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Arch-Bishop Onayekan laments that Nigeria is in a state of emergency

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**Says it is at the verge of being named collapsed state

Unless deliberate and decisive steps are taken to address pressing issues of insecurity in Nigeria, the country might move from a failed state to a collapsed State, the Catholic Arch Bishop Emeritus of  Abuja, Cardinal John Onayekan, has said.

Onayekan gave a time limit between April 2022 and April 2023 within which some remedy must be applied if not, then the country should not think about next general elections. 

The elderly clergy made the comments as a guest on AIT early morning Programme, Kakaaki, monitored by our correspondent on Monday.

According to him, it is time the government admitted that it has not done well as denying that would be a terrible thing to do.
He pleaded with the political class to set aside political differences to tackle the nation’s problems with a united front.
“The country is in a state of emergency  which requires the political class to adopt a concerted action to wrest it fromcollapse.”

He said, “May I state that if we were to start talking about the state of the nation we have a whole catalogue of complaints and frustrations but what is worrying to me is that we have one crucial year between now and April 2023 and can we do something.

“My  fear is that if we do not do something serious and just allow things to continue to go we may end up from failed state to a collapsed state and if our state collapses you can forget all about elections. 

“The good news that Easter has put on me is that a lot can happen in this one year .

“And I am praying and begging the Nigerian political community that this is the time to put aside the concept of political parties because we are in a state of emergency.

 “It is time for everyone to hold the best which we have to stop political manipulations to stop defending the politically indefensible.

 “It is time for the government to admit that they’ve not done well as one of the newspapers said if the government continues to be in denial,saying things are good when things are obviously bad…it is terrible.”
Onaiyekan said further that he is not of the view that the Government can say with sincerity that they are in control.

He said it is important for the Government to admit the situation and request the help of people to help move the nation forward.
“I don’t think the Apc government of Buhari  can sincerely say we’re in control… 

“The government doesn’t want to admit that they have lost control  but the reality is that they are on the ground. We need to see if it is possible for the government to come out and be truthful and also request the help of the people to move Nigeria forward
 “I am praying seriously that we do something to fix our nation to a reasonable state of normalcy in this one year.

“We should be able to tackle this insurgency, banditry; we should be able to do something about collapsed social services,  ASUU strike going on indefinitely leaving our youths roaming throughout the entire country.”

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AGOA/CBI: Okonjo-Iweala, Senator Natasha in Geneva discus trade

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At the ongoing 148th assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) holding at the International Conference Centre, Geneva, Switzerland, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the Senate Chairman on Local Content, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, have taken time out to discuss trade

Senator Natasha who has been at the forefront of advocacy of export opportunities for Nigeria urged Dr Okonjo-Iweala to help facilitate access to global markets for Nigerian businesses, and enhance export capabilities to bolster economic growth and diversification.

She urged Nigeria to take advantage of the opportunities that African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) offer, respectively.

“It is my earnest expectation under the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to see Nigeria take advantage of these export opportunities through your support and by working closely with my office as the Senate Chairman on Local Contents,” she stated.

She expressed the believe that Nigeria amid the acute dollar shortages can tap the opportunities to boost its non-oil exports under AGOA to earn the much-needed foreign exchange for its economy.

In her remarks, the WTO Director-General lauded Senator Natasha for her valuable contributions and promised to look into her recommendations.

She also assured her readiness to collaborate with the Kogi lawmaker for the greater good of Nigeria, especially in the area of trade and commerce.

AGOA, a US trade initiative established in 2000, allows African nations to export various products, especially non-oil goods, to the United States on favourable terms, thereby promoting economic development and trade on the continent.

It has been a crucial lifeline for many African economies, offering opportunities to access the vast American market.

South Africa, Kenya, Madagascar, Lesotho, and Ghana dominated the 2022 non-oil AGOA exports, accounting for 90 per cent of the total non-oil AGOA exports in 2022, with Nigeria missing on the list.

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Obi tackles AG over insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians

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The Labour Party’s standard bearer in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has callout the Accountant General of the Federation over his insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians for staging a Workshop in London
He described the action as the highest level of insensitivity of the office in the face of the economic reality in the country.

Obi said Nigerians must resist and denounce such recklessness which he describef a clear a show of feelinglessness

Writing on his X handle on Saturday Obi said “Nigerians must vehemently denounce and condemn the decision of Nigeria’s Accountant-General’s Office to hold a workshop in London. This decision is not only unacceptable but also deeply troubling on multiple levels.

“Given the prevailing hardship in the country and the pitiable State of our national currency, any public function abroad amounts to insensitivity on the part of the government and any agency or individuals involved.

“First and foremost, it represents a blatant disregard for fiscal responsibility and prudent expenditure of public funds. At a time when Nigeria is grappling with economic challenges, including inflation, currency devaluation, and a widening budget deficit, it is utterly irresponsible to squander taxpayer money on extravagant overseas workshops. The resources allocated for such purposes should be directed towards addressing pressing domestic needs, such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and poverty alleviation.

“Furthermore, holding a workshop in London sends the wrong message to the Nigerian people and the international community. It perpetuates the perception of government officials indulging in luxury and extravagance at the expense of the common citizen. It fosters a culture of elitism and detachment from the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians, who struggle daily to make ends meet amidst rising living costs and limited access to essential services.

“Moreover, there are serious questions regarding the necessity and effectiveness of conducting a workshop abroad, particularly in a city as expensive as London. Nigeria is home to numerous highly qualified professionals and experts who are more than capable of providing the required training and expertise. By outsourcing such activities to foreign countries the government not only undermines local expertise but also fails to leverage the wealth of knowledge and experience within its borders.

“Additionally, holding a workshop in London raises concerns about transparency and accountability in government procurement processes. There must be full disclosure and justification for why London was chosen as the venue, as well as how the selection of vendors and contractors was made. Any hint of impropriety or favouritism in awarding contracts for such events must be thoroughly investigated and addressed.”

He cocluded by saying that a new Nigeria is possible.

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Beam searchlight on INEC Chairman over Election Funds, ex – IPAC Chief urges EFCC

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commision(EFCC) has been urged to investigate the national Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakub, over his handlung of the funds released for the conduct of the 2023 general elections.

A former National Legal Adviser of the Inter Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) , Barrister Chukwudi Ezeobika who made the call in Abuja on Tuesday, said many Nigerians, especially youths were displeased with the conduct of the 2023 general elections by the INEC.

Ezeobika, explained that mass exodus of youths out of the country shortly after the election was due to poor performance of the INEC.

He insisted that the INEC Chairman, Professor Yakubu Mahmood “has remained the main reason why the Nigerian youths, have completely lost hope in the entity called Nigeria and have resorted to leaving the country in droves (JAPA Syndrome).”

In the statement, Ezeobika said that Prof. Mahmood, and the electoral body’s commissioners at the national and state levels “have not only destroyed the future of many youths in Nigeria by remaining partisan in the conduct of elections but has consistently, wilfully and deliberately misled the electorate on its programmes and schedule for elections since his appointment as the Chairman of INEC.

“From its bold supervision of parallel party primaries across the States of the Federation to its declaration of false and or unpopular Candidates as winners of elections and party primaries in Nigeria, the recklessness of the electoral umpire under Prof. Yakub Mahmood can not be overemphasized.

“The misinformation to and false education of Nigerians by Prof. Mahmood Yakub-led INEC on the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which is an electronic device designed to read Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and authenticate voters simultaneously as well as iReV which allows members of the public to create personal accounts and monitor uploaded results, increasing the transparency and integrity of the electoral process, has remained the greatest scam and falsehood in the history of elections in Nigeria.

“The cost of the inadequacies, inept and incompetence of Prof. Yakub Mahmood, in the discharge of his duties as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, can not be overemphasised.

“From personal costs on litigation to Nigerians (Nominees and Candidates alike), which runs into several billions of Naira yearly, due to their participation in the primaries and elections monitored and conducted by INEC, to the huge financial burden on taxpayers money budgeted yearly by the Nigerian government in prosecuting civil and criminal cases which stem from the unwholesome activities of the electoral body in the discharge of its constitutional duties, it is now evidently obvious that the continued retention of Prof. Yakub Mahmood, as the Chairman of INEC in Nigeria, is not only insulting but acutely reprehensible.

“In view of the foregoing, I call on the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede to redeem the corrupt and battered image of the electoral system in Nigeria by promptly investigating billions of taxpayers’ money budgeted and released to INEC under Prof. Yakub Mahmood for the conduct of elections in Nigeria.

“I call on the Commission to further investigate personal financial activities of Prof. Yakub Mahmood, as well as that of the Commissioners under him since their appointments

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