever merits it had in concept, the currency swap was too harshly applied by the CBN, given the number of unbanked Nigerians. The policy shall be reviewed. In the meantime, my administration will treat both currencies as legal tender.”
In electricity, Tinubu assured, “Electricity will become more accessible and affordable to businesses and homes alike. Power generation should nearly double and transmission and distribution networks improved. We will encourage states to develop local sources as well.”
The president also promised agricultural revamping and food security saying, “Agricultural hubs will be created throughout the nation to increase production and engage in value-added processing. The livestock sector will be introduced to best modern practices and steps taken to minimize the perennial conflict over land and water resources in this sector.
“Through these actions, food shall be made more abundant yet less costly. Farmers shall earn more while the average Nigerian pays less.”
Tinubu’s administration also promised better business atmosphere for local and foreign investors by eliminating multiple taxation. “I have a message for our investors, local and foreign: our government shall review all their complaints about multiple taxation and various anti-investment inhibitions.
“We shall ensure that investors and foreign businesses repatriate their hard earned dividends and profits home,” he said.
Among other things, President Tinubu also emphasized the need to grow the nation’s GDP, unify the exchange rate and review certain foreign policies.
Meanwhile, some Nigerians in Abuja, have expressed divergent views over the inauguration of Tinubu. For some, it is a dawn of ‘renewed hope’, while for others, it is a slap on the face of democracy.
Adams Kayode said, “Tinubu is here to lift Nigeria from bottom to top. He wants to replicate what he did in Lagos as governor, and even do more for the country. For me, Tinubu is an administrator par excellence, and Nigerians need someone like him to pull us out of the mess we are in now.
“Without any kind of sentiment, I am thankful to God that Tinubu has emerged Nigeria’s president. God has disappointed his enemies. I am confident and praying too, that nothing will truncate his four, or God willing, eight years in office, so that he will make Nigeria better.
For Bright Uhie, “Tinubu has been sworn-in in error. No one erects a building on a faulty foundation and expects it to stand the test of time. Tinubu is not the president Nigerians want and voted for. His swearing-in is even a breach of the Nigerian constitution. Remember that he did not get 25 per cent of votes in the FCT, even with all the rigging.
“Just like Bishop Onaiyekan, I’m still waiting for the court to tell me who won the 2023 presidential election. And I tell you something, the Nigerian judicial system is on trial as we speak. Nigerians are fixing their gaze on the judiciary. I believe the Justices will not trade the credibility of the last hope of the common man for anything,” he said.
Another respondent, Vicky Baba said, “Whether the election that produced Tinubu as Nigeria’s president was marred by irregularities or not, is immaterial now. My own is that a new government has been instituted, and so, all parties should sheathe their swords; let’s join hands to move the country forward.”
Court cases are on, no doubt, and Tinubu has been sworn-in. Whereas some people expect the court to unseat him, others think that the whole judicial process, after his swearing-in, is a total waste of time and resources.
In the meantime, Nigerians have one common reality to grapple with: Tinubu is now the resident and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, at least, until the final determination of the suits in court.
We wish to inform the general public to beware of impostors who use the name of grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network to solicit for interviews, adverts or award presentation to always confirm the authenticity of such transaction through the following numbers:
09029375906 | 08149835420
As this body will not be held LIABLE for any unauthorized transaction with anyone. BE WARNED!