celebrity radar - gossips

Recession: FG Summons Emergency Session Over Economy

Published

8 years ago

September 15, 2016

The federal government, as part of efforts towards reflating the country’s economy and pulling it out of recession, has summoned an economic session to brainstorm on the issue.

President Muhammadu Buhari, his vice, Prof Yemi Osinbajo as well as ministers and heads of relevant federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) will today converge on Abuja for a one-day retreat to discuss steps to salvage the receding economy.

The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had in August, reported that the nation’s economy had slid into recession for the first time in more than 20 years, as it announced a further contraction in the second quarter of the year. According to the NBS, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contracted by 2.06 percent after shrinking 0.36 in the first quarter.

This has generated anxiety among Nigerians home and abroad, who have urged the current administration of President Buhari to urgently search for ways out of the economic woes confronting the country.

LEADERSHIP recalls that president of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, said that on resumption next week, the Senate would investigate the cause of the country’s receding economy and also pass emergency pieces of legislation to tackle it. He said the time for identifying the cause of the economic recession and those responsible for it was over and that all political leaders should start working together to find a solution.

Saraki also disclosed that the Red Chamber will make “tough” recommendations to President Buhari on the matter.

The minister of budget and national planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, yesterday disclosed that the economic summit will also provide the forum for government to present and discuss priority areas of the 2017 budget and realign the priority areas of the MDAs with national growth and development objectives.

“The key objective of the retreat is to discuss the 2017 budget as well as discuss steps being taken to get the economy out of recession,” the minister said.

Spokesperson of the minister, Akpandem James, quoted the minister as saying that the meeting was part of a scheduled arrangement to fine-tune and set the right parameters for the 2017 budget.

“It (the meeting) will provide an opportunity to discuss the framework of the 2017 budget, the key priorities and the deliverables of the budget,” he explained.

“The retreat is expected to deliver improved understanding of the measures being taken to get the country out of recession, improve synergy among the various ministries for enhanced implementation of planning and budget, and enhance knowledge of how to develop 2017 budget, which is effectively linked with the medium term plan.

“The meeting will also review prioritised projects and programmes of ministries to fit into the 2017-2019 MTSS, 2017-2020 Medium Term Plan and 2017 Budget, and improved understanding on budget ceiling for MDAs for 2017 Budget,” he said.

Akpandem said President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo would participate in the meeting, while private sector facilitators and some experts on economics are also expected to provide perspectives during the technical sessions.

He said the retreat became necessary as years of the country’s growth and development had been impeded by mismatch between planned targets and budgetary outcomes at the national and sectoral levels, due to the lack of synergy between the various federal MDAs.

Seek experts’ advice – Emir Sanusi

Meanwhile, the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has called on the federal government to seek the advice of experts on economics in tackling the current economic crisis in the country.

Sanusi gave the advice during the traditional Sallah Durbar (Hawan Nasarawa) at Government House, Kano.

He said consulting the experts would help in bringing about proper solution to the crisis and reducing the hardship people are currently facing in the country.

The emir, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), also urged wealthy Nigerians to support the less-privileged in the society in order to alleviate their sufferings.

He also urged the people of Kano to remain law-abiding and be their brother’s keeper irrespective of religion or ethnic background, for all Nigerians to continue to pray for economic growth and development of the country.

The royal father appealed to the state government to empower the people with economic skills that would make them self-reliant.

Also, an economist and managing director of Financial Derivatives Company Ltd, Mr Bismarck Rewane, said that in order for the country to come out of recession, the federal government needs to borrow and sell assets to raise funds that would be injected into the economy.

Speaking on the current state of the nation’s economy, Rewane said the government must, first and foremost, inject money into the system.

According to him, since there is a fall in oil revenue, the government has to increase the deficit plan for 2016.

“The government must inject funds into the system and the executive is fully engaged because they know they cannot hide; they have to deal with the problem,’’ he said.

Similarly, the immediate past finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, also urged the present administration to look inwards for solutions to the current economic crisis in the country.

“The solutions to the country’s economic decline could still be found in the country,” she said in an interview on Aljazeera programme, The Stream.

Leadership

celebrity radar - gossips

Adeniyi Johnson Urges Leniency for Naomi Silekunola After Tragic Stampede Incident

Published

7 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Adeniyi Johnson Urges Leniency for Naomi Silekunola After Tragic Stampede Incident

Nollywood actor Adeniyi Johnson has called on authorities to show compassion and leniency in the case involving Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, following a tragic incident that claimed the lives of over 30 children. Naomi, who had organized an event aimed at giving back to the community, found herself at the center of a devastating stampede, which led to her detention by the police along with several others involved in the event’s planning.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Adeniyi expressed his condolences to the families affected by the tragedy, offering prayers for strength and comfort in their time of loss. He also spoke out in defense of Naomi, acknowledging her noble intentions and her well-known charitable nature.

“My heart goes out to the families of the lost ones; no family deserves such pain at any time,” he wrote. “I pray the good Lord grants you the strength to bear this unimaginable loss. Amen.”

Adeniyi went on to emphasize that Naomi’s actions were driven by kindness, noting her good intentions in organizing the event. “My heart and prayers go to @queen_silekunolanaomi_ogunwusi, whose intentions were never to harm but to give and provide for others,” he continued. “This time shall pass, and the God of your good deeds will speak for you, restore you, and bring you back stronger.”

The actor also highlighted the generous spirit of the people of Ondo State, from where Naomi hails, stating that the tragic incident was a reflection of her community’s compassionate values. “We, the people of Ondo State, are known for our kindness and generosity, which clearly motivated Naomi to put the program together,” Adeniyi added. “I pray God sees you through this challenging time and restores you to even greater strength.”

Concluding his post, Adeniyi called for the authorities to consider the tragic circumstances surrounding the event while upholding justice. “I know that the law must be upheld, but we beseech the authorities to temper justice with mercy and look beyond the incident to the goodwill behind it,” he wrote. “GOD BLESS NIGERIA.”

Naomi’s supporters have rallied around her, hoping for a fair and compassionate resolution to the matter as investigations continue into the tragic stampede.

celebrity radar - gossips

May Edochie Celebrates Major Milestone with Range Rover Unveiling

Published

8 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Sahara Weekly

May Edochie Celebrates Major Milestone with Range Rover Unveiling

In a heartwarming display of hard work and resilience, Nigerian entrepreneur and influencer, May Edochie, marked a significant achievement in her life as she unveiled her newly acquired Range Rover SUV. The estranged wife of Nollywood actor Yul Edochie shared this proud moment with her followers on Instagram, inviting them into her world as she took her first drive in the luxury vehicle.

In the video, May can be seen beaming with joy as she cruises through the quiet streets of Lagos. The city’s usual hustle and bustle seemed to fade into the background as she reflected on the journey that brought her here. Her success was not just the result of luck but a reflection of tireless dedication, sleepless nights, and a determination to achieve her dreams.

With gratitude in her heart, May wrote in her post, “I finally decided to take this baby out for a memorable first drive and connection. Woke up today convinced that I should be proud of myself at least and enjoy this new blessing from the Almighty, which came with a great deal of working relentlessly, sleepless nights, dedication, and focus. Every penny… my hard-earned sweat.”

Her words resonated deeply with her fans, who flooded her comment section with praise and admiration. Many were inspired by her resilience, seeing her as a beacon of strength and motivation, particularly during the holiday season.

May also took the opportunity to wish her followers a Merry Christmas, affectionately calling out to her “May Nation Community” and sharing a humorous note about the quieter streets of Lagos as many people headed east for the holidays. “The streets of Lagos are looking different today,” she laughed in the video, “everyone’s heading out for the holidays. I’m here, enjoying my drive and reflecting on how far I’ve come.”

In closing, she shared a prayer and a message of hope: “May the Lord bless us all accordingly. 🙏”

Fans rallied around her, sending congratulations, holiday wishes, and encouragement as they celebrated her accomplishment. For May, this new milestone was not just about the car; it was a testament to her unwavering commitment to her success and the blessings she has received along the way.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by May Yul-Edochie (@mayyuledochie)

celebrity radar - gossips

Victor Osimhen Ends Year in Style with 2022 Lamborghini Urus Purchase

Published

1 day ago

December 25, 2024

Sahara Weekly

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.

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.