As the nation begins the evacuation of citizens fleeing the Russia-Ukraine war, President Muhammadu Buhari says his regime will continue to defend the interests of Nigerians wherever they may be.
According to his media aide Femi Adesina, the president made this claim on Thursday in Nairobi, Kenya, at a townhall meeting with a group of Nigerians living in the country.
“We will continue to defend the interests of all Nigerians, wherever they may be,” the government said.
Mr Buhari stated, “We have demonstrated this over time, as we have had cause to evacuate our citizens in danger abroad.”
“We did it in Libya, South Africa, and we’ve just started doing it in Ukraine, where tens of thousands of our citizens, particularly students, are trapped by the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine,” he added.
Mr Buhari, who was represented at the event by Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffery Onyeama, praised Nigerians in Kenya for their unity and peace with their host communities, urging them to follow the laws and be good ambassadors for the country.
An opinion piece titled, “Who is bankrolling Emefiele’s political campaigns?” by one Etim Etim is symptomatic of an emerging problem of cancel culture that is fast taking over in Nigeria. According to Wikipedia, “Cancel culture or call-out culture is a blanket term used to refer to a modern form of ostracism in which someone is thrust out of social or professional circles – whether it be online, on social media, or in person. Those subject to this ostracism are said to have been “cancelled”. The expression “cancel culture” has mostly negative connotations and is used in debates on free speech and censorship.”
Etim’s opinion piece also finds expression in the corrosive wokery and wokeism that is fast taking over the world and increasingly making free thought and free speech impossible let alone actions taken in good faith. The root word for wokery and wokeism is of coure the slang use of the word “woke” which Urban Dictionary defined as “A word illogical people use to band together to give their lives meaning. A community of people who seek to assert sexual exploitation, social injustice, and so on, into issues in which none of it exist just so they can feel like they belong to something superior.”
The referenced opinion piece is therefore a weak attempt at “canceling” Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), by a woke activist, who has elected to find something wrong to fight irrespective of what good is possible from what is under discourse. Etim’s perceived grouse in this instance is that there are paid advertisements asking Mr. Emefiele to join the contest for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 2023 presidential election. He went on to raise several issues, albeit on the wrong premises, which makes it necessary to correct some of the wrong impressions the writer created.
First, it is baffling that Etim decided to castigate Mr. Emefiele for the financing of the advertisements asking him to run for president when he was unable to prove that the CBN Governor caused the same to be published. It is not enough to cite nameless and faceless sources in a matter that is as grievous as abuse of office that the writer maliciously accused the Apex Bank Governor of. We are in an era where tracking financial flow is possible at the click of a few keypads, and this is in addition to the prospects offered by the Freedom of Information Act that could be leveraged. The writer could have asked to know if the CBN or its subsidiaries paid for the advertisements he referred to in his piece. If these cannot be proven then asserting that Mr. Emefiele is running a political campaign and paying for the messaging borders on criminal libel.
A flip side of the accusation of groups and farmers paying for the advertisements is that Etim wants the CBN to become an emergency dictator, who as the chief regulator of the nation’s financial sector, would gag individuals and organizations to prevent them from exercising the freedom of expression that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) guarantees. Etim did not prove that he was able to investigate the books of these farmers and organizations and was on account of that able to surmise that they were insolvent to the extent of not being able to spend money to sway someone who has aided their sector (agro) to contest for a higher office in the belief that he (Emefiele) would prioritize agriculture. That is something that would ultimately make farming profitable. For someone who wrote glibly about political communication, it is surprising that Etim is ignorant about how sectors and industries galvanize support for the candidate they know will advance their own interest, even in the western countries that the likes of Etim are quick to point out as glowing examples of democracy. That is the business side of politics.
Also, accusing Mr. Emefiele of not repudiating those asking him to contest for president is akin to entrapment. There is every likelihood that any response the CBN Governor makes on this subject matter would be twisted out of context and exploited for negative propaganda by those that are waiting for such opportunity. Rather than being condemned, Mr. Emefiele’s silence on this matter is to be commended. He has demonstrated the stoic silence expected of the office he presently occupies when the subject of the discourse is political.
Secondly, while the writer could have a point about the import of a CBN governor being dragged into politics, the way the concern was expressed smacked of someone that has been addicted for too long to a diet of CNN hogwash. The framing of the argument showed that the writer is hooked on the western concept of right and wrong. Nigeria presently faces unusual challenges and if taking the unusual measure of conscripting a sitting CBN Governor to drive the reforms initiated by the present administration further there should not be a problem with that. What right people should find worrisome is if Mr. Emefiele tries to turn down this call to patriotic duty based on certain rules about his CBN tenure and fear of how the likes of Etim will respond to his involvement in serving Nigeria in a higher capacity.
Furthermore, the writer admitted that he had in the past written in support of Emefiele, possibly eulogizing him, which is a red flag that should be investigated further. Usually, pay-for-hire hacks write such glowing tributes or articles in support of a public office holder in expectations of reciprocation; failure to be acknowledged in kind or by being given access usually cause the same writer who has written in glowing terms to turn on the public office holder by dishing out negative articles until the needful is done. Could this be the case with Etim? Would he suddenly begin to see the sterling qualities that have made people rout for the CBN Governor if something should drop to grease his palm?
The writer is right in the litany of names of former CBN top shots that have gone on to occupy higher offices or run for the office of president. This acknowledgment alone negates all the other points marshaled in his piece, which implies there was no point in penning the opinion if he wasted seven paragraphs to make tenuous points only to obliterate his own argument in the closing final paragraph.
One must nonetheless thank Etim for his efforts. There are key takeaways from the opinion article even though it was initially meant to “cancel” Mr. Emefiele as presidential material. One, the writer established the CBN Governor is a competent hand to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in view of the superlative performance and achievements he has recorded even before the end of his stay at the helm in CBN. Two, Mr. Emefiele is so desirable as Nigeria’s president that people in some sectors of the economy are willing to spend their hard-earned money to persuade him to run for president. And three, there are precedents of former CBN governors that have occupied elective office after their stint at the apex bank.
One is tempted to include the other points that the writer missed. The first is that in addition to his intimidating resume, Mr. Emefiele is from the south, to which many political parties are expected to zone their presidential tickets in the spirit of the informal rotational presidency practiced in the country. Incidentally, being from Delta state could be a plus as a choice of Emefiele would straddle the south-west and south-east, which would douse the tension over what part of southern Nigeria should produce the next president.
Secondly, compared to other names that are being mentioned as presidential hopefuls, Mr. Emefiele has age on his side – he is somewhere between the too young and too old aspirants that Nigerians are wary of. The other edges he has over aspirants that have so far shown interest are so numerous and convincing that they are best discussed in other articles.
In conclusion, Etim, and other people on his train should give up the toxic attempt to “cancel” Mr. Emefiele and focus on intervening in areas that genuinely require Nigerians to speak out. They must also note that the kind of vocal wokery they are trying to replicate in Nigeria is now being rejected in the countries where such used to be prevalent.
Ainoko is a public affairs analyst and wrote from Kaduna.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed a measles outbreak in eight states across the country.
The NCDC announced on Friday that Jigawa, Anambra, Katsina, Rivers, Enugu, Delta, Osun, and Sokoto are among the eight states affected, with 908 suspected cases reported so far.
Measles is a highly contagious virus infection that is very common among children.
Measles is characterized by red-brown blotchy rashes and cold-like symptoms.
Measles is spread through coughs and sneezes, and most people are infected before symptoms appear.
The Public Health Agency also stated that a measles outbreak was ongoing in Zamfara, but that it could not be confirmed due to a shortage of testing reagents.
It added that unvaccinated cases accounted for 58.7% of confirmed cases, and that as of 2021, a total of 15,792 suspected cases had been reported across 683 local government areas (LGAs) across the country.
“A total of 908 suspected cases have been reported in 29 states and the Federal Capital Territory so far this year.”
“A measles outbreak was reported in thirteen LGAs across eight states in 2022. Jigawa, Katsina, Rivers, Enugu, Anambra, Delta, Osun, and Sokoto are the states involved.
“A suspected measles outbreak is ongoing in Zamfara, but this is awaiting confirmation due to a lack of testing kits in the country.”
“Of the 908 suspected cases reported so far, 55.2 percent were from Borno, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara, and Anambra.” According to the report, “up to 58.7% of confirmed cases have not received a dose of measles vaccine.”
According to the NCDC, 100% of cases in Jigawa, Sokoto, Enugu, and Katsina were unvaccinated.
According to the agency, 54.4 percent in Borno, 50 percent in Akwa Ibom, 66.7 percent in Delta, 50 percent in Ekiti, 25 percent in Lagos, 83.3 percent in Osun, 8.3 percent in Oyo, and 50 percent in Rivers were not vaccinated.
“Of the 908 suspected cases reported, 88 were confirmed in the lab, 166 were clinically compatible, 148 were discarded, and 506 are still being classified,” it added.
According to NAN, 67,000 cases of measles were reported across the country between January and August 2021.
The number of measles cases in the previous year was 9,300.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 140,000 deaths from measles were recorded worldwide in 2018, with the majority of deaths occurring in countries with low income and inadequate health facilities
An illegal petrol marketer and his wife died in Jos as a result of the country’s ongoing fuel shortage.
The couple were killed on Thursday when a fire broke out in their home in the Zawan community of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau, where Mr Gideon Pam had hoarded petrol.
“Pam runs an illegal petrol business at Zawan Junction,” an eye witness and neighbor, Miss Shantel Alphonsus, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
“He was called upon to get more supplies from a fuel station in the morning, so he rushed back home to get some empty gallons to stockpile scarce gasoline.”
“In an attempt to empty some of the gallons that had fuel in them, a fire broke out in the kitchen where the gallons were kept, trapping Pam.”
“His wife, Mercy, had gone out earlier and returned to find the house filled with smoke.
“She went into the house to save her husband, but she became trapped in the blaze as well,” Alphonsus explained.
She went on to say that the couple left behind a four-month-old baby who had been taken away by Pam’s mother during a previous visit.
Mr Caleb Polit, Director of the Plateau Fire Service, confirmed the incident and expressed regret that the couple had been burned beyond recognition and that the house had been razed before firefighters arrived.
The Federal Government has named Emeritus Professor Nimi Briggs to lead a renegotiation team with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on the 2009 Agreement.
Malam Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education, announced the committee’s reconstitutions on Thursday in Abuja, as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to get striking University lecturers back to work.
In a statement, Mr Ben. Bem Goong, Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, quoted the Minister as saying that all outstanding issues in the 2009 agreement must be resolved quickly in order to achieve the desired industrial peace on Nigerian campuses.
The team will be inaugurated by the Minister on Monday, March 7, 2022, in Abuja, he said.
The following are the members of the reconstituted 2009 FGN/University-Based Unions Agreements renegotiation team, according to the statement: Chairman: Prof. Emeritus Nimi Briggs (Provost, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo).
Arc. Lawrence Patrick Ngbale (Pro-Chancellor, Federal University) is one of the other members. Prof. Funmi Togunu-Bickersteth (Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi) -Member (South West) and Sen. Chris Adighije (Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi) -Member (North East). Lokoja is a member of the Lokoja group (South East).
Prof. Olu Obafemi (Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna) – member (North-Central); Prof. Zubairu Iliyasu (Pro-Chancellor, Kano State University of Science and Technology) – member (North West); and Barr. Matthew B. Seiyefa, mni (Pro-Chancellor, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island) – member (North-West) (South-South)
“The inauguration is expected to be attended by all advisers and observers in the Federal Government/University-based Unions 2009 agreements Re-negotiation Team,” Goong said.
On February 14, 2022, ASUU began a one-month strike in protest of the government’s failure to implement the Memorandum of Action it signed with the Union.
ASUU’s demands include adequate funding for public university revitalization, earned academic allowances, Universities Transparency Accountability Solutions (UTAS), promotion arrears, renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU/FG agreement, and inconsistencies in the Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System Payment (IPPIS).
Some youths from the north have advocated for power shift to the south ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The group, under the aegis of Northern Youths for Good Governance, in a statement on Thursday, said it has adopted renowned philanthropist, Amb. Funmi Ayinke, as its consensus presidential candidate.
In the statement signed by its president, Comrade Ibrahim Abdulsalami, the group said of all aspirants from the south, Ayinke thicks all the boxes even though she is yet to formally declare her intention to contest.
Abdulsalami said the north is impressed with Ayinke’s credible disposition to growth and development of the country ably “evident in her track record that speaks volumes of an unparalleled and committed Nigerian burning with a passion for contributing her quota to the entrenchment of democracy as well as availing Nigerians the dividends of democracy”.
He further noted that “she is a round peg in a round hole, and only her can galvanize the needed votes across the north as a southern candidate”.
The northern group, therefore urged the south to embrace their own and endorse Ayinke for president.
Read full statement below:
The Northern Youths for Good Governance is issuing this press statement in light of the prevailing circumstances with regards to the 2023 general elections in the country.
There have been various agitations for power shift to the Southern part of the country, which has its merits given the need for an equitable representation in governance in the country.
We hold the firm view that the southern part of the country has contributed immensely to the sustenance of democracy in the country, the undeniable fact that the region is deserving of a shot at governance at the highest level.
In the light of the above and the prevailing circumstances, we wish to inform members of the general public of our endorsement of Ambassador Funmi Ayinke as a suitable candidate for the presidency from the Southern region.
We are impressed with her credible disposition to growth and development of the country, which has been ably evident in her track record that speaks volumes of an unparalleled and committed Nigerian burning with a passion for contributing her quota to the entrenchment of democracy as well as availing Nigerians the dividends of democracy.
We wish to state that Ambassador Funmi Ayinke indeed has what it takes to turn the country’s fortunes around for good, given her track record of the industry, intelligence and patriotism over the years that have witnessed tangible gains in service to the country.
That Ambassador Funmi Ayinke has indicated an interest in the presidency of Nigeria is indeed a piece of cheering news that should elicit the much-needed support from the nook and cranny of the country.
The Northern Youths for Governance believes she is a round peg in a round hole, and only her can galvanize the needed votes across the north as a southern candidate. She is at home with our brothers and sisters from all parts of the country, including the northern part of the country. Her philanthropic activities have been intensely felt.
We believe that the various stakeholders from the Southern part of the country need to take their power shift agitation seriously by quickly convening a gathering that would article the necessity for adopting the zoning of political offices in Nigeria.
This is on the heels that Ambassador Funmi Ayinke has in her kitty an impressive track record in administration and leadership which are necessary criteria for anyone desirous of leading the country at the highest level.
We wish to state that Ambassador Funmi Ayinke has all it takes to lead this country. She has displayed a solid commitment to developing our teeming youthful population. She is adored by our youths and women who have benefited immensely from her wealth of experience in ways too numerous to mention.
The Northern Youths for Good Governance sees Ambassador Funmi Ayinke as a detribalized Nigeria. She knows no religion or ethnicity in all her endeavours. We must admit that Nigeria needs a leader who would serve as a uniting factor in the country.
We, therefore, call on all well-meaning individuals and groups to adopt Ambassador Funmi Ayinke as the consensus candidate for the Office of President of Nigeria. Her towering personality and credentials are impressive and needed in this critical point of our existence.
The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has demanded that Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna, have his degree certificates revoked immediately.
El-Rufai earned a first-class degree in Quantity Surveying from ABU in 1976.
The resolution was reached at the end of the Union’s congress meeting on March 2, 2022, according to Comrade Hussein Abdullahi, Secretary of the Union, which represents lecturers.
ASUU was surprised, he said, that the governor could forcefully seize ABU’s land in Mando, Kaduna, an action he described as a “utter disregard of an order by a competent court of law.”
“He forcibly took over land belonging to Ahmadu Bello University, a historic and premier university in the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Abdullahi said.
The Congress also decided to “visit the Mando College of Agriculture and Animal Science, where the lands are located, to register its protest over the illegal land seizure,” according to Abdullahi.
He said, “We have issued an advisory to relevant organs of Ahmadu Bello University to formally withdraw the degree certificates awarded to Nasir Elrufai by the University because his many actions are in violation of the requirements in character and learning deemed worthy of an ABU degree award.”
As of the time of filing this report, the governor had not responded to the development.
The Special Adviser to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), Femi Adesina, has stated that the challenges Nigerians face with Premium Motor Spirit, also known as gasoline, are not new in the country.
Nigerians have had difficulty purchasing the commodity since the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited imported contaminated petrol into the country in February.
According to our previous correspondence, oil marketers estimated that about 100 million litres of contaminated gasoline were imported into Nigeria and had been recalled by the NNPC’s Pipelines Product Marketing Company.
The recall resulted in long lines in Abuja, Lagos, Niger, Nasarawa, and other states, with motorists and other PMS users crowding the few petrol outlets that dispensed products.
Many other filling stations had closed due to a lack of products to sell, while black marketers greeted motorists on major highways in Abuja and Lagos, selling products at higher prices to interested customers.
However, in response to the crisis, Adesina stated that Nigerians faced similar challenges prior to the presidency of Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd. ), and that fuel shortages were a common occurrence in the country.
In an article titled “Knock, Knock,” the presidential spokesman revealed this. Who’s There,’ which he posted on his official Facebook page on Thursday, adding that Nigerians had slept in petrol stations while queuing for fuel on multiple occasions.
“It’s obviously not the easiest of times in our country right now,” the article said, “with severe fuel scarcity exacerbating the other existential challenges we’ve been dealing with.” There is no fuel and no electricity in some areas, resulting in a severe energy crisis.”
While acknowledging that the fuel crisis has worsened Nigerians’ living conditions, Adesina stated that the Buhari administration is working diligently to restore normalcy.
“In the past, there have been instances of bad fuel in this country. We slept at petrol stations for days, even weeks, while waiting for fuel. We made it through. We’ll pull it off again. Las las.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has swiftly approved $8.5 million for the evacuation of Nigerians in Ukraine. Good. That’s what a caring father does for his children when they’re in trouble. He’s also working around the clock to ensure that the country has fuel, power, infrastructure, and all of life’s necessities.
“I’ve come to knock, ring, and tap on your door today to remind you that life in our country isn’t all doom and gloom. There’s always a glint of light, no matter how overcast the sky is.”
“Fuel shortages will ebb and flow. There will be an end to the energy crisis. Nigerians who value good things will gradually be made happy, according to Adesina.
