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OPINION: Is This The Renewed Hope Nigerians Subscribed To?

Published

1 year ago

July 1, 2024

By Richard Asoge

In anticipation to get the economy fixed for growth and development after some years of cankerworm, corruption and leakages, Nigerians came out putting aside propaganda on Saturday, February 25th, 2023 and voted relatively for the presidential candidate of All Progressive Party (APC), Bola Tinubu. The support he got from the people was not unconnected to the way he had built bridges among people of different culture, religion and ethnic groups, how he remodel Lagos during his tenure as governor between 1999 and 2007 and most importantly, how his political wizardry will turn the fortune of the country for good if eventually elected president.

The declaration of ‘subsidy is gone’ in the inaugural speech on May 29th, 2023 by President Bola Tinubu may be a landmark decision considering what had happened in the past in the oil sector but the policy effect thereafter was weighty. Nobody ever thought it can go so deep and far this way before the desired results will be achieved or that the policy effect will be evaluated after some weeks of implementation to consider initiating another policy to absorb, to some extent, the negative effect of the sudden and total subsidy removal on petrol but this was not really so.

While grappling with the effect of the fuel subsidy removal, within two weeks, unification of exchange rate took its stand. Of course, no right-thinking Nigerian having the knowledge of how very few but connected ones were eaten fat from the common patrimony of the nation which persistently made the foreign reserve to nosedive would oppose the unification of exchange rate. The twin effects of the fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification with insecurity without another policy measure within three or six months to crowd-out these effects brought us to this ugly situation we find ourself today.

MORE FROM THE AUTHOR: Inflation: Where Are We Going From Here? [OPINION]

We have never had it so high and rapid as far as inflation is concerned in the last 28years. Going by what National Bureau of Statistics published for May 2024 (year on year basis), inflation is 33.95 percent. Breaking it down further into components, food was the most dreaded among them with 40.66 percent on a year on year basis. Agricultural produce is fast declining as a result of insecurity in the hinterland and tropical forests. To make things worse, the current generation of youth do not see faming as a vocation worthy of practicing but spending productive hours on social media.

There is a strong connection between diet and illness. The more nutritious your food is, the higher the immune system to resist any sickness. The current outbreak of cholera in most of the states is traceable to consumption of junks. Average income of individual is far below what can keep life together. Naira has lost its purchasing power and has led many to consume half rotten if not totally rotten foods. Hunger reflects on the faces of individual with no end in sight. An hungry man is an angry man, goes an African proverb. Poverty is getting wider. Only God knows the current position Nigeria occupies among hunger nations. In 2023 it ranked 109 of the 125 selected countries with 28.3percent in the hunger index.

One of the things highlighted to bring relieve to commuters was conversion of vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) type. How many vehicles have been successfully converted to CNG? and what is the ratio to the population of vehicles? One year has gone now with no significant success in the conversion ratio to the 2027 target.

MORE FROM THE AUTHOR: 2024 Budget: What Average Nigerian Wants?

Before oil dominated the structure of Nigeria economy, internal factors determined prices of goods and services and not external factors like exchange rate. Recently, crypto currency and related activities joined the external factors. The more an economy is linked to foreign transaction for survival, the higher the risk politically, socially and economically. Believing and placing our local goods and services above foreign ones is a sure cure.

To fight hunger and bring down the foods’ prices, real action of all is needed. Ministry of Agriculture or Departments related to agriculture across the tiers of government must practice agriculture in full scale. Local government, been the closest to the people, must practice farming as their leading business ventures. For those that may not have land to practice, it is not bad to have memorandum of understanding with the neighboring local government or state. In year 2016, Lagos State followed that path during the tenure of Akinwumi Ambode as governor by having an arrangement with Kebbi State under the leadership of Atiku Bagudu in the production of rice branded as ‘Lake Rice’. Other states or entity can copy such model and fine tune it if needed and bring something good out of it. No state is idle without having comparative advantage in one area over others. Continuity of policy is our greatest enemy. Lake Rice production only lasted for six years and nothing of such is heard thereafter.

Now that the revenue of various tiers of government has substantially increased, it shouldn’t be an avenue for political office holders to increase their entitlements at the expense of majority whose activities generated the revenue but opportunity to close deficit gaps of basic infrastructure. This takes me to the new minimum wage being negotiated between Federal Government and Nigeria Labour Congress with other concerned parties. N62,000 been offered as minimum wage by Federal Government or N100,000 been canvassed for by many analysts shouldn’t be the primary concern of most Nigerians but the sustainability and the value of every naira in the market place. if N100,000 or more is sealed and gazette today as new minimum wage but only to realize after two months that $1 goes for N4,000 and every other price of local items assumes exponential rise including items that do not have any foreign input, will it make economic sense? Definitely, none. Another negotiation may not come up until five years. This is why price stability should be a serious concern.

Hope of average Nigerian is renewed when there is food on the table and price stability is ensured.

Richard Asoge
08081492614
chards001@gmail.com

Headline

Trump Administration Proposes New Rule Limiting Nigerians, Others

Published

18 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

The Trump administration has unveiled a proposal that would restrict the length of time international students can remain in the United States for their studies.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the regulation, which is expected to be published on Thursday, would impose a four-year cap on student visas and other categories of temporary admissions.

According to Fox News, the DHS said the proposal is part of efforts to curb “visa abuse” and strengthen the government’s ability to “properly vet and oversee these individuals.”

It added that some students have “taken advantage of U.S. generosity” and become “forever” students by staying enrolled in colleges to prolong their residence.

“For too long, past Administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the U.S. virtually indefinitely, posing safety risks, costing untold amount of taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging U.S. citizens,” a DHS spokesperson stated.

“This new proposed rule would end that abuse once and for all by limiting the amount of time certain visa holders are allowed to remain in the U.S., easing the burden on the federal government to properly oversee foreign students and their history,” the spokesperson continued.

Currently, F visa holders may stay in the U.S. for the “duration of status,” meaning the period they are enrolled full-time. The new proposal would allow stays for the length of a programme but would not permit them to exceed four years, generally less than the time needed for postgraduate studies.

Foreign journalists would also be affected. Under the plan, they would receive an initial admission period of 240 days, with the possibility of a single extension for another 240 days, but not longer than their assignment.

The DHS said regular assessments would provide “proper oversight” and help reduce the number of people residing in the U.S. on temporary visas.

But education experts warned the measure could hurt universities financially. International students typically pay higher tuition and have fewer opportunities for scholarships, which contributes significantly to the financial support of American colleges.

“It will certainly act as an additional deterrent to international students choosing to study in the United States, to the detriment of American economies, innovation, and global competitiveness,” Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, said in a statement to Politico.

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Russia Hits Ukraine With ‘Massive’ Deadly Overnight Strikes

Published

22 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

Russian forces launched a “massive” attack on Kyiv on Thursday, hitting the Ukrainian capital with strikes that killed at least four people and wounded around 30 others, Ukrainian officials said.

The attack came as Moscow and Kyiv traded blame over an impasse in diplomatic efforts towards a peace deal spearheaded by US President Donald Trump.

AFP journalists in Kyiv witnessed powerful explosions that illuminated the night sky and left behind a column of smoke.

Ukraine’s Interior Minister Igor Klymenko said the strikes killed four people and wounded “about 30 people.”

Those killed included a 14-year-old girl, while five children aged seven to 17 were among those who sustained “injuries of varying severity,” Tymur Tkachenko, the head of the city’s military administration, said.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the strikes as a “massive attack” that caused damage in several districts of the capital.

Tkachenko said Moscow had fired ballistic and cruise missiles as well as Iranian-designed Shahed drones from different directions to “systematically” target residential buildings.

Red tracer bullets sailed through the night sky in an effort to intercept drones above the city centre, an AFP journalist saw. At least one missile appeared to be shot down.

Around 100 people took refuge in a subway station, with some lying in sleeping bags and others holding their pets.

A five-story building in the Darnytsky district had collapsed, and a shopping mall was hit in the city centre, Klitschko reported.

– Ukrainian attacks on Russia –
Kyiv suffered one of its worst attacks of the over three-year war on July 31, leaving more than 30 people dead including five children.

Ukrainian officials also reported a Russian strike in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region on Thursday.

Russian authorities said they destroyed over 100 Ukrainian drones overnight. A Ukrainian attack sparked a fire at an oil refinery in the Krasnodar region but caused no casualties, according to local officials.

Russian forces have been slowly but steadily gaining ground in Ukraine in recent months, as diplomatic efforts have accelerated.

Trump held a high-profile summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this month, followed by a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and European allies.

But there has been little progress since then.

Before concluding any peace agreement, Ukraine wants security guarantees from the West to deter any future Russian attacks.

Moscow has cast Kyiv’s demands as unrealistic and has raised particular objection to the notion of stationing Western peacekeeping troops in Ukraine.

Zelensky said on Wednesday that members of his administration would meet with US officials in New York on Friday.

The Ukrainian leader said he saw “very arrogant and negative signals from Moscow regarding the negotiations”, urging extra “pressure” to “force Russia to take real steps”.

AFP

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Two US Pastors Arrested In $50m Human Trafficking, Fraud Case

Published

22 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

Two church leaders in the United States have been arrested in an alleged multi-million-dollar conspiracy after multiple Federal Bureau of Investigation raids across the country on Wednesday, including one in Hillsborough County’s exclusive Avila neighborhood.

In a statement issued via its website on Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice said Michelle Brannon, 56, was arrested at a mansion near Tampa, while David Taylor, 53, was arrested in North Carolina over allegations of multi-million dollar money laundering, forced labour and human trafficking.

According to the DOJ, Taylor and Brannon are the leaders of Kingdom of God Global Church, formerly known as Joshua Media Ministries International.

The Justice Department said Taylor referred to himself as “Apostle” and to Brannon as his Executive Director.

FBI officials said law enforcement arrested Brannon early Wednesday at 706 Guisando De Avila in Hillsborough County, which is owned by the church, according to property records.

Investigators arrested Taylor on Wednesday morning in North Carolina, while SWAT and FBI agents also raided a hotel owned by the church in Houston.

A 10-count indictment alleged that Taylor and Brannon ran call centres in Florida, Texas, Missouri, and Michigan to solicit donations to the church.

The pair convinced their victims to work at the call centres and work for Taylor as personal servants – referred to as “armour bearers” – for long hours without pay, according to the indictment.

Federal investigators said Taylor and Brannon “controlled every aspect of the daily living of their victims,” who slept at the call centre or in a “ministry” house and were not allowed to leave without permission.

The indictment also says the suspects forced the victims to transport women to Taylor and ensure that those women took Plan B emergency contraceptives.

The church received about $50 million in donations through its call centres dating back to 2014, according to the DOJ.

Taylor and Brannon are accused of using much of that money to buy luxury properties, luxury vehicles, and sporting equipment such as boats, jet skis, and ATVs.

Taylor and Brannon face charges of forced labour, conspiracy to commit forced labour, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Each alleged crime carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Michigan returned a 10-count indictment against two defendants for their alleged roles in a forced labour and money laundering conspiracy that victimised individuals in Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Missouri.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said the two defendants were arrested in North Carolina and Florida in a nationwide takedown of their forced labour organistion.

“Combating human trafficking is a top priority for the Department of Justice.

“We are committed to relentlessly pursuing and ending this scourge and obtaining justice for the victims,” he said.

Also speaking, U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. for the Eastern District of Michigan, said, “We will use every lawful tool against human traffickers and seek justice for their victims.

“A case like this is only possible through a concerted effort with our federal partners across the country and the non-governmental agencies who provide victim support. We thank them all.”

“The indictment of David Taylor and Michelle Brannon demonstrates the FBI’s steadfast efforts to protect the American people from human exploitation and financial crimes, including forced labour and money laundering.

“The alleged actions are deeply troubling. I want to thank the members of the FBI Detroit Field Office, with strong support from our federal and agency partners in the FBI Tampa Field Office, FBI Jacksonville Field Office, FBI St. Louis Field Office, FBI Charlotte Field Office, FBI Houston Field Office, and the Detroit IRS-CI Field Office, in addition to several local, county and state law enforcement partners, for their role in executing this multi-state operation.

“The FBI in Michigan will continue to investigate those who violate federal law and remain focused on ensuring the protection and safety of our nation,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Reuben Coleman of the FBI Detroit Field Office.

“Money laundering is tax evasion in progress, and in this case, the proceeds funded an alleged human trafficking ring and supported a luxury lifestyle under the guise of a religious ministry.

“IRS-CI stands committed to fighting human trafficking and labor exploitation, and pursuing those who hide their profits gained from the extreme victimization of the vulnerable,” said Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd of IRS Criminal Investigation, Detroit Field Office.

According to the DOJ, conspiracy to commit forced labour carries up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000, while forced labour carries up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000.

It noted that conspiracy to commit money laundering carries up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine up to $500,000 or twice the value of the properties involved in the money laundering transactions.

It was gathered that Brannon appeared in federal court in Tampa on Wednesday afternoon, but an attorney for Brannon wasn’t present.

A judge asked where her attorney was and whether she had representation.

Brannon told the judge that she had two private attorneys, out of St. Louis and Oklahoma, who were already working with them. However, she said she hadn’t heard from either of them.

The judge said the attorneys were not able to be reached through the phone numbers provided to federal prosecutors. It’s not clear if Brannon has legal representation at this point.

The judge continued Brannon’s hearing to Thursday afternoon. He instructed Brannon to find an attorney in the Tampa area in the meantime.