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2017 budget : Nigerians express confidence on Buhari’s economic policies

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Some stakeholders and economic experts in Borno on Wednesday, expressed mixed feelings over the 2017 budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Some said they were confident about the president’s political will, others predicted a rubust economic outlook in 2017, with drastic economic reforms imminent.

MalamAbdullahiGana, a civil servant, said the 2016 budget had not yielded much positive results. “What particular project has been carried out with the 2016 budgetary figures.

The citizens haven’t felt the benefits of this year’s budgetary dispensations and are very hungry.

“They cannot find the time to listen or read about 2017 figures when that of 2016 hasn’t helped their lives. “The government must find a way to circulate money in the ecoñomý so that it gets to the impoverished and hungry citizens,”Gana said.

“President Buhari said the 2017 budget would contain proposals and packages that would lead Nigeria out of the present economic recession.

“We are glad that most of the government policies are targeted at reducing unemployment and poverty, and wealth creation.

“The social intervention programme of N500 billion in the 2017 Budget would go along way to cushion the hardship of Nigerians,” he said. Bulama Baba, another civil servant, said the effort of the government to diversify the economy was very commendable.

“By declaring that the economy must be diversified, the president has said it all; that is his economic policy and the direction of his government.

“It is left for those in the business environment to change the way business is done, to turn around agriculture, mining, local production of the basic needs of the Nigerian people.

“Come to think of it afterall what is budgeting and how does it affect the welfare of the people.

“Budgets are just guidelines in spending if you have and want to spend or proposals. “In 2016, the government made a projection (budget)on income and expenditure based on a certain amount of crude sales.

“Unfortunately, that is not realisable because of obvious reasons,fall in crude price which accounts for 80% of governments revenue.

“That has already created a gap and it means readjustment to give more attention to priority areas.”

Malam Muhammad Ciroma said if all proposals that the president presented in the assembly would be executed with integrity, Nigeria would have no cause to be broke. “It is no doubt that the PMB government has made significant gains in terms of governance and transparency in the oil sector.

“The government must therefore monitor effectiveness of operations at the refineries and show a readiness to tackle difficult issues, especially the Niger Delta militants.”

Mr Muhammad Askira, a lecturer at Ramat Poltytechnic, said:

“By what ensued in the 2016 budget, it has brought out the fact that budgets were never wholistically prepared in this country for anything at all.

“It was cut and paste actually, nobody cares so long as money will be made available to be shared, with no accounting procedures followed and budget monitoring non existent.

“Supposing there was no change in government from PDP to APC, you and I would never have known the inadequacies in running the government of Nigeria or any government before, for that matter.

“It was just a bandwagon; people were carried along to ‘eat’ what was offered them and no quetions asked.

“The onus (is) on this administration to put things rightly in place and do things the right way is enough exercise to last it through its first four years,”Askira said.

However, Mr Friday Nwadinobi, a resident of Gwange quarters, said polarisation of the country along so many fault lines was affecting governance.

“The loyalty any leader gets from the civil servants or subordinates depends on ethno religious beliefs or alignment. “Saboteurs are everywhere.

And for a governmemt that has clearly declared war on corruption, when even the head of an arm of government is under trial, leaves so much to be desired.

“Critisising the government that is bringing change may not be the solution. “The presidency must come out and educate Nigerians the more on what it is doing, because they are doing so much to get us out of the problems we are in; but only those who have ears to listen or eyes to see can assimilate that.

“When economists are critisising the economic team because they feel they know it all and should have been part of it, then you know that something is wrong with us. “Is the implementation of the TSA not a great departure from previous economic policies ? Is that not enough to praise the political will and decision of the government ? “For the government to survive to this point, with all the problems it inherited like Niger Delta crises, corruption, insecurity, poor infrastructure and many others, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari deserves commendation,” Nwadinobi said.

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Victor Osimhen Ends Year in Style with 2022 Lamborghini Urus Purchase

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Victor Osimhen Ends Year in Style with 2022 Lamborghini Urus Purchase

Victor Osimhen Ends Year in Style with 2022 Lamborghini Urus Purchase

 

Nigerian football sensation Victor Osimhen has made headlines once again, capping off an impressive year with the acquisition of a 2022 Lamborghini Urus, a luxurious high-performance SUV. This latest addition to his collection reflects Osimhen’s penchant for the finer things in life, solidifying his status as one of football’s most flamboyant stars.

 

Victor Osimhen Ends Year in Style with 2022 Lamborghini Urus Purchase

A Taste for Luxury

The announcement of Osimhen’s new car was made by Polanaco Exotic Cars, a prominent automobile company, through its official Instagram account. The post featured a sleek video showcasing the vehicle’s modernized and opulent exterior, highlighting its cutting-edge features and eye-catching design. The accompanying caption read: “Sold, congratulations Victor Osimhen 9.”

The Lamborghini Urus, renowned for its blend of luxury and performance, boasts a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, delivering a staggering 641 horsepower. With a top speed of 190 mph and the ability to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds, the Urus is one of the fastest SUVs in the world.

 

Private Jet Rumors

This news comes amid reports that Osimhen has also recently acquired a private jet, further cementing his image as a football star who spares no expense in enjoying the rewards of his hard work. While details about the private jet remain unconfirmed, the buzz around these acquisitions has captivated fans and followers alike.

Rising Star and Role Model

Victor Osimhen has had a stellar year both on and off the pitch. The Napoli striker’s exceptional performances have earned him recognition as one of Europe’s top forwards, with numerous accolades and record-breaking achievements to his name. Off the field, his lifestyle choices and philanthropic efforts have made him a role model for many young football enthusiasts.

Social Media Frenzy

Fans and admirers have taken to social media to celebrate Osimhen’s success, praising his achievements and sharing their excitement over his latest purchase. The Instagram post by Polanaco Exotic Cars quickly went viral, with thousands of likes and comments congratulating the football star.

Conclusion

Victor Osimhen’s acquisition of a 2022 Lamborghini Urus is a testament to his hard work, talent, and success. As he continues to shine on the football stage, his growing collection of luxury assets reflects a life well-lived and a career on the rise. Football fans around the world eagerly await what the new year holds for this extraordinary athlete.

 

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 Court Orders Remand of Ex-Wife of Ooni of Ife, Radio CEO, and Principal Over Ibadan Tragedy

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 Court Orders Remand of Ex-Wife of Ooni of Ife, Radio CEO, and Principal Over Ibadan Tragedy

 Court Orders Remand of Ex-Wife of Ooni of Ife, Radio CEO, and Principal Over Ibadan Tragedy

A Chief Magistrate’s Court 1 sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday ordered the remand of the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola; Chief Executive Officer of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat; and the Principal of Islamic High School, Basorun, Abdullahi Fasasi, at the Agodi Correctional Centre. This decision came after the trio appeared in court over a tragic stampede that occurred during a children’s Christmas funfair in Ibadan, which claimed the lives of 35 children.

A Safer Tomorrow: Lessons from a Tragic Event

The presiding Chief Magistrate, Olabisi Ogunkanmi, adjourned the case until January 13, 2025, implying that the defendants will spend the Christmas and New Year period in custody. The court proceedings followed the arrest of the three individuals last week in connection with the tragic incident at Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, where six other individuals also sustained varying degrees of injuries.

The police presented the case file, marked as C/2024: Commissioner of Police Versus Naomi Silekunola (31 years), Oriyomi Hamzat (51 years), and Abdullahi Fasasi (56 years), to the court. The presiding magistrate ordered that the defendants remain in custody pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of the Oyo State Ministry of Justice.

The police initially detained several suspects in connection with the stampede. However, five individuals—Genesisi Christopher (24 years), Tanimowo Moruf (52 years), Anisoloja Olabode (42 years), Idowu Ibrahim (35 years), and Abiola Oluwatimileyin (25 years)—were released on Monday night from the state Criminal Investigations Department, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

The charges against Silekunola, Hamzat, and Fasasi include conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities. The trio appeared in court in person during the Tuesday proceedings.

Counsel for the school principal, Waheed Olajide, raised the issue of jurisdiction, arguing that the magistrate’s court lacked the authority to adjudicate the offences. He requested that the defendants not be arraigned in the court. Olajide stated that there was no evidence before the court to prove the alleged offences and urged the magistrate to return the suspects to police custody rather than sending them to a correctional facility.

Hamzat’s lawyer, Ridwan Adekunle, highlighted a previous agreement with the Officer-in-Charge Legal that Hamzat would remain in police custody due to his health condition. Reports indicated that Hamzat had been arrested on his hospital bed, where he was receiving treatment following the tragic incident.

Chief Magistrate Ogunkanmi, in her ruling, emphasized her discretion to remand the suspects at the correctional centre. She noted that the police should have considered the defendants’ health conditions before presenting them in court. The magistrate stated, “The police, who brought the suspects to the court, ought to have factored in their health conditions and the circumstances that informed the case itself before bringing them to court and having brought them, I have the responsibility of putting them in a correctional centre, pending the time legal advice would come out from the DPP.”

Ogunkanmi further urged the DPP to expedite the legal advice process to determine whether the suspects would face formal charges. The next court date was set for January 13, 2025.

The court premises witnessed a heavy security presence to manage supporters of Hamzat, who had gathered to express their dissatisfaction with the proceedings. The supporters protested visibly as the police escorted the defendants from the court premises.

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“Chaos in Lokoja: Etsu Monarch Jumps Fence to Escape Deadly Hoodlum Raid on Palace”

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"Chaos in Lokoja: Etsu Monarch Jumps Fence to Escape Deadly Hoodlum Raid on Palace"

“Chaos in Lokoja: Etsu Monarch Jumps Fence to Escape Deadly Hoodlum Raid on Palace”

 

In a shocking turn of events, the Etsu Lokoja, HRH Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda-Shelika, Nyamkpa IV, narrowly escaped death when his palace was attacked by suspected hoodlums in the early hours of Saturday, around 1:00 am. The attackers set fire to his vehicle and other properties within the palace, forcing the monarch to jump over the palace fence to save his life.

 

The attack occurred just hours before the commencement of the “Lokoja ‘24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta,” a highly anticipated event organized by the Nupe natives of Lokoja Development Union. Many attendees had already arrived in preparation for the event, which was meant to celebrate the cultural heritage of the Nupe people. Unfortunately, the incident led to the cancellation of the event, which was supposed to take place on Saturday.

A Harrowing Escape

Narrating his terrifying experience to our correspondent on Monday, the Etsu Lokoja described the harrowing moments that followed the attack.

“It was around 1:00 am when I heard a loud bang on my door,” he recalled. “I woke up to check through the window, wondering what could have happened. Suddenly, I saw a wildfire coming out of my car, as it had been set ablaze by attackers.”

Realizing the palace was under siege, the monarch decided to act swiftly. “I knew it was an attack on the palace, and I couldn’t come out because of the fear of being attacked. So, I managed to exit through the back door and scaled the fence to save my life,” Dauda-Shelika said.

Once outside, the Etsu saw his neighbors attempting to extinguish the fire, but it was too late to save the vehicle, which was completely burned along with other valuables inside.

The Aborted Cultural Fiesta

The Etsu Lokoja expressed disappointment over the cancellation of the “Lokoja ‘24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta,” which was meant to be a significant celebration for the community. He explained that members of the event’s planning committee had met late into Friday night, until around 11:30 pm, and were heading home when the attack occurred.

“It is unfortunate that such an important cultural event had to be aborted due to this attack,” he lamented. “The Nupe people were looking forward to this celebration, and it’s very disheartening that it didn’t take place as planned.”

Appeals for Justice and Peace

Following the attack, the Etsu Lokoja made an emotional appeal to the government and security agencies, urging them to investigate the cause of the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice. He also asked the Nupe natives of Lokoja to remain calm and avoid any acts of retaliation.

“We are appealing to His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, and the relevant security agencies to use their offices to thoroughly investigate this unfortunate incident and bring those responsible to justice—whether directly or indirectly involved,” Dauda-Shelika said.

Furthermore, the monarch urged the government to officially recognize and grade the stool of Etsu Lokoja, which has existed long before colonization, as this would bring closure to the longstanding issues surrounding the title.

“We believe that by officially recognizing the stool of Etsu Lokoja, many of the issues surrounding our community will be laid to rest,” he added.

Authorities Tight-lipped on the Attack

As of Monday, the police and state security officials have remained tight-lipped about the incident. A police officer at the scene declined to comment, claiming he had not been authorized to speak on the matter. Efforts to reach the State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to repeated calls or text messages. Additionally, attempts to contact the state governor’s Security Adviser were also unsuccessful.

Conclusion

The attack on the Etsu Lokoja’s palace has left the community in shock, with many wondering about the motive behind such a brazen act. While investigations continue, the Etsu’s escape and the cancellation of the cultural event have cast a shadow over what was meant to be a joyous occasion for the Nupe people.

The public awaits answers from the authorities as the community hopes for justice and peace in the wake of this disturbing incident.

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