Headline

133 Million Poverty Index: Twists, Turns As FG, States Trade Blame

Published

3 years ago

December 7, 2022

The recent report by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that about 133 million Nigerians live in poverty is generating serious controversy, with the Federal and State governors now trading words.

Recall that in the early month of November, NBS disclosed that 133 million Nigerians were multi-dimensionally poor, saying that the figure represents 63 percent of the country’s population.

The report blamed the country’s rising poverty on poor access to education, living standards, health, employment and security.

It further indicated that 65% of the country’s poor people (86 million) live in the North, whereas 35% (nearly 47 million) live in the South.

In the wake of the NBS report, SERAP blamed Nigeria’s rising poverty on corruption and mismanagement in the spending of trillions of naira on social safety nets and poverty alleviation programmes, including the reported disbursement of over $700 million from the repatriated Abacha looted funds to these programmes.

Some economic experts also blamed the country’s leaders at the federal, State and local governments for throwing millions of Nigerians into abject poverty.

However, following a series of criticisms and condemnations that trailed the report, the federal government last Wednesday came out to say that State governors were responsible for the rising rate of poverty across the country.

Clement Agba, the honourable Minister of State for Budget and National Planning had, while briefing correspondents at the State House shortly after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, attributed the poverty rate to governors’ misplaced priority.

Agba said the governors prioritised the construction of infrastructure, such as bridges and airports in cities, rather than improving the lives of the people in rural communities, adding that State governors chose to expend State resources on the capital cities.

“The governors are basically functioning in their State capitals. And a democracy that we preach about is delivering the greatest goods to the greatest number of people. And our demography shows that the greatest number of our people live in rural areas, but the governors are not working in the rural areas.

“I think from the Federal Government’s side, we are doing our best. But we need to say that rather than governors continuing to compete to take loans to build airports that are not necessary, where they have other airports so close to them, or governors now competing to build flyovers all over the place, we appeal that they should concentrate on building rural roads so that the farmer can at least get their products to the market,” he said.

Reacting to the federal government’s claim that they were responsible for the poverty among Nigerians, State Governors, under the umbrella of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, stated that the Federal Government has the blame for the rising poverty level among Nigerians.

The NGF said the rising level of poverty in the country was a consequence of the biting effect of insecurity on commercial and agricultural activities.

NGF blamed FG for abandoning its duty of addressing the security challenges crippling economic activities in the country.

The NGF also alleged that the Federal Government’s inaction had allowed bandits, insurgents, and kidnappers to turn the country into a killing field.

“This dereliction of duty from the centre is the main reason why people have been unable to engage in regular agrarian activity and commerce. Today, rural areas are insecure, markets are unsafe, travel surety is improbable, and life for the common people generally is harsh and brutish.

“How can a defenceless rural population maintain a sustainable lifestyle of peace and harmony when their lives are cut prematurely, and they wallow permanently in danger? How does a minister whose government has been unable to ensure security, law, and order have the temerity to blame governors?” it said in a statement.

Speaking to DAILY POST, a private financial management consultant, who would not want his name mentioned, said the blame should go to all the levels of government, including federal, State and local governments.

He lamented that the issue of poverty is a cumulative effect of bad policy choices by various levels of government in the country.

“First, the government at the centre seems to be directionless; there is no clear-cut economic blueprint it’s working with. Its policies are more of a cut-and-join approach. The problem started right from the time it took over power from the previous administration. How can one justify the delay in constituting the federal cabinets in 2015? Do you think it did not have negative effects?

“We are aware of the impact of COVID-19 and, recently, the war in Ukraine on the world economy, especially on the economies of developing countries, but it is not enough an excuse for the deep mess the nation has found itself in.

“The problem is even more compounded at the State level of government. The governors are notorious for gate-crashing at Abuja every month to collect monthly allocations; aside from that, the governors don’t have a plan on how to develop human capital within their areas of jurisdiction. One may say that it is a structural problem of our own type of federalism, but it is not a sufficient reason for bad governance.

“Even though everyone would readily want to lay blame on the federal government, how do you justify the strangulation of local governments under the supervision of State governors? We are all in the know of how the State governors treat local governments as if they are private estates.

“I think the causal factors of poverty in the country are complex, even though these factors are within the purview of the various levels of government, be it federal, State or local government. One may look at it from the angle of security, education, social infrastructures and the economy,” he said.

Headline

US Diverted 20,000 Anti-drone Missiles From Ukraine To Middle East -Zelensky

Published

9 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed that the United States, under the administration of President Donald Trump, redirected 20,000 anti-drone missiles that were originally intended for Ukraine to American forces stationed in the Middle East.

In an interview published by ABC News on Sunday, Zelensky said Ukraine had relied on the missile delivery to bolster its defence against ongoing Russian drone assaults, particularly swarms of Iranian-designed Shahed drones.

He noted that the plan, developed under President Joe Biden’s administration and coordinated with then-Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin, was meant to deliver a cost-effective and specialised missile system to counter aerial threats.

“We have big problems with Shaheds… we will find all the tools to destroy them. We counted on this project, 20,000 missiles. Anti-Shahed missiles. It was not expensive, but it’s a special technology,” Zelensky stated.

According to a June 4 report by The Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration ordered the diversion of the munitions, including special fuzes for the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, citing an urgent need to supply American forces in the Middle East.

The decision, reportedly communicated to Congress through a classified Pentagon message, was made under current Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth.

A source from Ukraine’s military intelligence agency told The Kyiv Independent that Russia is preparing to escalate drone warfare, potentially launching more than 500 long-range drones in a single night as Moscow accelerates drone production and expands its launch capacity.

Since the beginning of Trump’s second term in January, his administration has halted the approval of new US military aid packages to Ukraine.

Trump has voiced reservations about prolonged military support for Kyiv and briefly paused shipments earlier this year.

Deliveries resumed after Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire framework during peace negotiations held in Jeddah on March 11.

Headline

Los Angeles Invaded By Illegal Aliens, Criminals, Says Trump

Published

10 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

National Guard troops were deployed to Los Angeles on Sunday amid ongoing protests against immigration raids, despitethat California Governor Gavin Newsom’s objections.

Newsom formally requested the Trump administration rescind the order to deploy the troops.

The governor requested a letter to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, which he then shared on X.

“We didn’t have a problem until (U.S. President Donald) Trump got involved.

“This is a serious breach of state sovereignty – inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they’re needed,” Newsom wrote.

“Rescind the order. Return control to California.”

Trump signed a memorandum on Saturday deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen “to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester,” the White House said.

An expert cited by The New York Times said this is the first time in 60 years that a president has deployed a state’s National Guard without the governor’s consent.

The last instance was in 1965, when President Lyndon B Johnson used troops to protect predominantly Black demonstrators during the civil rights movement in Alabama.

The protests began on Friday after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers executed search warrants across the city as Trump pushed forward with his goal of mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.

Newsom appealed to protesters to remain peaceful and not give the government an excuse to act.

“Trump is trying to manufacture a crisis in LA County — deploying troops not for order, but to create chaos,” he wrote on X.

“Don’t take the bait. Never use violence or harm law enforcement.”

Los Angeles Police said protests continued on Sunday, even when authorities had declared it an unlawful, gathering.

Protesters had blocked traffic on a freeway and had gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Centre where soldiers had formed a perimeter around the building.

“Officers are reporting that people in the crowd are throwing concrete, bottles, and other objects. Arrests are being initiated,” police wrote on X.

Cars had also been stopped and set alight on roads, the police said.

An Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Guard “has deployed approximately 300 soldiers to 3 separate locations in the greater Los Angeles area, the U.S. Northern Command posted on X.

“They are conducting safety and protection of federal property and personnel,” it added.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Los Angeles had been “invaded and occupied by Illegal Aliens and Criminals.”

“Now violent, insurrectionist mobs are swarming and attacking our Federal Agents to try and stop our deportation operations. But these lawless riots only strengthen our resolve,” he wrote.

He had directed his officials “to take all such action necessary to liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion, and put an end to these Migrant riots,” he said.

“Order will be restored, the Illegals will be expelled, and Los Angeles will be set free.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the city would “always stand” with those who call it home.

“Deploying federalised troops on the heels of these raids is a chaotic escalation,” she wrote on X.

“The fear people are feeling in our city right now is very real – it’s felt in our communities and within our families and it puts our neighborhoods at risk.

“This is the last thing that our city needs, and I urge protestors to remain peaceful,” Bass said.

“Los Angeles will always stand with everyone who calls our city home.”

Trump’s administration has threatened to deploy regular armed forces domestically, which would represent an even greater breach of norms.

Hegseth stated that, if necessary, U.S. Marines stationed in California could also be mobilised.

Newsom condemned Hegseth’s threat to deploy U.S. soldiers against its own citizens on U.S. soil, calling it “deranged behavior” in a post on X.

Hegseth responded to Newsom on X stating that the National Guard “and Marines if need be” stood with ICE.

“There is plenty of room for peaceful protest, but ZERO tolerance for attacking federal agents who are doing their job,” he wrote.

The U.S. Northern Command said about 500 Marines were “in a prepared to deploy status” should they be needed.

(NAN)

Headline

10 Countries Hiring Nigerians, Other Foreign Workers In 2025 With Easy Visa Process

Published

1 day ago

June 8, 2025

Editor

In 2025, the global race for skilled talent is intensifying as many countries grapple with labour shortages across key industries, prompting changes to visa policies to attract and retain foreign professionals.

In response, countries such as Canada, Japan, Australia, and Germany are expanding their immigration and visa pathways to attract foreign professionals.

According to TravelBiz, sectors like technology, healthcare, construction, and caregiving are seeing especially high demand in top destinations.

These countries aren’t just offering jobs—they’re also providing opportunities for long-term residency or even a pathway to citizenship.

Top 10 Countries Hiring Foreign Workers in 2025

1. New Zealand

New Zealand is streamlining immigration to address urgent gaps in its workforce.

In-demand roles: Civil Engineers, Registered Nurses, Plumbers, IT Professionals
Visa Pathway: Green List Straight to Residence Visa – direct pathway to permanent residency for critical occupations.

2. Spain

Spain has simplified work visa procedures to combat labour shortages.

Top roles: Construction Workers, Agricultural Labourers, Hospitality Staff
Visa Programs: Seasonal Worker Visa, General Long-Term Work Visa

3. Singapore

Asia’s innovation hub is actively hiring digital and biomedical professionals.

High-demand jobs: Biomedical Scientists, Software Developers, AI & Machine Learning Experts
Visa Options: Employment Pass (for professionals), S Pass (for mid-skilled workers)
Applicants should check the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) website for guidelines.

4. Romania

Romania is scaling up its workforce by issuing thousands of visas to foreign workers.

Key sectors: Construction, Agriculture, Hospitality
Visa Update: 100,000 annual guest worker visas approved for citizens of Nepal, Bangladesh, and India.
No university degree? No problem—these roles often don’t require one.

5. Estonia

Estonia is emerging as a digital economy leader with simplified work visa options.

Hiring in: Software Development, Web Design, IT Support
Visa Options: D-Visa (short-term employment), Digital Nomad Visa (for remote workers)

6. Ireland

With a booming economy, Ireland is opening its doors to international professionals.

Jobs in demand: Nurses, Chefs, Childcare Workers, Data Scientists
Visa Programs: Critical Skills Employment Permit, General Employment Permit

7. Japan

Japan is overhauling its immigration system to welcome more foreign talent.

Hiring for: Caregivers, Factory Operators, IT Engineers, English Instructors
Visa Options: Specified Skilled Worker (SSW), Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa

8. Germany

Germany is making migration easier with a points-based system and international partnerships.

Top roles: Mechatronics Engineers, Technicians, Healthcare Workers, IT Specialists
Visa Type: Opportunity Card – a new system designed to simplify skilled migration
Knowing basic German is a plus; apply via the official Make it in Germany portal.

9. Canada

Canada remains one of the most immigrant-friendly countries, actively recruiting in multiple sectors.

In-demand jobs: Nurses, Truck Drivers, Welders, Software Engineers
Visa Options: Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), International Mobility Program (IMP)
Workers can switch jobs immediately after filing a new permit—no need to wait for approval.

10. Australia

Australia tops the list, thanks to booming demand in infrastructure and tech.

Top jobs: Construction Managers, Electricians, Cybersecurity Analysts, Aged Care Workers
Visa Route: Skills in Demand Visa, launched in December 2024, targets essential trades and high-growth fields
Apply early due to processing delays. Visit Home Affairs Australia and ensure your job title aligns with the official ANZSCO codes.