Gunmen in Nigeria kidnapped more than 200 school pupils in the northern town of Kuriga on Thursday, a teacher, local councillor and parents of the missing children said, in the biggest mass abduction from a school since 2021.

Police in Kaduna state did not respond to requests for comment on the abductions, which happened shortly after morning assembly at the Local Government Education Authority School in the town of Kuriga.

"The number of the kidnapped from the secondary section based on the statistics we took together with the parents is 187 while that of the primary section is 40 for now," said Sani Abdullahi, a home economics teacher.

Local councillor for Kuriga Idris Maiallura said he had been to the school and said the gunmen initially took 100 primary schools pupils but later freed them while others escaped.

Parents and residents blamed the kidnapping on lack of security in the area.

Kaduna state Governor Uba Sani visited Kuriga and promised to get the students released, his office said, but did not say how many pupils were missing.

Amnesty International called on Nigerian authorities to safely rescue the students and hold perpetrators to account.

"We don't know what to do, we are all waiting to see what God can do. They are my only children I have on Earth," Fatima Usman, whose two children were among those abducted, told Reuters by telephone.

Another parent, Hassan Abdullahi, said local vigilantes had tried to repel the gunmen but had been overpowered.

"Seventeen of the students abducted are my children. I feel very sad that the government has neglected us completely in this area," Abdullahi said.

Kidnappings for ransom by armed men have become endemic in northern Nigeria, disrupting daily lives and keeping thousands of children from attending school.

The last major reported abduction involving school children in Kaduna was in July 2021 when gunmen took more than 150 students in a raid. The students were re-united months later with their families after they paid ransoms.

 

Reuters

A Nigerian Air Force Super Mushshak trainer aircraft was involved in "a minor mishap" on Thursday, but the two pilots on board survived the crash, the Air Force said.

The incident occurred at about 1335 GMT near a military airfield in the northern city of Kaduna as the plane was returning from a routine training flight, Air Force spokesperson Edward Gabkwet said in a statement.

Nigeria Air Force authorities have ordered a preliminary investigation to determine the immediate cause of the crash, the statement said. No further details were provided.

The crash follows a Nigerian Air Force MI-35P helicopter that went down in December and is the third such incident since July.

While Africa's largest economy has had a poor air safety record in the past, it has improved in recent years.

 

Reuters

The federal government has inaugurated a 10-member committee on the implementation of the recommendations of the Oronsaye report. 

On February 26, President Bola Tinubu directed the full implementation of the Oronsaye report to “enhance efficiency in the federal service, and reduce the cost of governance”.

According to a statement by Segun Imohiosen, director of information in the office of the secretary to the government of the federation, the committee was inaugurated by George Akume, the SGF, on behalf of the president.

Akume noted that the implementation of the White Papers on the Oronsaye report is aimed at reducing the cost of governance and streamlining efficiency across the governance value chain.

Members of the committee include Akume, Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation; Abubakar Bagudu, minister of budget and economic planning; and Folashade Yemi Esan, head of civil service of the federation.

Others are Usman Hadiza Bala, special adviser to the president on policy and coordination; Dasuki Arabi, director-general of the bureau of public service reform; Abdullahi Gumel, senior special assistant to the president on national assembly matters (senate).

Others include Ibrahim Olarewaju, senior special assistant to the president on national assembly matters (house of representatives); Muri Okunola, principal secretary to the president: and Richard Pheelangwah, permanent secretary, cabinet affairs office.

Akume also highlighted the general guidelines of the committee to include the review of the current mandates to understand the existing functions, responsibilities, and objectives outlined in the mandates of the agencies.

“Identify redundancies and overlaps or conflicting objectives among the mandates of different organisational units,” Akume said.

“Define strategic objectives to ensure the revised mandates align with the strategic objectives and priorities of the government.

“Engage key stakeholders and gather input and feedback on the proposed revisions to the mandates.

“Draft clear, concise, and actionable revised mandates for the organisations involved in the restructuring.

“Ensure the revised mandates comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies governing government operations.

“Obtain necessary approvals from relevant authorities for the revised mandates, and effectively communicate the revised mandates to employees and stakeholders.

“Implement the revised mandates effectively and monitor their implementation to identify any issues or challenges.”

He added that the committee has a 12-week deadline to submit its report.

Here is a list of all agencies affected by the Oronsaye report.

 

The Cable

Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has agreed to collaborate with a group of House of Representatives members pushing for a return to the parliamentary system.

The 60 federal lawmakers, led by Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, had met with the ACF on Thursday with the aim of garnering support for their proposed legislation transitioning from the current presidential system.

Chinda highlighted the need for support from regions and other important bodies for the smooth passage of the bill. He emphasized that the parliamentary system would enhance accountability among officeholders.

In response, ACF Board of Trustees Chairman, Bashir Dalhatu, expressed satisfaction with the initiative and pledged the ACF’s readiness to provide necessary support.

“We have agreed to constitute a committee that will work with the lawmakers to review the draft bill they have prepared and provide suggestions and input. We believe this change will be in the best interest of all Nigerians,” Dalhatu affirmed.

Dalhatu echoed the sentiment that the current presidential system is costly and ineffective, emphasizing the need for a change in governance style for the benefit of all Nigerians.

 

Daily Trust

Gaza ceasefire talks show no sign of progress, US says onus on Hamas

Hamas on Thursday left Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo where there was no sign of progress just days before the start of Ramadan, while the U.S. said the onus was on the Palestinian militant group to strike a deal on Israeli hostages.

Israel and Hamas blamed each other for the lack of agreement after four days of talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt about a 40-day ceasefire amid fears violence could escalate during the Muslim fasting month.

Egyptian security sources said talks, taking place without an Israeli delegation in Cairo, would resume on Sunday, the expected start of Ramadan.

Senior U.S. administration officials said the onus was on Hamas to complete a hostage deal and attributed the delay to what they described as Hamas so far not agreeing to release sick and elderly hostages.

A Hamas official told Reuters the United States was in partnership with Israel and that such comments were misleading. Hamas has insisted that a ceasefire deal include a process toward ending the war altogether.

Hamas said earlier in a statement the delegation left Cairo to speak to the movement's leaders, "with negotiations and efforts continuing to stop the aggression, return the displaced and bring in relief aid to our people."

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters Israel had been "thwarting" efforts to conclude a ceasefire deal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his intention on Thursday of pressing on with the military campaign in Gaza, launched after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, in which Israel said 1,200 people were killed and 253 abducted.

Israel has previously said its aim is to destroy Hamas and that any ceasefire must be temporary. It has also pressed for a list of hostages still alive and held by Hamas in Gaza.

"Needless to say, Israel will do whatever it takes to release our hostages... unfortunately, it is Hamas who is the stumbling block right now by not telling us who is alive and who they have in their custody," Israeli government spokesman David Mencer said.

The deal presented to Hamas for a ceasefire in Gaza would require it to free some of the hostages it still holds. Palestinian prisoners held in Israel would also be released.

'DESPAIR'

Hamas officials have said a ceasefire must be in place before the hostages are freed, Israeli forces must leave Gaza and all Gazans must be able to return to homes they have fled.

Hamas has said it can't provide a list of the hostages who are still alive without a ceasefire as the hostages are scattered across the war zone.

News that the Hamas delegation had left Cairo without an accord was met with despair in Gaza, which is in the grip of a deep humanitarian crisis after five months of war.

"I feel great disappointment and despair, fear too," said Abir, who along with her 12-member family has taken refuge in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, where more than half of the enclave's 2.3 million people are now sheltering.

Hamas media said one Palestinian was killed and several wounded on Thursday by Israeli gunfire as people waited for aid trucks at the Al-Nabulsi roundabout in western Gaza City.

The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reported that Israeli fire killed 118 people last week at the same site when desperate civilians swarmed an aid convoy. Israel said most of those killed were trampled or run over.

U.S. officials said President Joe Biden would announce that the U.S. military will construct a port on Gaza's Mediterranean coast to receive humanitarian assistance by sea.

While it would take weeks to set up, the port will make it possible to bring in the equivalent of hundreds of truckloads of aid, a White House official said.

The U.S. Central Command and Royal Jordanian Air Force continued on Thursday with airdrops of food and other aid in the north of the enclave, where UN aid agencies say a large proportion of the population is on the brink of famine.

Netanyahu vowed to press on with Israel's offensive, including into Rafah.

"Whoever tells us not to act in Rafah is telling us to lose the war and that will not happen," he said.

HAMAS CALLS FOR VISITS TO MOSQUE

Health officials in Gaza said the number of people confirmed killed in Israel's offensive had now passed 30,800. It reported 83 deaths in the past 24 hours and witnesses said the Israeli bombardments continued in Khan Younis, Rafah and areas in central Gaza.

Hamas reiterated a call on Thursday for Palestinians in the West Bank, Jerusalem and inside Israel to step up visits to the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan to increase pressure on Israel to "agree to demands for a ceasefire".

Negotiators are pushing for an accord ahead of Ramadan partly due to concerns that the mosque complex in Jerusalem, the third holiest shrine in Islam, might become a flashpoint for violence during the fasting month.

Israel has said it will allow a similar level of access to the site as in previous years, without providing figures.

 

Reuters

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

No attack perpetrated on Zelensky's motorcade in Odessa — Medvedev

No one planned to mount an attack on Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's motorcade in Odessa, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said.

"Everything here is obvious to everyone. Both that there was no attack on the motorcade in Odessa, and [moreover] that if a target had been set, they (Russian forces - TASS) would have hit it," Medvedev wrote on his Telegram channel, commenting on the explosion that occurred on March 6 in Odessa in close proximity to the motorcade of Zelensky and his guest, visiting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

"But it's still somehow a pity," the official said. "It's a pity that it (the missile - TASS) was precisely launched in a pre-planned place," he added.

Medvedev concluded his post with the Latin proverb: "Nullum malum sine aliquo bono" (There is, in fact, no evil without some good - TASS).

 

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Russian attacks kills three in north, northeastern Ukraine, officials say

Russian attacks on Thursday killed two civilians in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region and another man further west in Chernihiv region, local officials said.

Oleh Synehubov, governor of Kharkov region, said an attack by multiple rocket launchers killed two civilians in Kupiansk, am area recaptured by Ukrainian forces in late 2022 but where Russian forces are now active.

Synehubov, writing on Telegram, said a strike on the town of Chuhuiv, outside the regional centre of Kharkiv, injured two people. An apartment building and a shop suffered damage.

In Chernihiv region, north of Kyiv, mortar fire killed one person, regional governor Viacheslav Chaus said on Telegram.

 

RT/Reuters

I don’t know how it is in your part of town. But it’s been a nightmare in mine, a supposedly middle-class residential area in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital. Rolling blackouts do not begin to explain the depth of the misery. It’s been a dreadful time of rolling and erratic blackouts. Like surfing an angry wave, if you understand what I mean.

Generators and other alternative sources of power, mostly inverters, solar panels and repurposed domestic gas, have replaced public power supply. Private power supply has become the main source; while public supply, if you ever get it, has become the back up.

At 144 kwh per hour annually, Nigeria is grossly underpowered. It is 80 percent below expectations, with Ghana consuming twice as much, Tunisia over 10 times and South Africa, over 30 times as much power. 

The epileptic power supply has flooded my mind with memories of what I used to think of folks at the public power company (we used to call it NEPA) in my younger days. 

I still think the demons there do what they used to do – just messing around with light switches as if it was a game of tumbo, tumbo, bas kalaba... Out of shame, however, or perhaps incredulity, I’m not inclined to express my layman’s view of these malicious spoilsports at public power substations as openly as I used to in my younger days.

What I have witnessed in the last two or three weeks with public power supply has however exhumed the scarecrow from my past. I’ve been around a bit and visited such African countries as Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Mozambique, among others. 

I cannot remember anywhere with the sort of maddening erratic supply that I have seen in my neighbourhood and workplace recently. I’m tempted to think that, like a number of things Nigerian, there is a peculiarity about the rolling blackouts that make them nearly impossible to replicate elsewhere. 

Dead bulbs tell tales

One day in the last week of February, for example, the light went off and came back, surging each time at different frequencies, four times in less than 10 minutes. It was as if someone somewhere was testing the supply or that in my confused state, I never quite saw the light come on before it went off again. That was late evening, after work. I’m not counting how many other times this erratic supply may have occurred after I went to bed that night. But the evidence was waiting the next day. 

By morning, I was left with the remains of five dead bulbs and a damaged changeover switch which was barely one year old. It will cost me more than twice the minimum wage of N30,000 to replace the switch alone. These are the only more recent casualties of erratic power supply in my house. I’m not counting the electric kettle or the power stabilisers. On top of that, I have bought more UPSs than I can count. I even use a few of the remnants damaged by erratic power supply as domestic props!

Neighbour from hell

I’m not going to discuss the trauma that comes from generator pollution and noise. I was so distraught by the noise from the generator on one side of my flat that I tinkered with the idea of buying a replacement for the owner, not out of love or abundance, but to preserve my sanity. 

Poor fellow! He can’t seem to wait for the light-switch flippers at the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to turn off the lights before he powers on his contraption. And even when the alarm sounds that light is back, he still leaves the damn thing chugging! 

If you live around my neighbourhood or even elsewhere around many parts of the country from where I have also received similar complaints of insurgent blackouts, you may consider noise, the loss of five bulbs in one day or a few UPSs small potatoes. 

I imagine that folks may have lost more valuable appliances or suffered more severe emotional and material setbacks. There was a report last week that Nigeria’s Senate stood down proceedings and adjourned indefinitely amidst the power crisis. 

But Discos, being Discos, no one can file any legal claims.

Heatwave troubles

The current heatwave has further highlighted our collective misery. With diesel and petrol at over 106 percent higher than their prices one year ago, only those who have solar panels can hope to enjoy a measure of relief for now. 

Fossil-fuel powered generators are costlier to run as are inverters, which also depend on primary sources of power to charge. So, those who wish to use some form of cooling at home – especially at night – to keep their heads for the next day, have a difficult choice: spend more on alternative energy or just suffer and smile.  

I had a particularly interesting night the day before I wrote this article. I had gone to bed at about 11pm with the generator humming and left an instruction that it should be left on for another two hours. Apparently, less than one hour after I slept, the public power supply was restored and the generator turned off. But as usual, that didn’t last. This was on a day when daytime temperature was about 40 degrees. 

Somewhere, in the depths of slumber, I began to feel as if my mattress had been replaced with a cauldron and that the sheets were thermal fabrics. I was in that place between sleeping and waking up, where your spirit is dying to sleep but your body is wracked by discomfort. 

The body prevailed and I soon noticed I was sweating like a labourer! I crawled out of my bed and on this hot, airless night, I had to decide between opening only a few windows or opening all the windows with the mosquito nets drawn back. Who, for heaven’s sake, is toying with the lights at AEDC that I cannot even have two straight hours of electricity?

Misery source

Is it all inevitable? Is it all down to poor gas supply at the power stations; compromised grids and transmission lines. Is it, as some have suggested, a lack of competence among the Discos that have also been accused of feeding off the assets they inherited during the privatisation without investing one naira since? 

I called my cousin who works at an electricity company for possible answers. I’m still trying to digest his response. Erratic supply – the kind that imitates trafficators – he said, can be caused by several factors. He called the problem, “feeder tripping.” According to him, anything from a bird perching on the wire to a colony of ants at the feeder base or even an adventurous tree branch, can cause a feeder trip.

He said even though staff at the substation are supposed to pick up such signals and act on them, it’s hardly the case and therefore distressed customers like me are advised to call and complain. 

Customer service by phone in Nigeria when it’s not a bank teller calling you to ask why your account is inactive is hell. I hardly bother, and I’m unlikely going to start with electricity companies. I’m still trying to figure out how or why we cannot enjoy a minimum X-hour of electricity supply a day, at least under a load-shedding plan that allows consumers to keep their sanity. This story of stray birds, angry ants and stray tree branches don’t make sense to me. 

All I can think of, right now, especially in the furnace of our current existence, is to assume that there are some switch-trigger-happy fellows at that substation delighted to ruin as much of my domestic appliances as they can and keep me miserably uncomfortable night and day, just because they can!

I’m counting days until this heatwave is over and hopefully, I’ll once again get some deserved respite, especially at night, with or without “NEPA”!

** Ishiekwene is the Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP 

 

You don’t have to be a CEO, or even a manager, to be influential at the office.

Getting your coworkers to listen to and support your ideas boils down to just three emotional intelligence techniques, says Stanford University lecturer and communication expert Matt Abrahams. They can help you show your peers and bosses that you have strong ideas, form meaningful connections across your workplace, improve your job-related skills and maybe even land you a promotion, he says.

The advice is timely, Abrahams adds: Hybrid and remote work mean most entry- and mid-level Gen Z and millennial employees get less face time with their bosses.

“Careers are very different now ... things are more remote and virtual, so you’re not around people as much,” Abrahams tells CNBC Make It. “You really are forging your own way and need to get others to at least support, if not follow, the things you’re trying to do.”

His three recommendations are simple, and can be applied to in-office or remote roles:

Figure out how to be helpful

First: Observe your office’s dynamics. You can usually look online or check with HR to figure out what different teams work on and who reports to which manager.

Then, find a “leverage point” — a way to get noticed within that structure, Abrahams says. “If there are certain tasks people don’t like to do, stepping up to that can give you some access.”

You can volunteer to take notes during meetings, for example, which encourages the other people in the room to direct their attention to you. “They’ll want to make sure you capture things right, and you’ll have an opportunity to ask questions of others,” says Abrahams.

You could get involved with planning office events, or start a Google document that helps keep your team organized. If a single person is running the company’s social media, and you have relevant experience, volunteer to help with posts or produce videos.

“All of a sudden the role you have — a mundane role that many people don’t like — gives you access and influence,” Abrahams says.

Find allies

Whenever you find yourself in a room of people who don’t usually work with, you have an opportunity to form new relationships.

If you’re taking minutes in a meeting, for example, you can listen to how that group brainstorms, selects and executes on new ideas. You can identify people who think similarly to you, or can help you navigate your workplace’s dynamics and inner workings. You might even be able to connect with a higher-up who would be willing to grab a coffee can give you feedback.

Don’t treat your relationships as transactional, Abrahams advises. Seek out people you naturally connect with, and who your other coworkers respect.

“Check in with people and really listen when people say things to you,” says Abrahams. “I’m not saying be manipulative. Buy [and respond] to the things you care about. Those are the things that, I think, can make a difference.”

Support each other’s ideas

Once you’ve formed strong professional relationships, figure out how you can work together toward common goals. Abrahams calls it “aligning” with others.

The next step, he says, is to “amplify.” That can mean vocally supporting each other’s ideas: When someone has a good idea in a meeting, for example, say why you think it’s interesting or beneficial to the company’s mission.

You can also make your own ideas more influential by noting how your colleagues have helped shape it, says Abrahams: “Sally, Joe and I have been working on something we think could solve a problem” is often more impactful than saying the idea came from you alone. It shows that you’ve tested and garnered support for it, and you understand how to get things done within your company’s structure, he notes.

Consistently crediting your teammates helps get people to listen to you, and can make other coworkers more likely to ask for your input or include you on projects.

“There’s nothing more powerful,” Abrahams says.

 

CNBC

• Importation of devices drops by 45%, says player 
• Companies opt for fairly-used laptops as prices of new units rise by 300%
• Importers express frustrations, lament banks’ indifference to their pains
The protracted foreign exchange (FX) crisis has found expression in computer hardware and software, cutting consumer electronics importation by as much as 45 per cent.

Though there have been pockets of imports in the last four months, The Guardian learnt that the last time a container of computer and related devices were imported into the country was the last quarter of 2022.

A major importer and vendor at the Computer Village, Lagos, with offices spread across Nigeria, said it has been tough to import products, largely because of FX scarcity.

According to the major player, importation has reduced by as much as 45 per cent. He said players, who could fund sole importation previously, now must join forces with others.

The source, who preferred anonymity, said vendors are seriously battling a price crisis, which he said has negatively impacted importation.

With the country’s inflation at close to 30-year in February, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), major sectors are battling to survive. Prices of some essential commodities have gone up by over 200 per cent since last year.   

Consequently, people rather spend their lean incomes on essential consumption than on luxury items such as computers, smartphones and electronics.

While DataReportal puts smartphone penetration at about 18.9 per cent of the estimated 217 million population of Nigeria, prices have skyrocketed, making Nigerians either settle for fairly-used devices or feature phones. Airtel at a recent event said about 58 million Nigerians use feature phones.

Before the current crisis, the International Trade Centre (ITC) said $1.09 billion was spent on software acquisition and importation of computer services into Nigeria in five years.

Software and computer services worth $123.89 million were imported in 2016, the figure jumped to $216.57 million in 2017, $257.55 million in 2018 and dipped to $159.28 million in 2019, before skyrocketing to $336.43 million in 2020.

Last year, a report by Euromonitor International predicted that consumer electronics would suffer a seven-year low in Nigeria due to FX scarcity.

Consumer electronics are largely imported into Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy. They include computers, laptops, smartphones, TVs, virtual cameras, air conditioners, dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers and microwave ovens.   

Euromonitor said the picture was to be bleak for consumer electronics in 2023 and going forward, with overall volume sales expected to fall, saying the government inherited a sluggish economy, record debt, and shrinking oil output, due to creaking infrastructure.

The report said that the volume of electronics in the formal market could fall for the fifth straight year to 19.8 million units in 2023 from 20.3 million in 2022. Its value was, however, expected to increase by 25.6 per cent (on the back of low naira value) to N1.57 trillion.

The Euromonitor report showed that portable consumer electronics, which contributed the largest share, would fall to 18.1 million from 18.6 million, in-home consumer electronics would reduce to 1.5 million from 1.53 million, in-car entertainment is projected to decline to 26,800 from 26,900 but computers and peripherals to stay at 186,000.

There has been a sharp rise in electronics prices. A 65-inch smart Hisense TV, which was sold for N700000 in December has increased to about N1,050,000. Double-door refrigerators have also moved from N800,000 to about N2.05 million within a month.

Computer and phone devices have seen similar rates of increase in the past few months. Corroborating Euromonitor’s claims, the President of the Computer and Allied Product Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN), Ahmed Ojikutu, said the FX crisis has reached the rooftop for major players in Computer Village,

Ojikutu, who said prices of computers have increased by as much as 300 per cent, said because of this hike, some corporate organizations are fast settling for used computers, among other things.

“For instance, a laptop previously sold for N500,000 has now gone above N1 million. In that regard, that has not been favourable to the business community. You know the economic principle: the higher the price, the lower the quantity demanded. The level of order has been badly affected to the extent that people are now resulting in buying used products, which is not good for the ecosystem. Nigerians need to use modern systems because of the digital transformation agenda we are enthroning. The ICT sector is not a luxury anymore, it has become a necessity, an enabler for so many things,” he stated.

The CAPDAN president said companies are forced to cut their budgets, “they have approval now to buy used computers. At least, two companies have approached us on that. The issue is how many companies can afford to buy Core i5, the basic one, which was sold for N320,000 but bow offered for N700,000. The Pavilion which was sold for N460,000 in January, is now sold for N1.05. A desktop that was sold for N520,000 now sells above N1 million. Core i4 is above N1.5 million.” Ojikutu, who called for urgent intervention, said smartphones that were sold for cheaper prices then, are now priced above the rooftop.  

According to him, the Federal Government should, as a matter of urgency, stabilise the FX market. He said the implication would be weighty on the sector and the economy if nothing is done to stem the tide.

He said if a market lands a system for N500,000, later sold for N520,000, “the moment you sell and there is a profit of N20,000. If you are to buy the same product back, you will be buying at N600,000. Meaning, you have lost N80,000. Your profit and capital sunk because of the devaluation of the naira. This has affected the traders badly.”

Ojikutu disclosed the jump in price affected all the sub-sectors of the industry including software. He said what is still saving the software sub-sector is because they are not entirely relying on foreign knowledge, but the locals, who are developing products.

“We need to develop the knowledge economy by birthing enough programmers, software engineers, and coders. This will help the local economy and reduce capital flights and foreign expertise. We just need to look inward, same for the hardware sub-sector. We cannot be paying for licenses in dollars yearly or monthly,” he added.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Machito Ebony and Sons Limited, Ikeja, Alaba Davis, said because of the economic situation, the firm delved into sale of used computers, first grades, brought in from UK and American markets used for about seven months to one year, stressing that most firms are not buying new products.

Davis said the forex crisis in the country has greatly impacted sales, where the dollar rose to about N1,800, while the pound sterling moved higher to about N2,300, limiting imports.  

While stressing the need to change the consuming nation tag culture of Nigeria, he said virtually everything done in Nigeria is through the dollar, making it for naira to widen. He said the challenge would linger for a long time because Nigeria cannot produce computers now. After all, no electricity to do that, describing the country as a generator economy.

Davis said before the market can stabilize, it could take another six to 12 months, saying: “The dollar-naira exchange has done more damage. Some of us bought goods when they were expensive. We even bought cash, buying dollars at a higher rate. Those who can enjoy it now are some, who bought on credit because they will be paying at a lower rate. If government can help stabilize the naira for at least the next three months, things will take shape, prices will come down because, we will have sold those we bought at higher rates and started bringing in at a reduced price, and by ending of the year into 2025, things would have been a bit better.”  

While not disputing a significant drop in the importation, the Machito Ebony and Sons Limited boss, said: “I did three imports this year and based on what we do, it could be different from others. We have dealers we buy things from in Nigeria. He imports and we just go and clear. They call it ‘back-to-back’. But there is another one, you can buy directly from wherever you get a good deal. The problem is that shipment is very expensive now. The two importations I did were from the UK. I was charged ‎£5 per kilo and other handling charges. So, if you are carrying goods of about 1000Kg, calculate the charges and then we are buying pounds for about N2,200. It makes everything go up.”

He called on the government to improve on security, especially around crude oil, stressing that most dollars come from that angle. He said Nigeria should secure the oil bases just like Saudi Arabia.

“While we pump about two million barrels per day, Saudi Arabia pumps over nine million barrels a day and they ensure they are not stolen. If we can secure that area, more dollars would come in,” he stated.

He said SMEs should also be helped, saying the players need single-digit loans, stressing that most times credits come from manufacturers and distributors, and they pay more when the economy is not stable.        

From his perspective, CAPDAN Public Relations Officer, Ademola Olaifa, said the importation of goods has been affected seriously by the depreciation of naira.

Olaifa said when we make an order at N1500/$ this week by next week that you planned to get the product, they will tell you it is now N1800/$, “it is that bad. We have faced these crises in the last four to six months. Not producing anything in Nigeria has become a major threat. To make matters worse, the banks are not giving out loans, if they give; it is usually at cutthroat. Government should shut down the black market or merge it with officials. We need a stable forex regime.”

Olaifa posited that the lingering forex scarcity and continuous depreciation of the Naira have left manufacturers bleeding and limited their capacity utilisation since the importation of non-locally produced critical input has become a nightmare.

 

The Guardian

The Senate, on Wednesday, said it would meet with President Bola Tinubu over the insecurity in Benue State and Nigeria at large.

The resolution of the Senate followed the report of a militia clash in Benue State, which left no fewer than 30 dead on Tuesday.

The Senate resolution followed a motion titled: “Motion On the Continuing Killings by Suspected Terrorists Parading as Herdsmen and Increasing Insecurity in Kwande, Ukum, Logo And Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas in the Benue North-East Senatorial District Of Benue State.”

The motion was brought by Emmanuel Udende, representing Benue North-East, under “Matters Of Urgent Public Importance Pursuant To Orders 41 And 51 of  the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended).”

Udende, in his lead debate, said that over 50 residents of the Logo and Katsina-Ala area of the state were killed by men who disguised as herders to unleash havoc on the communities.

A militia clash in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State on  Tuesday claimed no fewer than 30 lives, including a family of seven.

 The attack was said to have been perpetrated by rival militias led by the dreaded duo simply identified as ‘Full Fire’ and ‘Chain.’

One of the terrorist gang leaders was said to have hired the services of external bandits, invaded the Gbagir community in the Ukum LGA and engaged in a fight to oust another militia gang leader in the area.

It was gathered that most of the dead were members of the rival militia gangs, while about 12 innocent farmers were caught in the crossfire, which also left over 30 persons injured and many others declared missing.

A traditional ruler in the area, who spoke with our correspondent on Wednesday on the condition of anonymity, for fear of being a target, said the bloody fight started Tuesday morning after a Tiv militia leader in Ukum kidnapped another Fulani militia leader, identified as Alhaji Gana.

The monarch said, Gana was kidnapped alongside his family members, who were known for banditry and kidnappings by the rival gang from neighbouring Chinkai community in Wukari LGA of Taraba State.

He said, “After kidnapping them, he asked for N100m ransom but he was given N5m. After collecting the money, he killed the hostages.

“The murder of the hostages sparked outrage among his gang members in Taraba State. This happened over the weekend.

“What followed was that another militia gang leader in Ukum now went and joined forces with the Fulani militia gang in Taraba to help them eliminate the rival gang in Ukum that killed their leader, Gana.

“From what we gathered, over 40 persons who were mainly bandits have been killed, though we have a record of about 12 farmers who were caught in the crossfire. Over 30 others were injured while some are also missing.

“Sadly caught in the crossfire was a family of seven in Tse Adzandeh Mbasaa, Mbajiga, Ityuluv, Torov. They were all members of the Adzandeh family,” the monarch said.

The lawmaker representing Ukum State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Nyiyongo Ezra, said about 20 people were killed.

He said, “For now, I cannot tell you the cause of the attack but the information I got was that about 20 people were killed.”

The Force Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke, Sunday Igbinomwanhia, a major general, confirmed that 30 people were killed in the clash.

Fielding questions from journalists during a press conference held at the old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, the force commander said, “It was a clash between two militia groups resulting in deaths. We went there and for whatever reason they had the clash, I don’t know.

“But our initial visit revealed that 30 people were killed.”

On his part, the state Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, said, “So far, we have recovered five corpses but a search for people is ongoing.”

At the Senate, the lawmaker representing Benue North-East lamented that the attack on the communities had gone unabated since Tuesday.

He said, “No fewer than 50 persons have been killed in fresh attacks on several communities in Kwande, Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas of Benue State by terrorist parading as herdsmen;

 “The affected communities some of which were attacked as recently as yesterday, 5th March 2024 include Tyuluv, Borikyo, Kundav, Ugbaam, Uyam, Udedeku, Yaaiwa, Nyihemba, Tomatar, Menakwagh , Yiase and  Agura all in the Benue North-East Senatorial district of Benue State.

“Residents of the villages and communities now find themselves targeted daily by heavily-armed terrorist-herdsmen, and the toll continues to be staggering as they bear the brunt, with reports of marauders butchering several villagers, leaving many homes completely burnt down and numerous residents still missing while the perpetrators, however, remain elusive and have not been apprehended.”

The Senate, in its resolution, decided that its leadership will  “visit Mr president with all the resolutions on the motion towards ending the continued killings of farmers by armed herdsmen in Benue North-East and Nigeria at large.”

The resolution further read: “Convey condolence of the season to the people of Benue North-East Senatorial District. To lead a delegation to the Governor of Benue State to find out his efforts on the and challenges.”

The Red Chamber also added that “The Chief of Defence Staff,  Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, the Inspector General of Police and heads of other security agencies to as a matter of urgency.

“Deploy security personnel to address the continuing and ongoing attacks by armed terrorists parading as herdsmen on communities in Kwande, Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas of Benue State to flush out the herdsmen, stop the killings, and restore normalcy to the affected communities.

“Heighten surveillance and invest in surveillance technology and equipment to detect and prevent future attacks; review the security architecture in the area to forestall the continuous attacks.”

 

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