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Omokri: Economy fully on rebound with Tinubu’s reforms

Published

2 years ago

November 25, 2024

Presidency breaks silence on Tinubu’s US FOIA case, denies criminal trial

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Omokri: Economy fully on rebound with Tinubu’s reforms

The economy is rebounding because the reforms by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are already yielding fruits, a former presidential aide has said.

Mr. Reno Omokri, in a statement yesterday, gave statistics of the progress being made.

He urged critics of the government to be more objective and patriotic.

He said: “The reforms are working. Nigeria has had four uninterrupted consecutive quarters of trade surpluses for the first time, meaning that we now export more than we import.

“Nigeria has achieved a new record in its trade balance, with an unprecedented N14.07 trillion trade surplus by half year 2024.”

He explained that the adjustments were necessary to curb the fiscal wastes that benefitted a few businessmen to the detriment of most Nigerians.

Omokri explained: “The reforms in Nigeria were necessary to stop wastage, such as the $1.5 billion used to defend the Naira monthly, the $15 billion expended on fuel subsidy annually, and the wanton importation of products we could manufacture in Nigeria by opportunistic importers.”

Referring to the weekend comment by music icon David Adeleke, aka Davido, that the “Nigerian economy was in shambles,” Omokri said the comment was inaccurate and inappropriate.

He explained that the stock market would be down if the economy were not recovering.

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“On Thursday, March 28, 2024, the Nigerian Stock Exchange crossed 104,562.06 All Shares Index, a 39.84% increase year-to-date, making it the second-best performing exchange in Africa,” he said.

He referred to the record-breaking outing of another music icon, WIZKID, whose latest album, MORAYO, was released on 22 November. Within 24 hours, he received 12.2 million streams on Spotify Nigeria, evidence that things were looking up in the country.

Omokri argued: “Streaming music is purchased with disposable income. People do not have disposable income in an economy in shambles, not to mention breaking streaming records, especially on Spotify, where the average streaming cost is $10.99 monthly.

“How many singers have broken streaming records in Venezuela or Argentina? Those economies could be said to be in shambles, not Nigeria.”

Omokri recognised that the reforms had come with short-term pains but said the government had rolled out palliative programmes to alleviate the people’s suffering.

He said: “The reforms have come with some short-term challenges, which are understandable. Nevertheless, steps have been taken to cushion their effect on Nigerians and raise their purchasing power, including increasing the minimum wage by 140% from N30,000 to N70,000, which is probably why our youths had the power to help WIZKID break streaming records.

“For the first time in Nigeria’s history, student loans have also been introduced for students of federal and state-owned tertiary institutions. Conditional cash transfers have been paid and are still being paid to the poorest of the poor.”

Omokri referred Davido to the success of his father, Mr Adedeji Adeleke, in the Nigerian business environment, contending that this could not have happened in a hopeless economy.

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“Davido’s father recently testified of the breakthrough in his investments in Nigeria in multiple fields. Mr Adedeji Adeleke gave a good report on how his $2 billion power plant in Nigeria is thriving and has blossomed to the point where he generates 15% of Nigeria’s electricity,” he said, adding, “May God bless him for that testimony, which is at variance and contradicts what his son, Davido, said to the world about Nigeria’s economy being in shambles.”

Omokri urged Davido and other critics to be more objective and patriotic in assessing the country’s situation. “I urge Davido to learn from Rihanna, who never talks down on her country and instead uses her celebrity to promote Barbados and project her positively to the world. Rihanna was named a national hero and cultural ambassador for Barbados in 2018.”

He said: “It is rather disappointing for a young man whose uncle is a governor and should know better. Even worse, he said that to a foreign audience in a foreign country. Davido may have US citizenship, but that does not mean he should de-market Nigeria.”

Restating the need for an objective assessment of the country, he said, “Regardless of anyone’s disposition towards Nigeria’s current leadership, we must understand that leaders come and go, but Nigeria remains. You can attack a leader you do not like or are politically opposed to. But you should never de-market your country. Because even if you have a U.S. passport, your value as a Nigerian, whether in the diaspora or the home front, is tied to Nigeria’s value.

“No matter where you lean on the political divide, you will agree that if a global platform offers itself to you, you should not use it to tell the world that Nigeria’s ‘economy is in shambles’. If you cannot use such a golden opportunity to project Nigeria positively, as Rihanna does for Barbados, refrain from speaking negatively about her.”

Omokri: Economy fully on rebound with Tinubu’s reforms

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News

NiMet Predicts Thunderstorms, Rain Across Nigeria Till Wednesday

Published

6 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Hamdalat Bisiriyu

NiMet Predicts Thunderstorms, Rain Across Nigeria Till Wednesday

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms and rainfall across several parts of Nigeria from Monday to Wednesday.

The agency, in its weather outlook released on Sunday, also warned that strong winds could occur ahead of thunderstorms in some areas.

For Monday, NiMet expects thunderstorms and light rain over parts of Taraba and Kebbi during the morning. Later in the day, moderate rainfall is expected across several areas in the North-East, Kaduna, Taraba and Kebbi.

In the North-Central region, parts of Niger State could experience thunderstorms and light rain in the morning, while most parts of the region may record thunderstorms with moderate rainfall by afternoon or evening.

The southern states are also expected to experience wet conditions. NiMet forecasts cloudy skies in the morning, with isolated thunderstorms and light rain over parts of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. More thunderstorms and light rain are expected later in the day.

Tuesday and Wednesday Forecast

On Tuesday, the northern region is expected to have patches of cloud in the morning, with thunderstorms and light rain possible in parts of Taraba.

By afternoon or evening, most parts of the region could experience thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rain.

In the North-Central, parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa and Plateau states are expected to receive thunderstorms and moderate rainfall later in the day.

Southern areas, including parts of Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and the South-South, may also experience thunderstorms and light rain.

NiMet expects more widespread rainfall on Wednesday, particularly across northern and North-Central states. Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Adamawa and Taraba are among the areas listed for morning thunderstorms and moderate rain.

The agency also forecasts thunderstorms and moderate rainfall across much of the South later on Wednesday.

NiMet advised residents to secure loose objects and take precautions against strong winds. Motorists were urged to avoid driving during heavy rainfall, while residents were advised to disconnect electrical appliances during thunderstorms and stay away from tall trees.

Airline operators were also advised to obtain airport-specific weather information when planning flights.

NiMet Predicts Thunderstorms, Rain Across Nigeria Till Wednesday

News

Working People United Celebrates Oluremi Tinubu at 66, Commends Her Humanitarian Efforts

Published

7 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Hamdalat Bisiriyu

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu

Working People United Celebrates Oluremi Tinubu at 66, Commends Her Humanitarian Efforts

Civic organisation Working People United has congratulated Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on her 66th birthday, praising her contributions to humanitarian services, education, healthcare and the empowerment of vulnerable Nigerians.

Oluremi Tinubu celebrates her 66th birthday on Monday, September 21, 2026, with messages of goodwill coming from individuals and organisations across the country.

In a congratulatory message issued on Sunday, National Coordinator-General of Working People United, Prince Williams Akporeha, described the First Lady’s years of public service as an important part of her contribution to Nigerian society.

Akporeha said the organisation recognised Oluremi Tinubu’s continued involvement in programmes designed to improve the welfare of children, women, young people and underserved communities.

He particularly highlighted her advocacy and interventions in education, healthcare access, youth development and economic empowerment, saying such initiatives were directed at addressing challenges faced by ordinary Nigerians.

According to the group, the First Lady’s humanitarian activities have focused on providing practical support to communities and creating opportunities for people who might otherwise have limited access to social and economic resources.

Working People United also commended Oluremi Tinubu’s interest in family welfare and children’s development, describing those areas as important to the long-term development of the country.

The organisation said efforts to strengthen access to basic education and healthcare, particularly at the grassroots, remained critical to improving the quality of life of Nigerians.

It also praised initiatives aimed at providing young people with skills and economic opportunities, noting that youth empowerment could help reduce vulnerability and expand participation in the economy.

Akporeha urged the First Lady to sustain her advocacy for vulnerable Nigerians as she begins another year of her life.

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He said the organisation was joining Nigerians across the country to celebrate Oluremi Tinubu and acknowledge what it described as her commitment to humanitarian service.

Working People United wished the First Lady good health, wisdom, strength and fulfilment as she continues her public responsibilities and supports initiatives focused on the welfare of Nigerians.

The group also expressed hope that her birthday would provide an opportunity to renew attention to issues affecting children, women, young people and low-income families, particularly in education, healthcare and economic empowerment.

Oluremi Tinubu, a former senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, has been involved in public service and humanitarian activities for several years.

As First Lady, she has continued her intervention programmes through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), which has focused on areas including education, health, agriculture, social investment and economic empowerment.

Her recent programmes have included support for women, vulnerable households, students, farmers, young people and families affected by economic hardship.

The birthday messages therefore come as the First Lady continues her public engagements and humanitarian programmes across different parts of Nigeria.

Working People United Celebrates Oluremi Tinubu at 66, Commends Her Humanitarian Efforts

International

18 Suspects Transferred to US Over 2021 Killing of Haitian President Moïse

Published

7 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Hamdalat Bisiriyu

18 Suspects Transferred to US Over 2021 Killing of Haitian President Moïse

Eighteen suspects accused of involvement in the 2021 assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moise have been transferred from Haiti to the United States to face trial.

US officials said the suspects were transported to Florida on Sunday, as American authorities continue their prosecution of people allegedly connected to the plot.

Federal prosecutor Jason Reding Quinones said the suspects were flown from Haiti on a military aircraft to face proceedings in the Southern District of Florida.

He said US authorities had so far indicted 30 people in connection with the assassination and warned that the prosecutions were not over.

Among those transferred was Joseph Felix Badio, a former anti-corruption official with Haiti’s Ministry of Justice who has been identified as a major suspect in the investigation.

Haitian government and police sources said the other suspects included Colombian nationals who were allegedly part of the group involved in the operation.

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Colombian Nationals Among Suspects

Colombia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that 17 of its citizens had been transferred from Haiti to the United States.

The ministry said the Colombian government was monitoring the development but had not participated in the decision or process that led to the transfer.

Moise was killed at his private residence in Port-au-Prince on July 7, 2021. Investigators said a group of about 20 Colombian military-trained mercenaries had been hired in connection with the operation.

The president’s security detail came under scrutiny after failing to prevent the attack.

In May, four men were convicted in a Miami federal court over charges connected to the plot, including conspiracy to kill or kidnap Moise and providing material support for the operation. They could face life imprisonment.

US prosecutors said the men were linked to CTU Security, a Florida-based private security company, and had allegedly been attracted by the prospect of lucrative contracts after Moise was removed from power.

The assassination plunged Haiti further into political and security turmoil. The country has since struggled with gang violence and remains without a president, while preparations continue for elections scheduled for December, subject to security conditions.