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Tinubu-Shettima: Babachir Biting Finger That Fed Him – Former Minister, Shittu

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Adebayo Shittu, the former Minister of Communications and Director General of the Asiwaju Tinubu-Shettima Coalition for Good Governance, in an interview with Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis of The Punch, relives the intrigues that led to his non-reappointment for second time as minister, the contentious Muslim-Muslim ticket and why some All Progressives Congress politicians are still angry with Tinubu

How will you react to the protest of the APC Northern Christians over Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket?

I don’t want to believe there is anything called APC for Northern Christians or Muslims. I see that as rubbish. The APC is not a religious organisation but a political party guided strictly by Nigerian laws and the constitution of the party. I have not seen in what way Tinubu violated either the constitution of Nigeria or that of the APC.

If he violates such a constitution, people should know what to do; head straight for the court. If it is that of the APC that Tinubu violated, of course, the party should know what to do. I suspect that some people who have been positioning themselves for the vice presidential candidacy ticket, with religion as the major determinant and not satisfied with the choice of Shettima, are trying to sensationalise the issue.

Are you saying their anger was not justified?

I am not speaking for Tinubu, but I want to say with all sense of humility and as a knowledgeable Nigerian who also happens to be in the APC, that the candidate was not elected as a flagbearer because he was a Muslim. He was elected out of the 23 aspirants because he was considered to be the most suitable person who could give other parties a good fight. And he also didn’t choose his running mate based on religion but on zone and who could best deliver the votes from the region that he comes from.

There are Christian candidates such as Yakubu Dogara, Boss Mustapha, and Babachir Lawal from the same region who can also deliver good votes. Isn’t it?

I can’t say unless you give me evidence of their electoral productivity. Elections are not a matter of people taking risks.

However, when you have people threatening that because they are Christians from the North, they won’t vote, they are just shooting themselves in the legs. Are you saying that Muslims did not contribute to voting for Yakubu Dogara during his election or Senator Elisha Abbo from Adamawa? Can they win without the Muslims’ votes? These are the issues. They ought not to have limited the whole thing to just religion. It is not even in their interests. In any case, the general election is near. Let’s see what happens.

Why did Tinubu refuse to address the grievances among co-aspirants and party chieftains such as Babachir Lawal, allowing them to linger for too long?

You cannot force an unwilling horse to drink water. Babachir is the closest Nigerian to Tinubu, and he has been touting this even when we were together as members of the same Federal Executive Council. He also never fails to mention that it was even Tinubu who recommended him to Buhari for the position of the SGF. If he now thinks the proper thing is for him to bite the finger that fed him, it is up to his conscience.

What exactly is Tinubu’s running mate, Shettima, bringing to the table?

As I mentioned earlier, an election is not where any candidate will want to take unnecessary risks. Remember that our vice presidential candidate is someone who for eight years sustained governance and orderliness in a zone nearly occupied by Boko Haram and ISWAP criminals.

Does that explain the reason Tinubu chose him?

Was that not a good enough reason to look for somebody who can be trusted to run good governance? We want to win votes, and we thank God we have somebody who delivers. It wouldn’t have made sense to pick a minority. It is about who can deliver the votes, and it is the prerogative of the presidential candidate to choose his running mate. It is not about religion.

We are preparing for an election. It is the prerogative of the presidential candidate to choose who he deems fit and whose votes can make him win at the poll.

By the grace of God, we will defeat Atiku even in Adamawa, his home state.

When exactly is Tinubu reaching out to the aggrieved Christian community?

I am sure my principal has been doing his best to reach out to the Christian community. At least other Christians in the country are rubbishing what Christian Association of Nigeria and other religious bigots are saying. We don’t owe anybody an apology to prove that point.

What is Tinubu doing about the reported internal wrangling among co-aspirants and party chieftains tearing the party apart?

We have seen the result of his face-off with Aregbesola (Minister of Interior, Rauf) at the last Osun election and how Osinbajo has gone quiet after the primary.

Osun’s case is a local problem and cannot be used as a yardstick. This is because a lot of people in Osun are saying they don’t have any problem with Tinubu. They stated that their grouse was with Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

No, he performed very well. The major allegation against him was that he was not providing state party leaders and supporters with “stomach infrastructure,” which became a problem. That was why I said it was a local problem.

Other than that, the people, including some PDP elements, kept saying they would definitely vote for Tinubu in the presidential election. I am sure you have heard or seen some of these video clips online during the Osun election.

In any case, wherever there is a presidential election, only one person will win.

What about Amaechi’s recent outburst and the allegation by APC’s youngest aspirant, Nicholas Felix, that he was shut out by Tinubu’s camp?

Wasn’t Nicholas the aspirant who stepped down for Osinbajo? I don’t know about that because Osinbajo himself was visited by our principal after the primary. Is it somebody who is an appendage to Osinbajo, with due respect to him, that is now complaining?

A lot of these things can be politically settled. It is not everything we should be bringing to public space. They don’t have to involve people who will further inflame passion.

With regard to Amaechi, who alleged that APC delegates were induced to vote in the presidential primary? Is he saying all those who contested with him and supported Asiwaju were also bought with money? That is ridiculous.

As the Bible says, let him without sin cast the first stone. I want the public to disregard those statements.

Due to rising insecurity, naira devaluation and economic challenges faced by the country, there is a palpable fear among Nigerians that Tinubu may not have the answers to all the challenges. What do you think?

Do you see a better alternative to a Tinubu presidency? Can you name a better candidate than the one you have in mind that can surmount all these challenges? This is the same Tinubu who ran Lagos State for eight years excellently. That record remains the most relevant among his peers, politically speaking. He has the best testimonials of those who have ever governed any state in this country.

When you came in as Minister of Communication, many people believed your position was a sort of compensation for something by Buhari’s administration. How true is it?

Are you implying that Buhari just picked me from the streets? Of course, I worked for his success.

In 2011, I was the governorship candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change in Oyo State. As you can see, he didn’t pick me up from the streets. And when we came together for a merger with other parties, I was one of the representatives of the CPC in the merger committee. I am bold to say nobody has done better than me in Oyo State. What should Buhari have done? Will he take the chance on a stranger who had nothing to do with the formation of CPC and APC? My appointment came as a natural course of events.

What you are saying, in essence, is that your ministerial position wasn’t a form of compensation for loyalty. Isn’t it?

Loyalty can’t be in a vacuum. I was a major player. We are talking about a governorship candidate here, not an aspirant. I contested the election while he, on the other hand, ran for the office of the president.

In the end, neither of us made it in 2011. I consistently contributed to the activities of CPC and APC. Tell me, should he pick other people than me who have contributed more than any other party member?

What about the political intrigues that led to your removal from office as Communications Minister?

I was never removed as minister because I served my complete term in office. However, I was not reappointed a second time. I have put all the circumstances of my non-reappointment behind me.

Clearly, some people were envious and blackmailed me with speculation that I caused the defeat of APC in Oyo State. The question is how? Did anybody do anything when I was crying out that the former governor was messing up APC in the state?

The governor would not allow free and fair congresses or primary elections and was dictating everything with a number of people supporting his move.

Credit: The Punch

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Inflation: Real Reason Indomie Reduced Prices Of Popular Staple Food Item Revealed

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In the face of mounting inflationary pressures in Nigeria, Indomie Instant Noodles, a major brand under Dufil Prima Foods Limited, has announced a substantial price cut to ensure affordability for consumers.

The move was made to preserve availability to this well-liked essential food item in response to the growing economic difficulties that Nigerians were facing.

And this is supported by a recent survey that was carried out at a number of Lagos-based stores and found that the costs of Indomie goods had significantly dropped. When compared to the previous month, the price of the 70g pack of Indomie Regular Chicken noodles dropped to N250.

Additionally, the price of a 40-pack carton of Indomie dropped from N12,000 to N10,000 within the same timeframe. Prior to this adjustment, Indomie’s prices had surpassed those of competing brands such as Mimee (N200) and Honeywell noodles (N250).

Temitope Ashiwaju, the group corporate communications & event manager at Dufil Prima Foods Limited, attributed the price reduction to favourable changes in operational costs.

He emphasized the company’s commitment to passing on benefits to consumers, stressing their dedication to fairness and affordability.

“We are never going to be taking advantage of the populace. We want to make profit, but in a fair way,” the spokesman added. “That is why we are determined to keep our products affordable to Nigerians.”

Contrary to speculations suggesting low patronage as the driving factor behind the price adjustment, Ashiwaju reaffirmed that the decision was rooted in the company’s ethos of customer-centricity and fairness.

Industry experts have hailed Dufil Prima’s move as influential, predicting a ripple effect that could prompt other brands to follow suit because Indomie’s dominant position in the market has positioned it as a price setter, prompting expectations for broader shifts in pricing strategies across the industry.

The price reduction by Indomie comes amidst a backdrop of economic challenges in Nigeria, characterized by soaring inflation rates.

Over the past nine months, Nigeria has witnessed a steady rise in headline inflation, driven primarily by government reforms such as the removal of petrol subsidy and naira devaluation.

As a result, food inflation has surged, exacerbating the financial strain on households and leading to an increase in poverty levels.

Despite these economic headwinds, a recent report by Euromonitor International indicates robust growth in the sales value of noodles within Nigeria’s formal market.

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Lagos State Government Disburses N4.48bn In Pension Benefits To Retirees

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  • Governor Sanwo-Olu Upholds Commitment to Pensioners’ Welfare with Timely pay

 

The Lagos state government on Thursday, March 28, paid a total of N4.48 billion in pensions to 1,455 retirees for the month of March.

The payment was given at the Lagos State Pension Commission’s (LASPEC) 104th retirement bonds certificate presentation.

When LASPEC paid N3.2 billion in accrued pensions to 1,013 retirees during the 103rd retirement bonds certificate ceremony in February, the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had promised to pay at least N4 billion in March.

To settle all pending accrued pensions by the middle of the year, the governor guaranteed that the state government would pay an additional N3 billion in April.

While he acknowledged the backlog in the payment of accrued rights, Sanwo-Olu noted: “Our attention is focused on systematically eliminating the backlog.”

He also expressed optimism about the actualisation of the government’s dream of a “Pay-As-You-Go” model before his term ended.

At the presentation, LASPEC Director-General, Babalola Obilana, said that the monies were released for civil personnel who retired before the start of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2007.

Obilana expressed gratitude to Sanwo-Olu for his steadfast dedication to the well-being of the state’s residents.

The governor, he pointed out, had consistently placed pensioners’ interests first and supported measures to lessen their financial difficulties.

He assured that by mid-2024, retirees from the state would receive their benefits as they departed from government employment, emphasising that the governor had kept his word to clear all pension arrears.

Obilana said: “On behalf of Gov. Sanwo-Olu and the entire Lagos State Government, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you present at this memorable event.

“Lagos State is thankful for your accomplishments and the enduring contributions you have made throughout your distinguished careers.

“You have exemplified the values that define Lagos State – integrity, commitment, and excellence.

“Your dedication and hard work have contributed to the dream of a `Greater Lagos’.

You are a source of inspiration for us all. Your legacy will undoubtedly continue to resonate within the public service.”

LASPEC DG further urged retirees to be cautious of fraudsters and choose suitable pension investments. He highlighted the transition from professional life to leisure and hoped their future would be full of happiness and fulfillment from a rewarding professional life.

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Federal Government To Grant Mining Licenses To Only Companies That Process Locally

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Nigeria will only grant new mining licences to companies that present a plan on how minerals would be processed locally, under new guidelines being developed, a government spokesperson confirmed on Thursday.

This is a departure from Nigeria’s long-standing practice of exporting raw commodities, as governments around Africa work to increase the value derived from their substantial mineral reserves.

To spur investment, Nigeria will offer investors incentives including tax waivers for importing mining equipment, make it easier to secure electricity generation licences, allow full repatriation of profits and boost security, Segun Tomori, a spokesperson for Nigeria’s minister of solid minerals development said.

“In exchange, we have to review their plans for setting up a plant and how they would add value to the Nigerian economy,” Tomori said. He did not say when the guidelines would be finalised or come into effect.

However, last week the minister of solid minerals development, Dele Alake, said it was now government policy to make value addition a condition for obtaining licences so as to create jobs and help local communities.

Alake, who also chairs an African mining strategy group comprising mining ministers from Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia, is pushing for a continent-wide effort to get maximum local benefit from mineral exploration.

Nigeria, Africa’s top energy producer, has struggled to extract value from its vast mineral resources due to poor incentives and neglect. The underdeveloped mining sector contributes less than 1% of the country’s gross domestic product.

Last year Nigeria exported mostly tin ore and concentrates worth about 137.59 billion naira ($108.34 million), mainly to China and Malaysia, according to the country’s statistics bureau.

The government aims to drive more investment into the sector by issuing more licenses. It has set up a state-owned solid minerals corporation offering investors a 75% stake and established a special security unit tasked with fighting illegal miners.

The government is also trying to regulate artisanal miners, who dominate the sector, by grouping them into cooperatives.

Foreign mining companies operating in Nigeria include Canada-based Thor Explorations which is involved in gold exploration, Chinese-owned Xiang Hui International Mining which partnered with a local company to process gold, and Indian-owned African Natural Resources and Mines, which is building a $600m iron ore processing plant in northern Nigeria.

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