News
2019 presidency: Oshiomhole under fire for saying Buhari, Osinbajo were amazing on NTA live interview
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has come under serious attack from Nigerians for describing the performance of President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, during their live interview on NTA last night, as “amazing.”
The former Labour leader was vehemently attacked by Twitter users after he posted “Amazing performance from both Mr President Buhari and VP Osinbajo. The team we trust to take us to the #NextLevel . #NgTheCandidates.”
President Buhari and Osinbajo’s performance at the interview aired on NTA had received wide range of criticism and some Twitter users wondered why the former Edo State Governor would think otherwise.
Here are some reactions:
@nuhu_jothan, “This one will just be saying rubish…..Go sleep if u don’t know what to say.”
@aniekogba_M, “You people have started again, we all watched it live and saw all that transpired, what was the amazing performance now? Please stop misbehaving.
@davidwhytsax, “God forbid. Truly this man is just coming back from Jupiter. Oga talk true are you happy with your conscience after typing this?”
@Phrancess, “Sir I grew up having so much faith in the great and competent leadership quality you exercise while you were NLC president, why in God’s name would you say tonight performance was amazing? We trust leaders like you don’t get in position as this..”
@IsaacUdoh13, “The same kinda judgement he had then, that brought our our labour system down. Shame!.”
@Rajaphilose,”Amazing?? Are you sure you watch the same interview as I did?? Only star boy was speaking English…”
@Abiaspecialist, “Adams was on the edge throughout the interview and is only celebrating damage limitation this night.”
@Poskey18, “Keep clapping for the incompetence of your master. Is it not the same interview that we all watched? Keep deceiving and don’t tell him the bitter truth. Baba have tried his best, but his best is not enough. So let him step aside.”
@Goddyiro, “With due respect, check that response on why the President said he wanted another 4 years. Just because the party nominated him and not cos he love Nigeria or has a second term agenda. This calls for sober reflection, not blind support.”
@Jiokeoyeka, “My simple response to pres. Buhari’s response is that he is not incharge, & he doesnt give orders as d CIC. Cabals have taken over d running of the country.”
@Ikorahl, “You Evil A.p.C allowed the Vice presidential debate to hold and denying 180million Nigerians to watch the debate of presidential aspirants…when a man Marr ys with wives then, he knows the good one…A.P.C is a bad wife 180million Nigerians Married…No good Objective s…noting.”
@davoe005, “Amazing indeed.Amazing kee u there Osho Baba. They both debated against Thin Air and their prepaid audience, struggled and failed. If this is Amazing to Osho Baba, I dare say NO to Mediocrity, sycophancy in this failed Leadership.We can always get better beyond this present team as a Nation.”
News
Two-Thirds of Nigerians Can’t Afford Healthy Meals — NBS
A recent survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has highlighted the severe economic challenges faced by Nigerian households, revealing that two-thirds of the population struggle to afford healthy and nutritious meals. The survey, titled Nigeria General Household Survey – Panel (GHS-Panel) Wave 5 (2023/2024), underscores the worsening multidimensional poverty and the erosion of purchasing power due to the persistent rise in the cost of goods and services.
The report shows that approximately 63.8% of households have been forced to eat only a few kinds of food due to financial constraints. About 62.4% of respondents admitted worrying about food insufficiency, while 60.5% ate less than they thought they should. The situation has deteriorated significantly since the last survey, as the proportion of households expressing food insecurity concerns rose from 36.9% in the previous wave to 62.4% in the current one.
Power Outages and Access to Energy
The survey also sheds light on the nation’s energy crisis, revealing that Nigerian households experience an average of 6.7 power blackouts per week. While 82.2% of urban households have access to electricity, the figure drops to 40.4% in rural areas.
Cooking remains predominantly dependent on traditional methods, with 65% of households using three-stone stoves and 70.2% relying on firewood. However, the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is reportedly increasing.
Sanitation and Asset Ownership
In terms of sanitation, the report highlights that many households still lack basic toilet facilities, relying on bushes or streets for waste disposal. Access to clean drinking water is often through tube wells or boreholes, reflecting a lack of formal infrastructure in many areas.
On asset ownership, the survey indicates a decline since 2018/19. While two-thirds of households own mobile phones, only 21.3% have internet access. Housing ownership remains significant, with 70.4% of households owning their homes—80.1% in rural areas compared to 49.1% in urban centers.
The NBS report provides a stark reminder of the challenges many Nigerians face daily, from food insecurity and power outages to inadequate sanitation and declining asset ownership. It calls for urgent policy interventions to address these critical issues and improve the living standards of the population.
News
Ford Trims Workforce: 4,000 Jobs to Go in Europe
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
News
Tinubu Dissolves UNIZIK Council, Sacks VC, Registrar, Otukpo Pro-Chancellor
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
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