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Osinbajo lambasts elite, says secession will lead to Nigeria’s extinction
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has again condemned calls for secession in some parts of the country, saying the action is the fastest way that can lead to extinction of Nigeria.
He also lambasted political, religious and economic elite, saying they had so far proved to be socially irresponsible.
He gave the position in Abuja on Thursday in a keynote address at the 2020 Leadership Conference and Awards organised by the Leadership Newspaper Group on Thursday.
The theme of the conference is, “National and Regional Security: Role of Political and non-Political Actors in Stabilization and Consensus Building.”
Some of the awardees at the event are the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele; President, African Development Bank, AfDB, Dr Akinwumi Adesina; Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, as Persons of the Year; Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State and Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State as Politicians of the Year; Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos and Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State as Governors of the Year.
Other awardees are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha (Public Service Person of the Year 2020); Late Flying Officer Arotile Tolulope Seraph (Outstanding Young Person of the Year Posthumous Award); Shola Akinlade (CEO of the Year), Abdulrazaq Kutepa (Business Person of the Year); the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC (Government agency of the Year) and the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (Government agency of the Year).
Osinbajo said, “Often when we explore the concept of national and regional security, there is a tendency to situate the discourse around the machinations of externally generated vulnerabilities and external adversaries. So, we argue often that the problem is state fragility in Africa is on account of the colonial origins of her nation states. The notion for example that Nigeria is a hastily and arbitrarily cobbler together, patchwork of mutually alienated kingdoms and as a result it has remained plagues by fundamental challenges rooted in its founding.
“Now, this is a popular view but of course it is not the whole true. Indeed, it is my view that the colonial beginnings of African nation states do not constitute inimitable obstacle to nation building that it is often thought to be. After all, colonialism itself was a historic global phenomenon across states from Africa to Asia to Europe and America.
“The chief weakness that we have is a human one. Our political, economic and religious elites, who have so far proved to be socially irresponsible, have so far been unable to build institutions.
“We must be able to say to the young men and women who for instance say that secession is the only way or that we should break into little nations and that that is the only way that it is the way to extinction of Nigeria not development.”
In his remarks, Dr Adesina noted that Africa should not be begging for COVID-19 vaccines.
“Africa should be producing vaccines. Nigeria and Africa must put in place a health security defence system. Health security is only assured by being self reliant. It cannot be outsourced. AfDB will provide $3 billion for developing health infrastructure in Africa,” he stated.
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Currency in circulation now N4.8tn – CBN report
Currency in circulation now N4.8tn – CBN report
Currency in circulation has reached an all-time high of N4.8 trillion as of November 2024, recording over seven per cent increase from the previous month.
Also, currency outside banks grew significantly in the same month hitting an all-time high of N4.6 trillion from the N4.2 trillion in the month of October.
These figures were contained in the money and credit supply data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The currency in circulation is the amount of cash–in the form of paper notes or coins–within a country that is physically used to conduct transactions between consumers and businesses.
It represents the money that has been issued by the country’s monetary authority, minus cash that has been removed from the system.
Similarly, currency outside a bank refers to cash held by individuals, businesses and other entities that is not stored in banks.
The currency outside the bank represents about 96 per cent of the currency in circulation.
Nigerians have in recent times been facing acute cash shortage with banks limiting daily withdrawal at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) to N20,000 irrespective of the number of accounts held by an account owner.
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According to the latest data, the currency in circulation grew by seven per cent to reach 4,878,125.22 from 4,549,217.51 in October.
Currency in circulation has grown steadily in the outgoing year 2024 with over one trillion naira added to cash in circulation after starting the year with N3.65 trillion in January.
In February, the currency in circulation slightly increased to N3.69 trillion representing an increase of N43 billion or 1.18 per cent from the January figure.
March also saw an appreciable increase to N3.87 trillion while it further increased to N3.92 trillion in the following month of April.
The growth trajectory continued in May with the currency in circulation increasing slightly to N3.97 trillion, an increase of N42 billion or 1.07 per cent while it reached an all-time high of 4.04 trillion, an increase of 2.11 per cent from May.
The July figure also rose marginally with the currency in circulation settling for N4.05 trillion before growing to N4.14 trillion in August and N4.43 trillion in September and N4.5 trillion in October.
In the same vein, currency outside banks grew from N4.2 trillion in October to N4.6 trillion in November, showing increasing preference for other means of storing outside bank deposits.
Economist, Dr. Paul Alaje attributed the development to the expanding money supply, adding, “Money supply is expanding but this may not necessarily be in cash. As it is expanding, it will necessarily induce inflation. But you can’t blame the people. People must look for money. How much was bottled water last year, how much is it today? All of this will induce inflation. If you now ask, what is the cause of inflation? Is it money supply itself or a devaluation policy? It is a devaluation policy. Money supply is an offshoot. So the Central Bank is raising interest rates to actually reduce money supply but the more they try the more money supply expands.”
He stated that the floatation policy of the CBN has created inflation, adding, “It is like chasing one’s tail and I don’t know if you are going to catch it.”
Currency in circulation now N4.8tn – CBN report
News
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
President Bola Tinubu has been accused of not being forthright about the true state of Nigeria under his administration.
Former Jigawa State Governor and senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, Sule Lamido, made the accusation while speaking on the BBC Hausa programme Gane Mini Hanya.
Lamido criticized both Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari for what he described as a lack of transparency in governance.
“Buhari’s and Tinubu’s governments are not being transparent with Nigerians unlike during the time when PDP was in power where everything was transparent and open to all Nigerians,” Lamido said.
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He accused the two administrations of relying on propaganda rather than providing citizens with accurate information.
Lamido also expressed concerns over President Tinubu’s recent loan requests, questioning the logic behind them. “If Nigerians are being told the truth then there is nothing wrong with that, but how would you budget N30tn, generate N50tn and then request loan when you have a surplus of N20tn,” he said, referencing last year’s budget.
He described the situation as “reckless” and “selfish,” adding, “This recklessness and clear-cut selfishness is not done anywhere in the world, but yet you find (some) Nigerians supporting it. Visit social media and see how APC is being criticised, being referred to as calamity, yet you find some protecting it.”
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
News
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the commencement of its recruitment exercise, assuring Nigerians that the process is entirely free and fair.
The agency has cautioned the public to be vigilant against scammers who may attempt to exploit unsuspecting applicants during the recruitment period.
Applications are invited for positions in the Superintendent, Inspector, and Customs Assistant cadres as part of the Service’s plan to recruit 3,927 officers in 2025.
This initiative is aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and supporting Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts.
“Our recruitment is entirely free and fair. At no stage do we charge fees. Anyone requesting payment is a scammer,” the agency emphasized, urging applicants to be wary of fraudulent schemes.
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The NCS outlined eligibility criteria, stating that applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth, possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN), and have no criminal record or ongoing investigations.
Academic qualifications for the three cadres are as follows:
Superintendent Cadre: A university degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) along with an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.
Inspectorate Cadre: A National Diploma (ND) or Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from an accredited institution.
Customs Assistant Cadre: At least an O’Level certificate (WAEC or NECO).
In addition to these qualifications, the NCS stressed that all applicants must be physically and mentally fit, providing evidence of medical fitness from a recognized government hospital.
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
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