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2019: Buhari queries youths’ readiness to actively lead Nigeria

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SENATOR Abdulfatai Buhari representing Oyo North Senatorial District on Monday queried the youths’ readiness to actively participate in politics just as he expressed concerns over the newly enacted law – ‘Not too young to run’.

Refreshing your memory, the clamour for the younger generation to vie for elective offices in Nigeria got a major boast few months ago when a bill to amend the age requirements to run for office ‘Not too young to run bill’ was laid on the floor of the Senate on July 20th,2017 by the Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and was later passed into law by the Senate on 26th July, 2017 and 27th July, 2017 by the House of Representatives respectively.

The lawmaker, Buhari stated this at a public lecture organised by the National body of the Federation of Oyo State Students Union (FOSSU) held at the Assembly Hall, The Polytechnic Ibadan.

According to the Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cybercrime there are fears over readiness of youths to take over from the elders as there are questions over whether they have political sagacity to challenge the elders and whether they possess the experience or the wherewithal to deliver.

In his lecture entitled: The Not Too Young To Rule Movement: Issues, Challenges and Prospects in View, Senator Buhari alerted Nigerian youths to the fact that “they need to equip themselves intellectually through training and retraining because leadership positions require sound education and a lot of experience”.

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Speaking further, he urged them to take more and meaningful advantage of the internet and social media other than their present arrogance, uncoordinated and unproductive usage.

In his words, “in contrast, today Nigeria youths have lost focus and been relegated to ordinary internet warriors, e-rats, fraudsters and political thugs arguing subjectively, illogically and irrationally in support of their pay masters, ethic and religious colouration. Instead of using it as strength, they have turned it to triviality and use it to blackmail, defraud and all sort of immoralities”.

Senator Buhari also noted that the agitation for the younger generation to vie for elective offices in Nigeria got a major boost few months ago when a bill to amend the age requirement to run for office was passed into law by National Assembly.

In addition, he said the bill has paved way for a new Nigeria where younger people can run for elective positions and participate actively in decision making and nation building, stressing that a society that prepares its youths for the sake of the future aspirations will not only secure her future development but will prepare her next set of leaders with challenges of national unity and development.

He lamented that there are more than 20 African leaders that are aged above 70 years, describing African and mostly Nigerian youths as their own worst enemies. “Looking at their percentage and their numerical strength, they ought to be dictating who gets what, when and how in our political space but are not coordinated and lacks the political will to challenge the elders”.

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Charging the youths to position themselves and show leadership qualities, emphasising that power is not served a la carte, Buhari, however enjoined the elders to handover the batton of leadership to the younger generation.

Also, in his remarks, the Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Musa Abdulwasi, who was chairman of the occasion, promised that the House of Assembly will vote overwhelmingly for ‘Not Too Young to Run bill’ when the legislative process begins.

In his closing remarks, the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, who was ably represented by his Special Assistant on Students, Fatima Hassan commended the students for organising such a programme that could spur youths into leadership. Ajimobi said the government would always put student matters at the fore front of policy decisions.

The event marking this year’s 57th Independence anniversary had in attendance, the Caretaker Chairman of Itesiwaju Local Government, Hon. Niyi Adeagbo; former Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Media, Dr Festus Adedayo; Special Assistant to the Governor on Statistics, Ayuba Mayowa; Caretaker Chairman, Ogbomoso South West LCDA, Hon. Adeyemo Adedeji Abiodun; Former Chief of Staff, Razak Gbadegesin among others.

 

 

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National Issues

16 Governors Back State Police Amid Security Concerns

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In response to the escalating security challenges plaguing Nigeria, no fewer than 16 state governors have thrown their weight behind the establishment of state police forces.

This development was disclosed by the National Economic Council (NEC) during its 140th meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, which took place virtually on Thursday.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, who briefed State House Correspondents after the meeting, revealed that out of the 36 states, 20 governors and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were yet to submit their positions on the matter, though he did not specify which states were among them.

The governors advocating for state police also pushed for a comprehensive review of the Nigerian Constitution to accommodate this crucial reform. Their move underscores the urgency and gravity of the security situation across the nation.

Similarly, the NEC received an abridged report from the ad-hoc committee on Crude Oil Theft Prevention and Control. This committee, headed by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, highlighted the areas of oil leakages within the industry and identified instances of infractions.

Governor Uzodinma’s committee stressed the imperative of political will to drive the necessary changes and reforms needed to combat crude oil theft effectively.

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National Issues

Weak Institutions Impede Nigeria’s Sustainable Development – Says US Don

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Renowned academician, Professor Augustine Okereke, from the Medgar Evers College/City University of New York, has emphasised the detrimental impact of a lack of strong social institutions on Nigeria’s sustainable development.

Presenting a lead paper at the First Annual Ibadan Social Science Conference hosted by the University of Ibadan, Professor Okereke urged President Bola Tinubu to foster robust institutions capable of combatting corruption and addressing social ills.

“All our institutions are on the decline,” warned Professor Okereke, underscoring the urgent need for effective structures to facilitate sustainable development. He highlighted the challenges faced by African countries, emphasising the risk of continued poverty, underemployment, and injustice without these foundational structures.

The Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ibadan, Professor Ezebunwa Nwokocha, asserted the university’s commitment to providing intellectual, context-specific solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.

He called on state and federal governments to patronise researchers in the country, emphasising the faculty’s reputation for producing intellectual leaders.

Professor Nwokocha stated, “Our faculty is reputed for offering deeply intellectual, workable, and context-specific solutions to the challenges faced by Nigeria over the ages.” He emphasised the significance of the conference’s theme in aiding Nigeria’s navigation through its complex existential reality marked by despair, rising inflation, insecurity, corruption, and unemployment.

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During the conference’s opening, Vice Chancellor Professor Kayode Adebowale noted the relevance of the theme, “Social Science, Contemporary Social Issues, and the Actualization of Sustainable Development,” urging participants to generate transformative ideas for Nigeria.

Acknowledging the nation’s progress over 63 years, he expressed concern over setbacks in the economy and social indices, hoping the conference would proffer solutions.

In his keynote address, Professor Lai Erinosho stressed the rapid worldwide social change in the digital age, citing both benefits and unanticipated consequences for human survival. He cautioned against embracing same-sex relationships, citing dangerous implications for humanity.

The First Annual Ibadan Social Science Conference convened a diverse array of participants to explore solutions and intellectual leadership in addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges.

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National Issues

Nigerians’ Wallets Under Strain As Inflation Soars to 28.92%

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As the country grapples with economic challenges, the latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed a surge in the inflation rate to 28.92%, according to the December 2023 Consumer Price Index (CPI) released on a Monday afternoon.

The CPI, tracking the fluctuation in prices of goods and services, illustrates a notable increase from the previous month’s 28.20%, underscoring the pressing concerns surrounding the nation’s economic stability.

In a recent report, the Statistics Office revealed a notable uptick in the headline inflation rate for December 2023, marking a 0.72 percentage point increase from the previous month’s figure in November 2023.

On a year-on-year basis, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) highlighted a significant surge, with the December 2023 rate standing at 7.58 percentage points higher compared to the corresponding period in 2022.

December 2022 witnessed an inflation rate of 21.34 percent, underscoring the economic dynamics at play.

“This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in December 2023 when compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., December 2022),” NBS said.

In a further revelation, the bureau disclosed that the month-on-month headline inflation rate for December 2023 experienced a 2.29 percent surge, surpassing November 2023 by 0.20 percent. This indicates a swifter rise in the average price level compared to the preceding month.

The report highlighted a concerning acceleration in food inflation, reaching 33.93 percent on a year-on-year basis for December 2023. This marked a substantial 10.18 percent points increase from December 2022’s rate of 23.75 percent. The data underscores the persistent upward trend in food prices, a trend exacerbated by various government policies, including the removal of subsidies on petrol.

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Notably, in July 2023, President Tinubu declared a State of Emergency on food insecurity to address the escalating food prices. Taking decisive action, the President mandated that issues related to food and water availability and affordability fall under the jurisdiction of the National Security Council, recognising these as essential livelihood items in need of urgent attention.

In Monday’s inflation report, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) detailed the key contributors to the year-on-year increase in the headline index. The leading factors include food & non-alcoholic beverages at 14.98 percent, housing water, electricity, gas & other fuel at 4.84 percent, clothing & footwear at 2.21 percent, and transport at 1.88 percent.

Additional contributors encompass furnishings & household equipment & maintenance (1.45 percent), education (1.14 percent), health (0.87 percent), miscellaneous goods & services (0.48 percent), restaurant & hotels (0.35 percent), alcoholic beverages, tobacco & kola (0.31 percent), recreation & culture (0.20 percent), and communication (0.20 percent).

The report highlighted a substantial 24.66 percent change in the average Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the twelve months ending December 2023 over the previous twelve-month period. This represents a significant 5.81 percent increase compared to the 18.85 percent recorded in December 2022, indicating ongoing inflationary pressures in the economy.

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Food Inflation

In a concerning trend, the food inflation rate for December 2023 surged to 33.93 percent on a year-on-year basis, marking a substantial 10.18 percent points increase from the same period in 2022, when the rate stood at 23.75 percent.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) attributed this rise in food inflation to notable increases in the prices of various essential items. Key contributors include bread and cereals, oil and fat, potatoes, yam, and other tubers, fish, meat, fruit, milk, cheese, and eggs.

These price hikes collectively contributed to the intensified strain on consumers, highlighting the complex dynamics driving the upward trajectory of food prices.

“On a month-on-month basis, the Food inflation rate in December 2023 was 2.72 percent, this was 0.30 percent higher compared to the rate recorded in November 2023 (2.42 percent),” it said.

Clarifying the dynamics behind the recent uptick, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) explained that the month-on-month increase in food inflation for December 2023 was spurred by a heightened rate of escalation in the average prices of oil and fat, meat, bread, and cereals, potatoes, yam, and other tubers, as well as fish and dairy products like milk, cheese, and eggs.

“The average annual rate of food inflation for the twelve months ending December 2023 over the previous twelve-month average was 27.96 percent, which was a 7.02 percent points increase from the average annual rate of change recorded in December 2022 (20.94 percent),” the report added.

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