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Nigeria’s Economy Remains Weak With ‘Too Much Unemployment’ Despite Exit From Recession —- Tinubu

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4 years ago

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All Progressives Congress Leader, Bola Tinubu, says though Nigeria has exited recession the country’s economy remains weak.

Tinubu stated this in Kaduna on Saturday while delivering a speech as the chairman of the 2021 Sardauna Memorial Lecture held in honour of one of Nigeria’s founding fathers, the late Sir, Ahmadu Bello.

Speaking on Saturday on the topic, ‘Reduction of the Cost of Governance for Inclusive Growth and Youth Development in Northern Nigeria in a Post-COVID-19 Era’, the former governor of Lagos State said though the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), put buffers in place during the recession, the country’s economy still remained weak with “too much unemployment”.

Tinubu said, “In the midst of our local challenges came the COVID-19 pandemic, with its debilitating impact on the global and domestic economies. Nigeria, like many other countries, has not been spared the impact of the pandemic.

“Commendably, however, President Muhammadu Buhari has been carefully steering the country through the pandemic such that the negative impact on us and the economy has not been as harsh as it might have been. The economy’s relapse into recession has ended but we must admit the economy remains weak with too much unemployment and resources left idle.”

The APC stalwart also warned against wasteful spending amongst government officials, saying the government must spend money to yield economic returns for the benefit of the masses.

He said, “Fiscal wisdom but not necessarily austerity is required for an economy like ours in a time like this, to ensure equitable wealth redistribution and meaningful use of resources.

“The years have shown that the private sector is much too weak to spur the growth we need. If the private sector could manage this feat, it would have already done so. Where the private sector is too weak or unable, the government must fill the void.

“This means the government must not be afraid to embark on an active fiscal policy to create jobs, build infrastructure and develop our industrial sector as well as continue to improve agriculture. This means the government must spend money but spend it on those things that bring the requisite economic returns for the nation.”

The ex-Lagos governor also said job creation remained key to ending restiveness and criminality amongst Nigeria’s young population.

“While states and local government must shape their budgets to fit their revenues, the federal government can and should spend more to create more jobs for the youth in both the north and south which is key to eradicating restiveness and sundry criminality among the youth,” Tinubu opined, adding, “Urban populations are growing but urban jobs are not. Here, the government must implement a national industrial policy to encourage key industries to begin to employ this growing urban workforce.”

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BIG STORY

Alleged N110bn Fraud: Court Adjourns Yahaya Bello, Other’s Bail Ruling To December 10

Published

6 hours ago

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November 27, 2024

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned to December 10 for a ruling on the bail application by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and two others.

Bello had pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The former governor, along with Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are being prosecuted as the 1st to 3rd defendants, respectively, in a fresh N110bn 16-count charge instituted against them by the EFCC.

Bello, the 1st defendant, vehemently denied the allegations before Justice Maryanne Anenih as they were read out to them.

After taking their plea, the Defendant’s Counsel, Joseph Daudu, moved an application for bail.

However, the EFCC Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, opposed the application, arguing that it had expired in October.

Clarifying the issue, the Defendant’s Counsel stated that the only relevant application before the Court was the motion for bail in respect of the first defendant, which was filed on November 22.

Relying on all the paragraphs of the affidavit, he added that the bail application was also supported with a written address.

Justice Anenih ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the EFCC.

The EFCC had filed an N110bn alleged fraud suit against the former governor.

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: Court Remands Yahaya Bello In EFCC Custody Amid Alleged N110bn Fraud Case

Published

8 hours ago

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November 27, 2024

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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has remanded Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello was arraigned on a 16-count charge related to alleged money laundering on Wednesday.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

 

More to come…

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BIG STORY

First Phase Of 10,800-Bed Hostel In LASU Ready — Tokunbo Wahab

Published

8 hours ago

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November 27, 2024

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The first phase of a 10,800-bed hostel project at the Lagos State University (LASU) is now ready for inauguration, according to Tokunbo Wahab, former special adviser to the governor on education.

Wahab, who is now commissioner for environment and water resources in Lagos, describes the project as ambitious and transformative.

“ It remains one of the most ambitious and transformative projects undertaken during my time as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education,” he wrote on X.

“It was executed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) arrangement which involves seven reputable investors.”

Wahab commended Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governor, for his leadership and continuous support.

“Proud of the work done here and to have been a part of this special one,” he added.

“Through the grace of God and the unwavering support and the dedication of the Lagos State Office of Public-Private Partnerships, the relentless efforts of the management staff of LASU, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, and the cooperation of other key stakeholders, the first phase of this landmark project has now been completed.”

Wahab emphasized that the project showcases the state government’s commitment to leveraging public-private partnerships to address critical infrastructure needs in the education sector.

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