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Sunday, March 10, 2024

Tinubu to decide on border reopening.

Tinubu to decide on border reopening.



The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, on Saturday, said that only President Bola Tinubu has the prerogative to reopen the borders in the country.

He stated this during an interaction session with members of the Kongolam border community in Mai’adua Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Adeniyi, who was reacting to agitations for the reopening of the borders, assured that engagements and consultations were being held regarding the issue.

“Once consultations are concluded, a decision will be taken on the matter,” he said.

Continuing, Adeniyi assured that the Service will focus on removing obstacles militating against free trade in line with the present administration’s agenda of fostering economic prosperity.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that CG maintained that proactive measures had been employed to reduce the number of checkpoints along the border posts and promote synergy between the Service personnel and traders.

“We are conscious of the concerns of the border communities, particularly with regard to the number of checkpoints and the closure of land borders.

“I assure you that our operations are always guided by law, and we only operate on delegated powers.

“We have communicated the concerns and complaints by residents of the border communities to the President and because he has listening ears he directed that we should release confiscated food items, on the condition that they will only be sold in the Nigerian markets,” he said.

Adeniyi, who also visited former President Muhammad Buhari and the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruq-Umar, disclosed that the Service is collaborating with the Police and other sister agencies to address obstacles militating against free trade in the border areas.

“We know that there are markets around our borders, and we know that not all of them are targeted at taking goods across the borders.

“We will continue to monitor and ensure that food produced in Nigeria remains and is consumed in Nigeria. This is because we are in a period of national emergency that has to do with food insufficiency.

“And that is why we must collectively work together to assist the government to enforce the various laws prohibiting exportation of food items at this time,” he stressed.

RMAFC blames high cost of governance for slow economic growth.

RMAFC blames high cost of governance for slow economic growth.



The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission has lamented the current high cost of governance.

The Commission noted that the high cost of governance was responsible for the reduction in the provision of infrastructure and social services and the consequent fall in investment, high-level unemployment and rising insecurity in the country.

It also attributed the high cost of governance to several factors, including the expensive presidential system, a bloated bureaucracy with overlapping ministries, and widespread corruption.

The commission in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Nwachukwu Christian in Abuja on Sunday, said the issues are draining public resources and hindering economic development, adding that no society can make meaningful progress unless it develops a competent and cost-effective management system capable of maximising the nation’s resources to the benefit of all.

The statement read, “The problem of the cost of governance is responsible for the reduction in the provision of infrastructure and social services and the consequent fall in investment, high-level unemployment and rising insecurity in the country adding that no society can make meaningful progress unless it develops a competent and cost-effective management system capable of maximising the nation’s resources to the benefit of all.

“The RMAFC Boss also noted that the cost of governance over the years has been very high and alarming and therefore unsustainable as recurrent expenditure continues to significantly exceed capital expenditure thus negatively impacting investment, industrial expansion, infrastructural development and growth of the real sectors of the economy.”

“The high cost of governance in Nigeria was caused by the expensive nature of the presidential system of government, large bureaucracy, duplication of government ministries, departments and agencies and endemic corruption. Other factors were the high cost of public service delivery due to infrastructure failure, high-security costs as a result of insurgencies, kidnappings, ethnoreligious agitations and armed robbery, multiple salaries and severance allowances; extravagant activities and expenditures, high domestic and foreign debts and weak enforcement institutions.”

Nwachukwu made the comments in reaction to the Federal Executive Council’s adoption of the Oronsanye Committee Report as a way of curbing the high cost of governance through the restructuring and rationalisation of Federal agencies, parastatals and commissions.

President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government announced on February 28, 2024, that parts of the recommendations in the 12-year-old Oronsaye report would be implemented.

The 800-page report recommended that 263 of the statutory agencies be slashed to 161; 38 agencies be scrapped; 52 be merged and 14 be reverted to departments in various ministries, among others. In the report, the commission is expected to be subsumed with the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.

The RMAFC spokesperson who commended the Tinubu administration for embracing the Oronsanye Report as a blueprint for streamlining government agencies, further stated that the report’s full implementation can significantly reduce administrative costs, freeing up funds for vital infrastructure projects that benefit Nigerians directly.

According to him, the imbalance hurts the real sectors of the economy, ultimately impacting the lives of everyday Nigerians.

“The Chairman of the Commission expressed optimism that the wholesale adoption of the Oronsanye report by President Tinubu’s administration was laudable as it was capable of drastically reducing the cost of governance that would conserve funds for infrastructural development which would impact positively on the lives of the citizens.”

Speaking on the current fiscal and monetary reforms being undertaken by the administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the RMAFC spokesperson explained that the policies of prioritizing price and exchange rate stability to promote sustainable economic growth and safeguarding the livelihoods of Nigerians are quite commendable.

According to him, such policies will play a crucial role in cushioning the impact of hyperinflation on the economy. “The RMAFC sees price stability and exchange rate stability as good policies in the right direction. The price stability preserves the purchasing power of the national currency, provides confidence to the investors and assists the citizenry to plan their spending and savings more effectively”.

Nwachukwu further advised that the committee overseeing the Oronsaye Report’s implementation consider agencies established since the report’s initial publication in 2014 to ensure a comprehensive overhaul that maximizes savings for infrastructure development.

He called on the federal government and states to use the increased allocations from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee wisely.

“These additional funds should be used to provide adequate support to the Nigerian people, particularly those struggling with the effects of subsidy removal,” he said.

The commission urged the government to strengthen cooperation between monetary and fiscal authorities stressing that by effective cooperation and implementing the Oronsaye Report alongside ongoing structural reforms, Nigeria can achieve a more stable exchange rate, control inflation, and create a more business-friendly environment for all.

Kwara Gov approves bursary, scholarship for indigenes.

Kwara Gov approves bursary, scholarship for indigenes.




Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved the disbursement of the 2023/2024 Bursary and 2022/2023 Scholarship Award to the state indigenes in tertiary institutions owned by state and federal governments.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner, Kwara State Ministry of Tertiary Education, Dr. Mary Arinde, in a statement posted on the state’s official X handle on Sunday.

According to the statement, only indigenes of Kwara State who are final-year students attending government-owned, state, and federal, institutions are eligible to apply.

The statement read, “His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kwara State Malam #RealAARahman CON has given approval for the payment of the 2023/2024 Bursary and 2022/2023 Scholarship Award to Kwara State indigenes in Tertiary Institutions owned by State and Federal Government.

“Only final year Students of Kwara State indigenes in Governments (State and Federal) Tertiary Institutions are eligible.

“All interested applicants are given Two (2) weeks from Monday, 11th March 2024 to apply for this year’s Bursary and Scholarship Award.

“Registration for this Bursary and Scholarship Award closes on Sunday, 24th March 2024.”

According to the statement, those interested in the bursary should register by logging on to https://scholarship.kw.gov.ng and following the registration procedure.

Focus on governance, Diri urges political leaders.

Focus on governance, Diri urges political leaders.



The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has urged the political class in the state to sink their political differences and jettison petty jealousies in the interest of the unity and development of the state.

Diri, who spoke at the grand reception in honour of some eminent sons and a daughter of the state from the Ekeremor Local Government Area held at the Ekeremor community pavilion on Saturday, said politics was over and it was time for governance.

The governor and his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, were sworn in for their second term in office on February 14, 2024, following their victory at the November 11, 2023 governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Among those honoured were the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri; the state representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Denyanbofa Dimaro; a member of the board of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Mrs Bekearedebo Warrens; a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kemasuode Wodu; and Mr Felix Okorotie, who were both conferred with the legal title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

The governor, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Daniel Alabrah, on Sunday, stressed that the time for politicking was over and urged the people, irrespective of political differences, to rally around his administration to accelerate the pace of development.

He claimed that his administration was building a new Bayelsa where political boundaries would not hinder the sustainable development of the state.

Diri, who expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for appointing illustrious sons and a daughter of the state into various positions of trust in his administration, also appreciated the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, for his role in the appointment of Lokpobiri as a minister.

He said, “This is not the time for PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) or APC (All Progressives Congress). Politics is over. It is time for governance. We do not have party differences in Bayelsa but what we have is the development of our state and Nigeria at large. Let us jettison petty jealousies and join hands to develop our state so that it will grow from strength to strength.

“The persons appointed have what it takes to represent Bayelsa. Under Senator Lokpobiri as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, we will see a different kind of representation. We need to partner with the NDDC and the Delta State government to build a bridge across both states. We need to also partner with the NDDC to take the Ekeremor road to Agge. We need this road infrastructure for easy movement of our people.

“On behalf of the government and people of Bayelsa State, l thank President Bola Tinubu for making these appointments possible. Aside from God and the president, l also thank the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for contributing to the appointment of Senator Lokpobiri as minister.”

Diri also assured the people that the construction work on the Nembe-Brass road in Bayelsa East senatorial district would continue and hinted that the Federal Government had indicated interest in the project.

The Winning Pathway: A Blueprint for Success in Politics and Governance.

The Winning Pathway: A Blueprint for Success in Politics and Governance.
By Leye Toyese



This paper encapsulates over 15 years of work, comprising findings, experiences, and suggestions or potential measures aimed at enabling a serious political party, government, or movement to secure victory in elections at every conceivable level and, more importantly, to win the hearts of the people and steer the country towards a positive trajectory. This study was conducted based on firsthand experiences living in rural areas in Ekiti State, engaging in discussions, and staying informed about developments across the country.




The best political party/movement/administration is one that fosters a sense of belonging among all citizens. The key is to engage in activities or programs that make everyone, including opposition members and politically neutral individuals, feel included. The following areas should be targeted for improvement or reorientation:
●Transportation 
●The youth 
●The Aged 
●Schools 
●Farmers 
●Herdsmen 
●National feeding.



The primary objective is to unite everyone under a particular political party, with even opposition members who genuinely desire a better Nigeria eventually coming on board. Below are detailed proposals for achieving these objectives:

The main aim is to capture everyone under a particular political party, and before one realises it , even the oppositions who truly want a greater Nigeria will have a turnaround. 

1. The FG needs less than 4 billion naira to procure 30 Marcopolo luxurious buses for each state, at an average price of 120 million each, totalling less than 150 billion naira spent across 36 states plus the FCT. Calculate the cost of maintaining them per month and 70 to 80% be paid by the FG and another 10% by the SGs and the remaining 10% from the IGR from their usage, at a very subsidised rate, note that 10% may sometimes be lower, depending on patronage transportation is central to the problems created by subsidy removal, once solved the immediate effect is the "trickle down effect" that gets to the common market women. One spends at least 2k daily going to Ido-Ekiti from Ado and back, 10K per week for non-core-health workers, and 14K for the core health workers. It only means once one gets home, one gulps his garri and goes to sleep. If subsidised buses are available at 600 naira to 1K per day, one can buy efo rorowo, iru woro, ata gungun e.t.c while going home. That way, one is better fed, has some strength for an uncertain tomorrow, and the mama alata has got some change to transact with these are the short-term benefits. This transportation idea should continue for as long as the fuel issue can be resolved or the intended gains can be palpated. In the long run, we can start parking our cars at home and start using the buses regularly, like is being practised in the developed but prudent countries. The percentage maintenance costs, at this time, can then be reviewed. The question that comes to mind,as asked on a forum, is: What becomes of the commercial drivers? They are mostly registered, and we do not intend to take their daily meals off their tables. Arrangements can be made for them to be getting subsidised fuel at designated filling stations. In the long run, attention will also be given to our roads as that will reduce the cost of maintaining these luxurious buses.

2. Youth Makes Decision (YMD) or Youth Decides (YD): 
The idea is to have youth committees across all local governments in every state. 
State executive members are put in place and will be the ones to relate with, on behalf of the government, with the local coordinators. 
The local coordinators would be the ones to relate and explore the needs of every community in the LG. The Kabiyesis, emirs, and religious leaders will be carried along by those coordinators. 
For instance, the youths in various schools can be assisted with books and foodstuffs periodically. The okada riders can be assisted with building okada 
stops at the locations of their choices. As more accidents have occurred with okada riding, we can totally ban okadas after providing the registered ones with tricycles, which are more in obedience with the law of equilibrium and so more accident-free. There should be a strong collaboration with the state and local governments in this regard. Youths who are farmers can be assisted with seedlings as well as seeds and basic farm tools.
The religious and traditional rulers will be encouraged to meet with these youths 
periodically. These leaders will then invite the coordinators to the communities when they can have a large turn-out of youths for interaction. They will inform the coordinators of their needs and the coordinators will suggest to them also. By doing this, every household is involved. 

3. Grow Healthier As You Age (GHAYA): 
While free medical outreaches and stipends for the aged as being practised by some of our leaders should be encouraged, inculcated by others, and sustained, It is important to help our aged live their last days healthier. 
From a medical point of view, every being above 50 years, especially women, requires supplements (be it food or multivitamin) on a daily basis.  
The aged should be supplied with multivitamins on a monthly basis, to be taken on a 
daily basis. 

The government should liaise with medical facilities (government and / or private – because they will require money to transport themselves to another town in case the nearest government facility is located in a town farther from them) 
nearest to them. We should start thinking of a "spider-web" healthcare delivery. This entails the provision of smaller clinic outlets from the existing ones, other than the primary health centres, we can call them GRASSROOT HEALTH CENTRES, likely the first of its kind in the world! By doing this, we will be succeeding in taking healthcare services to every doorstep!

On a particular date of every month, the aged would visit these facilities to get their multivitamins, which would have been arranged by the government with the selected/ registered and / or newly created GRASSROOT facilities. 
Records will be kept. This way, the aged can go to the facilities without a kobo, get checked, and go back home with drugs without having to pay.
The facilities, if not government owned, would work out an agreeable amount for consultations or tests that some may require. These records would be scrutinized regularly by the FMOH and the SMOH. These aged are firstly registered with the health facilities so that multiple entries can be avoided. Other programs like giving out food items regularly will equally help, especially in the very rural areas. Food supplies, supplements, and regular check-ups are all the aged need to live a healthy ending. 

4. Schools: 
The beautiful school free feeding programs as being practised in some states should be encouraged, inculcated, and reinforced in other parts of the country.  Most public schools do not have safe sources of water and means of sewage disposal.
Those schools with faulty boreholes should have them repaired, and those which never had should be provided with. The government should take cognizance of important days in the lives of pupils in primary and secondary schools. 

May 27 – The government should be fully involved. All pupils must be able to partake, at least, it is called the Children’s Day. Each school should be empowered on this day to help all pupils enjoy the day – They can be supplied with cooking items/ ingredients, gift items, and musicals – That way, all children, in public or private schools, have a sense of belonging irrespective of the political party of their parents, teachers, or guardians. Pupils can equally be supplied with traditional wears during their cultural week. Their teachers should have more workshops and seminars. 

They should be encouraged by providing them with improved teaching aids and helping to stock their libraries. 

I want to advise that the suggestion I want to raise here should be made into a campaign video and released soonest, you don’t know how many minds are thinking alike.

5. HERDERS/FARMERS CO-BUDDING:
 Farming can be crop (plant) or livestock, so both groups above are actually farmers. The farms are built side-by-side, fenced, or barricaded with planks, bamboos, or wires but are connected by a flat surface or plank such that one can pass a big bowl with its contents to the other. 
One source of water or irrigation system should be created such that it connects the two farms – This helps them to interact often, and they soon play together and become a family. The cattle rarer packs the cow dungs and transfers to the farmer via the connecting plank, who can then use them as manure for his crops. When the farmer weeds his farm or harvests his crops, the cassava leaves, cassava stumps, cassava peals, cocoyam leaves and peals, maize leaves, and stumps can be handed over to the cattle rarer to feed his cattle with. They can equally exchange farm produce for fresh cow milk. This form of symbiotic intensive farming will equally create job opportunities for their youths. While the crop farmer is likely to get manure on a regular basis, the cattle rarer may need to source for feeds when the farmer is not weeding his farm or harvesting it.

Though the disturbing herdsmen-farmers' clashes seem to have reduced in the last one year, we can put things rightly back in their harmonious good old ways in those good old days

My candid opinion is that until we strategize a method that can allow these farmers and herders to coexist like they had done before, we might not get it right. 


This gives opportunity to the youths who can then get feeds from the bushes and sell to the cattle rarer or exchange for fresh cow milk. People will also come up with the ideas of setting up factories that can grow genetic feeds for the cattle. That way, we would be preventing disharmony among farmers and would be boosting the economy by reducing unemployment. No matter how herculean this task seems, it is worth giving a try, and it is way better than brutality and fatality, under which some disgruntled elements will always hide and rubbish a performing government. 
Like I suggested earlier, this idea should be put in place without delay and be 
made into a short video for reorientation purposes. 

6. Operation Feeding the Nation (OFN): 
 The federal government should liaise with each state government, get a piece of land, and establish a mechanized farm in each state. The federal government can take, for instance, 70% of the employment while the State takes 30%. The federal government should equally agree on a sharing formula of the profits with each state. The federal government should also enter into agreement with each state that after a number of years, having realised the capital and some profits the State should take total control of the farm. 
I strongly believe that if 2 billion naira can be budgeted for farming in each state, making a total of less than 80 billion Naira, then we can have enviable farms in each state. The idea is that by the time the government pays salary for a particular month, farm produce can then be transported to the market 2 to 3 days later, selling at cheaper prices. 

IGR is increased, money is recycled, employment opportunity is created, and the whole country takes the glory for it. Farmers are encouraged by providing them with soft agricultural loans, graduates are encouraged to go into farming by providing them with start-up capital and provisions of good seedlings, fertilisers, and working tools will be a great idea. The government must also be ready to buy these farm products and produce directly from the farmers and sell at the local and international markets. That way, the government can have a regulated/fixed price for each farm produce/product. All these, if religiously carried out by incorruptible individuals, are not only achieveable but prolific, and in no distance time, our economy will start breathing again.
These are programs that can be added to the good ones already in place.


These proposed initiatives, if diligently executed by incorruptible individuals, have the potential to transform the country's economy and improve the well-being of its citizens. By adding these programs to existing initiatives, Nigeria can pave the way for a brighter future.

Leye Toyese, Ado Ekiti.
Email: cravoanatomy@yahoo.co.uk
09043021002

Onigede in Council Organizes Security Meeting with Hon Oluwatuyi to Boost Safety in Irepodun/Ifelodun LG.

Onigede in Council Organizes Security Meeting with Hon Oluwatuyi to Boost Safety in Irepodun/Ifelodun LG.



In a proactive response to security challenges within the Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area, the esteemed Onigede in Council, under the leadership of His Majesty Oba James Adelusi Aladesuru II, Onigede of Igede-Ekiti, took decisive action by convening a crucial security meeting at the revered Onigede Palace. Honorable Gbenga Oluwatuyi, the Executive Chairman, was in attendance to enlighten and educate the community leaders.

Held on Saturday, the gathering aimed to strategize and collaborate on initiatives to enhance the safety and well-being of residents in the local government area. Recognizing the need for a united approach against security threats, esteemed members of the Onigede in Council engaged in fruitful discussions, tapping into their collective wisdom and expertise.




During the meeting, diverse security concerns were addressed, including the imperative for heightened surveillance, the implementation of community policing initiatives, and proactive measures to combat crime effectively. Participants exchanged valuable insights and proposed actionable solutions to fortify security efforts within the locality.

Emphasizing the paramount importance of safeguarding lives and property, Honorable Oluwatuyi reiterated his administration's steadfast commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents. He lauded the collaborative efforts of the Onigede in Council and emphasized the significance of community involvement in upholding peace and order.



In response, Oba James Adelusi Aladesuru II, the paramount head of Onigede in Council, expressed unwavering solidarity with the local government administration and pledged their full support for collective security endeavors. He underscored the importance of forging robust partnerships between traditional institutions, law enforcement agencies, and community stakeholders to effectively address emerging security challenges.



The fruitful deliberations culminated in a renewed sense of purpose and determination to promptly implement the agreed-upon strategies. Honorable Gbenga Oluwatuyi and the Onigede in Council reaffirmed their commitment to working hand in hand to create a safer and more secure environment for all residents.





The proactive stance taken by the Onigede in Council and the collaborative efforts with Honorable Oluwatuyi underscored the collective resolve to prioritize the well-being and security of the community. As the local government area continues its forward momentum, this strategic security meeting stands as a testament to the commitment to fostering peace, stability, and prosperity in Irepodun/Ifelodun.

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Ekiti First Lady, Olayemi Oyebanji, Celebrates Success of First Batch of 200 Adire Ekiti Hub Beneficiaries.

Ekiti First Lady, Olayemi Oyebanji, Celebrates Success of First Batch of 200 Adire Ekiti Hub Beneficiaries. 
...Offers Support Package to Aid Effective Start for All Beneficiaries.
By Olamide Akinwumi. 



In a heartwarming display of support for skill development and empowerment, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, the First Lady of Ekiti State and the visionary behind the Adire Ekiti Hub, graced the closing ceremony for the inaugural batch of 200 beneficiaries enrolled in the vocational class.



The ceremony, held on Saturday, was a jubilant affair as beneficiaries proudly showcased their unique designs, brimming with joy and excitement. Dr. Oyebanji, visibly moved by the creativity and craftsmanship on display, took the time to personally admire each design, reflecting her genuine commitment to the success of the program.


Expressing her delight at the impact of the training and empowerment initiative, Dr. Oyebanji generously announced a special package for all the beneficiaries, aimed at supporting them as they embark on their entrepreneurial journey.


The presence of Senator Babafemi Ojudu at the event further underscored the significance of the Adire Ekiti Hub in fostering economic empowerment and community development.





Looking ahead, the momentum continues as another cohort of 200 beneficiaries is set to commence training at the hub next week. With each passing day, Ekiti State reaffirms its commitment to creating an enabling environment for growth and prosperity.





Indeed, this marks a promising era for Ekiti, where opportunities abound for individuals to thrive, contribute, and invest in the bright future of the state.