Editorial

Friday, 28 June 2024 04:48

Editorial: A cautionary tale from Kenya to Nigeria

The scenes unfolding in Kenya, where protests over proposed tax hikes have escalated into a full-blown political crisis, should serve as a stark warning to other African nations. The Kenyan government's attempt to increase taxes amid rising economic hardship and persistent corruption has triggered widespread unrest, leading to violent clashes, multiple deaths, and a call for President William Ruto's resignation. This situation offers a poignant lesson for Nigeria, where the Bola Tinubu administration is pursuing economic policies that could similarly ignite public outrage. Kenya’s turmoil began with an online outpouring of anger against tax increases on essential goods. What started…

Thursday, 27 June 2024 04:50

Editorial: Saudi heatwave deaths and the scorching price of progress

The recent tragedy at the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, where over 1,000 people have lost their lives due to extreme heat, serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of global warming. As temperatures soar beyond 120°F (49°C), we are witnessing the human cost of our collective failure to address climate change. This catastrophe is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves worldwide. The responsibility for this global crisis lies squarely on the shoulders of advanced economies. For decades, these nations have driven industrial progress and economic growth through…

Wednesday, 26 June 2024 04:49

Editorial: New Presidential Jets: A misplaced priority amid Nigeria's economic crisis

In a country grappling with unprecedented economic hardships, the Federal Government's proposal to purchase new jets for the President and Vice President is not just ill-timed but also deeply insensitive. With mass unemployment, galloping inflation, and widespread poverty, this move exemplifies a stark disconnect between the government and the suffering populace it claims to serve. The recent revelation that the government has already spent nearly N15 billion on maintaining the existing presidential fleet within just 11 months underscores the significant financial burden this fleet places on national resources. Despite this expenditure, the administration now seeks to approve the purchase of…

Tuesday, 25 June 2024 05:11

Editorial: Balancing support for Dangote Refinery with fair competition in Nigeria's oil sector

The recent allegations made by Dangote Refinery against International Oil Companies (IOCs) and the Nigerian government demand serious attention. As Nigeria's first private refinery of its magnitude and a potential game-changer for the country's petroleum sector, Dangote's concerns should not be taken lightly. For decades, Nigeria has grappled with a paradoxical situation: being a major oil producer yet heavily dependent on imported refined products. This has drained the nation's foreign exchange reserves and stunted economic growth. The successful operation of Dangote Refinery could mark a turning point, potentially ending this cycle of dependence and creating substantial economic benefits. The accusations…

Monday, 24 June 2024 04:52

Editorial: The Kano emirate farce: A tale of cousins, court orders, and a game of thrones

In the hallowed halls of Kano's ancient emirate, a ridiculous and entertaining spectacle unfolds between two cousins vying for a throne that seems to multiply faster than rabbits. Muhammadu Sanusi and Aminu Ado Bayero, each convinced they're the rightful heir, engage in a comical power struggle that has transformed the Emirate into a stage for political theatre. Sanusi, the dethroned and exiled emir, has made a dramatic return, reappointed faster than you can say "musical chairs." Meanwhile, Bayero clings to his title with the desperation of a cat scratching a post, even setting up camp in a “mini palace” that…

Friday, 21 June 2024 04:48

Editorial: Reversing the exodus: Rethinking economic policies to retain multinationals in Nigeria

The wave of multinational companies exiting Nigeria continues to swell, presenting a grim reflection of the nation's current economic climate. The latest casualty, Aarti Steel, a prominent Indian steel maker, is set to leave the Nigerian manufacturing sector, further deepening concerns about the country’s investment environment. This trend starkly contrasts with the Nigerian government’s professed commitment to attract foreign investment through orthodox economic policies championed by international financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank. President Bola Tinubu’s administration has embarked on a series of reforms intended to liberalize the economy and create a conducive environment for business. These measures…

Thursday, 20 June 2024 04:47

Editorial: National anthem and Akpabio’s theory of banditry

Senate President Godswill Akpabio's statement that Nigeria would not have experienced banditry if the old national anthem had been retained is a perplexing and disheartening reflection of the disconnect between Nigeria's political leadership and the harsh realities faced by its citizens. Akpabio's assertion that a national anthem can influence such profound societal issues as insecurity and banditry raises serious questions about the intellectual rigour and priorities of those in power. The notion that an anthem could prevent banditry is fundamentally flawed. Banditry, terrorism, and other forms of insecurity in Nigeria are deeply rooted in governance failures, economic disparity, and systemic…

Wednesday, 19 June 2024 04:44

Editorial: Here’s a toast to the President as he goes after cable thieves, rail track vandals

In a stunning display of keen insight, President Bola Tinubu has pinpointed the true architects of Nigeria’s economic woes: the small-time cable thieves and railway vandals. While some naïve souls might suggest that our troubles stem from corrupt leaders, wasteful public spending, bad policies, and fraudulent elections, Tinubu knows better. It’s the petty criminals, scraping by in poverty, who are sabotaging the economy. During a visit from a National Assembly delegation in Lagos on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, Tinubu urged Nigerians to change their mindset. He passionately described the havoc wreaked by citizens who dare to steal electric cables and…

Tuesday, 18 June 2024 04:52

Editorial: Skyrocketing drug prices deepen hardship, shorten lives

The escalating costs of pharmaceuticals in Nigeria have thrust the nation into a severe healthcare crisis, exacerbating the hardships faced by millions. As drug prices soar, many Nigerians are forced to forgo essential medications, resort to less effective herbal remedies, or self-medicate, putting their health at considerable risk. This dire situation is a significant factor in Nigeria's low life expectancy and declining productivity amidst the current economic turmoil. For individuals battling chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, or cancer, the affordability crisis has placed life-saving medications out of reach. Patients like Ngozi Uchenna, who cannot afford the prescribed cough mixture…

Monday, 17 June 2024 04:21

Editorial: Tinubu's broken promise and Nigeria's escalating debt crisis

When Bola Tinubu assumed office as Nigeria's president, he pledged to break the country’s reliance on borrowing for public spending. This commitment, made on August 8, 2023, during the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, raised hopes for fiscal prudence and economic stability. However, less than a year later, Nigeria's borrowing has surged dramatically, with over $8 billion borrowed from external sources and N20 trillion from the domestic debt market. This stark deviation from Tinubu's vow not only undermines his credibility but also poses severe implications for Nigeria’s economic future. The Legacy of Debt Under…

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Sunday, 16 June 2024 04:36

Editorial: The new normal - kidnappings by land, sea, and soon, air?

In the latest thrilling episode of Nigeria’s burgeoning kidnapping drama, we have witnessed yet another remarkable innovation: abductions on water. Yes, indeed, three unsuspecting boat passengers found themselves unwilling participants in this aquatic adventure, whisked away by gunmen near Falomo Bridge, Lagos on Saturday, June 15. The Lagos State Police, always a beacon of swift action and effectiveness, have of course “started looking into it.” Bravo! One can only admire the creativity of Nigeria's criminal masterminds. With thousands already abducted by land, it was high time our intrepid kidnappers took to the seas. President Bola Tinubu must be proud. After…

Friday, 14 June 2024 04:45

Editorial: The growing extravagance of government officials amidst widespread poverty

As Nigerians grapple with severe poverty and hunger, the extravagant lifestyles and wasteful spending of government officials have become increasingly indefensible. Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State recently called for a significant reduction in governance costs, highlighting the disparity between the ruling class and ordinary Nigerians. Despite the country's dire financial situation, elected officials continue to flaunt their unearned wealth and live lavishly, showing a blatant disregard for the masses they are supposed to serve. Soludo's suggestion to place political officeholders on the national minimum wage is a poignant reminder of the disconnect between government officials and the people. It…

Thursday, 13 June 2024 04:46

Editorial: Time for a new economic vision, Mr. President

President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day broadcast on June 12, 2024, marked 25 years of Nigeria’s return to democracy. In his address, the President acknowledged the economic difficulties facing the nation and emphasised the need for reforms to rectify decades of over-reliance on oil revenues. However, the reality of his administration’s economic reforms paints a starkly different picture. The withdrawal of subsidies from petrol and electricity, coupled with the floating of the Naira leading to a massive devaluation, has plunged Nigeria into a severe economic crisis. These measures, often lauded by Bretton Woods Institutions, have resulted in hyperinflation, widespread hunger, and…

Wednesday, 12 June 2024 04:45

Editorial: Democracy's unfulfilled promises: 25 years of Nigeria's journey

When former President Olusegun Obasanjo addressed the nation during his inauguration on May 29, 1999, he embodied the hope and promise of a new era. His words reflected the aspirations of millions of Nigerians yearning for a break from the past and a leap into a future filled with economic prosperity, security, and democratic governance. "Together, we shall reach the Promised Land," Obasanjo declared, igniting a flame of optimism across the country. Twenty-five years later, as Nigeria marks a quarter-century of constitutional democracy, the reality starkly contrasts with the high hopes of 1999. Each successive administration—Obasanjo's own, followed by those…

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