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  • El-Rufai, Soludo, Sanusi insist on fuel subsidy removal

    El-Rufai, Soludo, Sanusi insist on fuel subsidy removal

    The Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai and his Anambra counterpart, Prof. Charles Soludo, have urged the Federal Government to end the fuel subsidy regime which has negatively affected Nigeria’s economy.

    The governors made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during a panel session at the policy conversation on “How Nigeria Can Build a Post-Oil Economic Future”.

    The symposium was jointly hosted by Agora Policy, a Nigerian Think Tank and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

    It also featured the presentation of a recently published book titled “Economic Diversification in Nigeria: The Politics of Building a Post-Oil Economy”– selected as one of the Best Books of 2022 by the Financial Times.

    The book was authored by Dr Zainab Usman, a senior fellow and Director of the Africa Programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C.

    Speaking, El-Rufai emphasised on the need to end the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) known as fuel and to be pragmatic about solution to the problems instead of delay.

    He recalled that in 2021, the National Economic Council (NEC) gave a committee he chaired an assignment to work out a framework on what to do with the resources if subsidy was removed including how much to be raised.

    He listed the components of its recommendation to include framework on investments in security, social protection, infrastructure on health and education among others.

    “We worked with experts and World Bank and came out with a report on what to do with the resources which would be transperently explained to Nigerians.

    “In 2021 the Federal Government‘s budget for road was N200 billion and in 2021 we were projecting to spend N1.2 trillion on subsidy and we saw the danger and I called for its removal.

    “We have a framework and the economic council agreed for it to be withdrawn because we had a clear plan on where the money should go which includes federal, state and local government for interventions.

    “Still it is on and currently we are looking at N6 trillion on subsidy but go and check the national budget on infrastructure on health and education, it is not up to that and does not make any sense, so we need to end the subsidy,” he advised

    Soludo on his part also called for a transformational leadership and agenda adding that the new dispensation had a chance for a fresh start.

    “It has to start by getting the team assembled and getting to work immediately with institutional reforms and competitive system.

    According to him, it will be necessary if we begin to mainstream case studies and utilise lessons from those case studies that worked before by replicating them.

    The governor said that productive policies to achieve speed and sustainability prosperity for institutional reforms and change were the key.

    Also speaking, former Central Bank of Nigeria’s Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who was a special guest, underscored the need to prepare the minds of Nigerians on bad decisions that have bankrupted the country and close that hole.

    Sanusi said in order to get it right, the incoming government should place competent officials in suitable positions.

    “We are going to have a government sworn in May 29 and I think we have to start stating what is expected of that government.

    “What do we, as Nigerians, classify as a milestone that shows we are heading to the right direction.

    “We also need a government that understands the depth of the crises that we are. We all have a responsibility of conveying the implications of the policies that we recommend.

    “We need to go back to that situation where politicians respect the independence, integrity and autonomy of these institutions and where these institutions are held accountable by the law setting them up to perform duties,” he said.

    Speaking, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Co-Founder, the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and Chairman, Coronation Capital,  explained that the fuel subsidy was not grounded on thinking rather it was purely political.

    According to him, refining crude oil and producing refined petroleum products in Nigeria would actually drop the prices of petroleum.

    He further explained that fiscal consideration, debt restructuring and massive private structure investment should be considered by the incoming government for economic growth.

    The participants, who lamented on fuel subsidy removal, called for effective utilisation of resources after its removal in new dispensation.

  • Nigeria worse not having Osinbajo as president – Sanusi

    Nigeria worse not having Osinbajo as president – Sanusi

    Deposed Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has said Nigeria will become worse not having someone like Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo as the country’s president.

    He spoke at the virtual launch of a book: “Osinbajo Strides: Defining Moments of an Innovative Leader,” yesterday.

    The former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor, pointed out that Osinbajo was one of those in the current administration willing to debate any matter and yield a superior argument.

    “And I dare say, we all agree that Nigeria is worse off for not having someone like him (Osinbajo) as president, but I do hope that he will be available to serve and to advise and to put in his best for the country and continue to do.

    “So I’m sure he will, in whatever capacity he finds himself in the future, and maybe we’ll still be lucky to have him lead us at some point or take some leadership role as a statesman,” Sanusi said.

  • You are one person I believe to rule Nigeria – Sanusi tells Tinubu

    You are one person I believe to rule Nigeria – Sanusi tells Tinubu

    The Emir of Dutse in Jigawa State, Alhaji Nuhu Mohammed Sanusi has said the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is one person he believes and competent to rule Nigeria.

    Speaking at the weekend when Tinubu visited him in Dutse on the sidelines of the party’s campaign rally in Jigawa State, Sanusi said he’s a follower of the former Lagos governor.

    He said: “I’m a keen follower of you and your political activities. You are one person I believe have the capacity and competence to rule the country.

    “Nigeria had been polarised before. You were able to bring the North and South together under this administration.

    “I attended your inauguration as the Jagaba of Borgu by the late Emir of Borgu. He was my friend. He was constantly talking about you and your good deeds.

    “You also went to America to study just like me. And like you, I also did several menial jobs to survive.

    “I’m also an Accountant like you. I have also read some of your books particularly like the one titled ‘Financialism’. The only thing I lack, unlike you, is the will to play politics.”

  • 2yrs after Kano govt ‘palace coup’ Sanusi, Ganduje reunite in Abuja airport

    2yrs after Kano govt ‘palace coup’ Sanusi, Ganduje reunite in Abuja airport

     

    Two years after a ‘palace coup’ former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje met for the first time since Sanusi’s ouster at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, on Monday.

    This is the first time both men would be seen together since he (Sanusi) was dethroned in 2020 by Ganduje.

    The governor had removed the monarch on March 9, 2020, over what he described as “total disrespect to lawful instructions from the office of the governor”.

    Sanusi was also banished from Kano and sent to Loko, a remote community in Nasarawa State, while the expenses of the emirate under him were probed.

    Both men were seen shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries at the airport.

  • Sanusi: NFF will play key role in efforts to immortalize ‘Thunder’ Balogun

    Sanusi: NFF will play key role in efforts to immortalize ‘Thunder’ Balogun

    General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi on Tuesday assured that the nation’s supreme football-ruling body will be available to contribute to the efforts being harnessed presently to celebrate and imoortalize a former captain and coach of the Senior Men National Team of Nigeria, Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun.

    “Teslim Balogun played profound and remarkable roles in Nigeria Football, both as a player and as coach. His giant footprints are there for all to see. It is important that we play a key role in the ongoing efforts to celebrate and immortalize him, because that will send the right signals to both present and upcoming players that Nigeria do care.

    “When we received the letter from your committee, the NFF President said he was interested in NFF being part of the programme and he insisted that we nominate someone to represent the Federation and give us feedback on all that was being done to celebrate ‘Thunder’ Balogun.

    “He was an achiever and a role model, and the NFF will work with the committee to celebrate a legend of the Nigeria game.”

    Sanusi made the statements when the organizing committee of the Thunder Balogun 50th Anniversary Celebrations paid him a courtesy call in his office at the NFF Secretariat, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

    Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Dr Rafiu Oladipo stated that Teslim Balogun, who died in July 1972, was Nigeria’s first professional football player who made name and robust fame playing at home and abroad and also coached the Senior National Team. He said the committee has the mission of organizing a book launch, a seminar, football matches and airing documentaries on the legend during the one-week celebration in the month of July 2022.

    Sanusi added that the NFF will be ready to liaise with fellow Football Associations in the African continent with regards to the planned international football matches, and also support the committee with some logistics to ensure the success of the event.

    Other members of the committee present were Mr Jibola Balogun (son of the legend), Mr Lanre Arogundade, Mr Kunle Solaja, Mr Ademola Olajire and Pastor Emmanuel Olaseinde, secretary of the committe

  • Nigeria in deep hole, living on extra time – Sanusi

    Nigeria in deep hole, living on extra time – Sanusi

    Former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Monday has said Nigeria is living on an “extra time”.

    Speaking during a reception organised in his honour by Egba Muslim in Abeokuta, the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria asked presidential aspirants to be prepared for the numerous challenges confronting the country.

    He said: “To be honest, we are living on extra time. In 2015, we were in a deep hole. In 2023, we will be in an even much deeper hole than in 2015.

    “I hope all those who are struggling to be President understand that the problems they are going to face are multiples of the problems faced in 2015. All of us should be ready for difficult decisions and if they are taken, we are all going to pay for it.

    “The solution is not for all of us to jump into politics, this country needs good politicians, it needs Imams and pastors and bishops who are going to stand up and remind the politicians about the fear of God.

    “It needs technocrats who are going to critique their policies, it needs traditional rulers who are going to speak as the conscience of the people, everyone has a role to play and we should try to play that role to the best of our ability.

    “I think the most important thing is that we should continue to pray for our country that whoever emerges as President, governors, senators, members of the House, leadership at all levels that we get good leaders.

    “I think we should also remind ourselves as Muslims and as citizens that this country deserves better than what we have given ourselves.

    “Allah commands that you place trust only in the hands of those who are capable of handling that trust. If you choose somebody who is incompetent to lead you, if you choose somebody who is weak to lead you, if you choose someone who is dishonest to lead you, you can only blame yourself because Allah says you should only give that trust and He also explains to us what it means to be capable of holding that trust.

    “We should not choose leaders who are not competent because they give us money or because of personal interest. I keep saying to my brothers in Tijaniyyaa that we should stop praying for people who come to talk to us to say, come and pray for me to be governor, come and pray for me to be President, they go and take people’s money to go and read the Quaran for them.

    “We should look at all the candidates very well. We should choose the people we think are competent and honest and then we decide who we want to pray for, not who comes to us with money or who comes to beg us, whether or not they come for us.

    ‘’We should go and vote for them and we should pray to Allah that our sincere belief is that these are the people who will govern in the best interest of our nation.”

    ‘’In this same life, God has made me governor of Central Bank, He has made me Emir of Kano, He has made me Khalifa of Tijaniyyaa, what am I looking for?

    ‘’This is not to say that I’m retiring from service, constantly, life has to be about service and leadership has to be about service and that service involves obviously doing whatever is in my power to do.

    ‘’It involves speaking from conscience to those in authority and asking them to correct their deeds, how they respond to that is their business.

    ‘’We tell all those who are in authority and who forgets that the office that they sit in, is an office that other people had sat in before and they will leave that office and other people will sit in that office, it is temporary.

    ‘’The only thing they have is the opportunity that Allah has given them and the power that Allah has given them to get close to Him by serving the people. It is not for them, it is not for their privilege.

    ‘’The greatest danger that we can have is to have leaders who forget how temporary and transient this office is. If we all go into politics, who us going to hold the politicians to account? Who is going to stand up and tell them if they are going wrong?

    ‘’Who is going to speak to the people and explain sometimes difficult and painful policies that people don’t like or which are in the long term interest if the people? Speak for the politicians for the people.

    ‘’People don’t understand the role we play as traditional rulers, as religious leaders that they think you should go and be a governor, or be a president, to be honest, I think that the role I play can be more important than that of the president, it is different, it has different content.

    ‘’But to be Khalifa Tijaniyyaa of Nigeria is an office that personally, given the choice between that office and the presidency, I will choose that office.

    ‘’We should look at all the candidates, we should choose the people we think are competent and honest and then we decide who we want to pray for, not who comes to us with money or who comes to us to beg us, whether or not they come for us.

    ‘’We should go and vote for them and pray to Allah that these are the people who will govern in the best interest of our nation.

    But the solution is not for all of us to jump into politics, this country needs good politicians, it needs imams and pastors and bishops who are going to stand up and remind them (politicians) of the fear of God. It needs technocrats who are going to critique their policies, it needs traditional rulers who are going to speak as the conscience of the people, everyone has a role to play and we should try to play that role to the best of our ability.’’

  • 2023: Vote best and competent candidates – Sanusi

    2023: Vote best and competent candidates – Sanusi

    Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi ll, the President General Jam’iyyatu Ansariddeen (Attijaniyya), Nigeria, has advised eligible voters in Nigeria to register, get their voters’ card (PVC) and vote the best and competent candidates in all positions in subsequent elections.

    Sanusi made the call on Saturday in Lokoja, at the last day of the three-day Annual Conference of the 4th Nigeria World Maulid Anniversary, in honour of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, with the theme: ”The Prophetic Solutions To The Questions of Humanity”.

    Sanusi, a former Emir of Kano, urged the group to vote for the best person that is most competent in every position irrespective of political party or religious affiliations.

    ”If our youths get employed, the economy of the entire country will improve.

    ”Most importantly, we are not a political party but we cannot fold our arms and ignore politics.

    ”Every member of Attijaniyya from 18 years old and above, male or female, go and get your voters card.

    ”Allah commands you that you should place trust in the hands of those people who are trustworthy.

    ”Now, we are at the time where those who appoint leaders are the people, your vote is your power, you have a responsibility.

    ”I am not saying you must vote only for members of Attijaniyya, Muslim, or for any political party; you are to vote for every position the best person that is most competent,” he said.

    He added: ”If you don’t take this responsibility you have betrayed Islam. We must preserve the unity of this country to ensure self reliant, education peace and unity”.

    He commended Gov. Yahaya Bello for hosting the conference, and for accepting their request for the provision of land in the state to build an International Islamic Centre to honour Sheikh Muhammad Ibrahim Niass.

    He emphasised that the movement used the opportunity to pray for peace, unity and a good country whose leaders will always do the right thing.

    He stressed the need to continue to promote peace, pray and eschew extremism, saying no matter the difficult situation, Allah will be able to see the country through.

    ”We must therefore not relent in our prayers for this country. We need to educate our children,” he said.

    In his remarks, the Kogi State Governor, Bello, described the conference as a historic day for him and the people of Kogi State and Lokoja.

    According to him, the state is hosting the world Maulid anniversary in honour of prophet Muhammad and the son of the Grand Khalifa Worldwide, Sheikh Muhammad Ibrahim Niass and Ibrahmi Lami, in attendance.

    Bello noted that as a governor, he is bound to be fair, just and ensure equity for all, irrespective of religious affiliations or ethnicity.

    He said that he had learnt a lot from the gathering; “great messages of unity, love, hard work, peace, tolerance and taking our destinies into our hands, which remains the message of President Muhammadu Buhari”.

    He appreciated Sheikh Muhammad Ibrahim Lami for the gift of the Holy Quran presented to him, and his prayers for him to end well as the governor of Kogi State, as well fulfilling all his ambitions.

    NAN reports that the highlight of the occasion was the Islamic recitations and presentation of Holy Quran to the governor by the son of the Grand Khalifa Worldwide, Sheikh Muhammad Ibrahim Niass; Muhammad Lami Niass from Senegal.

    Dignitaries at the occasion were Ambassadors of Morroco, Palestine, Mauritiana, Cameroon and representative of Senegal, other diplomats, traditional rulers, and other dignitaries across the 36 States of the federation and the FCT.

  • Nigeria spends more money servicing debts, NASS, subsidy than on education – Ex-Kano Emir Sanusi

    Nigeria spends more money servicing debts, NASS, subsidy than on education – Ex-Kano Emir Sanusi

    A former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi, has slammed the Federal Government for failing to prioritise education in the country.

    According to him, one out of every six children are out of school in Nigeria.

    He said this at the 27th National Economic Summit in Abuja on Tuesday, adding that the leadership has to understand the need for development, especially in the education sector.

    “Where you are dealing with a country where 40% of the population is living in extreme poverty or 1 out of every 6 children in the world are out of school in this country, you cannot fix this problem without having a leadership that understands what development is,” the ex-CBN governor said.

    “Where are we spending our money? Does the Nigerian state even consider development as a critical priority? Forget the noise; where are we spending our money?

    “We spend more money on debt service, fuel subsidy, overheads, and the National Assembly than on education. We’re spending less money on education and healthcare than countries like Ghana are spending. We’re spending less money on R&D than countries like Kenya and Rwanda,” he added.

    According to him, if Nigeria does not understand that development is about human beings, everything will fall by the wayside.

    “So, the biggest accelerator is political; having a political leadership that understands that the state should be a developmental state and not a populist state,” he explained.

  • Zoning: Nigerians may end up choosing between two useless candidates in 2023 – Sanusi

    Zoning: Nigerians may end up choosing between two useless candidates in 2023 – Sanusi

    Former Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II has said zoning the exalted position of the president to either North or South may end up producing two useless leaders for the electorates to chose from in 2023.

    The former CBN boss explained that rather Nigeria needs a president who can deliver, irrespective of where he/she comes from.

    This is coming days after the northern governors and traditional rulers punctured the case made by their southern counterparts that the successor of President Muhammadu Buhari should come from their zone.

    Speaking on Arise Television on the nation independence in an interview monitored by TheNewsGuru.com, TNG, Sanusi said that zoning the presidency to a particular region may leave the country with “two useless candidates” in 2023.

    He said: “I have always objected to this idea that we should focus on where the president comes from.

    “We have got southern governors saying we want the presidency and some northern governors saying that they want it in the north. Have you noticed that nobody has given the name of what they want?

    “This whole thing is to corner the presidency to one part of the country and the big masquerade will come out.

    “And that is why at the end of the exercise, you end up as Nigeria… presented with two useless candidates. Those who want to be president should show their face either from the north or the south.

    “Meanwhile, we have before us very serious issues. You have a simple issue of electronic transmission of results which is designed to make the electoral process fairer and you have people saying that they do not want it, shamelessly announcing to the country that they want to rig. Why are we not talking about these issues?

    “The greatest weakness we have as a country is that we do not think. We are very smart when it comes to making money by doing our work but we do not apply critical intellect to… and these guys just take the entire country for a ride.

    “Give me a president from any part of the country who can deliver and we should vote for him. He is not taking the presidency to his hometown.”

  • Why Nigeria no longer deserves being called ‘Giant of Africa’ – Sanusi

    Why Nigeria no longer deserves being called ‘Giant of Africa’ – Sanusi

    Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor and immediate past Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, on Friday said Nigerian leaders should face reality and stop tagging the country as ‘Giant of Africa’.

    The former apex bank governor said the country’s economy is about to collapse totally because oil which he described in parable as the goose laying the ‘golden egg’ for the nation is about to die.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Sanusi who spoke at the closing of the Kaduna Investment Summit, tagged KadInvest 6.0 said aside the fact that Nigeria is having difficulties in oil production, the product is now being rejected in the global market, as there is no longer a future in carbon.

    The former CBN governor who pointed out that the future lies in knowledge based economy, which is the theme of the summit, however lamented that Nigeria is behind many African countries in innovation index and ranking 114th globally. He therefore noted that Nigeria should wake up to reality and stop calling herself ‘Giant of Africa’.

    He lamented that while Ghana with a smaller economy invests more in education, Nigeria spends only seven percent of its budget in that direction, saying that, only eight of every 100 Nigerians who start primary school, complete university education.

    According to him, “globally, work is being redefined. 30 to 40 per cent of workers in developed economies will need to significantly upgrade their skills by 2030. And what are the major drivers of this redefinition? ICT and remote working, which we have seen even here with COVID. There is increased automation and artificial intelligence. Very soon, robots will take over work in most countries and those who would have jobs are those who operate the robots or manufacture the robots or service the robots.

    “And you have decarbonisation. For us in Nigeria, the enclave economy that we have, the so-called goose that lays the golden egg is about to die. There will be no eggs. The future is not in the carbons.

    “A few months ago, Germany was able to produce enough renewable energy for the entire country’s needs. Today, we are having difficulties selling Nigerian oil. So, not only are we having problems to produce, even when we produce, the market is not there.

    “So, this is forcing a change, and for us as a country that depends on oil, things need to change.

    “Nigeria is ranked 114th in the global innovation index. We are lower than other African countries such as Kenya, Rwanda and Senegal. We are in fact ranked 14th in sub-Saharan Africa. I think we should have this reality check and know where we are as a country. Let’s stop calling ourselves the giant of Africa, because we are the giant with clay feet.

    “Countries like Kenya, Rwanda and Senegal are ahead of us. I am not even talking about South Africa. Our expenditure on education is only seven per cent of the budget. We are spending less on education than Ghana; I am not talking about as per percentage of the budget; in absolute terms, even though the Ghanaian economy is much smaller than the Nigerian economy, even though the Ghanaian government revenue is less than Nigeria’s revenue, Ghana is spending more on education than Nigeria.

    “And we are surprised that industries are moving to Ghana. We are surprised that the Ghanaian president has become the leading President in Africa? We are not investing in education and human capital.

    “We have a 68 per cent missing job requirement and the major areas being IT, communication and decision making. And the completion rate between entry into primary one and completing university is eight per cent, meaning that out of every 100 pupils who go into primary school, only eight come out of university. And out of those eight, nine percent, which is one of the eight, will get a job.

    “So, this is the reality in addition to what is happening globally. Now, digitization to level the playing field is required if we are deliberate and we shift from consumption to value creation. But, part of our problem is that even when we have the solution at our feet, we do not take it,” he said.