I did. Nairaland's configuration apparently didn't.

Fenis:
post the video

"Fuel subsidy has to go! It is one of the first thing that has to go. N3.6 trillion naira by June of a year, making it more than N7 trillion every year, it is one thing I will remove immediately I assume office," Labour Parry's presidential candidate in last year's elections, Peter Obi, answering a question in a topmost presidential debate shortly before the elections.

His answer was in response to what he would do within his first 100 days in office.

Interestingly, Obi is now a leading voice protesting with Nigerian youth on #EndBsadGovrrnanceinNigetia, against removal of fuel subsidy he vociferously said he would remove in the days following his possible victory.
He is also urging protesters on my saying the fuel subsidy removal is regrettable and faulty policy decision by President Tinubu for it only caused untold suffering in the land?.

Sheer double -speak.

Politics is indeed a dir..ty game!.

Before you go out to protest, read this.

There are two protests in contemporary history that is still intriguing. First, is The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the result of collaboration among the “Big Six” of the civil rights movement namely, James Farmer, Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lewis, A. Philip Randolph, Roy Wilkins, and Whitney Young, all leaders of civil rights groups. The activist Bayard Rustin was its main organiser. The event brought together over 250,000 people who gathered peacefully on the National Mall, in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial, to demand equal justice for African Americans too, as prescribed under the law.

There, was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jnr. Handsome, suave, debonair, handsome, a cerebral, orator with a rhythmic cadence, Dr. King’s impeccably clad in a sharp suit, sumbolised the sharp reasoning and rhetoric about to be a benediction to humanity, that day, August 28, 1963.
The last to speak, he delivered a rousing, incisive, biting and uplifting message, yet sublimely inclusive of the Americaness of the Negro.

Surprising. Given his suffering and those of others around him. Nearly 100 years after the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution abolished slavery, promised equal protection under the law, and prohibited states from using race to deny a citizen his)her right to vote, “the Negro still is not free,” he said. Blacks were not allowed to vote. With no jobs, Blacks’ economic mobility was not upward, but was from one slum to even worse slums. Sectioned off areas for them were morbidly shabby, in the segregated ramshackle housing units they live in, on partitioned areas they ride on in buses and improper schools their kids schooled in.
African Americans continued to experience huge, invasive discrimination and a lack of access to social and economic opportunities across the US because of their skin colour. Moreso, when these inhumanity got legal backing with its codification as Jim Crow laws, clearly, the American Negro faced a severe existential threat.

The pandemic was especially extreme in the Southern United States where, official rulings such as Brown v. Board of Education proved ineffective in quickly integrating public facilities, and peaceful marches against segregation like boycotts, sit-ins, and marches were often met with brutal suppression. Blood flowed freely during those peaceful rallies especially in Alabama where forceful water hoses, bayonets even fierce dogs were set loose on protesters. Those arrested suffered worse fates in dark, narrow jails.

But now, Dr. King, fresh from detention after the Montgomery bus boycotts, with a civil rights act pending in Congress, stood before 250,000 people.
It is a speech now in the annals of history as “I Have A Dream”, where he made a call to America to remember the “promissory note” its Founding Fathers made upon independence that “it hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal”. But evidently, America believed some men were more equal than others. The March was held to essentially “,cash the check.” Yet, he warned government not to view blacks agitation as mere “blowing off steam” whilst also urging blacks to be resiliently resolute despite their sufferings and agitations because it is “redemptive suffering “. Their desired outcomes will come. One day.
It was a beautiful moment.

The other soul-gripping demonstration occurred in China. Communist China. This was in opposition to complexities latently characterising Communism ideology.
After Deng Xiaoping rose to power, following Mao Zedong's death, Hu Yaobang, a prominent player in Chinese politics.
Now, serving with Deng, Mao’s successor, Hu embarked on several political-economic reforms with Deng’s supervision.
which made him step on powerful toes of influential military and political party opponents of free-market and government reforms.
When widespread student protests first broke out across China in December 1986 and January 1987, Hu's political foes convinced Deng that Hu's embrace of “bourgeois liberalisation” had precipitated the protests.

Consequently, Hu was forced to resign as General Secretary in early 1987, but allowed to retain his membership in the highest political decision-making body, the Politburo.
However, Hu had become a cult figure and poster child on reformist ideologies to Chinese students and thinkers.

His April 15 sudden death, while attending a political meeting, sparked intense painful anger among the student population as well as the Chinese intelligentsia.

Hours after, students started trooping into a square in Beijing to register their angst after hearing the death.
Apart from his passing, the other triggers were, economic reform, inflation, political corruption, nepotism, desire for democracy instead of Communism and return of “iron bowl jobs”i.e jobs with lifelong security with embedded medical and social perks.

By late May, the population at the square was approximately one million. Touted a “faceless” uprising with no clear cut leader, the agitations grew and spread to 400 more cities. The students cancelled class lectures, went to the square everyday, and particularly got local and international sympathy by embarking on protracted hunger strikes.

As the situation escalated, so did sharp divisions among the students as certain figures tried assuming leadership of the group, especially at the mammoth crowd at Beijing. Microphone tug-of-wars were common as speakers fight to gain control of the microphone to speak. Incoming student-protesters from other areas into Beijing were often lobbied to join factions as the train whistled to a stop. At a point, some factional leaders were nearly abducted.

In time, the protest grew increasingly chaotic as competing student factions relayed uncoordinated and incoherent demands to government.

When Chinese government discovered that the protest was funded by Canada, United States, Australia, UK and others, the leaders became even more stiff-necked.
Ultimately, armoured tanks and expanded bullets prohibited from use by international law even in war were deployed in a brutal attack on the students, June 4, 1989. It was a gory sight. Death toll were between 6,000 and 10,000.

This is what is infamously called the Tiannamen Square Massacre.
At its anniversary every year, China gets extra defensive, mounts heavy artillery nationwide and forbids any talk or commemorative event. Just last month, at its 35th anniversary, it forbade entry to visitors around this period, additionally.

In the end, the “tens of thousands” dead, according to the figure quoted by Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State at its 35th anniversary last month, counted for very little in China. Nothing has changed. For what thousands of educated, bright, young, hope of the future of China perished for at the cusp of their lives at Tisnnamen Square.

Before you leave home for our Eagle Square and many squares nationwide, come comrades, let’s reason together. There are those among you who will understandably scoff at these examples as anti-democratic gimmicks aimed at trying to talk you out of your rights to protest, when it's well within your rights to do so anywhere, anytime.

You are wrong. This is not aimed at stopping you. Do the protests. Truth must be said to.power. That feedback is essential for even better governance. But, do it Dr. King's way, who distilled Ghandi’s Satyagraha into nonviolence science, eschewing all forms of uncouth language, non civility, violence and disturbance, and led African Americans to use “soul force” to whittle over 100 years of institutionalised bigotry. Consequently, they got the Voters Rights Act passed, Jim Crow laws abolished, increased job opportunities for African Americans. Martin Luther King Jnr. got laurels including the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, and is venerated worldwide.

For instance, in “asking what you can do for your country and not what your.government can do for you” always, you might not have Dr. King's oratorical prowess. But, you can ape that positivity by using your voices, your platforms, your boundless energies, to set agenda for government. Pass suggestions, solutions, strategies on those same socal media handles or for the leaders, in media interviews. Soul force to defeat bad policies.

Or, do the protests the Tiannammen Square demonstrators’ way. They similarly roused empathy, attention and emotional support from China and beyond. The protests gripped global attention daily. When the blood of thousands flooded Beijing, rivers of tears flowed worldwide. China attracted snctions, embargoes, isolationism like magnets to iron.

But, these achieved nothing. Corruption continued. China’s economy dipped but due to its non reliance on globalism absorbed the impact; it even spurred the country's economic growth to its present gigantic proportions. The bloodbath did not stop the nepotism. And, the Politburo still go by its Maoist rigidity. Democracy is still, very forcefully, a taboo to China. Moreover, China instilled fierce national pride among its citizenry so much that to the remnant who recall the incident, Chinese government did good in killing thousands of its civilian youth.

The Tianamnen Square massacre remains, painfully and regrettably, just an unfortunate statistic eulogised every year outside China. Within China, hundreds of millions are going by their daily activities, unaware Tiananmen Square ever happened.

Nigeria is a democracy. The choice, as always will, is yours.

Cassandraloius:
Show us pictures nau.😒

Trust me, did. Web refused to post.

The countdown has begun!
With just four days to the traditional wedding of Afrobeats singer David "Davido" Adeleke and Chioma "Chefchi" Rowland, check out latest pictures of the glowing couple.

As the couple took a spin in Davido's Rolls Royce, when Chioma flashed her giant diamond ring upon Cubana Chiefpriest's prompts, Davido quipped, "It can buy three Rolls Royces!"
Wow!

Mr. Olatunbosun Alake,Commissioner for Innovation & Technology, Lagos State, has introduced a structured assessment system for technology companies and startups applying for the Lagos State Science, Research & Innovation Council, LASRIC, deed funding. This system, called “POEM,” evaluates Proposition, Organisation, Economics, and Milestones for successful eligibility for the funding.

According to Mr. Olatunbosun Alake, "P"stands for Proposition, evaluating what problems the startups and tech companies are presently solving; Organisation is dymnbolised by "O" refering to what sort of skills have been put together to solve the problem; "E" means Economics: does it make business sense? Will it make money? Will people buy it? and ‘M’ representing Milestone refers to the building these businesses will have.

“Startups or tech companies that are able to pass this assessment and access the seed funding should be able to solve problems in Lagos State and beyond,” Mr. Olatunbosun Alake said.


Following the inauguration of the agency at the occasdion announcing these initiatives, June 24, the newly appointed Chairman of LASRIC and Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University of Science & Technology, Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya, stated that the initiative is “ a call to duty and to work”.

As Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, already propounded, the concept of THEMES as focus of his tenure encompasses a strong emphasis on technology and innovation as one of the key areas of focus for his administration. His government has so far disbursed over N500 million to more than 40 tech startups in the State to push them to scale as at January 2024.

Lagos is touted as the hub of startups in Africa because it boasts of some of the biggest and most successful startups on the continent, therefore it's hardly surprising that the state government is making deliberate efforts to produce more successful startups through its Startup Lagos Initiative.

Same day, Gov. Sanwo-Olu demonstrated this resolve once more with the release of N1 billion seed money for science research that will fund startups affiliated to LASRIC.

American rapper, Wiz Khalifa is one American rapper who has made a name for himself in the music industry as a cool, easy going star who shun any form of drama but is full of surprises.

When he met and married model Amber Rose, it took everyone by surprise. Moreso, when before people knew he was dating Rose, she was pregnant. And just as we are grappling with that information, they made it official and got married.

Their son, Sebastian Bash, was born soon afterwards. They led a very public life with regular appearances on red carpets, award ceremonies and industry events.

Following their divorce however, Khalifa went back to living a near reclusive life. He is rarely seen in public apart from when he's on stage. He does not attend red carpet events, clubs, parties or events that he grew accustomed to while married to Rose. He steers clear of controversy too.

And no one knows anything about his love life.

So, it is a pleasant surprise to hear Khalifa doing it the Khalifa way as he did before with his private life b. Hours ago, the American singer revealed he and his girlfriend Aimee Guilar, are expecting. Nobody even got a whiff of his relationship before and now, she's pregnant. And, more surprising is she is far along and is due soon. Both happy couple used the opportunity to make a gender reveal, that it's a girl.

Fitting. Khalifa already has a boy so, a girl is nicely complementing.

The New York Times has come under fire by the Nigerian government for its recent report on Nigeria's economy, which the Nigerian government adjudged as being lopsided.
Bayi Onanuga, the Senior Adviser to President Tinubu on Information & Strategy, in a lengthy rejoinder ti the report said, "the Ruth Maclean and Ismail Auwal's feature story with the title 'Nigeria Confronts Its Worst Economic Crisis in a Generation’, published on June 11, reflected the typical predetermined, reductionist, derogatory, and denigrating way foreign media establishments reported African countries for several decades.

He said due to the misleading slant of the report, we need to clear up some misconceptions conveyed by the reporters as regards the economic policies of the Tinubu administration that came into power at the end of May 2023," he said.

Elaborating, Onanuga said, "most significant about the report was that it painted the dire experiences of some Nigerians amid the inflationary spiral of the last year and blamed it all on the policies of the new administration. The report, based on several interviews, is at best jaundiced, all gloom and doom, as it never mentioned the positive aspects in the same economy as well as the ameliorative policies being implemented by the central and state governments."

Onanuga explained that President Tinubu did not create the economic problems Nigeria faces today. He inherited them. As a respected economist in our country, once put it, Tinubu inherited a dead economy. The economy was bleeding and needed quick surgery to avoid being plunged into the abyss, as happened in Zimbabwe and Venezuela.

This was the background to the policy direction taken by the government in May/June 2023: the abrogation of the fuel subsidy regime and the unification of the multiple exchange rates.

For decades, Nigeria had maintained a fuel subsidy regime that gulped $84.39 billion between 2005 and 2022 from the public treasury in a country with huge infrastructural deficits and in high need of better social services for its citizens.

The state oil firm, NNPC, the sole importer, had amassed trillions of naira in debts for absorbing the unsustainable subsidy payments in its books.
By the time President Tinubu took over the leadership of the country, there was no provision made for fuel subsidy payments in the national budget beyond June 2023. The budget itself had a striking feature: it planned to spend 97 percent of revenue servicing debt, with little left for recurrent or capital expenditure. The previous government had resorted to massive borrowing to cover such costs.

Like oil, the exchange rate was also being subsidized by the government, with an estimated $1.5 billion spent monthly by the CBN to ‘defend’ the currency against the unquenchable demand for the dollar by the country’s import-dependent economy. By keeping the rate low, arbitrage grew as a gulf existed between the official rate and the rate being used by over 5000 BDCs that were previously licensed by the Central Bank.

Moreover, the country was failing to fulfil its remittance obligations to airlines and other foreign businesses, such that FDIs and investment in the oil sector dried up, and notably Emirate Airlines cut off the Nigerian route.

The special adviser said President Tinubu had to deal with the cancer of public finance on the first day by rolling back the subsidy regime and the generosity that spread to neighbouring countries. Then, his administration floated the naira.

"After some months of the storm, with the naira sliding as low as N1,900 to the US dollar, some stability is being restored, though there remain some challenges. The exchange rate is now below N1500 to the dollar, and there are prospects that the naira could regain its muscle and appreciate to between N1000 and N1200 before the end of the year. The economy recorded a trade surplus of N6.52 trillion in Q1, as against a deficit of N1.4 trillion in Q4 of 2023," he revealed . As a result of these portfolio investors have streamed in as long-term investors.

An example, Onanuga said when Diageo wanted to sell its stake in Guinness Nigeria, the Singaporean conglomerate, Tolaram, came in ready for the uptake. With the World Bank extending a $2.25 billion loan and other loans by the AfDB and Afreximbank coming in, Nigeria has become bankable again. This is all because the reforms being implemented have restored some confidence.

Consequently, he points out that the inflationary rate is slowing down, as shown in the figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics for April. Food inflation remains the biggest challenge, and the government is working very hard to rein it in with increased agricultural production.

He also said the Tinubu administration and the 36 states are working assiduously to produce food in abundance to reduce the cost. Some state governments, such as Lagos and Akwa Ibom, have set up retail shops to sell raw food items to residents at a lower price than the market price.

Similarly, the Tinubu government, in November last year, in consonance with its food emergency declaration, invested heavily in dry-season farming, giving farmers incentives to produce wheat, maize, and rice. The CBN has donated N100 billion worth of fertiliser to farmers, and numerous incentives are being implemented. In the western part of Nigeria, the six governors have announced plans to invest massively in agriculture.

With all the plans being executed, inflation, especially food inflation, will soon be tamed.

Pointedly, Onanuga reminds the New York Times that the United States where the newspapers originates from, many nations of the world including Nigeria are battling with dire economic woes.

"The USA, too, is contending with a similar crisis, with families finding it hard to make ends meet. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen raised this concern recently. Europe is similarly in the throes of a cost-of-living crisis. As those countries are trying to confront the problem, the Tinubu administration is also working hard to overturn the economic problems in Nigeria," Onanuga said.

He positively concludes that, "Our country faced economic difficulties in the past, an experience that has been captured in folk songs. Just like we overcame then, we shall overcome our present difficulties very soon."

President Bola Tinubu observed the Islamic Eid prayers in observance of the Islamic celebration of Eid Al Adha in Lagos.
President Tinubu was joined by Nasir Ribadu, the National Security Adviser; Femi Gbajabiamila, immediate former Speaker, House of Representatives & Chief of Staff to the President; Babajide Raji Fashola, former Lagos' governor & minister of works & housing; Quadri Hamzat, deputy governor, Lagos State; Mubashiru Obasa, speaker, Lagos State house of assembly, amongst other political dignitaries. Eminent business moguls like Aliko Dangote and Abdusamad Rabiu were also in attendance.

The president enjoined Nigerians to be sacrificial because some level of sacrifice will be required to move the nation forward. 
He spoke with journalists after joining the Eid-el-Kabir prayers in Lagos, amplifying the theme of the sermon by the Chief Imam of Lagos.

 "We have been told by the Chief Imam how we can follow the path of sacrifice. The sacrifice required of a good citizen. Citizenship comes with responsibilities. As citizens, what do we need to do to be committed members of our society? Yes, that is sacrifice; loving your country. Loving your neighbours. Sharing what you have with each other. And to always be thankful to Almighty God," the President said.

Hon. Ibrahim' Ayokunle Isiaka, Honourable member representing Ifo/Ewekoro constituency, puts relief in the souls and huge smiles on the faces of the Nigerian people, yesterday.

Hon Ibrahim' Isiaka gifts motorcycles, sewing machines and tricycles to help vulnerable families and individuals become self employed thereby, making a living during this challenging times when many hitherto employed are now jobless. Hon. Isiaka also presented cash gifts and branded food items to celebrate the upcoming Eid el Kabir.

But, amidst the flurry of appreciation, commendation and encomiums poured on Hon. Isiaka during the event, he especially enjoins all Nigerians to believe in the strident round the clock efforts of this administrati to fix the nation's woes.
He said government is aware of the plights besetting Nigerians and it is doing all in its power and more, to effect positive changes.

This, he notes, takes time and patience. "Those qualities are most needful as the nation matches slowly but steadily to full turn around," he said.

#JusticeForMohbad movement to get justice for Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, aka Mohbad, recorded another milestone today in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Hundreds of supporters gathered along main highways in the city's Central District to press for the adjudication of Justice for the singer who died under questionable circumstances in September 2023.

The renewed protest arose because there are fresh concerns that the case is being botched deliberately by a collusion of prominent dignitaries, government and law enforcement agencies, including the proceedings at the Lagos coroner's Inquest and even among the late singer's families particularly his partner and her family.

Though there have been widespread reports that the toxicology reports is being awaited from a US laboratory and that, a coroner's report is nearly ready, latest indications show this is a ruse.

The US lab has come out to deny openly that no samples were submitted to it for testing at any time. Simultaneously, fresh revelations shows that no autopsy has been done despite copious statements by the police and Lagos State government that the autopsy was done.

Conflicting reports trailed the autopsy itself. At a point, it was claimed that its result are ready but it was later proven false. Thereafter reports claimed the autopsy is underway and the results would soon be made available. Only for Nigerians to learn now that no autopsy was ever done despite samples taken from deceased body many times.

Equally worrisome, is the cold mien of the Abuja based human rights radio called Brekete Radio, towards the case. Joseph Aloba, the deceased father, had lodged a case at Brekete Radio in his pursuit of justice. Expectations were high that at that juncture, justice was nigh. But after a few appearances, and even a hearing with Mohammed Idris, the Minister Of Information, present, no new development has occurred.

At fist, Brekete radio said it was awaiting results of the autopsy and US toxicology which government said would take 10 weeks. But, subsequent inquiries from the radio by Joseph Aloba were met with responses of promises to call him soon. Brekete radio has not contacted him so far.

The only development that arose of that is the reopening if the hitherto stopped Inquest. That is ongoing at present. "Even that Inquest look like a wild goose chase now because no action is forthcoming, it's just all talk,' a source said.

The only solution is to take the matter to court proper for a criminal suit. But the evidential documents needed to prove foul play which are the toxicology and autopsy results are not available. The family must get body samples to a recognized lab abroad to conduct independent autopsy and toxicology tests. The family also needs a private investigator to help unravel probable foul play in Mohbad's death with cold hard evidences and witnesses that can stand and testify in court.
Most importantly, follow the money.These include incoming funds since Mohbad died, his royalties, income from music streamings from his songs & collaborations, his unreleased songs, musical studio, properties bought, all bank accounts his monies went into and crucially, the personalities in charge of Mohbad's work and financial affairs, must be traced, appropriately investigated and assigned.

There are many "whys" in this case. Why was, the main suspect, Wunmi Cynthia Adebanjo, was never indicted? Who removed the CCTV cameras in the house after Mohbad's death? Why we're key pieces of evidences been compromised especially the house where Mohbad died? This crime scene was not cordoned off for forensic analysis but people continued living there till date.

At the centre of the court case also, is the suspicion if paternity fraud involving Liam, the late singer reportedly fathered with Wunmi Cynthia Adebanjo. Mr. Joseph Aloba has continually requested a DNA test of the boy. From initial debate about who foots the cost, to how the test would proceed at which hospital, to request for court order for the DNA, Wunmi has hedged about the DNA. After the court order was got, she evaded receipt. Eventually, the letter was pasted at her last known address. Still, the DNA has not been done.

Justice may be delayed but certainly, it would never be denied. That's what drove the Abuja protests. So shall it be. Let true justice prevail.

matify83:
The new ministers that would make any new list should be properly screened by the senate this time and not just "take a bow" or recite the nationa pledge.

I so agree. Strict due diligence!

@,fraklynsoeakin No. I'm not pushing Fashola. I write based on my observations.

The controversy generated by the allegations of financial impropriety levelled against Berta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, is generating more ripples by the day.

Apart from implicating an increasing number of government officials in the ministry, itsweb has also entangled public officials in higher levels of government in Aso Rock.

Reports says President Bola Tinubu is very miffed at the development which is occuring within six months of his presidency, abd has the possibility of portraying his government in negative light. The president has been beseby myriad problems immediately he was sworn into office. The monumental hardship the Nigerian people gas been thrown into following subsidy removal and hiwtocushion the harsh realities of this on the people has been giving himslerpless nights.

Additionally, the President is disappointed at the betrayal of trust exhibited by closest government officials he never thought are capable of undermining his efforts to bring succour to the people by their active involvement in the purported scam.

The Nigerian masses has been alarmed by these findings. But while many commended him for the swiftness with which he handled the situation, others are largely sceptical that it will result in any real punishment for the wrongdoers with hands caught in the till.

Recently, Ajuri Ngelale, spokesperson and special adviser to the president, reveals that President Tinubu will reshuffle his cabinet very soon. In fact, what is yet delaying this reassignment of portfolio in his cabinet is his desire to await the outcome of the corruption prove by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other relevant Goverment anti corruption agencies.

One person strongly listed as a strong incoming face following the planned Reshufflement is Babatunde Raji Fashola, the former minister of works and housing in the immediate past administration. He is pencilled to come in as the new Chief of Staff. In recent day, BRF, as he's called, has been very vocal and visible in the public space through media interviews he granted talking about many topical issues in the country.
He has acted in that capacity to the President when in his second term as the governor of Lagos and readily knows the nuances of how the President functions for a seamless transition.

Nigerians are undoubtedly watching and waiting with bated breaths how this situation will eventually pan out.