TheNewsGuru

Tag: Protest

  • Perspectives on #EndBadGovernance protests – By Dakuku Peterside

    Perspectives on #EndBadGovernance protests – By Dakuku Peterside

    We are witnessing some of the worst anti-government protests in our recent democratic history, fuelled by economic hardship, hunger and a general feeling of disillusionment among many Nigerians. Whatever the arguments are for or against the protests, it suffices that some Nigerians are making public their anger against the system and resolute to demand change. The protest, after Day 4, showcased the massive dichotomy in the various regions’ interpretation of their stake in the Nigerian project and the impact of the economic realities and peoples’ feelings about them. Understanding Nigeria’s fault lines is not just crucial, but it’s also enlightening to understand her socio-political dynamics and culture of resilience. I will point out six ways the #EndBadGovernance Protests have shown the stubbornness of our fault lines and differences in our level of political sophistication.

    First, the North-South divide plays out clearly in the attitude, feelings, and intensity of participation in the protest. In the South, the Southeast is entirely silent and has refused to join the protest, and the South-South is shyly participating. The southwest sees a little more participation, and Lagos is the epicentre of the protests in this region. On the other hand, the North is in turmoil, and participation is more active and resilient with all sorts of unprintable demands. Unfortunately, some parts of Nigeria, especially the North, have become chaotic and bloody. It is not surprising that this is the case. This correlates with the difference in poverty, hunger, and out-of-school children’s data respectively between the North and the South.

    The economic hardship bites more in the North, and they feel the pinch and are more likely to protest it. The North have the poorest states, the most negligible GDP per capita, high infant and maternal mortality rates, and high incidence of hunger. A combination of the high prevalence of pharmaceutical opioids abuses and out-of-school children (almaJiri) in Northern Nigeria reflected in the violent dimension of the protest in that region. Kano, Zamfara, and Kebbi are the three states with the highest prevalence of opioid abuse. This high rate of idle, unengaged and uneducated youth is a ticking time bomb waiting to happen. However, these socioeconomic realities and sentiments often highlight our political certainties and show our fault lines and pain points. There is also the question of unsubstantiated ethnic and regional dimension to the north’s protest degenerating to a riot.

    Second is the Lagos – Abuja divide. Both are the two major cosmopolitan urban cities in Nigeria. There are pockets of protest across Lagos, and some have refused to be influenced by a massive campaign led by the Lagos political elite to stop the demonstrations happening in Lagos. The Lagos political elite worked hard to show that Bola Ahmed Tinubu was not that unpopular at his home base. Also, some residents did not want to pass a vote of no confidence on Mr President for various pecuniary reasons. The withdrawal of Igbos from the protest is not just in the Southeast. It was noticed that many Igbos in Lagos refused to participate in the protest, taking out an essential element in the bite of the protest.

    Abuja is home to a diplomatic community. Abuja civil society class showed themselves as enlightened and not beclouded by ethnic bias. The protest could not be restricted to the Moshood Abiola Stadium as initially proposed by the government but that did not reduce its efficacy. Police brutality in Abuja to some extent reduced the nuisance of the protest to public life. one take away from Abuja and lagos is that in cosmopolitan cities, no ethnic group can hold the cities or Nigerians hostage.

    Third is the stance of the Southeast states and the Igbo ethnic group. The leadership and followership made a conscious decision not to participate. This may be a metaphor for silent political protest in the Nigerian state. The elites were united in framing the protest as not concerning the Igbos, who are victims of the Nigerian state. They sold it as a Yoruba versus Hausa-Fulani struggle. Igbos are beginning to see themselves as not part of Nigeria. The continued imprisonment of Nnamdi Kanu, the many seeming denials of Igbo’s opportunities in the higher political equation, the Igbo’s political opposition stance, and the general feeling that they are made scapegoats in conflicts like this are reasons some espoused as the significant justification  for the decision not to join the  protest.

    The fourth is the vast difference between the propaganda of government apologists and many ordinary Nigerians who refused to buy into the propaganda. Government apologists were primarily concerned with defending the government, its policies, and its actions. Although they mainly showed anger against the government at the centre, the people also looked at the subnational governments as a sore point. The federal and state governments put out arguments against the protest. They argued that first, the government is just a year old and needs time for their policies and actions that lead to growth and development start showing.

    On the other hand, the people feel that one year is enough time to see signs of economic growth and prosperity that will inspire hope for a better future. The people argued that their conditions were worse on all indices one year after the new administration came to power, and they wanted things to change. The government also argued that the leadership of the protest was faceless. However, this is counterintuitive because the fear of the dictatorial tendencies of the government is driving voices of opposition and criticism underground. Civil society’s leadership typically boldly represents the masses’ views and is not afraid of a democratic government to clamp down on them for civil protest.

    The lesson here is that Nigerians who hitherto are resilient under extreme hardship are beginning to question and demand change from the government, and simplistic explanations for bad governance cannot dissuade them from reacting. Also, the government is throwing out a few “stomachs’infrastructure”to a few people here, and it is no longer sufficient to convince many people to support the government. People are against unjust laws, heavy taxation, inefficient systems, and destructive policies that lead to hunger and poverty. The government must be proactive in catering to the people’s needs and not reactive to the people’s actions because of failed promises and visions.

    The fifth is the adversarial relationship between the Nigerian police and the people. Although the Nigerian police do good work sometimes, the public perception of them is negative, and this affects the people’s reaction to the police. In managing crises and conflicts, the Nigerian police sometimes struggle. In this protest, their poor handling of de-escalation of crisis, crowd management, and more reliance on brute force to handle civil unrest are clear for all to see. Amnesty International raised concerns. The police job is difficult, especially in these circumstances. However, proper training and preparation for democratic-sanctioned civil protests are essential. The police must study their responses and modus operandi in dealing with this protest and learn the lessons that will guide future responses.

    The sixth is the Nigerian elite and their discordant tones. There needs to be an elite consensus on issues that pertain to good governance and economic development. The elites hijacked the system and are benefiting from the system and, as such, are not united in one voice to change the system. The voices of the few elites who are not benefiting from the system are faint and inaudible to make any meaningful change. These elites uphold no Nigerian values, ethos, or shared ideals and visions. The elite sees Nigeria’s interests from personal interests and ethnic perspectives.

    A critical evaluation of the protest must be done to learn from it, improve things based on new findings and push for a better Nigeria. There is a need for a total rejigging of Nigeria’s government and governance system from federal to LGAs.  The mission, vision, policies and structures must be reviewed to put in place a fit-for-purpose system that will achieve the dreams and aspirations of the people. The government may think it needs more time because one year is too small to judge them, but the people have not seen a clear roadmap for growth on which to base their hopes.

    The general perception is that the government is placing a dangerous knee on the neck of the masses and does not care about their plight. This perception is dangerous because it is fuel to extreme positions by the people. The government should not feel that the benign nature of this protest is a testament to its failure. It may be a warning sign of a more significant revolution if the administration does not change direction. Perception is everything. There is blood on the street; we must reflect and ensure the spilt blood count for something.

  • Hardship protest: Lawmakers’ salary cut and Kalu’s part-time legislative advocacy – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    Hardship protest: Lawmakers’ salary cut and Kalu’s part-time legislative advocacy – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    In an novel move that many Nigerians have hailed as in the right direction – even as they hold that it doesn’t go far enough – members of the House of Representatives have donated half of their salaries for the next six months – in the first instance – to complement Federal Government’s efforts at cushioning the economic hardship Nigerians undergo, especially since the Bola Tinubu administration in May 2023.

    Viewed by sceptics as a fry in the pan – until a wholesale cut from the legislators’ homongous allowances that are in the realm of speculations and conjectures due to opaque disclosure even by fiscal responsibility advocates in the legislature – the lawmakers’ slash of salary by 50% for six months will amount to barely N3.240bn on the assumption that the 360 odd House members receive monthly basic of N1.5m, totally N540m.

    Though Senators haven’t indicated they’d follow suit, calls have sometimes been cacophonious for members of the National Assembly (NASS) to shed their sundry allowances – reportedly graded from about N32m to over N50m – that they’ve enjoyed since the Fouth Republic commenced in May 1999.

    They hardly settled down when the lawmakers of both chambers of the NASS embarked on a spending binge in official and private capacities, giving the impression that there’re surplus allocations to throw around in the midst of crushing poverty that’s earned Nigeria the unenviable record of the “Poverty Capital of the World.” Hence the NASS looks to draw as much of public anger as the executive arm of government, which, nonetheless, receives more resources than the legislature.

    Nigeria’s journey to poverty is storied, with each succeeding government – whether civilian or military – pursuing policies and programmes that favour the ruling class and elite, without commensurate ameliorating measures that cater to the basic needs of the masses.

    President Tinubu’s twin policy of removal of subsidy on petrol and floating of the Naira has exacerbated a bad situation of years of intermittent increase in prices of imported petroleum products – for a country that’s one of the largest producers, and with huge oil and gas reserves in the world – and inadequate and inefficient generation, transmission and distribution of power, with Nigeria becoming one of the world’s largest importers of generating sets as the main source of powering homes, offices and businesses.

    The result of Tinubu’s declaration of “subsidy is gone” at his inauguration on May 29, 2023 – and subsequent floating of the Naira – had spontaneous effects on its value against other tradable currencies, a spike in inflation, and a steep rise in prices of goods and services, such as petrol, transportation, foodstuff, household consumables,  pharmaceuticals, utility, rentage and tuition, resulting in low purchasing power, and less food on the table for tens of millions of citizens.

    With Nigeria again earning an ignoble award for the “Highest Multi-Dimensional Poverty in the World,” the citizens’ woes have multiplied by manufacturers’ striving to maximise profit by adopting what, in economics, is known as shrinkflation, and skimpflation – a portmanteau of shrink and inflation, and skimp and inflation.

    Adopting “shrinkflation” (reduced quantities) and “skimpflation” (lower quality ingredients) for household consumables – while the prices remain the same or slightly increase – is a decadesold practice since the downturn in Nigeria’s economy, and the push for value addition to locally-produced goods. The difference in the prevaling instance is the sharp increase in prices by over 100% since mid 2023, even as products continue to shrink and skimp almost biweekly or monthly.

    In their bid to cut costs and maximise profit – or even exploit the situation and make abnormal profit, also called excess profit, supernormal profit or pure profit, “over and above what provides its owners with a normal return to capital” – producers have visited shrinkflation, also labels as “package downsizing, weight-out, and price pack architecture,” and skimpflation on packaged household consumables, such as beverages, noodles, flours, purees, table and ‘pure satchet water’, cooking oils and toiletries.

    The hardship in the land – and the unbridled spending on luxurious items that make those in government “super comfortable” – have riled the masses, and turned their hunger into anger, and a call to action by mostly the youths, to protest what’s been perceptively consensually agreed as bad governance.

    As the Tinubu administration appears to focus some of its policies to alleviating the problems, the youths – who argue that one year is enough for the government to consolidate such programmes – think the agents of their sufferings can best be addressed through mass protests, to hasten official actions.

    The nationwide protests, which began on August 1 – and uncharacteristically predominate the North-West and North-East, and allegedly infiltrated by hoodlums and insurgents – have had telling consequences in death and destruction, prompting declaration of 12-hour to 24-hour curfews in several of the states, and heightened alert to deploy the military should the scenarios spiral out of control of the Police and other security agencies.

    In the interim, former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kanu’s offering appeals, and recommendations for the way out of Nigeria’s economic logjam. Dr Kalu (APC, Abia North), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatisation, and former Chief Whip, is adding his voice to the clamour for a part-time legislature, to cut costs of governance.

    As reported by Vanguard on July 21, 2024, Kalu, who expressed his views in an interview published on his verified Facebook page, thinks that the part-time legislative measure can significantly reduce government’s expenditure and enhance public trust in the political system.

    “Not only the Senate and the House of Representatives, but all the legislative houses in Nigeria will be part-time,” Kalu says, adding, “I think it will be a very good idea if my colleagues and other members of the Houses of Assembly will agree that we can sit for three months and do constitutional amendment first.”

    Kalu suggests that the legislative bodies can convene four times a year – with provisions for emergency sessions, as needed – arguing that it’ll allow for more efficient governance without the need for full-time legislative operations.

    Kalu also advocates for regional governments, as a cost-saving alternative. “If we’re going for regional government, it also means that the ministers, the legislators, will be the same,” he says. “I’ve been tinkering with the idea of how we can save money to run Nigeria because the country needs money.”

    Urging President Tinubu and the National Assembly to consider the legislative changes, with their potential to benefit the entire nation, Kalu touches on the “misconception” that senators receive excessive compensation, and stressed the need for a constitutional amendment, to facilitate part-time legislative sessions, as “that will bring trust and bring relief to the Nigerian people.”

    Note that a part-time legislature – including the abolishment of the Senate – is No. 2 on the list of 15 demands (that’s kept changing) by the “unidentified organisers” of the August 1 to August 10, 2024, protests, captioned: “#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria for the Days of Rage revolt

    NON-NEGOTIABLE DEMANDS.” The ‘organisers’ urge: “(2) Toss the Senate arm of the Nigerian Legislative System, keep the House of Representatives (HOR), and make lawmaking a part-time endeavour.”

    Here’s where the resistance to the change in the configuration of the legislature may come from: From the legislators themselves, who won’t want to lose their exalted positions, particularly in the Senate that’s literally become a “retirement place for and benefit” to former Governors.

    Even a return to Regional Government may not be sweet music to the lawmakers because of the concomitant demand for accountability and transparency in parliaments, which the Nigerian legislators seem to loathe in their defence of fiscal and legislative autonomy for the National and State Houses of Assembly.

    Yet, it’s imperative for Senator Kalu – in his stated commitment to “reducing governmental costs and fostering a more efficient and trustworthy political system in Nigeria” – and like-minded lawmakers to continue to advocate, and sustain the momentum for Nigeria to either adopt a part-time legislature under the subsisting presidential system of government.

    Or return to a parliamentary democracy, as practised in the First Republic between October 1960 – following Nigeria’s independence from Britain – and January 1966, when the Military staged its first coup to upend, and suspend democracy in the country for decades – except for barely four years during the Second Republic, from October 1979 to December 1983.

    Such a change will fit into the broader moves – some with constitutional underpinning – that’s silently and gradually emerging under the Tinubu administration, to restructure Nigeria in line with public clamours and recommendations of national conferences, and reports of committees empanelled over the years to so carry out!

     

    Mr Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria

  • CARTOON OF THE DAY: Why there is no protest in your State

    CARTOON OF THE DAY: Why there is no protest in your State

    CARTOON OF THE DAY: Why there is no protest in your State

  • Hoodlums invade Winners church, loot pulpit, offering box

    Hoodlums invade Winners church, loot pulpit, offering box

    Hoodlums in Katsina State, had on Thursday, August 1st invaded the Living Faith Church, aka Winners Chapel, looting no fewer than 205 chairs, musical instruments and other equipments worth millions of naira during the ongoing nationwide hunger protest.

    On Sunday, the pastor in charge of the Living Faith church, aka Winners Chapel in the Daura Local government Area of the state, David Sarki said that the church service could not be held due to the incident.

    He said; “Because the hoodlum took everything inside the church on the first day of the protest, they decided to worship at their various home cells.

    “We have two security personnel working in the church; one was on duty while the other was off. When the protest began around 10:00 am, the hoodlums just diverted to the church. Many of them in Keke Napep broke the door and windows and entered the church auditorium.

    “They took everything inside the church auditorium, including the wall digital clock, musical instruments, Pulpit, pastor’s chairs, plastic chairs, a desktop computer at the reception, and a scoreboard where the accountant usually kept church documents. They scattered everything.

    “Three churches were their target. They succeeded in invading the Living Faith Church and Deeper Life but couldn’t access the third one, the Anglican Church, because of the robust protection at the gate.

    “We informed the police and the army about it, and the police told us yesterday that they had made some arrests.

    “I am surprised by this attack; when we are thinking about ending bad governance protests, which have now escalated to the invasion of churches, it is something that everyone should seriously condemn.

    “My prayer for the perpetrators is that they should repent from what they are doing because for you to enter a church, a place of worship, is wrong, and you know you are not fighting, man. They should seek repentance. I know God is forgiving, and he will forgive them.”

  • Nigerians in US storm embassy to protest over hunger at home+Video

    Nigerians in US storm embassy to protest over hunger at home+Video

    A video showing Nigerians protesting over hunger has surfaced online.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports, the clip as captured in camera showed the Nigerians complaining bitterly embassy officials over hunger and terrible state of the Naira in Nigeria.

    Obviously, they have joined their brothers and sisters at home to register their anger.

    WATCH!

  • Protest: Bishop cautions against ethnic profiling

    Protest: Bishop cautions against ethnic profiling

    The  Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most. Rev.  Adewale Martins, on Saturday cautioned against ethnic profiling as the #EndBadGovernance  nationwide protest continues.

    Martins made this known in a statement signed by the Director of Social Communication of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu.

    The cleric said that  hate speech would not do Nigeria any good and should be avoided.

    The protest, which  began on Thursday,  planned to end on August 10.

    It is aimed at drawing Federal Government’s attention to the economic hardship facing Nigerians.

    Martins acknowledged that there was poverty and hunger in Nigeria but called for  peaceful.

    He urged Nigerians to exercise restraint in expressing their anger to avoid breaching other people’s rights.

    He said that there was right to peaceful protest  to draw attention to  concerns.

    He called on the protesters to be peaceful and  prevent mischief makers and haters from infiltrate them.

    “Fuelling ethnic bigotry should be seen as the hand of the fourth columnists in the struggle, and should be rejected.

    “Such a shameful distraction is counter-productive at a time when the collective effort should be to fight against hunger and poverty that do not know ethnic origin or tribal affiliation,” he said.

    He said there was need for political leaders across the three tiers of government to address the root cause of the  protest.

    “There is no doubt that there is much hunger in the land.  People are falling sick and dying out of poverty and inability to procure medicine and pay hospital bills.

    “They have difficulty in paying school fees of their children, and the costs of food and electricity are  on the rise, ” the bishop said.

    He appealed to the federal and state governments to initiate policies that would have direct positive impact on the masses particularly in the area of food production.

    The cleric urged security operatives  to be professional in handling the protesters.

    He praised those who had conducted themselves well, and expressed sadness at the loss of lives in some states where the protest recorded violence.

  • I’ve heard you loud and clear – Tinubu to protesters

    I’ve heard you loud and clear – Tinubu to protesters

    President Bola Tinubu said he has heard Nigerians protesting against hunger and hardship across the country “loud and clear”.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Tinubu said this on Sunday in a nationwide broadcast as the protest against hunger and hardship enters its 4th day in Nigeria.

    “My dear Nigerians, especially our youth, I have heard you loud and clear. I understand the pain and frustration that drive these protests, and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of our citizens,” Tinubu said.

    The President in the nationwide broadcast called on Nigerians protesting against hunger and hardship across the country to suspend the ongoing 10 days protest and embrace dialogue.

    President Tinubu said he is pained by the loss of lives and the wanton looting of supermarkets and shops, contrary to the promise of organisers that the protest would be peaceful across the country.

    “I am especially pained by the loss of lives in Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna and other states, the destruction of public facilities in some states, and the wanton looting of supermarkets and shops, contrary to the promise of protest organisers that the protest would be peaceful across the country.

    “The destruction of properties sets us back as a nation, as scarce resources will be again used to restore them,” he said.

    Our government has made significant strides – Tinubu to protesters

    In the nationwide broadcast, President Tinubu reeled out the achievement of his government in the past 14 months.

    “My vision for our country is one of a just and prosperous nation where each person may enjoy the peace, freedom, and meaningful livelihood that only democratic good governance can provide – one that is open, transparent and accountable to the Nigerian people.

    “For decades, our economy has remained anaemic and taken a dip because of many misalignments that have stunted our growth. Just over a year ago, our dear country, Nigeria, reached a point where we couldn’t afford to continue the use of temporary solutions to solve long-term problems for the sake of now and our unborn generations. I therefore took the painful yet necessary decision to remove fuel subsidies and abolish multiple foreign exchange systems which had constituted a noose around the economic jugular of our Nation and impeded our economic development and progress.

    “These actions blocked the greed and the profits that smugglers and rent-seekers made. They also blocked the undue subsidies we had extended to our neighbouring countries to the detriment of our people, rendering our economy prostrate. These decisions I made were necessary if we must reverse the decades of economic mismanagement that didn’t serve us well. Yes, I agree, the buck stops on my table. But I can assure you that I am focused fully on delivering the governance to the people – good governance for that matter.

    “In the past 14 months, our government has made significant strides in rebuilding the foundation of our economy to carry us into a future of plenty and abundance. On the fiscal side, aggregate government revenues have more than doubled, hitting over 9.1 trillion Naira in the first half of 2024 compared to the first half of 2023 due to our efforts at blocking leakages, introducing automation, and mobilising funding creatively without additional burden on the people. Productivity is gradually increasing in the non-oil sector, reaching new levels and taking advantage of the opportunities in the current economic ambience

    “My dear brothers and sisters, we have come this far. Coming from a place where our country spent 97% of all our revenue on debt service; we have been able to reduce that to 68% in the last 13 months. We have also cleared legitimate outstanding foreign exchange obligations of about $5billion without any adverse impact on our programmes.

    “This has given us more financial freedom and the room to spend more money on you, our citizens, to fund essential social services like education and healthcare. It has also led to our State, and Local Governments receiving the highest allocations ever in our country’s history from the Federation Account.

    “We have also embarked on major infrastructure projects across the country. We are working to complete inherited projects critical to our economic prosperity, including roads, bridges, railways, power, and oil and gas developments. Notably, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway projects will open up 16 connecting states, creating thousands of jobs and boosting economic output through trade, tourism and cultural integration

    “Our once-declining oil and gas industry is experiencing a resurgence on the back of the reforms I announced in May 2024 to address the gaps in the Petroleum Industry Act. Last month, we increased our oil production to 1.61million barrels per day, and our gas assets are receiving the attention they deserve. Investors are coming back, and we have already seen two Foreign Direct Investments signed of over half a billion dollars since then.

    “Fellow Nigerians, we are a country blessed with both oil and gas resources, but we met a country that had been dependent solely on oil-based petrol, neglecting its gas resources to power the economy. We were also using our hard-earned foreign exchange to pay for, and subsidise its use. To address this, we immediately launched our Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (CNG) to power our transportation economy and bring costs down. This will save over two trillion Naira a month, being used to import PMS and AGO and free up our resources for more investment in healthcare and education.

    “To this end, we will be distributing a million kits of extremely low or no cost to commercial vehicles that transport people and goods and who currently consume 80% of the imported PMS and AGO.

    “We have started the distribution of conversion kits and setting up of conversion centres across the country in conjunction with the private sector. We believe that this CNG initiative will reduce transportation costs by approximately 60 per cent and help to curb inflation.

    “Our administration has shown its commitment to the youth by setting up the student loan scheme. To date, 45.6billion Naira has already been processed for payment to students and their respective institutions

    “I encourage more of our vibrant youth population to take advantage of this opportunity. We established the Consumer Credit Corporation with over N200billion to help Nigerians to acquire essential products without the need for immediate cash payments, making life easier for millions of households. This will consequently reduce corruption and eliminate cash and opaque transactions. This week, I ordered the release of an additional N50billion Naira each for NELFUND – the student loan, and Credit Corporation from the proceeds of crime recovered by the EFCC

    “Additionally, we have secured $620million under the Digital and Creative Enterprises (IDiCE) – a programme to empower our young people, creating millions of IT and technical jobs that will make them globally competitive. These programmes include the 3Million Technical Talents scheme. Unfortunately, one of the digital centres was vandalised during the protests in Kano. What a shame!

    “In addition, we have introduced the Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA); the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA); and the National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP).

    “Also, more than N570 billion has been released to the 36 states to expand livelihood support to their citizens, while 600,000 nano-businesses have benefitted from our nano-grants. An additional 400,000 more nano-businesses are expected to benefit.

    “Furthermore, 75,000 beneficiaries have been processed to receive our N1million Micro and Small Business single-digit interest loans,  starting this month. We have also built 10 MSME hubs within the past year, created 240,000 jobs through them and 5 more hubs are in progress which will be ready by October this year.

    “Payments of N1billion each are also being made to large manufacturers under our single-digit loans to boost manufacturing output and stimulate growth.

    “I signed the National Minimum Wage into law last week, and the lowest-earning workers will now earn at least N70,000 a month.

    “Six months ago in Karsana, Abuja, I inaugurated the first phase of our ambitious housing initiative, the Renewed Hope City and Estate. This project is the first of six we have planned across the nation’s geopolitical zones. Each of these cities will include a minimum of 1,000 housing units, with Karsana itself set to deliver 3,212 units

    “In addition to these city projects, we are also launching the Renewed Hope Estates in every state, each comprising 500 housing units. Our goal is to complete a total of 100,000 housing units over the next three years. This initiative is not only about providing homes but also about creating thousands of jobs across the nation as well as stimulating economic growth.

    “We are providing incentives to farmers to increase food production at affordable prices. I have directed that tariffs and other import duties should be removed on rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, drugs, and other pharmaceutical and medical supplies for the next 6 months, in the first instance, to help drive down the prices.

    “I have been meeting with our Governors and key Ministers to accelerate food production. We have distributed fertilisers. Our target is to cultivate more than 10 million hectares of land to grow what we eat. The Federal Government will provide all necessary incentives for this initiative, whilst the states provide the land, which will put millions of our people to work and further increase food production. In the past few months, we have also ordered mechanized farming equipment such as tractors and planters, worth billions of Naira from the United States, Belarus, and Brazil. I can confirm to you that the equipment is on the way,” he said.

  • FULL SPEECH: Broadcast by President Tinubu on nationwide protest

    FULL SPEECH: Broadcast by President Tinubu on nationwide protest

    BROADCAST BY HIS EXCELLENCY BOLA AHMED TINUBU, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE NATIONWIDE PROTEST

    DATE: SUNDAY 4TH AUGUST 2024

    My fellow Nigerians,

    1. I speak to you today with a heavy heart and a sense of responsibility, aware of the turmoil and violent protests unleashed in some of our states.

    2. Notably among the protesters were young Nigerians who desired a better and more progressive country where their dreams, hopes, and personal aspirations would be fulfilled.

    3. I am especially pained by the loss of lives in Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna and other states, the destruction of public facilities in some states, and the wanton looting of supermarkets and shops, contrary to the promise of protest organisers that the protest would be peaceful across the country. The destruction of properties sets us back as a nation, as scarce resources will be again used to restore them.

    4. I commiserate with the families and relations of those who have died in the protests. We must stop further bloodshed, violence and destruction.

    5. As President of this country, I must ensure public order. In line with my constitutional oath to protect the lives and property of every citizen, our government will not stand idly by and allow a few with a clear political agenda to tear this nation apart.

    6. Under the circumstances, I hereby enjoin protesters and the organisers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue, which I have always acceded to at the slightest opportunity. Nigeria requires all hands on deck and needs us all – regardless of age, party, tribe, religion or other divides, to work together in reshaping our destiny as a nation. To those who have taken undue advantage of this situation to threaten any section of this country, be warned: The law will catch up with you. There is no place for ethnic bigotry or such threats in the Nigeria we seek to build.

    7. Our democracy progresses when the constitutional rights of every Nigerian are respected and protected. Our law enforcement agencies should continue to ensure the full protection of lives and properties of innocent citizens in a responsible manner.

    8. My vision for our country is one of a just and prosperous nation where each person may enjoy the peace, freedom, and meaningful livelihood that only democratic good governance can provide – one that is open, transparent and accountable to the Nigerian people.

    9. For decades, our economy has remained anaemic and taken a dip because of many misalignments that have stunted our growth. Just over a year ago, our dear country, Nigeria, reached a point where we couldn’t afford to continue the use of temporary solutions to solve long-term problems for the sake of now and our unborn generations. I therefore took the painful yet necessary decision to remove fuel subsidies and abolish multiple foreign exchange systems which had constituted a noose around the economic jugular of our Nation and impeded our economic development and progress.

    10. These actions blocked the greed and the profits that smugglers and rent-seekers made. They also blocked the undue subsidies we had extended to our neighbouring countries to the detriment of our people, rendering our economy prostrate. These decisions I made were necessary if we must reverse the decades of economic mismanagement that didn’t serve us well. Yes, I agree, the buck stops on my table. But I can assure you that I am focused fully on delivering the governance to the people – good governance for that matter.

    11. In the past 14 months, our government has made significant strides in rebuilding the foundation of our economy to carry us into a future of plenty and abundance. On the fiscal side, aggregate government revenues have more than doubled, hitting over 9.1 trillion Naira in the first half of 2024 compared to the first half of 2023 due to our efforts at blocking leakages, introducing automation, and mobilising funding creatively without additional burden on the people. Productivity is gradually increasing in the non-oil sector, reaching new levels and taking advantage of the opportunities in the current economic ambience

    12. My dear brothers and sisters, we have come this far. Coming from a place where our country spent 97% of all our revenue on debt service; we have been able to reduce that to 68% in the last 13 months. We have also cleared legitimate outstanding foreign exchange obligations of about $5billion without any adverse impact on our programmes.

    13. This has given us more financial freedom and the room to spend more money on you, our citizens, to fund essential social services like education and healthcare. It has also led to our State, and Local Governments receiving the highest allocations ever in our country’s history from the Federation Account.

    14. We have also embarked on major infrastructure projects across the country. We are working to complete inherited projects critical to our economic prosperity, including roads, bridges, railways, power, and oil and gas developments. Notably, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway projects will open up 16 connecting states, creating thousands of jobs and boosting economic output through trade, tourism and cultural integration

    15. Our once-declining oil and gas industry is experiencing a resurgence on the back of the reforms I announced in May 2024 to address the gaps in the Petroleum Industry Act. Last month, we increased our oil production to 1.61million barrels per day, and our gas assets are receiving the attention they deserve. Investors are coming back, and we have already seen two Foreign Direct Investments signed of over half a billion dollars since then.

    16. Fellow Nigerians, we are a country blessed with both oil and gas resources, but we met a country that had been dependent solely on oil-based petrol, neglecting its gas resources to power the economy. We were also using our hard-earned foreign exchange to pay for, and subsidise its use. To address this, we immediately launched our Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (CNG) to power our transportation economy and bring costs down. This will save over two trillion Naira a month, being used to import PMS and AGO and free up our resources for more investment in healthcare and education.

    17. To this end, we will be distributing a million kits of extremely low or no cost to commercial vehicles that transport people and goods and who currently consume 80% of the imported PMS and AGO.

    18. We have started the distribution of conversion kits and setting up of conversion centres across the country in conjunction with the private sector. We believe that this CNG initiative will reduce transportation costs by approximately 60 per cent and help to curb inflation.

    19. Our administration has shown its commitment to the youth by setting up the student loan scheme. To date, 45.6billion Naira has already been processed for payment to students and their respective institutions

    20. I encourage more of our vibrant youth population to take advantage of this opportunity. We established the Consumer Credit Corporation with over N200billion to help Nigerians to acquire essential products without the need for immediate cash payments, making life easier for millions of households. This will consequently reduce corruption and eliminate cash and opaque transactions. This week, I ordered the release of an additional N50billion Naira each for NELFUND – the student loan, and Credit Corporation from the proceeds of crime recovered by the EFCC

    21. Additionally, we have secured $620million under the Digital and Creative Enterprises (IDiCE) – a programme to empower our young people, creating millions of IT and technical jobs that will make them globally competitive. These programmes include the 3Million Technical Talents scheme. Unfortunately, one of the digital centres was vandalised during the protests in Kano. What a shame!

    22. In addition, we have introduced the Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA); the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA); and the National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP).

    23. Also, more than N570 billion has been released to the 36 states to expand livelihood support to their citizens, while 600,000 nano-businesses have benefitted from our nano-grants. An additional 400,000 more nano-businesses are expected to benefit.

    24. Furthermore, 75,000 beneficiaries have been processed to receive our N1million Micro and Small Business single-digit interest loans,  starting this month. We have also built 10 MSME hubs within the past year, created 240,000 jobs through them and 5 more hubs are in progress which will be ready by October this year.

    25. Payments of N1billion each are also being made to large manufacturers under our single-digit loans to boost manufacturing output and stimulate growth.

    26. I signed the National Minimum Wage into law last week, and the lowest-earning workers will now earn at least N70,000 a month.

    27. Six months ago in Karsana, Abuja, I inaugurated the first phase of our ambitious housing initiative, the Renewed Hope City and Estate. This project is the first of six we have planned across the nation’s geopolitical zones. Each of these cities will include a minimum of 1,000 housing units, with Karsana itself set to deliver 3,212 units

    28. In addition to these city projects, we are also launching the Renewed Hope Estates in every state, each comprising 500 housing units. Our goal is to complete a total of 100,000 housing units over the next three years. This initiative is not only about providing homes but also about creating thousands of jobs across the nation as well as stimulating economic growth.

    29. We are providing incentives to farmers to increase food production at affordable prices. I have directed that tariffs and other import duties should be removed on rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, drugs, and other pharmaceutical and medical supplies for the next 6 months, in the first instance, to help drive down the prices.

    30. I have been meeting with our Governors and key Ministers to accelerate food production. We have distributed fertilisers. Our target is to cultivate more than 10 million hectares of land to grow what we eat. The Federal Government will provide all necessary incentives for this initiative, whilst the states provide the land, which will put millions of our people to work and further increase food production. In the past few months, we have also ordered mechanized farming equipment such as tractors and planters, worth billions of Naira from the United States, Belarus, and Brazil. I can confirm to you that the equipment is on the way.

    31. My dear Nigerians, especially our youth, I have heard you loud and clear. I understand the pain and frustration that drive these protests, and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of our citizens.

    32. But we must not let violence and destruction tear our nation apart. We must work together to build a brighter future, where every Nigerian can live with dignity and prosperity.

    33. The task before us is a collective one, and I am leading the charge as your President. A lot of work has gone into stabilising our economy and I must stay focused on ensuring that the benefits reach every single Nigerian as promised.

    34. My administration is working very hard to improve and expand our national infrastructure and create more opportunities for our young people.

    35. Let nobody misinform and miseducate you about your country or tell you that your government does not care about you. Although there have been many dashed hopes in the past, we are in a new era of Renewed Hope. We are working hard for you, and the results will soon be visible and concrete for everyone to see, feel, and enjoy.

    36. Let us work together to build a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come. Let us choose hope over fear, unity over division, and progress over stagnation. The economy is recovering; Please, don’t shut out its oxygen. Now that we have been enjoying democratic governance for 25 years, do not let the enemies of democracy use you to promote an unconstitutional agenda that will set us back on our democratic journey. FORWARD EVER, BACKWARD NEVER!

    37. In conclusion, security operatives should continue to maintain peace, law, and order in our country following the necessary conventions on human rights, to which Nigeria is a signatory. The safety and security of all Nigerians are paramount.

    38. Thank God — and Thank you for your attention, and may God continue to bless our great Nation. Thank you very much.

  • Organisers promised peaceful protest but I’m pained by what happened – President Tinubu

    Organisers promised peaceful protest but I’m pained by what happened – President Tinubu

    President Bola Tinubu has said he is pained by the wanton looting of supermarkets and shops, contrary to the promise of organisers that the protest would be peaceful across the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Tinubu said this on Sunday in a nationwide broadcast to Nigerians as the protest against hunger and hardship enters its 4th day in Nigeria.

    Tinubu also expressed pain over the loss of lives and the destruction of public facilities in some States during the course of the first three days of the protest.

    “I am especially pained by the loss of lives in Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna and other states, the destruction of public facilities in some states, and the wanton looting of supermarkets and shops, contrary to the promise of protest organisers that the protest would be peaceful across the country.

    “The destruction of properties sets us back as a nation, as scarce resources will be again used to restore them.

    “I commiserate with the families and relations of those who have died in the protests. We must stop further bloodshed, violence and destruction,” President Tinubu said.

    I will not allow you tear Nigeria apart, suspend protest, come for dialogue – Tinubu to protesters

    President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians protesting against hunger and hardship across the country to suspend the ongoing 10 days protest and embrace dialogue.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the 10 days protest against hunger and hardship in the country commenced on August 1st.

    The protest has been occasioned by the loss of lives, destruction of public facilities in some States, and the wanton looting of supermarkets and shops.

    While commiserating with the families and relations of those who have died in the protests, President Tinubu said his “government will not stand idly by and allow a few with a clear political agenda to tear this nation apart”.

    In a nationwide broadcast on Sunday, the President called on the protesters to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue.

    Tinubu said: “As President of this country, I must ensure public order. In line with my constitutional oath to protect the lives and property of every citizen, our government will not stand idly by and allow a few with a clear political agenda to tear this nation apart.

    “Under the circumstances, I hereby enjoin protesters and the organisers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue, which I have always acceded to at the slightest opportunity.

    “Nigeria requires all hands on deck and needs us all – regardless of age, party, tribe, religion or other divides, to work together in reshaping our destiny as a nation.

    “To those who have taken undue advantage of this situation to threaten any section of this country, be warned: the law will catch up with you. There is no place for ethnic bigotry or such threats in the Nigeria we seek to build”.

  • Police fault Amnesty’s claims on protest casualties

    Police fault Amnesty’s claims on protest casualties

    The Nigeria Police has dismissed as “untrue”, a claim by Amnesty International that 13 people had died since the commencement of the nationwide protest.

    Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, recalled that Amnesty had, in its report, alleged that 13 individuals had lost their lives since the commencement of the protest on Thursday.

    The police spokesman said Amnesty also alleged that security personnel had deliberately employed tactics designed to kill while managing gatherings, and used firearms as a tactical tool for protest management.

    He said the claims by Amnesty International were untrue, adding that the seven deaths recorded since the commencement of the protest were not as a result of gunshots by security personnel.

    “In Borno, four people 8lost their lives and 34 others were severely injured in a terrorist attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP elements that infiltrated the protest and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

    “An incident involving an unregistered Honda Prelude car that ran into protesters, resulting in the deaths of two civilians was also recorded.

    “Another incident was reported in Kebbi where a group of individuals mobilised to loot a shop and in the process, a local vigilante man shot and killed one of the looters.

    “This brings the total number of deaths recorded since the commencement of the protest to seven, and not 13 as claimed by Amnesty International,” he said.

    The police spokesman said that no other fatality was recorded since the commencement of the protest apart from the seven cases mentioned.

    Adejobi, however, said that incidences of armed robbery, arson, mischief, looting of public institutions and private businesses, destructions of both public and private property were recorded during the protest.

    He said arrests were made with respect to the criminal incidences with a number of recoveries made from the suspects, while the protest was going on.

    Adejobi said personnel of the Nigeria Police deployed to manage the protests had acted professionally and had refrained from using lethal weapons.

    He said teargas was used to disperse groups, where protesters became riotous.

    According to him, even when our officers on lawful duty were attacked and injured, the police made arrests using only teargas demonstrating utmost restraint.

    He said the Nigeria Police Force had earlier reaffirmed its commitment to perform its lawful duties with professionalism, maintaining law and order.

    Adejobi, therefore, urged citizens and residents to disregard “unfounded and psychologically manipulative reports being circulated on the protest”.