Economic challenges: Nigeria moves on Risk Index, from ‘stability’ to ‘vulnerability’ – Report

Aminu Imam

Nigeria has been classified as “vulnerable” to instability in 2024, according to the latest SBM ‘Intelligence Africa Country Instability Risk’ index. According to the report, this marks a downgrade from its “stable” status in 2023, driven by economic challenges linked to Government policies. Recall that Nigeria dropped 6 points this year, scoring 45, when compared with 39 in 2023. According to SBM Intelligence, a higher score in the risk index means a higher level of political risk to business. Other African nations sharing this risk status include Ethiopia, Comoros, Côte…

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Nigeria’s greatest stars gather in Lagos, as National Theatre ‘Festival of Unity’ begins 

Aminu Imam
National Theatre 'Festival

The stage is set for the biggest gathering of local and international entertainers in Lagos, as the National Theatre, in Lagos, will play host to high ranking personalities for two days, December 13-14. An issued statement by the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Yunusa Mohammed said, “The National Theatre Festival of Unity will begin on Friday, December 13, 2024 in Lagos”. According to the statement, the National Theatre had proved itself a force for the promotion of unity in diversity. “The National Theatre Festival of Unity is to foster better…

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‘Missing N57bn: “Probe: Humanitarian Affairs Ministry” – SERAP 

Aminu Imam
SERAP on missing N57bn

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP), has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, (SAN), and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to probe the allegedly over N57 billion of public funds “missing, diverted or stolen” in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021. In the letter dated 23 November 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The allegations amount to stealing from the poor. There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring…

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“Tinubu, Buhari part of Nigeria’s accidental leadership cycle” – Kukah

Aminu Imam
Tinubu on Kukah

Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah has described President Bola Tinubu, his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, and other previous Heads of State as leaders who found themselves in power by accident. The bishop made these remarks while delivering a keynote address at the official commissioning of Start-Rite School’s new building and the 4th Amaka Ndoma-Egba Memorial Lecture in Abuja, noted that it was evident none of them were fully prepared before assuming office, especially in a world where the demands of leadership are rapidly evolving. Kukah lamented that the…

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“Lekki Textile capable of generating 5,000 direct, 20,000 indirect jobs” – NEPZA MD

Aminu Imam
NEPZA

Lekki Textile and Garment Special Economic Zonem project located in the Eyin-Osa area of Epe, Lagos State will generate 5,000 direct and over 20,000 indirect jobs when operational. Managing Director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi made this known over the weekend, while disbursing cash compensation to the seven Eyin-Osa families that contributed the 240.09 acres of land for this Federal Government project. According to the statement issued by NEPZA Head, Corporate Communications, Dr. Martins Odeh, Ogunyemi said the community would be continually regenerated, adding that…

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Nigerian Legion warns veterans against street protest

Aminu Imam
IMG 20241124 WA0052

The Nigerian Legion has called on veterans of the Nigerian armed forces not to join some disgruntled groups among its members who want to go to the streets and picket in order to show their grievances over some unpaid entitlements. The National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion (NL), Maj. Gen. Abdulmalik Jibril (Rtd.), who made the call on Thursday when he addressed journalists in Abuja, said such disgruntled groups have been misinformed that entitlements resulting from consequential adjustments of minimum wage increase has been paid to some members. He said…

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Northern Elders again reject Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bill

Aminu Imam
Northern Elders' Forum endorse

…Back 19 Govs., monarchs on withdrawal The Northern Elders’ Forum, (NEF), has endorsed the stand taken by the Northern Governors’ Forum, (NGF), in conjunction with the Northern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers, about the proposed Tax Reform Bill by President Bola Tinubu. Recall that the 19 State governors in the Northern region had aired their strong displeasure on the recent Tax Reform Bill the Federal Government submitted to the National Assembly for approval. The governors particularly rejected the proposed shift to a Derivation-based Model for Value-Added Tax (VAT) distribution. The…

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PDP govs urge Tinubu to review economic policies

Aminu Imam
PDP govs urge Tinubu

State governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party have called on President Bola Tinubu to review his administration’s economic policies to address current hardship in the land. The governors made the call in a communique issued in Jos, Plateau State, after their two-day meeting, which ended yesterday. The communiqué, signed by Senator Bala Mohammed, Bauchi State Governor, who is the chairman of the Governor’s forum, read in part: “The Forum empathizes with Nigerians, who are groaning under the oppressive economic hardship foisted on the nation by the…

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‘65,848 women benefited from Kaduna govt. cash transfer scheme’ – Gov. Sani

Aminu Imam
Kaduna govt. cash transfer

No fewer than 65,848 women have benefitted from the Kaduna State Government’s Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme under the present administration, the State governor, Uba Sani has said. He made the disclosure during the launch of the Women Economic Empowerment Policy at the Women Economic Empowerment Summit, held at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Murtala Muhammad Square, Kaduna. The governor said that his administration has “ramped up the implementation of the Kaduna State Women Economic Empowerment Funds (KADSWEF)” in the state. Furthermore, Sani remarked that his government has also recorded notable achievements…

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Climate change: EU raises $300bn annual cash offer Nigeria, other poor nations 

Aminu Imam
EU raises

The European Union (EU), yesterday raised an offer by rich nations to help poor countries worst hit by climate change to $300 billion a year in a bid to salvage talks that the developing world warned were on the brink of collapse. Negotiators worked through the night in a windowless sports stadium in the Caspian Sea city of Baku in a search for compromise as the two-week UN climate talks dragged into an extra day. In a year set to be the hottest ever recorded, developing nations bearing the brunt…

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