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Bill Gates and the Nigerian Government By Dr. Okolo Oteri Eme

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Bill Gates and the Nigerian Government By Dr. Okolo Oteri Eme
So Bill (from reports) says the economic template being used by Nigeria does not have the ability to address the unique needs of its people. In his opinion it addresses people in the ‘upper middle-income status’ like Brazil, China and Mexico. Where is China economically again?
He says the ERGP focuses on ‘prioritizing physical capital over human capital ‘. He wants to see more investment in health and education or else there would be a LIMIT to how much the country can grow.
So the chicken and the egg which comes first?
It is no secret that the budgetary allocation to health and education has remained abysmally low over the years, worse still the fraction that is eventually released is subject to all sorts of beaurocracy and corruption. Most is spent on wages and entitlements. The infrastructural gaps in these sectors have been the subject of discussions over the years.
Now that we are here what do we do? Do we chase the chicken or the egg, or do we chase them both in a balance that addresses specific goals within a time frame given scarce and dwindling resources?
Are the economists etc that sat down to put together the ERGP idiots? Definitely not.
Is there coherence in government policy and implementation so far? My answer from what I see is YES.
Historically our weakness has never been in policy or on paper, it has always been in implementation. The devil has always been in political will and corruption. The presence of the aforementioned in this administration and its willingness to fight corruption via TSA etc is the reason I think they have a fighting chance. I will always give them that chance until I see them veer away completely from the straight and narrow.
I see this administration chasing the chicken and the egg at the same time in a balanced manner geared to achieve both human and physical capital goals in a manner that delivers optimally for a nation that had squandered its resources in the past and is now faced with lean years. It seems to me that they are tackling the issues in a stepwise manner that ensures that the egg can hatch without leaving the mother hen to die.
Can we focus completely on education without physical infrastructure? Will the bad roads not kill the children before they get to school? Or do we not need roads for acces to schools? Should the investment in health not be accessible by good roads and bridges? Are we not addressing and seeing significant improvements in school enrollment as a result of the school feeding program? What of the massive investment in the N5,000 to the most vulnerable? Did we not agree that this investment in the poor was a risk worth taking? What of the investments in Agriculture for food security (can hungry people develop?) and the fight against terror?
I know we all want Nigeria to work in a hurry but realistically that is impossible. However I expect government to sit like a hawk over its plans and policies ensuring that they deliver on their goals within their time frame.
The three planks on which they campaigned cannot be faulted; Security, fight against corruption and diversification of the economy.
I expect all levels of government to key in and play their roles in healthcare (primary health care is mainly the responsibility of states and local governments) and education. FG needs to focus more on primary and secondary education leaving tertiary to the hands of private individuals as obtains in Bill’s America.
We need to plan for health insurance especially to the poor and vulnerable, we need to set a target for reducing out of pocket payments for health. Our hospitals need investment in infrastructure, we need to train and retrain staff. This cannot be done by government alone. The private sector and individuals have a huge role to play. Bill is not a Nigerian, he has devoted a huge chunk of his wealth to tackling polio, HIV etc in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
We all need to do our part.
Nigeria is changing for the better, I hope we stay the course.

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UKA Gears Up for Final ATC Exchangeability Test Run as June Preparations Begin

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UKA Gears Up for Final ATC Exchangeability Test Run as June Preparations Begin.

May 30, 2026 – As the month of June gathers momentum, the *United Kingdom of Atlantis, UKA*, a sovereign nation has unveiled a series of vital guidelines and preparatory packages to ensure citizens and stakeholders run the *ATC Exchangeability* process effectively.

In an official update, the *President of Atlantic Crown Limited, Empress of Attica Empire UKA*, confirmed that the *Final Test Run of ATC Exchangeability* is scheduled for the month of June 2026. The exercise marks a key phase ahead of the *Official Exchangeability Window, set to run from July 2026 to February 2027*.

### Key Highlights from the Presidential Briefing
1. *Final Test Run – June 2026*
The test run is designed to validate systems, procedures, and user readiness before full activation. Citizens, partners, and designated participants are urged to follow all official advisories released by UKA authorities during this period.

2. *Official Exchangeability Period*
Following the successful completion of the June test run, the Official Exchangeability will commence in july 2026 and we are Expecting Full Exchange ability between July Ending, 2026 to February 2026.

UKA stated that detailed schedules, eligibility requirements, and step-by-step instructions will be communicated progressively through verified UKA channels.

3. *Benefiting Packages for June*
In line with UKA’s commitment to citizen empowerment, the month of June will feature “benefiting packages” aimed at education, preparation, and seamless onboarding. These packages are intended to equip the people of UKA with the knowledge and tools needed for effective participation.

4. *Commitment to Transparency*
Addressing the nation, the Empress of Attica Empire UKA emphasized:
_“Final Test Run of ATC Comes up in The Month of June, As We Prepare For The Official Exchangeability, Between July 2026 To Feb 2027. All Information Will Be Communicated.”_
UKA reaffirmed that only information released through official UKA platforms should be regarded as authoritative.

The United Kingdom of Atlantis is encouraging all citizens, representatives, and interested parties to remain alert to official communications, attend designated orientation sessions, and avoid unofficial sources. UKA’s dedication to order, clarity, and the collective benefit of its people as the nation moves into this significant phase.

For updates, advisories, and participation guidelines, citizens are advised to monitor official UKA communication channels.

United Kingdom of Atlantis, UKA, is a sovereign nation, committed to national development, citizen welfare, and structured economic participation through initiatives such as ATC Exchangeability.

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Three Years On, General Buratai Hails Tinubu’s Economic, Security Achievements

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Three Years On, General Buratai Hails Tinubu’s Economic, Security Achievements

 

 

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as bold economic reforms and improved security efforts as the President marks three years in office.

 

 

 

 

In a goodwill message on Thursday to commemorate Tinubu’s third anniversary as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Buratai said the administration had taken courageous decisions that would leave a lasting impact on Nigeria’s development.

 

 

 

According to him, President Tinubu broke a long-standing cycle that had hindered national growth by removing fuel subsidy and implementing foreign exchange reforms aimed at stabilising the naira and strengthening the economy.

 

 

 

 

He noted that the reforms were beginning to yield positive results, citing the global acceptance of Nigerian debit cards, the gradual revival of local refineries, access to student loans, and ongoing road and infrastructure projects across the country.

 

 

 

“The FCT Administration has also recorded remarkable progress, completing major road projects that remained unfinished for over 16 years,” Buratai stated.

 

 

 

The former army chief also praised the administration’s security efforts, saying renewed military offensives against insurgents, terrorists and bandits had led to notable successes across various parts of the country.

 

 

 

He specifically lauded recent joint operations involving Nigerian and United States forces against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East, as well as intensified counter-banditry operations in the North-West.

 

 

 

 

“We have seen notorious ISWAP commanders being neutralised. I congratulate the Commander-in-Chief, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and heads of intelligence agencies for their efforts,” he said.

 

 

 

 

Buratai, however, acknowledged that challenges remained, stressing the need for more aggressive military operations and intelligence-driven strategies in the coming year.

 

 

 

 

While urging Nigerians to remain hopeful, he said celebrating the President’s achievements did not amount to ignoring the difficulties facing the nation.

 

 

 

 

“Because you truly care, you have shown the courage to trade short-term comfort for long-term hope. Nigerians need your reassurances, and that is why we remain optimistic and full of confidence,” he added.

The retired military officer reaffirmed his support for the Tinubu administration and expressed confidence that the foundation being laid by the government would deliver a brighter future for the country.

 

He also prayed for God’s guidance, wisdom, strength and good health for the President as he continues to lead Nigeria.

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NUT Raises Alarm Over Continued Captivity of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

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NUT Raises Alarm Over Continued Captivity of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

NUT Raises Alarm Over Continued Captivity of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

 

 

The Nigeria Union of Teachers has expressed deep concern over the continued captivity of pupils and teachers abducted during an attack on schools in the Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

 

 

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Oyo State wing of the union described the situation as increasingly distressing, particularly following the emergence of a video allegedly released by the abductors showing the victims pleading for their freedom.

 

 

The union said the footage had heightened fears over the welfare of the abducted pupils and teachers, describing their ordeal as heartbreaking and unacceptable.

 

NUT Raises Alarm Over Continued Captivity of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

According to the NUT, no child or teacher deserves to be subjected to such traumatic experiences, adding that the prolonged captivity of the victims has continued to inflict psychological pain on their families, colleagues and the wider education community.

 

 

 

The union called on the Federal Government, Oyo State Government and relevant security agencies to intensify efforts towards securing the immediate and safe release of the victims.

 

 

“This is not a moment for hesitation. It is a moment for coordinated, intelligence-driven efforts to ensure the immediate and safe release of all abducted pupils and teachers,” the statement read.

 

 

While acknowledging ongoing interventions by security agencies and government authorities, the union stressed that time was of the essence, warning that every additional day in captivity deepens the trauma suffered by the victims.

 

 

The NUT urged security operatives to strengthen surveillance, improve community intelligence gathering and deploy all necessary operational and diplomatic measures to facilitate the rescue of the abductees.

 

 

It also appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to support rescue efforts by providing credible information that could assist security agencies.

 

 

 

“The safety of our children and teachers must remain a collective priority,” the union stated.

 

 

Reaffirming its support for the families of the victims, the NUT pledged continued solidarity and prayers while advocating safer learning environments across the country.

 

 

The statement was jointly signed by the Chairman of the Oyo State NUT, Comrade Hassan Ajibola Fatai, and the Secretary, Comrade Salami Olukayode.

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